Chapter 486: Arriving at Ciyun Studio

"Demon, do you think the female cultivators of Ciyun Convent are soft targets? Today, you will learn that evil can never triumph over good!"

As Grandmaster Ciyun's words fell, she was the first to gently wave her hand. Simultaneously, the elder female cultivators behind her acted in unison, conjuring an incredibly powerful Ciyun Sword Array.

Instantly, countless sword outlines rapidly coalesced in the sky, launching an overwhelmingly powerful sealing attack against the black ominous cloud.

Countless sword shadows erupted with immense power simultaneously. The formation appeared to wield the power of a Tribulation Transcending Realm, a force no ordinary power could withstand.

However, the very next moment, to the astonishment of all female cultivators of Ciyun Convent, over a dozen blood-red lightning bolts suddenly descended from the center of the black smoke cloud, furiously striking the entire Ciyun Convent complex.

The first wave of bombardment alone caused more than half of Ciyun Convent's spiritual foundation to collapse.

It was clear just how terrifying this power truly was!

Grandmaster Ciyun was filled with rage. She absolutely refused to let the lineage of Ciyun Convent fall under her leadership. She immediately shot into the sky, channeling the thunder of the nine heavens onto her sword blade.

"Foolish! Grandmaster, you have only yourself to blame."

Suddenly, a colossal blue-black skeletal outline rapidly formed deep within the ominous cloud. It locked onto Grandmaster Ciyun's true form and pressed down with immense force. In a single clash, it completely shattered the protective Buddha light around Grandmaster Ciyun!

Her physical body then rapidly decayed, transforming into a shriveled skeleton that shattered on the ground.

"Sect Leader!"

The elder female cultivators behind her cried out hysterically. They were powerless to prevent the tragedy and utterly lacked the strength to contend with the terrifying demonic might of the black cloud in mid-air.

At that moment, from deep within Ciyun Convent, a clear female voice, mingled with agonizing cries, suddenly rang out. Immediately afterward, a graceful figure in a long yellow dress ascended into the air, appearing before the skeletal remains.

"Master!"

This woman radiated nine intensely pure beams of colorful light as she knelt before the Grandmaster's skeletal remains.

This was Shi Lingyun, the next Saintess of Ciyun Convent.

Her most significant identity, however, was that she was another possessor of the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart on the vast continent!

Her Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart had awakened half a year ago, which, coincidentally, was three months after the incident at the Xiaoyao Dao Sect. It seemed the entire affair was inextricably linked to Shi Lingyun.

Meanwhile, the black demonic cloud in the sky was clearly heading directly for Shi Lingyun. It appeared the creature's target was none other than the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart!

"Hahahaha, Shi Lingyun, you've finally shown yourself! Hand over the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart, and I will make you the new leader of Ciyun Convent! Of course, if you choose to resist, the corpse before you will be your fate."

Shi Lingyun was consumed by extreme rage. The nine colorful lights around her converged, imbuing the long sword in her hand with dazzling brilliance. She then unleashed an immensely powerful sword strike towards the ominous cloud in the sky!

How immensely powerful was this sword light? It seemed to condense the very laws of heaven and earth, unleashing an unimaginable, terrifying might!

Even the ominous cloud in the sky was visibly shaken!

"Is this the power of the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart? Hahahaha, perseverance truly pays off; you haven't disappointed me after all!"

The black ominous cloud chose to absorb the sword strike head-on, and surprisingly, its very cloud form was cleaved into two segments in mid-air.

"Excellent, truly excellent. The Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart—my long years of pursuit are finally about to bear fruit!"

The very moment the black ominous cloud locked onto Shi Lingyun, Xu Yang, a perfect silhouette shimmering with phoenix flames, descended from the edge of the heavens. With a mere flick of his finger, he completely shattered the aura that the ominous cloud had imposed upon Shi Lingyun.

Xu Yang's form materialized in front of Shi Lingyun, his hands clasped behind his back, effectively shielding all the female cultivators positioned behind Ciyun Convent.

Immediately after, Lingyao and Long Kun also arrived, their gazes fixed coldly on the oppressive black cloud mist hovering in the void.

The moment Xu Yang appeared, Shi Lingyun was profoundly stunned. The woman stared in disbelief at the majestic figure before her, her entire attention seemingly captivated by him in that single glance.

"You are Xu Yang?"

The powerful figure within the black shadow suddenly spoke.

Upon hearing the name "Xu Yang," everyone within Ciyun Convent found it impossible to conceal their astonishment!

"Who I am isn't important. What is important is: was the massacre at the Xiaoyao Dao Sect carried out by your people? And those monks whose pupils were stained crimson—were they also your doing?"

"Hmph, I see you truly intend to meddle with Yunmengze's opportunities. I advise you not to interfere. Yunmengze conceals unknown powers. Even at your current level, you won't gain any advantage there. Wouldn't it be better to gracefully withdraw from this conflict and remain the unchallenged ruler of your Three Thousand Dao Provinces?"

"Enough talk! My boss is asking you: did you commit the massacre at the Xiaoyao Dao Sect?"

Xu Yang had no desire to waste further words. Long Kun, standing behind him, picked up the conversation, reiterating the question with chilling directness. This terrifying aura seemed to completely stun the black ominous cloud.

"What if it was? What if it wasn't? Though my current power may not be a match for yours, Xu Yang, uncovering the truth won't be easy for you.

Shi Lingyun, remember this: you're fortunate today, but you won't be so lucky next time. I'm not the only one coveting the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart. As the saying goes, 'an innocent man is guilty only for his wealth.' Unless you relinquish the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart, Ciyun Convent will never know peace. Hahahahaha!"

The voice from deep within the black ominous cloud chuckled cruelly, then suddenly ascended, transforming into a streak of cloud light that vanished completely into the distant horizon.

Long Kun and Lingyao moved to pursue, but Xu Yang immediately stopped them.

"There's no need to pursue. If that person is also heading for Yunmengze, we'll meet again sooner or later. Let's address the situation here first."

Xu Yang turned around. All the elder female cultivators of Ciyun Convent were kneeling on one knee, offering Xu Yang and his two companions their deepest respects.

"Thank you, Sir Xu Yang, for saving our lives. All of Ciyun Convent is profoundly grateful."

Xu Yang gently waved his hand, helping the female cultivators before him to their feet. He then turned his gaze to Shi Lingyun, who at this moment could no longer restrain herself. She burst into tears, kneeling before the skeletal remains of Grandmaster Ciyun.

"Master, I achieved the Exquisite Nine Orifice Heart, intending to make our sect's legacy flourish. Instead, I have harmed you and the entire sect. Lingyun is guilty!"