With a thud, the male cultivator fell face-first to the ground, instantly lifeless. Even the Yunmen Temple Buddhist cultivator's reaction was slowed by half a breath.
Yun Xi was furious. She waved her hand, unleashing a ball of flame that scorched a large hole in his dantian, then steadied herself using the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella.
Her aura was unstable, and her spiritual energy heavily drained. This was the first time she had used such a destructive soul technique, and without any preparation. Fortunately, her disguise was perfect, and the man had not recognized her. Being late-stage Golden Core, he had underestimated her, which allowed her to strike successfully.
The Yunmen Temple Buddhist cultivator recited a chant: "Amitabha! Daoyou, you acted with such decisiveness. Do you know this person's true identity?"
Yun Xi downed a vial of mental energy elixir before replying: "Senior, this man is Li Chang, the city lord of Shuangshan City. He has collaborated with evil cultivators to achieve a minor ascension to the Spirit Realm."
This explained why Yun Xi had struck so decisively this time.
Previously, at the old Yixian Gate site in Yuxing City, she had killed Li Chang using Mystic Frost Needle. Yet now he appeared in the secret realm, astonishing her.
If Dian Dian had not repeatedly confirmed and transmitted to her in time that this unfamiliar man was indeed Li Chang, she would never have mistaken this ordinary-looking male cultivator for him.
In truth, her relationship with him was one of mutual animosity. She had not only ruined his and his son's schemes, but also deprived Li Cangyuan of a chance to revive, indirectly sabotaging the evil cultivators' plans in the mortal realm. Every action had her direct or indirect involvement.
In Yuxing City, she had leveraged Hao Hui Zūnzhě's influence to unexpectedly eradicate Li Chang and another evil cultivator who tried to kidnap her. She had thought the threat was permanently gone, but now Li Chang had reappeared. It was likely the person she killed previously had been a clone.
Yunmen Temple's Yun Chen Buddhist disciple stepped forward to examine the corpse.
This man had been involved with evil cultivators and faked his death once before. He must not escape again.
Yun Chen tossed his prayer beads into the air and began chanting. The beads hovered over the corpse, emitting a faint golden light that enveloped Li Chang's body.
Thanks to the mental energy elixir, Yun Xi had restored her state. Holding the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella, she stood on the other side of Li Chang's body, curious about the Buddhist cultivator's intentions.
As the golden light seeped into the corpse, Li Chang's appearance and body changed. The light dispelled his disguise, revealing his true face.
Yun Xi took a deep breath, confirming she had indeed killed Li Chang.
Seeing his true form, Yun Chen recalled the prayer beads and said: "Amitabha! His disguise even deceived me. Fortunately, Daoyou acted decisively."
Yun Xi returned the gesture and introduced herself: "You flatter me, Master. I am Feng Xi Yun of Haoran Sect. By chance, I was once trapped in Shuangshan City by Li Chang, so I am familiar with his aura.
Moreover, before I struck, you likely sensed something was off and blocked his exploration of the secret realm. My appearance was merely timely."
This was no exaggeration. She had been abruptly teleported into the scene where Li Chang had already tangled with the Buddhist cultivator for some time. He was visibly impatient and even tried to kill her to threaten the master. That gave her the opportunity.
"Amitabha! I am Yun Chen, from Yunmen Temple in the Eastern Domain. Feng Daoyou, you are humble. Your soul strike was powerful. Even if I had been alert, I might not have avoided it."
Yun Xi smiled modestly, naturally shifting the topic: "Master Yun Chen, before being teleported here, I was battling a Daoyou from the Jihan Sect. He deliberately provoked me. When I tried to yield, he attacked first. I sensed something was wrong, so I knocked him unconscious to verify his identity with a senior from Jihan Sect."
Yun Chen understood her meaning, joined his hands, and said: "Feng Daoyou, you suspect this is the work of evil cultivators?"
Seeing that Yun Chen did not press further about her soul strike, Yun Xi relaxed and said: "Yes. Previously, I teamed with a Daoyou from Mingjian Sect to intercept a cultivator disguised as a Golden Core disciple of Kunmo Sect. He stirred conflict to pit us against Southern Domain cultivators.
After I exposed his identity, he fled, but when activating a teleportation talisman, he was likely gravely injured.
Because of this, both I and the Daoyou from Mingjian Sect suspected a larger evil plot within the new secret realm. So when the Jihan Sect Daoyou provoked me, I took the opportunity to keep him. We only need to verify his identity now.
Having fought two suspicious individuals consecutively, I have informed familiar sect members, though I am unsure if they can receive messages within the secret realm."
Yun Xi felt uneasy just thinking about it. A well-planned secret realm exploration could easily be ruined by evil cultivators.
Yun Chen took her words seriously. Reciting a chant, he rotated his prayer beads. Moments later, one bead glowed. He said: "Feng Daoyou, follow me. I will take you to an old friend in Jihan Sect who should be able to identify the person you captured."
Yun Xi cupped her hands in thanks, collected Li Chang's corpse, and followed Yun Chen out of the valley.
Yun Chen walked steadily, each step covering a great distance. Yun Xi injected wind spiritual energy into her feet, using Fufeng Step to keep pace.
After an hour, Yun Chen stopped and called out: "Han Mo Daoyou!"
Yun Xi paused, looking at the pear blossom grove ahead. A subtle, fresh fragrance wafted through her nose. Nothing seemed amiss.
"Hehe, Yun Chen Buddhist disciple, you really did find him."
A playful laugh came from the pear blossom grove.
The next moment, Yun Xi saw cracks in Yun Chen's calm expression. He decisively turned and disappeared from her view.
"Eh? Where are you going? I'm not going to eat you!"
Yun Xi planted herself firmly, secretly releasing spiritual sense. She saw a Nascent Soul female cultivator from Jihan Sect blocking Yun Chen.
Yun Chen had been blocked three times and could only say helplessly: "Amitabha! Han Lian Daoyou, how did you get the prayer beads I gave Han Mo?"
"Naturally, I exchanged them with Han Mo. Surprised?"