The moment dawn fully broke, the battlefield awakened as if stirred by an invisible hand.
The human army advanced in orderly ranks, banners snapping sharply in the cold morning wind. Rows upon rows of soldiers took their positions across the vast plains, steel armor glinting faintly beneath the overcast sky. Hidden traps had already been laid during the night, pits concealed beneath layers of soil, killing formations carefully arranged, and signal flags planted at precise intervals.
From afar, the battlefield looked calm, but beneath that stillness lurked a lethal intent that could erupt at any moment.
Not far from the frontlines, five figures stood apart from the rest, their presence alone suppressing the surrounding air.
Li Jue Tian stood at the center, hands clasped calmly behind his back, his expression unreadable. His posture was relaxed, yet it carried an unshakable authority that no one dared challenge lightly. To his sides were Solitary Falcon and Lei Wu Bei, both standing with restrained vigilance, their eyes sharp as blades as they observed the field. Shi Chang Xiao's brows were slightly furrowed, his aura steady yet alert, while Feng Juan Yun stood with his arms folded, sword hanging loosely at his waist, his face cold and impatient.
Behind them, Li Teng Yun and representatives of various powerful families stood as mere spectators.
Each of them wore a different expression.
Some were nervous, some excited, others calculating. A few were already imagining how this battle would shift the balance of power across the mainland. None of them dared step too close to the five Great Masters ahead, knowing full well that even breathing too loudly might draw unwanted attention.
Feng Juan Yun suddenly sneered, the sound sharp and cutting.
"I came from afar to help in the fight for Southern Heaven City," He said coldly, his gaze never leaving the distant battlefield. "Even the common folk around the world have lent their strength. And yet, Xue Hun Manor has only sent its henchmen."
He turned slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Why don't you send me to fight? You've only deployed Sky and Earth Xuan experts. What's the use of that?"
The surrounding silence thickened instantly.
Li Jue Tian did not turn. His voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet every word carried weight. "What is the use… I'm afraid that isn't for you to decide, Feng Juan Yun. And my Xue Hun Manor can't use a high-level expert like yourself in place of a lackey."
A faint pause followed before he continued, still without looking back.
"Brother Feng may leave if he finds this unpleasant or wrong. And he's wholly welcome, if he believes I've erred to teach me a lesson for it."
The air froze in the surrounding.
Li Teng Yun's face flushed with anger. Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward and stomped his foot.
"Feng Juan Yun, I respect you as a Great Master! But you're still not happy with what you've got! Who do you think you are? Who do you think this is? Since when did you have the guts to be so unreasonable in front of my father?"
The words echoed like thunder, but the next instant, Li Teng Yun was sent flying.
Bang!
His body spun helplessly through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and one side of his face swelled visibly, the slap mark unmistakable.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
Two figures moved almost simultaneously, but only one succeeded.
The Solitary Falcon appeared like a phantom, withdrawing his hand calmly as Li Teng Yun lay sprawled on the ground. His eyes were sharp, but his expression remained composed.
"You impudent bastard," He said coldly. "Are you calling Feng Juan Yun's name into question?"
Only then did everyone realize what had happened.
Feng Juan Yun's hand had already moved toward the hilt of his sword, but before it could fully grasp the weapon, Li Teng Yun had been struck away.
Solitary Falcon had acted first.
Who was Feng Juan Yun?
A Great Master whose reputation echoed across the continent. To him, Li Teng Yun was nothing more than an ant. If his sword had left its sheath, not even Li Jue Tian himself could have saved the boy.
Jun Mo Xie's words surfaced faintly in memory, an ancient verse fitting the moment perfectly.
'Kill a man every ten steps; leave no trace after a thousand miles.'
Solitary Falcon and Feng Juan Yun had crossed blades for decades. Rivals, enemies, yet gradually, they had come to recognize each other's worth. That strange bond was precisely why Solitary Falcon intervened.
It was not to protect Li Teng Yun, but to prevent catastrophe.
Shi Chang Xiao had also moved, though a fraction slower. His thoughts mirrored Solitary Falcon's perfectly.
If two Great Masters clashed here, the alliance would shatter instantly. With the Xuan Beasts looming ahead, internal strife would spell disaster for the entire mainland.
Feng Juan Yun lowered his hand. He glanced at Solitary Falcon, then slowly turned his icy gaze toward Li Teng Yun.
"You must learn who you can offend," He said coldly. "You are lucky. I kill those who provoke me even if they are the Emperor's relatives."
Li Teng Yun shuddered.
"I spared you for your father's reputation," Feng Juan Yun continued. "And because I could not ignore my friendship with the Second Great Master."
Only then did Li Jue Tian finally turn. His eyes locked onto Feng Juan Yun, the killing intent within them no longer concealed.
"Feng Juan Yun," He said slowly, "you are truly very mighty."
Shi Chang Xiao and Lei Wu Bei stepped forward at once.
"Enough," Shi Chang Xiao said sternly. "Do you intend to renew old grudges while such a formidable enemy stands before us?"
Lei Wu Bei nodded his head gravely as he added. "The battlefield awaits... This is not the time for internal bloodshed."
The tension lingered, but the swords remained sheathed.
Just as the suffocating atmosphere between the five Great Masters seemed on the verge of settling,
A cold, leisurely, and mocking voice rang out.
"Heh… why did you all stop?"
The words were spoken lightly, almost lazily, yet they sliced through the tense air like a blade drawn across silk.
"Go on. Continue the fight."
The tone was playful, amused as if what stood before him wasn't a gathering of Great Masters capable of shaking the mainland, but a group of performers who had disappointed him by stopping mid-show.
"Such an interesting thing… don't ruin it."
Boom—!
An invisible pressure slammed down and it made all the five Great Masters stiffened simultaneously.
A sharp chill ran down their spines, cold sweat instantly breaking out along their backs. Their hearts skipped violently, instincts screaming danger before their minds could even process what had happened.
Someone had appeared beside them silently.
Without a ripple of aura, a fluctuation of Xuan Qi, and without anyone noticing.
That alone was terrifying.
All five turned their heads almost at the same time.
Standing just a few steps away was a mysterious figure clad in a dark robe. The cloth was heavy and deep in color, swallowing light as if it refused to reflect it. His face was mostly hidden beneath the hood, only a faint outline visible, yet even that vague silhouette radiated a presence that made the surrounding space feel distorted.
'When did he get here?' Li Jue Tian's pupils contracted sharply.
Shi Chang Xiao's breathing hitched for the briefest moment.
Lei Wu Bei's hand twitched instinctively.
Not one of them had sensed his arrival.
The mysterious figure didn't even glance at them. He simply stood there, hands loosely folded within his sleeves, his gaze fixed toward the distant battlefield where the human army stood in formation. His posture was relaxed, almost careless, like someone enjoying a pleasant stroll.
"Heh…" He chuckled softly.
The sound was low, amused.
"And that little garbage just now—" His voice drawled lazily, "—such a satisfying slap."
A faint pa seemed to echo in the air, as if replaying the sound of Li Teng Yun being struck.
"I'm very pleased with it, Solitary Falcon."
Solitary Falcon's heart slammed violently against his chest.
The mysterious figure tilted his head slightly, finally sparing Solitary Falcon a sidelong glance from beneath the hood.
"But you're still too soft."
His tone carried genuine disappointment.
"If it were me…" He continued casually, "…I would've knocked out all his teeth already."
Crack
The air seemed to split faintly as his words fell.
"Such a disrespectful brat."
Behind them, Li Teng Yun, who was still lying on the ground, felt his blood turn ice-cold. A suffocating fear gripped his throat, as if death itself had brushed past him.
'This… this person…'
Li Jue Tian's expression finally changed.
For the first time since arriving on the battlefield, a trace of solemnity and fear flickered in his eyes.
'Who is this man?'
He had stood here the entire time, and observed everything.
And now, he was mocking them openly.
Yet no one dared respond.
Because deep down, every Great Master present understood one terrifying truth that if this mysterious figure had chosen to act just now, none of them were confident they could stop him.