Sensing the cold killing intent in Wang Jianqiang's eyes, Si Nan Tong's expression tensed for a moment before twisting into open mockery.
"Wang the Waste, you dare meddle in my affairs? Do you have a death wish?"
"I don't know what kind of dogshit luck you stumbled upon to actually form your foundation, but surely you're not stupid enough to think that makes you my equal?"
"In front of me, whether you're at Foundation Establishment or still a mortal—you're nothing but trash!"
Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but laugh.
Indeed, there would always be idiots who delighted in flaunting their self-importance.
Si Nan Tong had been exactly this kind of arrogant fool back when he was in the outer sect—believing the world revolved around him.
So many years had passed, yet instead of maturing, he'd only become even more insufferable.
Wang Jianqiang didn't bother replying.
Arguing with this type wasn't just a waste of time—it lowered your IQ.
He simply shook his head, took Wang Yuyao by the hand, and turned to leave.
"You're courting death!"
Seeing himself ignored, Si Nan Tong's killing intent surged like a wave.
Light suddenly flared in his eyes.
Wang Jianqiang's heart gave a jolt—his consciousness began to blur.
"Chirp-chirp!"
At that critical instant, the little chick on his shoulder gave a sharp cry, jerking his mind back to clarity.
The moment he regained awareness, he sensed an intense burst of spiritual energy.
A gigantic palm of condensed spirit power was descending to crush them.
"Brother Wang, be careful!"
Wang Yuyao's panicked voice rang out beside him.
A chill flashed through Wang Jianqiang's eyes.
He patted the chick's back gently.
"You've rested long enough. Time to work."
The little bird stretched lazily, then stood upright on his shoulder.
Its crystal-clear emerald eyes locked on Si Nan Tong. Within them, two wisps of azure flame flickered to life.
The enormous spirit-energy palm was instantly swallowed by those flames—burned away to nothingness in an instant.
Then came a scream.
Si Nan Tong's face twisted in agony as he stumbled backward, retreating several steps before he managed to suppress the surging chaos of his spiritual power.
When he looked back at the little chick, terror filled his eyes.
Just moments ago, his own spiritual energy had spontaneously ignited inside his body!
If his reaction had been even a fraction slower, he would have been reduced to a blazing corpse.
"Brother Wang, don't!"
Sensing the murderous aura radiating from Wang Jianqiang, Wang Yuyao's expression turned pale with alarm.
When Wang Jianqiang had killed Zhou Feng before, it had taken Yán Qingxuan's personal intervention to protect him from punishment.
But this time—if he killed Si Nan Tong—Yán Qingxuan might not step in again.
That could spell disaster.
She wanted Si Nan Tong dead, yes—but she didn't want her senior brother ruined with him.
"Don't worry," Wang Jianqiang said lightly. "Just stand aside and watch."
His tone was calm, but his eyes had turned to ice.
A man as vile and brazen as Si Nan Tong… if left alive, he'd only bring endless trouble later.
Better to end it now than to spend a lifetime guarding against the snake's bite.
Sensing the killing intent directed at him, Si Nan Tong's heart went cold. He unconsciously took a step back, then forced a harsh tone.
"Wang Jianqiang, you dare attack me? You're violating sect law!"
"If you know what's good for you, get down on your knees and beg for mercy. Otherwise, the Punishment Hall will deal with you!"
"Violating sect law?" Wang Jianqiang sneered. "Wasn't you who struck first?"
He laughed quietly, unconcerned.
Si Nan Tong's face changed—but before he could respond, Wang Jianqiang was already moving.
Si Nan Tong's pupils shrank.
He tried to unleash his soul-control technique again—
—but suddenly a phantom blue flame ignited within his dantian!
His spiritual energy flared uncontrollably, scorching heat coursing through his meridians.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead. His spell collapsed mid-casting.
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle sliced through the air as Wang Jianqiang appeared right before him.
One punch—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion.
Si Nan Tong's chest caved in instantly as he was blasted backward.
Before his body even hit the ground, Wang Jianqiang flashed forward again, pressing one palm down onto his head.
Si Nan Tong's terrified face shattered into crimson mist.
The watching disciples froze in shock.
From the moment Wang Jianqiang arrived, many had noticed the commotion.
Most of those who trained here in the Combat Arena were inner-sect disciples who had reached Foundation Establishment within the past few decades.
All of them knew the legend of the "Useless Wang" who had languished in the outer sect for over seventy years.
When they saw him confronting Si Nan Tong, most assumed they were about to witness a farce—a hopeless fool overreaching himself.
But now that Si Nan Tong's corpse lay on the ground, they could only stare, dumbfounded.
The gap between Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment was vast; they seldom paid attention to outer-sect matters.
Few of them even knew that Wang Jianqiang had already broken through—or that he had killed the inner-sect disciple Zhou Feng.
In their understanding, Si Nan Tong had been a prodigy since his outer-sect days—a powerful cultivator whose strength now stood at the peak of mid Foundation, a step away from late stage.
And Wang Jianqiang? A washed-up joke destined to die a mortal death.
Yet now this "waste" had built his foundation—
—and slain Si Nan Tong in a single exchange!
After a long moment of stunned silence, sneers began to spread among the crowd.
Though Si Nan Tong had provoked the fight, he wasn't just anyone; he was rumored to have strong backing in the Punishment Hall.
And now Wang Jianqiang had killed him.
That meant… his doom was sealed.
A pity, really.
The trash finally soared—only to burn out immediately.
What puzzled them, though, was how utterly calm Wang Jianqiang looked.
No panic, no guilt—just that same faint, indifferent expression.
Was he relying on some hidden power? Or was he simply too ignorant to fear death?
Most of them assumed the latter.
After all, if Wang Jianqiang truly had a powerful patron, he wouldn't have been left rotting in the outer sect for seventy years.
Wang Yuyao's face was tight with worry.
Her senior brother had indeed avenged her, but instead of relief, she felt only growing dread.
She had wanted Si Nan Tong dead—but not at such a cost.
If she'd had the chance, she would have stopped him.
But he had moved too fast.
By the time she'd reacted, Si Nan Tong's head was already gone.
"Brother Wang, Si Nan Tong probably had connections in the Punishment Hall. Please, be careful."
What was done was done; all she could do now was warn him.
Wang Jianqiang nodded slightly, utterly calm.
So Si Nan Tong had backing? That was fine.
He wasn't without allies himself.
At worst, he could simply reveal his mastery of alchemy—that alone would protect him.
Without another word, he walked toward the Secret Realm Stone Tablet.
Wang Yuyao blinked in confusion."Brother Wang… what are you doing?"
"Of course," he said coldly, "finishing off his accomplice."
If he chose not to act, fine.
But once he did—he would leave no roots behind.
The light in his eyes sharpened like blades as he pressed his palm against the tablet.
In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
——
Inside the Secret Realm.
Liang Min had been waiting impatiently.
He had assumed Wang Yuyao would soon be forced inside by Si Nan Tong.
But no matter how long he waited, she never appeared.
His brows knitted together.
"What's taking that woman so long?"
"Don't tell me Young Master Si messed up?"
He frowned in doubt, then shook his head.
Impossible.
Young Master Si's Soul-Dominion Technique came directly from a senior figure within the Punishment Hall—even most mid-stage Foundation cultivators couldn't resist it.
That woman had only just reached Foundation Establishment. She couldn't possibly fight back.
Buzz—
Suddenly, a wave of spatial energy rippled through the air.
Liang Min's eyes sharpened instantly as he turned toward the source.
"Finally," he muttered, lips curling. "She's here."