Xu Xian had diligently practiced swordplay for nearly ten years, often receiving precise theoretical insights from Ye Wen, that walking encyclopedia. Consequently, his swordsmanship had long since reached a state of mastery; using sword techniques was second nature to him. He could execute an entire sword form after observing it just once, often surpassing its original power in the process.

This current barrage of fast sword attacks bore some resemblance to the Thirteen Forms of the Ever-Changing Cloud Mist, and hinted at the Wild Geese Descending to Return Wind sword style. Yet, it also interwoven moves from the Deadly Consecutive Three Immortals Sword and the Quanzhen sword arts. Furthermore, the strikes aimed at the elder's flanks incorporated the essence of the Finger-Circling Soft Sword, specifically the technique of using internal force to subtly bend the blade's edge.

But to Xu Xian’s eyes, none of these forms held any distinct significance; they were merely sword movements. Their sole objective was to bring the old man before him crashing down.

Seeing the shimmering sword light closing in, the elder showed no panic. Instead, he let out a dry chuckle: "Young man, when Pei Gonglie ascended to your Shushan Sect and met his end among your disciples, I presume you must have walked the path he did. Today, I shall take your life first, and then settle scores with Ye Wen!"

Just moments ago, Ye Wen had displayed his marvelous technique of commanding seven swords. The elder dared not underestimate Ye Wen, who had repeatedly stood against the Demonic Cult. However, concerning Xu Xian, the elder merely regarded him as a young man with some skill.

Yet, the elder certainly possessed the foundation for his arrogance. With a sudden tremor, potent surges of qi erupted from him like fierce flames. This scorching, overwhelming energy scattered much of Xu Xian’s sword aura, dissipating many incoming strikes before they could even reach him.

"Hmm?"

The elder fully expected to blast Xu Xian backward with that burst, but to his surprise, although the majority of Xu Xian's sword moves were broken, the longsword in the young man's hand remained surging with sword energy, thrusting directly towards him.

"Interesting!"

His right palm shook, instantly turning crimson. The elder then threw a punch, daring to meet Xu Xian's longsword head-on with his bare fist.

If not for witnessing the elder's terrifying level of power, onlookers might have deemed the old man foolish for such a reckless action. But the reality was that Xu Xian's sword tip struck the elder's fist, and immediately, an intensely formidable fire force surged along the blade straight into Xu Xian's meridians. Caught completely off guard, Xu Xian was violently thrown backward by this fiery force.

Fortunately, his lightness skill was peerless; even being struck by the blast of energy did not disrupt his balance, and he landed lightly on the ground. However, the massive wave of fire energy that penetrated his body left Xu Xian utterly astonished: "Crimson Sun Fire Force?"

"A quick reaction!" The elder's right fist was wreathed in circulating qi, resembling a ball of searing, blazing fire. Standing firm, he flicked his right hand up, the qi concentrating in his palm like a fiercely burning flame.

"Old ghost still putting on airs? Do you think you are Cao Yong?"

Hearing Xu Xian's sharp exclamation, Ye Wen turned to see the elder still striking poses, a satisfied grin plastered across his face. "The son of the old man died in your Shushan Sect. Today, I shall have your entire sect pay for my son's life. I imagine none of you will find my terms too unreasonable!"

At these words, everyone present finally understood that this elder was the father of the Divine Lord of the Crimson Sun, which explained his mastery of the Crimson Sun quick force.

"No... That's the Crimson Sun Divine Fire Art!"

Ye Wen had initially assumed the elder practiced the Crimson Sun Fire Force, but upon further reflection on the difference between the Divine Lord and this elder, he recalled that when the Divine Lord attacked, although his qi swirled around him like fire, the energy was visibly red. However, the mass in the elder's hand, though clearly formed of qi, appeared indistinguishable from true fire upon sight—it was undoubtedly something far superior to the Crimson Sun Fire Force.

In that case, the elder’s cultivation was clear: mastering the Crimson Sun Fire Force to its apex resulted in the Crimson Sun Divine Fire Art. The Divine Lord had failed to achieve it, but that didn't mean his father had.

"Hmm? Headmaster Ye shows great insight to recognize my Crimson Sun Divine Fire Art!" The elder exerted force on his palm, reshaping it back into a fist. The fire energy in his fist dissipated as he squeezed it, but residual power sprayed out from the gaps between his fingers. This technique certainly possessed a stunning visual flair.

"I am Pei Shiyuan, the Fire Emissary among the Five Emissaries of the Holy Cult!"

"I'm the Earth Emissary!" Before the elder could finish his boastful pose, the girl in yellow suddenly leaped forward, pointing at herself and chirping cheerfully, "I'm called Xuanxuan!"

With that, ignoring the interrupted Pei Shiyuan, she swung her twin hammers, producing an arresting clang. "Your technique is quite interesting, but you nearly ruined my hammers! I won't stand for it. Today, I'll show you what happens!"

Before her words fully faded, she had already lunged forward, her twin hammers sweeping through the air with a powerful whoosh, aimed directly at Ye Wen’s head.

Although uncertain of the girl's true strength, the sheer momentum of the hammers alone indicated formidable power. Seeing this, Ye Wen instantly shifted his intent, and four of the purple swords that had been repelled sped back from the sides, striking directly toward Xuanxuan’s waist.

Unexpectedly, the girl neither dodged nor evaded. A grating, screeching sound echoed as the four purple swords impacted her waist, unable to penetrate further, while continually flashing with earthy yellow light. Only then did Ye Wen realize that the girl was encased in such robust protective qi that his flying swords were utterly ineffective.

In that brief moment, the two pumpkin-shaped hammers smashed down toward Ye Wen's head. A sharp cry of "Ah!" escaped the little girl as the hammers descended. Unfortunately, while the maneuver possessed staggering potential force, its speed was too sluggish. Ye Wen had time to leisurely examine the hua wen (engravings) on the hammers before leaping backward, watching the pair of hammers whistle past him.

Thump!

A dull, heavy impact followed by a massive cloud of dust. Ye Wen had not anticipated this outcome and choked on the swirling dirt. When the dust settled, he saw the little girl standing before a gaping crater, holding her pumpkin hammers, her mouth puffed out as she glared: "How could you dodge?"

"..."

Ye Wen glanced at the half-meter-deep hole, a bead of sweat tracing a path down his temple. "If I hadn't dodged, would I be a pancake now? This little girl doesn't look big, but how is her strength so terrifying?"

Just then, the lead disciple of the Jade Cave Sect suddenly shouted, "Headmaster Ye, be careful! This girl practices the Primal Earth Great Strength Physique! Not only is her defensive qi incredibly tough, making blades and swords useless, but practitioners also gain limitless physical power, making them hard to counter!"

"Damn it, you only tell me now that the fight has started! Couldn't you have spotted that earlier?" Ye Wen cursed inwardly, trying to figure out how to counter the Primal Earth Great Strength Physique. Unfortunately, his opponent gave him no time to contemplate. The girl named Xuanxuan raised her twin hammers again, shouted a loud "Ah!", and charged forward, still wielding the massive hammers.

Seeing this, Ye Wen prepared to evade, but before he could gather his strength, he sensed someone approaching from behind. This person moved silently; when the palm struck, it was almost impossible to detect the qi within the blow. Had Ye Wen not maintained his aura field, he would surely have fallen for the trap.

At this moment, the Shushan disciples also cried out, "Be careful!"

However, the assailant was faster than their warning. Yan Miao brought forth a mass of unsettlingly calm, blue, wave-like qi in his hand, a triumphant smirk spreading across his face. He was certain his sneak attack would claim Ye Wen's life.

But as his palm shot out, Ye Wen suddenly twisted, causing the strike to miss entirely. Simultaneously, Ye Wen hooked his hand around Yan Miao's arm, sending the unretracted blow pushing uncontrollably forward. If that were all, Yan Miao might not have lost control, but Ye Wen used the momentum of the twist to pivot behind him, then swung his arm around, delivering a hard strike to Yan Miao's back. Yan Miao could no longer control his body; the palm strike continued straight toward the charging Xuanxuan.

"Earth Emissary, don't bring those hammers down!"

Seeing Xuanxuan rush toward him, Yan Miao's face turned the color of clay in terror. He shouted frantically, yet he made no move to retract his power, only watching as his palm connected squarely with Xuanxuan's torso.

Everyone watched as Yan Miao’s strike hit Xuanxuan's stomach, but it produced absolutely no sound, nor did anything appear to happen. Xuanxuan merely blinked, held up her hammers, and said, "If you hit me again next time, I'll smash you to death!"

Yan Miao steadied himself and immediately withdrew his palm, wiping sweat from his brow. "No... never!"

"Why didn't you retract your force just now?"

"I knew Miss Xuanxuan's protective qi was strong; she definitely wouldn't be hurt by my strike!" Yan Miao felt the sweat on his forehead flowing faster, especially as those twin hammers swung near his head, threatening to descend at any moment.

Xuanxuan sneered dismissively, "Don't think I'm a fool! I'll let you off for now, but I'll settle accounts with you later!"

Saying that, she turned back to face Ye Wen. This time, she did not charge with her hammers, realizing that this method might not bring down Ye Wen even if she fought all day and night.

Turning back, she saw the old man was still posturing. Xuanxuan immediately called out, "Old Master, are you done yet? Hurry up and come help me!"

"Oh, oh, coming, coming!"

Pei Shiyuan muttered as he ambled over, not even sparing a glance for Xu Xian.

Ye Wen expected Xu Xian to seize the moment and strike the old man, but instead, Xu Xian stood motionless at a distance, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong?" Although they weren't extremely close, they weren't far apart. Ye Wen asked while keeping an eye on the trio, simultaneously sending a mental message to Ning Ruxue and Hua Yi behind him: "I'll keep these three occupied; you two rescue Junior Brother!"

The two women offered no verbal reply, but Ye Wen understood they were ready. Without further words, he merely gestured with his hand; with a twist and a tremor, the seven purple swords stood proudly in the air, arranging themselves into a formation.

"Is that... the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation?"

The Jade Cave Sect disciples couldn't discern the pattern, only seeing the majestic sight of seven purple swords hovering in the air, encircling the three opponents. But the Shushan disciples recognized the placement of the swords immediately and understood the technique their Headmaster was employing.

The True Martial Seven Intercept Formation could be arrayed by up to seven people. When fully deployed by seven, it could contend with nearly a hundred masters of the same level—a truly formidable array known for its complex variations.

For Ye Wen to deploy this formation alone was sheer fantasy. If 'left-hand-right-hand' technique meant dividing one's focus, then commanding flying swords to form the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation alone meant dividing one's focus into seven separate streams.

Ye Wen didn't know if one person could truly divide their mind seven ways, but he certainly didn't wish to become one of those tragic figures who started with a protagonist template only to devolve into a demon lord template due to mental schism.

Thus, his True Martial Seven Intercept Formation was not the genuine article. However, deploying it with flying swords offered an advantage: there was no need to worry about defensive maneuvers. The seven purple swords could unleash