Chapter 64: An Inexplicable Enemy

“Junior Brother Xiao, important people really do have short memories. Back then, your delayed entry into the sect implicated quite a few people in Wuya Hall. I suppose you’ve forgotten all about it. I merely spoke a few extra words of complaint, yet I was banished to the outer sect!”

One of the black-robed men yanked down his hood, revealing a gaunt, long-faced young man sneering with icy resentment.

The reminder jogged Xiao Yifeng’s memory. Years ago, his slow cultivation progress had sparked rumors throughout Wuya Hall. To quell the unrest, Third Senior Brother had cracked down with ruthless, thunderous methods, punishing anyone caught gossiping.

So this really is my fault?

Xiao Yifeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “So you must be Li Linzong? Since you’ve gone to the trouble of trapping us here, I assume you aren’t planning to let this end peacefully?”

“Correct. Both of you die here today. If you have any last words, spit them out now!” the second black-robed figure hissed, his voice dripping with venom.

Xiao Yifeng recognized that raspy voice immediately. He laughed. “I wondered who else would be so bold. So it’s the legendary Li Yuanming, the former Great Steward whose cultivation was crippled! I didn’t expect the Green Mountain Sect to have the guts to feign compliance while plotting revenge in the shadows.”

His identity exposed, Li Yuanming stopped pretending. He tore off his hood, glaring ferociously at the pair—his eyes lingering with particular hatred on Su Miaoqing.

“Father, killing them quickly is too merciful,” Li Linzong leered, his gaze sliding over Su Miaoqing’s figure. “Especially this little girl. She’s a beauty, and the daughter of the Wuya Hall Master to boot. Why don’t we have some fun with her before we finish the job?”

Hearing this, Li Lifang’s eyes widened as if waking from a dream. He looked Su Miaoqing up and down, a wretched, lecherous grin spreading across his face. “Brother Zong is right. We’ll make this kid watch from the side. That will repay my deep-seated hatred!”

Su Miaoqing felt their gazes crawling over her skin like insects. Disgusted, she stepped behind Xiao Yifeng to shield herself from their view. “You scum of the Wentian Sect! Wuya Hall was right to expel trash like you!”

Xiao Yifeng glanced at the three men, his expression turning frosty.

“Three toads lusting after swan meat,” he said coldly. “I advise you—if you want to keep your lives, leave immediately. This is my final warning. Stay, and you will not survive.”

The trio threw their heads back and laughed. Li Linzong stepped forward arrogantly, his chin high.

“Naive brat, you’re still talking big? You’ve already fallen into our trap. This Formation completely isolates aura from the outside world. Even if you scream your throat raw, no one will hear you die. By the time anyone finds your corpses, we’ll be long gone with your treasures!”

Li Yuanming and Li Lifang stared greedily at the immortal swords in the disciples’ hands.

It had been a calculated ambush. Li Lifang, having learned of Xiao Yifeng’s departure, had contacted Li Yuanming to plan a classic ‘kill and seize treasure’ operation. They had tailed Xiao Yifeng since the previous day but hesitated when Su Miaoqing appeared. Not daring to act alone, they summoned Li Linzong from afar and laid this Formation on the only path forward.

Whether it was their fortune or misfortune, they had narrowly missed encountering Lin Ziyun. Had the Hall Master’s wife crossed paths with them, they wouldn’t have had the chance to utter a single boast.

“These people are disgusting. Kill them… I need essence blood…”

A cold, distinct voice echoed in Xiao Yifeng’s mind. It was the sword spirit, Zhan Xian.

Xiao Yifeng was pleasantly surprised. You’re awake? Perfect timing.

“Zhan Xian, listen to me,” Xiao Yifeng commanded via telepathy. “Possess my Falling Rainbow sword. Enhance its power, but keep it subtle. Don’t let anyone discover your true nature.”

The sword spirit, who knew Xiao Yifeng’s methods inside and out, didn’t ask questions. A streak of invisible energy flew from his Storage Ring, spiraling down his arm and sinking into the blade of the Falling Rainbow sword.

Falling Rainbow was a Middle Grade immortal sword without a spirit of its own. As Zhan Xian took control, the blade vibrated, emitting a menacing crimson glow. Instantly, its killing potential skyrocketed, rivaling a High Grade artifact.

With the ancient sword spirit backing him, Xiao Yifeng’s anxiety vanished. He made a subtle hand gesture behind his back to Su Miaoqing, alerting her to prepare.

Then, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

“You three should be worrying about how you will die! Use your brains—do you really think the esteemed daughter of the Wuya Hall Master travels without protection? Senior Brother, come out!”

The three enemies froze. Cold sweat instantly slicked their backs as they jerked their heads up, scanning the perimeter of the Formation for a hidden expert.

In that split second of distraction, Xiao Yifeng moved.

He vanished from his spot like a ghost, reappearing instantly in front of Li Linzong. The Falling Rainbow sword slashed out, trailing a faint, blood-colored light.

Li Lifang and the others were caught completely off guard. They never expected a Foundation Establishment junior to initiate a blitz attack when outnumbered.

Li Linzong, however, was also at the Foundation Establishment stage. His instincts screamed. He instantly flared his Qi shield and raised his longsword horizontally to block, planning to weather the blow and counterattack with his allies.

But he was wrong. Dead wrong.

The crimson-infused Falling Rainbow sliced through his protective Qi like a hot knife through butter. It sheared through his steel longsword as if it were made of paper.

There was no resistance.

The blade continued its arc, slashing diagonally through Li Linzong’s torso.

To Li Lifang and Li Yuanming, it looked like a blur of red light. Xiao Yifeng’s momentum was like a rainbow, his sword erupting with sudden, raging flames as it struck.

Li Linzong stood frozen. A thin red line appeared across his body. Then, he fell apart, cleaved cleanly in two.

Whoosh!

Before the two halves even hit the ground, a burst of supernatural fire consumed the remains. In the blink of an eye, the corpse was reduced to drifting ash. None of them noticed that in the microsecond before incineration, the body had withered, its essence blood instantly sucked dry by the Zhan Xian spirit.

“Cousin!”

“Zong’er!”

Li Yuanming and Li Lifang screamed, their eyes splitting with fury and horror.

It had happened too fast. The lightning-swift strike, the destruction of the weapon, the instant death—it was terrifying. They were frozen between rage and shock at Xiao Yifeng’s explosive power.

Just as they prepared to rush him, Su Miaoqing acted.

She didn’t waste words. With a wave of her hand, she hurled her own immortal sword into the air. The blade split into dozens of shimmering sword shadows, raining down to suppress the remaining two enemies.

Xiao Yifeng immediately leaped backward, putting distance between himself and the fight.

That single, dashing strike had been a gamble. To fuel Zhan Xian’s lethality, he had dumped nearly all his True Essence into the blow. He was now a hollow shell, relying on intimidation to keep them from realizing he was spent.

If Su Miaoqing hadn’t followed up instantly, he would have been forced to trigger the defensive Coiling Dragon Jade Pendant.

“Go!” Su Miaoqing shouted.

While her sword shadows pinned them down, she stomped the ground. Spiritual energy surged, manifesting as a giant Fire Phoenix that spread its wings and screeched, diving straight for Li Yuanming.

The trio’s “Three Talents Formation” was already broken with Li Linzong’s death. Panic set in.

Li Yuanming, desperate and enraged, swung his iron fists wildly, shattering the incoming sword shadows. But he couldn’t stop the Phoenix.

The bird of flame crashed into him, engulfing him in a torrent of searing heat. This time, there was no Xuan Yi to save him. He let out a miserable, curdling scream before crumbling into a pile of ash, following Li Linzong to the grave.

The situation had reversed in the blink of an eye.

Li Lifang, who had been dreaming of riches and revenge just moments ago, stood trembling as he watched his two powerful allies disintegrate.

His legs gave out. He collapsed to his knees, slamming his forehead against the dirt repeatedly.

“Junior Brother Xiao! Senior Sister! Spare me! Spare my life!” he wailed, snot and tears running down his face. “I was forced into this! I swear I’ll never dare do it again! Please, for the sake of us all being Wentian Sect disciples, spare me!”