131: Chapter 131 Cult Leader, Black Crow! (4k)

Boom!

Saber light and sword shadows flashed as True Qi was unleashed.

At the center of the hall, the crowd could only see two blurred figures constantly colliding.

After each collision, a shockwave would ripple out.

The ground cracked and the walls collapsed.

The previously elegant palace had already been reduced to ruins in the aftermath of the battle.

Even if the remaining Constables focused their attention, they could only observe the afterimages of the exchange.

This was the battle between those in the Aperture Condensation Realm.

On the path of martial arts, the gap between each successive Realm was immense.

Killing someone in the Meridian Opening Realm was as easy as slaughtering a chicken for someone in the Aperture Condensation Realm.

Against such experts, unless one possessed a massive numerical advantage to slowly wear down their strength, it was nearly impossible.

Otherwise, no one had the confidence to guarantee a kill against an opponent across a major Realm.

However, within a few breaths, the fight within the arena had reached its conclusion.

Bang!

The two rapidly clashing afterimages came to a halt.

A figure flew backward at extreme speed, rolling several times on the ground before stopping.

Li Mochuan's arm was twisted at an angle, his thoracic vertebrae were clearly caved in, and blood was flowing freely.

After just a few exchanges, he had been severely injured.

Li Mochuan forcibly circulated his True Qi to temporarily suppress his internal injuries, staring intently into the cloud of dust.

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps echoed from within the dust.

A man in a black and gold robe walked out slowly. Compared to Li Mochuan's wretched state, his appearance was clean and tidy, with not even the corners of his clothes out of place.

Ye Wuya’s pitch-black eyes gazed at the dozen or so Constables ahead, who were acting as if facing a formidable enemy.

“It seems the Gold-Badge Constables of the Six Doors only have this much capability?”

“Disappointing. You have truly disappointed this seat.”

As he spoke, his voice echoed continuously.

Lin Wan seized the opportunity and pulled out a bamboo tube resembling a firework from behind her.

The next moment, she pulled the string on the bamboo tube.

Pop!

Flames flickered on the surface of the bamboo tube, and a streak of fire shot upward at high speed. This was the Cloud-Piercer signal of the Six Doors, used internally to call for reinforcements.

Ye Wuya did not stop her; instead, the corners of his mouth curled up.

“Trying to call for help?”

“Do you really think this place was chosen at random?”

The moment he finished speaking.

Swoosh.

The murder of crows in the sky seemed to receive a signal. Their eyes turned crimson as they dived toward the soaring streak of fire.

Under the fearless resistance of the crows, the fire was extinguished after flying only a few dozen meters upward.

Seeing this, even though the Constables had anticipated it, a sense of desolation still filled their hearts.

Ye Wuya let out a cold laugh, his gaze chilling.

“I heard you are the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Demon Suppression Division. In that case, your body should be worth quite a lot, shouldn't it?”

“Get lost!” Lin Wan gripped her long sword, her face frosty and her True Qi surging within her.

She had already prepared for the worst.

This mission was most likely a one-way trip.

Suddenly.

A rustling sound came from the dense forest in the distance.

The sound approached from afar, eventually booming in everyone's ears like muffled thunder.

Boom!

The palace above became precarious, and in an instant, the dome collapsed, allowing moonlight to spill down.

“Oh, there's someone else?”

Ye Wuya raised his eyes slightly, looking toward the direction of the commotion with great interest.

Under the moonlight, a tall man in black was suspended on a crossbeam.

He wore a mask and had no identifying features on his clothing.

Everyone present was stunned, their gazes drawn to this suddenly appearing figure.

Li Mochuan’s brow furrowed as he took several steps back.

He was currently severely injured, with less than half his Peak combat power remaining. He couldn't tell if this mysterious person was friend or foe.

If it was a friend, it would be fine, but if it was an enemy...

Li Mochuan's heart sank, and he prepared for the worst.

However, he failed to notice that Lin Wan beside him was frozen in place, staring blankly at the figure ahead.

Lin Wan looked at that all-too-familiar figure and murmured,

“How could it be... him?!”

...

After Ye Wuya saw the newcomer clearly, he also paused for a moment.

“Interesting. You are the first person who has dared to spy on this seat.”

“However, you have provoked the wrong person.”

He raised his palm, and black True Qi flickered at his fingertips, transforming into a sharp sword that shot forward.

Whoosh.

The black sword tore through the air, moving so fast that only a blurry afterimage could be seen.

Lin Wan's pupils constricted at the sight, and she shouted a warning:

“Watch out!”

This Black Crow Cult leader was not at the Meridian Opening Realm level as rumored.

He was a genuine Aperture Condensation Realm expert.

In Lin Wan's mind, while the mysterious person might be strong, he was still a long way from reaching this Realm.

If he were suddenly hit, he would likely be heavily wounded.

In an instant, the black sword flashed before him.

Then.

The area fell silent for a moment.

The expected tragic outcome did not occur.

On the contrary, Chen Ran firmly grasped that gaseous sword with one hand. The violent True Qi within it thrashed about, trying to break free.

Chen Ran spoke calmly,

“A Move that can project through the body from so far away is quite interesting.”

Then, under everyone's shocked gazes, he clenched his fingers into a fist.

Crack.

The black sword shattered with a pop, turning into countless wisps of gas that stirred the surrounding dust.

Chen Ran's robes fluttered. He spread his arms and took a step forward.

He leaped down from the dozen-meter-high roof beam.

Thud.

The ground cracked as if struck by a massive object, with several fissures spreading out from a giant crater.

Chen Ran cracked his neck and pulled his legs out of the 'giant crater'.

Lin Wan stared at the scene, her heart trembling:

“How is this possible?”

“Isn't he only in the Meridian Opening Realm?”

When she had fought him in the capital that day, Lin Wan had clearly sensed his strength—he was only at the Peak of the Meridian Opening Realm.

Yet the power he was displaying now was clearly at the level of an Aperture Condensation Realm Martial Artist.

Unless the strength he showed that day was all an act.

Or, in these short few days, he had grown stronger again...

Between these two guesses,

the second possibility was obviously the least likely.

But Lin Wan's sixth sense told her this wasn't an illusion; it was real.

In just a few months, the Saber Master known as 'Mountain Lord' had actually improved his strength.

...

Dust drifted through the air as the eyes of every Constable were focused on the two men in the arena.

Judging by his attitude, this newly appeared mysterious expert was not an ally of the Black Crow Cult; on the contrary, the relationship between the two was not good.

As long as they fought, there might still be hope for them to escape.

Ye Wuya was slightly surprised to see his opponent easily defend against his attack.

“This seat does not kill nameless nobodies. Who are you? State your name.”

“Who am I?” Chen Ran did not answer when he heard the Black Crow Cult leader speak. Instead, he simply scanned the scene.

After seeing that Lin Wan only had internal injuries and no extremely severe wounds, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

This Captain Lin was very helpful to him now.

From time to time, she would bring back quite a few prisoners for him, and the rewards for each prisoner were quite good. She was a true model worker.

If something really happened to her, not only would his main body's situation become difficult, but even the development of the heavenly book of prison suppression would be restricted.

Thinking of this, Chen Ran also felt displeased.

“Fortunately, I scouted ahead, otherwise...”

At the thought of the consequences, Chen Ran’s expression became increasingly cold.

Seeing that the other party ignored him, Ye Wuya’s Aura began to surge, and thick black True Qi coiled around his body.

It was clear he was going to get serious.

Chen Ran, however, showed no fear. Instead, he allowed the other party to gather strength.

As the black True Qi on his opponent grew thicker and was about to cover his entire body,

Chen Ran finally responded.

He opened one hand toward the sky, and a blurred shadow flashed across the dome.

Whoosh.

Under everyone's bewildered gazes, a pitch-black heavy blade actually appeared in Chen Ran's hand.

Is this... a Flying Sword?

Even the well-traveled Li Mochuan couldn't help but exclaim at such a near-mythical Move.

The technique of the Flying Sword.

It was a Martial Skill rumored to be unique to the Divine Sword Mountain.

Could this person be... the current generation's Sword Immortal Traveler from Divine Sword Mountain?

Wait, hasn't this year's Sword Immortal Traveler not yet emerged?

While Li Mochuan was still thinking, he heard the masked man speak:

“It wasn't easy to encounter an opponent with a decent Realm. I originally wanted to test things out, but since you are so impatient... I will fulfill your wish.”

The next moment.

Chen Ran moved. He swung his arm and slashed forward with his single blade.

Several brilliant white tiger phantoms charged along with the strike, and the surrounding air seemed to be drawn in, converging at the center of the saber light.

Roar!

A soul-shaking tiger roar echoed in their ears as the sky full of saber light surged toward Ye Wuya.

At the same time, a mind-numbing whisper echoed in his heart:

“You’d better pray you can last a little longer and don't die so quickly.”

The voice was like demonic music piercing his ears, which, combined with that terrifying Saber Qi, made one's heart turn cold.

Rumble!

The place where Ye Wuya stood was as if a tornado had swept through. The entire palace floor was violently torn apart and finally ground into powder.

Ye Wuya’s face showed shock as he waved his hands, and his vast True Qi enveloped him like a sphere.

“Crow Feather Void-Render!”

He crossed his arms rapidly, and with each strike, he unleashed streaks of thick black Qi.

The black Qi transformed into thousands of sharp blades, constantly clashing with the saber light.

But at the moment of contact, the saber light brutally tore the black Qi apart.

Clang, clang, clang!

Inside the hall, everyone held their breath, watching the scene before them, not daring to make a sound.

The speed of their exchange was too fast to be seen clearly.

Even with Lin Wan concentrating, she could only catch a few blurred afterimages.

From the outside, it looked like countless white tigers with bulging eyes were ferociously biting at the black sphere in the center.

Within a few breaths.

Ye Wuya went from being evenly matched at the beginning to being at a disadvantage.

The black sphere continued to shrink until it could only protect half of his body.

Boom!

Chen Ran pressed his single blade down, and the entire atmosphere sank.

Ye Wuya's face flushed red as he felt a mountain-toppling force strike him, forcing him to temporarily use both arms to resist.

How could he have such great strength?

This power far exceeded the limits of the Aperture Condensation Realm; it was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

It seemed the opponent was also tired of the fight.

Chen Ran shook his head and murmured,

“Your strength is quite disappointing!”

Crack, crack.

Under Ye Wuya's bewildered gaze, the other party pressed down with one arm, and the force suddenly increased dramatically.

Boom!

His entire body sank downward.

The ground shattered like a spiderweb, and then an explosion of shockwaves erupted from the center.

Boom!

The entire ground collapsed instantly, and a circle of airwaves spread outward. Several nearby Constables were even blown backward by the impact.

...

Li Mochuan swallowed hard, his gaze firmly locked on the center point.

“What kind of martial arts is this?”

He had worked in the Demon-Slaying Squad for ten years and then in the Six Doors for another ten years. He had encountered all kinds of enemies.

But he had never seen anyone so fierce.

To think that he could trample a Peak Aperture Condensation Realm expert like this solely with his external cultivation.

Indeed, rather than a battle,

it was more like a one-sided massacre.

The Black Crow Cult leader was simply no match for the person before him.

After barely managing a few Moves, he was completely crushed by his opponent.

The dust slowly dissipated.

Only then did everyone see what had happened. At the center of the palace, nothing remained of its original appearance.

Instead, a human-shaped crater several meters wide had appeared.

Ye Wuya's sternum was collapsed, his arms were broken, and he was covered in blood. The bird-beak mask on his face had shattered, revealing his original appearance.

After seeing his face, everyone gasped.

The right side of the Black Crow Cult leader's face was not human skin, but rather skin that was wrinkled and shriveled like a burn scar.

His skin was dark, and his eyes were different from a human's, being blackish-red like a crow's.

“Is this a Yao?”

“That's right, that's right, this is a Yao!”

Some Constables who saw the scene couldn't help but exclaim.

Chen Ran was also slightly stunned. Even he hadn't expected the other party to have a half-human, half-Yao appearance.

“Could he be a Yao?”

“No, he's not a Yao. How could there be such a weak Yao?”

Yao Beasts were different from Martial Artists. Yao Beasts far exceeded Martial Artists of the same Realm in both strength and Lifespan.

The Realms corresponding to Yao Beasts were very simple and were integrated with the Realms of Martial Artists.

If the opponent were a Peak fourth-rank Yao Beast, he would have had to expend some effort to defeat it this time.

Chen Ran shook his head and turned to look at the Constables in the distance.

With just a glance, these Constables first pulled out their weapons as if facing a great enemy, but they soon lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

A strange silence fell over the air.

Li Mochuan shook his head and shouted to those around him,

“Put down your weapons.”

Given the strength of this mysterious expert, killing them all would only be a matter of time.

Seeing their superior's order, the Constables finally breathed a sigh of relief and threw their weapons onto the ground.

Lin Wan propped herself up, her beautiful eyes fixed on the man ahead. She wanted to speak, but she didn't know what to say.

She seemed unable to understand the person before her again.

Suddenly, a clicking sound came from the deep pit.

It immediately drew everyone's attention. Ye Wuya, who should have been dead, was actually slowly propping himself up.

“It hurts so much. I've really... been underestimated.”

Ye Wuya covered his cheek with one hand, seemingly unwilling to be seen like this.

His body clicked and popped, and in a short time, all his bones were reset and restored.

Ye Wuya's eyes were cold, and he made no effort to hide his Killing Intent.

The thick Killing Intent surged toward Chen Ran like something tangible.

“You’ve really made me angry. I didn't want to expose it, but I'll let you see what a perfect form looks like!”

Ye Wuya laughed maniacally. His body suddenly stood up and began to swell outward.

His original black and gold robe shattered and fell away, revealing the bloated and swollen body underneath.

Rather than a body, it looked more like a Yao Beast.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.

A mass of flesh condensed on Ye Wuya's back. The flesh continued to solidify, and finally, a pair of pitch-black wings burst through.

Caw, caw, caw!

The murder of crows in the sky circled and wailed, finally swarming toward Ye Wuya frantically.

Every crow entered his body and was finally swallowed by the black Qi.

Gurgle.

At the same time, the other Black Crow Cult captives also suddenly died. Their bodies rotted and turned into black streams that surged toward the ground.

...