A hand landed on Yan Zhen's shoulder, stopping him from stepping further. It was strong, firm, and warm. Yan Zhen felt the hand saying, I'm here. Everything's going to be okay.
He turned to see the owner. His eyes widened in disbelief; jaw dropped. Then, the next instant, Yan Zhen smiled in relief.
If it was any other time, the Enforcers around them would also have had their jaws dropped, seeing Yan Zhen smile—he very rarely smiled.
Yan Zhen wasn't the only one in disbelief. Luo Heng and Wu Zhenhai also felt the same shock and relief. They recognized Xuan Tian. Although it had been five years, and their time together was short, they remembered him—especially Wu Zhenhai.
Luo Heng was on the verge of tears, his eyes wet with overwhelming relief.
"Shengzun," Yan Zhen whispered.
Xuan Tian's eyes remained fixed on Han Zhaofeng. "Step back. Tell everyone to step back. Keep a safe distance. Make sure the ICEB barrier is intact. No spies."
Yan Zhen just nodded. He was too shocked to answer.
Hearing no response, Xuan Tian turned to look at Yan Zhen, his brows arched, questioning.
Yan Zhen snapped into focus. "Yes, Shengzun!"
"Get ready to receive the Princess," Xuan Tian ordered.
Once again, Yan Zhen said, "Yes, Shengzun!"
Luo Heng supported Wu Zhenhai as they retreated to a safe distance—or tried. There was no such thing as a safe distance. This was a fight between two immensely powerful Immortal Saints.
"I'm okay. Go help Yan Zhen evacuate everyone and make sure to keep your distance from those two," Wu Zhenhai ordered.
Luo Heng nodded. "Understood."
He began instructing the bystander Enforcers to leave—which was difficult, since they were all loyal and wanted to stay until the end together.
Luo Heng managed to get the Enforcers to take a few hundred steps back. They focused on reinforcing the ICEB barrier, per Xuan Tian's order. Even though they didn't know Xuan Tian, they had all heard the command—and they felt his presence. So they obeyed.
Han Zhaofeng also sensed Xuan Tian's aura—deliberately released to shift his focus. Xuan Tian circulated his spirit energy, ready to strike.
Han Zhaofeng was not in his right mind, but the threat from Xuan Tian was primal. He instinctively knew this person was dangerous. His eyes narrowed. He wanted to destroy the one who now stood before him—someone with equal, if not greater, power.
Xuan Tian suddenly moved. He vanished from his position and appeared in front of Han Zhaofeng. He aimed his attack at Han's left side, forcing him to defend seriously. When Han tried to use his right hand, Xuan Tian shifted his strike to the wrist—forcing him to release his grip on Mu Qingran's neck.
Xuan Tian wasted no breath. He grabbed Mu Qingran, retreated, and handed her to Yan Zhen.
It all happened in less than twenty breaths.
The crowd gasped. They were all Enforcers. They knew how skillful Han Zhaofeng was. And yet, it took this mysterious Saint—yes, by now they were all convinced Xuan Tian was also a Saint—less than twenty breaths to rescue Mu Qingran.
Han Zhaofeng realized that he had been fooled and grew enraged. He roared, releasing his powerful aura, which affected the bystanders. Most of them were pushed back.
Xuan Tian stood in front of Yan Zhen, who now held Mu Qingran in his arms.
"Hang in there. Help is coming," Xuan Tian said in a low voice.
Yan Zhen was confused. Help? Who's willing to help us? And can they?
The next moment, Jing Xue—still in wolf-dog size—appeared with Lin Qian. Xuan Tian had sent for them the moment he saw Mu Qingran's neck in Han Zhaofeng's grip.
Lin Qian immediately moved to check on Mu Qingran.
"Doctor," said Xuan Tian, still standing in front of them, shielding them from Han Zhaofeng's view, "Can you save her?"
"Yes." Lin Qian nodded firmly. "Her wound looks bad, but fortunately, it's superficial. She fainted because she couldn't breathe properly."
"Han Shengzun didn't really hurt her? Is his mind still there?" Wu Zhenhai, limping, approached them.
"I believe so. If he's truly gone, Mu Qingran wouldn't have survived," Xuan Tian answered.
"Shengzun, this lowly Immortal knows this is too much, but this lowly Immortal has to say it." Wu Zhenhai said with difficulty, his injuries catching up to him.
He knelt, bowed, and saluted Xuan Tian. "Please, Shengzun! Please save our Han Zhaofeng Shengzun!"
His cries were echoed by the other Enforcers and Luo Heng, while Yan Zhen could only bow. "Please, Shengzun, save our Han Zhaofeng Shengzun!"
Xuan Tian closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. When he opened them again, his dark brown irises shimmered with pearl-like spots, dazzling.
The Celestial General's presence was palpable.
"Understood," he said, resolved.
Meanwhile, Han Zhaofeng watched this development cautiously. His instincts told him not to underestimate Xuan Tian. Han Zhaofeng was a skilled fighter who had always enjoyed sparring with his students. But it had been a long time since he had fought freely.
This time, he felt he could truly fight—with everything he had. His lips slowly curled upward. His previous rage at being fooled was gone, replaced by the child-like joy and anticipation of the upcoming battle.
The tension in the air shifted. Both sides had agreed—silently, almost telepathically—not to kill, but to truly fight.
Han Zhaofeng circulated his spirit energy. His right hand rose slightly, palm open. Slowly, the image of a sword began to emerge.
Stunned whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Duansheng!"
"Duansheng Sword!"
"Han Shengzun's sword!"
"Shengzun, be careful. Han Shengzun just took out Duansheng. His Severing Sword Technique is extremely powerful." Wu Zhenhai's breath hitched as he warned Xuan Tian.
Xuan Tian observed Han Zhaofeng silently, letting him finish preparing his technique. Han Zhaofeng's eyes were filled with joy, satisfaction, and something else.
Xuan Tian recognized that look in his eyes. He had seen it far too often in his own reflection—that feral hunger of finding a worthy opponent. He had felt it too, countless times on the battlefield.
And he respected that hunger. He had to. Otherwise, it would consume him whole.
He reciprocated Han Zhaofeng's movement by drawing his own Zhongyi.
Jing Xue's jaw dropped. "Have you gone mad, Ge? Are you planning on destroying the Human Realm? Why are you taking out Zhongyi?! Put it back!"
"Quiet. Don't just yap. Look closely," Xuan Tian scolded Jing Xue telepathically.
Jing Xue did. He looked closer at Zhongyi.
"Oh! It's not the real Zhongyi!" Jing Xue exhaled in relief.
"Of course not. Do you really think I've gone mad?" Xuan Tian rolled his eyes inwardly. "Now stay quiet. Don't disturb me."
With that, Xuan Tian moved.
Han Zhaofeng also moved.
The clash of two legendary swords resounded—loud, clear, maddening.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
In just a few breaths, the two Saints exchanged hundreds of moves.
The Enforcers were in total disbelief.
They had never imagined anyone could fight Han Shengzun on equal footing. And yet, this wasn't just a fight—it was a legendary duel.
Move after move, technique after technique, neither side faltered.
After a few more breaths, their movements became too fast to follow. To the onlookers, it was as if they had vanished, leaving only mirages in their place.
Jing Xue was the only one who could still follow the fight. He watched it intently, ready to intervene if needed. He was Xuan Tian's guardian first, then his family. He had no intention of slacking in his duty.
Lin Qian was busy tending to Mu Qingran and Wu Zhenhai. Both had sustained injuries, but Wu Zhenhai's were worse. She didn't have the time to 'watch' the legendary duel.
BOOM!
A nearby pot exploded, startling those around it.
CRASH!
A door on the other side was broken—something had slammed into it. The dust made it difficult to see who it was.
Han Zhaofeng shook his head to clear the haze. He couldn't believe he'd been hit hard enough to break a door. He got up—without checking his injuries or brushing off the dust—and went straight back to attack Xuan Tian, who hovered mid-air, looking down like a god.
The onlookers gasped. Han Shengzun… lost?!
But Xuan Tian wasn't unscathed. Cuts marked his arms, his robes, his back—everywhere. But they were all minor.
When Han Zhaofeng lunged at him again, Xuan Tian was ready.
And the battle continued.
"Stop enjoying the fight. Defeat him already. The longer you drag this, the more advanced his transformation is. You forgot, haven't you? That he's changing." Jing Xue's warning sliced through Xuan Tian's battle-mode mind.
Jing Xue was right. Xuan Tian had forgotten. He couldn't believe it—and he was distracted for half a breath.
But that was enough for Han Zhaofeng.
He saw an opportunity, and he took it.
BAM!
His sword pierced through Xuan Tian's left chest. A bit lower, and it would've struck his heart. Xuan Tian managed to shift in the final second.