As soon as these words were spoken, the cave suddenly fell into dead silence.

Qin An squinted his eyes, gently rubbing the handle of the Cold Star Saber with his fingertips, and thought to himself: "As expected, it's a trap."

The voice was the elder of the Xuanxin Sect they encountered outside, and the word "Sect Leader" mentioned by Elder Zhang completely revealed the identity of the hidden person in the cave.

The three of them exchanged glances, all aware of the intrigue, and quietly moved towards the exit.

Outside the exit was a huge cavern, vast and deep, with countless stalactites hanging from the ceiling, magnificent and illusory.

Yet upon closer inspection, the beautiful facade hid a nauseatingly filthy scene.

Inside the cave, although Elder Zhang wore white, he was reverently kneeling on the ground.

The ground was covered with gleaming white bones, some human, others from various monsters.

In front of the bones, a middle-aged man in white was holding a monster's leg, tearing and biting it.

The man had black hair and a black beard, his long beard reaching his chest, suggesting an ethereal demeanor, but his ferocious appearance gnawing on flesh and blood destroyed this aura completely.

Even more terrifying were his blood-red eyes like a blood moon, and even when sitting still, the evil qi emanating from him was horrifying.

Elder Zhang trembled all over, knelt on the ground, and after saying that sentence, dared not speak further, as if extremely terrified of the person before him.

The terrifying being referred to as the Sect Leader continued gnawing on the monster's leg.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth onto his beard, dyeing it a dark red.

Qin An's eyes narrowed slightly, and he thought: "Pseudo-God."

This person didn't have the stench of monsters, but emitted a bone-chilling evil qi, definitely a Pseudo-God.

Li Ruyue and Xiang Yingtian exchanged looks, both having the same guess as Qin An.

The three of them remained silent, continued observing, always feeling that the Xuanxin Sect harbored a monumental secret.

The Sect Leader took a few more bites of the monster's leg and viciously tossed it at Elder Zhang's face.

"Bang!"

Elder Zhang was hit by the monster's leg flung by him, his face covered in blood.

He fell to the ground, didn't dare talk nonsense again, quickly climbed up, and continued kneeling with trembling shoulders.

"This Sect Leader closed for cultivation..." The Sect Leader glanced sideways at Elder Zhang, saying hoarsely: "Currently lacking in elite blood food, since you've already led them here as planned, do I need to take action myself?"

Elder Zhang trembled and said: "Sect Leader, those three Mountain Patrol Copper Generals have formidable strength, I alone cannot contend..."

The Sect Leader snorted coldly: "Useless! I already knew, mere three Mountain Patrol Copper Generals at the Outer Elixir Realm, you useless thing indeed can't deal with them, temporarily placate them, wait until tomorrow night when the moon is full, it will be when I am most powerful."

"By then, taking their lives will be as easy as turning over a palm, and after taking their blood food, I will advance to Inner God Realm, Xuanxin Sect will flourish like fire!"

Elder Zhang quickly bowed his head agreeing: "Once Sect Leader advances to Inner God Realm, our Xuanxin Sect will last for thousands of generations!"

After finishing his words, Elder Zhang hesitated for a moment, cautiously probing: "Sect Leader, can this Divine Soul Refining Body Skill be bestowed upon me? I've been stuck at the Outer Elixir Realm for long and also want to glimpse the mystery of Inner God..."

Upon hearing this, the Sect Leader suddenly stood up, approached Elder Zhang.

Elder Zhang felt his vision blur, looking up, he saw the Sect Leader's eyes blood-red, as if about to devour him alive.

Elder Zhang lowered his head, saying nothing, as if he spoke wrongly.

The Sect Leader sneered: "Delusional! This secret technique was granted by 'That Person' for me alone to practice, once I break through to Inner God Realm, I'll change face, fake death and escape, then all clues will be cut off—are you willing to bear such a price?"

Elder Zhang nodded repeatedly, kowtowing: "I'm willing! Willing!"

The Sect Leader kicked and flipped him over, disdainfully said: "Willing? Even if you're willing, what of it? If another dies suddenly, would the Evil Extermination Bureau suspect the Xuanxin Sect?"

Elder Zhang, kicked over, climbed up again, pressed his forehead to the ground, trembling: "I know my mistake, I dare not have this thought again, please forgive me, Sect Leader!"

The Sect Leader then snorted coldly, returned to his seat, and started gnawing on the monster's leg again.

Qin An and others hidden inside the cave listened to their conversation and frowned simultaneously.

Li Ruyue and Xiang Yingtian pondered who the person behind the Sect Leader was.

Qin An, however, had another thought.

He caught a clue from the Sect Leader's words, which was the Divine Soul Refining Body Skill.

He encountered a similar technique during the chase of the traitor Wang Longjie.

Infusing the divine soul into the flesh, making the body extraordinarily strong, even without True Essence, comparable to the Pulse Condensation Realm.

And it could slowly absorb the Power of Divine Soul, enhancing cultivation.

Now it seemed, the Sect Leader was indeed connected to it.

First, create the appearance of dying, but not revealing it, waiting to advance to Inner God Realm, becoming another person, announcing Sect Leader's death, cutting off all clues.

This was a good move.

Yet who was behind this, Qin An did not know.

Of course, whether known or unknown was not important anymore.

The important thing was that Qin An saw an emerald green herb among the bones scattered around.

Heaven-Slade Grass!

This was Qin An's true motive for coming.

Upon thinking this, Qin An placed his hand on the saber's handle, ready to strike.

At this moment, the Sect Leader suddenly asked: "That toad monster, dwelling for healing at my former herb-gathering site, thinking it's a safe refuge, unaware it's falling into my trap, once I advance to Inner God Realm, all these blood debts in the cave could be easily blamed on it!"

Elder Zhang nodded immediately, not daring to say another word.

Li Ruyue was slightly surprised.

The Sect Leader's series of schemes were indeed crafty, even involving the toad monster that Qin An had slain.

Xiang Yingtian gave a signal, though the three hadn't worked together often, they understood the meaning in that look.

It was time to act.

Should they wait until the Sect Leader draws it out till tomorrow, when the full moon night arrives, it might turn extremely troublesome to deal with.

Qin An gave a slight nod.

The three of them wasted no more thoughts, leaping down from the cave.

Having made their target clear, they would directly kill him.

The sound of wind arose.

Kneeling on the ground, Elder Zhang looked back and his face suddenly changed dramatically.

Qin An's saber and Xiang Yingtian's sword aimed at the Sect Leader's chest, while Li Ruyue's whip wrapped around the Sect Leader's lower limbs.

Although the three had not coordinated, their moves had already locked onto the Sect Leader's vital points.

The Sect Leader showed a hint of surprise, clearly not expecting these three to be so bold as to come secretly.

Feeling the attack from these three, the Sect Leader waved his large hand.

A terrifying True Essence accompanied by suction was generated. Elder Zhang, who was kneeling on the ground, was controlled by the suction and was involuntarily pulled towards the Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader grabbed Elder Zhang by the neck, using him as a weapon, swinging him forward.

Qin An's blade and Xiang Yingtian's sword struck Elder Zhang.

Elder Zhang cried out in pain, fell to the ground in three pieces, and blood gushed like a fountain.

In no time, he lost his life and lay motionless.

Taking this opportunity, the Sect Leader leaped into the air, dodged Li Ruoyue's long whip, and landed steadily on a pile of bones.

"Interesting, such powerful moves, you three stand among the best within the Mountain Patrol Copper General," the Sect Leader sneered.

The three's attacks missed, and they stood with their weapons, facing off against the Sect Leader.

Li Ruoyue caressed her long whip, her eyes shimmering, "I wonder who that lord the Sect Leader speaks of really is?"

The Sect Leader snickered, "Are you even worthy to know that lord?"

Xiang Yingtian advanced with his sword, the blade vibrating, "No need for nonsense, just take off his head."

The Sect Leader's gaze passed over Xiang Yingtian and Li Ruoyue, landing on the straight blade in Qin An's hand, "Are you the legendary dual master of blade and fist, Qin An?"

Qin An slightly raised an eyebrow, fingertips brushing over the Human Skin Mask, "I have hidden my appearance, yet you can see through it at a glance. It seems you know my features. Does this have anything to do with the lord behind you?"

The Sect Leader remained silent, then changed the topic with a chilling tone, "No matter what, today the three of you must die here."

Li Ruoyue laughed softly, "You are merely in the Outer Elixir Realm, even if you have achieved Perfection, you're still not in the Inner God Realm. How could you fight against us three?"

"We'll know if we try."

The Sect Leader stepped forward, and his aura suddenly became terrifying like an abyss.

Then, a black mist emanated from the Sect Leader's body.

With a misstep, he transformed into a shadow, prioritizing the attack on Li Ruoyue.

His double palms carried the Power of Divine Soul, combining with True Essence, pressing towards Li Ruoyue's head.

Li Ruoyue was slightly startled, "Such speed!"

The long whip flicked along with her wrist, transforming into a serpent, coated with True Essence Power, forming a binding technique, coiling towards the Sect Leader's right arm.

The Sect Leader's right arm shook, sending Li Ruoyue's long whip flying.

His momentum undiminished, continuing towards Li Ruoyue's face.

If this strike landed, that beautiful head might burst like a firework in an instant.

At this moment, Xiang Yingtian shouted, wielding his long sword, stabbing straight at the Sect Leader's chest.

Although it didn't defend Li Ruoyue, the offensive turned defensive, resolving Li Ruoyue's crisis.

Sure enough, the Sect Leader retreated two steps, hands crossing, pressing on the blade.

The terrifying power sent Xiang Yingtian flying backward a few steps.

Li Ruoyue also seized the moment, retreating out of the attack range, using the length of the long whip, pointing it at the Sect Leader's chest.

The Sect Leader shouted, black mist surging on his body, blocking all their attacks.

"This is the advanced Secret Technique!"

The Sect Leader laughed hysterically, "In the past, how could I have sparred with you two? But today...you both shall die before me!"

Li Ruoyue and Xiang Yingtian's eyes were filled with seriousness, fully aware that this person's strength was above theirs, plus the Power of Divine Soul used on oneself increased both physical and True Essence power significantly.

If this goes on, they would inevitably die here.

Li Ruoyue grew anxious, suddenly remembering there was another person who hadn't moved. Turning her head, she saw nothing but emptiness behind.

"Where is Mr. Qin?" she subconsciously asked, her gaze lingering at the empty space behind.

Xiang Yingtian also turned his head in surprise, realizing Qin An's presence had vanished.

A sound of wind came from behind.

The Sect Leader instinctively turned his head, seeing a figure appear at the location of the sacred item, Tian Ling Cao.

Qin An bent over, picked up Tian Ling Cao, placed it in his bosom, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Noticing the Sect Leader's gaze, Qin An turned his head, his voice as cold as ice.

"Thank you."

The Sect Leader's eyes were burning with rage, "You little bastard, how dare you have such nerve, this is for the lord, if you don't hand it over, I'll slice you into pieces!"

He was met by a straight blade.

The Five-Colored True Essence surged like a sea.

"Slice me into pieces, are you worthy?"

The Sect Leader was just about to attack Qin An when he saw the straight blade coming like lightning.

A sense of life-and-death crisis blossomed in his heart.

He felt that with this slash, even if reached the External Elixir Realm Perfection, he would face disaster.

In the moment of crisis, the Sect Leader shouted, the black mist on his body condensed into a barrier, blocking in front of him.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion rang out.

The Sect Leader's body flew backward, crashing into the wall, blood splattering like money was no object.

Qin An did not hesitate, approaching step by step, "You refined the Power of Divine Soul into your body, but it seems to have turned you into a Pseudo-God. What are you all conspiring for?"

He spoke slowly, as if discussing something trivial, yet the Cold Star Saber ruthlessly slashed towards the Sect Leader's neck.

The Sect Leader's body was covered in goosebumps, roaring, "So what if the experiment failed? I'm a pioneer, the lord will treat me well! And you all—shall have no burial place!"

"Boom!"

The Five-Colored True Essence swept through, yet the Sect Leader's figure vanished from the spot.

Qin An narrowed his eyes, turning back to scan the area, his gaze flickering with a hint of seriousness.

In the air, the Sect Leader was surrounded by black mist, with terrifying Power of Divine Soul being fully unleashed.

His power actually showed signs of breaking through the Outer Elixir Realm.

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