"Dead?"

As soon as this question was asked, the hall fell silent.

Before long, the elder holding the sword immediately responded, "Murong Yan, what are you saying!?"

However, before the Elder of the Long Sword could finish shouting, the swordsman lying on the ground slightly narrowed his eyes and said, "Let her continue."

Upon hearing this, the aging Priest Sword Elder could only stand aside, shooting a venomous glare. This disciple had always been dear to him, and he signaled her to quickly explain.

Murong Yan sighed deeply at this and said, "Master, master, what has happened? In that secret world, we encountered a powerful enemy—not only was the Soul Grass captured, but Brother Song also died… He fell at the hands of a formidable foe. Then, when Old Lu sought to avenge him, he too was killed, along with several of our brothers!"

"Absurd!"

Just as Murong Yan finished her explanation, the Sword Master angrily shouted, "To dare speak such nonsense before this seat! In the secret realm, what could possibly threaten your survival? Why claim we have such formidable enemies? Besides, Old Lu is at the half-step Tribulation realm—among us in the Sword Sect, he is among the top experts. Who could possibly have killed him?"

As he spoke, the hand on his sword rose slowly, his seething anger evident, and Murong Yan instinctively recoiled.

Seeing this, Murong Yan quickly shut her eyes in fear.

In truth, ever since she brought Yang Tian to the Divine Guardian Sect, she knew she'd become a sinner in their eyes.

Thus, at this moment, seeing the swordsman ready to strike, she even felt a sense of relief.

Right then, a figure slowly stepped out in front of Murong Yan, wearing a faint smile as they said, "She's telling the truth."

"Hmm? Who are you? And why is she telling the truth?"

As this figure appeared out of nowhere, both the swordsman and the Elder of the Long Sword frowned slightly.

This was because the figure, dressed oddly in black, clearly did not belong to the Divine Guardian Sect.

Only Murong Yan knew this person's true identity—Yang Tian, the one who, in the world of utter darkness, had demonstrated astonishing power and single-handedly slain Old Lushen!

In the past, the elders and swordsmen failed to notice Yang Tian's presence, as he had been no more than a follower of Murong Yan, the sole daughter of Murong Long, master of Tianyuan City. Without the father returning, who prioritized such a lowly follower?

Thus, Yang Tian went unnoticed.

But now, Yang Tian had stepped forward, unafraid of the imposing crowd, standing boldly against the swordsmen. This was clearly not the behavior of a mere follower.

Hence, the query had arisen.

No one had imagined, however, that Yang Tian would continue speaking in an unbothered tone, with a faint smile: "Why should you know who Benzi is?" As for why this ancestor knows she's telling the truth—because… they all died at the hands of this Benzi!"

Woosh!

As soon as these words were spoken, the Old Swordsman's expression immediately changed, and he let out a cold snort. "Nonsense! Old Lu was a strong warrior at the Half-Step Tribulation realm—capable of seizing treasures in his anger! You, someone in your twenties, could kill Elder Lu?"

As he spoke, the elder's sword stirred with a subtle movement. The blade instantly transformed into an Azure Dragon as it came slashing toward Yang Tian.

This swordsmanship was a direct inheritance of the sect's techniques.

"Master!"

Murong Yan, seeing Elder Ling Jian strike at Yang Tian, grew anxious and rushed forward.

Yet, the Earth Sword Elders paid no attention, instead furrowing their brows as they observed Yang Tian.

Though it was but a fleeting clash, the elders wielding their swords saw Yang Tian's palm unleash strength during his counter that surpassed even the usual might from elders at the Divine Separation stage!

What's more, the Priest Sword Elder had previously said—how old was Yang Tian?

Only in his early twenties!

At this age, possessing such strength—if placed within the strongest three sects of cultivation—he would surely be a core disciple amongst the elites!

Contemplating this, Elder Su Yi, Zhao Xiuyuan, and other experts of the Lower Realm paled in comparison to Yang Tian's overwhelming prowess!

At such a young age, with such talents and intellect, when had this kind of catastrophe ever emerged within the realm of cultivation?

What unseen, formidable force sought to challenge the Sword Sect?

At this thought, the swordsman let out a cold snort, glaring icily at Yang Tian. "Is this the bold confidence you exhibit in my Divine Guardian Sect?" But this is merely a threshold of strength. Kneel now, confess your purpose for sneaking into my Sword Sect, and perhaps this seat may spare your life. Otherwise, I will surely take your head today!"

As he finished speaking, an overwhelming aura—one only achievable by the strong during Tribulation—erupted from the elder, like a sword intent, pressing down fiercely on Yang Tian.

The Sword Master seemed confident this pressure would crush Yang Tian into submission, allowing him to deal with this intruder and uncover the truth.

But to his disappointment, under such immense pressure, Yang Tian stood tall and proud, neither kneeling nor binding his hands. He didn't so much as furrow his brows, as if the force of the Tribulation realm was inconsequential!

"How… could this be!?"

Seeing Yang Tian act this way, the swordsman revealed a trace of astonishment. He pressed further and asked, "Who exactly are you? What is your purpose here? And Elder Lu—what happened to him?"

"I told you, they all perished at my hands, yet you refuse to believe me!"

Yang Tian smiled, spreading his hands, as if to say, "It's up to you whether to believe or not."

But at that moment, a sudden sense of danger welled within Yang Tian, causing his brow to twitch slightly.

BOOM!

At the same time, a deafening sound echoed as the hall's floor shattered bit by bit beneath their feet.

Several imposing figures appeared in the middle of the hall. Among them, a figure adorned in golden robes glared coldly at Yang Tian and sneered, "You say you killed who?"

"Is that… Elder Ren Jian, one of the three great elders of the Heavenly Realm? And… the Elders of the Mystic Sword, Cold Blade, and White Rainbow? They're… all here!"

Seeing the incapacitated Old Swordsman, Murong Yan gazed in wide-eyed shock at the newcomers.

Indeed!

The hall now contained a gathering of Divine Guardian Sect's elders. Among them were the esteemed Third Elder of the Shenjian Sect, Shang Ren Jianmen, and Shangdi Jianmen, who were all at the peak of Tribulation stage!

"Why have you come here?"

The Sword Master frowned at these new arrivals and questioned.

Master Ren Jian coldly sneered, "We sensed conflict within the hall and thought something extraordinary was happening." Pausing, he scoffed, "To think we've come to hear an ant boasting here!"

As he spoke, Ren Jian cast a frosty glare at Yang Tian, the "ant" he referred to unmistakable.

At this moment, one of Ren Jian's disciples arrogantly stepped forward and said, "Master, allow me to take this lunatic down. Then we can decide what to do with him."

"Yun Fan? Go. Just don't kill yourself!"

Ren Jian casually nodded in approval as he spoke.

After all, although the Sword Elder had fallen to Yang Tian, his strength was among the weakest within the Sword Sect.

On the other hand, Yun Fan, his disciple, had been cultivating for centuries and had recently broken through the barrier of the Middle Trigram, excelling in swordsmanship.

It was rumored that, with more experience, he might soon attain the title of elder himself.