The battlefield fell silent the moment Yan Fu stepped forward.
Golden spiritual energy radiated from his body like a rising sun, illuminating the entire courtyard of Ji Xia Sect. The disciples who had been locked in battle instinctively stepped back as their sect master walked past them.
Every step he took felt calm and steady, yet each one carried the weight of a mountain.
Across the battlefield, Elder Rong narrowed his eyes.
"So you are the sect master of this place."
His crimson flames burned hotter around him.
"Your aura is strong… stronger than I expected."
Yan Fu planted the end of his white celestial staff gently against the ground.
A faint ringing sound spread across the courtyard, like the echo of ancient bells.
"I will give you one chance," Yan Fu said calmly.
"Take your people and leave."
For a moment, the battlefield held its breath.
Then Elder Rong burst out laughing.
"Leave?"
His laughter echoed loudly.
"You think a small sect like yours can command the Blood Flame Sect?"
The elder's eyes burned with killing intent.
"You have divine beasts and some potential disciples, but in the cultivation world that only means one thing."
He raised his hand.
"You are a treasure waiting to be taken."
The flames around him suddenly surged violently.
"Attack!"
The Blood Flame Sect disciples rushed forward again.
But before they could move more than a few steps—
Yan Fu lifted his staff.
"Celestial Pressure."
BOOOOM!
A wave of golden energy exploded outward.
The ground trembled violently as an invisible force crushed down upon the invading cultivators.
Several Blood Flame disciples instantly collapsed to their knees.
Others staggered backward, their faces pale.
"W-what is this pressure?!"
Even Elder Rong felt his body grow heavy.
His eyes widened slightly.
"A Celestial Realm cultivator…"
The mysterious visitor watching nearby smiled faintly.
"Now things become interesting."
Yan Fu's robes fluttered gently in the wind.
"You were warned."
He moved.
In a single step, he appeared directly in front of Elder Rong.
The elder reacted instantly, swinging his flaming blade downward.
"Blood Flame Cleaving Art!"
A massive arc of crimson fire tore through the air.
Yan Fu raised his staff.
CLANG!
The flaming blade collided with the white staff, releasing a thunderous shockwave.
The surrounding ground cracked open.
Elder Rong's expression changed.
"You blocked it so easily?"
Yan Fu's eyes remained calm.
"Your flames lack purity."
Before Elder Rong could respond—
Yan Fu pushed forward.
The staff struck like lightning.
BOOM!
The elder was blasted backward across the courtyard, sliding several meters before regaining his balance.
Meanwhile the battlefield behind them had erupted into chaos.
Vorath roared like a thunderstorm as he tore through the Blood Flame Sect cultivators.
His claws carved deep trenches into the ground with every strike.
A group of enemy disciples attempted to surround him.
"Blood Flame Formation!"
They launched a coordinated wave of fire attacks.
Vorath merely snorted.
"Pathetic."
Dark energy gathered around his claws.
"Shadow Devouring Claw!"
The strike shattered the formation instantly, sending the attackers flying through the air.
Above the battlefield, Tianlong circled like a storm god.
Lightning crackled across the sky.
"Storm Judgment!"
CRAAAACK!
A bolt of lightning crashed down among the enemy ranks, scattering them in panic.
Meanwhile Aetherion stood near the Ji Xia disciples.
Soft turquoise light flowed from his horn.
Waves of healing energy spread outward, restoring injured disciples and strengthening their spiritual energy.
"Do not lose your focus," Aetherion said calmly.
"This battle is only beginning."
Back at the center of the battlefield, Elder Rong wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
His eyes burned with fury.
"You dare humiliate me!"
Crimson flames erupted around his entire body.
His aura expanded violently.
"Blood Flame Domain!"
A massive ring of fire spread outward across the battlefield.
The temperature soared instantly.
Even the ground began to melt beneath the heat.
Yan Fu observed the technique quietly.
"So this is your domain."
Elder Rong raised his blade high.
"Inside this domain, my flames devour everything!"
The firestorm surged forward like a tidal wave.
Yan Fu did not move.
Instead, he slowly closed his eyes.
Golden spiritual energy gathered around him.
The mysterious visitor tilted their head slightly.
"Oh?"
Yan Fu opened his eyes again.
"Then allow me to show you…"
His staff glowed brilliantly.
"…what true authority looks like."
He struck the ground.
"Celestial Formation — Heavenly Lock."
Golden runes erupted across the courtyard.
The ancient formation of Ji Xia Sect activated once again.
Massive pillars of light shot into the sky.
The Blood Flame Domain instantly began to crack.
Elder Rong's face twisted with shock.
"My domain…!"
The golden energy crushed down upon the crimson flames, slowly erasing them from existence.
Yan Fu's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"This mountain…"
The formation glowed brighter.
"…belongs to Ji Xia Sect."
BOOOOM!
The Blood Flame Domain shattered completely.
The remaining enemy cultivators felt their strength weaken instantly under the formation's suppression.
Elder Rong staggered backward.
"You…!"
Yan Fu stepped forward once more.
"This battle is over."
The elder's eyes filled with rage.
"No!"
He raised his blade again, gathering every remaining ounce of spiritual power.
"Blood Flame Destruction Art!"
A gigantic sphere of crimson fire formed above him.
The power within it caused the sky itself to tremble.
Even the Ji Xia disciples gasped.
"That attack…!"
But Yan Fu remained calm.
His staff pointed toward the sky.
Golden energy condensed above him like a miniature sun.
"Celestial Judgment."
The two attacks collided.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The explosion shook the entire mountain.
A massive pillar of light shot into the heavens as fire and celestial energy clashed violently.
For several seconds the battlefield was swallowed by blinding light.
Then the flames vanished.
Elder Rong collapsed onto one knee, his blade shattered.
Yan Fu stood before him, completely unharmed.
The battlefield fell silent.
The Blood Flame Sect disciples stared in horror.
Their strongest elder had been defeated.
Yan Fu looked down at him calmly.
"You attacked my sect."
His staff glowed faintly.
"There will be consequences."
Behind him, the mysterious visitor smiled slightly.
"Now…"
Their silver flames flickered brighter.
"…this story truly becomes interesting."