Chapter 107: The Struggle of a Cornered Beast

The invading army of the Yellow Sand Empire suffered total annihilation; not a single soldier survived. Upon hearing this devastating news, Emperor Koujue of the Yellow Sand Empire collapsed to the ground in utter despair.

At first, he refused to believe the report. It was only when various sects came to inquire why their sect leaders’ command tokens had shattered that he was forced to accept the grim reality.

Everyone was stunned—how could not a single soul have survived? Setting aside whether the Great Xia Empire possessed the strength to resist such a formidable force, why were not even the lowest-ranked cultivators spared? Was the onslaught truly so merciless? None could fathom what had transpired on the battlefield to cause such utter devastation.

This was a catastrophic blow. The emergence of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator was an arduous feat; to lose eleven of them in one fell swoop meant the Yellow Sand Empire would struggle to regain its former might for many years to come.

Learning that their sect leaders had all perished in the war against the Great Xia Empire, the major sects of the Yellow Sand Empire teetered on the brink of collapse. They openly condemned Emperor Koujue for recklessly provoking the conflict. From this moment, the Yellow Sand Empire became the weakest among the three great empires.

Meanwhile, the war in the Great Xia Empire had concluded. Chen Mu, Xiahou Longchen, and Xue Tian were now preparing to strike at the Bi Luo Dao Sect. Taking advantage of Zhong Tianyao’s grievous injury, they intended to eradicate the Bi Luo Dao Sect once and for all, eliminating the root of their troubles.

After a day spent in preparation, Chen Mu handed the newly captured Nascent Soul beast to Chihuo, who devoured and refined it, successfully advancing from a Grade Three Perfect Beast to the realm of a Grade Four Beast.

Chihuo continued to undergo transformation, its body growing larger, and the crimson patterns adorning its fur becoming even more vivid.

With a wide-open maw, it let out a roar that shook the air, its terrifying aura causing both the royal family within the imperial city and the townsfolk to tremble in fear. After all, since returning from the battlefield, Chen Mu and company had remained within the imperial city, and these humans had never before experienced the palpable presence of a beast advancing in rank at such close quarters, hence their intense anxiety.

Following its advancement, Chihuo’s combat strength neared that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. It could be said that it had reached the level of a fully realized Nascent Soul fighter of the human race—whether this held true outside the continent was uncertain, but within the Yuanyao Continent, it was indeed comparable to a perfected Nascent Soul realm power.

Having reached Grade Four, Chihuo slowly retracted its imposing aura, grinning as it licked Chen Mu with its tongue.

Chen Mu pushed Chihuo away disdainfully, feeling that even after ascending to Grade Four, the foolish tiger remained as unreliable as ever.

Once Chihuo had solidified its cultivation and prepared itself, they commenced their plan against the Bi Luo Dao Sect.

The three parties gathered; today would be the day they settled matters with the Bi Luo Dao Sect.

Li Huai was ordered to encircle the Bi Luo Dao Sect’s mountain gate without any gaps. Chen Mu led the beasts, alongside Xiahou Longchen and Xue Tian, to the sect gate.

Disciples of the Bi Luo Dao Sect emerged to confront the intruders but did not attack upon seeing Chen Mu and his group; instead, they glared at them with sullen anger.

When they reached the sect’s central courtyard, all the sect members had assembled, prepared for battle with a readiness to fight to the death at the slightest provocation.

At this moment, a figure slowly emerged from the sect’s main hall. He spoke with a tone of helplessness: “I never imagined the emperor of the Great Xia Empire would reconcile with a demon brat, much less cooperate with one and even collude with the true demon clan. Does your conscience not trouble you?”

This man was none other than Gu Daozhen, whose physical body had been destroyed but had evidently taken over a new vessel and adapted smoothly.

Xiahou Longchen raised an eyebrow and remarked, “Gu Daozhen? Is this your new body after possession? Hmph. As for your conscience, have you ever reflected on your own? Who forced Chen Mu to this path? Was it not your Bi Luo Dao Sect’s assault on Chen Mu and the Star Observation Valley? Though I never understood why you targeted Chen Mu, I suppose it is because he possesses something you covet. Your envy drove you to destroy Star Observation Valley and capture Chen Mu at any cost.”

Gu Daozhen’s expression soured but he avoided the subject. “You cannot win. Although the patriarch’s strength has not fully recovered, it is more than enough to deal with you. Today’s battle will be your demise. The patriarch will emerge soon—I trust you have the patience to wait. You may strike first, but it will not change your inevitable fate...”

Before he could finish, Chen Mu raised his hand and unleashed a deadly energy orb, reducing the sect’s main hall to ruins. He then feigned confusion: “What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly—say that again?”

Gu Daozhen regarded Chen Mu with the gaze of one looking at the dead. “Demon brat, you can only be arrogant now. You have provoked the Bi Luo Dao Sect’s wrath. The patriarch will use your head to assert our sect’s authority.”

Chen Mu sneered coldly. “I await with interest.”

At that moment, deep within the Bi Luo Dao Sect, a tremendous oppressive aura surged forth. It weighed heavily on Chen Mu, made Xiahou Longchen shudder, and caused Xue Tian to frown.

This was the aura of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Though indeed Nascent Soul, it lacked fullness—clearly only about half the strength of Zhong Tianyao’s prime.

They had expected Zhong Tianyao to be weaker at this time, but he remained immensely powerful, only slightly less so than when he first appeared.

Zhong Tianyao’s recovery was remarkably swift. Or perhaps... he had employed secret techniques to temporarily suppress his injuries?

Regardless, this was a grave situation. The three and their beasts fixed their gazes on the source of the aura, realizing escape was impossible.

They discovered the Bi Luo Dao Sect had quietly deployed an encirclement formation, likely on Gu Daozhen’s orders, intending to force a desperate, do-or-die battle.

Helpless, they resolved to give their all to severely wound and kill Zhong Tianyao, hoping that by following their prearranged plan, they might survive.

An explosion rang out as Zhong Tianyao’s secluded chamber burst open. He leapt from underground and hovered above, gazing down upon the invaders.

His majestic aura rippled outward, prompting cheers from the Bi Luo Dao Sect disciples, all casting hostile glances at Chen Mu and company.

Zhong Tianyao spoke coldly: “Chen Mu, I will give you one more chance. Join the Bi Luo Dao Sect and reveal your secret to us. I will grant you supreme status and honor! Whatever you desire, I can provide—even the position of sect leader.”

This proclamation stirred an uproar. Gu Daozhen’s face darkened, though he remained silent.

After all, he knew Chen Mu’s secret warranted such measures from the patriarch, and that Chen Mu’s strength still surpassed his own as the sect’s legitimate leader. Offering Chen Mu this benefit was justified.

Hearing this, Xiahou Longchen glanced anxiously at Chen Mu, fearing he might accept.

He was also curious about the secret Chen Mu carried, wondering why the Bi Luo Dao Sect was so desperate to obtain it.

Xue Tian remained silent but understood Chen Mu well. He knew Chen Mu would never submit so easily. After all, he had refused Xue Tian’s own invitation to join the demon clan. How much less would he join a small, provincial sect from their native continent?

Chen Mu aspired to explore the wider world, not remain a local warlord commanding a minor sect. Moreover, the Bi Luo Dao Sect had slaughtered Star Observation Valley, leaving an indelible hatred.

Thus, Chen Mu would fight to the death, uprooting the Bi Luo Dao Sect and exterminating it utterly.

Sure enough, Chen Mu sneered: “The position of some petty warlord sect leader holds no appeal for me. I know there is a broader sky beyond the Yuanyao Continent. I intend to venture beyond and see that world. So keep your sect leader title for your own damnation.”

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Longchen visibly relaxed. He feared Chen Mu might betray them in the heat of battle. While Xue Tian’s stance was unknown, Xiahou Longchen knew he would surely die here. If that happened, the Great Xia Empire would be overthrown and become a plaything of the Bi Luo Dao Sect.

“Hmph! If you won’t drink the wine offered, you’ll have to drink the bitter medicine. After I slaughter your supporters, I’ll extract your soul and refine it. You’ll beg for death but find none. Then I’ll employ the cruelest tortures to coerce your confession. I’m sure you’ll tell me everything truthfully,” Zhong Tianyao sneered malevolently, his aged face twisted in wicked delight.

“Come if you dare. But I’m certain it’s you who will die in this battle!” Chen Mu retorted without faltering.

Tensions peaked, and Zhong Tianyao could no longer restrain himself—he struck first.

A spell imbued with boundless power crashed toward Chen Mu, who immediately activated all defenses—Igniting Blood Transformation, Dragon Scale Feathered Cloak, and other secret arts and divine abilities—to confront the assault.

Chen Mu, Xiahou Longchen, Xue Tian, along with the little fox Rou’er and fiery-eyed crimson tiger Chihuo, quickly formed a protective barrier to neutralize this overwhelmingly powerful attack. The other beasts, such as Yuan Shan and Brown Feather, were ordered to eliminate the remaining Bi Luo Dao Sect disciples.

The battle ignited with both sides unleashing their full might. After fierce resistance from the five formidable defenders on Chen Mu’s side, Zhong Tianyao’s attack was ultimately nullified.

Raising an eyebrow, Zhong Tianyao was clearly surprised they had withstood the strike. Though he had overestimated them somewhat, that was the extent of it.

Chen Mu and his companions gasped for breath, clearly strained by their defense. Zhong Tianyao pressed on without pause.

The group retreated, dispersing in all directions, unleashing their strongest long-range spells to harass and disrupt Zhong Tianyao, hoping to throw him into disarray.

Though their most powerful ranged attacks were unleashed, they only served to irritate Zhong Tianyao. Most of the power dissipated upon contact with his aura-controlled defensive layer.

The energy and control skills of a Nascent Soul cultivator surpassed those of any below that realm, making it exceedingly difficult to harm Zhong Tianyao with ranged magic.

Growing annoyed by the constant harassment, Zhong Tianyao sneered coldly, “Useless efforts will always be useless. If you cannot show me true strength, I will begin to slaughter you one by one.”