He descended slowly, Ye Wen’s gaze fixed entirely on Zhang Sanfeng, the old Daoist glancing back at the Earthly Fiend Daoist before his attention flickered toward Tiangangzi.

Tiangangzi had already been in dire straits, counting on his junior brother to rescue him, but alas, his brother was barely keeping afloat himself. It was only thanks to the timely arrival of Yiyangzi from the Mount Hua Sect that he was saved; Yiyangzi deployed his magical artifact, the Heaven-Penetrating Divine Fire Pillar, successfully intercepting Xu Xian and preserving his life.

However, the sword strike Xu Xian unleashed caused the artifact to tremble violently, much to Yiyangzi’s astonishment. What surprised him especially was the surge of pure Yang energy contained within that single strike, which bore a striking resemblance to the Yang energy he himself cultivated.

The Mount Hua Sect’s techniques revolved around nurturing Qi; what kind of Qi one cultivated varied greatly depending on the practitioner. For instance, Zhang Jiyu cultivated Righteousness and Integrity, while this Mount Hua Sect Master nurtured pure Yang energy.

Though it was merely Yang energy, it possessed many subtle variations.

Purity, rigidity, and heat were just a few manifestations of Yang energy. Furthermore, if cultivated to its extreme, Yang could give birth to Yin, leading to far more complex and unpredictable transformations.

Although Yiyangzi had not reached that apex, his mastery was sufficient to earn the reverence of many. At least in the path of Yang, few could even approach his level, much less match him.

Yet today, he encountered someone in the Shu Mountain Sect whose cultivation path, while rooted in pure Yang, was undoubtedly related to his own. Thus, as he observed, a definite curiosity flickered in his eyes.

“Young man, this pure Yang cultivation is quite remarkable! But it seems you have recently switched to a different technique? I sense more Bagua variations added!” Yiyangzi began. Xu Xian was greatly startled; he hadn't expected his true depth to be revealed after just one exchange: “Senior has keen eyes!” He had originally practiced the Boundless Pure Yang Art, later switching to the Supreme Pure Yang Art. The Qi from his Boundless Art had already been completely converted into the Qi of the Supreme Art, effectively rendering the former obsolete. Yet, since both techniques possessed formidable power, and he needed the Supreme Art to heal internal injuries, he hadn't paid it much mind.

Subsequently, he had only nurtured the true Qi of the Supreme Pure Yang Art until Ye Wen presented him with the Innate Qiankun Art, causing a shift in the techniques within his body.

This change, however, was neither complex nor obvious. Unless he activated the Qiankun Art, the resulting true Qi remained largely indistinguishable from the Supreme Pure Yang Art, making the alteration nearly undetectable to outsiders.

Unexpectedly, Yiyangzi spotted it immediately; truly worthy of being the Mount Hua Sect Master.

In the time it took for this exchange, Tiangangzi was already shielded behind Yiyangzi, while numerous disciples from Wudang and Mount Hua arrived to tend to the wounded disciples of Kunlun.

Tiangangzi looked around, “Finally feeling a bit relieved, he cupped his hands toward Yiyangzi before him: “This time, we owe our thanks to the True Man for the rescue. Otherwise, our Kunlun Sect would have been annihilated by these fiends!”

Yiyangzi frowned slightly, yet answered, “This was anticipated by True Man Zhang; he predicted your probable action and surmised your sect might face trouble, which is why he summoned this Daoist and disciples from both sects to provide support.” In this era, Zhang Sanfeng stood at a distance opposite Ye Wen. After watching the group including Tomi leap behind Ye Wen, he turned to Ye Wen and spoke: “Sect Master Ye!”

“True Man Zhang, please speak plainly!”

Zhang Sanfeng chuckled lightly: “Sect Master Ye, this time…” …wasn't that going too far?” Ye Wen raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed by Zhang Sanfeng’s remark: “What do you mean?” Seeing Ye Wen’s expression, the old Daoist knew Ye Wen hadn't grasped his meaning: “Sect Master Ye’s destruction of the Emei Sect back then had some justification, perhaps. But this Qingcheng Sect… what enmity does it hold with your sect?” Ye Wen paused, then understood—this entire affair related back to the Qingcheng Sect: “Yu Shuang of the Qingcheng Sect attacked me using the Seven Arrows Book of Nails. Am I not entitled to revenge?” At these words, not only Zhang Sanfeng, but Yiyangzi and Tiangangzi were stunned. Yiyangzi was particularly shocked: “Yu Shuang possessed the Seven Arrows Book of Nails?” Tiangangzi refused to believe it, stating only: “If Yu Shuang truly had the Seven Arrows Book of Nails, would Sect Master Ye still be standing here? I suspect this is merely idle talk meant to obscure his wicked deeds!”

Ye Wen glanced at Tiangangzi, then continued: “If it were the complete version of the Seven Arrows Book of Nails, this Ye would indeed be unable to contend with it. However, what Yu Shuang held was…”

“A damaged copy?” Zhang Sanfeng instantly grasped the truth. He was astounded that Yu Shuang knew such a technique as the Seven Arrows Book of Nails: “Sect Master Ye, are you certain?” Ye Wen spread his hands: “I have said what I needed to say. Whether you believe it or not is your concern!”

Seeing Ye Wen’s demeanor, the others realized the Sect Master would elaborate no further on this matter. Nevertheless, Zhang Sanfeng remained curious: “Why would Yu Shuang use the Seven Arrows Book of Nails against you?” While the Qingcheng Sect and the Shu Mountain Sect certainly had disputes over territorial interests in Shu, resorting to the Seven Arrows Book of Nails seemed extreme. Moreover, how could Ye Wen be so sure that Yu Shuang was the one who employed the technique?

Seeing Zhang Sanfeng still harboring doubt, Ye Wen could only recount the incident in broad strokes, especially concerning the Ancestor of Jade Blood: “The Ancestor of Jade Blood was nominally a traitor of Qingcheng, but for the past few centuries, he had continuously served the Qingcheng Sect, and Qingcheng had consistently provided him with convenience. When I killed the Ancestor of Jade Blood, Yu Shuang was naturally enraged, which is why she resorted to the Seven Arrows Book of Nails!” Only then did the assembled company understand this crucial development. By this account, Ye Wen had sufficient reason to kill Yu Shuang; after all, most people present would likely have done the same under such circumstances. Consequently, the moment she died, the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, which had been hanging over their heads, became ownerless. It spun rapidly before falling, only to be instantly enveloped by four divine lights wielded by Huayi, who brought it back into her grasp.

All this transpired in a mere moment. Zhang Sanfeng was still contemplating whether to intervene subtly to allow Tiangangzi to escape—but in that moment of thought, Tiangangzi was already dead.

Reflecting on it, he saw no need to save the man. Moreover, the Kunlun Sect had secretly harbored ill intentions toward his Wudang Sect; thus, his death was perhaps for the best. It was only a pity about the Earthly Fiend Daoist, who shared a certain unspoken connection with his Wudang Sect. If he could have been saved, Zhang Sanfeng might have installed him as the new Kunlun Sect Master, effectively placing Wudang as the de facto leader of the cultivation world.

But now, it seemed moot. With the Emei Sect annihilated, the experts of the Qingcheng Sect gone, and the Kunlun Sect effectively decimated by the Shu Mountain Sect, only Wudang, Mount Hua, and a scattering of minor factions remained in the cultivation world.

The sole complication appeared to be the Shu Mountain Sect itself…

Ye Wen noticed Zhang Sanfeng repeatedly glancing his way and instantly discerned the Wudang Patriarch’s thoughts: “Is the True Man considering whether to eliminate this great demon of mine?” Zhang Sanfeng, caught in his scheming, showed no annoyance, merely chuckling before looking Ye Wen up and down: “I was thinking along those lines, yes, but now I find it unnecessary!” He added: “Besides, Sect Master Ye’s current power is no longer beneath this old Daoist’s. I am not confident I could win against you!” At these words, the disciples of both Wudang and Mount Hua looked utterly disbelieving. Zhang Sanfeng had always been an invincible figure in their eyes—yet today, he spoke such words.

Although Ye Wen’s strength was terrifying, dispatching the Kunlun Sect to near collapse in a single move, everyone understood that if Ye Wen had intended to kill Tiangangzi, it would have been as simple as lifting a finger.

Ye Wen hadn't expected Zhang Sanfeng to be so direct, causing him a slight moment of surprise.

Zhang Sanfeng continued: “Actually, Sect Master Ye and us have no fundamental conflict. It’s just that Sect Master Ye’s methods are a shade too ruthless…”

In the cultivation world, generally, practitioners kept to their own affairs; even when conflicts arose between sects, they were rarely brought into the open. Thus, over several centuries, despite numerous underlying tensions, the surface remained amicable.

But with Ye Wen’s emergence, three sects were directly eliminated. This manner of action instilled fear in countless people. Zhang Sanfeng worried that his Wudang Sect might be next.

Even knowing that those sects brought about their own demise to some extent, who could guarantee that no foolish, undisciplined Wudang disciple would cause trouble for the Shu Mountain Sect? For now, Zhang Sanfeng provided protection, but what about the future?

He certainly did not wish for his meticulously built Wudang Sect to vanish into smoke after his ascension or death. Following these recent events, he harbored significant apprehension toward the Shu Mountain Sect.

Had Ye Wen’s cultivation progress not been so alarmingly rapid, Zhang Sanfeng might have resorted to drastic measures. But under the current circumstances, that choice was impossible.

However, this situation presented Zhang Sanfeng with an alternative possibility.

If Ye Wen’s cultivation advanced so swiftly, supported by the Immortal Realm and the Nine Provinces Cauldrons for his practice, perhaps they would soon depart this world?

Of course, mere hope wasn't a viable strategy. Therefore, Zhang Sanfeng wished to inquire of Ye Wen: “Sect Master Ye, what are your plans for the future?” Ye Wen was taken aback by the question: “Naturally, to continue cultivating diligently!” “Oh? For ascension?” Truthfully, Ye Wen hadn't fully considered this. But now that he had reached the Golden Dawn realm, his cultivation level was equal to Zhang Sanfeng’s. Ascension was indeed something he needed to contemplate seriously.

“Roughly so!”

In reality, Ye Wen didn't want to dwell on ascension so soon. After his previous shatter of the void, he felt profoundly unaccustomed to the isolation, being surrounded only by two women and unable to see his many disciples.

Now that he had finally reunited with a few, the thought of leaving immediately made him glum! It felt like being forced apart from family members he had just managed to gather, made worse by the grim possibility of never meeting again.

Setting aside other concerns, his cultivation sessions now lasted years. What would happen after ascension? Perhaps it was true, as in novels, that immortals enter seclusion and awaken centuries later!

This meant that ascending alone might truly mean bidding his disciples and juniors a permanent farewell. Therefore, Ye Wen was unwilling to ascend until he was certain this entire group could leave with him.

This was also one reason why, despite his Golden Dawn being perfected, he wasn't rushing to summon the Azure Sky that Covered the Heavens. With the Golden Dawn alone, he could dominate this world; there was no need to pursue ascension relentlessly.

Perhaps sensing Ye Wen’s hesitation, Zhang Sanfeng immediately proposed a suggestion that greatly appealed to Ye Wen: “I happen to know a method that allows Sect Master Ye and your entire sect to ascend to the Immortal Realm together!”