Chapter 1186: Killing Intent

"Bi Jie, do you really think just because you're Jin Dan mid-stage, I'll be afraid of you?"

Dan Zhu said grimly.

These past days, Mo Hua had given him much guidance, helping him understand many problems he had long struggled with.

Dan Zhu held great respect for Mo Hua.

Now that Mo Hua was being mocked so cruelly, even Dan Zhu's mild temper was clouded with anger.

A flame enveloped his body, the Zhu Que Xuanying Lingyi subtly stirring.

Seeing Dan Zhu's murderous aura, the black-clad youth from Bi Fang tribe looked distinctly startled, his face darkening.

On the other side, Mo Hua swiftly calculated and assessed the situation in his mind.

This siege of Shu Gu's secret sect was surely led by Bi Fang tribe.

In the entire valley, Bi Fang tribe had roughly 120 elite barbarian soldiers, over 200 allied tribesmen, and about 300 enslaved barbarians under coercion.

Dan Que tribe had only 100 elite barbarian soldiers. Though Dan Que's individual fighters were stronger, their numerical disadvantage was severe.

Mo Hua extended his spiritual sense and judged that Bi Fang tribe had five Jin Dan cultivators: two mid-stage, three early-stage.

Dan Que tribe had only four Jin Dan cultivators, one of whom—Elder Bashan—was injured from being "punished" by him.

A direct confrontation would be disadvantageous.

Moreover, this black-clad youth named "Bi Jie" was clearly Bi Fang's young master, possessing mid-stage Jin Dan cultivation, his aura formidable and daunting.

A gentleman does not seek revenge overnight, yet Mo Hua very much wanted to kill him on the spot.

But unfortunately, the conditions did not permit it.

After weighing the pros and cons, Mo Hua looked at Bi Jie, assuming the posture of "Lord Wuzhu," and spoke solemnly:

"The Divine Master remembers your offense. One day, divine punishment will descend upon you—your soul will shatter and die."

Mo Hua's voice was calm yet profound.

The air around them fell silent for a moment; many exchanged uneasy glances.

The black-clad youth named "Bi Jie" couldn't help but sneer.

He had been threatened before.

Over the years, he had acted recklessly, killed countless people, and faced hatred, curses, and assassination attempts from many.

But he had never been openly defied by a Foundation Establishment "weakling" like this.

Bi Jie did not grow angry—he laughed.

"You, a mere Foundation Establishment, a brat still smelling of milk, dare speak of a 'Divine Master'? Talk of 'heavenly punishment'? Threaten to kill me? You sound like a retard…"

"Since you insist," Bi Jie's eyes turned feral as he grinned, "I'll kill you first—see if your Divine Master can save you…"

Bi Jie drew back his hand and pulled forth a dark green-black greatblade, engraved with feather patterns, radiating violent malevolence—the Bi Fang Qingmu Greatblade.

Black qi surged through the air, accompanied by the screech of a monstrous bird.

This blade was Bi Jie's life-bound treasure, a savage barbarian weapon steeped in killing intent.

With the power of his mid-stage Jin Dan cultivation, the artifact's murderous aura spread violently across the surroundings.

Dan Zhu's gaze turned solemn; he felt immense pressure.

He was a genius, yes, and possessed the Zhu Que Lingyi artifact.

But Bi Jie was a genius too, and his artifact was no ordinary thing.

Moreover, Bi Jie was a full cycle older than Dan Zhu, his cultivation far higher, and over the years he had fought ceaselessly for Bi Fang tribe, honed by countless battles, his combat experience far richer.

A genius is raw jade—it still needs polishing.

Dan Zhu's polishing had been insufficient.

But Bi Jie had already forged his edge.

As Bi Jie's Bi Fang savage blade was about to strike Mo Hua—

Dan Zhu's gaze turned icy.

Mo Hua's expression remained unchanged.

At that moment, Chifeng's body erupted in crimson dan-fire as he stepped forward, standing between Mo Hua and Dan Zhu, his scorching killing intent locked firmly onto Bi Jie.

Chifeng was the chief of Dan Que tribe's trusted bodyguard, a battle-hardened veteran, his aura steady and ruthless—no weaker than Bi Fang's genius Bi Jie.

Bi Jie dismissed Dan Zhu, but he dared not ignore Chifeng.

Bi Jie pointed his bloodthirsty Bi Fang savage blade at Mo Hua and addressed the barbarian general Chifeng:

"I only draw my blade to kill this insolent Foundation Establishment brat—I'm not targeting any of your Dan Que tribe members. Chifeng, you don't need to stop me, do you?"

Chifeng shook his head. "No."

Bi Jie's face darkened slightly as he studied Mo Hua, then said slowly: "If I'm not mistaken, this boy isn't from your Dan Que tribe, is he?"

Chifeng said: "He is my Dan Que tribe's 'guest'."

Bi Jie sneered. "Will you stand against Bi Fang tribe just to protect this so-called guest?"

Bi Jie's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Hand him over to me—I'll cut him down in one stroke, and the conflict ends. Otherwise, if our two tribes clash, whether your young master walks away unharmed, how many of your men die—I can't guarantee."

Chifeng's gaze was as steadfast as a mountain: "My Dan Que tribe's guest is as one of our own."

"You Bi Fang tribe may outnumber us, but if you truly wish to fight us, you'll lose many."

"Even you, Young Master Bi Jie, may not walk away unscathed."

Chifeng spoke without deference or arrogance, his Jin Dan power coiled and ready.

Bi Jie muttered a silent "tch," his face grim.

He had no reason to risk his life just to kill someone out of spite.

After a moment of silence, Bi Jie suddenly asked: "What is your Dan Que tribe's purpose here?"

?? 」

Chifeng said nothing, looking at Seeing Dan Zhu.

Seeing Dan Zhu spoke solemnly: "Our Dan Que tribe has come here to rescue the villagers captured by the Shu Gu tribe."

Bi Jie was slightly surprised. "Just for that?"

Mo Hua's gaze flickered slightly.

Seeing Dan Zhu also found it suspicious and retorted: "And what is your Bi Fang tribe doing here?"

Bi Jie let out a cold laugh. "What else? Naturally, to seize territory."

Without waiting for Seeing Dan Zhu to speak further, he said coldly:

"Very well. If you're here to rescue people, then go ahead and rescue them. But don't meddle in other matters. The territory my Bi Fang tribe has taken—you dare not lay a greedy hand on it."

"Let's keep to our own paths, or don't blame my Bi Fang tribe for being uncivilized."

Bi Jie's words were arrogant.

Elder Bashan could no longer hold back and was about to curse aloud.

Seeing Dan Zhu stopped him, shaking his head.

At this moment, rescuing our people comes first. If we get dragged into a quarrel or fight over a few harsh words, causing greater casualties, it would be irrational.

Seeing Dan Zhu nodded. "Fine." But he refused to show weakness, his gaze icy as he added:

"If your Bi Fang tribe keeps its word, we won't move against you. But if you break it, my Dan Que tribe will not let you off lightly."

Bi Jie laughed and shook his head. "Kid, you're too green to throw threats around."

Seeing Dan Zhu clenched his lips tightly.

Elder Bashan and Elder Bachuan glared at Bi Jie with fury.

Bi Jie sneered, ignoring them entirely, and turned to his subordinates beside him:

"Do our own work. Kill all the Shu Gu people. Take the territory. Treat these Dan Que people like wooden statues—ignore them."

"Yes!" the Bi Fang tribe members replied, their tone laced with mockery.

Every member of the Dan Que tribe wore expressions of anger.

After that, neither side spoke again. Only Bi Jie and Seeing Dan Zhu exchanged a glance—their gazes locked in direct confrontation—then they turned away.

Bi Jie led the Bi Fang tribe in continuing their assault on the Shu Gu tribe, burning, killing, and looting.

Seeing Dan Zhu led the Dan Que tribe's barbarian warriors, avoiding the conflict, to rescue their own people.

The main forces of both sides gradually moved farther apart.

When they reached a secluded spot and personally slew several Shu Gu barbarian cultivators, Bi Jie's arrogant expression turned cruel. He spat in frustration:

"Damn it, what a pity—I was going to cut down that pretty boy with one slash, then suddenly switch tactics, catch him off guard, and crush him with my cultivation pressure to kill Seeing Dan Zhu."

"Even if I couldn't kill him, I'd chop off one of his arms."

"But that old fool Chifeng was too cautious—he blocked my moves and gave me no chance to strike."

"Had it not been for him—

?? That little brat Dan Zhu would have died here today…"

Bi Jie spoke, regretful. Then his expression darkened; after careful thought, he declared firmly:

"No. Seeing Dan Zhu must die."

He turned to several Bi Fang tribe Jin Dan elders beside him and ordered:

"When the chance comes, find an excuse to slowly approach them. Then, without a word, strike with full force—use Lei Ting tactics to kill Seeing Dan Zhu outright!"

Bi Jie's face radiated murderous intent.

One of Bi Jie's nearby Bi Fang tribe Jin Dan elders, at mid-Jin Dan stage, frowned in concern: "Won't this provoke the Dan Que tribe?"

Bi Jie sneered. "So what?"

Several Bi Fang tribe elders still hesitated.

Bi Jie growled darkly: "How hard it is to form a Jin Dan—you and I know better than anyone. Yet this Dan Zhu, at twenty, formed his Jin Dan effortlessly. What terrifying talent is that? Let him live, and he will become a great threat!"

"I've long wanted to kill him by any means necessary—but the Dan Que tribe protected him so well, I couldn't even touch a hair on his head."

"Now this Dan Que tribe, for some reason, suddenly lets Dan Zhu out… and just happens to cross paths with our Bi Fang tribe. Isn't this heaven clearly handing us an opportunity?"

"I even feel this might be heaven's one and only chance for our Bi Fang tribe."

"This opportunity will vanish in an instant."

"If we slacken, hesitate, lack the ruthlessness to seize it, and fail to kill Dan Zhu by any means necessary, once he grows strong and becomes a regional overlord, we'll regret it too late."

"The survival of a tribe often hinges on this single moment of ruthlessness or hesitation!"

Bi Jie's tone was passionate, his eyes blazing with Xiong Xiong ambition.

The surrounding Bi Fang tribe Jin Dan elders were deeply stirred.

Their young master was truly born with decisive courage and razor-sharp instinct.

Any enemy—he killed without hesitation, never letting even the tiniest opportunity slip away.

Likewise, his ambition and cunning were awe-inspiring.

No wonder even the Bi Fang tribe's Jin Dan late-stage Grand Elder had devoted himself entirely to this young master.

He was the hope for the Bi Fang tribe's rise.

The several Bi Fang tribe Jin Dan elders all showed grim expressions and nodded: "We obey your orders, Young Master."

"If the chance arises, we will kill Seeing Dan Zhu!"

…

On the other side.

The Dan Que tribe gathered together.

Mo Hua, seeing no one else nearby, whispered low: "If an opportunity arises, see if we can kill that little brat Bi Jie first…"

Seeing Dan Zhu and the others froze in surprise.

Even Chifeng looked at Mo Hua with surprise.

at Mo Hua.

"This… can't be killed, can it…" Elder Bashan whispered.

Since being "saved" by Mo Hua, the Lord Wuzhu, Elder Bashan had indeed become much more obedient, internally acknowledging Mo Hua's weight, and no longer dared to contradict him at every turn.

His words were not opposition, but a candid concern.

Bi Jie is at the mid-Jin Dan stage, with strong talent and cultivation, surrounded by powerful Jin Dan from the Bi Fang tribe, as well as many Bi Fang barbarian cultivators.

Mo Hua nodded: "That's why I said 'there's a chance.' If there's a chance, kill him. If there truly isn't, don't force it—but never lose the will to kill."

Elder Bachuan frowned: "Lord Wuzhu, our Dan Que tribe may be at odds with the Bi Fang tribe, but we wouldn't stoop to assassinating their young master—that would forge an unbreakable enmity."

Mo Hua said: "Bi Jie is a man with wolfish ambition. If you don't kill their young master, they will certainly kill yours."

Elder Bashan and Elder Bachuan both hesitated.

"Mr., how do you know Bi Jie will definitely try to kill me?" Dan Zhu frowned, asking Mo Hua.

Mo Hua said to Dan Zhu: "It's not strange. If I were Bi Jie, I'd kill you first. Now is the best chance—if you wait, you won't get another…"

Dan Zhu: "..."

"Of course," Mo Hua rubbed his fingers, silently calculating, then had to admit, "killing Bi Jie at this moment is indeed a slim chance. I'm just warning you—so you're mentally prepared."

"Two things: first, prevent Bi Jie from launching a killing strike against Dan Zhu, the young master."

"Second, watch for an opportunity—strike first to gain the upper hand, and kill Bi Jie."

Mo Hua's tone was grave.

Dan Zhu and the others thought it over, then all nodded.

Mo Hua's warning was, in fact, correct.

Never harbor ill intent toward others, but never let down your guard against them.

Whether or not you kill Bi Jie, you must guard against his murderous schemes.

For the rest of the journey, Elder Bashan and Elder Bachuan guarded Dan Zhu on either side, while Chifeng kept watch with piercing eyes behind Dan Zhu.

Mo Hua walked side by side with Dan Zhu, enjoying the same level of protection as a "young master."

Of course, everyone's primary goal was still to rescue the captives.

After rescuing the Dan Que tribespeople, leave this place of turmoil as soon as possible, avoiding further conflict with the Bi Fang tribe—that is the best strategy.

Otherwise, once chaos erupts, who knows how many more will die.

Mo Hua himself did not wish to see this unfold.

After all, the talented Dan Zhu and these hundred barbarian soldiers had already been secretly marked by Mo Hua as "his own."

They were vital forces for building his power and executing his next move.

If they were lost, Mo Hua would feel deep regret.

Yet the Dan Que tribespeople,

had circled the entire valley of the Shu Gu sect's secret base without finding the place where the "live rations" were held.

Nor had they seen any Dan Que tribespeople, or other captured barbarian cultivators brought here for sacrifice.

Mo Hua asked Tie Shu Gu.

Tie Shu Gu only looked terrified, saying he knew nothing.

He was the leader of the "You Tribe," constantly roaming outside, killing and looting, setting up camps in random mountain caves.

He had only come to this secret base a few times, delivering a few "rations." His status granted him no right to stay here long.

Mo Hua glanced at him, his gaze carrying deep meaning, but said nothing more.

And the entire Shu Gu secret base was vast.

The valley's wind and flowing water easily scattered spiritual energy.

Mo Hua did not use karmic calculation power, fearing he might alert the enemy, and instead, alongside the Dan Que tribespeople, relied solely on sight and spiritual sense to find their way.

After circling for a while, they found nothing.

Eventually, after winding around, they arrived at the very heart of the Shu Gu secret base, before a massive Shi Dian.

This Shi Dian was built directly into the mountain.

From outside, only two enormous stone doors, nearly fused with the cliff face, could be seen.

On each door, carved a pair of unknown white-bone demonic beasts.

These two white-bone demonic beasts faced each other, like twin "door gods," guarding the entrance and locking all secrets and spiritual energy within the stone hall behind.

And now, not only the Dan Que tribespeople had arrived before this Shi Dian.

Most of the Bi Fang barbarian soldiers had already been stationed here.

Various smaller tribes under Bi Fang's command also surrounded the area.

At the door, several loyal Shu Gu followers, their faces painted with white bone makeup, still fought to defend the Shi Dian against the Bi Fang.

But they were no match for the Bi Fang.

Within half an hour, they were all slaughtered.

Blood and severed limbs stained the ground.

The one who killed the most was the mid-Jin Dan, clad in black, with a dark blue-black demonic bird totem on his chest, wielding the Bi Fang demonic blade—the Bi Fang young master, Bi Jie.

After eliminating the last Shu Gu remnants and securing the situation, Bi Jie turned his gaze toward Dan Zhu and the others, his face cold and tinged with excitement:

"You really are… a nuisance that won't die…"