Fang Xian's lips curled into a wicked smile, his gaze sweeping casually over Elder Tianqiong and Elder Tianlan, his tone flippant and arrogant.
"Submit to me, and I'll grant you a life of unparalleled wealth and glory."
Elder Tianqiong glared fiercely at Fang Xian, her beautiful eyes wide with rage, and she roared:
"You shameless scoundrel, don't even dream of it! Even if I'm shattered to pieces, I will never become your woman! Today, it's either you or me who dies!"
With that, ignoring her injuries, she struggled to her feet, but stumbled due to her severe wounds.
Elder Tianlan's eyes were equally filled with hatred, her delicate body trembling slightly, whether from anger or pain, it was unclear.
She gritted her teeth, speaking each word slowly and deliberately:
"You're dreaming! I'd rather die than bow down to a villain like you! The Howling Sky Sect will never let you go! You will pay a terrible price for what you've done today!"
Although her voice was somewhat weak, her indomitable spirit remained undiminished.
The two elders supported each other, showing no fear even in the face of Fang Xian's overwhelming pressure, their eyes filled with determination and resolve.
Fang Xian stared at them, a sly smile on his face.
"I hope your arrogant attitude lasts a little longer."
Just as Fang Xian was about to unleash his "Fire Illusion Technique" on them, a terrifying pressure rolled in from the horizon.
In an instant, the entire town was enveloped by this power.
The once noisy streets fell silent instantly. Everyone stopped what they were doing, their faces filled with fear and awe, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
The houses along the street shook violently under this oppressive force, doors and windows creaking as if they might collapse at any moment.
Birds, terrified, cried out and fled, only to be suppressed in mid-air by the pressure and plummet to the ground.
An elderly man with an air of otherworldly grace slowly appeared in the light.
His snow-white hair was neatly tied back, a few strands of his beard fluttering in the wind. His face was lean yet vigorous, his eyes deep and unfathomable, exuding the majesty and unyielding authority of a superior.
He wore a moon-white robe, its flowing fabric embroidered with intricate golden runes that shimmered with his movements, seemingly proclaiming his extraordinary nature.
His power was terrifying; each breath he took was like the surging of the heavens and earth.
The surrounding space distorted and deformed under his power, visible ripples spreading outwards from him.
With every gesture, he unleashed a violent surge of spiritual energy, seemingly capable of tearing the heavens apart.
He was the Sect Master of the Howling Sky Sect, a Golden Immortal realm expert—
—Yuan Lingjun.
Luo Hongxia and Li Muwan, Fang Xian's women, were overwhelmed by this oppressive aura, their faces pale and their bodies swaying precariously.
Luo Hongxia instinctively clenched her fists, her eyes filled with worry and tension. She knew the enemy before her was far too powerful, and she and her lover might face a fierce battle.
Li Muwan bit her lower lip, her hands unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes. Despite her fear, she stood firmly beside Fang Xian, her eyes revealing her trust in her lover.
Fang Xian, on the other hand, remained calm and composed.
A faint smile played on his lips, his expression serene, as if the Golden Immortal realm expert before him was merely an ordinary passerby.
Yuan Lingjun, his moon-white robes billowing in the wind, wore a gentle smile, yet his eyes held the sharp scrutiny of a superior as he gazed at Fang Xian. He asked in a soft voice,
"Your strength is extraordinary, and you possess the power of chaos; your origins must be remarkable. May I ask your master?"
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority, echoing softly in the ruins ravaged by the aftershocks of battle.
Fang Xian, upon hearing this, curled his lips into a mocking smile, his eyes filled with disdain, his tone casual and arrogant.
"Where I come from, what my master is, is none of your business. Stop with the pretense of concern."
His attitude was utterly arrogant, completely disregarding the Golden Immortal realm expert before him.
Yuan Lingjun remained calm, seemingly unperturbed by the impolite response, and continued unhurriedly:
"If you are willing to reveal your origins, my Xiaotian Sect will forgive and forget today's events, and all grudges will be wiped clean."
Upon hearing this, the heavily injured Elder Tianqiong and Elder Tianlan beside him instantly panicked.
Elder Tianqiong, disregarding his injuries, struggled forward and urgently pleaded:
"Sect Master, you mustn't! This man has killed so many of our disciples and elders, how can we let him go so easily?"
Elder Tianlan echoed, her voice choked with emotion.
"Yes, Sect Master, his sins are grave. If he is not punished, how can we face our fallen comrades?"
Yuan Lingjun raised a hand and waved it, his gaze still fixed on Fang Xian, his expression calm, and gently reassured them.
"Do not say more, I have my own considerations."
Having said this, he looked at Fang Xian again, his eyes now showing a hint of seriousness.
"You'd better reconsider and tell the truth. My Xiaotian Sect is not an unknown force in the cultivation world. Don't let momentary anger ruin your life."
Fang Xian laughed loudly, his laughter unrestrained and arrogant, echoing across the battlefield.
"I have no sect, I'm all alone. I can do whatever I want. What can you do to me?"
These words made Yuan Lingjun's eyes instantly sharpen. His aura fluctuated slightly, and a flash of killing intent crossed his face.
But in an instant, he suppressed his killing intent, silently weighing the situation.
Although this person claimed to be without a sect, he possessed the power of chaos, which was too strange. If a powerful force was hiding behind him, a rash attack might bring annihilation to the Xiaotian Sect.
For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate, the battlefield falling into a deathly silence. Everyone held their breath, not daring to utter a sound, silently watching this silent confrontation.
Fang Xian, seeing Yuan Lingjun's hesitation, revealed a cunning and ruthless smile, radiating a chilling aggression.
He slightly raised his head, his eyes filled with disdain for everyone present, and spoke arrogantly.
"Since you can't make up your mind, then so be it. Leave Elder Tianqiong and Elder Tianlan here, and I will spare your Xiaotian Sect and let bygones be bygones."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a bombshell, creating a ripple of shockwaves on the deathly silent battlefield.
Yuan Lingjun's face instantly darkened, like the sky before a storm. His previously kind expression was now frosty, veins throbbing on his forehead, and his eyes blazed with fury.
He never expected this ignorant junior to be so arrogant, making such an utterly unreasonable demand.
"Insolence!"
Yuan Lingjun roared fiercely, his voice booming like a bell, carrying the unique majesty and fury of a Golden Immortal realm expert. The sound exploded in the air, causing the surrounding air to hum.
"How dare you speak to me like that!"
His aura suddenly surged, his previously peaceful presence instantly transforming into a raging storm of spiritual energy. His robes fluttered wildly, and his white hair danced wildly in the wind.
Yuan Lingjun's rise to his current position, becoming a Golden Immortal realm expert and leader of the Xiaotian Sect, was forged through countless battles and bloodshed.
He had honed his skills in countless life-or-death battles, his hands stained with blood. Now, as sect leader, he only wanted to protect the sect and safeguard his disciples. But Fang Xian's actions had completely crossed his bottom line.
With this roar, the surrounding air seemed to be compressed by an invisible force, becoming thick and oppressive. Everyone could feel the intense killing intent emanating from him.
The clouds in the sky, already darkened by the battle, churned even more violently under this powerful aura, threatening to collapse at any moment.
Fang Xian, however, remained unfazed by this aura, his smile still bright, though the ruthlessness within it intensified.
He slightly moved his wrist, and chaotic energy began to surge around him, a dark and mysterious light flowing through his palm.
"Since you are so stubborn, then there is no need for the Howling Sky Sect to remain."
"All..."
"—Go to hell."