Chapter 69: Fury Unleashed

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A long sword, a young man—suddenly, they appeared in the midst of the clearing. He wore a loose-fitting gray robe, his face unshaven and reeking of alcohol. Beneath his tangled hair, his eyes were hazy with drunkenness.

“My name is Sword Demon, Not of Men.” The young man flicked his sword, pointing it at the Zhao youth and his companion.

“Sword Demon? You dare meddle in the affairs of the Azure Cloud Sect? Then I shall make you a true ghost!” The Zhao youth's expression grew dark. Just as Yin Tianfang was about to die at their hands, this inexplicable figure had leapt into the fray.

“Die!” The small silver sword in his hand suddenly swelled into a giant blade, radiating a fearsome aura as sword energy roiled through the air. At the same moment, another youth raised his hand, summoning back the black seal that had been knocked aside. It flew back like a massive mountain, descending from above to suppress Sword Demon and Yin Tianfang.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Sword Demon shook his sword, stamping his foot forcefully on the ground. In a flash, he shot forward.

“Yellow Springs Awaken—Sixfold Sword Demon Soul!”

With a clear shout, six afterimages appeared, moving with Sword Demon, fearless before the giant sword and the black seal. Their forms flickered; as they neared their foes, the six shadows merged into one with Sword Demon. The sword in his hand vibrated with a shrill note, and a terrifying sword intent soared to the heavens, a blinding light erupting from his blade.

“Sever!”

With a thunderous crash, the sword connected to the Zhao youth’s spirit was knocked away, spinning through the air. The Zhao youth’s face went pale; he spat a mouthful of blood, terror flashing in his eyes.

Sword Demon moved again. His sword left his hand, transforming into a streak of light, swift as lightning, piercing through the chest of the other youth before he could react.

The man saw only a flash as the sword pierced his heart—even his mind had not caught up. In bewilderment, he looked down to see blood gushing from his chest. Then, he collapsed stiffly onto the ground, the life draining from his body.

Witnessing this, the Zhao youth's expression changed drastically. Abandoning his intent to kill Yin Tianfang, he sprang backward and fled toward the edge of the forest.

“Cowardly rat.” Sword Demon retrieved his sword with a soft snort. He turned and saw Yin Tianfang lying unconscious on the ground, his heart suddenly seized by alarm. He hurried to Yin Tianfang’s side.

Frowning as he examined Yin Tianfang, Sword Demon seemed to consider something, but after a moment, he could only shake his head in helplessness. With a long sigh, he hoisted Yin Tianfang onto his back. In a flash, their figures vanished swiftly into the mountain forest.

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Deep within the forest, blood stained the earth, and the air was thick with its metallic scent.

Yin Tianfang, still unconscious, had been carried away by Sword Demon, but Nuolan had been left behind in the woods. She lay there quietly, her face pale, not a trace of breath or vitality.

A gentle wind whispered through the dense trees, rustling the undergrowth. Drawn by the heavy scent of blood, wild beasts crept from the shadows of the forest.

The beasts rushed at the bodies of the Azure Cloud Sect disciples, tearing and devouring them as prey.

Each corpse became the center of a struggle between several animals. Some of the beasts soon noticed Nuolan lying not far away. Their fierce eyes gleamed, and they charged toward her, jaws wide and ready to tear her apart.

A soft hum resonated, and a formless ripple surged outward. The beasts charging at Nuolan froze mid-motion. Under the invisible wave, their bodies slowly turned to ash.

The beasts farther away recoiled in terror, howling as they fled in a frenzy. The forest fell silent once more. At Nuolan's brow, a faint white light began to flicker and glow.

Her body rose gradually into the air. Suddenly, crimson fire burst from within her, enveloping her entirely.

The red flames radiated intense heat, yet Nuolan’s body remained unscathed within their embrace.

A clear, resounding phoenix cry echoed from within her. The flames soared skyward, coalescing into the massive form of a Celestial Phoenix.

Its clarion call rang through the mountains and forests. Every beast—whether ordinary or those that had already undergone transformation—shuddered, prostrating themselves on the ground, peering in the direction of the phoenix’s call, their eyes full of terror and awe.

The Celestial Phoenix was the supreme overlord among the beast clans, an existence beyond compare. Such majesty was not something common beasts or low-ranking spirit beasts could withstand.

“Hm? What’s this?” Far above in the sky, a streak of light shot by, suddenly pausing when it passed overhead. Within the light was a woman radiating immense power. Her gaze fell toward the forest below, surprise flickering in her eyes. When she saw the enormous phoenix formed of flame, her eyes blazed with intensity.

“A Celestial Phoenix?” she murmured in awe and doubt, before darting straight for the forest.

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Upon the tranquil mountain peak, a long sword stood upright. Beside it, a man with disheveled hair sat quietly, a wine gourd in his hand. From time to time, he glanced at the unconscious Yin Tianfang nearby, his brow creased in thought.

“He looks so familiar, but why can’t I remember?” Sword Demon tapped his forehead in frustration, muttering to himself in dismay, “Damn it. Ever since I woke up, I can’t recall a thing.”

The next day, Yin Tianfang awoke from his coma.

“Oh! You’re finally awake!” Sword Demon strode briskly to his side. “What’s your name? Do we know each other?”

Yin Tianfang sat up expressionlessly, glanced at Sword Demon, and looked around. Suddenly, his face changed dramatically.

“Nuolan!” he cried out, springing to his feet. His heavy wounds left him so weak he nearly collapsed, but he ignored the pain and staggered toward the direction of Xuandao Sect.

Half an hour later, Yin Tianfang returned to the forest where the battle had taken place. By then, Nuolan was nowhere to be found.

On the ground, the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect had been torn to pieces by wild beasts. Several animals were still gnawing at the remains.

With a furious roar, his white hair flying wildly, Yin Tianfang’s face contorted with rage. Murderous energy erupted from him as he surged forward, reducing the feasting beasts to clouds of blood in an instant.

“Azure Cloud Sect! I, Yin Tianfang, swear never to share the same sky with you! This is a feud of life and death!” Yin Tianfang dropped to his knees, raising his face to the sky as he howled in anguish, his eyes turning blood-red and brimming with a chilling, murderous intent.

“Hey, hey, why are you running so fast? You’re still wounded—you need to rest and recover,” Sword Demon called, having followed after him, watching Yin Tianfang’s frenzy with concern.

Staggering to his feet, Yin Tianfang gazed at the empty clearing ahead, his body trembling faintly. Nuolan had been lying there, and now—she was gone.