Chapter 925 - 745: Suppression

In the fourth round of the Martial Arts Tournament, a total of ten factions successfully advanced.

There were the old major factions, such as the Perfect Treasure Vase Seal, Immovable Bright King Seal, Sun Seal, and Binding Seal.

There were also powerful factions that had made it to the top ten in recent editions, like the Soaring Snake Seal, Spirit Fox Seal, and Cyan Dragon Seal.

Additionally, there were the dark horse factions just rising this round, such as the Golden Cicada Seal, Flying Immortal Seal, and Cyan Lotus Seal.

The fourth round was divided into several matches, with ten teams competing in pairs. Victory counted for three points, a draw one point, and a loss for none.

Finally, the rankings were determined based on the total points, with the top five receiving invaluable Celestial Spirit Essences to assist Martial Artists in breaking through to the True Martial Peak.

This round relied entirely on sheer strength, leaving no room for shortcuts or tricks.

However, the Treasure Vase Seal lineage remained on a smooth course.

The first three opponents, Cyan Dragon Seal, Spirit Fox Seal, and Sun Seal, conceded without even fighting.

Joking aside, the Treasure Vase Seal lineage had a Vice Vein Master capable of killing a Supreme Profound Truth, who would dare compete with them?

However, when it came to the Golden Cicada Seal lineage, a small unexpected incident occurred.

"I am Wang Chan, and I ask Vein Master Lou for guidance in martial arts!"

The prodigy of the Golden Cicada Seal, the yellow-faced youth Wang Chan, declared confidently.

He did not concede easily, even calling out Lou Yi, actively challenging him.

His eyes showed no hesitation or fear, only a fervent yearning for higher realms.

Seeing this, Lou Yi raised his assessment of this person even higher.

"He wants to experience the power of the True Profound level up close, which greatly aids in future breakthroughs.

Moreover, the Golden Cicada Seal grows stronger the more severely wounded they become; he wants to fully unleash his potential in battle. This kid has great ambition."

"Alright."

Lou Yi had a good relationship with the Golden Cicada Seal lineage, so he didn’t mind giving Wang Chan a helping hand.

Seeing this, the onlookers erupted.

"Vein Master Lou is going to make a move again. We can finally experience the power of the True Profound level up close this time!"

"He couldn’t possibly use such power; otherwise, Wang Chan wouldn’t be able to withstand a single round..."

"Wang Chan is incredibly brave, but what if Vein Master Lou accidentally kills him?"

All eyes were focused on the Martial Arts Arena, not blinking, fearing they would miss a detail.

The outcome of this match was not in doubt, but due to its uniqueness, it might very well go down in history.

At this moment, countless miles away from the True Profound Continent.

In the Vast Sea Realm, Zhao Kingdom.

A massive golden dragon, unseen by ordinary people, hovered above the kingdom.

Once full of vitality, imposing, and constantly roaring.

Now it lay sickly, curled up, motionless and extremely listless.

In a corner of Zhao Kingdom, in the mountain range where the Corpse-Driving Sect resided, once a wondrous sight centered around thirteen majestic peaks.

Now it looked completely different.

Many peaks were drastically reduced in height, some entirely gone, replaced by vast ravines and deep lakes, with countless gigantic fissures, breaks, and pits.

One could only imagine the devastation wrought by the brutal battles that once raged here.

However, keen observers might notice a faint, semi-transparent white light dome completely covering the mountain range’s periphery.

"This is the warning array set up by the Infinite Sword Sect Master for our sect, also called Dharma Realm, with little defensive power.

But if anyone intends to infiltrate our sect, they will surely be discovered.

Of course, if you leave the Dharma Realm, it will become very dangerous, and you may not know if any enemies are approaching.

This time, we must be extremely cautious when we go over a hundred miles to the southeast to Earth God Mountain to find the Nine-leaf Red Fruit..."

At a boundary of the white light dome, a dark-skinned young man tirelessly cautioned.

He wore a deep blue Daoist robe, accompanied by five younger male and female disciples, each with solemn expressions, listening intently.

If Lou Yi were here, he would recognize this person as Wan Feishun, a Hall Master of the Four Seas Association.

When Lou Yi first joined, he already had seven or eight layers of Qi Cultivation, and now he had reached the Peak of Qi Cultivation, just a step away from Foundation Establishment.

"With a Master of the Infinite Sword Sect guarding, would any Demon Clans dare provoke the surroundings?" a curious, baby-faced female cultivator asked, glancing skyward.

There she could clearly see a patch of silver clouds, glowing intermittently, more beautiful than ordinary sunsets, exuding a vast and grand aura.

"The help from the Outer Sect Master is a matter of goodwill, and cannot cover every little detail.

If something happens within the Dharma Realm, he will act.

Outside the Dharma Realm, he won’t have the leisure to manage it." Wan Feishun replied, shaking his head.

He had a silent concern; who knew how long this Master would guard the Corpse-Driving Sect?

Everyone knew a Master’s cultivation time was extremely precious, and staying at the Corpse-Driving Sect would definitely affect his cultivation.

But if the Infinite Sword Sect Master left, and the Corpse-Driving Sect’s Supreme Elder, Master Cang Yu, approached the end of his life, that would indeed be disastrous.

Who knew how many malicious Demon Clans and Humans were lurking around, watching, and they might swarm in to devour the Corpse-Driving Sect.

"It’s a pity that Red Hero is gone; otherwise..." someone sighed.

The rest, hearing this, all showed expressions of sorrow.

Since Red Hero perished in the Celestial Abyss, the Corpse-Driving Sect’s situation has worsened with each passing day.

Demon Monkeys from Divine Ape Peak have come to cause trouble, Celestial Horses from Celestial Horse Plain have come to provoke, and even Giant Scorpion Desert and the Earth Bear clan, among others, have come to challenge.

Recently, even Cyan Wolf Ridge pressed with a large army, intending to annihilate the Corpse-Driving Sect entirely.

Fortunately, the Infinite Sword Sect dispatched a Master to assist and guard here, allowing the Corpse-Driving Sect to escape disaster.

But no one can be sure how long this Master will stay or is willing to stay.

Therefore, the disciples of the Corpse-Driving Sect must save themselves and quickly cultivate a top-level combat power.

The sect’s resources are limited and have been greatly consumed in the war. Ordinary disciples can only leave the sect’s territory to seek opportunities in the outside world.

"Let’s go, Earth God Mountain isn’t too far, let’s return quickly after obtaining the Nine-leaf Red Fruit," Wan Feishun reminded again, and everyone nodded.

All six of them rode a Wind Spirit Horse, galloping quickly towards the southeast.

Even though they left the sect’s Dharma Realm, they could still see the silver clouds overhead from time to time, which brought them some comfort.

However, it wasn’t long before a massive shadow blocked their path.

"Whoa, stop quickly!"

"A demon ambush, it’s a Spider Demon!"

"Kill it!"

Ahead, a black spider as large as a house blocked the road.

More than a dozen long legs, like greatly magnified scythes, covered all over with dense spikes.

Countless pale compound eyes stared at them coldly, vicious and cruel, making one shiver.

The next moment, talismans transformed into meteors of various colors shooting toward the black spider, exploding on its body in a burst, like fireworks.

Simultaneously, six Lifebound Corpses appeared beside them, safeguarding their hosts’ safety.

Most of these Lifebound Corpses were Iron Corpses, with skin of dark hue, lined densely with patterns, impervious to swords or fire, each possessing the strength of tens of thousands of pounds.

However, the talismans that could injure those at the Late-stage Qi Refining had no effect on the Spider Demon.

It didn’t inflict any harm, not even a scratch.

’Whoosh whoosh whoosh!’

The Spider Demon’s scythe-like, spike-covered long legs slashed through the air, striking viciously at the Lifebound Corpses!

Though Iron Corpses were impervious to swords, it was as if struck by meteorite edges, their chests dented to varying degrees.

One was nearly sliced in half!

"Puff!"

The Lifebound Corpses were severely injured, impacting their hosts, causing many to spit out large mouthfuls of blood.

"No good, this isn’t a regular Demon Clan member, it’s definitely a different species with special bloodline!" Wan Feishun shouted in shock and anger.

"I’ll hold it off, you all return to the sect quickly!"

He mobilized all his Spiritual Power, instantly condensing a massive black hand, spanning six or seven yards, in front of him, rolling in mist.

"Ghost Shoulder Slap!"

The black giant hand slammed down, staggering the black Spider Demon.

Successive heavy strikes forced this bloodline-special demon to retreat repeatedly, with two legs broken.

"Die!"

Wan Feishun’s face showed a ruthless expression, preparing to unleash a fatal blow.

’Puff!’

He then looked down in astonishment.

Saw a claw emerging from his chest cavity, holding a beating blood-red heart!

’Crack!’

The heart shattered, and Wan Feishun fell with despair in his eyes.

Behind, a gray-white furred, wolf-headed humanoid demon, cruelly licked its bloody claws that had just killed.

"Weak human race, nothing worth mentioning."

With that, it rushed like the wind towards the remaining Corpse-Driving Sect members, followed by several more screams of agony.

This six-member expedition team was thus annihilated!

And such bloody scenes were not limited to this location, but frequently occurred in the areas surrounding the Corpse-Driving Sect.

It seemed they received some command, a large number of Demon Clan members lay in ambush in these areas, waiting for prey to walk into the trap, then carrying out a brutal cleanup.

Disciples of the Corpse-Driving Sect fell one after another, only some managing to escape back to the sect or break through.

"Damn it, the Demon Clan intends to completely blockade our sect!" On Sect Leader Peak, a group of elders were furious and despairing.

Even though the Infinite Sword Sect’s Master was defending the sect, he couldn’t manage beyond its borders.

The Demon Clan’s power was too vast, and the Infinite Sword Sect couldn’t cover the sky with one hand.

Countless malicious Demon Clan members lay in wait outside, ready for the Corpse-Driving Sect’s disciples to walk into their trap.

But they couldn’t completely seal the mountain, as they needed to go out to find resources.

Remaining in the sect would mean a slow depletion of resources, leading to eventual exhaust, which is a slow death.

Going out to seek Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures could not only train disciples but also replenish resources, holding a sliver of hope.

The Corpse-Driving Sect had no other choice.

"Qingyi, I’ll go out to find opportunities myself, you don’t need to follow me, you’re at a critical stage now, you can’t be distracted..."

"Don’t say it Yaoyao, I will not let you go out and take risks alone!"

At this time, somewhere in the sect, the faint sound of two women quarreling could be heard.

...