The two people hung on the tree like living targets in a circus act, where one closes their eyes and throws darts. However, Bai Fanlu was throwing with his eyes open, and his skill wasn’t great. Some darts grazed the skin, making them scream in pain.

Bai Fanlu didn’t have time to worry about them; saving lives was more important. Luckily, the victims were only suffering from hypoxia caused by inhaling smoke and dust. With a small spell, they quickly regained consciousness.

But as soon as they woke up, the couple tried to rush into the fire. They explained that there was still a child inside the house, but given the circumstances, it was likely…

The woman fainted from grief, while her husband sat down, watching the raging fire with his head buried in despair.

But now was not the time for sorrow. Bai Fanlu walked over to the man, who could barely speak, and asked, “Those two over there, have you seen them before? They’re the ones who started the fire.”

He pointed to the two human targets hanging on the tree.

The man took a look and yelled furiously, “It’s them! It’s really them!”

“They came today and tried to steal the herb Old Zhang dug up… When he refused, they threatened us! Several families saw it! It was these two!”

The man grabbed one of the disciples by the head and started beating him furiously.

His words were disjointed, but Bai Fanlu got the gist.

In the original story, the Ercang Mountain area was rich in rare treasures, like the Snow Lingzhi. Finding these treasures was often a matter of luck—sometimes even immortals wouldn’t find them for hundreds of years, while an ordinary person might stumble upon one and use it as a tonic, unaware of its value.

But to kill so many people over an herb was truly going too far.

The man, consumed by rage, kept hitting the disciple even after he passed out. Still unsatisfied, he found a large wooden stick and prepared to strike again.

As the stick came down, it was clear that the disciple wouldn’t survive.

The other disciple trembled in fear, stuttering, “Y-you’d better let me go now… My master is coming soon! You’ll regret it!”

Hearing this only made the man angrier. He raised the stick and approached the trembling disciple, but Bai Fanlu stopped him. “He has someone backing him. Let’s get some answers first.”

One was already dead; they needed to keep the other alive for questioning.

If this was a straightforward case of treasure hunting gone wrong, they should be worried about being found out by their sect. Yet this disciple was openly demanding protection, as if someone powerful was supporting him.

Unless… his master approved of this, or even ordered it!

The disciple misinterpreted Bai Fanlu’s words, thinking his master’s name had intimidated him. Emboldened, he sneered, “My master is the number one in the Eight Immortal Sects! You’d better let me go so I can plead for mercy on your behalf!”

His sudden arrogance made Bai Fanlu scoff, “Your master? His name is Shen Tongshan, right? Number one in the Immortal Sects? I’ve never heard of him.”

“You! How dare you speak my master’s name directly!”

Bai Fanlu coldly replied, “Whether I’m daring or not doesn’t matter. What matters is how bold you are, killing and burning people in the name of a master who claims to help the world.”

With a wave of his hand, Bai Fanlu continued, “If that’s the case, I should take you to see your master personally so he can discipline you properly.”

“No need! I’ll handle the discipline myself!”

An elderly voice suddenly boomed like a thunderclap, infused with a warning laced with immortal power.

Bai Fanlu subtly resisted the pressure and looked up. An elder with long white hair and a rain cape descended, looking every bit like a sage with an immortal aura.

This must be Shen Tongshan, the head of the Northern Gate.

He flew down and released the two disciples from their restraints. One fell limp to the ground, unconscious, while the other crawled behind him in a panic.

“Master… the herb is…” the disciple whispered.

Shen Tongshan glared at him and then casually raised his hand.

But before he could act, Bai Fanlu used his spiritual power to pull the unconscious disciple over to himself.

Shen Tongshan narrowed his eyes slightly. “My disciple made a mistake. I will discipline him myself. There’s no need for you to interfere.”

“Mistake?” Bai Fanlu laughed aloud. “Why don’t you take a look? The fire behind me hasn’t even been put out yet, and there are still dozens of innocent lives lost in there. Shouldn’t there at least be someone to accompany them in death?”

With that, he lifted the disciple in front of him and threw him toward the flames.

Shen Tongshan immediately moved to block the fire, apparently unconcerned about his disciple’s fate, focusing only on keeping him away from the blaze.

“You truly are a righteous man, willing to kill your own disciple to cover things up. With that strike, he’s probably dead anyway—perfect, we can just bury him now!”

Bai Fanlu met Shen Tongshan’s strike head-on. As they clashed, the disciple was caught between their spiritual energies, suspended in midair.

“Young friend,” Shen Tongshan said through gritted teeth, barely maintaining a friendly facade, “this is a matter for my sect. If he must die, it will be according to our rules. I suggest you release him.”

Bai Fanlu smiled, “Why make it complicated? The fire’s still going strong. Why not cremate him now and let the dead rest in peace?”

Shen Tongshan’s face contorted in the firelight. “Are you determined to oppose me?”

“Oppose you?” Bai Fanlu sneered. “If you can throw him into the fire, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

Shen Tongshan hesitated just long enough to confirm Bai Fanlu’s suspicion—it was indeed Shen who had ordered the disciples to steal the herb.

This hypocrite, going by the name “Tongshan” (which ironically means “with compassion”), was a perfect example of someone whose actions completely contradicted his name.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but think that if the Immortal Sect harbored such scum, especially at the level of an elder, it would be better if the Northern Gate simply shut down.

“Have you made up your mind, Shen Tongshan?”

The last trace of pretense vanished from Shen Tongshan’s face, replaced by an expression twisted with rage.

“You’re stubborn, young one. Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

He flipped his hand and struck toward Bai Fanlu’s face, the blow so forceful that it lifted Bai Fanlu’s hat, exposing his features.

When Shen Tongshan saw Bai Fanlu’s face, he was stunned, then burst into laughter. “I wondered who it was—turns out it’s you!”

“Ling Qingzi’s prized disciple, Bai Fanlu! You sure are brave!”

Shen Tongshan’s spiritual energy surged, and Bai Fanlu quickly formed a seal to counter it. Their energies collided with a brilliant flash, splitting the flames between them before reigniting into an even larger blaze.

Bai Fanlu took a step back. It was clear that Shen Tongshan intended to kill him. In a head-on clash, Bai Fanlu was at a disadvantage due to the difference in their cultivation levels.

As they separated, the disciple’s body dropped to the ground, lifeless.

Shen Tongshan no longer cared about him. Stroking his beard, he calmly said, “You’re a demon, yet you dare show yourself here? Perfect—I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”

He turned to his remaining disciple and asked loudly, “Wouldn’t it be righteous to slay this demon, who has been burning and killing without restraint, in the name of the Northern Gate?”

The disciple nodded fervently, “Yes! Master, you’re wise!”

Bai Fanlu frowned. This old man was quick to twist the situation and pin the blame on him. If he allowed them to spread this narrative, it would be disastrous for Tianxu Sect and Ling Qingzi.

That was unacceptable!

Bai Fanlu quickly devised a plan. He used his power to grab the dead disciple’s body and pretended to flee.

He wasn’t really escaping but was baiting them to follow. Without the body, they’d likely try to retrieve the herb it carried.

Sure enough, the master and disciple chased after him. Bai Fanlu, familiar with the terrain, soon led them to a secluded spot where he hid the body and then reappeared.

There was no one around now, so he could act without fear of being seen.

When they caught up, Bai Fanlu was standing calmly, fingers to his chin, casually waiting.

Shen Tongshan sensed something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint it in the darkness.

He signaled his disciple to circle behind Bai Fanlu.

But Bai Fanlu was fully aware. He had quietly set up a barrier as they approached—he couldn’t let them leave this place alive.

At this point, it was kill or be killed. Given their background, they wouldn’t hesitate to silence him and frame him. Bai Fanlu had to strike first and do so cleanly.

If he failed, not only would he die, but Tianxu Sect and Ling Qingzi would suffer as well.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Bai Fanlu was surprised at how decisive he’d become. It felt as if someone else was making decisions for him.

As he untied the cloth from his forehead, he felt a surge of boundless demonic energy rushing through his body, filling his meridians and instantly generating an overwhelming and vast power.

Shen Tongshan still hadn’t realized the danger and sneered, “Bai Fanlu, running is pointless. Today, I’ll make sure you die and let Ling Qingzi see…”

Before he could finish, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him, moving with lightning speed. The overwhelming killing intent made Shen Tongshan instinctively dodge, narrowly avoiding the attack. He retaliated with a palm strike, gathering spiritual energy in his hand and launching it toward Bai Fanlu. But Bai Fanlu spun gracefully out of the way, his white robes swirling like a million fluttering petals, turning into deadly strikes.

The two clashed back and forth, neither gaining the upper hand. After countless rounds, Shen Tongshan’s disciple, hiding behind a tree, watched the fight nervously. Seeing his master beginning to struggle, he prepared to launch a sneak attack. But just as he crouched, a sword flashed from behind, sealing his throat.

“…”

Neither Bai Fanlu nor Shen Tongshan, still locked in battle, noticed what had happened below.

Shen Tongshan also felt his strength waning, retreating step by step. He wondered why his disciple hadn’t acted yet.

He didn’t realize that Bai Fanlu had been watching his disciple’s panicked, scheming expression all along. Bai Fanlu’s eyes turned cold as he decided not to give his opponent another chance. His sword, entwined with spiritual energy, transformed into a brilliant purple light shooting skyward.

Shen Tongshan raised his defenses, but he suddenly realized the purple light carried an astonishingly powerful force, directly piercing through his protective barrier. In the next moment, it ripped through his chest.

Shen Tongshan looked down at the gaping hole in his chest, his eyes wide with shock.

He staggered, barely staying upright, clutching his chest. No matter how much he tried to heal it, the wound seemed to burn and corrode, growing larger.

Bai Fanlu calmly descended, sheathing his sword as he walked toward him.

Shen Tongshan’s face twisted with pain, and he seemed to want to curse Bai Fanlu. But when he saw Bai Fanlu’s face clearly, the malice in his eyes gradually turned into disbelief.

He tried to move but found himself unable to. Two opposing forces swirled around him—one pure and radiant with spiritual energy, the other vast and menacing with demonic energy.

The pressure from both forces was so intense that even Shen Tongshan’s sword began to hum under the strain. He used all his strength to break free and staggered back a few steps. Just as he was about to launch another attack, Bai Fanlu effortlessly caught it with his bare hand.

It was as if he was clearing away clouds to reveal the sun. Bai Fanlu easily deflected the attack and casually sent a ball of energy crashing into a nearby tree.

In the darkness, the towering tree swayed violently before toppling over, startling a flock of birds into flight.

“You…” Shen Tongshan stared at Bai Fanlu.

The man still stood there casually, but his aura had completely changed. He was no longer the gentle and seemingly easy-to-bully person from before.

“A demon… So you really are a demon!”

Shen Tongshan spat the words venomously, his bravado faltering as fear crept into his eyes.

Oh, another crime to add to the list. So he wasn’t sure I was a demon before and was just pretending to act righteously.

“I’m a demon, and you’re surprised?” Bai Fanlu’s voice was calm and refined, but it carried a chilling edge.

“Seems like you’ve lived for hundreds of years without ever encountering a real demon. How dare you call yourself an Immortal Elder? No wonder your disciples are such scoundrels—like master, like disciple.”

“You… you…”

Shen Tongshan was so enraged that he tried to point at Bai Fanlu, but his hand barely rose before the pressure on him intensified.

The demonic energy binding him grew even stronger, like a mountain weighing down on him. His knees buckled, and he barely kept himself from collapsing by leaning on his sword.

“I am the Immortal Elder of the Northern Gate. I won’t kneel to a demon like you… You can forget it…”

But before he could finish, his sword snapped with a metallic clang, and he stumbled forward, finally falling to the ground.

Bai Fanlu quickly stepped aside, saying, “I don’t need you to kneel to me. You’re too old for that, and I couldn’t bear it.”

He pointed in a certain direction and coldly added, “Kneel to them instead. Those innocent people who died in the fire—they deserve at least that much from you.”

Shen Tongshan, revered by many in the Immortal Realm, had never suffered such humiliation. Overwhelmed with shame and fury, he snarled, “You demon! How dare you trick me! Just you wait!”

He gathered his remaining spiritual energy and launched a flare into the sky, scattering sparks like stars.

Bai Fanlu didn’t try to stop him, but why would he wait? Only a fool would wait.

With a slight flick of his fingers, the purple light that had pierced through Shen Tongshan’s chest earlier looped back and directly struck his heart.

Shen Tongshan’s eyes widened as if he still had something to say, but he couldn’t get the words out. His body twitched twice before he collapsed lifelessly.

He never imagined that his reputation would be destroyed on this night. Bai Fanlu saw that message in Shen Tongshan’s dying eyes.

This man might have started his cultivation with a pure heart, but years of greed had corrupted him. Sacrificing everything for a mere herb, he’d ended up like this. What a waste. And even in his final moments, he remained unrepentant. Better he be reincarnated quickly than continue to stain the name of the Immortal Realm.

Bai Fanlu looked toward where Shen Tongshan’s disciple had been hiding but found no one there.

Of course, that coward ran away, abandoning his master. But within this barrier, he wouldn’t get far.

Bai Fanlu walked closer to the tree, only to unexpectedly find a fresh corpse lying there.

The disciple was already dead, his throat cleanly slit.

Who could have entered his barrier without him noticing? If someone had intruded, Bai Fanlu should have sensed it. Who could it be?

As he pondered, he suddenly felt dizzy, his vision darkening. He had to steady himself against a tree to keep from collapsing.

The battle with Shen Tongshan had drained his energy, and the demonic power newly awakened within him was beginning to show signs of instability, threatening to spiral out of control.

After a brief rest, Bai Fanlu hurried to re-tie the cloth over his forehead.

But just as he reached back to secure it, his body swayed again. As he was about to sit down, a pair of arms extended from behind him, holding him up.

“Senior brother, let me help you.”