Even with Yuliya's usual slowness to react, she knew something was amiss. Suddenly, she spotted a patch of bushes from which a large amount of blood was spreading onto the beach.
On one of the plants in the bushes, a piece of clothing was hanging – the very kind worn by disciples of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Yuliya immediately felt that something was wrong and hurried towards the bushes. Before she reached them, she drew her weapon: two sharp daggers crafted from a special material.
As she arrived at the bushes and pushed aside the weeds with her daggers, the scene that unfolded before her made Yuliya's jaw drop.
In front of Yuliya stood a Jingguan!
A Jingguan was an ancient practice where, to showcase martial prowess or intimidate opponents, enemies' corpses were piled up and covered with earth to form a large mound.
While the Jingguan before her was only four to five meters high, it was made of dozens of corpses.
Yuliya found it difficult to accept this outcome. Her mind raced, and after a quick count of the bodies of the sect's disciples, she was astonished to discover that ninety percent of those who had come to Mermaid Island with the Heavenly Demon Sect had perished here!
Yuliya felt her very soul tremble. Who was the Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect? They were no benevolent figures.
The people brought to the island this time were all core members of the Heavenly Demon Sect! They were major demons capable of causing widespread havoc. Sending any one of them out into the martial world would stir up a storm of blood and chaos. Yet, now, they were all dead!
Yuliya cautiously observed her surroundings, her senses on high alert. Finding no other living people nearby, she mustered her courage, gripped her daggers, and approached the mound.
As she drew closer, she realized that among the corpses were several elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Most conspicuous was Ghost Killer, his body covered in white paint and placed in the most prominent spot.
Just then, a voice spoke from behind her.
"Ms. Yuliya, we meet again. It has been some time since our encounter on Hell Paradise Island, and I have missed you. Are you well!"
Hearing the voice, Yuliya nearly wet herself. She quickly turned, crossing her daggers in front of her chest in a defensive posture.
Indeed, a familiar figure appeared before her, one she often saw in her nightmares. The person who appeared was Ling Tian.
"You... did you do all this?"
"You could say that, but it's not entirely accurate. I had accomplices."
"You... why did you do this? Do you know you've caused a colossal mess!
You dare to kill people from the Heavenly Demon Sect, Ling Tian, you are finished! The Sect Master will not let you off!"
Yuliya's bravado was a thin veneer over her fear. She was in a terrible predicament. Not only could she not defeat Ling Tian, but her internal energy was also ineffective against him.
"Heh, it's permissible for your Heavenly Demon Sect to kill innocent people and carry out massacres on the island, but I'm not allowed to kill your people?
As the old saying goes, what goes around comes around!
Your Heavenly Demon Sect, for thousands of years, has colluded with wicked paths, committing countless sins and evil deeds, truly beyond enumeration! Now, it is time to seek justice!
I advise you to quickly reveal everything about the Heavenly Demon Sect and tell me where your elusive Sect Master is!
If you are honest, and because you are a beauty, I will give you a quick end!"
"You want me to betray the Alliance Leader? Don't even think about it..."
Before Yuliya could finish, Ling Tian suddenly raised his hand. Several silver lights flashed, and Yuliya was shocked to find her body unable to move. Several silver needles had been inserted into her acupoints.
"I know your Heavenly Demon Sect has strict rules, and you would rather die than reveal information about the Sect Master.
I also know that you have many items on your person that you can use to commit suicide, such as the poison capsule in your teeth, or the jade pendant on your chest that can self-detonate..."
Ling Tian said with a smile. Ling Tian could see all of this woman's secrets clearly with his Heavenly Eye.
And as a student trained by the King of Assassins, Ling Tian was well aware of the methods these people used to end their own lives. He had prepared for this.
Thus, Ling Tian struck first, directly using silver needles to seal his opponent's acupoints, rendering Yuliya immobile.
"Pity this beautiful skin, Yuliya. The number of people who have died directly or indirectly by your hand is not small, and the men whose life force you have drained is countless.
Today, all of that will be repaid. However, I am more interested in the secrets you hold in your mind. You have a special relationship with the Sect Master, and you must know more secrets!"
Ling Tian's words sent a chill down Yuliya's spine. It was clear that her opponent knew a great deal about the Heavenly Demon Sect.
In fact, just moments ago, the Soul Refining Furnace had refined the soul of Ghost Killer, one of the thirteen elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect. From Ghost Killer's memories, Ling Tian learned the purpose of their island expedition and the subtle connections among the high-ranking members of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Of course, that was all. However, from the intelligence obtained from Ghost Killer's memories, Ling Tian also learned that the most crucial person in the Heavenly Demon Sect's hierarchy was Yuliya!
So, Ling Tian decided to collect these corpses, build a Jingguan, and wait for his prey. It was bound to attract Yuliya's attention.
Ling Tian himself did not expect this woman to arrive so quickly. Now, it was perfect; everything had come effortlessly.
Ling Tian directly summoned the Soul Refining Furnace in front of Yuliya.
Looking at the massive device that appeared out of thin air, Yuliya trembled all over, yet she was completely unable to move.
"Ms. Yuliya, there is someone in your group named Shi Jiu. I heard that guy is very fond of extracting the souls of others!
That's something no human should do. However, I plan to let you experience that treatment as well!"
Ling Tian's gaze turned icy, filled with killing intent. Although doing so was immoral and extremely cruel, facing wicked paths and executioners with blood-stained hands, Ling Tian felt no burden whatsoever.
Only by extracting the soul while alive could memories remain intact and crucial points be preserved!
Ling Tian suddenly reached out and struck the top of the Soul Refining Furnace. The lid sprang open, and a powerful suction force emanated from the furnace, engulfing Yuliya and tearing her soul from her body.
Yuliya let out a piercing scream. Although her body was immobilized by the acupoint control, this scream originated from her soul!
After more than ten seconds, the soul of this demonic woman was pulled from her body and absorbed by the Soul Refining Furnace. The furnace lid closed, and the refining process began.
At this moment, Yuliya's body underwent a strange transformation!