The realization struck Lin Mu at once.

That was how the Ephemera Sect's infiltrator had managed to enter the heart of the Ice Drake domain undetected.

'He was a spatial cultivator!' He understood.

The spatial distortions that Lin Mu now sensed around the area were proof enough. It also explained how the other Ephemera Sect groups had managed to teleport directly into the glacial ranges despite the natural resistance of the Ice Drake formations.

Nothing other than the offical teleportation arrays of the Darkhan Dynasty could work within them. However, Lin Mu's experience with space was not shallow.

He could tell from the quality of the Qi that this man was not the same spatial cultivator who had once created the Hidden Cave Sect's concealed base. The intensity was weaker, his control less refined.

But even so, he was strong... a peak Seventh Tribulation Stage Immortal.

The man reappeared a few dozen meters away, the air shimmering around him. "You're not supposed to be here," he said, his voice hoarse yet calm. "You've ruined a very delicate plan."

Lin Mu didn't answer. Instead, he bent his knees slightly, his armor glowing brighter as his magma energy built up once more.

The black-robed cultivator's eyes narrowed. He raised his hands, weaving intricate patterns that caused space itself to twist and fracture. The

surrounding air flickered like shattered glass, creating multiple thin rifts that hummed dangerously.

But Lin Mu was already moving.

He launched himself into the air, his body trailing a comet-like trail of molten essence. "Second skill-Tyrant Stomp!"

His legs swelled with raw strength, and his entire body began to glow from within, veins of magma spreading through him like living rivers. The air

trembled from the pressure.

The black-robed man's expression shifted from confidence to alarm. He quickly attempted to teleport away again, twisting space around himself to escape. But Lin Mu had already read his intentions.

"Meld," Lin Mu whispered.

Spatial ripples exploded outward from his body, expanding in every direction. The fabric of space trembled violently before stabilizing... Lin Mu had forcefully overlaid his own spatial domain onto the area, locking it down.

The enemy's attempt to teleport was instantly severed.

The man froze mid-motion, shock flashing across his hidden face. "What... how?"

Lin Mu appeared right before him, his burning legs descending like meteors. The spatial cultivator barely managed to raise a secondary defensive screen made from talismans before the impact hit.

SHATTER

BOOM

The sound that followed was like thunder crashing through a mountain. The ground split open, molten cracks spreading outward as the air shook violently.

The man's barrier shattered instantly, sending shards of condensed spatial energy scattering into the void.

THUD

He was hurled backward, slamming into the icy wall hard enough to make the entire cavern tremble. Frost and molten steam erupted in a cloud around him.

He coughed, his protective robes burned and torn. His voice was filled with disbelief. "You... you're a spatial cultivator too? How's this possible?! It wasn't in the report!!!"

Lin Mu straightened, his molten armor glowing even brighter. The magma energy around him pulsed like the beating of a heart, the four tentacles writhing around him like serpents dripping molten rock onto the icy ground, hissing as they burned through it.

"You're not the only one," Lin Mu said coldly. "But unlike you, I know how to fight with it."

The black-robed man glared at him, his aura flaring with sudden rage. "You think you can stop me? You're too late. The eggs will be ours, one way or another!"

He raised his hand, and Lin Mu felt a pulse of energy gathering, something massive. The ground beneath the man cracked as black spatial fissures expanded outward, threatening to swallow the entire hatchery.

Lin Mu could tell this was no ordinary spell. It was an escape and destruction technique in one. The man meant to destroy the hatchery entirely if he could not take the eggs.

"Not on my watch!" Lin Mu shouted.

In one swift motion, he summoned his sword.

The Sword Cradle Divine Sheath hummed faintly as the blades emerged, wrapped in layers of condensed intent and qi. He swung it downward with his full might, releasing a crescent of molten sword energy amplified by the Intent of his Sword Heart Stage, that collided with the expanding rift.

The explosion that followed tore through the cavern, a clash of ice and magma, space and sword intent. Shards of frost and sharp winds of sword intent spread in all directions.

As the light faded, Lin Mu stood unshaken, his armor cracked but holding firm. The rift had been forcefully stopped, the delicate weaving of spatial energy behind it destabilized by Lin Mu's superior Sword Intent.

The black-robed man staggered, coughing up blood. His spatial Qi flickered weakly from the recoil of having his skill interrupted.

Lin Mu's eyes were like burning coals as he advanced. "You've made one mistake," he said quietly. "You touched something that should never be

touched."

And with that, he vanished in a blur of red and gold, reappearing before the man to deliver a crushing strike that would end the fight.

Immortal Qi and Immortal Essence rushed to Lin Mu's right arm, as they began to dance in a rhythm. They turned into ribbons that began to spin around each

other.

Lin Mu cocked his arm back and clenched his fist, while finely controlling his energies. He could not use too much in this attack, or he'd risk damaging the cavern and the delicate Ice Drake eggs within it.

Once the two ribbons of energy reached a certain speed, they bound together

and turned into a double helix.

Before the spatial cultivator couldn't even realize what was happening, he was stuck at a point blank range.

"Mountain Collapsing Fist: Third Form- Devastator!"

BOOOM!

The double helix of energy was released from Lin Mu's knuckles, drilling

straight into the man's chest.

The man didn't even get to let out a single cry, before he felt ungodly energy shredding his insides.