[Notification: You are fighting multiple enemies—your comprehension speed has increased.]
[Notification: You have slain undead—Deadly Combat Arts proficiency +10%.]
[Notification: You have slain undead—Yinfire proficiency has slightly increased.]
[Notification: You incinerated undead—Deadly Combat Arts proficiency +30%.]
[Notification: In a very short time, you defeated over thirty enemies—Deadly Combat Arts proficiency +50%.]
[…]
System prompts echoed continuously in Bai Jue's mind.
The number of undead was overwhelming—layer upon layer, encircling him completely.
The sheer scale was terrifying.
Even though each undead was only at the apprentice level, such numbers would instantly drown any ordinary Festival Envoy.
Yet Bai Jue stood unmoved.
Yinfire cloaked his entire body. Any attack that drew near—any undead that approached—was instantly burned to nothing.
This gave him the space he needed to keep fighting.
And as the battle continued, his understanding of Deadly Combat Arts grew clearer and sharper.
Deadly Combat Arts—true to its name—was a killing technique.
Once combat began, every move was lethal.
Every strike aimed directly at a vital point.
No wasted motions.
No mercy.
High above, Di Yao sat lazily on a tree branch, licking her lollipop as she watched. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded in satisfaction.
"In battle, your eyes must be fast, and your heart must be ruthless. Never hesitate," she said calmly.
"Always trust your instincts. We're Festival Envoys—not ordinary people. Our instincts are far more reliable."
"Sometimes," she added, "your intuition will save your life."
"Deadly Combat Arts focuses on killing. Power is concentrated in the knuckles. A momentary burst—one strike to end it."
Following her words, Bai Jue's expression turned cold.
He clenched his fists.
Yinfire erupted.
He punched forward.
Power exploded from his knuckles, flames roaring outward.
With a single blow—
Several undead were annihilated, releasing piercing shrieks as they vanished.
[Notification: You listened to your teacher's guidance and gained insight—Deadly Combat Arts proficiency +10%.]
[Notification: You slaughtered undead—Deadly Combat Arts fully mastered.]
Boom!
Another punch.
An undead in front of him was obliterated in an instant, burned to ashes.
But Bai Jue didn't pause for even a fraction of a second.
He spun, grabbed the skull of an undead trying to ambush him from behind, his eyes icy and merciless.
Power surged.
Bang!
The undead's head exploded under his grip.
Every move flowed seamlessly.
No hesitation.
No wasted effort.
Each strike targeted the most efficient killing point—
The heart.
The forehead.
The temple.
The philtrum.
The mute point.
Even though such acupoints meant nothing to undead, they clearly showed Bai Jue's terrifying learning speed.
"Huh?"
Up in the tree, Di Yao straightened abruptly, eyes widening.
"…He mastered it already? This fast?"
She knew this combat art better than anyone—it was the first martial technique she herself had learned.
And with just a glance, she could tell.
Not only had Bai Jue mastered Deadly Combat Arts…
He'd completely internalized it.
Her mouth fell open slightly.
"How long did it take me again…?"
The little teacher sucked on her lollipop, counting on her fingers.
"One week…"
"Two weeks…"
"…No, I think it took a full month."
She stared down at Bai Jue in disbelief.
"This monster…"
The envy was real.
What kind of absurd talent was this?
Deadly Combat Arts wasn't an ordinary martial technique—it consumed prayer power to unleash explosive strength. Mastering it wasn't just about forms, but also energy circulation and control.
One mistake could shatter meridians and cause severe backlash.
Yet this guy—
He'd learned it just like that.
Even the civilization that originally created this technique hadn't produced anyone who learned it so fast.
Di Yao puffed out her cheeks.
"So unfair… that's really unfair…"
Still pouting, she stood up and shouted,
"Hey, Xiao Bai! You can start using your abilities now!"
Originally, she'd expected him to need at least a week—maybe half a month—before reaching this stage.
Who could've imagined it'd be this fast?
After smashing another undead to dust, Bai Jue looked up in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Hurry up. Once you're done collecting them, we're moving to the next spot."
Di Yao nodded, wrinkling her nose.
Bai Jue grinned broadly.
"Hahaha! I've been waiting for that, Teacher! With this many undead… this place is heaven!"
His voice echoed.
Bai Jue spread his arms wide.
His mind moved.
"The path to Yama… is open."
Black mist surged behind him, forming Ghost Gate Pass.
The gates swung wide.
The aura of the Underworld burst forth.
In an instant—
The undead froze.
Terror filled their crimson eyes.
Moments ago, they'd been charging forward, desperate to tear Bai Jue apart.
Now—
They turned instinctively, trying to flee in panic.
But how could Bai Jue allow that?
"Return!"
"Fight for me—now and forever!"
Bai Jue laughed loudly.
His will descended.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Countless Soul-Binding Chains shot out from Ghost Gate Pass, each one effortlessly ensnaring an undead and dragging it into the Underworld.
Ten.
Fifty.
One hundred.
Two hundred.
Five hundred…
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