The second round against the monster Zi Moyan began.

  Instructor Huan charged forward again, blocking the tentacles with his spear while inwardly praying it wouldn't break. Fortunately, this time he wasn't alone.

  Sword slashes flashed around him, cleanly severing the tentacles.

  "Instructor Huan—we need to reach that bastard's main body quickly!" Qing Xuanling's face was grim. She was expending enormous amounts of Qi with each strike—only managing to sustain herself by having consumed three Qi Recovery Pills. "He's still absorbing that resentment-filled Qi! His tentacles keep regenerating!"

  Instructor Huan nearly cursed aloud. He hadn't noticed that at all amidst the relentless assault—he'd been too focused on blocking the endless attacks.

  He gritted his teeth and accelerated. "Follow me! We'll end this once and for all!"

  Qing Xuanling nodded, striking only at optimal moments. Each attack drained ten to fifteen percent of her Qi. She couldn't have maintained such expenditure without Su Meiren's surprisingly potent pills.

  But even that had limits—her meridians and energy channels were straining after swallowing three pills at once.

  After an intense struggle, both reached Zi Moyan's main body. Sweat poured down their faces, but they didn't hesitate—they immediately attacked the bloated, monstrous form.

  Both were utterly exhausted, knowing they couldn't last much longer.

  Instructor Huan struck first. His eyes bloodshot as he unleashed his ultimate technique:

  "Fundamental Art of the Unstoppable Spear—Endless Force!"

  His entire body erupted with crimson aura—far denser and more intense than before. Every movement amplified instantly. He swept his spear, cleaving through all approaching tentacles without resistance. He reached Zi Moyan's unimpeded.

  With a grim smile, he thrust his spear with all his might towards Zi Moyan's shoulder. Zi Moyan's fat-lidded eyes flew open at the sight—endless venom burning within them.

  He clearly remembered being pierced before transforming into a monstrosity.

  The arm Qing Xuanling had severed—now regenerated—shot forward with overwhelming force. Instructor Huan instantly recognized the punch's power exceeded his own thrust.

  Fortunately, he wasn't alone.

  A near-white light flashed—accompanied by the sound of air being sliced apart.

  Qing Xuanling, eyes locked on the arm she'd previously cut, suddenly appeared beside its trajectory. Her gaze was startlingly clear as she executed a descending slash.

  And once again—an arm was severed.

  The fist that was meant to strike the spear fell short, only reaching halfway. Instructor Huan was sharp enough to adjust his spear at the last moment, diverting its path to avoid the shameful situation of his weapon becoming trapped in a half-arm.

  Now his spear flew straight toward Zi Moyan's head!

  Zi Moyan's head exploded instantly!

  "Hahaha… Zi Moyan—in the end, this was all you amounted to." Instructor Huan collapsed to the ground, his face sheened with sweat. "I bet you never imagined being defeated by Qing Clan cultivators—even after all your preparations!"

  Not far away, Qing Xuanling was too exhausted to even speak. Large beads of sweat dripped from her face, forming a small puddle on the ground. Her body ached intensely—her meridians and energy channels slightly inflamed.

  'This… this mission was far too dangerous!' A faint smile touched her lips. 'But was exactly what I needed! My power improved dozens of times over in an instant!'

  Ecstasy flooded her. Not only had she refined her abundant sharp Qi—she'd elevated it to a new level she didn't yet fully comprehend.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Lost in this euphoria, Qing Xuanling completely failed to notice the abnormality of Zi Moyan's headless corpse. Instructor Huan was the first to realize.

  "Ling'er—get back! That beast seems to be reviving!"

  Qing Xuanling's eyes widened in shock as she turned toward the headless body. Indeed—threads of blood writhed like worms at Zi Moyan's neck, slowly regenerating a head. Simultaneously, the tentacles behind his back began stirring anew.

  Instructor Huan hastily retreated. Qing Xuanling tried to follow—but her legs suddenly gave out.

  "I-Instructor Huan! M-my legs won't respond!"

  Qing Xuanling smiled bitterly as several tentacles shot toward her at high speed. Instructor Huan's face twisted in desperation as he realized her plight and sprinted toward her.

  But it was too late.

  Qing Xuanling sighed resignedly. She could already see her death approaching. She felt slight regret—but not much. After all, she'd achieved her goal: refining her control over sharp Qi. A pity death was the price.

  Amidst her resignation, a melodious yet imposing cry echoed:

  "No one harms Qing Clan members without consequences!"

  A figure soared from a nearby rooftop—wielding a colossal warhammer over three meters tall! She descended upon Zi Moyan in an instant and crushed him beneath the massive weapon!

  Qing Xuanling watched in disbelief as dust covered the figure with the warhammer and the meat pancake that Zi Moyan had turned into. Dazed, she murmured a name:

  "Elder Sister Linxi?!"

  Qing Linxi turned with a radiant smile, her warhammer still planted atop the crushed flesh Zi Moyan.

  "Sorry I'm late! Had a rough time finishing off another rat and rescuing the useless Qing Chu." Her smile was enchanting. "Though I think I arrived just in time—didn't I, Elder Brother Huan?"

  Instructor Huan slumped to the ground, exhausted. "No—you were perfectly timed, Linxi… It's been ages since I've seen your warhammer in action."

  "Hehe—we haven't gone on a mission together in over five years! How about it—much more powerful now, right?"

  A flat voice suddenly interrupted.

  "Don't get cocky after a surprise attack—especially when you didn't completely finish the enemy." Qing Ziyi materialized from nowhere, eyeing the crushed mass beneath the hammer. "That thing's still moving."

  She produced a yellow talisman inscribed with golden characters—a holy, purifying aura emanating from it. Qing Ziyi infused Qi into the talisman. It ignited with white flame that flew toward the crushed flesh, which began sizzling and emitting black smoke thick with resentment.

  Qing Wan arrived shortly after, carrying an unconscious Qing Chu on his back. Soon, the entire team chatted casually—except for Qing Xuanling, who watched the scene uncomprehendingly.

  Moments ago, they'd faced certain death from Zi Moyan's apparent resurrection—or rather, his unnatural vitality. But now, after a beautiful, elegant girl (Qing Linxi) had appeared wielding a warhammer several times larger than her own body, everything had been resolved in an instant.

  "Ah—you must be confused, right?" Instructor Huan smiled faintly upon noticing her expression. "Linxi practices dual cultivation of body and spirit—that's why she's so strong. She's at least twice as powerful as I am."

  "Moreover, low-level demonic cultivators like Zi Moyan rely heavily on their physical bodies to maintain power. No wonder he couldn't withstand Linxi's strike after you severed the same arm twice and I blew his head apart."

  Qing Xuanling's mouth fell open in astonishment. She'd never expected Qing Linxi to be such a powerhouse! Dual cultivation of body and spirit!

  Few walked that path due to its extreme difficulty.

  But the others were equally stunned.

  "Wait—the little one actually severed this demonic cultivator's arm not once, but twice?!" Qing Linxi's eyes widened. "This is a demonic cultivator who also cultivated his physique to some degree! She shouldn't have been any way to wound him—let alone sever a limb!"

  The others nodded in agreement, regarding Qing Xuanling with newfound curiosity. She could only endure their stares without saying anything.—truthfully, most of her combat effectiveness had come from exploiting openings created by Instructor Huan's distractions.

  Alone, she likely wouldn't have lasted a minute.

  But Instructor Huan saw things differently. He explained with a smile:

  "I didn't realize it before—but this girl is a sword genius." His eyes shone brightly. "The entire clan dismissed her because of her complete spiritual roots—but this girl had an epiphany during combat and took the first step toward transforming sharp Qi into true sword Qi!"

  Qing Ziyi's eyes widened in rare surprise on her normally expressionless face. "Alone?! She had no instructor to guide her?"

  "Ziyi—how could that be possible?" Qing Linxi shook her head, gazing at Qing Xuanling with renewed respect. "Only Foundation Establishment cultivators can wield sword Qi. The only person in the clan I recall using it was an elder who's long since passed. This girl comprehended it entirely on her own!"

  Qing Wan sighed. "The clan has gained another genius! This mission truly held many surprises…"

  Qing Xuanling didn't fully grasp the conversation—she only understood she'd apparently achieved something impressive for her cultivation level. Her first thought was that she now had something new to boast about to Madam Yechan.

  'Maybe she'll throw another celebration and praise me…?'

  She quickly shook her head, ears tinged red.

  'No! What am I—a drunk?! I'm just sharing good news with a friend!'

  While Qing Xuanling was lost in thought, Instructor Huan and the others had finished their discussion. They all shared the same thought.

  "Ling'er—hurry up! Time to collect our spoils!"

  Instructor Huan gestured for Qing Xuanling to rise.

  "Every demonic cultivator maintains temporary lairs where they store treasures! With luck, we might find several hundred spirit stones! Plus—we might find survivors!"

  Qing Xuanling immediately pushed herself up upon hearing this. Looting spoils was the best part of any life-or-death adventure!