Chapter 218: An Apology?

"Hooo…"

The biting wind of deep winter howled across the frozen peaks. The Profound Ice Sect, nestled atop the boundless snowy mountains, felt even more desolate in such a storm.

Yet for Lu Liang and the others, the chill in the air paled in comparison to the icy dread gnawing at their hearts. Compared to the despair that weighed on their souls, the winter wind was nothing.

Old Ancestor… please, don't come out.

Inwardly bleak, Lu Liang silently prayed that the sect's Old Ancestor would not emerge from seclusion.

The power of the intruder was simply too terrifying. Their Old Ancestor wouldn't stand a chance—coming out would be a death sentence.

Having witnessed the rise of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator with his own eyes, Lu Liang felt his heart crumble to ashes. Centuries of his own cultivation effort… and all it took was two pills for this man to forge such strength.

Such a cruel irony. Bitterness, powerlessness, and a swirl of conflicted emotions surged in Lu Liang's chest.

"Thank you, sir."

In the snow, Ouyang Qian hovered mid-air, soft spiritual energy rippling around her. She had just broken through and hadn't yet mastered her new cultivation, some of her power leaking out. Joy shone on her face, but she still bowed with grave respect toward Chen Xiaoming.

"Mn. Work hard on your cultivation from now on. Since you've chosen this path, don't disgrace me."

Chen Xiaoming nodded, his gaze sweeping over her. Reaching the peak of Nascent Soul had changed her—she looked slightly taller, her complexion paler, her once-flat figure now subtly more full.

"Remember, to serve as my attendant—your cultivation mustn't lag behind."

He muttered the words softly. Ouyang Qian's eyes lit up. She etched his words into her heart.

Chen Xiaoming turned away at last, his gaze falling upon Lu Liang and the others.

Beyond them, nestled in the heart of the snow-covered mountains, the wide, flat ground was home to the Profound Ice Sect's stronghold. The massive sect, concealed in the terrain, had already drawn attention with the shattering of its defensive array. Disciples and stewards had gathered, watching from the flanks.

But now, sensing the peril, many had already fled, slipping through hidden mountain paths in hopes of escape.

Chen Xiaoming merely stood and observed. He didn't intervene. Of course, he understood the principle of "cutting the grass and removing the roots."

But honestly… these small fry, not even Nascent Soul cultivators? He couldn't even muster the desire to act.

"We've wasted enough time. Let's bring this to a close."

Casting a glance at Lu Liang and his companions, he couldn't help but feel that the Profound Ice Sect was truly impoverished. Only five Nascent Soul experts? Even some third-tier cultivation nations boasted more strength.

"Go. Deal with them."

A silver glow shimmered briefly in his hand—then vanished.

These people couldn't even withstand his pills. They weren't worth his effort.

He glanced at Ouyang Qian behind him. With her breakthrough, it was a good chance for her to experience firsthand the cruelty of the cultivation world.

Ouyang Qian asked no questions. A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but it quickly gave way to steely determination.

She stepped forward, slowly rising into the air. Spiritual energy and Nascent Soul power surged from within her, pressing outward toward Lu Liang and the others.

Her eyes, clear as autumn water, locked on the group. The killers who had hunted her and her father… they were from this very sect. An uncontrollable chill flickered in her gaze.

"Rest in peace."

She chose the nearest one. Gathering spiritual energy into her palm, she struck at the target's forehead with a palm strike.

"Bang!"

A thunderous crack, like a watermelon splitting open.

The scene was so grotesquely vivid that Ouyang Qian froze in place. It was her first kill, and with no idea how to control the force, she was stunned by the gory aftermath.

Staring, dumbfounded, at the geysering corpse, her face turned deathly pale. She staggered back, trembling. Her stomach churned—she lowered her head, nauseated beyond control.

"Whoosh."

Just then, a Nascent Soul flew like lightning toward Ouyang Qian's sea of consciousness.

A closer look revealed it was the Nascent Soul of the very Profound Ice Sect elder she had just killed.

"Hahaha! A peak Nascent Soul body—mine!"

The soul laughed wildly. It had long awaited this chance. The pill earlier had sealed his physical body but not his soul. With his body destroyed, this was the perfect moment to possess her.

Success seemed certain. Compared to his strength, Ouyang Qian's spiritual force was like a hatchling's—utterly defenseless.

"Sssshhk!"

A flash of silver light streaked by. The blade of light pierced the soul body. The elder's eyes widened in shock. Looking down, he saw a gash in his spiritual form, silver glimmers devouring his Nascent Soul power.

His energy drained rapidly. Bitterness clouded his eyes.

He had lost—defeated by that sudden, unstoppable silver gleam.

He turned to look—Chen Xiaoming stood there, smiling faintly, completely at ease.

"Boom."

Cracks spread. Under the elder's indignant gaze, his Nascent Soul body shattered into motes of light, vanishing into the void.

"Sigh… Losing focus in battle—that's a deadly mistake."

Chen Xiaoming sighed lightly. Perhaps he had pushed Ouyang Qian a bit too quickly. It was her first time killing—mistakes were inevitable.

The first time is always messy. She'd grow from this.

Schemes and battle experience—those could only be gained over time.

Given Chen Xiaoming's luck, trouble would never be far off. Ouyang Qian would have many more chances to fight.

"Yes, sir."

Blushing with shame, Ouyang Qian bowed quickly, recalling her earlier clumsiness. She slowly raised her hand again, aiming for another target.

This time, she restrained her strength, avoided the forehead, and struck toward the chest.

"Mm, here should be fine."

Determined, she locked onto the spot and sent a palm strike flying.

But just then—a powerful force erupted from within the Profound Ice Sect. The air rippled.

In the next instant, a heavy palm intercepted her strike midair.

"Boom."

Her palm met the thick hand, but the force didn't so much as budge the defender.

Lifting her gaze, she saw a powerfully built middle-aged man staring directly at her, his eyes as sharp as blades. A distinct and oppressive aura coiled around him like a living thing.

"Where did this little brat crawl out from, daring to run wild in my Profound Ice Sect?"

His voice was cold, laced with a killing intent that pierced straight to the bone. Ouyang Qian felt as if she had been plunged into an ice abyss—her spiritual energy faltered, its flow sluggish in her meridians.

"Hmph. Today, I'll take you down myself. Let your elders come and offer their apologies in person!"

Although he immediately saw through her true age, the man dared not strike to kill. A twelve-year-old at the peak of Nascent Soul—not someone he could afford to eliminate so casually.

As he spoke, he lashed out with one palm, aiming to seize Ouyang Qian.

But just as the pressure of his aura locked her in place, the figure of Chen Xiaoming, who had been standing quietly below, vanished without a trace.

Smack.

A soft sound rang out as Chen Xiaoming casually waved his hand, swatting the man's palm aside like an insect.

"You just said... you wanted me to apologize?"

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