You call this the ninth level of the Golden Core stage?!

In Ye Qing's spiritual perception, at the far end of the distant horizon...

A group of Cultivators was rapidly flying towards the valley; their auras were mixed, and they were many in number.

"I hope they don't come looking for trouble," a thought flashed through Ye Qing's mind. He withdrew his gaze, his expression remaining indifferent.

At this moment, Ji Yaoyue's mind was still completely immersed in the world-shaking scene from just now, and she hadn't noticed the situation in the distance at all.

She stared blankly at Ye Qing, then at the corpse of the Purple Lightning Winged Python, which had been split in two and was still bleeding.

Her mind was somewhat blank.

One finger!

Just one finger!

A Golden Core Ninth Layer Yao Beast, so ferocious that she could only flee in disarray, was insta-killed just like that?

If he's a Fourth Layer of Golden Core Cultivator, how is that possible?!

She used all her knowledge to try and understand this inconceivable scene before her eyes.

Finally, a thought flashed through her mind like a bolt of lightning, making her whole body tremble.

Right! Cultivation!

Young Master Ye might not be at the Fourth Layer of Golden Core at all!

To be able to insta-kill a Golden Core Ninth Layer Yao Beast so effortlessly, if his strength was at the Ninth Layer of Golden Core...

Then it would make sense!

Exactly. If he hid his cultivation, it would be normal for her, at the Golden Core Seventh Layer, to be unable to see through it.

The more she thought about this explanation, the more reasonable it seemed. It was much easier to accept than "a Fourth Layer Golden Core insta-killing a Ninth Layer."

At this thought, Ji Yaoyue's heartbeat finally calmed down a bit.

She then couldn't help but use a voice transmission to ask Ye Qing for confirmation: "...Young Master Ye, may I ask... is your true cultivation at the Ninth Layer of Golden Core?"

Hearing this, Ye Qing glanced at her, his expression calm.

Ninth Layer of Golden Core?

Half-step Nascent Soul... I suppose so.

So, he nodded slightly.

Seeing this...

"As I thought!"

Brilliant light flickered in Ji Yaoyue's beautiful eyes, and the heavy stone in her heart finally fell away.

She knew it; how could there be such a ridiculous Prodigy who was even more powerful than the top geniuses on the Earth Ranking?

It turns out he's a top expert hiding his cultivation!

Of course, the Ninth Layer of Golden Core is also very strong, but it was much easier to accept than before.

Wait!

Ji Yaoyue suddenly thought of something. Her pretty face turned slightly red, and a hint of embarrassment and worry rose in her heart.

Her gaze subconsciously swept over Lin Xueer and Su Chan, who were gathering Spirit Medicines and illusory dream strange flowers.

She looked at the large patch of illusory dream strange flowers remaining in the valley and felt conflicted for a moment.

Previously, she had confidently stated that she would take the greatest risk by leading the Yao Beast away and contributing the most, so she should take seventy percent of the gains.

But now... the most dangerous Purple Lightning Winged Python had been poked to death with a single finger by someone else.

From beginning to end, she had just been a decoy, and she hadn't even helped gather the Spirit Medicines.

Contributing the most? That wasn't the case at all!

How could she still have the face to ask for seventy percent?

Let alone seventy percent, even asking for thirty percent made her face feel hot with shame!

But if she didn't take any... what was the point of her trip?

But if she did, how much should she ask for?

Just as Ji Yaoyue was struggling with her inner conflict, a series of powerful spiritual energy fluctuations finally came from afar, jolting her awake.

"Someone's coming!" Her expression changed, and she was about to speak.

In the next moment, a sonorous and unrestrained laugh boomed from the horizon like rolling thunder!

"Hahaha! illusory dream strange flowers? So many patches of illusory dream strange flowers! And so many rare Spirit Medicines! What a great place! Truly a wonderful place!"

Before the laughter faded, over a dozen streaks of light pierced through the air, hovering over the valley in an instant.

Leading them was an old man in black robes with a sinister face.

Greed flickered in his eyes as he unrestrainedly scanned everything below. The terrifying pressure of a Nascent Soul Cultivator crashed down like a mountain!

"Nascent Soul... a Nascent Soul Second Layer Cultivator!"

Feeling this pressure, Ji Yaoyue's pretty face instantly turned pale!

She never expected that right after dealing with a Golden Core Ninth Layer Yao Beast, an even more terrifying Nascent Soul Old Monster would appear!

Swish!

The black-robed old man showed no courtesy, leading a group of Golden Core Cultivators with equally strong auras behind him.

They landed in the valley, his burning gaze scanning left and right, staring at the illusory dream strange flowers as if they were already his.

This person was the Old Ancestor of a major power in the Eastern Region, the "Xuan Sha Sect," Venerable Xuan Sha!

He was known for being ruthless and extremely overbearing.

His gaze swept over Ye Qing, Ji Yaoyue, and the other two, seeing that the one with the highest cultivation was only Ji Yaoyue at the Golden Core Seventh Layer.

A hint of indifference and contempt flashed in his eyes.

At the same time, he frowned slightly, clearly annoyed that they were in the way.

Seeing this, Ji Yaoyue's heart tightened, knowing that today's matter would likely not end well. But facing a Nascent Soul Cultivator, resisting directly was no different from seeking death.

So she made a quick decision and stepped forward.

She bowed toward Old Ancestor Xuan Sha from a distance, keeping her posture very humble:

"This Junior greets Senior. If Senior likes the opportunities in this valley, we Juniors do not dare to compete with Senior and will take our leave now!"

"All the Spirit Medicines and illusory dream strange flowers that haven't been picked yet belong to Senior!"

After speaking, her face was tense and she was extremely nervous, wanting to pull Ye Qing and the others away from this place of trouble immediately.

However, Old Ancestor Xuan Sha narrowed his eyes and spoke gloomily, "Stop! Did I permit you to leave?"

The moment he finished speaking, the dozen or so Golden Core Cultivators from the Xuan Sha Sect behind him all stepped forward with hostile glares, their killing intent undisguised as they locked onto the four of them, blocking all paths of retreat.

Ji Yaoyue's heart skipped a beat, thinking that things were going south.

She knew he had become greedy; he didn't just want what was left, he wanted to swallow up everything they had already gathered as well!

She thought for a moment.

Ji Yaoyue gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "I advise Senior to think twice! I am Ji Yaoyue, the daughter of the current Flame Emperor of the Jinyan Dynasty!"

She directly revealed her identity and background.

Hoping to intimidate the other party with this.

"Jinyan Dynasty?!"

As expected, upon hearing those words, everyone, including Old Ancestor Xuan Sha, had a slight change in expression.

Although the Xuan Sha Sect was strong and considered a major power...

Compared to a colossus like the Jinyan Dynasty that dominated the Eastern Region, it was like a firefly next to the bright moon.

And the weight of the Flame Emperor's daughter's identity indeed made them hesitate to act recklessly!

Old Ancestor Xuan Sha's eyes flickered as he weighed the pros and cons.

Seeing this, Ji Yaoyue felt a slight sense of relief and spoke again, "Senior, if there are no other issues, we will take our leave."

As she spoke, she immediately signaled Ye Qing with her eyes, indicating that he should quickly take his two Disciples and leave with her!

However, at that moment, Old Ancestor Xuan Sha's cold voice rang out again.

"Wait!"

He stared intently at the pile of herbs in front of Lin Xueer and Su Chan; greed had ultimately triumphed over reason.

"You may leave, but hand over all the Spirit Medicines and illusory dream strange flowers you've gathered here before you go!"

Old Ancestor Xuan Sha saw very clearly.

In this valley, there were large areas showing signs of fresh harvesting.

The parts that had been taken were even more numerous than what remained, and the quality was better too!

With such immense profit at stake, how could he be willing to let it go?

"You!" Ji Yaoyue was both shocked and furious upon hearing this.

The other party was pushing his luck and was determined to drop all pretenses!

Just then, a Golden Core Elder of the Xuan Sha Sect leaned in and whispered to Old Ancestor Xuan Sha, "Ancestor, since we've already offended them, why not go all the way? This is a desolate mountain range within a Secret Realm where heavenly secrets are chaotic. As long as we're thorough and silence them all, who will know it was us? No matter how strong the Jinyan Dynasty is, they won't be able to trace it back to us!"

Though the voice was low, who among those present wasn't sharp-eared?

Hearing this, Ji Yaoyue felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her expression changing drastically!

"How bold! You dare?!"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Old Ancestor Xuan Sha had also made up his mind. He gave a sinister laugh, no longer having any reservations.

Buzz—!

A vast and peerless Nascent Soul magic power surged into the sky, transforming into a massive black light barrier.

Like an inverted giant bowl, it instantly and completely sealed off the entire valley!

It's over!

Ji Yaoyue's heart trembled. She understood that the other party was being incredibly audacious and truly intended to kill her!

In her despair, she naturally wouldn't just wait for death. She immediately sent an anxious voice transmission to Ye Qing: "Young Master Ye! I have a protective secret treasure bestowed by my father that can instantly tear through a Nascent Soul Realm seal, but it can only be used once, and the window is only for a moment! Listen for my command later. I'll count three, two, one, and you must use your fastest speed to take me and your Disciples, and we'll break out together!"

In her view, although Ye Qing was at the Ninth Layer of Golden Core...

He was still no match for a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Not to mention the opponent was at the Nascent Soul Second Layer and had over a dozen Golden Core Cultivators. There was absolutely no way they could survive a direct confrontation!

The only hope was to use the secret treasure to escape!

However, Ye Qing's reaction stunned her.

She saw Ye Qing gently shake his head and say indifferently, "There's no need for such trouble."

At the same time, Old Ancestor Xuan Sha's mocking laughter rang out: "Little girl, transmitting voices right in front of me—do you think I can't hear you? Want to run? Hehe, none of you are leaving today!"

Ji Yaoyue's heart instantly sank to the bottom.

Just then, Ye Qing, who was beside her, stepped forward slowly. It looked as though he was walking toward Venerable Xuan Sha, and it even seemed like he was about to make a move.

"Young Master Ye?"

Seeing this, Ji Yaoyue was startled and instinctively reached out to pull him back.

Old Ancestor Xuan Sha was also looking at Ye Qing with interest.

Fourth Layer of Golden Core?

Hehe, just a death-seeking clown.

He sneered, "Oh? A mere kid at the Fourth Layer of Golden Core dares to stand out? What, instead of kneeling and begging for mercy, you want to act the hero?"

The Golden Core Cultivators behind him also laughed upon hearing this.

They thought this person must have been scared witless; why else would he step forward? Was he looking for death?

"Young Master Ye, don't be impulsive!" Ji Yaoyue nervously grabbed Ye Qing's sleeve, shaking her head frantically at him.

In her view, even if Ye Qing was at the Ninth Layer of Golden Core Perfection...

Or even one of those top monsters on the Earth Ranking, he could at most exchange a few hundred rounds with a Nascent Soul First Layer Cultivator before likely being defeated.

But the Old Ancestor Xuan Sha before them was a genuine Nascent Soul Second Layer!

In the Golden Core Realm, every layer of cultivation makes a world of difference, let alone the Nascent Soul Realm!

And the opponent had over a dozen Golden Core helpers!

In this situation, taking the initiative to attack was truly no different from committing suicide!

If she could find an Opportunity to use the secret treasure, there might still be a hope of escape!

Old Ancestor Xuan Sha looked at Ye Qing's calm, emotionless face, his smile growing increasingly cold:

"Kid, I'll give you one last chance: kneel and kowtow!"

"I might consider giving you a quick death. Otherwise, I will refine you into my Magical Artifact, making you wish you were dead!"

Faced with this blatant death threat, there wasn't a trace of fear on Ye Qing's face.

Instead, he gently shook his head.

Then, he raised his hand, pointing his fingers like a sword.

"You're looking for death!" Seeing this, Old Ancestor Xuan Sha's patience ran out. Killing intent flashed in his eyes as vast Nascent Soul magic power gathered in his palm, ready to deliver a thunderous blow!

But though he was fast, Ye Qing's sword light was faster!

A seemingly ordinary azure sword glow erupted silently from Ye Qing's fingertip, vanishing in a flash.

There was no earth-shaking momentum, no dazzling brilliance; it was like a breeze brushing over water, so gentle it was almost imperceptible.

Chii!

The sword light swept past.

Old Ancestor Xuan Sha's palm, about to strike, froze in mid-air.

The sinister grin on his face froze, his eyes filled with extreme horror and confusion, as if he hadn't yet realized what had happened.

Where is my... magic power? Why has my thinking become so slow?

Wait, why has my vision suddenly split in two... In the next moment, a thin line of blood appeared at his brow, extending straight down through the bridge of his nose, lips, neck... all the way through his entire body.

Thud.

Under the stunned, speechless gazes of everyone, this Nascent Soul Second Layer powerhouse, the Old Ancestor of the Xuan Sha Sect...

His body was split neatly in half, like poultry sliced by the sharpest blade.

Blood and organs burst forth, splattering across the ground.

Even the Nascent Soul within him didn't have time to escape before it was annihilated into dust by the sword light!

Venerable Xuan Sha, dead!

Silence—

The entire valley was as silent as the grave.

The dozen or so Golden Core Cultivators from the Xuan Sha Sect had their mouths wide open, and their eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets.

Their faces were filled with ghost-seeing terror and shock.

An... insta-kill?

A Golden Core Cultivator, with one finger, insta-killed their Nascent Soul Second Layer Old Ancestor?!

How could this be as unreal as a dream? Was it a ghost?

After a brief silence, someone finally reacted, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.

"Run! Run! Hurry and escape!"

"The Old Ancestor is dead! The Old Ancestor has been killed!"

"Run!"

Instantly, the group of Golden Core Cultivators scattered like birds and beasts, turning into over a dozen streaks of light as they fled frantically in all directions!

However, it was already too late.

Ye Qing's expression was indifferent; he didn't even move his finger again.

With a single thought.

Chii chii chii chii chii—!

Azure sword glows were born out of thin air, growing with the wind as if they had eyes, arriving first despite being launched later.

They caught up with every fleeing Cultivator with pinpoint accuracy, sweeping through their backs!

Boom boom boom boom boom!

In the air, flowers of blood bloomed, and screams came to an abrupt halt.

Over a dozen corpses fell from the sky like dumplings, hitting the ground with a series of thuds.

In the blink of an eye, the entire group from the Xuan Sha Sect was annihilated!

After doing all this, Ye Qing's expression didn't change at all.

Lin Xueer and Su Chan behind him were as calm as still water, acting as if this was only natural.

Nascent Soul? If they're killed, they're killed!

In their hearts, their Revered Master was always like this.

Only Ji Yaoyue stood frozen in place, as if a binding spell had been cast on her.

She looked at the severed limbs and broken bodies scattered across the ground, smelled the thick scent of blood in the air, and felt her worldview being crushed and reconstructed over and over again.

Gulp.

She swallowed hard with difficulty, slowly turning her head inch by inch.

She stared intently at Ye Qing's calm face with a gaze reserved for monsters or gods.

Her brain had completely stalled, leaving only one thought echoing and roaring frantically.

I asked you earlier if your cultivation was at the Ninth Layer of Golden Core, and you nodded and said yes.

You call this the Ninth Layer of Golden Core?!