Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”Y-Young Master, is that you?”

Feng Ling’Er called out softly.

Her face was filled with joy.

But when she saw the figure emerging from the distance, her expression immediately darkened. It didn’t seem to be her Young Master.

”A White Jade Rhinoceros... huh, an Ice and Wind Dual Element variant. How rare.”

The figure walked over.

He reached into the body of the White Jade Rhinoceros, which had been split in two, and pulled out a blue-green Inner Core.

He remarked with a hint of surprise.

”That Inner Core is mine.”

Feng Ling’Er said coldly.

When she sensed the approaching person’s aura was only at the Peak of the Innate Realm’s Fifth Layer, she immediately raised her head in arrogance.

”I don’t know what trick you just used, but that White Jade Rhinoceros belonged to my Profound Celestial Sect. Now that you’ve killed it, you will compensate us! And you will leave the Inner Core behind!”

Feng Ling’Er’s words made the approaching man laugh.

”How domineering. How arrogant. Not only do you not thank me for saving you, but you turn around and claim this White Jade Rhinoceros belonged to your Profound Celestial Sect and demand compensation. I’m truly terrified.”

”But you’re saying all this without even seeing my face clearly. Don’t you think you’re being a little too overconfident?”

The man stepped into the sunlight, revealing his face.

And at that exact moment, Feng Ling’Er looked over.

She froze.

But she immediately recognized him.

”It’s you! The little thief who stole my Young Master’s Earth Fire Qilin Beast’s Inner Core and Essence Blood!”

Feng Ling’Er exclaimed in shock.

”You’re truly ridiculous. Since when did the Earth Fire Qilin Beast’s Inner Core and Essence Blood belong to your Young Master?”

That’s right. The man was none other than Yang Xiao.

The very same Yang Xiao who had been in pursuit.

The flash of sword light from before was a strand of Sword Qi he had casually cultivated while teaching Yang Ziling these past few days.

”Hmph! You little thief. You barely managed to escape from my Young Master, but your luck has run out now that you’ve run into me, Feng Ling’Er.”

”Are you sure you’re a match for me?”

Yang Xiao chuckled.

”Of course. I am an Immortal Cultivator at the Spirit Realm Ninth Layer. How could a lowly Martial Cultivator like you, who hasn’t even reached the Late Stage of the Innate Realm, possibly compare?”

Feng Ling’Er wore a look of utter arrogance.

’Immortal Dao?’

The term was no longer as foreign to Yang Xiao as it was when he first heard it.

Especially after he killed Wang Xiyan and obtained several pamphlets from her Storage Ring, he had learned quite a bit.

The so-called Immortal Dao was, in fact, still a method of cultivating Martial Arts Divine Techniques.

They simply called these Martial Arts Divine Techniques ”Immortal Dao Profound Techniques.”

Furthermore, their cultivation methods were slightly different.

Instead of starting by tempering their Qi and blood, they directly used external forces to open their Qi Acupoints and plant a so-called ”Immortal Dao Spirit Seed,” which they would then continuously cultivate.

Yang Xiao had never seen a Spirit Seed.

However, he could guess that it was likely a type of high-grade energy. Because their Qi Acupoints were forcibly opened and they had this Immortal Dao Spirit Seed inside them, these people could directly cultivate certain special Small Divine Techniques.

And once they succeeded in their cultivation, most of them could use the Immortal Dao Spirit Seed to attract the Heaven and Earth Primordial Power.

It was just like how Yang Xiao could previously absorb Heaven and Earth Primordial Power using his Heaven and Earth Origin Flame.

The principle was the same.

Cultivating this way was naturally much faster and stronger than those who could only absorb Heaven and Earth Primordial Power after breaking through to the Innate Realm.

Therefore, after they completed their cultivation in the Transcendence Realm, they would rapidly enter the Spirit Realm and possess strength equivalent to the Innate Realm.

Because their cultivation speed was fast and progress came easily.

They would easily surpass Martial Cultivators, so naturally, they came to believe that their so-called Immortal Dao was far superior to the slower Martial Dao.

In their hearts, they naturally looked down on ordinary Martial Cultivators.

’But in my opinion, such a mindset is actually detrimental to one’s cultivation.’

’It’s like borrowing a hen to lay eggs. Although the initial cultivation is fast, in the later stages, they might not necessarily be able to match Martial Cultivators.’

’Besides, it’s not some new Cultivation Dao; it just gives people a faster start.’

’There’s no fundamental difference from the Martial Dao.’

Of course, Yang Xiao had no intention of arguing about these matters with the ignorant little girl before him.

There was no need.

He had come here for one reason only: to kill.

”What? Are you scared? If you obediently kneel and surrender, I might consider putting in a good word for you with the Young Master. But first, you have to hand over the Earth Fire Qilin Beast’s Inner Core and Essence Blood.”

Seeing Yang Xiao remain silent for a long time, Feng Ling’Er assumed he was scared and spoke triumphantly.

In truth, after seeing Yang Xiao slay the White Jade Rhinoceros with a single sword strike, she wasn’t feeling confident at all.

It was just that she had been following Xuan Tianzhan for so long that she had grown accustomed to being arrogant.

She would never bow her head, so she would have reacted this way no matter who it was, Yang Xiao or not.

And most of the time, she didn’t even have to act herself. Simply invoking the name of the Profound Celestial Sect or the Young Master, Xuan Tianzhan, was enough to make her opponents submit.

It worked every time.

Unfortunately for her, this time would be different.

”How pitiful. Following Xuan Tianzhan has made you a complete idiot. But don’t worry. In a moment, I’ll put you out of your misery and send you to see Wang Xiyan!”

Yang Xiao shook his head and sighed softly.

He was truly speechless when faced with someone so utterly conceited and arrogant.

”Y-You, what did you say? You killed Wang Xiyan?”

An expression of disbelief crossed Feng Ling’Er’s face.

But in the next instant, it turned to horror.

Because Yang Xiao raised his hand and pointed a finger at her.

A pillar of orange flame shot toward her in an instant.

Its speed was extreme.

Even with her Wind Element Minor Divine Technique, which excelled in speed, she had no way to dodge at such close range and with such suddenness.

In the blink of an eye, the pillar of flame pierced the center of her brow.

BAM!

Feng Ling’Er, who had just been preparing to dodge, slammed heavily onto the ground.

Not a single breath remained.

Her wide-open eyes still held a trace of disbelief.

”That’s the second one. Xuan Tianzhan, I wonder what number you’ll be?”

Yang Xiao smiled.

He stepped forward and took the Storage Ring from Feng Ling’Er’s body.

But at that very moment, a sharp flash of sword light suddenly burst from her corpse and shot toward Yang Xiao.

However, Yang Xiao seemed to have been prepared.

With a flicker of his body, he dodged it.

The sword light, having missed its mark, nimbly circled back around.

But it still failed to hit Yang Xiao.

Finally, it came to a halt in midair.

It transformed into the figure of Xuan Tianzhan.

”You again! You little beast, you have truly angered me!”

This time, the face he manifested was even more ferocious.

”Is that so? You angered me long ago. Now that I’ve killed another one of your people, do you dare to come here and fight me to the death?”

Yang Xiao gave a faint smile.

He completely disregarded Xuan Tianzhan’s threat and instead took the initiative to challenge him.

”You... you truly are audacious beyond measure. However, I, the Young Master, have very important matters to attend to right now and have no time to deal with you. If you truly have the skill, then challenge me at the Nine Sects Grand Competition in one year’s time!”

After speaking, Xuan Tianzhan transformed back into a flash of sword light and actually tore through the air to depart.

Yang Xiao didn’t stop it.

Although leaving behind a sliver of Sword Dao Will would cause Xuan Tianzhan some degree of harm, seeing that he had left his Sword Dao Will on all of his maids, it was clear that it wasn’t too important to him.

But as for the Nine Sects Grand Competition he mentioned...

”Fine. In one year, at the Nine Sects Grand Competition, I will kill you in front of everyone!”

Yang Xiao sneered as he watched the fleeing sword light.

Although he could tell that Xuan Tianzhan’s strength was likely infinitely close to the Martial Saint Tier, and in a year, he might genuinely be able to slay a Martial Saint with his sword, Yang Xiao wasn’t the least bit afraid.

Never mind in a year; even right now, if they were to fight to the death, it was uncertain who would live and who would die.

Moreover, he was so arrogant as to demand that Yang Xiao challenge him at the Nine Sects Grand Competition in a year.

’Challenge him?’

’As if he’s worthy!’

For that reason alone, Yang Xiao instantly decided that he would kill Xuan Tianzhan under the watchful eyes of all, at the height of his glory—he would kill him head-on!

However, to achieve this, his current strength was probably not a safe bet.

He had to make even greater progress. Otherwise, if Xuan Tianzhan’s elders were to intervene at a critical moment, he wouldn’t be able to fend them off.

Furthermore, the detestable aura on Xuan Tianzhan’s body led Yang Xiao to a certain speculation.

If all Immortal Cultivators had this kind of aura, then the one who schemed against him was likely the founder of this Immortal Dao. Yang Xiao needed to learn more about these people.

That, too, would require strength.

Get stronger!

And stronger!

Ideally, he would break through to the Yellow Flame Realm!

At that point, even if the entire Profound Celestial Sect came out in full force, Yang Xiao wouldn’t have the slightest fear.

”Xuan Tianzhan, in one year, I will definitely give you a huge surprise!”

Yang Xiao laughed.

It was a cold laugh.

But then, Yang Xiao’s expression grew serious as he turned his gaze to the Storage Ring in his hand.

Last time, the rewards from killing Wang Xiyan had far surpassed those from the Wang Qianhe brothers. What about this even stronger Feng Ling’Er?

’Will she give me a little surprise first?’

One look, and Yang Xiao’s face blossomed into a wide grin.

’Did it have to be this good?’