The soul lamps in the Soul Hall of the Fire Python Sect extinguished one after another as their three stewards fell.

The disciples guarding the Soul Hall were shocked and immediately reported the news to Sect Master Shi Chengjin.

Upon receiving the news, Shi Chengjin was equally astonished. He promptly gathered over a dozen of the sect’s senior members to the Sect Master Hall for a meeting, and then dispatched disciples to investigate the situation.

Three days later, some disciples from the Fire Python Sect who had fled back from the Purple Flame Mountain Range reported to Shi Chengjin about the slaying of steward Zhou Zhi and Ji Sen by Fang Bai.

"It seems very likely that Steward Gu Chaotian also fell by that kid’s hands... Who exactly is that brazen fellow, daring to kill three of our sect’s stewards! He deserves death! The entire village of Luoxia is equally culpable!"

Enraged upon hearing this, Shi Chengjin immediately assigned two elders, along with four stewards, ten direct disciples, and ten core disciples, to march on Luoxia Village to demand accountability.

The two elders of the Fire Python Sect are formidable Heavenly Tribulation eighth-stage experts. Along with four stewards at the seventh stage, ten direct disciples at the sixth stage, and ten core disciples at the fifth stage, their forces are few but exceedingly powerful overall.

Shi Chengjin believed the culprit, who murdered three stewards, possessed a mere sixth stage Heavenly Tribulation cultivation level. It was only because the culprit wielded incredibly powerful Spiritual Artifacts that he was able to slay Gu Chaotian and the others.

The forces sent by Shi Chengjin could even contend with a ninth stage Heavenly Tribulation expert, and should easily be able to handle the murderer.

Shi Chengjin instructed the leading elders to slaughter the culprit and also exterminate Luoxia Village, leaving none alive as a warning to others about the consequences of provoking the Fire Python Sect.

The two elders, Li Lingfeng and Cui Zhenren, each over several centuries old and fierce eighth stage Heavenly Tribulation experts, were instructed by Shi Chengjin to ensure no survivors in Luoxia Village.

Two days later, led by Li Lingfeng and Cui Zhenren, a group of Fire Python Sect experts arrived near Luoxia Village.

A gathering of Luoxia Village villagers, practicing at the village entrance square, noticed streaks of light rushing from the sky. Suspecting it was Fire Python Sect experts seeking retribution, they immediately sounded a warning.

In response to the call, hundreds of villagers gathered at the village center crossroads, looking skyward with vigilance.

Fang Bai, Dragon Maiden, and Zhuge Lian calmly emerged from their small courtyard.

Over the past few days, Fang Bai had enlightened the two women on many aspects of the Dao of Cultivation, which profoundly enlightened them like an Ambrosia Baptism. Although they hadn’t advanced a level, their strength improved significantly.

Fang Bai anticipated that the Fire Python Sect would seek revenge after he initially let the disciples go, but he was confident and unworried.

"There are certainly many experts from the Fire Python Sect here this time!"

Dragon Maiden gazed at the dozens of experts who landed outside the village entrance, frowning as she spoke.

"What’s to fear! Those formations that Brother Fang set up are impenetrable by them!"

Zhuge Lian had witnessed the power of Fang Bai’s formations and was brimming with confidence.

Standing among hundreds of Luoxia villagers, Fang Bai glanced towards the village entrance and remarked, "Two at the eighth stage, four at the seventh stage, ten at the sixth stage, ten at the fifth stage... Their sect master isn’t even here? Haha, this force is insufficient!"

Beside him, Huo Hai secretly clicked his tongue, contemplating that even just these experts from the Fire Python Sect had astonishing power. If their sect master were also present, he wondered if Fang Bai’s formations surrounding Luoxia Village could withstand such an attack.

Though Huo Hai and the villagers had already tested the formations’ defensive capabilities, they now faced a real-world test. Confronted with numerous fierce experts, they were not entirely confident.

If the few formations set up by Fang Bai were breached, the hundreds of villagers wouldn’t stand a chance against dozens led by eighth-stage Heavenly Tribulation experts.

Even if Fang Bai were strong, whether he could escape remained uncertain.

With this thought, Huo Hai couldn’t help but worry. However, seeing Fang Bai’s calm demeanor and composed response, his anxiety lessened considerably. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The dozens of experts from the Fire Python Sect landed outside Luoxia Village, seeing hundreds of villagers gathered with fearful, uneasy expressions, ready for slaughter. They sneered, viewing them as lambs to the slaughter.

"I’ll kill a few villagers first to show them a lesson!"

One direct disciple, at the sixth stage of the Heavenly Tribulation, eager to prove himself, dismissed the earlier deaths of the stewards as he saw villagers of matched strength, and attempted to force his way into the village.

"Whoosh!"

As the direct disciple set foot into the village, one of the offensive and defensive formations set by Fang Bai was triggered, unleashing a deadly intent slashing towards the disciple.

The formations set by Fang Bai could kill seventh-stage experts effortlessly, repel eighth-stage, and cause even ninth-stage to retreat.

Despite being a sixth-stage expert, this disciple lagged behind those like Gu Chaotian, Zhou Zhi, and Ji Lin, all of whom were seventh-stage. Caught off-guard by the sudden attack, he couldn’t evade and was cleaved in two, perishing instantly.

"Alright!"

Seeing the formation instantly kill a sixth-stage disciple, the villagers cheered, their earlier fear and anxiety visibly reduced.

The faces of the Fire Python Sect disciples turned grim, deep shock internally.

"This formation... is extraordinary!"

Elder Li Lingfeng scrutinized the light defense shrouding Luoxia Village, his brows furrowed, hesitating to attack impulsively.

Being an eighth-stage Heavenly Tribulation expert with vast experience and knowledge of the Array Path, Li Lingfeng couldn’t find any flaw in the defense array, knowing any forced attack might cause their side harm.

"No matter how intricate the array, it can’t withstand overwhelming force! Let me test it!"

Elder Cui Zhenren, also impulsive, was enraged by the loss of a direct disciple right at the outset. He stepped forward, punching out two giant fireballs towards the defense Qi shield.

Even a casual strike by an eighth-stage expert can easily kill a seventh-stage, and Cui Zhenren was confident that his attack, even if it didn’t shatter the shield, would at least come close.

But, unbelievably, his full-powered attack merely caused the shield to ripple before it instantly stilled.

"How can it be... how can it be..."

Staring at the thin defense shield, Cui Zhenren muttered in disbelief.

——————————

(PS: My father was suddenly hospitalized and is undergoing surgery tomorrow. In a somber mood, I can only update one Chapter. Updates in the coming days may be irregular. Once my father’s condition improves, I will fully devote myself to writing again. Thank you for your support! My deepest gratitude!)