Lanh Thien Phong's severed head, bearing an expression of terror and unwillingness, traced a parabola in the air before landing with a "thud" onto the bluestone pavement, rolling a few times before coming to a halt. His eyes remained wide open, seemingly unable to believe that he, the Eldest Young Master of Marquis Vinh An's Estate, could die so easily.
His headless corpse staggered a few steps, fresh blood spraying from the neck like a fountain, dyeing the ground red, before crashing down heavily.
Howling Wind Ridge, where the winds were still shrieking, once again sank into absolute silence, a silence even more terrifying than before.
Everyone was utterly dumbfounded. It had happened too fast, too decisively. A mid Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the Eldest Young Master of a major power, had been decapitated by an early Foundation Establishment Cultivator right in front of thousands of people.
Tran Kien stood there, his matte-black saber still dripping drops of fresh blood. His breathing was slightly ragged, but his gaze was as cold as ice. He possessed none of the joy of a victor. Killing Lanh Thien Phong, to him, was not an honor, but simply eradicating a scourge, paying a blood debt for the innocents who had been harmed by his demonic arts.
"He... he actually killed Lanh Thien Phong!" "Heavens! This is a massive incident! If Marquis Vinh An finds out, he will definitely go mad!" "A genius! This is a true genius! Slaying an enemy above his cultivation level, clean and decisive!"
The crowd began to murmur in hushed tones. The gazes directed at Tran Kien were no longer filled with curiosity, but had transformed into awe, admiration, and even apprehension. This youth had truly poked a hornet's nest.
The first to react was not someone from the Black Dragon Stronghold. It was Thuong Quan Van.
The Little Sword God of the Thuong Quan Clan, after a moment of shock, quickly regained his composure. He sheathed his ancient sword, stepped forward, and formally clasped his hands in greeting toward Tran Kien.
"Many thanks, Brother Tran, for lending a helping hand. I, Thuong Quan Van, shall engrave today's kindness into my heart," he said, his voice sincere, without the slightest hint of pretense. The pride of a heaven-chosen genius had completely vanished, replaced by reverence for someone even more outstanding than himself. "Brother Tran has slain Lanh Thien Phong, forging a blood feud with Marquis Vinh An. If you do not mind, why not return with me to the Thuong Quan Clan? We can face this together."
This was an incredibly sincere invitation. With the protection of the Thuong Quan Clan, Tran Kien would undoubtedly be much safer.
But Tran Kien shook his head.
"I appreciate Young Master Thuong Quan's good intentions," he said, his voice placid. "However, I alone am responsible for my actions; I should not implicate your esteemed clan. Moreover, I still have my own matters to attend to."
He knew that Marquis Vinh An was a cunning old fox. Hiding in the Thuong Quan Clan might be safe for the moment, but it would be no different from turning himself into a pawn in their political struggles. He did not want that.
Right at that moment, the Sixth Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect also slowly flew over. His expression was exceedingly complex. He looked at Tran Kien, then at the corpse of Lanh Thien Phong.
"Little Friend Tran," he spoke up. "By killing Lanh Thien Phong, although you have eliminated a menace for the people, you have also provoked a great disaster. Marquis Vinh An will certainly not let this rest. Why don't you return to the Azure Cloud Sect with me? Our Sect Leader has always cherished talent; he will definitely ensure your complete safety."
If Thuong Quan Van's invitation was sincere, the Sixth Elder's invitation harbored unconcealed calculations. He clearly wanted to bring Tran Kien, who carried the secret of the Lac Viet legacy, back to the sect to "research."
Tran Kien only smiled faintly. "Many thanks for the Elder's kind intentions. But I am merely a nameless nobody; I dare not aim so high."
"You all!!!"
A roar filled with indignation and venom suddenly rang out from the Black Dragon Stronghold group. They hadn't expected Lanh Thien Phong to be killed so swiftly. Now, they had no way out. Failing their mission meant death upon return anyway.
"Kill that brat! Avenge Young Master Lanh!" the leader roared. Over thirty lackeys of the Black Dragon Stronghold, their eyes bloodshot, drew their weapons in unison. Their killing intent soared to the heavens as they formed an encirclement, intending to use their sheer numbers to crush Tran Kien.
Thuong Quan Van's expression changed. He hurriedly drew his sword, intending to stand by Tran Kien's side and fight together.
But Tran Kien only made a single movement.
He didn't look at the Black Dragon Stronghold group. He turned his head, looking toward the Sixth Elder, the corners of his mouth curling into an enigmatic smile.
"Sixth Elder," he said, his voice not loud, yet sufficient for everyone to hear clearly. "The Black Dragon Stronghold belongs to the Demonic path; everyone has the right to exterminate them. Your Azure Cloud Sect considers itself a leader of the Righteous path. Could it be that you plan to stand by and watch these demonic scoundrels run rampant right in front of you?"
A single sentence, yet incredibly ruthless!
It was not a plea for help. It was a goad, an overt scheme—a Yang plot—that one had no choice but to jump into!
The Sixth Elder froze. His expression instantly became exceedingly ugly. Tran Kien's words had forced him into a corner with no room to retreat. If he did not act, the prestige of the Azure Cloud Sect would be ruined in front of thousands of people. But if he did act, wouldn't he be led by the nose by a fledgling brat, turning into a borrowed knife for him to wield?
"Hahaha!" The Sixth Elder finally threw his head back and laughed loudly, concealing the fury in his heart. "Little Friend speaks correctly! With demonic scoundrels running rampant, how could my Azure Cloud Sect sit idly by!"
He turned to his disciples. "All Azure Cloud Sect disciples, hear my command! Eradicate demons and defend the Dao! Kill them without mercy!"
"Yes, sir!"
Dozens of Azure Cloud Sect disciples instantly drew their swords. Sword light shone radiantly as they charged toward the Black Dragon Stronghold group. A battle between Righteous and Demonic, once again, was ignited by a single sentence from Tran Kien.
Meanwhile, Tran Kien, the one who had lit the fire, did not participate at all. He merely looked at Thuong Quan Van, clasped his hands, and said: "Young Master Thuong Quan, as long as the green hills remain and the rivers flow, we shall meet again. The debt I owe today, I will definitely repay in the future. Farewell!"
Having said that, without waiting for Thuong Quan Van's reply, and ignoring the chaotic battle, his figure blurred. He merged into the panicked, fleeing crowd, and like a drop of water returning to the sea, vanished without a trace.
He had come like the wind, stirring up the entire chessboard. And he left, also like the wind, leaving behind no traces, only a chaotic battlefield and a legend that had just begun.
Re-entering the mortal world, a single slash was enough to shock gods and ghosts.