A Little Bit Stronger

Swish!

Qing Yin Xianyun could no longer remain seated in meditation. Her clear eyes snapped open abruptly.

Driven by overwhelming curiosity, she disregarded the unknown dangers lurking in the black mist and quietly slipped out of the flying vessel, trailing the figure shouldering a long blade from a distance.

As she ventured into the swirling dark fog, she witnessed a storm of blade-light—a web of carnage where flesh and blood scattered in all directions!

That lone figure charged into the sea of towering demonic shadows like a tiger among sheep. Wherever his blade pointed, not a single foe could withstand even one strike!

With each swing, heads rolled, and the formidable demons were slaughtered, scrambling over each other in desperate retreat.

It was akin to slicing through melons and chopping vegetables—effortless, brutal dominance.

Qing Yin Xianyun’s delicate eyes trembled, her jade-like fingers lightly covering her parted lips in shock.

Astonishment.

Unprecedented astonishment!

Though she had harbored suspicions and even speculated that Yi Feng’s cultivation might be profound, witnessing it firsthand still sent tidal waves of disbelief crashing through her heart. She stood frozen, not daring to make a sound.

She could never have imagined that Yi Feng would be such a terrifying existence—striding through the demonic horde as if walking on flat ground, his invincible bearing akin to a deity…

This… this was no longer a being she could oppose.

The three of them, in Yi Feng’s hands, would likely fare no better than these demonic creatures. How laughable it was that they had mistaken such a supreme expert for a mere Half-Saint all this time…

A mix of awe and shame churned within her as she stared blankly at the sea of blood before her.

At some point, Yi Feng had already approached, his massive blade casually resting on his shoulder, a relaxed and amiable smile on his face.

"Didn’t expect you’d find out, huh."

He had intended to keep a low profile, quietly hunting monsters and courting death. But since he’d been caught red-handed, there was no point hiding it now.

Qing Yin Xianyun stiffened as if struck by lightning, immediately bowing with deep reverence.

"Greetings, Senior Yi Feng!"

"We were blind and ignorant before. If we offended in any way, we beg for your forgiveness!"

The sudden, excessive formality was something Yi Feng had rarely encountered in his life, and it left him slightly uncomfortable.

With a chuckle, he sheathed his blade and replied mildly,

"I’m probably just a bit stronger than you all. No need for such courtesy."

His humble words, coupled with his refusal to even mention their past disrespect, showcased a magnanimity befitting a true master.

Gratitude flickered in Qing Yin Xianyun’s eyes, but so did burning curiosity.

"Thank you, Senior Yi Feng."

"If I may be so bold… what realm do you belong to?"

That was a tricky question.

When it came to cultivation realms, even Yi Feng wasn’t entirely sure. Based on past experiences, he could only estimate that his strength surpassed the trio’s.

As for the gap? Probably not too large.

Scratching his nose absentmindedly, he replied offhandedly,

"Like I said, just a tiny bit stronger than you. So yeah, just a tiny bit."

A tiny bit?

That likely meant he wasn’t a full major realm above them—perhaps a high-tier expert within the same realm.

Qing Yin Xianyun nodded, finding the explanation plausible.

Though Yunxing had declined since its participation in the Celestial War, it still retained some remnants of its former glory. Having such a senior figure among them wasn’t entirely inconceivable.

Learning that Yi Feng’s strength was only slightly superior eased some of the pressure weighing on her.

Yet, recalling the terrifying toad, she hesitated before mustering the courage to bring it up.

"Senior, about that toad earlier…"

Noticing her nervous expression, Yi Feng took over with a reassuring tone to dispel the awkwardness.

"Don’t worry about it. So what if it ran off? I already know. No need to stress—it’s not like that thing was useful anyway. Just relax, no need to be so formal with me."

???

Don’t worry about it. Not useful.

Qing Yin Xianyun’s mind blanked. She had no idea how to respond.

How could such words possibly describe that sky-obscuring monstrosity?

A being so terrifying that even on Lanxing, it would be revered as a colossal entity—yet in Senior Yi Feng’s mouth, it was dismissed like worthless trash. Even losing a chicken or duck wouldn’t warrant such nonchalance!

Stunned into silence, she could only watch as Yi Feng walked away with a carefree smile.

"Let’s head back. Didn’t run into many demons this time."

His leisurely figure, hands clasped behind his back, appeared as unremarkable as ever. Yet an unfathomable aura radiated from him, leaving Qing Yin Xianyun awestruck. Even from afar, his presence eclipsed everything else around her.

Snapping out of her daze, she hurried after him, catching up just as they returned to the flying vessel.

Now seated beside him once more, Qing Yin Xianyun could no longer maintain her usual composure. Beneath her calm exterior, shock and reverence threatened to spill over.

She could hardly believe that the unassuming young man she’d traveled with was actually a supreme expert. In the isolated, declining world of Yunxing, sealed away for a hundred millennia, such a figure still existed—one who surpassed even their own strength.

Sitting quietly, her beautiful eyes brimmed with newfound respect.

Yi Feng, as unassuming as ever, casually broke the silence.

"So, how much longer till we reach that ‘gate’?"

Qing Yin Xianyun responded promptly, her tone reverent and words measured.

"Reporting to Senior."

"At our current pace, we should arrive at the heart of the demonic domain—where the Celestial Gate lies—by tomorrow."

The heart of the demonic domain? That ought to be crawling with demons.

Yi Feng’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Is it dangerous there?"

Qing Yin Xianyun answered earnestly, holding nothing back.

"Senior, the demonic domain’s core is where their elites gather. Not only are they physically formidable and highly cultivated, but they also wield unique demonic arts, making them extremely fearsome."

"But the greatest danger lies in their intelligence. They are cunning, treacherous, and utterly devoid of humanity’s moral codes. They’ll stop at nothing to achieve their goals—even slaughtering their own kin is commonplace. They are vicious, despicable creatures."

"If not for the demonic threat, our trio wouldn’t need to remain so vigilant, conserving our strength even during the journey…"

Her voice dripped with wariness.

Only when she glanced at Yi Feng did her expression soften into a respectful smile.

"Though with Senior accompanying us, the danger should be greatly mitigated."

Noticing the lingering fear in her eyes, Yi Feng nodded with satisfaction.

"No need for flattery."

Powerful, intelligent, and without weakness—demons sounded perfect.

This was excellent.

The stronger, the better!

This time, his hopes of finding death were higher than ever.

Even if he failed, the experience gain would be substantial—after all, the rewards were proportional to the enemy’s strength.

After a full day’s voyage, the flying vessel entered a bizarre landscape. The sky abruptly cleared, while the black mist coalesced below, churning like a raging river.

Standing at the vessel’s bow, Qing Yin Xianyun’s expression turned grave.

Sensing the shift, Yi Feng rose and gazed into the distance.

Ahead, the black mist surged like tidal waves across the land, leaving only a crimson path paved with monstrous bones. Even from afar, the aura of death was palpable.

Along the path’s edges bloomed eerie, blood-red flowers—beautiful yet oozing menace.

"Is that…?"

Yi Feng’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Qing Yin Xianyun turned to him, her face solemn.

"Indeed. That is the heart of the Black Domain—the gathering place of the demonic horde."

Extending her slender finger, she pointed into the distance.

"Senior Yi Feng, that glowing light must be the Celestial Gate!"

Yi Feng followed the direction pointed and gazed into the distance, where he indeed caught sight of a faint, eerie glow—a pure, unadulterated blackness stretching from the ground straight into the towering clouds, so intense that even the dark clouds in the sky could not obscure it.

From afar, it resembled a beacon of death.

Within that radiance, endless darkness churned and gathered, as if some terrifying force was brewing within, heralding the imminent arrival of a cataclysm capable of annihilating the world!