The bustling streets of Heaven Peak City were now desolate - empty and silent, devoid of any sound. But this state of calm would be short-lived, for soon the city would be filled with high-grade cultivators, as many of them were already on their way. The news of the Dark Viper's survival had spread like wildfire, shocking cultivators across the land.
While it was difficult to calculate the number of casualties caused by the devil invasion, one thing was certain - no one had emerged unscathed. From mortals to Spirit Severing realm cultivators, all had lost someone or something dear to them. Some had lost family members, friends, or loved ones, while others had lost their entire sects or clans.
But as soon as news of the Dark Viper's presence in Heaven Peak City spread, the flames of vengeance were reignited in the hearts of cultivators. Many dropped everything else and began to make their way towards the city, determined to bring the Dark Viper to justice.
Who disseminated this news? It was none other than the Heavenly Mist Palace and its profound impact resonated like a deafening thunder in the ears of anyone who happened to hear it.
At the centre of the Heaven Peak city stood a magnificent palace, encircled by high walls. The palace was a sight to behold, with intricate carvings adorning the outer walls and exquisite gardens that sprawled across its sprawling grounds.
Inside the palace, a middle-aged man stood gazing out of a grand window. His features were stern and contemplative, indicating a great burden weighing heavy on his mind. He was nattily dressed in fine garments and carried himself with an air of authority and wisdom.
Strangely, the guards protecting the palace were all in the nascent soul realm, a testament to the man's influence and power.
As he gazed out at the city, a sudden explosion rocked the air, causing the man to narrow his eyes and scan the area for the source of the disturbance. With a jolt, he noticed that the towering pagoda at the heart of the city was now shaking violently, and he could even spot small cracks on its surface.
As the middle-aged man stood there, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him and quickly turned around. There, he saw his trusted advisor, a bald man with deep-set eyes and a sharp gaze. Bowing respectfully as he delivered the news.
"City Lord, someone is fighting in the Purple Heaven House. The force of their impact was too powerful for a Spirit Severing cultivator to achieve," the advisor reported.
The man's expression turned grim as he nodded in acknowledgement. "You don't need to worry, Just make sure no one approaches the pagoda. That should be enough."
The advisor bowed again before quickly leaving the room. The man's mind raced with thoughts as he gazed out of the window. "The Dark Viper is more powerful than we anticipated, but with the Palace Lord's plans, he won't make it out alive today."
****
Meanwhile, at the Free Heart Pavilion, Wu Yang was looking at four men in front of Him, The first man had a rugged and tough appearance, with a wolf-like gaze that seemed to pierce through his surroundings. He had a muscular build, with scars and tattoos covering his exposed arms. He carried a large, curved blade at his side, which he unsheathed with a menacing grin.
The second man was slender and nimble, with a lithe physique that suggested he was more adept at evasion than brute force. He wore a flowing robe embellished with intricate embroidery, and his hair was tied up in a bun with a jade hairpin. He held a thin, steel needle in his hand, which he twirled with practised ease.
The third man was older, with a weathered face and greying hair. He wore a faded coat and carried a wooden staff, which he leaned on heavily as he surveyed his surroundings with a keen eye. His hands were gnarled and calloused, suggesting years of hard labor and training.
The fourth man was tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and a barrel chest. He wore a suit of armor that glinted in the sunlight, He carried a long, curved sword at his waist. He had a stoic expression on his face, like a statue come to life.
They are the four members of the wandering shadow Tavern.
"Four seniors, it was an honour for me to work with you all these years, sadly we don't have much time to drink and chat" Wu Yang's voice was solemn as he addressed them.
Wu Yang took a deep breath before continuing, "Seniors, I am heading to the devil realm, and I might not be returning. It's possible that the next time we meet, it will be at a higher dimension altogether."
The four men had stoic expressions on their faces as they listened to Wu Yang's words.
"I ask that you take care of the Free Heart Pavilion until your own ascension. It won't be difficult with the resources that master has given to us," Wu Yang continued.
The older man with the wooden staff spoke up, "We will take care of the Pavilion, brother Wu. You have nothing to worry about. We are more than capable of holding down the fort in your absence."
The man with the curved sword nodded in agreement. "You just need to focus on your next mission," he said.
Wu Yang smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I have faith that the Free Heart Pavilion will be in good hands while I'm away."
With that, he turned and walked away, knowing that the Free Heart Pavilion was in good hands with the Wandering Shadow Tavern.
****
Back at the Purple Heaven House, Mi Ling was surrounded by the ethereal glow of her armour, her movements accompanied by a breathtaking display of seven-coloured lights. As she walked, the spirit Qi hummed in harmony, creating a symphony of vibrations that filled the air around her. The atmosphere was bewitching, casting a tranquil spell that could soothe even the most frenzied of souls. It was as if the very essence of serenity had taken hold of the space, enveloping everything in an aura of enchantment.
With a graceful motion, she extended her hand, the multicoloured Qi condensed on her finger, and with a flick, she sent a powerful seven-coloured ray in Liang Yifei's direction.
Without hesitation. He tightened his grip on the sword and swung it towards the coming ray. As the ray collided with the sword, a deafening thundering noise echoed throughout the Purple Heaven House, causing the pagoda to crumble and collapse, layer after layer.
The clash created a powerful shockwave, forcing Liang Yifei to take several steps back. His heart sank as he looked down to find a bloody wound on his chest, realizing that the multicoloured ray was so powerful that it had sent his sword flying and pierced through his chest.
He took a deep breath, realizing that even if he were to revert back to his serpent form, it would not change the outcome. Mi Ling's special physique appeared to be no weaker than Bai Shaun's, and the multicoloured ray from before would have severely injured an ordinary cultivator in the mid-stage of Dao Integration realm.
Amidst the wreckage, Liang Yifei let out a heavy sigh as the space around him began to converge. Just as he was about to disappear and teleport away, a deafening boom echoed behind him, and a fist that seemed to pierce through space appeared at his back.