CHAPTER 545: CHAPTER 540: SLAUGHTER IN THE DARK_1

The night sky.

A dark cloud surged from afar, gradually drifting towards the waning moon.

A cool breeze swept by, bringing a hint of refreshment, but it failed to dispel the vexation simmering within the Elixir Palace Hall Master at this moment.

He stood on the edge of a cliff, surveying the land in all directions.

Apart from his voice echoing through the heavens and earth, no other sound could be heard. It was deathly silent!

"Since you refuse to show yourself, I’ll no longer play along. Goodbye."

The Elixir Palace Hall Master quickly lost patience. With a wave of his hand, he opened a portal.

But just as he was about to step into it, the mysterious white figure appeared again. Simultaneously, a dazzling beam of light cut through the sky, aimed straight at the Elixir Palace Hall Master.

This happened too suddenly!

Although the Elixir Palace Hall Master was on guard, he couldn’t dodge it.

The dazzling beam of light grazed his arm, tearing his clothes. A wound appeared, and blood spurted out.

The mysterious figure stretched out a large hand, snatched a few drops of blood, then vanished without a trace once more.

"Hmm?"

The Elixir Palace Hall Master prepared to strike, but in the blink of an eye, the person had disappeared again. Stunned disbelief flickered in his eyes.

What’s happening? At first, he thought this mysterious person was hiding somewhere below the cliff. But he never expected them to appear and disappear out of thin air! How could such a thing happen in this world? Had he encountered a ghost?

After waiting quietly for a moment and seeing that the mysterious person did not reappear, the Elixir Palace Hall Master clenched his fists, his barely suppressed fury threatening to erupt.

This was clearly toying with him!

Just as he was on the verge of exploding with rage, he suddenly frowned and looked down at the wound on his arm.

Suddenly, his gaze flickered.

Something’s wrong! The letter said the sender would be here to tell him Ma San’s whereabouts. But when he arrived, the mysterious person remained hidden and never mentioned Ma San. Moreover, there was something very odd about the mysterious person’s first appearance. Initially, he hadn’t thought much of it, assuming the person was just being deliberately enigmatic. But after some calm reflection, he finally understood: the mysterious person had deliberately lured him to the cliff’s edge to take advantage of his distraction and steal his blood! But why steal his blood? He wasn’t a deity; his blood was ordinary. No, that’s not right!

Suddenly, the Elixir Palace Hall Master’s body trembled.

He had realized the crux of the matter.

His blood *was* useful—it was the key to opening the hidden door of the secret chamber where the Elixir Fire was kept!

"Damn it!"

"How dare they scheme for the Elixir Fire! Such audacity is unforgivable!"

Instantly, the Elixir Palace Hall Master roared in anger, turned, and stepped towards the portal.

"Alas!"

But just then, a sigh sounded.

The Elixir Palace Hall Master stopped at once, turning his head to see the mysterious person appear once again.

WHOOSH!

As soon as the mysterious person appeared, they retreated several steps and stood facing the Elixir Palace Hall Master.

"Who exactly are you?" the Elixir Palace Hall Master asked gravely.

At this moment, dark clouds obscured the waning moon, plunging the world into darkness.

"I only want the Elixir Fire. If you don’t stop me, I’ll leave as soon as I obtain it," the mysterious person’s voice rang out.

"In your dreams!" the Elixir Palace Hall Master sneered. Battle Intent surged from his body, emitting a blinding light that instantly illuminated the area as if it were day.

"Xia Hai, why is it you?"

Upon seeing the mysterious person’s true face, the Elixir Palace Hall Master was stunned, finding it utterly incredible.

The white figure smiled faintly. "And why couldn’t it be me?"

Indeed! This man was Qin Feiyang.

He was the one who sent the message. He was also the one who had ambushed the Elixir Palace Hall Master earlier.

The plan had been perfect. He had successfully obtained the blood and had intended to go to the Elixir Fire Palace to seize the Elixir Fire as soon as the Hall Master left.

However, he hadn’t expected the Elixir Palace Hall Master to deduce his objective step by step.

Now, if the Hall Master insisted on stopping him, he had only one option left: kill him!

The Elixir Palace Hall Master collected himself and asked with deep regret, "Alchemy Chamber Number One is already yours. Why do you still do this?"

Qin Feiyang said, "I need it."

"I’ll give you one chance. Give up now."

"As long as you sincerely repent, I will not mention this to anyone, including the Chief Hall Master and the Mansion Lord," the Elixir Palace Hall Master said.

He was a man who cherished talent greatly and truly didn’t want to see this once-in-ten-thousand-years alchemy prodigy stray onto the wrong path.

"Give up..." Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I’ve endured countless hardships to get to this point. Giving up is impossible. I sincerely implore you, do not stand in my way."

The Hall Master’s character seemed decent; unless absolutely necessary, Qin Feiyang didn’t want to act against him.

The Elixir Palace Hall Master said, "Then I must also tell you, that is impossible!"

BOOM!

Qin Feiyang’s body shook as a terrifying aura erupted from him.

"Eight-star War Emperor!"

The Elixir Palace Hall Master’s eyes trembled with shock. "So you’ve been concealing your cultivation level all along?"

Qin Feiyang didn’t answer. Instead, he lunged forward, striking out with his palm at the Elixir Palace Hall Master.

"Stubborn fool!"

"Since that’s the case, I’ll have to subdue you first and then slowly persuade you to repent!"

The Elixir Palace Hall Master’s eyes turned cold as an overwhelming pressure, like a tidal wave, surged forth.

Instantly, Qin Feiyang felt as if he were trapped in a mire, unable to move an inch!

"Break!" he roared, his long hair whipping about wildly. Like a divine demon descending upon the world, his imposing aura flared, and he instantly broke free from the pressure’s restraints.

"What?" The Elixir Palace Hall Master’s expression changed.

However, his actions didn’t falter in the slightest. He thrust out his arm, launching a palm strike through the air.

Two large palms met in an instant!

But just before they collided, a brilliant golden light surged from Qin Feiyang’s palm!

BOOM!

A heaven-shaking, earth-shattering roar suddenly erupted, shattering the tranquility of the mountains and rivers.

CRACK!

Simultaneously, Qin Feiyang’s arm was mangled, skin splitting and flesh gaping, as he was sent flying like a meteor.

The White Horse Mountain beneath their feet also crumbled with a deafening crack the moment they clashed!

Looking at the Elixir Palace Hall Master, he had only retreated a few steps.

This proved his strength definitely surpassed Commander Nie’s!

But at this moment, he stood in the void, dumbfounded, his expression filled with utter shock.

This force... it was reflected back? This... wasn’t this Ma San’s battle technique?

Although he had never seen Ma San in action, he had been informed about it, so he knew it well.

WHOOSH!

He snapped his head up to look at Qin Feiyang and said gravely, "You are Ma San!"

Qin Feiyang steadied himself, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said, "Does it matter now if I am Ma San or not?"

"Indeed, it doesn’t matter," the Elixir Palace Hall Master murmured, a conflicted expression in his eyes. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "I’ll give you one last chance. Stop now, and I’ll pretend tonight’s events never happened!"

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior." Qin Feiyang gave the Elixir Palace Hall Master a deep, respectful bow.

This man was broad-minded and deserving of his respect. But he was determined to obtain the Elixir Fire; no one could stop him!

"Alas!" The Elixir Palace Hall Master heaved a profound sigh, filled with regret.

WHOOSH!

But immediately after, he transformed into a streak of light, taking the initiative to attack, and charged towards Qin Feiyang!

Qin Feiyang’s eyes were like lightning, showing no fear.

After swallowing a healing pill and a Bone-renewing Pill, he unhesitatingly activated the War Technique.

A terrifying Battle Intent, like an erupting volcano, soared into the sky, shaking the nine heavens.

And in an instant, his dark pupils and long hair turned blood-red, as if a river of blood surged behind him!

"Hmm?" The Elixir Palace Hall Master was startled but shook his head. "Stop this futile struggle. With your current cultivation, you’re no match for me. I am a Three-star War Ancestor."

His words weren’t meant to belittle Qin Feiyang, nor was he boasting.

It was a fact.

Moreover, he wanted Qin Feiyang to realize the difficulty and retreat.

Because Qin Feiyang was only an Eight-star War Emperor; no matter how powerful his methods, it was impossible to cross an entire major realm to defeat a Three-star War Ancestor.

BOOM!

The Elixir Palace Hall Master waved his hand casually, and a torrent of resplendent Battle Intent flooded the sky, surging overwhelmingly towards Qin Feiyang.

The terrifying pressure caused the mountains and the earth itself to tremble violently!

"How will we know if we don’t try?"

Return to Nothingness!

Qin Feiyang pointed his finger, and an invisible force roared out, causing the void to twist instantly.

BOOM!

The two attacks collided violently. Terrifying shockwaves from the battle surged in all directions, annihilating everything within several miles.

Giant peaks collapsed!

Ancient trees were obliterated!

Vicious beasts died tragically, their blood flowing like rivers!

The rumbling explosions, like thunderclaps, were deafening!

This was truly a prelude to an apocalypse!

Simultaneously, Qin Feiyang spat out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale.

Although there was only a minor realm’s difference between a Two-star and a Three-star War Ancestor, their combat power was worlds apart.

Even with the War Technique activated, he was struggling to withstand the assault.

But, if he unleashed his full strength, defeating this man wasn’t entirely impossible!

CLANG!!!

With a wave of his hand, crimson Sword Qi erupted from his body like a tidal wave.

In an instant, twenty flaming sword shadows appeared above his head, their astonishing sharpness threatening to tear the sky apart!

"Such a powerful battle technique!"

"This must be... a Perfect War Technique!"

"You’re not Ma San! Who on earth are you!" the Elixir Palace Hall Master roared, raising his large hand high and then fiercely swiping it downwards.

A colossal hand that seemed to blot out the sky appeared, its might shaking all directions, and it pressed down on Qin Feiyang with the speed of lightning, too fast to react.

"Who I am truly doesn’t matter," Qin Feiyang shook his head, as the twenty sword shadows shot towards the sky, slashing at the giant hand.

CLANG!

BOOM!

Accompanied by a series of deafening roars, the sword shadows shattered one after another, while the giant hand pressed on unstoppably, fiercely striking Qin Feiyang.

BOOM!

Qin Feiyang was instantly slammed down from the sky, crashing into the earth below.

A massive crater appeared instantly.

And around it, cracks spiderwebbed outwards, extending towards the ends of the earth.

The Elixir Palace Hall Master didn’t launch another attack. He stood high in the air, looking down at the deep crater below, and asked, "Are you really determined to continue?"

"Yes!" a resolute voice echoed from below.

Then, the bottom of the deep crater exploded. Dirt and rubble flew everywhere as Qin Feiyang shot out, once again facing the Elixir Palace Hall Master from a distance.

His body was covered in grievous wounds, as if he had been bathed in blood.

Yet, the Battle Intent radiating from him was even more intense than before, showing no signs of diminishing whatsoever!

"Hmm?" The Elixir Palace Hall Master furrowed his brows.

Although he hadn’t used his full strength in that last palm strike, even a One-star or Two-star War Ancestor wouldn’t have been able to withstand it. Yet this young man was still full of vigor, seemingly without fatal injuries. How did he manage that?