Thinking back to several months ago, Grey knew that the only way he could survive this encounter was if he managed to reach the sect before the middle-aged man caught up to him.

Under normal circumstances, he would have died long ago.

After all, a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm was simply not comparable to an expert in the Spirit Core Formation Realm. The difference between the two realms was like the gap between heaven and earth, especially when the latter stood at the peak of his cultivation.

However, during that desperate chase, Grey had noticed something interesting.

The middle-aged man was not particularly intent on killing him immediately.

With his strength, the chase should never have lasted as long as it did. If he truly wanted Grey dead, he could have ended everything within moments.

The only reason he continued the pursuit was because he wanted to savor it.

He wanted to slowly plant anguish and despair in Grey’s heart before delivering the final blow. He wanted Grey to experience the terror of being relentlessly hunted, to struggle desperately for survival while knowing death was inevitable.

Only after he had completely broken Grey’s spirit would he finally kill him.

Such was often the way of the strong when dealing with the weak.

Yet, contrary to the man’s expectations, Grey did not fall into despair.

Although he was genuinely afraid for his life, the realization that he would not be killed immediately allowed his mind to calm down.

Once his panic faded, his thoughts became clear.

If the chase continued for too long, the middle-aged man would eventually lose interest and decide to end it. Therefore, Grey needed to find a way to strike before that happened.

His only chance was to launch a counterattack while his opponent remained careless.

From the very beginning of the pursuit, Grey had secretly been releasing poison into the surrounding air.

During the few days after the Captain and Caster had departed, Grey had spent much of his time experimenting with a new type of poison.

The failure of his toxins in the Red World had convinced him that his methods still had plenty of room for improvement. He believed that his poison could become far more lethal than it currently was.

Thus, aside from cultivating and researching ways to awaken the ancient technique hidden within his body, he had also devoted considerable effort to refining his toxins.

Although he had not succeeded in making them more deadly, he had managed to make them significantly harder to detect.

The poison itself was harmless in small quantities.

Its effects would only manifest after enough of it accumulated within a person’s body. Furthermore, it required a second substance—a reactive powder—to activate it.

That powder had also been secretly dispersed throughout the air.

Grey knew perfectly well that such poison could not directly harm a Spirit Core Formation expert.

In fact, if he attempted to activate it prematurely, the middle-aged man would likely notice the trick, become enraged, and kill him immediately.

’The only thing I can do is wait until enough poison accumulates inside his body before activating the reactive agent.’

’However, that will take at least four days.’

’And reaching the sect will require more than five.’

’Until then, I need to keep him interested in chasing me.’

Having reached this conclusion, Grey immediately decided on his next course of action.

Suddenly, the young man who had been fleeing for his life came to an abrupt halt.

He turned around and faced the rapidly approaching arc of light streaking across the sky.

His expression was firm.

Determined.

Filled with an unyielding desire to survive.

Anyone who saw him at that moment would naturally assume that he intended to make a final stand.

Yet the middle-aged man merely smiled.

As he rapidly closed the distance, he looked at Grey’s resolute expression with amusement.

To him, this was simply another desperate attempt from prey that had run out of options.

Grey ignored the man’s gaze.

Without hesitation, he summoned both his Life Phantom and the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird.

A moment later, a translucent figure emerged from his body.

A human-shaped phantom overlapped with him briefly before separating completely.

It took the form of a purple wraith with long black hair that concealed its face.

Its limbs were unnaturally elongated, especially its arms, which nearly reached the ground despite its towering height.

An eerie aura radiated from the phantom as it silently floated beside Grey.

At the same time, the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird appeared.

Purple flames erupted into existence.

The majestic bird let out a sharp cry as it circled around Grey several times.

Then, its body dissolved into countless streams of violet fire that wrapped around him.

The flames transformed into a magnificent robe woven from black and purple fire.

The bird’s head condensed into a crown of thorn-like flames before settling atop Grey’s head.

In that instant, his entire appearance changed.

He resembled the noble heir of an ancient imperial dynasty.

His handsome features remained calm and indifferent.

His silver-grey eyes had become tinged with violet light, making them appear mysterious and profound.

The phantom floated beside him like a loyal guardian.

The flaming robe billowed behind him despite the lack of wind.

Meanwhile, the cry of the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird echoed across the endless sea, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to tremble faintly.

With the Life Phantom at his side and the Soul Devouring Everlasting Bird augmenting his strength, Grey felt as though he had become an entirely different person.

A powerful sensation surged through his body.

His confidence rose dramatically.

Without delay, he activated his Special Brilliance Form.

Two brilliant spheres of Spirit Fire instantly appeared beside him.

They revolved around his body like miniature suns, radiating dazzling light and immense spiritual pressure.

The strength coursing through his veins increased once more.

At that moment, Grey felt as though he could stand against anyone who dared oppose him.

A calm and nonchalant expression appeared on his face.

There was no fear.

No hesitation.

Only cold determination.

Slowly, he reached into his storage ring.

A moment later, a sinister scythe emerged.

Its blade gleamed with an ominous light, and its demonic appearance radiated an aura of slaughter.

As Grey gripped the weapon, his presence reached its peak.

The scythe was the final piece. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

With the phantom at his side, the crown of purple flames upon his head, the burning robe draped across his shoulders, and the terrifying weapon resting in his hand, he looked less like a cultivator and more like an emperor of death preparing to wage war against heaven itself.

"Wonderful...