Chapter 216: Sending You Below

Fourth-Tier Cultivation Nation, Profound Ice Sect.

In the fourth-tier cultivation nation of Yunkai, sects abound, scattered like stars across the land—ranging from minor clans to great spiritual institutions. Among them, the Profound Ice Sect, the foremost sect on Yunkai's northwestern border, was situated deep within the boundless Yunluo Snow Mountains.

It harnessed the natural might of the mountains to gather spiritual energy from the surrounding heavens and earth.

The sect even housed an Soul Formation stage ancestor, a presence ranked among the elite across all of Yunkai Nation.

"Hey, did you hear? Word is a few of our senior brothers were killed in Hansha City."

"Huh? You're joking. Who would dare cross Profound Ice Sect in Hansha City?"

"I heard the same. Supposedly, it wasn't a local faction, it was outsiders."

"Even the Disciplinary Hall's been in a frenzy these past few days."

"…"

Within the sect grounds, whispers swirled among disciples like falling snow. One voice sparked another, and in no time, the pieces came together into a grim picture.

At that moment—while Profound Ice Sect scrambled to hunt down Chen Xiaoming and his companions—three figures steadily approached from beyond the sect's great formation, silhouettes hazy in the swirling snow.

"Sir, we should be right ahead."

The three were none other than Chen Xiaoming, Ouyang Qian, and their companion. Since others were clearly hunting them, Chen Xiaoming decided it was time to stop running. He'd simply erase the problem at the root.

To think that Profound Ice Sect would unleash such a manhunt over one middle-aged man. They must have been close.

To spare the man from loneliness in death, Chen Xiaoming thought kindly—he'd go the extra mile and send the entire sect to accompany him.

"Mm. You two, fall back."

Halting his step, Chen Xiaoming had already sensed the barrier of Profound Ice Sect. Even a Soul Formation stage cultivator would find this great formation difficult to break—sufficient defense for a fourth-grade nation.

He raised a finger.

With a light touch forward, a translucent array revealed itself through the wind and snow. A flash of silver light flickered from Chen Xiaoming's fingertip. Behind him, Ouyang Qian's eyes narrowed, her body tensing involuntarily.

It was an instinctual dread—an ancient pressure embedded in the bloodline.

Crack… crack… crack…

One by one, fissures splintered across the protective curtain of spiritual energy. A surge of power welled up from Chen Xiaoming's core. With another tap, the barrier shattered into glowing fragments, dispersing like snowflakes into the air.

"Who dares breach our Profound Ice Sect's formation?!"

From the depths of the snowy mountains, several figures flickered into view. The leader among them radiated the formidable pressure of a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator.

His every gesture stirred the ambient spiritual energy.

In an instant, all eyes locked onto Chen Xiaoming. Several Nascent Soul cultivators scanned him with spiritual senses, frowns furrowing across their faces.

The leading elder scrutinized Chen Xiaoming but chose not to act hastily.

"Was it you who broke our sect's array?"

Normally, a breach of this magnitude would force the sect's Soul Formation ancestor to appear—only such a figure could match this level of power. But their ancestor was in seclusion. Unless the sect faced total annihilation, he was not to be disturbed.

"And if it was? And if it wasn't?"

Chen Xiaoming spoke with calm indifference. Slowly, he looked up, eyes settling on the Profound Ice cultivators floating above—high and mighty. His expression soured.

Reaching into his robes, Chen Xiaoming retrieved a violet pill and casually tossed it into the air.

"Careful!"

A mid-stage Nascent Soul elder barked, surging spiritual power forth in a streak of radiant energy that struck the violet pill mid-air.

Boom—

The pill exploded into shimmering dust, dispersing a faint, alluring fragrance.

Chen Xiaoming's lips curled into a slight smile. His sharp gaze swept over the five figures in the sky.

The leading elder's heart suddenly clenched. Something was wrong.

"That scent… Something's off!"

A mere whiff had alerted his senses. But even as he shouted, it was already too late.

Behind him, four of his comrades were clutching their throats, their faces twisted in agony as if strangling themselves could dull the pain.

"Damn it!"

The elder tried to help them—but the tiny trace he had inhaled earlier had already taken effect. Agonizing pain surged through his body. His spiritual energy turned chaotic, limbs stiffening as he too dropped into the snow alongside the others.

Chen Xiaoming's gaze lingered on him.

This was the first person to sense danger from his pill. Not bad.

"What… what have you done to us?!"

The mighty elder, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, was now brought low by a single pill. It was a disgrace.

"I'm a doctor," Chen Xiaoming said with a faint smile. "What do you think I did?"

With a light pinch, another violet pill danced between his fingers. The elder's face changed. He stared at Chen Xiaoming, now with genuine dread.

One pill had reduced them to this state.

Another might end them.

"We can't let him act again!"

With a flash of killing intent, the elder gathered the last of his power. From his waist pouch, a spirit-grade flying dagger emerged—its surface glowing with dangerous ripples.

"Slash!"

With a cold cry, he hurled the blade. His target: Chen Xiaoming. Mortal or cultivator—it made no difference. He would be cut down.

"Ah… still trying to kill me, are we?"

Chen Xiaoming sighed, tired. How many now had tried to take his life? He'd long lost count.

But it didn't matter.

Raising his hand, he swiped gently toward the incoming blade. In the next instant, it landed silently in his palm.

"What?!"

His attack… caught so casually?

The elder's heart sank. This wasn't a man—they had provoked a monster.

But what terrified him most wasn't the overwhelming strength…

It was that this monster had deliberately hidden it all along.

"Whoosh."

With a flick of a finger, a violet pill shot through the air toward the group of elders. Though Chen Xiaoming felt a pang of helplessness inside, his face remained adorned with a pleasant smile.

"It's over. Go on, reunite with your kin in the afterlife."

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