"Clang..." A sudden loud noise erupted from within the bamboo grove, startling a shower of purple leaves to drift down, while lightning sparks scattering mid-air illuminated the darkness.

"Clang!" That fierce collision of electricity and metal once again disturbed the tranquility of the bamboo forest, causing bamboo stalks to bend and sway chaotically as if thrashed by a gale. In that very instant, Ye Xiu's figure crashed to the ground, tumbling several steps before he could finally brace himself upright with his sword.

"Looks like things aren't looking good, Young Master Ye," Gui Yin sneered. "It seems in terms of speed, you'll never catch me."

Ye Xiu straightened his body, scanning left and right for any sign of a clue. Alas, Gui Yin's speed seemed to have increased even more than before. He held Tianyi close to his chest; the sword itself seemed to have encountered a formidable foe, flashing with purple light as if venting its own fury.

"Now it's my turn!" Gui Yin's tone suddenly intensified. Hearing him roar, "Demon Blade: Myriad Wind Slash," the entire world immediately plunged into an eerie silence. Ye Xiu sucked in a sharp breath, carefully backing away while engaging every sensory organ in his body to seek out Gui Yin's whereabouts.

Suddenly, a light breeze brushed across Ye Xiu’s face, and he immediately sensed a metallic, bloody scent flooding his nostrils—it was blood! A deep gash had been sliced across his face by that passing breeze. Before he could react, he felt his entire body enveloped by currents of air. The previous light breeze had grown stronger, and as this gale swept over him, fresh, bloody cuts were once again carved across Ye Xiu’s body. This was bad! Ye Xiu finally realized that the air currents were not wind at all; they were Gui Yin’s sword techniques. Gui Yin was currently spinning the edge of his blade at high speed with himself as the center. If this continued, Ye Xiu would surely be sliced apart alive.

"Hah!" Ye Xiu crouched down and then leaped high, attempting to break through Gui Yin's encirclement. However, at the peak of his jump, he suddenly saw Gui Yin’s silhouette flash directly above him. "Hmph!" he roared, swinging his sword in an effort to intercept the Demon Blade, but he was still a step too slow. The overhead strike connected with his shoulder, sending him crashing back to the ground in agonizing pain.

"Aah..." After landing, Ye Xiu immediately spun around, unleashing Floating Wind Sword Stance in hopes of disrupting Gui Yin’s Demon Blade. Yet, the Demon Blade moved like the wind itself, utterly pervasive and finding every opening. His body was battered and tattered by the swirling vortex.

"Hahahaha!" Seeing the situation entirely in his favor, Gui Yin could no longer suppress his rampant arrogance and began to cackle wildly. His blade speed transcended everything; the vortex of wind was now entirely under his control, transforming from a gentle caress to a violent tempest. He only needed one final strike to end Ye Xiu’s life.

Ye Xiu used his sword and hands to guard his head, but the rest of his body was already grievously wounded. At this moment, he had no recourse. The cold glint of Tianyi, usually intense and piercing, seemed to weaken significantly every time it contacted the Demon Blade at the peak of its purple energy surge. His Purple Smoke Chain on his left hand had also lost all vitality. What was happening? Could it be the Demon Blade's effect?

"Final strike!" At this point, the wind vortex could not possibly accelerate further. Gui Yin’s figure materialized directly in front of Ye Xiu. He sheathed the Demon Blade, planted his feet firmly, leaned forward, and adopted a posture ready to charge.

Ye Xiu managed to regain some composure, but his mind was a complete blank slate.

"Do you know why your sword cannot unleash its true power?" Gui Yin laughed. "The reason the Demon Blade is called a 'Demon Blade' is precisely because it can absorb all the malevolent energy in heaven and earth. Although your sword is a blood-thirsty blade, against my 'Qi-Siphoning Edge,' it cannot display even a sliver of its might."

"Hoo..." Ye Xiu glanced down at Tianyi in his hand. Although the blade was already smeared with his own blood, only a faint trace of purple energy lingered around the tip. No wonder he couldn't grasp those fluid and fierce killing moves he was capable of. Gui Yin’s ultimate decisive blow was coming; what should he do?

"Demon Blade: Quick-Draw Technique!" Gui Yin shot forward, running at high speed and vanishing into the surroundings. The only visible signs were the flagstones beneath their feet, shattering in succession, with pieces flying left and right.

Ye Xiu’s eyes darted back and forth, trying to track Gui Yin's movements, but still to no avail. At this critical juncture when he couldn't utilize Tianyi's malevolent energy, a memory of Mu Zi Sword effortlessly sweeping falling leaves flashed through Ye Xiu’s mind. The Purple Smoke Chain on his left hand also seemed to sense a surge of danger, and instantly, a deep, dazzling purple light radiated in all directions.

"Clang..." The moment Ye Xiu and Gui Yin made contact, both Tianyi and the Demon Blade were flung high into the air. The ultimate contest between the thrusting sword technique and the quick-draw technique resulted in both blade and sword flying apart. Ye Xiu clutched his chest, spitting up great mouthfuls of blood. Gui Yin's Demon Blade was far longer than Tianyi, and although Ye Xiu managed to pin the Demon Blade’s edge with Tianyi at the instant of collision, he was inevitably suppressed by Gui Yin's power and sustained a chest injury. Meanwhile, Gui Yin merely stood with his back to Ye Xiu, grinning, seemingly unharmed.

"Whoosh..." After reaching their apex, Tianyi and the Demon Blade plummeted, tracing two beautiful, long arcs in the air. Gui Yin was the first to spring off the ground and rocket towards the sky. Ye Xiu, enduring the pain, managed to keep pace with Gui Yin’s high speed under the protection of the Purple Smoke Chain. Both soared into the air, exchanging a few exchanges of punches and kicks. Ye Xiu then used a reverse grip to seize Tianyi first, intending for a guaranteed strike, but he was sent flying backward again by a kick from Gui Yin. Ye Xiu didn't give up, using the momentum to surge upward, wanting to engage again. Unexpectedly, as their fists and feet crossed, they swapped positions. When they both landed, Ye Xiu was holding the Demon Blade, ready to press it against Gui Yin's throat. However, just as the sword descended, Gui Yin caught Tianyi squarely. The situation became a stalemate once more, until Gui Yin let out an enraged roar.

"Agh!" He felt a surge of malevolent energy shoot from Tianyi into his chest, causing his entire body to convulse. Dizziness overwhelmed him, forcing him to drop his sword and yield.

"Heh heh." Ye Xiu, at this moment, couldn't afford to care about anything else. He held the Demon Blade steadily against Gui Yin's neck, asserting confidently, "For whatever reason, it seems that sword is not meant for someone like you. You are now as good as dead."

"Hmph, hahahaha!" Gui Yin, completely controlled, felt no despair. Instead, his laughter grew even more unrestrained. "A sword that knows its true master is a good sword. I finally understand why the Sect Master sent us to intercept you."

"What?" Ye Xiu was confused, suspecting Gui Yin was planning another trick.

Gui Yin lowered his head, swinging between despair and elation. "Legend says the Blood-Thirsty Sword must absorb the blood of the Four Underworlds before its sword eye can reopen to recognize a new master. Indeed..."

"What Four Underworlds blood? Speak quickly, or I'll kill you," Ye Xiu demanded, tilting his head.

"No matter what, my fate should be in my own hands. That Sect Master bastard..." Gui Yin suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed on Ye Xiu with a look of miserable anguish. "If you want to kill me, you'll have to try harder."

"You..." Ye Xiu’s face paled in shock. How could this be? Was his vision deceiving him? He clearly perceived more than one silhouette of Gui Yin before him. Quietly, he realized he was already surrounded by dozens of Gui Yins.