The soul within the black-robed bull-headed powerhouse bore a glowing green mark, causing Dongbo Xueying’s heart to tighten: *”A Mother Goddess worshiper? The very first person I investigate upon arriving at the Skycloud Continent turns out to be one?”* According to the intelligence gathered before his arrival, the Skycloud Continent was primarily dominated by local powerhouses, with the two great sects and three sacred realms exerting only minor influence, as they had dispatched too few elites here.
**”Boom!”**
To onlookers, after Dongbo Xueying’s sword sent the black-robed bull-headed powerhouse flying, he followed up with a barrage of sword beams that crisscrossed the sky, enveloping the enemy and shredding him to pieces on the spot!
**”Magnificent!”**
**”Truly formidable!”**
The three peak masters, two elders, and numerous disciples of the Sky Sword Mountain watched in exhilaration. The fallen was none other than the deputy valley master of the Blazing Flame Valley—the second strongest in their ranks—yet he had been effortlessly annihilated.
**”We thank you, Venerable One, for saving our lives!”**
**”Our deepest gratitude, Venerable One!”**
Each of them bowed in reverence and gratitude. The sudden reversal from despair filled them with appreciation for Dongbo Xueying, and they quickly deduced that this mysterious expert stood firmly on their side.
Dongbo Xueying nodded, sweeping up the fallen treasures of the black-robed bull-headed powerhouse with a wave of his hand. *”If the second-in-command of the Blazing Flame Valley is a Mother Goddess worshiper, then the valley master—the strongest among them—is likely one as well.”*
From his understanding, the two great sects proselytized on the Ninecloud Continent in two ways.
The first was within their absolute domains of control, where they spread their faith aggressively, compelling even the weakest of transcendent beings to worship the Sacred Lord (Mother Goddess).
The second was outside their territories, where they dared not act so openly. If an entire sect—from lowly transcendents to Void Gods—were all worshippers, exposure was inevitable. Once discovered, the three sacred realms would dispatch elites to exterminate the entire sect. Thus, outside their domains, they operated covertly, often converting only the upper echelons of a sect. Though few in number, these high-ranking figures wielded immense influence.
*”If the deputy valley master is a worshiper, the valley master likely is too.”*
**”Venerable One, our Sky Sword Mountain faces calamity, and our sect master is in grave peril. Might we implore your aid to assist him?”** One of the peak masters pleaded urgently, echoed by the others. Given how effortlessly he had crushed the deputy valley master, this mysterious expert was likely on par with their sect master and the Blazing Flame Valley master—if not slightly weaker.
Though the deputy had been slain, the valley master remained the true threat. Without his demise, the Sky Sword Mountain could still face annihilation.
**”The Blazing Flame Valley master? His strength is said to be extraordinary.”** Dongbo Xueying feigned hesitation. **”Very well, let us assess the situation first.”**
**”Quickly, let us go!”**
None dared press further. His willingness to observe was already a boon.
Soon, Dongbo Xueying and the group soared through the sky, arriving at the heart of the battle. In the distance, the Sky Sword Mountain sect master clashed fiercely with the Blazing Flame Valley master.
As they flew, Dongbo Xueying covertly cast an Illusory Realm technique on two nearby Blazing Flame Valley Unity realm experts. While they were ensnared in illusion, he probed their souls from afar.
*”Not worshipers.”* After confirming, he released them from the illusion, leaving the two Unity realm experts shaken.
**”No—the sect master is in danger!”**
While Dongbo Xueying conducted his investigations, the three peak masters beside him watched the distant battle with growing alarm. Their sect master was clearly faltering!
**”Uncle is dead?”** The Blazing Flame Valley master—a towering red-haired youth wreathed in flames—glanced coldly at Dongbo Xueying. *”So this silver-masked man killed him? No matter. For now, I need not provoke this mysterious expert. First, I must finish off the Sky Sword old fool!”*
**”Boom—Boom—”**
The valley master’s body blazed like a miniature sun, each movement radiating terrifying might.
The Sky Sword Mountain sect master, a black-robed middle-aged man, typically fought with greater versatility. But now—
**”Argh!”**
He could feel silver threads burrowing into his soul, sending waves of excruciating pain and dizziness. The agony disrupted his focus, preventing him from executing his most profound techniques.
He defended desperately, attacking only sporadically. Initially manageable, the *”Silver Thread Soul Toxin”* had now seeped deeper, increasing his bouts of vertigo.
**”Sect Master, a silver-masked, white-haired expert in white robes has appeared. He defeated the Blazing Flame Valley’s brute in one move and has now slain him!”**
Upon receiving this news, the sect master had been elated. With the toxin worsening, he had resigned himself to doom, believing the Sky Sword Mountain would fall. But now, hope had emerged.
*”That man?”* He spotted the white-haired, white-robed figure beside his three peak masters.
**”Beg him to intervene—spare no cost!”** he urgently transmitted.
—
Dongbo Xueying stood listening to the peak masters’ pleas, frowning and shaking his head. **”The Blazing Flame Valley master is profoundly skilled. Allow me to observe further and gauge his tactics.”**
**”We cannot wait! Our sect master won’t last!”** The peak masters were frantic. While understanding one’s enemy was crucial, their leader might perish at any moment.
The distant sect master grew increasingly desperate.
Another wave of dizziness struck. Barely managing to summon sword beams around his body, he barely withstood a claw strike from the valley master. The impact shattered his defenses, tearing a chunk of flesh from his chest—yet he endured.
*”In this life-or-death struggle, I cannot spare focus to suppress the soul toxin.”* He felt the silver threads burrowing deeper.
**”Father! I heard a silver-masked, white-haired expert slew the Blazing Flame Valley deputy? That must be the same man who saved me! To secure his aid, we may need to offer treasures. He has a weakness—greed. Earlier, he spared three Blazing Flame Valley elders but stripped them of all possessions, even their robes and weapons!”** His daughter, Yi Zi, transmitted.
The sect master’s heart chilled.
*Greed?*
Good. The greedier, the better.
**”Esteemed friend! You saved my daughter and our peak masters. Now, as our Sky Sword Mountain faces ruin, I implore your aid. In return, I vow to offer treasures worth no less than eighty Sourceworld Stones!”**
From afar, Dongbo Xueying—who had been feigning hesitation—suddenly declared:
**”Very well. For such a reward, I shall stake my life in battle!”**
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