Above the magma.
A bloody, crimson heart floated and sunk in the void, with countless tentacles spreading out and constantly waving in the void. Each tentacle had a Space Ring attached, tirelessly collecting various resources and materials that burst forth from the void into their embrace.
This was Li Xiaobaiâs newly invented use for the Heart of the Blood Demon, which effectively prevented resources like Immortal Stones from falling into the magma and being incinerated. As long as there were enough tentacles, they could gather everything without a single miss.
One wave after another of cultivators kept falling into the magma like dumplings being dropped in boiling water, causing Li Xiaobai to involuntarily sketch a smile at the corner of his mouth. He was only responsible for controlling the bodies of the cultivators; it was the magma that killed them, so the Sin Value did not land on his shoulders.
This wave alone took down over a hundred people, still without any bloodshed. If he had personally killed them, his Sin Value would probably have broken a hundred thousand in minutes.
He truly had no idea how those big shots on the Demon Path managed to survive, walking around with hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of Sin Value on their heads. Werenât they afraid that someone would suddenly chop off their head as soon as they stepped outside?
âKiddo 666!â
âOld beggar⦠in my whole life, Iâve never leaned on a wall for support, but I bow down to you!â
âYoung Master Li, youâre really awesome!â
âWoof, kiddo 666!â
âGiggle, this Sovereign admits youâre truly exceptional!â
Only after the entire magma zone had quieted down did the old beggar and his group cautiously appear. The scene in the void just now had left them somewhat dumbfounded; they had lived for so many years and yet, this was the first time they had seen such a method of killing.
Controlling the bodies of the cultivators to jump one after another into the magma and then using the Heart of the Blood Demon to recover various resourcesâthe seamless connection, the wildly imaginative operationâmade their scalps tingle and they could only sigh in admiration.
This was truly the essence of killing without shedding blood.
âItâs just so-so, a small trick, nothing worth showing off,â said Li Xiaobai, waving his hand dismissively and smiling faintly. He took out an Instant Transmission Talisman, a flash of golden light, and in an instant, he was back on top of the cliff.
âI wonât take a share of the loot this time,â the old beggar said. âI didnât exert any effort in this affair, and I still have that much self-awareness.â
âThe same goes for me. I donât like receiving unearned rewards. Since I didnât contribute, naturally I donât deserve to share in the spoils,â another voice joined in.
âI feel the same way,â said a third.
The trio spoke with light smiles. They had their principles: if they participated in an action, even if they only contributed a little, they wanted to scoop up as much benefit as possible, but if it was entirely unrelated to them, of course, they wouldnât take the loot.
âWoof, Lord Ergouzi loves to eat unearned rewards the most. Give Ergouzi a thousand Immortal Stones quick!â
âGiggle, whelp, hurry and use Immortal Stones to humiliate me!â
Ergouzi and Ji Wuqing called out inappropriately, instantly ruining the peaceful atmosphere with their demands.
Li Xiaobaiâs expression darkened as he pulled the two aside. Such good pets they could have been, if only they didnât have mouths.
âHow about this: Iâll keep the Immortal Stones. Magic Treasures and Cultivation Techniques are useless to me, so Iâll give them to the seniors to distribute amongst yourselves. How does that sound?â Li Xiaobai suggested after a momentâs consideration.
âGood!â
âThatâs also fine, thank you, Young Master Li!â
âI have no objections.â
A few minutes later, the group had finished dividing the spoils.
Li Xiaobai took out the map again, and after finishing this last job, it was time for them to leave.
âThe territory of the Great Flame Dynasty is just outside, does Young Master Li have any plans?â Liuren asked.
Worry was written on everyoneâs faces, but Li Xiaobai knew what they were concerned about and immediately reassured them with a smile, âRest assured, everyone, the task of King Weiwu is to guard the Immortal Spirit Continent. He surely canât come up here to capture us, can he?â
âBesides, King Weiwu has only seen me, and doesnât recognize any of you. As long as I change my appearance a bit, all problems will be easily solved.â
With a flip of his wrist, Li Xiaobai took out the Purple Gold Gourd and released a person based on his memory.
If he remembered correctly, this was the eighteenth Princely Heir of the Great Flame Dynasty. Though a Princely Heir, he was as invisible as air, just a little follower by Prince Yanâs side.
âThis⦠This is really the Upper Realm, and itâs even the outskirts of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range!â
âLords, you have made it out of the dangerous zones. This is truly a cause for celebration!â
The Princely Heir, sitting paralyzed on the ground, looked around tactfully before speaking. Inside the gourd, Prince Yan had already informed all the other heirs about Li Xiaobaiâs achievements, so he was aware that the person in front of him was now in the Upper Realm.
âWhat is your name? Tell us about the situation within the Great Flame Dynasty.â
âAnd, who else knows about your trip to the Earth Spirit Realm?â
Li Xiaobai asked.
âIâm called Yan Liang, the least esteemed among the Princely Heirs, ranked the eighteenthâ¦â
Yan Liang briefly narrated his identity within the Great Flame Dynasty.
He was the child born to a minor concubine of the current Emperor, who was poisoned to death by the Empress and several other consorts shortly after giving birth to him. At first, the Emperor was quite caring, but as time went on and he didnât exhibit any outstanding talent in cultivation, the Emperor gradually lost interest and ignored him.
Later on, even inquiries ceased. Among the eighteen Princely Heirs, he was the least regarded, and even servants of slightly higher status could scold or beat him at will.
It could be said that though a Princely Heir, his life was worse than that of a slave, an ignored existence within the Great Flame Dynasty, an absolute nonentity.
This time, he had also followed Prince Yan to the Earth Spirit Realm in secret. Apart from the accompanying heirs, no one else knew, hoping to earn some merits. However, he never imagined he would run into a freak like Li Xiaobai, his grand dreams collapsing before they even started.
âI see, not a bad starting point at allâ the classic underdog storyline,â Li Xiaobai said, nodding his head as his words stung with harshness, leaving Yan Liangâs complexion even paler. But what came next surprised him greatly.
Li Xiaobai took out a Human Skin Mask, and after positioning it on his face and kneading it slightly, his long face transformed instantly, becoming the spitting image of another Yan Liang.
âWhat⦠what does Young Master intend by this?â Yan Liang asked, his eyes widening incredulously.
âHow about it, do I look like you?â
Li Xiaobai asked with a smile.
âItâs not just similar, itâs exactly the same!â
Yan Liang swallowed hard, utterly shocked in his heart.
âHeh, going forward, I will enter the Great Flame Dynasty using the appearance and identity of Yan Liang. I will trample all those who once looked down on you underfoot and, in the end, seize control of the entire dynasty. Would you like to cooperate with me and go after a big score together?â
Li Xiaobai spoke blandly, undergoing a complete transformation in presence and demeanor. He still had Yan Liangâs appearance but his aura had changed dramaticallyâdominant, confident, and unruly. All the traits he once longed for were now embodied in this âYan Liang,â stirring a rush of excitement within him.
Yan Liang kneeled with a thump, âAs long as Young Master is willing to help me make a name for myself, I will do anything. Let the people around fear and respect Yan Liang, and let Yan Liang live a life of self-reliance and dignity. This was my motherâs greatest wish before she died!â