Despair

Xuan Ping knew that he was at a disadvantage, as his strength and stamina would only count for so much against the speed and agility of his opponents.

Slowly, he began to take note of his flaws and work on them.

"Now, take a look at these kids. They are using my core disciples to gain experience in a fight against multiple opponents." Well, there are only two ways to win in a battle against multiple opponents. The first, known to cultivators, is to take out your opponents in one stride. Lastly, know yourself and study your enemies. Make use of their flaws and loopholes, then attack their vital points while restraining them and rendering them incapacitated.

"They really are impressive kids. What a pity they're going to die today."

The sword cultivator began to attack, but Xuan had anticipated his move. He used the cultivator as a shield, blocking his sword. The other hesitated for a moment, giving Xuan Ping enough time to deliver a powerful punch to his guts.

Immediately, Xuan Ping lost sight of his shield, who later came attacking him from his blind spot. Xuan Ping scrambled to his feet.

"Finally, got you!"

Xuan Ping grit his teeth, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew he had to take his opponents down quickly, or he would be overwhelmed. He charged forward, ducking under the blade of the sword cultivator. Furthermore, he grabbed the guy by the neck and slammed him down on the ground with a thud.

Finally, both Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng had only one opponent left each. Without much struggle, they took care of both.

"You could have easily killed them all without going through this stress, and why is that?" The Netherworld Sect Master stared intently at them.

"Well, it just won't do any good," Xiao Feng said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Hmm... but if you think not killing them would keep you guys alive, then you must be having weird dreams," he said, with his eyes almost bulging out.

"We never thought like that from the beginning," Xuan Ping voiced out.

[What! Where did everything start to go wrong? Are we really going to die here like that?]

"Now that it's our turn, should we start?"

"We would be happy if you agreed to give us a chance to recover our used up Qi," Xiao Feng said with a neutral face.

"Go ahead, I too would love to kill you at your peak, so only an incense stick of time."

"What! Is he for real?" Xuan Ping was surprised.

"Don't waste the time you've probably been offered to survive."

Xiao Feng and Xuan Ping immediately went into their cross-legged position as they began to gather Qi.

After an incense stick of time, the two opened their eyes. Without giving much thought to it, they both charged at him with all they could summon. In an all-out attack like that, the Netherworld Sect Master did nothing more than stay in a position and reflexively dodge their attacks.

The Netherworld Sect Master, who had an overwhelming presence, finally released his aura, making them both choke for the first time. "Pathetic! You two are nothing compared to me, yet you killed my fifth?"

"Threat-imposing bastard, leaving you for a year or two might cause imminent danger to my sect's existence."

"That's because you are yet to know what's to come," Xiao Feng chuckled as blood slipped through the corner of his mouth.

Xuan Ping grinned as he thought of Haoran.

With a flick of his wrist, the over-domineering Sect Master laughed mockingly at them as he sent a powerful wave of Qi towards Xiao Feng and Xuan Ping. They braced themselves for impact, but just as they expected, it might be the last attack they'll receive on Earth.

"I haven't even gotten to the peak, yet I'm going to die here like that. Master, forgive your unfilial disciples," Xiao Feng's head dropped.

"Xu Xin, father's revenge, everyone, do well to live."

Knowing they might die, they never left their defense open, welcoming death. But just as the attack was about to hit them, a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Some attacks aren't meant to be blocked but dodged, foolish kids!"

The figure stood fearless, easily blocking the attack with his bare hands. The force of the attack sent him skidding back, but he remained standing.

"Trying to hurt whom I protect? Prepare yourself for the consequences."

Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng looked up at the figure. "Ye Fan!"

The Netherworld Sect Master sneered, "And who are you?" His voice echoing across the whole plain.

Ye Fan released his overwhelming Qi. "An existence beyond your comprehension!" He charged forward, his fist flying towards him.

The two clashed with an explosive force, sending shock waves through the air. Xiao Feng and Xuan Ping watched as Ye Fan and his opponent traded blows. They had never seen someone with such raw strength before, and it was clear that Ye Fan was giving him a run for his money.

Finally, with a powerful punch, Ye Fan sent him flying backwards. Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng were stunned but relieved that they had been saved.

Ye Fan turned to them and asked, "Are you two okay?"

They both nodded, pleased with his intervention, but wondered if he had always been around.

The Netherworld Sect Master saw Ye Fan with his guard down while discussing with the two lads, so he attacked from his blind spot. Unfortunately for him, he was immediately gripped by his neck.

"I would rather not spill blood, but now it seems I'm left with no other choice," Ye Fan said.

"No! Don't kill him," Xuan Ping intervened.

"And why not?" Ye Fan questioned.

"We want him alive to witness the annihilation of his sect," Xuan Ping explained.

"Hmm! You guys just escaped death, yet you're planning a sect annihilation? You've got some nerve," Ye Fan replied, letting go of the Sect Master's neck. He fell to the ground with a thud.

"Well, probably not us," Xiao Feng smirked.

The Netherworld Sect Master left for his sect filled with shame, having obtained an internal injury that would take at least ten years to heal.

Back to you guys, do you think you now have the strength to do what you like? The reality is, you don't have the strength to protect the people who are close to you.

Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng glared at him, wondering what Ye Fan meant. They understood that they weren't strong enough to face off against someone at the level of a Sect Master, but they didn't understand his other statement.

Before they could question him further, Ye Fan said, "Bring out the one inside the small world."

"How does he know someone is inside the small sealed world? No, how does he even know that I possess the small sealed world?" Xuan Ping thought to himself.

Xuan Ping immediately infused a bit of his Qi, revealing a vegetative Xu Qing.

"What happened to her?" They rushed up to her.

"Hmph, it seems you yourself don't even know a thing about the small world. Well, the small world isn't a world that can exist on its own; it needs a life source to absorb energy from. But during the battle with that madman, your Qi was close to being totally depleted. Therefore, all living entities within it would be put in a state of turmoil, and she probably couldn't withstand it," Ye Fan explained.

"So I hope she is still alive," Xuan Ping replied, worry filling his voice.

"Alive? She is close to being dead. Now you see, you couldn't even protect yourself, let alone someone close to you. Yet you aim for the peak. Dream on," Ye Fan said, glaring at them as he carried Xu Qing on his shoulders.

"Where are you taking her?" They asked tearfully.

Ye Fan halted, turned to look at the two, and released his overwhelming Qi, forcing them to their knees. "Want to cure her yourselves?" he asked.

They looked flustered and began to feel despair. If only they were stronger, none of this would have happened.

"How do we get to see her again?"

"If you still want to see her, break through the bindings of this realm and meet in the upper realm. And I have a strict warning for you both. If you come looking for her while you're still as powerless as an ant, you'll die," Ye Fan warned.

With that, Ye Fan pushed off and flew out of their sight. Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng, still on their knees, finally looked up at Ye Fan as he disappeared from their view.

Their breaths caught in their lungs as tears streamed down their faces. Memories of Xu Qing flooded their minds, and they couldn't stop weeping.

Inside the Netherworld Sect, the Sect Master entered his abode and collapsed, barely able to stand steady on his feet.

The elders rushed in, shocked to see their Sect Master in such a state. Even the core disciples were left in a life-and-death situation.

"Sect Master! What happened to leave you in this condition?" the first elder asked, knowing how formidable their Sect Master usually was.

"Fifth messed with the wrong people. Their supporters are beyond our reach. As I speak right now, the sect should enter lockdown, and everyone should cultivate diligently. Anyone who slacks off should be immediately expelled from the sect," the Sect Master replied.

"Sect Master, please speak slowly. We can hardly understand why you're doing all this," the second elder said.

"Just do as I say. Until I've finally recovered, don't open the sect to anyone, regardless of who they are," the Sect Master commanded.

"Yes, Sect Master," the elders replied in unison before leaving the room, leaving only the first elder with the Sect Master. The first elder stared at the Sect Master, gasping for breath.

"Who put you in this state?" he finally managed to ask.

"You want to know?" the Sect Master replied, his eyes shut.

"Yes, because this might end up being a tragedy for the sect," the first elder muttered.

"Hmm, I know nothing about what the fifth had gotten himself into, but it was bigger than I could ever imagine. He died at the hands of two kids, their cultivation at the immortal ascension realm, and their Qi is extraordinary, only their skills were inferior. Everything else about them is perfect."

The first elder listened intently, intrigued by the information.

"They aren't even close to twenty-five years old, yet their piercing eyes hold an intense gaze of pure ambition and hunger for power. Unfortunately for me, they have a guardian, and not just any ordinary guardian, but one at the peak of the supreme realm. This has made me realize with certainty that a different realm exists beyond the supreme realm. However, what is the point of it all when the fifth has destroyed it?"

The first elder nodded, beginning to piece together the gravity of the situation.

"Just remembering their last words, I knew the Netherworld was no longer safe. That's the reason behind the precautions I've taken now," the Sect Master continued.

"If you want our sect to resound throughout this realm, all my rules should be strictly adhered to," the Sect Master concluded.

"We want him alive to witness the annihilation of his sect," the Sect Master whispered, his voice filled with determination.

The first elder stood there, still slightly confused, but he knew that the Sect Master couldn't be bluffing considering his present state. He took his leave, understanding the urgency of the matter.

Silently cultivating, the monster poised to destroy the Netherworld Sect bided its time for the right moment to strike.