255: You really dare to do that!

However, after devouring the Origin of the remaining imperial concubines, Mu Han's complexion not only didn't improve but became even more ghastly.

"Not enough! Still not enough!!"

He roared, his voice trembling with a hint of despair.

If it were the loss of magical power, vital Qi, or even Divine Thought, he wouldn't be so terrified.

But this was Origin Golden Nature! The Foundation of the Golden Core Dao!

Over the years, he had spent countless efforts, even slaughtering millions of lives, just to barely recover some of his Origin Golden Nature!

Now, in just a short while, most of it had inexplicably flowed away again!

All his efforts had been in vain, and he was even more severely injured than when he first arrived in the Southern Wilderness Region, as if some unseen entity had forcibly taken a large bite from his Golden Core!

Fortunately, this strange situation finally stopped after an hour.

However, Mu Han couldn't be happy at all, because the cracks on his Golden Core were still shocking, and his Origin Golden Nature had suffered heavy losses!

But he couldn't spare the time to ponder the reasons for all these strange changes now.

At this moment, his Late Golden Core Stage Realm was already on the verge of collapsing; his top priority was to maintain his Realm!

Without hesitation, Mu Han violently shattered the dome of Fengyi Palace, transforming into a streak of blood light and arriving above the blood pool.

Only when he looked at the soul banner that had absorbed a massive amount of vital Qi and soul evil from living beings, a trace of struggle and reluctance flashed in his eyes.

At this time, the soul devouring banner was already approaching the peak Third-Rank level; if he were given a little more time, this banner would surely successfully advance, and its power would greatly increase.

But soon, the struggle in his eyes disappeared, replaced by madness and determination.

"A soul banner is merely an external object; how could it be more important than oneself!"

Mu Han decisively cast a spell, forcibly interrupting the refining process of the soul devouring banner.

The soul banner let out a mournful tremor, and the blood light suddenly dimmed, but he didn't even look at it, directly putting it back into his Storage Pouch.

Immediately, Mu Han no longer hesitated, leaping up and plunging headfirst into the viscous, crimson blood pool.

"Gurgle... gurgle..."

In the blood pool, Mu Han frantically circulated his Demonic Technique, beginning to swallow and plunder the immense vital Qi energy accumulated in the blood pool.

He attempted to forcibly make up for the deficit in his Golden Core Origin in this most primitive and brutal way, thereby stabilizing his rapidly falling Realm.

The surging blood waves submerged him, leaving only giant whirlpools and the roaring growls emanating from within, like those of a wild beast.

---

One week later.

Heavenly Star Immortal City, Tianxing Peak.

"Rejected?"

Seeing True Person Tianxing, who had come to report, Lu Ming raised an eyebrow.

Good heavens, you actually dared to refuse!

"Yes, on Cloud Thunder Pavilion's side, Ancestor Yun Chen has agreed, but Cheng Qingxuan said he won't get involved in this matter. Even if an alliance is to be formed, Brother Han must first return the Qingxuan Sect's Magic Treasure; then he might consider it."

True Person Tianxing truthfully relayed the reply he received.

"Heh~" Lu Ming shook his head and chuckled.

Lu Ming was not surprised that Qingxuan Sect knew the sunfall longbow was in his hands.

The battle he fought that day had such a grand momentum that it must have been reported back to their respective forces by various spies.

Even Lu Ming had received a report from the Golden Phoenix Listening Rain Pavilion, stating that an unknown Golden Core had descended upon Heavenly Star Immortal City, and their Magic Treasure resembled a crimson-gold longbow.

So it was normal for Qingxuan Sect to know, and they even guessed that the 'white jade spirit boat' was also in his hands.

But so what?

Why should he return a Magic Treasure he obtained through his own skill?

Furthermore, it was Qingxuan Sect who attacked him first; they were simply not skilled enough and lost their Magic Treasure. Now they actually have the nerve to demand it back!

Shameless.

"Brother Han, what should we do next?"

Although True Person Tianxing concealed it well, Lu Ming still detected a hint of anticipation in his tone.

Is he coveting Qingxuan Sect's territory?

He didn't expect this old fellow to have such a ruthless mind.

Don't be fooled by True Person Tianxing's usual cheerful demeanor towards everyone; that's because he sees no profit in Loose Cultivators.

But once his own interests are involved, he immediately becomes energetic.

Previously, they didn't fight, and everyone lived in peace, because they lacked the strength to break the existing pattern (structure/pattern).

But now it's different; with a ruthless person like Lu Ming, True Person Tianxing's thoughts became active.

Especially when he saw Lu Ming replenish his Origin Golden Nature in just two days, he admired him wholeheartedly.

"Since that's the case, then let's go kill Cheng Qingxuan."

Lu Ming said it lightly, his tone as calm as still water, as if he were talking about killing a chicken.

True Person Tianxing was immediately overjoyed, but then his expression became solemn, and he reminded him:

"Brother Han, I originally intended to personally invite him and Ancestor Yun Chen for a meeting, but Cheng Qingxuan has recently been stimulated by something unknown and has holed up in Qingxuan Sect, refusing to come out.

If we really want to make a move, we must consider Qingxuan Sect's mountain-protecting grand Formation!"

Lu Ming naturally knew what Cheng Qingxuan was afraid of; Mu Yuan had probably scared this old turtle.

However, True Person Tianxing was indeed right; the power of a Third-Rank Grand Array should not be underestimated.

Take Heavenly Star Immortal City, for example; even such a large-scale beast tide did not destroy the Third-Rank 'Tianxing Forbidden Domain Array'.

If True Person Tianxing hadn't ultimately been lured out of the Formation, Ji Ruge and Shen Yuan wouldn't have succeeded so easily.

Similarly, the same applies to Qingxuan Sect; a direct assault definitely won't work!

Making too much of a commotion attracts attention and can easily lead to a fruitless return. That would not only create a deadly feud with Cheng Qingxuan but also potentially push him towards Mu Han.

So, either don't make a move, or if you do, you must eradicate the roots!

Thus, Lu Ming pondered for a moment, then said something astonishing: "Since he won't come out, then we'll go in and find him."

True Person Tianxing was startled upon hearing this and quickly waved his hands in refusal.

"No, no, this won't do, it's too dangerous."

Once on someone else's territory, you'd be at their mercy. What's the difference between that and a lamb entering a tiger's den?

It's impossible to pin hopes on Cheng Qingxuan's morality, to bet that he wouldn't do such a thing!

But how could that be? He was going there to kill someone; it's impossible that he wouldn't allow the other party to fight back!

Seeing True Person Tianxing's reaction, Lu Ming raised a hand to press down, signaling him not to get excited and to sit down and talk slowly first.

After True Person Tianxing calmed down, Lu Ming explained.

"Since we can't break through from the outside, then we'll dismantle it from the inside!"

Seeing True Person Tianxing about to jump up again, Lu Ming quickly continued.

"A Third-Rank Grand Array is primarily offensive and defensive externally, but internally, it's often only responsible for suppression.

And we have four Golden Cores; can he suppress all of us?

If a Third-Rank Grand Array were really that powerful, would your Heavenly Star Immortal City be in its current state?"

Lu Ming pointed to the outer city that had already been leveled.

True Person Tianxing fell silent; he admitted that Lu Ming's words made a lot of sense.

Otherwise, why would he have so readily withdrawn the Formation when Ji Ruge and Shen Yuan arrived?

Because the principle of a Third-Rank Formation is indeed like that; after all, the sword's edge is always directed outwards.

No one would idly hang a sharp sword over their own head, would they?

Are they really not afraid that one day the Formation's authority might be tampered with, and it would strike them?

If that were the case, even closed-door cultivation wouldn't be peaceful!

He himself wouldn't do such a thing, and with Cheng Qingxuan's personality, it would be even more impossible.

So, going directly inside really has potential!

And not to mention four Golden Cores personally arriving, even if only two went, it would be enough to give Cheng Qingxuan a hard time, let alone four... Wait!

True Person Tianxing suddenly noticed a blind spot.

Four Golden Cores?

Where did four Golden Cores come from?