["Yes, Sect Leader!"]

One of the Ultimate Grandmasters took out a signal flare and lit it immediately.

Whoosh—

A dazzling firework of extraordinary brightness shot into the sky and exploded with a loud bang.

The massive firework bloomed into the shape of a giant trumpet flower.

You clicked your tongue in admiration: "One signal arrow summons an army—impressive!"

You hadn't expected the Extermination Sect to use the same communication method as the Axe Gang.

The Ultimate Grandmaster's "server-wide announcement" proved highly effective. Within moments, Ultimate Grandmasters began arriving from all directions.

"Sect Leader!"

"Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Each arriving Ultimate Grandmaster bowed respectfully to Yan Zhixue.

Excluding Yan Zhixue herself, fifteen Ultimate Grandmasters of the Extermination Sect had gathered.

The sect originally had twenty-nine Ultimate Grandmasters—more than half had answered the call.

Those who didn't come were simply too far away, beyond the "service coverage" of the signal flare.

These fifteen Ultimate Grandmasters comprised both men and women, each with distinctive appearances.

You scanned the group—all fifteen wore solemn expressions.

They stood silently in midair, their robes fluttering in the breeze, creating an undeniably oppressive atmosphere.

Yan Zhixue gave a slight nod. Just as she was about to explain the situation, violent sonic booms erupted from behind.

A human-shaped projectile came roaring toward them at terrifying speed.

The thunderous approach alone conveyed the newcomer's ferocity.

Frowning, you saw Hu Zhongxuan rapidly closing in, his demeanor now regal and aloof.

Yan Zhixue also noticed Hu Zhongxuan and quickly warned the others: "That's Li Anlong after fusing with Hu Zhongxuan. His power has reached new heights. Our objective is to eliminate him."

"Understood!"

"Roger!"

Hum—

Hu Zhongxuan stopped abruptly before your group.

Hands clasped behind his back, he surveyed the dozen-plus Ultimate Grandmasters with contempt.

The emperor's majesty radiated from him, his eyes filled with quiet disdain.

Somehow, his mere presence overwhelmed the combined aura of all the Ultimate Grandmasters.

The martial artists exchanged grave looks, realizing they'd picked a tough opponent.

Hu Zhongxuan ignored them, his gaze wandering until it locked onto you. "Your injuries healed remarkably fast," he observed in a low voice. "Did you take Reviving Yang Pills?"

Your Soul Awakening Blade slid into your hand. "Guess."

Hu Zhongxuan nodded silently.

Then his face contorted awkwardly—his imperial coldness melting into Hu Zhongxuan's characteristic gentleness.

"Would you really join outsiders to kill your martial uncle?" Hu Zhongxuan asked, genuinely anguished.

You knew Li Anlong currently controlled the body and weren't fooled by the poor acting.

Uncertain if Hu Zhongxuan could hear you, you replied anyway: "Martial Uncle, I'll make it quick if I can!"

Li Anlong chuckled. The flesh and bones on his face writhed until they completely reformed into his original appearance.

"Much more comfortable in my own skin," Li Anlong mused. "Wearing others' faces is disgusting."

Your eyes darkened.

Screech—!

You launched a blinding slash toward Li Anlong without hesitation.

ROAR—!!

Li Anlong countered with a tiger's roar shockwave that shattered your substantial Source Power blade into fragments.

Every muscle in your body tensed—this was the first time your attack had ever been negated completely.

Yan Zhixue kept her focus on Li Anlong and warned: "No holding back! Attack together!!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

All seventeen of you surrounded Li Anlong.

Simultaneously, you unleashed your most devastating attacks.

The air filled with dazzling energy manifestations—swords, spears, staffs—all converging on Li Anlong.

Li Anlong sneered as a colossal tiger phantom erupted from his body, swelling to several zhang tall.

ROAR—!!

The lifelike spectral tiger stood defiantly in midair, intercepting every attack with its body.

Its whip-like tail lashed out, sending your entire group flying backward.

Clutching your Soul Awakening Blade as you stabilized midair, you called to Yan Zhixue: "Sect Leader Yan, this old bastard's special effects outclass ours!"

Yan Zhixue's grave expression confirmed she felt the same pressure.

Gritting your teeth, you shot upward and gripped your blade with both hands.

The inky Soul Awakening Blade erupted with radiant energy, transforming into a forty-meter-long cleaver.

You brought it down toward the striped giant tiger with earthshaking force.

The tiger's eerily human eyes narrowed before swiping with a massive paw.

BOOM—!

The impact reverberated for miles.

Both tiger paw and giant blade shattered simultaneously.

Li Anlong shot you a surprised glance.

Then the tiger's body glowed—the shattered paw already beginning to regenerate as motes of light danced across it.

Seeing this, the other Ultimate Grandmasters renewed their assault.

Clenching your jaw, you gathered Source Power for another strike—

Crack!

A sharp snapping sound reached your ears.

Your gaze dropped to your sword-wielding right forearm.

A half-chi-long gash had split open, so deep you could see bone. The exposed flesh twitched grotesquely.

You froze. "What the fuck?"

Crack!

Crack-crack!

Crackcrackcrack—!

Like raindrops on banana leaves, a cascade of splitting sounds erupted.

Your entire body became a chorus of popping noises as wounds spontaneously opened everywhere.

Within seconds, your arm, chest, then entire body became a network of gaping, mouth-like lacerations.

Excruciating pain followed instantly.

"Holy shit I'm literally falling apart!!" you screamed in shock.

Frantically, you produced countless bottles and jars.

Swallowing healing pills like candy, you downed hundreds in seconds.

Channeling Source Power, you accelerated the pills' effects.

Thankfully, the massive dose worked—your horrific wounds began closing.

But when you attempted another powerful slash, the injuries threatened to reopen.

Realization struck: "Fuck! My Essence Refining body can't handle this level of Source Power output!"

You recalled testing your new Ultimate Path Essence Refining power earlier—your arm had ached slightly then, but you'd ignored it.

"Essence Refining physical toughness just isn't enough!"

Glancing at Yan Zhixue's group, you saw them gradually losing ground against Li Anlong.

AAAH—!

A scream pierced the air.

An Ultimate Grandmaster failed to dodge in time—Li Anlong's energy tiger swatted him into a bloody mist.

Extermination Sect Ultimate Grandmasters: -1

Your expression hardened. Only one option remained.

"Fuck it! If I'm gonna break, might as well go all out!!"

Raising your Soul Awakening Blade again, you poured every ounce of power into this strike.

Winds howled as starlight coalesced along the blade.

"Taste my forty-meter cleaver, asshole!"

BOOM—!

The gigantic blade descended like a falling galaxy, trailing a river of stars.

Yan Zhixue and the others barely scrambled clear in time.

The attack hurtled toward Li Anlong unimpeded.

Li Anlong's eyelids twitched—his energy tiger instinctively raised a paw to block.

This time, the blade sliced clean through the limb.

Without slowing, it continued toward the roaring tiger's head.

The beast had no time to react—its head seemed destined for explosive demolition.