"I was a step late!"0

A towering figure, broad and hulking like a bear, stood shrouded in darkness, his gaze fixed on the remnants of the Mi family estate.  The air was thick with the stench of blood. Faint waves of spirit energy still lingered, gradually dissipating, yet enough remained to hint at the ferocity of the battle that had just taken place.0

High above, it was as if echoes of fury and unwillingness still clung to the heavens, refusing to fade. The shadowed figure exhaled quietly and began to turn away.0

Suddenly, his body stiffened. His head lifted slowly, his eyes meeting another presence in the sky, a cultivator floating silently above, studying him intently.0

"A Jade Cauldron sword cultivator?"0

The man's eyes gleamed like blades, sharp and penetrating, as if they held a thousand invisible swords ready to strike. Yet as he looked down at the figure cloaked in shadow, his expression faltered.0

Is he human? Or a demon?0

Below, the figure offered a respectful cupped-fist salute. His voice was low and calm, "You're late as well."0

In the sky, the Jade Cauldron sword cultivator furrowed his brows. Was that man one of Mi Shuhua’s reinforcements? He had never seen such a figure in Dahe Market before.0

The man’s cultivation was clearly at Foundation Establishment, and his energy was undoubtedly human and yet it brimmed with dense demonic energy. It didn’t make sense.2

Forget it. This wasn't the time to...0