“Clang…” A sharp sound echoed as the spear tip directly met the formidable slash of Ye Jingyu, producing a crisp report. The colossal blade light shattered instantly, and the immense force hurled Ye Jingyu backward…

Immediately after, a man with a head of blue hair emerged from the azure vortex. He wore exquisitely tailored black armor and held a completely transparent long spear. His appearance was extraordinarily handsome, radiating an aura of biting coldness…

However, when Ye Jingyu finally saw his full form, he was utterly stunned—not by his aura or his power, but by his very visage…

Apart from the long blue hair, he looked exactly like Xiao Gengyi, as if cast from the same mold. Yet, compared to Xiao Gengyi, this man possessed an added layer of coldness, a streak of cruelty, especially evident in his deep cerulean eyes, which were utterly devoid of emotion…

“Shu Yun, you’ve regressed! To be defeated by such a mere fledgling…” As the man stepped out, he didn't spare Ye Jingyu a glance, addressing Shu Yun, who was still suspended in the void. His voice was icy, still completely devoid of feeling…

“My Lord’s reprimand is deserved. I was careless and had my essence shattered by this fellow. Without a physical body to anchor me, he managed to exploit the opening!” Shu Yun’s expression was deferential, though inwardly he seethed. If he had his Soul Artifact in hand, why would he be reduced to such a sorry state? If only I hadn't entrusted all my Soul Artifacts to your younger brother, how could I have been caught so off guard upon arrival?

“Enough, enough. The Tear of the Blue Demon is almost ripe. I shall personally forge a demonic body for you then!” the man, known as Ying Kongshi, stated casually.

“Thank you, My Lord!” Hearing that Ying Kongshi would personally intervene, Shu Yun was overjoyed, bowing his head in profound respect…

Ying Kongshi ceased paying attention to Shu Yun and turned his gaze toward Ye Jingyu, slowly raising the spear in his hand, the tip aimed directly at Ye Jingyu’s brow…

“I offer you a chance: commit suicide as atonement, and I will allow your soul to depart!” The chilling tone emerged from Ying Kongshi’s mouth, sounding like a decree from the God of Death.

Hearing such arrogant words from Ying Kongshi, Ye Jingyu felt no trace of amusement, for he truly sensed the man’s overwhelming might. It was a power that surpassed that of a Martial Saint; moreover, the aura emanating from him bore no trace of humanity—it was that of a demon, a fiend driven only by slaughter. His entire being was saturated with demonic energy, the very essence of murderous intent…

This is not a creature that belongs in this world. How could Shu Yun have summoned something so powerful? Even as a Soul Immortal, he shouldn't be capable of summoning such a formidable being. From Liang Xiaoke, Ye Jingyu had learned of the existence of the Netherworld, yet this man possessed none of the gloomy nether-qi; he seemed entirely unlike a powerful entity from the Underworld… Which plane could he hail from?

His right hand tightened around the hilt of his blade, the Bā Yuán Power within him swirling relentlessly, adjusting his body to its absolute peak, ready to withstand Ying Kongshi’s devastating attack at any moment…

“It seems you refuse to take your own life in apology. In that case, allow me to end your existence myself!” Seeing Ye Jingyu choose silence, Ying Kongshi murmured, his body slowly beginning to float upward…

“Can you kill me?” Facing Ying Kongshi’s intense killing intent, a cold smirk finally touched the corner of Ye Jingyu’s lips. His body, too, began to ascend slowly, erupting with an incredibly domineering aura…

Seeing Ye Jingyu actually hovering in the air, a flicker of astonishment crossed Shu Yun’s eyes. He truly hadn't expected Ye Jingyu to have reached the Martial Saint realm; his spiritual scan had clearly registered him only as a Grandmaster? But that makes sense; how could a Grandmaster’s power breach my defenses? Still, why is there no True Core within him? Or perhaps… Suddenly, a realization dawned on Shu Yun, causing his expression to shift dramatically—he clearly mistook Ye Jingyu for a Martial God…

“Die, Inverse Void Annihilation!” Ying Kongshi let out a cold snort, giving his spear a forceful flick. A bloom of azure spear light ignited at the tip. Following this, the entirely blue shaft shot out several beams of blue radiance, instantly transforming into countless spear shadows that pierced toward Ye Jingyu…

Sensing the sheer power embedded in each spear shadow, Ye Jingyu’s expression remained indifferent; he showed no intention of evading. He allowed the shadows to approach, then with a flick of his Heaven Venerable Blade, suddenly raised it high above his head, bringing it down directly upon Ying Kongshi…

A massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky, coalescing into a gigantic blade light that struck at Ying Kongshi, who stood suspended in the void…

It was the Thunder Control Heaven Breaker (Yù Léi Pò Tiān)…

Seemingly sensing the immense power contained within that strike, and perhaps surprised that Ye Jingyu could see through the profound mysteries of his spear thrust, a look of shock crossed Ying Kongshi’s face…

Yet, his spear remained unwavering as he drove it relentlessly toward Ye Jingyu…

“Clang…” The Heaven Venerable Blade and his demonic blue spear collided heavily, immediately unleashing a blinding flash of light. The colossal impact sent Ye Jingyu flying backward, and even Ying Kongshi was forced to retreat several steps. The countless blade shadows etched faint marks upon his armor. However, this armor seemed forged from something extraordinary; aside from those shallow scratches, it showed no sign of rupture whatsoever…

Ye Jingyu was not so fortunate. The scattered energy lashed against his body, leaving it riddled with wounds. Over a hundred gashes marred the surface of his skin, his clothes drenched in blood. Even his powerful, somewhat warped self-healing ability was currently being interfered with by an inexplicable force, severely slowing his recovery rate…

“Good, good! I didn't expect you to block my strike. Since you can manage that, I shall show you my true strength!” Seeing Ye Jingyu’s counter-strike successfully halt his fatal blow, Ying Kongshi’s expression shifted slightly. He roared, and the spear in his hand began to tremble rapidly, causing flower after flower of spear light to bloom at the tip—appearing so vibrantly captivating…

“Seven Stars Void Rend (Qī Xīng Liè Kōng)!” Ying Kongshi bellowed, thrusting his spear fiercely forward. Instantly, seven spear shadows burst forth, resembling seven shooting stars hurtling toward Ye Jingyu…

These seven shadows effectively sealed off all of Ye Jingyu’s avenues of retreat. For any ordinary fighter, simultaneously defending against these seven strikes would be impossible…