Chapter 67 The Death of Nolan

No fewer than twenty men appeared all around, surrounding Yin Tianfang and Nuolan with murderous intent overflowing.

“Boy, let’s see where you run this time!” A young man squinted his eyes at Yin Tianfang. Among the crowd, he possessed the highest cultivation, at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation.

“You who betray your master and harm your fellow disciples deserve never to be reincarnated!” The youth’s tone was venomous. In the past days, dozens of disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect had fallen at Yin Tianfang’s hands.

“When have any of you ever treated me as your brother?” Yin Tianfang’s expression was icy. “Daoist Wuchen tried to murder me, yet for reasons unknown, he died; you pinned his death on me. What reason is there for that?”

“You say I harm my fellow disciples—where does that come from? Is it perfectly justified for you to kill me, but when I strike back, it’s unforgivable? Absurd!”

“Facing death and still unrepentant!” the leading youth barked coldly. “Since that's the case, I’ll send you both on your way!”

He stamped hard on the ground, rushing straight at Yin Tianfang, his sword bursting forth with dazzling radiance, sword energy raging in all directions. Within a hundred meters, sturdy trees were slashed to pieces by the fierce sword aura, scattering fragments everywhere.

“Die!”

Yin Tianfang’s expression remained cold. He raised his hand and suddenly clenched the void, an invisible great hand enveloping all the sword energy.

“Break!” The youth shouted fiercely, spiritual power surging within him. A brilliant sword radiance broke through Yin Tianfang’s spell, heading straight for him.

“Kill!” At the same moment, the surrounding Azure Cloud Sect disciples attacked. Flying swords slashed from all directions, aiming to annihilate Yin Tianfang.

His gaze sharpened; with a sweep of his wide sleeve, a violent wind erupted in the forest, diverting the attacking flying swords.

A sharp sword radiance flashed past the crowd like lightning. The dozen or so people charging ahead, still running, suddenly found their bodies split in two, collapsing to the ground as blood gushed forth, filling the forest with a thick stench.

Yin Tianfang’s expression was icy. At first, he had found it hard to kill fellow disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, but now, slaughtering them brought him no burden whatsoever.

Since they were intent on killing him, why show mercy? Even if others saw him as a bloodthirsty demon, so be it. Others’ judgments could never sway his will. To risk his life for the sake of reputation, to bind his hands and feet, that would be true foolishness.

“Your crimes are beyond all reason!” The scene left the leading youth livid with rage. Over these days, he had witnessed Yin Tianfang’s ruthlessness. Now, he understood it more deeply—within moments, a dozen disciples had died at his hands, and Yin Tianfang hadn’t even blinked. Such a heart was terrifying.

“All of this, you forced upon me.” Yin Tianfang’s tone was indifferent. He raised a finger; his sword shot toward the youth.

“Twisted logic—die!” The youth roared, gripping his sword. Dazzling light burst from the blade, like a miniature sun.

“Die!” The shout rang with lethal intent. A substantial sword radiance, tangible as iron, crashed toward Yin Tianfang and Nuolan.

Boom!

Terrifying energy surged across several hundred meters. Countless sturdy trees shattered. Yin Tianfang’s flying sword was instantly destroyed by the massive sword radiance.

Blood sprayed from his lips; his face turned pale. He raised his hands, invisible palms gripping the tangible sword radiance.

Veins bulged on his forehead; he let out a deep growl and, exerting all his strength, crushed the massive sword radiance to pieces.

Again, blood spurted out; his foot stumbled, nearly collapsing. Had he been at full strength, he would not have fared so poorly. But after days of fleeing, his injuries were severe, his power far from its peak, leaving him no match for the youth.

With injuries piling upon injuries, escape grew impossible.

As the sword radiance shattered, the opposing youth grunted, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His pupils contracted in shock.

He had already seen that Yin Tianfang was gravely injured, which was why he attacked so decisively. Otherwise, he would not have dared. In these days, he had seen more than one fellow at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation die at Yin Tianfang’s hands.

“Let’s see if you escape this time!” The youth’s gaze was grim as he stared at Yin Tianfang, his figure darting forward, a cruel smile on his lips.

“Go!” Yin Tianfang shoved Nuolan aside, sprang up, and charged at the youth, swinging his fist with all his might.

The youth raised his palm to meet him. Fist and palm collided, powerful waves rippling outward like tides.

Grass and trees were swept away in their wake; the ground was scraped bare.

Yin Tianfang’s expression twisted, and he grunted, retreating as his feet gouged deep tracks into the earth. Before he could steady himself, a cold sword light tore through the air, aiming for his back.

“Watch out!” Nuolan’s face changed dramatically. In a flash, she stepped between Yin Tianfang and the blade, stopping his retreat.

With a hiss, a long sword pierced through Nuolan’s chest, a spray of blood erupting forth. The sword went through Nuolan and stabbed into Yin Tianfang’s chest as well.

Nuolan’s body pressed tightly to his back, her arms wrapped around him, her head resting gently on his shoulder, blood spilling from her lips.

“I’m sorry. I can no longer stay by your side.” Her arms fell weakly, Nuolan slowly closed her eyes, leaning quietly against Yin Tianfang’s back. His face was pale, his body trembling.

“Nuolan...” Yin Tianfang called softly, his voice quivering. But behind him, there was only silence—no response at all.

A stream of light swept in from afar, landing and transforming into a young man radiating powerful energy. It was he who had delivered that deadly blow.

With a gesture, his sword flew back into his hand. He regarded Yin Tianfang coldly.

With a wrench, the sword was withdrawn. Ignoring his own wounds, Yin Tianfang spun around and cradled Nuolan in his arms, staring at her closed eyes and lifeless form. Grief tore through him.

“Ah!” A mournful roar, like a beast’s wail, echoed through the forest. Yin Tianfang’s face twisted with agony, his eyes blood-red. Dense black mist gushed from his body, and his jet-black hair turned white in an instant.

“I’ll have your life!”