Chapter 96: Uninvited Guest

“The foremost expert in Tianwu Commandery? Heh, I’d like to know who gave you the right to make such a claim.”

Xu Yang calmly mocked Zhao Tianxun. His tone was as tranquil as casual conversation, devoid of any hysterical outburst, yet every word was like a sharp dagger, piercing directly into Zhao Tianxun’s most sensitive core.

For Xu Yang, who had lived for a hundred thousand years, simply crushing Zhao Tianxun held no interest. Instead, it was far more challenging to make him genuinely feel his own insignificance.

Xu Yang flicked his fingers, and the Starfall Blade, as if summoned by fate, was forcibly drawn into his palm.

Carefully examining the weapon, which was hailed as the foremost divine weapon in Tianwu Commandery, Xu Yang could only purse his lips and shake his head in resignation.

“Ten thousand years ago, this couldn’t even compare to the woodcutter’s axe from our Tianlan Sect. It’s utterly ridiculous that you now revere it as a supreme treasure.”

Xu Yang extended a finger, and a crisp reverberation spread from the blade’s surface. As internal energy oscillated, the entire internal and external structure of the blade was shattered into dust.

Bang! The dark treasure blade, under Xu Yang’s casual manipulation, shattered into a handful of fragmented pieces, clattering to the ground.

“W-what?!”

“He shattered the Starfall Blade with a mere flick of his fingers, barehanded! This person’s true power is truly unfathomable!”

This scene left the Third Prince and Fifth Prince in the audience utterly speechless with shock.

“Hahaha! I never imagined such an astonishingly talented individual would emerge from Tianwu Commandery in recent years. With him, Tianwu Sect’s former prominence will likely be overturned.”

The Eighth Prince clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, wishing he could tear Xu Yang, this sudden obstacle, to shreds on the spot. Unfortunately, as a prince, he could only choose to endure, no matter what happened. He also understood that after today, Zhao Tianxun and his Tianwu Sect would be completely reduced to nothing, no longer reliable.

In reality, the support of cultivation forces is deeply intertwined with the struggle for imperial power within the dynasty, requiring them to choose sides.

Given the current situation in the Great Xia Dynasty, the next emperor will essentially be chosen from these three princes. Whichever prince successfully ascends to the throne, the cultivation forces supporting him will naturally achieve a transcendent status, embodying the saying, ‘When one person achieves enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’

Conversely, the losing side will see not only the prince's direct lineage collapse, but also the cultivation force alliances supporting them suffer a severe impact.

However, such rules are unavoidable in any nation on the continent.

Now, with Xu Yang’s astonishing display, his fame has rapidly spread throughout the Great Xia Dynasty, naturally making him a coveted target for the princes to win over.

At this moment, the Third Prince and Fifth Prince looked at Xu Yang with changed eyes. As for Zhao Tianxun, the Eighth Prince's most trusted ally, he was now in utter despair.

“I must admit, I indeed underestimated you. Tianlan Sect truly lives up to its ten-thousand-year heritage; its true power is immeasurable.”

Xu Yang raised a playful smile as he looked at Zhao Tianxun: “What, changing your stance and trying to curry favor so quickly? Sorry, even if our Tianlan Sect were to keep dogs, it wouldn't be useless trash like your Tianwu Sect, which possesses neither principles nor loyalty.”

“Xu Yang, you’re going too far!” The old Dongtian Realm experts from Tianwu Sect in the audience declared they could not tolerate this and immediately protested Xu Yang’s disrespectful remarks. Unfortunately, their voices were too insignificant to even catch Xu Yang’s slightest attention.

“You’re right. Today, I intend to thoroughly bully your Tianwu Sect. Furthermore, I want all cultivation forces within the commandery to understand that on the land of Daqi, my Tianlan Sect is not a target for any of your factions to plot against!”

Rumble!! The instant Xu Yang’s words fell, an incredibly powerful tremor resonated. The formidable spiritual energy radiating from his body once again redefined the onlookers' understanding of Xu Yang’s true power.

“Oh my god, this person’s true power is truly terrifying!”

Xu Yang soared into the air, coldly gazing at Zhao Tianxun, already planning to truly overwhelm his opponent.

“Now, I’ll give you one last chance: release Ling Qingshu, and you may be spared from death.”

Xu Yang’s words were like the judgment of a deity descending from the Nine Heavens, imbued with undeniable resolve and chilling indifference.

“Hahaha! You, trying to judge me?”

Zhao Tianxun naturally refused, clenching his fists and erupting with an equally domineering surge of vital energy. A shimmering longsword materialized in his hand, and he swooped upwards towards Xu Yang in mid-air.

The sword light tore through the air, slashing down with incredibly powerful momentum; even the air itself seemed to crackle and break.

Xu Yang’s gaze swept over, and a faint smile touched his lips. With a flick of his fingers, an even more powerful spiritual energy barrier descended like a massive vortex, directly devouring Zhao Tianxun’s launched sword light completely in front of everyone present.

“Hurry up and unleash your Tianwu Sect’s strongest ultimate technique. Don’t bring out such tickle-like cultivation methods; it’s embarrassing.”

Xu Yang mockingly taunted the despicable Zhao Tianxun with utter contempt, driving his opponent, who usually cared most about his reputation, into a furious rage.

“If I don’t tear you to shreds today, I swear I’m no human!!”

Zhao Tianxun gritted his teeth and directly summoned his corrupted Nascent Soul in mid-air. A dark, ink-like soul body silhouette emerged.

“What?! Is this truly the Tianwu Sect Master’s Nascent Soul? Why is it so evil?!”

“Oh my god, how is this possible? The Tianwu lineage’s cultivation method possesses extremely domineering pure Yang attributes, so why is this Nascent Soul completely contrary to its own cultivation method?”

The cultivation leaders from various factions watching the battle were all greatly astonished. This Zhao Tianxun before them seemed completely different from the cultivation leader they knew, the foremost expert in Tianwu Commandery!

“Ah, hahaha! Now do you understand? This Zhao Tianxun is fundamentally a sanctimonious hypocrite! The bizarre deaths of over a dozen Dongtian Realm experts from various cultivation forces within the commandery earlier were all caused by this man’s Nascent Soul!”

Huang Tian suddenly spoke, delivering a perfect finishing blow that completely shattered the Tianwu Sect’s reputation. Zhao Tianxun was left with only one option: to win this life-or-death battle! Otherwise, he and his sect would face eternal damnation!

“Heavenly Demon Dance!!”

Rumble! The power of the Nascent Soul exploded in mid-air. Terrifying black clouds rapidly swept across half the sky, causing all observers on the battlefield to feel a chilling sensation.

“This aura…”

“Oh my god! Zhao Tianxun, he’s completely demonized!”

His long black hair was now stained with a blood-red color, and his pupils steamed like two raging flames. The demonized Zhao Tianxun’s strength had reached the pinnacle of the Dongtian Realm!