"Impossible!"

The next second, the sword-wielding youth's expression changed, his gaze fixed on Progenitor Tingyou. "You're already dead! The Perfected Lord killed you himself!"

There was no way Progenitor Tingyou could have survived!

Even taking a million steps back, even if he had survived, how could he possibly have recovered to Foundation Establishment Perfection in just a few decades? It was completely illogical!

At least, with the Cultivation the sword-wielding youth had inherited, he couldn't comprehend what was happening. He could only attribute it to Progenitor Tingyou being some kind of miracle... However, the moment that thought arose, it intensified the Heart Demon that True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde had transferred to him. 'What the hell is the point of fighting this?'

But he had no time to dwell on it.

For before Progenitor Tingyou had even finished speaking, he was already striding forward. At the same time, another Ability flared to life, conjuring a blizzard of goose-feather snow that blotted out the sky.

Su Xuan Frost!

This was a Xin Metal Ability, and it was actually one of Progenitor Tingyou's refined Innate Divine Techniques. Its current execution was far more powerful than Lü Yang's had been back then!

For a moment, the sky was filled with falling snow that froze all creation, silencing Spiritual Qi, Magic, and Abilities alike. Even the supposedly invincible Sword Intent now retracted its edge. The blizzard then converged, threatening to envelop the sword-wielding youth and turn him into an ice sculpture.

Fortunately, the sword-wielding youth was quick to react.

CLANG! CLANG!

With a clear ring, the longsword in his hand finally rose. Its edge tore through the snowstorm as a thought flashed through his mind, and he slashed toward Progenitor Tingyou once more!

Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword!

'That's... a True Treasure!'

Lü Yang's eyes burned with fervor.

True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde's resources were clearly far deeper than Fortune, who had been down on his luck for five thousand years. He had actually equipped his avatar with a True Treasure!

Almost simultaneously, the light of an Ability erupted from the sword-wielding youth's body.

Qi Collection!

This was an Ability Lü Yang had never seen before. It seemed to be Xin Metal, yet it was also compatible with the Earth of Chou, carrying the imagery of sealing and containment.

In an instant, the strange radiance of All Phenomena dimmed, and all Qi traces vanished. The grand Magical Combat suddenly transformed into a mortal brawl in a countryside market. The only difference was that one combatant was a Swordsman who had practiced Sword Skills for a thousand years, while the other was unarmed.

All Qi was hidden, and no Divine Effect could manifest!

Under such circumstances, Sword Intent, which existed outside of all Abilities, became the key to victory. This was clearly a meticulously planned killing blow!

KRSSH!

In a flash, Progenitor Tingyou's robes were torn. However, in that brief moment of obstruction, sparks of light had already formed at his fingertips.

A Finger Technique, an Incantation, Pointing Profound.

CLANG—!

He flicked a finger, striking the sword's edge that was mere inches away. Instantly, an endless torrent of muddy water erupted, suppressing the blade's cold glint.

Imperial Mountain Shifting Technique!

This piece of Magic from the Stain Sect's collection was primarily for suppression and sealing. Progenitor Tingyou was only using it now as an emergency measure to avoid being cut in half at the waist.

BANG!

The next second, the sword-wielding youth landed a solid strike on Progenitor Tingyou, sending him flying. He staggered back a few steps upon landing.

However, seeing this, the sword-wielding youth's face showed no joy. Instead, his expression was utterly grim. He had intended to kill Progenitor Tingyou with that one slash! But at the critical moment, Tingyou had locked his blade, turning the slash into a blunt smash. The attack had left nothing but a red mark!

'No matter what, I have to press my advantage...'

The sword-wielding youth's mind raced. He certainly wasn't going to let this golden opportunity slip. He strode forward, instantly shattering the muddy water that had appeared on his blade.

However, just as he was about to unleash his second slash...

Suddenly, the seal from Qi Collection was shattered by an irresistible Mighty Power. The various Divine Effects rose once more, revealing a fearsome sword's edge!

Tribulation Wave!

Xuanwei!

'Bastards... two against one!'

The sword-wielding youth was forced to halt, a look of frustration on his face. He had focused all his attention on Progenitor Tingyou, completely ignoring Lü Yang.

Lü Yang, on the other hand, couldn't care less.

'We're practitioners of the Outer Dao. Why would we bother with rules of engagement with you?'

'Progenitor, let's attack together!'

At the same time, Progenitor Tingyou also used Magic to shatter the Qi Collection seal on his body. His expression was strange, filled with an indescribable sense of glee.

The Stain Sect's style was certainly frustrating to face—like eating a huge pile of crap—but cooperating with them was a completely different feeling. While it was infuriating to be on the receiving end of a dishonorable fight, dealing one out to someone else was incredibly satisfying.

BOOM!

The next second, Lü Yang's long-charged Tribulation Wave stabbed directly at the center of the sword-wielding youth's brow. A torrent of Sword Light, wrapped in Sword Intent, howled forth!

Just-Refined Dao Feather Nirvana Sword Technique!

The Sword Light descended like Mount Tai crashing down upon the sword-wielding youth. With a deafening roar, fiery sparks scattered, and the roiling Spiritual Qi exploded outward.

Seeing this, the sword-wielding youth was not alarmed but pleased. 'You know I hold a True Treasure, yet you dare to clash with it? Even though my Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword is a Technique Sword meant to augment Abilities, not a weapon of war, it's still no match for a mere Spirit Treasure Sword Light. This is the perfect chance to teach you a painful lesson!'

Soon, however, his expression began to change.

No matter how he channeled his Mana, he couldn't break the Sword Light pressing down on him. In fact, the latter only grew fiercer with time!

For the Sword Intent contained within was like the grass on a prairie.

Endless and inexhaustible!

"You..." The sword-wielding youth's face paled slightly, a look of disbelief in his eyes. "Could you be a Perfected Person from my Sword Pavilion?!"

Lü Yang said nothing, only pressing down his blade with all his might.

In contrast, the youth's Sword Light grew weaker and his Ability dimmer. With one side waning and the other waxing, a fissure was finally slashed open!

KRSSH!

The next second, the Sword Light drove straight through!

Almost simultaneously, Progenitor Tingyou recovered. He channeled his Ability, and Su Xuan Frost unfolded, filling the sky with snow like a flurry of cold, sharp blades.

'Trying to kill me? Wishful thinking!'

Even at this moment, the sword-wielding youth remained composed. He channeled the Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword to its Extreme and drew a light line at his feet.

He cultivated the Fruit of Wall-Surface Earth, which carried the imagery of "Qi confined, things concealed." It had the Divine Effect of hiding one's form and separating the internal from the external. Now, by using the True Treasure, the Heaven-Receiving Ascending Profound Mysterious Realm Observation Sword, to add to its Divine Effect, he drew a prison on the ground. A single slash had carved out a heavenly chasm!

Lü Yang's Sword Light and Progenitor Tingyou's Ability were both blocked by it!

The various Alien Powers that landed on him were all swallowed by this chasm. It looked like a mere sword-scratch a foot long, but in reality, it seemed as distant as the edge of the sky.

Strictly speaking, this was already half a step beyond the realm of Foundation Establishment.

This was the Power of Fruit Position from the Fruit of Wall-Surface Earth!

Back when True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde forged this avatar, he had specifically held back a portion of it to use as a life-saving trump card in a critical moment.

'With this Divine Effect, who can possibly kill me?'

The sword-wielding youth sneered inwardly, waiting for Lü Yang's and Progenitor Tingyou's attacks to fail. He would strike when their energy was spent and reverse his disadvantage in one fell swoop.

The next second, however, he froze.

He had clearly blocked both Lü Yang's and Progenitor Tingyou's attacks. At most, a bit of Sword Qi had leaked through, leaving a few insignificant scratches on his body.

But in that instant, an indescribable sense of crisis suddenly welled up within him.

The Gold Attribute from True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde inside him was screaming a warning.

'What is...?!!'

Before the sword-wielding youth could react, an invisible image descended out of thin air, making his vision blur. He felt as if he had become a dying True Dragon.

All he could see were the Perfected Lords of various houses.

Being sliced by a thousand cuts, to be eaten by the masses.

Dragon-Stripping Platform!

As the first strand of Sword Qi slashed into the sword-wielding youth's Dharma Body, the situation instantly snowballed out of control like an avalanche, causing his entire body to begin collapsing!

PFFT!

The sound of tearing flesh rose and fell as scorching blood burst forth, turning the sword-wielding youth into a miserable, blood-soaked figure in the blink of an eye.

In his crimson-tinted vision, one figure stood out with perfect clarity.

Progenitor Tingyou.

'Vengeance... for the Wu Ghost Sect!'

This last Sect Leader of the Wu Ghost Sect, who had always maintained a gentle, calm, and composed demeanor in front of Lü Yang, now had a face contorted with ferocious, vicious killing intent.

At this moment, there was no Magic, no Ability.

Just a punch.

A solid punch landed squarely on the sword-wielding youth's face, distorting his features and sending him flying. Yet, a thought flashed through his mind with crystal clarity.

'In the future, my main body will likely die at his hands...'

The thought vanished as quickly as it came. The next second, the sword-wielding youth's already ravaged body could not withstand Progenitor Tingyou's punch and exploded in mid-air!

'Martial Uncle... Master... Junior Sister... Junior Brother...'

In that instant, Progenitor Tingyou was overcome with a flood of emotions. A thousand thoughts surged through his mind as a millennium of rage was finally released in a cathartic torrent.

BOOM!

The Incense Smoke dissipated. Progenitor Tingyou felt his spirit relax and his mind clear. The glow of a Fifth Divine Power Radiance abruptly flared up on his body... He had directly recovered to Foundation Establishment Perfection!