Chapter Eight: The Killing Intent Awakens

Su Yizhao sensed the hostility in their eyes and could not help but frown slightly.

But it was only a frown, nothing more.

As envoys from the main sect, backed by forces of unknown magnitude, he had to consider the consequences of killing them.

Just then, Mu Qingqing and the others arrived.

“Shall we split up or go together?” Liu Qinwu’s expression did not change as he asked Huang Guiming and Mu Renxing.

The area was spacious, and further ahead, over a dozen mine tunnels branched out in all directions.

Mu Renxing laughed and said, “If we split up, how about I go with her?”

He extended his hand, pointing at Li Xiumoon.

Su Yizhao’s right index finger, hidden behind his back, twitched slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

Li Xiumoon showed no anger, retorting sarcastically, “Fellow Daoist Mu, as an envoy from the main sect, your Mu family’s power is considerable. But I wonder how it compares to the Grand Elder of the Alchemy Hall?”

At her words, Mu Renxing and Huang Guiming inhaled sharply, their eyes shifting to Liu Qinwu.

Liu Qinwu gave a wry smile. “I forgot to introduce: this is Fellow Daoist Li Xiumoon, who has been accepted as the Grand Elder’s personal disciple in the Alchemy Hall.”

Mu Renxing immediately straightened his expression and apologized, “I didn’t realize before that you are the Grand Elder’s disciple, Fellow Daoist Li. If I was disrespectful, please forgive me!”

It was no joke—let alone the Grand Elder, even any elder of the Alchemy Hall was not someone any force would want to offend.

If the Mu family learned he had offended the Grand Elder, they would likely beat him half to death to atone. And if the Grand Elder was still dissatisfied, he might simply be killed outright.

Huang Guiming hurried to add, “Greetings, Fellow Daoist Li!”

“Hmph!”

Li Xiumoon turned away, offering neither assent nor denial.

Su Yizhao’s finger stilled, his heart a mix of joy and anxiety.

The Grand Elder was so formidable that it was a great honor for Li Xiumoon to be accepted as his personal disciple.

The problem was, the Grand Elder was soon coming to see him, and that left Su Yizhao deeply uneasy.

Firstly, there was the matter of his heaven-defying “Creation Art.”

Secondly, there was the interference with his engagement to Li Xiumoon. While the engagement itself was not so important, it was always uncomfortable to have outsiders meddling.

By now, the group had finished their introductions.

The three brought by Mu Renxing and Huang Guiming were all prodigies admitted to the main sect without examination.

One hailed from Taishan City, and two from Ningjiang City, all of which were near Lisha City.

“And this one—is he perhaps also a disciple of some important figure in the main sect?” Mu Renxing, having learned his lesson, raised his hand and pointed at Su Yizhao.

Su Yizhao’s expression did not change.

Liu Qinwu chuckled, “Him? He doesn’t even qualify for admission to the main sect without examination!”

Li Xiumoon raised her voice, “He is my Dao companion!”

The others exchanged odd looks, glancing between the two, then shook their heads slightly.

Now Mu Renxing truly acted the part of a main sect envoy, sweeping his hand grandly, “Since that’s the case, we’re all on the same path. There’s no need to split up. Many reckless cultivators have entered here; if we separate, you might be harmed. Let’s proceed together!”

No one objected.

Su Yizhao and Li Xiumoon fell to the rear, following the group into one of the mine tunnels.

“Are you upset?”

“I don’t like hearing anyone speak to you so disrespectfully.”

In the dim mystical glow, Li Xiumoon’s delicate earlobes were tinged with red.

“You’re here to compete, and I brought you so you could meet talents from various sects—and above all, the main sect’s envoys.”

Trailing four or five zhang behind, the two spoke in quiet voices.

Su Yizhao replied softly, “I understand.”

“If you’re unhappy, we can leave right now. No one would dare stop us!”

“No need. I want to see what’s inside as well.” Su Yizhao smiled at her, his white teeth and confident gaze clear in the mystical light.

Li Xiumoon’s fair earlobes flushed deep red once more.

Though the mine tunnel was low and dark, it posed no difficulty for them.

Ten people advanced swiftly, gradually descending deeper into the earth.

An hour later, the silence was finally shattered by a startled cry.

“Run!”

A voice called from ahead, and the group’s spirits lifted.

From the darkness, a figure shot toward them at great speed.

Mu Renxing sneered, “I was just worrying about finding the right direction—now we can ask.”

He glanced back at Su Yizhao, then suddenly raised his right hand, fingers forming a grip.

With a whoosh, a cold gleam flashed.

A soft sound—a body charging forward was pierced through, blood spurting from its throat.

The cultivator’s strength seemed to drain away, and unable to control his body, he collapsed to the ground.

Su Yizhao’s gaze sharpened, fixing on Mu Renxing’s back.

There was no grudge, no feud—just a question to be asked, yet he had struck so ruthlessly, claiming a life.

Was this a demonstration, or a show of strength?

“One cultivator is enough to question. The rest must be silenced.”

As though to explain, Mu Renxing muttered to himself.

His fingers moved again; the flying sword spun rapidly and, with a swift sound, shot into the darkness.

“Careful, fellow Daoists inside!” Li Xiumoon quickly called out in warning.

“Run!”

“Friends ahead, turn back now! Hurry!”

From the darkness ahead, several more people rushed toward them, some even warning them to turn back.

Sounds of flesh being pierced rang out again and again.

Su Yizhao’s right hand, hidden behind his back, clenched tightly.

“You… you people…!”

The fleeing cultivators clearly hadn’t expected such a deadly ambush. Within a few breaths, apart from one shriek of agony, all fell silent.

Mu Renxing turned, swept his gaze over the group, sneered, and strode forward.

The bodies wore blue Daoist robes.

Sweat dampened Su Yizhao’s right palm.

“Why did you kill them?”

Li Xiumoon’s face was icy, her voice laced with fury.

“Yes, why?” Mu Qingqing was equally incensed.

Mu Renxing gave no reply.

Huang Guiming smiled. “No need for alarm—this is the cultivation world. That’s just how it is! When you reach the main sect, you’ll see how fierce the competition is. If you want to win resources, there are only two paths: life or death. No other way.”

“But… but there was no need to kill them, was there? Besides, they were only trying to warn us!” Mu Qingqing pressed anxiously.

“It was no trouble at all. Killing them keeps things quiet. As for the warning—do we need anyone to warn us? Let’s go and take a look.”

Su Yizhao watched coldly.

Tomorrow or the next day, the Law Enforcement Hall would likely issue a new mission.

The task would be simple: Four disciples from the sect have gone missing. Investigate the cause. If they were killed, carry out a revenge mission.

He wondered if he should accept the mission ahead of time.

Li Xiumoon’s anger had not abated. She and Mu Qingqing remained where they were.

“Xiumoon, this is a cultivator’s true nature. He’s not fit to be your Dao companion. See? He’s petrified!” Liu Qinwu brushed past Li Xiumoon, speaking softly.

Li Xiumoon retorted, “Get lost!”

Su Yizhao took a deep breath and said calmly, “Xiumoon, let’s go.”

He headed into the depths of the mine tunnel.

Li Xiumoon and the others followed after him.

“Don’t… don’t kill me…!”

A brief, wet sound.

“Now that we know we’re going the right way, there’s no reason to keep you alive. See you in the next life.”

Mu Renxing’s disdainful voice echoed.

When Su Yizhao arrived, the bodies were strewn across the ground.

The stench of blood filled his nose; a cold gleam flashed and vanished.

At that moment, he understood.

The main sect did not support its branches—they only exploited them.

Branch disciples were like livestock penned in, their lives and deaths decided at a whim.

In that instant, the urge to kill surged within him…