The sky over Qian Island was blazing with light, and beneath the falling curtain of countless grey feathers, only Yan Shangcheng remained standing alone, craning his neck with an air of absolute dominance.

"Reporting to Elder Tianyuan, a purple-haired youth has arrived on Qian Island. He... he killed every single disciple we sent to capture him." A disciple flew into the grand hall in a panic, the sheer power of Yan Shangcheng replaying in his mind—those deep, slicing blade lights seemed to cleave his very core.

"A purple-haired youth?" Elder Tianyuan, having personally experienced the Heavenly Bone Appraisal Platform, possessed a unique impression of this young man. "There was indeed such a youth during the chaos at Desolate Bone City. His strength seems rather peculiar."

Elder Liuyun, impulsive by nature, was already heading toward Qian Island: "I want to see exactly who dares to cause trouble at Tianyunji."

"Liuyun, be careful!" Elder Tianyuan couldn't allow Yan Shangcheng free rein. He instructed several elite attendants nearby to accompany Liuyun to Qian Island. "The power within this person is strange; strive to capture him alive."

"Awoo... awoo..." This was the sound of emergency distress echoing across Tianyunji—a sound rarely heard here.

The Birdman guarded the perimeter of the Forbidden Island, where Jun Bugu was imprisoned, considered the greatest enemy of the entire Sun-Blind Clan. He stood up and looked into the distance: "Has something happened up front? Has someone actually invaded Tianyunji?"

The guard chuckled faintly: "Who else could reach Tianyunji besides people from the Demon Peak Sect? Anyone ordinary who made it to Qian Island would have been subdued long ago."

"That's true. We must keep a tight watch on the fellow inside." The Birdman glanced back at the island cavern behind him, where a long, sharp implement was deeply embedded, surrounded by steel chains—the very essence of the Forbidden Island. "Could it be an accomplice of his has come to rescue him, Ye Xiu?"

The wind was sharp and cold. Yan Shangcheng stood frozen at the edge of Qian Island. The distance between this island and the islands behind was vast; with his current cultivation, bridging it was impossible. "Hoo... hah..."

"Insolent knave, daring to offend Tianyunji!" Elder Liuyun soared over, accompanied by several sharp black feather blades. These blades shot out like long threads, piercing Yan Shangcheng's four limbs and binding him tightly. "You didn't even try to dodge. Boy, don't blame me for being impolite."

Yan Shangcheng, driven by the Raging Meridian Tianshu, had long forgotten pain. His eyes were dark, staring intently at the approaching Elder Liuyun: "Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle, I demand the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle!"

"Die!" Elder Liuyun's eyes hardened, and fine barbs immediately spread from the long spikes, creeping through Yan Shangcheng's body and wounding him deeply. "You've killed so many of my disciples, and you still dare ask for more?"

Yan Shangcheng coldly took a step back, blood spraying onto the ground. At this moment, a red mark flared across his forehead, and with one downward strike, he aimed directly for Elder Liuyun's life.

"That sword technique!" Elder Liuyun, being experienced, instantly recognized it as the Heavenly Bone Sword Art. Though he dodged fiercely, several feathers were still clipped. It was a pity that his disciple behind him was dispatched by Yan Shangcheng with just this single move. "What is that red mark!"

Yan Shangcheng gave Elder Liuyun no chance, intending a second strike, but at that moment, a white vortex swept through. Elder Potian intercepted the Long Bone Sword with his tough feathers, deflecting Yan Shangcheng back. "Don't underestimate this kid; that red mark is the legendary Raging Meridian Tianshu."

"What did you say? Raging Meridian Tianshu?" Elder Liuyun had heard of such a thing, but seeing it firsthand was unbelievable. "How could something like this be on some unknown brat?"

"Heavenly Bone Killing Intent!" Yan Shangcheng didn't cease his assault. He spun, unleashing several sword strikes. Sword glows continuously washed over the surrounding crowd, resulting in another surge of severed limbs and fresh blood.

"Clang! Clang!" Elder Potian, who specialized in defensive wings, shielded himself and Elder Liuyun as they retreated into the airspace above Qian Island. "It seems the Raging Meridian Tianshu within this fellow is approaching awakening. If we don't control him soon, it will be disastrous for the entire Boundless Realm."

"With the strength of just the two of us, can we not handle him!" Elder Liuyun completely disregarded Yan Shangcheng, glaring fiercely. "This fellow slaughtered so many of our clansmen; I will not let him off easily."

At this moment, an overwhelming pressure descended from the heavens, scattering the surrounding clouds. Elder Tianyuan appeared before them, spreading his immense wings. He looked down at Yan Shangcheng and asked, "If I recall correctly, you were also a participant in the Heavenly Bone Appraisal Platform. Yan Shangcheng, is that your name?"

Yan Shangcheng coldly fixed his gaze on Tianyuan, showing little expression.

"How do you know that the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle you desire is on Tianyunji?" Elder Tianyuan pointed toward the Forbidden Island furthest away, revealing the deeper meaning behind the mechanism controlling all the chains there. "What you seek is over there, but unfortunately, you have no way to reach it."

"Kill!" Yan Shangcheng paid no heed to the nonsense. He roared and used the island's momentum to launch himself upward, his sword strike aimed directly at the three Sun-Blind Clan elders. "I must have the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle!"

Elder Tianyuan stepped back, revealing the jade-green Heavenly Punishment Arc Bow hovering in the air. He drew his left hand back, causing a massive arrow to spontaneously form. He shouted, and the green arrow, trailing a powerful current of air, shot down toward Yan Shangcheng's position.

"Rumble!" A cloud of mist exploded amidst the wind and clouds. Beyond the mist, Yan Shangcheng, baring his teeth, had already closed the distance to the three elders. He slashed wildly with his sword, striking Elder Liuyun first.

"Clang!" Elder Potian's wings were tough, but he could only block the attack for himself and Elder Tianyuan. As a result, Elder Liuyun was lightly claimed by Yan Shangcheng's sharp sword. "Liuyun, alas..."

Having secured his first successful strike, Yan Shangcheng firmly dragged Elder Liuyun down onto Qian Island. Controlled by the Raging Meridian Tianshu, he wasn't entirely reduced to a beast; though his sword pierced Liuyun's body, he didn't immediately take his life. "Tell me quickly where the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle is, or this old man dies!"

"Wait!" Elder Tianyuan extended a hand, halting Yan Shangcheng. "If you promise not to harm anyone else, I guarantee I will hand the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle to you."

"Whoosh! Ah!" Yan Shangcheng pulled his sword from Liuyun's body, causing Liuyun to scream, nearly fainting. "Don't... ah..."

Elder Potian seemed somewhat excited by Liuyun's distress. He leaned close to Tianyuan and said cautiously, "This person's consciousness is unclear. Making principled trades with him will likely yield no good results."

"I will have him take you to the Forbidden Island. Your disciple should be there. Mobilizing the Spirit Eagle on him should temporarily subdue this fellow," Elder Tianyuan had made up his mind, deciding to shift the battlefield to the Forbidden Island. "Yan Shangcheng, you saw the deepest island over there. Elder Liuyun can take you, provided that you..."

"Take me there!" Yan Shangcheng didn't think too much. He licked his lips, and his sword, like polished jade bone, pierced Elder Liuyun's body once more. "I can't wait that long."

Elder Liuyun sweated profusely from the pain. Watching Elder Tianyuan's signals, he spread his wings and laboriously ferried Yan Shangcheng between the islands. "The massive pillar on the Forbidden Island is the legendary Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle, but whether it still possesses the power of the Heavenly Needle, I..."

Yan Shangcheng fiercely tightened his grip around Elder Liuyun's neck, silencing his final sentence. The space above the clouds was filled with endless turbulence. He calculated that he could leap and glide toward the Forbidden Island when he drove his sword deep into Elder Liuyun's heart. "Useless things. The Sun-Blind Clan is nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings."

"Who goes there!" The Birdman had already sensed the killing intent rushing from the sky. Elder Liuyun's falling body ignited his hatred. He waved his attendants back. "You go inside and guard that Jun Bugu kid. Leave this to me!"

Yan Shangcheng floated lightly onto the Forbidden Island. This island held only a single dark prison cavern, crisscrossed by countless moldy chains. These chains appeared to lock the entire cavern but were held fast in place by a single colossal Heavenly Pillar. "This is the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle!"

"Feather Blade!" The Birdman did not speak further; he activated his Heavenly Eye. His speed and cultivation reached their peak. A slight breeze swept past, slicing endless bloody gashes across Yan Shangcheng's face.

"Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle!" Yan Shangcheng drew the Life-Preserving Heavenly Needle and the Fate-Reversing Heavenly Needle from his person. At that moment, warm light flooded out, and all the chains on the Forbidden Island vibrated heavily. "Hahahaha, hahahaha!"

Elder Potian and Elder Tianyuan arrived shortly after, both stunned by the sudden turn of events. "Elder, is the Heavenly Pillar on the Forbidden Island truly the legendary Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle?"

"The Three Primal Needles originated from the unknown; they were three Heavenly Pillars when they descended upon the Boundless Realm!" Elder Tianyuan, with his profound seniority, explained step-by-step. "At the inception of the Boundless Realm, the three Heavenly Pillars established the world, each suppressing a different calamity. Later, the Heavenly Pillars were absorbed by artificial means, forming the Heavenly Needles. Only the Life-Reaping Heavenly Needle, situated on Tianyunji, has remained in its original form."

"Crackling..." At this moment, the entire Forbidden Island began to shake violently. Stones from the cavern above rolled down. The once grand prison island instantly flattened into a single piece of ground. The towering Heavenly Pillar, summoned by the two Heavenly Needles, reverted to its smaller, delicate form.

"Yee-ah!" During the chaos on the Forbidden Island, Jun Bugu actually seized the opportunity to escape. He immediately snatched the Heaven-Slaying Blade and Earth-Slaying Blade from the attendant and stood upon the flattened earth. "I thought someone was coming to rescue me; turns out it was just you two freaks having a duel!"