39: crisis!

With that delay, Elder Kugu had already led the remaining few Ghost Fiend Sect Disciples to flee the valley in a sorry state, disappearing into the mountain forest.

Ye Chen did not give chase. He looked in the direction where the assassin had disappeared, his expression heavy.

The appearance of the Shadow Kill Tower meant that things were definitely not simple.

Although the earth fire molten crystal was precious, it didn't seem significant enough to attract both the Ghost Fiend Sect and the Shadow Kill Tower at the same time.

He walked to the spot where they had traded punches and picked up a small piece of black fabric from the ground. On the edge of the fabric was an extremely fine embroidery of a skull symbol entwined with shadows.

“It really is the Shadow Kill Tower...” Ye Chen's eyes were cold. “It seems someone doesn't want me to successfully obtain this item, or... doesn't want me to leave the Black Wind Mountain Range alive.”

He stowed the fabric away and turned to look at Balu and the others.

Balu and his team were already pale with fright from the series of events. Especially when the Shadow Kill Tower assassin appeared, that cold killing intent had nearly suffocated them.

“Sen... Senior...” Balu's voice trembled.

“This place is not safe to stay. Let's leave immediately!” Ye Chen said in a deep voice, leading the way out of the valley.

Balu and the others followed quickly. At this moment, Ye Chen was their only lifeline.

The journey was silent. Ye Chen kept his Divine Sense fully active, staying alert to his surroundings.

As expected, they encountered several more ambushes and sneak attacks along the way. There were remnants of the Ghost Fiend Sect, Cultivators of unknown identity, and even powerful Yao Beasts that had been lured over!

Ye Chen fought with all his strength. Hardly any enemy could withstand a single punch as he forcefully carved out a bloody path!

However, he also sustained some injuries. In the most serious instance, he was ambushed again by the Shadow Kill Tower assassin. A dagger slashed his ribs, and the wound was wreathed in a bizarre black Qi that constantly eroded his flesh. Had it not been for his powerful Physical Body, he might have already fallen.

Five days later, they finally reached the edge of the Black Wind Mountain Range.

Looking at the outline of a human town on the distant plains, Balu and the others were moved to tears.

“Senior! Bringing us here is enough! Thank you for your protection along the way, Senior! The Wild Wolf Mercenary Group will never forget this great kindness!”

Balu led his team members to bow solemnly to Ye Chen once more.

Ye Chen nodded, the wound on his ribs still aching slightly. “We part here. In the future, only take on missions within your capabilities.”

After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned and sped off in another direction. He needed to find a safe place to heal and refine the earth fire molten crystal.

Balu and the others watched Ye Chen's disappearing back, remaining silent for a long time.

“Captain, what exactly is the background of this Senior Ye? He's just too fierce...” the tall, thin team member murmured.

Balu shook his head, his eyes filled with awe. “I don't know, but he is definitely no ordinary man! Nobody is to mention today's events to anyone, or it might bring a fatal disaster!”

Everyone agreed solemnly.

Ye Chen traveled hundreds of miles at high speed and found a remote mountain cave. After setting up a few simple warning Restrictions, he began to examine the wound on his ribs.

The black Qi left by the dagger was extremely stubborn, constantly devouring his Qi and blood and preventing the wound from healing.

“Hmph! Persistent ghost!” Ye Chen snorted coldly and circulated the Archaic Savage Bull Art with all his might. His Qi and blood burned like a furnace, and dark gold patterns surfaced, gradually forcing out and refining the black Qi.

It took half a day to completely clear the black Qi from the wound, and the injury began to heal slowly.

“The poison of the Shadow Kill Tower is indeed troublesome.” Ye Chen breathed a sigh of relief and took out the earth fire molten crystal.

The scorching aura spread out once more, causing his sacred blood to boil.

“I hope I can use this item to achieve a Breakthrough to the Life Soul Realm in one go!”

He took a deep breath and, without hesitation, swallowed the earth fire molten crystal directly!

This was not recklessness, but a domineering refining method recorded in the Archaic Savage Bull Art. It used the body as a furnace to forcibly swallow and refine various energies, but the process was extremely painful and could only be performed by those with a powerful physique!

The moment the earth fire molten crystal entered his stomach, it felt as if he had swallowed a sun!

An incredibly terrifying scorching energy, enough to melt gold and iron, exploded, rampaging through his body! His Meridians and internal organs felt as if they were about to be ignited and melted!

“Ugh... Ah—!”

Even with Ye Chen's willpower, he couldn't help but let out a pained groan. His skin instantly turned crimson, and fine beads of blood seeped from his pores. He looked like a cooked shrimp!

He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, as he frantically circulated his Cultivation Technique. He guided that violent energy along specific routes, impacting his limbs and bones, and tempering every inch of his flesh and bone!

This process was like being in purgatory, incredibly painful! Yet his eyes grew brighter and brighter!

Under this extreme heat and energy impact, the Ancient Desolate Sacred Body was further stimulated. The dark gold patterns grew brighter, as if coming to life, greedily absorbing the energy of the earth fire molten crystal.

After an unknown amount of time, the violent energy was gradually tamed and merged into his Qi and blood. His aura began to climb at a terrifying speed!

The barrier of the Peak ninth level of the Tongtian Realm was blasted open under the impact of this power!

The gates to the Life Soul Realm swung open before him!

His consciousness seemed to leave his Physical Body and merge into an ocean of the Law of power!

A blurry phantom that contained endless power was slowly condensing within his Sea of Consciousness!

That was his Life Soul—the Soul of Power!

However, at the very moment the Life Soul was about to take shape—

Another change occurred!

Outside the cave, the warning Restrictions were instantly torn apart!

Three figures radiating terrifying auras appeared at the cave entrance like ghosts, completely blocking his path of retreat!

An old man wearing the robes of the Ghost Fiend Sect had a cold aura and a cultivation at the fifth level of the Life Soul Realm!

An assassin shrouded in the black robes of the Shadow Kill Tower held a poisoned dagger. His aura was elusive, and his cultivation was at the Peak fourth level of the Life Soul Realm!

The final person was actually a Young Master dressed in luxurious clothes with an arrogant face. His cultivation was also at the first level of the Life Soul Realm. He was the Young Master of the Marquis Zhenhais Estate who had been toyed with by Lin Yun in front of the Wanfa Tower—Zhao Kuo!

At this moment, his face wore a venomous and smug smile.

“Kid! Didn't expect this, did you? You've finally fallen into my hands!”

Zhao Kuo grinned savagely. “How dare you humiliate me and snatch the item I wanted. Today is the day you die!”

The Ghost Fiend Sect elder said sinisterly, “Kid, obediently hand over the earth fire molten crystal and your Body Refining technique, and I can give you a quick death.”

The Shadow Kill Tower assassin said nothing, only locking his cold gaze onto Ye Chen, the blue toxic light of his dagger flickering.

Ye Chen snapped his eyes open. The crimson had not yet faded, and his violent aura radiated uncontrollably. He was at the most critical moment of his Breakthrough! His Life Soul was on the verge of condensing!

“Get out!” He let out a low roar like a beast, attempting to scare them off.

“Hmph! You're at the end of your rope! Still trying to break through? Heaven is truly helping me! Do it!” Greed intensified in the Ghost Fiend Sect elder's eyes as he struck first, a ghostly giant claw lunging for Ye Chen's head!

The Shadow Kill Tower assassin's figure flickered, merging into the shadows as his dagger stabbed toward Ye Chen's vital heart point from behind!

Zhao Kuo also summoned a spiritual longsword, slashing toward Ye Chen's arm!

Three Life Soul Realm experts took advantage of his vulnerability, launching a fatal attack simultaneously!

A matter of life and death!