[Soul Devouring]: The axe contains devouring power, allowing it to absorb the enemy's blood qi after a kill, temporarily storing it within the body to enhance the strength of the next attack. The more blood qi absorbed, the greater the pressure endured, with a risk of self-explosion.

'This advanced axe skill is a powerful tool for group battles.' Lou Yi couldn't help but think.

The more people besiege him, the more blood qi he can store.

Until the final burst, it would be earth-shattering.

As for the risk of self-explosion, Lou Yi did not pay much attention to it.

With his attribute panel, calling himself half an undying body is not an exaggeration.

He looked at the attribute panel.

The Two-stage Breathing Technique had been elevated to a Small Success Level, the Axe Skill had been enhanced to a Great Success Level, energy was reduced to just over a hundred points, temporarily limiting any further advancements in strength.

What needs to be done next is still to gather energy, develop quietly to prepare for the impending beast tide and the potential hostility from Xu Family and other opposing forces.

...

Dark clouds gathered, and the fierce wind howled.

Inside the Extreme Fist Sect, the atmosphere was rather heavy at this time.

White banners were hung all over inside the sect.

All persons above the elder level in the sect were dressed in white mourning clothes, while disciples had white cloth wrapped around their arms, each showing solemn expressions.

In the martial arts arena, two rows of wreaths were displayed, with dozens of black coffins laid out in the center.

Inside were the fellow sect members who died in the battle for the sect.

The former Sect Leader who endured for many years for the sect, yet could not escape the fate of sacrifice in the end; Elder Zhou with a stern attitude who taught every Inner Disciple; the proud and domineering Zhou Yang who proved pivotal in crucial moments, and many Inner Sect Disciples yet to breakthrough...

Extreme Fist Sect Leader Wei Youdao held a wine jar, opened the seal, and poured the clear wine, with its fragrance wafting on the wind.

Great Elder Zhou Bufeng, Elder Zhang, Elder Li, along with disciples headed by Lou Yi and Chen Muju, each stepped forward to pay their respects with solemn expressions.

Even Zhan Weida, usually carefree, dared not reveal any frivolous demeanor at this moment.

The atmosphere was grim.

'Clack clack clack!'

At this moment, an abrasive sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the martial arts arena.

A group of familiar men and women, also clad in white mourning clothes with white bands tied on their heads, came over.

The person leading them was round-faced, fat and white, but at this moment showed genuine sorrow.

It was none other than Li Yagui, the former senior brother who fled when the Extreme Fist Sect was in peril.

Ignoring the surprised and disdainful looks cast his way, Li Yagui walked to the pile of coffins in the martial arts arena and knelt with a 'bang'.

"Elder Zhou, Elder Li, Zhou Yang, Wang Hai, Lu Changqing... I failed you!"

"I was afraid of dying, I betrayed the sect, I deserve to die, deserve to die!"

Li Yagui kept knocking his head on the ground, making the floor go 'pang pang'.

But since he was a Minor Cycle Peak martial artist, naturally his forehead was very tough, without any damage, only slightly reddened.

The people behind Li Yagui were also disciples who escaped on that day.

Each imitated his action, mourning the sect's sacrifices and condemning their own cowardly behavior in fleeing during calamity.

Wei Youdao, Zhou Bufeng, and others watched their actions coldly without any intervention.

Zhan Weida showed a cold smile and whispered to Lou Yi beside him, "They see the crisis as resolved and want to come back to reap the benefits."

Sure enough.

After the commemoration of the fallen was over, Li Yagui led a group of junior brothers and sisters to Sect Leader Wei Youdao, about to bow down.

"Hold it!" Wei Youdao said coldly to prevent him, "You are no longer Extreme Fist Sect disciples, why bow to me? I cannot accept it."

Then, he shouted angrily towards the martial arts hall entrance, "Whose idea was it to let them in? You'd better come to me for your punishment later!"

Li Yagui's complexion turned blue and white, unable to bow or stand, so he could only clasp his fists and say in a deep voice, "Sect Leader, I know that fleeing during battle is unforgivable, but I wish to return to the sect for redemption for the rest of my life.

Whether it be watering the plants, sweeping the floor, guarding the manor, or escorting goods, I won't have any complaints!

Moreover, the beast tide is approaching, I also wish to eliminate monsters and contribute to the sect."

"I see it's more like he wants the sect to shelter him, so he doesn't get killed by the beast tide," someone whispered.

Though the voice was small, everyone present had exceptional hearing as martial artists, who could not hear it clearly?

Many showed ridicule on their faces, some were furious, even wanting to rush up and beat Li Yagui.

The once-respected senior brother, having made a wrong choice, now faced disdain and condemnation, truly a slip between paradise and hell.

Li Yagui naturally knew he was unwelcome here, but faced with so much contempt and hostile gazes, he could still hold his composure.

Looking steadily at Wei Youdao, hoping he would offer leniency.

The junior brothers and sisters who escaped behind him mostly bowed their heads, their faces and necks red, quietly waiting for the judgment of fate alongside Li Yagui.

Time passed little by little, for Li Yagui and his group, each second was torture.

"The sect was saved by Liu Yi's efforts, he is going to be the Vice Sect Leader later, Liu Yi will manage the Extreme Fist Sect from now on.

Whether you stay or leave should be decided by him."

Wei Youdao suddenly shifted the responsibility to Lou Yi, which surprised Lou Yi.

'Swish swish swish!'

In an instant, all eyes turned towards him.

There were Li Yagui and his former traitorous accomplices, the Sect Leader, elders, and the disciples who remained guarding the sect.

Many showed surprise, evidently hearing for the first time that Lou Yi would be the Vice Sect Leader.

But no one questioned or expressed unwillingness.

Whether in terms of meritorious achievements or martial strength, Lou Yi was more than capable of being a Vice Sect Leader, even a direct promotion would be unproblematic.

Seeing himself becoming the center of attention, Lou Yi's demeanor did not change.

He looked at Li Yagui, who also looked back at him.

There was a clear pleading expression in the eyes.

And there were familiar faces behind Li Yagui, once fellow sect members.

As long as he spoke, they could return to live and train together as before.

It seemed simple, but could it really be done?

Lou Yi turned to Chen Muju, another senior brother who had taught him.

Wounds on his face had yet to become scars, his empty right sleeve hung weakly by his waist, fluttering in the wind.

The once most handsome male disciple, now became a disfigured one-armed man.

Looking to Sect Leader Wei Youdao, Great Elder Zhou Bufeng, Elder Zhang, all wrapped in white cloth, looking like mummies.

Finally, he looked at the dozens of coffins in the center of the martial arts arena.

Lou Yi took a deep breath.

He sympathized with Li Yagui and the others; being afraid of death is human nature, making such a choice is understandable.

But if he agreed to let them return, would it be fair to those who died or got injured for the sect earlier?

Would anyone still fight desperately for the sect, would the sect still have cohesion?

With this in mind, Lou Yi said sternly, "I'm sorry, senior brother, I cannot agree to you."

Li Yagui's face changed dramatically, mumbling unable to speak.

Crying immediately erupted behind him.

"Ah Yi, I didn't think it through at the time, please help me."

"Ah Yi, please let me return to the sect, or my father will beat me to death!"

Many familiar faces begged, but Lou Yi remained resolute in his refusal, unmoved.

Ultimately, Li Yagui and others could only slowly leave, backs appearing dejected.

"At least their martial arts weren't abolished, it's already good, yet they dare to return." Zhan Weida looked disdainful.

With a glare from Lou Yi, he dared not speak further, but it was also the sentiment of many others.

...

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