Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

Star God Continent.

The Land of the Far South.

A ten-thousand-mile desert burned like a raging fire.

Fine sand and dust stretched as far as the eye could see, endless and boundless.

”I’ve never seen the Mystical Ancient Desert in the Celestial Cloud Region, but I imagine it must be quite similar to this place.”

Clad in green robes, Yang Xiao stood in the middle of the desert.

He felt no discomfort.

The Heaven and Earth Origin Fire within him granted him a Fire Control Ability.

The searing heat before him, the dryness in the air—

None of it affected Yang Xiao in the slightest.

This was to say nothing of the fourth Talent Ability he had acquired after reaching the Peak of the Green Flame Realm.

Cold Flame.

As for this so-called Cold Flame...

It wasn’t a truly cold flame, but rather an ability for Yang Xiao to strip fire of its heat, making it grow cold, even bone-chillingly so. In the end, the cold alone was enough to freeze the very life force within any living creature.

It was a terrifying Talent Power.

Yang Xiao was very pleased with it.

Naturally, this meant he had even less to fear from the world’s scorching heat.

However, he might not have feared it...

...but the person beside him was finding it unbearable.

”Yang Xiao, the Dean—my cousin—said you were heading to Red Flame Mountain on this trip. This is already the Ten Thousand Mile Desert. What are you doing here?”

A woman in a purple Star Robe standing next to him spoke, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.

Yang Xiao glanced at her.

He said coolly, ”I never asked you to follow me. If you don’t want to continue, you’re free to leave at any time.”

”You! If the Dean hadn’t ordered me to follow you, who would want to travel with you? Hmph!”

The woman in the purple Star Robe couldn’t help but stamp her foot.

She was clearly displeased.

But Yang Xiao paid her no mind at all.

His gaze...

...swept toward the distance.

This woman’s name was Nangong Yin. She was Nangong Tianling’s younger cousin and one of the side branch disciples of the Nangong Family who had followed Nangong Tianling from the Divine Land Continent.

Her cultivation was impressive, having reached the Peak of Great Divine Power Realm. She was considered one of Star God Academy’s most outstanding elite students, with a high chance of being promoted to a Core Student.

Among the elite students, she was quite famous.

This time, as Yang Xiao was leaving Star God Academy for the Southern Territory, an uneasy Nangong Tianling had sent her to follow him, partly to act as a guide.

Of course.

There was another reason.

Nangong Tianling hadn’t said it outright, but Yang Xiao could see it clearly.

It was about the entry quotas for the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

A single Hidden Dragon Order could bring ten people inside.

Nangong Tianling had no other relatives here, only this one beloved younger cousin. So, when she heard that Yang Xiao could bring people into the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm...

...she naturally wanted to secure a spot for her.

That was why she had sent Nangong Yin to get closer to Yang Xiao. If they could build a good relationship, it would be much more appropriate to bring up the request later.

As for this...

...Yang Xiao was well aware of it.

He didn’t think Nangong Tianling had done anything wrong.

After all, Nangong Tianling hadn’t told Nangong Yin about the quota. She had merely hinted that her cousin should make the most of this opportunity to spend time with Yang Xiao.

If Nangong Yin failed to build a good relationship...

...Nangong Tianling would naturally not bring the matter up.

’She knows her limits,’ he thought.

Besides, Yang Xiao’s Hidden Dragon Order did indeed have slots remaining. Even if he brought Huang Tianling, Ye Wanyu, Ye Wanqing, and Yun’Er, including himself, they would only take up half the spots.

If this cousin of Nangong Tianling had potential and knew her place...

...Yang Xiao wouldn’t mind bringing her along.

But if she was ungrateful and tactless...

...then even if Nangong Tianling came begging, the most Yang Xiao would do was bring her into the Secret Realm. As for anything else, it would depend on her own luck. Whether she lived or died...

...Yang Xiao wouldn’t care.

And naturally, he cared even less about her current dissatisfaction.

With a flicker of his thoughts,

the Divine General Talisman in his body activated. Instantly, his Divine Thought, enhanced to the level of a Divine General Peak, spread out, quickly locking onto a particular location.

’Is that the Forbidden Fire Domain, where the Seven-Colored Divine Fire is located?’

Yang Xiao’s mind stirred.

His figure flickered.

And vanished.

Seeing this, Nangong Yin was stunned.

Although her strength was considerable, having reached the Peak of Great Divine Power Realm, she was also a minor genius who had successfully cultivated a Secret Technique. Even an ordinary Demigod might not be her match.

Her power was already on par with that of an average Core Student.

She was just a bit lacking in cultivation.

Normally, she was a bit spoiled and arrogant. Coming from the Divine Land Continent and being a member of the Emperor Race, it was natural for her to look down on others.

So, despite Nangong Tianling’s repeated warnings, when Yang Xiao completely ignored her and then brought her to this Ten Thousand Mile Desert—a place so scorching that even she struggled to survive...

...Nangong Yin couldn’t help but let her frustrations burst forth.

But she never expected it.

”That guy is unbelievable! He just left me here! Hmph, when I get back, I’m definitely telling my cousin on you. It would be best if she kicks you out of Star God Academy! We’ll see what you do then!”

Once her initial shock subsided, Nangong Yin fumed aloud.

’But his speed is incredible,’ she mused. ’He’s only at the Peak of Small Divine Power Realm, a whole Great Realm below me. Yet the speed he just showed was much faster than mine. Could it be that he also successfully cultivated some kind of Secret Technique?’

A thought flickered in her mind.

Nangong Yin stared blankly in the direction Yang Xiao had disappeared.

She wasn’t sure what to think.

And at that very moment,

a figure...

...suddenly appeared before her.

”Who’s there?”

Nangong Yin was instantly on guard.

But...

...before the words had even left her mouth,

she felt a powerful aura press down upon her.

Immediately after,

utterly powerless to resist, she fainted.

And that figure...

...finally revealed itself.

Moreover,

besides him,

several other figures appeared.

”Celestial Evil, the target has been out here for a while. Why haven’t we made a move?”

”That’s right. The kid is digging his own grave, leaving Star God Academy and running off to this desert. This is a perfect opportunity. Celestial Evil, we should strike now.”

”Dealing with a kid like this, especially in this environment... how about you leave this to me alone?”

”Fire Evil, you certainly have the advantage here, but we’re no slouches either. Besides, don’t forget, this is the kid who destroyed that half-fused body of Evil One. You think you can take him down by yourself? I doubt it.”

For a moment,

aside from the first figure to appear, the others all began to speak.

If Yang Xiao were here,

he would have discovered that the auras of these people were almost identical to those of the seven Divine Venerable Level figures who stood behind Nangong Xinghui.

That’s right.

They were the second team of the Seven Evils sent by Nangong Xinghui.

Their purpose, naturally, was to take Yang Xiao’s life.

Hearing their squabbling, the man who had appeared first and knocked Nangong Yin unconscious—the leader of this team of Seven Evils...

...Celestial Evil, at this moment,

furrowed his brow.