Chapter 40: The Saint Domain Appears

The night was deep.

Stetele stood on the battlefield ruins, his gaze sweeping the surroundings like a hawk's. Under the moonlight, the bloodstains on the ground had dried into dark brown, and the traces of battle were clear—cracked earth, scattered rubble, several thick trees severed mid-trunk, their broken ends charred.

"They just left." He stood up, a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

He looked toward the northwest. There lay a continuous mountain range, steep and treacherous, perpetually shrouded in mist, rarely visited by humans. Based on his years of tracking experience, fugitives always chose such places to hide—defensible, easy to conceal, yet prone to being trapped.

A cold smile curled on Stetele's lips.

As a Saint Domain powerhouse of the Radiant Church, he had hunted down at least eighty or a hundred fugitives; no matter how cunning the prey, none escaped his grasp. Those people should never have rescued the Church's prisoner, and never killed its members. Since they did, they must pay the price.

His figure flickered and vanished into the night.

The night wind howled; the moonlight was obscured by clouds, plunging the earth into darkness.

Yunfeng Town.

The night passed without incident.

At dawn the next day, as the sky faintly brightened, Aikesi was stretching his limbs in the courtyard. It had been his habit since childhood—even in the eyes of mortals, he was a revered Nine-level powerhouse, yet he never abandoned it. After completing a set of fist forms, his breath remained steady, his sinews and bones relaxed, and his entire being felt invigorated.

The five brothers of Bake rose even earlier. When Aikesi stepped out of his room, the five were already huddled together in the courtyard, crouching by the wall whispering. Five bald heads clustered close, resembling five giant mushrooms from afar.

Seeing Aikesi emerge, Bake immediately stood and greeted him: "Brother Aikesi, good morning!"

The other four rose as well, their faces wearing simple, earnest smiles. After two days of rest, their complexion had improved greatly, and their wounds had healed nearly completely. Aikesi's gaze swept over them, silently nodding. He had to admit: these five were truly tough-skinned and resilient. The injuries they suffered would have kept an ordinary person bedridden for ten days or more; yet here they were, hopping around after just three.

"Where's Linlei?" Aikesi asked.

"Brother Linlei is still inside," Bake pointed to Linlei's room, lowering his voice. "He kept watch until the middle of the night. He's probably still resting. We offered to take over, but he said no."

Aikesi nodded. That kid Linlei, though young, acted with calm maturity—no wonder Delin valued him so much.

As if on cue, Linlei's door opened.

Linlei stepped out, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of fatigue. Beibei crouched on his shoulder, tiny eyes darting as it surveyed the courtyard, occasionally tugging at Linlei's ear with its little claws.

"Everyone up?" Linlei walked over, rolling his wrists. "What's the plan today?"

Saisile stepped out of the house just then, stroking his salt-and-pepper beard: "Old man thinks we should stay here a while." He walked into the courtyard, glancing around. "The Church is surely searching everywhere. Running now would be more dangerous. Yunfeng Town is remote—they won't find it anytime soon. Let's lie low until the search eases, then figure out our next move."

Linlei looked at Aikesi.

Aikesi paused, then nodded: "Agreed. Good chance to rest—I need to consolidate my realm." He spoke truthfully; since breaking through to Nine-level, he had not yet properly stabilized.

"Then it's settled," Linlei said, turning to the five brothers of Bake. "Bake, you five rest well. We'll discuss the future later."

Bake quickly replied: "We follow Brother Linlei's word! We're tough as leather—we'll be hopping around again in a few more days!"

Gaici grinned beside him: "When the time comes, Brother Linlei, just give the order—we may not be good at much, but we've got plenty of strength!"

At that moment, Heilu, who had been dozing in the corner, suddenly lifted its head, emitting a low growl. Its fur bristled, teeth bared, eyes locked on the town's entrance, front paws digging into the ground as if facing a dire enemy.

Linlei's expression changed: "Someone's coming!"

Almost simultaneously, a figure descended from the sky, landing outside the courtyard.

It was a middle-aged man, tall and powerfully built, with golden short hair standing rigidly upright, his face as cold and sharp as carved stone. He wore a dark robe edged with golden patterns, the emblem of the Radiant Church embroidered on his chest. Most terrifying—he was a Warrior who could fly through the air. That was the mark of a Saint Domain.

Saint Domain.

Stetele's gaze, like solid weight, swept over the people in the courtyard, finally settling on Linlei. He slightly narrowed his eyes, a cold curve forming on his lips.

"Linlei Baluke." His voice was quiet, yet each word struck like a hammer on their hearts. "You killed my Church's people. You rescued its prisoner. How bold of you."

Linlei said nothing.

His Dragonblood surged violently. Black-green dragon scales erupted from his skin, rapidly covering his entire body. Two short horns sprouted from his forehead; his hands transformed into sharp dragon claws. His aura surged from Level 8 all the way to Nine-level Peak.

Aikesi's Falling Heart Flame had already coalesced into a leaping flame in his palm; True Essence surged around him, forming a golden aura shield. He narrowed his eyes, studying Stetele.

Saisile was chanting a spell, his aged voice low and urgent. The temperature plummeted; frost spread across the ground; deathly energy began to gather from all directions. A Necromancer was weak in direct combat—but given enough time to summon the Undead Legion, he might yet stand a chance.

Though unaware of what was happening, the five brothers of Bake sensed danger. Instinctively, they formed a circle, fists clenched, muscles bulging, ready for battle. Though weak, they had never abandoned a companion to flee.

Stetele watched their reactions, a sneer curling on his lips.

"A pack of ants."

He raised his hand. Holy light coalesced into a blinding pillar in his palm, so radiant it hurt to look at. With a casual flick, the pillar swept across—where it passed, the ground exploded, rocks flew, and scorch marks lingered in the air.

Linlei charged forward first.

His dragonized body exploded with speed. He met the pillar with his dragon claws. BOOM—a thunderous crash sent Linlei flying backward, slamming into the courtyard wall, which collapsed instantly, burying him under bricks and stones. Moments later, he rose from the rubble, blood trickling from his lips, arms trembling slightly, yet his gaze remained unwavering.

"Not that impressive," he gritted out.

Aikesi's Huoyan Changqiang had already launched.

Three spears of Falling Heart Flame, arranged in a triangular formation, shot toward Stetele at blinding speed. The flames tore through the air with a piercing whistle. Stetele's brow twitched slightly; he raised his hand, summoning a holy light shield.

The flame spears struck the shield with a hissing sound, sparks flying. The shield shuddered violently, its surface cracking with countless fine fissures—but it did not break.

Stetele's eyes flickered with surprise: "Not bad."

He looked at Aikesi, interest deepening. A Nine-level's attack could shake his shield—this man was no ordinary fighter.

He raised his hand again. Holy light coalesced into a colossal palm, descending toward Aikesi. The giant hand blotted out the sky, covering a radius of several zhang, leaving no escape.

Aikesi immediately activated Teleportation. His figure flickered, reappearing ten zhang away. The palm slammed into the ground, exploding with a thunderous crash, leaving a pit over a zhang deep, soil churning, rocks spraying.

Saisile's Undead Legion was finally summoned.

Countless skeletons and zombies erupted from the earth, dense as a tide, surging toward Stetele. Skeletons wielded rusted swords and spears; zombies dragged rotting bodies, charging fearlessly. Stetele sneered. Holy light erupted violently—where the light passed, the undead melted like snow, instantly reduced to ash.

"Necromancer?" Stetele glared at Saisile, disgust in his eyes. "Desecrating the dead, defiling the dignity of life. Perfect. I'll deal with you all at once."

He stepped forward, instantly appearing before Saisile, and brought his palm down.

Saisile's face paled—he couldn't dodge in time.

At that moment, Linlei charged again. His dragonized body unleashed all its power, driving a fist straight into Stetele's lower back. The punch roared, twisting the air. Stetele had no choice but to turn and block. They clashed fists—Linlei was blasted backward again, but Saisile seized the chance to escape, staggering back, gasping for breath.

Beibei lunged from the side, tiny claws aimed at Stetele's eyes. Its speed was lightning-fast, leaving a trail of afterimages. Stetele tilted his head slightly—Beibei's claws scraped his face, but left only faint white scratches.

"Foolish."

Stetele backhanded—Beibei was flung away, crashing into a tree. The trunk snapped instantly. Beibei hit the ground, rolled over, then scrambled back up, baring its teeth in a low growl.

Heilu roared as he lunged forward, jaws wide to bite at Stetele's leg. Stetele didn't even look, simply kicked out—and Heilu's massive body flew straight backward, smashing through the courtyard wall and collapsing into the ruins, writhing.

The five Bak brothers tried to rush forward to help, but their strength was too weak to even get close. The residual shockwaves from a Saint Domain warrior's battle could kill them. They could only stand at the periphery, pacing frantically, fists clenched until their knuckles turned white.

Aikesi gritted his teeth and unleashed the Falling Heart Flame at full power.

This time, he held nothing back—all his Magic surged wildly into the flames. The Falling Heart Flame flared violently in his palm, shifting from crimson to gold-red, then to blinding white-hot. He condensed it into a massive Huoyan Changqiang.

Go!

The Huoyan Changqiang shot through the air, leaving a molten trench in its wake. It streaked straight for Stetele, moving so fast the eye could not track it.

Stetele finally took it seriously.

He clasped his hands together; holy light coalesced before him into a thick, radiant shield, its surface etched with intricate patterns—the hardened defense only a Saint Domain warrior could manifest. The Huoyan Changqiang struck the shield, exploding in blinding light like a miniature sun detonating in the courtyard. The shield trembled violently, groaning under the strain, its surface cracking with countless fine fissures—but it held.

Stetele's expression shifted slightly.

The power of that spear had surpassed Level 9, brushing against the threshold of Saint Domain.

But it only made his expression flicker.

He raised his hand; holy light condensed again—this time into countless glowing swords, hovering densely in midair, their tips aimed at every person present. The swords pulsed with light, radiating an aura of destruction.

"It's over."

He waved his hand—and the swords fell like rain.

Linlei gritted his teeth and stepped forward, shielding them all. Dragon scales covered his body; he crossed his arms to guard his vital points, bracing for impact. Aikesi raised his True Essence barrier, while his Magic surged within him, ready to activate the Ice Barrier—the last resort—but he had no confidence it could stop these swords. Saisile's face was ashen, his Magic exhausted, unable to fight. The five Bak brothers closed their eyes, waiting for death.

At that moment—

A dark shadow descended from the sky, landing before them.

It was a slender man, dressed in a simple gray robe, his black hair loosely draped over his shoulders.

Stetele's pupils shrank sharply.

"Who are you?"

The man turned, revealing a pale face with ordinary features but an indescribable aura. He looked at Stetele, lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile—mocking, disdainful, and laced with the amusement of a spectator.

"People of the Radiant Church are growing increasingly arrogant." His voice was casual, as if commenting on the weather.

Stetele's face turned ashen.

He recognized this man—the King of Assassins, Xisai. A God Level warrior. One of the absolute apex beings on the Yulan Continent. How could he be here?

Xisai ignored Stetele's expression and turned to Linlei, giving a slight nod: "Linlei. Long time no see."

Linlei exited his dragon transformation and bowed: "Mr. Xisai." His tone was respectful.

Xisai waved a hand, then turned to the five Bak brothers. His gaze swept over them—from top to bottom, then bottom to top—his eyes flickering with complex emotion.

"What are your names?"

Bake blinked, confused why such a great figure would care about them. He answered honestly: "I'm Bake. These are my brothers—Gaici, Anke, Bulun, Weilin."

Xisai fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"Amanda's descendants have sunk to this."

Bake looked utterly bewildered: "Amanda? Who's that?"

Xisai didn't answer. He turned to Stetele. His tone remained calm, yet carried undeniable authority: "Go back and tell your Pope: these five are under my protection. From now on, no one from the Radiant Church may lay a single hair on them."

Stetele's face darkened: "Xisai, you'd better stay out of Radiant Church affairs. This is our official business—you're an outsider—"

"What if I insist on interfering?" Xisai cut him off, smiling casually, as if listening to a joke.

He raised his hand and flicked it lightly.

Without warning, Stetele was struck as if by an invisible mountain, flying backward, smashing through several walls, rolling over twenty zhang through the ruins, and finally landing on an open patch of ground dozens of zhang away. He struggled to his feet, spitting blood, his face as white as paper. His robe was torn open, revealing the inner armor beneath—now dented and riddled with cracks.

Stetele gritted his teeth, glancing at Xisai, then at Linlei and the others. Finally, he turned and staggered away into the night.

He knew: with Xisai here, no one could be killed today. If he didn't leave now, he'd be the one dead.

Xisai didn't pursue.

He turned to face the five Bak brothers.

"You five—come with me."

The five Bak brothers were bewildered, looking to Linlei. Linlei nodded, signaling them to follow. They exchanged glances, then obediently trailed behind Xisai.

Xisai led the five brothers to the far side of the courtyard and cast a soundproof barrier. The barrier rippled like water, enveloping the six of them. Outside, people could see them speaking—but hear nothing.

Saisile struggled to his feet, staring at Xisai's back, his eyes filled with awe.

After a long while, the soundproof barrier dissolved.

The five Bak brothers returned, their expressions complex—shock, confusion, excitement, and an indescribable emotion. Bake's eyes were slightly red, but he held back tears. Gaici kept his head down. Anke bit his lip. Bulun clenched his fists. Weilin looked up at the sky.

Xisai followed behind, looking at Linlei: "These five boys are descendants of the Undying Warriors among the Four Ultimate Warriors. Their ancestor, Amanda, was my sworn brother in life and death."

Linlei paused slightly, then regained his composure. No wonder their recovery was so strong. No wonder they possessed such formidable bodies without cultivating Qi—they were descendants of the Undying Warriors.

Xisai continued: "Undying Warriors are unique. They can only cultivate their clan's secret Qi scripture, the Undying Secret Code. Other techniques are useless. Without the Undying Secret Code, they cannot cultivate Qi—they'll remain weak, relying only on brute strength their whole lives." He paused, then said: "The Undying Secret Code is at Saber Headquarters. I'll go tomorrow and retrieve it for them."

The five Bak brothers immediately knelt, foreheads touching the ground.

"Thank you, Elder!"

Xisai waved a hand, his tone unusually reflective: "Don't thank me. Thank your ancestor, Amanda." He paused, his voice lowering: "He saved my life once. Without him, there would be no me today. Looking after his descendants now is only right."

He turned to Linlei: "These five boys will stay with you for now. Watch over them. Don't let them die."

Linlei nodded: "Mr. Xisai, rest assured—I will."

Xisai grunted, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, then vanished in a flash.

The night wind blew through the ruined courtyard.

Aikesi stood where he was, staring at the spot where Xisai had disappeared, silently moved.

He turned to look at the five Bak brothers.

All five remained kneeling, unmoving. Bake's shoulders trembled slightly—whether from excitement or something else, no one could tell.

Aikesi withdrew his gaze and looked toward the night sky in the distance.

After tonight, their fates would all be different.