The invitation was delivered to Yuyi's hands.
It was an exquisite Dao Union invitation, crafted from crimson spirit paper, emanating a faint spiritual energy fluctuation. The gilded characters on it gleamed with a dazzling light that pierced Yuyi's eyes like needles.
Lingxiao and Shayin—Dao Union Ceremony.
Yuyi's fingers trembled slightly. The invitation in his hand seemed to weigh ten thousand catties, pressing down so hard he could barely breathe.
Four years. Four whole years.
He still remembered that night at Cloud Sea Peak, when Shayin stood beneath the moonlight, her white robes fluttering like a fairy descending to the mortal realm. She had said to him, "Yuyi, wait for me. When I break through to the Golden Core realm, I will come find you."
He had waited. He waited through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. He waited until his hair grew long, until his sword rusted, until his heart turned to ash.
But what he waited for was this invitation.
"Young Master." Green Lotus's voice came from behind, carrying a trace of caution. "This invitation..."
"I know." Yuyi's voice was calm, so calm it sent chills down one's spine. He slowly closed the invitation, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. "Lingxiao and Shayin's Dao Union. Such a grand occasion."
He turned to look at Green Lotus. His eyes were devoid of any ripple, like a dried-up well, bottomless and terrifying.
"Prepare my sword."
Green Lotus was startled. "Young Master, you..."
"I said, prepare my sword." Yuyi's voice carried no emotion, yet it made one's heart tremble. "The Golden Serpent Sword."
Green Lotus's face changed dramatically. The Golden Serpent Sword was Yuyi's killing weapon, a sinister blade forged from the spine of a Golden Core demonic beast. Every time it was drawn, it had to drink blood. Yuyi had sealed it three years ago, vowing never to use it again unless absolutely necessary.
"Young Master, you can't..."
"Go." Yuyi turned away, his figure somewhat lonely in the sunlight. "I just want to... see an old friend."
Green Lotus stood frozen for a long time, watching Yuyi's retreating figure, an inexplicable sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
That night, Yuyi left alone.
He wore a black robe, the Golden Serpent Sword on his back, his long hair tied up with a black ribbon. Under the moonlight, his figure was like a ghost, silently traversing through the mountains and forests.
The Kunlun Sect was located at the northern foot of the Kunlun Mountains, one of the three great orthodox sects in the cultivation world. Lingxiao was the eldest disciple of the Kunlun Sect's sect master, a genius swordsman who had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment at just twenty-five years old. His Dao Union with Shayin was the most talked-about event in the cultivation world in recent years.
Yuyi had no intention of attending the ceremony.
He just wanted to see her one last time.
Three days later, he arrived outside the Kunlun Sect.
The grand formation protecting the sect shimmered with light, and within the formation, pavilions and towers rose one after another, their eaves and corners visible. Disciples in white robes flew back and forth on their swords, busy preparing for the Dao Union ceremony three days hence.
Yuyi stood at the foot of the mountain, gazing at the sect's gate, a complex look in his eyes.
He had been here before. Three years ago, he had come to the Kunlun Sect to challenge Lingxiao, wanting to prove that his sword was not weaker than anyone's. But he had lost, utterly defeated. Lingxiao's "Cloud Sea Sword Technique" was ethereal and unpredictable, and he couldn't even withstand ten moves.
That defeat made him realize the gap between himself and true geniuses. It also made him understand that in this cultivation world, strength was everything.
No strength, no right to pursue Shayin.
So he had left, going to the most dangerous chaotic realm, tempering himself between life and death. He had killed people, killed demonic beasts, killed until his hands were covered in blood, killed until his heart became numb.
He thought he had become stronger.
But now, standing outside the Kunlun Sect, he suddenly realized that some things could never be changed.
"Who goes there?" A disciple on patrol noticed Yuyi and flew over on his sword, frowning. "This one, please state your identity and purpose."
Yuyi raised his head, his gaze cold as ice. "Yuyi. Here to... offer my congratulations."
The disciple was startled. Yuyi? That Yuyi who killed his way out of the chaotic realm? Rumor had it that this man was ruthless, his hands stained with the blood of countless people, and he had a notorious reputation in the cultivation world.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Yuyi." The disciple's tone became more polite, though wariness remained in his eyes. "Please wait a moment, I will report to the sect."
"No need." Yuyi waved his hand. "I won't enter the sect. Just passing by to... take a look."
The disciple was stunned, not understanding what Yuyi meant.
Yuyi stopped looking at him and turned to gaze toward the depths of the Kunlun Sect. Somewhere there, Shayin was preparing for her Dao Union ceremony. She was probably very happy, right?
He suddenly smiled, a bitter smile.
"Congratulations." He said softly, his voice drifting away in the mountain wind. "May you... achieve the Dao together, and live happily ever after."
He turned to leave.
But just then, a familiar voice came from within the sect.
"Yuyi? Is that you?"
Yuyi's body stiffened.
That voice... was Shayin.
He slowly turned around and saw a white figure flying toward him on a sword. Moon-white robes, black hair like a waterfall, features as beautiful as a painting. It was the person he had dreamed of countless times.
Shayin laned in front of him, her eyes filled with surprise and... a trace of complexity.
"You really came." She said softly.
Yuyi looked at her, his heart churning like a turbulent sea, but his face remained expressionless. "I heard you're having a Dao Union ceremony. Came to offer my congratulations."
Shayin was silent for a moment, then said, "Yuyi, I..."
"You don't need to explain." Yuyi interrupted her. "I understand. Lingxiao is a genius of the Kunlun Sect, with boundless prospects. I'm just a loose cultivator, with no sect and no master. We... are not from the same world."
"No." Shayin shook her head, her eyes reddening. "It's not like that. Yuyi, I've been waiting for you. I've been waiting for you all these years. But you... you went to the chaotic realm, you killed so many people, you changed so much..."
"I changed?" Yuyi laughed, a cold laugh. "Yes, I changed. I became stronger, I became more ruthless. Isn't that what the cultivation world requires? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I never wanted you to become like this!" Shayin's voice carried a sob. "I wanted you to be the Yuyi who would smile at me under the moonlight, not the notorious killer you are now!"
Yuyi was silent.
He suddenly realized that he and Shayin had already walked on completely different paths.
"Maybe you're right." He said slowly. "I'm no longer worthy of you."
Shayin looked at him, tears finally falling. "Yuyi, go. Don't come back again. This place... doesn't belong to you."
Yuyi nodded, turned, and walked away.
His figure was lonely in the moonlight, like a wandering ghost.
But just as he took a few steps, a cold voice came from within the sect.
"Who dares to cause trouble at my Kunlun Sect?"
A figure flew over on a sword, laning beside Shayin. It was a young man in white robes, with an extraordinary bearing and a long sword on his back. His eyes were cold as he looked at Yuyi.
Lingxiao.
"So it's you." Lingxiao's mouth curled into a cold smile. "Yuyi, the notorious killer. What are you doing at my Kunlun Sect?"
Yuyi looked at him, his eyes gradually turning cold.
"Nothing. Just came to offer congratulations on Fellow Daoist Lingxiao's Dao Union."
"Offer congratulations?" Lingxiao laughed coldly. "With your identity? A killer who crawled out of the chaotic realm, what qualifications do you have to offer me congratulations?"
Yuyi's expression remained unchanged. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Leave?" Lingxiao blocked his path. "You come to my Kunlun Sect and want to leave just like that? Do you think my Kunlun Sect is a marketplace where you can come and go as you please?"
Shayin frowned. "Lingxiao, let him go."
"Let him go?" Lingxiao looked at Shayin, a cold glint in his eyes. "Shayin, this person is a notorious killer. If I let him go today, who knows what trouble he'll bring to my Kunlun Sect in the future? For the safety of the sect, I must capture him and hand him over to the Law Enforcement Hall!"
Yuyi's eyes turned completely cold.
"You want to capture me?"
"That's right." Lingxiao drew his long sword, the blade gleaming with cold light. "Yuyi, surrender peacefully, and I might leave you with a whole corpse."
Yuyi looked at him, then slowly reached behind his back and drew the Golden Serpent Sword.
The sword was three feet long, its entire body pitch-black, with golden patterns on the blade like the scales of a poisonous snake. An evil aura emanated from the sword, making one's heart palpitate.
"You want to capture me?" Yuyi's voice was cold as ice. "Then see if you have the ability."
Lingxiao's expression changed. He could feel the terrifying killing intent emanating from Yuyi's body, a killing intent condensed from countless lives.
"You..." He narrowed his eyes. "You've actually condensed killing intent into substance? No wonder you were able to kill your way out of the chaotic realm."
Yuyi didn't speak. He just raised his sword and pointed it at Lingxiao.
"Come."
Lingxiao's face turned cold. He moved, his figure like a cloud, his sword like a dragon, thrusting straight toward Yuyi's throat.
Cloud Sea Sword Technique—Cloud Dragon Emerging from the Sea!
Yuyi didn't dodge or evade. He just slashed his sword horizontally.
A simple slash, but it contained a terrifying killing intent. The sword light was like a blood-colored crescent moon, tearing through the air and meeting Lingxiao's sword energy.
Boom!
The two sword energies collided, producing a deafening explosion. Lingxiao's figure was forced back a dozen steps, his face full of shock.
"How is this possible?" He looked at Yuyi in disbelief. "Your cultivation... how can it be so strong?"
Yuyi didn't answer. He just walked toward Lingxiao step by step, the Golden Serpent Sword in his hand trailing a blood-colored line on the ground.
"I said," his voice was cold as ice, "if you want to capture me, see if you have the ability."
Lingxiao's face was ugly. He didn't expect Yuyi's strength to have improved to such a degree. Three years ago, Yuyi couldn't even withstand ten moves from him, but now...
"Good, very good!" Lingxiao laughed in extreme anger. "I want to see just how strong you've become!"
He moved again, his sword light filling the sky like a cloud sea, surrounding Yuyi.
Cloud Sea Sword Technique—Sea of Clouds Dispersing!
Yuyi stood in the midst of the cloud sea, his expression unchanged. He just slowly raised his sword.
"Killing Sword—First Form, Blood Sea."
His sword slashed out.
In that instant, the world seemed to turn blood-red. A blood-colored sword light rose from the ground, piercing through the cloud sea, straight toward the heavens.
The cloud sea was torn apart.
Lingxiao's figure was forced back again, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
"You..." He looked at Yuyi in horror. "What kind of sword technique is this?"
Yuyi didn't answer. He just looked at Lingxiao with cold eyes, like a god of death looking at his prey.
"This is between you and me." He said slowly. "If the Kunlun Sect intervenes, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Lingxiao's face was ugly. He knew that with his strength, he was no match for Yuyi. But if he asked for help from the sect...
Just then, an old voice came from within the sect.
"Who dares to cause trouble at my Kunlun Sect?"
A figure flew over, laning beside Lingxiao. It was an old man in white robes, his hair and beard white, his eyes deep as stars.
Golden Core elder!
Yuyi's eyes narrowed. He could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from the old man, a pressure that only Golden Core experts possessed.
"Junior Yuyi, pays respects to senior." Yuyi cupped his hands, though his tone was cold.
The old man looked at Yuyi, a cold glint in his eyes. "You are Yuyi? The notorious killer?"
"That's right."
"Good." The old man smiled coldly. "A killer like you, everyone has the right to punish. Today, I will capture you and hand you over to the Law Enforcement Alliance for disposal!"
Yuyi's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was churning.
Golden Core expert... he was no match.
But he wouldn't surrender.
"Then let's see if senior has the ability." He raised his sword, his killing intent erupting like a volcano.
The old man laughed coldly. "Arrogant!"
He raised his hand, and a huge palm formed from spiritual energy pressed down toward Yuyi.
Yuyi's face changed. He could feel the terrifying power contained in that palm, enough to crush him into a pulp.
He gritted his teeth, poured all his spiritual energy into the Golden Serpent Sword, and slashed upward with all his might.
"Killing Sword—Second Form, Shura!"
A blood-colored sword light shot up into the sky, meeting the giant palm.
Boom!
The sword light was crushed, and Yuyi's figure was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Foundation Establishment challenging Golden Core?" The old man laughed coldly. "Overestimating yourself!"
Yuyi struggled to stand up, his face pale, but his eyes remained cold.
He knew he was no match for a Golden Core expert.
But he wouldn't surrender.
"Is that all?" He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice cold. "Golden Core expert... is this all the strength you have?"
The old man's face turned cold. "Seeking death!"
He raised his hand again, preparing to strike once more.
But just then, a cold voice came from the distance.
"Stop."
The old man's movement paused. He looked toward the source of the voice and saw a figure flying over on a sword, laning beside Yuyi.
It was a woman in black robes, her face cold as frost, her eyes carrying a trace of indifference.
"Blood Princess?" The old man's face changed. "Why are you here?"
The woman in black didn't answer. She just looked at Yuyi and said coldly, "Can you still walk?"
Yuyi looked at her, a complex light in his eyes.
Blood Princess—Xueji, the number one killer in the cultivation world, his former partner in the chaotic realm.
"I can." He stood up, swaying slightly.
Xueji glaned at him, then turned to look at the old man. "Elder of Kunlun, bullying a junior, aren't you afraid of losing face?"
The old man's face was ugly. "Blood Princess, this person is a notorious killer. I am capturing him in accordance with the rules of the cultivation world."
"Rules?" Xueji laughed coldly. "When did the cultivation world have rules? If there were rules, you so-called orthodox sects wouldn't do whatever you please."
The old man's expression changed. "Blood Princess, do you want to interfere in my Kunlun Sect's affairs?"
"So what if I do?" Xueji's voice was cold. "Yuyi is my friend. If you want to capture him, ask my sword first."
The old man's face was extremely ugly. He knew that the Blood Princess's strength was not inferior to his, and she also had a powerful force behind her. If he really fought with her, the outcome was uncertain.
"Good, very good!" He laughed in extreme anger. "Today, I will give the Blood Princess face. But Yuyi, you'd better pray that you never fall into my hands!"
He waved his sleeve and flew back into the sect.
Lingxiao glaned at Yuyi coldly, then followed.
Shayin looked at Yuyi, her eyes filled with complexity, but in the end, she said nothing and turned to leave.
Only Yuyi and Xueji remained at the scene.
"Let's go." Xueji said coldly.
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
The two figures disappeared into the night.
But Yuyi's heart was filled with a nameless rage.
He had lost again.
Lost to the so-called orthodoxy, lost to the so-called rules.
In this cultivation world, without strength, without background, you were nothing.
He wanted to become stronger.
Strong enough to break all the rules, strong enough to make everyone look up to him.
He wanted to make the entire cultivation world know that Yuyi was not someone they could bully!
Three days later, the Kunlun Sect's Dao Union ceremony was held as scheduled.
But on that day, a piece of news spread throughout the cultivation world.
Yuyi had entered the Rebirth Formation of the Kunlun Sect.
The Rebirth Formation was the Kunlun Sect's forbidden ground, a place where demonic beasts were imprisoned. Those demonic beasts were all at the Golden Core level or above, extremely vicious. Entering it meant certain death.
But Yuyi had gone in.
He wanted to use the demonic beasts in the Rebirth Formation to temper his killing sword.
He wanted to become stronger.
Even if it meant risking his life.
And so, a bloody storm began.