Sure enough, not even half an hour later, the Evergreen Holy Son returned. Accompanying him was the fifth sword of the Evergreen Seven Swords, Yinghuo Sword Venerable.
Though only the fifth sword, Yinghuo Sword Venerable wielded immense authority within Evergreen Holy Land, for he oversaw the refinement and distribution of weapons at Yinghuo Peak.
Yan Zhen didn’t need to guess to know these people were looking for an excuse to force Yun Xiu to hand over the Inheritance Sword.
Yinghuo Sword Venerable bellowed loudly, “Where is the Vice Holy Lord? Please come out and meet us.”
With the Seven Swords at her door, Yun Xiu, as the master of Cloud Arrival Island, had no choice but to show herself. Thus, the four of them instantly shifted to hover above the main gate, facing Yinghuo Sword Venerable and the Evergreen Holy Son across the empty air.
The Evergreen Holy Son glared fixedly at Yan Zhen, his heart filled with both hatred and fear. That slap from earlier had been utterly terrifying—the utter helplessness it instilled had already cracked his Dao heart ever so slightly.
Unless he witnessed Yan Zhen’s defeat with his own eyes, his cultivation would find it hard to advance.
Yinghuo Sword Venerable, meanwhile, noticed that aside from the “Yan Zhen” the Evergreen Holy Son had mentioned, there was also an unfamiliar woman present. Her aura suggested she was no simple figure either.
A trace of unease stirred in Yinghuo Sword Venerable’s heart, though he didn’t let it show on his face.
The atmosphere grew exceedingly tense, and onlookers near the island all flew into the sky to watch the spectacle.
Clad in spotless white robes like fresh snow, her ink-black hair flowing, Yun Xiu appeared like a sword immortal from the ninth heavens, standing atop the clouds as she said coolly, “What business does Yinghuo Sword Venerable have with me?”
Yinghuo Sword Venerable was a middle-aged man with fiery red hair, his voice deep and muffled like the blaze in a furnace. “Earlier, someone from Cloud Arrival Island injured His Highness the Saint Son. Per the holy land’s regulations, those who offend a Saint Son face light punishment of solitary confinement for reflection or heavy punishment of thunderous execution. I have come to take the culprit. I hope the Vice Holy Lord will cooperate.”
Yun Xiu replied unhurriedly, “The Saint Son has been relentlessly pestering Wenqing, which was truly annoying. This time, we merely gave him a small lesson. As a Saint Son—the exemplar for all disciples of the holy land—he should hold himself to strict standards and be lenient with others. Otherwise, wouldn’t that tarnish Evergreen Holy Land’s prestige?”
The Evergreen Holy Son’s face flushed red; he wanted to speak but held back.
Yinghuo Sword Venerable said coldly, “A refined lady is something a gentleman admires—that’s only natural. His Highness the Saint Son is still young, and it’s normal for him to harbor admiration for an outstanding heavenly prodigy like her. As elders, we shouldn’t intervene forcefully. The Vice Holy Lord’s actions are rather petty. Moreover, separate matters should be handled separately. Offending the Saint Son violates holy land law and warrants punishment. Otherwise, where does the law of Evergreen Holy Land stand? Hand the person over.”
Yun Xiu remained unmoved. “The Saint Son offended us first this time. We only countered passively—what crime is there in that? If Yinghuo Sword Venerable wishes to pressure me with holy land law, he should at least read it thoroughly first.”
Yinghuo Sword Venerable’s expression darkened slightly. “Does that mean the Vice Holy Lord intends to shield that person?”
Yun Xiu stared straight at him, about to reply, when Yan Zhen interrupted. “Seeking excuses for contrived crimes. If words fail to resolve this, then let’s settle it with strength. That’s what you planned from the start anyway, isn’t it?”
“Arrogant brat.” Yinghuo Sword Venerable’s mystic power began to rise—it was the same fire attribute as Yan Zhen’s. “I’ve heard the name Yan Zhen before. You’re the Jialan Holy Son, aren’t you?”
He’d been recognized, though Yan Zhen hadn’t tried to hide it. After all, he had come this time precisely to ally with Evergreen Holy Land.
Yan Zhen stepped in front of Yun Xiu, arms crossed in a leisurely stance. “You’re no match for me. Go fetch the Heavenly Sword Old Ancestor.”
Yinghuo Sword Venerable couldn’t fathom how Yan Zhen dared to be so brazen. It hadn’t been long since he’d advanced to Supreme—where did he get the nerve to challenge veteran Supremes like them?
“What big talk. Don’t think that standing behind the Jialan Fairy lets you run wild in Evergreen Holy Land! I won’t stand for it! Today, on behalf of the Jialan Fairy, I’ll teach you a proper lesson and show you there are always people greater than you, heavens beyond heavens!”
Yan Zhen tugged at the corner of his mouth in a mocking smirk.
Yinghuo Sword Venerable was merely a Fourth-Rank Supreme, specializing in Sword Dao with strong offensive prowess. He could easily handle Fifth Grades, but since he cultivated fire-attribute mystic power, in front of Yan Zhen, he’d likely be suppressed to Third Rank, or even Second-Grade Supreme level.
Of course, the difference between ranks meant little to Yan Zhen.
“Weigh your own strength before you speak.”
Furious, Yinghuo Sword Venerable couldn’t believe a junior dared provoke him like this—it was suicidal!
He formed a sword with his fingers, holding it vertically before his chest. His mystic power erupted like a volcano, and a blazing flame sword shot skyward.
The sword was named “Yinghuo,” symbolizing chaos and war.
“Flickering flames, bewildering chaos—Flickering Heaven Bewildering Extinction Sword!”
The surrounding temperature soared. The flame sword in the sky morphed into a flickering illusory star, plummeting toward Yan Zhen below with enough momentum to pulverize all of Cloud Arrival Island to dust.
Yan Zhen blinked, silently comparing it in his mind to his own Flying Fire Meteor Sword. This one had mind-bewildering effects, but it lacked the pure destructive force of a straightforward flying sword!
Even as he thought this, he casually extended his hand. His domain bloomed in his palm, effortlessly blocking the flame sword qi.
The Evergreen Holy Son’s eyes widened. Compared to the illusory bewildering star, Yan Zhen looked like an ant—yet he stopped it with one hand.
Was this guy a high-rank Supreme?
Yinghuo Sword Venerable was stunned too. He clearly remembered the Jialan Holy Son had advanced to Supreme less than a year ago—at most Second-Grade. How could he so easily neutralize his sword qi?
Yan Zhen exerted a little force, and his domain contracted, absorbing the massive illusory bewildering star completely. The flame sword fell powerless.
Seeing this, Yinghuo Sword Venerable knew something was wrong. He hurriedly circulated his technique to summon the sword back, but Yan Zhen wouldn’t allow it. With a remote grasping motion, he bound the flame sword with his domain, fixing it in midair before yanking it toward himself with full force.
A fire-attribute mystic cultivator, and at such a low realm too—against Yan Zhen, it was a total mismatch, utter suppression.
“Pff!”
His lifebound sword seized, Yinghuo Sword Venerable suffered backlash and spat out a large mouthful of blood.
Yan Zhen now held Yinghuo Sword Venerable’s lifebound sword. If he wished, he could channel the Jade Firmament Purple Dome Flame to erase the sword’s imprint entirely, imprint his own, and reshape it into his form.
Doing so would injure Yinghuo Sword Venerable far worse than a single mouthful of blood—severely wounding him, damaging his Sword Dao cultivation, and potentially even causing a realm drop on the spot!
“That’s it?” Yan Zhen casually stored the sword away. “A half-baked hack daring to act tough in front of me?”
Yinghuo Sword Venerable was both shocked and enraged. “Give me back my sword!”
For a sword cultivator to have their sword taken in battle was an utter humiliation. If word spread, his authority in Evergreen Holy Land would be ruined!
Yan Zhen snorted coldly. “I already said you’re not qualified. Get the Heavenly Sword Old Ancestor here.”
Yinghuo Sword Venerable neither advanced nor retreated, suddenly looking like a lost child. He never imagined Yan Zhen could actually disarm him!
Yan Zhen had no time for such a clown. Though the Evergreen Seven Swords stood opposed to them, they were at least decent people, so he didn’t finish him off.
The only one here who deserved death was… the Heavenly Sword Old Ancestor!
