The Abyss Heaven-Wielder certainly recognized the anomaly of the power arrayed against him. He could guarantee that the wind vortex generated by the Xuan Heaven Wings of the Wing Clan was supremely potent, yet at this very moment, a formidable surge of sword qi had traversed such a distance, injuring every member of the Wing Clan: “It is not over yet! Wing Clan members, heed my command, raise the Wind Wings once more!”

“I fear there will be no chance to raise them again!” Just then, a long, straight sword shot up from the flank, piercing through the bodies of countless Wing Clan members. A figure moved with blinding speed to intercept the descending blade, catching it mid-air—it was none other than the Single-Stroke Sword Lord. “Leave no one alive!”

As the Sword Lord spoke, the elite Human Clan Black Sword Guards, who had been lying in wait, charged individually in formation toward the Nine Heavens above. The Human Clan’s sword guards were divided into the Red Sword Guard and the Black Sword Guard; the only difference lay in their mastery of the Myriad Sword Art, with the Black Sword Guards generally possessing cultivation levels beyond the fifth level of the art. Dealing with these low-ranking Wing Clan members was thus no challenge whatsoever.

“Not good! Elder Xie, we must leave quickly.” Seeing the turn of events, Nether Leopard immediately supported the wounded Elder Xie, attempting to flee Shenlin Peak. At that moment, a pair of Nether Ghost Hands erupted from beneath the ground, locking both of them rigidly in place.

“It’s an illusion!” Nether Leopard, fiercely protective of his master, shoved Elder Xie forcefully up into the sky, following with a counter-palm strike that propelled his body even further away.

Elder Xie understood Nether Leopard’s intent perfectly. Though he had sustained internal injuries, this was not enough to stop him from unleashing his ultimate technique, dropping onto all fours and fleeing Shenlin Peak at incredible speed.

“Allow me, Fengjiang Nether Leopard, to meet this mysterious newcomer!” Nether Leopard brandished his long spear, thrusting it violently toward the ghost hands on the ground. But after a mere swirling mist, those ghostly hands vanished into thin air, and Night Wind Mourn appeared emotionlessly before the Nether Leopard.

“Who are you?” Nether Leopard strode forward, launching his spear thrust. Confident in his advantage of speed and reach, he never expected that just as his weapon neared Night Wind Mourn, another swirl of mist enveloped the target, and his attack struck nothing.

“Heh, it was all an illusion!” Nether Leopard convulsed, ejecting several long spears from his body—it turned out his physique housed such weaponry. He leaped into the sky, surrounding himself with these spears for protection.

Night Wind Mourn materialized silently and coldly above him: “Is this all the Beast Race is capable of?”

“What did you say!” Nether Leopard rapidly descended to break free from Mourn’s entanglement. He swung his arms, sending all the spears hurtling toward Mourn, only to find his attack missed again!

“Have you not understood yet?” Night Wind Mourn seemed to lose interest in playing with the Leopard. Another pair of Nether Ghost Hands rose from the earth, seizing the Nether Leopard firmly.

“How can this be?” The Leopard was panicked, disheartened, and utterly confused.

Then, the truly bizarre scene began to unfold: the Nether Ghost Hands transformed into a black shadow, and that shadow began to twine and crawl up the Nether Leopard’s head like a vine.

“What is happening to my hands, my feet!” Nether Leopard was gripped by terror, completely immobilized. He could only watch, eyes wide, as his body was enveloped by the black shadow. Then, his own hand seized the spear and brutally drove it into his own abdomen—“Ah! Ah!”

“The moment you saw me, you were already dead,” Night Wind Mourn stated coldly, plunging his concealed dagger into the Leopard’s chest. By then, the Leopard’s eyes were rolling back, devoid of sensation. “How pathetic, to die within one's own illusion.”

“Heh, Night Wind Mourn, you still rely so heavily on your sorcery,” the Single-Stroke Sword Lord sneered from his perch on a treetop. Having followed the Black Tiger for many years, he knew Mourn’s signature technique well. “These Beast Race members are truly fools, standing there waiting for you to stab them to death.”

“Focus on your mission,” Night Wind Mourn, always terse, gave the Sword Lord a look. “Look how hard those Black Sword Guards are fighting; you still have the leisure to rest here.”

“Hahahaha, you know I prefer to resolve all problems in one go.” The Sword Lord gave Mourn a confident gesture, then launched the scabbard-less sword from his hand with a sweep of his palm. The blade shot out like lightning, piercing straight through the chests of every last Wing Clan member. Terrifyingly, as it emerged from the final body, the figure of the Sword Lord—who had just been sneering from the tree—suddenly reappeared far away, grasping the blade tightly.

All the ancient, venomous miasma surged toward the Beast Race encampment. Elder Xie, without dawdling, raced back to the camp and commanded a retreat. Led by Azure Lion, the Beast Race army swiftly withdrew into the woods north of the Gloomy River.

Though the Human Clan army advanced with fierce momentum, they could only follow behind the toxic fog. They had hoped the mist would inflict heavy casualties on the Beasts, but it only managed to strike the remnants of the Beast forces who hadn't evacuated in time. Once the Beasts vanished into the brushwood, the fog lost all sign of them.

Elder Xie lamented his failed scheme, but in the face of adversity, they would adapt. The Beast forces had already set up their Fierce Beast Formation within the forest, awaiting the Human arrival. “Form up!” Ye Xiu led the Human army to a halt before the Beast forces, waving his hand for the Sword Guards to array themselves as well. The two forces glared at each other in simmering hatred.

Azure Lion, acting as the commanding general, leaped out from the ranks, standing between the two armies in a display of sheer arrogance: “Are there any among the Humans brave enough to face me in single combat?”

Ye Xiu didn't spare him a glance, merely turning to his deputy commanders: “Which of you is willing to slay this madman? I will report to the City Lord for a commendation.”

“I am willing to go,” a young Sword Guard stepped forward, radiating palpable confidence.

Ye Xiu called him close, whispering a few instructions before sending him off.

Azure Lion swaggered, seeing only an ordinary warrior approaching. Without a word, he lowered his stance and charged forward, bringing his heavy saber down in a powerful cleave aimed at the guard’s head.

Following Ye Xiu’s instructions, the Sword Guard had no intention of fighting seriously and executed a simple retreat. However, Azure Lion’s speed was immense, and a shallow cut was still inflicted during the guard’s evasion.

“Hahahaha! With skill like that, you dare to challenge me?” Azure Lion shouldered his saber and roared with laughter, once again moving at high speed toward the Sword Guard.

The guard raised his sword to parry, feigning retreat, but Azure Lion suddenly appeared right beside him, ready to deliver the killing blow. Just then, with a loud clang, Ye Xiu flashed forward, using his single sword to block the Azure Lion’s heavy saber. At that instant, a host of Sword Guards rushed forward, surrounding Azure Lion in the center and capturing him alive.

“You…” Azure Lion, tightly bound, was consumed by rage and burst out cursing, “You despicable coward, setting a trap to capture me!”

The Beast Race soldiers were visibly displeased seeing their commander captured, and their morale plummeted.

Ye Xiu ignored Azure Lion, instead mounting his horse and roaring at the Beast Race army: “Beast Race members, listen well! Your commander has surrendered. The smart ones will drop their weapons and cease resistance, or you will all be slaughtered without mercy!”