The Qi sword roared through the air, expanding from a small blade into a massive, glowing pillar of destruction. Wang Fang gritted his teeth, his face pressed into the dirt. I have to move, he thought desperately, but the pressure was like an ocean weighing down on his spine. A trickle of blood leaked from his lips, staining the grass crimson.
So strong..." he gasped. "Just the wind from the blade is crushing my organs.
The disciples of the Nine Heaven Sword Sect watched with cold smirks. "Does that rat really think he can hide from Elder Han Yue?" one whispered. "As expected of the Elder... his power is absolute."
The Qi sword was inches from splitting the oak tree,in that moment Wang Fang heart skipped, before the sword descended,then the world tilted.
BOOM!
The mountain didn't just rumble; it erupted. A geyser of pure spiritual energy blasted from the peaks, shattering the summit and sending a shockwave that made even Elder Han Yue stagger. His control over the Qi sword snapped, and the glowing blade vanished into mist.
"Wow..." The disciples gasped, their arrogance replaced by awe as the sky turned a shimmering gold.
"Han Yue!" a melodic, mocking voice called out.
a new pressure descended. Unlike Han Yue's sharp, cold aura, this was soft, fragrant, and suffocating, like silk wrapping around a throat.
Elder Han Yue looked up, his expression darkening. "Shit. They're here."
A new group descended from the heavens, their movements as smooth as a summer breeze. They walked upon the clouds as if they were solid ground, dressed in flowing white and blue robes. In an instant, the male disciples of the Nine Heaven Sect were mesmerized.
"Look at those beauties..."Wh-Who are they?" one stammered. "Goddesses..."
A woman stepped forward, her robes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. She is the Fourth Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect, Lin Yufei.
Elder Han Yue," she said, her voice sounding like bells in the wind. "Were you planning on keeping all these treasures for yourself? That would be quite greedy of you."
"Lin Yufei," Han Yue hissed. "You never could stay away from a scent of gold."
She laughed, and the sound seemed to ripple through the crowd. "Did you really think I'd let you take everything.
The Azure Cloud disciples smiled, and a faint pink mist began to swirl. Below, the discipline of the Sword Sect collapsed. "Beauties! Marry me!" "I'll give you my sword! Take me with you. "Beauties! Come have my child! I'll serve you forever!"
Hmph!" Han Yue swept his sleeve forward, releasing a sharp burst of killing intent. CRACK! The charm spell shattered like glass, and the disciples slumped over, their faces pale with embarrassment.
As expected, Han Yue,"you are still the same as ever.
In the confusion,Wang Fang saw his opening. Now. While they're distracted.He stayed low, crawling back toward the denser brush. These people are monsters. I can't stay here.
He turned to run, but a voice stopped his heart cold.
"And where do you think you are going, little rat?"
Wang Fang's heart stopped. He turned slowly.Elder Lin Yufei simply extended a single, slender finger toward him. A localized gravity field slammed into Wang Fang, pinning him to the earth once more. How?! he groaned. Why is it always me?!
In the crowd, Xuan moved closer to Su Qingmei. "Senior Brother... that's him. The boy from the village."
Su Qingmei narrowed his eyes, studying the boy pinned in the dirt. "The one with the old woman?"
"Yes," Xuan answered, He paused, his senses reaching out. "...Wait. his eyes widened in horror. "Wait...his aura... he was just at the Blood Refinement realm two days ago. How is he already at Qi Gathering?!"
Su Qingmei's smile vanished. A breakthrough that fast was unheard of. It wasn't just talent; it was a miracle.
Before they could act, the air temperature spiked. A man in robes blazing like fire stepped from the forest, his presence radiating scorching heat. Elder Yan Beiming of the Crimson Sun Sect.
"Fellow cultivators!" he grinned, his eyes burning with excitement. "Are we going to stand here talking all day, or should I go ahead and take the first prize?"
The Elders glared at one another. Han Yue spat on the ground. "Yan Beiming," Han Yue sneered. "You've grown arrogant since I last defeated you.
Defeated?" Yan Beiming laughed, flames licking at his shoulders. "Don't flatter yourself. I can crush you with one hand now.
The three Elders locked eyes, the air crackling with tension.
Suddenly, the mountain gave a final, deafening crack. The top split open like a blooming flower, revealing a glowing heart of pure light.
The Elders turned to their sects instantly.
My disciples," Han Yue commanded, his sword drawn. "Prepare yourselves."
Lin Yufei smiled, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Whatever you find inside... belongs to the strong.