CLANG—
Yin Shiren had blocked the Apocalypse Myth, wielded by the Grand Academician, with his own great blade.
Yet, the moment their weapons clashed, Yin Shiren had been unable to withstand the overwhelming force and was instantly sent flying.
He had expected this outcome.
Even as the Grand Academician's strike hurled him back, Yin Shiren had seized Liu Zhu Yi and Ye Xiao Chai, dragging them away from their foe.
Still, they had managed to retreat barely ten meters.
Though it was a pitiful sight, Yin Shiren had intercepted the fatal blow meant for Liu Zhu Yi.
For now, he had helped Liu Zhu Yi cheat death.
Whether Liu Zhu Yi would truly survive, however, depended on the battle yet to come.
Blocking the Grand Academician's killing strike had been Yin Shiren's limit.
After all, few in the martial world were worthy of facing such a foe—a fact Yin Shiren understood well.
Had the Grand Academician not already been grievously wounded by Liu Zhu Yi and Ye Xiao Chai's combined assault, and had Yin Shiren not wielded an indestructible treasure blade, even his full strength would not have sufficed.
"The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade?!" the Grand Academician exclaimed.
"The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade?!" Liu Zhu Yi gasped.
In an instant, both the Grand Academician and Liu Zhu Yi had recognized the weapon in Yin Shiren's grasp—a legendary blade that had once shaken the martial world.
The Apocalypse Myth in the Grand Academician's hand was a peerless demonic saber, one that few divine weapons could withstand.
Even The Path of Benevolence, the blade of Phoenix Cry, had been shattered by it.
Thus, Yin Shiren had no choice but to bring forth The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade.
Though its destined era had passed, and though it lacked the dragon energy of Su Huanzhen to unleash its full might, the sheer durability of the blade alone had allowed it to barely hold against Apocalypse Myth.
"Hah—!" the Grand Academician roared.
At that moment, the Grand Academician unleashed the power of the Death God, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
The Death God's Barrier had descended.
Even with Yin Shiren's interference, the Grand Academician would not let Liu Zhu Yi and Ye Xiao Chai escape.
Now, none of the three could leave unless the barrier was broken.
"Liu Zhu Yi—it's up to you," Yin Shiren said.
Seeing the barrier enclose them, Yin Shiren swiftly passed The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade to Liu Zhu Yi.
He knew his limits—this battle was beyond him now.
With that, Yin Shiren retreated.
Liu Zhu Yi understood the situation. Their plan to slay the demon had failed. Ye Xiao Chai's Heavenly Sword had lost its divine power, and both of them were severely wounded.
This was no longer a fight to kill—it was a fight to survive.
At the very least, he had to ensure Ye Xiao Chai's safety.
Gripping The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade, Liu Zhu Yi made his decision.
"Hah—!" Liu Zhuyi shouted.
He channeled the last remnants of his Desolate God Dragon Energy into the blade.
Instantly, the weapon blazed with radiant light, its power surging.
Normally, The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade required the dragon energy of Blood-Horned Azure—Su Huanzhen's power—to reach its full potential.
But though Liu Zhu Yi's Desolate God Dragon Energy was not the same, it still amplified the blade's might.
Seeing his gamble succeed, Liu Zhu Yi did not hesitate. He lunged at the Grand Academician, blade in hand.
The Grand Academician's lips curled into a cruel smile.
Though unexpected variables had arisen, his determination to kill Liu Zhu Yi and Ye Xiao Chai had only grown.
Now, he would add the meddler to his list.
He swung Apocalypse Myth to meet Liu Zhu Yi's assault.
CLANG—!
CLANG—!
CLANG—!
The clash of blades was beyond catastrophic—no words could describe its ferocity.
Fortunately, the Grand Academician's injuries and Liu Zhu Yi's empowered blade kept them evenly matched—for now.
Meanwhile, the wounded Ye Xiao Chai watched the battle intently, steadying his breath and suppressing his injuries.
Though he could not intervene, he refused to give up, searching for any opening to strike.
Yet none noticed—Yin Shiren had vanished from within the Death God's Barrier.
Liu Zhu Yi, wholly focused on the Grand Academician, saw nothing.
Ye Xiao Chai, fixated on the duel, sensed nothing.
And the Grand Academician, fighting with all his might, could spare only fleeting glances at Ye Xiao Chai—he had no attention left for Yin Shiren.
As time passed, Ye Xiao Chai's expression darkened with urgency.
He could see it—Liu Zhu Yi's Desolate God Dragon Energy was depleting, and The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade's power waned with it.
The scales of battle were tipping in the Grand Academician's favor.
Liu Zhu yi and the Grand Academician knew it too.
With no choice, Liu Zhu Yi pressed even fiercer attacks, denying his foe any chance to counter.
Then—
The moment his blade struck, Liu Zhu Yi's face changed.
A sudden shift.
When The Dragon Bone Sacred Blade met Apocalypse Myth, there was no recoil.
The Grand Academician had used the force of Liu Zhu Yi's strike to leap back.
"Death God's Final End!" the Grand Academician bellowed.
A slash tore through the air—the heavens and earth wept.
"Five Dragons' Roar!" Liu Zhu Yi roared.
He mustered every last drop of his energy, channeling it through the blade to unleash the ultimate technique of Nine Heavenly Arts.
Five colossal dragons soared, obliterating the Grand Academician's attack.
But the Grand Academician's maneuver, though turning defense into offense, carried its own peril.
For now—Ye Xiao Chai had his chance.
A desperate strike. A peerless technique. The Heart Sword reappeared.
"The Heart Sword?!" the Grand Academician exclaimed.
The Grand Academician had anticipated this. Apocalypse Myth swept out to parry.
Yet—
What he had not foreseen was Yin Shiren's sudden reappearance before Liu Zhu Yi.
"Hah—!" Yin Shiren shouted.
Golden light erupted from Yin Shiren's body as a "卍" Buddhist Seal materialized in his palm.
"Lotus Law's Divine Light Illuminates the Cosmos!" Yin Shiren cried.
As the Grand Academician blocked Heart Sword, Yin Shiren unleashed the Tenth Form of Bodhisattva Seal.
The radiant attack followed Heart Sword, converging on the Grand Academician.
Instantly, the Grand Academician abandoned his defense against Heart Sword, redirecting Apocalypse Myth to counter Yin Shiren's strike.
His blade moved swiftly, intercepting the path of the palm strike.
But Bodhisattva Seal—Tenth Form, once hailed as the ultimate technique, could not be fully blocked—not by a wounded Grand Academician, not in such haste.
"ARGH—!" the Grand Academician screamed.
A scream tore from his lips as remnants of Lotus Law's Divine Light and Heart Sword's lingering force struck him.
The Buddhist energy of the attack, combined with Ye Xiao Chai's Lotus Throne Power, ravaged the Grand Academician's body.
Darkness receded—the Death God's Barrier collapsed.
"Go—!" Yin Shiren urged.
Seizing the moment, Yin Shiren grabbed the exhausted Liu Zhu Yi and Ye Xiao Chai.
A golden eagle descended from the skies.
The trio leaped onto its back, and with a mighty flap of its wings, they vanished from the Grand Academician's sight.
Even if he wished to pursue, it was too late.
Yet the Grand Academician felt no regret.
Liu Zhu Yi was too wounded to recover soon.
And Heavenly Sword's divine power was spent—no longer a threat.
What intrigued him now was the stranger who had mastered Bodhisattva Seal—Tenth Form.
But it was mere curiosity.
After all—those who learned that technique had only seven days to live.