35: Wang Lie, I curse you!

Wang Lie didn't say much. After patting Hong Yu on the shoulder, he flew directly toward the outskirts of the city.

Seeing this, Hong Yu could only keep his words of gratitude in his heart and turned to walk toward the City Lord's Mansion.

As soon as the life-and-death crisis was resolved, the discomfort in his body immediately spread throughout his frame. Fortunately, he had been injured frequently lately and had endured even greater hardships during his bitter cultivation in the Outer Sect, so this bit of pain was bearable for him.

At this moment, Wang Lie flew through the sky with a faint smile on his face, muttering to himself, "A special Magical Artifact, the soul-summoning banner? This thing is actually somewhat useful."

After a short while, Wang Lie found Sun Yang. Upon seeing Wang Lie, Sun Yang hurriedly withdrew the soul-summoning banner wrapped around himself and stepped forward to pay his respects, "Greetings, City Lord."

Wang Lie's gaze swept over Sun Yang and then fell onto the soul-summoning banner, examining it closely. When he confirmed that the soul-summoning banner in Sun Yang's hand was a finished product rather than a semi-finished one, the smile on his face grew even wider, and he clapped his hands in admiration, "It really is a soul-summoning banner. Good stuff."

After saying that, Wang Lie raised his hand and struck a light palm toward Sun Yang.

Sun Yang was greatly shocked at the sight, "City Lord, why are you trying to kill me?"

Sun Yang wanted to resist, but he only then realized that Wang Lie's seemingly light palm had actually locked down all his movement paths. Under the pressure of the Foundation Establishment Stage, even moving an inch became a luxury. He could only watch helplessly as Wang Lie's large hand pressed against his chest and then took the soul-summoning banner from his hand.

Sun Yang's chest suddenly caved in strangely. Aside from the expression of extreme pain on his face, he remained motionless on the spot. It wasn't until Wang Lie withdrew his hand that he seemed to be released, flying backward and then collapsing limply to the ground, coughing up large amounts of blood.

Wang Lie paid no attention to Sun Yang at all. At this moment, he was turning the soul-summoning banner over and over in his hands to examine it. The soul-summoning banner seemed to sense its owner's danger, as it constantly shook and struggled in Wang Lie's hands, trying to fly back to Sun Yang's side.

Wang Lie wasn't annoyed; instead, he chuckled and muttered to himself, "As expected of a special Magical Artifact that can rival a Spiritual Artifact. Not only can it be controlled and used at its full power during the Qi Refining Stage, but it has also developed spirituality and will automatically protect its master. With some top-grade Materials and further refinement, taking it a step further is not impossible."

After saying that, Wang Lie's palm glowed as he wiped it forcefully across the soul-summoning banner, using great magic power to directly erase the connection between the soul-summoning banner and Sun Yang.

The soul-summoning banner stopped struggling and shrank in Wang Lie's hand until it was only the size of a palm, after which it ceased all movement.

Sun Yang was already on the brink of death, and after suffering this turn of events, he let out a heart-wrenching scream, questioning venomously, "Wang Lie, attacking a Disciple of the Xuan Yun Residence is a capital offense. Are you truly not afraid at all?"

Wang Lie smiled disdainfully and said, "While on a mission, Sun Yang encountered an attack from a Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast. To cover his fellow Disciples' retreat, he unfortunately died a heroic death. What does that have to do with me, Wang Lie?"

Sun Yang's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He immediately forced his heavily injured body to kneel and beg for mercy, "City Lord, I was wrong. Treasures should belong to those who are capable. I am willing to offer the soul-summoning banner to the City Lord. I only hope the City Lord will show mercy and spare my life. I am willing to be the City Lord's vanguard, swearing a Heavenly Dao oath to be driven by the City Lord for the rest of my life."

Facing death, Sun Yang ultimately chose to beg for mercy without any dignity. Even though he had humbled himself to the dust, he still received no response from Wang Lie.

Wang Lie stood there with his hands behind his back, a smile on his lips, remaining indifferent.

Seeing this, Sun Yang knew he could not escape death, and the hope in his eyes finally shattered. He then hysterically uttered the most vicious curse, "Wang Lie, I curse you! I curse you to die a miserable death! I curse your Divine Soul to forever fall into Hell, never to be reincarnated for all eternity! I curse your Wang family..."

Before he could finish his words, Wang Lie reached out his right hand and made a grasping motion in the Void Realm. Suddenly, Sun Yang was hoisted into the air as if an invisible pair of large hands were choking him. His hands clawed desperately at the empty air in front of him, and his legs kicked uncontrollably.

Wang Lie clenched his palm forcefully, and Sun Yang instantly breathed his last.

Sun Yang, a Sixth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator, met his end in Wolong City.

Wang Lie flicked his finger, and a tiny spark of shimmering green light immediately attached itself to Sun Yang's corpse. Within a few breaths, it dissolved Sun Yang's body into a pool of bloody water that merged into the soil.

Seeing this, Wang Lie nodded with satisfaction and continued flying forward. Soon he arrived at Red Stone Ridge. After seeing the bodies of Zhao Yuntao and Wu Tie, he thought for a moment, collected the tiger demon's corpse, and flew back toward Wolong City without looking back.

By now, he could be certain that all the Xuan Yun Residence Disciples on this mission, except for Hong Yu, were dead.

A short while later, at the Wolong City Lord's Mansion.

While healing his wounds, Hong Yu received a notification from the butler and hurried to the main hall.

As soon as he entered, he saw Wang Lie sitting in the seat of honor, fiddling with Sun Yang's soul-summoning banner, with the target of their mission—the tiger demon's corpse—lying beside him.

Upon seeing Hong Yu, Wang Lie said in a mournful tone, "Little friend, I arrived too late. By the time I got there, your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters had all been killed. I only found their belongings and your mission objective. Please accept my condolences."

This is just great!

Hong Yu couldn't help but be overjoyed in his heart, but he still tried his best to put on a sorrowful expression and said, "The City Lord is of noble status, and to be willing to help search is already a great kindness. Moreover, the City Lord saved my life. I truly don't know how I should repay you."

Wang Lie waved his hand and said, "It's all for the business of the Xuan Yun Residence. These small matters are not worth mentioning. Furthermore, it's hardly a life-saving favor. In terms of combat, I am no match for the Cloud-Patterned Snake. It was only by utilizing the power of the City Protection Array and the prestige of the Xuan Yun Residence that I scared that beast away. Additionally, your movement technique is profound, and your speed far exceeds that of a Qi Refining Cultivator, which allowed you to escape. If you hadn't stepped into the array in time, even if I wanted to help, I'm afraid I would have been powerless."

Hong Yu said seriously with cupped hands, "The City Lord is mistaken. Regardless, I will certainly keep this life-saving favor in my heart and will definitely repay you in the future."

Wang Lie casually took a sip of tea and then said nonchalantly, "You are very thoughtful. Oh, there is one more thing I need to tell you. Since the others in your squad met with misfortune during this mission, it is only right and proper that their belongings be handled by you. Unfortunately, I only found this soul-summoning banner. Although it is a special Magical Artifact of a demonic Cultivator, there are no regulations within the Xuan Yun Residence forbidding its use, and its power is quite impressive. So, take it and deal with it as you see fit. Whether you keep it for protection or sell it, both are good options."

There's even such a good thing?

Just as Hong Yu was about to agree, he felt a very faint killing intent locking onto him.

If he hadn't cultivated the Blood Slaughter Sword Technique, which made him incredibly sensitive to killing intent, he wouldn't have noticed it at all.