The words "Prepare for battle" had barely faded from Yan Fu's lips when the mountain erupted into motion.
The disciples of Ji Xia Sect immediately moved according to the combat drills they had practiced countless times over the past weeks. Though many of them were young cultivators who had never faced real combat before, the strict training of the elders had already carved discipline into their bones.
"Formation Three!" Elder Huoran shouted.
Instantly, the disciples split into groups of five, forming triangular defensive formations across the courtyard and along the outer gate. Spiritual energy began flowing between them like glowing threads, linking their auras together.
The moment the Blood Flame Sect cultivators reached the foot of the courtyard stairs, their leader raised his curved blade.
"Attack."
Crimson flames erupted across the battlefield.
Dozens of fire techniques shot toward the sect gate like meteors.
"Defend!" Elder Shuye commanded.
A shimmering blue barrier appeared as the Ji Xia disciples raised their hands together, pouring their spiritual energy into the defensive formation.
BOOOOOOM!
The flames crashed against the barrier like a tidal wave of fire. Heat rippled across the courtyard, causing the air itself to distort.
Several disciples staggered but held their ground.
Yan Fu watched silently from the center of the courtyard.
His attention, however, was divided.
The mysterious visitor still stood within the battlefield, their silver flames flickering quietly as they observed the situation with clear amusement.
"Interesting," the visitor murmured. "Your enemies arrived sooner than expected."
Yan Fu's gaze remained steady.
"The cultivation world never waits."
The visitor chuckled softly but did not interfere.
For now.
Below the stairs, the Blood Flame Sect leader clicked his tongue.
"So this is the famous Ji Xia Sect defense?"
He raised his blade again.
"Break it."
Behind him, several older cultivators stepped forward.
Their auras were far stronger than the younger disciples behind them.
One of them slammed his palms together.
"Crimson Inferno Art!"
A massive fireball formed above his hands, swirling violently with destructive spiritual energy.
"Go!"
The fireball launched forward like a blazing comet.
BOOOOOOM!
The defensive barrier trembled violently.
Cracks of light began spreading across its surface.
Li Fei clenched his fists.
"They're too strong!"
Elder Huoran stepped forward instantly.
"Stand firm!"
His sword burst into flames as he leapt into the air.
"Flame Severing Strike!"
A blazing arc of fire cut through the incoming attack, splitting the massive fireball in half before it could fully break the barrier.
The explosion rocked the courtyard but the formation held.
The Blood Flame Sect leader narrowed his eyes.
"Oh?"
"An elder-level cultivator already."
He stepped forward slowly, his blade glowing with crimson fire.
"Then allow me to participate."
The moment his foot touched the courtyard stairs—
A massive black blur descended from above.
RRRRROOOOAAAAAR!
Vorath crashed into the ground in front of the gate like a falling mountain.
The stone steps shattered beneath his weight.
His amber eyes burned like molten gold as he stared down at the approaching enemies.
"You will not step further."
The Blood Flame Sect disciples froze for a moment.
Several of them instinctively stepped backward.
The sheer killing intent radiating from the divine beast was overwhelming.
But their leader only laughed.
"A divine beast indeed."
He lifted his blade.
"Good."
"Your corpse will sell for a fortune."
Vorath's lips curled back, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
"You speak too much."
The lion moved.
In a single instant he crossed the distance between them.
His claw descended like a falling blade of darkness.
BOOOOOOM!
The Blood Flame Sect leader jumped back just in time, but the ground where he had stood exploded into a massive crater.
"Fast!" the man muttered.
Vorath attacked again immediately.
Claw after claw struck with devastating force, each impact sending shockwaves through the courtyard.
Meanwhile the battle below fully erupted.
The Blood Flame Sect disciples surged forward, launching fire techniques toward the defenders.
Ji Xia Sect disciples countered with coordinated formations.
Wind blades, water spears, and lightning arcs collided with the incoming flames.
Explosions rang out across the battlefield.
Several disciples were knocked backward but quickly stood again, refusing to retreat.
Li Fei stepped forward.
His body glowed faintly pink as spiritual energy surged through his meridians.
"Phoenix Palm!"
A wave of pink fire burst from his hand, slamming into two Blood Flame disciples and throwing them down the stairs.
One of them groaned.
"What kind of flame is that?!"
High above the battlefield, thunder roared.
Tianlong descended like a living storm.
Lightning crawled across his scales as his massive wings spread across the sky.
"Storm Judgment!"
CRAAAAACK!
A bolt of lightning struck directly in the middle of the attacking enemy formation.
The explosion blasted several Blood Flame cultivators off their feet.
Panic began spreading among their ranks.
"Watch the dragon!" someone shouted.
But their leader remained calm.
He jumped backward, narrowly dodging another swipe from Vorath.
"Interesting sect you've built," he said while circling the lion.
"But strength alone will not save it."
His blade ignited with crimson fire.
"Blood Flame Blade Art."
The weapon slashed through the air.
A massive arc of red fire shot toward Vorath.
BOOOOOOM!
The lion skidded backward slightly as the attack exploded against his body.
Smoke rose from his fur.
But when the flames faded, Vorath stood unharmed.
His eyes burned brighter.
"You call that an attack?"
He lunged forward again.
This time his claws glowed with deep black energy.
"Devouring Shadow Claw!"
The strike slammed directly into the Blood Flame leader's guard.
CLANG!
The man blocked with his blade but the sheer force drove him backward several meters.
Meanwhile, in the center of the courtyard, Yan Fu had not moved.
Aetherion stood beside him calmly.
The celestial beast's mane shimmered softly as he observed the battlefield.
"The disciples are holding," Aetherion said.
Yan Fu nodded slightly.
"They are learning."
But his gaze remained fixed on the mysterious visitor.
The silver-flame cultivator watched the entire battle with interest.
"You are not helping them," the visitor noted.
Yan Fu replied calmly,
"I don't need to."
At that moment a powerful new aura erupted from the base of the mountain.
Another figure appeared among the Blood Flame Sect forces.
This man was older, his robes embroidered with dark crimson runes.
The moment he stepped forward, the battlefield quieted slightly.
Even the Blood Flame Sect leader bowed his head slightly.
"Elder Rong."
The old man's gaze swept across the battlefield.
It stopped on Vorath.
Then Tianlong.
Then Aetherion.
His eyes widened slightly.
"So the rumors were not exaggerated."
He stepped forward slowly.
His aura surged outward like a burning furnace.
"Three divine guardians."
The elder smiled coldly.
"Ji Xia Sect truly holds valuable treasures."
He raised one hand.
Crimson fire spiraled around his palm, forming a massive blazing sphere.
"Then we will take them."
Yan Fu finally moved.
His staff lifted slowly.
Golden light erupted around him as Celestial energy surged outward.
The wind across the mountain suddenly changed.
The mysterious visitor's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Now this is the moment I was waiting for."
Yan Fu stepped forward toward the battlefield.
His voice echoed across the mountain.
"Blood Flame Sect."
Golden runes ignited beneath his feet.
"You have attacked my sect."
The Celestial formation activated once more.
"So now you will face its master."
The war for Ji Xia Sect had truly begun.