Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Time slowly passed. The rumbling sounds in the underground chamber continued to billow like rushing rivers. Behind the Witchcraft Sect Master, the unconscious Little Ancestor quietly opened his eyes, burning heat flashing in them.

Perhaps the chance he had bitterly waited for during all these years was going to arrive soon. If this was true, then it wouldn't be long before he could realize his dream!

He looked at the black mask and roared in his heart, "Don't break apart! Use up more of his strength and force him to interrupt his witchcraft!"

The Witchcraft Sect Master would not be able to passively withstand the terrifying backlash of witchcraft. Once the Witchcraft Sect Master used his trump card, his turning point would appear.

Kacha -

Little Ancestor's prayers didn't seem to have any effect. The third crack appeared, exactly between the mask's eyebrows. It was like a saber passing through space and time, ruthlessly slashing down on the mask!

When the crack appeared, it seemed to release the essence, energy, and will of the mask. The mask's calm face suddenly twisted as if it was suffering from some great pain.

Then there was a fourth crack, fifth crack, sixth crack…

Faint cracking sounds constantly rang out. Soon, the entire mask was covered in them. It looked like a piece of porcelain that had been broken and glued together, about to disintegrate at any time.

Little Ancestor closed his eyes, disappointment and unwillingness on his pale face. It seemed that the wish he waited for all this time had become distant and uncertain once more.

"Ah!" Just as the Witchcraft Sect Master was overjoyed, he cried out in alarm once more. The swallowing strength that came from the statue suddenly rose up, becoming more intense than the first time.

The speed at which strength passed from his body reached a terrifying rate. The Witchcraft Sect Master instinctively wanted to cut off his contact with the statue, but he relied on his formidable will to forcefully stop himself.

This was the mask's final struggle before breaking apart. As long as he could persist through this, the witchcraft would be complete!

The Witchcraft Sect Master sneered inwardly. He had experienced countless storms and waves in his life. To force him to retreat in fear using such a minor method? Keep on dreaming!

Just obediently die!

Thinking about it, the person enveloped by the aura of the witchcraft must have sensed something by now. Facing this unknown attacker, fear and worry had to be eroding their mind.

Hahahaha! Trust me, this is merely the beginning. There are still countless 'surprises' waiting for you.

Three breaths of time passed.

The Witchcraft Sect Master coldly sneered. This person's final struggle before death was fierce, but so what?

Another three breaths of time passed.

The Witchcraft Sect Master sneered again.

Three more breaths of time passed.

The Witchcraft Sect Master found that he couldn't laugh anymore.

Three breaths of time passed by again.

With a roar of anger, the Witchcraft Sect Master decided to pull back his hand. He didn't know where something had gone wrong, but it was clear things were different from what he expected.

But at this time, the crack-covered black mask suddenly opened its eyes. A pair of impish and playful eyes looked at the Witchcraft Sect Master, unable to conceal their ridicule.

Then, the mask opened its mouth and bit down on the Witchcraft Sect Master's finger. No matter what he tried he couldn't free himself.

At the same time, an even wilder swallowing strength erupted. The statue seemed to have become an endless vortex, spinning and rumbling as if it wanted to eat him up whole.

Humph! You want to leave? It's not that simple. Leave another piece of meat behind at least!

This person was a big idiot; he actually didn't react until now. But, the two big sisters' ideas were truly ruthless and dark. They perfectly calculated his thoughts from beginning to end, and were playing with him in the palms of their hands the entire time.

This type of ability to control the hearts and minds of others was too terrifying. No matter what, she couldn't offend these two big sisters in the future!

As such thoughts were running through the mind of the 'mask', the Witchcraft Sect Master was left startled and angered. With his wisdom and experience as a veteran, he knew that he had fallen into a trap. Perhaps this other party had discovered him right at the moment when the witchcraft began. However, because they had a certain goal in mind, they tempted him and lured him in to continue completing the witchcraft.

To the Witchcraft Sect Master, this kind of blow where he was completely outmaneuvered in terms of intelligence and planning actually caused him to suffer more than the damage he had received. It made him even angrier.

A severe light flashed in his eyes. The Witchcraft Sect Master lifted his hand without hesitation and tore off his entire arm from the shoulder down. He spat out a mouthful of blood and his pale face became even paler.

From this action it could be seen how decisive and ruthless he was. Then, without stopping at all, he stormed backwards.

The arm that was stuck to the statue instantly withered away. It lost all moisture, becoming like a dead log that fell to the ground.

Then, the flesh and blood that covered the statue rapidly turned to ash. The cracked mask grinned once before vanishing from sight.

Bang -

The statue fell over, shattering into several pieces.

Seeing this, the Witchcraft Sect Master's anger rushed into his mind. He blew out another mouthful of blood that splattered onto the ground and sizzled.

"Damn it…" Before he could finish speaking, his eyes flew open. He could feel something extremely terrifying approaching. His complexion changed and he lifted his remaining hand to slap the point between his eyebrows.

A light 'pa' sound spread out from within the Sect Master's body. Then, a blood red line appeared between his eyebrows. It continued up and down, as if someone had drawn a straight line with a brush. Then, starting from that red line, his body split into two and poured to the ground. From where the two sections were divided, one could see a thin layer of film covering it. Beneath that film, organs slowly wriggled about, but no blood flowed out.

Soon the flesh and blood of the two sections multiplied and grew. Skeletons, organs, and even hair and skin were molded into existence, forming two separate and whole bodies.

The two Witchcraft Sect Masters stood across from each other. The one on the left cupped his hands and said, "Thank you fellow daoist for withstanding this disaster for me!"

The one on the right nodded, "As it should be."

When his voice fell, great black spots began to appear on his exposed skin, as if he were a corpse that had been buried underground for many years. In a short several breaths of time, the right Witchcraft Sect Master quickly rotted away, turning into a puddle of goo on the ground.

The backlash of the witchcraft had arrived - if one couldn't kill their target, then they themselves would perish!

The Witchcraft Sect Master's eyes turned gloomy. This dummy body that had died in his place was almost identical to the original. He would need several decades to cultivate one again.

And for a following period of time, his cultivation would be greatly weakened. He wouldn't be able to do this again.

All of this was something he never once imagined would occur when he decided to use witchcraft. When he thought back to how he was so confident at the beginning, his face turned burning hot.

Hidden Fog Sect, black-robed man!

No matter who you are, things haven't ended here! Everything that I have withstood tonight, I will make sure to pay you back double tomorrow!

Bang -

A loud explosion sounded out from behind. The Hidden Fog Sect Master's heart skipped a beat. He turned to see Little Ancestor rushing towards him, having turned into a mass of bloody fog.

"You traitor, you dare!?"

With a roar, the Witchcraft Sect Master raised hand and shattered a talisman. But, no sounds came from outside the chamber.

In the next moment, the bloody fog covered him. Roars of shocked anger rang out, soon turning into calls of pain and despair. Then, these cries were mixed in with chewing sounds.

Gradually, the cries subsided. All that was left were clear chewing sounds that echoed in the underground chamber.

…

In the laboratory, the tumbling black fog that was imperceptible to the n.a.k.e.d eye and divine sense had been divided into three and cleanly swallowed up.

Hu -

Hu -

The purple moon and blue sun phantoms submerged into the small bell. They returned to their original positions as if nothing had happened.

Qin Yu remained immersed in his cultivation. His consciousness was fully focused on controlling the strength of the dragon soul and dragon blood to restore his injuries.

Time quietly passed.

…

In a courtyard of Dragon City, a middle-aged man who had changed to a completely new and extravagant tea set was leisurely seeping his tea. Steam rose into the air and fragrance flowed out. He lifted a cup and enjoyed a sip, closing his eyes as he savored it. He had an intoxicated expression. In order to fully digest the charm of tea, one had to have the correct artistic conception and mood in mind.

After drinking the tea, the middle-aged man laid down the tea cup. His mind was clear and bright as a light smile crossed his face.

The Hidden Fog Sect had obtained the bye for the first day by breaking through ten rings and taking first place. This was indeed unexpected. This Mister Ning Qin was truly experienced and mysterious. It was no wonder he was held in such high regard by the Dark Parliament.

But his plan wouldn't be ruined because of this. After making some small modifications, it would display the same effects.

It was also time.

He poured out the teapot and poured in more hot water, soaking the tea leaves for a second time. It was only now that the full flavor would come out.

Doing anything was no different from tasting tea; one needed a certain level of patience to be able to drink the best flavor and to receive the greatest satisfaction.