The morning sky should have been bright, yet clouds shrouded it as if hiding some dark secret. The streets, usually bustling with life, were eerily silent. No people, no merchants' cries—only the rush of wind stirring the dust. Houses were tightly shuttered, some porches in disarray, as though abandoned in haste.
Along this deserted street, three figures walked with calm composure, as if the silence of the city were merely scenery. Yifan led the way, followed by Yun Xinyao and Xue Yao.
"Young Master, something feels off about this city," Xue Yao said, her eyes scanning the surroundings, brow slightly furrowed. She was not panicked, only wary. Even at her Heavenly King level, a dead city such as this could not rattle her heart.
"Indeed," Yifan replied curtly, his face expressionless.
Even if the world were collapsing, his gaze would remain like the still surface of a lake.
"Hm?" Yun Xinyao suddenly spoke, her eyes sharpening as they pierced the distance.
"An ant is observing us."
Yifan merely gave a faint smile, indicating he too sensed it. Xue Yao turned with mild confusion. To her, referring to an opponent as an "ant" was not unusual, especially in the presence of Yifan and Yun Xinyao.
"Miss Yun Xi, does this person mean harm?" she asked.
"Call me Yun Xinyao from now on," came the quick reply.
"And as for that person… intentions, whether good or evil, are irrelevant. If they dare cause trouble, then there's no need for them to continue existing in this world."
Xue Yao was unsurprised by Yun Xinyao's words about life and death—she herself had killed many. But she had briefly wondered about the name change, which Yifan quickly clarified:
"Her true name is Yun Xinyao. Yun Xi is merely another name."
"I see…" Xue Yao murmured.
The three figures continued deeper into the city. The further they went, the more apparent the destruction became. Buildings cracked, streets split as if torn by some prior battle. The faint scent of blood lingered, and soon corpses appeared, sprawled and frozen in their final terror.
Xue Yao's gaze sharpened. "This is a massacre."
"Oh… do you feel pity?" Yun Xinyao asked flatly, glancing at her.
"I have killed often, but only my enemies," Xue Yao answered calmly.
"And here… many ordinary humans have fallen as victims."
Before they could dwell further on the matter, suddenly…
Zing!
Hundreds of blades rained from the sky, a torrent of deadly light diving toward them.
Xue Yao moved like lightning, deflecting the swords with her palms. The metallic clang echoed as the weapons rebounded. Her eyes glinted coldly.
"Such a feeble attack… and you dare strike us?"
"Hahaha… so there's a pretty girl here after all," a hoarse laugh called from ahead.
Three figures stepped from the shadows: a man in red, his eyes lascivious; a man in black, wearing a sly grin; and a man in green, scowling. Heavenly King auras radiated from their bodies, causing the air itself to tremble.
Soon, dozens of uniformed cultivators appeared, surrounding Yifan and the two women.
"Three Heavenly Kings…" Xue Yao murmured, her eyes sparking with excitement. A large-scale battle she had longed for was finally arriving.
The man in red licked his lips, eyes lewd. "I never expected such a trivial mission to bring two women this beautiful."
The man in green snorted. "Too bad there are only two. Damn it."
The man in black chuckled lowly. "Relax, Brother Qing Li. We can share. Isn't that right, Brother Hong Zhe?"
"Hahaha… What Brother Hei Yun says is correct," Hong Zhe, the man in red, replied with satisfied laughter.
But when their gaze fell upon Yifan, surprise flashed in their eyes. The man stood calm, handsome, radiating an aura impossible to describe—and it infuriated them.
"That man ruins the view! Kill him!" shouted Qing Li, the man in green.
"Yes!" came the simultaneous response.
Their subordinates surged forward, weapons drawn, spiritual energy hissing fiercely.
Yifan remained calm and still, lazily thinking, 'Why am I the target?'
Before they could approach, a terrifying aura erupted from Xue Yao.
"Seeking death!"
In an instant, she was in front of Yifan, her robe billowing. The pressure of her power struck the dozens of cultivators like an invisible wall.
Zaaash!
Xue Yao danced among them, her claws elongating like steel blades, slicing the air. Heads were severed, chests pierced, bodies shattered without a chance to cry out. In mere breaths, dozens of bodies collapsed, drenched in blood.
Silence.
Yifan stood calmly, expression neutral, as if witnessing an ordinary scene. He knew Xue Yao needed no protection; this battle was a crucial test for her.
Across from them, Hong Zhe and his two companions' pupils constricted. They had not anticipated such terrifying power from a woman.
Xue Yao paused, her cold gaze resting on the three, voice ringing with icy authority:
"Whoever dares attack the Young Master shall die!"
"How dare she!" Qing Li cursed.
Before Qing Li could act, Xue Yao darted straight toward the three. In an instant, she was before Qing Li. A blood-red sword appeared in her hand, radiating a savage aura.
Qing Li's eyes widened; he attempted to dodge, but…
Slaaasshh!
The sword cleaved his body from shoulder to waist. Blood sprayed. His shock froze his expression before his body split in two, collapsing to the ground.
"I warned you! Dare to attack the Young Master, and you die!" Xue Yao shouted fiercely.
Her beauty remained, yet her aura was now demonic. The devilish Xue Yao had returned. For her, Yifan was untouchable. Anyone who tried would be cut down without mercy.
Hong Zhe recoiled, tension etched on his face. Hei Yun leapt back.
"Brother Hong!" Hei Yun shouted.
He knew facing Xue Yao alone would be certain defeat. Therefore, they had to cooperate.
Hong Zhe nodded swiftly, drawing his long, gleaming sword. The weapon's aura trembled the air.
'Hongchen Sword… Tier 4 artifact!' Hei Yun muttered in astonishment.
He then unfurled a black umbrella from his back. The Umbrella of Darkness opened, cloaking the sky. Storm clouds darkened, lightning crackled, and thick fog rolled, swallowing the battlefield.