The newcomer was none other than Zhu Wuwang, the peak master of Wuwang Peak.
Dressed in a green robe, with a calm and composed expression, he stood with his hands behind his back before the mountain path, his gaze fixed on Zhang Lingyun with a hint of condescending scrutiny.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhang Lingyun showed no politeness and directly questioned, "Zhu Wuwang, how dare you interfere in the affairs of my Crimson Flame Peak?"
Zhu Wuwang glanced at her, sensing that her aura was only that of Third Rank Land Immortal, and a barely perceptible hint of contempt appeared on his lips.
He had already broken through to the Fifth Rank Land Immortal, his strength far surpassing hers, and his tone was naturally indifferent:
"It seems Junior Sister Jiang has been enjoying a life of leisure all these years, only advancing from Subordinate First Rank to Third Rank after a thousand years."
He said no more, but his aura rose slightly, and the pressure of Fifth Rank Land Immortal pressed down on Zhang Lingyun like an invisible mountain.
His disciple Hao Buren, standing beside him, understood that there were some things his master couldn't say, so he stepped forward and sneered:
"Martial Uncle Jiang, you have not returned for many years. My master, out of consideration for our fellow disciples, kindly sent someone to manage Crimson Flame Peak for you."
"You've come back and you want to kill my Wuwang Peak disciples? Isn't that a bit too unreasonable?"
"You dare speak to me?"
Zhang Lingyun's aura surged, and she was about to lash out when Zhang Yu grabbed her arm.
As the saying goes, soldiers fight soldiers, generals fight generals, and Zhang Yu naturally couldn't let Zhang Lingyun, the Peak Master, lose face.
He stepped forward, blocking Zhang Lingyun's path, and sneered at Zhu Wuwang and Hao Buren:
"What nonsense about 'managing it'! They just took advantage of my master's absence and seized Crimson Flame Peak!"
"Saying it so grandly and righteously, aren't you ashamed?"
He unleashed a torrent of abuse, each word piercing to the heart, causing Hao Buren's face to flush red, and Zhu Wuwang's brows to furrow.
They never expected that, facing Zhu Wuwang's Cultivation as a peak Fifth Rank Land Immortal, Jiang Ling and her arrogant disciple would dare to be so cocky.
Enraged, Hao Buren pointed at Zhang Yu and shouted, "Who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense here?"
He was about to make a move when Zhang Lingyun was faster. A blood-red sword light flashed out like lightning, heading straight for Hao Buren's face!
"Presumptuous!"
Zhu Wuwang let out a cold shout, raised his hand and blocked the sword light with a black light, his gaze as cold as ice:
"Jiang Ling, you've gone too far!"
Today, let me, your Senior Brother, teach you properly how to respect your Senior Brother!
Before he finished speaking, black energy surged around him, and the pressure of Fifth Rank Land Immortal surged toward Zhang Lingyun like a tidal wave!
Zhang Lingyun, however, was not afraid at all. Her Red Dress fluttered, and her Soul Power was like flames. She actually wanted to fight him head-on!
--
Zhang Yu stood aside, watching the two figures confront each other in the sky, their Soul Power and black energy intertwining and colliding, causing the rocks to crumble. He felt a wave of fear wash over him.
No, I need to find a way to protect myself right now!
He thought to himself, "In this Soul Refining Sect, I'm just a Great Grandmaster, which puts me in a very passive position. I can't always rely on Zhang Lingyun for protection."
Thinking this, he glanced at the 108 Ghost Qi peaks of the Soul Refining Sect, then looked at the rolling, dragon-like Spirit Vein that pierced the heavens and earth, and suddenly a thought struck him.
If one could connect the Earth Vein of 108 Peaks the Soul Refining Sect and all the Spirit Vein, and control the Soul Refining Sect Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation...
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
Although his mastery of Formation had reached the divine level, his Cultivation and Soul Power were simply insufficient to support him in controlling such a massive Formation.
"Kid, how can you be so stupid?"
The system seemed to sense Zhang Yu's distress, and its voice suddenly rang in his mind, tinged with disappointment. "I rewarded you with God-level Formation knowledge, don't you know about 'controlling arrays with arrays'?"
Using formations to control formations?
Zhang Yu suddenly felt enlightened!
Yes, although I cannot directly control the entire Soul Refining Sect Grand Formation, if I can first set up a few "Sub-formation" that I can control, and then use these Sub-formation as nodes to control an even stronger Formation.
By continuing to expand their control and scope, they will eventually gain complete control over the Soul Refining Sect's Earth Vein and Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation...
"Alright, once we get past this hurdle, I'll begin making arrangements immediately."
A resolute glint flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes.
He no longer wanted to be submissively protected by others; what he needed was the confidence to stand firmly in the world of cultivation.
"Well, kid, now you know what 'having an elder in the family is like having a treasure' means, right?"
The system's smug voice echoed in Zhang Yu's mind, carrying a hint of boastfulness, yet also seemingly harboring a sense of exhilaration at finally being able to "show off."
It still remembers being mocked by Hong Yue for being a mere bystander and decoration.
Having seized the opportunity to enlighten Zhang Yu on the concept of controlling formations with formations, I naturally want to take this chance to get back at him and emphasize my own value.
Zhang Yu didn't mind praising it a bit; on the contrary, he was secretly pleased.
He discovered that although the system could not directly interfere with the operation of the Rebellious Dao Seed, it also could not forcibly change the direction of the mission.
But its insights, its knowledge, especially its experience and understanding spanning countless worlds, are an inexhaustible treasure trove!
"Yes, yes, Brother Tong is amazing. Brother Tong is very knowledgeable. I admire you."
He stroked the system's words with sincerity, but in his heart he was calculating. "This old guy needs to be appeased more; maybe he'll pull out even more good stuff later."
"Hmph, what a show-off."
Hong Yue's cold voice interrupted, carrying obvious Qi Ingestion and a hint of displeasure at being overshadowed.
She had already been rebuffed by Zhang Yu and was holding back her anger. Seeing the system gloating, she naturally couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.
The system, however, didn't care at all; on the contrary, it became even more smug.
"What, besides indulging in romance and leading the host astray, can some people do anything worthwhile?"
This is what I call strategic guidance, understand?
Hong Yue was speechless, and could only snort coldly before ignoring her.
Listening to the bickering between the "old" and the "young" in his mind, Zhang Yu felt both amused and exasperated, but also much more at ease.
With the seasoned system providing advice behind the scenes, the concept of controlling formations with formations at hand, and Zhang Lingyun as a powerful backer...
No matter how deep the waters of the Soul Refining Sect are, he might still be able to find a way out.
He looked up at the sky—
The clash between Zhang Lingyun and Zhu Wuwang's Soul Power had reached a fever pitch. The black and red lights intertwined and tore at each other like two evil dragons, causing the entire Crimson Flame Peak to tremble slightly.
Zhu Wuwang's Cultivation was superior to Zhang Lingyun's. He attacked with great force and boundless Immortal Power, which surged out like a tide and transformed into countless black palm prints that pressed down on Zhang Lingyun, intending to crush her with absolute power.
"Sword, come!"
Zhang Lingyun gave a soft shout, and a flash of red light appeared in her hand, revealing a broken sword that was entirely crimson and covered in cracks.
Although the sword was damaged, its Sword Intent soared into the sky as if it were a tangible force, sharp, chilling, and carrying a resolute determination to cut through everything!
"Laugh--!"
The sword light was as red as blood, tearing a gap in the sky full of palm prints. Zhang Lingyun moved like lightning, thrusting her sword straight at Zhu Wuwang's face!
"Sword Sect Sword Intent Sect?"
"And Xiantian Sword Bone?"
Zhu Wuwang's pupils contracted, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Junior Sister Jiang is quite unexpected."
He knew that Zhang Lingyun's Physical Body was Body Seizure, but he never expected it to be a rare Sword Bone Body, and he never expected that she could unleash such pure Sword Sect Sword Intent!
Little did he know that Zhang Lingyun's Sword Bone was Houtian by Zhang Yu using the "Sword Bone Pill".
Moreover, a thousand years ago, she used her Vengeful Soul form to kill and devour countless members of the Jiang Family of the Sword Sect.
The souls and True Intention of the swordsmanship of those sword cultivators had long been integrated into her own being.
However, in the past, as an evil spirit, she had no Physical Body to bear her Sword Intent, making it difficult for her to unleash it.
Now that he possesses this acquired sword bone body, he is completely at ease when using the Sword Sect's sword techniques. His sword energy is soaring, and it even faintly carries the prototype of "Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin"!
This is also why, in the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, one can fight against more than a dozen Immortal with the Cultivation Third Rank Land Immortal.
"Clang--!"
The broken sword clashed head-on with the black palm, unleashing a piercing metallic clang. The shockwave was like a knife, leveling the surrounding rocks several feet!
Although Zhang Lingyun was only Third Rank Land Immortal, she managed to withstand Zhu Wuwang's fierce attack, who was at the Fifth-Rank Cultivation, with her sharp Sword Bone and intense Sword Intent, without being at a disadvantage at all!
Zhu Wuwang grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.
He originally thought that, being two ranks higher than Zhang Lingyun, taking her down would be a piece of cake.
But at this moment, he was forced to retreat repeatedly by that broken sword, and the black aura around him showed signs of being torn apart by the Sword Qi.
"Well done, Jiang Ling... You've certainly improved a lot in a thousand years!"
Murderous intent glint flashed in his eyes, and he no longer held back.
With a thought, a Ghost Qi black banner appeared in his hand.