158: The shock in the cultivation world

“A top-tier sect, just like that, turned to dust…”

The scouts watched as the last Vice Sect Master fell in the annihilating beam, his life force instantly dissipating. Everyone's expression was extremely complex.

The Fenghua Sect, after all, was a top-tier sect with a widespread reputation on this continent.

However, today, after a fierce battle lasting only a few hours, it completely vanished from this land, like dust swept away by a strong wind, leaving no trace.

“Let’s go. Since the matter is settled, I need to report back quickly.”

A righteous path scout broke the silence first. He sighed slightly, his eyes still holding the shock of the sudden change.

“Hey, you little brat, trying to run? Not so easy!”

As soon as he finished speaking, an Evil Path scout, who had previously been ridiculed by the righteous path scout, flashed a ruthless glint in his eyes. He suddenly raised the long saber in his hand, which gleamed with a cold light, and shot towards the righteous path scout like lightning.

“Weren’t you quite talkative before? Now let’s settle the score properly!”

“Not running? I’m not an idiot. On your Evil Path’s territory, even if I beat you, can I really get away unscathed?”

The righteous path scout knew the situation was unfavorable for him, so how could he dare to stay put? He turned and fled desperately, constantly looking back vigilantly at the pursuing Evil Path scout.

Su Xia paid no mind to the drama unfolding with the scouts.

At this moment, her mind was completely occupied with how to deal with the bodies of the Fenghua Sect disciples, especially the remains of Xue Yue and the other two Yiqi Realm Experts.

It was important to note that since the start of this mission, this was their first time obtaining the body of a Yiqi Realm Expert.

Su Xia understood that this was an extremely rare “trophy.” If she could bring it back intact and present it to Teacher Li Yang, it would undoubtedly earn her many bonus points in this mission assessment.

As soon as she thought of this, a blush of excitement appeared on Su Xia’s face, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

She quickly instructed the Imperial Soldiers.

“Hurry up! First, extract all the orbs (precious items) from the Fenghua Sect disciples, especially from Xue Yue and the other two. Be extremely careful, and don’t miss a single one! Also, collect all the bodies of the First Incarnation Realm disciples.”

Su Xia had another plan in mind. Although the First Incarnation Realm Experts' bodies were not of the highest cultivation, they had never undergone detailed dissection and research before.

If these bodies were given to Wang Gang, with his expertise in anatomy and human research, he might be able to discover some new clues.

Under Su Xia’s command, the Imperial Soldiers quickly sprang into action.

They had clear divisions of labor: some Soldiers were responsible for cutting open the bodies to extract the orbs (precious items) containing the Fenghua Sect disciples’ cultivation essence, while others systematically transported and collected the First Incarnation Realm bodies.

Throughout the ruins of the Fenghua Sect, only the busy footsteps of the Soldiers and their hushed conversations could be heard.

In just half a day, with everyone's concerted efforts, all the orbs (precious items) from the Fenghua Sect disciples were successfully extracted. The faintly glowing orbs (precious items) were neatly stored away.

At the same time, the bodies of the First Incarnation Realm and Yiqi Realm Experts were properly placed in designated areas of the starship.

Looking at the starship, now laden with its spoils, Su Xia nodded in satisfaction. With a single command, the starship slowly activated, cutting through the sky as it returned towards the fleet, leaving behind the ravaged former site of the Fenghua Sect, which appeared particularly desolate and bleak under the afterglow of the setting sun...

Within the magnificent yet subtly eerie main hall of the Soul Hall, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.

Candlelight flickered in the hall, and shadows danced grotesquely on the walls, like countless twisted ghost faces.

The Soul Hall's scout knelt on one knee, his expression solemn, and meticulously reported all the developments that had occurred at the Fenghua Sect.

“Oh?”

Seated at the head of the table was an old man with an aged face.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence, his face filled with solemnity, and slowly spoke.

“It seems this newly emerged mysterious force truly cannot be underestimated…”

His voice was deep and hoarse, yet carried a hint of undetectable worry.

“Indeed. I didn’t expect them to truly possess such capability, to be able to annihilate a top-tier sect within a single day. Previously, when I heard their boasts, I only took it as bluster. Now, it seems their words were not empty.”

The Black-Robed Man was also in the main hall. He frowned slightly, his tone carrying a mix of awe and lingering fear, secretly congratulating himself for not acting rashly like the Fenghua Sect.

After all, with the Soul Hall’s strength, while they were confident in repelling invading enemies, if they were to truly fall into a bitter struggle, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses.

At this moment, another person stepped out from the side, slightly cupped his hands, and with a thoughtful expression, said,

“So, now that the Fenghua Sect has been destroyed, how should that large area of territory that originally belonged to them be handled? According to the scout’s report, the mysterious force does not seem to have sent anyone to take it over.”

After he finished speaking, everyone in the hall stirred.

After all, the sphere of influence of their Evil Path Sects on this continent was not extensive to begin with. Now that the Fenghua Sect had fallen, such a vast territory had suddenly appeared, which was indeed an enticing piece of fatty meat. Naturally, it needed to be discussed carefully.

The leading old man’s gaze was like a torch, sweeping over everyone in the hall. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.

“Don’t be in a hurry to make a move. After all, the Fenghua Sect was taken down by that mysterious force. Their strength is unfathomable, and their methods are unpredictable. Let’s hold our ground for now, closely monitor their every move, and then make a decision. We must not fall into a passive position due to temporary greed.”

His words conveyed a sense of seasoned composure and caution.

“Yes, Sect Master!”

Everyone responded in unison...

The news of the Fenghua Sect’s destruction, like a swift storm, swept through the entire cultivation world at an astonishing speed.

Whether it was the righteous path, upholding justice, or the Evil Path, acting with cunning, all were shaken by this monumental news. For a time, in streets and alleys, and within sect halls, everyone was fervently discussing this earth-shattering event.

“Hey, have you heard? The Fenghua Sect truly suffered a devastating blow this time. A full three Yiqi Realm Experts, all of them actually perished!”

A cultivator, his face filled with shock, said to his companion beside him, his expression as if he had heard the most incredible thing in the world.

“Really? Yiqi Realm Experts perishing? This is no small matter! I haven’t heard such explosive news in a long time.”

His companion’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief and curiosity. The cultivation world had not seen such a sensational event in a long time.

Yiqi Realm Experts were pillars of existence in any force. Now, three of them had perished at once. How could this not shock people?