Chapter 83: Former Fellow Disciples

Under the cover of night, the entire Profound Way Sect was shrouded in silence. After the devastating battle two years prior, the sect had fallen completely under the control of the Azure Cloud Sect.

At this moment, there were also several disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect stationed within the grounds of the former Profound Way Sect. Two of them stood guard at the entrance to the Hall of Discipline.

Yin Tianfang moved stealthily through the darkness, his eyes fixed on the two sentries, a cold gleam flashing within them. With a tap of his storage pouch, a flying sword slipped soundlessly along the ground toward the unsuspecting guards.

The sword drew near without a whisper, then suddenly arced upward—two razor-sharp beams of sword-light pierced straight through the hearts of the sentries, extinguishing their lives. At the same moment, a wisp of flame on the blade cauterized the wounds, so not a drop of blood was spilled.

Yin Tianfang swiftly rushed to their sides, hoisted the bodies onto his shoulders, and secreted them away in a hidden corner. Without pause, he made his way deeper into the Hall of Discipline.

The innermost recesses of the hall were reserved for imprisoning the most vicious and dangerous captives. Yin Tianfang hurried forward and soon reached the deepest cell. Inside, a disheveled figure was shackled to a rack, an iron chain driven through his shoulder blade.

This was no ordinary chain; otherwise, how could it restrain Elder Xuan Yin? Seeing the elder’s wretched state, Yin Tianfang felt his eyes grow moist.

There were no guards within the cell. Thus, Yin Tianfang encountered no obstacles on his way, reaching Elder Xuan Yin’s location with ease.

“Elder Xuan, I’ve come to rescue you,” Yin Tianfang said, his voice choked with emotion. Clenching his palm, he summoned a golden sword and brought it down upon the lock of the cell door.

Inside, Elder Xuan Yin raised his head, momentarily confused. Only after a careful look did he recognize Yin Tianfang.

“My young master, what has happened to you?” the elder asked, his voice trembling as he saw Yin Tianfang’s hair had turned completely white.

“I’m fine, Elder Xuan. I will get you out of here,” Yin Tianfang replied. The golden sword struck the chain with a series of metallic clangs and showers of sparks. With a wave of his hand, he sealed the sound from escaping. Channeling all his spiritual power into the sword, a dazzling golden radiance erupted from its blade.

With a mighty swing, the lock finally gave way. Yin Tianfang pushed open the door and approached Elder Xuan Yin.

“Sever!” The golden sword suddenly swelled in size and came crashing down.

The massive golden sword fell upon the iron chain with a deafening clang, sparks flying in all directions. Yet, the chain binding Elder Xuan Yin didn’t even bear a mark, while a visible notch appeared on the edge of the golden blade.

“How can this be?” Yin Tianfang’s expression tightened. He had poured his full strength into that strike, yet the chain remained unscathed. Without breaking it, he could not free Elder Xuan Yin. Having come so far, how could he accept failure?

“Break for me!” he roared, flooding the golden sword with an even greater surge of spiritual power. The blade grew larger still, its aura more imposing than ever.

The next blow landed with a thunderous crash. A faint white light shimmered around the chain, bouncing the golden sword away to smash against the cell wall, making the entire cell tremble.

“What’s happening?”

“Not good! Someone’s broken into the Hall of Discipline!” The commotion inevitably drew attention. One figure after another came rushing toward the hall.

“Go! You must go! Don’t worry about me!” Elder Xuan Yin bellowed.

“I won’t leave. I must get you out,” Yin Tianfang insisted, unable to bear watching the elder suffer in captivity.

“Do you want me to die here? If you stay and they capture you, they will use you to threaten me. What then? To protect our secret, I would have no choice but to end my own life. Is that what you want to see?” Elder Xuan Yin’s voice rose sharply.

Yin Tianfang’s heart trembled as he met the elder’s stern gaze. His lips moved, but no words came. At length, he bowed deeply. “Wait for me. When I am strong enough, I will return and rescue you.”

With that, Yin Tianfang turned and fled without looking back. He dared not glance behind him, fearing that one look at the elder’s current state would drive him to reckless folly.

As he emerged in the grand hall of the Hall of Discipline, dozens of figures burst in from outside. Catching sight of Yin Tianfang, they paused in surprise.

“Trespassing in the Hall of Discipline merits death!” a young man barked coldly, his aura formidable.

“You’re from the Profound Way Sect?” Yin Tianfang leveled his gaze at the speaker, then swept his eyes over the others pouring into the hall. “Were you once disciples of the Profound Way Sect as well?”

The moment Yin Tianfang raised his head, everyone could clearly see his face, shock flickering in their eyes. Though he had seldom mingled with his peers, all the disciples recognized Yin Tianfang—especially after his famous duel with Liu Feng, which remained vivid in their memories.

None of them expected to encounter Yin Tianfang again in this place after two years.

Some of their eyes showed hesitation. They were, after all, former sect brothers; to strike him down was something a few simply could not bring themselves to do.

“So, it’s you.” One young man narrowed his eyes at Yin Tianfang. “Elder Xuan Yin always favored you. If we capture you and present you to our lord, using you as leverage, I’m sure Elder Xuan Yin will tell them everything.”

At these words, Yin Tianfang’s expression darkened.

“And who do you think you are?”

“Hmph! You’re on death’s door and still so insolent. Fellow disciples, help me take this wretch! Present him to our lord and we’ll be richly rewarded—our fortunes will soar!” the youth shouted, leading the charge at Yin Tianfang.

More than twenty others, greed blazing in their eyes, surged forward to attack. Some remained rooted in place, torn and uncertain.

“You deserve death!” Yin Tianfang’s gaze swept over his assailants, his killing intent palpable. With a wave of his sleeve, a violent wind howled through the hall. An enormous invisible hand slammed down upon his attackers.

A spray of blood erupted as several figures were hurled back, vomiting blood. Some were instantly crushed to bloody mist without so much as a groan. The stench of blood filled the hall; those who survived were deathly pale, terror etched on their faces as they stared at Yin Tianfang.

“You wanted to kill me!” In a flash, Yin Tianfang appeared before the leader, seizing him by the throat, his gaze cold as ice. “Tell me, is that what you intended?”