The Demon Empress swept her long sleeves toward the grand hall. "It seems the various clans of the Nether Realm have all received Kill-Ruler's summons for surrender. The Bone Sect of Desolate Bone City should be making a move soon." "Reporting to the Demon Empress, the Blade...

the Desolate Heaven Blade... was..." Suddenly, a group of guards, heavily wounded, burst from the back hall, kneeling at the Demon Empress's feet. "The Desolate Heaven Blade was taken by that fellow!" "What!" The Demon Empress's eyes flashed with inviolable majesty.

She spoke sharply, "Explain clearly, who took the Desolate Heaven Blade?" Blood trickled from the guard's mouth as he gestured frantically toward Ye Xiu. "The one who came with him, that monster, took the Desolate Heaven Blade." "Hmm!" The Demon Empress looked down at Ye Xiu. She vaguely recalled the youth dressed in plain red robes.

"Is that person your friend?" Ye Xiu glanced around. Only a few members of the Insect Demon Sect had followed the guards in. "Could it be Jun Bugu?

Has the other entity inside him emerged?" Ah Bi, who had long suspected Ye Xiu, whipped her long lash down, striking the ground near his feet. "Hmph, you are clearly one of them, feinting to distract the Demon Empress. Hand over the Desolate Heaven Blade now." "Hall Master Ye!" Zhu Ji and Snake Beauty coiled forward, shielding Ye Xiu.

"The Fox Demon Palace wants to bully us with numbers, but we are not afraid!" "Insolence!" The Demon Empress raised both hands, unleashing her magic power to push everyone back. She stared slowly at Ye Xiu. "The Desolate Heaven Blade is a necessary component for forging the Absolute Blade, and the Absolute Blade is essential for constructing the Heavenly Sword Absolute Blade, the legendary weapon of the Nether Realm.

With Kill-Ruler having entered the realm, this Heavenly Sword Absolute Blade can be considered the hope of the entire Nether Realm. Your friend..." Ye Xiu had spent some time with Jun Bugu. This fellow had a dual personality: one capricious and childish, the other savage and bloodthirsty.

Stealing the Desolate Heaven Blade was purely out of curiosity, not any desire for wickedness. "Demon Empress, please rest assured. My friend behaves strangely; I will certainly find him and return the Desolate Heaven Blade." "Nonsense!

They are clearly birds of a feather," Ah Bi said, her silken movements flowing as she lashed out, aiming to strike Ye Xiu. Ye Xiu flipped over and gripped her whip with one palm. "Demon Empress, do not trust this fellow.

His identity is clearly problematic." The Demon Empress remained unperturbed, surprisingly composed. "With a great enemy approaching, the three divine artifacts—the Absolute Heaven Blade, the Desolate Heaven Blade, and the Celestial Gate—wherever they reside, represent the hope of the Nether Realm. Kill-Ruler's arrival means whoever holds absolute power will become his primary target.

It might not be a good thing." Ye Xiu agreed with the Demon Empress's words. It seemed greater ability meant greater responsibility. The Heavenly Sword Absolute Blade was a legend to the inhabitants of the Nether Realm, and whether this legend would forge a new glory in the face of Kill-Ruler remained unknown.

"Demon Empress, please rest assured. Jun Bugu should not have gone far. I will go look for him now." "Hall Master Ye, please proceed." To the Demon Empress, the Desolate Heaven Blade was a minor issue.

She waved, signaling Ah Bi to clear a path, and commanded, "Ah Bi, prepare immediately. I must go to Desolate Bone City to pay my respects to Sect Master Jiaye." "But, but..." Ah Bi refused to let Ye Xiu go, stamping her foot in frustration as the Demon Empress gave her orders. "This fellow..." Ye Xiu had never encountered a woman who would spar with him so persistently.

He tightly pulled the long whip in his hand, yanking Ah Bi toward him until their faces were nearly touching. "Miss Ah Bi, you truly aren't very attractive when you're angry." "Hmph!" Ah Bi turned her head away, knowing Ye Xiu was deliberately provoking her but helpless to do anything. "We'll see about this." Ye Xiu had intended to bid farewell to Qi'er, but the girl had vanished without a trace by then.

Assuming she had finally accepted the fact of acknowledging the Demon Empress, he gathered the Insect Demon Sect members and left the Fox Demon Palace directly, once again slipping into the wilderness forest. "Hall Master Ye, your injuries are severe. Should you not return to the Insect Demon Sect to recuperate?" Zhu Ji looked at the wounds on Ye Xiu's arm with distress.

"The lives of your subordinates are entirely owed to Hall Master Ye's rescue. If you hadn't blocked those few blows for us, Zhu Ji and the others would likely not be here now." "Enough, if you must thank someone, thank Ant Great!" Ye Xiu waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the matter. A thought struck him: Jun Bugu was certainly not the sort to sneak or play petty tricks.

"You all return to the Insect Demon Sect first and report to the Drought Demon Insect Emperor. I have urgent matters to attend to." "But..." Snake Beauty was reluctant for Ye Xiu to act alone. She hugged him tightly, pouting playfully.

"Hall Master Ye, you aren't coming back with us?" Ye Xiu shivered slightly at the sight of Snake Beauty's flirtatious display. He didn't wish to say more, moving swiftly until he disappeared before the group. "Tell the Drought Demon Insect Emperor for me that I have gone in search of the Myriad Poison Stone.

Hurry back." ... "Hahahaha, Absolute Heaven Blade, Desolate Heaven Blade!" In the chaotic woods, a man laughed loudly. Jun Bugu brandished the two blades in his hands, wielding them until dust and stones flew, annihilating everything.

Wherever the blade shadows passed, the wind left no trace, and the person showed no mercy. "Truly legendary blades, but how does one forge the Absolute Blade?" "Kill!" Suddenly, dozens of ferocious beasts charged out of the woods. They shouted battle cries toward the blades, yet their limbs remained pressed to the ground.

At that moment, claws and blades were poised to kill Jun Bugu. "Excellent! I thought I was only retrieving the Absolute Heaven Blade, but I unexpectedly gained the Desolate Heaven Blade!" "Gained?" Jun Bugu had long sensed the danger around him.

His eyes shifted, and his hands spun the twin blades rapidly. Above, figures and blade-shadows flickered, leaving behind only a sea of crimson light. "Do the Beast Sect even qualify to possess such divine artifacts?" "Pfft..." Of the dozens of figures, only one remained.

This individual saw Jun Bugu slaughter his companions with a single move; he was fast but had an arm severed. "Who exactly are you? Your cultivation is so strange." Jun Bugu floated gently to the ground.

Autumn maple leaves began to spread toward the Beast Sect member. "I don't know who I am, but I know you are a dead man." "Clang, clang, clang..." Suddenly, the wind and sand rose again. The sharp edges of the maple leaves, as they approached the path of the Beast Sect member, were inexplicably blocked.

A hawk's cry echoed from the high heavens, and a dark figure plummeted to the ground. This fellow wore tight, plain robes, and his eyes were covered by a black blindfold. Who else could it be but Bird-Man Lin Jingyu?

The beastman thought he was surely finished, but instead, he was saved by a member of the Sun-Blind Clan. Blaming the shallow ties between the Sun-Blind Clan and the Beast Sect, he seized the opportunity to flee the woods. "Sun-Blind Clan?" Jun Bugu was slightly astonished that his maple leaves had been repelled by what felt like an arrow.

He curled his lips into a wild grin. "Hahahaha, I didn't expect a master to deliver himself to my door today. You shall be the perfect offering to consecrate my blades with blood." The Bird-Man turned his head.

His form was more agile than before. Knowing the strength of this person, he dared not be careless. "Did Tian Yueshan of the Sun-Blind Clan die by your hand?" Jun Bugu lifted both blades, resting them on his shoulders, and spoke arrogantly, "Countless people have died by my hand.

How would I know who Tian Yueshan is!" "In that case, I request you accompany me to Heavenly Cloud Machine," the Bird-Man commanded, spreading his pure black wings, summoning violent winds that swept up the swirling sand and flying leaves, sharp as blades. "Please." "Aha!" Jun Bugu's heart leaped with joy upon sensing the Bird-Man's strength. He swept his twin blades, shrouding the forest in maple leaves.

"It's been a long time since I met such a formidable opponent. This is interesting." "Whoosh..." The Bird-Man's wings shot out several long spikes, direct and powerful, aiming to trap Jun Bugu. Jun Bugu's form rapidly dissolved into red light, instantly appearing behind the Bird-Man.

He brought a blade down, but the Bird-Man's wing blocked it firmly. "How can the Wings of the Spirit Eagle be broken by one person with two blades?" "Yah ha!" Seeing his attack unsuccessful, Jun Bugu jumped up, rolling several times to gather the power of his twin blades. However, the Bird-Man's wings were transformed from the divine beast Fire Phoenix; ordinary blades were useless against them.

"Looks like I need to find a way to forge the Absolute Blade before I try again." The Bird-Man flew high, widening the distance between himself and Jun Bugu. As he turned, he leaped to the ground, and the Spirit Eagle soared high into the nine heavens. "Spirit Eagle, Fire Phoenix!" This was the first time Jun Bugu had witnessed the power of a divine beast and a cold sweat broke out.

His blue-green eyes lit up, and he dropped the twin blades, summoning a blood sword in his hand. "What a magnificent Fire Phoenix! Let me test its power." "Chirp..." The Fire Phoenix cried out long in the sky and descended in a torrent of flames.

Its coordination with the Bird-Man was flawless, striking Jun Bugu from above and below. "Blood Maple Autumn Separation!" Jun Bugu unleashed his ultimate move. In an instant, the entire scene transformed into a territory of blood and fire.

"You want me to come with you? One Fire Phoenix isn't enough!" "Rumble... crackle..." A tremendous sound erupted from the sky and the earth, sending shockwaves that terrified ghosts and gods.

The sea of blood met the flames, incinerating the entire forest. "Sizzle..." As Jun Bugu landed, a scorched mark appeared on his cheek. He looked back into the distance, sweat pouring from his brow.

"I never thought a mere member of the Sun-Blind Clan could injure me." The final confrontation between the Bird-Man and Jun Bugu left both heavily wounded. The divine beast Phoenix, despite its supreme power, also plummeted to the earth. "To actually contend with the Fire Phoenix!

Who exactly are you!" "Contend!" Jun Bugu's eyes flashed again, his strength suddenly surging. With the blood sword in hand, he blurred forward. "Die!" The Bird-Man thought this person's power had peaked, but Jun Bugu was unfathomably deep.

At that instant, the blood sword lunged for his throat—neither he nor the Spirit Eagle could evade it! "Clang!" With a mighty crash, the Nine Dragons Black Flame manifested, piercing the earth and blasting the surface skin into the air. Amidst the dust and sand, Ye Xiu unleashed his divine sense, instantly blocking Jun Bugu's vicious blood sword.

"Jun Bugu, what are you doing!" "Ye Xiu!" The Bird-Man recognized Ye Xiu with immense familiarity, but with the great enemy present, he seized the moment, summoning the Spirit Eagle to rise. The Phoenix flame was about to engulf Jun Bugu. "Ye Xiu, you're here!" At this critical juncture, Jun Bugu's voice abruptly changed.

A gentle look appeared in his eyes, transforming him into that innocent, cute fellow. "Ye Xiu, what are you doing? Sparring with me?" Ye Xiu unleashed the Black Flame from both hands again, trying to hold back the Phoenix flame, but the Spirit Eagle's attack intensified, impossible to stop.

He could only lunge toward Jun Bugu to shield him from the blow. "Watch out! Go!" "Shattered Blade!" The Bird-Man halted abruptly, using his own power to restrain the Spirit Eagle.

He stared at Ye Xiu in astonishment and roared, "Ye Xiu, why are you protecting this guy?" "What are you all doing?" Ye Xiu sighed deeply, climbing up from the ground. He felt the warmth of meeting an old acquaintance, but more so, a sense of bewilderment. "Long time no see.

I didn't expect our reunion to start with clashing blades." Jun Bugu patted Ye Xiu inexplicably and laughed. "What's going on? Aren't we still at the Fox Demon Palace?

Did that other guy come out?" The Bird-Man had urgent business and couldn't linger to exchange pleasantries with Ye Xiu. "The entire Heavenly Cloud Machine is looking for him. What is your relationship with him?" "Looking for me?

What relationship do I have with the Sun-Blind Clan?" Jun Bugu picked up his twin blades, playing with them, showing no regard for the Bird-Man. Ye Xiu was equally baffled. He asked the Bird-Man, "This is Jun Bugu, he's somewhat a friend of mine.

What deep-seated hatred exists between you two that you resort to ultimate moves?" "He killed Tian Yueshan. I am merely ordered to bring the murderer back to Heavenly Cloud Machine!" The Bird-Man's words were harsh, his blindfold concealing clear eyes. "My old acquaintance, we can talk later.

I must apprehend him now."