At that moment, Ying Ming Chao and Chu Feng, along with the others, were heading toward Hero City.
Since Ying Ming Chao's injuries had yet to fully heal, Chu Feng and Zi Xun Yi were still treating him as they traveled.
Under these circumstances, the burden of guiding the group fell upon the several True Immortals of Hero City.
Although they were still an allied army, compared to the force that had set out, they were vastly diminished — both in morale and in numbers.
Perhaps because the assault on the Soul Infant Sect had ended in failure, everyone's spirits were low.
Alongside that gloom simmered fury, and curses against the traitors could be heard rippling through the crowd without pause.
"Who goes there?"
But at that very moment, Ying Ming Chao — who had been absorbed in his healing — snapped his eyes open and stared straight ahead.
"Heh heh heh… worthy of Ying Ming Chao indeed. Your senses are as sharp as ever."
"Still, the fact that you recovered so quickly — that's thanks to Chu Feng, isn't it?"
A sinister voice rang out, and a figure materialized, planting itself squarely at the head of the allied army.
A single person, forming a standoff against the entire assembled force.
More importantly, upon seeing this figure, every last member of the allied army wore an expression of sheer panic.
Because this man… was none other than the Sect Master of the Soul Infant Sect — the very one who had just defeated Ying Ming Chao.
"What are you after?" someone in the allied army asked, voice trembling.
"What am I after? Isn't it perfectly obvious? How could I possibly let the likes of you leave unscathed?"
"I came here for one reason: to uproot the weeds entirely, so that no lingering trouble remains." The Soul Infant Sect Master sneered.
"So it really was a trap?" Chu Feng asked.
"Since you've already figured it out, why bother asking again? But Chu Feng — I am a man who appreciates talent. Hand over that stone stained with the Divine Dragon's blood, and I will not only spare your life but welcome you into the Soul Infant Sect. Together, we would share wealth and glory."
The Soul Infant Sect Master addressed Chu Feng directly.
"The stone stained with the Divine Dragon's blood… the Divine Dragon Blood Ruler?" At these words, Chu Feng's heart clenched.
The Divine Dragon Blood Ruler was a treasure he had obtained within Grandmaster Kai Hong's legacy — a stone stained with the blood of the Divine Dragon.
Grandmaster Kai Hong had originally intended to forge it into an Ancestral Armament, but had ultimately failed.
Chu Feng had never expected the Soul Infant Sect to know about the Divine Dragon Blood Ruler.
"Chu Feng, are you willing?"
The Soul Infant Sect Master, unaware of Chu Feng's thoughts, saw his hesitation and took it as a sign of interest, so he pressed once more.
"I'm truly sorry. There's nothing Chu Feng wouldn't dare do — except stoop so low as to associate with a beast less than a beast like you. I'm afraid the Heavens themselves would strike me down," Chu Feng said with biting sarcasm.
"In that case, you can die alongside the rest of them." As the Soul Infant Sect Master spoke, he drew forth his Ancestral Armament.
Simultaneously, his second-grade True Immortal aura was released without the slightest restraint, sweeping toward the allied army like an invisible hurricane.
"Come then — do you think I'm afraid of you?" Zi Xun Yi bellowed, unleashing her own oppressive pressure in turn.
Although she barely managed to hold back the Soul Infant Sect Master's aura, she was still forced back two steps.
Those two steps were noticed by everyone, and the realization only deepened the army's unease.
It was proof that despite both being second-grade True Immortals, Zi Xun Yi was no match for the Soul Infant Sect Master.
"Xun Yi, don't soil your hands. This shameless creature — leave him to me."
But just then, Ying Ming Chao rose to his feet and pushed Zi Xun Yi behind him.
"Ming Chao, you can't — your injuries…" Zi Xun Yi tried to dissuade him.
Though Ying Ming Chao's condition had improved considerably, he was far from fully healed. Naturally, she could not rest easy.