"What do you guys think, how long will it take for Uncle-Master to deal with that guy?"

"Thirty breaths."

"Are you one of our Taiyi Divine Sect or Ye Fentian’s people, thirty breaths? What a joke."

"Ten breaths!"

"I think it’ll be no more than five breaths, Ye Fentian is bound to be defeated."

The disciples of Taiyi Divine Sect were placing bets. Li Shengyi did not partake, and as he recovered, he slowly opened his eyes, observing the light barrier. Apparently, Ye Qiu had prepared a formation.

Recalling earlier, when Ye Qiu fought him, he didn’t even use this formation. Did he think he could defeat him without it?

"Ye Fentian, your soul attack works against me, but facing Uncle-Master, even with soul attacks aided by formation, you cannot win. A true Saint is tenfold, hundredfold more terrifying than you imagine," Li Shengyi murmured as he continued healing his injuries.

The light barrier enveloped a large piece of land, making it impossible for outsiders to see what’s happening inside.

Yet, that didn’t stop the crowd’s speculation. Many had set up wagers, betting on who would win and who would lose.

Luo Yao stood on a high ground, her white dress making her look detached and ethereal: "Ye Fentian, what incredible quality do you possess to earn Turquoise Pool sister’s attention?"

Inside the formation.

Ye Qiu stood atop a mountain peak, surrounded by clouds and mist.

Swish.

Zhou Lie appeared behind Ye Qiu, smirking coldly: "I thought you would hide, seems I’ve underestimated you. Are you planning to use the formation’s attacks against me then? Let’s start."

"I don’t need the formation to kill you. This formation is merely a barrier to keep others from seeing me attack," Ye Qiu replied blandly.

"Haha... Do you have any shady tricks? Bring them forth; I’m rather eager," Zhou Lie laughed.

But his laughter soon faded with the change in Ye Qiu’s aura. He could no longer laugh.

Because Ye Qiu’s aura was no longer that of Return to Ruins Realm, but of the Saint Realm.

It’s like, what appeared to be a harmless sheep suddenly turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, when no one else was around, the shock couldn’t be greater.

"You...you are Saint Realm!" Zhou Lie exclaimed.

Ye Qiu slowly turned around, revealing his appearance at that moment, half of his face was covered in mysterious patterns, like an inheritance, also like a curse, the mysterious patterns shimmered slightly, as if flowing.

"You are a descendant of the Dugu Clan..."

Zhou Lie, being a Saint of the Taiyi Divine Sect, naturally knew the Dugu Clan. Upon seeing the mysterious patterns on Ye Qiu’s face and his sudden elevation in realm, he understood Ye Qiu was a descendant of the Dugu Clan.

"Seems like you know a bit about the Dugu Clan," Ye Qiu said.

"Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Palace overlooked you, a descendant of the Dugu Clan, but this is fortuitous. If I deliver you to the Heavenly Palace, they would certainly pay a hefty sum for you," Zhou Lie’s initial shock turned to delight, realizing Ye Qiu was quite valuable.

"Back then, I captured quite a few of your Dugu Clan’s descendants, delivering them all to the Heavenly Palace," Zhou Lie continued: "I recall, those few descendants concealed themselves well, if I didn’t accidentally discover, they would’ve slipped under the radar. I remember one of them who resembled you, when facing me, also displayed those black patterns. But so what, still ended up with broken arms and legs from me."

"And you, I think your value is even higher." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zhou Lie’s words increased Ye Qiu’s fury, this person had dealt with the Dugu Clan, selling its descendants to the Heavenly Palace.

Recalling this, Ye Qiu’s mind flashed back to the scene he saw beneath the Heavenly Palace, where the Dugu Clan members were penned underground, many tormented to a state of mindlessness, there was even a young one who, prior to Ye Qiu, could utilize transformation, but ended as a subject of Heavenly Palace’s experiment.

The ordeal of the Dugu Clan, with many executioners, Zhou Lie among them.

"Ye Fentian, do you think elevating by one realm can match me?" Zhou Lie sneered: "Leaning on external power doesn’t count as Saint Realm, at best, it’s pseudo-Saint. Besides, I know your power has a time limit, once that’s up, you’ll return to your original form, then you’ll be at anyone’s mercy."

It was clear Zhou Lie had some understanding of the transformation, aware of the time constraint.

But that mattered little; Ye Qiu was still confident in killing him.

"Come, show me the power of your increased realm. Now I don’t want to kill you, akin to previous Dugu Clan descendants, I’ll break all your limbs."

"I remember that young one screamed pierced with agony when I broke their legs, suspect you could withstand well. Perhaps I should break more of your limbs, those unbearable cries, quite pleasurable to hear."

Zhou Lie callously recounted, echoing in Ye Qiu’s mind, visualizing the scene.

Unforgivable!

Ye Qiu’s heart surged with killing intent, launching an instant attack.

Zhou Lie’s face revealed a cold grin, not expecting this lad so susceptible to provocation, favorable to him.

Boom!

Zhou Lie erupted with the full power of a true Saint, akin to a bomb, stirring ripples in the air, he struck with a punch from the sky.

"Come, show me how much power anger lends you," Zhou Lie remarked casually, inciting madness seemed his favorite pastime.

Die!

Ye Qiu flicked his arm, sending forth a streak of golden light.

What?

Zhou Lie, startled and instantly dodging aside.

"Nice sword, shame it didn’t hit me."

Ye Qiu remained unmoved, mind-commanded, Bahuang Sword cleaved again.

Zhou Lie evaded once more, observing Bahuang Sword’s force, seeing a mountain lose its peak, could not help but eye Bahuang Sword intently.

"Such a fine sword, nice, soon it will belong to me."

Then, Ye Qiu charged to the front, shouting immediately: "Imprison!"

Zhou Lie’s expression shifted, feeling unable to move, Bahuang Sword swiftly stabbed him, he wildly shook off and evaded once more.

Soul attack ineffective!

Ye Qiu’s gaze hardened, Zhou Lie sneered, Li Shengyi had informed him of Ye Qiu’s soul attack, Zhou Lie wouldn’t be caught off guard.

"Kid, seems your attacks are ineffective against me," Zhou Lie chuckled.

Ye Qiu stared at his opponent, eyes downcast as if defeated, sparking Zhou Lie’s internal amusement, having grasped Ye Qiu’s cards, felt victory assured.

"Since you’re not attacking, now it’s my turn," Zhou Lie readied his move.

At that moment, he noticed Ye Qiu smiling suddenly, Zhou Lie said calmly: "Feigning mystery?"

Ye Qiu’s smile broadened, pointing behind Zhou Lie.

Zhou Lie indifferently reacted, his eyes froze suddenly, witnessing behind him, even in the head flying process, he saw the scene behind him: a silhouette had unknowingly appeared.

This figure severed his head with a single strike.

Puff!

Bahuang Sword pierced through his brow in the next second, Zhou Lie the Saint, soul extinguished, spirit perished.

A head rolled to Ye Qiu’s feet.