Chapter 66: The Calm Before the Storm, First Meeting with Liu Yu

A patch of dark clouds appeared out of thin air, shrouding the area above the execution ground.

Being able to instantly alter the surrounding environment is something only those with the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm can achieve.

"Chang Yongsheng, you have some nerve, daring to lay a hand on my woman; today, you must die."

An ethereal voice arrived, rippling like water waves and scattering in all directions.

"You have no chance left."

Chang Yongsheng was not afraid in the slightest; he stood up and threw a punch toward the dark clouds.

A massive fist shadow condensed behind him, then suddenly erupted, striking directly at Tingyu Gongzi within the clouds.

The strength Chang Yongsheng displayed was likewise that of a great cultivator of the Spirit Void Realm.

Has he also advanced to the Spirit Void Realm?

"Pure strength is impossible to defeat me."

Tingyu Gongzi chuckled; the dark clouds transformed into a great sword, piercing directly through Chang Yongsheng's attack and slashing down toward his head.

From this one exchange, the disparity in their strength was immediately clear.

Although Chang Yongsheng was a Spirit Void Realm cultivator, he was no match for Tingyu Gongzi in terms of divine abilities and techniques.

Chang Yongsheng had to throw three consecutive punches to block the cloud-mist great sword, and over half of his True Essence was already consumed.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Just at this moment, three waves of sword rain shot out from the dark clouds in succession, striking at Chang Yongsheng from three directions at tricky angles, directly sealing off his path of retreat.

No matter which direction he dodged toward, he would be struck by a wave of sword rain.

If Chang Yongsheng were to take it head-on, he would inevitably be injured.

"Hum."

At the critical moment, Luosang made a move; when they arrived, Yan Xiao had already instructed him to intervene if necessary.

Three Flying Swords were shot out as well; Luosang used the Supreme Sword Dao to clash against Tingyu Gongzi's sword rain.

Three explosive sounds rang out, and the six beams of sword light shattered simultaneously, turning into ripples of air that scattered; the execution ground was affected by the shockwaves, and dust and smoke rose everywhere.

"The clash between those in the Spirit Void Realm is terrifying to this extent!"

The several Sect Masters and Elders present all wore expressions of shock; if they were to face this, they would likely be killed in an instant.

"This Tingyu Gongzi is skilled in using water, and also in controlling swords with water; he is truly remarkable.

If I were to face him, my Fire Origin Qi would be suppressed, and even with the same cultivation level, I reckon it would be very difficult to win."

Yan Xiao calculated secretly; he was still not proficient enough with the Five Elements Divine Art.

Luosang had rich combat experience and exceptional talent, but he still could not overcome the overwhelming advantage of Tingyu.

Three against two was bound to be a disadvantage; Tingyu occupied the favorable timing and terrain, seizing every initiative.

Luosang and his companion did not know the situation inside the clouds and dared not rashly charge into the cloud layer, so they could only defend passively on the ground; it was truly troublesome.

"Release Yueru quickly, and I will spare the lives of the underlings in your City Lord's Mansion; otherwise, I will show no mercy."

The indifferent voice of Tingyu Gongzi came from the sky.

From the very beginning, he did not care about Yueru's life or death; he seemed to have come here to kill, not to save.

When the blade at Yueru's neck was about to take her life, Tingyu remained unmoved.

What a ruthless man!

This was the evaluation Yan Xiao gave.

Just imagine, if it were Qingxue or Feng Jingting being held hostage, Yan Xiao certainly could not be as calm as he was.

"Tingyu, my dantian is shattered; I only ask you to spare my younger brother and not make things difficult for him."

Yueru looked toward the dark clouds and said calmly.

"He is an idiot; even if I don't kill him, he will die anyway," Tingyu mocked.

In his view, the reason Yueru and the Yuhua Sect suffered this calamity was entirely due to the trouble Shi Haochi had caused.

"If you don't kill him, he can live a few more days."

Yueru gave a miserable laugh, drew a blade across her neck, and committed suicide.

When she fell to the ground, her body was still facing Yan Xiao, as if she wanted to see something on his face, or as if she were silently conveying something.

Yan Xiao stood up, his lips moved, wanting to say something, but he did not know where to begin.

He saw the helplessness and relief in Yueru's eyes.

Had she wanted to die for a long time?

Was she in despair toward the world?

This was the message Yan Xiao saw in her eyes; at this moment, all grudges were settled, and she was nothing more than a pitiful woman.

A weak woman who had lost her freedom since childhood and had been toyed with by fate.

"I understand now."

Yan Xiao sighed softly and cast a flame, instantly burning Yueru's body to ashes; as the breeze blew, she attained the freedom she had long craved.

Seeing Yueru die, the one in red also gave a miserable laugh and said to Yan Xiao, "I beg you to let me be like her; I want to follow in her footsteps."

She has turned to ashes, and I, too, shall follow.

Dressed in red, only for the beauty.

"May you have no worries in your next life."

Yan Xiao waved his hand, dispersing the smoke and dust.

Like Yan Xiao, they had not initially regarded each other as enemies, but fate had placed them on opposite sides.

"Alright, Yueru is dead, you all go and be buried with her!"

Tingyu Gongzi's tone remained indifferent, but the killing intent erupting from the dark clouds was monstrous, wishing to kill them all.

Everyone in the arena was horrified; even Yan Xiao was so suppressed by the killing intent that he found it difficult to breathe and felt very uncomfortable.

"This is your final little scheme, isn't it?"

Yan Xiao looked at the pendant Yueru had left behind and said with a bitter smile.

Her death would surely enrage Tingyu Gongzi; as for who would win or lose, it no longer mattered to her.

"Yan Xiao, you brat, it was you who caused the death of my beloved disciple; go and be buried with her."

A sword shadow flashed by, stabbing straight at Yan Xiao's chest.

The person who arrived was none other than Mieyao Zhenren, who had been hiding in the shadows, possessing a cultivation of Cave Profound Peak.

He believed that Yan Xiao would surely die from this strike.

"Actually, the one your disciple hated most must have been you," Yan Xiao replied indifferently.

He drew the Magic Sword and slashed it toward Mieyao Zhenren.

He was very annoyed; it was clearly the Yuhua Sect's fault, so why did he have to take the blame?

"Bristling with Anger."

The Magic Sword was enchanted, buffing all skills, and he unleashed his strongest attack directly at Mieyao.

The two collided; the Magic Sword directly severed Mieyao's Flying Sword, and a massive force surged, sending both of them flying backward simultaneously.

At the same time, they both spat out blood.

Fear Value from Mieyao Zhenren +200.

Yan Xiao, going all out, had actually fought to a draw with Mieyao.

Although it was relying on the lingering power of the Magic Sword.

Bai Yuming and the others were restless, and it was unclear who they wanted to help; only they themselves knew their own intentions.

"Below the Spirit Void Realm, no one can kill me."

Facing Mieyao's attack, Yan Xiao gave a mocking smile.

"I just didn't use elemental True Essence earlier; do you really think that by relying on your lowly Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, you can contend with a Cave Profound Peak?"

Mieyao Zhenren seemed to be preparing some major move; his aura surged, and rays of golden light emitted from his body, looking very formidable.

Yan Xiao did not hesitate in the slightest and used Earth Escape to go a thousand meters underground; no matter how powerful the killing move was, surely it couldn't automatically track him, right?

"I don't believe it," Yan Xiao said, curling his lip.

As it turned out, he discovered that there was indeed something behind him chasing him, moving at extreme speed; even while traveling underground, its power did not diminish in the slightest.

"Damn it! System, what is that thing behind me?" Yan Xiao was greatly shocked.

"Analysis in progress. Analysis successful.

What is pursuing you is the Dharma treasure Golden Scale Shuttle, a Metal-type magical artifact, formed from ancient dragon scales; it has high lethality, extremely strong penetrating power, and is controlled by an Artifact Spirit, capable of autonomously tracking enemies."

The System explained.

"Good stuff!"

Isn't this just wall-hacking with auto-aim?

Yan Xiao narrowed his eyes; such a treasure was not something Mieyao deserved to possess.

"System, can I subdue it?"

Yan Xiao asked; if he had this magical artifact, he could specialize in hiding underground to ambush enemies—truly killing without a trace—wouldn't that be wonderful?

He was determined to obtain this treasure.

PS: Please vote, please add to favorites, thank you!