24: Chapter 24: The Insidious Villain 24: Chapter 24: The Insidious Villain In the mist-filled Yunwu Mountain, several dark figures darted through the forest, moving swiftly upward, far faster than any running champion seen on TV.

“Huff…

huff,” the autumn wind blew chillingly, red leaves continuously falling—this was a pre-dawn battle.

A man in purple clothes, accompanied by several demons with bloodshot eyes, arrived at the mountain peak.

At the center, there was a round platform with two pearl-like orbs, slightly larger, emitting mist and a white glow that intertwined with the moonlight.

The man in purple revealed a greedy look, murmuring, “So this is the treasure, the Cloud Mist Pearl.

This time I’ve made a significant contribution to the Netherworld Hall.

The Hall Master might view me in a different light, hahaha!!”

He controlled the demons to surround the orbs while he walked over slowly, without the slightest concern for the approaching Shangguan Family, Lin Family, or Mu Yunlong.

Just as he was about to touch the orb, a flying knife shot over, forcing him to retract his hand instantly.

He turned angrily to see who it was.

“Xiao Li, your flying knife nearly shattered those two orbs.

What were you thinking?”

“Elder Xuan, I was anxious.

We almost got beaten to it.”

It turned out Shangguan Xue’er and her companions had arrived first, just in time to see the man in purple about to take the orbs, prompting Xiao Li to use a flying knife to stop him.

“Hey, which faction are you from?

We are from the Shangguan Family in Tianhe City.

There are two orbs here, how about we take one each?”

Shangguan Xue’er felt a sense of danger upon seeing the man in purple.

Her intuition had never been wrong, so she first proposed a split to test the waters.

“Miss, this…”

Before Elder Xuan could speak, Shangguan Xue’er stopped him.

The man in purple smirked playfully, “You think you can share these two orbs with me?

Truly delusional.”

“Well said, my friend!

The Shangguan Family is useless.

Only the Lin Family is qualified.”

Lin Yao and his group arrived, clapping their hands.

Seeing his long-time rival Shangguan Xue’er, he mocked, “Shangguan Xue’er, a woman like you should stay home and enjoy life.

What are you doing in this desolate place?

Go back home.”

As a strong-willed woman, Shangguan Xue’er wasn’t about to back down, “Lin Yao, you are even less competent than me in Tianhe City.

Are you also a woman?

Is that why you can’t surpass me?”

Hearing this, Lin Yao clenched his fists in anger and walked over.

Both sides were arrogant and aggressive, seeming ready to fight at any moment.

The man in purple stood out and said, “You lot of worthless scum, already starting before we even begin.

Do you still think you can share the treasure with me?

If you know what’s good for you, leave now and I might spare your lives.”

The two opposing families, initially ready to confront each other, turned their focus to the man in purple after hearing his arrogance.

Lin Yao, staring at the man in purple, said, “I gave you face earlier, and now you’re being cocky.

Do you think you can defeat us if we are ten to one?”

The man in purple laughed, took out a piece of talisman paper, tapped it, and four demons with blood-stained mouths and bloodshot eyes emerged from the forest, looking terrifying.

Shangguan Xue’er and Lin Yao’s group were startled.

Shangguan Xue’er said, “So, you are the rumored blood-sucking demons.

You are truly audacious.”

The man in purple sneered, “Haha, Netherworld Hall’s actions are none of your business.

I’ll count to three, leave, or die.”

Suddenly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Elder Xuan and Mr.

Lei, upon hearing the name Netherworld Hall, shuddered in fear.

They grabbed Shangguan Xue’er and Lin Yao respectively, “Miss, Young Master, run!

We can’t afford to provoke them, not us, not the entire Shangguan Family (Lin Family).

Go!”

The two simultaneously shouted, looking extremely panicked, unlike their previous composed demeanor.

“We can’t leave.

These demons disrupt social order and cause panic.

We must capture them today.”

Mu Yunlong’s voice, filled with righteousness, rang out as he and his companions finally arrived.

Lin Yao and Shangguan Xue’er, seeing these soldiers, felt a bit surprised—uninterested individuals now standing united.

“So, you all think your lives are too long, huh?

I’ll grant your wish.”

The man in purple prepared to command the demons.

Shangguan Xue’er stepped forward, “Aren’t you afraid of Divine Martial Pavilion’s sanctions?”

“Hehe, I’ll kill you here and destroy the evidence.

Who would know it was us?

Besides, Divine Martial Mountain has been lenient while the Divine Martial Pavilion Master has been in seclusion these past years.

They wouldn’t oppose us Netherworld Hall over ants like you.”

The man in purple said confidently.

Shangguan Xue’er secretly asked Elder Xuan, “Looks like we have no choice but to fight.

How confident are you?”

“Miss, this time we are doomed.

Cultivators of Netherworld Hall are madmen.

We should think about how to escape.

Winning is impossible.”

Elder Xuan said, his face pale.

On the other side, Lin Yao secretly asked Mr.

Lei, “Mr.

Lei, what should we do now?”

“Young Master, luckily the Family Head’s item might come in handy.

If we do this…

we might have a slim chance.”

Mr.

Lei glanced towards the Shangguan side.

“Good idea, killing two birds with one stone.”

Lin Yao said with a sly smile.

“Alright, to hell with you.

Blood Corpses, attack.”

With a command, all four demons charged at Mu Yunlong and his companions.

“Attack!!”

Mu Yunlong ordered the soldiers beside him.

Tat-tat, the machine guns roared, but they couldn’t penetrate the Blood Corpses’ skin.

Mu Yunlong and the soldiers formed a circle, retreating while firing.

On the other side, Elder Xuan, having advanced his cultivation recently, faced a demon alone but was being overwhelmed.

Shangguan Xue’er and Shangguan Hong attacked one demon together.

Shangguan Xue’er wielded a sword, her agile form resembling a dance, more defensive than offensive.

Lin Yao maneuvered around another demon, as the man in purple also joined the fight, making the situation more perilous.

The man in purple, displeased with Lin Yao, attacked the Lin Family group first.

Two Lin Family members were instantly killed, sent flying off the mountain peak by the man in purple.

“Mr.

Lei, it’s time.

Quickly.”

Lin Yao and Mr.

Lei rushed to Shangguan Xue’er’s side.

The man in purple charged, Mr.

Lei took out a grenade-like object and tossed it near the man in purple and the demons.

“Boom…”

A loud explosion sounded, knocking down a demon, but the man in purple only had his hair turned into a mess, seemingly unscathed.

The man in purple angrily charged at Lin Yao, who believed Mr.

Lei’s plan would work, but it failed.

Mr.

Lei looked at Lin Yao, “Young Master, now’s the time.”

Lin Yao, initially near Shangguan Xue’er, suddenly switched places with Mr.

Lei.

Mr.

Lei grabbed Shangguan Xue’er’s hand and flung her towards the man in purple.

Shangguan Xue’er was struck in the arm, collapsing in pain.

Lin Yao and Mr.

Lei quickly fled the mountain peak.

“Despicable, treacherous scoundrel…

cough”

Shangguan Xue’er spat out black blood.

“Miss!!”