Ye Qin spoke plainly, his gaze carrying a hint of provocation as he glanced at Wu Yu Yue. On the fighting stage suspended mid-air above the small island, the cultivators from Xing Zhu Palace—around ten of them—the five or six cultivators from Jin Jia Palace, and the nearly hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators watching from a short distance all fell silent, looking at Ye Qin with utter disbelief. A biting wind swept through the dead stillness. With Li Shu Wen, the Young Master of Xing Zhu Palace from the Heavenly Demon Alliance, already present, the assembled cultivators had not favored Ye Qin. Li Shu Wen’s backing was indisputably formidable, and he himself was a high-level cultivator at the eighth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, possessing the renowned primordial spirit magical artifact, the Demon Slaying Divine Spear, which made him extraordinarily potent—rarely matched among Foundation Establishment cultivators. No one expected Ye Qin to find even one Li Shu Wen insufficient, proceeding to challenge Wu Yu Yue as well. Who was Wu Yu Yue? While his backing was slightly less prestigious, it still stemmed from a Nascent Soul ancestor of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Furthermore, he was a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator. He, too, possessed a greatsword, a primordial spirit magical artifact, and his strength was in no way inferior to Li Shu Wen's.

After a brief, dead silence, a massive uproar erupted from the crowd of cultivators, filled with intense questioning: "He intends to fight both the Young Master of Xing Zhu Palace, Li Shu Wen, and the Third Young Master of Jin Jia Palace, Wu Yu Yue, simultaneously!? Does he not know who these two are? Could he be a direct disciple of one of the Five Sect Masters, or one of the Five Titans, to show such utter fearlessness toward them?"

Following the commotion, the crowd quieted down once more. Li Shu Wen and Wu Yu Yue had already flown out from their respective entourages and arrived in the center of the designated fighting ground. They ignored Huangpu Bing'er, instead fixing their gaze intently on Ye Qin.

Huangpu Bing'er realized the ensuing duel had nothing to do with her. She could only withdraw her Ice Burst Sword Formation, recall her Ice Soul Cold Light Sword, and retreat to Ye Qin's side, her beautiful eyes turning toward him with surprise. She was not entirely clear about Ye Qin’s current level of power. However, she knew his history and disposition perfectly well. When Junior Brother Ye joined the Azure Elixir Sect, his status was extremely low, the kind of person no one paid attention to. Within the sect, he had always handled matters with excessive low profile, excessive silence, and excessive forbearance. This resulted in a long period where very few of his fellow disciples even knew of his existence. During the trial in the Ten Thousand Withered Ridge, his strength was already approaching hers, yet he remained obscure. Later, he only slightly drew the attention of the high-ranking members and fellow disciples because he willingly yielded his Foundation Establishment Pills to others and shared credit, avoiding the jealousy that hoarding the pills might incite. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, during the several years of the Spirit Mist Blood Battle, he remained nameless. The only time he drew notice was a confrontation with A Mu Meng, one of the Eighteen Fiends of the Heavenly Vault Plain, which seemingly ended in a draw. This alone demonstrated that his strength was top-tier among Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even after this battle, Ye Qin remained quiet, far less dramatic than other top cultivators. She had meticulously noted his every move, which confirmed to her that Junior Brother Ye held no interest in achieving fame in the cultivation world, rarely participating in private disputes among cultivators. His sole focus was achieving enlightenment through cultivation, seeking to avoid any trouble. In a certain sense, Junior Brother Ye was very much like her. Within the Azure Elixir Sect, she had always been unconventional, unconcerned with external attention or empty renown. Her only desire was to cultivate quietly. Now, she wished to cultivate alongside Junior Brother Ye. The only time he truly got into major trouble was that chance encounter at the Lü Family Fortress. For some reason, Junior Brother Ye departed the fortress hastily and was intercepted by Yan Wei midway. She appeared shortly after and joined forces with Junior Brother Ye to kill Yan Wei. However, since no outsiders were present, the matter passed quickly without incident, and to this day, only she knew of it. She could not believe that Junior Brother Ye, who had always been so low-key, silent, and enduring in his cultivation journey, would suddenly become ostentatious, deliberately inviting major trouble. One Young Master Li Shu Wen was not enough; he had to summon the Third Young Master Wu Yu Yue of Jin Jia Palace to attack him simultaneously. Amidst her surprise, Huangpu Bing'er gazed at Ye Qin's calm yet resolute face, feeling even deeper emotion. This conflict had started because of her; Junior Brother Ye was willing to invite trouble just to step in for her. She had intended to shoulder it all herself, yet Junior Brother Ye ultimately stood forward to defend her honor. She could clearly sense that while Ye Qin’s surface remained as tranquil as ever, a murderous intent was hidden deep within his pupils. When he held killing intent, it meant he truly intended to kill, and that he was confident he could achieve it before acting. Therefore, at least one of Li Shu Wen and Wu Yu Yue, perhaps both, was someone he intended to slay. But with nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators observing nearby, publicly executing the Young Master of Xing Zhu Palace and the Third Young Master of Jin Jia Palace would have unimaginable consequences. The wrath of two Nascent Soul ancestors from the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance alone could engulf the entire Eastern Sea Archipelago. "Junior Brother Ye," Huangpu Bing'er looked at him with clear eyes, not wanting to see him court such catastrophe because of her. "Leave quickly after the fight is done."

Ye Qin turned and offered her a slight smile, patting her hand. For some reason, seeing his composed, faint smile, Huangpu Bing'er suddenly calmed down. Li Shu Wen's and Wu Yu Yue's previous mockery and provocations had not made him lose his composure.

Ye Qin was the last to enter the center of the fighting ground. The entire small island was hushed, with only the whistling wind audible. Ye Qin, Li Shu Wen, and Wu Yu Yue—three high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators: a Young Palace Master, a Third Young Master, and an obscure high-level cultivator—took their respective positions in the center of the aerial arena, each occupying a corner.

"Boy, let's see how you die!" Wu Yu Yue was infuriated. He wasn't inherently rash. He had deliberately made sarcastic remarks from the sidelines to force Ye Qin into a fight, simultaneously inciting Li Shu Wen to kill Ye Qin—a strategy to kill two birds with one stone. It would eliminate Ye Qin, the man he envied, and potentially stir up Huangpu Bing'er's anger toward Li Shu Wen, allowing him to reap the benefits later. But just now, Ye Qin’s lightly delivered, cold retort, "Why don't you both come at once?" had stared him down, forcing him onto the stage. If he refused to fight after being so blatantly disdained by an unknown cultivator, he would truly become a cowardly tortoise. Rumors would spread through Xian Que City about the Third Young Master of Jin Jia Palace being publicly slighted and failing to step forward. Wu Yu Yue immediately abandoned his plan to watch from the sidelines and chose to fight. One Li Shu Wen was already enough to deal with this brat, yet the brat arrogantly provoked him by challenging both; he would have to teach him a harsh lesson. Wu Yu Yue’s face was tight as he pointed a finger, instantly revealing the Vast Sky Sword. This was a Metal-attribute primordial spirit magical artifact. It lacked the fame of the Demon Slaying Divine Spear, but having been with him for a long time, he controlled it effortlessly, and its power should not be underestimated. The seven-zhang-long pale golden greatsword, with its broad blade, appeared incredibly steadfast. As he wielded it, to the minute observers below, it resembled a massive mountain, pressing down steadily.

Li Shu Wen’s rage burned even fiercer than Wu Yu Yue’s. He pointed the eight-zhang-long Demon Slaying Divine Spear afar. From the spear tip, a beam of vivid crimson demonic energy swirled and churned, condensing to the point of tangibility, and an aura of violent, bloodthirsty killing energy shot towards the sky. The Xing Zhu Palace cultivators within a hundred-zhang radius behind him trembled slightly and instinctively retreated. They were astonished to see their Young Palace Master genuinely angered, forcing out the demonic blood absorbed by the Demon Slaying Divine Spear over its long campaigns. Li Shu Wen roared inwardly, This is too much! Far too much! As the Young Palace Master of Xing Zhu Palace, he had been dominant in the Xian Que City area for decades. Aside from those he dared not provoke, no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator had ever dared to treat him with such utter contempt and challenge him. He was supremely confident in his strength, absolutely top-tier among Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even Huangpu Bing'er, utilizing her Ice Burst Sword Formation, could not match the combined might of him and Wu Yu Yue. Yet this brat disregarded him entirely, specifically calling out Wu Yu Yue to join forces. "He actually said my strength is insufficient... This Young Palace Master will use the Demon Slaying Divine Spear to grind you down, strike by strike! I will show you what true strength is." The enraged Young Master Li spoke through gritted teeth, his expression ferocious.

Seeing that both cultivators had deployed their magical artifacts, Ye Qin did not delay. He opened his mouth, and a purple primordial spirit magical artifact flew out: "South Bright Scorching Fire Sword." Accompanied by a light whistle, an overwhelming tide of fiery flames instantly enveloped the area within a hundred-zhang radius, within which the figure of a young man in white stood. A ten-zhang-long purple sword gleam stood silently in the sea of fire, dazzling beyond compare. The observing Foundation Establishment cultivators instantly felt their eyes light up. Though their individual strengths might not be high, they knew quality artifacts. That purple primordial spirit magical artifact was definitely of the highest top-grade. It seemed this obscure cultivator did possess considerable strength and was not weak. While challenging two at once was perhaps boastful, he should manage one-on-one combat.

With a loud shout, the three figures, gathered within a hundred-zhang radius, simultaneously charged toward the center of the fighting ground. Naturally, the two figures in dark robes, one steady as a mountain like the greatsword, and the other cloaked in golden robes stirring a tide of blood, were aiming for the white-robed figure amidst the sea of flames.

Ye Qin controlled the South Bright Scorching Fire Sword to meet the two, sneering. He opened his mouth again, and two primordial spirit magical artifacts shot out in quick succession. Under the cover of the deep crimson sea of fire, almost no one noticed the appearance of these two magical artifacts. Li Shu Wen and Wu Yu Yue, two high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators, charged into the sea of flames, flanking Ye Qin from the left and right. The Flame Crows within the sea of fire offered almost no resistance; under the joint assault of the primordial spirit magical artifacts, they dissolved instantly.

"Golden Crow Piercing Astral Sword!" "Celestial Sound Silken Tone Sword!"

Three beams of light violently collided. Within the fiery sea, a ball of incredibly dazzling golden light suddenly erupted, resembling a nascent sun, blindingly bright. This was followed by enchanting, seductive celestial music, like a heavenly symphony, shaking the minds of the onlookers and causing disorientation. The surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were watching the battle intently, suddenly saw the intensely bright golden light, which made their eyes sting, forcing them to narrow them involuntarily. The sudden celestial music unsettled their minds momentarily, leaving them dazed. They vaguely perceived shadows flickering within the golden light but could not clearly make out the battle or ascertain what had occurred. Then, the golden light receded, the celestial music faded, and the vast sea of flames dispersed.

"Hahahaha! You can die now!" In the fighting ground, Wu Yu Yue, momentarily dazed, felt his greatsword strike something as he swept past the chest of a figure ahead. He shouted in wild elation. But when he regained clarity and saw the situation before him, his face instantly froze, draining instantly of all color.

Li Shu Wen's full-force thrust with the Demon Slaying Divine Spear had been barely parried by Ye Qin using the South Bright Scorching Fire Sword. Against such a formidable primordial spirit magical artifact, Ye Qin struggled immensely to hold the line. Ye Qin stared at them both, bewildered and perplexed. Wu Yu Yue's Vast Sky Sword was currently plunged straight through Li Shu Wen's chest, piercing entirely through. The three high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators hung suspended in the air in the middle of the arena in this bizarre configuration.

Li Shu Wen looked momentarily disoriented, glanced at the stunned Ye Qin in front of him, looked down at the rent opening in his chest, and finally turned to look at Wu Yu Yue, whose face was twisted in triumphant glee, with utter disbelief. You, surname Wu, you despicable villain! How dare you ambush me! Li Shu Wen’s voice trembled. The sheer destructive power of the Vast Sky Sword’s heavy blade was terrifying, something a cultivator's physical body could not withstand. The damage he inflicted, the violent residual force, began to spread inch by inch from Li Shu Wen’s chest, racing along his internal organs, bones, blood vessels, and meridians. Finally, Li Shu Wen's physical body popped—he exploded entirely into a cloud of bloody mist.

"Wait for me! I will return!" A ball of light struggled out of the blood mist and shot toward the direction of Xian Que City, transforming into a streak of light that disappeared, its mournful, venomous scream only faintly audible from afar.