Chapter Sixteen: Chaos

With the flying needle restrained, Wuli’s expression became exceedingly grim. Yet he quickly noticed something: even with the needle in Yang Xiao’s grasp, he retained partial control over it. This meant that reclaiming it was not impossible. Furthermore, for Yang Xiao to command the needle, he had to expend a great deal of spiritual energy. In Wuli’s eyes, such an action was hardly wise. With this realization, his mood steadied somewhat.

“Yang Xiao, you’re courting disaster. Even if you control my flying needle, you surely can’t muster any other techniques. Without your movement skill to dodge, let’s see how you withstand another palm strike!” With these words, Wuli gathered his strength and unleashed another attack. This time, the Gale Palm howled viciously, launching itself at Yang Xiao.

Seeing his own attack underway, while Yang Xiao remained motionless and silent, Wuli felt certain his guess was correct. Elation filled him as the force of his palm surged toward Yang Xiao.

But just as Wuli’s strike was about to reach Yang Xiao, Yang Xiao moved. He released Wuli’s flying needle artifact and uttered, “Go.” Instantly, the needle obeyed as if summoned, piercing straight toward Wuli’s forehead. A muffled thud sounded; the needle penetrated his skull.

It all happened so swiftly and at such close range that Wuli had no chance to evade. Even in death, his gaze held bewilderment.

Wuli could never have imagined that Yang Xiao not only seized control of his flying needle, but could temporarily wield it, effectively making it Yang Xiao’s own artifact for the moment—allowing him to slay Wuli with ease.

This feat owed entirely to the Sacred Origin Technique, a method of remarkable ingenuity. It was said to be the signature cultivation art of a great sect within the Sacred Land, ranking among the heavenly-level techniques. Though not quite on par with the Golden Body of Nine Revolutions, it was nearly so.

Yang Xiao had practiced this technique briefly in the desert, never expecting it would serve him at such a critical moment.

Yet the duel had indeed been fraught with danger. As Wuli had said, to convert the flying needle to his own use, Yang Xiao expended considerable spiritual energy. His reserves were less than Wuli’s; had they been greater, he could have instantly seized his opponent’s artifact and bent it to his will.

The duel hinged upon precise timing. Yang Xiao had to strike just as Wuli’s attack reached him to achieve surprise and kill his opponent smoothly. A moment too soon, and Wuli would have sensed something amiss and readied to evade. Too late, and Wuli’s blow would have grievously wounded Yang Xiao.

It sounded simple, but in the heat of the moment, perfection was hard-won. Fortunately, Yang Xiao kept his composure and succeeded.

Yang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward to retrieve Wuli’s storage pouch, fastening it to his waist, and collected the flying needle artifact. Only then did he turn to the stunned He Ming and say, “Senior Brother He, let’s go.”

He Ming could scarcely believe what had transpired. That Yang Xiao could kill Wuli was astonishing. But worry quickly replaced his shock. Though Wuli was known for his misdeeds, the crime of killing a fellow disciple was grave. If their master learned of it, both he and Yang Xiao would surely face execution.

“Junior Brother, will killing Wuli bring trouble? How can we return to Giant Spirit Gate now?” He Ming asked, anxious. Although Yang Xiao had dealt the fatal blow, he clearly considered himself complicit.

“Rest assured, Senior Brother. If we say nothing, who will know Wuli died at our hands? Strictly speaking, it was I alone who killed him. Even if our master learns of it, I’ll bear all the blame. You needn’t worry about any responsibility,” Yang Xiao replied, seemingly unconcerned.

“We’re in this together, so we’ll face the consequences together. If Master finds out, I’ll never abandon you, Junior Brother. Whatever punishment awaits us, we’ll accept it side by side. After all, Wuli was wicked, and Master knows it. We acted in self-defense. I believe Master is wise and won’t put us to death. And even if he does, I’ll gladly die alongside you—I’ll never betray you,” He Ming declared solemnly.

Yang Xiao was deeply moved by He Ming’s sincerity. He nodded and said, “Senior Brother, we shouldn’t linger here. Let’s leave at once.” With that, he and He Ming prepared to depart.

Before they could move, another figure entered the cave. It was none other than Senior Brother Yao Yuan, whom Yang Xiao had previously encountered at his residence.

Initially, outside the cave, neither Yang Xiao nor He Ming had seen Yao Yuan. He had arrived later, overcoming many obstacles to reach the cave where Yang Xiao was. The two Giant Spirit Gate disciples who had accompanied Wuli had perished in the cave’s wards.

Yao Yuan’s arrival made the scene awkward, for Wuli’s corpse lay on the ground. Any discerning eye could see that Wuli had been slain by Yang Xiao and He Ming; there were no other wards in the herb-growing cave, so Wuli could not have died of his own accord.

The atmosphere was tense, as though another battle might erupt.

The reason was clear: Yang Xiao trusted He Ming deeply, but could not be sure Yao Yuan would keep silent about today’s events. If the sect learned of the fratricide, Yang Xiao would inevitably face execution.

“A fight is inevitable,” Yang Xiao thought. If he did not kill Yao Yuan now, no one could guarantee he wouldn’t reveal what had happened. Yet it was a bitter necessity. In cultivation, Yao Yuan surpassed even Wuli; Yang Xiao was far from certain he could defeat him.

“Fortunately, I now possess Wuli’s flying needle artifact. With a quick refinement, I can barely wield it, but even so, the odds of killing Yao Yuan are no better than fifty-fifty.”

He had long heard that Yao Yuan ranked among the top disciples in cultivation. Since Wuli owned a spiritual weapon, Yao Yuan might well have one too, making things even more complicated.

The situation had become utter chaos.