The gates of Zhongzhou City stood tall and majestic, the blue stone road stretching straight ahead, shops lining both sides, people flowing like a river. Yuyi walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over the cultivators shuttling back and forth, his brows slightly furrowing.
These people's cultivation wasn't weak—at minimum Foundation Building, with Golden Core experts visible everywhere. So many cultivators gathered in Zhongzhou City—this was no ordinary occurrence. He thought silently: could something major be about to happen in the cultivation world?
Yuyi had intended to head quickly to Xuantian City, but having been delayed several days on the road, he felt quite dejected. Seeing this situation now, he slowed his pace, pretending to casually observe the surrounding cultivators.
Those cultivators gathered in twos and threes, speaking in low voices, their expressions carrying tension and anticipation. Yuyi pricked up his ears but only caught fragments—"Nitian Alliance," "Cangqiong Alliance," "Tianxiang Tower," and other terms occasionally reached him.
His heart stirred. Tianxiang Tower was the cultivation world's largest inn chain, spread across the Nine Provinces' major cities, always a place where news flowed freely. Since so many cultivators were heading toward Tianxiang Tower, he might as well go see what was happening.
Yuyi turned and merged into the flow of people, following the direction of the cultivators. Before long, an impressive building came into view—a three-story structure with carved beams and painted rafters, carriages and horses crowding its entrance, cultivators coming and going in endless streams.
He stepped into Tianxiang Tower, the fragrance of spirit tea wafting toward him. The main hall was brightly lit, hundreds of cultivators scattered throughout—some speaking in low secret, others drinking tea alone, the atmosphere quite strange.
Yuyi found a seat in a corner, ordered a pot of spirit tea, and calmly surveyed his surroundings. These cultivators belonged to different sects—from the emblems on their robes, he saw Tianjian Sect, Emei Sect, Tianyin Pavilion, and even several sects he couldn't name. So many sects' cultivators gathered here—something major must be about to happen.
Just as Yuyi was secretly guessing, a commotion suddenly arose at the hall entrance. He looked up to see a red figure float in like a red cloud—that was a female cultivator in red robes, stunningly beautiful, with a cold and elegant temperament, powerful spiritual energy fluctuations radiating from her body.
"It's Feiyue!" someone exclaimed.
"Tianyin Pavilion's number one expert, Feiyue!"
The hall immediately erupted in gasps, countless cultivators' gazes converging on the red-robed female cultivator. Feiyue's expression was calm, her red lips slightly curved in a half-smile as she swept her gaze over everyone, then walked directly to a table in the center of the hall and sat down.
Yuyi's heart tightened—this was Tianyin Pavilion's number one expert? Truly worthy of the reputation—this presence alone far surpassed ordinary cultivators.
Just then, another set of footsteps came from the entrance. Yuyi turned to see over ten white-robed female cultivators file in, the leader having a cold face, eyes like ice—Emei Sect's number one expert, Bingxin.
Bingxin looked straight ahead, leading the Emei Sect group directly to the other side of the hall. As she passed Feiyue, their gazes met, but neither spoke, each simply taking their seat.
Yuyi grew increasingly puzzled. Tianyin Pavilion and Emei Sect were both female sects—these two number one experts appearing together here was no coincidence. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, all cultivators holding their breath as if waiting for something.
Suddenly, a cold snort came from the entrance: "Xuesha Ren, you dare come alone!"
Yuyi's heart shook—Xuesha Ren? That was Xuesha Sect's number one expert?
He looked toward the sound to see a middle-aged man in dark red dharma robes stride in, wearing a bamboo hat, a spirit blade hanging at his waist, sha qi radiating from his entire body. The man removed his hat, casually tossing it to the ground, and laughed loudly: "Duanchang Jian, after months apart, your courage has grown smaller."
In the center of the hall, a sword cultivator slowly rose—Tianjian Sect's expert Duanchang Jian. His face was dark, the spirit sword in his hand gleaming with cold light as he said coldly: "You're not staying at Xuesha Sect—what are you doing in Zhongzhou City?"
Xuesha Ren's lips curved into a cold smile: "Naturally, to harvest your life."
Anger flashed in Duanchang Jian's eyes. "With just you?"
"With just me." Xuesha Ren said proudly. "I've come today in personal capacity, unrelated to Cangqiong Alliance. The grudge between us should be settled."
Duanchang Jian snorted coldly, his spirit sword leaving its sheath, sword light like a rainbow. "Fine, then I'll grant your wish!"
Before his words fell, Duanchang Jian's form surged, his spirit sword thrusting straight at Xuesha Ren's throat. This strike was fast as lightning, the sword tip carrying sharp spiritual energy, emitting an ear-piercing sound of piercing air.
Xuesha Ren didn't retreat but advanced, the spirit blade at his waist leaving its sheath, blade light like blood meeting the sword edge. "Dang"—a huge sound, blade and sword colliding, spiritual energy surging, shattering the surrounding tables and chairs.
Yuyi's pupils contracted sharply—these two's strength far exceeded his imagination! The two exchanged blows, blade light and sword shadow interweaving, spiritual energy fluctuations spreading like tide to the surroundings. Cultivators in the hall retreated one after another, afraid of being caught in it. Yuyi retreated to a corner, his gaze tightly locked on the battle. He discovered that both Xuesha Ren and Duanchang Jian had made leaps in their cultivation—each move and technique contained astonishing spiritual energy.
After over thirty exchanges, Xuesha Ren suddenly lost focus, his gaze glancing toward Feiyue's direction. Duanchang Jian seized the opportunity, his spirit sword trembling, sword light exploding, straight for Xuesha Ren's vital point.
Xuesha Ren hastily defended, being pushed back several steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Xuesha Ren, you've lost!" Duanchang Jian sneered, about to press his advantage.
Just then, a red figure flashed—Feiyue had appeared before Xuesha Ren. Her jade hand waved lightly, a massive spiritual energy surging like tide toward Duanchang Jian.
"Bang"—Duanchang Jian flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the wall, blood spraying from his mouth. His face was pale, eyes filled with disbelief: "You..."
Feiyue said indifferently: "Tianjian Sect's heart method is indeed inadequate."
Duanchang Jian's expression collapsed, struggling to stand but falling again. The surrounding cultivators all gasped—Tianyin Pavilion's number one expert's strength was terrifying indeed!
Yuyi was even more shaken—heavy wounding Duanchang Jian in one strike, what level of cultivation did this require? He suddenly felt deep despair—the gap between himself and these top experts was simply heaven and earth.
Just then, three powerful auras came from the entrance. Yuyi turned to see three sword cultivators stride in, the leader having a resolute face, sword intent radiating from his body—Tianjian Sect's true number one expert, Canglong. Behind him were the burly Xuantie and the sharp-eyed Liekong.
"Feiyue, you have some nerve!" Canglong said coldly.
Xuantie and Liekong flanked from left and right, forming an encirclement with Canglong. Feiyue's expression didn't change, her red lips curving: "Old Zhu, since I dared come, naturally I can leave safely."
Canglong snorted, his spirit sword leaving its sheath, sword light like a dragon, thrusting straight at Feiyue. Xuantie and Liekong simultaneously attacked, three spirit swords stabbing toward Feiyue from different directions, sword light interweaving into an impenetrable net. Feiyue's form was like lightning, shuttling through the sword net, but unable to break through.
Seeing this, Xuesha Ren was about to step forward to help when an icy gaze locked onto him. He turned to see Bingxin looking at him coldly.
"Bingxin..." Xuesha Ren's voice was somewhat hoarse.
Bingxin said indifferently: "Xuesha Ren, are you still not waking up?"
Xuesha Ren smiled bitterly: "Bingxin, have you really joined Nitian Alliance?"
"Yes." Bingxin answered without hesitation.
Pain flashed in Xuesha Ren's eyes: "Fine, fine... if so, I'm willing to die by your hand."
Bingxin snorted coldly, not attacking, only turning to the Emei Sect group: "Fellow junior sisters, with me—surround them."
Emei Sect's top ten experts immediately spread out, forming an encirclement, trapping Xuesha Ren and Feiyue within. Yuyi's heart sank—this was bad. Xuesha Ren and Feiyue were surrounded, probably unable to escape.
At this critical moment, a terrifying aura suddenly surged from the entrance. That aura was hot as fierce fire, making the temperature in Tianxiang Tower suddenly rise, as if placed in a furnace. Cold sweat broke out on Yuyi's forehead—what person was this? To have such terrifying spiritual energy!
A gray-robed middle-aged man walked in slowly, holding a seemingly ordinary spirit blade, his face calm, but his entire body emitting suffocating pressure.
"Dao Zun!" someone exclaimed.
"The undefeated legend, Dao Zun!"
"The Nine Provinces' number one!"
The hall immediately erupted in commotion, countless cultivators showing reverence. Yuyi was even more shocked—this was the Nine Provinces' number one? Truly worthy of the reputation!
Dao Zun's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Xuesha Ren and Feiyue. He said indifferently: "You two go—I'll stop them."
Xuesha Ren and Feiyue exchanged a glance, immediately rushing toward the entrance.
"Don't think about it!" Canglong roared, his spirit sword stabbing at Dao Zun.
Dao Zun slowly raised his hand, his spirit blade sweeping out. A brilliant blade light bloomed like the scorching sun. Where that blade light passed, all attacks were completely dissolved—Canglong, Xuantie, and Liekong were simultaneously pushed back.
Dao Zun turned, sweeping out another blade. Emei Sect's top ten experts were struck as if by heavy blows, retreating one after another, opening a path.
Xuesha Ren and Feiyue seized the opportunity to rush out of Tianxiang Tower, disappearing into the night.
Dao Zun stood with his blade, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his cold voice echoing in the hall: "Who else wants to stop me?"
Canglong, Xuantie, and Liekong looked at each other, none daring to step forward. Bingxin's expression was complex, ultimately not attacking either.
Dao Zun snorted coldly, turning to step out of Tianxiang Tower as if no one was there.
Yuyi stared blankly at Dao Zun's departing back, emotions he couldn't describe surging in his heart. One blade forcing everyone back—this was the Nine Provinces' number one's strength! This was the undefeated legend's might!
He suddenly felt his blood heating, the earlier despair swept away, replaced by intense fighting spirit. What Dao Zun could do, he could do too!
Yuyi tightly clenched his fists, his gaze determined. He would cultivate, grow stronger, become an expert like Dao Zun!