"Wuhen, remember your sword." Dustin said softly. "Your sword is a sword of protection. Protecting your sister, protecting your clan. This conviction is stronger than any power."
Bai Wuhen was stunned. He closed his eyes, and in his mind appeared his sister's smile, the faces of the Bai family members, the companions who had fought alongside him these past days.
When he opened his eyes again, they were completely clear. That invisible pressure also seemed to lighten somewhat.
"Thank you, Brother Dustin." He said quietly, straightening his spine and continuing upward.
The ninety-ninth step!
Qin Hao took one stride and stood at the Heaven Stairs' summit. Qin Xue followed closely. Before them was a massive palace suspended in the void—Buzhou Palace!
The palace gates were tightly closed, carved with mysterious runes that emanated an unsettling aura.
"Buzhou Palace..." A burning light flashed in Qin Hao's eyes. "The Buzhou Immortal's inheritance will finally belong to me!"
Just then, footsteps sounded behind him. The Yu family man staggered onto the ninety-ninth step, covered in blood, aura weak, but eyes full of madness.
"Qin Hao... the Spirit Transformation Pill is mine!" He roared, throwing his last remaining strength into a lunge at Qin Hao!
Qin Hao sneered and struck out with one palm. The Yu family man, severely wounded, couldn't possibly block this strike. He was sent flying off the Heaven Stairs, his screams fading into the distance below.
Several more people reached the summit. The independent cultivator alliance's new leader—a sinister-looking middle-aged man. Two clan heads from small hidden families. And... Margaret!
When Margaret took her final step onto the Heaven Stairs' summit, she nearly collapsed. She gasped for breath, body trembling, but her eyes were full of pride. She had done it!
Following her, Scarlet, Adam, Bai Qingxue, and Bai Wuhen also reached the top. The last to arrive was Dustin.
The moment he stepped onto the ninety-ninth step, the Heaven Stairs suddenly shook violently! The pressure that had enveloped him vanished instantly, replaced by a warm yet immense power flooding into his body!
This power was far stronger than any spiritual energy he had encountered before! Like a warm current, it surged through his meridians, nourished his Nascent Soul, and even the seal showed faint signs of loosening!
"This is..." Dustin was shocked.
The gates of Buzhou Palace slowly opened.
The instant Buzhou Palace's gates opened, everyone felt an ancient, vast aura wash over them.
It was a feeling that transcended time, as if standing here allowed one to touch the hem of an ancient immortal's robes.
Qin Hao was the first to step inside. Qin Xue followed closely. The others poured in as well.
Inside the hall was an enormous space, several times more magnificent than the previous Bronze Hall. The vaulted ceiling was invisible above, and countless jade pillars carved with immortal figures lined the walls. At the hall's center floated nine orbs of light, each containing a treasure.
The central orb was the largest and brightest. Within it, a purple-gold pill floated quietly, emanating heart-stopping spiritual energy fluctuations—this was the true Spirit Transformation Pill!
"The Spirit Transformation Pill!" Everyone's gaze focused on that pill.
A burning light flashed in Qin Hao's eyes. His figure flickered as he charged directly toward the Spirit Transformation Pill!
"Stop him!" The independent cultivator alliance's new leader shouted, leading his people to intercept.
Though the Yu family's mid Golden Core man was dead, several peak Foundation Establishment experts remained, also attacking.
Even the two small hidden family heads had red eyes now, throwing everything into blocking him.
In an instant, all attacks bombarded Qin Hao!
Qin Hao sneered, golden light blazing around him as he withstood countless attacks while pressing forward. The attacks striking him only slowed his speed slightly—they couldn't truly harm him.
"Brother, I'll help you!" Qin Xue shouted, producing a completely silver-white longsword. Her sword light swept out, forcing back several attackers.
The three Qin family guards also desperately blocked attacks from both sides.
But there were too many enemies. The independent cultivator alliance's new leader, risking injury, finally reached Qin Hao and struck toward his back!
Qin Hao frowned, forced to turn and block. This delay allowed others to surround him.
A chaotic battle erupted!
Margaret didn't join the melee. She led her people to one side, watching coldly.
"Aren't we going to fight for it?" Scarlet said urgently. "That's the Spirit Transformation Pill!"
Dustin shook his head: "No rush. Going up now would only drag us into the chaos. Let them wear each other down first—we'll move when the time is right."
Adam nodded: "Brother Dustin is right. When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. We'll be the fisherman."
Bai Wuhen gripped his longsword tightly, guarding his sister. Though he also wanted to join, he trusted Dustin's judgment more.
The melee grew increasingly brutal. The independent cultivator alliance suffered heavy casualties. Their new leader had his heart meridian shattered by Qin Hao's palm and fell dead. Of the two small family heads, one was slain by Qin Xue's sword, the other fled with severe injuries. The Yu family remnants were nearly annihilated.
But the Qin family wasn't faring well either. All three guards were killed in battle. Qin Xue had several new wounds, her aura becoming unstable. Even Qin Hao, though still powerful, had expended greatly in continuous combat—sweat now beaded his forehead.
"Qin Hao, hand over the Spirit Transformation Pill, and I'll spare your life!" Suddenly, a chilling voice rang out.
Everyone turned to see a black-robed elder who had appeared in the hall at some unknown point. A sinister, cold aura emanated from him—late Golden Core!
"Ghost Shadow Elder!" Someone cried out.
Ghost Shadow Elder, a legendary figure among independent cultivators, was said to have reached late Golden Core long ago but rarely appeared, his whereabouts always mysterious. No one expected him to come to Buzhou Mountain!
Qin Hao's expression changed. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't fear this Ghost Shadow Elder. But after continuous battles with massive energy expenditure, facing this old monster now, his odds weren't good.
"Ghost Shadow Elder, you also want to oppose my Qin family?" He said coldly.
Ghost Shadow Elder smiled sinisterly: "Though the Qin family is strong, what do I have to fear on this Buzhou Mountain? Hand over the Spirit Transformation Pill, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise..."
Before he finished speaking, his figure flickered, appearing before Qin Hao. A withered hand reached for Qin Hao's throat!
Qin Hao was shocked, blocking with all his might. The two exchanged dozens of moves in an instant. Amid thunderous impacts, Qin Hao was forced back several steps, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Brother!" Qin Xue cried out, trying to rush forward to help, but Ghost Shadow Elder casually waved his hand, sending a blast of dark wind that forced her back.
"Little girl, don't be hasty. I'll deal with you shortly." Ghost Shadow Elder sneered, lunging at Qin Hao again.
Qin Hao gritted his teeth, a fierce gleam flashing in his eyes. He suddenly bit through his tongue, spraying out vital blood as golden light blazed around him! This was a secret technique of burning vital blood—though it could temporarily boost power, the cost was severe!
"Want to fight to the death?" Ghost Shadow Elder laughed coldly. "I've lived for hundreds of years. You think I fear your desperation?"
The two clashed again. This time, even more brutal!
– Marinien
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