"You must be Tan Qiu? The second of the Six Peerless Swordsmen of the Cloud Realm? Indeed, you are extraordinary—"

Although it sounded like praise, Han Qing’s words carried a distinct hint of mockery and disdain.

A killing intent surged within Zong Shou’s heart; his gaze was ice-cold, showing no inclination to hold back.

“Who is this beast? And from what dark corner did he crawl out?”

In the Heavenly Demon Vault Realm, he had only encountered two individuals: Wu Xuan and Su Xiaoxiao. The former had once been hailed by the demonic path as the leading figure of his generation. However, after offending Zong Shou in the depths of the Yin Dragon Valley, his head had been removed. Although he was later ransomed back to the Demonic Vault Realm, Zong Shou had heard nothing of this person since.

After several years away from the Cloud Realm, he never expected the demonic cult to produce another Han Qing. Did this one also wish to have his head removed?

“This person was originally a low-ranking disciple of the demonic path.”

Shui Lingbo explained with an equally expressionless face, “This person’s talent was initially assessed as average, slightly above medium. But ever since he chanced upon a heaven-defying demonic art, his rise became unstoppable. Aided by the spirit tide, he reached the Immortal Realm in just a few short years. He is hailed as a demonic prodigy in the Cloud Realm comparable to you, Zong Shou.”

“Heaven-defying demonic art?”

Zong Shou recalled the Divine Gate, and his expression grew slightly solemn. “Reversal of All Things?”

This person before him actually possessed some foundation for arrogance and dominance.

“Yes!” Shui Lingbo nodded slightly. “This man’s path is precisely the reversal of all things!”

Zong Shou was utterly bewildered; why had he never heard of such a figure in his past life? History recorded nothing of him; he should have remained unknown. Yet, based on their brief exchange, this man’s techniques truly belonged to the Reversal of All Things. Since he walked the path of reversal and achieved success, he should indeed hold a position in the Cloud Realm. Even if Daoist or Confucian cultivators were so, there was no reason for the demonic sects not to boast loudly about such a talent.

“In the past, my fellow disciple Wu Xuan was incompetent and was defeated by the Dry Heaven Demon King in a single strike, making the reputation of the Cloud Realm’s Six Peerless Swordsmen famous throughout the realm. It is a pity that you all left too early and could not clash against you. Truly regrettable.”

Han Qing spoke with clear arrogance, “In the past, a senior from our demonic sect said, ‘When my flower blooms, a hundred flowers wither.’ Times have changed, but this sentiment still resonates deeply with me. I intend to experience the sword arts and divine powers of each of you.”

Zong Shou paid him no mind and was too lazy to exchange empty words. With a few strides, he flashed outside the sword formation. Arriving with him was the overwhelming sword intent that was rapidly approaching its peak!

He had been in a foul mood recently; he couldn't always vent his frustrations on his fellow sect members. Since this person had come to provoke him, it was the perfect opportunity to cleave him down. However, since he was using Tan Qiu’s identity, he could not employ Long Ying’s Nine-Nine True Dragon Sword, and his own Primal Origin Sword could only manifest the mere two forms of the Primal Origin Yin Sword and the Primal Origin Yang Sword.

Fortunately, many sword art inheritances of the Common People Sect were already stored in his mind. He directly manifested the Common People Killing Sword, a tenth-grade Saint Spirit level sword technique. Combined with his Path of Slaughter sword doctrine, the strike unleashed a blood-slaughtering sword intent that immediately swept across the void. Even from ten breaths of Divine Realm speed away, one could sense the indescribably fierce aura!

Upon reaching Han Qing, the sword light was initially blocked by a layer of intangible barrier that sought to resist and reverse it. But in an instant, Zong Shou forcefully tore it apart. The sword light, blood-red and condensed like a needle, pierced toward Han Qing’s throat with the force of a thousand tons!

“Sword Intent Soul Realm?”

Han Qing’s expression finally shifted. He dared not meet the strike head-on. In a flurry, he cast a spirit talisman that enveloped his figure, and with a flicker, he vanished from his spot. However, the person next to him was not as fortunate as Han Qing. As the blood sword missed its target, it immediately split into dozens of blood-red afterimages, sweeping horizontally in the four directions—left, right, up, and down. In a flash, dozens of beams of bloody light streaked out. The dozen or so Heavenly Demon Vault Realm cultivators who had followed Han Qing had no time to react before they were sliced into dust by the sword light!

Zong Shou paid them no mind, continuing to follow the gestures of the Common People Killing Sword, stepping forward at an unhurried pace, pursuing the direction Han Qing had fled.

“Well said, ‘When my flower blooms, a hundred flowers wither’! The poem by the Demonic Emperor Huang Chao back then was truly imposing. Then today, I, Tan Qiu, shall offer one in return: When a hundred flowers blossom, I remain still; when I unleash my power, the heavens and earth are filled! Before this sword, none can stand—”

Step by step he advanced, Zong Shou’s face etched with a cold sneer, his aura sharp and utterly frigid.

“Since you feel regret over the past, then today, our two parties might as well have a true battle! We can see just how formidable Tan Qiu’s sword art truly is?”

Han Qing’s expression turned ashen. He then flung several talismans in succession, enveloping his figure and causing him to change position repeatedly. Within three hundred moves within the span of a single thought, he shifted to a distance beyond twenty breaths of Divine Realm speed before barely escaping Zong Shou’s lock of murderous sword intent.

Only when he saw Zong Shou halt his movement in the void, frowning as if vexed by his inability to lock onto his position, did Han Qing manage a forced smile: “The second of the Six Peerless Swordsmen, the Sword Emperor Tan Qiu of the Common People Sect, your reputation is indeed well-deserved.”

Before, his regard for Zong Shou held a hidden contempt; this time, a genuine respect had been added. When this ‘Tan Qiu’ attacked with his sword, he actually lacked the courage to fight back. His swordsmanship was indeed as extraordinary as the rumors claimed.

“However, there is no need to rush this matter. You and I will inevitably clash someday to settle the score. Today, Han Qing has more than just a gift to deliver; I also have something important to convey to the Xiu Guan of your Common People Sect.”

At this point, Han Qing looked up towards the direction of the Common People Vault Realm.

“The Grand Beginning Demon Lord has arrived. He commanded me to relay a message to old man Xiu Guan: In ten days, he will visit the Common People Vault Realm to issue a direct challenge. I ask the old fool Xiu Guan, are you prepared to meet your death?”

The moment Zong Shou heard the four words ‘Grand Beginning Demon Lord,’ a tempestuous wave surged in his heart. He had never heard this name in his previous life, but now, standing at a higher status, this name was like thunder in his ears. Among the more than sixty supreme beings in this prison, this man was counted among the very top echelon. The great enemy of the Common People Sect, the one possessing the Six-Eared Divine Ability—it was him?

His thoughts turbulent and lost, Zong Shou momentarily forgot to continue the pursuit, to cleave Han Qing down under his sword—

Silence reigned in the void for a moment, then the next instant, Xiu Guan’s voice echoed from afar.

“Insolence deserves death!”

As the words fell, a crimson light abruptly streaked across the space. It was not too fast; at least Zong Shou and the others could observe it, able to perceive it with their spiritual senses. But at this moment, both Han Qing and Zong Shou were utterly unable to move. And the former could only watch helplessly as the purple light approached.

Yet, just then, a surge of energy suddenly extended forth. At the critical moment, it whisked Han Qing’s figure away from the spot.

“Daoist Xiu Guan is becoming more aggressive. With your Saint Venerable status, why stoop to taking your anger out on this junior?”

The voice spoke just as the purple light exploded. The space where it struck was annihilated in a single breath, completely erased. This included all laws, all spiritual energy, everything—all vanished. It was as if the stable River of Realms had developed a void, one that was not temporarily formed but had existed since the beginning.

Xiu Guan’s voice remained ice-cold, brimming with killing intent.

“Those who trespass against the Common People Sect die! Since this man dared to send a gift, he should have expected that he might die here. Do you mean to say that I, Xiu Guan, lack magnanimity?”

“Not at all!” The voice from afar burst into laughter. “I am merely fortunate that Xing Ye was not entirely at ease and followed closely behind. Seeing that you, Xiu Guan, are still overbearing, just as you were in the past, it truly brings me comfort!”

Xing Ye? Zong Shou instantly knew who had arrived. It was the Demonic Cult’s World-Treading Heavenly Monarch—Xing Ye!

Then, Xiu Guan’s cold reply was heard: “I have always been so; I have never changed!”

Xing Ye laughed heartily again, “That is good! When the day comes that I trample you into the dust, obliterate your physical body, and seal your nascent soul, only then will I feel true elation!”

“I shall await you!” Xiu Guan did not show anger, and his voice held no fluctuation. “Just the two of you? Xiu Guan is curious: the one I chased across four thousand worlds sixteen thousand years ago and who dared not fight back—why are you so bold now to speak such words?”

Silence met the query, and after a long pause, a light chuckle finally sounded.

“More words are useless! In ten days, the truth will be revealed! When I have crushed the Common People Sect, I will speak with you then. I will watch how you, Xiu Guan, attempt to prop up the heavens alone.”

The voice carried mockery, yet it receded further and further into the distance, until finally, there was no sound. Han Qing’s figure had also vanished without a trace. Xiu Guan’s divine sense retracted in the next instant as well.

Only the people left in this place looked at each other with bewildered expressions. Those Common People Sect cultivators Zong Shou had saved bowed to him in thanks. Then, silently, along with the others, they began to process the remains brought by Han Qing. Aside from the disciples hidden within the demonic path, these were sect members who could not rush back to the Common People Vault Realm in time—a total of over three hundred. Sorrowful expressions filled every eye.

Zong Shou felt an overwhelming depression; his mood had not improved but had grown even worse. Inside his chest, a beast named ‘Impatience’ constantly influenced his thoughts. A tide of hostility surged, making him long to hack the corpses of those dozen Heavenly Demon Vault Realm disciples into mince. Then chase after and lop off Han Qing’s head!

Shui Lingbo was tightly biting her lip with her teeth, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. “To have someone barge in and provoke us like this—this is the first time in decades for our Common People Sect!”

It hadn't been just in recent decades; this situation hadn't occurred since the Common People Sect withstood the combined siege of various factions thousands of years ago.

“A profound humiliation! If Senior Brother Wei Xu can safely pass his tribulation after this battle, Shui Lingbo will spare no cost to slay this Han Qing!”

Although Xing Ye and Han Qing were ultimately driven back, the Common People Sect had been the ones disgraced. Only Zong Shou’s sword, which made Han Qing recoil in fear, had salvaged a sliver of dignity for them.

“I am in a bad mood; please forgive me, Junior Brother!”

After speaking, Shui Lingbo turned and left immediately, having no further inclination to chat with Zong Shou during patrol. Zong Shou was equally unable to calm his spirit. After several deep breaths, he forcibly suppressed the resentment boiling in his chest. He flicked his finger against the body of the nameless blood sword beside him.

“You fellow, weren't you already disheartened and dead inside? Why are you also stirring up anger?”