Chapter 808: Blood-Stained Jasmine (Part 1)

"Sword Master Xuanyuan, in your opinion, how should this young man be dealt with?" Huangji Wuyu asked casually. Since Yun Che's identity had been revealed by Xuanyuan Wentian, it seemed perfectly reasonable for him to decide Yun Che's fate.

Xuanyuan Wentian pondered for a moment, then said, "Yun Che is resolute and remarkably strong, completely unlike Xiao Yun. It would be impossible to extract the Demon Imperial Clan's schemes from him here and now. We should seize him today, and I will take him back to the Sword Region. Once there, I have countless methods to unearth all his secrets!"

Huangji Wuyu slowly nodded. "Very well. What do the two of you think?"

Qu Fengyi also nodded, expressing no objection. Ye Meixie scoffed, "This demon imposter has repeatedly thwarted our Divine Palace's important affairs and even killed Elder Ye Shi! I wish I could execute him with my own hands! However, since Sword Master Xuanyuan uncovered his true identity and exposed it publicly, it's not unreasonable for the Heavenly Might Sword Region to handle him."

Xuanyuan Wentian nodded with a smile, stating frankly, "Rest assured, once I uncover the Demon Imperial Clan's current plans, I will inform you all immediately so we can face them together. When he is no longer useful, if Brother Ye's anger hasn't subsided, I will hand him over to you for disposal."

"Yun Che, do you have anything to say now?" Xuanyuan Wentian turned his gaze to Yun Che, suddenly speaking sharply.

"Heh," Yun Che sneered, scoffing, "Sword Master Xuanyuan, it seems you planted quite a few informants in Demon Imperial City over a hundred years ago."

"Hahahaha," Xuanyuan Wentian burst into laughter, brazenly admitting, "Indeed! If not for them, how could I have exposed your identity and ambition, you demon imposter? Without them, I fear it wouldn't be long before my Profound Sky Continent fell into the conspiracy orchestrated by you, the Demon Emperor!"

Yun Che maintained his cold sneer. "The only reason your informants in Demon Imperial City could remain safe for over a hundred years is that they were under the protection of the Duke Huai Palace. Before I left the Demon Imperial Realm, the entire Duke Huai lineage, all nine clans, had been executed. The Little Demon Empress took full control and cleansed Demon Imperial City... Your informants there must have all met their demise, leaving no trace behind."

"So what if they did?" Xuanyuan Wentian showed no regret or anger. "A century of infiltration not only allowed us to grasp the Demon Imperial Realm's situation over the years but also rooted out you, the newly emerged Demon Emperor, who walked straight into our trap. Their mission was perfectly accomplished; their deaths were glorious! My Sword Region will naturally forever remember their meritorious service!"

His tone changed. "Yun Che, I was giving you a chance to defend yourself. Do you only have this collection of meaningless nonsense?"

"You can seize me," Yun Che's expression darkened, "but release Xiao Yun!"

"Hehehe," Xuanyuan Wentian scoffed disdainfully, "Yun Che, do you really think you're in a position to negotiate now?"

"Guyun, seize him!"

"Yes!" Xuanyuan Guyun, the Second Elder of the Sword Region, responded indifferently. He took a step forward, then soared into the air, lunging fiercely at Yun Che. Simultaneously, Xuanyuan Wentian cast a sidelong glance at Xuanyuan Guxing. Xuanyuan Guxing immediately understood, taking a sidestep to the right and positioning himself directly in front of Xiao Yun, his palm already surging with profound energy... to prevent Yun Che from using his strange movement profound arts to snatch Xiao Yun away.

Xuanyuan Guyun was the Second Elder of the Heavenly Might Sword Region, and one of only two Monarchs at level nine in the entire Sword Region.

Even at his peak, Yun Che would be no match for a Monarch at level nine. Moreover, he was still gravely injured and had suffered a massive depletion of profound energy.

Yun Che's severe injuries and weakened profound energy were clear to anyone present at the Monarch level. However, Xuanyuan Guyun, to ensure absolute certainty, unleashed more than half of his profound energy. His mountain-like aura and oppressive pressure locked onto and suppressed Yun Che, making it exceptionally difficult for him to even move a step.

"Get lost!!"

Just as Xuanyuan Guyun ascended into the air, before he even approached, a furious roar erupted from behind Yun Che.

Xia Yuanba!

Yun Che's words had pushed him to his limit, making his scalp nearly burst. He knew clearly that acting now would be extremely foolish and utterly pointless. However, upon seeing Xuanyuan Guyun attack Yun Che, all his restraint shattered as his rage uncontrollably exploded. He lunged at Xuanyuan Guyun like a madman, his right arm unleashing a full-force punch, viciously smashing towards Xuanyuan Guyun's face.

"Yuanba, stop!!" Simultaneously, several shouts rang out—one from Yun Che, the others from the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary—but it was already too late to stop him.

Bang!!

Two profound energy waves collided in mid-air. A massive vortex of profound energy swirled and churned, then violently exploded. The Sea God Platform below instantly shattered, cracks spreading in a straight line to its edges, almost splitting the entire platform in half.

Though he had long known of Xia Yuanba's extraordinary nature, Xuanyuan Guyun was both shocked and enraged that Xia Yuanba had forcefully blocked his attack, despite him using at least half his power. With a flip of his hands, his profound energy instantly surged. A muffled thud sounded, and Xia Yuanba was sent flying back like a kite with a broken string.

"Hmph!" Xuanyuan Guyun snorted coldly and was about to seize Yun Che again. However, he saw Xia Yuanba's body unnaturally twist in mid-air, followed by another furious roar. With a menacing glint in his eyes, Xia Yuanba's arms descended like thunderbolts, striking towards his head.

"Seeking death!!"

Xuanyuan Guyun's face darkened. The profound energy around him transformed into hundreds of incredibly sharp sword qi, instantly shredding the profound energy wave unleashed by Xia Yuanba. Then, his hand gesture changed, and a fleeting hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes as a dozen invisible sword auras formed in the void, shooting directly at Xia Yuanba.

Before, he had merely pushed Xia Yuanba back, but this move by Xuanyuan Guyun harbored a malicious intent... Having personally witnessed Xia Yuanba's strength, he understood even more clearly that if Xia Yuanba continued to grow, no one in his Heavenly Might Sword Region would be able to contend with him! This very concern had been mentioned by Xuanyuan Wentian more than once. Normally, they had neither the opportunity nor the reason to attack Xia Yuanba. But now, it was a rare and "justified" chance!

Although those dozen sword auras formed rapidly, they were imbued with his full power and malicious intent to kill; Xia Yuanba would absolutely not be able to withstand them! Even if Xia Yuanba didn't die, he would certainly be gravely injured, and there was a high probability his talent would be crippled.

"You... dare!!"

A low roar of fury rang out the instant the sword auras formed, sending a chill through Xuanyuan Guyun's entire body. Then, his vision blurred, and a pale figure appeared before him. Despite his formidable power as a level nine Monarch, strong enough to look down on the world, he couldn't discern how this figure had appeared; it was as if they had suddenly materialized from thin air.

The gaunt figure was none other than the Sacred Emperor, Huangji Wuyu. However, the usually expressionless emperor now had a face as dark as water, and his morbidly pale hand swept through the air.

Instantly, the sword auras Xuanyuan Guyun had fully condensed vanished into thin air. A gentle breeze swept past Xuanyuan Guyun's front... Yet, this mere breeze struck him as if he had been hit by a ten-thousand-pound hammer, sending him plummeting from the sky. He then stumbled back more than a dozen steps with successive "boom" sounds, each step leaving a large crater on the Sea God Platform, causing the entire platform to tremble precariously.

Xuanyuan Wentian extended his arm, his palm gently pressing against Xuanyuan Guyun's back, silently dissipating the residual force in his body. Only then did Xuanyuan Guyun steady himself, though his face was somewhat pale, clearly indicating internal injuries.

Xuanyuan Guyun was a level nine Monarch, while Huangji Wuyu was at the peak of level ten Monarch. There was only one minor realm difference in their profound energy levels. Yet, this single encounter revealed that their strengths were practically poles apart.

"Brother Huangji, what is the meaning of this?" Xuanyuan Wentian's face darkened slightly. "Are you implying that your Absolute Monarch Sanctuary intends to protect this demon imposter?"

"Protect? Hmph!" Huangji Wuyu retorted coldly, "How you deal with Yun Che is none of my concern! I am protecting my Sanctuary's disciple! I'd like to ask your Sword Region's Second Elder, knowing full well that Xia Yuanba is my Sanctuary's disciple, what malicious intent did he harbor to attempt a deadly blow?"

Xuanyuan Wentian pushed Xuanyuan Guyun slightly behind him and said blandly, "You saw it clearly yourself; Xia Yuanba was the first to intervene. For a Sanctuary disciple to risk his life protecting a demon imposter, it's absolutely outrageous! Elder Guyun was repeatedly obstructed, and in his rage, he struck out to discipline a junior who was making a grave mistake. What's wrong with that?"

Huangji Wuyu's voice grew even deeper. "It is indeed wrong for Yuanba to protect a demon from the Demon Imperial Realm, but they are connected by marriage, and Yun Che once saved Yuanba's life. So, while his actions may be mistaken, his loyalty is not, and it is understandable! Furthermore, Xia Yuanba is a disciple of my Sanctuary. Even if he made the gravest mistake, it should be handled by my Sanctuary, not an elder from your Sword Region! Especially not when it's done right in front of this Sacred Emperor... Do you take me for blind?!"

Huangji Wuyu was a person who rarely showed emotional fluctuations, yet his current state clearly indicated genuine anger. If it were any other Sanctuary disciple, he might have been displeased but wouldn't have been this furious. But Xia Yuanba was different. To the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary, Xia Yuanba was an entirely unique presence!

The atmosphere on the Sea God Platform instantly grew frigid. This was a direct confrontation between two Sacred Masters, and their combined pressure was immense. Moreover, besides the other two Sacred Masters, no one else was qualified or dared to intervene.

However, this tense atmosphere didn't last long, as Xuanyuan Wentian's imposing aura suddenly weakened.

He glanced at Xia Yuanba, then pulled Xuanyuan Guyun closer and said, "Guyun, you were indeed a bit reckless in this matter. Apologize to the Sacred Emperor."

Xuanyuan Guyun was startled, utterly confused. "Sword Master, I..." But the moment his gaze met Xuanyuan Wentian's, his entire body stiffened, and he swallowed the rest of his words. He took a step forward, bowing slightly, and began, "Sacred Emperor, I just now..."

"No need for apologies," Huangji Wuyu raised a hand, stopping Xuanyuan Guyun's words, but his gaze fell deeply upon Xuanyuan Wentian... He wasn't surprised that Xuanyuan Wentian would yield. Because that's the kind of person he was. The most terrifying kind of person.

"Yuanba, your actions just now have shown the utmost benevolence and loyalty," Huangji Wuyu frowned. "Regardless of what happens next, you are not permitted to act again. Yun Che's identity is far too dangerous; no one on the Profound Sky Continent can tolerate him! Even if you risk your life now, you cannot save him, and you will only destroy your own reputation and future!"

"I... no!" Xia Yuanba stubbornly shook his head—even with the Sacred Emperor Huangji Wuyu before him. "Whether my brother-in-law is a villain, I know better than anyone. As for whether the Demon Imperial Realm you speak of is a place of evil... you should know that even better than I do!!"

"Today, if you wish to harm my brother-in-law... you'll have to step over my corpse first!"

With things having come to this, Xia Yuanba decided he would no longer hold back. He roared like a beast, his palm slowly moving to the left side of his chest.

This action of his caused both Huangji Wuyu's and Gu Cang's expressions to change drastically. Huangji Wuyu roared in alarm, "Seal him!"

From the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary, True Monarch Kutong and True Monarch Juexin—two level ten Monarchs—rushed behind Xia Yuanba like bolts of lightning. Two vast, boundless waves of profound energy simultaneously enveloped Xia Yuanba, then poured directly into his body, firmly sealing all his profound energy.

Simultaneously, Xuanyuan Wentian issued another command: "Guyun, quickly seize this demon imposter!"

Xuanyuan Guyun, seething with pent-up frustration, burst forth in a furious charge directly at Yun Che. "Imposter! Let's see who dares to stop me this time!!"

Before his roar even faded, he suddenly felt the surrounding air become intensely hot, and a clear phoenix cry pierced through the sky. The supreme majesty contained within it caused his entire body's profound energy to momentarily stagnate.

Boom!!

A ball of crimson fire exploded in front of him, creating a towering curtain of flames. The searing heat caused his expression to change drastically, forcing him to halt abruptly. He then transmuted his profound energy into a sword, attempting to tear through the curtain of fire. However, the fiery curtain in front of him suddenly shattered on its own, transforming into dozens of phoenix-shaped flames that shrieked as they collectively surged towards him.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom...

Amidst successive roars, Xuanyuan Guyun rapidly swung his hands, retreating quickly. After dozens of steps, he barely managed to extinguish all the flames. The power of the profound sword in his hand was almost depleted, and a piercing burning sensation afflicted his hands. The cuffs of his sword robes were conspicuously scorched black.

Although only his sleeves were singed, for him, the dignified Second Elder of the Sword Region, it was a rare defeat and humiliation, something he hadn't experienced in centuries!

On the Profound Sky Continent, only Phoenix Flame possessed profound fire of such power. And within the Divine Phoenix Sect, only one person could put him in such a disheveled state when unprepared...

Feng Zukui!!

Xuanyuan Guyun's eyes widened in fury, and just as he was about to curse, the flames subsided, revealing a young girl standing before him, clad in white, her face veiled by white gauze, exuding an extraordinary and ethereal aura!