[Day Five, Evening]

[The silhouette of Danxia Mountain was already visible in the distance]

[You grew even more vigilant]

[The final stretch was always the most prone to mishaps]

[Yet the anticipated interference never came]

[These five Ultimate Grandmasters from Eastern Sea Pavilion flew straight into Danxia Sect with the Earth Source]

[You hovered far above Danxia Sect, frowning deeply: "What's going on? Could it be that Old Xie already obtained this Earth Source during the last simulation, but kept quiet after failing to refine it?"]

[As you pondered this, the Ultimate Grandmasters from Eastern Sea Pavilion began emerging from Danxia Sect, scattering in all directions]

[But you noticed only four had left - one remained behind]

["Why's one staying? Getting late-night snacks?"]

[You patiently waited another hour]

[By now night had fallen, enveloping everything in darkness]

[The ugly man with the mustache finally flew out from Danxia Sect]

[But your eyes narrowed when you spotted the Earth Source bowl hanging from his waist!]

[This mustached rogue had taken the Earth Source!]

[Xie Huide had schemed relentlessly for this Earth Source - he'd never willingly give it up]

[Most likely this scoundrel had bullied his way into taking it using his Ultimate Grandmaster status]

[Looking down at Danxia Sect, you indeed saw Xie Huide chasing after him]

[Xie Huide's face was filled with despair as he stared fixedly at the direction the mustached man had flown]

[Even after losing sight of his target, Xie Huide remained rooted in the sect's plaza, his clenched fists trembling uncontrollably]

[Deng Rusong also came running out - your first time seeing him in this simulation]

[During the last simulation, you'd accompanied Deng Rusong through his final two years]

[You'd personally witnessed Deng Rusong's passing]

[Seeing this lively version of him now felt strangely surreal]

[Though equally furious, Deng Rusong maintained his composure, always rational and considerate of the bigger picture]

[With sighing reassurances, Deng Rusong patted Xie Huide's shoulder and half-dragged the distraught elder back to the main hall]

[You raised your gaze toward the mustached man's retreating figure]

[Your eyes turned icy]

["Greedy bastard, taking everything with you!"]

[You flew directly toward the scoundrel]

[Accelerating, you circled ahead to intercept his flight path, pretending to coincidentally cross paths]

[He hadn't realized he was about to meet his obstacle]

[As you passed each other midair, the man gave you a puzzled glance - you were a complete stranger]

[You mirrored appropriate confusion before stopping and calling out: "Honored warrior, a moment please!"]

[Seeing your politeness, the man halted but maintained a safe distance]

[He asked gruffly: "What business have you, brother?"]

[You pointed toward Danxia Sect: "Did you just come from Danxia Sect?"]

["Indeed."]

[Feigning sudden realization: "Are you perhaps the Ultimate Grandmaster assisting Danxia Sect with the Earth Source matter?"]

[The man eyed you warily: "Who are you?"]

[An apologetic expression surfaced: "No need for caution - I too came to assist Danxia Sect, but was delayed. How did things proceed?"]

[The man stiffened: "I know nothing of any Earth Source."]

[The sheer audacity of denying knowledge while wearing the Earth Source bowl at his waist!]

[Though inwardly cold, you maintained courtesy: "Honored warrior, there's no need for such—"]

[The man tilted his head: "No need for what?"]

["No need to keep living!!"]

*Clang!*

[Your Soul Awakening Blade flashed with starlight]

[Like lightning splitting the dark sky, a brilliant instant illuminated everything]

[This was your most powerful possible strike when launching a surprise attack]

[The blade's arc sliced diagonally from the man's left shoulder to right abdomen]

*Crack!*

[His body separated cleanly at the waist]

["Aaaah—!!"]

[The upper half desperately retreated while using Source Power to contain spilling organs]

[These emergency maneuvers felt oddly familiar - reminded you of another unfortunate soul who'd suffered similarly]

[The key difference being this bastard had no Reviving Yang Pill for salvation]

[With a flick of Source Power, you retrieved the Earth Source bowl from his falling lower half]

[A quick check confirmed the Earth Source remained inside before storing it away]

[Now resembling some grotesque punching bag, the legless torso frantically tried escaping]

[But his pathetic speed allowed you to leisurely follow]

[Keeping pace alongside the panicking torso, you matched his movement perfectly]

[Leaning close enough to whisper in his ear: "Naughty children shouldn't steal~"]

[Your ghostly voice filled him with primal terror]

["Grah—! Die!!"]

[With a contorted face, he launched a Source Power-enhanced fist at your head]

[You casually dodged]

["Hitting your teacher? Let me show you some discipline!!"]

[Another flash of steel]

[His ugly head went airborne, tumbling twice]

[At the peak of its arc, countless blade lights wove a deadly net]

[The head disintegrated into minced flesh before Source Power scattered every last particle]

[His remaining body received identical treatment - utterly erased from existence]

[He came quietly, and left even quieter]

[After cleaning up, you discreetly landed within Danxia Sect]

[Now you understood Xie Huide's early demise - such repeated blows of despair must have shattered his spirit]

[Striding cheerfully into the main hall]

[You found Xie Huide slumped in a chair, pallid and broken]

[Deng Rusong was nowhere to be seen]

[Seeing you enter, Xie Huide's lips moved soundlessly]

[You smiled lightly: "Old Xie, why so glum?"]

[Lifting his head with effort, Xie Huide rasped: "Young Master He... I cannot... exchange for your Reviving Yang Pill..."]

[Taking the adjacent seat, you asked calmly: "Failed to secure the Earth Source?"]

[Xie Huide looked up startled before shaking his head bitterly: "We had it... but then... sigh..."]

[You spoke gently: "Old Xie, I understand your pain. But don't despair - this isn't irreparable."]

[Confused eyes met yours]

[With a soft chuckle: "You may doubt this, but I'll trade the Reviving Yang Pill even without the Earth Source."]

[Xie Huide gaped in shock: "Young Master He! Can this be true?!"]

["Absolutely."]

[Opening your palm revealed a thumb-sized pale green pill]

[Its medicinal aroma immediately lifted spirits and cleared minds]

[Xie Huide trembled violently, his feverish gaze locked onto your palm, unable to look away]