Within a deep gorge,over a hundred figures divided into three groups faced each other.
"Liu Qing'er, we agreed to join forces against the disciples of the Hehuan Sect, yet your Ten Thousand Swords Sect has contributed almost nothing."
At the front of Zhengyang Sect's formation, Su Su clenched her massive fists, her delicate face tinged with anger as she glared at a young woman.
The woman wore a long cyan dress, her posture perfectly straight. Her waist-length hair cascaded freely, like a peerless divine sword with its edge hidden. Hearing Su Su's rebuke, she only glanced lightly at her, saying nothing.
By her side, a young man snorted. "And you dare say we haven't done our part?"
"Our targets included several disciples ranked in the top ten, among them Bai Xiruo, the number one outer disciple of Hehuan Sect. Even so, we slew more than a dozen of their people, including two top-ten geniuses."
"But you? You only killed a few insignificant figures, not a single one of the top-ranked."
"I would say it is Zhengyang Sect that has been holding back, not us."
His words were sharp, just like his sword.He was none other than Jian Jiu, the second-ranked outer disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.
Su Su's expression stiffened, her face turning grim. "An accident occurred on my side. Otherwise, I would already have slain that Mu Lingxi."
Accident?
Liu Qing'er, silent until now, raised her brows. A flicker of interest flashed across her face. Other than herself, Lin Xian'er, and Bai Xiruo, who else could force Su Su to suffer setbacks?
She looked up at Su Su. "What accident?"
"An old man," Su Su said darkly.
Liu Qing'er was startled, instinctively recalling the old fellow she had glimpsed in the Hehuan Sect's ranks before they entered the secret realm.
Almost all those qualified to enter this Cold Pool Secret Realm were the elite of their sects' outer disciples. A decrepit, near-lifespan old man had indeed been memorable.
Yet her expression quickly turned to astonishment.That old man was only at the Qi Refinement stage, his potential exhausted with his years. Even if fortune smiled and he somehow built his foundation, could he really make Su Su, already mid-Foundation, suffer a loss?
"That old fellow somehow acquired a strange bird. Its strength surpasses mine."
Though the admission was humiliating, Su Su forced it out through gritted teeth.
As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward the disciples of Xuanqing Palace. "Fairy Lin should understand this better than I."
Lin Xian'er's face darkened. To maintain her image, she had never mentioned to her sect-mates how badly she had fared against Wang Jianqiang. She had only said she bore enmity with Hehuan Sect. Su Su's blunt revelation made her uncomfortable.
After a moment's silence, she said coldly, "That old man's bird is indeed formidable. I was no match for it. That is precisely why I sought alliance with you — because I became his enemy. Moreover, that old man's temperament is vile. Should we encounter him, we must be on guard."
Hearing this, Liu Qing'er's curiosity only deepened.A sharp battle intent burned in her eyes.
This gorge was the very site of the secret realm's exit. If Hehuan Sect wished to leave, they would have to pass through here. A great battle was inevitable. She almost couldn't wait to witness this old man — and his bird — with her own eyes. Anyone capable of frustrating both Lin Xian'er and Su Su must indeed have some measure of power.
Meanwhile, atop a nearby mountain, the Hehuan Sect's thirty-odd disciples had gathered. Ye Lingyun, Su Yutong, and Bai Xiruo were among them.
Before the crowd floated an oval bronze mirror, its surface projecting images — precisely the scene unfolding in the gorge. Though the mirror conveyed no sound, the disciples could easily guess at the situation from the pictures, such as Xuanqing Palace's clear alliance with Ten Thousand Swords Sect and Zhengyang Sect.
"Xuanqing Palace actually joined hands with them!"
"Fortunate we had Senior Brother Ye's treasure. Had we rushed in blindly, we would have been doomed."
Murmurs of lingering fear rippled through the group.
At the front, Bai Xiruo turned to Ye Lingyun with a graceful smile. "Junior Brother Ye has saved us from disaster."
Ye Lingyun returned a modest smile. "Senior Sister flatters me. This treasure was something I acquired purely by chance."
A glimmer of admiration flashed in Bai Xiruo's eyes. "To escape powerful pursuers unharmed, then by fortune gain this artifact and advance to mid-Foundation at the same time — such blessings speak to a deep destiny. Surely, Junior Brother Ye's future will be extraordinary."
"Senior Sister overpraises me."
Though his outward demeanor remained calm as he gazed upon her beautiful face, a flicker of pride — and a faint, wicked heat — stirred in Ye Lingyun's eyes.
Beside him, Su Yutong frowned, casting Bai Xiruo a subtle look before deliberately cutting in, "So what shall we do? Remain here and wait?"
At once, the others turned their gazes toward Ye Lingyun as well. Bai Xiruo, too, looked at him, the implication clear: the choice was his to make.
Now that Ye Lingyun had reached mid-Foundation and held the artifact, he was the strongest among them.
Seeing this, Ye Lingyun did not demur. He smiled slightly. "We wait. Once the exit opens, we'll seize our chance to break through their blockade."
Time passed quickly, and the moment of the secret realm's opening arrived.
Above the gorge, space suddenly rippled like water. Then it shattered, forming a vast, thirty-zhang-wide black void.
"The exit has appeared."
The three sects' disciples stirred but did not move. A suffocating murderous intent spread through the canyon.
"Still not coming?"
"The exit only lasts for two hours. I'll see how long you think you can hide."
Su Su's cold smile widened as her gaze swept the terrain.
Lin Xian'er's expression was icy, her divine sense already probing, searching for that particular person.
Liu Qing'er, by contrast, stood calm and aloof, arms crossed, waiting quietly.
"What do we do? Do we leave?"
On the snowy mountain, Su Yutong turned to Ye Lingyun.All eyes followed.
Fixing his gaze on the gorge, Ye Lingyun hesitated briefly before giving a low command.
"Charge out!"
At once, the Hehuan Sect disciples surged toward the exit.
"They're here!"
Liu Qing'er's closed eyes snapped open, a blazing sword intent bursting skyward from her body.
"Kill!"
Su Su sneered and led Zhengyang Sect in the first assault. Lin Xian'er and Liu Qing'er followed close behind.
Battle erupted in an instant.
Ye Lingyun alone faced both Su Su and Lin Xian'er. Overhead, the bronze mirror floated, releasing beams of light. Even with the two women working together, they could not gain the upper hand.
Meanwhile, atop another snowy peak, Wang Jianqiang stroked his chin as he watched the chaotic clash unfold in the gorge, a contemplative look on his face.
He was pondering how best to seize the chance —to put Ye Lingyun to death.