"Was it you who killed Lu Nanfeng? Everyone says it was you, but I want to hear it from you."
Even at this moment, he hoped Lu Nanfeng had died by accident or at someone else's hand. But Ye Chuxue's expression turned completely cold, a mocking smile curling on her lips.
"So you came here to avenge him? Hah!"
She realized she had been self-deluding all along. The guilt she once felt for Bai Yang vanished in an instant, replaced by an icy indifference. "Yes, Lu Nanfeng died by my hand. So what?
You don't know, do you? I cut Lu Nanfeng into pieces and fed them all to the beasts. The beasts devoured him greedily, leaving nothing behind." A cruel smile lifted the corner of Ye Chuxue's mouth. "Before he died, he struggled and begged for mercy. That sound... so pitiful!"
"Ye Chuxue!"
Bai Yang's eyes reddened as he sharply interrupted, his voice hoarse with anger. "Ye Chuxue, Nanfeng treated you so well. How could you bring yourself to kill him?
Just because he caught you and Gu Qingyuan in a secret affair, you decide to silence him? Ye Chuxue, do you even have a heart?"
He had seen everything Lu Nanfeng had done for her. Being killed by Ye Chuxue, how bitter and disappointed his Junior Brother must have felt before death?
"Hah, Bai Yang, is that how you see me?" Ye Chuxue laughed bitterly. Bai Yang believed those rumors but refused to believe her!
Her disappointment was overwhelming. She had lost all will to explain.
Fine, then. There was no love left between them anyway.
"So, do you want to avenge him? If that's what it takes, then come!"
Ye Chuxue silently drew her long sword, eyes burning with murderous intent, devoid of any warmth.
Bai Yang clenched his fists tightly, then finally asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you know An Ze died trying to find pills for you?"
"What?"
Ye Chuxue froze.
An Ze was dead too?
"How could An Ze die so coincidentally? Are you sure it wasn't Song Wanníng?"
Almost immediately, Ye Chuxue suspected Song Wanníng.
After all, An Ze had offended Song Wanníng for her sake. Given her nature, wiping out all threats was normal. But Bai Yang's expression instantly darkened, surrounded by killing intent.
"Ye Chuxue, even now you slander my Master? Don't you feel any sorrow for An Ze's death? He died for you!"
Bai Yang deliberately emphasized the word "you." If not for Ye Chuxue, An Ze would still be alive. But she showed no grief, only seizing the chance to slander their Master!
Their Master cared deeply for An Ze. Wasn't Bai Yang aware?
Even when An Ze disobeyed, the Master spared his cultivation, only expelling him from the sect.
She was never heartless.
"Bai Yang!"
Ye Chuxue shouted fiercely, anger rising to her head. Bai Yang always favored Song Wanníng, always!
She had truly had enough. "An Ze died, so what? What does it have to do with me? Did I send him to die? He was stupid and went looking for death himself. What can I do? Do you expect me to kneel and repent for him now?"
Ye Chuxue almost roared at Bai Yang. She felt bad about An Ze's death, but Bai Yang was trying to pin the blame on her?
She refused to carry that burden.
"Ye Chuxue."
Bai Yang's voice sank completely.
This was the real Ye Chuxue.
He raised his sword, pointing the tip directly at her.
Murderous intent immediately spread between them.
All past grievances vanished in this moment, leaving only a life-or-death confrontation.
If the disciples of Tiandao Sect saw this, they would surely sigh with regret.
Ye Chuxue lifted her sword too, a cold light flashing in her eyes as she lunged at Bai Yang.
Both were Golden Core stage cultivators, their strength nearly equal. They had trained through countless trials and battles.
Their first strike met evenly.
The fierce momentum knocked them both back, retreating several dozen meters before stopping. The shockwave tore through the surrounding grass and trees, snapping roots and tossing debris. Dust and broken plants filled the air, forcing them to squint.
Ye Chuxue's brows knitted as she swung her sword again. With her right hand forming a seal, countless golden vines sprouted from the ground, wrapping toward Bai Yang.
Bai Yang remained calm and slashed fiercely with his sword.
Suddenly, a roar came from behind him.
A dragon soul illusion appeared.
Just opening its eyes sent a powerful pressure surging forward.
The golden vines were cut apart by the sword's light.
Ye Chuxue was blasted backward by the dragon soul's force.
A sharp metallic taste flooded her mouth.
She flew back and hovered mid-air, touching her bruised chest.
A flash of rage crossed her eyes.
If she hadn't been injured just now, how could Bai Yang have wounded her?
They both understood each other's moves, but their long absence had given each new openings.
That dragon soul illusion was a powerful technique.
But what did it matter?
She mastered all five elements.
Ye Chuxue vanished in an instant, then a wall of earth erupted, completely trapping Bai Yang. From the wall emerged a carnivorous flower, its blood-red mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth, snapping toward Bai Yang.
Bai Yang's expression hardened as he swung his sword, slicing the flower's mouth just as it bit down, stuck fast and unable to pull free.
He immediately struck with his palm.
Before it landed, the surrounding earth walls surged toward him.
In moments, the walls crushed inward, intent on turning him into a meat paste.
Bai Yang trembled violently.
The dragon soul illusion appeared again with a thunderous roar.
The walls instantly collapsed, dispersing into spiritual energy.
But before he could relax, a wall of water surged forward, slapping at him.
At the same time, Ye Chuxue formed another hand seal.
Blazing fire erupted across the sky from another direction, rushing toward him.
Bai Yang frowned and swung his sword again.
Ye Chuxue was like this—her chaotic spiritual roots could switch freely between the five elements. Her techniques were varied and unpredictable. Her dantian was larger than normal, and her spiritual power far surpassed ordinary cultivators.
In these conditions, his chances seemed slim. This battle would be difficult to decide. After a brief thought, Bai Yang activated all defensive artifacts the Master had given him. His eyes burned with battle intent. He raised his sword again, pulling out another treasure with his left hand.
With deadly intent, Bai Yang charged at Ye Chuxue.
Today, Ye Chuxue must die!
That was his promise to his two Junior Brothers.
He would not break it.