Chapter Twenty-Two: The Strange Bead

The situation changed in the blink of an eye. From Wang Damu’s attack to his demise, not even a few breaths had passed.

The cultivators setting up the formation were fleeing without looking back, oblivious to the shift in events. When Li Mu approached one of them, Wang San finally noticed him and hastily retreated, striking a defensive pose.

Wang San glanced at the field, realizing Wang Damu was nowhere to be seen. His eyes nearly popped out in shock. “What’s going on, Brother Wang?”

Li Mu’s expression was cold. “Did Sun Sanjiu send you here?”

Wang San was dumbfounded for a moment, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Sun Sanjiu? Isn’t he dead?”

Li Mu nodded slightly, understanding that Wang San was feigning ignorance. Outwardly, it was clear these men were summoned by Wang Qi, the very ones who had harmed Sun Sanjiu.

Before Wang San could react, Li Mu struck again. His Ice Crystal Ring released a chilling aura, enveloping Wang San instantly.

For someone at the Foundation Establishment stage, this spell was overwhelming for a mid-level Qi Condensation cultivator like Wang San, unless he possessed some defensive artifact—which he did not. Escape was impossible.

Wang San’s expression mirrored Wang Damu’s: mouth agape, terror etched across his face. But Li Mu showed no mercy. A fire spell followed, and Wang San was reduced to ashes.

“Now, it’s just the two of us,” Li Mu said.

Meanwhile, Li Mie had already engaged Zhao Si, but Li Mu, hardly pausing, swallowed a replenishment pill and went straight for Li Er.

Li Mu relaxed a little. Earlier, he had been outnumbered and forced to control the battlefield with an aggressive strategy. Now that the situation was balanced, he could afford to experiment with his new spells.

Against Li Er, Li Mu leisurely tested several newly acquired techniques: Gentle Wind, Mighty Force, and Thornwood.

Li Mie, however, was fighting fiercely.

“Blade Severance!”

About thirty seconds had passed. Li Mie unleashed a powerful blade technique, cleaving Zhao Si in two. These cultivators—Zhao Si and Wang San—were all outer disciples from weaker factions. Their resources paled in comparison to Li Mie’s; they were no match for him.

Li Mie remained calm. To him, they were never true threats.

Qi Condensation cultivators without proper artifacts, unable to wield spells suited to themselves, often relied on blade techniques. Li Mie, for example, wielded a green saber and used the Jade Iron Sect’s Blade Severance.

It was said that in this world, some cultivators could stand at the pinnacle relying solely on martial skills, without spells—immortal swords could destroy mountains, treasured blades could blot out the sun. Yet such cultivators were rare indeed.

After defeating Zhao Si, Li Mie planted his blade in the ground and squatted, vomiting for a moment.

He had witnessed much bloodshed, but this was the first time he had personally caused it; he couldn’t help but feel averse.

Li Er, seeing he was the only one left, immediately discarded his shield and knelt, pleading, “Spare me, lords! I was wrong!”

The shield was dark and forged from turtle shell refined over a century. Though not a high-grade artifact, it could barely withstand Li Mu’s spells, making him a tough opponent.

But seeing Li Er grovel, Li Mu seized the opportunity. A Thornwood spell pierced Li Er straight into the ground.

“Begging? What’s the use? You came here to kill me. I won’t let someone like you live.”

Li Mu shook his head, conjured a flame, and burned the corpse to ash.

The outcome was deci