Dugu Bachen, Xuanyuan Jue, and Yu Luosha simultaneously felt the entire space constrict, an ineffable pressure descending from the void. Facing this oppression, they were like ants beneath a mountain, poised to be crushed at any moment.
Their bodies were utterly immobile; even blinking was a struggle. How could this fellow possess such formidable power? Was this his true strength?
A burning will to fight ignited in the eyes of Yu Luosha, Xuanyuan Jue, and Dugu Bachen. Even knowing the opponent's strength vastly surpassed their own, they showed no inclination to retreat.
“Sky-Soaring Life-Death Wheel!” Yu Luosha sneered. His gaunt frame suddenly straightened, his internal Yuan energy erupting completely. Streaks of blood-red light radiated from him. With great difficulty, his hands moved in complex patterns before him, slowly coalescing a circular wheel between them, emitting an energy that wavered precariously between life and death…
“Tricks of a mere insect…” Sensing the power of the wheel, Yuan scoffed. Suddenly, his claw transformed into a fist, and he unleashed a single blow. The onlookers felt an overwhelming surge of pure fist intent explode outward. Immediately, Yu Luosha’s not-yet-complete Sky-Soaring Life-Death Wheel shattered, and the rampaging force slammed into his chest, causing his body to visibly fracture and break apart.
Xuanyuan Jue and Dugu Bachen could no longer spare a thought for Yu Luosha, for that potent fist intent had already enveloped them both.
A long sword materialized in Xuanyuan Jue’s hand, a blade forged entirely from condensed Yuan energy. However, his mastery was so profound that this energy sword was nearly indistinguishable from a materialized, genuine treasure blade.
He raised the sword with immense difficulty, and a razor-sharp sword qi immediately tore through the air. A blinding sword gleam illuminated the entire horizon…
“Heaven-Shattering Sword…” The elongated sword light seemed capable of cleaving heaven and earth as it slashed straight toward Yuan. The potent sword intent fiercely locked onto Yuan, completely sealing off any space for evasion.
Simultaneously, a Yuan energy-condensed saber appeared in Dugu Bachen’s grasp. An even more dazzling saber radiance descended from the sky toward Yuan. Beneath this strike, heaven and earth trembled, as if about to split the chaos and reshape creation itself.
Creation Saber!
Facing the ultimate attacks from these two powerhouses, Yuan showed no intention of dodging. He merely raised both hands slowly and flicked them outward with a seemingly casual, slight motion—yes, just a gentle flick, as if a smoker were flicking away a cigarette butt…
With a soft snap... Yuan’s saber light and Xuanyuan Jue’s sword light shattered simultaneously. The saber and sword in their hands detonated as well. The tremendous recoil violently threw both men backward, their mouths spewing blood without restraint.
Yuan let out a cold snort, about to press his attack, when a man suddenly appeared in the sky—a handsome figure clad in brocade robes, gripping a purple longsword. It was Xuanyuan Jing, the one who had claimed the Xuanyuan Sword that day.
He materialized directly beside Xuanyuan Jue, catching the swaying figure, and soared upward, holding him aloft.
“You still intend to leave now?” Seeing Xuanyuan Jing attempting a rescue right under his nose, Yuan coldly hummed and raised a hand, reaching out to seize both Xuanyuan Jing and Xuanyuan Jue. A colossal palm materialized in the sky, descending as if to swat a common fly.
Facing a giant palm that could easily leave Xuanyuan Jue severely wounded, Xuanyuan Jing gripped the Xuanyuan Sword tightly and struck with a single slash. A piercing purple sword beam shot toward the heavens, tearing the massive hand to shreds. Xuanyuan Jing then, supporting Xuanyuan Jue, transformed into a streak of purple light and shot skyward, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye…
“What kind of sword was that?” Yuan was momentarily stunned. He had sensed an extremely potent power contained within that treasure blade.
But in that mere moment of distraction, Xuanyuan Jing and Xuanyuan Jue were gone.
His fury deepening, Yuan turned his gaze upon Yu Luosha. Without another word, he brought his palm down upon him. Alas, Yu Luosha, despite his profound cultivation, was already the most grievously wounded. He possessed no defense against such a strike; in an instant, his body was pulverized, his soul utterly annihilated along with it.
Having slain Yu Luosha with a single palm, Yuan turned his attention back to Dugu Bachen. But Dugu Bachen had struggled back to his feet. His emaciated body stood straight and tall, like an ancient pine. Having already faced death once, he understood its nature. Though he desperately wished to live, sometimes death was an inescapable necessity.
The Yuan energy within him began to circulate once more, and a semi-transparent battle saber reappeared in his hand. Sharp saber qi began to flicker wildly, slashing out in all directions.
Even if he must die, he would die fighting bravely…
A savage smile touched Yuan’s lips. He observed Dugu Bachen, whose power was still rising, preparing to extinguish him, when he suddenly sensed something, and his expression shifted slightly…
Whoosh… A streak of blood-light shot skyward, transforming into a beam aimed directly at the towering Qin Mountain. His other hand, however, slammed down toward Dugu Bachen…
Dugu Bachen entire being became a saber, a peerless treasure blade standing between heaven and earth. Facing the incoming palm strike, he paid it no mind, instead charging toward the streak of blood-light…
That was the Yuantu Sword, the sword capable of breaking the seal. He absolutely could not allow this sword to succeed; this was the mission entrusted to him and his peers by their master. Even in death, he must complete this mission, and at the very least, he would not permit anyone to break the seal before his end…
His speed was incredible, and the saber aura emanating from him was lethally sharp. In an instant, he reached the Yuantu Sword and fiercely slammed his body against the blade’s surface…
“Overestimating yourself…” Seeing Dugu Bachen fearlessly crash into his Yuantu Sword, Yuan coldly scoffed. Yet, the Yuantu Sword instantly flared with brilliance…
Boom… With a colossal sound, the treasure saber formed by Dugu Bachen collided with the Yuantu Sword. It was like a man colliding with a speeding express train; the Yuantu Sword did not alter its trajectory even slightly, while Dugu Bachen’s body was violently repelled…
Hiss… At that very moment, the Yuantu Sword plunged deep into the Qin Mountain. The sword light emanating from it intensified, and an aura saturated with bloodlust, savagery, and utter destruction erupted fully from the blade…
Countless streams of sword qi surged madly, and sounds of explosive fracturing echoed up from the Qin Mountain…