On the third day after Azure Cloud Sect sealed off the mountain.
The clouds and mist in the mountains seemed several shades heavier than usual.
The ancient pine in Bamboo Courtyard stood motionless. The dewdrops on its leaves refused to fall, as if they too had sensed the tense atmosphere filling the air.
The sect's Mountain Protecting Array glowed with a faint azure light, enveloping the Seventy-two Peaks.
Yet this barrier, which had once made Azure Cloud Sect feel utterly secure, could no longer suppress the disciples' panic under the invisible pressure.
"They're here!"
The disciple responsible for keeping watch suddenly cried out in alarm.
Beyond Azure Cloud Mountain Range, three vast pillars of Spiritual Energy shot into the sky.
Immediately afterward, a dark mass of cultivators surged forth like a flood. Amid the fluttering banners, the emblems of the "Skywind Dynasty," "Blood Spirit Sect," and "Cloud Snow Celestial Palace" were clearly visible!
They were precisely the three great forces that had long been at odds with Azure Cloud Sect!
The three leading cultivators hovered in midair, surrounded by the pressure unique to the Nascent Soul Realm. They were like three insurmountable mountains pressing down upon Azure Cloud Sect, making it difficult for the disciples to breathe.
The cultivator in the middle wore a Moon White Brocade Robe and had a sinister face. He was none other than Yun Moqing of Cloud Snow Celestial Palace, a cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm.
On the left stood a middle-aged man clad in Dragon Pattern Armor. He was Zhao Lie, a Nascent Soul expert of the Skywind Dynasty.
On the right stood a blood-red old man. He was Xue Shazi, a Nascent Soul Elder of Blood Spirit Sect.
"Rats of Azure Cloud Sect, why haven't you opened the mountain gate yet?"
Yun Moqing's voice exploded like thunder, resounding throughout Azure Cloud Mountain Range.
"This ancestor received a secret report that you are harboring Abyssal Demons and intend to overturn the order of the Wild Domain. If you don't hand over the devils today, Azure Cloud Sect will be erased from existence!"
This accusation that turned black into white instantly ignited the fury of Azure Cloud Sect's disciples.
"Bullshit! Twenty-one of our Origin Core disciples died in battle to exterminate the devils, and two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors fell! How could we possibly harbor devils?!"
A young disciple clenched the long sword in his hand and roared with bloodshot eyes.
"That old dog Yun Moqing was gravely wounded by our sect ancestor back then. Now that he sees us weakened, he's actually using such a despicable excuse!"
The Second Elder was trembling with rage. He pointed furiously at Yun Moqing outside the mountain gate, yet because of the other man's Nascent Soul pressure, he could not even take a single step forward.
Zhao Lie and Xue Shazi also spoke one after another in icy tones. "If Azure Cloud Sect knows what's good for it, then obediently surrender. Perhaps we'll still spare the lives of you disciples."
"Stop making pointless resistance. Today, you are doomed to lose!"
Inside Azure Cloud Sect's Council Hall, the Grand Elder stared at the unresponsive light on the Communication Jade Talisman and let out a heavy sigh. "There's still no news from Wasteland Heaven Divine Sect?"
"No."
The disciple responsible for communications lowered his head, his voice filled with despair. "They probably forgot long ago about what we sacrificed in Demon Extermination Holy City. Now that we no longer have a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor, they've abandoned us."
Outside the mountain gate, Yun Moqing saw that Azure Cloud Sect still refused to open the gate, and killing intent surged in his eyes.
"Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame this ancestor for destroying your Mountain Protecting Array!"
He waved his hand grandly, and the dozens of Profound Comprehension Realm cultivators behind him instantly circulated their Spiritual Energy!
Some summoned Spirit Weapons, while others unleashed Martial Skills. Multicolored Arts and Techniques rained down upon the Mountain Protecting Array like a torrential storm!
Fireballs fell like meteors, ice spikes shot forth like ten thousand arrows, earthen spikes thrust up from the ground, and Wind Blades shrieked through the air!
Rumble—!
The Arts and Techniques slammed into the Mountain Protecting Array, unleashing an earth-shaking roar!
For a moment, the azure light on the array's surface flickered violently. Cracks like spiderwebs soon spread across the originally smooth curtain of light!
After the time it took half an incense stick to burn, a crisp cracking sound rang out. The Mountain Protecting Array completely collapsed, transforming into a sky full of azure light that scattered through the mountains like falling stars!
"The array is broken!"
The disciples of Azure Cloud Sect turned deathly pale as despair surged through their hearts like a flood.
Without the array's protection, they had no power to fight back at all under the assault of the three great forces.
"Activate the sect's hidden foundation!"
At the critical moment, the Grand Elder's voice rang through the heavens.
He formed hand seals with both hands and fiercely pressed toward the direction of the sect's Forbidden Zone!
Two streaks of golden light shot into the sky from the Forbidden Zone and landed in the square, transforming into two three-zhang-tall puppets.
The puppets were entirely forged from Mysterious Iron Essence. Their surfaces were covered in runes, their eyes glowed red, and the pressure of the Nascent Soul Early Stage coiled around them!
"These are the 'Demon Suppressing Puppets' passed down by the sect for a thousand years!"
A glimmer of hope flashed through the Second Elder's eyes. "They can be activated within the sect's territory and fight against the Nascent Soul Early Stage. However... they can only hold out for one hour."
The Grand Elder did not stop. He took out an ancient jade pendant from his storage ring.
The emblem of Azure Cloud Sect was carved into the jade pendant. It was the sect's sole remaining Saint-grade Spirit Weapon, the Azure Cloud Seal.
He frantically poured his Profound Comprehension Peak Spiritual Energy into the jade pendant. It instantly erupted with dazzling azure light, and the battle power of the Nascent Soul Early Stage burst from his body!
"All elders, heed my command!"
The Grand Elder transmitted his voice to everyone, his tone filled with resolve. "The puppets and I will hold back their Nascent Soul experts. Take this opportunity to lead the disciples through the encirclement. If you can save one, save one. No matter what, preserve Azure Cloud Sect's spark!"
Before his words had even faded, he transformed into a streak of azure light and charged first toward Yun Moqing!
The two Demon Suppressing Puppets did the same, charging toward Zhao Lie and Xue Shazi respectively.
A battle between Nascent Soul cultivators erupted high in the sky!
"Come and die, you old dog!"
Yun Moqing summoned a Profound Grade Peak long sword. Its sword light stabbed toward the Grand Elder like a venomous snake!
"Overestimating yourself."
Zhao Lie activated the Dragon Pattern Armor, transforming into a Golden Dragon that collided head-on with the puppet.
"A puppet in the Nascent Soul Realm? What a treasure!"
Greed flickered in Xue Shazi's eyes. He spat out a mouthful of vital blood, which transformed into a sky full of blood mist that enveloped the puppet, attempting to corrode the runes carved upon it.
Rumble—!
Spiritual Energy surged through the sky, and laws collided. Even the clouds were torn apart, revealing the Azure Cloud Sect disciples fleeing in panic below.
"Kill! For Azure Cloud Sect!"
The Profound Comprehension elders below also reddened their eyes. They led the disciples toward the mountain gate, trying to tear open a path through the encirclement.
But just then, two even more powerful Nascent Soul pressures suddenly swept over from the horizon!
"This is bad! More Nascent Soul cultivators are here!"
Everyone looked up, only to see two cultivators flying toward them.
On the left was a white-haired old man wearing the Skywind Dynasty's Dragon Pattern Robe. He was Li Song, a hidden Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of the Skywind Dynasty.
On the right was a woman dressed in pink robes. Her features were lovely, but her gaze was as bone-chilling as ice. She was Yun Wu'er, another Nascent Soul expert of Cloud Snow Celestial Palace!
"Hahaha! Azure Cloud Sect, your time of death has come!" Yun Wu'er landed beside Yun Moqing. Looking at the panicked disciples below, she curled her lips into a cruel smile. "A thousand years! Cloud Snow Celestial Palace has finally waited for this day! Today, I'll personally wipe you out root and branch!"
Before her voice had faded, she abruptly raised her hand and struck a palm toward the disciples below!
Buzz—!
The spiritual energy in the sky madly gathered, transforming into a Jade Hand that blotted out the heavens and earth. It shimmered with a faint pink halo, yet carried suffocating pressure as it came crashing down upon the disciples in the square!
"No!"
The Grand Elder's eyes nearly split apart. He wanted to turn back and rescue them, but Yun Moqing held him back tightly, leaving him without even the slightest opening.
The disciples in the square were bound by the Nascent Soul pressure. They could not even move, and could only watch helplessly as the Jade Hand descended, despair filling their eyes.
At this critical moment.
"Sigh."
A soft sigh suddenly rang in everyone's ears.
The voice was utterly ordinary, yet it seemed to carry some kind of magic, instantly dispelling the despair in the air.
Everyone followed the sound and saw a blue-gray figure slowly emerge from the clouds and mist of Azure Cloud Mountain Range.
The newcomer was none other than Bai Ye, who had just emerged from seclusion!
Bai Ye stood in midair, faint mist coiling around him. His features could not be seen clearly, yet he gave off an unfathomable feeling.
He gently raised his right hand and pointed at the Jade Hand from afar.
There was no earth-shaking roar, nor any dazzling Art or Technique.
In the next instant, the Jade Hand that had blotted out the heavens and earth actually vanished into thin air like snow meeting fire, leaving behind not even the slightest ripple of Spiritual Energy!
"What?!"
The pupils of Yun Moqing, Yun Wu'er, and the other five Nascent Soul experts abruptly contracted. Their faces were filled with disbelief.
To dispel an attack from the Nascent Soul Realm so casually—just how high was the cultivation of this blue-gray figure?
Bai Ye gave them no time to react.
He took out the Purple Firmament Sword from his storage ring and lightly raised his wrist.
A dazzling golden sword light suddenly erupted!
This sword contained no unnecessary flourish, yet it held the Profound Meaning of the Heavenly Law. The sword light spread outward, instantly enveloping the sky above the entire Azure Cloud Mountain Range!
It was as if only this sword light remained between heaven and earth. Even the radiance of the sun was eclipsed!
One sword, as if it were ten thousand swords!
The heavens and earth were filled with sword light!
"No—!"
Yun Wu'er let out a shrill scream. She tried to circulate her Spiritual Energy for defense, only to discover that her body had been bound by the sword light. She could not move at all.
The golden sword light swept past. Five Nascent Soul experts and dozens of Profound Comprehension Realm cultivators were instantly devoured by it, transforming into ashes that filled the sky. Not even their souls remained!
The sword light faded, and the sky returned to tranquility.
It was as if that earth-shaking battle had never happened.
Below, all the elders and disciples of Azure Cloud Sect were stunned.
Their faces were filled with disbelief.
Bai Ye's figure blurred, and he arrived beside the Grand Elder.
At this moment, the Grand Elder had exhausted his Spiritual Energy. His Dao Body was on the verge of collapse, and blood kept spilling from the corners of his mouth.
Bai Ye took a Ninth-Rank Pill, glistening white all over, from his storage ring and handed it over. "Take it. It can restore your Dao Body."
The Grand Elder accepted the pill. Feeling the tremendous medicinal power within it, his eyes filled with shock.
A Ninth-Rank Pill was a treasure that was difficult to obtain even in Wasteland Heaven Divine Sect!
He was just about to offer his thanks when Bai Ye took out a Jade Bottle and handed it to him. "There are five Heavenly Infant Pills inside. They can help a cultivator at the Profound Comprehension Peak break through into the Nascent Soul Realm."
"Heavenly Infant Pills?!" The Grand Elder opened the Jade Bottle. A stream of pure spiritual energy rushed toward his face, and his hands trembled with excitement. "Senior, this... this is far too valuable!"
"Azure Cloud Sect cannot be without a Nascent Soul cultivator." Bai Ye spoke calmly. "Continue sealing the mountain. Let the elders with potential break through. Once you have enough Nascent Soul cultivators, reopen the mountain gate."
After saying this, his figure blurred and vanished into the clouds and mist, leaving behind only a casually spoken sentence. "If trouble arises in the future, crush this talisman. I will know."
A pale golden talisman fell into the Grand Elder's hand.
The Grand Elder, along with the other elders and disciples, gazed toward the direction in which Bai Ye had vanished. They bowed in unison and saluted, their voices respectful and sonorous. "Thank you, Senior! Farewell, Senior!"
Sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled across Azure Cloud Mountain Range.
Despair faded, and hope ignited once more in the disciples' eyes.
They did not know who this mysterious senior was.
But they knew that Azure Cloud Sect had been saved!
Before you continue