Lan Xinzi watched as You Si Jian, propelled by the white sword energy, shot straight toward the spot where she and He Yuxing were hiding.
Her first thought was, "Who is helping us?"
But in less than a breath, she dismissed that notion.
"Someone is trying to use us, to make us the ones who stick our necks out!"
Lan Xinzi quickly turned to He Yuxing and said.
As she did, she noticed something off about the man beside her.
He Yuxing's body was trembling lightly, as if he was desperately suppressing something.
His limbs were gripping the ground's rocks tightly, but his back was arched, ready to spring into the air at any moment.
"Sit down!"
Lan Xinzi panicked. "Don't let them use you—it's not time yet!"
"Sit... down..."
He Yuxing's temples bulged with veins as he shouted hoarsely, "I can feel the sword intent inside You Si Jian. It's seen me, and it's..."
"Calling me!"
Calling?
Lan Xinzi's eyes widened in shock.
The next second,
The fierce sword, which had been charging forward, seemed to end its confusion and vibrated excitedly in the void.
"Buzz!"
In an instant, the void cracked, and the earth shattered.
Black sword energy scattered in all directions, slashing at the pursuing crowd from behind and forcing them to retreat repeatedly.
"You Si Jian is moving!"
Everyone's eyes burned with greed.
Even when some had touched or even held You Si Jian before, it had never reacted so violently.
Now, just by flying toward a specific direction, it was causing such a stir.
"You Si Jian has sensed something!"
The crowd instinctively felt something was wrong.
If things continued like this, wouldn't the true wielder of You Si Jian appear?
Then what should they do?
"Chase!"
Using ling yuan to block the sword intent, the crowd immediately gave chase.
At the same time, along You Si Jian's path, a pile of rubble exploded, and a figure in white robes soared into the air.
"You Si Jian, come to me!"
The roar echoed through the void.
Lan Xinzi stared in disbelief as He Yuxing leaped into the sky and, under the incredulous gazes of the crowd, tightly grasped You Si Jian as it passed by.
"Bang!"
As expected, a surge of demonic energy exploded into his body, causing a massive blast in the void.
"Pfft, another fool..."
The pursuers from behind sneered and halted their steps.
But before the mockery could fully fade, as the demonic energy dissipated, a half-naked man stood there, his clothes reduced to bloody rags, holding the fierce sword with an arrogant gaze sweeping over all.
"He... didn't die?"
The crowd was shocked.
He was the first person to grasp You Si Jian and not be obliterated by the demonic energy backlash!
And not only that,
The man, covered in numerous demonic patterns, exuded a sword intent that subtly complemented You Si Jian, as if they shared the same origin.
"He Yuxing..."
Lan Xinzi's beautiful eyes were filled with astonishment, and she stared dazedly at the man standing in the void with his sword.
It had to be said that He Yuxing, with his black hair flowing in the sword energy and the demonic patterns snaking across his body like black serpents, exuded an indescribable wild and unrestrained aura.
He Yuxing held You Si Jian suspended in one hand in midair.
From his cracked body, dark red blood beads seeped out.
The beads gathered in the grooves of his streamlined muscles, forming drops that trickled down along his lines.
"Take one step forward, and die!"
He reversed his grip on the sword.
With those words, the sword intent shattered the eight directions, shaking the entire space like an eight trigrams sword net of cracks.
Truth be told, He Yuxing hadn't wanted to take the sword.
Even without Lan Xinzi saying so, he knew he was being used.
But when You Si Jian shot straight toward his hiding spot, that call from the same origin was something he couldn't suppress.
He had flown out.
Not entirely of his own will, yet it was.
However,
Now that he had the sword, he would keep it!
Only by truly holding You Si Jian and feeling the terrifying power capable of destroying the world in one hand did He Yuxing realize that all his previous worries were pointless.
Anyone, any obstacle...
You Si Jian could cut them all down with a single strike!
"Tap."
Those who had been thinking of secretly seizing You Si Jian froze mid-step in the air.
"Has he really taken hold of it?"
"Who is this guy? He looks completely unfamiliar."
"I don't know, but I do know..."
The speaker looked at the eight trigrams sword net expanding hundreds of zhang under He Yuxing's feet, with demonic energy rising from the cracks, and couldn't help swallowing hard.
"I only know that if I take another step, I really... might die."
Whoosh!
A shadow burst from the halted crowd.
Some were intimidated, but others refused to believe it.
Everyone knew the power of You Si Jian.
The man in front was only at zongshi level. Just suppressing the relentless demonic energy entering his body was probably using up all his strength.
How could he have any energy left to unleash You Si Jian's true power?
"Stop pretending—die!"
Golden ling yuan fluctuations exploded in the void with the shout.
In an instant, the attacker condensed a blazing energy like a fierce sun.
"A mere flicker of light..."
He Yuxing narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering.
That blazing energy...
In the past, this zongshi might have hurt him with that spirit technique.
But with You Si Jian in hand, he felt he didn't even need to use the sword.
A single glance could kill the opponent.
"Get lost!"
He clenched his palm.
The demonic energy in the inverted You Si Jian paused, then burst forth with surging sword intent, sweeping toward the attacker like crashing waves.
However, before He Yuxing's sword intent could overwhelm the foe,
A black energy ring from You Si Jian's blade had already enveloped the attacker first.
In just a moment,
"Boom!"
The black sword energy exploded inside the attacker, expanding like a porcupine and shredding his body into pieces of flesh that scattered everywhere.
Only then did He Yuxing's sword intent follow, slamming down.
"Bang!"
The ground sank, forcing the pieces of flesh into the earth.
The scene fell into dead silence.
He had merely tightened his grip, without even raising the sword,
And the attacker was utterly destroyed?
"This is insane..."
Everyone stared in a daze.
Anyone with eyes could see that You Si Jian's power far surpassed its wielder's.
He Yuxing didn't even need to move.
Wherever his intent went, his thoughts directed,
This fierce sword would tear the enemies before him to shreds!
"Wait, sword intent!"
Finally, someone noticed He Yuxing, overshadowed by You Si Jian's brilliance.
Though his attack had been a step behind the sword,
That surging sword intent that pressed the flesh into the ground...
"Zongshi level?"
"This guy is actually a Jian Zong!"
Everyone's pupils contracted again.
Only now did they shift their gaze from You Si Jian to He Yuxing, who was staring at the sword in midair.
Pure sword intent like that could only be comprehended through a profound understanding of the sword path itself.
"Does that mean to hold You Si Jian, the minimum requirement is zongshi sword intent?"
Someone murmured in a daze.
If that was true, then this group of them were all unqualified jokers, none deserving to touch that fierce sword.
Xian Tian sword intent was already rare.
A Jian Zong...
"I'm jealous."
He Yuxing didn't bother with the suddenly disheartened crowd.
After that strike from You Si Jian, it had declared his invincibility among his peers.
Why waste another glance on these ants?
He turned his head toward the distance: "Hong Yi predecessor, do the words you said earlier still hold?"
Hong Yi had said before,
Whoever could claim You Si Jian, they would even provide protection to ensure safe passage out of Bai Ku.
Everyone turned back.
With a nod from Hong Yi, You Si Jian would be out of reach.
"Lan Ling?"
Xin turned to look at Lan Ling.
Clearly, it was time for the Hong Yi envoy to speak.
"Data."
Lan Ling didn't respond directly but turned her head to those behind her.
Though only a short time had passed,
In that time, Hong Yi could fully dig up information on You Si Jian's wielder.
"Yes."
A Hong Yi member stepped forward and said:
"He Yuxing, zongshi Tian Xiang realm, recently broken through, zongshi sword intent, recently broken through, one of the thirty-three in Tian Sang Ling Gong's inner court."
"Innate attribute power is very special—a formable illusory sword, top-tier qualification in the sword path."
"The rest isn't recorded, but the demonic patterns on him seem to come from 'Ji Luo Diao Pian,' meaning he has grasped a hint of the Eighth Jian Xian's sword intent."
"That's probably why he can control You Si Jian."
"That's all?" Lan Ling asked.
"That's all." The Hong Yi member replied, "For more details, we'd need to send someone to Tian Sang Ling Gong. That's all we have for now."
"Investigate immediately!"
"Yes."
Lan Ling paused, then asked, "And the other one?"
She didn't specify, but the Hong Yi member knew she meant the woman who had been hiding with He Yuxing.
"An ordinary zongshi, no threat."
Lan Ling nodded and waved her hand, sending the Hong Yi member back.
She turned to He Yuxing, who was waiting, and smiled. "Hong Yi's promise stands!"
A hush fell over the others who were still waiting, and they grew agitated.
With that confirmation, wasn't You Si Jian's fate sealed?
So many people here, and they could only watch this man with the demonic patterns take the sword... and leave?
A hidden joy flashed in He Yuxing's eyes.
He was confident against the other contenders for You Si Jian, but this fierce sword...
Honestly, the relentless demonic energy entering his body was nearing its limit.
He was already at his capacity.
If he held on longer, exploding from the inside out was inevitable.
If Hong Yi kept their word, he and Lan Xinzi could leave Li Jian Cao Yuan safely.
This outcome was perfect.
"Thank you..."
"But!"
Lan Ling interrupted with a smile, "What we said was, if anyone gains You Si Jian's true recognition, Hong Yi would even protect them and escort them out of Bai Ku."
"And have you truly gained You Si Jian's recognition?"
He Yuxing's face stiffened.
As if echoing Lan Ling's words, his chest suddenly heaved, and he let out a muffled groan, black-red blood spilling from his lips.
"He's reaching his limit!"
Someone in the air shouted sharply, "This guy's just barely holding on. He grabbed You Si Jian, but his zongshi sword intent only saved him from the first wave."
"Getting You Si Jian's recognition isn't that easy!"
"That's right!"
"This guy's just forcing it down. Even with blood bursting out, he hasn't been recognized—he's suppressing the fierce demonic energy!"
"Let go of You Si Jian—let me try—"
He Yuxing didn't even bother responding to these absurd people.
If the sword were on them...
These hypocrites would put on a whole different show.
He stared intently at Lan Ling of Hong Yi and said deeply, "I never expected the esteemed Hong Yi to play such word games."
"This isn't a game."
Lan Ling shook her head calmly. "We're looking for You Si Jian's true wielder, not just someone with strong will."
"People like you are a dime a dozen in Bai Ku. Hong Yi doesn't need to go to great lengths for one."
"And before You Si Jian truly acknowledges its master..."
Lan Ling smiled, "It's just a high-grade treasure. Contention is the natural path for such items. Hong Yi won't interfere."
The crowd in the air erupted in excitement.
Hong Yi's words were practically endorsing everyone's right to fight for You Si Jian.
And as long as the final outcome wasn't settled,
Even if the man with the demonic patterns had grabbed it, he was doomed!
Quality might not win out.
But in numbers, could the crowd overwhelm this man on the brink of collapse from the fierce sword?
"A bunch of trash!"
He Yuxing was finally provoked by their ugly facades.
"You Si Jian is here—who wants it, come and take it!"
He tilted the sword slightly, and zongshi sword intent descended from the sky. Surging demonic energy erupted from the blade, rushing into his body.
"Buzz!"
In that instant,
Every refining master's sword in Li Jian Cao Yuan trembled, and even renowned swords were affected.
The demonic energy that entered He Yuxing's body lay dormant for a few breaths before exploding violently.
In a flash, the residual demonic energy across dozens of li gathered, rising and forming a massive black demonic sphere that enveloped half of Li Jian Cao Yuan.
"A... domain?"
Not just the younger generation was shocked.
Even everyone in Hong Yi was startled by You Si Jian's power.
He Yuxing was merely at zongshi Tian Xiang realm.
Yet, wielding the fierce sword, he had unfolded a domain not inferior to that of a Wang Zuo!
"Seizing the sword... is it?"
Crimson light flashed in He Yuxing's eyes. He thrust the sword into the air and raised his hands, fully immersing himself in this domain belonging solely to You Si Jian.
At that moment, he, He Yuxing, was the ruler!
"Come!"
"Fight!"
With a shout,
He Yuxing formed his fingers into a fist and nodded slightly.
The black demonic sphere covering half of Li Jian Cao Yuan shook violently and fully formed.
—Domain unfolded: Fierce Demonic World!
"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle..."
Suddenly, black sword energy burst from various points in the void, instantly tearing the stunned group of people nearby into pieces of flesh.
In that moment, all sounds ceased.
Blood flowers scattered, petals wilting, everything serene and beautiful.
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