Zhi Xuan turned and looked at Zhao Xue, leaning down slightly to meet her gaze. At the very least, if Zhi Xuan brought this woman out and returned her safely, he would not be bound by a heavy karmic debt to one who had crossed paths with others.

  "You and Ao Sheng will board the Seven Star Boat," Zhi Xuan continued calmly and coldly, staring directly into Zhao Xue's eyes with a flat yet deep gaze. "The Five Element realm makes it easy to soar through the air, especially with the Thunder Law as my primary element. The oversized rats out there will only match my speed if I am feeling lazy."

  Zhao Xue held her breath for a moment, her cold eyes clashing with the purple-blue lightning light in Zhi Xuan's eyes. She was shocked by the idea. She expected Zhi Xuan to use some Devil Formations, but not to act as bait in the open air, facing the entire Shi Clan army alone.

  "Wait," Zhao Xue replied, her tone filled with unusual hesitation. "They have Soul Transformation experts, and they are furious. If you travel through the air without protection, they will focus their attacks. The remaining Shi Clan Poison Formations—"

  "The Heaven-Reversing Water Poison?" Zhi Xuan interrupted, his smirk widening to reveal sharp fangs. The grin felt more lethal now, decorated with lightning fluctuations leaping at the corners of his lips. "I have absorbed the foundation of that poison, storing it within the Heavenly Cauldron. That poison is now mere food for me. Besides..."

  Zhi Xuan raised his hand, and the Heavenly Devouring Chalice appeared in his palm, radiating a burning Extreme Yang aura. He did not channel a Law, but allowed the Chalice to emit its own aura of destruction.

  "I have a way to distract them," Zhi Xuan hissed, his tone full of sharp calculation that made Zhao Xue shiver slightly. "You and Ao Sheng will escape toward the Northwest, the safest place you can find. I will meet you once I am finished with those rats."

  Zhao Xue fell silent. She could read the determination and calculation contained in Zhi Xuan's eyes. This man was not impulsive; he had calculated every variable, including the efficiency of their escape and the effectiveness of his newly acquired Thunder Law. However, fighting alone against two Soul Transformation experts and dozens of Consciousness Transformation cultivators was an act bordering on madness.

  "It is a suicidal act," Zhao Xue replied, her voice returning to its cold state, yet containing a faint urgency. "Even if you possess the Thunder Law, lightning is not a spatial Law. Your speed is limited. We must fight as allies, at least to kill one Soul Transformation expert before we flee."

  Zhi Xuan raised an eyebrow; girls were always stubborn. Zhi Xuan stared at her, his forehead furrowing as he turned to face Zhao Xue. The startled Zhao Xue slowly jumped back. However, Zhi Xuan stepped toward her, making Zhao Xue instinctively walk backward until she stared back at Zhi Xuan, who was watching her intently.

  "What are—" Zhao Xue gasped with a subtle tremble, her back pressing against the basalt wall as Zhi Xuan placed one hand on the wall, pinning her in. Her eyes widened slightly and she instinctively drew her sword. "Let me go! Otherwise I will—"

  "Silence," Zhi Xuan cut her off coldly, leaning his face in until the distance between them was only a span. "You will still go with Ao Sheng on my Boat Artifact, and I will find you afterward."

  Zhi Xuan did not wait for a reply. His eyes, radiating purple-blue lightning light, scanned Zhao Xue's face, which suddenly turned a faint red from shock and anger. He ignored the half-drawn Thousand Winters Sword that emitted a piercing Pure Ice aura, as if the sword were merely a meaningless toothpick to him.

  Zhi Xuan snorted, his smirk returning, but this time without the lightning—a weary and cynical smile. "You are a precious Snow Lady. Do not make me have to come back and find you dead at the hands of the Shi Clan. That would be a karma I would have to pay for a lifetime, and I have no place to bear a karma as large as you."

  Zhi Xuan pulled his head away from Zhao Xue, releasing his pressing lightning aura and his cynical smile. He stepped back, and the purple-blue lightning flash in his eyes dimmed back into a calm sapphire. He did not wait for the reaction of Zhao Xue, who now stood stiffly, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and shock.

  "We will open the Core Gate. Prepare yourselves," Zhi Xuan commanded, his voice returning to a flat and cold tone, as if the scene that had just occurred were merely an illusion. He gave Zhao Xue no chance to process her emotions or the threat implied in his words.

  Zhao Xue, with a face still slightly flushed and the Thousand Winters Sword half-drawn, stood frozen against the basalt wall. She felt her heart beating fast, not because of the fear of the Soul Transformation experts outside, but because of the sudden proximity and the arrogant command thrown by Zhi Xuan.

  She had only just managed to sheath her sword and take a deep breath to calm her turbulent Pure Ice Law when Ao Sheng returned from the end of the corridor, radiating a majestic aura of victory. Ao Sheng was no longer just shrouded in gold.

  In his hand, a long pitch-black spear decorated with twisting dragon carvings radiated an oppressive aura of water destruction. It was the Black Water Dragon King Spear, the second core heritage that could only be lifted by a Pure Bloodline. On his forearm, a pattern of ancient dragon scales was faintly etched, evidence of the Ancient Dragon Body Technique he had just obtained.

  "Senior, I have claimed it and brought the Water Dragon Pearl," Ao Sheng said, his voice filled with stable strength and dignity. He saw the strange tension between Zhi Xuan and Zhao Xue but chose to ignore it. "This tomb is now empty of heritage. We must leave immediately."

  Zhi Xuan nodded. He turned his gaze from Zhao Xue, focusing on the task ahead. He stepped toward the spatial rift where the Core Room lay beyond, and there, the giant Stone Gate that closed the tomb stood.

  "Seven Star Boat," Zhi Xuan called. With a soft clink, a small boat bathed in calm starlight appeared from his storage bag, floating above the basalt floor. The boat radiated an aura of speed and stable protection, easy to disguise its aura at least for a while.

  "Ao Sheng, get in. You too, Snow Blade Lady," Zhi Xuan ordered. His tone of voice had returned to the authority of a high-level cultivator. Zhao Xue did not resist anymore. She knew that fighting with Zhi Xuan, who had just broken through to the Thunder Five Elements and possessed the Heavenly Devouring Chalice, was impossible.

  Furthermore, she realized that Zhi Xuan had decided to take the greatest risk, creating an exit for them. She jumped onto the deck of the Seven Star Boat, followed by Ao Sheng who held his Black Water Dragon King Spear tightly. Zhi Xuan, standing in front of the Stone Gate, closed his eyes. He did not use brute force. He channeled the newly born Pure Thunder Law into his divine sense and directed it to resonate with the Pure Golden Dragon Bloodline aura remaining on the Stone Gate.

  "Ao Sheng, show the Bronze Key," Zhi Xuan commanded calmly. He directed his essence back to the Seven Star Boat, guiding the vessel to take the two of them to the place he designated in the Northwest. "The boat will take you away with my guidance; there is no need to worry about being pursued."

  Ao Sheng immediately took out the Bronze Key, which now appeared more majestic, radiating a deep black light that pulsed in harmony with the dragon aura in the tomb. Zhi Xuan did not touch the key, but instead only channeled a wave of Divine Sense coated in Pure Thunder Law. The Thunder Law acted as the command, and Ao Sheng's Pure Golden Dragon Bloodline acted as the permission.

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  KRAKK! KRAKK!

  The giant Stone Gate shook violently. The remaining Ancient Seals on the surface of the basalt stone immediately vanished, melting into spiritual dust essence. The gate opened, but not with the majestic slow movement as when they entered. This time, the gate was pushed open quickly and forcefully, an inevitable signal to the Shi Clan outside.

  Beyond the gate, the long black basalt corridor stretched out. The corridor was empty, but the aura outside felt thick and oppressive. The whistling sound of spiritual wind and the angry roars of Soul Transformation cultivators immediately hit Zhi Xuan, a shockwave filled with dense killing intent.

  WHUSH!

  Zhi Xuan gave the Shi Clan no time to fully react. He waved his hand toward the Seven Star Boat. The boat immediately lit up with calm starlight and shot into the air, piercing through the Stone Gate, carrying Ao Sheng and Zhao Xue with almost impossible speed. The boat did not go into the corridor; it shot upward, piercing through the thick basalt layers in the ceiling of the Black Dragon Tomb corridor.

  The Seven Star Boat vanished from sight, penetrating the collapsing layers of the tomb toward the mortal sky outside. At the same time, Zhi Xuan stepped out of the Stone Gate, gliding over the basalt floor. He stood at the threshold of the tomb, his back to the gate which was now beginning to close on its own, sealed by the remaining Pure Golden Dragon aura.

  At the end of the corridor, the scene felt like a nightmare for the Shi Clan. Dozens of Consciousness Transformation cultivators, Poison Formations ready to be released, and in their midst, two figures radiating Soul Transformation auras. One of them, Elder Shi Han, looked terrible. His face was deathly pale, his eyes bled spiritual blood, and his aura was turbulent, a result of the destruction of his Poison Will.

  "DEVIL CHILD!" Elder Shi Han roared, his voice cracking with rage and pain. "You destroyed the tomb and wounded my soul! I will have you killed in ten thousand pieces!"

  ZZZZT!

  Zhi Xuan only smirked. He did not answer the threat. He raised his hand, and the newly born Pure Thunder Law exploded from his body. Fierce purple-blue lightning flashes enveloped him, leaping wildly, radiating an unparalleled pressure of destruction.

  He did not attack with a technique; he merely flowed the Thunder Law into his body, and with a movement driven by the Thunder Law, he leapt into the air, piercing the basalt stone ceiling of the corridor. His movement was so fast it only left a purple-blue flash in the air.

  "I will play with you outside, old rats," Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice echoing in the corridor, filled with cold provocation.

  BUMM! KRAKK!

  Zhi Xuan broke through the tomb, leaving a large gaping hole in the ceiling. The corridor below, where the Shi Clan gathered, shook violently. He appeared in the open air, above the Heaven Mirror Lake bathed in moonlight. He hovered, shrouded in a lethal Lightning aura, becoming the only perfect target.

  "Aerial Attack Formation!" Elder Shi Han roared; though wounded, his killing intent had not diminished. He and the other Soul Transformation Elder shot into the air, followed by dozens of Shi Clan Consciousness Transformation cultivators, who immediately spread out and formed a Poison Formation around Heaven Mirror Lake.

  Zhi Xuan, hovering in the center of that circle of death, only snorted coldly. He opened his hand, and the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron appeared, spinning slowly beside him. He glanced toward the northwest, where the Seven Star Boat was already far in the distance.

  "They are safe," Zhi Xuan murmured. He closed his eyes, and when they opened again, the purple-blue lightning light had reached its peak. He no longer cared about spiritual damage. "Time to fly in the sky; hold on tight, Ruo Xianxue, Xiao Die!"

  WHIRL! WHUMP WHUMP! WHIRL! WHIRL!

  With a sharp roar and ecstasy over his Five Element breakthrough, Zhi Xuan channeled his essence into the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron, causing the cauldron to enlarge and spin around him, creating a turbulent vortex storm. The Consciousness Transformation cultivators were not even able to endure the vortex storm due to the stark difference in foundation compared to Zhi Xuan.

  Fierce Pure Lightning flashes enveloped the Heavenly Trifold Reincarnation Cauldron. The cauldron, which was originally calm, now spun at a spiritually deafening speed, radiating the burning Summer Law and the new Thunder Law, creating an unparalleled vortex of destruction in the air. In the midst of the vortex, Zhi Xuan stood tall, his jet-black hair whipping wildly in the spiritual wind created by the cauldron.

  "You crawled out of your snake dens only to die here," Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice, though quiet, carrying a resonance of lightning that hit the Sea of Consciousness of the Shi Clan. "Elder Shi Han, you dare to wound the Golden Dragon Destiny? This slaughter is the price you must pay!"

  Elder Shi Han, whose face was decorated by burst spiritual blood vessels, roared in anger. "Shameless arrogance! We are an Ancient Clan! You are merely a lowly Devil who has just broken into the Five Elements! Kill him! Heaven-Reversing Poison Formation!"

  Dozens of Shi Clan Consciousness Transformation cultivators reacted immediately. The Poison Formation they spread in the air shot forward, emitting thick Heaven-Reversing Water Poison, trying to swallow Zhi Xuan and his Heavenly Cauldron. The poison did not just smell foul; it felt like corrosive spiritual acid, targeting the Sea of Consciousness.

  ZZZTT! ZZZTT!

  Zhi Xuan only smiled coldly; without carving cosmic step runes as usual, he took a brief stance to build momentum, then with a lunge accompanied by a surge of Thunder Law, Zhi Xuan shot through the air and ignored the pressure from the formation. The Heavenly-Blood Body Law allowed him to punch the formation barrier, creating a small gap and darting like an eagle toward the further North.

  WHUSHH! WHUSHH! WHUSHH!

  Although Zhi Xuan had created a gap and shot into the open air, the Shi Clan's Heaven-Reversing Water Poison Formation was no ordinary formation. The poison followed Zhi Xuan's spiritual trail, twisting in the air like snakes filled with killing intent, and quickly closed the gap he had just made.

  "He is fast! Do not let him escape!" Elder Shi Han roared, channeling the remains of his wounded spiritual essence, pushing the Heaven-Reversing Water Poison to chase the Devil who now looked like a purple-blue lightning flash in the night sky.

  Zhi Xuan, who was speeding away, felt the poison licking at his back. He snorted coldly. His Thunder Law speed was now far beyond the Consciousness Transformation realm, but still could not match the speed and reach of a Poison Formation controlled by dozens of high-level cultivators.

  "You think this Heaven-Reversing Water Poison is a treasure for you?" Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice filled with an arrogance now supported by his new Five Element foundation.

  ZHRINGG! ZHRINGG! ZHRINGG!

  The Sea-Breaking Thunder Sword appeared out of his storage bag; Zhi Xuan caught the hilt of the sword, its semi-damaged blade radiating an aura of Thunder Law that resonated with his body. With a wave of the hand holding the sword, the sky above was triggered and gave rise to turbulent black clouds. Bluish lightning began to strike heavily toward the Sea-Breaking Thunder Sword.

  DUARR! DUKHH! ZZRTTT! DUARR!

  This was the foundation of the Five Elements using the Thunder Law as the first catalyst; they were able to lure the essence of Heaven and Earth, borrowing the Laws of Nature to create Thunder Law from the Sky. It was not the same as the Water Law which would freeze and borrow Law from the Ocean, or Fire from Magma or Volcanoes. The Thunder Law was able to lure a terrifying Lightning Calamity from the Heavens.

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw, his purple-blue eyes radiating madness. He did not care about the piercing pain as the essence of the Heaven Thunder Law struck the Thunder Sword, passed through his arm, and tore through his meridians again. He needed speed to escape the encirclement. He swung the Sea-Breaking Thunder Sword backward, not to attack, but to create an explosive path.

  CRACKLE! BOOOM!

  The Heaven Lightning strike he pulled shot backward, hitting the Heaven-Reversing Water Poison that twisted like a spiritual snake, as well as dozens of Consciousness Transformation cultivators who were closest to the Poison Formation. Heaven Lightning was the lightning of judgment; it carried pure power of annihilation.

  The flash of Heaven Lightning pulled by Zhi Xuan, now channeled through the Sea-Breaking Thunder Sword, was a sight of unparalleled destruction. The strike, carrying the weight of Nature's Judgment, hit the Heaven-Reversing Water Poison Formation.

  BOOOM! DUAR!

  It was not merely an energy explosion. When the Judgment Lightning met the Heaven-Reversing Water Poison, a brutal reaction occurred. Poison, being the essence of darkness and malice, was the perfect target for Lightning. The poison did not just burn; it exploded in painful spiritual shards.

  Ten Shi Clan Consciousness Transformation cultivators at the forefront of the Poison Formation, who were channeling their essence to push the formation, instantly screamed in lethal pain. Their fragile bodies were blown apart by the poison essence exploding inward, along with the shockwave of the Heaven Lightning.

  WHIRL!

  "HEAVENLY DEVOURING CHALICE, SWALLOW!"

  In the midst of the spiritual debris and the screams that had just begun, the Heavenly Devouring Chalice beside Zhi Xuan roared. The Extreme Yang vortex expanded, and the ten Primary Souls of the Consciousness Transformation cultivators who had just been released from their bodies were forcibly pulled into the Chalice's vortex. They had no chance to escape or reincarnate; they were immediately absorbed, stored within the Soul Lantern, merging with thousands of other souls.

  SHING!