Zhuang Zhentian, already corrupted by his wicked nature, had never shown any compassion for human life.
Now, with the added rage from the destruction of the Demon Sect and his forced exile, Zhuang Zhentian's mind was fully consumed by the desire for slaughter, further influenced by the Slaughter state!
Although he hadn't yet discovered the passive effects of Ye Fan's sword—Poison, Soul Extinguishing, Curse, Soul Devouring, and Bloodlust—his bloodlust was already overwhelming.
As a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, his foundational cultivation was far stronger than Lin Li's.
In addition, his mastery of spells, his experience, and his overall knowledge were superior to Lin Li in every way.
Though he wasn't primarily a sword cultivator, with Ye Fan in his hands, Zhuang Zhentian was becoming even more terrifying than Lin Li ever was...
Because he was the former Demon Sect Leader—the very man who had thrown Zhao Kingdom into chaos and triggered decades of war in the cultivation world!
Fueled by the fires of vengeance and the lust for blood, Zhuang Zhentian changed his mind. He turned and began flying back toward Zhao Kingdom at top speed!
Before gaining Ye Fan's Air-walking and Like a Fish in Water effects, Zhuang Zhentian had already mastered his own unique evasion techniques, which had allowed him to escape during the decisive battle between the righteous and demonic sects.
Now, with the combined powers of Air-walking and Like a Fish in Water, his speed had increased three or four times beyond Lin Li's!
It took him only one day to return from the Hulna Grassland to Zhao Kingdom.
...
Zhao Kingdom.
Haoran Academy.
This place was known for its picturesque mountains and waters.
The academy's white-walled, green-tiled buildings were nestled among the mountains.
The sound of students reciting their lessons echoed faintly through the valleys.
Unlike the other six sects among the Seven Great Sects, Haoran Academy was the closest to the mortal world.
This meant that Haoran Academy wasn't just home to cultivators. Within its grounds, there were many ordinary scholars, cooks, and laborers, creating a lively, bustling atmosphere.
Of the Seven Great Sects, Haoran Academy was the most grounded in the common world.
Today.
Inside the Ancestor Hall of Haoran Academy.
Two Nascent Soul elders of the academy, assisted by several Core Formation elders, had finally recovered from the injuries they had sustained during the demonic lord's counterattack on the day of the great battle between the righteous and demonic sects.
"Congratulations, Mr. Wang and Mr. Liu!"
The Core Formation elders of Haoran Academy bowed in joy. "Now that your injuries have mostly healed, we younger generations can finally rest easy!"
Unlike other sects, Haoran Academy followed Confucian traditions, with students addressing their elders as "teachers" and "masters."
"Hehehe..."
The two seated elders smiled and said, "We owe it to you all. If we had to heal on our own, it would have taken a year or two to reach this point."
"Mr. Wang, Mr. Liu, if it hadn't been for you guiding us into the path of cultivation centuries ago, we would never have achieved what we have today. And now, you've been injured for the sake of righteousness. It's our honor to be of service to you!"
The Core Formation elders of Haoran Academy and the two Nascent Soul elders exchanged warm words, filling the hall with a peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly!
A violent and malicious voice, filled with endless killing intent, echoed throughout the academy: "You two old bastards from Haoran Academy! Where are you hiding? Get out here now! Or I'll flatten Haoran Academy to the ground!"
Zhuang Zhentian, having returned to Zhao Kingdom in his quest for revenge, hovered above Haoran Academy, his body surging with fierce blood-red energy. His voice, amplified with spiritual power, reverberated through the entire academy!
Below him.
Countless scholars, laborers, cooks, and visitors looked up at Zhuang Zhentian, their faces full of confusion.
"Who is that?"
"He dares to act so recklessly at Haoran Academy?"
The crowd murmured in bewilderment.
However...
Contrary to everyone's expectations...
The figure in the sky, who radiated a violent, blood-red aura like a demon, glanced down at the crowd with his crimson eyes.
Then—
With a swift movement of his hand, he slashed downward with his sword!
Immediately...
A blood-red sword arc shot toward the crowd below!
"My heavens!"
"Is this for real?!"
"Help! Someone save us!"
The faces of the people below turned pale with fear and anger as they scattered in every direction to escape!
But...
Many were too slow to flee and were caught by the blood-red Slaughter Sword Arc that Zhuang Zhentian had unleashed in his Slaughter state!
[Killed a Haoran Academy scholar, gained 1 evolution point.]
[Killed a Haoran Academy servant, gained 3 evolution points.]
[Killed a Haoran Academy visitor, gained 4 evolution points.]
[Killed a Haoran Academy Qi Refining cultivator, gained 66 evolution points.]
...
In an instant, dozens of system notifications appeared on Ye Fan's panel.
Unfortunately, while there were many notifications, they only added up to a few hundred evolution points.
"This former Demon Sect Leader, Zhuang Zhentian, truly is a cold-blooded and ruthless man!"
Ye Fan thought, "The Slaughter skill has easily taken control of his mind, causing him to start killing indiscriminately."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Zhuang Zhentian scanned the scene below, slashing toward wherever there were the most people!
In a short time, Haoran Academy was filled with the sounds of destruction, screams for help, and the collapse of buildings.
Although individual kills didn't provide Ye Fan with many evolution points...
With Zhuang Zhentian slaughtering indiscriminately, Ye Fan quickly amassed thousands of evolution points!
Within just a few breaths, the buildings below Zhuang Zhentian had been reduced to ruins.
The ground was littered with sword marks, severed limbs, and rivers of blood!
At that moment—
Two streaks of light shot into the sky from the direction of Haoran Academy's Ancestor Hall!
Following closely behind them were another nineteen streaks of light!
Haoran Academy's two Nascent Soul elders, Mr. Wang and Mr. Liu, were now heading toward Zhuang Zhentian. One was in the late Nascent Soul stage, while the other was in the early Nascent Soul stage.
Both men were over a thousand years old!
The two elders flew toward Zhuang Zhentian, with nineteen Core Formation elders from Haoran Academy following closely behind.
When the two elders saw the devastation below—the ruined buildings, the countless corpses—they were furious. One of them shouted, "Villain! Stop this madness! Cease your senseless slaughter!"
"Stop the slaughter?"
Zhuang Zhentian sneered with a cruel, rebellious smile. "You two old fools ruined my plans!"
"If you tell me to stop, I'll keep killing even more!"
With that, Zhuang Zhentian charged toward Haoran Academy, unleashing more sword strikes at the remaining terrified survivors!
"Damn it!"
Mr. Wang and Mr. Liu had already recognized him as the Demon Sect Leader who had fled during the battle between the righteous and demonic sects.
"The Demon Sect has returned once again!"
"We cannot let him continue!"
"He's committing a terrible atrocity!"
The two elders, filled with sorrow and anger, rushed toward Zhuang Zhentian, determined to stop his rampage.
At the same time, the nineteen Core Formation elders behind them, upon seeing the carnage, were equally enraged, their eyes burning with fury!