Outside the main hall of Xuantian Sect in Zhongzhou City.
A stone bridge spanned across a rippling spirit pool, its railings carved with cloud patterns and celestial cranes, shrouded in spiritual mist. Yuyi leaned against the railing, his long hair cascading like a waterfall, draped in the Golden Thread Immortal Robe, its sleeves gently fluttering in the breeze. His eyes were slightly closed, as if in meditation or deep contemplation, his entire being exuding an otherworldly aura.
Nianxue stood beside him, her elegant figure accentuated by the high-grade dharma robe of Youming Sect. She quietly gazed at Yuyi's profile, her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.
"Yuyi." A clear female voice broke the silence.
Yuyi opened his eyes and turned to look. A purple-clad woman approached with light steps, beautiful and charming, with a smile in her brows. It was Bingxin, the top expert of Emei Sect.
"Bingxin?" Yuyi nodded slightly. "What brings you here?"
Bingxin walked onto the bridge, her gaze sweeping over Yuyi and Nianxue, a mischievous smile curving her lips. "What, not welcome?"
"Speak, what is it?" Yuyi's voice was calm but not cold.
Bingxin's expression turned serious. "The Flaming Sun Bracer mission, will you take it?"
Yuyi shook his head. "I heard it only gives 1 comprehension point. Not worth the trip."
Bingxin paused, then laughed. "Who told you that?"
"I heard it from someone."
"That was before." Bingxin stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Now the Flaming Sun Bracer mission has changed. It gives 2 comprehension points."
Yuyi's eyes instantly lit up.
2 comprehension points!
This was no small amount. Ordinary missions only gave a few spirit stones. Comprehension points, such a precious resource, had always been something cultivators fought over.
"If I had known it was 2 comprehension points, I wouldn't have stayed here for nearly a month." Yuyi stood up straight, his tone carrying a hint of frustration.
Bingxin covered her mouth and laughed lightly. "You really don't pay attention to outside matters. Your information is quite blocked off."
"What do I need to do?" Yuyi asked.
"Help me with the mission." Bingxin said seriously. "The Yanmo Venerable of Yanyang Sect is terrifyingly powerful. Previously, the alliance organized hundreds of cultivators to attack, but they returned in defeat. I need expert assistance."
Yuyi pondered for a moment. "When?"
"In a few days. Thousands of cultivators will gather below Flaming Sun Peak, then we'll act together."
"Alright." Yuyi nodded in agreement.
Nianxue listened quietly from the side, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. She knew Yuyi's strength was unfathomable, but Yanmo Venerable's reputation was too great. It was said he was the sect master of Yanyang Sect, and his Nine Suns Burning Heaven Art was shockingly powerful.
Several days later.
Below Flaming Sun Peak, voices buzzed with excitement.
Thousands of cultivators gathered here, their various dharma robes creating a brilliant sea of colors. There were Xuantian Sect's azure robes, Tianjian Sect's white sword uniforms, Emei Sect's purple skirts, and Xuesha Sect's blood-red battle robes.
When Yuyi arrived with members of Youyue Valley, Bingxin had been waiting for some time. Behind her stood dozens of Emei Sect disciples, each with solemn expressions.
"Is everyone here?" Yuyi asked.
"Almost." Bingxin nodded. "You've arranged for Youyue Valley members to take turns coming to Flaming Sun Peak, ensuring nothing goes wrong."
Yuyi looked around, his gaze falling on a group in the distance. He saw several familiar figures—disciples of Youming Sect gathered together, led by two white-clad women with otherworldly auras, like celestial maidens.
"Is that Xueying and Shaying?" Yuyi asked.
Bingxin followed his gaze and nodded. "Exactly. They are experts of Youming Sect, Deity Transformation Grandmasters, with unfathomable strength."
Yuyi withdrew his gaze and found a secluded spot to sit, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. Nianxue dutifully stood guard beside him, protecting him.
Just then, a middle-aged man approached. He was burly with a resolute face, radiating a not-insignificant pressure.
"Fellow cultivator, I am Li Tianhao." The man cupped his hands in greeting. "May I ask if you are Fellow Cultivator Yuyi?"
Yuyi opened his eyes and said calmly, "I am."
A smile appeared on Li Tianhao's face. "I've heard much about you. I have a favor to ask, I wonder if Fellow Cultivator Yuyi could help?"
"Speak."
"For this attack on Flaming Sun Peak, I would like to ask Fellow Cultivator Bingxin to activate the alliance system, so everyone can complete the mission." Li Tianhao explained. "But Fellow Cultivator Bingxin seems unwilling. I wonder if Fellow Cultivator Yuyi could help persuade her?"
Yuyi's gaze sharpened.
He stood up, looking down at Li Tianhao, his voice cold as ice. "Do you know why Bingxin is unwilling to activate the alliance system?"
Li Tianhao was stunned. "This..."
"First, first come first served, that's the rule." Yuyi's voice carried no emotion. "Xueying and Shaying have been waiting here for several hours. What right do you have to make them step aside?"
Li Tianhao's expression changed slightly. He wanted to explain, but Yuyi interrupted him.
"Second, once the alliance system is activated, everyone loses their reputation rewards. You're asking hundreds of cultivators to sacrifice their interests for you alone—is this your sense of justice?"
Li Tianhao's face grew ugly.
"Third, Xueying and Shaying are sitting here, yet you don't go to them, but come to Bingxin—what does this mean?" Yuyi's gaze was like a sword. "Private invitations, bypassing the principals—is this your method?"
Li Tianhao was left speechless, his face flushing red.
"I'll take my leave." Li Tianhao cupped his hands and turned to depart.
Bingxin walked over, a smile in her eyes. "You've solved my problem."
Yuyi sat back down and said calmly, "Someone like that isn't worth your concern."
Time passed, and the sun gradually set in the west.
Finally, a earth-shaking roar came from Flaming Sun Peak. Immediately after, a pillar of fire-red light shot into the sky, heat waves rolling out, distorting the air for dozens of feet around.
"It's begun!" someone shouted.
The cultivators all looked up. At the peak of Flaming Sun Peak, a man draped in flame robes slowly stood up. His entire body burned with intense flames, like a fire god descending to the mortal world.
"Is that Yanmo Venerable?" Nianxue exclaimed.
Yuyi narrowed his eyes, carefully examininging that figure. Yanmo Venerable's presence was indeed astonishing. With the Nine Suns Burning Heaven Art circulating, an area of eighty feet in radius was enveloped in scorching firelight.
The battle quickly began.
Dozens of experts charged up Flaming Sun Peak first, surrounding Yanmo Venerable. Various dharma treasures flashed with light, sword qi crisscrossing. Yet Yanmo Venerable just stood in place, letting these attacks lan on his body, completely unharmed.
"His defense... is so strong!" someone exclaimed.
Yanmo Venerable sneered and waved both hands. A wave of flames swept out. Dozens of experts retreated one after another. Some were burned by the flames, others thrown back by the heat waves.
"Let me!"
A clear, cold voice rang out. Xueying stepped through the air, white clothes fluttering, holding a snow-white longsword. The blade radiated cold light—it was the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasure, the Hanxiao Sword.
Shaying followed closely behind, also in fluttering white clothes, with an otherworldly aura. The two sisters stood side by side, like a pair of celestial maidens.
"Attack!" Xueying shouted in a low voice.
Two sword lights struck simultaneously, cold light and sword qi intertwining, heading straight for Yanmo Venerable. Yanmo Venerable's expression changed slightly. He formed hand seals, and a flame barrier appeared before him.
"Cangqiong!"
The sword light struck the flame barrier, producing an ear-piercing metallic collision sound. The flame barrier trembled violently but didn't break.
"Interesting." Yanmo Venerable sneered. "But not enough!"
He pushed with both hands, and the flame barrier transformed into a fire dragon, charging straight at Xueying and Shaying. The two sisters flashed their bodies, barely dodging the fire dragon's attack.
The battle intensified.
Xueying and Shaying coordinated perfectly, one attacking and one defending, sword lights weaving like fabric. Although Yanmo Venerable's defense was astonishing, under the sisters' combined attack, he gradually began to struggle.
Time passed mingute by mingute.
One hour, two hours.
Yanmo Venerable's movements began to slow, and the flames around him dimmed somewhat. His qi and blood were continuously consumed in the prolonged battle, finally revealing signs of fatigue.
"Now!" Xueying shouted.
The Hanxiao Sword transformed into a stream of light, thrusting straight at Yanmo Venerable's chest. Yanmo Venerable wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.
"Pfft!"
The longsword entered flesh. Xueying pierced through Yanmo Venerable's chest with one sword.
Yanmo Venerable's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the sword in his chest. He wanted to counterattack, but felt a sharp pain in his back.
Shaying struck from behind, cold light flashing, splitting Yanmo Venerable in two.
"Boom!"
Yanmo Venerable's body transformed into countless flame fragments, dissipating into the air.
"He's dead! Yanmo Venerable is dead!"
The cultivators erupted in earth-shaking cheers. Xueying and Shaying withdrew their swords and stood, their expressions calm, as if they had done something insignificant.
Yuyi watched quietly from a distance, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
"They're very strong." Bingxin walked over and said softly.
"Indeed." Yuyi nodded. "But Yanmo Venerable..."
He paused, a cold smile curving his lips. "Is nothing but a coward."
Bingxin was stunned. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it carefully." Yuyi's voice carried a hint of disdain. "Yanmo Venerable cultivates the Nine Suns Burning Heaven Art and the Yin-Yang Universe Art. Both are supreme techniques. But his attacks?"
Bingxin pondered for a moment, then suddenly understood. "His attacks... seem to have never hit anyone."
"Exactly." Yuyi sneered. "Abnormal defense, profound mental method, but pitifully weak attacks. All sound and fury, but can't hit anyone. Someone like that is just trash."
Bingxin fell silent. She knew Yuyi was right. Yanmo Venerable's performance was indeed disappointing.
Just then, a commotion arose from the crowd.
"People from Du Sect are here!"
Yuyi turned to look. A purple-haired woman walked slowly forward. Her figure was alluring, her brows carrying a hint of laziness, yet she radiated a heart-palpitating pressure.
"That's Ziyan, ranked third among Du Sect's top ten experts." Bingxin said softly. "Her poison arts are extremely powerful, undefeated across the Nine Provinces."
Ziyan walked to the base of Flaming Sun Peak and looked up at the summit. Yanmo Venerable had already recondensed his body and was regulating his breathing to recover.
"Let me try." Ziyan smiled faintly.
She walked up Flaming Sun Peak alone, facing Yanmo Venerable. Yanmo Venerable snorted coldly, flames igniting once more.
Ziyan didn't use any spiritual power, just lightly waved her hand. A stream of green qi floated toward Yanmo Venerable. It seemed gentle but carried deadly poison.
Yanmo Venerable circulated the Yin-Yang Universe Art, trying to deflect this qi. But the poison entered upon contact with skin, impossible to remove.
In less than an hour, Yanmo Venerable fell once more.
The cultivators were completely shocked. Xueying and Shaying had fought bitterly for nearly two hours before killing Yanmo Venerable, yet Ziyan had done it in less than an hour.
"Is this Du Sect's poison art?" someone exclaimed.
Yuyi's pupils contracted slightly. He finally understood why Du Sect could occupy a place in the Nine Provinces. This poison art was simply too strong a counter against experts with profound mental methods.
"Yuyi, what about you?" Bingxin suddenly asked. "If it were you, how long would you need?"
Yuyi withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly. "Seven moves."
"What?"
"With the Yuehua Sword, within seven moves, I can kill Yanmo Venerable."
Bingxin was stunned. She knew Yuyi's strength was formidable, but seven moves to kill Yanmo Venerable? That was too exaggerated.
Yuyi didn't explain further, just turned and left. Nianxue quickly followed, and the two disappeared into the crowd.
Bingxin watched Yuyi's departing figure, complex emotions flashing in her eyes. She thought about lending the Yuehua Sword to Yuyi, feeling a hint of anticipation in her heart.
Just how strong was this man?