When Zhang Tianyan was first established, the Holy Son provoked trouble.

That frivolous and arrogant voice pierced his ears like a venomous snake, carrying undisguised mockery and hostility, instantly solidifying the air around Nightmare.

Nightmare paused, then slowly turned his head.

Not far away, a group of young Cultivators, dressed in luxurious clothes and exuding an arrogant Aura, surrounded a young man in a brocade robe. He had a handsome Face, but with a hint of sinister (Yin Zhi). The young man held a jade-boned folding fan, gently fanning himself, his gaze towards Nightmare filled with playfulness and a condescending scrutiny, as if looking at prey caught in a trap.

The one who spoke was precisely this young man. His cultivation had astonishingly reached the Late Nascent Soul Stage, which was considered Genius at his age, but the superficiality in his brows indicated that his Foundation was not very solid.

Nightmare's gaze calmly swept over the group, finally landing on the young man. He quickly searched his mind. He was certain he had never seen this person before, yet the other party was able to call out his identity and origin with a single word... That's right, the Sky Patrol Alliance's wanted poster had long spread throughout the world, and his image must have circulated. He just didn't expect that here in the Central Province, far from the Northern Region, someone could recognize him at a glance and openly provoke him on the street like this.

It seemed the newcomers meant ill.

Before Nightmare could speak, one of the young Cultivators in the group quickly reprimanded, "How audacious! Seeing our Lingxiao Sword Sect Saint, Senior Brother Ye, why aren't you bowing quickly!"

Lingxiao Sword Sect? One of the four top Sects in the Central Province? Saint?

Nightmare understood. So, he was a Saint from a top Sect; no wonder he was so arrogant. But he had no dealings with this Lingxiao Sword Sect, so why was this person actively seeking trouble?

The Saint surnamed Ye snapped his folding fan shut with a 'pa' sound, gently tapping his palm with the fan's bone. He stepped forward, scrutinizing Nightmare from head to toe, a mocking arc forming at the corner of his mouth: "Tsk tsk, doesn't look like much, does he? A mere Early Spirit Transformation Stage (Nightmare deliberately suppressed his cultivation) can stir up trouble in the Northern Region. It seems the Sky Patrol Alliance's people in the Northern Region are becoming increasingly useless."

His words not only mocked Nightmare but also belittled the Sky Patrol Alliance, yet his arrogant tone made it seem as if it were only natural.

The Cultivators passing by had already moved aside, whispering amongst themselves.

"It's Ye Fan, the Saint of Lingxiao Sword Sect!"

"He actually came to Tianyan City?"

"Who is that Black-Robed Person? He seems to be called Nightmare? Sounds a bit familiar..."

"He seems to be that ruthless person from the Northern Region, wanted by the Sky Patrol Alliance..."

"He actually dared to come to the Central Province? And he's been targeted by Saint Ye? This is going to be a good show..."

Listening to the discussions around him, Nightmare finally learned the name of the person before him—Ye Fan. His expression remained calm as he said indifferently, "This Sovereign and you, it seems, have no enmity."

"Enmity?" Ye Fan chuckled, as if he had heard something amusing. "A Devil Head like you, everyone has the right to kill him. What enmity is needed? This Saint simply can't stand a scoundrel like you who indiscriminately slaughters the innocent and challenges the order of the Righteous Path."

He spoke with righteous indignation, but the flicker of greed deep in his eyes did not escape Nightmare's notice.

Nightmare instantly understood. What Righteous Path order? It was merely an excuse. This person had probably heard of his deeds in the Northern Region, thought he might possess valuable treasures (such as the star source core), and seeing him appear to be in poor condition (suppressing his cultivation and his injuries not yet healed), wanted to take the opportunity to make a name for himself by stepping on him, or even seize benefits!

He had seen many such hypocrites who plundered under the guise of justice.

"Oh?" Nightmare's lips curved into a cold arc. "What do you intend?"

Ye Fan opened his folding fan again and said arrogantly, "Simple. Kneel, kowtow in repentance, hand over the ill-gotten gains you obtained in the Northern Region, then bind your hands and follow this Saint to the Sky Patrol Alliance to receive your punishment. Perhaps, if this Saint is in a good mood, I might even say a few good words for you, leaving you a complete corpse."

The group of followers behind him also clamored, "Did you hear that! The Saint is merciful, he's giving you a chance!"

"Hurry up and do it!"

Nightmare laughed, his laughter filled with undisguised mockery: "The Saint of Lingxiao Sword Sect? Is that all you amount to? Only taking advantage of others' misfortune and barking like a dog?"

Ye Fan's Face instantly darkened, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes: "You refuse a kind offer! Since you're seeking death, this Saint will grant it! Seize him!"

Two Late Nascent Soul Stage guards behind him immediately responded, transforming into two streaks of Sword Light, one on the left and one on the right, striking at Nightmare with extreme ferocity! The Sword Light was brilliant, carrying the Lingxiao Sword Sect's unique glorious Sword Intent, sealing off all of Nightmare's escape routes!

These two clearly had tacit cooperation; their first moves were killing blows, with no intention of leaving him alive!

The surrounding Cultivators let out exclamations, retreating in fear of being affected by the Sword Qi.

However, facing this fierce encirclement, Nightmare didn't even move a step.

He simply raised his eyes and coldly glanced at the two streaks of Sword Light.

Buzz!

An invisible, formless, yet terrifyingly cold and fierce Sword Intent suddenly erupted from his body! This Sword Intent was not his own; rather, he had forcefully drawn a wisp of the terrifying murderous Sword Intent from the broken sword in the wound on his left shoulder!

Although it was just an insignificant wisp, its level was far beyond what this world could comprehend!

The Sword Light of the two Nascent Soul guards, upon touching this wisp of murderous Sword Intent, instantly collapsed and disintegrated like ice and snow meeting scorching sun! The two were struck hard, screaming as their Flying Swords shattered inch by inch, blood spurting as they flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, their lives unknown!

The entire scene instantly fell silent!

Everyone was dumbfounded, watching this scene in disbelief!

A single glance! They didn't even see the opponent make a move! Just a surge of Sword Intent! Two Late Nascent Soul Stage Lingxiao Sword Sect guards were instantly severely injured and defeated?!

This... what kind of strength is this?!

The arrogance on Ye Fan's Face instantly froze, replaced by a trace of horror and disbelief! He stared intently at Nightmare, shouting fiercely, "You... you hid your strength?!"

He couldn't understand at all! The opponent's Aura was clearly only Early Spirit Transformation Stage, so why could he unleash such terrifying Sword Intent?! That Sword Intent... even made his own Lingxiao Sword Intent tremble and fear!

Nightmare slowly raised his right hand, and a wisp of grayish-white Nirvana Star Evil, mixed with faint dark red bloodlines, slowly condensed at his fingertip, emitting a heart-palpitating destructive fluctuation.

"This Sovereign will give you one chance to strike." He looked at Ye Fan, his eyes as if watching a clown, "Let This Sovereign see how much this Lingxiao Saint of yours is worth."

Ye Fan's Face alternated between green and pale, feeling an unprecedented humiliation and pressure! If he retreated under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Face of Lingxiao Sword Sect and his own would be utterly lost!

"Arrogant!" He roared, forcibly suppressing the unease in his heart, and the magical power in his body erupted without reservation! A Spirit Treasure-grade Flying Sword, entirely azure and covered in runes, floated above his head, emitting astonishing Sword Pressure!

"Lingxiao Nine Heavens, Sword Sweeps Eight Desolations!"

He formed hand seals, unleashing the Lingxiao Sword Sect's ultimate technique! The azure Flying Sword instantly transformed into nine, becoming nine enormous Sword Auras that tore through the sky, carrying majestic heavenly might, like the Milky Way falling from the Nine Heavens, swirling towards Nightmare to kill him! Its power had already surpassed the ordinary Nascent Soul Stage, touching the threshold of Soul Transformation!

This strike was launched in anger, and he was confident it was enough to severely injure or even kill an ordinary Early Spirit Transformation Stage Cultivator!

However, Nightmare just shook his head.

"Flashy but impractical."

He simply pointed with one finger.

The wisp of Nirvana Star Evil at his fingertip shot out fiercely, not attacking the nine mighty Sword Auras, but like it had a life of its own, it traced a strange arc and precisely, incomparably, struck the most core and most vulnerable node in the energy flow of the nine Sword Auras!

Clink!

A crisp sound, like glass shattering, rang out!

The seemingly unstoppable nine Sword Auras, at the moment they were struck at their node, violently trembled, and then... collapsed with a roar! Transforming into countless chaotic Spiritual Qi light particles!

Pfft!

His vital sword art shattered, Ye Fan was struck hard, spewing out a large mouthful of fresh blood. His Face instantly turned ashen, his Aura rapidly withered, and his eyes were filled with endless shock and fear!

How could this be?! His strongest strike was actually broken by the opponent so effortlessly?! What kind of method was this?!

The Nirvana Star Evil at Nightmare's fingertip did not dissipate; its momentum undiminished, it continued to point towards Ye Fan's Dantian like a soul-reaping ghost! It was actually going to cripple his cultivation!

"Stop!"

"How dare you!"

Just then, two furious shouts exploded like thunder!

A magnificent Sword Light, like the sun, containing the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing pressure, descended from the sky, striking at Nightmare's Annihilation Finger Wind!

Another cold and merciless palm print, also reaching Mid-stage Dao Replenishing, attacked from the side, striking at Nightmare's ribs!

Had they finally arrived?

A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Nightmare's eyes. The direction of his fingertip remained unchanged, the power of the rule fragment subtly moved, and the wisp of Nirvana Star Evil suddenly accelerated, getting there a step ahead!

Puchi!

With a faint sound, the Nirvana Star Evil had already struck Ye Fan's Dantian! Although most of its power was dissipated by the sudden Sword Light, failing to completely cripple his cultivation, it instantly severely damaged his Golden Core, causing his cultivation to plummet and his Foundation to be harmed!

"Ah—!" Ye Fan let out an extremely shrill scream, and his entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, caught by a figure who flashed out in time.

At the same time, Nightmare's figure flickered like a ghost, narrowly avoiding the vast majority of the cold palm print's power that struck from the side. He was only grazed by the edge of the palm wind, his body paused slightly, then he stabilized his steps.

Two powerful figures almost simultaneously landed in the field, protecting the severely injured and unconscious Ye Fan behind them.

One wore the Lingxiao Sword Sect Elder's robes, with an ancient and simple Face and eyes as sharp as swords, locking onto Nightmare with soaring killing intent!

The other was a stern-faced middle-aged man in Sky Patrol Alliance attire, looking coldly at Nightmare. He was an old 'acquaintance' from the Northern Region—the Green Shirt Guest's direct superior, another Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Sky Patrol Alliance Elder!

Two Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Cultivators! Appearing simultaneously!

The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense!

"Junior! What vicious methods you have! How dare you severely injure my Lingxiao Sword Sect Saint!" The Sword Sect Elder looked at Ye Fan's miserable state, trembling with rage, and unleashed his terrifying Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Sword Pressure without reservation onto Nightmare!

The Sky Patrol Alliance Elder also said coldly, "Nightmare, you really did escape to the Central Province! Today, let's see where you'll run!"

The surrounding Cultivators had long since retreated far away, their hearts filled with dread. They hadn't expected the matter to alarm Mid-stage Dao Replenishing powerful beings! And two of them! Now, that Nightmare was probably doomed!

Nightmare remained calm in the Face of the two Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Cultivators' pressure, merely secretly circulating his Cultivation Technique to suppress the old injuries aggravated by the palm wind. He looked at the two coldly, saying indifferently, "The juniors couldn't win, so the Elders came out? Lingxiao Sword Sect and Sky Patrol Alliance, truly a nest of vipers."

"Seeking death!" The Sword Sect Elder was furious, suddenly pointing two fingers like a sword, and a condensed Lingxiao Sword Qi was about to shoot out!

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a gentle but undeniably authoritative voice rang out.

From within the Myriad Treasures Tower, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe, with a plump Face, looking like a amiable businessman, slowly walked out. His Aura was as deep as the sea, and he was surprisingly also a Deity Transformation Cultivator, and he seemed even stronger than the Sword Sect Elder and the Sky Patrol Alliance Elder!

"Sirs, private fighting is prohibited within Tianyan City. If you have any grievances, please resolve them outside the city. Do not break the rules and make things difficult for me." The plump man said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the three parties, lingering on Nightmare for a moment with a hint of inquiry.

"Manager Wan!" Both the Sword Sect Elder and the Sky Patrol Alliance Elder's expressions changed slightly upon seeing this person, and they reined in some of their Aura, clearly wary of him.

Myriad Treasures Tower had a profound background, spread throughout the Central Province, and its strength was by no means inferior to the four great Sects. This Manager Wan was the head of the Myriad Treasures Tower in Tianyan City, and his strength and status were not to be underestimated.

The Sky Patrol Alliance Elder said in a deep voice, "Manager Wan, this fiend is a major criminal heavily wanted by our Sky Patrol Alliance, and he even severely injured the Lingxiao Sword Sect Saint. His crimes are heinous! Please, Manager Wan, facilitate us in apprehending this fiend!"

Manager Wan still smiled, "Hehe, Elder Li, you exaggerate. Myriad Treasures Tower only does business; we don't apprehend criminals. I have no intention of interfering in your grievances. However... the rules of Tianyan City were set by the County Governor, and I hope the three of you will show some Face to the County Governor's Mansion and not act here."

His words seemed impartial, but in reality, he was protecting Nightmare. As long as Nightmare did not leave the city, they could not act within Tianyan City.

The Faces of the Sword Sect Elder and the Sky Patrol Alliance Elder immediately became extremely grim. Although their forces were powerful, the Tianyan County Governor was also a Late-Stage Transformation Spirit powerful being, with the shadow of the Central Province Imperial Dynasty behind him, and they dared not easily offend him.

The two stared intently at Nightmare, their killing intent undisguised.

"Devil Head! You'd better hide in this Tianyan City for the rest of your life!" Elder Li, the Sky Patrol Alliance Elder, said coldly.

"Once you leave the city, that will be your death day!" The Sword Sect Elder also said fiercely.

Nightmare, however, merely glanced at them indifferently, as if looking at two incompetent, enraged fools. He turned and walked into the Myriad Treasures Tower, leaving behind a calm remark that almost made the two of them spit blood:

"So much nonsense. If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime. But next time, it's best if those who come have some weight, not like these two wastes."

Under countless shocked, awed, and complex gazes, Nightmare's figure slowly disappeared into the entrance of the Myriad Treasures Tower.

Only two ashen-faced Deity Transformation Elders remained outside the city, along with a group of dumbfounded onlookers.

Everyone knew that Tianyan City was probably about to experience new waves of turmoil because of this mysterious and powerful Demonic Lord, Nightmare.