His entire demeanor screamed of an inexperienced young master from a noble family—self-assured to the extreme, yet possessing astonishingly low social experience, all wrapped up in an air of absolute superiority.

Such individuals, when venturing into the mortal realm, invariably felt compelled to intervene in any perceived injustice. If they encountered someone committing violent acts, especially if the perpetrator was from the Demonic Path, they would eagerly jump in to eradicate the evil—a favorite pastime of these utterly naive scions of prestigious houses.

In Chu Yuntian's assessment, Zhang Yang’s overall presentation fit this mold perfectly.

With this understanding, Chu Yuntian’s estimation of Zhang Yang naturally dropped another notch; he instantly pegged Zhang Yang as an arrogant fool courting disaster.

Yet, despite his contempt, Chu Yuntian maintained a necessary level of caution. Those on the Demonic Path were cunning wolves; even when facing an apparently harmless sheep, they would consider every angle.

“Chu Yuntian, you know your crimes are heinous! Cultivating such depraved arts, using human blood to advance your power! Since this Young Master has encountered you today, I must apprehend you!”

Zhang Yang declared, his head tilted back, displaying a profound lack of concern for Chu Yuntian’s presence.

Below, the Wind-Chaser whinnied twice in perfect concert, the coordination between man and horse becoming increasingly flawless.

“Hah!”

Chu Yuntian suddenly burst into laughter, even shaking his head slightly at Zhang Yang.

He mused internally how shocked this arrogant boy would be if he realized the true extent of Chu Yuntian’s strength. He felt no urgency now. If the Huang family dared send such an individual against him, he would simply annihilate their entire lineage in return. That was already his plan anyway.

He glanced again at the Spirit Beast Heavenly Steed below. He knew well that a Spirit Beast deeply bonded with its master shared an unbreakable bond. If he captured the young man, the Steed wouldn't easily abandon him, giving Chu Yuntian a chance to strike and claim some of its essence blood. Spirit Beast essence blood was undoubtedly a treasure, and treasures were always best acquired in abundance.

“You dare laugh? This Young Master will dispense justice today and end the life of you demonic fiend!”

Zhang Yang threw a punch, attacking with a sudden burst of speed, a slight trace of anger flickering across his face, as if genuinely provoked by Chu Yuntian’s attitude.

Zhang Yang moved incredibly fast, instantly appearing before Chu Yuntian. A slight jolt went through Chu Yuntian, and he instinctively raised his arm.

“Bang!”

Zhang Yang’s fist slammed into Chu Yuntian’s arm. Zhang Yang recoiled rapidly three steps, his face etched with ‘horror.’

Chu Yuntian, caught off guard by the impact, also stumbled back a step, his own face displaying shock. The difference was that Zhang Yang’s expression was a performance; he was fully aware of Chu Yuntian’s power and was merely putting on a show. Chu Yuntian, however, was genuinely stunned—that initial exchange instantly revealed Zhang Yang’s true capability.

“Fourth Layer Initial Stage!” Chu Yuntian whispered the words softly.

Fourth Layer Initial Stage. The boy he had dismissed as arrogant was actually a Fourth Layer expert. This outcome not only startled him but was also difficult for him to accept. It completely upended his understanding. How could someone in their early twenties cultivate to the Fourth Layer? Chu Yuntian had already confirmed Zhang Yang’s age earlier; it was his genuine age.

Early twenties. A Fourth Layer expert. He suddenly recalled Zhang Yang’s earlier words—a genius rarely seen in ten thousand years. Perhaps that description was accurate; at this age and this level of power, Zhang Yang truly was a once-in-a-millennium phenomenon.

“Who exactly are you?”

Chu Yuntian’s attitude shifted to one of grave seriousness, shedding all previous disdain. While his cultivation was lower than Chu Yuntian’s, eliminating a Fourth Layer Initial Stage expert wasn't a simple task. More critically, Zhang Yang’s age sent the biggest shockwave through him.

“Already Mid Fourth Layer? Why is my luck so terrible?”

Zhang Yang didn't answer Chu Yuntian’s question, instead wearing a bitter, resentful expression—though completely devoid of fear. This portrayal was highly appropriate; he was acting the part of a noble house disciple discovering a superior foe, the exact reaction such a youth should display.

“No matter who you are, you die today!”

A cold glint flashed in Chu Yuntian’s eyes. His hands instantly flushed blood-red, and the air seemed to thicken with a coppery, bloody scent. Zhang Yang’s strength shocked him, but it didn't instill fear; instead, jealousy boiled within him—jealousy toward Zhang Yang. When Zhang Yang was his age, Chu Yuntian hadn't even reached the Third Layer, yet this youth was already at Fourth Layer Initial Stage—his cultivation speed was far superior.

Furthermore, the emergence of such an outstanding genius in the Righteous Path was terrible news for the Demonic Path. A Fourth Layer expert at twenty years old—Chu Yuntian could not imagine what Zhang Yang would be like at sixty, perhaps even reaching the Fifth Layer. If the Righteous Path gained a Fifth Layer master, the Demonic Path would be suppressed even more severely.

“If you wish to kill me, you lack the ability!”

Zhang Yang shouted, drawing a long sword from his back and cleaving a wave of sword qi towards Chu Yuntian.

This was the Cold Spring Sword. A Fourth Layer expert could utilize a Divine Weapon to unleash potent sword qi or blade auras as ranged attacks—akin to projecting internal energy outward. Augmented by a Divine Weapon, the destructive power of this sword qi far surpassed a simple projection of internal energy. However, this type of attack was also extremely taxing on internal energy, rarely used as an opening move. Zhang Yang’s action perfectly showcased the inexperience of a noble disciple.

Zhang Yang’s sword qi flashed brilliantly, passing straight through Chu Yuntian’s form before vanishing into the distance. Chu Yuntian had been on guard and was naturally not struck, but as the sword qi passed, his eyes snapped tight again.

“Cold Spring Sword!” Chu Yuntian exclaimed, recognizing the Divine Weapon in Zhang Yang’s hand—a weapon ranked within the top ten of the Divine Weapon Ledger.

“Correct. It’s not a loss for you, considering your Fourth Layer status, to die by this blade!”

Zhang Yang roared, merging body and sword into one. In an instant, the rooftop was filled only with the dazzling afterimages of his swirling blade. Chu Yuntian’s face turned crimson as he furiously dodged and parried the relentless assault.

“They’re fighting! They’ve actually started fighting!”

At the Huang family villa, those stationed there listened with taut nerves to the reports relayed from the forward observers, who were using high-powered telescopes from a distance and could only vaguely distinguish two moving figures. Once Zhang Yang started moving, his speed was terrifying; the same was true for Chu Yuntian. Soon, they couldn't even make out the shapes.

Everyone in the Huang family was tense. Huang Jing gripped her hands unnaturally, unaware that her palms were slick with sweat. The outcome would be known soon. If Zhang Yang won and killed the fiend, the Huang family would be spared the threat of extermination. If Zhang Yang failed, or if the demon survived, their family would face utter ruin. Especially those present in Hangzhou today—few, if any, would escape the brutal methods of a high-level demonic cultivator.

“Ah! Someone’s falling! It’s—it’s Mr. Zhang!”

The person receiving the reports suddenly yelled in alarm. Everyone’s heart leaped into their throats; Mr. Zhang falling from the upper floor was decidedly bad news.

“Wait! Mr. Zhang didn’t fall; he jumped down himself! They’ve sent a new explanation!”

The messenger hastily corrected himself, his ear glued to his headset, receiving the latest updates. Zhang Yang had indeed leaped from the roof. Chu Yuntian had drawn his weapon, the Flame Blade. The two Divine Weapons, one intensely cold and the other intensely hot, finally clashed. In that initial collision, neither gained an advantage, though Zhang Yang suffered slightly due to his lower internal energy reserves.

After showing his surprise at Chu Yuntian’s Divine Weapon, Zhang Yang voluntarily jumped down. His action looked like a retreat born of shattered confidence, a move to seek a better position. Seeing Zhang Yang attempt to disengage, Chu Yuntian naturally wouldn't allow it, leaping down after him. The two resumed their furious duel in the villa’s garden.

Struck by their powerful energies, the flora in the garden—bushes and trees—were immediately ravaged. The Wind-Chaser occasionally leaped in to support Zhang Yang. For a time, Zhang Yang managed to hold his own against Chu Yuntian, at least maintaining a stalemate in the short term. However, Chu Yuntian knew his own strength held a slight edge; continuing the fight would inevitably lead to his dominance and ultimate victory.

“Ah!”

After battling fiercely for over ten minutes, Zhang Yang carelessly took a glancing blow to the arm from Chu Yuntian’s internal energy. His entire arm immediately went limp. Seeing Zhang Yang ‘injured,’ Chu Yuntian’s offense suddenly intensified. He had been searching for an opening, and an opponent’s injury was the best opportunity. As his assault grew fiercer, Zhang Yang’s defenses seemed to weaken further. While the clash between the Flame Blade and the Cold Spring Sword—both Divine Weapons—prevented either from decisively overwhelming the other, Chu Yuntian possessed deeper internal reserves, channeling more energy into each strike. Each clash sent numbness up Zhang Yang’s arm, and over time, it caused real injury. Chu Yuntian was exploiting this minute advantage.

The Wind-Chaser whinnied anxiously, seemingly unimpressed with its master’s condition. Chu Yuntian, keeping an eye on the steed, felt a measure of reassurance. His guess was correct: as long as he kept the young man occupied, the Spirit Beast Heavenly Steed wouldn't bolt away alone. This young man had to die, and the Spirit Beast could not be spared either. Spirit Beasts were intelligent, and the Heavenly Steed, especially, was incredibly swift. If it escaped, it might return to the young man’s elders, bringing more pursuers. Chu Yuntian prided himself on superior stealth, but he didn't wish to be tracked by a Spirit Beast; everyone knew their tracking abilities far surpassed humans.

“Bang!”

Zhang Yang endured another direct clash with Chu Yuntian. This time, Zhang Yang staggered back four or five steps, his face flushed, his palm visibly reddened. Chu Yuntian’s heart lifted slightly; Zhang Yang had contracted his Blood Toxin. The Blood Transformation Art was a demonic technique, and speed of cultivation wasn't its only feature; its utilization also generated a trace of Blood Toxin. This toxin wasn't fatal—it could be neutralized by common spirit herbs or antidotes—but the impairment to movement was the crucial factor.