Chapter 114: The Death of Shi Tie

Shi Tie’s face was cold and stern as he rode with seven Stone family guards down the bustling streets of Tianyun City under the broad daylight. From the Stone estate to the Zuo residence, most of the way was through prosperous commercial districts. Passersby, upon recognizing the Stone family’s prized steeds, respectfully stepped aside, voluntarily yielding the way for Shi Tie and his entourage.

Mounted on his horse, Shi Tie’s expression was grim, his mind occupied with how to discuss with Zuo Xu about dealing with the Ling family later.

Gradually, Shi Tie’s party of eight arrived at a less bustling street. This street lay between the Stone and Zuo estates. Though usually not crowded, small vendors often sold daily necessities here. But today, the street was deserted, devoid of a single stall.

Shi Tie paid it no mind; Tianyun City had been uneasy lately, and many civilians dared not wander even in daylight. Given this was never a lively area, its emptiness was not unusual.

Riding swiftly, they soon reached the center of the street.

Suddenly, Shi Tie’s face changed sharply; his eyes turned cold and fierce.

Boom!

One of the stone buildings beside the street exploded violently, chunks of boulder-sized stones whirling through the air, crashing toward Shi Tie.

At the same moment, several figures sprang up by the roadside, swooping toward Shi Tie like hawks.

Thick bolts of lightning, resembling dragons soaring across the sky, crackled with radiant light as they surged toward Shi Tie.

The space around twisted unnaturally, and a bizarre barrier, like a vast net, descended from all directions, sealing off the entire street.

A chill ran down Shi Tie’s spine as he shouted fiercely, “Mo Tuo Ling Jue!”

The lightning dragons, thick as human torsos and stretching hundreds of meters, combined with the net-like barrier sealing the area, turned this quiet street into a sudden death trap.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Shi Tie’s body turned petrified as he pushed his Nirvana Realm strength to its peak. Streams of crystalline light burst from him, shattering the massive stones hurtling in from all sides.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One stone building after another exploded, sending more boulders flying like mountains toward Shi Tie.

Thin wisps of pale purple smoke escaped from the ruins, seeming almost sentient as they coiled toward Shi Tie.

Holding his breath and steadying his mind, Shi Tie’s heart shook with horror as he roared, “Bu Bo, the Stone family will never yield to you!”

“You Stone clan lack the capability. You will die soon enough,” came the venomous voice of Bu Bo, cold and disdainful like a serpent’s hiss.

The purple smoke enveloped Shi Tie and his guards completely.

The Stone family guards with him were cultivators at the Hundred Tribulations and Earthly Status realms. Though they held their breath, they could not resist the invading poisonous smoke. Their skin turned pale purple in an instant, faces contorted in agony as if countless tiny insects gnawed at their flesh.

Screaming in pain, these guards collapsed one by one, their bodies rapidly decaying.

Petrified, Shi Tie’s own face took on a faint purple hue beneath the toxic mist. His limbs grew numb and weak.

“Hmph, mere Nirvana Realm strength dares oppose my ‘Hundred Poison Rotting Corpse Smoke’—reckless to the last!” Bu Bo’s sinister voice echoed again from within a stone building.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Bolts of lightning dragons unleashed by Mo Tuo pounded continuously on Shi Tie’s body. Simultaneously, the barrier formed by Ling Jue surged up, imprisoning Shi Tie’s body.

Elite warriors from the Mo and Ling clans descended like hawks, encircling Shi Tie tightly.

Glints from divine weapons flashed as they rained down upon Shi Tie like droplets.

Dozens of fierce assaults left Shi Tie battered and bleeding, unable to withstand even his petrified martial soul.

“Kill!”

Finally, Mo Tuo appeared in person. Already superior to Shi Tie by a realm, he wielded a silver hammer wrapped in lightning, smashing relentlessly at Shi Tie’s flesh.

Crack! Crack!

Shi Tie’s bones shattered, blood poured from his seven orifices, and his vitality was severed bit by bit.

Boom!

With the grim expression of a vengeful ghost, Shi Tie’s mighty form collapsed, his body rotting rapidly into putrid flesh.

Ling Jue emerged slowly from the shade of a tree, coldly gazing at the decaying Shi Tie. He said indifferently, “With Shi Tie dead, Shi Jian loses an arm. Handling the Stone family will be much easier now.”

Mo Tuo grinned with satisfaction, delivering another crushing blow with his silver hammer, splattering Shi Tie’s brain matter.

“I want every Stone family member to perish alongside Shi Tie’s death. This is only the beginning,” Mo Tuo said with a ferocious grimace.

“Brother Mo, I think we should settle the younger generation’s marriage first. Heh, the Stone family holds a funeral, and we celebrate a wedding. Doesn’t that make things more interesting?” Ling Jue suggested slyly.

“Good!” Mo Tuo laughed maniacally. “Bring me Shi Tie’s bones. Later, have someone deliver them to the Stone family as a grand gift from me. Wish their sons long lives! Ha ha ha!”

“Yes.”

...

Above the Deadly Swamp.

Shi Yan sat astride a sixth-grade demonic beast—an Azure Blood Demon Bat. Beside him, the Shura King, Xiao Hanyi, wore a calm expression, eyes closed in deep cultivation as the blood energy within him churned.

Cultivating the Blood Killing Path, Xiao Hanyi seemed able to influence the blood of those nearby. Sitting next to him, Shi Yan felt restless, his own blood stirring uncontrollably, as if eager to burst through his skin.

Noticing Shi Yan’s unease, Xiao Hanyi suddenly opened his eyes and smiled faintly. “Young Master Yan, my Blood Killing Path is somewhat domineering. It affects others’ blood as well. You should be cautious sitting close to me. Heh, if you feel uncomfortable, I can switch to another Azure Blood Demon Bat. How about that?”

As he spoke, Xiao Hanyi glanced subtly at the Azure Blood Demon Bat beside him, upon which sat Xia Xinyan.

Xia Xinyan still wore a veil, her lake-clear eyes serene and peaceful, gazing absentmindedly into the distance.

Her slender jade hand rested lightly on a protruding spine of the demon bat. Her delicate figure arched slightly, her abundant curves forming a near-perfect silhouette that made one avert their gaze after a glance.

Following Xiao Hanyi’s gaze, Shi Yan stole a look at Xia Xinyan, a hint of envy flickering in his eyes, a suggestive curve tugging at his lips. “Old Xiao, is this woman considered a rare gem in the Endless Sea?”

These days, Shi Yan had been sitting next to Xiao Hanyi. Shi Yan was a man of no taboos; even when addressing this powerful cultivator of the second heavenly rank, he showed no respect, speaking freely without treating Xiao Hanyi as a senior.

Xiao Hanyi, accustomed to battles across lands, acted on whimsy and was inherently lawless at heart. He was not angered by Shi Yan’s casual manner; rather, he found it refreshing. Shi Yan lacked the airs of the Yang family’s young masters and resembled a wild hero, making it easy to talk to him.

“Of course,” Xiao Hanyi said with a sly smile. “This girl is an exceptional beauty even among the Endless Sea’s finest. Countless talented young men dream of winning her favor. But she’s proud and gifted, rarely showing kindness to any young man. Young Master Yan, if you can pluck this shining cabbage from her garden, even the clan head would raise his thumb in approval.”

“Heh heh,” Shi Yan chuckled softly but said no more, his thoughts veiled.

“Neither am I a good man, nor is the old one decent,” Xia Xinyan seemed to overhear their whispers. Her swan-like slender neck twisted slightly as her captivating clear eyes turned toward them. She softly hummed, biting her lip with a hint of disdain.

“Hah, Xia girl, you heard that?” Xiao Hanyi was shameless, unembarrassed, laughing heartily. “Xia girl, my Yan is a fine fellow. Though his realm is low now, his future is boundless. Once back in the Endless Sea, after cultivating the Yang family’s Immortal Rebirth Art, his strength will surely soar. Our Xia family and yours are allies; a marriage alliance would be perfect. What do you think of Young Master Yan? Haha!”

Shi Yan’s expression was indifferent, but inwardly he cursed Xiao Hanyi for revealing matters so soon.

Xia Xinyan glanced coldly at Shi Yan and said faintly, “Though he has good talent and willpower, his realm is too low. No one knows if he can break through in the future. Hmph, wants to marry me? Wait until he can defeat me.”

Shi Yan scratched his nose, not offended, smiling. “Xinyan, this is what you said. Don’t worry, I will defeat you sooner or later. Just wait.”

“Xin... Xinyan?” Xia Xinyan’s expression faltered, shaking her head with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Her eyes gleamed oddly. “Sure enough, your blood is Yang family’s. Just like them—arrogant, overbearing, and shameless.”

“Heh heh,” Shi Yan was thick-skinned and unapologetic, smiling. “We agreed—once I defeat you, you’ll—”

“Speak of that day when it comes,” Xia Xinyan cut him off proudly. “But I doubt I’ll wait that long. You’re progressing, but do you think I’ll stand still? When you break through to the Hundred Tribulations Realm, you’ll find it harder and harder to advance. I hope you still have that arrogance then.”

“Don’t worry, Xinyan. I won’t keep you waiting,” Shi Yan called her name cheerfully, as if they were childhood companions with no distance between them.

Xia Xinyan was peerless in beauty, sharp of mind, elegant and noble, with a perfect figure—truly a rare gem in Shi Yan’s life. It was impossible not to be moved.

Previously, the disparity between them made Shi Yan hesitant to show his feelings. Now, seeing a glimmer of hope, his true nature began to emerge.

Xia Xinyan, seemingly frightened by his repeated “Xinyan,” shot him a sharp glare and lightly tapped the back of the demon bat.

The Azure Blood Demon Bat suddenly slowed, drifting back to create a wide gap between her and Shi Yan.

Shi Yan didn’t mind, turning to give her a deep look, his eyes openly possessive without concealment.

“Good lad,” Xiao Hanyi praised in a low voice. “If you can really win this woman over, it will greatly benefit the clan. I support you putting more effort into it.”

“Stay calm, stay calm,” Shi Yan smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with an unreadable light, even Xiao Hanyi uncertain of his true thoughts.

...