Chapter 109: Taking Action

There was a peculiar charisma about this young man, one that made others feel an instinctive desire to draw close to him. Though his cultivation was not particularly high, he displayed not a hint of fear in the face of the current predicament.

While everyone else was fighting desperately to protect him, an ordinary man would have long since been paralyzed by terror, seeking any possible way to escape this place of danger. Yet, this youth remained. Far from fleeing, he had stepped forward, intending to trade his own life for the survival of others.

"The one you want is me. I am right here. If you let them go, I will surrender without a fight," the young man said calmly.

"Heh, the Second Prince is joking. Your brother does not merely want your life; he intends to wipe out everyone loyal to you entirely. Only then will his throne be secure. Second Prince, if you must blame someone, blame your brother. To be honest, you are far more outstanding than he is, but the one thing you lack is his ruthlessness."

"What are you waiting for? Leave no one alive!" As the cold command fell, the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, who had momentarily paused, struck again.

"Second Prince, do not worry about us! Go! As long as you reach Heaven's Luck City, you will be safe!" the middle-aged commander shouted. With a resolute heart, he stomped his foot against the ground and charged toward the elder.

As the distance closed, the commander's aura grew violent and intense, burning like oil poured onto a fire. His eyes were filled with the determination of the doomed; he intended to self-destruct and drag his enemy down with him.

"Hmph, you wish to self-destruct?" The elder curled his lip in a sneer. With a wave of his sleeve, a massive hand gripped the commander tightly, rendering all his struggles futile.

*Boom!* His body exploded, the terrifying shockwave sweeping across the surroundings. Being at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, the destructive power of the commander's self-detonation was immense.

A horrific storm raged, leaving a massive crater in the earth, with cracks spreading out like a spiderweb. The blast did not distinguish between friend and foe; those nearby, whether soldiers or members of the Azure Cloud Sect, were instantly pulverized into mists of blood.

Amidst this terrifying impact, the elder remained calm. When the shockwave reached him, it seemed to be sliced apart, rushing past him on either side.

With the commander dead, the remaining soldiers felt their hearts sink, their morale shattered. Outnumbered by the Azure Cloud Sect, the hundreds of soldiers were quickly slaughtered. Corpses littered the field, blood stained the earth deep crimson, and a pungent, metallic stench filled the air.

Only the Second Prince remained alive. Watching his men fall one by one, he was overcome with grief, and a look of hatred surfaced on his handsome face as he glared at the members of the Azure Cloud Sect.

"Azure Cloud Sect, are you not afraid of retribution?" the Second Prince demanded furiously.

"Retribution? Who would dare bring retribution upon us? Once your brother ascends the throne, the entire Qingshui Kingdom will become the territory of the Azure Cloud Sect. Who would dare offend us?" the elder said arrogantly.

"Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue with such big words?" A cold voice drifted over, causing the arrogant elder's expression to stiffen. To speak such words at this moment was a blatant disregard for his authority.

"Who dares to spout nonsense? Are you tired of living?" The elder spun around. In the distance, a figure was slowly approaching. He wore a flowing azure robe and possessed delicate features, but his hair was as white as snow.

This man was Yin Tianfang, who had been missing for three years.

Yin Tianfang’s pace appeared slow, but in reality, he was moving with incredible speed. Within a few breaths, he stood a hundred paces from the elder. He stopped, staring at the man with an expressionless gaze. He could tell at a glance that the elder had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"People of the Azure Cloud Sect?" Yin Tianfang asked.

"You ask what you already know. Since you know we are from the Azure Cloud Sect and still dare to talk such nonsense, you must be tired of living!" With a flick of his sleeve, the elder thrust his hand out, striking toward Yin Tianfang with tremendous force.

Spiritual energy boiled and wild winds whipped up. The massive hand, crackling with potent energy, arrived before Yin Tianfang in an instant.

Yin Tianfang remained calm. He reached out a single finger and tapped lightly. The massive hand shattered instantly, dissolving into specks of light that vanished in the air.

The elder’s pupils contracted, his heart skipping a beat; he was clearly shaken by Yin Tianfang’s display.

"Disciples, hear my order: form the formation!" Countless figures flew over, taking up positions in the eight directions. As they channeled their internal energy, the elder stood at the center, and the influx of power caused his own aura to climb steadily.

With his strength surged, the elder regained his composure. He looked at Yin Tianfang, his eyes glinting with cold light. "Boy, in a one-on-one fight, I admit I am not your match. But do not forget, I am of the Azure Cloud Sect; I have countless ways to kill you!"

As his voice fell, the elder let out a sharp cry. A terrifying aura erupted from him. As his robes billowed, he formed hand seals, causing the void to tremble and the winds to howl.

"Summon the wind!"

"Bring the rain!"

In an instant, the gale roared and rain began to fall from the firmament. These seemingly ordinary raindrops brushed against Yin Tianfang’s face, leaving a cut from which blood slowly seeped.

This sight made Yin Tianfang’s expression grow stern. With a thought, lotus flowers bloomed—crimson as blood-diamonds—suspended in the air. Their petals unfurled, isolating him from the wind and rain.

A frigid killing intent erupted, and a flash of purple light streaked through the air.

*Puff!*

With a soft sound, an Azure Cloud Sect disciple’s eyes widened. He looked down at the bloody hole in his chest, his face blank. His pupils dilated, and he collapsed to the ground, his life force fading away.

With that death, the operation of the formation instantly descended into chaos.

*Splutter!* The disruption of the formation caused the others to suffer a backlash of energy; one after another, they were severely wounded and vomited blood, unable to sustain the formation any longer.

As the formation dissolved, the elder’s aura plummeted. The wind and rain stopped abruptly, and a look of panic appeared in the elder's eyes.