The sky above Ironblood Peak turned darker with every passing second.
Crimson lightning twisted through the storm clouds like veins filled with blood, illuminating the hovering figure of **Lian Yue**. The blades floating behind her vibrated softly, each one radiating enough pressure to make ordinary disciples struggle to breathe.
The Ironblood disciples had faced death before.
They had fought demons, beasts, and rival sects.
But the aura pouring from the Crimson Saintess felt… different.
Ancient.
Cruel.
And terrifyingly calm.
Ye Tian stood at the front of the courtyard, his sword drawn but not raised. His war talent pulsed steadily, warning him over and over again.
**Threat Level: Extreme.
Estimated Survival Probability: Low.**
He ignored it.
Lian Yue's crimson eyes examined him slowly, like a collector inspecting a rare artifact.
"So this is the one who killed three captains… destroyed Black Fang's advance… and survived the Blood Trial."
Her lips curved upward.
"You're more interesting than I expected."
Fang Chen leaned closer to Ye Tian, whispering under his breath.
"If this goes bad, I'm blaming you."
Lan Mei shot him an annoyed glance.
"This already *is* bad."
Leon stepped forward, placing himself between Ye Tian and the Saintess.
His voice remained calm.
"You've said enough."
The storm above trembled slightly as Leon's aura rose to meet Lian Yue's.
Two pressures collided invisibly.
The air cracked.
Several disciples staggered back, unable to withstand the clash of two monstrous cultivators.
Lian Yue tilted her head slightly.
"You really intend to protect him personally?"
Leon didn't answer.
He simply drew his blade.
The metallic sound echoed across the mountain.
Lian Yue sighed dramatically.
"Such hostility."
One of the floating crimson blades behind her drifted forward lazily.
"Very well."
Her smile sharpened.
"Let's see if Ironblood Peak still deserves its reputation."
She flicked her finger.
The blade vanished.
It appeared directly in front of Leon's throat.
CLANG!
Leon's sword moved instantly, deflecting the attack with effortless precision. Sparks exploded outward as the two weapons collided.
The courtyard floor shattered beneath the pressure.
But the attack didn't stop.
Nine more crimson blades appeared simultaneously, striking from different angles—each one moving fast enough to tear apart a Core Formation cultivator before they could blink.
Leon stepped forward.
His sword flashed.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Every blade was deflected.
The air filled with streaks of light as their attacks collided faster and faster.
Ye Tian watched with intense focus.
This wasn't just strength.
It was mastery.
Every movement Leon made was efficient, controlled, perfectly timed. He didn't waste energy. He didn't overextend.
He simply dominated the space around him.
Lian Yue laughed softly.
"You're still good."
She waved her hand.
The crimson blades shot upward and regrouped behind her.
"But let's make this interesting."
The storm above them roared.
Blood-red energy poured from the clouds, flowing into Lian Yue's body. Her aura doubled instantly, pressing down on Ironblood Peak like a falling mountain.
The disciples below groaned under the pressure.
Lan Mei dropped to one knee.
Fang Chen cursed loudly.
"What the hell is that?!"
Ye Tian felt it too.
The pressure wasn't just physical—it attacked the spirit directly, like thousands of invisible hands trying to crush his soul.
Leon frowned slightly.
"You're using the Crimson Domain."
Lian Yue shrugged.
"Just a little."
The sky changed.
Everything inside the storm turned red.
The sunlight vanished completely, replaced by an eerie crimson glow that bathed the entire mountain.
"This domain suppresses enemies and strengthens me," she said casually. "Most people collapse instantly."
Her gaze shifted toward Ye Tian again.
"You're still standing."
Ye Tian wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Should I be impressed?"
She chuckled.
"Maybe."
Suddenly—
She disappeared.
Not fast.
Instant.
Her hand appeared in front of Ye Tian's chest.
Lan Mei shouted.
"Captain!"
Leon moved.
But even he was a fraction too late.
Lian Yue's palm struck Ye Tian directly.
BOOM!
The impact blasted him backward across the courtyard, sending him crashing through a stone wall and skidding across the ground.
Dust exploded into the air.
Fang Chen roared and rushed forward, but Leon stopped him with a single gesture.
"Stay back."
The dust settled.
Ye Tian slowly stood up.
Blood dripped from his lip, but his eyes burned with defiance.
Lian Yue looked genuinely surprised.
"Oh?"
She studied her hand.
"That should have shattered your ribs."
Ye Tian rolled his shoulders.
"They're cracked."
He lifted his sword again.
"But I'm not dead."
For the first time since arriving—
Lian Yue looked excited.
Her crimson eyes gleamed.
"I like you."
Behind her, the storm intensified further.
Leon stepped forward again.
"This ends now," he said coldly.
Lian Yue sighed.
"Fine."
Her aura exploded outward, shaking the mountain.
"Let's stop playing."
The crimson blades behind her merged together, forming a single massive weapon shaped like a crescent moon.
Leon raised his sword.
The air around him condensed into countless invisible edges.
Ye Tian felt it clearly.
Two catastrophes.
About to collide.
Lan Mei whispered hoarsely.
"If they unleash full power here…"
Fang Chen finished the sentence.
"…half the mountain will disappear."
Lian Yue raised her weapon.
Leon raised his blade.
The storm above Ironblood Peak screamed.
And then ..
They attacked.