First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1366 - Collapse!

Chapter 1366 - Collapse!

Boom!

Terrifying bloodlust swept outward like a raging tidal wave, filling the nine heavens. The firmament abruptly dimmed, and the air rumbled and buzzed.

The distant onlookers gasped.

The Temple Master now seemed like an entirely different person. The bloodlust billowing around his tall, upright figure was so dense as to seem tangible, and it shook both heaven and earth.

It was to the point that terrifying visions of endless mountains of corpses and seas of blood appeared reflected on the landscape. It wasn’t at all cold out, but the onlookers nonetheless trembled.

Within the forbidden grounds on the back mountain, the Yun Family experts’ hearts shook as they visibly lost their composure.

“Do you really plan to cast all reservations aside? Are you really willing to watch the old cripple die!?” bellowed Yun Changhong.

Hostages were only useful alive, and even then, only because they could be used as threats. But what if someone disregarded a hostage’s well-being? Didn’t that make them completely useless?

Yun Changhong was worried that Su Yi would fly off the handle, heedless of Old Wei’s safety. He took a deep breath and said gravely, “How about we each take a step back? Offer up the secrets of reincarnation, and we’ll do as you say and let this matter end here!”

“You’re demanding the secrets of reincarnation?” Li Zhong almost dared not believe his ears. “You call that ‘taking a step back!?’”

Yun Changhong said indifferently, “When people die, they're left with nothing at all. Does the Temple Master consider those secrets more important than his servant’s life?

“Besides, we lost so many of our clansmen today. All we ask is that the Temple Master offer up the secrets of reincarnation. That’s more than tolerant enough!”

Li Zhong was so furious that he couldn’t help but laugh. There was no doubt about it; Yun Changhong had to believe he had the Temple Master by the balls. He would never have dared be so outrageous otherwise.

But… would the Temple Master really give in?

Li Zhong couldn’t help but look at Su Yi.

What startled him was that Su Yi now seemed utterly calm and composed, without the slightest ripple of emotion. Even the murderous intent billowing around him seemed to have calmed.

He was so utterly and completely calm that it made Li Zhong’s heart palpitate with wordless terror. This… This is the calm before an impending storm!

“Temple Master, it’s time for you to choose!” Yun Changhong was starting to feel more confident, and he harshly urged Su Yi on.

Su Yi stood in the air beneath countless watchful gazes. Suddenly, he took a step forward, and his voice echoed through the air. “If Old Wei lives, the Yun clansmen spread across the other star realms still have hope of survival.”

It was as if a bone-chillingly cold wind had just blown past. His voice echoed throughout heaven and earth, making countless people’s hair stand on end.

As Su Yi took a step forward, his murderous intent rose rapidly, like river water after a storm!

“But if Old Wei dies, I’ll wipe out every last member of the Yun Family, even if I have to chase them to the ends of the universe.”

He spoke without even the slightest ripple of emotion, as if he were simply stating a fact.

But when the Yun clansmen heard this threat, their expressions shifted dramatically. They were now fully aware of their predicament.

It seemed Ruan Caizhi had trouble believing he'd be so forceful. She murmured, “What’s he trying to do? Is he aiming for mutual destruction?”

“How dare you?” Yun Changhong cried out frantically. 

But before he could say any more, Su Yi swung his sword and attacked.

Boom!

The aura of the Sword of the Nine Hells was imbued in that slash. It manifested an immeasurably vast sword curtain of the Six Paths, which descended from the heavens.

From afar, it seemed as if a deity were raising the world of samsara, then flinging it onto the Yun Family’s back mountain. 

This attack was a representation of Su Yi’s wrath. Anger overcame him, and he no longer held back.

As this slash descended, a terrifying impact rang out.

Countless Immortal Dao-level formations flashed and churned in the skies over the Yun Family’s back mountain. Their power surged forth.

But beneath the power of this slash, the layers of formation shook as if on the verge of collapse. It seemed obvious that they wouldn’t last much longer. They were on the verge of falling apart!

“This is bad——!” Yun Changhong’s eyes bulged. Who could possibly have failed to realize that the Temple Master was really going all out? He was no longer susceptible to threats. Instead, he’d gone and started a massacre!

For a moment, Yun Changhong wanted nothing more than to kill Old Wei to get revenge against Su Yi. He wanted Su Yi to experience crushing, lifelong agony.

But in the end, he held back. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it, but he dared not risk the lives of his entire clan! The price was far too great, far more than they could bear.

“Third Uncle, what do we do?” Yun Changhong looked at Yun Huantian.

Yun Huantian was alarmed and furious too. He couldn’t even imagine how the Temple Master could go to such lengths.

“Just give him the old cripple!” said Yun Huantian, his face ashen as he reached a decision.

Old-timers like him were even less willing to risk their entire clan’s lives. Mutual destruction? Taking your enemy down with you? They couldn’t possibly accept either result, not over a single hostage!

Yun Huantian’s words made Yun Changhong sigh in relief. The other Yun clansmen felt a massive weight lift from their shoulders too.

The Temple Master put far, far too much pressure on them! They couldn’t even imagine how he could possibly be so domineering.

“Temple Master, you wanted the old cripple, right? Let this end here, and I’ll give him to you!” shouted Yun Changhong.

 Li Zhong couldn’t help but laugh coldly. When the Temple Master decided to give an inch, you demanded a mile and demanded the secrets of reincarnation. But the moment he decided to go all out, you panicked. Look at you! You’re offering up the hostage of your own volition!

Pathetic! Truly pathetic!

But against all expectations, Su Yi ignored them completely. He took a step forward and swung his sword once more.

Boom!

Heaven and earth seemed to split and collapse.

The formations covering the back mountain ultimately couldn’t bear the impact. As this slash fell, they shattered, layer after layer after layer.

Yun Changhong and the other Yun clansmen almost broke down. They’d decided to step back and lower their heads. Who’d have thought the Temple Master still wouldn’t let them off?

But there was no time to think. Su Yi was already swinging his sword and attacking. The formations of the back mountain were instantly thrown into chaos.

Numerous Yun Family experts didn’t even have time to dodge before they died horribly on the spot, their blood splattering the air and their desperate screams shaking the heavens.

“Retreat! Hurry up and retreat——!” Yun Huantian’s hair and beard bristled with anger. He tried his utmost to lead his clansmen away.

But in the blink of an eye, Su Yi intercepted him.

Boom!

Terrifying sword intent swept outward, and sword light illuminated both heaven and earth.

Yun Huantian managed to flee in time, but the several Transcendents following him, as well as the dozens of World King-level Yun clansmen, were enveloped in boundless sword light. Moments later, their souls scattered, destroyed completely.

Su Yi might have looked as calm as ever, but in truth, his outer calm concealed an extreme, cruel coldness. He shot across the battlefield like a beam of flowing light, launching a bloody massacre!

Boom!

Heaven and earth were in disarray. Everything collapsed completely.

Yun clansmen scampered about, fleeing every which way. Terror, despair, and helplessness were written all over their faces.

Yun Huantian’s eyes were bloodshot, and they bulged as if about to pop. He let out a grief-stricken roar. This was his first time feeling such helplessness and despair since the battle began.

“Senior Ruan! Hm?” Yun Huantian was just about to request Ruan Caizhi’s help, only to see the Cloud Soaring Realm powerhouse of the Profound Divinity Sword fleeing into the distance.

The sight almost made him break down. Don’t tell me the Yun Family truly cannot escape disaster today!?

This thought had only just occurred to him when the sword qi blanketing the sky descended upon him.

Boom!!

Yun Huantian fought with all his might, but in the end, he just wasn’t strong enough. In the blink of an eye, he perished on the spot. Even his defensive treasures shattered and dissipated.

By now, the battlefield was in complete chaos. No one in the Yun Family could halt Su Yi’s footsteps.

The Sword of the Human Realm was smeared with blood. Su Yi disregarded the fleeing Yun clansmen completely, instead charging at Yun Changhong.

His gaze was distant and indifferent. Red-tinged murderous intent billowed around him. He was like a god of slaughter emerging from a sea of blood and a mountain of corpses!

“Stop right there! I told you to stop——!” Yun Changhong shrieked, holding Old Wei in front of him as a shield.

He was the leader of his family, as well as one of the first experts of the present day to step onto the Path of Transcendence!

Over the years, never mind ordinary cultivators, not even most Cosmic Enlightenment World Kings were qualified to converse with him. His influence was such that a single word could alter the balance of power!

Yet now, he was completely panicked. His courage failed him, and his face was a mask of terror and despair.

The distant onlookers watched this bloody spectacle unfold, and they took in Yun Changhong’s terrified, frantic state. They couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. 

Why was this necessary? Had they released the hostage when Su Yi took a step back, how could this have happened?

One misstep, and they’d created an enormous disaster for themselves!

Now, when Yun Changhong saw that Su Yi had no intention of stopping even if he threatened Old Wei, he completely broke down!

The veins bulged on Yun Changhong’s forehead. Finally, he roared, “I’ll return the hostage——!” 

As his voice filled the air, he tossed Old Wei over.

Only then did Su Yi stop in his tracks. He gently raised his left hand, caught Old Wei, and supported his battered frame.

Meanwhile, Yun Changhong could no longer take it. He fell to the ground with a thud, his hair disheveled and his entire body covered with bleeding wounds.

He slumped, his face ashen. “My life is yours to do with as you see fit. My fate is entirely in your hands. All I ask is that you please spare the rest of my clan.”

“Family Head, no——!”

Several of the remaining Yun clansmen were visibly overcome with grief and indignation.

The back mountain, their forbidden grounds, had long since been reduced to rubble. The ground was covered in blood and mangled corpses. The Yun clansmen felt as if the skies had fallen around them.

When the distant onlookers saw this, without exception, their hearts churned. They were astonished and full of dread.

The Temple Master was just one person, yet he’d fought and killed until the Yun Family collapsed around him! Even their leader, Family Head Yun Changhong, had broken down and admitted defeat!

Who wouldn’t have been terrified after witnessing this glorious, bloody feat?

“The chains piercing Old Wei’s body are called the Spirit-Confining Chains. Only our clan’s secret methods can undo them. No external power can break them,” said Yun Changhong. He sat there, his trembling hands removing a jade slip from his sleeves, which he passed to Su Yi. “The secret method for removing them is recorded here.”

Su Yi accepted the jade slip, his gaze cold and forceful. “Your life plus a jade slip is insufficient to quell my fury.”

Yun Changhong quivered from head to toe, his expression bleak. “Temple Master, don’t you want to know why we fought our way into the Glittering Jewel Hidden Realm back then? And why we captured your elderly servant alive?”

Su Yi furrowed his brow, but before he could respond, Yun Changhong looked up at him and said slowly and clearly, “It’s because of the Tailor! It was that old schemer who told us that you weren’t really dead. He told us that you’d chosen to undergo reincarnation and cultivate anew. He said that if we captured the people you cared about most, we could force you to give up the secrets of reincarnation upon your return to the stars!

“And it was the old Tailor who first joined forces with us to attack the Glittering Jewel Hidden Realm!

“We pulled it off seamlessly. Aside from a few of our elders, no one but the Tailor knew anything of this.

“He told you that we destroyed the Glittering Jewel Hidden Realm, so surely… surely he told you that he was one of the primary culprits behind the scenes?”

As he spoke, his face filled with utter loathing.

Half of it was directed at Su Yi.

But the other half was directed at the Tailor!