Chapter 544: An Eye for an Eye

A circular abyss!

Estimated to be a hundred zhang in diameter!

Standing at the edge of the abyss and looking down, all one could see was a sea of crimson red—nothing else.

The entire abyss seemed to be a sea of fire.

Scorching heat continuously erupted from within the abyss.

"This is the Heavenly Fire Ruin!" said Xihu True Person with solemnity. "It is said this abyss has no bottom!"

"This opening lasts only three years!"

"All of you, hurry inside!"

Boom…

With that, Xihu True Person leapt first into the abyss.

Then, the Li family disciples followed one by one.

The Zhu, Kong, and Wu families…

Members of each clan also leapt into the abyss.

Everyone hovered in midair, slowly descending.

Zhu Dong, still with a hint of baby fat, had now reached Foundation Establishment. He stared at the abyss and said: "I know why Qi Refining disciples aren't allowed in!"

"Because Qi Refining disciples cannot ride their swords through the void—they'd keep falling until death!"

"Exactly!" Zhu Ci nodded. "That's the reason!"

"All of you, don't blame me for not warning you—though deeper down, the treasures and Dao methods grow denser, I still urge you not to be greedy!"

"Just descend slowly and steadily!"

Everyone nodded.

Thus, from then on, whether Foundation Establishment or Golden Core cultivators, all descended at nearly the same pace.

The speed was slow.

Everyone was cautious.

But after about half a stick of incense had passed, several Golden Core cultivators grew impatient.

"All of you!"

"I take my leave—I go first!"

"I'm going down too!"

"There's no need to be this cautious—I think we've become overly careful!"

Five or six Golden Core cultivators accelerated downward together.

After a while, Xihu True Person could no longer hold back. She said: "You few slow down—I'm going down a bit further!"

Then, Xihu True Person left.

One by one, the Golden Core cultivators beside He He Pingsheng departed.

Soon, only Foundation Establishment cultivators remained.

No…

Besides these Foundation Establishment cultivators, one other person remained: Zhu Ci.

Their descent speed remained slow.

"The deeper we go, the stronger the fire element becomes—and the harder it is to endure!" Zhu Ci looked at them and said: "If you cannot hold on, carve out a space in the cave wall and cultivate there!"

Soon, several Foundation Establishment cultivators clung to nearby cave walls and began cultivating.

After all, they had three years—progress gradually!

The deeper they went, the fewer remained.

After another half stick of incense, only Zhu Ci and Zhu Dong remained beside He He Pingsheng.

"Hehehe… little one!" Zhu Ci chuckled at He He Pingsheng. "You must have a treasure that defends against spiritual sense attacks, right?"

Zhu Ci spoke plainly, asking directly.

After all, no one was around anymore.

He He Pingsheng did not answer his question, but countered: "So, back during the contest, the one who attacked me with spiritual sense… was you, Elder Zhu?"

At this, Zhu Dong's body trembled slightly: "This… Elder… you… you actually…"

He was incredulous.

Wasn't the match supposed to be fair?

"Hmph…" Zhu Ci sneered. "Boy, you ruined my plans. I've been lenient not flaying you alive!"

"What?"

"Still dissatisfied now?"

He He Pingsheng smiled coldly, saying nothing.

A silence fell between the three.

After a while, Zhu Dong could no longer hold on. "Elder, I can descend no further!"

"Good," Zhu Ci nodded.

Zhu Dong turned his body and clung to the cliff wall at that depth, beginning to absorb the fire element.

Now, He He Pingsheng was alone with Zhu Ci.

"I've already had someone investigate," Zhu Ci said coolly. "You're not truly of the Li family—only recently joined, just to help them secure rankings!"

"If I kill you now, the Lis won't know. Even if they do, they won't avenge you."

"Choose your path."

"Let me take it from you… or hand over that treasure that defends against spiritual sense attacks yourself."

He He Pingsheng smiled: "Then… Elder, you'd better act."

"I truly don't believe you can kill me."

"Good, good, stubborn to the end!" Zhu Ci's fat body trembled slightly. "Boy, you brought this on yourself—I'm not to blame!"

He He Pingsheng wanted to vomit.

This man was utterly shameless.

Wants to kill me, yet claims I asked for it?

"Cut…"

Zhu Ci stood proudly before He He Pingsheng, calmly drawing a blood-red treasure blade and slashing down at him.

The blade was no ordinary weapon—it was a mid-grade Mystic Treasure, bearing fourteen sealing arrays.

Such a thing was beyond the reach of ordinary Golden Core cultivators.

Zhu Ci was rich.

Or perhaps Golden Core cultivators in the Spirit Realm were simply wealthier than those in the Mortal Realm.

He He Pingsheng's eyes held a smile, yet his body remained utterly still.

Not dodging. Not retreating.

Not even defending.

"Die!" Zhu Ci's expression was contemptuous and merciless.

The blade's crimson aura stretched into a shadow dozens of zhang long, slashing toward him.

But!

Just as the blade descended halfway, something shocking happened.

The blade froze.

The fiery spiritual force forming the blade's shadow was held immobile by some invisible force.

The next moment, Zhu Ci grew even more terrified.

Because he realized—he couldn't move either.

His limbs were stiff.

He couldn't even turn his head.

Only his mouth could move.

"What's happening?" he muttered, shocked and terrified. "Why is this happening?"

"Boy, who are you?"

He He Pingsheng still wore a smile: "It doesn't matter… what matters is that you attacked me with spiritual sense!"

"Today, I return the favor—surely that aligns with the Dao!"

Shhh…

Two spiritual sense nails slowly emerged from He He Pingsheng's spiritual sense core.

Tangible spiritual energy pierced through the void.

Their speed was slow.

Seeing this, Zhu Ci finally broke: "This… spiritual sense taking form… this is… Soul Transformation…"

"You're a Soul Transformation cultivator?"

"This… is spatial lockdown?"

"Sssss… Spare me… Elder, spare me… It's all my fault, I'll never…!"

The two spiritual sense nails slammed into his spiritual sense core. Zhu Ci's voice cut off abruptly.

BOOM…

Without magical power to sustain it, Zhu Ci's body could no longer resist the external heat and ignited instantly.

In a few breaths, his massive body turned to ash.

Only a blood-colored long knife and two rings remained.

He He Pingsheng waved his hand, and the items were absorbed into his body.