Ambush

"This kid… he… He knows an Earth-ranked martial skill?!" The Netherworld Palace elder sputtered, his face a mask of disbelief.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

And he wasn't alone.

Every pair of eyes in the arena was glued to the sleek, black longsword in Xing Jue's hand.

It was a weapon of exquisite beauty… far more impressive than Wu Jun's silver gauntlets.

"The Soul Reaver Sword!" Even the old man from the restaurant seemed impressed. "Never thought I'd live to see the day! To think that the Imperial Wind Sect managed to produce a talent like this right under our noses! Looks like it's time for a little visit back home!"

The old man chuckled to himself, but there was a dangerous glint in his eye.

On the stage, Wu Jun felt a surge of jealousy. This… this nobody! He had no right! Gritting his teeth, he roared, activating his full cultivation base. "Death Gauntlets!"

He couldn't afford to hold back now.

He might not be certain of victory, but he had to try… He had no other choice!

"Soul Reaver Sword!" Xing Jue countered, meeting Wu Jun's charge head-on. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his weapon, his expression hardening. This ended now.

With a graceful swing of his arm… a blinding arc of black energy sliced through the air, aimed directly at Wu Jun's heart.

The crowd watched, mesmerized, as the silver Death Gauntlets and the black Soul Reaver Sword collided in a shower of sparks. A deafening clang resonated throughout the arena, followed by a heart-stopping screech of metal against metal.

Black and silver sparks showered the stage, a mesmerizing display of raw power and destruction that caused a collective gasp to rise from the audience.

"Die!"

Harnessing every ounce of his strength, Xing Jue pivoted on his heel, his black blade flashing in the sunlight.

Wu Jun cried out in pain as the black blade sliced through his defenses as if they were paper.

His precious Death Gauntlets… shattered. Reduced to useless fragments of metal…

The searing pain that shot up his arm was like nothing he'd ever felt before. It was as if every bone, every muscle, every tendon… had exploded all at once! His vision swam, and then…

Blackness.

The last thing he heard before darkness consumed him completely… was the panicked shouting of the crowd.

The Netherworld Palace elder was on the stage in a flash, but it was already too late. One look at Wu Jun's shattered arm… his disciple… his greatest hope… broken and unconscious… was enough to send him into a blind rage.

"You…" He whirled on Xing Jue, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "You have some nerve, boy! " His voice trembled with suppressed fury. "Do you have any idea what you've done?! " But before Xing Jue could respond, he continued, his voice cold and menacing. "Mark my words… I don't care who you are or who you think is protecting you. You… will… pay for this. You will not leave the Netherworld Empire alive!"

And then, with a final, venomous glare, he scooped Wu Jun up in his arms and fled the arena, desperate to get his disciple the best medical attention their sect could offer… and to plot his revenge.

As the Netherworld Palace elder disappeared from view, Xing Jue allowed himself a small, triumphant smile. He'd done it. He'd won! As thunderous applause filled the arena, he made his way to the center of the stage, accepting congratulations and praise from the awestruck onlookers.

And then… it was time.

Taking a deep breath, he accepted the prize from the Herb Mountain Estate elder who had materialized before him.

A single, perfectly formed pill, pulsing with a soft, blue light. The Soul Condensation Pill.

He clutched the precious pill in his hand, his heart soaring. He'd done it! They were going to be okay!

But it seemed that fate wasn't done with him just yet.

News of his victory had spread like wildfire, and the elders of Herb Mountain Estate, moved by Xiaoqian's plight, approached him with an unexpected gift.

A high-grade, Mysterious ranked pill, known as the Foundation Building Pill!

According to the elders, it would enhance the effectiveness of other medicinal pills. It was meant to be taken before the Soul Condensation Pill to maximize its absorption and potency.

Xing Jue wasted no time in administering the Foundation Building Pill to Xiaoqian.

To his delight, the Foundation Building Pill seemed to have an almost immediate effect. As he watched, relief flooding through him, color returned to her cheeks and a glimmer of life flickered in her eyes. The pill… it was working!

However, the elders had warned him that it would take at least ten days for the pill's effects to fully manifest. They decided to stay at Herb Mountain Estate for a week, resting and allowing Xiaoqian's weakened soul to heal. Soon, the once-bustling estate began to empty as the other convention participants, their business concluded, took their leave.

Xing Jue and Xiaoqian, reluctant to outstay their welcome, decided it was time for them to move on as well.

Despite Xing Jue's assurances, Elder Zhao, one of the most senior members of Herb Mountain Estate, seemed hesitant to let them go. He'd taken a shine to them both, especially Xiaoqian, and he worried about what dangers awaited them in the vastness of the Netherworld Empire.

But Xing Jue was determined to repay the old man from the restaurant for his kindness, and so, after a tearful goodbye, they set off once more into the unknown.

"Here," Elder Zhao said, pressing a small, jade talisman into Xing Jue's hand. "Take this."

It wasn't an ordinary communication talisman. It allowed the user to pinpoint the location where it was crushed, making it an invaluable tracking device.

"Just in case…" Elder Zhao's expression was grave. "The Netherworld Palace… They play dirty. If they come after you…" He met Xing Jue's gaze, his meaning clear. "… Crush this. We'll take care of the rest."

Xing Jue accepted the talisman gratefully. It was more than generosity. It was a promise of protection. The bond between Herb Mountain Estate and the Imperial Wind Sect ran deep.

As he and Xiaoqian made their way towards the heart of the Netherworld Empire, a sense of peace settled over Xing Jue. He wasn't worried about Xiaoqian anymore. As soon as the Foundation Building Pill had run its course… She would be whole again.

Their destination… A secluded mountain range… a place where he could finally focus on what truly mattered. Mastering the Soul Devouring Secret!

It was a power unlike any he had encountered before. A power that could propel him to unimaginable heights. A power that would silence anyone who dared to underestimate him again.

The journey was long… but their spirits remained high.

Until one day...

"Well, well, well… Look who finally decided to show their face!"

Xing Jue froze… his blood turning to ice…

That voice… He knew that voice! It belonged to the black-haired elder from the Rising Stars Convention… the elder he had humiliated… the elder who had vowed to see him dead!

Whipping around, he came face to face with his worst nightmare.

There he stood… Flanked by another elder… equally ancient and even more menacing… his white robes practically radiating power….

"You…" Xing Jue's mind raced. He recognized the robes instantly. Another elder from the Netherworld Palace! And this one… This one was a middle-ranked Martial Venerable!

How… How had he not sensed them?!

"You two are surprisingly dedicated," he said, his voice surprisingly steady. "To think you'd go through all this trouble… suppressing your auras… trailing us for days… just for a chance to exact your petty revenge."

He chuckled, but inside… His heart hammered against his ribs.

He discreetly crushed the jade talisman Elder Zhao had gifted him, a silent prayer escaping his lips. He might have been careless… but he wasn't stupid. There was no way he could take on two middle-ranked Martial Venerables on his own.

"Save your breath, boy!" The black- haired elder sneered. "Today… your luck runs out!"

He took a step closer… his eyes gleaming with malice, "And before you get any funny ideas about calling for help… let me assure you… this place... It's quite… remote! I highly doubt your precious friends will find you in time! "

Xing Jue laughed… a cold, humorless sound that seemed to echo through the trees.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice you two clowns following me? Please. You overestimate yourselves. If you're so eager to die… Be my guest! Come and get me!"

He might have been trapped… but he still had one trump card left to play.

The Heavenly Thunder Talisman!

It was a desperate measure… a force of destruction that could even harm a Martial God!

The white-haired elder raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Oh? Interesting. A hidden trump card, you say? Well then, boy… don't hold back!" He chuckled, clearly amused. It was as if he saw Xing Jue as nothing more than an insignificant insect. Entertaining… but ultimately… disposable.

"Master... "

Xiaoqian's voice was soft… barely a whisper… but it was enough to snap Xing Jue out of his thoughts.

"Give me the Soul Condensation Pill."

"What?! No! Absolutely not!" Xing Jue was horrified. "The Foundation Building Pill… it's still settling into your core! Taking the Soul Condensation Pill now… It could backfire!"

"Trust me, Master." A strange calmness had settled over her. "I have a plan. Just… put me in your storage bracelet. Wait one hour… no more… no less… and then… release me. I can handle this."

"Brother…" The white-haired elder, sensing an opportunity, turned towards his companion. "We should end this quickly. This brat… he's clearly buying time! "

The black-haired elder nodded, his patience exhausted. It was time to end this charade.

Xing Jue felt a surge of panic. Xiaoqian's plan was reckless… insane! But… he could see the determination in her eyes… and somewhere, deep down… he knew he had no choice but to trust her.

Pressing his left hand against the storage bracelet on his right wrist, he activated the artifact. A beam of light enveloped Xiaoqian, and then… she was gone.

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the elders, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You wanna dance, old-timers? Come on then! Let's dance!"

He wasn't going to make this easy for them.

As they lunged at him, their faces contorted with rage… he broke into a run… leading them on a merry chase through the dense forest.

He knew Xiaoqian's plan was flawed. One hour… it wouldn't be enough to fully absorb the Soul Condensation Pill. He just… He needed more time!

One day… That's all he needed.

One day for Xiaoqian to heal.

One day for her to regain her strength.

One day for them to unleash their fury!

"You can't run forever, boy!" The black-haired elder roared, frustration lacing his voice as Xing Jue's lithe figure disappeared amongst the ancient trees.

With a frustrated growl, the two elders exchanged a look… and then… they gave chase… their pursuit relentless… unwavering.