Ye Chen had always hated cutscenes in video games. If he could skip them, he would. After all, no matter how the story went, it always ended with a battle. So, without hesitation, he delivered a powerful slap.

Bai Xunhuan's expression darkened. He transformed into a blood-red light, dodging the massive palm. He didn't retaliate but instead swiftly retreated, pulling back deep into the hall.

Then he spoke, "When we entered ten years ago, the only thing left here were the demon spirits of the Boundless Demon Sect. As long as all the demon spirits are cleared out, the main hall will open. The Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method will appear.

"Unfortunately, it seems the secret realm hadn't been opened for too long, and the demon spirits were too many. We fought desperately, and in the end, only I and another survived. He lost his mind and was driven mad by the demon spirits. My physical body was destroyed! But by some twist of fate, as my soul dissipated, I merged with the demon spirits..."

...

Watching Bai Xunhuan, who had positioned himself at a distance, Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Damn, so you're forcing me to endure this plot, huh?

Bai Xunhuan's face showed a smile, possibly as he prepared to boast about his accomplishments.

"After merging with the demon spirits, I discovered that I had gained some authority over formations. So, I opened a corner of the secret realm and released that madman. Over the next ten years, I not only completely refined the demon spirits, but I also acquired the cultivation method of the Boundless Blood Soul.

"To think, the Boundless Blood Soul is a soul technique that can only be cultivated after reaching Foundation Establishment. But because I merged with the demon spirits, I can cultivate it even at the Qi Refining stage.

"As long as I have enough blood from cultivators, I can refine the Boundless Blood Soul and reclaim a physical body. Then, I set up formations all over the giant mountain and opened the secret realm, allowing you to come in.

"After that, everything proceeded exactly as I had planned—smoothly, almost unbelievably so. Now, I've fully cultivated the Endless Blood Soul, and my soul body has reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Even an elder from the Misty Sect wouldn't stand a chance against me."

"Next, I'll take your body, perform the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment, and then enjoy the company of a lovely Junior Sister. I, Bai Xunhuan, am truly the chosen one by fate!"

As he finished speaking, possibly even impressed with himself, Bai Xunhuan let out a cackling laugh. He was ready to savor the fear in their eyes.

Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth as he listened. Su Yuxuan killed an elder's son, and you killed an elder yourself. The life of a Demon Sect elder was indeed a dangerous job—one that not only brings misfortune to oneself but also ensures that their lineage is cut off.

Ye Chen had never been fond of watching others gloat. Having heard a bunch of useless talk, he wasn't in a rush anymore. His gaze shifted to Su Yuxuan, who had unknowingly moved behind him, and he asked, "Were there any other disciples in the same batch as this Senior Brother Bai who managed to do well?"

Su Yuxuan blinked a few times, thinking for a moment. "Three of them have reached Foundation Establishment, and one of them is even at the mid Foundation Establishment stage..."

"Well..." Ye Chen nodded, not saying much, and then raised an eyebrow at Bai Xunhuan.

The implication was clear.

It had been ten years, and your batchmates have already reached the mid Foundation Establishment stage. What have you been doing for ten years? You've barely managed to cultivate the Boundless Blood Soul and achieved some Foundation Establishment-like power. And yet you call yourself the chosen one?

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Bai Xunhuan, who had been eagerly waiting to savor their fear and dread, found his eyes growing even redder. His fists tightened. This brat was far too annoying.

...

"Since you're eager to die, then I'll grant your wish! I'll take your body and thoroughly enjoy this Junior Sister. Then, I'll personally refine your entire family into the Human Emperor Banner!"

Bai Xunhuan's voice, once filled with arrogant swagger, turned chillingly cold after his boast was interrupted so many times.

Ye Chen, standing in place, remained completely unafraid. He had worked hard for three years, walking on the edge, step by step, to get to this point. The accumulation of his efforts was beyond imagination.

Not only was Bai Xunhuan nothing more than a soul without a physical body, boasting about his Foundation Establishment power, but even if a true Foundation Establishment cultivator stood before him, Ye Chen would still want to test his strength.

The battle was about to begin.

As Su Yuxuan watched the impending battle between the two, she realized that both of them had completely ignored her. So, barefoot, she subtly stepped back, retreating even further. Her beautiful eyes, however, were fixed on the jade slip that Bai Xunhuan had casually tossed onto the table. It was exactly what she had been craving—the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method.

Su Yuxuan couldn't help but lightly lick her lips. Before setting out, the Sect Master had secretly handed her a second-tier top-grade Break-Seal Talisman.

Su Yuxuan had tested it before; the Boundless Demon Sect's secret realm might have aged over time, and the formations were weakening. With the Break-Seal Talisman, she could open the secret realm and escape. As long as she took the opportunity during their battle, she could grab the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, and then directly break the secret realm and flee. No one would be able to catch her.

At that point, she could find a secluded place and perform her own Foundation Establishment in secret. Once she succeeded in the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment, she would be able to wipe out those old fools with ease.

But just as Su Yuxuan was formulating her plan, Ye Chen, who was preparing to battle Bai Xunhuan, glanced back at her.

After a brief moment of thought, he raised his hand and flicked a few talismans toward the table.

"Top-grade Seal Talisman. Top-grade Alert Talisman. Top-grade Vajra Talisman!"

The three talismans enveloped the jade slip containing the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, securing it tightly. Even with all those present, trying to break through and take the Foundation Establishment method would require considerable effort.

Su Yuxuan's plan to snatch the method and run was now impossible. She inwardly cursed Ye Chen, calling him a heartless person.

At this point, Su Yuxuan even considered joining forces with Bai Xunhuan to deal with Ye Chen first. Even if Bai Xunhuan didn't care about his physical body, he really wanted to kill Ye Chen.

His blood-red soul body coldly stared at Ye Chen, and in an instant, endless blood mist surged into the hall from every corner, filling every gap.

In just a few breaths, the mist thickened to the point that it felt almost solid. Not only did the visibility shrink to less than a meter, but even his spiritual sense became fuzzy beyond five meters. Moreover, being surrounded by the blood mist made one's mind restless and affected mental clarity.

Ye Chen, no matter how confident he was, didn't want to fight in the other party's domain. Opening his Emperor's Qi Viewing Technique, he still couldn't see clearly enough. This blood soul truly had some power.

Ye Chen took a talisman from his pouch, activated it, and threw it out. The talisman burned in the air. Within a few hundred square meters of the surrounding blood mist, it was completely purified.

"Top-grade Exorcism Talisman?"

Bai Xunhuan was slightly surprised but quickly sneered. "I admit, you've come prepared. But the blood mist over the entire giant mountain is under my control. Now, how will you handle this situation?"

The blood mist in the hall rapidly replenished.

Bai Xunhuan's mocking laughter echoed all around, impossible to pinpoint. But soon, his laughter ceased. That's because he saw Ye Chen, expressionless, pull out another talisman.

Ye Chen raised his hand and threw the talisman in all directions. At this moment, the blood mist in the entire hall seemed to boil, rapidly dissipating at an observable speed. This ridiculous rate of purification indicated that the talismans Ye Chen had thrown were all top-grade Exorcism Talismans!

How was that possible? Those were top-grade Exorcism Talismans! One of those costs five middle-grade spirit stones each. Ye Chen must have thrown at least a dozen of them! What kind of family could afford to provide a Qi Refining cultivator with a dozen top-grade talismans? And all of them Exorcism Talismans?

Ten years ago, even as the sect master's direct disciple, being able to prepare a few different top-grade talismans for emergencies was enough to make the entire sect envious.

Could it be that, after spending ten years in this secret realm, the talisman-making technology in the cultivation world had advanced to the point where even top-grade talismans were so common?

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