Yan Shangcheng strode toward the four, brandishing the White Bone Jade Sword, the mark on his forehead now fully manifest: "All of you must die."

"Swish, swish..." Suddenly, the White Bone Jade Sword plunged into the ground, only to erupt from the earth moments later, an endless tide of bone spewing from its tip, instantly coalescing into a swarm of skeletal warriors. "Aooo..."

Lao Liu harnessed his cultivation, mounting the Ghost Execute, intending to charge directly at Yan Shangcheng. However, the loyal skeletons immediately encircled their master: "Damn these things! If we don't kill him now, this entire island will soon be choked with skeletons."

"Worry not!" Seeing the situation, the Birdman summoned his Fire Phoenix, ascending into the sky. Above the nine heavens, fiery clouds gathered, descending as mist that instantly incinerated the bones to ash. "These skeletons are no issue, but the power of the Kuang Mai Tian Shu within him is growing step by step."

"Three Primal Needles!" Yan Shangcheng’s eyes flared, unleashing a powerful torrent of energy. Mingling with this surge, he dashed toward Ye Xiu, who held the Three Primal Needles. "Die!"

Ye Xiu raised the Sky Scorn Sword to parry. White bone longswords attacked him from all sides. Yan Shangcheng closed the distance, attempting to snatch the Heavenly Needles from his grasp. As his Emerald Eyes glowed brilliantly, although he could clearly perceive the flow of Yan Shangcheng's energy, he was still knocked several dozen feet away by the force of the blast, left dizzy and disoriented. "This guy's power is still increasing!"

"Heavenly Needles!" Yan Shangcheng’s vision narrowed to focus only on the Needles. He charged madly toward Ye Xiu's position, the very soil beneath his feet depressed into a deep trench by the force of his impact.

"Dream on!" Jun Bugu saw Ye Xiu cornered and spun his twin blades, launching himself at Yan Shangcheng. Yet, he couldn't even approach within half a step before being repelled by an inexplicable force. "Just how strong is this fellow?"

"Profound Ice!" Lao Liu slid down, using an Ice Curse to halt the skeletons that continued to crawl forward. With the Ghost Execute in hand, he sought to use its blade to siphon Yan Shangcheng’s boundless power. Even so, he was simply batted aside by a single strike from Yan Shangcheng.

"It seems his only target is the Three Primal Needles!" The Birdman flapped his wings toward Ye Xiu, attempting to use his physical form to shield Yan Shangcheng. But as Yan Shangcheng swept past, the Birdman felt like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; he was sent flying backward with a cry of pain. "Aargh..."

Ye Xiu scrambled up from the ground, sensing the threat of imminent death. His eyes suddenly lit up; the ultimate move of the Sky Scorn Sword reappeared. Just as he was about to counter Yan Shangcheng with the Luo Ying Shen Shi sword technique, a sword pierced his chest. Black blood seeped along the blade into the earth. "How...?"

"What an eerie movement." Outside the immediate fray, only Elder Tian Yuan had clearly seen Yan Shangcheng’s footwork. He raised the Heaven's Punishment Bow in his hand, unleashing a ring of green sword light that instantly struck Yan Shangcheng. "The power of the Kuang Mai Tian Shu is not something one person can stand against."

Elder Potian, seeing Elder Tian Yuan engage, revealed his own feathers. "If this continues, this entire Forbidden Isle will likely be destroyed by this monster."

"Clang... scrape..." Yan Shangcheng stood directly behind Ye Xiu, glancing sideways at the black blood weeping down his sword. "Hand over the Three Primal Needles!"

"Whoosh... swoosh..." Suddenly, the attacks from the two elders arrived. Yan Shangcheng did not move, deliberately taking the deadly blows. "Hahahaha, such attacks are only effective against my physical body!"

"Ye Xiu..." Lao Liu, Jun Bugu, and the other two watched the swift turn of events. In the center of the Forbidden Isle, Ye Xiu was now in an extremely perilous zone.

Ye Xiu watched the black blood spread down; drop by drop, the black blood transformed into deep crimson. A strange power surged toward his chest. Ignoring the wound from the sword, he spun around and drove the Sky Scorn Sword into Yan Shangcheng's chest with a gasp. "Hoo-ha..."

"Red blood." The Birdman and Lao Liu had experienced the Five-Pointed Tomb of the Buddha; they knew Ye Xiu had absorbed power from the Underworld within the Styx Sea. "Could it be...?"

"Heh, your power is truly astonishing!" Veins bulged on Yan Shangcheng's face as he glared at Ye Xiu. "The Three Primal Needles are vital to both of us. Let's see who claims them today."

Ye Xiu could no longer heed any outside words. He opened his mouth wide, staring intently at Yan Shangcheng, twisting the Sky Scorn Sword in his hand repeatedly, intending to torture Yan Shangcheng with it. "Come on, kill me!"

Yan Shangcheng felt distinct pain, but then he threw his head back and roared. An explosion of pure energy crushed more than half of the floating island beneath them. "You think you can fight the Kuang Mai Tian Shu on your own?!"

"Rumble..." The Forbidden Isle was utterly devastated. Lao Liu and his two companions were virtually unable to enter the battleground. At this moment, the entire Tianyunji Continent trembled in response. "The island is collapsing! Get out!"

"Clang! Clang!" Within the swirling mists, only the sound of clashing swords could be heard. The red-glowing blades flashed continuously as the two figures crossed paths, their forms completely obscured.

"Hoo..." A warm breeze suddenly permeated the entirety of Tianyunji. A figure in flowing white descended from the heavens, settling into the battlefield. Ethereal white mist enveloped the surroundings, bringing a sense of leisurely comfort. Only one person could be worthy of such a sacred bearing and mesmerizing eyes.

"Pfft..." Beneath the soul-stirring white mist, the figures of Ye Xiu and Yan Shangcheng gradually slowed their movements. Their violent tempers were simultaneously soothed. With one sword each, they came to rest, their blades resting loosely on the other's shoulder. The only sound across the continent was their labored breathing.

Elder Tian Yuan watched the white-robed woman’s action, unable to hide his awe. "A cultivation level that can transcend the duel of these two... how many in this Boundless Realm can achieve it?"

"Perhaps none!" Elder Potian shook his head. Faced with the upheaval in Tianyunji, they, as elders, were utterly helpless.