" Li Tianxing?"
"The one who entered the Divine Sea Realm a year ago?"
"I heard he defeated Divine Sea Realm Third Level elder half a year ago. Chu Yunfei is probably in trouble today."
The whispers reached Li Tianxing's ears, making his smile even wider.
In the battle at the Jingyuan Hall, Chu Yunfei rose to fame by stepping on the three holy sons of the sects, and some people even compared Chu Yunfei to him.
This greatly displeased Li Tianxing.
His move was intended to show everyone in the imperial city that no matter how strong one is in the Heavenly Origin Realm, they have no right to be arrogant in front of someone in the Divine Sea Realm.
Li Tianxing raised his right hand.
A chilling spiritual energy flowed along his arm, and several dark, malevolent patterns faintly appeared beneath the sleeve of his left arm.
A gray-black palm print materialized at the restaurant window, its lines resembling a ghostly face, and the surrounding air seemed to hum and vibrate.
Chu Yunfei's eyes suddenly turned cold.
Devil-Suppressing Hand!
Lu Shaoyuan's last words clearly stated that among the three masked assassins who surrounded and killed him, one of them had evil patterns appear on his left arm when he used his internal energy, and the palm technique he used was the same as the Devil-Suppressing Hand Heavenly Evil Devil Sect.
Li Tianxing's current behavior perfectly matches that record.
Li Tianxing pressed his palm down.
" Devil-Suppressing Hand!"
A dark gray palm print burst out of the window, swollen against the wind, and slammed down on Chu Yunfei's head. The wooden frames of the street stalls were broken one after another due to the force of the palm, and several martial artists with lower cultivation levels were forced to stagger backward by the pressure.
Chu Yunfei did not dodge.
The Abyss-Devouring Sword was drawn.
The first layer of sword energy gathered in the meridians, and was then drawn into the second layer of sword energy. The two forces overlapped on the Abyss-Devouring Sword, transforming into a dark golden sword light that slashed upwards.
boom!
The sword light and the palm print collided head-on outside the restaurant.
The gray-black palm print paused for a moment before being cleaved in two by the sword. The remaining sword force did not dissipate, but continued straight towards Li Tianxing's face through the second-floor window.
Li Tianxing's expression changed slightly.
He originally thought that a casual palm strike would be enough to suppress Chu Yunfei, and he didn't even need to activate the power of the Divine Sea Realm.
With the sword light closing in, it was too late for him to increase his spiritual power.
Li Tianxing raised his hand to block in front of him.
Bang!
The table exploded and shattered, with cups, plates, and wood chips flying everywhere.
Li Tianxing and the wooden chair he was sitting on slid backward several feet until the old man in black robes raised his hand and pressed down on the back of the chair, barely managing to stop.
His sleeve was torn open by the Sword Qi, and a few strands of hair slowly fell from his ear.
The streets were briefly quiet.
Then, hushed whispers came from all around.
" Li Tianxing was actually forced to retreat?"
"The Holy Son of the Divine Sea Realm launched a sneak attack first, but ended up suffering a loss. Just what rank is Chu Yunfei's swordsmanship?"
"The sword strikes were layered upon each other, continuous like waves, seemingly capable of sweeping away the power of the previous attack."
Li Tianxing slowly stood up, his sinister face now completely darkened.
He admitted that he had been careless.
But with everyone watching, no one cared how much of his power he used. All they remembered was that he made two moves, yet was forced into such a sorry state by a mere Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer cultivator.
The aura of the Divine Sea Realm gradually rose from Li Tianxing's body.
The entire restaurant shook, and fine cracks appeared on the walls.
The old man in black robes finally opened his eyes, but did not stop them.
As long as Chu Yunfei isn't killed, it's fine if the Holy Son can regain his dignity.
Li Tianxing stepped towards the window, the evil markings on his left arm becoming even clearer.
" Chu Yunfei, I only used thirty percent of my power just now. If you think you can contend with me with that little skill, you will die a horrible death today."
Chu Yunfei gripped the Abyss-Devouring Sword, his mind replaying the palm strike from just moments before.
The aura of the cultivation technique matched Lu Shaoyuan's description.
However, Li Tianxing 'Devil-Suppressing Hand alone is not enough to prove that the Blood Baleful Intent Tower is controlled by the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect. To continue the investigation, it is necessary to observe the changes in this person when he uses deeper techniques.
The dark golden flame of the Great Heaven-Burning Art vibrated gently within his dantian.
Just as Chu Yunfei was preparing to fight, a clear, cold female voice suddenly came from the other side of the street.
"The Holy Son of the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect actually launched a sneak attack from behind, and yet he can make it sound so noble. Today, I, Si, have truly broadened my horizons."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.
A woman in a sky-blue dress walked out from behind the crowd.
She had a beautiful appearance, a Holy Maiden Token of the Heavenly Edict Sect hanging at her waist, and an old woman in gray robes following behind her.
Li Tianxing recognized the person, and his eyes grew even more sinister.
" Si Yunshu, this matter has nothing to do with you. If you want to stand up for him, first think carefully about whether the Heavenly Edict Sect is willing to be an enemy of my Heavenly Evil Devil Sect."
Si Yunshu walked to the side and in front of Chu Yunfei, and looked up at the broken window.
"Sage Li, there's no need to accuse me of sect rivalry. I just happened to be passing by and saw a Divine Sea Realm expert hiding in the building, plotting against the Heavenly Origin Realm martial artist."
She paused for a moment, her gaze falling on Li Tianxing's torn sleeve, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"Besides, Saint Li has already made two moves in a row. If we still rely on overwhelming him with our cultivation level, even if we win, we won't be able to regain the face we lost today."
The evil markings on Li Tianxing's left arm flickered slightly.
He continued fighting, confident that he could severely injure Chu Yunfei within ten moves.
But Si Yunshu has already appeared.
The old woman behind her was a Late Divine Sea Realm expert, and since this place was not far from the palace, continuing the commotion would not benefit the sect.
Li Tianxing suppressed his aura, his icy gaze passing over Si Yunshu and landing on Chu Yunfei.
You're lucky today.
" The Seven Sects Grand Competition a month from now—I, this Holy Son, will see if you can still be as defiant as you are now."
After he finished speaking, he turned and left the window.
As the old man in black robes passed by Si Yunshu, his gaze lingered on the Abyss-Devouring Sword in Chu Yunfei's hand for a moment, without uttering a single word.
Once the two had faded into the distance, the crowd of onlookers began to stir again.
Si Yunshu ignored the comments.
She looked at Chu Yunfei, her gaze filled with obvious scrutiny.
She would never mistake that sword strike.
The Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword is one of the core sword techniques of the Heavenly Edict Sect. After Lu Shaoyuan disappeared, the complete inheritance was lost. Only the first four forms remain in the sect today, and the method of power generation is also incomplete.
Chu Yunfei's sword technique was remarkably complete.
At least the first two steps are seamless.
Si Yunshu raised her hand and pointed to the teahouse not far away. Her voice sounded gentle, but there was little smile in her eyes.
"If Young Master Chu doesn't mind, would you like to come upstairs for a cup of tea?"
Chu Yunfei glanced in the direction Si Yunshu was pointing.
The teahouse is only a hundred paces away, and from the second-floor window, one can still see the cracks left from the fight.
The fact that this Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Edict Sect stepped in to suppress Li Tianxing for him was certainly not just for the sake of making a good relationship.
She most likely already recognized the Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword.
Chu Yunfei had originally planned to find an opportunity to contact the Heavenly Edict Sect.
Now that Si Yunshu has taken the initiative to invite her, it has actually saved her a lot of trouble.
"Since the Holy Maiden has invited me, I, Chu, will naturally not refuse."
Si Yunshu nodded slightly and turned to walk towards the teahouse.
The onlookers made way for them.
News of the clash between Li Tianxing and Chu Yunfei was spreading rapidly, and many people were still following behind, wanting to see why the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Edict Sect had suddenly invited this newly appointed consort.
The old woman in gray glanced back.
The pressure from the Late Divine Sea Realm spread silently, causing the followers to turn pale and no longer daring to approach.
The three entered a private room in the teahouse.
Si Yunshu sat to the side of the main seat, without deliberately putting on airs of a saintess. The old woman in gray, however, stood behind her the whole time, her cloudy eyes occasionally glancing at the Abyss-Devouring Sword at Chu Yunfei's waist.
The waiter served the herbal tea and quickly left the room.
The array then rose up, isolating it from outside sounds.
Si Yunshu personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Chu Yunfei.
"I apologize for what happened earlier."
" Li Tianxing has been in the Divine Sea Realm for a year now. Given the combat strength that Young Master Chu has displayed today, even if he can fight him, he will suffer losses if the fight continues."
Chu Yunfei picked up his teacup but didn't drink it immediately.
"I will remember that Saintess Si helped me out of that predicament."
"However, Li Tianxing may not actually gain much advantage. If he continues to attack, I might not be the one who ends up in a bad situation."
The old woman in gray frowned slightly.
It's not surprising that young people are arrogant, but there's a huge gap between the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer and the Divine Sea Realm.
Li Tianxing's ability to defeat a third-level Divine Sea Realm Third Level elder far surpasses that of Qin Hao and Yue Chenzhou.
Chu Yunfei's composure either stemmed from ignorance, or he truly possessed a trump card that even she couldn't see through.
Si Yunshu did not refute.
According to the intelligence she obtained from the capital, Chu Yunfei had accomplished several things that seemed impossible to others. If judged by ordinary Heavenly Origin Realm standards, one would only misjudge him time and time again.
"Since Young Master Chu is so confident, it seems I've been meddling in other people's business."
Si Yunshu took a sip of tea, her gaze sweeping over the Abyss-Devouring Sword: "However, I do have a question, and I hope Young Master Chu can answer it."
Chu Yunfei met her gaze.
"Does Saintess Si want to ask about that sword technique from earlier?"
"Good."
Si Yunshu put down her teacup, her tone becoming much more serious. "Young Master Chu's swordsmanship was a series of strikes, one after another, the momentum of the sword like a surging tide. If I am not mistaken, that should be the Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword of my Heavenly Edict Sect."
The atmosphere in the private room subtly changed.
The old woman in gray sharpened her gaze, and a wisp of the Late Divine Sea Realm aura landed on Chu Yunfei. The pressure didn't actually erupt, but it was enough to make an ordinary Heavenly Origin Realm cultivator struggle to breathe.
Chu Yunfei seemed oblivious, and lowered his head to take a sip of tea.
The tea leaves come from the southern border of the Eastern Continent. They are slightly bitter at first, but their Spiritual Qi is quite pure.
"The Holy Maiden was not mistaken."
He readily admitted, "That sword strike just now was indeed the Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword."
A glint of light flashed in Si Yunshu's eyes.
" The Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword is the core inheritance of my Heavenly Edict Sect, but the complete sword manual has long been lost. Young Master Chu is not a disciple of the Heavenly Edict Sect, yet he can execute the complete sword technique. Could you tell me where this sword technique comes from?"
"Occurred by chance."
Chu Yunfei put down his teacup and gave a very simple answer.
Si Yunshu waited a moment, and seeing that he did not continue to explain, she frowned slightly.
"While there are many opportunities in the world, it is impossible for a jade slip bearing the mark of the Heavenly Edict Sect to fall into Young Master Chu's hands so easily. This matter concerns the sect's lost sword techniques, so please explain further, Young Master Chu."
Chu Yunfei leaned back in his chair.
"I cannot disclose the specific source of this information at this time. If Saintess Si only wanted to confirm the origin of the sword technique, she now has the answer."
The old woman in gray took half a step forward, her voice low.
"Young man, the Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword is no ordinary martial art. Since you have learned the Heavenly Edict Sect's inheritance, the sect has the right to inquire about its origin. The Holy Maiden's willingness to ask politely has already given you enough face."
The aura of the Late Divine Sea Realm was further suppressed.
The tea on the table rippled with fine waves.
Chu Yunfei raised his eyes and looked at the old woman's face.
"So, Saintess Si summoned me here today to silence me?"