Chapter 41: “Kill anyone who stands in your way.”

Lei Shuang stumbled and pitched forward, landing right in the middle of the spells unleashed by the righteous cultivators.

Behind her, Jiang Ying and Feng Jin exchanged a glance, a silent, mutual decision passing between them. They retreated further into the courtyard.

Flying Sword Arts, Fireball Arts, Wind Blade Arts—a concentrated barrage of techniques flew towards her. Lei Shuang’s face went white with terror, a scream tearing from her throat: “Jiang Ying, you venomous woman! I never should have saved you!”

Hastily, she formed a hand seal. Her figure flickered, narrowly dodging the brunt of the attacks by a hair’s breadth.

Having escaped unscathed, Lei Shuang let out a sigh of relief.

Then, her nose twitched. She caught a strange, acrid smell.

What was that odor?

Following the scent, she turned her head and saw a small flame clinging to the ends of her hair.

“AAAAHHHH!!!” Lei Shuang flailed wildly.

While trying to put out the fire, she hopped frantically toward the inner courtyard.

The crowd of righteous cultivators burst into the yard. Seeing the scene before them, their expressions all shifted.

A one-armed woman in a black robe was locked in a standoff with Immortal Venerable Yuan Yi. With the Devil Clan’s Left and Right Protectors both present, it wasn’t difficult for the crowd to guess her identity.

Devil Lord Nangong Yin.

Several Elders of Other Sects who had once witnessed Nangong Yin in action hesitated, unwilling to advance.

Everyone in the Three Realms knew the story: Devil Lord Nangong Yin had personally led an assault on the Fuyun Sect, clashing with three Mahayana Realm Immortal Venerables. At the cost of only a single arm, she had shattered the Fuyun Sect’s Sect-Protecting Grand Array.

No one dared to face Nangong Yin’s edge directly.

Yuan Yi was also a Mahayana Realm cultivator, but facing Nangong Yin alone, he had no chance of victory.

However, Nangong Yin had been wounded three hundred years ago and had rarely shown herself in the Three Realms since. Disciples who had entered the path later did not recognize her face.

Seeing their elders halt, those disciples accidentally rushed to the front, only to be forcibly yanked back.

For a moment, the cultivators clustered at the courtyard entrance, too afraid to take another step.

Yan Zhao was pushed behind Yuan Yi. The courtyard grew more and more crowded, a chaotic mess.

Ling Jiancheng, who hated evil as his mortal enemy, and Tushan Yu, who didn’t fear the Devil Clan’s power, both broke through the courtyard gate and entered.

Ren Qingyue was blocked by a Wind Wall. Seeing this, Ling Jiancheng hurried toward her. “Junior Sister!”

Tushan Yu also recognized Ren Qingyue. He walked to her side and said, “You are Immortal Venerable Yuanqing’s disciple?”

Ren Qingyue had no mind to pay attention to anyone else’s words. She merely nodded faintly at the question, her attention fixed solely on Yan Zhao.

Jiang Ying, Lei Shuang, and the others retreated into the inner yard.

Feng Jin had noticed Ren Qingyue earlier, and Ren Qingyue had naturally seen her too.

The hostility in Ren Qingyue’s eyes was stark. Feng Jin lowered her gaze. Given the current situation, no matter what she said now, it would be impossible to gain anyone’s trust.

Jiang Ying reported to Nangong Yin helplessly, “There are too many of them.”

Nangong Yin had been completely focused from start to finish. She observed Yan Zhao’s features from a distance, trying to discern her relationship with Yan Yuanqing.

With Yuan Yi refusing to hand the girl over, Nangong Yin’s patience was wearing thin. Hearing Jiang Ying’s report, a cold smirk curled at the corner of her lips. “Then let them in.”

Jiang Ying paused, not understanding Nangong Yin’s intention. But she had always been absolutely obedient to Nangong Yin. Without asking why, she decisively abandoned all efforts to intercept the righteous cultivators.

Yuan Yi, still facing off against Nangong Yin, heard this and his expression changed instantly.

“Nangong Yin! Stop!” Yuan Yi bellowed. “What are you planning to do?!”

Nangong Yin ignored his shout. Her cold, stern face revealed a cruel smile. “Can’t you guess what I’m going to do?”

Cold sweat beaded on Yuan Yi’s forehead. He looked toward where Ren Qingyue and Ling Jiancheng were and shouted, “Don’t come in! Retreat, quickly!”

Nangong Yin let out a scornful laugh. “Too late!”

Suddenly, an immense Spiritual Pressure descended from the heavens, and the ground shook even more violently.

Having received Immortal Venerable Yuan Yi’s warning, the numerous cultivators were about to retreat, but the Palace Walls shifted, cutting off their escape route.

Cultivators who tried to force their way through the array crashed against the wall, only to be blasted back by a hidden power within, tracing a downward arc through the air.

Those with lower cultivation burst into a spray of Blood Mist on the spot, their fragile flesh and blood pulverized by the overwhelmingly violent Spiritual Qi.

They twitched on the ground a few times. Even though sect elders provided timely aid, barely saving their lives, they became Cripples from then on, their internal organs ruined and their Dantian shattered.

Trapped like prisoners by the palace wall, everyone stared at Nangong Yin in terror.

No one saw Nangong Yin make a move, yet with a mere gesture, she could decide their life or death.

Panic gripped their hearts. The elders were at a loss, and the disciples were even more terrified.

They had only come because they heard the Immortal Venerable Yuanqing’s Cave Abode had appeared, rushing here for opportunities. Who could have imagined they would encounter Nangong Yin in this place?

Ling Jiancheng was so furious his hair almost stood on end. Ren Qingyue was shocked by Nangong Yin’s methods, worrying even more for Yan Zhao’s safety.

Yet, Nangong Yin seemed to regard the lives of these cultivators as worthless. From beginning to end, she hadn’t spared them a single backward glance. To her, these cultivators were no different from cattle, sheep, pigs, or dogs.

She only stared intently at Yan Zhao, saying to Yuan Yi, “Give her to me. Trade her life for theirs. Or I’ll slaughter all of you. Choose.”

She said this without any concern that those behind her would overhear.

The gathered cultivators all noticed Yan Zhao standing behind Yuan Yi.

Tushan Yu furrowed his brows, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, secretly speculating about Yan Zhao’s identity.

He had only thought her temperament was peculiar before. Now, it seemed there was another secret.

Bai Jin thought he was worried about Yan Zhao’s safety. She leaned in and asked, “Cousin, should we help?”

Tushan Yu’s expression was grave. “Don’t cause trouble.”

In a situation like this, even if the Fox Emperor himself were present, he might not be able to turn the tide. They only needed to think about how to save themselves.

Hearing this, Bai Jin blinked in a daze, as if finding it unbelievable.

Once she understood Tushan Yu’s meaning, she sneered internally with utter contempt: Hah, so this is a man.

One moment wanting to chat the girl up, the next, when everyone was in danger, all he could see was himself.

Tch. Scumbag.

Lei Shuang and Feng Jin had naturally also recognized Yan Zhao. They exchanged a glance, deeply surprised.

Yan Zhao was just a Fuyun Sect disciple, and one without cultivation talent at that. She certainly couldn’t be favored in the sect. It was baffling enough for Immortal Venerable Yuan Yi to personally appear and protect her, but Nangong Yin was also going to such great lengths for her. Why?

Bi Lan was also within the crowd. Seeing this, her heart sank fiercely.

Devil Lord Nangong Yin—a name that struck terror into every righteous cultivator in the Three Realms. Why was she fixated on Yan Zhao?

The surrounding righteous cultivators gradually caught on. Nangong Yin was holding them hostage, her primary target being the child behind Immortal Venerable Yuan Yi.

Thus, the crowd began to stir. Ren Qingyue heard someone murmur, “We’re suffering this calamity because of her!”

“Indeed! Just hand that girl over to Nangong Yin, and we’ll be safe!”

“Why should we die for no reason because of her?!”

The outcry grew, and the pressure on Yuan Yi became as immense as a mountain.

Suddenly—CLANG!—a sword cried out. Sharp Sword Qi sliced into the crowd, cutting down at the feet of several of the loudest agitators.

Everyone started in shock, turning to see a face as cold and severe as frost.

The woman’s aura was transcendent, pure and cold as a Tianshan lotus, noble and inviolable.

Ling Jiancheng was stunned by the aura Ren Qingyue suddenly erupted with, his face a mask of shock.

Ren Qingyue pointed her sword at these cowards who feared death. “You coveted the opportunities and entered my Shizun’s cave abode. Any gains you made were thanks to my Shizun’s blessings! Now a disciple of my Fuyun Sect is in trouble, yet you stand by and watch coldly. In what way are you innocent?!”

Tushan Yu was also drawn by this commotion. When he clearly saw Ren Qingyue’s face, he was momentarily transfixed.

Overawed by Ren Qingyue’s formidable presence, no one dared to retort.

Feng Jin looked toward Ren Qingyue, recalling Ren Qingyue’s past attitude toward Yan Zhao, a thoughtful look on her face.

Nangong Yin’s patience was utterly exhausted. She asked Yuan Yi, “Have you decided?”

Yuan Yi’s expression flickered, then he suddenly spun around and launched a palm strike at Yan Zhao.

Nangong Yin flew into a rage. “You dare?!”

The palm wind rushed toward her face. Yan Zhao had absolutely no time to react.

Nangong Yin lunged toward Yan Zhao, but Yuan Yi’s palm strike didn’t actually land on her. Its force dissipated just before reaching her, instead pressing on her shoulder and shoving her toward where Ren Qingyue stood.

An invisible force wrapped around Yan Zhao, breaking through the obstructing Wind Wall and sending her out.

Yan Zhao felt herself fly up and then fall, before being caught in someone’s embrace.

Her back slammed against the chest of the person who caught her. Both of them stumbled back several steps before barely managing to steady themselves.

With no time to defend, Yuan Yi took Nangong Yin’s palm strike solidly.

Pfft!

A spray of Blood Mist erupted from his mouth. He was sent flying backward, crashing into a side Palace Wall and smashing a human-shaped hole into it.

Nangong Yin turned back. Yan Zhao was already shielded behind Ren Qingyue. If she used a wide-range spell to kill, she would inevitably harm Yan Zhao.

Blocked again and again, Nangong Yin’s patience finally snapped completely.

“Jiang Ying, Lei Shuang!”

The two named Protectors immediately dropped to one knee.

With the Devil Lord enraged, even Lei Shuang shed her usual flippant demeanor, not daring to show the slightest frivolity.

“Bring that child to me,” Nangong Yin said in a deep voice. “Kill anyone who stands in your way.”

These few short sentences were enough to show the weight the child held in the Devil Lord’s heart. Jiang Ying and Lei Shuang dared not be negligent.

The cultivators from various Immortal Sects, including the Elders of Other Sects, all retreated. Tushan Yu hesitated for a moment, then also chose to step back, watching the fire from across the river.

Only a few Fuyun Sect disciples remained standing protectively before Yan Zhao: Ren Qingyue, Ling Jiancheng, Bi Lan, and Lin Chao.

Lin Chao hadn’t originally wanted to care about Yan Zhao’s fate, but with Ling Jiancheng and Ren Qingyue present, if he shrank back, others would surely look down on him.

He inconspicuously glanced at Bai Jin, seeing her whispering with Tushan Yu.

Recalling how Bai Jin had recklessly taken a palm strike from Jiang Ying to protect Tushan Yu earlier, Lin Chao’s heart grew ice-cold. He couldn’t help wondering: What is the relationship between those two?

Lei Shuang and Jiang Ying received their orders and decisively moved against Ren Qingyue.

Feng Jin, having her reservations, hesitated at the side and did not join in.

Ren Qingyue had only recovered to the Early Golden Core Stage. Facing two Void Refinement Realm experts, she was absolutely no match for them in a single exchange.

Yet she did not retreat. Without hesitation, she drew her sword and counterattacked.

Even if she perished here today, she would do her utmost to protect Yan Zhao.

Bi Lan used her Compass to place a protective Shield on Ren Qingyue.

In a flash of lightning and spark of flint, a blade suddenly pierced through Yan Zhao’s body, thrusting from her back through to her chest.

Time seemed to freeze. Everyone stopped moving simultaneously.

Nangong Yin and Yuan Yi both felt their pupils constrict.

Ren Qingyue and Bi Lan whirled around in shock, only to see Ling Jiancheng standing behind Yan Zhao. It was he who had thrust his sword into the unsuspecting Yan Zhao.

Lin Chao was standing nearby, not far from Ling Jiancheng, and had witnessed the entire act.

He shrieked in fright, scrambling backward. He tripped and fell on the ground, his two legs trembling uncontrollably. “E-Eldest Senior Brother?!”

Ling Jiancheng’s hair covered his eyes. When he raised his head to look at Nangong Yin and Yuan Yi, a cruel smile bloomed on his lips.

His eyes were a mass of crimson, the light within them extinguished, replaced by an expression that did not belong to him at all.

It was as if another person’s soul had been installed in his body.

Ling Jiancheng spoke, his voice cold and detached. “This Seat personally chose this burial ground for you. Do you like it?”

He pulled out his sword. Bloody froth splattered, scattering across the ground.

Yan Zhao swayed slightly, then looked down at her chest.

Blood gushed out, staining her clothes and the earth beneath her feet.

“Junior Sister Yan!”

Bi Lan’s face drained of color. Instinctively, she rushed toward Yan Zhao.

But someone was faster. As Yan Zhao’s body collapsed, Ren Qingyue caught her firmly and securely.

Yan Zhao’s blood seeped through their clothes where they touched, soaking into Ren Qingyue’s clean azure robes.

While catching Yan Zhao, Ren Qingyue swept her sword backward, slashing at Ling Jiancheng.

The Sword Light passed through, SHLICK—biting into flesh and tearing a wound across Ling Jiancheng’s chest.

Ling Jiancheng staggered back from the impact. As the pain flared, and the bloody froth from Ren Qingyue’s blade splattered onto his face, the crimson light in his eyes faded, and his consciousness cleared.

He was stunned by the havoc he had wrought.

Meeting Ren Qingyue’s gaze—filled with rage and loathing—his heart trembled violently.

But he had no time to repent.

A golden light suddenly blazed from Yan Zhao’s chest. The ground of the Immortal Abode began to shake violently, a hundred times more intensely than when the Floating Island had stirred before.