“Bí Jié, do you really think I’ll fear you just because you’re a mid-stage Jin Dan cultivator?” Dān Zhū asked in a deep voice.

Recently, Mò Huà had given him many pointers, helping him understand problems he had struggled with before. Dān Zhū held Mò Huà in high regard. Now that Mò Huà was being ridiculed like this, even the good-natured Dān Zhū had a cloud of anger on his face. A layer of blazing fire enveloped him, and the Zhū Què Xuán Huǒ Líng Yī subtly pulsed around him.

Seeing Dān Zhū’s murderous demeanor, the black-clad youth from the Bì Fāng Tribe was clearly surprised, his expression turning grim.

Meanwhile, Mò Huà quickly analyzed and assessed the situation in his mind. The siege on the Shù Gǔ Mì Bù must have been led by the Bì Fāng Tribe. In the entire valley, the Bì Fāng Tribe had about 120 elite barbarian soldiers, another 200 from allied tribes, and about 300 enslaved barbarians. The Dān Què Tribe had only 100 elite barbarian soldiers. Although the Dān Què Tribe’s individual strength was greater, they were severely outnumbered.

Mò Huà extended his spiritual sense to perceive the Bì Fāng Tribe’s Jin Dan cultivators, estimating there were about five: two at mid-stage Jin Dan and three at early-stage Jin Dan. The Dān Què Tribe had only four Jin Dan cultivators, and one, Elder Bā Shān, was injured from Mò Huà’s “physical punishment.”

A direct confrontation would be disadvantageous. Moreover, this black-clad youth named “Bí Jié” was likely the young master of the Bì Fāng Tribe, possessing mid-stage Jin Dan cultivation, a very strong aura, and appearing quite formidable. A wise person doesn’t seek revenge overnight, and while Mò Huà really wanted to kill him on the spot, unfortunately, the conditions didn’t permit it.

After weighing the pros and cons, Mò Huà looked at Bí Jié, adopting the solemn and dignified posture of a “Wū Zhù Dà Rén”: “The Divine Lord has noted your offense. Sooner or later, divine punishment will descend upon you, and your soul will be shattered.”

Mò Huà’s voice was calm yet profound. The air around them fell silent for a moment, and many people exchanged glances. The black-clad youth named “Bí Jié” couldn’t help but sneer. He had been threatened before. Over the years, he had acted brazenly, killing people everywhere, and countless individuals hated, cursed, and wished to kill him. But he had never been “provoked” face-to-face by a “weakling” in the Foundation Establishment stage.

Bí Jié laughed instead of getting angry: “You, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, a wet-behind-the-ears kid, dare to talk about ‘Divine Lord’ and ‘Heavenly Punishment’? You want to curse me to death? You sound like a damn idiot…”

“In that case,” Bí Jié’s eyes gleamed savagely as he grinned, “I’ll kill you first and see if your Divine Lord can save you…” Bí Jié brandished a dark green, feathered, ferocious Bì Fāng Qīng Móu Broadsword. Black qi surged in the air, accompanied by the cries of fierce birds. This blade was Bí Jié’snatal magic weapon, a barbarian weapon imbued with intense killing intent. Under the enhancement of his mid-stage Jin Dan cultivation, the weapon radiated immense power, its pressure spreading all around.

Dān Zhū’s eyes were also grave, feeling immense pressure. He was indeed a genius, and he possessed the Zhū Què Líng Yī magic weapon. But Bí Jié was also a genius, and his magic weapon was no ordinary item. Furthermore, Bí Jié was a full cycle older than Dān Zhū, and his cultivation was a stage higher. For many years, Bí Jié had fought battles for the Bì Fāng Tribe, undergoing extensive practical combat training, making him more experienced in skirmishes.

A genius is like unpolished jade, still needing refinement. Dān Zhū’s refinement was insufficient. Bí Jié, however, had already sharpened his edge. Just as Bí Jié’s ferocious Bì Fāng blade was about to strike Mò Huà, Dān Zhū’s eyes were cold. Mò Huà’s expression remained unchanged.

At that moment, Chì Fēng’s Dān Huǒ flared around him, and he stepped in front of Mò Huà and Dān Zhū, his burning killing intent firmly locked onto Bí Jié. Chì Fēng was a trusted confidant of the Dān Què Tribe’s Great Chieftain, an old general who had seen countless battles. His demeanor was steady and ruthless, not inferior in the slightest to the Bì Fāng Tribe’s genius, Bí Jié. While Bí Jié might have underestimated Dān Zhū, he dared not ignore Chì Fēng.

Bí Jié pointed his murderous Bì Fāng blade at Mò Huà and said to the barbarian general Chì Fēng: “I’m only striking this insolent Foundation Establishment brat; I’m not attacking anyone from your Dān Què Tribe, Chì Fēng. You don’t need to stop me, do you?”

Chì Fēng shook his head, “No, I must.”

Bí Jié’s face darkened slightly. He scrutinized Mò Huà and slowly said, “If I’m not mistaken, this kid shouldn’t be from your Dān Què Tribe, right?”

Chì Fēng replied, “He is a ‘guest’ of my Dān Què Tribe.”

Bí Jié sneered, “You would make trouble for my Bì Fāng Tribe for the sake of this so-called guest?” A fierce glint flashed in Bí Jié’s eyes. “Hand him over to me. I’ll chop him down with one blow, and we can avoid conflict. Otherwise, if our two tribes fight, I can’t guarantee if your young master will remain unharmed, or how many of your subordinates will die…”

Chì Fēng’s gaze was as firm as a mountain: “A guest of my Dān Què Tribe can be considered a tribesman of my Dān Què Tribe.”

“It’s true that your Bì Fāng Tribe has more people, but if you truly wish to fight my Dān Què Tribe, you’ll likely suffer many casualties. Even Young Master Bí Jié himself might not escape unscathed.” Chì Fēng spoke neither arrogantly nor humbly, his Jin Dan power poised for action.

Bí Jié secretly scoffed, his face sullen. Without good reason, he wouldn’t risk his life fighting Chì Fēng just to vent his anger by killing someone. Bí Jié was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What is your Dān Què Tribe here for?”

Chì Fēng didn’t speak, looking at Dān Zhū. Dān Zhū then said in a deep voice, “My Dān Què Tribe is here to rescue our tribesmen from the smaller tribes who were abducted by the Shù Gǔ Tribe.”

Bí Jié was somewhat surprised and asked, “Just for that?”

Mò Huà’s eyes flickered. Dān Zhū also found it a bit strange and retorted, “What is your Bì Fāng Tribe here for?”

Bí Jié sneered, “What else could it be for? Naturally, it’s to seize territory.” Then, without waiting for Dān Zhū to say anything more, he said coldly: “Fine, if you’re here to rescue people, then just rescue them. Don’t interfere with other matters, and don’t even think of having designs on the territory my Bì Fāng Tribe has taken. If we keep to ourselves, all will be well. Otherwise, don’t blame my Bì Fāng Tribe for being impolite.”

Bí Jié’s words were very arrogant. Bā Shān couldn’t help but want to curse a few words. Dān Zhū, however, stopped him and shook his head. At such a time, saving people was paramount. Getting into a dispute and fighting over a momentary quarrel, leading to greater casualties, would be unwise. Dān Zhū nodded, “Alright.” But he also didn’t want to show weakness, his eyes gleaming sharply: “If your Bì Fāng Tribe keeps its promise, we won’t act. Otherwise, my Dān Què Tribe will not let you off lightly.”

Bí Jié smiled and shook his head, “Kid, you’re still too green to try talking tough.”

Dān Zhū pressed his lips tightly. Bā Shān and Bā Chuān both glared angrily at Bí Jié. Bí Jié scoffed contemptuously, ignoring their gaze, and turned to his Bì Fāng subordinates beside him: “We’ll do our own thing, kill all the Shù Gǔ Tribe members, seize the territory, and simply treat these Dān Què Tribe people as wood; ignore them.”

“Yes!” the Bì Fāng Tribe members responded, a hint of mockery in their tone. The Dān Què Tribe members all wore angry expressions.

After that, neither side said anything more. Only Bí Jié and Dān Zhū exchanged a confrontational glance before going their separate ways. Bí Jié led the Bì Fāng Tribe to continue attacking the Shù Gǔ Tribe, burning, killing, and plundering. Dān Zhū, in turn, led the Dān Què Tribe barbarians, avoiding conflict to rescue their tribesmen.

The main forces of both sides gradually moved apart. When they reached a secluded spot, after personally killing a few more Shù Gǔ barbarians, Bí Jié’s defiant expression turned sinister, and he couldn’t help but curse: “Damn it, what a shame. I intended to cut down that pretty boy with one strike, then suddenly change tactics and, catching him off guard, use my cultivation to suppress and kill Dān Zhū. Even if I couldn’t kill him, I’d at least chop off an arm. But I didn’t expect Chì Fēng, that old fox, to be so cautious, blocking my moves and not giving me a chance to strike. Otherwise, that little brat Dān Zhū would definitely have met his end today…”

Bí Jié spoke with some regret. Then his face darkened. After careful thought, he declared decisively: “No, Dān Zhū must still be killed!” He turned and ordered the few Bì Fāng Jin Dan cultivators beside him: “Later, we’ll look for an opportunity, find an excuse to slowly approach them, then without a word, suddenly strike with full force. We must use lightning-fast methods to kill Dān Zhū directly!” Bí Jié’s face was fierce.

Next to Bí Jié, a mid-stage Jin Dan elder of the Bì Fāng Tribe frowned, worried: “Wouldn’t that anger the Dān Què Tribe?”

Bí Jié sneered, “So what?” The Bì Fāng elders were still somewhat hesitant. Bí Jié then said grimly: “You and I both know how difficult it is to form a Jin Dan. But Dān Zhū, at twenty, easily formed one. What terrifying talent is that? If he remains, he will surely become a great threat!”

“I’ve long wanted to kill him by any means necessary, but the Dān Què Tribe protected him so well, I couldn’t even touch a hair on his head. Now, for some reason, the Dān Què Tribe has suddenly let Dān Zhū out… and we of the Bì Fāng Tribe just happened to encounter him. Isn’t this heaven clearly giving us an opportunity?”

“I even feel this might be the only chance heaven will give our Bì Fāng Tribe. This opportunity is fleeting. If we become complacent, hesitate, aren’t ruthless enough, and don’t seize this chance to kill Dān Zhū directly by any means necessary, once Dān Zhū grows up and becomes a powerful chieftain, it will be too late to regret. The survival of a tribe often hinges on that one thought—ruthlessness or hesitation!”

Bí Jié spoke passionately, his eyes flashing with burning ambition. The surrounding Bì Fāng Jin Dan elders were all shaken. Their young master was truly naturally decisive and courageous, with extremely keen intuition. As long as it was an enemy, he would kill without mercy, never missing the slightest opportunity. Likewise, his ambition and cunning were also impressive. No wonder the tribe’s late-stage Jin Dan Grand Elder was wholeheartedly devoted to this young master. This was the hope for the rise of the Bì Fāng Tribe. Several Bì Fāng Jin Dan elders’ faces turned grim, and they nodded: “We obey Young Master’s command. If there’s an opportunity, we will kill Dān Zhū!”

On the other side. The Dān Què Tribe gathered together. Seeing no one else around, Mò Huà whispered, “Later, if there’s a chance, let’s see if we can kill that brat Bí Jié first…”

Dān Zhū and the others were startled. Even Chì Fēng looked at Mò Huà in surprise.

“That… it might not be possible to kill him…” Bā Shān said softly. Since being “rescued” by Mò Huà, the Wū Zhù Dà Rén, Bā Shān had indeed become much more obedient, accepting Mò Huà’s importance and no longer arguing about everything. His statement wasn’t opposition but a very objective concern. Bí Jié was a mid-stage Jin Dan cultivator, with strong talent and cultivation, and he was surrounded by powerful Bì Fāng Jin Dan cultivators and many Bì Fāng barbarians.

Mò Huà nodded: “That’s why I said ‘if there’s a chance.’ Kill him if there’s a chance, but if not, don’t force it. However, you absolutely must not lose the intent to kill.”

Bā Chuān frowned, “Wū Xiān Shēng, while our Dān Què Tribe is not on good terms with the Bì Fāng Tribe, we wouldn’t secretly assassinate their young master. That would create an irreparable blood feud.”

Mò Huà said, “Bí Jié is a man with a wolf’s ambition. If you don’t kill their young master, they will certainly kill yours.” Bā Shān and Bā Chuān were both somewhat hesitant.

“Xiān Shēng, how do you know that Bí Jié will definitely try to kill me?” Dān Zhū frowned and asked Mò Huà.

Mò Huà said to Dān Zhū: “There’s nothing strange about it. If I were Bí Jié, I would definitely kill you first. If I don’t kill you now, there won’t be such a good opportunity later…”

Dān Zhū: “…”

“Of course,” Mò Huà rubbed his fingers, mentally calculating, and then had to admit, “The opportunity to kill Bí Jié is indeed slim right now. I’m just reminding you to be prepared in your minds. Two things: first, prevent Bí Jié from making a murderous move against Young Master Dān Zhū. Second, watch for an opportunity to strike first and kill Bí Jié.” Mò Huà’s tone was somewhat solemn.

Dān Zhū and the others thought about it and all nodded. Mò Huà’s reminder was actually correct. While one should not harbor malicious intent, one must always be prepared against the malicious intent of others. Regardless of whether they killed Bí Jié or not, they needed to guard against Bí Jié’s treacherous killing intent.

Afterward, throughout their journey, Bā Shān and Bā Chuān protected Dān Zhū, and Chì Fēng, his eyes like torches, followed behind Dān Zhū. Mò Huà walked abreast with Dān Zhū, also enjoying “young master” level protection.

Of course, everyone’s primary intention was still to rescue the captives. The best strategy was to rescue the Dān Què tribesmen and leave this troubled place as soon as possible, avoiding further conflict with the Bì Fāng Tribe. Otherwise, if a chaotic battle broke out, who knew how many more would die.

Mò Huà actually didn’t want to see this happen. After all, the genius Dān Zhū and these one hundred barbarian soldiers had secretly been regarded as “his own people” by Mò Huà. They were the vital force for him to develop his power and complete his next strategic arrangements. If they suffered losses, Mò Huà would be heartbroken.

However, the Dān Què Tribe members had circled the Shù Gǔ Mì Bù valley entirely, yet still hadn’t found the place where the “live provisions” were kept. They hadn’t seen any Dān Què tribesmen, nor any other barbarian cultivators from various tribes who had been abducted for sacrifice. Mò Huà asked Tiě Shù Gǔ. Tiě Shù Gǔ only looked frightened, saying he knew nothing. He was the leader of a “roaming tribe,” constantly wandering, killing people, stealing things, and finding any mountain cave to use as a stronghold. He had only visited this secret place a few times, offering “rations” a few times; his status did not qualify him to stay here long.

Mò Huà glanced at him, his gaze somewhat meaningful, but he didn’t ask further. The entire Shù Gǔ Mì Bù was also very large. Wind and water flowed through the valley, making it easy for qi to dissipate. Mò Huà didn’t use his karmic calculation abilities to avoid alerting the enemy. Instead, he, along with the Dān Què Tribe members, simply relied on their vision and spiritual sense to find their way.

After searching in a circle, they found nothing. They eventually wound up in front of a massive stone hall deep within the Shù Gǔ Mì Bù. This stone hall was built directly into the mountain. From the outside, one could only see two massive stone doors, almost integrated with the cliff face. On each door, there was a carved image of an unknown skeletal beast. These two skeletal beasts faced each other, like two “door gods,” guarding the entrance and locking all secrets and qi within the stone hall behind the doors.

At this moment, not only had the Dān Què Tribe members arrived at the stone hall, but most of the Bì Fāng Tribe barbarians were already guarding it. Various small and medium tribes allied with the Bì Fāng Tribe also stood guard around them. In front of the great doors, some loyal Shù Gǔ Tribe members, with white bone makeup on their faces, were still fighting the Bì Fāng Tribe to defend the stone hall. But they were no match for the Bì Fāng Tribe. In less than half an hour, they were all killed by the Bì Fāng Tribe. Blood and severed limbs splattered everywhere.

The one who had killed the most was Bí Jié, the mid-stage Jin Dan young master of the Bì Fāng Tribe, clad in black with a dark green fierce bird totem on his chest, wielding the Bì Fāng murderous blade. After eliminating the remaining Shù Gǔ Tribe members and stabilizing the situation, Bí Jié finally looked at Dān Zhū and the others, his face grim and a little excited: “You truly are… like lingering ghosts…”