Ning Yi was stunned. He was certain the stone statue had blinked, its gaze sharp and piercing, like a slumbering being awakening.
Indeed, the statue's eyes were glowing, and a terrifying power was surging within.
It had sensed a threat – someone was attempting to ambush Ning Wenjing from the shadows.
The statue's eyes, etched with intricate runes, shot out a beam of light towards the sky.
*Bang!*
In mid-air, the clouds dissipated, revealing Wu Ji's figure.
This old wretch was incredibly insidious. Upon arriving and discovering Ning Yi and a host of Ning clan cultivators guarding the Demon Realm's gate, he decided to shamelessly launch a surprise attack.
His plan was to directly assassinate Ning Yi and the important Ning clan members around him.
Given Wu Ji's status and position, such a clandestine act of ambush was utterly despicable and base.
In the past, Wu Ji wouldn't have been so shameless.
However, he was injured and his strength greatly depleted. Without resorting to a sneak attack, he truly had no confidence in dealing with the more than two hundred Ning clan members present.
What he believed to be a fatal blow was unexpectedly detected by the stone statue and blocked.
This left Wu Ji momentarily astonished.
"Wu Ji!"
A chill ran down Ning Yi's spine. Had Wu Ji's ambush succeeded, he and those around him would have surely perished.
He was fortunate that the attack had failed; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
He looked at the stone statue in Ning Wenjing's arms, a storm of shock raging within him.
It was utterly incredible that this stone statue could automatically protect its master and even withstand Wu Ji's attack.
Could everything Ning Jing said be true?
"Ning Yi, I intend to enter the Demon Realm. If you know what's good for you, take your clansmen and get out of the way, or don't blame me for being ruthless."
Wu Ji exuded a potent killing intent.
He had suffered a significant loss at Sunset Villa, his heart brimming with resentment. Now, with his ambush thwarted, his face flushed with shame, and he longed to unleash a bloodbath.
However, he was injured, and ascending to immortality was paramount. He didn't want any unnecessary complications.
The primary concern was the stone statue in Ning Wenjing's embrace; he couldn't fathom its depth and felt a sense of apprehension.
Could this be a treasure left behind by Emperor Bai for the Ning clan? How could it be so powerful, capable of blocking my attack?
Wu Ji narrowed his eyes, a deep greed flickering in his pupils.
If he could seize this treasure, perhaps he could immediately return to Sunset Villa and reclaim his honor.
Ning Yi remained silent, weighing the pros and cons. He naturally noticed Wu Ji's injury, recognizing it as the perfect opportunity to eliminate him. However, it would likely come at the cost of many Ning clan lives.
He found it difficult to decide.
Wu Ji, discerning Ning Yi's intentions, sneered, "What, seeing me injured makes you want to attack me? Arrogant. Hurry and clear the path, or I won't mind paying a price to slaughter your entire Ning clan."
"How many of our Ning clan did the Ten Lakes Village kill? Blood debts must be repaid with blood. Today, we settle the score with you."
Ning Wenjing could no longer contain herself. This was the ancestor of Ten Lakes Village, and she would avenge the fallen clansmen.
The statue in her hand seemed to sense her intent, immediately erupting in resplendent light.
Runes surged forth, and a terrifying power exploded. The statue transformed into a figure ten zhang tall.
This figure bore an uncanny resemblance to Ning Wenjing, lifelike and vivid. Gripping a forty-meter-long great saber, it unleashed a powerful slash towards Wu Ji.
The saber's light, like a rainbow, tore through the void, reaching Wu Ji in an instant.
Wu Ji's pupils dilated, his scalp tingled, and his face was etched with terror.
What in the world was this?
How could it be so terrifying!
He frantically circulated his spiritual energy, desperately defending himself, but let out a scream as he was directly cleaved by this incredibly dominant saber strike.
*Bang...*
Dust billowed, and the ground was gouged with a massive crater.
The entire scene was stunned into disbelief.
Wu Ji, at the ninth level of the Mortal Immortal realm, a near-invincible existence in the Profound Spirit Realm, had been felled in a single move?
No one had believed Ning Wenjing when she claimed her stone statue could slay Mortal Immortals as easily as chopping vegetables. Now, the truth was laid bare before them.
It was indeed as simple as slicing through vegetables.
Ning Yi swallowed hard. Such a terrifying stone statue, merely a gift carved by Ji Mo out of boredom for Ning Wenjing, meant Ji Mo's abilities were truly unimaginable.
If he possessed such terrifying strength, he wouldn't need any schemes; he could simply sweep across the world.
Had he truly misjudged Ji Mo?
But what about the overwhelming demonic aura emanating from Ji Mo, an aura that even he found chilling?
Ning Yi firmly believed his senses were not mistaken; Ji Mo was undoubtedly a demon, a peerless great demon!
Ning Wenjing was also startled. She knew the statue was powerful, but she hadn't expected it to be this formidable, capable of withstanding a single blow from Wu Ji, who was at the ninth level of the Mortal Immortal realm.
Due to this moment of shock, she didn't continue her attack.
Suddenly.
Blood-red light erupted from the crater, and large masses of blood mist permeated the air.
Immediately after, a beam of blood-red light flashed and vanished, disappearing into the distance.
"Damn it, it's the Blood Escape Technique!"
Ning Yi lamented his misfortune, forced to watch Wu Ji escape like this. He should have decisively followed up with another strike to finish him off.
However, the fact that Wu Ji had resorted to the Blood Escape Technique indicated that his condition was truly dire, and his injuries were likely severe.
Sealed Demon City.
Those who had fled the city in fear of Wu Ji were gradually returning.
Amidst the crowd, someone suddenly cried out, "Look quickly, that person seems to be Wu Ji!"
Everyone looked into the distance, disbelieving their eyes.
Not long ago, Wu Ji had fled in disarray, vowing revenge upon achieving immortality.
But now, he was covered in blood, fleeing in panic like a stray dog.
He was clearly severely injured, resembling a bloodied mess, his aura incredibly weak, indicating he had been thoroughly thrashed.
Everyone was perplexed, wondering what had happened, who had beaten Wu Ji so badly that he was forced to use the Blood Escape Technique to flee for his life.
"Wu Ji has fallen to such a state, I think we can make a big move and finish off this cur."
Ao Li Ge's eyes lit up, his heart surging with a bold idea.
A mere first-level Mortal Immortal daring to hunt a ninth-level Mortal Immortal was an act of utter audacity.
"Old Wu Ji, where do you think you're going!"
He wasn't just talking; he was a man of action. He transformed into a streak of white light and pursued.
Witnessing this, many marveled, and simultaneously, their own greedy thoughts began to stir.
Subsequently, quite a few cultivators couldn't resist the urge and secretly followed.
If they could kill Wu Ji, they would strike it rich; the treasures he carried were enough to make anyone take such a risk.
Thus, more and more people joined the pursuit.
This situation validated Du Mu's words: the era of ninth-level Mortal Immortals dominating the world had ended.
In the past, who would dare to covet a ninth-level Mortal Immortal?
One would either fawn over them, submit to them, or avoid them at all costs. Now, a large group was clamoring, chasing Wu Ji like a fat pig.
The world had truly changed.
Wu Ji had never imagined he would one day fall to such a predicament.
Being chased like a dog by a pack of ants, facing constant peril, he was furious enough to vomit blood.
In the end, Wu Ji, disregarding all consequences, once again employed the Blood Escape Technique, finally managing to preserve a sliver of his life and successfully escape back to Ten Lakes Village.
He had emerged full of spirit, arrogant, and looking down on everyone.
Yet, he returned like a stray dog, nearly losing his life.
The turn of events had far exceeded Wu Ji's expectations.
His plan to ascend to immortality by passing through the Demon Realm was clearly no longer feasible.
With that statue present, successfully entering the Demon Realm's gate was impossible.
Wu Qian immediately conferred with Flying Phoenix Ridge and Tongtian Pavilion, discussing solutions.
They had committed too many heinous acts; if the ancestors of the three factions couldn't ascend, only destruction awaited them.
Ultimately, they decided to change their strategy, unite with those ghost race lackeys, and unhesitatingly open the Ghost Realm's gate as quickly as possible.
For the sake of immortality and self-preservation, they were now utterly reckless.