C6 Breakthrough

Time flies swiftly.

Before I knew it, more than a month had passed since the turmoil, and Cui Yuanhai had failed to achieve his goal. A white-haired elder appeared out of nowhere, making Cui Yuanhai hesitate to act rashly.

Yang Xiu finally had a moment to breathe.

Later, Yang Xiu learned that the white-haired elder was named Kong Peng, a Great Deacon of the Three-essence Sect.

He had been transferred from the inner peak, and his strength was immeasurable.

He hadn't even lifted a finger.

Merely with his presence, he had deterred Cui Yuanhai.

Yang Xiu had intended to express his gratitude to this legendary Great Deacon, but Cui Yuanhai's animosity compelled him to focus on enhancing his own strength urgently.

As a result, Yang Xiu dedicated himself to relentless cultivation. He spent his nights on the summit of the outer peak, drawing in Star Power and tirelessly refining his body and honing the Star Power.

His strength soared remarkably!

In his former life, Yang Xiu was a cultivator at the Beginning Sea Stage, so this time around, his practice was even more adept, especially with the Whole Heaven Star Map at his disposal.

Before long, he had amassed three hundred strands of Star Power.

Translated to the standards of this world, he had reached the third level of a Blood Refining Apprentice.

Back in the Mountain Sea Immortal Cultivation Realm, he was merely an ant who hadn't even entered the early Essence Creek Stage. However, cultivation level doesn't always equate to strength.

Moreover,

Yang Xiu realized that the cultivation techniques from the two worlds were of much higher quality in the Mountain Sea Immortal Cultivation Realm.

Still, this world had its merits, such as the Bloodline Power.

With a deep exhale, Yang Xiu slowly opened his eyes, which sparkled with starlight.

Three hundred strands of Star Power merged into a single force, coursing through his body's meridians like agile fish, eager to leap over the dragon gate and evolve into a more expansive realm.

"If I attempt to ascend to a higher realm now, my body won't be able to handle it."

"I should take it slow for the time being."

Yang Xiu's mind raced, and he quickly came to a decision. Although tempering his body with Star Power would undoubtedly make him stronger, he knew that the benefits came with potential drawbacks. To prevent overexertion and irreversible damage, he would periodically pause to allow his body to adjust to the Star Power's presence.

With resolve, Yang Xiu wasted no time. He rose to his feet and made his way down the mountain. The boost in Star Power meant he could deploy a wider array of techniques, and should danger arise, he was confident in his ability to escape.

This premonition had been lingering in his mind for some time...

At Tang Family Castle, whether Yang Xiu was departing or returning, the place remained unchanged. On revisiting the small courtyard, he found that the two human skins had turned to ash, leaving no trace behind. The chilling aura that once pervaded the area had vanished without a trace.

"It's a shame the blood bead isn't here; it might have drawn him out," Yang Xiu mused. The sect had claimed the blood bead after the mission, leaving him without this crucial bait. But he was resourceful and soon came up with another plan. He captured a nest of wild rabbits from a nearby hill and tossed them into the courtyard. Startled, the rabbits scattered in every direction, with Yang Xiu following at a measured pace.

Before long, he sensed the life force of one rabbit disappear. Rushing to the spot, he found only the empty skin of the rabbit in the center of the desolate courtyard. Its death was like a death knell, and in moments, the other rabbits met the same silent fate.

Yet, this macabre scene didn't instill fear in Yang Xiu; instead, his blood boiled with an unquenchable thirst for battle.

"Come on then! I want to see what skills you possess, you who skulk in the shadows, too cowardly to show your face."

At Yang Xiu's challenge, the hidden figure let out a mournful cry, a low, haunting moan that echoed through the air.

"Trickster," Yang Xiu muttered under his breath as he exhaled a long sigh, pushing down the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. Despite his courage, the voice seemed to possess a bewitching power that he couldn't resist.

Boom!

He unleashed a punch with the force of a thunderclap, sound waves billowing out as he launched forward like a swift arrow, barreling through several walls in his path. The eerie sound had a profound effect on him, but it also led him to the location of the true mastermind.

"Is the Blood Master Expert nothing more than a coward hiding in the shadows?"

The courtyard was unremarkable, desolate, and in ruins, yet Yang Xiu was certain that the villain was concealed here, perhaps in a hidden compartment or a secret chamber underground. Moreover, he had good reason to believe that the individual was gravely wounded.

"So much time has passed, and you still don't dare to show yourself. Your injuries must be severe, especially since you went to the lengths of slaughtering over a thousand lives at Tang Family Castle for your cause. Yet, even with their life force, you remain unhealed and overly cautious, too afraid to venture out for fear of being hunted down and killed. So, you languish in this forsaken place, preying on the occasional lost soul that stumbles upon this desolate land, hoping to regain your former strength," Yang Xiu rambled on, receiving no response.

In the days of his secluded meditation, he had pondered the enigmas of Tang Family Castle. Now, standing in this place, he had pieced together the entire puzzle and boldly inferred the truth.

"You're right, young man. Have you ever heard the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat'?" the voice suddenly sharpened.

Unable to remain hidden after Yang Xiu had laid bare his vulnerabilities, the person behind the scenes revealed himself, his formidable presence enveloping the entirety of Tang Family Castle. This hidden figure was indeed a Blood Master Expert.

"The Blood Master Stage here is akin to the Beginning Sea Stage from my past life, meaning I am now facing an adversary of equal standing to my former self," Yang Xiu realized as he staggered back, dropping to one knee.

"Yet this Blood Master Expert seems to be nothing more than a paper tiger, all bark and no bite."

Yang Xiu was deep in thought, calculating his next move in silence.

Whoosh!

In a mere moment, a red blur materialized before Yang Xiu, bringing with it a biting gust of wind as the Blood Master Expert launched an attack.

"Great Prison Tablet Hand!"

Harnessing the Star Power within, Yang Xiu unleashed a palm strike.

Boom!

Their forces collided, unleashing a torrent of energy. Yang Xiu staggered backward, while the red figure was sent crashing to the ground.

Upon closer inspection, the supposed red figure was nothing more than a scrap of cloth. To fend off this attack, Yang Xiu had expended a full hundred streams of Star Power.

"The next move will be your end!!!"

A voice echoed from the shadows as yet another red figure lunged forward.

"Shatter!"

The stakes were high, with one fighting for a kill and the other for survival, each employing their most formidable techniques.