The wind and thunder gradually subsided, and the tumultuous waves of the river slowly calmed down, as the surrounding mountains and forests once again returned to tranquility.

Slivers of moonlight pierced through the parting clouds, casting their faint glow below, when suddenly a figure dashed past.

Guan Yushan dared not use his True Qi, for the "Qi Tomb" was touted as the very source of Qi Dao, and when it came to controlling Qi Mechanism, it was considered the best in the world. The slightest presence of Qi could be detected.

Moreover, the drumming had drained his True Qi considerably. Even if he were to use Qi Manipulation to fly, he wouldn't get far now.

He could only rely on his agility and physical strength, rushing frantically through the dark forest, trying to find a way out to safety.

'How is it possible that even a Fourth-Grade Expert died at his hands...'

While fleeing, the scenes from before flashed through Guan Yushan's mind.

It started with Jiang Li injuring the Zong Zheng, forcing the appearance of the Kui's Demon Form, followed by the fierce battle thereafter, and ending with the Zong Zheng being critically injured and beheaded.

These scenes replayed in his mind, making him unable to believe the outcome. It took quite some time after the Zong Zheng's head had been cut off for him to snap back to his senses and escape in a panic with the Kui Niu Drum.

Had it not been for Jiang Li's daze after the killing, which lasted quite a while, he might not have even made it this far.

Thinking of this, Guan Yushan came to a sobering realization, awakening to the fact that what he needed to do now was escape to Dinghu and meet with the Great Scholar Zhu Hui'an who was waiting there for protection, rather than doubt whether this was real or not.

It was at this moment that a slight rustle came through, causing Guan Yushan to instantly grab his great bow, ready to shoot an arrow instinctively.

But in the next moment, a "howl" resounded, giving him such a start that he didn't draw the bowstring.

'It's just a wolf.' He couldn't help but mock his own jumpiness.

He almost used his True Qi over a mere wolf, which could've attracted that Killing Star.

However, he didn't make a move, and the wolf, as if it had spotted prey, was quickly approaching. Guan Yushan gripped the bow in his hands, ready for the wolf to appear, preparing to burst its head with one shot.

The wolf was fast; its soft pattering was closing in swiftly, and a flash of red appeared—

"Whoosh!"

As fast as a shooting star, no sooner had he seen the flash of red, did Guan Yushan feel a severe pain in his calf. Upon closer inspection, a red wolf had already bitten into his leg.

No, not a wolf.

Guan Yushan burst forth with True Qi.

He remembered the reports that mentioned Jiang Li had a fifth-rank dog by his side. Because he hadn't seen it earlier, he had subconsciously forgotten about it.

Now that the fifth-rank dog had appeared, it was too late to remember.

Three kinds of Disaster Qi injected through the dog's mouth into Guan Yushan's body, sweeping through him with agonizing pain that made life feel worse than death. Meanwhile, divination symbols emerged around him, with sword shadows gliding through the air, instantly forming a Sword Array that began to twist and kill towards the center.

Guan Yushan was bitten by the dog, and although it was fifth-rank, he was unable to resist much, barely holding on for a few moments before dying under the dog's jaws and the Sword Array.

After he had completely died, the chestnut-red big dog finally let go of his calf, humanely spit out a disdainful sound, then rummaged through and found an embroidered storage bag with gold threads, along with the great bow, and trotted back to the quietly arrived woman nearby.

"Hm, good doggy."

Gongsun Qingyue put away the Sword Array, picked up the storage bag, and patted the dog's head affectionately, "You're much more obedient than your master."

She inspected the storage bag, infused True Qi, broke through the sealed restrictions, and with a thought, an ancient drum was taken out.

"It's correct, it's the Kui Drum."

Gongsun Qingyue nodded in satisfaction and praised, "Well done, I'll reward you with several strands of Spiritual Medicine later."

Xiao Tian wagged its tail happily.

"Additionally, if you're willing to keep an eye on that trouble-magnet for me, I'll cover all your cultivation resources from now on," Gongsun Qingyue continued.

Xiao Tian stopped its tail, falling into deep contemplation.

"The sound of thunder has stopped."

On the island of Dinghu, Zhu Hui'an spoke unemotionally.

The end of the thunder meant the battle was over. This fight had, indeed, lasted much longer than expected; the Jiang family's child really did have some skill.

If it had been an ordinary fifth-rank cultivator, getting hit by one move would result in either death or severe injury; they wouldn't last ten breaths.

Meanwhile, sitting opposite Zhu Hui'an, Elder Tianquan wore a gloomy expression, his Qi Mechanism radiating outward, forming a magnificent article of brocade.

The only hope now was that Sect Master Zong Zheng had aimed to capture rather than kill; if it was to capture, there was still a chance for Jiang Li to return, but if it was to kill, then it was all over—no point even mentioning revenge.

That's because Sect Master Zong Zheng, as the killer, would have already made amends by sacrificing his own life, and other members of the Ji Family would undoubtedly be affected.

Time slowly passed as they waited, and Elder Tianquan's face grew increasingly grim. The absence of any news seemed to foretell Jiang Li's death.

Just as he struggled to contain himself and was about to rise, some commotion appeared on the distant lakeshore. It appeared to be the Yin Gods of the Yin Law Department discovering someone's arrival. Soon after, a shadowy figure emerged from the lakeside forest.

"The stench of blood..."

Elder Tianquan furrowed his brow.

The smell of blood detectable from such a distance likely indicated grave injuries, making the initially improving mood turn sour again.

However, as long as the person returned alive, it was good news; being alive was the most important thing. Also, this way, he would be able to report back to Tianxuan.

Yet...

It was not the two people he had anticipated but rather a solitary figure.

The man held a severed head as he emerged from the woods, stepping onto the water's surface, as easy as walking on flat ground. In the slowly widening eyes of Elder Tianquan and the changing expression of Zhu Hui'an, he walked towards them.

His pace was unhurried, his steps steady, and the dim moonlight illuminated his figure—in a white robe, seemingly untouched, as though completely unharmed.

He walked all the way to the island, arriving outside the small pavilion.

"Waiting for me?"

Jiang Li looked at the two men in the pavilion and smiled, "I'm here."

As he spoke, he lifted the head he was carrying and displayed it in front of them—a head with a ferocious expression, eyes wide open in anger even in death, glaringly reflected in the eyes of both men.

Ji Family's Sect Master, Ji Bogu.

A fourth-rank expert, carrying his most compatible Kui Drum to intercept Jiang Li, and then, he died.

Elder Tianquan took a deep breath, the intense stench of blood verifying that his senses were not mistaken.

It couldn't be wrong, truly couldn't be wrong; that strong scent of blood could only come from a cultivator with powerful blood and Qi, and an ordinary person, even bled dry, could not exude such a strong smell of blood.

Also, the residual Qi Mechanism inside the severed head confirmed its former strength.

"Hah, hahahaha."

Elder Tianquan couldn't help but laugh aloud.

Looking at the head that refused to rest in peace, he said, "Indeed, the sound of thunder has stopped."

Because the one who wielded the thunder was dead.

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