240: Killing game!

“In such a short time, he actually pushed Zhuo Hui to this extent…”

The Second Elder’s mind was shaken.

This mysterious expert was far more terrifying than they had initially imagined!

The First Elder, who was standing beside him, also noticed the Fourth Elder Zhuo Hui’s situation.

Her expression likewise became solemn.

Her gaze sharpened.

She spread her entire palm.

And slammed it down fiercely towards the pit below the Fourth Elder.

The surrounding strong winds immediately condensed, transforming into an enormous, gigantic wind blade.

It howled as it slashed down into the pit.

“Go!”

After she finished all of this, she didn’t even look at the outcome.

She immediately manipulated the surrounding strong winds, carrying the Second Elder and the Fourth Elder, and fled rapidly without looking back.

Boom!

The gigantic wind blade that had slashed down exploded upon colliding with Xiao Shi.

Xiao Shi flew out of the pit, suspended in the air.

He watched the three figures flee, but did not pursue them.

His eyes under the cloak narrowed slightly, his gaze profound… Pfft!

The Fourth Elder spit out blood, his face pale, the numerous shield shadows surrounding his body had dissipated, and he himself became dispirited.

Unleashing so many shield shadows at once placed an enormous burden on him, far exceeding his own limits of endurance.

Since he stepped into the Martial Soul Realm, no one had ever been able to push him to this extent.

Fortunately, their intention this time was to probe.

Not to fight to the death.

“What kind of background does this mysterious expert have? In such a short time, he actually pushed you to this point?”

The First Elder and the Second Elder asked with solemn expressions.

Although they could tell that the opponent was skilled in speed.

Which happened to counter the Fourth Elder.

They still didn’t expect the opponent to make the Fourth Elder so disheveled in such a short time.

“…I suspect he is a Body Cultivator!”

The Fourth Elder’s voice was low and hoarse.

“A Body Cultivator!?”

The First Elder and the Second Elder were startled simultaneously.

They subconsciously felt it was impossible.

They knew deeply.

Body Cultivators were extremely rare in the entire Star Luo Territory.

Especially Body Cultivators of this level of strength and cultivation.

Let alone in their Tian Dou Province.

Even in Star Luo Province, they might not be seen.

“…From beginning to end, I didn’t sense any Soul Power fluctuations on him, yet his attacks could break through the shield shadows I formed with Soul Power. Besides a Body Cultivator, I can’t think of any other possibility.”

The Fourth Elder said in a deep voice.

The First Elder and the Second Elder both took a deep breath.

They both knew very well that the shield shadows the Fourth Elder formed with Soul Power possessed extremely strong protection.

Even they would need to go all out to destroy the Fourth Elder’s shield shadows.

Yet the opponent used an attack without Soul Power to break the Fourth Elder’s shield shadows?

This could indeed only be done by a Body Cultivator of the Martial Soul Realm!

Although there were few Body Cultivators in the entire Star Luo Territory, they all had some understanding of Body Cultivators.

They knew the power of Body Cultivators.

“If he is a Body Cultivator… then this person is very likely not from the Star Luo Territory!”

The Second Elder’s expression was solemn, and he was even more puzzled.

“Where did Luo Jun and Tong Binhong find such a mysterious expert?”

The First Elder and the Fourth Elder shook their heads.

They also couldn’t figure it out.

“No matter what, these three are no longer someone we can deal with. We can only let the Shadow Master step forward to suppress them!”

The First Elder said.

The Second Elder and the Fourth Elder nodded in agreement.

When they returned to Rapid Shadow Palace.

The First Elder went directly to the huge stone door where the Shadow Master was in seclusion.

“Shadow Master, something has happened!”

The First Elder said through the stone door.

Her voice directly passed through the stone door and reached the Shadow Master’s ears within.

The Palace Lord of Shadow Flash Palace had been in seclusion healing his injuries ever since he was severely wounded by an external Martial Soul Realm expert last time.

If it weren’t for a particularly important matter, the First Elder would not have come to disturb him.

“What is it?”

The Shadow Master’s voice came from within the stone door.

The First Elder immediately informed the Shadow Master of Luo Jun and Tong Binhong’s rebellion and establishment of their own power, as well as the intelligence they had gathered from their previous engagement with them.

“They control the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree? And have the assistance of a mysterious Body Cultivator?”

Rustle… Amidst a low sound.

The entire stone door opened, revealing the Shadow Master’s burly and tall figure within.

Compared to before his seclusion, the Shadow Master seemed to have aged a few more years.

His white hair fell to the ground, and upon touching the ground, it directly merged into the shadows on the ground.

His eyebrows hung down on both sides of his face.

“Shadow Master, your injuries…”

The First Elder looked at the Shadow Master with some concern.

“It’s fine, enough for me to suppress them.”

The Shadow Master slowly stood up from the ground.

“Luo Jun and Tong Binhong dared to rebel and establish their own power, presumably because they thought I couldn’t do anything to them after being severely wounded.”

“Heh… Their understanding of the Soul Consciousness Stage is still insufficient. Even if I am severely injured, suppressing the three of them is as easy as turning over my hand.”

“Although both the Soul Consciousness Stage and the Soul Awakening Stage are in the Martial Soul Realm, the gap between the two is far greater than they imagine.”

“However, the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree… is somewhat of a hidden danger.”

“To be safe, the three of you will join me in attacking, and we will finish this quickly.”

The First Elder nodded.

Given Luo Jun and Tong Binhong’s understanding of Rapid Shadow Palace, since they dared to rebel, they must have been prepared to face the Shadow Master.

And their reliance must be the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

But even the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree could not forcefully boost their strength to a level capable of rivaling the Soul Consciousness Stage.

Presumably, they thought that the Shadow Master’s previous severe injuries would allow them to fight him with the help of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

But since the Shadow Master calmly stated he was fine, the First Elder had nothing to worry about.

After the Shadow Master emerged from seclusion.

They once again departed from Rapid Shadow Palace.

And headed towards Tree Shadow City on the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

This time, with the Shadow Master present, the three elders’ confidence greatly increased.

They soon arrived before Tree Shadow City.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Luo Jun and the other two shot out from Tree Shadow City.

Suspended in the high sky.

They looked at them from a distance.

They were not surprised by the Shadow Master’s appearance.

The Shadow Master’s aged eyes swept directly over Luo Jun and Tong Binhong.

He didn’t linger too long, his eyes focusing on the mysterious person completely covered by a black cloak.

“A Body Cultivator, huh…”

The Shadow Master’s gaze narrowed slightly.

Hiss!

His white hair, which had merged into the shadows behind him, suddenly extended, directly emerging from the void behind Xiao Shi, instantly enveloping Xiao Shi’s body.

Furthermore, a powerful Soul Power fluctuation emanated from these white hairs, directly pushing Luo Jun and Tong Binhong aside, preventing them from assisting the mysterious person.

These extended white hairs were incredibly dense, forming a huge sphere that enveloped the Shadow Master and Xiao Shi within it.

Before coming.

The Shadow Master had already decided to deal with this mysterious Body Cultivator first.

He could easily suppress Luo Jun and Tong Binhong with his Soul Consciousness.

But a Body Cultivator could not be suppressed with Soul Consciousness.

After all, Body Cultivators of the Martial Soul Realm had great resistance to Soul Power.

They could only be defeated through combat.

The Shadow Master intended to defeat them one by one.

Not giving the three of them a chance to join forces.

In a one-on-one situation.

None of the three of them could be his opponent.

At the same time.

As the Shadow Master enveloped and covered Xiao Shi with his white hair.

The three elders of Rapid Shadow Palace immediately lunged at Luo Jun and Tong Binhong.

This was a tactic they had discussed early on.

Originally, these three elders had a coordinated effort, and when they cooperated, they could often exert a combat power stronger than their individual selves.

However, earlier they were caught off guard by Luo Jun and the others, which resulted in them having no chance to form a coordinated effort, and they were almost defeated one by one.

Now, with the Shadow Master suppressing this mysterious Body Cultivator.

It was three against two.

By all appearances, they had an absolute advantage.

They couldn’t lose!

It’s just… even though this was already the perfect situation they wanted.

Luo Jun and Tong Binhong showed no panic on their faces.

“Are they feigning composure, or do they have some trump cards that we don’t know about?”

The hearts of the three Rapid Shadow Palace elders sank simultaneously.

They originally thought that Luo Jun and Tong Binhong would desperately try to rescue the mysterious Body Cultivator.

They wouldn’t allow the Shadow Master to separate them.

If the three of them couldn’t form a united front, then it would be too easy for the Shadow Master to defeat them.

But they didn’t even show any intention of going to rescue him.

This was very strange!

It’s not like that body-refining cultivator alone could contend with the Shadow Master, right?

...Inside the sphere formed by the Shadow Master's white hair.

The aged Shadow Master gazed at the figure shrouded in a black cloak before him.

"I hear... you're very fast?"

As soon as his voice fell.

Swish!

Xiao Shi, who was originally in front of him, had already flashed and appeared behind him.

Slap!

The Shadow Master turned around.

He reached out and grabbed the fist Xiao Shi had thrown.

"Too bad... your speed is useless before me!"

Now his Soul Consciousness covered the entire white hair sphere.

Making everything here under his control.

No matter how fast Xiao Shi was.

He could use his Soul Consciousness to perceive all of Xiao Shi's movements and trajectories.

It was no longer possible for him to be too slow to react because of the opponent's excessive speed.

This was one of the terrifying aspects of a Soul Consciousness Stage expert.

After the Shadow Master grabbed Xiao Shi's fist, he pulled Xiao Shi's body into his embrace.

His other hand clenched into a fist and struck out.

His fist was not only covered with astonishing Soul Power, but also contained an overlapping fist shadow.

Boom!

His fist directly struck Xiao Shi's body, and the terrifying power contained within his fist easily pierced through Xiao Shi's body.

"Hmm?"

However, the Shadow Master's brows furrowed.

He found that the mysterious person covered by the black cloak in front of him had transformed into a block of wood.

This was clearly a substitute!

Not only that.

From within the wooden block, branches extended, wrapping around his arm and then his body.

These branches possessed extremely strong binding power.

Even though the Shadow Master immediately used Soul Power to try and break free from the branches the moment he was entangled, he found he couldn't break them.

"The Azure Calamity Ancient Tree, huh..."

The Shadow Master's eyes narrowed slightly.

He was not flustered.

Even if his body was bound and entangled by the branches, unable to move, he was not unable to attack.

Moreover, he didn't believe the opponent could harm him.

Swish!

Xiao Shi's figure appeared out of thin air in front of the Shadow Master.

As soon as he appeared.

The Shadow Master's gaze instantly sharpened.

He unleashed a Soul Consciousness attack!

His Soul Consciousness had already permeated and covered this entire area.

Under his Soul Consciousness attack.

Xiao Shi only felt an invisible force from all directions, unseen, frantically pressing down on his body and soul.

Pfft!

The black cloak on his body instantly tore into pieces under the pressure.

Revealing a golden body!

Crack crack!

It could be seen.

Spiderweb-like cracks spread across his golden body, all formed by the pressure of the Soul Consciousness.

However, his body did not become crippled by the pressure, as the Shadow Master had imagined.

"This... how is this possible!!!"

The Shadow Master's expression changed dramatically for the first time.

Although he knew that as a body-refining cultivator, the opponent had great resistance to Soul Power, and even his Soul Consciousness attack couldn't directly kill him.

But he thought that even if he couldn't kill him with a Soul Consciousness attack, he could at least crush his limbs and severely injure him.

He had completely unexpected... that the opponent's body merely developed cracks.

"A Martial Soul Realm expert in the Soul Consciousness Stage, is that all you've got?"

The corner of Xiao Shi's mouth, beneath his golden face, curved upwards.

Revealing a hint of mockery.

His right hand lifted.

On his fist, a ball of black flame suddenly appeared, forming a flaming fist.

For some reason.

When the Shadow Master saw the black flame rising from Xiao Shi's fist, he felt a sense of dread.

He found it hard to imagine that this body-refining cultivator in front of him could actually make him feel this way!

He quickly unleashed another Soul Consciousness attack, concentrating all of it on Xiao Shi's fist, ignoring his body, attempting to extinguish the black flame on Xiao Shi's fist through the Soul Consciousness attack.

However, when his Soul Consciousness attack acted upon the black flame on Xiao Shi's fist, not only did it fail to extinguish it, but the entire black flame instantly surged.

It was as if his Soul Consciousness attack didn't extinguish it, but rather added fuel to the opponent's black flame, making it burn even more fiercely.

This caused a strong tremor in the Shadow Master's mind.

He completely failed to understand what was happening!

Boom!!

Xiao Shi swung his fist, a long trail of black afterglow following behind it, as the Shadow Master was bound and unable to move.

He struck down with a single punch!

Buzz!

A shield shadow appeared in front of the Shadow Master.

Attempting to block Xiao Shi's incoming punch.

But upon contact.

The entire shield shadow directly collapsed.

At the same time, behind the shield shadow, there were layers upon layers of defenses formed by the Shadow Master's Soul Consciousness, but these defenses shattered like glass under Xiao Shi's fist, layer by layer.

They simply couldn't stop Xiao Shi's punch.

"This is impossible!!!"

The Shadow Master's pupils widened in disbelief.

This was a Soul Consciousness defense!!

How could it be broken so easily!?

Pfft!

To the Shadow Master's horror.

Xiao Shi's flaming fist, burning with black flames, directly struck his chest, sending his entire body flying far away.

The most terrifying thing... was that the black flame on Xiao Shi's fist was not only burning on his chest, but also continuously seeping into his body, scorching the Soul Power within him!

"What kind of flame is this!!!"

The Shadow Master coughed up blood, his face filled with shock.

"A flame that can kill you!"

Xiao Shi's cold voice rang out from behind him.

...Kill me?"

The Shadow Master's eyes narrowed.

Before this.

He had never thought that the opponent could pose a threat to him.

He believed that even with the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree assisting the opponent, it would at most require him to expend a little more effort to kill him.

However, now... he felt a sense of crisis from the opponent!

He even had a ridiculous intuition that "he really can kill me"!

In fact.

All of this was a killing trap set by Xiao Shi!

From the moment the three elders of the Rapid Shadow Palace came to probe, he had already begun to lay out his plan.

From beginning to end, his target was not the three elders of the Rapid Shadow Palace, but... the Shadow Master!

When he controlled Luo Jun and Tong Binhong with Tree Shadow, he had immediately learned about the situation of the Rapid Shadow Palace from them.

He knew that the greatest threat to them was the Shadow Master.

Especially with the Shadow Master currently severely injured, if they didn't seize this opportunity to eliminate him, once the Shadow Master's injuries recovered.

Their Tree Shadow Sect would be in danger then.

Only by getting rid of the Shadow Master could they be independent and contend with the Rapid Shadow Palace.

After some deliberation, Xiao Shi felt that with the cooperation of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree, he should have a chance to kill the severely injured Palace Lord of Shadow Flash Palace.

However, he knew.

The opponent was not foolish.

Once this Shadow Master sensed danger, he would definitely not show his face; he would wait until his injuries recovered before making his move.

Therefore... the three of them had to create the illusion that once the Shadow Master appeared, he could suppress everything, thereby luring him out.

Thus, when he previously fought with the three elders of the Rapid Shadow Palace.

Xiao Shi deliberately concealed his strength.

At that time, he was fully capable of killing the Fourth Elder.

But he knew that once he went all out, the Shadow Master would definitely not show up.

Under his careful concealment, he successfully deceived the three elders of the Rapid Shadow Palace.

The entire development of the matter was completely consistent with his plan.

He successfully lured out the Shadow Master.

Next, as long as he killed the Shadow Master.

He would be able to remove the greatest threat to the Tree Shadow Sect!

This was Xiao Shi's killing trap!

Boom!

Black Yin Flame once again erupted from Xiao Shi's fist.

From behind the Shadow Master, a punch was thrown.

The Shadow Master let out a low roar.

He forcibly broke free from the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree's restraint.

Although this restraint was powerful, it would continuously weaken over time, allowing the Shadow Master to break free from it.

After feeling the terror of the flame on Xiao Shi's fist, he dared not confront Xiao Shi head-on.

He quickly retreated.

"Are you faster than me?"

Xiao Shi's body turned crimson.

He instantly switched to Crimson Tiger Form, and with a flash, he caught up to the Shadow Master.

"I hear my speed is useless against you?"

With a cold laugh, Xiao Shi's fist, burning with black Yin Flame, roared out at an extremely fast speed.