One more catty, one more attribute point

The secret technique of Tai Cang cultivation was called "Vajra Protection Mantra," which could summon the indestructible Vajra protectors through supreme mana and great resolution. Enhanced by the technique of sealing demons within one's body, each summoned Vajra protector was impervious to water and fire, easily rivaling ordinary beings of the Heavenly Deceit Realm.

This secret technique was also Tai Cang's pride as a Buddha's disciple of the White Tower Temple, having forced Li Lingsu, a well-known expert from the Jiang E area, into a desperate situation.

But now...

The muscular four-armed Vajra protector was abruptly lifted into the air by a giant hand.

Under the bright moonlight, the demon-like, muscular figure with disheveled hair had a ferocious expression. He now opened his fanged mouth wide and viciously bit down on the neck of the Vajra protector. With a crisp snap, the protector's body, tough as ironstone, was easily torn apart, emitting black fog.

Crunch!

The giant chewed a few times, swallowing the broken stones in one gulp.

Watching this scene that made him doubt life itself, Tai Cang also swallowed nervously.

He felt as though someone had hit his pressure points, immobilizing him completely. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, until the giant had chewed a few more times and devoured half of the Vajra protector. Only when the giant's red eyes calmly met his did Tai Cang snap back to reality.

"Hiss!" Cold sweat densely covered Tai Cang's smooth forehead.

The man's gaze bore no intent to kill, yet it still oppressed him tremendously.

How could Tai Cang not realize by now.

The giant before him was undoubtedly a rare expert.

With this thought, he already began to consider retreating, but Tai Cang's combat experience was also extensive.

Even though he was at a disadvantage and the situation was unfavorable, there was no panic or fear on Tai Cang's black and white face. His white robe fluttered in the cold wind as he instead laughed heartily and said, "Didn't expect another expert to be here. If that's the case, this humble monk will take his leave first—till we meet again!"

With the words "till we meet again" spoken, Tai Cang's tall body soared.

His white robe was framed against the golden full moon, along with the thin clouds in the sky, lending him an air of a dashing escape.

Meanwhile—

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

The remaining seventeen Vajra protectors on the ground stretched out straight black lines, shooting towards Su Heng in unison.

Their bodies collided, compressed, and deformed amidst the dull and continuous booming sounds. These mud-like black Vajra protectors exploded one after another, their black mud bodies squirming as if alive, transforming into dark mountains to completely encapsulate and suppress Su Heng within.

"Even if it's not enough to seriously injure him, it should be enough to seal and suppress him for a while," Tai Cang thought, seeing the success of his secret technique.

His tight heart finally began to relax as he took a deep breath.

Among the several Buddha's disciples of the White Tower Temple, Tai Cang's natural abilities were only average.

He had reached his current strength and position through caution and prudence. Therefore, after feeling the oppressive force from facing Su Heng directly, Tai Cang completely abandoned any idea of confronting him.

Even though the secret technique was successful, Tai Cang did not linger. He turned quickly, planning to leave the battlefield.

However—

He had not gone ten meters when he heard a crisp cracking sound behind him.

A blazing light burst forth, illuminating the night. Stunned, Tai Cang froze mid-air, abruptly turning his head, his eyes widening. Quickly, he saw numerous cracks spreading across the black mountains, followed by the second, third, and countless more bursts of golden light.

"How is this possible!" Tai Cang's mouth fell open in shock. "My Divine Skill could even seal a third-step Heavenly Deceit expert for a while!"

"This beast!" A chill ran through Tai Cang's heart; he dared not linger any longer.

He stomped heavily, bursting through the air as he dashed forward rapidly. Unfortunately, it was too late. In that moment of hesitation, life and death were divided!

"Your pathetic life is a menace; better to die here," Su Heng said calmly.

He made no grand gestures, nor did he chase forward. He simply stood still, reaching out with his hand. As he exerted force, his left arm rapidly swelled with blood, scales appearing on it, and his hand turned dark and mutated into a ferocious, thick dragon's claw.

The immense force twisted the air, forming black smoke and then further mutating into a sky-darkening black wave that surged furiously toward Tai Cang's escaping direction.

In mid-air, the bright moonlight dimmed as if obscured by clouds.

The sharp piercing sound, like the roar of a hundred beasts, exploded right next to Tai Cang's ears.

"Damn it!" Tai Cang roared furiously, his energy bursting forth as he struggled violently. "My legend has just begun; I absolutely will not die here!"

Golden Buddha light and black demonic energy burst forth from his body.

The two vastly different forces were driven to their limit, but it was in vain. The immense gray and black energy in mid-air transformed into a giant claw that tightly clenched. Tai Cang's tall body was instantly crushed into a twist, blood spurted wildly, dyeing half of the sky blood red, a gruesomely absolute death.

Swoosh!

The fully realized Bright Sun Divine Skill erupted, illuminating the surroundings.

Tai Cang's life force, along with the demons suppressed within him, all turned into nourishment for Su Heng, who devoured and absorbed them.

As the black fog dispersed.

The bright moonlight fell again, and in the sky, only half a torn human skin remained, proving that Tai Cang had once lived.

Exhale!n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

A cold wind blew.

The blood-stained human skin fluttered away with the wind.

Suddenly, a spark emerged on it and grew rapidly against the wind.

In the blink of an eye, it burst into flames, turning the human skin to ashes, which then completely disappeared.

Li Lingsu's gaze slightly narrowed as she withdrew it from the burning human skin in the sky. Her character was always serene and detached, but looking at the imposing figure under the moonlight, Li Lingsu couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

If their first meeting had Li Lingsu as an inconspicuous sparrow and the other as a true dragon soaring in the heavens,

the gap between them was immense at that time, yet Li Lingsu could still feel Su Heng's strength.

Now, after only a few months, upon their reunion, Li Lingsu remained that unremarkable sparrow, while Su Heng had transformed from a true dragon into the vast expanse of the sky, his presence deep and commanding, boundless.

Being the legitimate daughter of a distinguished family, her status was esteemed.

However, in the face of Su Heng, Li Lingsu always felt an inherent sense of inferiority.

"I have seen Young Master Su," Li Lingsu bent her knees slightly towards Su Heng, seriously performing a bow. With a forced smile on her calm and plain face, she said, "Thank you, Young Master Su, for saving my life."

"It was nothing but a small effort," Su Heng waved his hand and casually smiled, "Besides, even if I hadn't intervened, that guy probably wouldn't have been able to trouble you."

Inside the Longevity Heaven Secret Realm.

Su Heng and Li Lingsu had a brief sparring encounter.

Although it was just a touching of waters, the Li family's Void Bloodline left a deep impression on Su Heng. If both were to go all out, Li Lingsu might not be a match for Tai Cang, but if she decided to flee, Tai Cang would definitely not be able to stop her.

"After some time, Young Master Su seems to have advanced further," Li Lingsu spoke with a deep look in her eyes.

"Just a small gain," Su Heng modestly smiled, comparing with his thumb and forefinger. In a fleeting moment, Li Lingsu thought she saw a swirling galaxy between his two fingers. She shook her head to dismiss such a strange thought.

Li Lingsu's eyes narrowed slightly, puzzled, "What brings Young Master Su to this place?"

"Could it also be for the matter of White Tower Temple manifesting in this world?" Li Lingsu continued without waiting for Su Heng to speak.

"Indeed," Su Heng's eyes brightened.

"But White Tower Temple is to the east of the Wulian Mountain range, why did you come to the west?"

"..."

"However, it so happens that I am also heading to White Tower Temple to meet with my family elders," Li Lingsu softly smiled, not pursuing the question further, "If Brother Su doesn't mind, perhaps we could travel together."

"That would be excellent," Su Heng smiled and nodded.

...

...

...

Skull Plain, the temporary camp set up by the monks and soldiers of the Immortal Sects.

A cold breeze blew from the distant Wulian Mountain as Ning Xiaoyu yawned, stretching her body, finally waking up a bit. She grabbed the railing in front of her, exerted a little force, and stood up from the makeshift watchtower, idly surveying the surrounding scenery.

To the south lay Wulian Mountain, covered with gleaming white snow, and further down at the foot of the mountain was a lake as clear and profound as a mirror. Near the dark mountain foothills, one side of the lake was frozen with white ice, while the rest had already melted.

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew down from the mountain, causing ripples on the lake surface, breaking the moonlight into shimmering fragments, creating a serene and soft scene which Ning Xiaoyu never tired of watching.

Northward was their camp. Your next chapter awaits on empire

This place had once been a city, but is now deserted. The white brick walls were smeared with golden Sanskrit, and the remnants of temples buried under sand and Buddha statues could still be faintly seen. Several young monks wielding swords patrolled the empty streets.

Looking around, a few fires could be seen rising in the city, the black smoke highly noticeable under the bright moonlight.

Ning Xiaoyu was a True Disciple of one of the three major Immortal Sects, the Wuji Sword Sect.

She had just entered the Heavenly Deceit Realm not long ago, accompanying her sect elders on this training expedition outside, unexpectedly encountering mishaps.

The emergence of White Tower Temple.

This turned the battlefield at Skull Plain far more complex and dangerous.

The Wuji Sword Sect elders urged Ning Xiaoyu to leave the battlefield, but after some thought, Ning Xiaoyu chose to refuse.

On one hand, as a Sword Cultivator, she should display the courage to never yield and fear no evil. On the other hand, during this period of fighting, Ning Xiaoyu had forged deep friendships with the monks fighting alongside her and did not want to abandon her comrades and leave alone.

Leaning on the railing, Ning Xiaoyu squinted her eyes and watched for a while.

Outside the city, all was quiet, with neither the Monk Soldiers of Skull Plain nor the dangerous Deceit Beasts that appeared with the manifesting of White Tower Temple. Ning Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief and jumped down from the watchtower. She seemed to think of something fun, and her lazy steps became noticeably lighter.

Waving to a patrolling elder, she greeted him.

Ning Xiaoyu directly headed to a deserted temple in the city, pushed open the old scarlet doors, and entered a quiet and secluded courtyard within the temple. A slender figure in scarlet was facing away from her, her shoulders moving as if she was messing with something.

Hearing the noise outside, she hurriedly hid the object before turning around, revealing a fair, soft-oval face.

This person was none other than Ling Weizi, the mentor of Qin Shunying!