Chapter 418: Little Junior Brother?

A dazzling figure flashed across the sky.

BOOM!

Shen Daoxing smashed a fist into the back of Pan Cheng's massive Golden Body Dharma Aspect.

Countless arcs of black lightning erupted from Shen Daoxing's fist.

SZZZZT!

As they struck Pan Cheng's back, the surrounding space twisted and warped, stretching and compressing in turn.

Then.

CRACK! CRACK!

A series of sharp cracks echoed.

A fissure split open across Pan Cheng's back, and a ray of light shot out from within. As the crack spread and widened, Pan Cheng's entire Golden Body Dharma Aspect shone with a blinding golden light before violently shattering.

Amid the dazzling light, a blood-soaked figure was thrown high into the air, tracing a graceful arc across the sky.

THUD!

He smashed heavily onto the ground.

Suddenly.

Pan Cheng's eyes widened in shock. He could feel the blood and qi churning inside him like a stormy sea; his internal organs had been completely shattered.

He dazedly struggled to his feet, but the moment he was upright, his legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

He opened his mouth and spewed a large mouthful of fresh blood.

Pan Cheng stared in horror at Shen Daoxing, who was slowly descending before him. "Who... who in the world are you?"

'A mere kid at the Spirit Transformation realm, yet his strength is this terrifying! There's no way he's just some simple outer sect disciple.'

But Shen Daoxing didn't answer his question. His eyes were cold and indifferent. "To murder your own sect members for a bit of selfish desire... your crime is unforgivable!"

With that, Shen Daoxing raised the Great Ming Demon Sparrow high without hesitation and swung it down.

...

「Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forests of Pengze Immortal Island.」

"Thunder Flame Strike!"

Wan Hai shouted, unleashing his Deep Blue Treasure Sword. It transformed into a streak of light that, with a WHOOSH, split a giant Cannibal Flower in two. Immediately, scorching flames erupted on the flower, SIZZLING with arcs of blue lightning.

Beside him, Tang Yi saw her chance and swiftly swung her own sword.

"Qingfeng Yue!"

A powerful gust of wind burst forth, fanning the scorching flames. In an instant, the fire spread outward, flaring up and burning furiously.

In just a few moments, a long, charred path had been burned open before them.

"We can get out!"

Wan Hai turned to Tang Yi, overjoyed.

But just then, he froze, suddenly noticing something.

"Hey, where's Little Junior Brother?"

Suddenly, Wan Hai looked around but saw no sign of anyone. He realized that at some point, Shen Daoxing had disappeared.

"Huh? Where did Little Junior Brother go?"

Tang Yi, beside him, realized it too. "We told him not to wander off."

"Damn it!"

Suddenly, a realization struck Wan Hai. His expression turned to one of alarm as he swung his sword, cleaving a nearby Cannibal Flower with a THWACK.

Tang Yi also reacted, quickly raising her sword and slicing at another Cannibal Flower.

Then, the two began to search the area frantically.

"Little Junior Brother! Little Junior Brother!"

Wan Hai shouted repeatedly, his Thunder Flame Sword flashing out. SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! He sliced open one Cannibal Flower after another, but they were all empty. There was no sign of anyone.

"Yi, did you find him?"

Wan Hai turned and looked at Tang Yi anxiously.

Tang Yi swung her sword, cutting open another Cannibal Flower, then turned back and shook her head.

"How could this happen?"

Abruptly, both of them froze. "Where on earth could Little Junior Brother have gone? This isn't a place he can survive on his own!"

Just then, in the mountain forest not far away, a flock of birds suddenly took flight. A moment later, a dazzling beam of light shot into the sky, and a massive, towering figure appeared. It had a solemn expression and shimmered with golden light, like a Great Sword Immortal descending from the heavens.

Seeing this giant figure, Wan Hai froze. "That's Pan Cheng! It's Pan Cheng's Heaven and Earth!"

"Why would Pan Cheng suddenly attack?"

Wan Hai paused, then a terrible thought struck him. "Oh no... Don't tell me Little Junior Brother ran into Pan Cheng!"

Startled, Wan Hai and Tang Yi shot into the air, transforming into streaks of light and flying toward Pan Cheng's location.

'Pan Cheng is the strongest disciple in the Inner Sect right now. Even that Thorny Armor Earth Dragon just died at his hands. How could Little Junior Brother possibly be a match for him alone?'

Wan Hai and Tang Yi exchanged an anxious glance and quickened their pace.

Soon, they saw ancient, towering trees that had been snapped in half. It seemed a fierce battle had taken place ahead.

At the same time, a massive wave of qi blasted toward them, bending the towering trees nearby.

Wan Hai and Tang Yi were both alarmed.

"Pan Cheng, stop!"

"Little Junior Brother!"

Shouting, they leaped forward.

But when Wan Hai and Tang Yi arrived at the scene and got a clear look at their surroundings...

"???"

Wan Hai.

"???"

Tang Yi.

At this moment, Pan Cheng's massive Golden Body Dharma Aspect was long gone. Covered in blood, he was kneeling stiffly before Shen Daoxing. Nearby, Luo Ying was in an even more miserable state, his arms and legs severed, lying on the ground.

Meanwhile, Shen Daoxing stood before them, his white robes fluttering and his expression serene. He looked completely unharmed.

Just then, Shen Daoxing had the Great Ming Demon Sparrow raised high, about to bring it down on Pan Cheng's neck.

Seeing this, Wan Hai cried out in alarm, "Wait, Little Junior Brother!"

Hearing this, Shen Daoxing turned his head impassively toward Wan Hai. "A moment ago," he said coolly, "he was trying to kill you."

Wan Hai glanced around, seeming to understand what had happened. He heaved a heavy sigh. "I know, but he's our fellow disciple, after all. As disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, how can we kill one another?"

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Luo Ying, who was nearby, hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! We're fellow disciples! Junior Brother Shen, for the sake of our bond as sect members, please spare my life!"

With newfound strength from somewhere, Luo Ying desperately dragged his limbless body over to Wan Hai and Tang Yi. "Senior Brother Wan Hai! Junior Sister Tang Yi, I was a fool! My mind was clouded before! Please forgive me, please spare my life!"

Having said his piece, Luo Ying raised his head.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

He began to kowtow heavily right in front of Wan Hai and Tang Yi. "Senior Brother Wan Hai, Junior Sister Tang Yi, please spare me!"

But when Luo Ying saw that Shen Daoxing's expression remained cold and he said nothing, he quickly turned to Pan Cheng and yelled, "Senior Brother Pan Cheng, what are you still doing? Do you really want to die?"

Pan Cheng froze for a moment before snapping out of it. Seeing Luo Ying groveling, he gritted his teeth, looking extremely reluctant. But he knew that at this moment, his survival was completely out of his hands.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally turned slowly to face Wan Hai and Tang Yi.

"S-Senior Brother Wan Hai! I was wrong! Please spare my life!"

As he spoke, he bowed and slammed his head heavily onto the ground. But on his face, hidden from everyone's view, was a mask of gritted teeth and pure hatred.