C28 Slaughter

Bao Lie's face twisted into a snarl. Luo Yufei was dead.

As a high-ranking member of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group and the top expert in tracking, Luo Yufei was an Eight-star Profound Warrior, skilled in three Yellow Rank Martial Skills. Yet, inexplicably, he had met his end in the mountains.

If he had fallen to a Demonic Beast ambush, it would suggest the presence of a beast capable of threatening even a Martial Master. Should he have been slain by someone like Chu Yangxiang, that would mark him as a chillingly formidable adversary.

Chu Yuexing had informed them that Chu Yangxiang could contend with a Profound Warrior Six-star, but Bao Lie suspected that he might well stand against an Eight-star.

If Chu Yangxiang was indeed responsible for Luo Yufei's demise, then the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group had stirred up serious trouble.

"All Profound Warriors, heed my command. Maintain a distance no greater than twenty steps from one another. At the slightest sign of trouble, blow the signal whistle immediately. Understood?" Bao Lie commanded in a low, ominous tone.

The group of over twenty Profound Warriors nodded in agreement, all except for Lian Ji, who remained indifferent.

To him, Chu Yangxiang was merely a kid capable of sparring with a Profound Warrior Six-star, a mere fledgling in martial arts with just over two months of training.

Lian Ji, a burly man with substantial cultivation, had long served as The Second Commander of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group. He understood the power of tactics; over the years, countless foes had perished under Black Panther's stratagems. He recognized Bao Lie as Black Panther's equal, not someone to be underestimated.

Still, Lian Ji kept his thoughts to himself, showing no outward concern.

The party of more than twenty slowly advanced towards the valley.

Inside, mist rose from the water, casting a hazy veil over the dense, entwined vegetation, adding to the valley's eerie mystique.

Finding a single person in such a place was no small feat.

Within Chu Yangxiang's blood, the inner core, medicinal energy, and Heaven And Earth Profound Qi intertwined, converging upon his body. His skin gradually took on a yellow-green hue as Tortoise Shell Patterns emerged, etching themselves across his form.

His recent progress in cultivation was evident; he was on the verge of advancing to Martial Warrior Four-star.

Chu Yangxiang rose to his feet, his skin quivering slightly as a series of crackling noises emanated from his body. He exuded a raw, fierce aura, accompanied by a wild power that was truly awe-inspiring.

Within Hyphosis Mountain, Chu Yangxiang had slain numerous Demonic Beasts and ferocious creatures. The side effects from utilizing their blood in his cultivation had emerged, yet these side effects had only served to enhance his ferocity.

Tianwu chuckled and remarked, "Kid, they're now only fifty yards from the cave entrance."

"Fifty yards? That's plenty. I'm eager to see who the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group sends our way." Chu Yangxiang licked his lips, a torrent of murderous intent flowing from him.

Since entering Hyphosis Mountain, Chu Yangxiang had been through a series of brutal encounters. He began by battling a fierce tiger, followed by skirmishes with Blade Horn Tigers, bears, and other Demonic Beasts, culminating in the slaying of Luo Yufei.

The killing of Luo Yufei initially left him unsettled, his heart pounding upon his return. However, Tianwu's prompt brought him back to reality.

Chu Yangxiang then adapted to the pace of killing. As the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group caught up, he prepared for a bloodbath in the valley.

Following Tianwu's advice, Chu Yangxiang camouflaged his clothing with a variety of colors, blending seamlessly into the valley terrain.

With Tianwu's strategic guidance, he was ready to see what victories the day would bring.

All set, Chu Yangxiang moved stealthily into the valley.

Bao Lie and his team proceeded with extreme caution, dividing into four squads to comb through the small valley. Each squad maintained a distance of no more than sixty feet from the others, with each member spaced no more than twenty paces apart.

The valley teemed with snakes, insects, and small Demonic Beasts. It was a mystery to them how Chu Yangxiang had managed to evade these creatures.

For them, every step was fraught with danger.

Concealed among the vines, Chu Yangxiang observed as five individuals, all above Profound Warrior Five-star, approached. Their black garments embroidered with the words "Black Panther" revealed their allegiance to the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group.

The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was renowned throughout Zhenhai City, standing as the most formidable force aside from his own family.

Their leader, Black Panther, was notoriously ruthless and devious—a true hegemon.

He was once an obscure underling, yet as soon as he emerged, the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group marked him, indicating that they were commissioned by someone from his family. Now, as a newcomer to the inner courtyard of the Chu Family, who could he possibly have such a deep-seated feud with?

"Brother, if this kid is indeed in this valley, then he's got some real skill. Surviving here is akin to scaling the heavens."

"Indeed. With the plethora of snakes and insects here, it's a mystery how Chu Yangxiang has managed to stay alive. Do the creatures simply not attack him?"

"Search diligently and keep quiet. The Young Commander has given his orders: if we encounter Chu Yangxiang, we eliminate him on the spot. If not, we return, but only after we've thoroughly scoured the valley."

Chu Yangxiang, overhearing their conversation, let out a cold laugh internally. "You want to execute me on the spot? Well then, I'm eager to see you try."

The voice of Tianwu reached him: "This group consists of five individuals. The one with the highest cultivation level is a Profound Warrior Seven-star, taking the third position in their formation. The others are all Profound Warrior Six-star. About twenty yards behind them is another team of roughly six people."

Chu Yangxiang nodded in acknowledgment. Twenty yards was merely the span of five or six breaths. This meant that within that short time frame, he had to neutralize these men and swiftly vacate the area—a daunting task indeed.

As the third man in the group came within ten paces, Chu Yangxiang sprang into action like a cheetah on the hunt.

Facing a Profound Warrior and Seven-star Master, the adversary's Long Sword created a thick web of sword light that shrouded Chu Yangxiang.

He unleashed twelve sword strikes in rapid succession, strategically distributing them across three levels to counter the fierce onslaught.

The other four individuals sounded their whistles and a shout rose among them: "Enemy attack!"

They quickly encircled the central Profound Warrior.

A series of crisp, melodious sounds filled the air.

Chu Yangxiang moved like a specter, weaving and dodging. He evaded every attack from the Profound Warrior. As they stood side by side, Chu Yangxiang's dagger flashed a chilling light across the Profound Warrior's throat.

The Profound Warrior couldn't believe he had been swiftly slain by Chu Yangxiang. With a look of terror, he stared at Chu Yangxiang, making a noise from his throat, his eyes wide with incredulity.

Blood sprayed, and his body collapsed to the ground.

Without delay, Chu Yangxiang lunged at the remaining four Profound Warriors.

The sound of the whistle alerted Bao Lie, Lian Ji, and the others. They raced to the forefront in pursuit. Chu Yangxiang had taken a great risk by engaging in combat, revealing his position and seemingly sealing his fate.

The group hastened forward with utmost speed.

"We'll capture him and finish him off. Then our mission will be complete."

"Exactly."

Chu Yangxiang's dagger moved like the grim reaper's shadow, its cold gleam slicing through another Profound Warrior's throat.

Chu Yangxiang was untouchable, his body ghostlike. No attack could reach him; they were all futile.

The final Profound Warrior, consumed by fear, let out a desperate cry: "No!"

Once more, the dagger's icy blade swept across a throat.

In the span of five breaths, Bao Lie and Lian Ji reached the scene, only to find five blood-soaked corpses.

Each corpse bore the same fatal wound—a slit throat, marking a violent end.

They were barely dead, blood still bubbling from their throats, their eyes expressing disbelief to the very end, as if questioning how Chu Yangxiang could be so formidable.

Lian Ji gazed at his fallen brothers, his fists clenched in anguish.

Moments before, they had been full of life, searching for Chu Yangxiang alongside him. And now, in mere moments, they lay slain. And to think, all this had happened right under his watch. When had the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group ever faced such a sudden and crushing defeat?

"Chu Yangxiang, come out now!"

Bao Lie stared at the five corpses on the ground, utterly shocked. They were a mere 200 feet away from him, and in the short time since he had heard the whistle and arrived, they were all dead. Not even a Profound Master Two-star could achieve such a feat!

The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was in deep trouble.

"Uncle Lian Ji, stay calm. Panicking will only bring you grief," Bao Lie advised with caution. "Chu Yangxiang couldn't have gone far. You take seven brothers, and I'll take eight, and we'll search the area."

After his successful strike, Chu Yangxiang quickly withdrew, concealing himself beneath the dense foliage before stealthily returning to his cave dwelling.

The cave was well-hidden by wisteria, making it hard to find—a testament to Tianwu's impressive skills.

He reflected on his experiences. Every time he encountered a Demonic Beast on Hyphosis Mountain, it was Tianwu who had informed him.

Tianwu held many secrets.

They commenced their search in the area. Behind the wisteria-covered rocks, snakes and insects fiercely attacked them.

Each step was a struggle; in this treacherous terrain, four or five Profound Warriors were poisoned and injured.

Chu Yangxiang made it back to the cave and began his deep cultivation inside the Nine Horns Xuanwu Cauldron.

Eventually, they stumbled upon the cave and discovered signs of Chu Yangxiang's presence.

Bao Lie surveyed the traces within the cave, his eyes blazing with ferocity. Chu Yangxiang had been cultivating there for over ten days.

Chu Yangxiang couldn't have gone far. I refuse to believe that a mere Profound Warrior Three-star could elude our pursuit. Not killing him would be a disgrace to us all!

Only by slaying Chu Yangxiang and avenging Luo Yufei and our fallen brothers can we return with honor.