The clone twisted sideways just in time, the blade grazing past and slicing open her skirt.
Rip!
The sharp sound echoed as the demonic shadow morphed into a long blade again, slashing straight toward her arm. But the place where her skirt had been cut started corroding fast, the rot spreading outward in a sinister wave.
Her pupils shrank. She instantly swung her sword, cutting away a large section of fabric, revealing the white inner garment underneath.
A rune flashed across the air, and she vanished from the spot. When she reappeared behind the demonic shadow, a bolt of Nine Heavens Divine Thunder crashed down right on its head.
Boom!
As the natural bane of all evil beings, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder had a strong restraining effect even on this shadow.
Startled, the demonic figure darted backward, barely dodging the divine strike. In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged several deadly blows.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng's true body was locked in a fierce duel with Song Jue. With the Sheyin Flower and Immortal Furnace boosting her power, Song Jue's movements were heavily restricted.
He let out a furious roar, and the surrounding monsters suddenly moved as if obeying an unspoken command, quickly forming ranks.
Their chaotic movements turned into organized formations that surged toward Song Wanníng like a living tide.
With a wave of his hand, Song Jue sent them charging forward like crashing waves.
Her expression hardened as she jumped back swiftly, dodging their assault.
But with the formation's support, the monsters' strength spiked drastically.
Hiss!
A claw grazed her neck, leaving behind a thin, bleeding mark that stood out seductively against her fair skin.
Song Jue blurred into a gust of wind, merging with the swarm of monsters. Her scalp tingled, and she immediately used a spatial rune to teleport away.
But monsters filled the area. Even if she shifted positions, it was just buying time. Her heart tightened. Song Jue's strength wasn't any weaker than Gong Ye's, maybe even greater.
She needed reinforcements.
She activated another message talisman, sending word to Luo Hantian and the others, praying the Ancestor would arrive soon.
Boom!
Divine thunder and blazing flames tore through the battlefield. Monsters shrieked as they burned to ash.
Song Wanníng's expression grew cold, numb even. The endless sea of blood around her didn't shake her resolve one bit.
Pfft!
Song Jue's strike landed squarely, sending her flying backward.
The Immortal Furnace barely managed to hold off the monsters' attacks, unable to protect her and fight at the same time. Unless she hid inside the furnace and stayed there, there was no way to split her focus. She bit her lip, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and her eyes turned sharp with killing intent.
Song Jue and every last one of these monsters had to die. If she didn't kill them now, they'd become unstoppable later.
"Hmph, I told you, there's only one road left for you today—death!" Song Jue's mouth curled into a cruel grin as he stared at her like a hunter playing with its prey. He had to admit she was strong.
Too bad she hadn't yet reached her true potential.
He waved his hand again, commanding the monsters to encircle Song Wanníng and her clone. The dense horde moved in perfect formation, advancing and retreating in unison like a living army.
Inside the formation, Liu Xingzhi was under slightly less pressure. He kept cutting down monsters that threw themselves at him, the small companions beside him lending support so he didn't look too battered.
Still, worry gnawed at him. Seeing Song Wanníng and her clone both injured made his chest tighten painfully.
Then, a white flash split the air.
A massive arrow shot out from the void, flying straight toward Song Jue.
He was in the middle of clashing with Song Wanníng when he sensed something wrong, but it was too late. The arrow pierced through his back.
Pfft!
He lurched forward, blood splattering and dyeing the fur of the monsters ahead a vivid red.
"Who's there?!"
His voice thundered with fury as he jerked his head up, eyes glinting with murderous rage.
The clouds slowly parted, revealing a familiar face.
"Martial Uncle Yun?" Song Jue froze, his expression changing instantly.
It was none other than Yun Yangzi, the seated Ancestor of Guhan Sect. Though over five hundred years old, Yun Yangzi's hair was dark and full, his face smooth like that of a youth. His gaze was calm, almost sorrowful, filled with a quiet compassion that made it even more daunting. He held a longbow in one hand, lowering it as his cold eyes bore into Song Jue.
Song Wanníng's eyes lit up in relief.
So the "Martial Uncle Yun" Song Jue mentioned was actually the sect's Ancestor. She'd already discussed this with Luo Hantian, hoping the Ancestor could intervene once they confirmed the traitor's identity. After all, with a spy inside Guhan Sect, they had to act cautiously. She hadn't expected the Ancestor to arrive this quickly.
"Ancestor!!"
Liu Xingzhi's eyes shone too, his voice low but trembling with relief. With the Ancestor here, Song Wanníng's pressure would ease greatly.
Yun Yangzi glanced at the two disciples with a faint but approving smile. To have held out this long, they truly lived up to Guhan Sect's name.
"Song Jue, do you realize your crimes?"
His tone was low, his body surrounded by a hazy aura that carried a trace of Buddhist serenity. Like a merciful Buddha judging sin, his gaze fell on the traitor before him.
Song Jue's lips twitched, a flicker of fire flashing in his eyes. "What crimes?"
He lifted his head, calm again after his initial surprise.
"They say Martial Uncle Yun's been in seclusion for a hundred years, never stepping out. Didn't think you'd come out just for me. I'm honored."
His words dripped with mockery and impatience.
Yun Yangzi had always been the preachy type, talking endlessly about compassion and enlightenment, yet still trapped in the mortal world, never ascending. So, the sect had been preparing for this day all along. All the past events, all those coincidences—just acts in a play.
The realization only fueled Song Jue's rage. He'd hidden so well, only to be exposed because of two juniors. Now the entire sect probably knew the truth. There was no going back. Even if he killed all three of them here, Guhan Sect was already lost to him.
A bitter fury twisted inside him, darkening his face.
"You've been raising these monsters, feeding them human hearts, committing countless sins. If that's not guilt, what is?"
Yun Yangzi's voice was calm but filled with deep disappointment.
"Before I came here, I considered many suspects. I never thought it'd be you."
He'd even suspected Jiang Wentian, Ruan Mingyue, but not Song Jue—the one who'd always seemed the most sensible. It hurt more than he'd ever admit. But now, the only atonement was death.
Still, Song Jue was his Martial Nephew, someone he'd watched grow up. Yun Yangzi didn't want to kill him with his own hands. If Song Jue took his own life, that would be mercy.
"Hahahaha!"
Song Jue burst into laughter, loud and wild, as if he'd just heard the world's funniest joke.
"Martial Uncle Yun, it seems you never understood me at all. My ambition's always been to stand above all others. I'll rule the Spirit Realm, the Immortal Realm, and the God Realm!"