CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: THE SHADOW OF YOUDU

As both sides plunged into a full-scale battle, the situation descended instantly into utter chaos, shouts and cries of combat filled the air, with death occurring every moment.

"Kill this traitor first," the Hall Master of the Fighting Hall shouted, enraged beyond measure, thrusting his long spear that erupted with a myriad of icy sparks, encircled by flames at the tip, spreading a sea of fire.

She combined her Wind Thunder Sword Qi with the Profound Sun Taoist, intertwining wind, thunder, and fire in the air, advancing upon Li Tingfeng as if it were divine retribution.

Li Tingfeng’s treasure sword emitted Cold Ice Sword Qi, and when the sword blade danced, it was as though snowflakes were flying, with glistening snowflakes falling, filled with deadly killing intent.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The collision of Cold Ice True Qi against fire, wind, and thunder triggered an incredibly terrifying explosion, as if thunder had exploded in the canyon, causing an intense noise that seemed to tear at one’s eardrums.

After the clash, Du Hongyue, Hall Master of the Fighting Hall, and the Profound Sun Taoist paused their steps slightly, while Li Tingfeng staggered back three steps, finding himself just in front of Xiao Shouren, the Mountain Guardian Hall Master.

Xiao Shouren would never miss such an opportunity. The Zhongshu Sword in his hand, resembling a jade ruler, suddenly radiated an immensely dazzling light, with its brilliant Sword Light striking out like a Flood Dragon.

Rumble!

Nobody expected Li Tingfeng, without turning his head, to wield a wave of Cold Ice Sword Qi with his right hand to fend off the enemy in front, while his left hand struck backward, transforming True Qi into a Fire Dragon that surged forth.

Upon witnessing the Fire Dragon, Xiao Shouren’s pupils shrank tightly, feeling an intense sense of crisis, as he switched the Zhongshu Sword from offense to defense without hesitation to protect himself.

But it was already too late...

The Fire Dragon extended with the wind, growing to a length of thirteen zhang in an instant, and the blazing flames quickly engulfed a vast area of Yuncang disciples, who screamed in anguish, their bodies charred and blackened, dying amidst intense suffering, with their remains shattering into pieces.

Xiao Shouren, at the forefront, had a yellow aura swirling around his jade ruler, exhibiting the Yellow Dragon Hidden Sword True Technique at an unprecedented peak, with True Qi faintly taking the form of a Yellow Dragon to protect him.

Yet it was of no use, as the Protective True Qi dispersed in a mere instant of collision, with the Fire Dragon baring its fangs and claws, lunging toward his body.

"Sigh!"

A frail, old voice sighed by Xiao Shouren’s ear, as a withered hand extended from behind him, wrapped in a layer of bright yellow light, effortlessly striking out, causing the thirteen-zhang Fire Dragon to explode into lamentations, transforming into a rain of fire across the sky.

Seeing this, Xiao Shouren showed no joy on his face, but instead turned ashen and said, "Senior Brother, it’s my incompetence... but you shouldn’t have interfered."

The Withered Bamboo Elder slowly stepped out from behind him, "Junior Brother Shouren, you’ve done your best. Li Tingfeng’s cultivation has now broken through to Half-Step Celestial Human; you can’t be a match for him."

Although Xiao Shouren had already foreseen this the moment they clashed earlier, the words of the Withered Bamboo Elder still shook him internally, and he gazed at Li Tingfeng with a complex expression, asking in deep confusion, "Senior Brother Li, with such talent as yours, reaching Half-Step Celestial Human, why would you betray the sect?"

"With your status, today’s Martial Arts realm, could they possibly offer you more?"

Li Tingfeng held his sword in his right hand, his silver hair billowing in disarray, and his handsome young face displayed a sneering expression.

"You must have figured it out by now. I’ve secretly learned the secret skill, the Chixiao Nine Layer Heavens Sword Scripture, of the sect’s Chixiao Peak. Would the sect’s regulations tolerate me?"

"By the sect’s tradition, only the Sect Leader can learn the Five Peaks’ inheritance and practice the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword."

"In the past, I also asked the master to make an exception and teach me an inheritance, but he refused me under the guise of sect rules."

"Yun Cang has stubbornly adhered to the sect rules over these years, already rotten beyond repair. Obviously possessing Divine Techniques capable of dominating the world, yet guarding them jealously, each branch not allowing learning or exchange with one another, it’s utterly ridiculous."

"The Yun Cang Sword Sect rarely sees a Sect Leader who masters the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword, all because of these absurd rules. It’s just by sheer luck, and without anyone comprehending the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword, they’d fall into decline, isn’t it laughable?"

All the First Seats and Elders present remained silent upon hearing this.

The Profound Sun Taoist pressed from behind, "The Yuncang Sword Sect has been passed down for a millennium, and the sect rules have been like this for generations. If these rules are disturbed, there’s a fear of the severance of inheritance. How could things change for just one person?"

Li Tingfeng couldn’t help but laugh loudly, "The sect has reached this state precisely because of obstinate and decayed people like you, Profound Sun."

"Back then, I was just as devoted to the sect. After Junior Brother Xun’s death, I realized many of the sect rules were outdated, and the one hundred and eight Outer Peaks had already become riddled with problems, infiltrated by other forces."

"Just because I planned to reform the sect’s traditions and rules, the master suppressed me, refusing to let me ascend to the position of Sect Leader."

"By seniority, qualifications, prestige, and Martial Arts, after the master suffered a severe injury and ascended to immortality, I was the indisputable choice for Sect Leader."

"But in the end?"

He spoke with a hideous expression on his face, "You’d rather promote the fourth elder to be a puppet than let me become Sect Leader."

"Is this because I aspired to reform the sect rules?"

"Such a decadent and obstinate sect is bound to collapse one day, so why blindly remain loyal?"

"Since you are all heartless to me, don’t blame me for committing this unjust act today."

The Hall Master of the Fighting Hall, Du Hongyue, reprimanded sharply, "Don’t use such grand excuses to justify your rebellion."

"Is the sect being unfair to you just because you weren’t made Sect Leader? Is the sect being unfair because you weren’t allowed to learn another inheritance?"

"Where did your Martial Arts come from? Where did your skills come from? Where did your status and position come from?"

"Insatiable greed and limitless desire, such actions would plunge the sect into a catastrophe even if you were made Sect Leader."

"The late Sect Leader’s wisest decision was not putting you in the Sect Leader’s position."

"Do you think stepping into Half-Step Celestial Human allows you to extinguish Yun Cang? Elder Withered Bamboo, step aside, let me confront him."

"Hahaha, since I’ve exposed my power, how could I leave without achieving anything?" Li Tingfeng was no longer interested in debating with these people; right and wrong couldn’t be clarified. Everyone had their beliefs, unwavering as steel, hard to shake.

At this moment, he chuckled coldly, as Cold Ice True Qi and Flame True Qi collided fiercely, causing a massively intense explosion, yet his figure moved swiftly like a ghostly shadow towards Withered Bamboo.

"Courting death!" Several of the other First Seats and Elders shouted angrily but were momentarily delayed by the intense explosion. More crucially, the Lightweight Technique Li Tingfeng exhibited was not from the sect’s inheritance, and his speed was like a phantom, beyond imagination.

The Withered Bamboo Elder finally grasped the rusty Unsheathed Iron Sword from behind, and with an aged voice, he sighed, "This is the Netherworld Unending Ghost Shadow Evasion Technique from Youdu, isn’t it?"

"I thought you merely associated with those three sects, but never imagined you’d join Youdu?!"

"It seems today’s events have Youdu’s influence indeed!"