Then Let's Fight

At the peak of the firmament, the standoff continued. Two world-shaking powerhouses had appeared in person, looking like a myth brought to life. After a brief exchange of greetings, a long silence followed.

The towering giant flaming tiger transformed back into her human form.

She was a red-haired girl with a pale pink "King" character marked on her forehead. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes were a deep crimson, and blood stained the corners of her mouth.

The previous sword strike had likely pierced through her shoulder.

Clutching her chest, she rose slowly like a sky lantern until she was level with Bai Ze. Her other blood-stained hand pointed toward Spirit Elixir City.

She whispered with profound respect, "Emperor, the Imperial Son is there. The youth beside him is named Xu Xian. You have seen him before."

Bai Ze glanced over, his brow furrowing slightly.

Feeling that gaze falling from a hundred miles away, cold and piercing, Xu Xian felt as if he were being seen through.

Li Qingshan quickly took a step to the side, shielding Xu Xian behind him.

His own burning gaze met the other's in response.

Bai Ze remained silent, the light in his eyes flickering as a trace of wariness quietly crossed his pupils.

Seen him before?

Familiar?

Yes.

He had seen him on that night six years ago, within the future he had predicted.

A youth carrying four swords.

Standing amidst a sea of blood and mountains of corpses in the Great Desolation.

However, it had been but a hurried glimpse, a flash of light; he had not been able to see the youth's face clearly.

He had only ever told Red Moon about this. Since Red Moon had mentioned it, he understood perfectly. He also understood why Red Moon had risked tearing up the contract and acting personally.

It seemed this entire matter had started because of this youth.

Yun Zheng's peripheral vision also silently fell upon Xu Xian. Understanding the deeper meaning, he spoke slowly, breaking the silence between them once more.

"Bai Ze, give me an explanation."

Bai Ze looked up at Yun Zheng and asked knowingly, "An explanation for what?"

Standing beside Yun Zheng, Ye Xianyu said coldly, "The dog you keep has crossed the line."

Hearing this, the red-haired woman's face twisted with ferocity. She stared fixedly at Ye Xianyu as if she wanted to devour her.

Bai Ze scrutinized Ye Xianyu with eyes as deep as the starry sky. With just a single look, he said, "You injured my person. Is that not enough?"

Yun Zheng remained unperturbed. "What do you think?"

The corners of Bai Ze's mouth curled upward in a disdainful smile. "For the sake of Li Taibai, hand over my tribe's Imperial Son to me. I will take my people and withdraw. We shall let this matter go and overlook past grievances."

"Heh—" Ye Xianyu sneered, as if she had heard the greatest joke in the world.

Yun Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he said flatly, "Fine. Then let's fight!"

Bai Ze didn't seem to care at all, mocking him, "With just you alone?"

Yun Zheng said airily, "To slay you, I alone am enough."

Bai Ze said gloomily, "If that is the case, then why haven't you acted yet? Are you afraid?"

Yun Zheng denied it, provoking him, "I am waiting for you to call for backup, lest the people of the world laugh at me, Yun Zheng, for bullying an old beast."

Arrogant!

Unprecedentedly arrogant.

At least, that was what the demons and humans present who heard this thought.

However, the people of the Wendao Sword Sect had a different view.

To them, the Fifth Patriarch was simply incredibly cool.

As sword cultivators, this was exactly how they should be.

Bai Ze was not angry; instead, his eyes held an irrepressible sense of appreciation. He praised:

"Arrogant enough. Good, what a fine young man. Yun Zheng, in this world, aside from your master, there is no other sword user like you in a thousand years. Your sharpness is fully revealed, and your pride knows no bounds."

Yun Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly. "You flatter me."

Bai Ze's expression turned stern, and his tone shifted sharply into a warning. "However, young man, do not be too aggressive. I am giving you one more chance. Give the auspicious beast to me and withdraw, and I will overlook everything. Otherwise, do not blame me for breaking my promise today and flattening your Wendao Sword Sect."

Ye Xianyu's face darkened, and her sword edge shifted.

Yun Zheng had a faint smile in his eyes as he mocked, "You might want to, but do you have the ability? It has been ten thousand years; you must have grown used to living like a turtle shrinking into its shell."

Bai Ze snorted coldly. "You look refined, yet your words are overbearing. Sword cultivators of the world are mostly like this."

"Heh—"

Bai Ze continued, his voice heavy and deep, "Do you really think your Wendao Sword Sect is still the same as it was ten thousand years ago? The creatures of the world are ignorant, all claiming your master Li Taibai is traveling far beyond the heavens. Could it be that he is truly traveling?"

Yun Zheng did not explain, only saying, "Even if my master is not here, the swords of the Wendao Sword Sect can still sweep away the injustices of this world."

The speaker was cryptic, and the listeners were confused.

It was as if they were lost in a fog; they could understand the words, yet they couldn't grasp the meaning.

The words were spoken with intent, and the listeners took them to heart.

It was inevitable that they would start speculating, their faces showing suspicion.

The Sword Ancestor's travels were known to the whole world, but why did Bai Ze's words imply that the Sword Ancestor wasn't traveling, but rather seemed to be gone?

But clearly, the everlasting lamp was still lit.

Xu Xian had seen it with his own eyes.

Yet his senior brother had not denied it.

What was the truth?

What unknown secrets lay hidden within?

For a moment, Xu Xian's thoughts were deep and wandering.

He muttered in his heart, 'Could it be that Master really can't come back?'

He wasn't the only one thinking this. Even Ye Xianyu was now stealing glances at Yun Zheng's profile, her expression solemn.

After a moment of deliberation, Bai Ze said again, "The chance has been given to you. Since you do not want it, do not blame me!"

Yun Zheng sighed, lamenting, "The desolate beasts of old, acting like petty flies and dogs, only daring to use their tongues before me."

He had come today to have a hearty and thorough battle. Bai Ze's arrogance suited his intentions perfectly.

Bai Ze's patience was gradually exhausted. He finally showed his ferocity, asking one last time, "I ask you once more: will you hand over the auspicious beast or not?"

Yun Zheng's eyes were burning. He gripped his long sword, the blade dipping slightly as he uttered only two words.

"I won't."

Bai Ze's face darkened.

Red Moon's beastly nature turned violent.

To the east of the Wild River, beneath that dark curtain of the sky, clouds were piled high.

Wind suddenly rose, and thunder appeared. A violent aura ravaged the area, sending ripples through the sky.

High above the firmament, void cracks began to spread, and surges of violent aura leaked out. Then, terrifying figures appeared out of thin air, tearing through the void to emerge.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four...

In the blink of an eye, eight figures stood there.

Like ninth stage peak human cultivators Manifesting Sanctity, they stood between heaven and earth.

A netherworld tiger.

A vast eagle.

A qingluan.

A white giant ape.

A blood wolf...

A white snake...

A mad lion...

A golden spider...

The eight towering giant beasts seemed even more formidable than Red Moon's true form.

They simply stood there on the curtain of the sky, motionless.

Yet for the humans and demons present, it felt as if countless beast roars were thundering in their ears.

The demons of the East Desolation were momentarily excited, their eyes filled with fanaticism.

In contrast, the cultivators on the walls of Spirit Elixir City all had darkened expressions, fear rising from their hearts.

Their eyes widened, and their throats tightened.

Eight giant beasts, eight peak beast gods.

The Lords of the Eight Tribes of the East Desolation, who styled themselves as the Eight Great Thrones of the beast race. Although their physical bodies were not present, their momentum was already world-shaking.

Their gazes fell upon Yun Zheng simultaneously, and they spoke in human tongue one after another.

"A human junior truly doesn't know the heights of the heavens!"

"To speak such arrogant words, he deserves to be executed!"

"To dare be disrespectful to the Emperor, he should be killed!"

"The Wendao Sword Sect can be destroyed now!"

"Emperor, do not waste words with him. Crush these ants."

"..."

Yun Zheng sneered, gripping his long sword and slowly raising it.

The blade glinted with a chilling light under the sun. A long-absent excitement flowed in his eyes; even with ten beast gods blocking his path, he showed no fear.

As he leaned his body forward slightly, the sword intent around him surged violently.

"Then let's..."

"Fight!!"