Chapter 72: Taking Action

The one being hunted was a young man, barely in his twenties, strikingly handsome and possessing considerable cultivation. Yet now, he was in utter disarray—his body stained with blood, his face pale as death. As he dashed through, the ordinary townsfolk recoiled in fright, hastily withdrawing to either side.

In an instant, the entire street became deserted, leaving only Yin Tianfang standing alone in the middle. The crowd’s gaze inevitably fell upon him, his snowy white hair making him all the more conspicuous.

Yin Tianfang’s eyes followed the fleeing youth, a flicker of recognition passing through them. He knew this young man—it was Liu Feng, once a disciple of the Profound Dao Sect. Who would have thought that after two years, their paths would cross again? Yet the Liu Feng before him was changed: the arrogance of youth had faded, replaced by a cold and resolute demeanor.

Liu Feng had set foot on the path of cultivation first in the Azure Cloud Sect, then joined the Profound Dao Sect. He and Yin Tianfang had few interactions, but now, Liu Feng was one of those few remaining connections. Though their relationship had once been strained, in the aftermath of the Profound Dao Sect’s downfall, there was now a certain kinship in seeing a familiar face after so long.

“How dare you kill disciples of my Azure Cloud Sect! Today, not even wings will save you from escape!” roared a group of young men in pursuit, murderous intent in their voices. Forming hand seals, they summoned forth countless sword lights that shot straight for Liu Feng.

“Hmph! One day, I’ll wipe your Azure Cloud Sect from the face of the earth!” Liu Feng’s eyes were cold and vengeful. Suddenly halting, he formed his own seals; instantly, countless droplets of water materialized in the air, coalescing into a shimmering water barrier. The oncoming sword energy struck the watery shield, vanishing silently within its depths.

“Mere tricks!” A frigid voice rang out as a streak of light flashed through the air, halting abruptly. Fingers poised like a blade, the newcomer slashed downward, sending forth a massive wave of sword energy. It tore through the void, crashing hard against the water barrier.

With a thunderous boom, the water shield—though far stronger than what Liu Feng could have produced years ago—shattered instantly beneath the man’s attack. A terrifying storm swept outward; those townsfolk too close were reduced to nothingness, houses collapsed, stones flew through the air, and the once-prosperous street was left in utter ruin.

Blood spurted from Liu Feng’s lips as he was thrown violently backward, crashing to the ground.

“You think you have the power to annihilate my Azure Cloud Sect?!” sneered the man aloft, his face cold and contemptuous. He gazed down at Liu Feng, lips curled in scorn. “You’re nothing but a worthless fool, yet you dare boast so shamelessly. The Profound Dao Sect has already been destroyed by our hands—only fools like you fail to see reason.”

“Die!” The man’s chilling words echoed through the air, his expression utterly indifferent, unaffected even by the death of so many innocents in his previous attack. With a casual flick of his sleeve, a small sword shot out, swelling with the wind into a golden giant blade several yards long.

Even before it struck, the immense pressure from the golden sword split the street below with fissures, sword energy raging, wild winds howling, and golden radiance filling the sky. The people, faces twisted in terror, fled frantically.

Liu Feng’s pupils contracted at the sight of the golden sword. He desperately wished to flee, but his injuries were too severe, and the sword’s aura locked him in place, pressing down with such force that he could scarcely move.

“Even as a ghost, I will return for vengeance, to avenge my brothers and sisters of the Profound Dao Sect!” Liu Feng cried out hoarsely, his expression twisted with rage.

Not far off, Yin Tianfang’s eyes showed a trace of surprise at Liu Feng’s words. In his memory, Liu Feng was not one to utter such vows. Clearly, something profound had changed him.

Two years ago, the Azure Cloud Sect attacked the Profound Dao Sect. Two years later, the Profound Dao Sect still lingered on, with once-familiar figures like Xu Fei and Xu Rong still appearing within its remnants.

But seeing Liu Feng now, Yin Tianfang knew that the Profound Dao Sect was no longer what it once was.

As the golden sword was about to fall and end Liu Feng’s life, Yin Tianfang slowly raised his hand, gently sweeping his sleeve. The golden sword halted abruptly in midair, the howling winds died down, and the countless sword energies vanished as if erased by an invisible hand. It was as if some unseen force had smoothed over all chaos.

Such a display caused the man hovering above to narrow his eyes, his gaze snapping to the white-haired figure below.

“Who are you? Do you wish to make an enemy of my Azure Cloud Sect?” the man barked harshly.

Yin Tianfang paid him no heed. With a gesture, the golden sword shrank, falling into his palm. He examined the small sword, nodding slightly. “A fine sword—it’s mine now.”

As he stroked the golden blade, the man above shuddered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He stared in horror at Yin Tianfang—the sword was his soul-bound flying blade, yet its spiritual mark had been wiped away with ease, inflicting damage upon his very soul.

“Just who are you?” the man demanded, his voice grim.

Yin Tianfang looked up, casting a fleeting glance at the man above, then strode forward until he stood beside Liu Feng. Pausing, he looked down at Liu Feng and asked, “Are you all right?”

“I am, thank you for saving my life.” Liu Feng struggled to stand, bowing deeply to Yin Tianfang. Yet before he could complete the gesture, he froze in place.

“It’s you... How—?” Liu Feng had recognized Yin Tianfang. Faced with his snowy-white hair and recalling the scene of his intervention, Liu Feng was left utterly bewildered.

“Boy, I’ve asked you a question. Are you deaf?” The man above, furious at being ignored, shouted again. Though he knew Yin Tianfang’s cultivation was superior, this was Azure Cloud Sect territory, and powerful allies were close at hand; thus, he felt no fear.

“Enough noise.” Yin Tianfang shot the man a cold look and flicked his hand. A beam of golden light shot out.

With a dull thud, the light pierced straight through the man’s heart, blood raining down from above. His pupils dilated as life fled his body and he tumbled from the sky, dead.

“Our senior brother is dead—run for your lives!” The disciples who had been pursuing Liu Feng were struck with terror at the sight, screaming in fear as they turned to flee.

Yin Tianfang’s expression remained indifferent. The golden light arced through the air, and in a flash, each fleeing youth was decapitated, blood gushing from their necks like fountains. Severed heads rolled on the ground, headless corpses collapsed, and crimson stained the streets, the air thick with the stench of blood.

The city fell into a deathly silence. All who witnessed the carnage gazed at the blood-soaked corpses in horror, looking upon Yin Tianfang as if he were a demon incarnate.