46: Li Ao fled after being seriously injured.

Li Ao's resolute and disheveled escape, like a drop of water in boiling oil, exploded on the silent Cloud Mist Sect square, leaving behind a scene of devastation and indescribable shock.

The smoke and dust slowly settled, revealing the cracked square ground, as if it had been trampled by a giant beast, broken stone pillars, and the wails of Disciples who had unfortunately died or been injured in the previous energy storm. The air was filled with the smell of blood, dust, and the lingering aftershocks of the violent energy that had not yet fully subsided.

All the surviving Cloud Mist Sect Disciples stood rooted to the spot like clay statues, their faces a mix of fear, bewilderment, and the emptiness of shattered faith. Their Old Sect Master Yun Shan, who was supreme and god-like in their hearts, had personally acted, yet failed to keep that heavily injured young man? And was even provoked by his arrogant declaration before escaping?

“Next time, I'll take it...” These four words echoed in everyone's hearts like a curse, bringing a bone-chilling coldness.

Yun Shan floated in the air, his aged face so grim it could drip water. His dim eyes stared intently in the direction Li Ao had disappeared, and the aura around him, which had originally been peaceful and integrated with heaven and earth, now resembled the ocean before a storm, suppressing monstrous rage and killing intent. He didn't want to chase, but couldn't. The wisp of Nirvana Slash Saber Intent Li Ao ignited at the end, though weak, was extremely troublesome, like a bone-deep maggot, still eroding his protective energy, requiring him to divide his Soul to suppress it. More importantly, the “Nirvana Slash” and the power of rules that young man displayed made him wary, wondering if there truly was some reclusive old monster behind him.

“Clear the square, treat the injured.” Yun Shan's voice was devoid of emotion, breaking the suffocating silence. “Today's events are classified as the highest Sect secret. No one is to spread it. Violators will have their Cultivation abolished and be expelled from the Sect!”

The chilling command sent shivers down the spines of all Disciples and Elders, who immediately bowed in agreement.

Yun Shan's gaze turned to Yun Yun, whose face was pale and expression complex. His tone softened slightly, but still carried an undeniable authority: “Yun'er, follow me to the back mountain.”

With that, he flicked his sleeve, and his figure slowly merged into the Void Realm, disappearing.

Yun Yun looked at the messy square, then glanced in the direction Li Ao had left. Emotions surged in her beautiful eyes, finally turning into an almost inaudible sigh. She tidied her somewhat disheveled robes, suppressed the surging Qi and blood within her body, and also transformed into a streak of green light, soaring towards the back mountain.

Cloud Mist Sect's back mountain, Forbidden Ground secret chamber.

“Teacher…” Yun Yun looked at Yun Shan, who had his back to her and whose aura seemed to merge with the entire mountain, and spoke softly, with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

“That Li Ao must die.” Yun Shan didn't turn around, his voice resolute, carrying a strong killing intent. “This child possesses a bizarre Body Forging Cultivation Technique, and has even initially grasped a trace of 'destruction' type power of rules. His potential is too terrifying. If he is not eliminated today, he will surely become a major hidden danger for my Cloud Mist Sect in the future, and even... interfere with the Venerable Envoy's plan.”

“Power of rules?” Yun Yun's pupils contracted slightly. Although she felt the terrifying power of Li Ao's final slash, she didn't expect it to involve the level of rules! That was a Domain that only Dou Zong could deeply access!

“Although it's just the surface, its nature is extremely high.” Yun Shan turned around, a hint of solemnity flashing in his dim eyes. “Moreover, his precise timing in interfering with space when he escaped at the end was no coincidence. This child's combat talent is truly a Prodigy.”

He paused, looking at Yun Yun: “Yun'er, how did you feel fighting him?”

Yun Yun pondered for a moment, then truthfully said: “His Dou Qi Cultivation doesn't seem particularly profound, perhaps he just entered the Dou Emperor realm not long ago, but his Physical Body strength is extremely terrifying, comparable to a Sixth-Tier Peak Demonic Beast. His Saber Technique is even more fierce and overbearing, directly hitting the essence. My Wind Extremity Dou Technique was almost broken by a single slash from him. And... he didn't seem to use his full strength until you, Teacher, made your move…”

Yun Shan nodded: “His Foundation lies in that strange Physical Body and that saber. If we encounter him again, we must use thunderous methods and not give him a chance to display that rule-based Saber Technique.” He changed the subject, “Are there any clues about the 'key' that the Venerable Envoy needs?”

Yun Yun shook her head: “No definite news yet. However, Jia Ma Holy City has been turbulent recently, and the Mittel Family also seems to be secretly investigating something, which might be related to the Hall of Souls.”

“Mittel… that old fox Teng Shan.” Yun Shan snorted coldly, “Don't mind them. Intensify the search for the 'key' and at the same time, closely monitor Li Ao's whereabouts. He is heavily injured and will surely need a place to recuperate and resources. Notify our informants throughout the Empire; once his tracks are discovered, report immediately!”

“Yes, Teacher.” Yun Yun bowed in response.

Jia Ma Holy City, Mittel Auction House top floor.

Ya Fei hurried into Elder Teng Shan's secret chamber, her charming face bearing an unprecedented solemnity.

“Elder Teng Shan, we just received top-secret information from within the Cloud Mist Sect!” She spoke urgently, without even having time to salute, “Mr. Li Ao… he single-handedly invaded the Cloud Mist Sect, defeated several Dou King Elders, fought fiercely with Sect Master Yun Yun without losing, and finally… forced Old Sect Master Yun Shan to personally intervene!”

“What?!” Even with Elder Teng Shan's composure, he was now horrified, abruptly standing up from his seat, “Yun Shan has come out of seclusion? He… he successfully Broke through?”

“The news is confirmed, Yun Shan is already a Dou Zong!” Ya Fei's voice was heavy, “But even more astonishing is that Mr. Li Ao, under Dou Zong Yun Shan's 'Space Annihilation,' withstood a blow, and although heavily injured, he successfully… escaped!”

The secret chamber fell into a deathly silence.

Elder Teng Shan slowly sat back in his chair, his face filled with disbelief. Single-handedly invading the Cloud Mist Sect, forcing out a Dou Zong, withstanding Space Annihilation and escaping… any one of these feats would be enough to shake the entire Empire! And Li Ao had done it all alone!

“This child… this child…” Elder Teng Shan muttered to himself, unable to find suitable words to describe him for a moment. He had already tried his best to overestimate Li Ao, but now he realized he had still underestimated him.

“Elder, how should we respond?” Ya Fei asked, a sharp glint in her peach blossom eyes, “Mr. Li Ao is heavily injured and has escaped, he will surely need help. This might be an opportunity for our Mittel Family to establish a deeper connection with him.”

Elder Teng Shan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: “Indeed! This is a huge risk, but also an unprecedented opportunity! Immediately activate all our secret channels, spare no expense, and search for Mr. Li Ao's whereabouts! But absolute secrecy is paramount; we must not attract the attention of the Cloud Mist Sect and… other forces!”

He looked at Ya Fei with sharp eyes: “Ya Fei, you are fully responsible for this matter! Remember, find him, provide him with all the help he needs, but maintain proper discretion and do not provoke his aversion. We want to be allies who offer help in dire straits, not hyenas taking advantage of a fire!”

“Ya Fei understands!” Ya Fei nodded heavily, fighting spirit burning in her eyes. She knew this could be a crucial step for the Mittel Family's prosperity or decline in the next few decades or even centuries.

A certain courtyard in the Holy City.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, trying to enter a state of Cultivation, but his mind kept replaying the thrilling collision scenes from the direction of Yun Lan Mountain, transmitted by Yao Lao through Soul perception. That silver-gray Saber Qi that annihilated everything, that terrifying power that caused space to collapse, and Li Ao's figure, covered in blood yet still defiant as he escaped… “Pfft!” He suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his aura fluctuating wildly, having suffered a Dou Qi backlash from forced Cultivation.

“Xiao Yanzi!” Yao Lao's illusory figure appeared, looking at him worriedly.

“Teacher… I…” Xiao Yan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face pale, his eyes filled with pain and unwillingness, “Is that… his true strength? Even a Dou Zong… he could withstand…”

Yao Lao was silent for a moment, then sighed: “His experiences are indeed beyond imagination. That power of rules… even if it's just the surface, it's extraordinary. Xiao Yanzi, I know you're under a lot of pressure, but remember, his path is his path. Your path requires you to walk it step by step yourself!”

Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh, blood dripping between his fingers. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot, but deep within his pupils, something shattered and then re-condensed, becoming harder and more resolute.

“Teacher, I understand.” His voice was hoarse but exceptionally firm, “I won't let him disturb me anymore. He is him, I am me! He has his saber, I have my ruler! The Three-Year Agreement, I will still win! And on the future path of a strong practitioner, I will never be absent!”

He looked in the direction of Yun Lan Mountain, his gaze as sharp as a saber.

“Li Ao… Today you failed to level the Cloud Mist Sect, but one day, I, Xiao Yan, might not! We… shall see!”

Yao Lao looked at the fighting spirit in his Disciple's eyes, rekindled and even more fervent and pure than before, and nodded with satisfaction. Perhaps, this mountain that suddenly appeared, Li Ao, was not entirely a bad thing for Xiao Yan. Only extreme pressure can forge extreme sharpness.

The waters of the Jia Ma Empire were thoroughly stirred by Li Ao's earth-shattering commotion. Beneath the undercurrents, various forces were re-strategizing, but where was the heavily injured Li Ao now? What kind of upheaval would his next appearance bring to this Empire?

Everyone held their breath, waiting. The storm was far from over.