Boom…
Only then did the Tusk Domain Lord, sent flying by the impact, crash into a dilapidated house, shattering the already crumbling structure into pieces.
Drip…
Drip…
Blood droplets fell, splattering on the ground in vivid crimson blossoms.
Time seemed to freeze in that instant.
On the square of Qingxu Pass, Yang Kai held his spear aloft with one arm. Impaled upon its length was a shapely figure, the spear piercing clean through her body as ink-black blood dripped downward.
Various Dao Realms intertwined and pervaded the air, forming a bizarre equilibrium within the pierced body. But the body's owner could sense that this balance was fragile—one slight disturbance could shatter it, and once it broke, the combined forces of those Dao Realms would erupt in a cataclysmic explosion, consigning her to an irreversible end.
"You…" On the Azure Dragon Spear, the Enchanting Domain Lord gazed at Yang Kai with a strained expression, her eyes like pools of spring water, pitifully delicate—yet filled even more with disbelief.
She had never imagined that she, a Domain Lord of her stature, couldn't withstand even a single strike from his hand.
Her frame was far more petite than the Tusk Domain Lord's. When he had charged the enemy moments ago, she had simultaneously activated a secret technique, shadowing him silently. Using the Tusk Domain Lord's aura and physical bulk as cover, she had crept undetected close to the target.
These Domain Lords had never once underestimated a human Eighth-Order cultivator. That was a lesson hammered into them across battlefields beyond the Primordial Sky Barrier and in the void wherever conflicts raged.
So while it had appeared as though only the Tusk Domain Lord charged in alone, it was in fact a coordinated strike by three Domain Lords.
The Enchanting Domain Lord had hidden behind her companion, the Talon Domain Lord had unleashed his oppressive aura while flooding the area with spiritual sense to distract the enemy's attention.
This was not the first time the three had coordinated like this. When they had breached Qingxu Pass, they had killed several human Eighth-Order cultivators using exactly this method.
That was precisely why the Ink Clan King had specifically left these three behind—they were powerful enough to handle whatever crises might arise.
Their coordination had never faltered. They had been unstoppable every time.
But this time, something went wrong!
The Tusk Domain Lord was sent flying in a single exchange, and the Enchanting Domain Lord, who had followed right behind, was pierced clean through by one spear thrust. The Talon Domain Lord's eyes narrowed sharply, not daring to make any move.
He could sense that there remained violent, untapped power within the opponent's spear. If he acted rashly, the Enchanting Domain Lord would perish on the spot.
Though he was shocked by the sheer strength of this human Eighth-Order cultivator… they had won!
The Enchanting Domain Lord certainly looked wretched—impaled on Yang Kai's spear tip, her chest punched clean through. But she had not accomplished nothing. One of her slender, jade-like hands had also thrust into Yang Kai's chest, seizing his heart. Her palm could almost feel the powerful heartbeat pulsing within that chest cavity!
With just a slight squeeze, she could crush this human Eighth-Order cultivator's heart and send him to his grave, body and dao both annihilated.
But she didn't do that. Instead, she stared quietly into Yang Kai's eyes and suddenly smiled softly: "You're quite strong!"
She couldn't bear to kill such a powerful human Eighth-Order cultivator.
The power of Ink surged forth, flooding into Yang Kai's body. In the blink of an eye, a pitch-black energy began to spread across his skin.
She intended to corrupt this powerful enemy into her own Ink Servant!
Her own strength was already formidable. With such an Ink Servant to protect her, she would be like a tiger grown wings.
Yang Kai stood perfectly still, as though he too was wary of something.
The Ink power quickly corroded him, transforming even his eyes into pools of ink-black darkness.
It worked!
The ever-tense Talon Domain Lord finally exhaled in relief. He hadn't wanted to see his companion die here either. Now that the enemy had been corrupted and their side had gained another powerful fighter, it was the best possible outcome.
"Put me down," the Enchanting Domain Lord commanded softly, her voice tender, as though whispering sweet nothings to her lover.
"Sure," Yang Kai replied.
The Enchanting Domain Lord suddenly felt something was wrong. She let out a sharp, piercing shriek, and her hand gripping Yang Kai's heart clenched with all its might.
But before she could crush the enemy's heart, a variety of mysterious forces erupted violently from within her own body. In that single instant, numerous Dao Realms burst forth, causing the Enchanting Domain Lord's lithe, graceful body to swell into a sphere before detonating in a tremendous explosion!
Blood rained down. Flesh scattered in every direction.
The Enchanting Domain Lord's body had burst apart into a grotesque blossom of crimson.
The sudden turn of events left the Talon Domain Lord pale with shock. Only then did he realize the enemy had never feared the corruption of Ink power.
Yang Kai had already appeared beside him like a phantom, his spear dancing through the air, transforming into a storm of spear shadows that descended upon him.
The Talon Domain Lord shrieked repeatedly as Ink power surged through him. His claws and wings all became lethal weapons in an instant, and he clashed with Yang Kai in a furious melee.
Blood sprayed in all directions. In that moment, both Yang Kai and the Talon Domain Lord were riddled with wounds from the other's attacks. The situation appeared evenly matched on the surface, yet the Talon Domain Lord felt ice-cold dread in his heart.
He was outmatched, and this human Eighth-Order cultivator clearly intended to end the fight quickly—showing no intent to defend whatsoever, purely fighting as if to trade his life for his enemy's.