Chapter 94: A Pure World in a Song

“Kill them!”

Under Zhao Tianxun’s command, the Tianwu Sect Headquarters immediately deployed five Golden Core realm battle groups, totaling 200 members, to launch a full-scale assault on the Tianlan Sect. This sect, which had endured much warfare in recent years, once again faced a fierce battle.

With Old Ancestor Xu Yang absent and Ling Qingshu captured, even the sect’s formidable defensive foundations couldn’t prevent a bloody battle from unfolding across the mountain stronghold.

Splat... Argh!!

The swinging of blades, accompanied by the cultivators' screams and spraying blood, gradually spread from the foot of the sect mountain up to the main peak. The Tianlan Sect’s forces grew increasingly weak and dispirited as the battle raged. The number of their Golden Core realm cultivators simply couldn't compare to the Tianwu Sect's, and as it was a surprise attack, a significant portion of their strong cultivators were away on missions and couldn't return in time.

In just over half a day, thousands of Tianlan Sect disciples suffered more than half casualties, leaving the sect in ruins.

“Brothers at Golden Core Peak realm and above, follow me to Tianlan Apex Peak and dismantle their main hall!”

“As you command!!”

Just as the Tianwu Sect's killing intent reached its peak, a thunderous voice filled with rage descended from the sky. It was Huang Tian.

“You little brats, you’re really pushing your luck! Have you grown tired of living?!”

Boom!

As soon as the voice faded, immense palm imprints crashed down from the clouds. Wherever they passed, waves of spiritual energy surged, and this initial strike instantly killed many of the invaders.

“This is bad, a powerful expert has returned! Could it be Xu Yang and his group?”

The leading Tianwu Sect Cavern Heaven realm expert felt a sudden chill. Just as he was contemplating whether to retreat, a white-robed figure appeared at the summit of the sect's highest peak. Like an immortal descended to the mortal world, with robes fluttering, he stood proudly at the peak. His expression calm, he gazed down upon the invaders, like the heavens looking down on mere mortals, sweeping his gaze over the "ants" below.

“If the sect's entrance is covered in dust, it naturally needs to be cleaned. I was only away for a few days, and the Tianwu Sect dares to be this arrogant. It’s time to eradicate your lineage.”

Xu Yang's words were clearly earth-shattering. The moment he spoke, he uttered statements that aimed to overturn the power structure of the cultivation world in Tianwu County, shocking everyone below.

Immediately after, Xu Yang, holding a jade flute, stood suspended in the air as if treading upon a thousand miles of the mortal world. A melodious and lingering tune drifted down from him. Wherever the sound waves passed, there was no chilling, deadly shock, nor the tumultuous surge of ocean waves. Instead, it was like a clear spring flowing through the heart of every cultivator.

Upon hearing the tune, the Tianlan Sect members felt their mental state and spiritual foundation further enhanced. Conversely, for the Tianwu Sect members who harbored killing intent, the tune had the effect of purifying their souls and transcending the boundaries of life and death.

Subtly, the eyes of those battle spirits, once filled with killing intent, quickly became bewildered and hollow until the clear light in their pupils completely vanished, and they fell stiffly to the ground. In the brief time it took for a single song to play, all the slaughter within the entire Tianlan Sect completely vanished. Every soul that had stained its hands with Tianlan Sect blood found complete rest in this pure land, bidding farewell to this world alongside the fallen Tianlan Sect disciples.

Burying souls with souls, cleansing the world with sound! This was Xu Yang’s most potent counter-measure.

“Those who offend my Tianlan Sect will face certain death. This is not the first time I’ve said this. The Tianwu Sect lineage harbors treacherous ambitions; their crimes warrant extermination.”

As Xu Yang spoke, his figure descended a few steps through the air, and under the reverent gaze of his disciples, he appeared before the leading Tianwu Sect Cavern Heaven realm expert.

“You… what do you want to do…?”

Even a master as powerful as a Cavern Heaven realm expert, when confronted by Xu Yang, who was merely in the Qi Condensation realm, found his first instinct to be fear and a desire to retreat!

“You… are you really Xu Yang? And that flute music just now was played by you? How is that possible!”

The Cavern Heaven realm expert was utterly dumbfounded. If he hadn't personally witnessed Xu Yang's entire display of power, he would never have believed that such a feat could be accomplished by Xu Yang, a mere Qi Condensation realm cultivator.

“The level of one’s cultivation isn’t particularly important. What matters is the ability to protect those you care about. Every plant and tree in Tianlan Sect exists because of me; how could I not cherish them? Anyone who dares to target them will not be spared.”

Every word in his calm tone was imbued with an irresistible, domineering aura. This was the authority of Xu Yang, the true founder of the Tianlan Sect!

“Tell me, where did Zhao Tianxun take Ling Qingshu…?”

How could this Cavern Heaven realm cultivator dare to resist? In his panic, he completely revealed his master’s entire plan, holding nothing back.

Xu Yang nodded in satisfaction. “You are very smart; you didn’t lie. Even if you had, I would have seen through it and subjected you to the cruelest punishment. But fortunately, you seized this opportunity.”

With a gentle wave of his hand, a pressure, light as a cloud yet impossible to resist, emerged. The Cavern Heaven realm cultivator’s inner core was shattered, effectively rendering him a mortal without cultivation. However, this also saved his life, as Xu Yang gave him a chance to live again.

“Go down the mountain now. From this moment on, you are no longer a member of the Tianwu Sect. The calamity this sect is about to face has nothing to do with you.”

The Cavern Heaven realm expert was nearly paralyzed with fear by Xu Yang’s aura. He knew perfectly well that had Xu Yang wished, a single strike just now would have utterly disintegrated him.

“M-many thanks, Great Xu Yang, for sparing my life!”

The man scurried away, finally understanding that in the face of life and death, so-called fame, fortune, and loyalty become utterly insignificant.

Whoosh!

A streak of light returned to Xu Yang’s side. Huang Tian, that old rascal, had already thoroughly cleared out the sect’s interior and exterior, killing those who needed to be killed and ensuring the burial of the fallen. Everything was handled perfectly.

“Shall we head to the Tianwu County Martial Arts Tournament?”

Huang Tian glanced at Xu Yang, seeing his "boss" slowly curve the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“Is that even a question? I will expose Zhao Tianxun’s true nature on the competition grounds, in front of all the powerful experts of the Great Xia Dynasty.”

…

Xu Yang seemed to have already devised a strategy to punish Zhao Tianxun. The moment he finished speaking, he and Huang Tian boarded a spirit ship and flew towards Tianwu County, leaving the sect’s affairs entirely to several elders to manage.

At that time, at the foot of Mount Doushen in Tianwu County, the massive martial arts arena was fully prepared. Thousands of cultivators from various forces under the Great Xia Dynasty had gathered. Although the Great Xia Emperor did not attend in person, three of his most influential princes were present to oversee the event. Among them was the Eighth Prince, who was Zhao Tianxun’s powerful backer and was determined to ensure his victory this time. Dozens of other top cultivation forces within the Great Xia Dynasty had their sect leaders and core members personally leading their teams. The sheer scale of the gathering clearly indicated that everyone highly valued the title of "Tianwu County's Foremost Legacy."

“Ladies and gentlemen! Now, according to the drawing order, each sect will send representatives to compete. Once on the arena, blades and swords know no mercy; life and death are fated. However, the weaker party retains the right to forfeit and stop the match at any point.”

“For the first match, Huatian Gate versus Longquan Sect! Representatives from both sides, please come to the stage!”