Is this the villain?

The Stone Demon King appeared as nothing short of a behemoth.

Its defeat was clearly beyond the capabilities of mere Qi Refining realm cultivators, whose power would likely fail to even crack its stony hide.

Indeed, without Kong Xiu’s presence, even their combined innate abilities would struggle to penetrate the Stone Demon King’s formidable defenses.

As they battled the Stone Demon King, more trial participants gradually emerged in the vicinity.

Hiding in the distance, these newcomers observed the golden light emanating from the Stone Demon King’s head.

It was clear to them that someone had triggered a hidden treasure realm, and the treasure itself lay within the Stone Demon King.

“Heh heh, how interesting.”

“To think there’s a treasure within this Stone Demon King, and by the luster, it seems to be a significant one.”

“These people are quite bold to unleash such divine light.”

“Are they from the Kong family?” someone mused, observing the situation while scrutinizing Kong Xiu and the others fighting the Stone Demon King.

As more trial participants gathered, it was inevitable that some would hail from the same factions as Kong Xiu and his companions.

“Disciples from the Heavenly Array Sect and the Golden Light Sacred Dragon Palace.”

“Eh?”

“Long Lingyu?”

“That fellow is here too.”

“Whose team is this, to have gathered several trial participants with such unique abilities?”

“And what’s wrong with this Stone Demon King?”

“Why does it seem to have gone mad?”

“Is it Long Lingyu’s sonic power?”

“I’m not sure about those you mentioned,” another voice chimed in.

“But the one enveloped in runes, that’s a disciple from the Demonic Heaven Sect.”

“The patterns swirling around them are Cursed Demonic Runes.”

Ye Chong and his allies were far from ordinary, each possessing their own formidable backgrounds.

While their respective powers might not rival the absolute top-tier forces, individually, they would not necessarily lose to the scions of ancient clans.

Though the Stone Demon King appeared to be entangled by the five of them, in reality, Ye Chong’s greatest asset was Long Lingyu.

With his unique power, Long Lingyu managed to firmly keep the Stone Demon King under control.

He prevented the Stone Demon King from fully regaining its senses.

Should the creature break free from his mind control, the consequences would be dire.

However, they couldn’t hold out much longer.

The number of trial participants surrounding them continued to swell.

Even if Bai Lan managed to retrieve the treasure by then, it would be impossible for them to escape with it amidst such a throng.

Inside the Stone Demon King, Bai Lan emerged from the passage.

She found herself in a stone palace, a spacious chamber where no more stone demons appeared to obstruct her path.

She could already see the treasure chest.

Resting on a stone platform ahead was a jade treasure chest, shimmering with iridescent light.

It was a clear sign that something truly valuable lay within.

A great treasure map always led to a place of immense fortune, ensuring one’s journey was never in vain.

Yet, before opening the chest, Bai Lan had another problem to resolve.

“Alright, my friend from the Soul Clan, you may come out now,” Bai Lan stated suddenly, her voice calm.

Bai Lan’s words were so abrupt that the person hidden in the shadows froze for a moment.

After the initial shock, they stepped directly out of the darkness.

“Heh heh… interesting.”

“My sister was right; you are indeed a special woman.”

“To think you could discover our Soul Clan’s concealment art.”

“She said your power could suppress ours.”

“This young master, Hun Li, the brother of Hunmei, would very much like to witness it for himself.” Hun Li emerged, gazing at Bai Lan with a strange, sinister laugh.

Bai Lan looked at the sinister-looking young man before her, a thought involuntarily surfacing in her mind.

‘This fellow is definitely a villain.’

‘With that villainous demeanor, he’s surely destined for a bad end.’

Of course, Bai Lan kept these thoughts to herself; she would never voice them aloud.

“Oh, a young master from the Soul Clan.”

“Then, may I ask, Young Master Hun Li, why you have come?”

“Surely you don’t intend for me to unseal your sister’s restraints?” Bai Lan conjectured.

“Ah, that’s secondary.”

“Your name is Bai Lan, isn’t it?”

“I haven’t heard of you, but I heard you defeated Xue Feng of the Snow Clan, and you even know of our Soul Clan.”

“You must be a cultivator from some ancient clan.”

“How about it, Young Master Bai Lan?” Hun Li chuckled, his gaze fixed on Bai Lan.

“You seem to have captivated my little sister, Hunmei.”

“Are you interested in becoming this young master’s woman?” Hun Li asked with startling directness, a wide smile on his face.

Bai Lan observed his expression, which didn’t seem to be a joke.

However, what he didn’t realize was that Bai Lan detested hearing such words the most.

That attitude, treating women as mere playthings, was infuriating.

While she hadn’t felt this way when she was a man, now that she was a woman and being teased by another male, she felt utterly displeased.

“Then I apologize, but I have no interest,” Bai Lan replied, suppressing her rising anger.

“I advise you to leave quickly, lest you meet the same fate as your sister.”

If he spoke without courtesy, she saw no need to extend any herself.

But the more Bai Lan resisted, the more Hun Li desired her.

“Hahaha, I’ve been in the Void Heaven Realm for so long, and this is the first time anyone has dared to speak to me like that, especially a woman.”

“Woman, I remember you now.”

“Your soul aura is deeply etched into my heart.”

“Even if I were to see you in the outside world, I would recognize you at first glance.”

“And then, hehehe…” Hun Li cackled menacingly.

Bai Lan could no longer tolerate this man.

He seemed utterly deranged, or perhaps simply mad.

A question also formed in her mind: were Hun Li and Hunmei truly full-blooded siblings?

Hunmei, in comparison, seemed far more normal than Hun Li, despite her somewhat spoiled princess demeanor.

“Hmph!” Bai Lan snorted, then thrust her sword towards Hun Li.

Hun Li, seeing Bai Lan strike without hesitation, immediately drew a short, dark blade shrouded in black mist from beneath his robes.

He didn’t immediately resort to his Soul Clan abilities, intending instead to toy with Bai Lan.

Yet, the moment their blades clashed, Hun Li realized this woman was unlike any he had encountered before.

Her attacks were lethal, each strike aimed at his vital points, executed with ruthless efficiency and no wasted movement.

However, Hun Li was a man forged in genuine life-or-death battles.

The more they fought, the more invigorated he became, his speed increasing.

The force of his blade sent vibrations up Bai Lan’s arm, making her sword-wielding hand go numb.

Her rhythm was gradually disrupted.

From an initial offensive, she was forced into a passive defense.

‘Damn it, this guy’s combat experience and strength are far superior to mine!’ Bai Lan quickly assessed.

‘Relying on ordinary methods alone, I’m no match for him.’

It was a natural conclusion.

Hun Li’s true cultivation realm was already at the Golden Core stage, and having lived for centuries, he was naturally beyond Bai Lan’s current capabilities.

Xue Yue, by comparison, had only a few years of combat experience; the difference between them was vast.

Bai Lan quickly retreated, unleashing sword techniques.

Unfortunately, her sword techniques proved utterly useless against Hun Li.

“Haha, come on, little girl!”

“You need to put more strength into it, otherwise, you won’t be able to defeat your big brother.”

“If you can’t beat me, you might end up crippled soon!” Hun Li mocked, easily deflecting Bai Lan’s sword techniques.

Bai Lan glanced at her trembling hand.

She knew she had to unleash the power of her Chaos Body.

“Very well, then I shall grant your wish.”

Bai Lan sheathed her sword, then took a deep breath.

Pure light began to emanate from her body as her disguise dissolved.

The form of the Moon Goddess Physique was revealed, and she slowly floated upwards, like a newly risen full moon.

As she ascended about ten meters into the air, the moonlight on her body erupted in an instant, illuminating the entire stone palace.

A series of profound incantations echoed through the stone palace.

“Ah?!” Hun Li shrieked the moment Bai Lan’s purifying light spread.

The light seemed to inflict immense pain upon him.

Eerie wails and screams, terrifying and numerous, emanated from within his body.