"What the hell was that?!"
"Was that the Zodiac Scripture?"
"Idiot! When has the Zodiac Scripture ever been able to suppress energy like that? It's probably just something that looks similar!"
"Whatever it is, where did that crazy energy suppression come from? Isn't he only at the Essence Gathering realm?"
"Did you not hear what the leader said earlier? He's likely a core disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect!"
Zhao Yunxiao stood alone facing four black-robed cultivators, each of them possessing a higher cultivation level than him. However, the latter four were actually the ones trembling in fear, their hearts palpitating anxiously as he approached.
"Damn it, this isn't what I signed up for. I am out!" one of the black-robed cultivators finally could not take it any longer and made a mad dash for the woods.
Zhao Yunxiao reacted instantly.
[Xuanwu Movement Art – Snapping Burst]
As he gave chase, he simultaneously channelled the essence energy within him, determined not to let this man escape.
[Unyielding Stone Bind]
Two chains of earth and stone shot out from the ground in front of the escaping black-robed cultivator, directly blocking his path.
Hmph-!
The black-robed cultivator snorted in disdain as he swung the ball and chain in his hand. The steel ball flew out towards the earthen chains, instantly smashing one to smithereens.
However, the remaining earthen chain suddenly seemed to have come alive, agilely dodging the oncoming steel ball in a manner that resembled the tail of a snake. In a flash, it shot past the outstretched steel ball, heading straight for the chest of the surprised black-robed cultivator.
Bang-!
The black-robed cultivator barely managed to put up his guard in time, but the impact still sent him staggering back, putting a temporary halt to his escape plan.
And this was all Zhao Yunxiao needed to catch up.
A black shadow cut through the air as the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd slammed down upon the black-robed cultivator.
Faced with the oncoming halberd, the black-robed cultivator's eyes suddenly turned deep red as essence energy erupted from within him. His steel ball emitted an ember glow as it returned to his hand, its temperature rising exponentially while trickles of electricity could be seen crawling along its surface.
"Dream on! I'm not dying here today!" the black-robed cultivator roared in madness as he swung the steel ball.
Zhao Yunxiao's eyes narrowed at the sudden change in the black-robed cultivator, understanding that the latter had decided to burn his blood essence!
Upon reaching the Essence Physique realm, cultivators gained the ability to burn their blood essence as fuel, temporarily boosting their abilities beyond their original limits.
Of course, there was no free meal in this world.
In exchange for a temporary power boost, cultivators would suffer potentially long-lasting detrimental effects on their vitality when they burned their blood essence. This could mean a reduction in lifespan, a reduction in cultivation potential, or perhaps even death!
But if the alternative would clearly lead to a worse outcome, then burning blood essence became the obvious choice. In times of crisis, it could sometimes become the difference between life and death!
The black-robed cultivator had witnessed the fate that befell their leader earlier, and he definitely did not believe himself to be stronger. Rather than risk dying before having the opportunity to give his all like their leader did, he would rather throw everything at his opponent from the start if it meant increasing his chances of survival!
This was the crazed gamble of a cultivator who had his back against the wall!
But while careful about facing such an opponent, Zhao Yunxiao did not slow down one bit.
Regardless of whether the black-robed cultivator was burning his blood essence, he was still someone at the Primary Essence Physique realm. Compared to the Peak Essence Physique realm Sky Lion, or even the black-robed old man from earlier, the pressure coming from the black-robed cultivator was... weak.
Memories surfaced in Zhao Yunxiao's mind – memories of how the Untethered Sage moved in combat.
Each of his punches... each of his kicks... all of them appeared basic and devoid of any special techniques. However, what truly set them apart was the pure mastery of energy incorporated within each strike.
Zhao Yunxiao might not be able to fully replicate Jiang Taiming's masterful control of energy, but just the experience alone was already enough to help him elevate his own techniques to a whole new level.
Eliminate unnecessary movement.
Avoid losing essence energy to the environment.
The aim – a strike that contained the absolute greatest possible amount of power with the same amount of energy.
[Explode]
[Disperse]
[Weight]
[Zodiac Scripture – Ox Aspect: Strength]
[Zodiac Scripture – Boar Aspect: Toughness]
The steel ball did not stand a chance in a direct collision with Zhao Yunxiao's Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd, knocked cleanly away as the halberd continued unabated on its path.
Slash-!
Blood stained Zhao Yunxiao's robes once again as the black-robed cultivator was cleaved into two from shoulder to waist.
With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Yunxiao coldly swept the corpse into his spatial pouch before slowly turning around to look at the rest of the black-robed cultivators.
Six remaining.
The six black-robed cultivators, be it the three in front of the makeshift hut or the three tussling with the replicas of the avatar of the dog spirit, all subconsciously matched his gaze.
In their eyes, the image of the blood-drenched Zhao Yunxiao was slowly transforming. He felt much taller, his muscles much bigger, his aura much more intimidating.
The Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd was like a devil halberd, born for no other reason but to reap the lives of whoever saw it in battle.
Another cold night breeze caused his hair to flutter along with the trees, but it no longer looked as mundane as before. His long black hair now seemed more like an extension of himself – a shadow of darkness that extended out into the night.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
That was despite knowing that the Sky Slayer was coming soon, because all of them had come to the same realisation under the cold gaze of this evil incarnate standing before them.
The next one who tried to escape would die.
But just because they remained motionless did not mean that Zhao Yunxiao would follow suit.
[Unyielding Stone Bind]
Chains of earth and stone shot out from the ground, one beneath each of the six black-robed cultivators. The speed of the earthen chains was slightly slower than the ones before, but that mattered little against stationary targets.
Before long, these chains had wrapped themselves around each of the black-robed cultivators, rendering them incapable of moving even an inch. Every single one of them had been turned into what resembled human cocoons, with only a small opening at their eye level through which they could see Zhao Yunxiao slowly approach.
With each step, Zhao Yunxiao drew closer to the nearest black-robed cultivator.
With each step, the nearest black-robed cultivator felt his heart pounding faster and faster.
A million thoughts were running through his mind at this moment.
Honestly, it was not impossible for him to break out of this earthen cocoon. The only reason why he was not attempting to do so was because he had witnessed the way in which his comrade had been hunted down earlier. However, what if staying here would result in the same outcome?
Wouldn't it be pure stupidity to just stay put and die without putting up a fight then?
Should he just go for broke?
But what if the other party would be willing to let him off as long as he did not attempt to run?
Damn it, he could not read those cold eyes at all!
Just what was the right move in this situation?!
As for the other black-robed cultivators, they were all watching intently. The fate of this particular comrade of theirs would directly determine their next move!
With all eyes on him, Zhao Yunxiao continued to approach in an expressionless manner.
If anyone else had seen the visions of the Untethered Sage, they would find this scene familiar. It might not be exactly the same, but it bore a strong resemblance to the time when the Untethered Sage had been saved by his snake demon master.
Back then, the young Jiang Taiming had faced absolute despair as he was forced to watch his parents' corpses hang on tall wooden stakes. Upon arrival, the snake demon had similarly completely encased each and every one of the priests responsible, albeit with green vine-like tendrils.
Just like the carnage that followed, it was done all for the sake of protecting the talented young boy who would one day grow into the famous Untethered Sage – one who was both feared and respected by the entire cultivation world.
That was the first time that the young boy had truly understood that this was a world where the strong preyed on the weak.
That was the first time that the young boy had borrowed his snake demon master's strength to kill all his enemies.
That was the first time that the young boy had watched a scene of complete carnage play out before him while feeling relief in his heart.
But Zhao Yunxiao was not Old Snakey, and he certainly did not intend to allow his companions to witness a similar scene of carnage unless absolutely necessary.
He stepped before the first black-robed cultivator, staring down at the latter with the same cold light present in his eyes.
"Swear an oath."
"Eh?" the black-robed cultivator blinked in confusion.
"Swear a death oath, putting your life on the line," Zhao Yunxiao lifted his head to sweep his gaze over the rest of the black-robed cultivators as well. "Swear that you will truthfully answer all the questions that we ask you. Swear that you will not try to hide any information that could be of use to us. Swear that you will not reveal to anyone even the slightest hint about our identities. Swear that you will neither harm us directly in the future, nor indirectly through anyone or by any means whatsoever."
He then turned his gaze back to the black-robed cultivator. "Only then would we spare your life."
Gu Qiansi let out a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
Even before the start of the battle, she had sensed that there was something amiss with Zhao Yunxiao's state of mind. But judging from the current situation, it would appear that Zhao Yunxiao somehow still had the situation under control.
Now, the question was whether the black-robed cultivators would be willing to agree to such a restrictive death oath.
Unlike normal oaths and promises that relied more on one's reputation and brought about bad karma when reneged upon, death oaths had direct material consequences for the cultivators who failed to keep to them.
And such consequences were usually extremely drastic in nature, including either complete loss of cultivation or even death!
"This..." the black-robed cultivator felt the corner of his lips twitch as he thought about the request that Zhao Yunxiao just made.
That was a lot to swear by!
As long as he failed to adhere to any of the things mentioned, it would result in his death. That was not an easy decision to make, especially since they still had to answer back to the Scarlet Leaf Sect!
Just how were they supposed to make the report without revealing any hint about the Black Tortoise Sect disciples' identities, and not induce any indirect harm upon them as well?
Was that even possible?
But then again, what choice did he have?
No matter what, it definitely beat getting cut down right here and now!
"What's with the hesitation? Do you not agree?" Zhao Yunxiao tightened his grip on the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd. At the same time, a familiar bright light originating from atop the roof of the makeshift hut lit up the area.
"Tch! I swear!" the black-robed cultivator cursed in his heart.
"Swear what?"
"I swear that I will truthfully answer all your questions, that I will not hide any information that would be of use to you, that I will not reveal any hints about your identities, and that I will not do or say anything that would harm you in the future, be it directly or indirectly so!" the black-robed cultivator yelled. "I swear this on my life. If I were to go back on my word, then my life would be forfeit!"
As soon as he finished his words, he spat out a small drop of blood that brimmed with essence energy. The drop of blood let out a dull red glow as it spiritually imprinted the meaning behind the words that had just been said, before flying back into him through his glabella.
That was the first of seven[1] death oaths that were made that night.
[1] In case anyone is wondering, seven includes the one opponent who had been knocked unconscious right at the start