C17 One Move to Kill

"He actually conceded defeat. This is the strongest true disciple of the Heaven Sect, second only to the Saint. How can he lack such spirit?"

"It looks like the Heaven Sect is indeed the weakest among the four major sects in the Mirage Sea Realm, especially among the younger generation." Someone said, shaking their head in disappointment.

Upon witnessing this, Ling Feng scoffed contemptuously, sheathed his golden sword, and departed.

Bai Ling'er watched Yang Dingtian return in disarray, her expression one of frustration and anger. "You didn't even put up a fight; you just surrendered!"

Yang Dingtian spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "I didn't want to, but Ling Feng's sword Qi is overwhelmingly strong. I feared that if I didn't surrender, he would have slain me with just a few strikes."

At his words, Bai Ling'er bit her lip in fury, stamping her foot in helpless indignation.

"Saint, we've truly suffered a humiliating defeat. We can't outmatch anyone. At this rate, the Heaven Sect will be seen as significantly inferior in the eyes of others," Bai Ling'er said with resentment.

Yuwen Tian responded indifferently, "Let's just watch in silence."

The defeat of the inner and core disciples was unexpected for Yuwen Tian, but he remained unfazed. Perhaps the Heaven Sect's strength was lacking, but what did that matter to him?

The much-anticipated showdown between the Saints was next. This was the clash of the strongest among the younger generation from the top four sects of the Mirage Sea Realm, and everyone in the Red Hall was brimming with excitement.

Not just the visiting warriors but also the inner sect and true disciples of the four great sects, and even the city lord of Dongfang City, watched the forthcoming duel with eager anticipation.

Yuwen Tian recognized his opportunity had arrived, but he remained composed rather than overexcited.

He briefly observed Faang Shen, Zhan Feng, and Zilong. Undoubtedly, each had advanced to the Zifu realm. Faang Shen was the most formidable, having reached the fourth level of the Violet Palace Realm, followed by Zhan Feng at the third level, and Zilong, the least powerful, at the second level.

Yuwen Tian was certain that with his strength, handling these opponents would be no issue, yet he was concerned they might flee.

He realized that he couldn't target Faang Shen first, because if Zilong and Zhan Feng had any sense, they would surely run for their lives, and he doubted his ability to take down two Violet Palace Realm warriors in full flight.

"Hmm, it looks like Faang Shen should be the last one I confront. It makes more sense to start with Zilong, the weakest among them," Yuwen Tian thought to himself.

With that decision made, Yuwen Tian stepped onto the combat platform at the Red Training Hall without a moment's hesitation.

"Zilong, come face me in battle," Yuwen Tian called out.

"Huh?" Zilong hadn't expected Yuwen Tian to challenge him first. Did he appear that weak?

This thought irked Zilong, who believed Yuwen Tian should be challenging Faang Shen first, given their known animosity.

Zilong leapt to face Yuwen Tian and said icily, "Yuwen Tian, it seems you think I'm an easy target, hoping to reclaim some dignity for your Heaven Sect."

To avoid alerting Zhan Feng and Faang Shen, Yuwen Tian concealed his true power, only displaying the aura of the first level of the Violet Palace Realm.

Yuwen Tian nodded in agreement, "Exactly, I do find you easier to handle."

"You, hmph, well then, I'm curious to see how you, merely at the first level of the Violet Palace Realm, think I'm an easy opponent." Even the usually composed Zilong was provoked by Yuwen Tian's words.

Zilong advanced, his aura intensifying dramatically. The formidable presence of the second level of the Violet Palace Realm astonished everyone present, as waves of qi rippled outward, making the air thrum with energy.

"Hmph! Now you see the gap between us," Zilong boasted with a laugh. "Don't even try to deny it. Your Heaven Sect is the weakest there is, and you, as a Saint, are no exception. Nothing you do can change that."

The warriors at the Red Mansion were deep in conversation. "Zilong has reached the Second Sky of the Violet Palace Realm, while Yuwen Tian is merely at the First Sky. He stands no chance against Zilong. It appears that the Heaven Sect is indeed the weakest link. I had considered joining the Heaven Sect to apprentice myself, but now it seems out of the question."

"If things keep going this way, the Heaven Sect is bound to fall into decline."

Faang Shen and Zhan Feng looked upon Yuwen Tian with scorn, their lips curling into faint sneers.

Yuwen Tian remained stoic. To him, these men were as good as dead; there was no point in quarreling with the deceased.

"Come on, make your move. Don't say I didn't give you a chance," Zilong said coolly, hands clasped behind his back, utterly disregarding Yuwen Tian.

"Fine, then prepare to die!"

Yuwen Tian's face was a mask of cold ruthlessness. Even with his power restrained to the first level of the Violet Palace Realm, he was confident he could defeat his opponent.

His hands moved swiftly, forming seals as the 'Sacred Lightning Technique' coursed through him at breakneck speed. His body became shrouded in a web of lightning, with what seemed like endless thunder gathering behind him, creating an impressive spectacle.

"Hmm?" The display momentarily caught the usually unflappable Zilong off guard, prompting a cold smirk. "How intriguing."

"Lightning that Illuminates the World!"

With a low shout from Yuwen Tian, he thrust his hands forward, unleashing a mysterious force from the void. Countless bolts of lightning morphed into serpentine arcs of electricity, bursting forth with blinding brilliance and striking power, hurtling towards Zilong at breakneck speed.

Confronted with such might, Zilong's expression shifted subtly. He could no longer afford to be complacent. His hands reached out, radiating a stunning purple jade glow, as a resplendent purple crystal radiance enveloped his entire being.

"Purple Light, Dazzling the Heavens!"

At Zilong's command, a torrent of purple light exploded forth, illuminating the cosmos. It surged into the void with incredible velocity, causing the very essence of heaven and earth to ripple intensely in its wake.

"The Purple Cloud Sect's signature move—I didn't expect Zilong to resort to it right off the bat. He's really out for Yuwen Tian's blood," murmured the warriors in the Red Hall, exchanging concerned glances.

"Yuwen Tian's in a dire situation now. If he doesn't die, he'll be gravely injured," they continued, their eyes filled with pity as they sensed the intense fluctuations of the heaven and earth's origin energy and looked toward Yuwen Tian.

Yuwen Tian remained stoic, silently awaiting Zilong's self-destruction.

Boom! Crack!

Lightning and purple light clashed midair, emitting a jarring cacophony of energy impacts. The visible ripples of force expanded outward in waves, startling the martial artists in the Red Hall with their sheer intensity.

The collision's force was overwhelmingly potent, and the boundless energy churned in the void, which seemed to struggle to contain the formidable power, trembling incessantly.

"Die!"

Yuwen Tian's voice, cold as ice, cut through the chaos. His palm shot out with lightning speed, striking toward the void, releasing a shimmering blue light.

*Boom!*

In a flash, the brilliant lightning engulfed the purple light and swiftly descended upon Zilong's head.

"Argh!"

Zilong's agonized scream pierced the air as he was caught off guard and electrocuted by the potent lightning. The destructive force ravaged his vitality, and in the blink of an eye, Zilong lay lifeless on the ground, his purple hair standing on end from the shock.

Everyone inhaled sharply, staring at Yuwen Tian in utter disbelief. "How is this possible? Yuwen Tian, merely at the first level of the Violet Palace Realm, just took down Zilong, who's at the second level, with a single move—and with such decisiveness. It defies all logic."

As the initial shock wore off, the inner disciples and true disciples of the Purple Cloud Sect glared at Yuwen Tian with murderous intent, as if they were ready to pounce on him and exact vengeance at any moment.

Ling Feng was an ardent admirer of Zilong, the esteemed son of the Purple Cloud Sect. Witnessing such a scene, he had long since lost his rationality, overwhelmed by fury. A sharp surge of sword Qi erupted from him, shooting towards the sky and piercing towards Yuwen Tian with a swift whoosh. This sword Qi was laden with immense destructive power, and to onlookers, it seemed like a lethal blow.

"You're courting death!" Yuwen Tian didn't bother to look back. His spiritual sense immediately detected the rapidly approaching sword Qi. With a mere flick of his finger, a thick bolt of lightning materialized from the void. With a resounding bang, it effortlessly shattered Ling Feng's all-out strike.

Against this thunderbolt, Ling Feng's sword Qi was pathetically weak, torn asunder as easily as tissue paper.

With a thud, Ling Feng's body stiffened. Struggling, he lowered his head to see a transparent hole gushing blood in his chest before he collapsed with a thunderous fall.

"Senior Brother Ling Feng!" The disciples of the Purple Cloud Sect wailed in despair. Their earlier arrogance had vanished; with the Saint and Ling Feng dead, they had lost their pillar of strength. Devoid of vitality and spirit, they all wished they could tear Yuwen Tian apart, yet with Ling Feng's fate as a stark warning, none dared to advance.

"So, you've managed to cultivate the Heaven Sect's 'Sacred Lightning Technique' to such a level. No wonder you're so bold," Faang Shen remarked with a hint of surprise, not denying that Yuwen Tian's combat prowess was indeed on par with the second tier of the Violet Palace Realm.

But what of it? To him, Yuwen Tian was still someone he could suppress with ease.

Zhan Feng also gave Yuwen Tian a modicum of attention, recognizing his skill, albeit his cultivation was a notch higher, at the third tier of the Violet Palace Realm.

The disciples of the Heaven Sect watched Yuwen Tian with eyes filled with excitement and reverence, their earlier dejection completely dispelled.