Seeing the two Qi Condensation 6th-layer cultivators trying to flee, Bai Xiaochun quickly formed a hand seal and pointed. His small wooden sword whistled through the air, instantly slicing past the neck of one of the fleeing cultivators.
Even in death, the man's eyes were filled with unprecedented fear and horror.
They were supposed to be the hunters…
Yet now—they had become the hunted!
In mere moments, Bai Xiaochun had already slain **four**!
The final Qi Condensation 6th-layer cultivator who had attacked Bai Xiaochun earlier now looked deathly pale. He retreated with all his might, heart pounding, body trembling. He couldn't believe that this pale, skinny Lingxi Sect disciple was actually this terrifying.
Bai Xiaochun's eyes gleamed with murderous intent. He was about to give chase when suddenly, a wave of danger surged through his body.
At the same moment, Du Lingfei's anxious voice rang out:
> "Watch out!"
Bai Xiaochun abruptly retreated. Just as he moved, a large, one-zhang-wide purple **skull** appeared where he had just stood—and suddenly **self-destructed**.
**Boom!**
The explosion's shockwave rattled Bai Xiaochun's entire body. For the first time, even his "Undying Iron Skin" felt pain. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he staggered backward.
The attacker—**Chen Yue**, a cultivator at Qi Condensation 8th-layer.
His expression was grim as he moved to protect his clansmen. With a blur, he lunged at Bai Xiaochun, followed closely by the two remaining 6th-layer cultivators who gritted their teeth and charged alongside him.
All three rushed toward Bai Xiaochun.
Hou Yunfei struggled to help but was too weak. He had exhausted the last of his spiritual energy in the earlier battle and now coughed up blood, unable to fight.
Du Lingfei, also gravely wounded, looked anxiously at Bai Xiaochun. All of her previous hostility and prejudice toward him had completely vanished.
Bai Xiaochun's face was pale, blood dripping from his lips, his body swaying—his speed had clearly slowed. Seeing this, Chen Yue and the others sped up to catch him.
But just as they were about to reach him, a savage glint flashed in Bai Xiaochun's eyes.
Though Chen Yue's spell had struck him, his Undying Iron Skin had absorbed most of the force. The blood at his lips, his staggering steps—all of it had been an act!
Suddenly, his speed surged. But instead of retreating, he charged straight **past Chen Yue**, heading directly toward the two Qi Condensation 6th-layer cultivators!
Chen Yue's expression changed, and he tried to intercept, but Bai Xiaochun's wooden sword whistled toward him. He formed a quick seal, summoning a skull to block it—but it failed to stop the sword.
With a sharp glint in his eyes, Chen Yue waved his sleeve, producing a **lantern**, which transformed into a blazing **fireball**, hurtling toward Bai Xiaochun.
Meanwhile, the two terrified Chen clansmen gasped and tried to flee, but Bai Xiaochun was already upon them. Like lightning, he reached one and raised his right hand—thumb and forefinger flashing with black light—then viciously pinched down.
**Crack!**
With a scream, the Chen clan disciple had his neck snapped cleanly by Bai Xiaochun. At that moment, the fireball arrived. With no time to dodge, it exploded right in front of him.
**Boom!**
Flames engulfed him entirely.
Du Lingfei and Hou Yunfei both cried out:
> "Bai Xiaochun!!"
Not far away, the other Chen family cultivator was filled with glee upon seeing Bai Xiaochun engulfed in fire.
But suddenly, a figure **burst out** from within the flames—moving at terrifying speed!
Before the stunned cultivator could react, Bai Xiaochun appeared in front of him. With one **brutal kick**, he smashed the man's head into his torso, killing him instantly—without even a scream.
Panting heavily, Bai Xiaochun stood there. His body was scorched, skin burned, and more blood trickled from his mouth. He lifted his head, eyes filled with crimson rage, and stared down the last remaining Chen clan member—**Chen Yue**.
Chen Yue shuddered under that gaze.
He was Qi Condensation 8th-layer, one of the top talents of the Chen family. Though not the young patriarch, he was still admired by the family elders. He had survived deadly battles in the Falling Star Mountains, slaying countless beasts.
He usually looked down on disciples from major sects like Lingxi, thinking of them as pampered flowers, talented in magic but lacking the will to fight to the death.
But now, facing Bai Xiaochun… he felt **fear**.
Those eyes were more terrifying than any beast he'd faced in the Falling Star Mountains. They radiated a bloodlust that felt like it would devour him whole.
Even more shocking—Bai Xiaochun had **killed six** of his people in such a short time!
Chen Yue was deeply shaken. And even more unbelievable—this terrifying opponent… was only at the **peak of Qi Condensation 6th-layer**!
> "His strength is outrageous, his speed insane. He must have trained in some powerful body-refining technique—and to a high level too! That explains how he can kill with a single blow!"
> "And his defense… terrifying!"
> "He may lack spells, but his sword control is extraordinary. Each strike is fast and powerful. That wooden sword… it's high-grade! No wonder he can instantly kill 6th-layer cultivators!"
> "He must be a famous prodigy of the Lingxi Sect… but why have I never heard the name **Bai Xiaochun** before?"
Though stunned, Chen Yue's fighting spirit surged. With a wave of his hand, three jade skulls the size of fists appeared before him, each radiating eerie light.
His expression turned grave as he stared at Bai Xiaochun.
> "I underestimated you before. But not anymore. Let's see whether your Lingxi Sect's techniques are stronger—or my Chen family's *Ghost Killing Arts*!"
As he spoke, he formed hand seals. The three skulls grew rapidly, each expanding to over a **zhang** in size, and roared as they charged toward Bai Xiaochun.
Bai Xiaochun's breathing was ragged. His mind was blank. There was no fear, no thought of death—only the drive to **destroy** the enemy.
As the skulls approached, he swiftly formed a seal and pointed forward. His **wooden sword** shot out, joined by two more flying swords—now controlling **three swords at once**, unleashing a storm of sword-light as he charged forward.
A **small shield** also spun around him, glowing with radiant energy.
In an instant, the flying swords collided with the skulls. Explosions echoed as Bai Xiaochun and Chen Yue clashed in a flurry of violent exchanges.
Chen Yue had superior cultivation, but Bai Xiaochun had the edge in strength and defense. The two battled fiercely, evenly matched!
Du Lingfei watched, heart pounding. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her skin without noticing.
The cowardly Bai Xiaochun from before was gone. In his place stood a warrior clad in blood and fire, battling against Chen Yue like an iron-blooded hero!
> "I judged him wrong… *This* is the real Bai Xiaochun…"
> "Yes, he fears death—but to come back and fight like this takes more courage than most could ever muster…" Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him.
> "Even if he fears death, he has *principles*. He won't abandon his companions because of fear…"
The deafening clash continued. Two of Bai Xiaochun's flying swords shattered—only the wooden sword remained. The three skulls lost their luster, their spirits damaged, and they retreated to Chen Yue's side.
Seizing the chance, Bai Xiaochun lunged. Chen Yue spat blood as he tried to dodge, but too late—**Bai Xiaochun's Soul-Locking Grip** caught his arm.
**Crack!**
His **left arm** snapped instantly.
But Chen Yue retaliated—spitting out a small sword that pierced Bai Xiaochun's **shoulder**, sinking in an inch deep!
Even his Iron Skin couldn't stop it. Blood flowed. Chen Yue staggered back—but before he could retreat far, Bai Xiaochun, ignoring the pain, eyes red, **charged again**, howling through the air.
Chen Yue's face twisted in panic. In desperation, he bit down and pressed a finger to his forehead. His body shook, blood and qi boiling, and with a thunderous roar, he struck his forehead.
> "Bai Xiaochun! It's you or me today—one of us dies!"
Under other circumstances, he might have fled—but the fate of his clan was at stake. He had to kill Bai Xiaochun.
He spat out a mouthful of **lifeblood**, which the three skulls greedily absorbed.
> "**Ghost Demon Devourer!**" Chen Yue bellowed, activating his secret art.
The three skulls' eyes gleamed with ghostly light. They turned on **Chen Yue himself**, viciously biting and tearing into his flesh—drilling into his body.
The grotesque scene made Du Lingfei and Hou Yunfei gasp in horror.
Chen Yue screamed as his body twisted and contorted. Black mist poured out, forming a **giant ghost** more than a zhang tall!
> "Die!!" he snarled, thrusting his palm at Bai Xiaochun.
> "*No, you die!!*" Bai Xiaochun roared back. Forming seals with both hands, he pointed toward the sky. Instantly, spiritual energy exploded from within him—like a runaway beast—and drew in the air a massive cauldron shape:
**Purple Qi Cauldron Manifestation!**