Most of these martial artists had brought their own provisions, enduring the scorching heat as they trekked through the Cangwang Desert. They slept under the stars, lying down wherever they could find space at night. They assumed your years living in the desert must have been equally harsh.

But when they saw you living comfortably in your oasis villa, with the stunningly beautiful Extermination Sect saintess in your arms, their eyes turned green with envy. Whatever remaining respect they had for your combat prowess evaporated completely.

"You truly deserve to die!!" they cursed venomously between bites of their dry wheat buns, grinding their molars in frustration. Yet none dared act against you - they knew you had Lin Jingzhi and the entire Extermination Sect backing you.

Standing by the second-floor window with Wan Qingluan beside you, you surveyed the dark mass of people gathered nearby. You gave Wan Qingluan's pert backside a firm slap. "Having powerful backers sure feels great!"

Wan Qingluan retaliated by smacking your buttocks and giving them a playful squeeze with her delicate hands. "Husband, you don't actually have to accept this challenge."

You knew you could refuse. But at eighty-seven years old, your body could no longer break through to Marrow Washing through cultivation alone. You needed to gamble with your life, seeking opportunities between life and death.

"Qingluan, are you afraid I'll die?"

Wan Qingluan gazed at you affectionately. "No."

You raised an eyebrow. "No?"

A fanatical gleam appeared in her eyes. "Actually, husband, I'm quite looking forward to your death."

You paused, hesitating before asking, "Why?"

"I'm so curious what would happen if my fearless husband actually died!" Her voice was cool but brimming with excitement. "Would some powerful being behind you intervene? Or would your death trigger something extraordinary?" She stared at you with intoxicated eyes. "I must know!"

Your expression remained impassive. After several breaths, you burst into laughter, pulling Wan Qingluan into a fierce kiss. When your lips parted, her tender pink mouth was left bleeding from your bite.

Wan Qingluan licked the vivid crimson from her lips, the corners of her mouth curling upward as her gaze grew even more deranged. Cupping her face, you murmured deeply, "Truly my madwoman! Mad, completely mad - madness is good!" You kissed her again, met with equally passionate response as you both lost yourselves in the moment.

Outside your oasis, hundreds of martial artists watched helplessly as you and Wan Qingluan displayed your affection by the window. A young female warrior rolled her eyes. "Ugh, heretics!"

The next day, Mao Mingfeng arrived punctually. The two of you stood facing each other, surrounded by hundreds of spectators at a distance. Your Soul Awakening Blade gleamed coldly as Mao Mingfeng's sword trembled under the pressure.

You attacked first with overwhelming true qi, your blade descending like thunder. Mao Mingfeng parried, and the battle commenced with hundreds of exchanges in the blink of an eye. Gradually, observant warriors noticed Mao Mingfeng tiring - his orthodox, gentle true qi couldn't match the violent, shifting properties of your Heavenly Desire Formless Technique-enhanced energy. Once you gained the upper hand, he was forced into constant retreat.

Sure enough, as Mao Mingfeng's true qi depleted, he fell completely into disadvantage. His supporters grew grim-faced. "Mingfeng! Pull yourself together!" "Don't give up! Don't underestimate our bonds, you bastard!!"

Just as your blade was about to cleave him apart, Mao Mingfeng swallowed a handful of pills, sacrificing his foundational potential to restore himself to peak condition. The sudden reversal had his supporters cheering. "That's the spirit, Mingfeng!" "Get him! Get him!"

Mao Mingfeng's sword strikes came like tidal waves as he abandoned defense entirely in his fervor. Seizing the opportunity, you unleashed a concentrated blast of true qi straight at his face. "Ah—" His assault faltered just long enough for your blade to pierce his heart. His final reflexive slash opened your abdomen, revealing glimpses of internal organs as blood gushed from Mao Mingfeng's fatal wound. Within two breaths, he collapsed lifelessly.

"Mingfeng—!" "Master!!" His supporters rushed forward, cradling his body and wailing while other spectators stood shocked. You had overcome three major cultivation realms to kill your opponent! While luck played a role, the result was undeniable - in life-or-death battles, fortune often decided outcomes.

More astonishingly, at merely Bone Tempering peak, you could project true qi externally with enough force to threaten Essence Refining warriors. Lin Jingzhi and several Ultimate Grandmasters exchanged bewildered glances - they'd never heard of such a feat. Lin Jingzhi recalled Miao Gift achieving early true qi projection, but only one realm ahead during Organ Fortifying stage. You had done it three realms early!

Clutching your grievous wound, you panted heavily but sensed your bottleneck at Bone Tempering peak finally loosening. Before you could rejoice, some of Mao Mingfeng's supporters noticed your weakened state and attacked without honor. "Die, bastard!" Though none reached Essence Refining level, their numbers threatened to overwhelm you through sheer attrition, especially in your injured state.

Dodging desperately, you teetered on the brink of being beaten to death when Wan Qingluan tossed you a pouch of healing pills. You swallowed them immediately, watching in amazement as your abdominal injury visibly healed. Glancing at Wan Qingluan, you teased, "Thought you wanted to see me die, you tsundere woman!"

With most injuries healed, your movements became even more phantom-like as the two hundred attackers failed to land blows. You shouted dramatically, "Listen up! You're all surrounded by me! Surrender now!"

Their leader rallied them: "Don't fear! He can't kill us all before exhausting his true qi!"

Infuriated by their obstinance, you growled, "Very well! Not only do you refuse to surrender, but you dare fight back?!" Darting between them, you began systematically cutting them down. You remained cautious - these weren't mere weaklings, including several troublesome Organ Fortifying peak experts.

After killing forty-some, your true qi was half-depleted. Thirty more fell before your blade, reducing their numbers by nearly half. Though the casualties sounded impressive, most were Bone Tempering or Marrow Washing practitioners - only two early/mid-stage Organ Fortifying warriors had fallen.

With your true qi nearly exhausted like a parched well begging for water, you swallowed several internal spirit pills, feeling energy surge back as your cultivation bottleneck loosened further. Smiling grimly, you charged back into the fray.