The desolate Great Wasteland stretched bleakly before Tian Fan, who walked alone, feeling a deep sense of solitude. He missed the days spent with Li Yunyang and the others, cherished the moments with Zi Ying, and adored the toddling, yowling little creature. Yet, for various reasons, he had to part ways with them.
âSigh, what am I thinking about?â
Tian Fan muttered, quickening his pace toward the edge of the wasteland. He passed a small pond and paused briefly. It was here he had saved the little one, as if fate had planned it. Not long ago, when he was gravely injured and near death, the little oneâs father saved him. To his surprise, it was the child of a sacred beast.
A massive barbarian elephant lay nearby. Upon seeing Tian Fan, it looked as if it had seen a ghost, its face full of astonishment.
âBrother Elephant, hello.â
Tian Fan smiled faintly, then stood and continued outward, leaving the barbarian elephant beast king staring blankly at his retreating figure by the pond.
Dressed in pristine white, Tian Fan walked slowly. Soon, he left the wilderness and entered a bustling city. The streets echoed with vendorsâ calls. He climbed to a tavern, where a waiter eagerly served him food and wine.
âHey, heard the news? The Son of God is dead.â
âWhat? The Son of God, the one hunted by the Sword Immortal Sectâs Demon Extermination Decree?â
Taverns were always hubs of gossip, and many were talking.
Tian Fan listened quietly, stunned. It hadnât been long, yet news of his âdeathâ had spread across the Northern Region.
âSigh, such a pity. A prodigy like that, gone just like that!â
âShh, keep it down. If the Yin-Yang Sect hears, weâre in trouble. Their young lord is in this town, buying something.â
A companion quickly hushed the speaker.
âHeard about it? They say the Son of Godâs old friends went to settle scores with the Yin-Yang Sect in a tea garden near the next town.â
âWhat? Really? The ones from the Great Sealing Sect? But theyâre no match! Yin Shitianâs got a terrifying elder at Cloud Heaven peak protecting him, sent by the Yin-Yang Sect leader.â
âSigh, looks like theyâre done for. Letâs finish eating and go see!â
At these words, Tian Fanâs mind roared, his eyes flashing with cold light. He paid for his meal and dashed toward the mentioned location.
âYin Shitian, come out here!â
Before a grand mansion, three men and one woman appeared. One man shouted furiously, kicking the gate open.
âHeh, whoâs this? Oh, the little fish from the Great Sealing Sect!â
Deep within the mansion, Yin Shitian was admiring tea blossoms with Huangpu Han. They stepped out, each flanked by a stunning, flamboyantly dressed woman.
âWhat did you do to Xiao Fan?!â
Seeing him, Li Yunyang demanded angrily, followed by Li Yunhua, Di Fu, and Sun Yueying.
âWhat? Heh, dead. Completely dead!â
Yin Shitian laughed loudly, relishing the anxiety and rage on the Great Sealing Sect membersâ faces. Heâd forgotten all about the Yin-Yang Sword.
âNo way! Junior Brother Xiao Fan wouldnât die so easily. You say heâs deadâwhereâs the body?!â
Li Yunhua stepped forward, suppressing his fury, and asked in a low voice.
âHeh, over there, in that basin.â
Yin Shitian nodded toward a corner. There, a basin held shattered bones and minced flesh, being eagerly devoured by a bull-sized yellow dog.
âIâll kill you!â
The Great Sealing Sect group erupted in rage. Even the usually silent Di Fu glared with deep hatred. Li Yunyangâs eyes reddened as he roared, his azure sword glowing brilliantly, too bright to look at. After months, he had reached the peak of Spirit Condensation, a formidable expert.
âGrains of rice daring to rival the moonâs glow, hmphâŚâ
Yin Shitian sneered, waving a hand. A gust of wind sent Li Yunyang flying, blood spilling from his mouth.
âJunior Brother, you okay?â
Li Yunhua helped him up, concerned.
âJunior Sister, leave now!â
Li Yunyang saw Huangpu Han and two elders behind themâany one could wipe them out. His expression grew grave. He didnât want Sun Yueying in danger.
âHeh, leave? Not so easy. Since youâre here, stay!â
Yin Shitian sneered again, waving his hand. A dozen Yin-Yang Sect disciples surrounded the four.
âHeh, this young lordâs short a concubine. Sun Yueying, youâll serve me today!â
Yin Shitianâs eyes gleamed with lust, brazenly eyeing Sun Yueying.
âOh, Young Master, donât you want me anymore? Howâs she better than me? Iâll serve you perfectly.â
The woman beside him clung to his arm, cooing, her eyes flickering with seductive charm.
âOh, darling, donât worry. Youâll have your fun tonight. How about thisâSun Yueying goes to Young Master Huangpu, haha,â Yin Shitian said, turning to Huangpu Han.
âHaha, great, great! I accept your kindness, brother!â Huangpu Han laughed, his eyes narrowing with wicked intent.
âYouâIâll fight you to the death!â
Sun Yueyingâs face flushed with shame and rage. Her violet-green sword glowed purple as she thrust forward. After all this time, she too had reached Spirit Condensationâs peak.
âHeh, a feisty girl, full of spiritâI like it!â
Huangpu Han laughed, pushing the woman in his arms aside and striding forward. Li Yunhua and Di Fu stepped up to meet him.
âHeh, who can stop what this young master wants?â Huangpu Han laughed, eyeing Sun Yueying. âServing me is your blessing!â
âA blessing, my foot!â
Li Yunyangâs rage surged. Wiping blood from his mouth, his azure sword flared as he attacked. Li Yunhua and Di Fu joined in, both at the Cloud Heaven secret realm, notable experts themselves.
âHmph, seeking death!â
Huangpu Han sneered, his right hand flashing red. He casually unleashed three crimson blade arcs.
âPfftâŚâ
âPfftâŚâ
âPfftâŚâ
How powerful was a Cloud Heaven peak expert? All but Sun YueyingâLi Yunyang, Li Yunhua, and Di Fuâspat blood and staggered back, pale and gravely injured.
âSenior Brother!â
Sun Yueying cried out, helping each one up, glaring at Huangpu Han.
âHeh, come on, beauty. Tonight, Iâll make you feel like youâre riding the clouds, hahaâŚâ
Huangpu Han laughed heartily, advancing step by step.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed from afar. The tea gardenâs gate wall was blasted apart. A godlike, demonic figure approached, gripping a sword that dragged a long mark across the ground. Boundless killing intent radiated from him, making Huangpu Han and Yin Shitianâs faces twist in shockâŚ