Within the Buddha's Light, amidst hymns that could make one want to renounce the world, there was also a murderous aura. It was as if a Furious Vajra had descended upon the mortal realm, vowing to eradicate all evil and terror.
His fist landed on the black-robed man's long banner, striking its sharp point and producing a crisp CRACK.
In the blink of an eye, the black banner shattered into pieces all over the ground.
At that moment, the black-robed man's other four parts lunged at Shen Bai with incredible speed.
Shen Bai turned his head, his gaze calm. He made no attempt to dodge.
A jade-green light bloomed around him, like a layer of flawless jade covering his entire body.
The moment the attacks struck the jade-green light, it was the black-robed man's head that screamed in agony.
The limbs that had struck the light were instantly covered in bloody gashes.
The defense of the Bright Jade was flawless, giving the black-robed man no opening.
Only then did Shen Bai raise his Rusted Longsword.
As he performed the Blood Sword Dance, his Qi and blood surged. With just two or three strokes, he severed an arm.
The severed arm dissolved into black smoke, filling the dark passage with a nauseating stench.
Having lost an arm, the black-robed man's remaining parts hovered in mid-air, his face a mask of terror.
He had never seen anyone possess so many abilities.
Offense, defense, and even unarmed combat skills.
A sudden sense of unease washed over the black-robed man.
He originally thought he had made a clever decision, luring his opponent into his lair before killing him.
'But now, things don't look right.'
'This isn't some lamb for the slaughter—this is a ferocious wolf.'
'And we are the prey.'
"Let's scram!"
The black-robed man's head shouted.
The old woman was attacking Cheng Shuang, who desperately brandished her short spikes. Wisps of black gas swirled around the weapons, coalescing into the shape of a fox.
But facing the assault from the old woman's various parts, Cheng Shuang was already injured, with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
The old woman was about to finish off Cheng Shuang when she heard the shout. She turned just in time to see the black-robed man fleeing for his life.
"This is what happens when you're lazy with your Cultivation. To think a mere whelp who's still wet behind the ears could rout you so completely."
The old woman sneered and prepared to abandon her attack on Cheng Shuang to take down Shen Bai instead.
But the scene that followed made the old woman freeze in her tracks.
She saw Shen Bai, Longsword in hand, his face devoid of expression. His Qi and blood surged like dragons and tigers, accompanied by the roars of great beasts. Every sword strike blazed with righteous power.
In just a few moments, Shen Bai's final strike pierced the black-robed man's head. He impassively withdrew the Rusted Longsword.
A piece of cloth from the shattered banner lay on the ground. Shen Bai picked it up.
Holding the cloth in his left hand, Shen Bai wiped the blood from his Rusted Longsword and shook his head.
"A craftsman needs the right tools for the job. This sword is no longer suitable for me."
The Rusted Longsword could no longer withstand the Vibration from Shen Bai's Qi and blood. Fractures had appeared on its blade, rendering it barely usable.
Shen Bai tossed the tattered cloth aside and turned to face the old woman.
The old woman felt a chill run down her spine.
In Shen Bai's calm gaze, she saw a terrifying rage, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
"Who in the world are you? The Five-Heart Sect has never offended you. Can you not spare my life?"
"The Five-Heart Sect will be eternally grateful for your mercy."
At that moment, a desperate desire to live ignited within the old woman.
Shen Bai, Rusted Longsword in hand, slowly walked forward.
The Longsword carved a groove in the ground as he dragged it.
As Shen Bai spoke, his killing intent became almost palpable.
"There is no grievance between you and I, but there are some scenes I just can't forget."
"What scenes?" the old woman asked, frowning.
Shen Bai said flatly, "A five-year-old child. A sensible one, at that. But you twisted and broke all of his limbs. Even when slaughtering livestock, one should grant a quick death. I'm no hero, but when it's within my power, I'm happy to lend a hand."
"Besides, there's also a matter of business."
"Business?"
The old woman slowly backed away. "Is this the business the young lady offered you? Whatever she's paying, the Five-Heart Sect will double it. As for that child, forgive my bluntness, but why should we Cultivators care about the lives of mere mortals? They're nothing but a pack of curs, worthless as dogs."
"The Five-Heart Sect can give you the fame, fortune, and anything else you desire. You should consider it carefully."
Shen Bai sneered. "In my eyes, then, you are also worthless as dogs."
Buddha's Light appeared in Shen Bai's hands. This time, he didn't use the Rusted Longsword. Instead, with his hands wreathed in Buddha's Light, he became a gust of wind and closed in on the old woman.
The old woman shrieked, "You ungrateful cur! You're courting death!"
As she screamed, her head and four limbs attacked Shen Bai from all directions.
"You think you're in any position to bargain with me?"
Shen Bai laughed in disdain. He raised his fists, grabbed the nearest arm, and began to twist with both hands.
Under the power of Shen Bai's hands, wreathed in Buddha's Light, the arm was crushed into a bloody pulp.
The old woman's agonized screams echoed through the dark passage. Her remaining parts threw themselves at the jade-green light around Shen Bai, but they couldn't even break through his defense.
"It seems your own defenses were the first to break."
Shen Bai threw a rapid succession of punches.
With just four punches, the old woman's remaining parts dissolved into black smoke within the Buddha's Light.
After finishing, Shen Bai lowered his hands and surveyed his surroundings.
All around them, the commoners with vacant expressions suddenly rolled their eyes back and collapsed, unconscious.
"What's happening?" Shen Bai frowned.
Cheng Shuang, despite her injuries, carefully examined a few of the commoners. "They've lost the control of the black-robed man and the old woman," she said. "They've just fallen into a coma. Their lives aren't in danger."
Shen Bai nodded.
"Since their lives aren't in danger, let's get back to business."
He turned his head, looked down the dark passage, and continued forward.
Cheng Shuang gritted her teeth and followed behind Shen Bai.
Shen Bai turned his head. "Are your injuries severe?"
Cheng Shuang was slightly taken aback, then shook her head. "It's nothing serious. Thank you for your concern."
Shen Bai shook his head. "I'm not concerned. I just meant that if your injuries are severe, you shouldn't follow. You'll be a burden."
Cheng Shuang felt her eye twitch in frustration. 'This man,' she thought, 'has absolutely zero tact.'
But this was a critical moment, so Cheng Shuang didn't say anything more and continued forward.
「...」
The dark passage continued for about a hundred meters before a sliver of light appeared up ahead.
Shen Bai and Cheng Shuang approached cautiously and discovered a whole new world behind the light.
It was a massive, magnificent cavern.
The ceiling of the cavern was embedded with all kinds of luminous pearls, which bathed the space in a soft glow.
As the light illuminated the scene below, Shen Bai's eyes widened slightly.