Zhen Shi was distracted by the sudden possible arrival of a cultivator many times stronger than what he could handle, and as such did not prevent Lin Hai and the other cultivator from escaping. Neither did Zou Rou take any action to do so.

"Shiet," muttered Zhen Shi. Now helpless to stop this calamity from happening he decided to play it cool, after all, he still had the spatial tear sword. As such he quickly shouted out, "Brother Yuehai, I understand that your little brother is short, but why is your temper so short as well? You didn't have to go crawling to your father, did you? Now, now, calm down and reform those broken talisman shards so that he won't arrive. Then let us have a fair duel and I'll even give myself a handicap by only using the fire attack once. I PROMISE on my handsome and scholarly self!"

What fair duel? One of those black balls will be enough to finish me off! And why are you so attentive to my little brother?

Bringing himself back from his thoughts, "Obediently await your death, you imbecile. My father will be here in a breath's time! Hahaha!" shouted Xue Yuehai in glee. Despite his confidence, of the initial group of ten cultivators, only Xue Yuehai was left.

"Idiot, did you really think this little shit's elder won't come if you put back the crushed pieces of the talisman together? Is your brain in your loincloth? I suggest we leave now, we might be able to gain some time to make a plan!" shouted Zou Rou urgently.

Ding!

System Notice!

....

Zhen Shi's eyes brightened!

"My dear Tsun Rou you keep underestimating me. Let me show you the extent of this handsome and scholarly self's abilities. That expert will never arrive while I'm here!" saying so he waved his hand and used his rather powerful spiritual senses to latch on to the broken black talisman and instantly reformed it. This was a mere repair and in no way was the talisman brought to its initial state.

The one-armed Xue Yuehai with a little brother problem and Tsun Rou looked on in confusion. However, just as stated by Zhen Shi, time passed on, but the supposed powerhouse never came. Zhen Shi calmly looked on with his hands crossed over his chest, while Zou Rou too waited impatiently, unable to leave Zhen Shi by himself. However, Xue Yuehai's expression was getting uglier by the second.

In fact, previously the system had informed him that the sun-star sword had changed under the effect of Hell's flare and thus had broken the message talisman when attacking Xue Yuehai. So, clever as he was, Zhen Shi couldn't pass up this chance to impress the girl.

Seeing this surprising turn of events Tsun Rou gaped while pointing at him, "Loin Shi looks like underestimated you. Nice work! But what was that ability? Are you a Divine Prophet? And was that the blessings of some god of time?"

Ding!

Congratulations to user Zhen Shi for gaining 5 OP!

Zhen Shi was grinning ear to ear, having gained a reward and the girl's praise. Still, he was wearing nothing but a dirty loincloth that was flapping in the wind. He had gotten rather thick-skinned regarding it and forgotten all about it.

However, Xue Yuehai having seen this immediately started to escape "Little brothe--I mean bastard, just you wait. You can be on top now but when I get back with my father, both of us will definitely let you feel what it's like to be at the receiving end!"

Zhen Shi's mouth twitched, Is this guy threatening me? Or is he saying that they'll have to switch positions 'in bed' when he and his father get into it together? What type of shameful father-son duo is this? I definitely can't let him escape. My CHASTITY IS AT STAKE!

"Shut up idiot. Die now!" said Zhen Shi as he vanished and reappeared next to Xue Yuehai ready to give the killing blow. Although Xue Yuehai had been trying to escape he was still quite close to Zhen Shi. Since he had a 20x action and reaction speed, it was quite easy to catch up to Xue Yuehai.

"Hell's fire!" Zhen Shi shouted and threw the manifested black fireball 🔥

Seeing this Zhou Rou shouted, "No! Wai-"

But it was too late. The fiery black flame dome descended. But at the same time, a strange golden yellow dome appeared surrounding Xue Yuehai, holding off the attack.

Seeing this Xue Yuehai astarted laughing maniacally."Little bastard, now you have made the biggest mistake of your life. My father that you held off will now finally arrive. No amount of petty tricks can change that and any treasures you hold will be ours!" But his laughter immediately disappeared as the flame dome burned off the yellow dome and continued to burn him as well.

His laughter turned to painful screams while he shouted, "No, not like this...!" With these last words, he disappeared into dust within the dome, as Zhen Shi looked on with his loincloth fluttering in the night wind.

Just like that, Xue Yuehai died! He didn't even get to explore his newly arising desires.

Ding!

Congratulations to user Zhen Shi for subduing and utterly incinerating a foundation establishment stage practitioner protected by a life-saving artifact.

The user has gained 3000 exp.

The user has gained 10 OP.

Ding!

User Zhen Shi dealt damage through a life-saving artifact personally molded by a peak Soul Transformation expert. Hence the expert has already been notified of the user's actions and will arrive shortly.

Zhen Shi laughed bitterly. Even he wasn't sure what had led him to suddenly lash out killing off Xue Yuehai. Maybe he had pissed him off too much? Maybe he got tired of his shouting? Or maybe this was a part of an undeniable fate spearheaded by the system?

Ding! For destroying the life-saving artifact the user has gained Soul Silver Metal.

Hmmm.....

Well, I suppose fate and the system aren't completely heartless!

System "..."

"Zhen Shi, you imbecile, what have you done? Since he was important enough to have a message talisman he probably would have had a life protection talisman as well. And although you finally did kill him, the Spirit transformation stage expert will still arrive!" shouted Tsun Rou in anger.

"Don't worry Tsun Rou, let this big brother handle this!" said Zhou Rou while patting his chest and grinning, as he understood her worry. But how could be fearful of anyone weaker than the nascent soul stage, when he possessed a system. More importantly, he had that overpowered sword!

The notifications continued, making him feel better despite his bad decision.

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for reaching the foundation establishment stage 1!

Congratulations to the user for gaining a major choice chest!

Immediately his dantian resonated with nature. The four elemental spiritual roots which were connected with each other grew closer forming a brown ball of matter which floated within the primordial chaos. Zhen Shi's physical attack and defense increased as a result. His connection to nature improved allowing him to strengthen his spiritual sense.

While he was entranced in his power-up, a terrifying roar exploded from far away, "WHO DARES TO KILL THE OFFSPRING OF THE XUE YUE SECT!" and a terrifying pressure descended on all those remaining.

Zhen Shi felt stifled and found it unable to move under this spiritual pressure.

This...was power!

Ding!

Spiritual pressure of a higher tier cultivator detected! Resolving of pressure completed!

Finally, Zhen Shi felt like he could move. He was growing more and more apprehensive noticing the seriousness of the situation. Because even if he escaped with the spatial sword, Zhou Rou would be in danger.

A terrifying figure descended from the star-lit skies like the descent of a god. He was exploding with natural lightning energy which crackled around him. He lowered his eyes and stared straight at Zhen Shi with great malice. The notification above his head read {Soul Transformation-Peak}!

Xue Yuegui was mad. He was truly mad. Not out of loss for his son, but rather for being disturbed from his cultivation seclusion! He was also unhappy about the fact that his talisman had been broken by this foundation Establishment cultivator. He held nothing but contempt for that useless son of his, that had been bested by a mere first stage foundation establishment expert parading around as a qi cultivator.

Nevertheless, since his reputation would be tarnished if he took no action, and to prevent any blemishes in his cultivation heart he would kill these two!

Xue Yuegui brought out a scepter emanating crashing lightning and immediately struck out at the duo, first targeting Zou Rou!

It was simply too fast! He arrived like a bolt of lightning but struck even faster!

But before the attack landed, Zou Rou's body glowed with a brownish glow and a giant earthen face formed out of the earth and held off this attack. This earthen face could be simply considered as a mask with no distinctive features.

"Hoh? Another Soul transformation.....No, nascent soul stage expert? But it appears you're wounded," said Xue Yuegui. However, he immediately frowned and spoke in a more respectful manner, "Ah, it's you, the renowned City Lord! Your illustrious name echoes throughout the world despite how far away you are. But do you think that just your incarnation can stop me from taking revenge? You could probably beat me with your true body, but isn't that too far away?" said Xue Yuegui.

"Fa-Father? No! Why'd you come here? That talisman held a part of your soul? No... Your state will worsen even further!" shouted out Zou Rou in worry.

Zhen Shi could guess the power of Zou Rou's father, the Earth Face merely via the notification above him. It simply said HIDDEN!

The large face turned to her, "Stupid girl! I'll die before I let you get hurt. You almost died. I truly shouldn't have let you go on this journey" and sighed. He looked back at Xue Yugui, "Fellow Daoist, you're taking revenge for your son. I can respect that. But this is my daughter, and I'll rather both us perish than her. If you lay a finger on her I will hunt you and your sect down to the ends of the world! The divine church will not be able to stop me, I assure you. Make a choice," and said in a solemn tone.

Xue Yuegui grimaced, "Very well. I, Xue Yuegui will give you face. The girl didn't deal the killing blow anyway. But if you think I'll let this little undignified scoundrel parading about in his undergarments escape, you've got another thing coming!"

"No father! This scoundre-- I mean man helped me out. I can't let him die!" said Zou Rou. She said this even though her father was in such bad straits.

Zhen Shi felt warm in his heart, even though she almost called him a scoundrel.

City Lord Earth Face turned to him saying, "Little boy, What on earth are you wearing?" he smiled and continued, "Either way you saved and helped my daughter. I am truly thankful. But, I am truly regretful about being unable to help you at the moment," and spoke with an 'embarrassed' face. But suddenly his eyes glowed and stated seriously, "Still, this is a tribulation of your own doing! If you can't take responsibility for your actions, why even cultivate?"

"Come meet us at Solsun City if you survive. For your help to my daughter, I'll naturally reward you!" he continued.

He then grabbed Zhou Rou with the intention to leave. But Xue Yuegui obstructed him, "Saint Sun Soul of Solingrad city, give back my clan's property before leaving. Not only do I intend to kill and torture this little kid, but I also want you to give me back the pill!" Xue Yuegui was truly curious how a random healing pill in their sect could grab the attention of this city lord's daughter. He was worried that they had failed to identify the value of the fish which had been caught in their own net!

Saint Sun Soul's face contorted in anger and the terrifying pressure of a nascent soul expert radiated out. Even wounded, his supremacy could not be hidden. "Yuegui, don't go too far! Do you think I'll give you a mile when I agreed to an inch? Do you think I'm truly that powerless?" he shouted out.

Yuegui grimaced, but ultimately conceded, not willing to court disaster for his clan but mostly for himself.

Still, Zhen Shi who was watching this verbal war between the two frowned. Honestly, he was unhappy that this 'earth face' wouldn't even try to help him. After all, if he was an ordinary foundation establishment cultivator he would definitely die. As a result, he spoke without a hint of respect, "Oi, Oi, Old men who do you think you are? Arguing with each other and ignoring me like I ain't here?"

The mass of matter and primordial chaos in his dantian generated a unique pressure as he talked completely ignoring all pressure given out by the two. "Tsun Rou you're a city lords daughter? No matter how I look, I can't see it... And shameless old 'Earth Face' Sun don't worry, I'll be there to see you soon" he said grinning nonchalantly.

City Lord Sun Soul raised an eyebrow, he was surprised. But said nothing.

Xue Yuegui was getting impatient and was maddened over Zhen Shi's attitude, albeit slightly surprised by the boy's capabilities. Wait till you're alone with me little kiddo!

As the space around Zou Rou and the earthen face started to vibrate she said, "Loin clothed bastard, why so confident? I'll be surprised if you even survive," she said worriedly. "But, I'll never forgive you if you die! Also, I know you're an idiot so you probably still think I'm Zou Rou right?" 'Zou Rou' continued to speak, "My name is Sun Rou. If you make it out alive I'll get you some proper clothes! Oh, I also promised to inform your idiot self about something, didn't I? Here this should be sufficient for you!" and threw over a talisman.

He caught it and pocketed it.

"Sun Rou? Thank god it wasn't anything else. I was really starting to get attached to calling you Tsun Rou! Besides both are basically the same. Sun Rou, you were born to be Tsun Rou!" shouted out Zhen Shi laughing out loud.

"Loin clothed idiot, Is this what you should be thinking of before facing off a Soul formation expert, especially when you're so weak?" retorted Sun Rou a smile broke out on her face, despite her attempts not to.

Zhen Shi just grinned. Xue Yuegui had been silent the entire time. He was not overbearing like initially in the presence of Saint Sun Soul.

The moment he realized that this city lord could bend space for teleportation, he thanked the gods for not having provoked him too far! Still, he felt rather stifled...

But now that they were on the verge of leaving, Xue Yuegui decided to unleash all his anger and worry on this little foundation establishment genius. Hence he immediately struck down with his scepter with lightning crackling around his body.

Zhen Shi immediately disappeared and reappeared to the side completely bypassing this attack. However, a thunder serpent emerged out from the scepter which started to crackle with lightning as well. It hissed maliciously while dashing towards Zhen Shi. Seeing this, he hurriedly utilized some earth elemental aether and covered his chest. In that sudden instance, he had gained insight into utilizing pure elemental essence and aether. After all, he had utilized the Hell's flare attack, which incorporated both fire and lightning, several times.

Pu!

But still, he spat out a mouthful of blood as he was struck backward and thrown to the ground. The gap in cultivation was too immense.

AH! Motherfucker! That hurts! But still, he turned to look at where Tsun Rou had been. But they had already left, and space gave no evidence to their presence.

"Haha, little bastard where's your cocky attitude now? I know you're supposed to be a genius, but with this little bit of ability, if you fight me, you won't even know how you died!"

Zhen Shi slowly crawled to a standing position. Ignoring the ridicule in Xue Yuegui's words he sharply stared at him, with an indomitable will surging in his eyes!