Chapter 317: Sikong Clan

The core disciple from the Seventh Sea said, "Your Highness, the Godchild, please come with us and leave quickly. A terrifying Blood Mud Spirit has emerged from the depths of the Netherworld Flower Black Swamp. It has gained sentience, is incredibly ferocious, and is plundering everywhere. Many disciples of the Divine Cult have fallen victim to it."

Li Weiyi gazed at him. "To say that at such a critical moment, you are a smart person. For that, I, the Godchild, will spare your lives today."

"Thank you for your Highness's generosity."

The five men felt as if they had received a great pardon.

Li Weiyi's tone shifted. "Hand over all the Meditation Flowers and Spirit Altar Fiery Star Stones you possess. If anyone is dishonest, all five will be punished equally."

The five men looked utterly devastated. Faced with Li Weiyi's overwhelming mental suppression, they dared not try any tricks.

The Fourth Godchild and the Sixth God-Maiden were ruthless figures who had recently risen within the Divine Cult.

After Li Weiyi obtained seven Meditation Flowers and a piece of Spirit Altar Fiery Star Stone, he threatened them further to ensure they had surrendered everything, then waved his hand. "Go!"

"Are you sure, Your Highness, that you're truly letting us go? We are willing to surrender; we can even accept the Death Spirit Fire," a martial cultivator from the Sixth Sea asked, very worried that Li Weiyi would not let them off so easily.

Rumor had it that the Fourth Godchild was a person with little grace, even stripping battle attire and artifacts from corpses at the earliest opportunity.

Li Weiyi replied, "Scram!"

"Wait a moment..."The five men, who had just rushed out, were forced to stop again. Their hearts pounded, filled with anxiety, having been put through quite an ordeal.

Li Weiyi asked, "Have you seen the Fifth Godchild, Yi Zhuxue, or the Sixth God-Maiden?"

Suddenly, a loud howl echoed from the depths of the swamp. It was Tuoba Butuo's voice, sounding extremely urgent. A second and third howl quickly followed.

Li Weiyi's expression changed slightly. Ignoring the five core disciples, he transformed into an afterimage and rushed toward the source of the howls. His figure rapidly blurred and vanished.

Tuoba Butuo's Pure Immortal Body, appearing as if cast from silver and exuding a metallic texture, had a Divine Movement Talisman affixed to his chest as he rapidly fled across the swamp.

A hundred zhang behind him, two black-robed figures pursued rapidly, one on his left and one on his right.

They were named Sikong Qin and Sikong Ce. They were elderly, tall, thin, and had similar appearances. One carried a bow and arrows, while the other wielded a saber and shield, responsible for long-range attacks and close-quarters defense, respectively.

The surnames of "Rice People" are either adopted from their cultivators, foster parents, masters, or owners. Sikong Qin and Sikong Ce were raised by the Hall Master of the Withering and Flourishing Hall, so they naturally belonged to the "Sikong Clan."

"This brat must be trying to stir up the ferocious beasts in the Netherworld Flower Black Swamp with his howls, hoping to escape the perilous situation," Sikong Ce said.

"As expected, the successor of the Tuoba Clan has impressive movement speed. He is now a true disciple of the Spirit Valley Hall; we cannot let him escape, or we will be in great trouble."

Sikong Qin's silver bow was as tall as a man. His body seemed weightless as he suddenly floated dozens of zhang into the air. He drew the bowstring, unleashing hundreds of scriptures. An arrow was fired, the string vibrating like thunder. The arrow, trailing a tail over ten meters long, instantly caught up with Tuoba Butuo.

"Swish!" Silver light flashed around Tuoba Butuo as his body split into seven, each clone creating mysterious traces as they evaded the attack.

The two-meter-long arrow, which had seemingly flown past him, suddenly let out a cry. Numerous scriptures appeared on its shaft, solidifying into a firebird that circled back.

"Even the arrow is a Hundred-Character Artifact?"

Tuoba Butuo, holding a rusty battle spear and with eyes like a lion or tiger, seized the moment and accurately deflected the firebird arrow.

After a brief delay, Sikong Ce caught up to within dozens of zhang, releasing his Dao Heart Phenomenon to envelop him.

Tuoba Butuo knew clearly that if he continued to flee, his speed would be severely restricted by the opponent's Dao Heart Phenomenon, making escape impossible. Soon, he would be trapped in a pincer attack from both opponents, one at long range and one at close range, which would guarantee his death. It would be better to make a desperate stand before Sikong Qin caught up, eliminate Sikong Ce first, and perhaps gain a slim chance of survival.

He strode forward with great speed, turning back with his spear. The battle spear in his hand, found at the bottom of the swamp, weighed ten thousand jin.

"As expected of a successor, your courage is commendable."

Sikong Ce narrowed his eyes. He slammed his battle saber against his round shield. "Bang!" The Fourth-Rank Hundred-Character Artifact shield was activated, and the spectral image of a colossal Qilin-Lion War Beast burst forth from it, radiating the formidable aura of a Dao Seed Realm Fourth Heaven cultivator, and striking out with its claws.

It was at this moment that Li Weiyi arrived nearby. He did not immediately act but concealed his aura, hiding amidst the miasma and dense aquatic plants. He observed the battle while surveying his surroundings.

The two elderly men before him were the ones who had previously pursued Sikong Jingyuan towards the Zen Grove of Truth. They appeared to be figures who had condensed Dao Lotuses, each possessing powerful artifacts and considerable strength.

"Swish!" Tuoba Butuo displayed an agile movement technique, leaping from between the war beast's spectral claws, stepping through the air, and thrusting his spear towards Sikong Ce. His speed was astonishing, and the spear whistled. Even the experienced Sikong Ce was secretly startled.

Sikong Ce swung his saber, and its gleam flashed like a fleeting full moon. It was a Daoist saber technique, and with the enhancement of a Third-Rank Hundred-Character Artifact battle saber, its power was further amplified. It broke Tuoba Butuo's killing momentum and forced him back.

"Haha! Youngster, you're still a bit green!" Although Sikong Ce laughed loudly, he felt no amusement in his heart. He had gone all out and was a realm higher than his opponent, yet after a single exchange, he couldn't even scratch him. This was a true prodigy, capable of being ordained a Godchild!

"Boom!" The nearby swamp exploded, and a cloaked figure flew out. Sikong Ce's heart pounded, and his hairs stood on end. Sensing a deadly threat, he instinctively swung his saber, slashing the hidden attacker who had been lurking beneath the swamp. A searing pain shot through his neck, where a bloody mark appeared. He touched it with his finger, and his hand was covered in warm blood. If his reaction had been a mere instant slower, his neck might have been severed.

Qi Xiao, wearing an invisibility cloak, was wounded by the saber, falling into the swamp. Unable to maintain his invisible state, he turned into a translucent figure.

Sikong Ce, enraged, sneered, "No wonder you launched a counterattack here; it turns out you had an accomplice hiding in the mud. One broke my protective spirit energy, and the other seized the chance to ambush. Unfortunately for you, you are facing a being who has condensed a Dao Lotus. You won't have any more opportunities!"

Sikong Qin arrived, also releasing his Dao Heart Phenomenon, enveloping both Tuoba Butuo and Qi Xiao. Within the dual Dao Heart Phenomena, countless strands of spiritual energy surged, like an inescapable net covering them.

"Escape into the rotting mud! I'm proficient in earth-burrowing techniques. You go first, I'll cover your retreat," Tuoba Butuo said.

Qi Xiao sensed something and looked behind him. The endless swamp was half murky water and half rotting mudland.

Li Weiyi, wearing a mask, approached steadily, stepping on mists of spiritual energy, walking atop the aquatic plants like a ghost.

"No need to run; let's fight them," Qi Xiao laughed.

Hearing this, Sikong Qin and Sikong Ce immediately knew who had arrived. Sikong Ce let out a long laugh, "So the Fourth Godchild is showing himself now? This old man thought we'd have to capture them first to draw you out." The two did not underestimate Li Weiyi, but they didn't overrate him either. A martial cultivator whose Ancestral Field was crippled could only cultivate spiritual power; how strong could he possibly be?

Li Weiyi said, "Why force me out? To kill me?"

Sikong Ce dared not answer that. He looked at Sikong Qin. Having cultivated together since childhood, the two were in perfect sync and worked seamlessly. They secretly communicated, discussing their next combat strategy.

Li Weiyi looked at Tuoba Butuo and Qi Xiao. "Their artifacts are of good quality; they could fetch a lot of money." "I'll claim his saber first! I don't have a decent artifact right now. If I had a good saber earlier, I might have ambushed and severed his neck," Qi Xiao said. Li Weiyi replied, "Alright, his saber is yours. When we act later, get behind them; don't let them escape. These seasoned experts have mastered their life-saving escape techniques. Defeating them is easy, but killing them is difficult."

"Youngster, you're underestimating us!"

Sikong Qin's bow was a Fourth-Rank Hundred-Character Artifact. An arrow shot forth, creating a powerful wave of air. Li Weiyi formed a 'Pinching Flower Finger' gesture, lightly pointing a single finger. The "Ash Extinction Finger Art," the first layer of the Six Incineration Karma Techniques, was unleashed. Spiritual power and Golden Crow Flames merged within it, instantly colliding with the incoming arrow. The Hundred-Character Artifact arrow shattered instantly, then melted into droplets within the fierce flames, creating countless craters in the swamp. This was the true, perfected Ash Extinction Finger Art. After integrating spiritual power and Golden Crow Flames, its power rivaled a First-Layer Imperial Art. This was An Xianjing's assessment.

A single finger strike stunned the two elder powerhouses opposite him. Li Weiyi's strength somewhat overturned their understanding. Even Qi Xiao and Tuoba Butuo were startled. "Is this really a martial cultivator in the First Heaven of the Wind Mansion Dao Cultivation?" If Li Weiyi claimed to be a First Heaven cultivator who had just begun Dao cultivation, they would not believe it. How could someone at the First Heaven be so strong?

Li Weiyi handed the Ghost Flag to Tuoba Butuo. "One each. The one with the bow and arrows is mine." "Swish!" Li Weiyi's figure flickered, his body blurring and vanishing before everyone's eyes. In the next instant, dozens of bright spiritual power light shuttles unfurled, coiling towards Sikong Qin.

Sikong Qin shattered the spiritual power light shuttles with his Dao Heart Phenomenon, immediately drew his bow and notched an arrow, using his spiritual perception to locate Li Weiyi. However, he couldn't lock onto him at all. He fired three arrows in succession, but they only passed through Li Weiyi's afterimages.

"Boom!" A palm strike descended from the sky, a massive divine seal phantom erupting with the power of a First-Layer Minor Art. Sikong Qin had no time to notch an arrow; he simply drew the empty bowstring. Hundreds of scriptures condensed on the bowstring, forming a Dao Arrow. Once fired, it clashed with the descending divine seal palm force, and both were annihilated.

"Not bad, a Dao Seed Realm Fourth Heaven martial cultivator. You haven't disappointed me."

Li Weiyi swooped down, and the Fusang Divine Tree's phantom appeared with him, its branches swaying, scattering a rain of fire. Sikong Qin's soul was attacked by Li Weiyi's spiritual power, making his reaction a beat slower. Unable to escape, he could only swing his long bow, slashing at the Fusang Divine Tree phantom suppressing him from above.

"Boom!" The Fusang Divine Tree phantom rooted itself into the mud, creating a colossal crater. The heat waves it released boiled all the surrounding puddles. Sikong Qin flew backward, his bow-holding hand bleeding profusely. "His spiritual power... his combat power, solely relying on spiritual power, is not much weaker than mine. The flames contained within his spiritual power are extremely potent; if they touch you, your protective spirit energy will be burned through."

Sikong Qin's skin stung with pain. Knowing that Li Weiyi had not yet used his full power, he felt significant pressure and looked towards Sikong Ce. He then discovered that Sikong Ce's situation was even more perilous.

Tuoba Butuo, holding the Ghost Flag, activated a fifty-zhang-tall Infernal Ghost Commander. Like a giant from the demon realm, the ghost energy enveloped the heavens and earth, forcing Sikong Ce to flee atop his Qilin-Lion War Beast phantom.

Li Weiyi stopped attacking Sikong Qin. Instead, he fully mobilized the spiritual energy within his body, condensed the Ash Extinction Finger Art, and struck with a finger towards Qi Xiao, who was behind Sikong Qin.

Sikong Jingyuan, who had originally intended to ambush and capture Qi Xiao, was forced to reveal himself. He unleashed a Daoist technique, causing layers of white ice crystals to appear before him, which then collided with the Ash Extinction Finger strike. This was a grand art of the Withering and Flourishing Hall, the Myriad Transformations Ice Seal Art!

"Boom!" Sikong Jingyuan absorbed the blow but was pushed back three steps, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Such strong attack power! Wasn't your Ancestral Field crippled?" It was only then that Qi Xiao realized someone had gotten close to him and quickly fled far away.

Li Weiyi smiled faintly. "My Ancestral Field may be crippled, but my Wind Mansion can still cultivate the Dao. I was once a Young Son of Heaven. Fighting you while being a realm higher, with a cultivation of Dao Seed Realm Third Heaven, should pose no problem, right?"

Li Weiyi had long suspected that Sikong Jingyuan was hiding nearby, but the latter was extremely skilled, making him impossible to locate. Therefore, he deliberately had Qi Xiao intercept Sikong Qin's retreat, actually intending to draw out Sikong Jingyuan. Otherwise, having such a formidable enemy lurking in the shadows, ready to ambush at any unknown moment, would pose too great a threat.

"Didn't he just begin Dao cultivation? How is he already at Dao Seed Realm Third Heaven?" Qi Xiao and Tuoba Butuo were somewhat bewildered, unsure of Li Weiyi's true martial cultivation realm. If Li Weiyi claimed to be a First Heaven cultivator who had just begun Dao cultivation, they would not believe it in their hearts. How could someone at the First Heaven be so strong?

Sikong Jingyuan smiled faintly. "Stop bluffing. Your spiritual energy level is only around Dao Seed Realm Second Heaven. The combination of the Ash Extinction Finger Art and spiritual power is well-utilized, greatly increasing your combat strength. But if that's all you've got, you likely won't escape death today." Sikong Jingyuan looked in the direction of Tuoba Butuo and the Infernal Ghost Commander, his heart growing even more covetous of the Ghost Flag. If he wielded this treasure, he could immediately leave the headquarters and challenge the Phoenix-born and Qilin-young in the High Heaven Life Realm.

"Of course, I can't disappoint the Fifth Godchild. And please, observe for me: how proficient have I become in the second layer of the Six Incineration Karma Techniques?" Li Weiyi circulated the spiritual energy within his body, and a bright, dazzling flaming millstone was released. Surging waves of fiery heat, like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, instantly blew away the nearest Sikong Qin.