The phantom of the bronze bell shook violently but still did not dissipate. Su Zhe staggered back three steps and laughed, "What a formidable Prajna Heart Bell."
"Master, withdraw the Heart Bell. Let me face him in battle," Xiao Ruofeng said, gripping his sword as he advanced toward Su Zhe.
"Very well!" Wangyou waved his hands, and the Heart Bell dispersed. Then, with a light step, he soared into the courtyard, where dozens of assassins charged at him with swords drawn. He clasped his hands together, and the Heart Bell instantly materialized, repelling them all.
Inside the room, Xiao Ruofeng thrust his sword forward, clashing with Su Zhe's Buddhist staff and sending him sprawling to the ground. Su Zhe rolled away and retreated three steps. "Such an overwhelming sword technique!"
"This is the ancestral swordplay of the Xiao Clan—Kingdom Splitting Swordplay!" Xiao Ruofeng swung his sword relentlessly, each strike more domineering than the last, immediately suppressing Su Zhe.
"Sixteen Dances of the Heavenly Demon!" Su Zhe swept his Buddhist staff fiercely, sending sixteen golden rings flying toward Xiao Ruofeng at blinding speed.
Xiao Ruofeng's sword danced wildly, forming an impenetrable wall of Sword Qi to block the golden rings. Then, with a series of precise thrusts, he seemed to perform a sword dance, but in reality, he was skewering the rings one by one. Finally, he slammed the sword into the ground, shattering all the golden rings into pieces.
"I never imagined such an overwhelming sword technique existed in this world," Su Zhe said in awe.
"Without such might, how could one unify the realm?" Xiao Ruofeng swung his sword again with even greater force.
This time, however, Su Zhe blocked it. His Buddhist staff whirled, and his footwork shifted rapidly, as if he were dancing.
"Is this the true Sixteen Dances of the Heavenly Demon?" Xiao Ruofeng said solemnly.
"Yes. Few have witnessed this dance—those who have are all dead. But you, young master, will live on." Su Zhe swung his staff, and behind him, the apparition of the Heavenly Demon emerged. "And the Heavenly Demon shall walk with you forever."
Facing Dawn Inn.
Su Changhe unwrapped the bandage from his arm. "Uncle Zhe and the others have made their move?"
"At Fengxiao Temple, the killing intent has already surfaced. Uncle Zhe said it will be a battle to shake the heavens," Mu Qingyang replied.
"Then issue the Heavenly Kill Order. It's time for the true blade to reveal itself," Su Changhe said with a smile.
"I have waited for this day for a long time," Mu Qingyang said, drawing a brand-new Peach Wood Sword from his back.
"Is Heaven Revelation City not entertaining? I suspect even Su Muyu, confined in the Shadow Prison, would find it intriguing," Su Changhe mused.
"It's dull. Always feeling like there's a string pulling at me. Today, that string will be severed." Mu Qingyang swung his Peach Wood Sword.
"A newly carved Peach Wood Sword?" Su Changhe asked.
"Requested from Qingcheng Mountain," Mu Qingyang replied.
"Do you really enjoy playing the role of a Taoist priest?" Su Changhe smirked.
"I once dreamed of ascending to immortality, riding a crane into the heavens." Mu Qingyang raised his Peach Wood Sword toward the sky.
The residence of the State Elder.
"Su Zhe led a group of Su Family assassins to ambush Xiao Ruofeng at Fengxiao Temple. Only Xiao Ruofeng and Wangyou are skilled in martial arts there. Li Xinyue in Heaven Revelation City received the news and is rushing over, but it will take her at least half an hour—she won't make it in time," Luo Tianxiang reported.
Yi Bu nodded. "I don't want 'should.' Send more men to Fengxiao Temple. No more standing by—act now!""Direct action? What if we're exposed..." Luo Tianxiang worried.
Yi Bu sneered coldly, "Once he's dead, he won't be the one calling the shots in Heaven Revelation City anymore. What is there to fear?"
"Yes!" Luo Tianxiang nodded in acknowledgment and quickly withdrew.
Outside the Shadow Prison.
The Heaven Official and Water Official walked slowly forward. Upon seeing Crow guarding the entrance, the Water Official's expression shifted slightly. When they reached the guards, the Water Official bowed his head slightly and spoke with deference, "Why has the Shadow Prison's guard detail been replaced by the Eagle Eye Group?"
Crow glanced at him and replied nonchalantly, "After all, we're holding the Su Family head of Dark River here. The previous guards could be easily manipulated by outsiders—they weren't up to the task."
"I see," the Water Official nodded.
"What brings you here?" Crow asked, eyeing the Water Official.
The Water Official smiled and took a step back. "There are some matters I'd like to discuss with the Su Family head."
"Oh? What matters?" Crow's hand slowly moved toward the sword at his waist.
"Internal Dark River affairs. As you know, we three officials are stationed at the Dark River Soul Extraction Hall. There are many things only we are privy to," the Water Official answered.
"Doesn't sound particularly urgent. You'll have to wait a few more days. The Sect Leader has ordered that no one is to see Su Muyu during this time," Crow replied.
"Why is that?" the Water Official asked, puzzled.
"Does the Sect Leader's command require an explanation to you?" Crow raised an eyebrow.
"Understood," the Water Official nodded with a smile, then withdrew with the Heaven Official.
Only after they reached another courtyard did the Heaven Official finally speak. "Could it be that Yi Bu has noticed something?"
"Impossible. If Yi Bu had truly noticed anything, he would have eliminated us without hesitation. He's always been cautious—he probably just fears Dark River might make a move tonight, so he's tightened security at the Shadow Prison." The Water Official stroked his chin. "This complicates things. We need someone to enter the Shadow Prison and release Su Muyu."
"What's so complicated about that?" A familiar voice suddenly spoke beside the Water Official, startling him. He turned to see "Yi Bu" standing there, his hair standing on end as he instinctively prepared to strike.
"It's me," the voice replied again, this time in a charming feminine tone. The "Yi Bu" covered her mouth and laughed.
"Dark River people are skilled in disguise, but I've never seen anyone as masterful as you," the Water Official exhaled in relief.
"Let me change clothes, then I'll try my luck at the Shadow Prison entrance." With a flick of her sleeve, "Yi Bu" vanished.
Moments later, "Yi Bu" appeared at the Shadow Prison gate.
The Eagle Eye members hurriedly saluted. "Sect Leader!"
"Hmm." "Yi Bu" nodded. "Any disturbances here?"
"Earlier, the Water Official came by, asking to see Su Muyu. I sent him away," Crow reported.
"Yi Bu" patted Crow's shoulder. "Good. These are unusual times—better to avoid unnecessary trouble. You did well."
"Thank you for your praise, Sect Leader," Crow said with a fist salute.
"Yi Bu" then stepped past Crow, about to push open the prison door. Crow started in surprise. "Sect Leader, you're...?"
"Yi Bu" frowned. "What? Am I not allowed to enter either?"
"This subordinate wouldn't dare," Crow lowered his head."Hmph." Yi Bu flicked his sleeve and hurried forward, but after just one step, he felt a gust of wind rushing at his back. He turned sharply—only to find Crow's longsword already at his face!
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