Flowing Fire Breaks the Enemy, Terror in the Mystic Realm

Crimson Sword Intent coiled around the wooden sword like flames, and Ling Yun's aura suddenly surged. The spiritual power of a Late Stage Swordsman merged with the newly awakened Fire-Attribute Sword Intent, making even the surrounding air ripple with scorching heat. Facing the encirclement of four guards, his gaze remained as calm as ice. Sword Elder's voice rang clearly in his sea of consciousness: "The Chaos Sword Body can draw upon the residual fire spiritual power of the Dragon Origin Fruit. Fuse the Seven Streams Sword Technique with the Fire Sword Intent and end this quickly!"

"Kill!" The leading guard thrust his sword forward. His sword force was fierce and overbearing, carrying dense killing intent. Ling Yun unleashed the Breath Concealing Steps beneath his feet, his figure slipping past the blade like a ghost. At the same time, his wooden sword swept sideways. Crimson flames wrapped around the yielding force of Clouds Rolling and Unrolling, striking straight for the man's wrist.

The guard had not expected Ling Yun to be so fast. He hastily withdrew his sword to block, only to let out a miserable scream as the flames scorched him. His wrist instantly reddened and swelled. Ling Yun pressed his advantage, changing his sword move. Flowing Wind Returning Snow unfolded with nimble grace, and flaming sword shadows spread over the guard like a spiderweb, forcing him back again and again.

"Useless trash!" Zhao Lei roared from the side. "All of you, attack him! He just broke through, his spiritual power is unstable!"

The other three guards immediately joined the battle. Four longswords stabbed in from different directions, their sword force weaving into a net. Seeing this, Su Qingyuan immediately threw the Wood Spirit Pearl into the air. Emerald spiritual light transformed into countless vines that wrapped around the ankles of two guards, slowing their attacks.

"Qingyuan, guard the rear!" Ling Yun shouted. The Fire-Attribute Sword Intent erupted completely, and the flames on his wooden sword swelled. The Seven Streams Sword Technique displayed entirely new might in his hands—the first form, Flowing Wind Returning Snow, became Flowing Fire Coiling Around the Body, flaming sword shadows shielding him from all sides; the second form, Clouds Rolling and Unrolling, became Fire Cloud Pressing Down, crimson flames gathering into a cloud and crashing toward the guards; the third form, Smoke Dispersing, Clouds Vanishing, carried scorching heat, and wherever its sword force passed, even the mist was set ablaze.

This was his first real battle after fusing with the Fire-Attribute Sword Intent. Though still somewhat unrefined, its power was astonishing. One guard was carelessly struck by a flaming sword shadow. His clothes immediately caught fire, his spiritual power fell into disorder, and Ling Yun seized the chance to pierce his dantian with one sword. He collapsed and did not rise again.

"You're courting death!" The remaining three guards' eyes reddened. Ignoring the vines restraining them, they attacked desperately. One of them produced a Blood-red Talisman. The talisman exploded, and blood-colored Sword Qi shot toward Ling Yun's chest—it was Blood Thorn, an introductory move of the Zhao Family's evil Sword Devouring Art.

"Careful! That Sword Qi can devour spiritual power!" Su Qingyuan cried out. Emerald vines grew wildly, trying to block the blood-colored Sword Qi.

Ling Yun's eyes narrowed. The Chaos Sword Body began operating on its own, and gray energy flashed through his palm. The moment the blood-colored Sword Qi drew near, it was devoured completely. He took the opportunity to close in, thrusting out his wooden sword. The sword force of Flowing Clouds Returning to the Sea united as one, flames gathering at the tip before precisely piercing the guard's throat.

In just a few breaths, two guards had died. The remaining one was frightened out of his wits and turned to flee. Zhao Lei roared, "Without my command, who gave you permission to retreat?!" He leaped into the air and kicked the guard toward Ling Yun. At the same time, he drew his own longsword, blood-colored spiritual power swirling around its blade. Clearly, he too cultivated the Sword Devouring Art.

"Ling Yun, you dared to kill members of my Zhao Family. Today will be your day of death!" Zhao Lei had reached the Peak Late-Stage Swordsman level, his cultivation a few degrees deeper than Ling Yun's, who had just broken through. Blood-colored Sword Qi swept forth on a stench-laden wind, stabbing toward Ling Yun's face.

Ling Yun raised his sword to block. As the two swords collided, blood-colored spiritual power flowed through the wooden sword and into his body, trying to devour his spiritual power. Yet the Chaos Sword Body was like a bottomless abyss. The blood-colored spiritual power was transformed into pure spiritual power the instant it entered, nourishing him in return.

"How is this possible?!" Zhao Lei's expression changed drastically. The Sword Devouring Art had never failed before. This brat's physique was simply bizarre!

"The Zhao Family's evil art dares to make a fool of itself before me?" Ling Yun Coldly Snorted. The Fire-Attribute Sword Intent surged again, and the flames on his wooden sword turned into a small fire dragon that rushed along the blade toward Zhao Lei.

Zhao Lei hastily retreated, but the little fire dragon grazed his shoulder. His clothes were instantly burned through, and his flesh was charred black. Shocked and enraged, he frantically activated the Sword Devouring Art. Blood-colored spiritual power condensed into a shield around him. "I refuse to believe you can break my Blood Spirit Shield!"

Ling Yun wasted no words. The Sky-Rending Sword in his dantian trembled faintly, and a thread of black light merged into the wooden sword. He took a deep breath, fusing the hard and soft forces of Universe Style Two with the Fire-Attribute Sword Intent. His sword force suddenly became heavy and profound, carrying the momentum to burn mountains and boil seas as it cleaved toward Zhao Lei's shield.

"Crack!"

The blood-colored shield shattered like glass. Zhao Lei was driven back repeatedly by the tremendous force, the web between his thumb and forefinger splitting open as blood dripped down the sword hilt. His eyes were filled with disbelief. His Blood Spirit Shield could even withstand a Peak Swordsman, yet it had been broken by a brat who had only just advanced?

Just as Ling Yun was about to press his victory, an earthshaking roar suddenly came from the depths of the valley. A pressure stronger than that of the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon swept over them. Su Qingyuan's face turned deathly pale. "It's a Peak Third Order demonic beast—the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard! The smell of blood drew it here!"

Before her words had faded, a black figure burst from the mist, moving as fast as lightning. It was the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard. It was two zhang long, its fur blending into the fog. Black poisonous gas spilled from its mouth, and its pair of dark green eyes stared fixedly at the crowd. It clearly regarded them all as prey.

"Not good! Run!" Zhao Lei was terrified out of his wits. How could he still care about killing Ling Yun? He turned and tried to escape. But the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard was far faster than he had imagined. It swiped a claw, and black poisonous gas instantly covered his path of retreat.

"If you run, you'll be the first to die!" Ling Yun's cold voice rang out. "Only by joining forces do we have a chance to live!"

Zhao Lei's expression shifted uncertainly. Looking at the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard advancing step by step, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded. "Fine! We'll join forces for now! You attack, I'll support!"

Ling Yun ignored his petty schemes. His Fire-Attribute Sword Intent erupted at full force, flames on the wooden sword condensing into a sword shadow that stabbed straight toward the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard's eyes—its weak point. The beast roared and twisted aside to evade, while spewing black poisonous gas. Wherever the poison passed, grass and trees instantly withered.

"Su Qingyuan, use the Wood Spirit Pearl to purify the poison!" Ling Yun shouted.

Su Qingyuan immediately activated the Wood Spirit Pearl. Emerald spiritual light formed a barrier, blocking the poison's spread. Zhao Lei took the chance to throw out several Blood-red Talismans. They exploded into blood-colored chains that bound the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard's limbs. But the demonic leopard was immensely strong, and the chains snapped taut before breaking apart.

"Its fur is impervious to blades and weapons. Attack its belly!" Sword Elder's voice sounded.

Ling Yun's gaze sharpened. He used the Breath Concealing Steps to circle behind the demonic leopard, his wooden sword wreathed in flames as it stabbed toward its abdomen. Sensing danger, the beast spun around and swung its claws at Ling Yun. Ling Yun had anticipated it. His sword move changed, and Fire Cloud Pressing Down crashed toward the beast's head, forcing it to lower its head to dodge. At the same time, his sword tip precisely pierced the soft part of its belly.

"Awooo!" The Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard let out a shrill cry as black blood gushed forth. It was completely enraged, wildly swinging its claws and smashing the surrounding rocks to powder.

Seeing this, Zhao Lei not only failed to step forward to help but quietly backed away instead. A vicious glint flashed through his eyes—he wanted Ling Yun and the demonic leopard to injure each other badly, then reap the profits himself.

"Watch out for Zhao Lei!" Su Qingyuan called out in time.

Ling Yun caught Zhao Lei's movement from the corner of his eye and sneered inwardly. The Chaos Sword Body suddenly erupted, gray energy pouring into his wooden sword. With one slash, he severed the demonic leopard's claw. The beast howled in pain, its massive body crashing to the ground. After twitching a few times, it stopped breathing.

At that moment, Zhao Lei suddenly attacked. Blood-colored Sword Qi stabbed toward Ling Yun's back. "Ling Yun, thank you for helping me kill the demonic beast. This Dragon Origin Fruit and the demonic leopard's Demonic Core are mine now!"

"I was on guard against you all along!" Ling Yun spun around sharply, blocking with his wooden sword while kicking out with his left foot. The kick struck Zhao Lei squarely in the chest. Zhao Lei screamed and flew backward, slamming heavily into a rock and coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Ling Yun slowly walked before him, his wooden sword aimed at his throat. "Zhao Lei, three years ago, you had a hand in the Ling Family's Annihilation too, didn't you?"

Zhao Lei trembled all over, his eyes darting away. "I don't know what you're talking about... My father did that. It has nothing to do with me!"

"Nothing to do with you?" Killing intent flashed in Ling Yun's eyes. "I saw with my own eyes how you used the Sword Devouring Art to devour cultivators' spiritual power. Every last one of your Zhao Family deserves to die!"

"Don't kill me!" Zhao Lei hurriedly begged. "I can tell you a secret! The Sword Devouring Art my father cultivates is incomplete. He has been searching for the Ling Family's fragmented sword manual, saying the complete manual can let him break through to the Sword Venerable Realm! Also, he is colluding with people from the Blood Fiend Hall!"

Blood Fiend Hall? Ling Yun's heart stirred. He had never heard that name before, but anyone able to collude with Zhao Kun was clearly no decent sort. Sword Elder's voice suddenly turned grave. "The Blood Fiend Hall is a demonic cultivator force from the Spirit Realm. It has actually infiltrated the Mortal Realm. This matter is far from simple."

"Brother Ling Yun, don't kill him. He can still be useful alive," Su Qingyuan said as she stepped forward. "He is the Zhao Family's heir. Keeping him alive can restrain Zhao Kun, and he can expose the Zhao Family's crimes of colluding with the Blood Fiend Hall."

Ling Yun took a deep breath and suppressed the killing intent in his heart. He stomped down, breaking Zhao Lei's right arm, then said coldly, "Get lost! Tell Zhao Kun that I, Ling Yun, will personally take his dog life! If I see you again, I will cut you down without mercy!"

As though granted a great pardon, Zhao Lei scrambled and crawled out of the valley.

Ling Yun picked up the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard's Demonic Core. This black Demonic Core contained pure dark-attribute spiritual power. Though it was not particularly useful to him, it could be exchanged for many resources in the sect. He also found several high-grade spirit herbs in the demonic leopard's nest. One of them, Blood Condensing Grass, was precisely the healing herb Su Qingyuan needed.

"Brother Ling Yun, are you all right?" Su Qingyuan hurried forward to examine his injuries. The battles against the demonic leopard and Zhao Lei had drained Ling Yun greatly, leaving him with barely any spiritual power.

"I'm fine. A little rest will do." Ling Yun sat cross-legged, swallowed a Qi-restoring pill, and circulated the Qiankun Sword Canon to recover his spiritual power. The Fire-Attribute Sword Intent slowly rotated in his dantian, merging with the Demonic Core's spiritual power he had just absorbed. Not only did his cultivation completely stabilize at the Late Stage Swordsman level, but there were even faint signs of another breakthrough.

Just then, Murong Shuang's voice came from afar. "Ling Yun! Su Qingyuan! Are you here?"

The two exchanged a glance and hurriedly rose to answer. Murong Shuang approached quickly with two inner sect disciples. Seeing the demonic leopard's corpse on the ground and the scattered bloodstains, surprise flashed through her eyes. "You killed the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard?"

"Only by luck," Ling Yun said blandly.

Murong Shuang's gaze toward him became more solemn. She could sense that Ling Yun's aura had become much stronger than before. He had clearly broken through. She did not ask further, instead saying gravely, "Demonic cultivators from the Blood Fiend Hall have appeared in the mystic realm. Several disciples have already been killed. Elder Zhou Tong has ordered us to gather at the entrance immediately and leave the mystic realm early."

Blood Fiend Hall? Ling Yun's heart tightened. Zhao Lei had indeed not lied.

"How strong are those demonic cultivators?" Ling Yun asked.

"At least in the Sword Master Realm, and skilled in poison and evil arts." Murong Shuang looked grave. "We encountered two of them and only drove them back after a hard battle. This is not a place to linger. Let's go."

The four immediately set off toward the mystic realm's entrance. Along the way, they occasionally saw traces of battle and scattered magical artifacts. The air was filled with a faint smell of blood and an eerie, sinister presence. Su Qingyuan's Wood Spirit Pearl continuously emitted spiritual light, purifying the surrounding poisonous gas to keep everyone from being poisoned.

Half an hour later, they finally reached the entrance. Elder Zhou Tong was waiting with the remaining disciples. Of the more than thirty disciples who had originally entered, only twenty-odd remained. Many were injured, and their faces were full of terror.

"Everyone is here. Withdraw immediately!" Seeing them return, Elder Zhou Tong immediately activated a token and opened a spatial gate.

Just as everyone was preparing to step into the spatial gate, a burst of wild laughter came from the distance. "Trying to leave? Leave behind the Dragon Origin Fruit and the demonic leopard's Demonic Core, and I may spare your lives!"

Five figures dressed in black robes emerged from the mist. The leader wore a skull mask, with dense black qi swirling around his body. He was one of the Blood Fiend Hall's demonic cultivators, and his cultivation had reached the Middle Stage Sword Master level.

"It's the Blood Fiend Hall's Bone Mask Envoy!" Elder Zhou Tong's expression changed drastically. "You go first. I'll hold them back!"

"Elder, we'll help you!" Murong Shuang immediately stepped forward, her Wind Attribute Sword Intent erupting.

Ling Yun also gripped his wooden sword tightly, quietly circulating his Fire-Attribute Sword Intent. He knew that if they did not join forces now, none of them would leave. The Blood Fiend Hall was allied with the Zhao Family and therefore his enemy. Today was the perfect chance to probe their strength.

The Bone Mask Envoy sneered and waved his hand. "Kill them. Take the treasures!" The four demonic cultivators immediately rushed forward, black Sword Qi carrying poisonous gas as it bore down on the crowd.

"Ling Yun, protect Su Qingyuan and the other disciples!" Elder Zhou Tong shouted. The spiritual power of a Late Stage Sword Master erupted in full, and he became locked in battle with the Bone Mask Envoy.

Murong Shuang met two demonic cultivators head-on. Her wind-attribute sword moves were nimble and swift, and for the moment, she did not fall behind. Ling Yun, meanwhile, led Su Qingyuan and several injured disciples to block the other two demonic cultivators.

"A mere Late Stage Swordsman dares to block a chariot with a mantis arm!" One demonic cultivator grinned viciously as black Sword Qi stabbed toward Ling Yun.

Ling Yun's gaze sharpened. The Fire-Attribute Sword Intent merged with the Seven Streams Sword Technique, and the flames on his wooden sword surged. "Flowing Fire Seven Forms: Heaven Burning!"

Crimson flaming sword shadows shot forth like fire dragons and collided with the black Sword Qi, producing a sizzling sound. The black Sword Qi was burned away completely. The demonic cultivator stared at Ling Yun in shock. "You actually awakened Fire-Attribute Sword Intent?"

Ling Yun did not answer. His body flashed as he unleashed the Breath Concealing Steps, circling behind the demonic cultivator and driving his wooden sword toward the man's dantian. The demonic cultivator hurriedly turned to block, but Su Qingyuan's vines wrapped around his ankles, making his movement falter.

"Pfft!" The wooden sword precisely pierced the demonic cultivator's dantian, and black blood sprayed out.

The other demonic cultivator roared and lunged at him, only to be struck in the head by Ling Yun's Fire Cloud Pressing Down. He died on the spot.

After dealing with the two demonic cultivators, Ling Yun looked toward Elder Zhou Tong's battle with the Bone Mask Envoy. Although Elder Zhou Tong's cultivation was higher, he was restrained by the Bone Mask Envoy's evil art. Much poisonous gas had entered his body, blackening his face as he gradually fell into a disadvantage.

"Elder, I'll help you!" Ling Yun leaped into the air. His Fire-Attribute Sword Intent erupted at full strength, and his wooden sword, wreathed in flames, stabbed toward the Bone Mask Envoy's back.

The Bone Mask Envoy sensed danger and spun around sharply. Black demonic qi condensed into a shield, blocking Ling Yun's attack. But in doing so, he exposed an opening. Elder Zhou Tong seized the chance and stabbed his left shoulder through with one sword.

"Courting death!" The Bone Mask Envoy roared, spewing out a mouthful of black poisonous gas before retreating. He stared at Ling Yun, his eyes full of wariness. "Remnant of the Ling Family, I never expected you to still be alive. This is not over. The Blood Fiend Hall will not let you go!" With that, he turned into a black shadow and vanished into the mist.

Elder Zhou Tong let out a breath and staggered a few steps. Su Qingyuan hurried forward, taking out a Detoxification Pill for him to swallow.

"Thank you, Ling Yun." Elder Zhou Tong looked at Ling Yun with praise in his eyes. "If not for you, I fear none of us would have been able to leave today."

Ling Yun shook his head. "It was nothing. Why did the Blood Fiend Hall appear in the mystic realm? What is their relationship with the Zhao Family?"

Elder Zhou Tong's expression was grave. "This matter has far-reaching implications. Once we return, I will report it to the Sect Master. Rest assured, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect will never stand by and watch the Zhao Family collude with demonic cultivators."

No one delayed any longer. They immediately stepped into the spatial gate and returned to the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

After stepping out of the spatial gate and seeing the familiar gates of the sect, Ling Yun's heart could not settle for a long time. The Zhao Family, the Blood Fiend Hall, the Spirit Realm... one mystery after another gradually surfaced. He knew that his road of vengeance would be far more difficult than he had imagined.

But he would not retreat.

Clenching the demonic leopard's Demonic Core in his hand and feeling the Fire-Attribute Sword Intent pulsing in his dantian, determination flashed in Ling Yun's eyes. He would collect the Zhao Family's debt and avenge the Blood Fiend Hall's enmity, one by one.

At that moment, in the Zhao Family of Qingfeng Town, Zhao Lei was kneeling before Zhao Kun, tearfully recounting what had happened to him. After listening, Zhao Kun's face darkened until it seemed water could drip from it, and baleful blood qi surged around him. "Ling Yun! You are courting death!"

He slammed his palm onto the table. The hard redwood table instantly crumbled into powder. "Send the order! Join forces with the Wang Family and Li Family. In three days, we march on the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect and demand an explanation! I want to see whether the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect intends to shelter this survivor of a destroyed family!"

A new storm was quietly brewing. The peace of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect was about to be completely shattered.