Chapter 280: Annihilation with a Single Spear Thrust

White River City’s Dongyu Tavern remained bustling as ever, with a constant stream of patrons coming and going.

Dongbo Xueying entered from outside.

“Boss, off painting again?”

“Master Dongbo, what a delightful mood you’re in!”

The regulars greeted Dongbo Xueying, who smiled and exchanged a few words with them before heading upstairs to his usual spot. He ordered a couple of small dishes and a pot of wine, then sat alone, leisurely enjoying his meal and drink.

Before long, a deep blue-robed figure, Yu Jingqiu, ascended the stairs of the tavern. Maintaining a simple illusion spell, she appeared merely pretty to the onlookers, but not breathtakingly beautiful.

If she truly revealed her true appearance without restraint, after ascending to the transcendent realm, her beauty would be unparalleled throughout the Xia Clan—far surpassing any ordinary mortal woman. If she were to publicly reveal her face, it would certainly cause a massive uproar.

“Xueying,” Yu Jingqiu sat across from Dongbo Xueying, her eyes anxious and uneasy. “How did it go with the team from the Earth Temple?”

“How do you think?” Dongbo Xueying gave a helpless smile. “They didn’t accept me.”

“Didn’t accept you?” Yu Jingqiu immediately grew anxious. “But they invited you, didn’t they? They should have intended to take you along. How could they not accept you?”

“From beginning to end, they never truly accepted me,” Dongbo Xueying poured himself a cup of wine. “They already knew my transcendent combat aura was gone, and I couldn’t even wield divine artifacts. They never had any expectations of my strength. When I first arrived, they tested me, and I passed their test quite perfectly. But in the end, they still demanded divine scrolls.”

“Divine scrolls?” Yu Jingqiu was taken aback.

“Yes,” Dongbo Xueying sneered. “They’re not that kind-hearted. Their real goal was the divine scrolls. At first, they asked for ten, then reduced it to five! What a ridiculous fantasy!”

Having spent many years with Dongbo Xueying, Yu Jingqiu knew him well. She understood perfectly that Dongbo Xueying would never stoop to begging for divine scrolls—not even one! She couldn’t do it either, because doing so would hurt Dongbo Xueying more than death itself.

Some things could be done, while others simply could not!

“What should we do then?” Yu Jingqiu asked anxiously.

“Let them stew,” Dongbo Xueying smiled, picking up a thin slice of meat and offering it to Yu Jingqiu. “Come on, open up!”

“I’m still worried, and you’re being so carefree,” Yu Jingqiu sighed but opened her mouth to bite.

“There’s no need to be anxious. When the time comes, things will work themselves out. If there’s really no other way, I’ll just go alone. If the old ancestor Heifeng managed to survive and escape, I believe I can too.”

Suddenly, Palace Master Chen sent a message, clearly concerned about Dongbo Xueying’s situation.

Dongbo Xueying held nothing back and honestly recounted everything, adding at the end, “Palace Master Chen, whatever you do, don’t secretly give those outsiders any divine scrolls! You know my temper.”

“Xueying, you really… don’t worry, don’t worry. Even if I wanted to give them, five divine scrolls are no small matter. I can’t decide that alone—it must be approved by the entire Elder Council,” Palace Master Chen replied through the message.

At this critical moment for the Xia Clan, facing threats from both the Witch God and the Great Demon God, even the ancestral deities of the Xia Clan were watching closely over their homeland. Mobilizing five divine scrolls would require not only the Elder Council’s approval but also the knowledge of the ancestral deities themselves.

“That’s good to hear,” Dongbo Xueying smiled.

…

In White River City, Dongbo Xueying lived at ease. To him, going alone to Red Stone Mountain was fine, but naturally, joining a team would be better. If not, it didn’t matter either.

He was also waiting for the departure date. According to Palace Master Chen, there were already three known teams arriving: one from the Earth Temple, one from the Blood Blade Tavern, and a third led by the long-time visitor from another world, Mountain Master He.

“The spearplay emphasizes fundamentals above all! Without a solid foundation, one can never truly master it.”

In the northern courtyard of the mansion behind the tavern, Dongbo Xueying held an ordinary long spear, practicing each movement of the spearplay slowly and deliberately.

A group of apprentices, young and old, followed along earnestly.

Especially after witnessing Dongbo Xueying’s incredible techniques that day, their enthusiasm grew even stronger, their eyes filled with admiration. Dongbo Xueying had also reminded them not to spread the news. In truth, whether they did or didn’t didn’t really matter to him—he would soon be leaving this place, and Jingqiu would also leave the tavern.

Before departing, he wanted to teach these children as much as he could.

“Hu.”

Each movement of the spear was simple and natural.

Experiencing the fundamental flow of power in the material world subtly deepened Dongbo Xueying’s understanding of the spearplay’s mysteries.

“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying suddenly furrowed his brows.

…

In a remote valley over eight thousand miles from Dongyu Tavern, a large village was gathered. Smoke drifted from chimneys, and houses stood close together. This was a vast village of over a thousand households. Numerous children ran about, while women washed clothes and cooked meals, and men returned from the mountains or fields.

“Kids, come home! Dinner’s ready!”

“If you don’t come back now, I’ll spank you!”

The men laughed heartily as the children scattered in all directions.

At that moment—

“Hmm?”

A seemingly ordinary peddler, carrying his wares in baskets, arrived at the village entrance. His narrow eyes glinted coldly as he surveyed the village. “This village is quite large—said to have over six thousand people. It’s remote and far from any major city, unlikely to be noticed by the Xia Clan’s transcendent beings. After enduring for over half a year, I’ll feast heartily this time.”

This peddler was, in fact, a demon in disguise. Their generals had either been slain or fled. They could only survive by their own means now.

“Father, father! Someone selling delicious food has come! Hurry, hurry!” A child at the village entrance shouted excitedly upon seeing the peddler.

“How tender and fresh,” the peddler’s eyes turned red as his body suddenly expanded, transforming into a hideous, three-meter-tall green-scaled demon. His long, snake-like tongue slithered from his mouth, dripping with mucus.

The previously cheerful children were stunned, too frightened to utter a sound.

“All of you belong to me—” a surge of violent dark magic erupted from his body. The green-scaled demon was completely frenzied, eager to devour the souls of every human in the village as quickly as possible.

Suddenly—

…

Before the group of apprentices.

“The spearplay must be controlled—power must not be fully expended.” Dongbo Xueying leaned back and thrust the spear behind him. With a flick, the spear shaft straightened, its tip pointing forward.

…

At the exact moment the towering, hideous green-scaled demon revealed itself and its dark magic began to surge outward—

Whoosh!

A spear phantom appeared out of nowhere, straight and sharp, its tip aimed precisely at the demon’s forehead.

The green-scaled demon stared in shock before its entire body crumbled into dust, including its hardened bones, scales, weapons, and storage treasures—all disintegrating completely, even down to the smallest visible particle. Its body collapsed into nothingness, vanishing entirely.

The spear phantom also vanished at the same moment.

…

Back in the northern courtyard of the mansion behind Dongyu Tavern, Dongbo Xueying completed the spear thrust and returned to his stance, shaking his head slightly. “These demons hide throughout our Xia Clan’s world, and without revealing their true forms, it’s impossible to tell.”

“You brats, keep practicing more!” Dongbo Xueying called out.

“Yes, Master!” they all replied in unison.

Dongbo Xueying then settled onto a nearby stool, beads of sweat forming on his brow as the voodoo agony flared to excruciating heights once more.

“Xueying! Xueying! Great news! Wonderful news! The leader of the Blood Blade Tavern’s team has voluntarily offered to take you to Red Stone Mountain!” A message from Palace Master Chen arrived.