Batian Martial Soul

The Red Cliff Venerable's hoarse roar, like the final lament of a dying beast, filled with endless despair and rage, resounded throughout the entire Holy Journey Mountain territory.

The sound echoed through the valley, lingering for a long time, as if it were about to tear the world apart.

The birds on the mountain were startled by the roar and took flight, while the beasts fled in terror, plunging the entire Shengxing Mountain into chaos and panic.

boom--! ! !
Just as Venerable Red Cliff's roar subsided, deep within Sacred Mountain, the ancient ancestral temple, which enshrined the spirit tablets of past patriarchs and was protected by countless restrictions, suddenly erupted with a soaring white divine light!

The divine light, like a giant white dragon, soared into the sky from the ancestral temple, piercing through heaven and earth and tearing the surrounding clouds to shreds.

A vast, ancient, and majestic aura, like a slumbering primordial beast suddenly awakening, spread out, distorting space wherever it went.

Under the influence of this powerful aura, the disciples of Shengxing Mountain felt an invisible pressure bearing down on them, making it hard for them to breathe.

Some disciples with weaker cultivation levels were even forced to their knees by this pressure, their faces as pale as paper.

The elders, though barely able to stand, wore solemn expressions, their eyes filled with awe and fear.

Within the divine light, a blurry figure rapidly condensed and solidified.

He was an elderly man with white hair, dressed in simple linen clothes. His hair was as white as winter snow, casually draped over his shoulders.

His face was thin and gaunt, with deep wrinkles etched by time, each wrinkle seemingly containing endless stories.

His eyes held a world-weary look, as if he had seen through the ages, and everything in the world was nothing but fleeting smoke in his eyes.

He didn't exude any imposing pressure or terrifying aura, yet he naturally blended into the world, as if he were the master of this world, and every move he made could cause changes in the heavens and earth.

His appearance plunged the entire Shengxing Mountain into an eerie silence. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on him, filled with anticipation and tension.

A wisp of the true spirit imprint of the founding patriarch of Shengxing Mountain, Master Hongmu, slowly emerged in the soaring white divine light!
Although this wisp of true spirit imprint is merely a trace of the will left behind by True Man Hongmu in the past, its appearance in the world now still exudes an aura of majesty that makes heaven and earth pale in comparison.

Master Hongmu's gaze slowly swept across the area below, where the once magnificent martial arts arena had been reduced to ruins.

Huge rocks lay scattered about, and deep pits appeared one after another, as if ravaged by an ancient behemoth.

Limbs and severed arms were scattered everywhere, and the ground was stained dark red with blood, emitting a pungent smell of blood.

The Red Cliff Venerable, with both arms severed and in a sorry state, collapsed beside a pile of rubble, his face ashen, his eyes filled with despair and humiliation.

Finally, his deep, starry gaze, like two invisible swords, fell upon Ling Bi, who stood holding a sword.

Ling Bi stood tall and straight, the black longsword in her hand radiating a cold light, the tip still bearing traces of undried blood.

Her face was aloof, her eyes resolute, as if nothing in the world could shake her will.

Beside Ling Bi, the dignified and gentle Xiao Lianzhu stood quietly, her eyes revealing a hint of worry and helplessness, but even more so, trust in Ling Bi.

Meanwhile, Ling Xiao, standing to the side, exuded a murderous aura, like a cheetah about to pounce.

"Youngster..."

The weathered voice of Master Hongmu echoed between heaven and earth, carrying a hint of doubt and scrutiny.

He had lived for countless years, experienced countless ups and downs, and seen all sorts of people and things, but the scene before him left him somewhat bewildered.

He was about to ask why, wanting to find out exactly what was going on.

However, Ling Xiao didn't even lift his eyelids, as if the patriarch of Shengxing Mountain in front of him was just an insignificant breeze, not worth his attention at all.

He parted his lips slightly, and his clear, cold voice reached everyone's ears, as if setting the final price for this farce: "Four hundred million mid-grade spirit crystals. Not a single one less."

His tone was so calm, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary, yet it sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

puff--!
Upon hearing Ling Xiao's words, Xiao Lianzhu nearly stumbled and fell to the ground.

She stared wide-eyed at Ling Xiao in disbelief, inwardly lamenting: "My ancestor! You've gotten addicted to raising prices like crazy!"

The one on the other side is the founding master!
Aren't you just adding fuel to the fire?

She secretly glanced at Master Hongmu in the air and saw a hint of displeasure flash across his face, which made her even more worried.

Upon hearing Ling Xiao's words, Venerable Hongya and the remaining high-ranking members of Shengxing Mountain trembled with rage, like a powder keg that had been ignited.

Their faces turned from ashen to purplish-brown, their lips trembled incessantly, and they were on the verge of vomiting blood and dying.

Four hundred million mid-grade spirit crystals?!
This is undoubtedly an astronomical figure for Shengxing Mountain.

This is no longer just drawing blood and marrow, this is turning Shengxing Mountain to dust!

Their hearts were filled with anger and despair, yet they were helpless.

After all, they had already witnessed Ling Bi's strength. Even Venerable Hongya was no match for her, let alone them, a defeated army.

Even with his millennia-old composure, a hint of astonishment flickered across the usually placid face of the Redwood Immortal in the air.

He had lived for countless years and seen countless madmen. Some madmen relied on their strength to run rampant and act arrogantly; others harbored evil intentions, plotted and schemed, and used any means necessary.

But he had never seen such a... arrogant madman who was so brazen and demanded exorbitant prices!

And he's a damn handsome guy, a real catch!
After the initial shock, an uncontrollable surge of anger welled up in Master Hongmu's heart like a raging tide!
Since its founding, the Shengxing Mountain lineage has endured countless years and enjoyed a far-reaching reputation. When has it ever suffered such humiliation and trampling?

Such behavior is an outright provocation against the dignity of Shengxing Mountain and a contemptuous desecration of the entire Taoist tradition!

It is unbearable!

After all, he was an ancient monster from a thousand years ago. It would be truly inexcusable for him not to be angry at being treated so disrespectfully.

"You arrogant brat!"

Master Hongmu's voice was deep and resonant. Though not loud, it struck like a heavy hammer in everyone's heart.

His step, seemingly simple and ordinary, contained endless mysteries.

It wasn't the kind of earth-shattering pressure that erupted like a volcanic eruption, but rather a more profound and terrifying "force"!
It was as if the power of heaven and earth, the energy of mountains and rivers, throughout the entire Sacred Journey Mountain region were in harmony with his will, subtly activated by his step. (End of Chapter)