The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

The discussion went on for over an hour.

In the end, they finalized the plan: the Era-Defining Kings from the major powers would deal with the Great Fiends within the Yin Yang Evil Spirit Tribe. The rest of their forces would be split into two groups—one to engage the Evil Spirits on the outskirts, and the other to fight the colossal Evil Spirits.

As for the Evil Qi, it was up to one's own capabilities—you kept what you could get.

"Alright, the strategy is decided. Everyone, return and prepare."

"In three days, we begin the Great Hunt!"

After returning, Mo Bokong and Qin Ya relayed the plan. Qin Ya also took out the remaining Golden Sea Jade, distributing it to Bi Xiaoyu, Black Dragon, White Wolf, and the others. They were stunned for a long moment, finally understanding the reason behind Qin Ya's rapid advancement. Treating the jades like priceless treasures, they each went into seclusion to cultivate.

Qin Ya also returned to rest and conserve his strength.

「Three days later.」

Not far from Qin Ya, an aura suddenly erupted, forming a torrential frenzy in the air as surging waves of Primordial Qi gathered.

Then, a brilliant beam of Sword Light shot straight into the heavens!

That beam of Sword Light was… Divine Light!

The Divine Light that symbolized the Mysterious Fourth Layer Heaven—the mark of an Era-Defining King!

Qin Ya walked out. Gazing at the Divine Light, a peculiar glint flickered in his eyes. The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he murmured, "Heh, so she broke through."

The Divine Light then slowly dissipated, revealing a figure in pale blue.

She was dressed in light gauze, with delicate features and a hint of valor in her eyes.

It was none other than… Bi Xiaoyu!

With the help of the Golden Sea Jade, her True Essence had reached the level of an Era-Defining King. The inspiration from the recent battles also became the final key to her breakthrough in the Mysteries. Today, she had finally reached the Era-Defining realm!

'I should be close to a breakthrough myself.'

Qin Ya extended his palm. A wisp of iridescent Natural Energy flowed around his fingertips, faintly emitting a terrifying power that had been condensed to its absolute limit.

He had long since comprehended the Four Symbols Mysteries to the Peak Realm of the Second Heaven. Combined with his recent insights into the Four Seasons Technique, he could already sense that intangible barrier. With just one more opportunity, he could elevate his Four Symbols Mysteries to the level of True Intent, and his combat strength would soar once more!

It wasn't just the Four Symbols; his Mysterious Speed, Mysteries of Destruction, and even Space Mysteries were all at the peak of the Second Heaven, poised for a breakthrough at any moment.

Bi Xiaoyu slowly descended, walking over to Qin Ya. "I broke through," she said.

Qin Ya smiled faintly. "Congratulations."

Bi Xiaoyu nodded. She then raised her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Qin Ya. "I want to fight the Great Fiends," she declared. "I want to fight by your side."

"Alright." Qin Ya didn't try to stop her, because he knew it would be pointless.

"Mm."

"Haha, congratulations!" At that moment, Mo Bokong, Black Dragon, White Wolf, and the others also emerged from their seclusion, approaching Bi Xiaoyu to congratulate her.

At the same time, Black Dragon and White Wolf were in disbelief. 'Our Cultivation is higher than Bi Xiaoyu's, yet she broke through before we did.'

'It seems we'll have to work harder.'

"Everyone, are you ready?"

Sima Yu and his group arrived. He glanced at Bi Xiaoyu and smiled. "I didn't expect this young lady to achieve a breakthrough right now. This is excellent."

Soon after, the group arrived at the edge of the basin.

For various reasons, only thirty-nine powers were present. There were a total of eighty-four Era-Defining Kings, with the rest all being of the King Level. All told, their numbers exceeded one thousand—not so different from the tribe they were about to face.

Over a thousand people, a vast and mighty force.

The monstrous, intangible aura they exuded sent the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi into a frenzy.

Even the Ting Xiao Sword at Qin Ya's waist trembled unceasingly. Its spirit exclaimed in admiration, "A force of this magnitude… I rarely saw such a sight even when I followed the Thunder Sword King. My decision to stick with you, kid, was definitely the right one."

At this thought, Ting Xiao was filled with marvel.

When Ting Xiao and Qin Ya first met, one was the Sword Spirit of a peerless Spiritual Artifact, and the other was merely a Martial Artist who had just stepped into the Extraordinary realm. But who would have expected that in less than two years, Qin Ya would have grown to such heights.

"How… things have changed," Ting Xiao said, full of emotion.

Qin Ya smiled faintly, gripping the Ting Xiao Sword at his waist. "Heh, if it weren't for your help these past two years, I couldn't have progressed this quickly. Thank you."

Indeed, setting aside everything else, the very method for comprehending the Four Symbols Mysteries had been imparted by Ting Xiao, and it now formed a crucial part of his combat strength.

"Heh, it's been a pleasure to witness your growth."

Ting Xiao said, his voice filled with a sense of gratification.

Hearing this, Qin Ya simply smiled faintly.

At that moment, Sima Yu slowly ascended into the sky. "Everyone," he called out in a cold voice, "this campaign is about to begin. Let me be clear: from this point on, your life and death are in the hands of fate."

"Of course."

"Heh, with so many Evil Spirits, I'm itching for a fight."

"Enough talk. It's time to fight."

Seeing everyone's morale was high, Sima Yu smiled faintly. "Then we will proceed according to the strategy. The Era-Defining Kings will handle the Great Fiends in the central region, while everyone else will deal with the remaining Evil Spirits. Is that clear?"

"Understood!"

"Then… let the battle begin!"

The moment he finished speaking, Sima Yu, along with two other Era-Defining Kings from the Sima Family, shot toward the very center of the region like a streak of light. Seeing this, the Evil Spirits on the outer perimeter roared at the sky, their Evil Qi surging as they tried to intercept and strike them down. But they were stopped by dozens more streaks of light that flew in to block their path.

These were the Kings of the Sima Family.

In an instant, the Kings of the Sima Family were locked in battle with a multitude of Evil Spirits.

"Kill!"

"Hmph, the Lin Family won't be outdone!"

"Soldiers of Tianyun City, charge with me!"

"You damned Evil Spirits, prepare to meet your Grandpa Bai!"

Instantly, hundreds, even thousands, of streaks of light plunged into the horde of Evil Spirits. Terrifyingly potent energy fluctuations erupted everywhere, and a series of rumbles echoed through the void.

"Let's go."

Qin Ya glanced at Mo Bokong and the others who had already flown ahead. He then gave Bi Xiaoyu a faint smile. The two of them transformed into streaks of light and soared toward the center of the tribe's territory. Before long, they burst through the fog of Evil Qi and came face to face with a Yang Evil. It was a colossal creature, over ten thousand feet tall, coiled atop a mountain peak.

"Fight!!"

At his cry, Qin Ya's Breaking Army Spear appeared in his hand. His True Essence surged, and an immense image of the spear materialized, blasting directly toward the Great Fiend's head. Bi Xiaoyu followed close behind, Divine Light swirling around her as an immense, pale-blue slash of Sword Qi fell from the sky.

"ROAR!"

The Yang Evil sensed the danger. Its sharp claws seized the mountain's peak, and with a squeeze, it snapped the tip clean off. It then hurled the massive rock like a meteor, which whistled through the air carrying grayish-white flames of Evil Qi.

BOOM! The Sword Qi and the spear image collided with the hurled mountain peak. The massive rock instantly exploded into fragments of earth and stone, sending flames splashing in all directions.