As these words rang out, a faint flicker of starlight shimmered in You Ji's eyes beneath her black veil, a fleeting trace of emotion passing like a shadow.
She did not respond.
Her gaze remained fixed on Ji Changfeng, a mix of murderous intent and an unnamed feeling swirling within her eyes.
Bi Yao glared at Ji Changfeng, her voice sharp as she began, "You shameless—"
Her words were cut short.
A tremendous surge of sword intent bore down on her, oppressive and unyielding.
Shameless? Young lady, you can eat recklessly, but words must be chosen with care! Ji Changfeng is nothing if not an upright gentleman!
How could he be some lowly rogue?
Ji Changfeng's eyes were calm but piercing as they locked onto Bi Yao. A sharp thread of sword intent pinned her in place, draining the color from her face. Fearful, she shrank back behind You Ji.
"Junior Brother Ji, who are they?" Qi Hao asked in a low voice.
At his words, Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan turned their attention to Ji Changfeng.
Ji Changfeng's tone was even as he replied, "The girl in green is the young mistress of the Ghost King Sect, one of the four major sects of the demonic path. As for the woman in black? She's Zhu Que, one of the Ghost King Sect's four holy envoys."
"A master of the Upper Purity realm, renowned three hundred years ago!"
The revelation struck like a thunderbolt.
Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan's expressions shifted dramatically.
A master of the Upper Purity realm from three hundred years ago? That's on par with a peak leader!
The atmosphere grew heavy, tension coiling in the air.
You Ji's starry eyes locked onto Ji Changfeng, her voice cold as frost with a hint of menace. "You… are you also here for the Blood-Dripping Cave?"
Qi Hao and the others exchanged glances, their eyes instinctively turning to Ji Changfeng.
The Blood-Dripping Cave.
They had only heard Ji Changfeng mention it once—a place where the Black-Hearted Elder, a figure from eight hundred years ago, had secluded himself for cultivation. Beyond that, they knew nothing.
Ji Changfeng met You Ji's gaze, his tone calm but resolute. "If it's a fight you want, then let's fight. Why waste words?"
With that, he drew his Dragon-Slaying Sword.
Shing—
In an instant, a radiant sword light flared, illuminating the entirety of the Heartless Sea.
Different foes call for different swords.
And for a cold beauty like You Ji, the Dragon-Slaying Sword is the perfect choice.
"She's mine. You handle the rest," Ji Changfeng instructed Lu Xueqi and the others.
"Be careful," Lu Xueqi said, her lips pressed together in concern.
"Don't worry. She can't hurt me," Ji Changfeng replied with a faint smile.
You Ji's expression darkened.
Her eyes darted between Ji Changfeng and Lu Xueqi, and for reasons she couldn't fathom, a surge of murderous intent welled up within her.
I want… to kill them both.
Haa— You Ji exhaled softly, suppressing the storm of emotions within her. Gripping the Zhu Que Seal, she charged at Ji Changfeng with icy determination.
Boom!
The Zhu Que Seal blazed with roaring flames, transforming into a massive imprint that hurtled toward Ji Changfeng.
Unfazed, Ji Changfeng raised the Dragon-Slaying Sword and slashed.
Shing—
A colossal wave of sword qi, bolstered by his pale cyan sword intent, surged forth with amplified power.
Boom!
The sword qi collided with the Zhu Que Seal, extinguishing its fiery aura in an instant.
Bang!
A tremendous burst of energy erupted, sending waves rippling across the Heartless Sea.
Lu Xueqi, wielding her divine Tian Ya Sword, had intended to face the green-clad Bi Yao. But before she could act, Zhang Xiaofan charged forward with his fire stick.
Lu Xueqi paused, momentarily taken aback, but didn't dwell on it. Her gaze shifted to the Ghost King Sect's lesser disciples.
They were elite disciples of the sect, but…
Elite or not, they're nothing compared to Bi Yao, let alone me.
Boom!
Lu Xueqi unleashed a sword qi without hesitation, taking on four Ghost King Sect disciples single-handedly. Her pale cyan sword intent mirrored Ji Changfeng's—Two Sleeves of Green Snakes.
Elsewhere, Qi Hao faced another four Ghost King Sect disciples. With his cultivation at the ninth layer of Jade Purity, he handled them with ease.
Boom!
The blackened fire stick clashed with a delicate flower emitting a faint white glow and a subtle fragrance.
The Flower of Sorrow.
It was Bi Yao's treasure, forged with immense effort by the Ghost King, Wan Renwang, for his beloved daughter. It possessed the ability to captivate the mind.
But against the fire stick, its power was negligible.
The Soul-Devouring Rod, after all, held a far greater ability to ensnare the soul, surpassing the Flower of Sorrow by leaps and bounds.
Bang!
The Flower of Sorrow was sent flying by the fire stick.
In their first clash, Bi Yao was immediately put on the defensive.
Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at Zhang Xiaofan. "What kind of treasure is that? It looks like a fire poker, yet it's stronger than my Flower of Sorrow?!"
"Hmph! None of your business!" Zhang Xiaofan snorted.
Ever since learning Bi Yao was a demonic cultivator, he held no goodwill toward her.
Demonic cultivators are the ones who slaughtered Grass Temple Village!
"Fine, don't blame me for being ruthless…" Bi Yao's expression turned cold.
As the young mistress of the Ghost King Sect, she had deigned to speak to this fool—an honor he clearly didn't appreciate.
If you don't value that honor, then die!
Whoosh—
The Flower of Sorrow transformed into a streak of white light, its faint fragrance intoxicating and soul-captivating.
Zhang Xiaofan, undeterred, drove his fire stick forward to meet it.
He knew little of combat techniques, only charging headlong with his fire stick.
Thankfully, his treasure is powerful, or it would've been ruined by such reckless use.
Shing—
Dazzling sword light flashed relentlessly across the Heartless Sea.
Ji Changfeng unleashed his full strength, dominating You Ji in combat.
Her expression grew grim.
He called me a master of the Upper Purity realm from three hundred years ago, yet here I am, being overpowered…
Do I not deserve some dignity?
You Ji gritted her teeth.
Shing—
At that moment, a brilliant sword light flashed.
Seizing an opening, Ji Changfeng slashed, cutting the veil from You Ji's face.
"Hahaha!" Ji Changfeng laughed. "Lady Zhu Que, since you've forgotten my words, allow me to kindly jog your memory."
He caught the falling veil, his faint smile fixed on the black-clad woman before him. Without the veil, her flawless beauty was fully revealed—her fair face exquisite, her starry eyes radiant, every expression brimming with unspoken emotions.
"You…" You Ji's eyes flashed with anger.
She raised her sleeve to cover her face, glaring at Ji Changfeng with a mix of fury and frustration, yet powerless against him.
Splash—
Suddenly, a surge of water echoed from the depths of the Heartless Sea.
All eyes turned toward the sound, battles halting as everyone looked warily into the darkness.
Splash—
The water churned again.
Two massive lanterns appeared in the distance.
No—not lanterns.
Snake eyes!
A colossal serpent, dozens of meters long, emerged before them.
You Ji's eyes widened in shock. "The Black Water Serpent? It's still alive?!"
Years ago, the Black Water Serpent had fought its nemesis, the Yellow Bird, and all believed it had perished.
Yet here it was, hiding in the depths of the Heartless Sea!
Hiss—
The serpent let out a warning hiss.
"Don't move!" You Ji shouted urgently.
At her command, everyone froze, even Qi Hao and the others, who stared at the serpent in panic.
Hiss—
The serpent's pale golden eyes glared at the group, a flicker of malevolent energy within them. Ten years ago, it had been gravely wounded in its battle with the Yellow Bird and had retreated to the Heartless Sea to heal. Now, these intruders had disturbed its rest.
Its anger was palpable.
Hiss—
The serpent's hisses grew more urgent, as if it were about to strike.
Tension gripped the group.
"Hm?" Ji Changfeng's eyes flickered.
He noticed a deep claw mark on the serpent's vital seven-inch point, unhealed—a sign of its lingering injury.
This is my chance.
A sword cultivator's decisiveness took hold. Ji Changfeng tightened his grip on the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
The Black Water Serpent's body was comparable to a peak Upper Purity cultivator. If he didn't act now, even he would struggle to repel it.
No hesitation.
Ji Changfeng's expression was cold as he raised the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Seizing the moment, he struck at the serpent's seven-inch mark with a single move—Slaying Ghosts and Gods.
Boom!
A terrifying surge of sword intent erupted, invincible and unstoppable.
Demon or deity, immortal or fiend—I'll cut them all!
A clear voice echoed through the Heartless Sea as Ji Changfeng, wielding the Dragon-Slaying Sword, struck the serpent's vital point without hesitation:
"Righteous qi of heaven and earth, everlasting and unyielding;"
"Not to slay immortals, but to cut down ghosts and gods!"
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