Li Xuanxiao was momentarily stunned before quickly regaining his composure.

The Self Corpse!!

The Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao swaggered into the inn with Nan Gongwan in tow.

The Self Corpse muttered to itself, "This place happens to be close to the Yellow Sand Sect."

Li Xuanxiao stared at his own Self Corpse, which made no attempt at concealment - not even basic disguise - brazenly walking in with arrogant strides.

Accompanying it was a woman in white robes.

Li Xuanxiao had been wrong.

He'd instinctively assumed his doppelganger would act like himself.

But on the contrary, this Self Corpse was his polar opposite -

Determined to make the most sensational impact possible.

Li Xuanxiao hesitated briefly.

He never expected his counterpart to suddenly appear before him so boldly.

Yet Li Xuanxiao regained his composure within moments.

Coincidentally, a dozen Yellow Sand Sect disciples were drinking and carousing in the inn.

Their leader was Zhang Yuanying, first disciple of Yellow Sand Sect Leader Huang Chengqian.

Legend said his grandfather had peacefully passed away at the Nascent Soul stage.

This name was given to encourage future generations.

Zhang Yuanying lived up to expectations, now at Golden Core peak.

They regularly gathered for meals, and today happened to be celebrating after completing a mission.

When the Self Corpse entered, its silver hair contrasted starkly with Nan Gongwan standing beside it.

Her beauty was exceptional, skin white as snow and smooth as silk.

The young pair wore equally exquisite attire, especially the man -

Clad in an impeccably tailored black robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, a jade belt cinching his waist.

Their entrance immediately drew numerous gazes.

Including those of the Yellow Sand Sect disciples.

Zhang Yuanying froze momentarily, as if disbelieving his eyes or simply slow to react.

The Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao flashed him a grin.

This lasted merely an instant.

Zhang Yuanying clearly hadn't anticipated the wanted Mount Shushan disciple looking identical to the criminal sketch.

Most fugitives would alter their appearance.

But unless specialized in such arts,

Even cultivators of equal level could easily detect unnatural aura fluctuations -

Seeing through disguises at a glance.

Of course, some cultivators specialized in appearance-altering techniques or used magical items.

Hence others specifically cultivated Spirit Eyes.

Yet here Li Xuanxiao appeared so brazenly, leaving Zhang Yuanying momentarily dumbstruck.

Then realization struck.

"Mount Shushan remnant!!"

All dozen Yellow Sand Sect disciples turned toward the Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao.

"Li Xuanxiao!"

Zhang Yuanying gasped.

The Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao lunged forward instantly. Two screams echoed as two unfortunate front-row disciples died before they could react.

Zhang Yuanying reacted swiftly, dodging while summoning his Mystic Ice Pearl.

As the pearl activated, piercing cold erupted.

The surrounding air froze, a glacial layer spreading rapidly to encase everything in crystalline ice.

Zhang Yuanying demonstrated remarkable skill -

Worthy of being Yellow Sand Sect's top disciple.

Yet now he faced a monster.

The Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao thrust forward, swirling black energy piercing the ice effortlessly.

Zhang Yuanying attempted teleportation, but space itself was suppressed by the Myriad Soul Banner hidden in Li Xuanxiao's sleeve.

Instantly, the Self Corpse's hand pierced Zhang Yuanying's chest through his heart.

Both Golden Core cultivators, yet Zhang Yuanying fell within moments.

Countless vengeful spirits manifested behind the Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao.

"Go!"

At its command, the spirits eagerly pounced upon the remaining Yellow Sand Sect disciples.

Simultaneously, a figure flashed through the inn.

When Li Xuanxiao's gaze met his Self Corpse's, he instantly formed hand seals.

The Self Corpse raised an eyebrow, deploying the Myriad Soul Banner.

"BOOM--!!"

"Di Nü Feng!"

Li Xuanxiao barked.

Hmm?

Another figure descended from the second floor.

Di Nü Feng landed gracefully, observing the Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao,

Then glancing at the real Li Xuanxiao.

Under her Tribulation Transcension Spirit Eyes, both appeared genuine without falsehood.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead.

Huang Chengqian had sensed a powerful aura the moment Di Nü Feng moved, arriving instantly.

Having suppressed her cultivation to Transformation Spirit realm to infiltrate Yellow Sand City,

Di Nü Feng's sudden release of unfamiliar Transformation Spirit energy made Huang Chengqian assume Li Xuanxiao had finally acted.

Huang Chengqian's gaze first locked onto the Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao,

Then shifted to Di Nü Feng.

Standing in open space, Huang Chengqian raised his palm as if holding the world.

Brilliant lightning danced across his hand,

Reflecting in his pupils as if resonating with the celestial electricity.

Above them, dark clouds rapidly gathered and churned.

"Li Xuanxiao, prepare to die!!!"

The Self Corpse Li Xuanxiao chuckled, "Today you probably can't kill me, Di Nü Feng!"

Di Nü Feng frowned, "Why call me? I'm here to beat you up."

Li Xuanxiao summoned a sword, charging at his Self Corpse while commanding:

"Di Nü Feng, eliminate Huang Chengqian first."

"Oh~"

Di Nü Feng acknowledged, pivoting to deliver a punch.

She deliberately avoided using Tribulation Transcension power to prevent attracting attention.

Yet even suppressed to Transformation Spirit level, her strike surpassed what any Transformation Spirit cultivator could withstand.

Huang Chengqian's lightning defenses shattered like glass under her fist.

He retreated violently through the air,

Staring at Di Nü Feng with lingering fear.

Such power definitely wasn't Transformation Spirit level.

Showing little surprise, Huang Chengqian softly called:

"Senior Brother!!"

Across the heavens, a massive face slowly materialized.

Composed entirely of lightning, each bolt outlined a majestic, mysterious visage.

Thunderous roars accompanied its appearance, deafening as crashing tidal waves.