Chapter 51: Entering the Ninefold Coffin

"Could it be the Pavilion Master?" Mo Qianqian guessed.

There was no way the Pavilion Master wouldn’t know about an incident of this magnitude. If he hadn’t come to help them directly, it was highly likely he knew the enemy’s intentions and had deliberately drawn their fire.

Mo Qianqian felt a twinge of anxiety, wondering if the Pavilion Master could hold off the expert from the Cloud Void Sect. However, considering the Pavilion Master was also an expert at the Tongyou Realm, nothing unexpected should happen.

"Elder Asura..." Shi Muyao muttered anxiously, her face full of concern as she stared ahead.

In her eyes, Asura was merely a First-Grade Spirit Master; he couldn’t possibly withstand the attack of a Tongyou Realm expert. Elder Asura was likely in grave danger.

A deep sense of guilt welled up in Shi Muyao’s heart. If it weren’t for her, Elder Asura wouldn’t have had to risk his life.

If anything were to happen to him...

"Yaoyao!"

By this time, Mo Qianqian had rushed over to her. He snatched a nearby sword, slashed the ropes binding Shi Muyao, and untied her.

Shi Muyao remained in a daze, consumed by worry for Elder Asura’s safety.

"Quick, take this Healing Elixir." Mo Qianqian retrieved a high-tier First-Grade Healing Elixir and held it to Shi Muyao’s lips.

He couldn’t easily summon his Spirit Body to heal her right now, for fear of being discovered—especially by Shi Muyao.

"Mo Qianqian, you cursed wretch! Hurry up and untie us!" Yang Lan glared at Mo Qianqian and began to curse at him.

Mo Qianqian shot Yang Lan a cold, piercing glance. If it weren’t for Yang Lan and Shi Ping, Shi Muyao wouldn’t have been kidnapped and beaten into this state.

Yang Lan’s outburst had been purely instinctual. But upon meeting Mo Qianqian’s icy stare, she recalled the ruthless way he had just slaughtered his enemies, and her heart trembled. She hastily changed her tune, "No, wait... I mean, we are still your father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mo Qianqian. Please, just untie us."

Only then did the harshness in Mo Qianqian’s eyes soften. He gently set Shi Muyao down on the ground, then walked over with his sword to cut the two of them loose.

Meanwhile, after chasing the masked man into the mountains behind the Chen Family estate, He Bi finally caught up to his target.

"I have no personal grudge against you," He Bi declared. "Killing a Spirit Master is truly a tragic waste, but alas, you refused to join my Cloud Void Sect. You leave me no choice but to eliminate you. Forgive the offense!"

As he spoke, He Bi lunged toward the masked man in black at breakneck speed. Swinging his sword, he unleashed his ultimate technique right from the start.

Even a lion goes all out when hunting a rabbit.

As the tactical mastermind of the Cloud Void Sect, He Bi preferred to play everything safe. This was precisely why he had chosen to remain hidden even when Cai Ye was killed by Mo Qianqian.

However, just as He Bi’s blade was about to strike the masked man’s back, the figure in black suddenly moved. Before He Bi’s swing could connect, the man spun around and delivered an impossibly fast sword strike straight to He Bi’s throat.

SLASH!

Blood sprayed wildly from He Bi’s severed neck.

"You..."

He Bi was absolutely stunned. He could never have imagined his opponent possessing such a blindingly fast sword.

The stark realization hit him: this was not the Spirit Master. This was a Sword Cultivator! And his cultivation was definitely no lower than the Tongyou Realm!

A flash of bitter regret crossed He Bi’s mind. He had spent his entire life scheming against others, only to fall prey to someone else’s trap.

Killed in a single strike!

Just as He Bi tried to formulate a thought about who exactly had attacked him, his brain ceased to function, and all signs of life left him. His lifeless body slumped slowly to the ground.

Meanwhile, back at the Chen Family Martial Arts Arena.

At this moment, four experts at the Ninth Level of Spirit Profound Realm were locked in a fierce battle.

After quickly untying Shi Ping and Yang Lan, Mo Qianqian gripped his sword and locked his gaze on Qin Chao in the distance.

Qin Chao’s expression shifted drastically. The Cloud Void Sect’s Tongyou Realm expert had not yet returned, leaving their side at a severe disadvantage on the battlefield. Furthermore, facing Mo Qianqian put them in immense danger.

"Elder, save me!" Qin Chao bolted, sprinting toward the Qin Family elder.

The Qin Family elder abandoned his fight with Mo Hao and rushed to intercept Qin Chao.

At this moment, Mo Hao was torn. Should he go rescue Elder Asura, or assist Mo Qianqian? After a brief thought, he reasoned that Mo Qianqian was only connected to Shi Muyao and had nothing to do with the Yuling Sect. Besides, how could Mo Qianqian possibly compare in importance to a Spirit Master?

Thus, Mo Hao chose to save Asura, making no effort to stop the Qin Family elder.

WHOOSH!

Right then, however, a severed head suddenly came flying across the martial arts arena.

"What!!!"

In that split second, even before the head hit the ground, everyone caught a clear glimpse of the face. Shock rippled through the crowd.

It was none other than the severed head of the Cloud Void Sect’s Tongyou Realm expert.

"How is this possible?" Kong Ren and the Qin Family elder paled in utter horror.

That was a Tongyou Realm expert! There were only a handful of such formidable individuals in the entire Southern Wilderness. And yet, he had been killed in such a shockingly short amount of time?

Exactly what kind of monstrous figure had done this?

Everyone present was absolutely dumbfounded. Even Mo Qianqian wore a look of sheer disbelief.

Outright killing a Tongyou Realm expert? Was that person truly the Wanling Pavilion Master? Was the Wanling Pavilion Master of the Qingcheng Branch really this powerful? If it was indeed him, why would he step in and directly kill a Tongyou Realm expert from the Cloud Void Sect? Or could it be another mysterious powerhouse altogether, and not the Wanling Pavilion Master?

"Hmph! Anyone who dares to bully a junior and lay a hand on my disciple shall die!"

As everyone stood paralyzed in shock, an ancient, thunderous voice rolled out from the depths of the Chen Family estate. The voice carried an invisible, unquestionable majesty that brooked no defiance.