"Yuan Xiang?" Ye Jingyu started, having no idea who Yuan Xiang was...

"Yuan Xiang? The Sect Master of the Sky Sword Sect?" But Ying Xiaoxiao and Ye Longyi beside him had their expressions drastically alter...

Yuan Xiang, Sect Master of the Sky Sword Sect, had entered the Grandmaster realm twenty years ago, his strength unfathomable—a figure half a step into the Martial Saint realm. Yet, what was most astonishing wasn't just his power, but why he was here?

Back then, when Luo Xiaofeng ordered the attack on the Three Great Sects, hadn't all the Elder-level figures perished? How could the Sect Master still be alive now? And appearing atop Qin Yunxiao's carriage, no less?

Hearing Ying Xiaoxiao and Ye Longyi's words, Ye Jingyu’s face also paled. He had initially assumed Qin Yunxiao was merely at the Grandmaster realm, perhaps surrounded by a handful of Innate Masters at best. But now, not only was there a peak Grandmaster, Qin Lie, by his side, but also the Sect Master of the Sky Sword Sect. It looked suspiciously as if the other party was waiting for them to attempt an assassination...

Could it be they already knew he was coming to strike? The thought ignited a surge of fury in Ye Jingyu’s heart. Jin Xiaolong had betrayed him...

"You recognize me?" Yuan Xiang was actually over sixty, yet he appeared no older than fifty, clad in a simple, coarse linen shirt, looking utterly plain, or perhaps, somewhat obtuse...

However, upon hearing Xue Hengzhi call out his name, a flicker of shock crossed his eyes—a shock laced with intense killing intent. He was supposed to be a dead man; if others knew he was alive, Luo Xiaofeng would surely not let him off. Not only would he face retribution, but Marquis Baiyun, who had saved him, would also be implicated—a consequence he could never tolerate...

"Even if you turned to ash, this old man would recognize you..." Seeing Yuan Xiang’s look of bewildered surprise, Xue Hengzhi snarled fiercely...

Though it was true he had violated Yuan Xiang's wife while drunk back then, hadn't Yuan Xiang's wife also instigated him? Yet Yuan Xiang completely disregarded their martial brotherhood and sought to eradicate him. If not for sheer luck, he would have died long ago. How could such a deep-seated grudge ever be forgotten...

"You are Yuan Xue?" Recognizing the hatred blazing in Xue Hengzhi's eyes, Yuan Xiang seemed to recall something, and his expression shifted abruptly...

"It is I, this very man. You didn't expect me to still be alive, did you..." Xue Hengzhi burst into loud laughter...

"So it is you, you beast! Not even killing you back then was enough, and now you come here to court death? It seems Heaven has eyes..." Hearing Xue Hengzhi admit his identity, Yuan Xiang seemed to grasp the situation, a savage smile creeping onto his face...

"Damn you! You think you can kill me now? Today, I'll show you that I am the true genius of the Sky Sword Sect!" Xue Hengzhi roared in anger, shaking his hand; the silver-white longsword in his grasp emitted a distinct hum...

"You are nothing more than a beast worse than a dog; what waves can you stir? Brother Qin, I was originally here under Mr. Qin’s instruction to protect Young Master Qin. But this scoundrel holds the grudge of stealing my wife. Let me handle the house-cleaning personally..." Yuan Xiang was also deeply angered. He stepped forward, shaking his hand, and a long, slender sword materialized in his grasp...

The blade was ancient, yet it resonated with a faint dragon's cry—clearly no ordinary weapon...

"Brother Yuan, please lead the way..." Qin Lie smiled, making a gesture of deference...

In truth, upon learning Yuan Xiang’s identity, Ye Jingyu had already contemplated retreat. But seeing Xue Hengzhi's determined look, he knew the other would never leave without killing Yuan Xiang, and he, in turn, could not abandon his comrade to flee alone. Thus, the thought of escape vanished. Regardless, they still had Bing Ming, a peak Grandmaster, on their side. The opponent only had two Grandmasters; they weren't without a chance...

Yuan Xiang drifted down from the carriage, landing as lightly as a falling leaf. This effortless descent alone spoke volumes of his profound cultivation and his mastery over True Essence power, which had reached an apex...

Glancing back worriedly at Xue Hengzhi, Ye Jingyu saw that his companion had already charged forward without another word, shaking his longsword, sending a blinding arc of sword light enveloping Yuan Xiang...

A look of disdain crossed Yuan Xiang's lips. He casually twirled his own sword, effortlessly deflecting Xue Hengzhi’s sword light. Undeterred, Xue Hengzhi channeled his True Essence power to its maximum, surging toward Yuan Xiang...

Yuan Xiang ceased holding back. His sword danced lightly, unleashing sharp, brilliant sword lights that erupted from the blade one after another...

Terrifying bursts of True Essence power exploded forth. Fortunately, both men possessed supreme control over their energy, preventing any chaotic overflow of power...

Even so, the sheer force of their clash made Ye Jingyu and the others stagger backward repeatedly...

At this moment, only Ying Xiaoxiao and Ye Longyi remained beside Ye Jingyu, while the opposition boasted a Grandmaster. The situation was rapidly becoming grim...

"Young Master, allow this old servant to clear this obstacle for you," Qin Lie murmured softly into Qin Yunxiao's ear at this critical juncture...

"I am much obliged, Uncle Qin," Qin Yunxiao replied immediately, bowing respectfully to Qin Lie without delay...

Yet, his eyes were equally filled with confusion. He genuinely could not fathom how his father had amassed such a coterie of experts. Even Qin Lie, introduced as his steward, was someone Qin Yunxiao had never met before this day...

However, the thought that Ye Jingyu was about to perish at the hands of a Grandmaster brought an inexplicable surge of excitement to his heart...

Whatever secrets his father possessed, strength was always welcome, wasn't it?

At this moment, Ye Jingyu still had not drawn his saber. Although the first stance of his Startling Thunder Saber Art was mastered, defeating a Grandmaster with it was sheer fantasy. His true power lay in his innate physical strength and immense Soul Power... He was, after all, a supreme expert of the Spirit Manifestation realm. He even possessed the capability to contend with a Martial Saint, let alone a mere Grandmaster?

Of course, Ye Jingyu would never easily resort to Spiritual Arts unless cornered. The Spirit Manifestation realm was his trump card, a secret unknown even to Xue Hengzhi and Ying Xiaoxiao...

Qin Lie merely smiled faintly, instructing the remaining dozen-plus subordinates to guard the carriage, before stepping forward. With a single stride, he appeared before Ye Jingyu and casually unleashed a palm strike...

Yes, casually—as if an elder practicing Tai Chi, the strike was utterly effortless, devoid of any palpable force...

Ye Jingyu had no time to react. That palm struck squarely against his sternum...