Suddenly shrouded in a black aura, Li Hongjiu's vision went dark, his hearing and even his sense of smell vanished.

Yet the sense of smell, within the Divine Fire Domain, was practically useless under normal circumstances—and he'd already suppressed it himself to avoid risks.

This wasn't his first time enduring an attack from the 'Three Corpses Mirror.' The last time, he had broken through its effect with his Thunder Sword.

So as his vision darkened, he immediately understood what he was facing.

Earlier, seeing Shi Chun take out the bronze mirror, he already prepared himself mentally—this was why he voluntarily charged forward to close the distance between them as swiftly as possible. That was his strategy for countering it.

Shi Chun's true killing move was, in fact, the 'Immortal Strangling Silk.' The 'Three Corpses Mirror' itself didn't have much offensive ability—the black aura was merely an illusionary eye-blocking skill.

How could Li Hongjiu not know that? He wasn't blind, after all. The objects Shi Chun waved in his hand—Li Hongjiu not only recognized them, but had experienced their effects countless times. He hadn't been attacked less than dozens, if not hundreds, of times by Shi Chun's 'Immortal Strangling Silk' before.

The real trouble lay in the loss of hearing and vision within the black aura. He wouldn't know when the 'Immortal Strangling Silk' would approach his body.

But breaking through this trouble wasn't a big challenge for monks—it merely required dispersing their mana to probe the surroundings.

And for Li Hongjiu, it was even less of an issue.

Back in the mountains, during his cultivation and enlightenment, he had once observed the wind rising amidst the edges of green duckweed, gaining profound insights, which led to his technique of pointing at the wind—capable of moving mountains.

Now, although there was no visible wind surrounding him, he wielded this skill with practiced precision, further enhanced by new realizations. Around him spread a mysterious, intricate domain of enigmatic power and patterns, indescribable yet magnificent.

It resembled the impact wave from the Black Lotus Dharma Aspect's prior sword strike—a force that would have obliterated anyone else within the same realm. But before the wave could even touch Li Hongjiu's physical form, it was neutralized by the profound principles he had deployed.

Force surged like mountains but transformed into vast, rolling currents that swept harmlessly around him.

As he surged forward amidst enormous power, even the fluttering of his robes and hair bore an odd intensity, moving in abrupt, angled motions, unlike normal sway.

Though he couldn't see it, the web cast by the 'Immortal Strangling Silk' was sensed near him the moment it approached.

He also discerned the vast spread of the net as it reached him; there was no time to dodge.

He also knew that Wu Jinliang commanded his three Divine Demon Dharma Aspects wielding a blade, spear, and sword, and they were following the attack.

The moment the black aura enveloped him, Li Hongjiu's dual swords came alive with the 'Heaven and Earth Yin Yang Style,' one positioned vertically in front of him, the other hanging diagonally downward behind.

Such a peculiar stance was deliberate—he fully understood his strength paled in comparison to the power of the magical artifacts, as did his attack speed. He had to maintain the shortest reaction distance to respond effectively.

Rumors claimed he was the most capable fighter among the disciples of the Yanbao Sect, and they weren't exaggerating in the slightest.

The strangling web was already upon him, yet he ignored it completely.

Because his rapid charge had closed the gap between him and Shi Chun significantly.

As the web ensnared him, his head and feet had already emerged from the top and bottom of the black aura's beam.

Seeing him caught within the net, Shi Chun's eyes and lips curled into a vicious grin.

Wu Jinliang also showed a sinister smile as the spear from his Divine Demon Dharma Aspect aimed directly at Li Hongjiu's head.

But the smiles that had just appeared on both faces froze suddenly.

Li Hongjie emerged from the net, a sword slashing forward—*clang!* The sound wasn't loud, but it narrowly blocked the spear. Another sword strike, and he parried a blade, then both swords slashed outward in an eight-character arc.

The resulting hum of the sword edge was an unsettling sound that could disrupt minds.

*Ding-ding-dong-dong!* A cacophony like snapping harp strings exploded into the air, followed by the earth-shaking sound of a mighty explosion.

The massive web that was meant to strangle and kill its captive was torn apart by Li Hongjiu's sweeping swords.

The 'Immortal Strangling Silk' was split apart in an instant—Li Hongjiu simultaneously deflected Wu Jinliang's magical artifact attack with a single sword stroke.

Using the force from blocking the sword, his figure shot out of the shattered net like a phantom, with a blade's glow aiming straight for Shi Chun.

That single strike nearly scared Shi Chun's soul out of his body—what kind of freak was this? How could one sword stroke destroy his Immortal Strangling Silk?

*Boom!* Amid the deafening sound of impact, the giant sword from the Black Lotus Dharma Aspect intercepted the cannon-like strike.

A rattled Wu Jinliang hastily summoned his three Divine Demon Dharma Aspects to counterattack, forcing Li Hongjiu to withdraw his focus and respond.

A white light retreated to Shi Chun's hand, shrinking into a silver-white handkerchief with two small tears on its surface.

It could still be summoned back, which meant it was still usable.

But usable for what? Throwing it out again to have it ruined completely by two of Li Hongjiu's sword strikes?

Shi Chun quickly pocketed it and shouted urgently at Wu Jinliang, "Jinliang, cover us!"

Shi Chun leapt onto the Black Lotus of his Dharma Aspect, his magical artifact sweeping the Mingshan Sect's group along in a rapid retreat.

This wasn't a matter of comparing strength with Li Hongjiu—it was a matter of being scared out of their wits within a few exchanges. Facing someone who dared to charge forward like a rabid dog and bite them, how could they not have clarity? Keep fighting? Better to flee and hope those terrifying presences intervene.

As he thought of those dreadful figures, Shi Chun grew increasingly perplexed—why hadn't they acted yet?

While fleeing, he glanced backward only to see Li Hongjiu effortlessly fending off the assault from the three Divine Demon Dharma Aspects.

Li Hongjiu's movements, though slower, gave the impression of utter composure despite the urgency—his lack of panic left Shi Chun almost convulsing at the mouth. Could it be that Li Hongjiu had been toying with him earlier? If so, he must have been holding back a tremendous amount.

Shi Chun felt his previously unshakable self-perception unravel, unable to fathom Li Hongjiu's mindset.

This beating from Li Hongjiu had rattled him to the core, making him repeatedly question how High Martial cultivation could be so incredibly powerful.

In truth, upon closer inspection, clues could be gleaned from Li Hongjiu's responses.

But to Shi Chun, the strength Li Hongjiu displayed was so shockingly overwhelming that anyone doubting his power would have to be out of their mind.

"How is this possible?! How could Yanbao Sect have someone like this?!" exclaimed Xu Anzhang in terror.

Members of the Mingshan Sect were equally shaken, unable to calm their nerves. They'd always been taught that there's always someone stronger out there, but today they learned that someone could directly be "above all"—a true genius unmatched and unparalleled.

Some fled into the lake in terror, unwilling to stand in Shi Chun's way as he retreated.

Even the leader had fled—Wu Jinliang panicked and abandoned any thought of fighting. The key issue was that Li Hongjiu had completely shattered his understanding of strength—too frightening.

Watching his allies scatter, Wu Jinliang found an opening, jumped onto a metallic disk carrying his Divine Demon Dharma Aspect, and fled, leaving two figures behind to cover the retreat.

Once he escaped, those two swiftly flew to catch up.

Li Hongjiu lifted both swords, deploying a Wind Scale with a single hand. Effortlessly conjuring the Wind Scale to ascend, he launched himself into pursuit of the fleeing Shi Chun and his group.

The Wind Scale's speed was remarkably quick, comparable to the flight speed of average Earth Immortal level monks.

And so began a relentless chase, unyielding and merciless. Li Hongjiu wouldn't let them go—his fellow disciples had died at the hands of Shi Chun's group, their demise inexplicable. Since he'd managed to seize on them now, there was no way he'd let them escape.

Li Hongjiu understood clearly that, without Wu Shanshan around this time, if Shi Chun and his cronies got away, tracking them down again would be near impossible, making pursuit and vengeance inevitable.

Onlookers from various sects were left stunned, caught between disbelief and awe. Many watched the heavens rock and earth tremble just moments ago during close-quarters combat and wondered: was that terrifying figure truly Li Hongjiu?

Then someone led the charge, riding Wind Scales in pursuit—soon, masses followed suit, triggers pointing toward Shi Chun's group.

One observer turned back mid-flight to shout, "The rest of you, head to the exit immediately and notify the elders!"

The call prompted several sect members to issue similar instructions, sending many racing back in haste.

However, not everyone joined the pursuit or returned—some remained behind, collecting corpses scattered about the battlefield.

Many lacked sufficient luck or speed to escape the collateral damage of battles involving Earth Immortal-level powers; rocks hurled by explosive strikes killed several outright.

Altogether, six to seven dozen were reduced to grieving losses, weeping bitterly, regretting their choice to enter the Forbidden Land—proof that true regret often comes too late.

The number of wounded was even greater.

On Lake Heart Island, the atmosphere was akin to hearing thunder in a tranquil setting.

Zhener tilted her head to listen, while the youthful-looking Master Nine leaned back, legs crossed leisurely, also catching the sounds of distant combat.

"Has the fight started?" asked Zhener curiously.

Master Nine responded, "Most likely. The noise seems to be coming from where you were earlier."

Zhener appeared anxious. "Aren't you going to intervene?"

Master Nine: "Judging by the commotion, Shi Chun's side appears capable of handling it. Besides, who's to say intervention hasn't already occurred? Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Just as he finished speaking, the sounds abruptly ceased.

Zhener immediately turned her gaze toward him.

Master Nine stayed composed: "It's over. Wait for them to arrive and propose marriage."

His expression was one of relaxed sophistication.

In truth, he was simply pacifying Zhener.

They wouldn't concern themselves with Shi Chun's fate—if Shi Chun failed to propose, the island's guardians would annihilate any intruders at the lake's edge. Conversely, if Shi Chun did arrive, intervention would be unnecessary; it was the consensus established from the base of the tower up.

Zhener believed him, convinced the figures within the tower would save Shi Chun regardless. Her fingers entwined nervously as she faced their direction, filled with anticipation, longing for Shi Chun's proposal.

Perhaps prompted by her heartfelt longing, Master Nine's body suddenly froze as he looked toward the distance, slowly rising.

Soon, under the night's veil, Divine Demon Dharma Aspects began streaking across the sky.

The Black Lotus Dharma Aspect led the charge, followed by three partially shattered Divine Demon Dharma Aspects, while further back, pursuers closed in relentlessly.

Shi Chun and his group swept over the frozen lake surface with frantic glances, searching for Lake Heart Island—Zhener had described it as easy to find. By now, Shi Chun was desperate.

Previously, he'd never dream of coming here to face the formidable figures residing within.

But now the situation was beyond dire, with Li Hongjiu hunting them down without mercy. Shi Chun's only choice was to appeal to the tower's guardians, hoping they'd eliminate Li Hongjiu. Then he could make an excuse to prepare gifts for marriage and use that chance to escape.

The icy lake surface revealed distinct differences, and Shi Chun suddenly pointed, "There, ahead!"

Before he could finish speaking, they had already arrived over Lake Heart Island.

Zhener and a standing Master Nine looked upward as Zhener waved excitedly at the newcomers.

Shi Chun immediately retracted his Divine Demon Dharma Aspects, descending gracefully with his group. He grabbed Zhener's hand and pleaded before Master Nine, "Someone is coming to kill us! We are no match! Please, I beg the grand masters to intervene!"

Shi Chun didn't even know if the figure beside him was one of the grand masters—his priority was to make the situation clear.

Master Nine blinked, dumbfounded, turning to their direction. This wasn't what they anticipated—what kind of lunatic pursued their quarry all the way here?

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