The ancient vampire demon let out a cold snort, his withered face twisting into a ferocious scowl. “Back then, you righteous ones only relied on your numbers and strength. Do you really think I fear you?”
As he spoke, he shook his hands, causing the glowing red skull before him to emit a wailing sound as it flew around him, its eyes beginning to glow a deep, ominous red.
Tian Yizhan took a deep breath, his senses heightened. A hundred years ago, he was already one of the most outstanding disciples of the Qingyun Sect. In the great hunt for the remnants of the Demon Sect, he was a key figure, and he had faced this vampire demon before, knowing full well not to underestimate him or his Blood Sucking Art.
At that moment, the dark clouds in the sky began to gather again, the traces of Tian Yizhan’s earth-shattering sword strike disappearing as the night grew even darker.
In the distance, the sound of the sea waves could be heard, mixed with the fierce wind, creating a haunting, distant roar that seemed to emanate from the depths of the ocean, floating through the night air under the vast, starless sky.
***
Zhang Xiaofan slowly came to, feeling a tightness in his chest and a general sense of discomfort. Suddenly, he heard a soft exclamation, and a delicate, white hand gently massaged his chest.
After a moment, the blocked energy in his chest seemed to clear, and he felt much better.
Looking up, he saw his master’s wife, Su Ru, smiling down at him.
Feeling a blush rise to his cheeks, he murmured, “Thank you, Mistress.”
Su Ru’s voice was gentle, “Are you alright?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded, “I’m just a bit tired, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
Su Ru smiled and nodded, then chuckled softly, “That’s good. Now, watch your master fight for you!”
Startled, Zhang Xiaofan followed her gaze, and his heart was shaken by the sight.
Beneath the dark sky, amidst the low, heavy clouds, there was a searing, glowing light, illuminating half the horizon, even the edges of the clouds seemed to be edged with light.
Tian Yizhan stood like an ancient fire god, proud and tall, summoning flames from his Glowing Flame Sword, transforming them into fire dragons that ripped through the clouds, soaring high into the heavens.
The vampire demon, however, was nowhere to be seen, but in the sky, a massive, raging skull appeared, howling and screaming, with dark, blood-red light shooting into the sky, battling the fire dragons relentlessly.
The dark clouds were now roiling and boiling, and from the ground, it looked as if two gods were fighting a furious battle.
Zhang Xiaofan was entranced, his admiration for his master reaching new heights. The fire dragons’ roars echoed across the land, and their appearance was truly awe-inspiring, similar to the fire dragon summoned by the three-tailed fox with the Black Flame Mirror in the Black Rock Cave, but far more powerful.
Just as he was thinking this, he felt a sudden heat emanating from the Black Flame Mirror on his right arm, spreading throughout his body.
Beside him, Su Ru sensed something and turned to look at him, her eyes filled with concern. “Xiaofan, why is your body suddenly so hot? Are you feverish from your injuries?”
Zhang Xiaofan was startled; he didn’t expect his mistress to be so perceptive. “No, no, it’s nothing…”
Su Ru frowned, about to ask further when she suddenly sensed something and turned to look behind her. In the forest, footsteps sounded, and in no time, over a hundred people emerged from all directions, all of them from the righteous factions. Among them were Fahsiang and Fashan from Tiantai Temple, and Li Xun and Yan Hong from the Burning Incense Valley. Leading the group was Cang Song.
Su Ru stood up and smiled, “Cang Song, you’ve come too.”
Cang Song nodded slightly, “Tian Yizhan is displaying his divine power here, and we’re not blind or deaf. We came to see for ourselves.”
Su Ru frowned, sensing a hint of malice in his words, but before she could say anything, the Dazhu Peak disciples, who had noticed the bloodstains on Zhang Xiaofan’s clothes and his pale, haggard face, rushed over.
Tian Ling’er exclaimed in shock and ran up, followed by Song Daren, Du Bishu, and He Dazhi, all of whom wore anxious expressions. But before they could take a few steps, a white figure flashed past them, faster than they could react—it was Lin Jingyu.
Lin Jingyu knelt beside Zhang Xiaofan, grabbing his arm, his face slightly pale. “Xiaofan, are you alright?”
Feeling the concern in his eyes, Zhang Xiaofan felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Lin Jingyu looked him over, checking his chest wound, and finally let out a sigh of relief. “Who hurt you?”
Zhang Xiaofan pointed upwards, “It was that demon. My master called him something like ‘Vampire Old Demon.'”
Lin Jingyu’s body tensed, apparently familiar with the demon. “This old fiend has resurfaced?”
He looked up, and at the same time, Tian Ling’er and the others reached Zhang Xiaofan, asking about his condition. Zhang Xiaofan met Tian Ling’er’s worried gaze and quietly answered the disciples, assuring them that he was fine.
Above, the fierce battle raged on. Lin Jingyu, standing beside Zhang Xiaofan, watched for a while and suddenly said, “Xiaofan, I didn’t realize your master was so powerful despite his usual unassuming demeanor!”
Tian Ling’er, still sore from her defeat to Lin Jingyu, retorted, “My father’s art is profound. How could you, a mere Longshou Peak disciple, possibly understand it?”
Lin Jingyu frowned, turning to look at her, and saw her defiant gaze. He was taken aback but then smiled, “Tian Junior Sister, you are right.”
Tian Ling’er was surprised by his unexpected humility, especially since she knew he respected his senior, Qi Hao. She followed his gaze and saw him smiling at Qi Hao, who was standing next to Cang Song.
Her clever mind instantly realized that Lin Jingyu was being polite to avoid argument, and although she herself felt no shame, her heart warmed when she met Qi Hao’s eyes.
Standing nearby, Su Ru frowned, having heard the exchange. She glanced at Cang Song, who was looking up at the sky, expressionless, but his eyes were intense, focused on Tian Yizhan.
The wind howled, and the sky was filled with flames and blood-red light, indicating that the battle was at a critical point. Cang Song said coldly, “I didn’t expect the Vampire Old Demon to be so bold. Qi Hao!”
Qi Hao, standing beside him, stepped forward, “Master, what are your orders?”
Cang Song glanced at the sky, “Your Uncle Tian is sure to win. Set up a perimeter; we must not let this demon escape.”
Qi Hao nodded and signaled, calling Lin Jingyu back, then turned to coordinate with other factions.
Su Ru approached Cang Song, smiling, “Cang Song, how can you be so sure that Yizhan will win?”
Cang Song glanced at her, a smile appearing on his usually stern face, “Su Junior Sister, are you joking with your incapable senior again?”
Su Ru laughed, “Even if I had ten lives, I wouldn’t dare joke with you, Master. I’m genuinely curious.”
Cang Song smiled, “You’ve always been intelligent, far more so than me. The Vampire Old Demon, though powerful and with the Blood Skull, shows signs of weakness. His Blood Skull’s light is impure, and the Blood Skull itself seems slightly damaged. While this would be insignificant at other times, it is his greatest vulnerability against Yizhan. Your uncle, on the other hand, is composed, using the Qingyun incantations to wield the Glowing Flame Sword, transforming it into a Fire Dragon. The Blood Skull, though bright, cannot withstand the Fire Dragon. Yizhan’s keen eyes target the flaw, and the old demon, though arrogant, is left struggling. Does my analysis sound correct, Su Junior Sister?”
Su Ru smiled, “Your sharp eyes have seen it all, Master. I only know because of you.”
Cang Song smiled, turning to look at the sky. In a lowered but calm voice, he said, “Su Junior Sister.”
Su Ru responded, “Yes, Cang Song?”
Cang Song’s gaze remained fixed on the battle above, but his voice was clear, “Yizhan, after breaking through the Jade Purity realm of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao a hundred years ago, has made remarkable progress in his art, hasn’t he?”
Su Ru was startled, but her face remained calm, “Cang Song, you flatter him. Yizhan doesn’t have the same talent as our Chief Disciple or yourself…”
Cang Song shook his head, a smile on his lips, “A hundred years ago, we defeated the Demon Sect. I, Yizhan, and our brothers from Fenghui Peak and Zhaoyang Peak, along with the Longmen’s Wan… “
Su Ru interrupted, “Cang Song.”
Cang Song paused, realizing something, then continued, “We pursued the demons deep into the wilderness, and that’s when Yizhan broke through to the Upper Purity realm. Wan, that person, told us that despite Yizhan’s apparent dullness, he was wise and determined, with a promising future in the Dao.”
He smiled, “Su Junior Sister, you know that person. You must agree with his judgment, no?”
Su Ru smiled, but said nothing, turning to look at the sky.
***
High in the air, the vampire demon roared, his appearance menacing, but inside, he was growing increasingly alarmed. A hundred years ago, he had fought Tian Yizhan, and though Yizhan was skilled, he was confident in his Blood Sucking Art.
But now, after a hundred years, Yizhan’s art had advanced immensely. The fire dragons summoned from the Glowing Flame Sword matched and even surpassed his Blood Sucking Art’s Eerie Blood Light.
What troubled him even more was his encounter with Zhang Xiaofan. He underestimated the young man and lost one of his life ghosts to Xiaofan’s mysterious rod, the Black Flame Rod. This was perplexing, as the rod, despite its ominous aura, did not seem to be a powerful weapon. However, it contained the Devouring Bead, which, upon being activated by Xiaofan’s own blood, devoured the life ghost, leaving the Blood Skull weakened.
In a normal situation, the demon would have been merely surprised, but now, facing Tian Yizhan, who was not only as strong but potentially stronger, this small flaw became a major threat.
Tian Yizhan, with his vast experience and insight, quickly identified the flaw in the Blood Skull and attacked it mercilessly. As the battle dragged on, the demon felt increasingly strained, the Blood Skull’s light dimming, while the flames blazed, turning the night sky crimson.
The demon, realizing his mistake, cursed himself for his arrogance. He had thought that a hundred years of dedicated training had made him invincible except for a few top figures. Now, he regretted his hubris, and as he looked down, he saw a large number of righteous warriors, including Cang Song, who had hunted him before. Fear gripped his heart, and he considered retreat.
Just as he hesitated, the fire dragon roared, and the demon looked up, horror-struck. The fire dragon glowed intensely, then retracted into Tian Yizhan’s hand, transforming back into a flaming sword. The remaining light, however, illuminated the entire sky.
Tian Yizhan, his face stern, held the Glowing Flame Sword, reciting an incantation:
“Nine heavenly thunders, transformed into divine lightning.
Great heavenly might, guided by the sword!”
On the ground, especially among the Qingyun disciples, there was a stir. The Dazhu Peak disciples were particularly excited, and even Cang Song’s face paled.
The dark clouds roiled, and a thunderous roar filled the sky, followed by a blinding flash of lightning that tore through the heavens, piercing the clouds and descending to the sword tip, engulfing the world in a brilliant, fiery light.
The entire Flowing Wave Mountain trembled, and the once calm sea around it boiled. A massive, blinding column of light shot out, piercing through the clouds, brighter than the sun, unstoppable, and heading straight for the vampire demon.
In a moment, the demon was engulfed in a blaze of light, and even the Blood Skull’s red glow vanished.
A figure fell from the sky.
Tian Yizhan, holding the Glowing Flame Sword, breathed deeply, his face pale but standing like a god.
After the initial shock, the righteous crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The Dazhu Peak disciples were beaming, and Zhang Xiaofan, in awe, couldn’t tear his eyes away from Tian Yizhan. He finally turned to see the joy on everyone’s faces, especially Tian Ling’er, who was laughing happily.
Amidst the joy, Zhang Xiaofan remembered something and turned to see Lu Xueqi, who was silently gazing at Tian Yizhan, lost in thought. The same “Sword Thunder Divine Spell,” but in Tian Yizhan’s hands, it was many times more powerful than when Lu Xueqi used it.
The vampire demon, his face red, fell uncontrollably from the sky. Cang Song, with a glance at Qi Hao, gestured, and Qi Hao led a group of disciples, ready to capture the demon. However, the demon, in mid-air, struggled, his hands moving frantically, and a burst of blood spewed from his mouth, his face turning ashen.
The crowd laughed, seeing the demon was powerless. Just as Qi Hao and the others were about to capture him, Su Ru shouted, “Be careful!”
Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, startled, saw a blur of purple and black, and a powerful force struck, sending two disciples flying, one from Qingyun and one from Tiantai Temple, spitting blood.
Qi Hao, alarmed, stopped, but the forces were overwhelming, and he shouted, “Retreat!”
He quickly cast seven ice walls with his Cold Ice Sword, protecting his companions, but the force shattered the walls, rushing towards them. In a desperate move, Lin Jingyu, seeing his master in danger, summoned his Dragon-Slaying Sword and rushed to his aid.
Qi Hao shouted, “Lin Junior, get out of here!”
The force, however, was too fast. Just as it was about to crush them, a loud voice shouted, “Demon!”
A fierce wind rose, and the strange force met its match, clashing and subsiding. Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were pulled back, narrowly escaping death. They saw that Cang Song had saved Qi Hao, and Su Ru had pulled Lin Jingyu back, along with several other senior disciples, including Tian Yizhan, who had descended from the sky.
In the distance, the vampire demon was caught by a few figures, and countless footsteps sounded from the forest, revealing a large number of Demon Sect members, including the Ghost King, an old, bald man, a short, fierce dwarf, and a handsome, scholarly man with a pleasant smile.
On the righteous side, Cang Song and Tian Yizhan exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing. Cang Song sneered, “Well, well, you old demons have finally emerged.”
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