“Clang…” The sound echoed as the two fierce swords collided once more. Liang Xiaoke was once again sent flying backward, though the impact was less jarring than before, as the strength Fang Zhentian was exerting was clearly less potent than moments ago.

With a single sword strike pushing back Liang Xiaoke, Fang Zhentian pressed his attack toward Ye Jingyu. However, Xiyang, the Blood Corpse Gongsun Lu, and the Monk's clone simultaneously unleashed a punch toward him.

Even thrown across a distance, the sheer ferocity of the punches caused the void itself to tremble. Lacking the protection of the Fangtian Pagoda and possessing a physical body nowhere near as monstrous as Ye Jingyu’s, Fang Zhentian dared not meet the blows head-on. He flickered rapidly, dodging the trajectories of the punches, but just as he evaded them, Ye Jingyu materialized before him, wielding a battle saber radiating seven-colored light, which he brought down upon Fang Zhentian with brutal force…

Fang Zhentian sneered. Could this saber of yours truly surpass my Immortal Slaying Sword? Without a second thought, the Immortal Slaying Sword in his hand surged forward to intercept the blow.

But then, an ancient, verdant bell materialized above Ye Jingyu’s head and immediately swooped down to envelop Fang Zhentian.

The moment he recognized the ancient green bell, Fang Zhentian’s expression shifted dramatically. He remembered vividly that it was this very bell that had shattered his Fangtian Pagoda—a structure he had never managed to fully repair since.

The long sword, which had been thrust forward, snapped back instantly. He poured all his might into striking the Eastern Emperor Bell hanging in the sky, while simultaneously retreating swiftly to the side. Yet, despite his extreme speed, he was still grazed by the saber-light of the Heavenly Venerate Saber, tearing a large chunk of flesh and blood from his left arm.

Fang Zhentian roared in pain, but what tormented him more was the ancient green bell. When it collided with his long sword, the immense power actually numbed his entire arm, nearly forcing the ancient sword from his grasp…

At that moment, a streak of black light shot directly toward him, arriving at Fang Zhentian’s heart in what felt like an instant…

Fang Zhentian gasped in horror, instantly swinging the Immortal Slaying Sword across his chest…

“Clang…” Another sharp crack. The Immortal Slaying Sword, already tenuously held, was knocked flying away.

“Hold!” Seeing this opportunity, Ye Jingyu would not let slip. With a shout, the Eastern Emperor Bell flared with intense azure light, scattering countless beams that enveloped the Immortal Slaying Sword completely.

Before Fang Zhentian could react, the sword was forcibly returned to Ye Jingyu’s Sea of Consciousness…

Watching his most prized sword being seized, Fang Zhentian was consumed by fury. But before he could unleash his wrath, Ye Jingyu’s figure was already lunging toward him…

This time, he employed no magical artifacts and used no weapon. He simply threw a single punch at Fang Zhentian…

Seeing Ye Jingyu seemingly courting death by wanting to match him strength for strength, the enraged Fang Zhentian didn't hesitate either. He unleashed the full extent of the power within his body and met the incoming punch with one of his own…

A flash of azure and gold fist-light erupted in the void, followed by the two beams of power colliding heavily…

With a sharp “Crack…” Fang Zhentian’s finger bones shattered instantly. Meanwhile, the muscles on Ye Jingyu’s arm were pulverized by the force of Fang Zhentian’s blow, and the massive recoil sent him flying backward…

Yet, even as he tumbled backward, golden light began to ripple across his arm. The devastating injuries were rapidly regenerating…

Fang Zhentian felt an urge to vomit blood. Ye Jingyu’s cultivation realm was clearly lower than his, yet his physical body was even more formidable, and his sheer brute strength was terrifyingly immense?

His internal Yuan power churned continuously, attempting to mend his wounds, but Liang Xiaoke’s figure was already upon him again. Unlike Ye Jingyu, this fellow possessed none of a warrior’s restraint; even though they clearly held the upper hand, he shamelessly launched the Immortal Slaying Sword, hacking relentlessly at Fang Zhentian, blow after blow…

Poor Fang Zhentian. Though he still possessed numerous artifacts, his two strongest—the Fangtian Pagoda destroyed and the Immortal Slaying Sword seized—what could he possibly use to withstand the Immortal Slaying Sword now? He could only rely on his superior cultivation level compared to Liang Xiaoke to desperately evade the relentless barrage.

Since the battle began, Feng Yan had remained motionless. It wasn't that he didn't want to act; it was that Zhurong’s fiery gaze had been locked onto him the entire time. The oppressive aura had him firmly pinned. He had no doubt that the moment he moved, this burly man would immediately unleash a tempest of attacks upon him. Moreover, there was a woman nearby whose strength appeared to be at the Heavenly Immortal realm, watching him keenly. Could he possibly handle both?

By this point, Fang Zhentian was marred by over a hundred lacerations. Besides the sword wounds, there were the burns from Xiyang’s flames. His appearance was utterly wretched.

Seeing the dignified head of the Fang family reduced to such a state, the other family heads remained deathly silent, clinging to the relief that… thank heavens they hadn't joined the fray, or they would likely be faring no better.

At that juncture, Ye Jingyu reappeared next to Fang Zhentian and simultaneously unleashed both fists, blasting toward him…

Immediately, two lightning dragons surged forth from his arms, hissing as they spewed toward Fang Zhentian’s chest… This was the Thunder Roar Dragon Break Fist…

Fang Zhentian furiously circulated his Yuan power, and beams of blue light enveloped his body as a defense, but the deafening dragon roar caused the blue radiance to shatter. The two lightning dragons then slammed mercilessly into him, sending massive chunks of flesh spraying outward…

Fang Zhentian frantically snatched a blue pill and swallowed it whole. Immediately, the wounds on his body began to recover at an astonishing rate…

But Ye Jingyu gave him no respite. Flames erupted from within Ye Jingyu, and a Fire Phoenix materialized behind him. With a wave of his hands, he sent the phoenix soaring toward Fang Zhentian—this was the Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens…

Fang Zhentian stumbled backward repeatedly, layers of blue light erupting from him to ward off the Fire Phoenix’s assault…

Before the Fire Phoenix had even dissipated, Ye Jingyu raised his right hand once more and slapped out across the empty space—it was the peerless technique of the Bai family, Heaven and Earth Collapse…

The space surrounding Fang Zhentian began to crack and splinter. His ears, fingers, and shoulder were struck and crushed by the overwhelming force. This time, however, Fang Zhentian shoved a jade vial into his mouth, bit it until it shattered, and swallowed all the potent medicinal power within.

His injuries healed rapidly, and his nearly depleted strength surged back. But Ye Jingyu’s second move was already arriving—still the Bai family’s ultimate technique, Mountain and River Shatter…