The Five-Ultimates Elder flew into a rage and shouted, "Today I shall take your dog life!" In his heart he believed that the long-awaited chance to avenge the blood debt of that day had finally come. Nangong Yan, crafty and vicious, cried out sternly, "Wu Tong, nine of us are here to take your life — there is no escape from your fate!"
Wu Tong frowned slightly, shook his head, and sneered coldly. "Not quite. Old woman, you must step into the fray as well!"At these words Nangong Yan felt her heart jolt, stunned for a brief instant before she snapped angrily, "Nine people seek your life — is that still not enough?"
Wu Tong strode forward with overbearing confidence, his gaze sharp as lightning. "The King of Hell has just opened his court and marked the names in the Book of Life and Death. Yours is already inscribed there. You cannot flee the battlefield!"
Fear rose in Nangong Yan's heart, yet she could not retreat. "If that is so, then I will disregard my status and grant your wish. Ten against one!"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Wu Tong facing ten foes alone — such bold heroism was rarely seen in this world. Yet with the Crouching Dragon Saber in hand, he seemed to look down upon all present, strolling leisurely toward his enemies with an air of fearless grandeur. "Come!"
Nangong Yan drew her sword and shrieked, "All of you — attack together!"But no one responded. None dared to strike first. Wu Tong stood immovable as a mountain, cold rays shooting from his eyes. "Do not be afraid. Since the ten of you have gathered to journey together to the Yellow Springs, my blade will simply hasten your departure!"
Turning toward the assassins of the Sword Fiend Sect and Blade Fiend Sect, Nangong Yan shouted, "Did you not come to kill Wu Tong? Why do you hesitate?" They knew full well how swift his saber was — they had faced him only days before.
At that moment Liu Yun suddenly unsheathed her treasured sword and declared loudly, "With me standing guard, not one of you will escape. Today we shall trap you like turtles in a jar — how convenient!"
Nangong Yan cast a glance at the Five-Ultimates Elder and barked, "Five-Ultimates, you go first!"The old man was no fool. He had always waited for the perfect moment to strike; otherwise he would never have caught Wu Tong off guard that day. He rumbled, "Old woman, do not ruin my plans. If anyone attacks, you lead the charge!"
Wu Tong shouted sternly, "Enough dithering! When I count to three, I strike!""To seize the initiative is to gain victory," he thought. Losing it would render the weaker side utterly passive. He began, "One… Two—"
Before he could say three, the assassins of the Sword and Blade Fiend Sects launched their attack. Eight figures blurred into motion, splitting into two groups that charged from left and right beneath a howling northern wind and a dim, leaden sky. Blades flashed as they rushed forward.
Wu Tong moved only when he must. In a blaze of lightning he drew his saber. His body became ghostlike, saber-light flickering in an instant — and screams rang out. It was terrifying beyond words. No need to look — the eight assassins already lay dead in pools of blood.
Though skilled, they were far too slow before the incomparably swift Crouching Dragon Saber Art. Packed too closely together, they became easy prey. Once unleashed, the saber struck faster and faster — every stroke perilous, every cut decisive, like a tiger bursting from its cage. It swept all resistance away in one fluid motion. In the blink of an eye Wu Tong had already sheathed his weapon again. Eight corpses lay at his feet.
Unmoved, Wu Tong advanced calmly. "The two of you — come together. One-on-one, you have no chance."
The Five-Ultimates Elder gripped his broadsword, cold sweat beading upon his brow. He could not find an opening. Nangong Yan's heart sank — today disaster truly seemed inevitable. Wu Tong had already resolved not to spare her.
"Old woman," the elder muttered, "you go first. I will strike after. It is our only chance."Enraged, Nangong Yan trembled. "Why don't you go first?""I will seize the moment," he replied bluntly. "You are going to die anyway — what difference does it make?"
Terrified of death, Nangong Yan dared not move. Glancing back at her disciples Ouyang Jing, Yu Xian, and Wei Hong, she screamed, "Disciples of the Immortal Empress Palace — attack!"
Liu Yun rebuked them at once. "Listen well! The eight assassins of the Sword and Blade Fiend Sects are already dead. Do not let this old woman use you. Why throw away your lives for nothing?"The disciples instinctively retreated a step.
Wu Tong's voice rang out again. "None of you may run. If you do, who will remain to collect Nangong Yan's corpse?"His words were like an invisible blade stabbing straight into her chest. Her mind fell into chaos, filled with bitter regret.
Grinding her teeth, she said to the elder, "Let us strike from both wings. I will open with a sword thrust. Agreed?"Wu Tong stood like an immovable peak, mocking, "The court of the King of Hell awaits you both."
The elder's brows bristled, murderous intent in his eyes — yet sweat still glistened on his forehead. "Very well."
The tension in the field was suffocating. Nangong Yan's hatred could scarcely be described in words. She drew her sword; cold light flashed as she assumed an eerie opening stance. Any expert could see that her swordsmanship had reached a terrifying height. Though a woman, she was a formidable foe.
Like a phantom she lunged forward, releasing a piercing cry as her sword slashed out.
The Five-Ultimates Elder roared, shattering the dead silence. His blade split the air. Sword and saber joined in a deadly assault upon Wu Tong, a force that made all present shudder with fear.
Suddenly came a thunderous shout. Steel clashed. Two streaks of saber-light tore across the heavens. Fierce and unstoppable — in a single instant both attackers were cut cleanly in half at the waist by the Crouching Dragon Saber. Their bodies fell apart, blood gushing like fountains. Four mangled halves scattered across the ground, still twitching.
The young women captured by the Yan soldiers shrieked in horror, covering their faces, unable to bear the sight. The battlefield was drenched in gore, thick with the stench of blood. Without question, the Five-Ultimates Elder and Nangong Yan lay dead where they fell.
Wu Tong sheathed his saber and sighed. "Disciples of the Immortal Empress Palace, see to the aftermath. Let us go."
A bleak northern wind swept through. Everyone present trembled at the overwhelming scent of blood. Staring at the grisly scene before them, they stood as if turned to stone — stunned beyond speech, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.