Chapter 85

At this moment, high above a distance of several dozen li from Xuanyang Sect.

Buzz— Accompanied by a faint buzzing sound, a middle-aged man in black armor gradually appeared from the void. His gaze was icy, his eyes like blades, utterly chilling. A shocking knife scar ran from his left eye to his chin across his face, making him look extremely terrifying.

He stared at the surging, world-devouring heavenly thunder tribulation before him, a cold smile curling his lips as he said: 'Back then, Lin Wu Ren swept the entire Canglan Yu with absolute power, mighty and awe-inspiring. Yet now, facing this Venerable Tribulation, he ends up in such a sorry state. It seems breaking through to the ultimate realm isn't necessarily all good, heh.'

I never expected that Daoist Cheng of Wanhai Sect would still be alive, and even personally visit Xuanyang Sect this time… It seems the matter of Lin Wu Ren defeating him in just ten moves back then still weighs on his mind.' At that moment, another ethereal voice sounded from the void.

Upon hearing the voice, Daoist Cheng slowly turned his head, slightly narrowing his eyes. Coming into view was an old man in green robes; his right sleeve fluttered gently in the breeze, giving him an air of immortal grace.

Heh, Sword Feather Sect Master, you also showed up at the critical moment of Lin Wu Ren's tribulation, didn't you? Back then, you were even worse than I was. You were once the top swordsman among the younger generation of Canglan Yu, glorious beyond compare, yet you personally came here, declaring you would suppress Xuanyang Sect's current prodigy.

You even nearly shattered Qi Tai's foundation, and the result? You were defeated by Lin Wu Ren in just three moves.

He even cut off your right arm, and now you've come again—clearly you're here to avenge that humiliation and settle the score.' A faint sneer curled Daoist Cheng's lips, his words full of mockery.

This Sword Feather Sect Master was unrivaled in his day. Rumor has it he is a descendant of a Venerable, and by fortunate chance he inherited the supreme sword dao. From the moment he entered Canglan Yu as a youth, he displayed extraordinary power, subduing more than twenty peers of his generation. His aura was so overwhelming that he even went straight to the top sects to challenge them.

Back then, Wanhai Sect sent Daoist Cheng to fight the Sword Feather Sect Master; their powers were evenly matched, ending in a draw. Later, the Sword Feather Sect Master came to Xuanyang Sect, specifically challenging Lin Wu Ren, but Lin Wu Ren was away from the sect at the time. So Qi Tai stepped in to fight in his place, never expecting that the Sword Feather Sect Master would nearly shatter Qi Tai's dao foundation.

This is why Qi Tai's cultivation has always lagged behind that of his fellow disciples Yang Hao and Master Wu, etc. His talent is actually not bad; he even possesses an innate physique, yet he falls short everywhere, and the root of it lies here.

However, after Lin Wu Ren returned to the sect and heard of this, he struck with force. With thunderous might, he directly severed the Sword Feather Sect Master's sword-wielding right arm, inflicting grave injury. This act utterly enraged the Venerable ancestor standing behind the Sword Feather Sect Master.

Yet unexpectedly, Yang Tian Ancestor suppressed that Venerable ancestor with just one hand. This old and young pair suffered such immense humiliation simultaneously, and the news instantly spread throughout Canglan Yu, becoming a laughingstock for all.

'I have never forgotten the grudge of my severed arm.' The Sword Feather Sect Master narrowed his eyes, vengeful light surging in his gaze as if he wanted to devour someone, 'Today I have come to send Lin Wu Ren to the West. Daoist brother, will you join me in attacking?'

Over the years, the Sword Feather Sect Master has constantly thought of how to kill Lin Wu Ren, but never had the chance. Moreover, the gap in their strength is large, leaving him with no opening. Because his right arm was severed, he had no choice but to train his left-hand swordsmanship. Yet left-handed swordplay always lacks a bit of proficiency; even though his cultivation has now reached Heavenly Origin Perfection, he can only earn a title, far from being an invincible sect master.

Daoist Cheng pointed far off at the terrifying thunder tribulation and burst into loud laughter: 'Why should we act ourselves? Lin Wu Ren has been arrogant and overbearing his whole life; now he is about to fall. Look, this Venerable Tribulation—he can barely withstand its second layer.'

'Even that legendary invincible sect master is nothing more than this. If he had emerged from seclusion earlier, I would certainly have personally beheaded him to quell the hatred in my heart.' Daoist Cheng's face was full of ferocity, as if hatred had clouded his mind.

Daoist Cheng was originally the young sect master of Wanhai Sect, his status supremely noble. Yet in an ancient ruin, while contending with Lin Wu Ren for a heavenly-tier treasure, he was defeated by Lin Wu Ren. What he found hardest to accept was that he had carefully laid an ambush, spreading a net of heaven and earth, hoping to kill Lin Wu Ren in one strike.

However, the outcome was the opposite of what he wished: not only did his plan fail, but the elite youths of Wanhai Sect were also utterly wiped out, all slain by Lin Wu Ren alone. After this, Daoist Cheng's strength was questioned by everyone, his status plummeted, and he was eventually marginalized by Wanhai Sect. For the proud and arrogant Daoist Cheng, this was nothing short of a tremendous disgrace—how could he bear it?

Therefore, as soon as he learned that Lin Wu Ren was about to break through, he rushed over immediately, intending to intervene in the tribulation at the critical moment and drive Lin Wu Ren to death. He never expected that Lin Wu Ren was now on the verge of death. This situation filled Daoist Cheng with ecstatic joy, and the inner demon that had plagued him for years seemed to vanish at that moment.

The Sword Feather Sect Master gazed afar at Lin Wu Ren within the tribulation, curled his lip, and said disdainfully: 'It seems his strength has declined considerably over these years. Just a Venerable Tribulation, yet he's been so badly wounded already in its second layer. What a pity… I never got the chance to personally cut down this bastard.'

As the two conversed, several more silhouettes flickered indistinctly in the void, appearing and disappearing. However, these figures did not fully reveal themselves; they seemed to be observing the situation from the shadows.

It turned out that when the major sects learned that Lin Wu Ren was about to break through, they were all terrified. They knew Lin Wu Ren's terrifying power; once he succeeded in breaking through, he would surely pose a huge threat to their forces. Thus, each sect dispatched top-tier masters, hoping to intercept and kill him at the crucial moment of his breakthrough.

Among these top masters, most harbor deep grudges against Lin Wu Ren. The current rulers of Canglan Yu were almost all once suppressed by Lin Wu Ren. In Canglan Yu, Lin Wu Ren was truly an unstoppable force that swept all before him, with none able to resist.

At this moment, upon seeing Lin Wu Ren's miserable state, the hidden figures in the void all broke into happy smiles. Some even began secretly transmitting messages, declaring: 'Lin Wu Ren… is about to fall!'

…………

Over at Leize Guangchang.

Buzz— A faint buzzing sound slowly emanated from the plaza entrance. Ripples spread through the passageway, and a youth's figure gradually walked out.

Yang Hao and the others keenly sensed that familiar aura and quickly turned around. Seeing the newcomer, Yang Hao's face showed a hint of a bitter smile as he said: 'You brat… this time you went to challenge Leize, but instead you caused Senior Brother Lin to break through early.'

'Hurry up and leave; this place is about to become the formation's eye, and soon… a great battle will likely erupt.' Qi Tai's expression was grave, his tone urgent as he urged Qin Yu to leave immediately.

At this moment, the mountain-protecting great array had begun to turn slowly; a faint light of dao essence, like a thin veil, covered the entire Leize Guangchang. That terrifying pressure made Qin Yu feel his body sink, as if he had instantly shouldered a towering mountain, each step forward extremely arduous.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's heart jolted. He naturally understood how perilous the situation was. Earlier, when he summoned the Niepan Jie Ling, the Niepan Jie Ling inadvertently triggered mighty thunder punishment while adjusting the thunder dao's rules. Now, that thunder punishment has become a major obstacle to Lin Wu Ren's breakthrough of the Venerable Tribulation.

But now, Lin Wu Ren must not die. In a sense, his strength is comparable to that of a Venerable. As long as no Venerable-level expert appears, he can rely on his own power to suppress all Heavenly Origin realm experts!

Qin Yu raised his head and looked toward the sky. He saw Lin Wu Ren in plain clothes, his whole body stained with blood, his breath weak and feeble. Under the onslaught of that terrifying thunder tribulation, he could only keep dodging, looking utterly miserable.

'Master… Sect Leader, I am truly sorry.' Qin Yu's face was full of guilt, his voice tinged with self-reproach, 'I never imagined this would happen.'

'However, I can try to see if I can find a solution.' Although Qin Yu had no confidence, he still decided to make another attempt, planning to summon the Niepan Jie Ling again to see if he could resolve the present crisis.

Yang Tian Ancestor lightly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his expression calm as he said: 'These matters have nothing to do with you; you need not blame yourself. Lin Wu Ren's breakthrough is merely premature.'

'First, leave this place; your primary task now is to diligently cultivate and enhance your own strength.'

'Leave this minor matter to me to handle. Although this tribulation is strong, it… does not mean I will shrink back in fear.' In Yang Tian Ancestor's deep eyes flashed a resolute light, as if declaring to all that he would surely protect Lin Wu Ren's successful breakthrough.

Waves of mighty dao essence surged forth from Yang Tian Ancestor's body, its momentum seeming to break through the clouds and rise to the ninth heaven, awe-inspiring.

If facing an ordinary Venerable, Yang Tian Ancestor's strength would naturally not treat it so seriously. But… this tribulation has already mobilized the power of heaven and earth; one step further would enter the realm of the forbidden thunder tribulation. Even someone as mighty as Yang Tian Ancestor now lacks full confidence in his heart.

But he has already made up his mind; even if he sacrifices his life in a desperate struggle, he will protect Lin Wu Ren completely. For he knows his own lifespan is nearing its end. Having previously deduced the Azure Dragon's Blessing, he has lost nearly a thousand years of lifespan. If Lin Wu Ren falls here, Xuanyang Sect will surely plunge into an abyss of eternal calamity, teetering on collapse.

Moreover, his disciple Qin Yu, though exceptionally talented with limitless future potential, is still merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator at present; before such a mighty thunder tribulation, he surely cannot be of much help.

Seeing this, Qi Tai had already prepared to use his divine ability to directly send Qin Yu out of the Leize Guangchang area. He knew the terror of the thunder tribulation and feared that Qin Yu might later be caught in its aftermath and suffer injury.

However, at that very moment, Qin Yu suddenly crushed the Thunder Seal Jade Pendant in his hand.

Buzz— Accompanied by a sudden buzzing sound, ripples again spread through the void. A phantom bearing a great sun on its back, like a shooting star, shot down swiftly from the firmament.

'Young master, any orders?' Upon seeing Qin Yu summon it again, the Niepan Jie Ling instantly prepared to increase the thunder tribulation's attack power, intending to directly slay Lin Wu Ren who was undergoing the tribulation. In its view, this was an excellent opportunity to advance its relationship with Qin Yu; how could it delay the young master's important affairs over a mere Venerable Tribulation?

But… as its words fell, the entire scene instantly fell into dead silence.

Yang Tian Ancestor's face filled with astonishment, his eyes wide, his mind full of doubt: '???'

Yang Hao, Qi Tai, and the others were likewise dumbstruck, their faces etched with shock: '???'

Everyone's hearts were in an uproar; they never expected that it was actually the Niepan Jie Ling controlling this terrifying Venerable Tribulation!