The cultivators from the various sects watched the three engage, and astonishment spread among them. Some immediately intervened, attempting to break up the fight, but Du Fei flicked his golden staff, smashing it against Yan Fang’s flying sword while roaring, "Stop! Let's talk this out!"

Seeing the chaos erupting on the field, Zheng Yuan let out a sinister, low chuckle. Without making a sound, he released two strands of cow hair needles, sending them darting toward the neighboring cultivators.

These cultivators, caught unaware in the night, never imagined that this kind-faced, white-haired, youthful-looking man could be so ruthless. Several were instantly struck.

Some among them already held petty grievances against the Shu Yuan faction. Incited by this secret action, they let out startled cries. They stared at those beside them with doubt and suspicion; after just a few shared glances, they too plunged into battle.

Zheng Yuan was inwardly delighted, yet he shouted, "Everyone, stop fighting! We are all fellow travelers; let's discuss this calmly." All the while, his hands intermittently threw dirty blows and insidious tricks, further worsening the turmoil.

Ding Nan, watching the complete pandemonium, murmured, "Master, what is going on here?"

Zheng Yuan smirked sinisterly. "Isn't this better? The more chaotic it gets, the easier it is for us to fish in troubled waters! Hmph, my good disciple, don't you want the Renyuan Golden Elixir?"

Ever since joining Zheng Yuan, Ding Nan had heard much about the cultivation world. She noted how the recent emergence of the Renyuan Golden Elixir coincided precisely with Li Yundong’s sudden rise to prominence. Ding Nan privately suspected that Li Yundong’s dramatic transformation was due to consuming that very elixir.

If Li Yundong became so powerful after taking the Renyuan Golden Elixir, what about her? If she too became a great cultivator, perhaps Li Yundong would finally regard her with proper respect.

The thought sent Ding Nan’s heart hammering against her ribs.

Li Yundong was utterly dumbfounded. He never imagined that his trip with Ziyuan to the Ling Palace Sect to retrieve the Five Thunders Jade Scroll, followed by chasing a Martial Uncle from the Fox Zen Gate to Mount Gezao, would trigger such a massive melee!

He turned to Ziyuan, hoping to ask for her opinion on how to proceed, but as he turned, he saw her equally stunned, her eyes fixed blankly on the fray, speechless—clearly helpless and without a solution.

Su Chan tugged at Li Yundong’s arm. With the current chaos, she wasn't afraid of being overheard, so she lowered her voice. "Yundong, what should we do now?"

Li Yundong offered a wry smile internally: You ask me, who am I supposed to ask?

But just as he was about to speak, he noticed Mei Niang, who had already collapsed in terror, taking advantage of the cultivators' preoccupation to inch her way along the wall, preparing to flee.

A thought sparked in Li Yundong’s mind. He tapped a finger towards Mei Niang and whispered, "First, catch Mei Niang and get to the bottom of this!"

Ziyuan nodded. "That works. But it’s not safe to act here. Let's follow her. We’ll make our move once we get her somewhere secluded!"

Li Yundong understood. He took Su Chan's hand and slowly approached Mei Niang.

However, Mei Niang seemed completely overwhelmed by the spectacular violence unfolding; her legs felt like jelly. Leaning against the wall, she shuffled forward agonizingly slowly, barely managing to move at all. Li Yundong observed that although she clung to the edge, she remained within the sightlines of the fighters.

Doesn't this woman want to run and save herself? Death finds everyone in a free-for-all like this! he thought.

As he pondered this, Yan Fang suddenly roared, swiftly forming several sword seals with her fingers. Her True Essence surged forth like a torrential waterfall, causing every strand of her dark hair to stand on end, her robes whipping wildly in the fierce air.

Behind Yan Fang, the Six Harmony Sword instantly soared into the vast, starry expanse, shrinking into a single point of light in the blink of an eye. Immediately, an ear-splitting sword chime echoed from the heavens, like the roar of a celestial dragon. Everyone on the field looked up to see the myriad stars suddenly tremble. Then, these points of light grew brighter and larger, as if the entire celestial dome were falling!

A cultivator cried out in horror, "That’s the Ling Palace Sect’s ultimate technique, Sword Shatters the Firmament! Run, everyone!"

Those with lower cultivation immediately vanished without a trace. Others rapidly deployed their magic treasures, shielding themselves completely. Wan Zhenyuan snorted coldly, waved his ruler, and instantly conjured a dense river of purple mist above his head, gathering so thickly it resembled a fortress wall.

Zhang Ling slammed both hands onto the ground with a resounding thud, cracking the earth into countless fissures. Red light rolled within these cracks, like surging magma. Grasping with her five fingers, she snatched searing, hot lava flames from the earth fissures and slammed both palms toward the sword rain descending from the sky!

Li Yundong watched the terrifying sword rain. Though he, Ziyuan, and Su Chan were near the edge, not directly in the main assault zone, he could still feel the piercing sword Qi pressing in, raising countless goosebumps on his skin!

This wave of sword rain was far more vicious and sharp than the one he faced when fighting Du Fei; the impact and coverage were incomparable.

"Incredible! What kind of spell is that?" Li Yundong was startled. Although he possessed the immensely powerful Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan and the highly capable Close Combat True Word Great Hand Seal, he knew none of the large-scale, highly lethal spells, save for the recently acquired, still-unmastered Five Thunders True Dharma.

Ziyuan said solemnly, "That is Sword Shatters the Firmament, created by our Ling Palace Sect’s Ancestor. It is one of the Immortal Sword techniques, usable only when wielding a true precious sword."

Li Yundong asked, perplexed, "Why is that?"

Ziyuan explained rapidly, "Though there are countless magical artifacts, each with its own strengths, when classifying the most powerful among them, the Immortal Sword reigns supreme as the King of Artifacts! Be it the Daoists' Five Great Immortal Swords or the Buddhists' Four Great World-Saving Divine Swords, these are the world's foremost artifacts."

While they spoke quickly, the countless flying swords from above descended in an instant, whistling as they struck.

Li Yundong and his companions huddled near the corner, practically in a blind spot, thus avoiding the direct impact of the main sword deluge. However, a few stray longswords still plummeted toward them.

Li Yundong saw a longsword shoot toward his face like lightning. Instinctively, he tried to catch it, but Ziyuan grabbed him and pulled him aside. Li Yundong only had time to turn his head before hearing a dull thunk as the sword embedded itself beside his head, the blade vibrating and emitting a low hum.

Su Chan also went deathly cold with fright. Watching the longsword lodge less than an inch from her cheek, the young girl’s eyes went wide and fixed, almost crossing as she stared at it.

As Li Yundong prepared to comfort her, his eye caught a flash of white light speeding directly toward Mei Niang. Startled, he blurted out, "Bad, Mei Niang!"

Ziyuan and Su Chan instantly turned. They saw Mei Niang staring blankly as a longsword hurtled toward her, her body frozen stiff with terror.

It’s over, Mei Niang is finished! The thought flashed through Li Yundong’s mind. Before he could move, a figure suddenly flashed next to her. This person thrust a hand toward the falling sword, and a gust of protective wind burst from their sleeve, striking the longsword with a clang and knocking it flying off course.

Li Yundong focused his vision. The person was powerfully built, broad-shouldered and burly, standing about six feet one inch tall. He wore a Daoist robe, which, despite its looseness, failed to conceal the explosive strength radiating from within.

The man flashed past Mei Niang, swiftly scooping her up and heading toward a side hall.

Li Yundong didn't hesitate. "Chase!" he commanded.

The three of them, heedless of being discovered by others, immediately bolted after him.

Li Yundong was about to follow the man into the side hall when the figure suddenly pivoted, swinging a palm strike directly at him!

Li Yundong's True Essence erupted violently. He raised his hand, meeting the attack with an Immovable Foundation Seal.

With a loud boom, their palms collided. A resonant vibration shook the surrounding air. Both Li Yundong's and the man's palms emitted a crimson glow, as if a lightning bolt had flashed within the side hall. Using the light, Li Yundong clearly made out the man's appearance and build.

The man looked to be around thirty, handsome, imposing, and possessing an extraordinary bearing. Though his face was unfamiliar, Li Yundong felt a distinct sense of familiarity in his brow.

Especially when Li Yundong followed up with another Great Hand Seal, the man twisted his body in a bizarre manner. The movement caused a sharp jolt in Li Yundong's memory, and he exclaimed loudly, "You are the one peeking at the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir Arts in the stone chamber of the Fox Zen Gate!"

The man ignored Li Yundong’s accusation. He slipped past Li Yundong; hampered by holding Mei Niang in his arms, he was unwilling to fight Li Yundong head-on, especially with Ziyuan and Su Chan standing by.

After exchanging that one palm strike while carrying Mei Niang, the man swiftly used the force of Li Yundong’s blow to propel himself backward like a cannonball. During his retreat, he shifted Mei Niang from a horizontal cradle to carrying her over his shoulder like a bundle.

Mei Niang let out a startled cry, unable to contain a shout: "You damned ghost..."

Before she finished speaking, the man touched a pressure point on her body, instantly silencing her.

Seeing the man about to escape with Mei Niang, Li Yundong, burdened by countless unanswered questions, immediately urged his companions, "Quick, don't let him escape! Pursue!"

Ziyuan and Su Chan responded in unison and started to move, but the man suddenly turned back, raised his empty hand, and tossed out a golden rope.

Li Yundong saw the rope lashing toward them. Unfamiliar with the artifact, he coldly snorted and rapidly formed a Great Sun Tathagata Hand Seal, intending to strike the rope.

But just as he executed the seal, Ziyuan cried out in alarm, "Don't strike! That’s the Immortal Binding Rope!"

As her words ended, the Immortal Binding Rope struck Li Yundong's Hand Seal. The golden rope trembled under the impact, and then, in the blink of an eye, it transformed from a golden length of cord into a golden bolt of lightning. With blinding speed, it lashed out and firmly bound Li Yundong, Ziyuan, and Su Chan together.