The entire soul and cultivation core shattered into fragments of energy light, which traveled along the blackish-golden chains straight into Yao Chen's body. Simultaneously, the bandit leader rapidly executed a highly complex hand seal. "Mountain-Cleaving Tiger Claw!" Swuuuuuuuung! A formation circle materialized, revealing the claw formation eye right in front of the bandit leader. Once the formation was complete, he immediately swung his hand, thrusting his fingers toward the center of the formation eye. Raaaaul! Wuuuuuush! An energy blast shaped like a massive claw erupted from the formation eye, hurtling toward Yao Chen's body. Watching it approach, Yao Chen merely snorted coldly and waved a single hand. BOOOOOOOOM! An energy construct shaped like a sword blade manifested, slicing through the air and obliterating the entire claw energy in a single flash. Slaaaaaaash! Regrettably, the sword energy carried on its trajectory, slashing clean through the body of the bandit l

"Absorb..."Wuuuuuush! Yao Chen opened his eyes, a faint flicker of disappointment crossing his face when he realized that only his energy and aura had increased. "How troublesome..." Wuuuuuush! Ling Yi arrived at his side, offering a warm and amicable smile. "We should resume our journey immediately... Yao Chen, remember that your identity as a Demonic cultivator has already been exposed," she said, glancing toward the retreating figure of Suang Li. Gazing at the man, Yao Chen’s expression remained flat. "Demons are considered the symbol of evil, yet I only act when someone provokes me. Am I wrong?" The girl simply shrugged her shoulders. Without making any stops, they immediately continued their relentless journey for the next two days to finally arrive at the territory of the Qing Empire. "Will the cultivators in the sky please descend... This is the law of the empire," a royal guard commander ordered, hovering in the air to halt their flight. Yao Chen merely nodded. Toge

"He intends to track my entire soul and energy... But I see no radiance of hostility. Who is the owner of VIP Room Number One?" Yao Chen murmured. Qing Shian promptly halted her steps as they arrived at VIP booth number five. "Master, this is your room... VIP rooms receive distinct treatment. Whatever you require, we will respond immediately through the transmission jade beside the chair... And to place a bid, you can inject a sliver of Qi energy into the red jade stone to the right of your seat," Qing Shian provided clear and concise instructions. Once there was nothing else to attend to, the girl left the room. Yao Chen’s gaze then drifted toward the various other VIP booths. Whoosh! "A truly mysterious place... Even a Divine Soul cannot peer through to see the individuals behind the VIP rooms..." Perhaps this was the security provided by the auction house, and it would certainly aid him in competing for the second Demonic Flame Lotus map fragment. Not long after, a middle-age

"Prepare everything, I want to sever his neck with my own sword?!" * Inside the inn. Yao Chen knew that every faction was waiting for him to step outside the Empire’s borders. However, he was no fool. Remaining inside the inn, he entered the soul realm within his slab sword. Swish! As his form materialized clearly inside the realm, he retrieved two incomplete map fragments—still missing one final piece. "Two fragments trying to play riddles with me? Hehehehe!" He smiled mysteriously, then brought out a brush, ink, and several sheets of paper. After tearing a new piece of paper to match the size of the missing section, Yao Chen began to paint a series of unseen paths. Although he knew this would take time, searching for the third fragment was not a wise move. Moreover, he was well aware that his chances of making it out of the Qing Empire alive were already slim. As time passed, Yao Chen used his own ingenuity to complete each path. Yet, it proved to be a grueling challenge; a

"Do you think he can be trusted? Or are you just drawn to his good looks?"Ling Yi’s face flushed crimson, but she quickly covered it up by shrugging her shoulders.After fleeing for thirty minutes at a maximum speed that was now beginning to slow down, Yao Chen started to vomit blood. The residual attack left behind by Huang Cao Li was truly taking its toll.He promptly separated his Divine body into the block sword!"That strike left a trace upon my body... I must heal myself immediately, then figure out a way to erase Huang Cao Li's soul trace." He stored the plundered souls into his soul world, knowing full well that cultivating while heavily injured would only invite death. He quickly pulled out several raw medicinal herbs. Using his Qi energy, Yao Chen swiftly crushed all the ingredients inside a small bowl.Wuuuuuuush!The aroma was incredibly pungent, but he had no other alternative.Gleeeeeek!Slowly, the damage inflicted upon the vital points in several parts of his body beg