The serene sky suddenly trembled, and the air above the battlefield quivered as if it were about to collapse. Amidst the void, a thin crack slowly appeared, almost invisible, like a delicate line across a fragile glass surface. But within seconds, the line widened and spread wildly, crack after crack intersecting, forming a shimmering web, as if a colossal mirror were being shattered by invisible hands.
All eyes were drawn to that point. Hundreds of gazes froze, hearts tightening with the faint rumble emanating from the fracture. Silence fell for a moment, then the sound of shattering exploded like glass struck by a hammer. From the gap, a faint light poured forth, revealing an alien emptiness behind it, as though another world were peering into the mortal realm.
"How is this possible!"
Xing Yang shouted, his body trembling, beads of cold sweat forming at his temples. His voice quavered, his eyes wide with fear.
Moments later, from the ever-widening void, two figures emerged. They walked out as if stepping from darkness into light, their silhouettes radiating an awe-inspiring terror.
"This… this ability…"
"Heavenly Venerable!" someone in the crowd yelled, voice choked with disbelief.
The shout instantly struck every heart.
"Heavenly Venerable?!"
"Oh my Heavens! Could these two really be experts at that stage?" exclaimed a female cultivator, her voice full of shock, her face pale as death.
The crowd erupted in murmurs, but the sounds were nothing more than a distant hum. Every head seemed to buzz, unable to contain the reality. A chaotic battle among Heavenly Kings should never have attracted the attention of beings at such a high realm. Their existence was legend, rarely seen even after hundreds of years!
Xue Yao stared at the sky, her breath ragged. Her chest rose and fell as though she had run thousands of miles, yet the suffocation was not from fatigue. Her heart pounded violently, threatening to leap from her chest. She recognized the two mysterious figures!
Yifan and Yun Xi!
The young man in the black robe appeared youthful and handsome, his eyes like bottomless seas. Beside him stood a girl in a flowing amethyst robe, beautiful as a celestial being, graceful yet dangerous. They walked side by side, like two eternal beings setting foot upon the mortal world. Their auras were restrained, not spilling a hint of power, yet it was precisely this control that evoked fear. Everyone could feel the chill crawling across their skin, hairs standing on end without control.
In the distance, Yao Yue felt her heart race faster than usual. Her breath caught, her eyes barely able to blink. The two figures appeared far too young, yet emerging from the void was a hallmark of a Heavenly Venerable expert, something impossible to imitate. She herself was concealed by a secret artifact that masked her aura and form, yet now she even doubted whether it could withstand their gaze.
Suddenly, Yifan stepped forward, and in an instant, he was standing before Xue Yao. His movement was light, as if he had only taken a single, small step. Yun Xi followed at his side, silent, a shadow in faithful attendance.
"Miss Xue Yao, we meet again," Yifan's voice sounded calm, flat yet captivating, as if nothing in the world could unsettle him.
From the palm of his hand, a softly glowing pill appeared, which he handed to Xue Yao. The pill released a fragrant aroma, pure energy flowing around it, clearly a high-grade healing medicine.
"Thank you for your assistance, Young Master and Miss,"
"Xue Yao will never forget this kindness," Xue Yao's voice trembled, tears brimming in her eyes.
She realized that without them, she might have chosen her final path—perhaps self-detonation rather than capture and humiliation at the hands of her enemies. Gratitude filled her chest, for she had never imagined that the two people she had just met would appear to save her.
Xing Yang and Xing Mu, witnessing all of this, trembled even more. Who exactly were these two? How could they know Xue Yao? Wasn't she a woman without any major background? Xing Yang felt as though his head might explode, his thoughts scattered, logic shattered. Nervously, he stepped back a few paces, cupping his hands in front of him, trying to seek mercy.
"Forgive me, senior… perhaps there was a misunderstanding earlier. If…"
Zing!
Bruk!
His words were cut off. A sword of light streaked like lightning, striking directly at his head. Xing Yang fell, his body collapsing before he could finish his sentence. At the same time, Xing Mu's body was pierced by the same sword, blood spraying, his face frozen in confusion. Even his soul must have wondered how he had met his end.
Xue Yao turned her head at Yun Xi's hand gesture. Yun Xi stood casually, her fingertip still trembling slightly. Clearly, the attack was not Yifan's—it came from Yun Xi!
Silence crept.
The world seemed to freeze. The wind ceased, birds and insects held their breath, even the leaves dared not move.
Xue Yao, just moments ago calm, now felt cold sweat trickle down again. Xing Yang, a seventh-stage Heavenly King expert, whom she herself could never hope to match, was killed with merely a light movement from Yun Xi. How terrifying was this woman's power! She shivered, yet felt grateful that she had never offended Yifan or Yun Xi.
'Is this the power of a Heavenly Venerable?' she whispered in her heart, her body trembling.
In the distance, Yao Yue nearly lost control of her concealment. Her eyes widened, her face pale. She knew all too well how difficult it was to kill Xing Yang, yet Yun Xi did it as if brushing away dust. Her heart quivered, her conviction solidifying—they were indeed experts at that stage!
The other cultivators were similarly shaken. Their mouths hung open, but no sound emerged from their throats. None dared speak; all could only watch in awe and fear. They knew that from this moment, the Xing family was destined for ruin. Word of this would explode across the regions in an instant.
"These two flies are ruining the scenery," Yun Xi's voice sounded light, yet cold as ice clinging to bone. A faint smile adorned her beautiful face as she looked at the still-dazed Xue Yao.
"You need not worry anymore," Yun Xi continued, gazing at Xue Yao.
"Ah… um, senior, please forgive my earlier audacity," Xue Yao hurriedly cupped her hands, bowing slightly with nervousness.
She changed how she addressed her, now speaking with respect. She remembered trying to flirt with Yifan before, and clearly, Yun Xi had not been pleased. The sword strike earlier was a warning, though not aimed at her.
Yifan paid it no mind; he knew that even if Yun Xi was displeased, she would not attack Xue Yao, who had drawn his attention. Yifan merely observed Xue Yao with eyes full of scrutiny, as if seeking something hidden within her. A faint light flickered in his gaze.
"No need to call her senior, just relax, she is not a wicked person," Yifan said calmly.
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Miss Xue Yao, you are not safe alone. How about accompanying the two of us?"
The words shocked Xue Yao, her heart fluttering wildly. She, a woman who had nearly died in despair, was now being offered to join two mysterious and immensely powerful beings? Though she did not know the full extent of Yifan's strength, she could clearly feel that even the fearsome Yun Xi behaved like a follower beside him. If Yun Xi willingly stayed at his side, Yifan must be even more formidable.
Xue Yao swallowed, then said, "Ah… Young Master, may I?"
"Of course you may," Yifan replied with a tone of sincere care.
Xue Yao's eyes sparkled, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "Then, thank you, Young Master,"
"But… just call me Xue Yao," Xue Yao added.
Her voice flowed sweetly, seeming to calm the restless heart. Xue Yao glanced briefly at Yun Xi, wanting to gauge her reaction. But Yun Xi merely stared blankly, calm without anger. Xue Yao felt relieved, a small smile rising. She was confident she was now on the right side, protected by these two exalted figures.
Yun Xi turned her head, eyes still holding a trace of jealousy, yet she suppressed it effortlessly. Her allure was captivating, but her self-control stronger. This was why Yifan always felt at ease taking her anywhere.
Suddenly, Yun Xi lifted her gaze, staring at the distant sky above. Her voice was low but sharp,
"How long do you intend to keep hiding?" she spoke in that direction.
As if summoned, a figure in golden-yellow robes appeared from the sky. Yao Yue, who had been watching from afar, was finally revealed. Panic filled her expression, her body trembling, yet she forced herself to descend before the three.
"Greetings, senior," she said respectfully, cupping her hands.
"Forgive me for remaining idle and not helping her"
She referred to Xue Yao, her face tense. The reason was clear: the Xing family's strength rivaled that of the Liuyao Pavilion, which she led, so she had not dared intervene from the start.
"As long as you do not harm my person, I care not for your motives," Yifan replied briefly, his voice cold but even.
Yao Yue exhaled in relief. Tension slowly dissipated, the cold sweat on her forehead vanishing little by little. Yet Xue Yao, hearing those words, felt warmth bloom in her chest. Yifan called her "my person," as if she were already part of his protective circle. The sense of security she had never felt before surged, making her marvel at and feel curious toward the mysterious young man.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Yao Yue, I am the Mistress of Liuyao Pavilion," said the woman in yellow with courtesy.
"Though I am but a humble person, would both seniors care to visit my pavilion?"
Her tone was full of humility, something she would never show to ordinary people. Yet these two were clearly no ordinary beings. Yun Xi and Yifan did not respond immediately. Yao Yue's expression grew slightly bitter, then she added,
"If the seniors are not interested, in a few days our pavilion will hold an auction. One of the final items is a mysterious mirror shard… likely a piece of an Immortal artifact."
Hearing this, Yun Xi's eyes reflected a hint of curiosity. She looked to Yifan, leaving the decision entirely to him. Immortal artifacts were artifacts above Tier 9. Yifan glanced briefly, then calmly replied,
"Since the Liuyao Pavilion Mistress has shown goodwill, we will visit."
Joy exploded in Yao Yue's chest, as though chains that had bound her were broken. Her face shone, an uncontrollable smile spreading. She cupped her hands again, voice full of excitement,
"Thank you, seniors!"
Thus, Yifan, Yun Xi, Xue Yao, and Yao Yue stepped forward, heading toward the Liuyao Pavilion, leaving behind the arena that now held only silence and the lingering fear etched in the hearts of the witnesses.