As soon as Jiang Yubai’s words fell, a powerful energy suddenly erupted from his body.
The force was like a raging storm, sweeping across the entire area.
In an instant, those closest to him were overwhelmed by an oppressive pressure that crushed their breath. Some trembled uncontrollably, while others instinctively shielded their eyes.
When they dared open them again, what they saw left them stunned.
A mysterious, ancient aura surged from Jiang Yubai’s body—one that felt as though it had come from a forgotten era, majestic and terrifying.
Someone gasped in fear, “He’s really gone demonic!”
“Heavens! Unbelievable!”
“He… he really is possessed?!”
Cries of alarm rose one after another. Chaos broke out.
But Jiang Yubai simply curled his lips with a disdainful smile.
Their fear, their accusations—he couldn’t care less.
Demonic possession?
He almost laughed.
A bunch of fools.
He had merely pushed past a limit, grasping greater power—nothing more.
His cold gaze swept across the crowd.
Even Ye Yunshang and Mu Xueqi stood wide-eyed, horrified by the overwhelming power now radiating from the heart of the formation.
They had never seen such might before. Their hearts couldn’t help but quiver in fear.
Kneeling in a pool of blood, Jiang Yubai remained unmoved, his eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
Then, one word at a time, he said, “A mere Tenfold Soul-Grinding Formation… you think that’s enough to make me yield?”
His voice rang with cold certainty.
Then he stood, graceful and calm.
Raising his right hand, his sword turned into a dazzling stream of light.
He slashed out, forming a beautiful arc through the air before striking the formation’s weakest point without hesitation.
The blow was like lightning, fierce and unrelenting.
The space trembled. All held their breath.
And then—
The Sect Protection Formation, once thought indestructible, shattered.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
That was the formation capable of slaying Spirit Transformation cultivators?!
Their minds went blank.
…break free from a dead-end situation with such terrifying power?!
Even Mu Xueqi and the others were dumbfounded, eyes like saucers.
They couldn’t even spare a glance for the gravely wounded Xiao Yifei now.
The elders who had stayed silent until now began to regret.
Had they been wrong to stand by while the sect master and her disciple forced Jiang Yubai into this?
…
But Jiang Yubai didn’t give them time to reflect.
He raised his hand and solemnly vowed, “I, Jiang Yubai, swear on my remaining life—against the Longevity Sect…”
He paused.
Then finished with unwavering clarity, “…to the death.”
His voice had barely faded when Ye Yunshang snapped back to her senses, rage consuming her.
Without hesitation, she unleashed a powerful strike. “You insolent bastard!”
Jiang Yubai, drained from exhausting his spiritual Qi all at once, couldn’t avoid it in time.
The blow landed.
The once-glorious, powerful chief disciple—
Was hurled several meters away by the force of the attack, blood spraying from his mouth.
Ye Yunshang smirked, pleased that she had finally brought him down.
But that satisfaction vanished as she saw him slowly, stubbornly rise to his feet.
He looked battered. But the pressure he exuded was undeniable.
With a hoarse but firm voice, Jiang Yubai said, “This strike… I’ll remember it, Ye Yunshang.”
Then, without giving anyone a chance to respond, he used the last of his strength to activate a teleportation talisman.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Yubai vanished.
All that remained was silence.
An absurd silence.
A surreal emptiness.
Ye Yunshang and Mu Xueqi stood frozen, their expressions twisted and uncertain.
…
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With the help of the talisman, Jiang Yubai arrived deep in a forest a thousand kilometers away.
But a single talisman only covered one thousand kilometers—he had used ten in a row to get this far.
To stay conscious, he had resisted fainting with every last ounce of strength.
Finally, when the power of the last talisman faded, his body gave out and collapsed to the ground.
He forced himself to crawl forward, staggering, trying to find shelter.
Fortunately, he soon spotted a hidden cave.
Stumbling inside, he fished out a formation disk he’d crafted long ago and placed it at the entrance.
But before he could insert a spirit stone to activate it, his injuries and fatigue overcame him.
His vision went black. He collapsed beside the formation disk.
…
Who knows how long passed.
Jiang Yubai finally opened his eyes.
To his surprise, the bleeding had stopped, as if his wounds had begun healing.
Just as confusion crept in, a clear, melodious voice rang out, “You’re awake? If you’re that badly hurt, why didn’t you take some pills first?”
His brows furrowed. Instinctively alert, he turned his head.
Not far away stood a girl in red robes, her eyes bright, a playful smile at the corners of her lips.
She looked young, pretty, with clear sparkling eyes.
But Jiang Yubai felt nothing toward her.
Every time he saw a young female cultivator now, he thought of Mu Xueqi and the others.
The girl in red didn’t seem to notice his hostile gaze. She kept talking casually. “You don’t need to thank me! Sure, I cleaned your blood and opened your defense formation, but—”
Jiang Yubai drew in a deep breath. “…Thank you.”
His voice was low and flat, emotionless.
Then he shut his mouth and said no more.
Hearing the short thanks, the girl—Yun Xiaoxiao—chuckled, her laugh crisp and light.
She looked at Jiang Yubai with a probing gleam in her eyes and said softly, “You’re badly hurt…”
He stayed silent for a moment, brow furrowed, then rasped out, “…I know.”
Yun Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, surprised.
She hadn’t expected Jiang Yubai to admit it so bluntly.
Smiling faintly, she asked again, “Need any help?”
Jiang Yubai’s expression turned even colder.