213: Shen Lian VS Wen Guhong

"To be able to dodge my saber strike with seventy percent of my power, Tianxing's death was not in vain."

As these words fell, a handsome and unrestrained figure slowly descended from the clouds in the Void Realm.

"Wen Guhong, Saber Commander of the Sheng Yuan Immortal Realm, challenges you."

"Just for that spirit, I, Shen, accept your challenge."

Battle Intent intertwined, and the surrounding earth seemed unable to bear the pressure, beginning to fluctuate with a rumble.

"Please begin."

Wen Guhong raised a hand, signaling Shen Lian to attack him.

"Not drawing your saber? Are you humiliating me?"

"Our cultivation Foundations are different. Not drawing my saber is the greatest respect I can show you."

"Hahaha!"

Shen Lian burst out laughing.

"Then you'd better be mentally prepared. You cannot bear the cost of being careless."

"Just use your full power."

As soon as his voice fell, Shen Lian stomped his foot. Yin and Yang Qi flowed simultaneously for an instant, and he raised his palm, transforming into Two Poles, striking directly at his opponent's vital point.

Wen Guhong's eyes narrowed. He flashed to avoid the palm strike for an instant, then raised his hand back, transforming it into a golden Saber Qi that swept towards Shen Lian's throat.

Shen Lian skillfully leaned his head back, almost brushing against the Saber Qi, avoiding the fatal blow. He then used the Four Symbols Step to sweep forward.

However, Wen Guhong blocked it with his elbow, then seized his ankle and pulled him backward.

Shen Lian's body lost balance for a moment. He quickly placed one palm on the ground, and with his other leg, he kicked back at his opponent's face.

As Wen Guhong raised his hand to block, Shen Lang also shook off the hand that was gripping his ankle.

The two engaged in close-quarters combat. Between their fists and palms, Gang Qi and Saber Qi overflowed. Every move, every stance, concealed surging killing intent within its fluctuations.

As Wen Guhong used both his fists and feet, Saber Qi spontaneously erupted, yet the more he fought, the more his heart was astonished.

Although he specialized in saber techniques, his attainments in fist and palm cultivation were also extraordinary.

But after more than a hundred exchanges just now, he was sure that if his cultivation Foundation hadn't been profound, he wouldn't have lasted so many moves.

Just then, Shen Lian's voice rang in his ears:

"The probing is over. Show your true strength."

"As you wish."

The two leaped up almost simultaneously, exchanging continuous palm strikes in the Void Realm above.

For a time, the surrounding Spiritual Qi surged violently, and the earth qi within a hundred-li radius became unbalanced.

After their four palms intersected, Wen Guhong conjured a spirit saber with his bare hands.

"Cross Heavenly Gang Slash!"

With one slash, the air itself seemed to be split in half at that instant.

The icy Saber Qi fell directly towards Shen Lian's head.

Shen Lian also decisively conjured a spirit saber, ignoring the incoming Saber Qi, and directly unleashed his ultimate saber strike in retaliation.

"Nine Heavens Thunderous Slash!"

Boom—

Two waves of Qi collided, and space-time seemed to be torn apart. Mountains within several hundred li of the Void Realm were all damaged to varying degrees.

After one move, both landed simultaneously. Just as Shen Lian was about to continue his attack,

"Stop! That's enough."

Wen Guhong, however, actively stopped the duel.

"An Immortal Realm eighth-level cultivation being able to fight me, a Limit-Breaking Realm third-level, for hundreds of moves without falling into a disadvantage—I have already lost."

"Hmm?"

Shen Lian was surprised by Wen Guhong's attitude and couldn't help but frown.

"You don't want to avenge Ren Tianxing? You clearly weren't using your full strength just now."

"I just want to know why you killed my Disciple."

"Because he stood with Lu Qinghuan, and Lu Qinghuan is my enemy. Anyone involved with her cannot escape my deadly hand, Shen Lian. That is the reason."

"So that's how it is. Alright then."

Wen Guhong sighed and slowly said, "The unfinished battle today will be put on hold for now. After your injuries recover, we will have a proper match."

"Hmm, you say I'm injured?"

"Although not obvious, I can still detect a hint of something amiss. You should pay attention to the hidden injuries within your body."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Dispelling the spirit saber in his hand, Shen Lian carefully observed Wen Guhong.

"You truly possess the demeanor of a Grandmaster. For you, Shen Lian will exceptionally grant you sufficient respect."

Wen Guhong smiled and continued, "Shen Lian,

The matter of you killing my Disciple will not be settled so easily.

However, considering you are injured, I can give you three months.

Three months later, you and I will meet again at Yunxia Mountain Villa and have a proper match before all the world."

"Then I accept. Three months later, at Yunxia Mountain Villa, you and I shall continue this unfinished battle."

"It's a promise."

Shen Lian still respected such a gentleman; at least this Wen Guhong left a very good impression on him.

"Oh, before I leave, I have one more thing to tell you: beware of Tianji Pavilion. You seem to have touched upon their interests."

Leaving his final words, Wen Guhong drifted away.

After watching Wen Guhong leave, Shen Lian pondered briefly, then immediately rushed back to the Heavenly Feather Sect ruins.

"Go, we can't stay here any longer, we must leave quickly."

Upon seeing Shen Chuyun, Shen Lian gave no explanation, directly telling her and Su Mengyao to leave this troubled place.

"What's wrong, Revered Master?" Su Mengyao asked, puzzled. "I haven't figured out how to break that mirror image yet."

Shen Lian: "Then figure it out slowly on the way. We are setting off for Divine Sword Peak now."

Shen Chuyun: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Wherever you go, I'll go."

Shen Lian didn't meet her gaze, but instead conjured the netherworld chariot again.

After the three got on, they immediately sped towards Divine Sword Peak... On the other side, Yu Xiyan, after being unsealed, reorganized the Ice and Snow Sect forces and began preparing to revive the Yintian Imperial Dynasty's hegemony.

"Your Majesty, all seven thousand Disciples of the Ice and Snow Sect have arrived and are ready for your command at any time."

Imperial Elder Xue Zhibai respectfully knelt before Yu Xiyan, awaiting her inspection of her Disciples.

Yu Xiyan sighed softly, slowly rose, and walked to the main hall's entrance, her long cape trailing behind her.

A solemn expanse of snow-white entered her vision. Taking a deep breath, and feeling the sensation of being alive again, a look of extreme ruthlessness appeared in Yu Xiyan's eyes.

"This place is too desolate. Since it is the Yintian Imperial Dynasty, it should be established in a densely populated area."

"Now, where on the Primordial Continent is there such a place to rebuild the Imperial Dynasty?"

Xue Zhibai immediately replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Sacred Domain is currently plagued by continuous warfare, and its people are suffering. Our Yintian Imperial Dynasty can take advantage of this to revive there."

"Sacred Domain?"

Yu Xiyan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Are you referring to the Xuan Sheng Immortal Dynasty?"

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise."

After a brief thought, Yu Xiyan decisively ordered: "All former Ice and Snow Sect Disciples, heed my command! In three days, march to the Sacred Domain and re-establish the Yintian Imperial Dynasty!"

"Long live Your Majesty, long long live!"

The next moment, seven thousand Disciples let out a deafening cheer, their faces filled with fanaticism and adoration.

Looking at the scene before her, Yu Xiyan remained unmoved. At this moment, her heart was thinking of another man.

"Shen Zhao, where are you? Are you really unwilling to forgive me?"

"I will force you to come see me. Only you can stop me now. I believe you would never stand by and watch me fall back into the abyss."