Chapter 230: Qing Luo Demonic Flame

Lin Zixiao's true face appeared.

In an instant, torrents of pitch-black demonic energy churned and surged around him, as if ready to swallow anyone whole.

At the same time, a massive spiritual pressure of Foundation Establishment peak suddenly descended, far surpassing that of Muhe Laogui and the others.

Even among Foundation Establishment peak, there are differences! Qin Ming's heart tightened—he feared this demonic warlord of Wei State was merely one step away from breaking through to Jin Dan.

This man's cunning, fortune, methods, courage, and resolve were among the very top Qin Ming had ever encountered among so many outstanding figures.

In midair.

Lin Zixiao emitted a murderous aura of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, causing the surrounding air to plummet to freezing point.

Muhe Laogui, gazing at the shocking scene before him, spoke with grave expression: "Demonic cultivator!"

The other two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators also went on high alert, secretly activating their magic power and clutching their hidden treasure artifacts in hand.

"Hmph! Didn't expect you to be a demonic cultivator—did you just pretend to be weak and conceal your cultivation to play the fool and lure us into a trap?" Muhe Laogui sneered, still shaken with lingering dread.

Had Qin Ming not exposed your identity on the spot, the three of you would've truly fallen for this demonic cultivator's scheme! Lin Zixiao smiled faintly, dismissive: "Do you think I need to set a trap to deal with three useless sacks of rice and wine?"

"Don't you overestimate yourself?"

"If not for Qin Daoist here, the three of you wouldn't even warrant my attention."

Hearing this, Muhe Laogui's heart burned with fury—he had never, since achieving Foundation Establishment peak, been spoken to like this.

"Hmph! So arrogant!"

"Aren't you just Foundation Establishment peak too?"

"No more words—I'll test your skill."

"I hope your mouth stays as hard after this!"

Relying on his numerical advantage, Muhe Laogui, even facing a demonic cultivator like Lin Zixiao who stood alone, showed no excessive fear.

He was a long-renowned Foundation Establishment peak grand cultivator of Liang State, and a cultivator who rose from the ranks of lone practitioners.

He had slain a handful of late-stage and peak Foundation Establishment cultivators, and held considerable confidence in his own strength.

Worst case, if he couldn't win, he could always flee!

They were all Foundation Establishment peak.

Could you possibly kill me instantly?

After weighing his options, Muhe Laogui struck first, channeling all his magic power to control the Jin Jiao Scissors artifact, slicing toward Lin Zixiao.

This second-rank high-grade artifact, the Jin Jiao Scissors, was obtained by Muhe Laogui from a secret realm, and had repeatedly proven devastating in past battles.

'How dare he not take me seriously—utterly insolent!'

Before he could finish the thought, the massive Jin Jiao Scissors artifact instantly crossed dozens of zhang, appearing above Lin Zixiao, unleashing twin golden beams ready to shear him in half.

But Lin Zixiao remained utterly unmoved, only a mocking smirk curling at his lips.

Boom! He raised his hand and clenched the air! Boom! A cluster of bluish-black demonic flame suddenly materialized in his palm, then transformed into a ghostly creature with twin wings, lunging at the Jin Jiao Scissors.

Instantly, countless black flames erupted, engulfing Muhe Laogui's Jin Jiao Scissors.

In midair, the demonic flame exploded with crackling sounds.

The second-rank high-grade artifact, the Jin Jiao Scissors, emitted a mournful cry under the demonic flame's burning—Muhe Laogui's face paled in panic; he tried to recall the artifact, but was horrified to find his connection to it severed.

Just as he moved to act, the demonic flame flashed violently, transforming into a skyward storm of bluish-black flames that surrounded Muhe Laogui, cutting off his escape.

Muhe Laogui hastily pulled out a purple Fire-Repelling Pearl artifact and poured all his magic power into defense.

But the next second, countless demonic flames pierced through the artifact's barrier, instantly drowning and consuming him entirely.

"Ahh!"

Muhe Laogui's body erupted in bluish-black demonic flames; no matter what technique he used, he could not extinguish the black fire. Then Lin Zixiao waved his hand, and a black streak slashed through the air—Muhe Laogui's head flew off.

From Muhe Laogui's attack on Lin Zixiao to his instant death, only a few breaths had passed.

The other two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators had no time to react.

By the time they tried to save Muhe Laogui, his head and body were already severed. How could this be the power of Foundation Establishment peak?! The two were terrified out of their wits.

They exchanged a glance and immediately retreated, attempting to flee using their artifacts.

But Lin Zixiao merely flicked his finger—a black magical array barrier instantly rose into the air, forming a prison that enclosed everyone present.

"High-grade sealing array!"

The two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators froze, then unleashed two powerful spells, slamming them into the array.

Boom! Boom! But after the two thunderous impacts, their full-force strikes vanished like mud swallowed by an ocean—leaving not a ripple.

"This—"

Only then did they realize this was no ordinary array, and Lin Zixiao was no ordinary demonic cultivator.

But it was already too late.

Lin Zixiao manipulated the bluish-black demonic flame, shaping it into countless vengeful spirits that lunged toward the two.

Both frantically deployed every technique they had, desperately resisting the eerie demonic flame.

"Qing Luo Demonic Flame!"

Qin Ming watched as Lin Zixiao, wielding only a single demonic flame, slaughtered three Foundation Establishment peak cultivators like chickens and dogs.

He naturally recognized the origin of this devastating demonic flame in Lin Zixiao's hand.

It was one of the several second-rank demonic flames mentioned in the Yuan Sha Zhong Mo Zhen Jing.

Qing Luo Demonic Flame was originally forged centuries ago by a notorious demonic titan; after his death, it formed a demonic abyss where nothing grew within a hundred li.

For centuries, this flame had continuously absorbed the abyss's murderous energy, gaining sentience, devouring nearby life, and growing ever stronger.

The demonic flame could not only corrupt cultivators' artifacts, but directly burn their souls, stirring illusions of inner demons—death by it was excruciatingly cruel.

Moreover, the more cultivator souls it consumed, the stronger Qing Luo Demonic Flame became.

'Judging by the flame's power, Lin Zixiao must have already subjugated the soul essences of many Foundation Establishment cultivators.'

"It has likely already reached the tier of a second-rank upper-grade heavenly spiritual fire."

"I never expected Lin Zixiao to have mastered such a terrifying demonic flame."

In less time than it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

"Aaaah! Aaaah!"

Those two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators quickly found themselves unable to hold out; once entangled by the Green Net Demonic Fire, their faces twisted into expressions of madness.

The greatest inner demons hidden deep within their hearts were instantly provoked, causing them to attack each other.

Puchi! Puchi! Lin Zixiao wasted no time; he directly slashed out two streaks of black light, sending two heads flying and dispatching the pair to the west.

After storing the three storage bags, he slowly turned his head, smiled at Qin Ming, and said, "With these three ungrateful scoundrels gone, things have become a bit quieter."

Lin Zixiao beckoned with a single hand, recalling the Green Net Demonic Fire; the terrifying demonic flames flew back into his palm as he stared silently at Qin Ming.

Seeing this, Qin Ming remained completely calm; he exhaled sharply, and an ice-blue flame flew out, hovering in his hand.

With an expressionless face, he said to Lin Zixiao, "Could it be that after not seeing each other for so long, Fellow Daoist Lin intends to exchange a few moves with Qin Mou the moment we meet?"

(End of Chapter)