The mountain winds howled violently.
Dark clouds gathered above the Ji Xia Sect, swallowing the last traces of sunlight. What was once a calm evening had turned into something far more ominous.
The air itself felt heavy.
Oppressive.
As if the heavens were holding their breath.
At the edge of the sect grounds, Yan Fu stood calmly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"They're here."
Behind him, Li Fei tightened his fists, a faint pink flame flickering around his hands.
"Finally…"
Vorath rose to his full height, his massive body radiating a terrifying aura.
"Now this feels like a proper fight."
Tianlong's body crackled with lightning as he ascended into the sky, circling above the sect like a living storm.
Aetherion stepped forward, his calm presence spreading across the disciples, stabilizing their nervous energy.
"Everyone… stay focused."
Moments later—
They appeared.
From the dense forest ahead, five figures stepped out.
Unlike the scouts from before, these cultivators did not bother hiding their presence.
Their auras exploded outward the moment they entered the open.
Each one was powerful.
Far beyond ordinary disciples.
One of them stepped forward.
A tall man clad in dark crimson robes, his eyes cold and sharp.
"So…"
He looked around the sect slowly.
"This is Ji Xia Sect."
His gaze stopped on Yan Fu.
"You must be the Sect Master."
Yan Fu nodded calmly.
"And you are?"
The man smirked.
"Just someone sent to test whether your sect is worth destroying."
The disciples behind Yan Fu stiffened.
Li Fei stepped forward instantly.
"You talk too much."
But Yan Fu raised his hand slightly.
"Wait."
His eyes remained locked on the enemy.
"Five elites… not bad."
The crimson-robed man chuckled.
"You're confident."
Vorath growled softly.
"Master… let me tear them apart."
Yan Fu shook his head.
"Not yet."
Then—
He stepped forward.
The ground beneath him cracked slightly as his aura began to rise.
"Since you came all this way…"
"…then entertain me."
---
The Battle Begins
Without another word—
The enemy attacked.
One of them vanished instantly, reappearing behind Yan Fu with a blade aimed at his neck.
But—
CLANG
The attack stopped mid-air.
Yan Fu didn't even turn.
A thin layer of invisible energy blocked the strike completely.
The attacker's eyes widened.
"What—"
Before he could react—
Yan Fu flicked his finger.
A burst of force sent him flying across the courtyard.
"Too slow."
At the same time—
The remaining four enemies charged forward.
"Disciples!"
Li Fei shouted.
"Formation!"
The Ji Xia disciples immediately moved into position.
Just like their training.
Groups formed.
Energy synchronized.
The battlefield split instantly—
Into multiple fights.
---
Li Fei vs Flame Cultivator
A man surrounded by red flames rushed toward Li Fei.
"You think you can stop me?"
Li Fei smirked.
"Try me."
Their flames collided—
Red against pink.
But something strange happened.
Li Fei's flames didn't just clash—
They consumed.
"What?!"
The enemy's fire began shrinking.
Li Fei stepped forward.
"My flames…"
"…aren't normal."
With a single motion—
He unleashed a burst of pink jade fire.
The enemy was thrown back violently.
---
Zhao Tian vs Twin Blade Assassin
Meanwhile—
Zhao Tian faced two enemies at once.
Both wielding curved blades.
Fast.
Deadly.
They attacked from both sides—
Perfect coordination.
But Zhao Tian didn't panic.
His body moved smoothly—
Like flowing water.
Every attack missed by the smallest margin.
One blade came close—
Zhao Tian caught it.
Twisted.
And redirected the second attacker into his own ally.
BOOM
Both enemies crashed into the ground.
Zhao Tian stood calmly.
Unshaken.
Watching.
Calculating.
---
Guardian Beasts Enter
The battlefield intensified.
One of the enemies suddenly released a powerful aura—
Targeting the weaker disciples.
But before it could reach them—
ROAR
Vorath appeared.
His massive body slammed into the ground.
The shockwave alone forced the enemy back.
"You dare target the weak?"
His amber eyes glowed.
"I'll crush you."
Above—
Tianlong descended like lightning.
Striking another enemy directly.
Electricity exploded across the battlefield.
Meanwhile—
Aetherion moved silently.
Wherever disciples were injured—
Light followed.
Healing.
Protecting.
Stabilizing.
---
Yan Fu vs Crimson Leader
At the center—
Yan Fu faced the leader.
The crimson-robed man smiled.
"So this is your strength?"
Yan Fu remained calm.
"You haven't seen it yet."
The man's aura exploded.
Flames surged around him.
"I am a Core Formation cultivator."
"Let's see how long you last."
He attacked—
A massive wave of fire rushed toward Yan Fu.
But Yan Fu raised his staff.
"Celestial Scripture…"
A faint golden light appeared.
"…Second Verse."
The fire stopped.
Split.
And vanished.
The leader's expression changed.
"That's not normal power…"
Yan Fu stepped forward.
"You came to test me."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Now I'll test you."
He swung his staff.
Not fast.
Not flashy.
But—
The air shattered.
A wave of pressure slammed into the enemy.
The crimson-robed man was forced back.
His feet carving into the ground.
"…Impossible."
---
Turning Point
Within minutes—
The battle shifted.
The enemies—
Who came with confidence—
Were now struggling.
One was unconscious.
Two were injured.
The remaining fighters looked shaken.
"This sect…"
"…is not normal."
The leader clenched his teeth.
"Retreat!"
But—
Yan Fu spoke.
"You think you can leave?"
The air froze.
A formation activated.
The entire courtyard lit up.
Golden barriers surrounded the battlefield.
The leader's eyes widened.
"A trap?!"
Yan Fu shook his head.
"No."
"You walked into this."
---
Final Suppression
With one step—
Yan Fu released his aura fully.
For the first time—
The disciples felt it clearly.
A presence far beyond them.
Even Zhao Tian looked surprised.
The enemies dropped to their knees.
Unable to move.
The leader struggled.
"Who… are you…?"
Yan Fu looked down at him.
"I am Yan Fu."
"Master of Ji Xia Sect."
Silence.
Heavy.
Absolute.
Then—
Yan Fu turned away.
"Leave one alive."
The disciples froze.
The enemies trembled.
And for the first time—
They understood.
They weren't here to test the sect.
They were here…
To witness something terrifying.
---
Aftermath
As the storm clouds slowly cleared—
The battlefield quieted.
The defeated enemies were captured.
One was left barely conscious.
Yan Fu stood before him.
"Go back."
His voice was cold.
"And tell your master…"
He paused.
Then said calmly—
"Ji Xia Sect is not something you can afford to provoke."
The man nodded weakly.
Fear filled his eyes.
As he stumbled away—
Carrying the message.
The wind returned.
But this time—
It carried something different.
Not fear.
Not tension.
But—
Reputation.
Ji Xia Sect had made its mark.
And the world…
Had begun to notice.