Chapter 357: Sword Saint's Fury

Just as Yun Che left the Azure Flame region and set off for the Azure Wind Imperial City, a figure silently appeared above the Burning Heaven Clan.

Fen Juechen had already left. The Burning Heaven Clan was eerily silent, scattered with ruins and corpses. The air was filled with the scent of decay and charring, as if it had just endured an apocalyptic catastrophe. Occasionally, one or two daring individuals would approach to gather information. After seeing the tragic state of the Burning Heaven Clan, they would all shiver, break out in a cold sweat, and hastily leave, none daring to get closer.

“Alas, I was still a step too late after all.”

The figure in the sky gazed silently at the ruins below for a long time. Finally, he let out a long sigh, and a heavy and vast aura emanated downwards from him with that sigh, completely enveloping the entire Burning Heaven Clan. Instantly, the air ceased to flow, and even the black dust suspended in the air came to a complete standstill, as if time had suddenly frozen.

“Such formidable power, if wielded by a benevolent person, would be a blessing for Azure Wind. But instead, it harbors a demonic heart. To so cruelly slaughter the entire Burning Heaven Clan is truly a disaster for Azure Wind. This child must not be allowed to live.”

The figure’s gaze turned northward. He did not return the way he came, but instead walked through the air, heading straight north, and in an instant, he was several miles away.

“…The Burning Heaven Clan’s stronghold has been reduced to ruins. The Clan Master, Grand Clan Master, thirty-three Pavilion Masters, twenty-seven Elders, and all disciples of the clan… all died there. Not a single person survived, nor did anyone escape. The entire clan, from top to bottom, was wiped out completely. The Burning Heaven Clan is utterly finished; not only was it destroyed, but its destruction was incredibly tragic. Yun Che’s methods are far more sinister than imagined…”

“Now, the branch clans that the Burning Heaven Clan established in various cities have mostly received the news. Almost all of them immediately announced their separation from the Burning Heaven Clan and quickly changed their names, fearing that Yun Che’s destructive methods would implicate them.”

With each sentence he heard, Xiao Jue Tian felt the chill deepen. After hearing about the Burning Heaven Clan’s tragic fate, even cold air seemed to seep through his teeth. Like everyone else, he could never have imagined that Yun Che’s revenge would be so decisive and cruel.

He had initially believed that Yun Che killing the Clan Master, eliminating all core figures, and destroying the Burning Heaven Clan would be the extent of it. He never expected that Yun Che’s actions would be akin to methods from hell.

Others hearing this fact would be extremely shocked, but after learning all this, his overriding feeling was undoubtedly fear!

Given Yun Che’s personality, he would certainly not let go of what happened three years ago.

However, that was something Xiao Kuangyun had done himself. If he could bear the pain of abandoning his only legitimate son and proactively handed him over to Yun Che for judgment, it might not be impossible to quell these matters. Furthermore, compromising with someone capable of utterly destroying the Burning Heaven Clan was not too shameful.

But the Grand Clan Master, Xiao Wuqing, was arrogant and unrestrained his entire life. Considering clan honor more important than life, he would never allow such a thing to happen. He chose to send Grand Elder Xiao Wuyi, armed with the Xiao Clan’s forbidden weapon, to assist the Burning Heaven Clan in killing Yun Che. As a result, they completely lost their only chance for reconciliation!

“Clan Master, what should we do?” the elder beside Xiao Jue Tian asked. “Our Xiao Clan has never feared any external enemies, but Yun Che is absolutely, unequivocally not to be underestimated. He has the ability to completely destroy the entire Burning Heaven Clan within just a few days, so he will…”

“Say no more,” Xiao Jue Tian said, his chest heaving violently, his hands clenched tightly, each word heavy with meaning. “If Yun Che merely possessed extreme strength, and if he were to come to our door, I could fight him to the death. But… his methods are so cruel and extreme! He utterly wiped out an entire clan simply because two of his family members were abducted, even though they were eventually rescued safely! Our Xiao Clan’s strength is on par with the Burning Heaven Clan’s, and Second Uncle has already died at his hands. If he could destroy the Burning Heaven Clan, he has the power to destroy our Xiao Clan… This is a terrible truth that we cannot deny!”

The entire main hall fell completely silent, with only the frantic pounding of everyone’s hearts audible.

“We must not follow in the footsteps of the Burning Heaven Clan!” Xiao Jue Tian turned around, his gaze fixed on everyone. “If Yun Che comes to our door, we must absolutely not go to war with him! If we can seek peace, even if it means losing all dignity and suffering humiliation, we must strive for it. If, in the end, we must fight… then we will take all the Heaven Extinguishing Lightning and perish with him! Our Xiao Clan must absolutely not become a second Burning Heaven Clan!”

“Clan Master, there’s no need to be so pessimistic,” Xiao Boyun said, stepping forward. “Yun Che’s strength is indeed astounding, but within Azure Wind, there are still those who can kill him. And the one most capable of killing him… according to the news we just received, he left Heaven Sword Villa alone last night.”

Xiao Jue Tian’s spirit was instantly roused. “Are you talking about… Sword Saint Ling Tianni?”

“Exactly!” Xiao Boyun nodded. “Ling Tianni has been upright and incorruptible his entire life, abhorring evil as if it were a personal enemy. He also once had a relationship with Fen Yijue. He has been in seclusion for decades, rarely stepping into the mortal world, yet he suddenly left Heaven Sword Villa last night. He must have done so to resolve the Burning Heaven Clan’s plight. It’s just a pity that he seemed to act too late. If he sees the tragic state of the Burning Heaven Clan, firstly, he will feel guilt; secondly… he will be extremely enraged by Yun Che’s demonic methods. Both reasons are enough for him to pursue and kill Yun Che! Perhaps, at this very moment, Ling Tianni is already on his way to hunt down Yun Che.”

Xiao Boyun’s words greatly eased Xiao Jue Tian’s expression. He murmured, “Very good… If this is truly the case, Yun Che will undoubtedly die! Yun Che was once severely injured and fled during his confrontation with Fen Yijue. This proves that his strength is not much greater than Fen Yijue’s. And ten Fen Yijues combined would not be a match for the Sword Saint. If the Sword Saint truly left Heaven Sword Villa to resolve the Burning Heaven Clan’s plight, then… he will absolutely personally punish Yun Che!”

The news of the Burning Heaven Clan’s destruction swept through the entire Azure Wind Nation like a storm, causing a seismic uproar across the land. This was arguably the most shocking and terrifying news any Azure Wind citizen had ever heard in their lives, eliciting their most extreme shock, terror, and disbelief.

On one side was a supreme clan that had stood for a thousand years, revered and lofty.

On the other side was merely a nineteen-year-old youth.

That nineteen-year-old youth had created a reality so unbelievable and unacceptable that it bordered on defying heaven itself.

And regardless of the depth of the grudge, to kill every single person in the Burning Heaven Clan like that. Such methods and maliciousness could only belong to a demon… How could a nineteen-year-old youth possibly do this!

The Azure Wind Imperial City was as bustling as ever, but conversations in every corner revolved solely around the destruction of the Burning Heaven Clan. The name “Yun Che” could be heard everywhere. The Burning Heaven Clan’s branch in the Imperial City had already shut its gates tightly. Above its main gate, the “Burning Heaven” plaque, once revered as a treasure and a symbol of recognition from the Burning Heaven Clan, had long been removed and shattered. Within just an hour, a new plaque bearing the name “Fengyun Clan” was hung. The new clan name revealed both fear and an attempt to curry favor with Yun Che.

Yun Che rode his Snow Phoenix Beast all the way, flying over the Azure Wind Imperial City, drawing countless onlookers who stopped to gaze up in astonishment and exclaim. He flew directly into the Imperial Palace, reaching the Embracing Moon Palace where Cang Yue resided. Only then did he put away his Snow Phoenix Beast and descend lightly from the sky.

“Ah… who’s there!”

No sooner had he landed than a woman’s startled cry sounded from behind him. Yun Che turned around and saw a palace maid whose face had drained of color.

“Ah! Young Master Yun… Yun!”

Yun Che had seen this palace maid when he first visited the Embracing Moon Palace, and she, naturally, remembered him. The moment she saw his face, she let out a cry three times louder than before. Her pretty face showed three parts surprise, four parts admiration… and three parts unmistakable fear.

Slaughtering all seventy thousand people of the Burning Heaven Clan, such cruel methods would send shivers down anyone’s spine just by thinking about it.

Yun Che took in the palace maid’s expression. He touched his nose and said somewhat helplessly, “Where is Her Royal Highness the Princess? Uh… you look a little afraid of me?”

“No… no… not at all…” Facing Yun Che’s direct gaze, the palace maid became incoherent for a moment. She instinctively felt flustered in the presence of this person who had already become a legend. She dared not look directly at Yun Che anymore and anxiously called out towards the Embracing Moon Palace, “Her Royal Highness, Young Master Yun… Young Master Yun is here!”

Following the palace maid’s shout, a slender and delicate figure, dressed in a light green long dress, rushed out like a rapidly flying butterfly. The moment she saw Yun Che, her pretty face blossomed with complete delight, and she let out a cry of extreme joy: “Little Che!!”

Xiao Lingxi flew over and threw herself into Yun Che’s arms, holding him tightly and bouncing joyfully in his embrace. “You’re finally back… Huh? Are you injured? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Yun Che was not at all surprised to find Xiao Lingxi here. Before arriving at the Imperial City, he had at least seventy percent certainty that Ling Yun would arrange for Xiao Lie and Xiao Lingxi to be with Cang Yue. He wrapped an arm around Xiao Lingxi’s waist and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I don’t have a single scratch on me. If you don’t believe me, I can take off my clothes for you to inspect later.”

“Mm!” Xiao Lingxi gently pinched him with her hand and pouted her lips, saying, “Hmph, you’re teasing me again…” However, her feigned anger lasted only a moment before being replaced by joy. “Hehe, I knew you’d keep your word and come back soon. Dad and I have been worried sick these past few days. But fortunately, the Imperial City has many fun places, and Princess Sister kept me company, so I still had a good time.”

Cang Yue slowly walked out at this moment. Dressed in imperial robes, she was exceptionally beautiful. Smiling faintly, she walked over to the embracing pair. “Junior Brother Yun, you’re finally back.”

“I’m sorry for making you worry, Senior Sister,” Yun Che said with a smile. “I also trouble you to take care of my grandfather and little aunt.”

“Your family are my family,” Cang Yue said, but as soon as she finished, she suddenly felt it was a little too intimate. Her fair face flushed slightly, and she nervously changed the subject. “Grandpa Xiao is with my imperial father right now, protected by Uncle Dongfang, and he’s perfectly safe. By the way… have you seen Chu Yuechan?”

Yun Che’s breath hitched slightly, and he shook his head. “No. She’s not in the Frozen Cloud Asgard. Nobody knows where she went.”

Cang Yue’s pink lips parted slightly, and she gently comforted him. “Don’t worry. Fairy Icechan possesses the power of a Monarch. In Azure Wind, no one can harm her. Azure Wind Nation is small; you will definitely find her quickly. I will also use the imperial family’s power to help search. By the way, the Burning Heaven Clan… was it really… completely wiped out by you?”

“Yes,” Yun Che nodded without hesitation. “Because they touched my most sensitive spot, my inverse scale! Even if the whole world curses and resents me for this, I will never regret it! Senior Sister, Little Aunt… will you blame me?”

Cang Yue’s gaze became extremely complex for a moment. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Xiao Lingxi, looking up, say, “Even though killing is very wrong… if it’s Little Che, then the people he killed must have been bad people who deserved to die! So, I don’t blame you at all.”

Xiao Lingxi was someone who had never killed anyone. She had very little experience even fighting others, and her disposition was as soft as a flower or plant. Yet, her words were uttered with such certainty and righteousness. Tens of thousands of lives were tragically slaughtered, yet she was so resolute… No, it should be said that she so naturally believed Yun Che was in the right. Cang Yue couldn’t help but ask, “Why… why do you think that?”

“Because Little Che is the best, best person in this world,” Xiao Lingxi said without hesitation, blinking her bright, obsidian-like eyes.

Cang Yue was momentarily stunned.

Suddenly, she understood why Yun Che had been so desperate these past three years, and why, because she was abducted, he harbored such rage that he would not hesitate to wipe out the Burning Heaven Clan…

The bond between him and Xiao Lingxi was no longer mere trust and dependence, but had almost merged their lives into each other’s. Especially Xiao Lingxi’s feelings for Yun Che: even if she believed the whole world was deceiving her, she would absolutely trust everything about Yun Che; even if the whole world considered him a demon, she would still believe he was the best person in the world.

This profound and subtle emotion filled Cang Yue with genuine envy. She knew that in this world, there would never be anyone who could replace Xiao Lingxi in Yun Che’s heart.

Cang Yue smiled. Under Xiao Lingxi’s gaze, the slight complexity in her heart melted away without a trace. She looked at Yun Che, at this man who filled her with immense pride… In just two short years, he had grown from the naive youth who was once hunted by the Xiao Clan’s branch and nearly lost his life, into a towering figure capable of standing proudly over the entire Azure Wind Nation.

Just then, an indifferent yet heavy voice suddenly drifted down slowly from far above:

“Yun Che, for your personal grudge, you actually slaughtered the entire Burning Heaven Clan. Your cruel methods and wicked heart are an affront to both gods and men, deserving of divine punishment and utter destruction. Today, this old man will act on behalf of Heaven, personally sending you to the netherworld to atone for your sins… Show yourself to this old man!”

The voice seemed to come from the horizon, echoing through every street and corner of the vast Imperial City, and instantly plunging the entire city into complete silence. Everyone looked up, shocked, at the empty sky, trying to find the source of the voice.

“Huh? This… what kind of sound is this? He seems to be calling out Little Che’s name,” Xiao Lingxi said, looking around in confusion. The words spoken by the voice made her a little flustered.

“Who… who could this person be?” Cang Yue grabbed Yun Che’s arm, her face also showing alarm. Someone who would come to punish Yun Che after he had destroyed the Burning Heaven Clan and shaken the world… Their strength must be terrifying.

“Hmph,” Yun Che scoffed lightly. He quickly pinpointed the speaker’s location. He casually said to Cang Yue and Xiao Lingxi, “It seems a small problem has arrived at our doorstep… Just wait for me for a little while, I’ll go deal with it immediately.”

Just as he was about to move, Jasmine’s voice suddenly rang out in his mind. “Don’t go! If you do, you’ll be seeking death!”

“What!?” Yun Che froze, his brows furrowing sharply.