Fifteen days passed since the fall of the Tiger Demonic Clan, and the Shadow Sect had undergone a breathtaking transformation.
Endless spiritual stones flowed like rivers into their vaults. With the **Singular Replication Skill** secretly working behind the scenes, Xuan Long had amassed enough resources to rival a mid-tier upper realm sect. He upgraded every formation in the mountain—defensive walls shimmered with spiritual light, alarms could detect hidden intruders, and the inner core formation array could easily obliterate Core Formation Realm intruders on contact.
Yue Li, now personally trained by Xuan Long, had also advanced to the **early Core Formation Realm**. Her control over illusion and flame techniques made her a lethal guardian of the mountain, and with her, the spiritual pressure of the sect doubled. If any spy so much as stepped into the outer perimeter, they were caught within moments.
---
Far away in the imperial city, within the grand estate of the Zhou Family, **Zhou Liang** sat, red wine swirling in his cup, his expression twisted in hatred.
"The Tiger Demonic Clan fell... because of **him**?" he muttered. "That mountain bastard again..."
He slammed the cup onto the floor, the jade shattering into pieces.
"He even bought **100 slaves** from the market—all Qi Refining level! I planned to enjoy watching them suffer. But no, he had to interfere again."
He stood, fury dripping from every pore. "If he thinks those mongrels can build a sect, he's dreaming. This time, I'll kill him myself."
He summoned **two Nascent Soul Realm Level 10 elders**, and they departed like falling stars in the direction of the mountain.
---
Meanwhile, on the mountain peak, Xuan Long was **peacefully sleeping**, little Xiou Xue curled up beside him like a kitten.
But then—
A **massive demonic aura** thundered down from the sky, shaking the entire valley.
Xuan Long's eyes snapped open.
"Nascent Soul Realm pressure... three of them? Hmph."
He stood, kissed Xiou Xue on her forehead gently, and vanished from the room in a silver streak.
In the skies above the central mountain, he halted—his robe fluttering like a war banner.
Zhou Liang hovered midair, wearing crimson robes, a mocking smile on his face. Behind him, two cloaked Nascent Soul Elders glared at Xuan Long.
"So you're finally here," Zhou Liang sneered. "The mighty lord of a hill, pretending to be a dragon."
Xuan Long stood with arms folded. "You talk a lot for someone already trembling."
Zhou Liang scowled. "Tch. Still arrogant. I've tried to kill you before, but you keep crawling back. This time… I brought enough force to turn this mountain into ash."
He spread his arms. "After I kill you, I'll turn your so-called disciples into slaves. Especially that fox girl and the two demis. I'll whip them until they beg me to die."
A sharp **killing intent** flashed in Xuan Long's eyes.
"You want to play with fire... don't cry when it burns you."
"Enough talk! Elders, attack!"
The two Nascent Soul elders launched forward with violent spiritual energy, casting **Heavenly Thunder Fist** and **Crimson Spear Wave**, techniques famed across the region.
But—
Xuan Long did not move. His hands remained behind his back.
The moment their attacks neared his body, they were **absorbed into his skin like smoke.**
"W-What?!" one elder shouted.
Xuan Long smiled coldly.
**\[Reflect: x10 Amplification Initiated.]**
The same two skills fired back at the elders, enhanced by tenfold spiritual energy—the power they had cast, now their doom.
*BOOM!*
Both elders were obliterated midair, reduced to ash before they could even scream.
Zhou Liang's face turned pale. "T-This... how did you...?!"
He pointed a trembling finger. "Those were our Zhou Clan techniques! You... you stole them!?"
Xuan Long smirked. "No, no. I merely let you hit yourself."
Zhou Liang backed away. "You... you can reflect spiritual attacks? And amplify them?! That's impossible!"
"Is it? Then let me show you again."
Zhou Liang panicked. "S-Senior Elder! Now!!"
Suddenly, a horrifying presence descended.
A **Soul Sea Realm cultivator**, face covered in a mask of bone, emerged from the clouds.
Zhou Liang laughed wildly. "You're dead now! This elder alone has crushed entire sects. Even if you reflect his attack, you won't survive."
The Soul Sea cultivator formed a **World-Breaking Flame Disk**, a deadly attack that could vaporize a peak Nascent Soul Realm.
It hurled toward Xuan Long.
Mu Chen and Hei Mo felt the air tremble. Yue Li, watching from the tower, gasped.
"No! He's too close to the mountain—the girls!"
But Xuan Long simply raised his hand.
The entire flame disk was **sucked into his palm.**
The sky fell silent.
Zhou Liang's laughter stopped.
Then—
**\[Reflect: x10 Amplified Flame Disk]**
The sky turned white.
The Soul Sea cultivator let out a bloodcurdling scream as his body vaporized from the inside. He exploded into blood mist.
Zhou Liang fell to his knees midair.
"M-Monster... this isn't possible... how are you not Soul Sea level?!"
Xuan Long appeared in front of him.
"I'm not. I simply use your power better than you do."
He grabbed Zhou Liang by the throat. The once-proud noble whimpered.
"P-Please... I'm a Zhou Family member. You can't kill me..."
Xuan Long's eyes turned cold. "You wanted to whip my sisters to death. Now beg the heavens instead."
He activated the **Heavenly Mirror Devour**.
Zhou Liang screamed as his soul and flesh were slowly pulled apart.
"NOOOOO—!!"
The sky trembled. His body disintegrated, piece by piece, leaving nothing but dust.
Below, the entire Shadow Army watched in stunned silence.
Yue Mei clung to Xiou Xue. "Brother is scary again... but he saved us."
Xiou Xue nodded. "He always saves us."
Mu Chen whispered, "He's not just building a sect... he's building an empire."
Hei Mo added, "And anyone who opposes him... is digging their own grave."