In front of the enormous serpent's head, the plain-looking sword seemed insignificant.
And yet—
The serpent's attack was completely halted.
The giant snake let out an enraged roar. The blood-red glow across its body surged violently as it opened its jaws and swallowed the long sword whole.
Gao Jingxuan's expression shifted slightly. He instinctively looked toward Yun Jin. He hadn't seen how that sword had appeared, but if it had a master, it could only belong to this mysterious predecessor.
Now that the sword had been swallowed, would this senior be alright?
Yet Yun Jin's expression remained calm. She didn't even lift her eyes.
"Tiny arms trying to stop a chariot," Xue Daoren sneered, lips curling with mockery. He made a small gesture with his hand, and the giant serpent surged forward once more.
At that moment, there seemed to be no way to stop it.
Many people could no longer bear to watch. Some shut their eyes in despair.
But then—
The pain they expected never came.
Instead, a terrifying hiss echoed through the air.
A loud boom followed.
The serpent's massive body suddenly exploded from within.
That plain-looking sword had pierced through it from the center, slicing across the sky in a flash.
Blood scattered in every direction.
On the sword's blade, two lights—black and white—began to shimmer.
Two distinct auras rose from the sword.
One black. One white. They spiraled together, surrounding and devouring all the blood-red mist.
In just a short moment, the crimson mist was completely absorbed.
The black and white auras, instead of fading, grew even stronger before flowing back into the sword.
"We're not dead?"
"That sword is incredible!"
"Who was it? Who saved us?"
"There's a hidden senior among us. We might actually survive!"
Voices broke out one after another, and in every eye, the light of hope rekindled. Some even burst into tears, unable to hold back their emotions. They had prepared themselves for death. But if given the chance to live, who would willingly choose to die?
Xue Daoren narrowed his eyes.
Demonic energy was a strange and fearsome force. Though it was on par with spiritual energy in terms of power, it carried a terrifying corrosive quality. That red mist had been formed from pure demonic energy. Normally, to dispel it required a great cost of spiritual energy in return.
Yet those black and white auras had not only absorbed the demonic energy—they refined it, turning it into power and growing stronger in the process.
What kind of energy was this?
It seemed like two types of special spiritual energy, yet it clearly wasn't just that.
Xue Daoran narrowed his eyes further and spoke coldly. "Who's hiding in the shadows? Since you're already here, why not show yourself?"
Even as he spoke, Xue Daoren reached out toward the sword, grabbing for it. He didn't know who the hidden expert was, but if he could take control of that sword, its master would have no choice but to appear.
Just as his blood-red palm was about to touch the Tai'a Sword—
The long sword vanished into the air.
The next moment, it reappeared in Yun Jin's hand.
Gao Jingxuan's heart skipped a beat.
It really was this senior!
But instead of being relieved, panic surged in his chest.
Now that she had revealed herself, wouldn't she instantly become their primary target?
Xue Daoren was no kind man.
"Senior, you—" Gao Jingxuan began to speak.
But in the next moment—
Yun Jin's appearance suddenly changed.
Gao Jingxuan's pupils shrank.
Before him stood a woman completely different from the one who had hidden herself before.
This was...
Yun Jin no longer concealed her identity. She rose into the air, standing calmly before the Blood Daoist.
"You were looking for me. So here I am."
Xue Daoren stared at her, his expression twisting into something complex. Then he burst out laughing.
"Yun Jin! Hahaha! Yun Jin, you actually showed yourself!"
Yun Jin met his gaze calmly.
Below—
A trace of shock flashed across Gao Jingxuan's eyes. The senior who had journeyed with him all the way to the capital was none other than the Sect Master of the Wushuang Sect—the very woman Xue Daoren had been hunting.
Yun Jin had really come!
"Yun Jin?!"
Qin Ping, still barely conscious, turned his head. The instant he saw Yun Jin, despair flickered across his face.
Forcing out a raspy breath, Qin Ping spoke hoarsely, "Sect Master Yun... you... you shouldn't have come!" His life wasn't worth saving.
Besides, the Blood Dao Sect had been preparing this trap for a long time. He had failed to notice a thing. The rebellion in the capital—he bore a heavy share of the blame. He had already committed a grievous sin. Death was the only way he could atone.
So why?
Why had Yun Jin really come?
Yun Jin glanced gently at Qin Ping and said, "Senior Qin, you said you would join my Wushuang Sect. So I have taken you as a disciple of my sect. If a disciple of mine dies in fair battle or perishes during a dangerous expedition, as sect master, I won't utter a single complaint. But if that disciple falls to deceit, to traps and schemes—then no matter how powerful the enemy is, I must seek justice for them."
She turned toward Xue Daoren
Sword in hand, she pointed directly at him.
"So today, I've come to take your life."
Qin Ping clearly heard every word. Tears welled in his dry eyes.
This wasn't necessary...
It wasn't necessary at all.
He and Yun Jin had only exchanged a verbal promise.
Even if he had formally joined the Wushuang Sect, there was no reason for the sect master to come in person to save him.
Gao Jingxuan stared at the floating Yun Jin, dazed. If a disciple of the Wushuang Sect fell to treachery or schemes, Yun Jin would personally avenge them?
The Wushuang Sect was still a newly founded sect.
And yet, for some reason...
Gao Jingxuan felt a hint of envy for its disciples.
To have a sect master like her, they must feel safe.
What a pity...
A trace of sorrow crossed Gao Jingxuan's eyes. His talent was far too poor. Even if he survived this ordeal, the Wushuang Sect was forever out of reach for him.
With just five elemental roots, even if he cultivated ten times harder than others, what they achieved with ease would cost him a hundredfold, a thousandfold effort. For someone like him, the path of cultivation had been a nightmare from the very beginning.
"Yun Jin. That's Sect Master Yun!"
"The Wushuang Sect's leader was here all along!"
"She came to save us!"
A young girl's voice rang out, clear and innocent: "This big sister saved me before. She's the kindest person in the whole world."
Hearing her voice, many people lowered their heads in shame.
Although they had already been scolded once by Gao Jingxuan, many still believed that this disaster had started because of Yun Jin. In their hearts, they felt she ought to be the one to resolve it. Some had even cursed her silently, accusing the Wushuang Sect's leader of cowardice, saying she wasn't worthy of the seniors who came before.
But the truth was—
Yun Jin had arrived long ago. When the earth began to tremble, she had quietly set up a formation that protected many lives.
In contrast, their own selfishness now seemed all the more disgraceful.
Some people couldn't even bring themselves to lift their heads.
Xue Daoren looked at Yun Jin. His smile grew even wider.
"Very good. Very good. I never thought you'd be this foolish."