In the secret chamber of the Ancient Sword Pavilion, spiritual energy swirled in misty wisps. Yuyi sat cross-legged, circulating the Hunyuan Mental Method, spiritual power flowing ceaselessly through his body. After a day and night of meditation, his internal injuries had completely healed, and his spiritual power had returned to its peak state. In his Dantian, the Golden Core shimmered brilliantly, emitting a pale golden radiance.
Duan Changjian pushed open the stone door of the secret chamber, his expression grave: "Yuyi, how are your injuries?"
Yuyi slowly opened his eyes, the light within them restrained: "No longer a concern."
Duan Changjian nodded, then turned to gather everyone. Xuantie, Liekong, Canglong, Bingxin, Yuehua Xianzi, and Shuanghua Xianzi entered the secret chamber one after another. The eight sat in a circle, the atmosphere heavy.
"We carry the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures back with us—we must be wary of the Lieyang Gang's ambush," Duan Changjian said in a deep voice.
Xuantie frowned deeply: "The Lieyang Gang has long had their eyes on us. They will certainly set an ambush along our return path."
Liekong snorted coldly: "So what if they set an ambush? With the eight of us joining hands, what is there to fear?"
"We must not be careless," Canglong shook his head. "The Lieyang Gang has many experts. If they come out in full force, we may not be able to retreat unscathed."
Bingxin asked worriedly: "Then what should we do?"
Duan Changjian pondered for a moment: "We split up to divert the Lieyang Gang's attention."
"Split up?" Yuehua Xianzi frowned. "But that would disperse our strength."
"Precisely for that reason, we can confuse the enemy." Duan Changjian's gaze swept across everyone. "Xuantie, Liekong, Canglong, Bingxin—you four will intercept the Lieyang Gang's experts. Yuyi, Yuehua Xianzi, Shuanghua Xianzi will break through with the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures. I will coordinate from the center."
Everyone nodded, their expressions resolute.
A day later, the eight left the Ancient Sword Pavilion, returning along the rugged mountain path. The mountain wind howled, tree shadows danced, and a faint scent of blood permeated the air.
At the foot of the mountain, a slender figure stood quietly. Seeing Yuyi, Shaying's eyes flashed with joy as she quickly stepped forward and embraced him tightly.
"You're finally out." Shaying's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of worry.
Yuyi gently patted her back: "I made you wait."
He retrieved the Shadowless Sword from his storage bag and handed it to Shaying: "This sword has an affinity with me. Please keep it for me."
Shaying accepted the Shadowless Sword, feeling the strange aura it emitted, surprise flashing in her eyes: "This sword... has shadow without form?"
Yuyi nodded: "The Shadowless Sword—kills without a trace."
Shaying placed the Shadowless Sword into her storage bag, then tightly grasped Yuyi's hand, her eyes filled with reluctance: "Be careful."
Yuyi smiled slightly: "Don't worry."
Suddenly, battle cries shook the heavens from all directions!
Countless figures surged from the forest, surrounding the eight completely. The Lieyang Gang's banner snapped in the wind, killing intent soaring to the clouds.
Jianying walked slowly from the crowd, holding a long sword, his gaze like lightning: "Yuyi, today is the day you die!"
Behind him, Feiyue, Shuanghua, Moying, and Bixiao—four Golden Core Realm experts—stood in a row, their momentum astonishing. Miwang stood on the flank, cold light flickering in his eyes.
Duan Changjian's face darkened: "So they were lying in wait here after all!"
Jianying sneered: "You carry the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures—how could my Lieyang Gang sit idly by? Today, the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures belong to me, and your lives will stay here as well!"
Duan Changjian made an immediate decision: "We break through separately! Xuantie, Liekong, Canglong, Bingxin—you four intercept the Lieyang Gang's experts! Yuyi, Yuehua Xianzi, Shuanghua Xianzi break through with the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures!"
Xuantie and the other three nodded, immediately engaging the Lieyang Gang's experts.
Duan Changjian executed the Heartbreak Sword Art, sword qi crisscrossing as he intercepted Feiyue. Feiyue's red robes fluttered, her sword technique fierce as she battled fiercely with Duan Changjian.
Xuantie executed the Black Iron Body Protection Art, his entire body gleaming with a metallic luster as he withstood Shuanghua's attacks. Shuanghua's sword technique was cold and sinister, each strike carrying bone-chilling cold, but Xuantie's defense was astonishing—letting the sword qi strike his body, leaving only shallow traces.
Liekong executed the Sky-Splitting Slash, sword qi like a rainbow as he battled Moying. Moying's movement technique was eerie, shuttling like a ghost, each strike carrying an evil aura.
Canglong executed the Azure Dragon Sword Art, his sword momentum like a dragon as he confronted Bixiao. Bixiao's sword technique was forceful, sword qi brilliant as jade, colliding with Canglong's sword qi with deafening roars.
Yuyi, Yuehua Xianzi, and Shuanghua Xianzi carried the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures, breaking out toward the outside of the mountain.
Jianying and Miwang pursued relentlessly.
Yuyi stopped, turning to Yuehua Xianzi and Shuanghua Xianzi: "You take the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures and go first—I'll intercept Jianying and Miwang!"
Yuehua Xianzi worried: "Valley Master Yuyi, Jianying's strength is unfathomable. You alone..."
Yuyi snorted coldly: "No matter how strong he is, he's merely at the peak of the Golden Core Realm. I may not necessarily lose."
He turned and executed the Quick Sword Art, engaging Jianying.
A trace of mockery flashed in Jianying's eyes: "Yuyi, your sword technique is not bad, but before me, it falls far short."
He executed the Heaven Sword Nine Forms, sword qi descending like heavenly might, each strike carrying the determination to kill. Yuyi executed the Nirvana Sword Art, sword qi crisscrossing as it collided with Jianying's sword qi. The two forces of sword qi intertwined in the air, producing ear-piercing sounds of splitting the sky.
Yuyi remained calm in his heart: I must find Jianying's weakness.
Jianying's sword technique was incomparably fierce, each strike fast as lightning, ruthless as thunder. Yuyi focused entirely, responding with the Quick Sword Art, sword light weaving like fabric, deflecting each of Jianying's attacks one by one.
Miwang attempted to support Jianying, but was intercepted by Yuehua Xianzi. Yuehua Xianzi's sword technique was gentle, cold as moonlight, battling fiercely with Miwang.
Seeing Yuyi locked in bitter combat, Bingxin immediately executed the Ice Heart Art to assist him. Her sword technique was gentle, complementing Yuyi's Nirvana Sword Art. Facing the combined assault of two, Jianying's pressure doubled.
On another front, Duan Changjian and the other four were locked in fierce combat with the Lieyang Gang's experts.
Duan Changjian executed the Heartbreak Sword Art, sword qi like a rainbow as he battled Feiyue. Feiyue's sword technique was fierce, her red robes fluttering, each strike carrying fatal killing intent. The two were evenly matched, sword qi colliding, sparks flying.
Xuantie executed the Black Iron Body Protection Art, withstanding Shuanghua's attacks. Shuanghua's sword technique was cold and sinister, sword qi like frost, but Xuantie's defense was astonishing—letting the sword qi strike his body, leaving only shallow traces.
Liekong executed the Sky-Splitting Slash, sword qi like a rainbow as he battled Moying. Moying's movement technique was eerie, shuttling like a ghost, each strike carrying an evil aura. Liekong's sword technique was forceful, sword qi as sharp as splitting the sky, colliding with Moying's sword qi with deafening roars.
Canglong executed the Azure Dragon Sword Art, his sword momentum like a dragon as he confronted Bixiao. Bixiao's sword technique was forceful, sword qi brilliant as jade, colliding with Canglong's sword qi with deafening roars.
The battle continued for several hours, with heavy casualties on both sides.
Seeing the prolonged stalemate, Jianying grew anxious. He took a deep breath, spiritual power surging wildly within him, the pressure of the Golden Core Realm fully erupting.
"Enough!" Jianying shouted low, executing his ultimate move.
One sword strike, and heaven and earth changed color!
This strike contained Jianying's lifetime of cultivation, sword qi descending like heavenly might, carrying the momentum to destroy heaven and earth, sweeping forth!
Duan Changjian, Xuantie, Liekong, Canglong, and Bingxin were simultaneously struck by the sword qi, their bodies flying backward like kites with severed strings, crashing heavily to the ground, blood spraying from their mouths!
The protective talismans on the chests of all five shattered simultaneously, transforming into specks of light, bearing the fatal blow for their masters!
Seeing this, the Lieyang Gang's experts retreated one after another.
Jianying snorted coldly: "Today counts as your good fortune—protective talismans saved your lives. Next time, you won't have such luck."
He cast a deep look at Yuyi, then turned and departed with the Lieyang Gang's experts.
Yuyi sheathed his sword and quickly walked to Duan Changjian and the other four. Their faces were pale, their breath weak, but fortunately the protective talismans had blocked the fatal blow for them, preserving their lives.
Yuehua Xianzi and Shuanghua Xianzi also walked over, their expressions worried.
"We must leave quickly," Yuyi said gravely. "This place is not suitable for staying long."
Everyone nodded, supporting the injured five as they rapidly withdrew.
The sun set in the west, its blood-red afterglow spilling across the mountain path, illuminating the eight figures, exhausted. Shaying walked beside Yuyi, tightly holding his hand, her eyes filled with worry.
Yuyi looked back in the direction of the Ancient Sword Pavilion, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Lieyang Gang—this debt will be settled sooner or later.