Chapter 40: This Is a Life-and-Death Battle

BANG!

Zhao Haifeng’s arms were pinned flat against the ground under the heavy stomp, making it difficult for his entire body to scramble up. If not for the armor he wore, that single stomp could have easily snapped both of his arms.

The Spirit Body delivered another vicious kick, landing squarely on Zhao Haifeng’s right arm.

CLANG!

The overwhelming force sent the broadsword in Zhao Haifeng’s hand flying. It wasn’t that he hadn’t gripped the weapon tightly; the Spirit Body’s raw power was simply too immense.

The surrounding crowd was utterly astounded by the scene. Since they couldn’t see the Spirit Body at all, it merely looked as if Zhao Haifeng was attacking thin air. In just a few moves, he was wrestled to the ground by an invisible force, and even his blade was kicked away. They couldn’t help but marvel at the terrifying offensive capabilities of a Spirit Master. Had Zhao Haifeng not been wearing his protective armor, his life would likely already be in grave danger.

The Cloud Void Sect Master and his group furrowed their brows. Asura was still standing seventy or eighty feet away. Zhao Haifeng had been completely floored before he could even close the distance. It seemed that killing a Spirit Master wouldn’t be as easy as they had thought.

Meanwhile, Mo Qianqian commanded the Spirit Body to leap into the air before crashing down, stomping heavily onto Zhao Haifeng’s back.

BANG!

Zhao Haifeng was smashed flat against the ground once more. Although his full-body armor offered protection, the sheer concussive force still left him in considerable agony.

"You!" Startled and alarmed, Zhao Haifeng immediately channeled his full strength at the Spiritual Mysterious Realm First Layer. Pushing his hands against the ground, he desperately tried to get to his feet.

SWISH!

The next moment, the Spirit Body stepped off Zhao Haifeng’s back, landing beside him, and reached out to grab his body. Since Zhao Haifeng was already pushing upwards with all his might, the sudden release of downward pressure—combined with the Spirit Body lifting him—resulted in his entire body being hoisted high into the air.

Then, he was ruthlessly slammed back down.

BANG!

The force behind the slam was monumental. As Zhao Haifeng’s armor crashed into the stone platform, the ground splintered into cracks, sending a cloud of stone dust billowing into the air.

"Pfft!" Inside the armor, Zhao Haifeng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The raw strength was simply too overwhelming; it had clearly surpassed the combat prowess of the Spiritual Mysterious Realm First Layer!

The onlookers were once again shaken by the sight. From their perspective, an armored man was being inexplicably brutalized against the stone platform. Mo Qianqian didn’t stop there. He continued to lift Zhao Haifeng up, only to smash him down again.

BANG!

With another deafening crash, Zhao Haifeng’s body was ruthlessly hammered into the stone platform, kicking up yet another cloud of dust. And it didn’t end there. The crowd watched as Zhao Haifeng’s body rose and fell, being slammed into the ground in rapid succession. Every impact carried terrifying force. The onslaught finally ceased after he had been smashed over a dozen times. By now, Zhao Haifeng was completely motionless. Even if the concussive force hadn’t killed him outright, he was undoubtedly heavily injured and entirely incapable of continuing the fight.

"He lost! Zhao Haifeng lost!"

"A Spirit Master is truly terrifying. He can beat his opponent to such a state without even moving from his spot. And that was against a cultivator at the Spiritual Mysterious Realm First Layer wearing full armor! If not for the armor, he would’ve been killed in one or two hits!"

"Was Zhao Haifeng battered to death?"

"Even if he isn’t dead, he’s barely clinging to life. It serves him right for daring to challenge a Spirit Master, especially in a life-and-death duel!"

The members of the Yuling Sect burst into fervent discussion, collectively heaving long sighs of relief. The Cloud Void Sect had failed to kidnap their Spirit Master and had resorted to murder, only to violently reap what they sowed.

"Truly worthy of being a Spirit Master, your combat prowess is extraordinary. You win!" the Cloud Void Sect Master said, his face looking incredibly grim.

"This is a life-and-death duel," Mo Qianqian replied with a detached tone.

The Spirit Body flipped the prone Zhao Haifeng over. It then proceeded to unfasten the armor’s buckles on his front. Naturally, the suit of armor was worn and secured with straps that could be systematically undone. Wearing armor could only prevent a one-hit kill; it didn’t make the wearer truly invincible.

"Master!" Beside the Cloud Void Sect Master, Mu Yan Mountain’s eyes burst with a cold, murderous glint as he spoke up.

"Master Asura, you have won. Could you perhaps spare his life?" the Cloud Void Sect Master asked, his expression grave and dark.

"If he had won, would he have spared me?" Mo Qianqian shot back.

It was glaringly obvious that the opposing side had come fully prepared. When their attempt to abduct him failed, they had pivoted to trying to assassinate him. Since that was the case, he wasn’t going to show them any mercy either. Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone think he was an easy target?

In no time at all, Mo Qianqian had the armor completely stripped off. Beneath it lay Zhao Haifeng’s blood-soaked body. Even without Mo Qianqian needing to strike again, Zhao Haifeng appeared to have already stopped breathing. His eyes had rolled to the back of his head, and his face was entirely covered in blood.

"Is he... dead?"

"Elder Asura’s power is actually this overwhelming?"

"Hahaha! He’s dead! Did he really think throwing on a suit of armor meant he could fight a Spirit Master? What absolute foolish delusion!"

"The disciples of the Cloud Void Sect are nothing special after all. And here I thought they were so incredible!"

The elders and disciples of the Yuling Sect erupted into excited cheers. Even the Yuling Sect Master was somewhat taken aback. Asura’s strength was far beyond ordinary. Even a cultivator at the second or third layer of the Spirit Profound Realm would likely struggle to so easily kill a fully armed Zhao Haifeng.

The nine remaining members of the Cloud Void Sect all wore incredibly ugly expressions. Zhao Haifeng’s death had thoroughly humiliated their sect.

"Sect Leader Mo, you previously stated that as long as Elder Asura accepted the challenge, you wouldn’t cause trouble for Shi Muyao anymore. You wouldn’t go back on your word now, would you?" the Yuling Sect Master asked, looking at the Cloud Void Sect Master.

"Naturally. Collect the body. We are returning to the Cloud Void Sect!" the Cloud Void Sect Master ordered in a dark tone.

An elder from the Cloud Void Sect darted forward, collected Zhao Haifeng’s corpse, and swiftly retreated into their ranks.

"Elder Asura, we will meet again!" the Cloud Void Sect Master declared ominously. He then gathered his people and swept out of the Yuling Sect.

The Yuling Sect crowd erupted into a wave of cheers and mocking jeers. Elder Asura had truly won tremendous face for their sect today.

"Elder Asura, thank you..." Shi Muyao stepped out from the crowd, a blush creeping across her pure, fair face. At this moment, she felt that Elder Asura was incredibly powerful and noble. Furthermore, he had fought for her in front of everyone. Her heart was filled to the brim with profound gratitude.

Little did she know, many of the female elders and disciples present were deeply envious of her.

"Shi Muyao’s luck is just too good, isn’t it? She actually managed to get involved with Elder Asura! That’s a noble and powerful Spirit Master we’re talking about. So many people couldn’t get his attention even if they begged!"

"Exactly! If Elder Asura had fought for me, I’d willingly do whatever he asked of me."

"If it were me, I’d immediately divorce Mo Qianqian! How could any number of Mo Qianqians even begin to compare to a Spirit Master?"

A group of female disciples began whispering among themselves, each one desperately wishing she were in Shi Muyao’s shoes.

Standing to the side, Sun Yuerong gritted her teeth in bitter resentment. She had tried to throw herself into Elder Asura’s bed, yet he hadn’t even been willing to see her. On what grounds did this Shi Muyao deserve the favor of a First-Grade Spirit Master?

Shangguan Jing, Pei Hong, and Mu Zi all displayed varying expressions.

"Dismissed!" the Yuling Sect Master waved his hand, promptly concluding the gathering. The crowd gradually dispersed, and Mo Qianqian left alongside the Yuling Sect Master.

Meanwhile, on the journey back.

The forces of the Cloud Void Sect sped through the air, carrying Zhao Haifeng’s corpse with them.

"Master, are we really just letting that Spirit Master go? If he continues to refine pills for the Yuling Sect, I’m afraid..." Mu Yan Mountain said from the side, a tone of reluctance in his voice.

"Naturally, we cannot let him off so easily!" The Cloud Void Sect Master looked at the grey-haired elder beside him and ordered, "Elder He, you will stay behind with Cai Ye and Yuan Liang. Assassinate Mo Qianqian, and above all, make absolutely sure to eliminate that First-Grade Spirit Master!"

"Rest assured, Sect Leader, I will definitely complete the mission!" the grey-haired elder replied, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes.

With that said, he led the two disciples and swiftly broke away from the main group. This grey-haired elder was, astonishingly, also a master at the Tongyou Realm.

"Master, who exactly is Elder He Bi?" Mu Yan Mountain asked.

The other disciples also looked on with confusion. This elder had been brought along by the Sect Leader at the last minute; they had never even seen him on ordinary days. According to the Sect Leader, he was an esteemed veteran elder of the Cloud Void Sect who no longer involved himself in worldly affairs. During this trip, he had barely spoken a word. They were all incredibly curious as to why their Sect Leader placed so much trust in this particular elder.