Now, the boyish look had long disappeared from Chu Yang's face. Although he did not possess the extraordinary temperament of Nie Fengyun, he was quite handsome in a more understated way.
Especially after all that he had been through, Chu Yang's expression was incredibly resolute, displaying a maturity far beyond his years.
His sword-like eyebrows exuded a sharp aura, and at this moment, Chu Yang already faintly had the demeanor of the future Emperor who would dominate the three realms.
Thus, when his expression turned cold, the cultivators outside the Heavenly Emperor's realm felt a chill wash over them.
Even those who would one day become quasi-emperors and great emperors felt an indescribable dread in the face of Chu Yang's current aura. However, to the small group of cultivators before him, this did not pose much of a threat.
The leading male cultivator sneered disdainfully, pressing his foot harder on Nie Fengyun's face as he looked contemptuously at Chu Yang. "Even if I'm being excessive, what can you do about it?"
The other three cultivators watched leisurely, completely unconcerned with Chu Yang and Nie Fengyun. To them, these two mere mortals were not worth any attention.
But then, a startled cry came from not far away.
From the depths of the Tianyan Sect ruins, a figure slowly emerged, wearing the sect's robes. Clearly, he was once a disciple of the Tianyan Sect.
The appearance of this person made the cultivators more vigilant.
However, upon seeing Chu Yang, the disciple's expression turned to sheer terror.
That day, he had witnessed Chu Yang single-handedly slay the Saintly Sect Leader of the Tianyan Sect.
Chu Yang's image was deeply etched into his mind, never to be forgotten.
Seeing this demon once more, the disciple was almost scared out of his wits, stammering in fright, "You... you're the demon who killed our Saintly Sect Leader!?"
With that, he turned and fled in panic, fearing that this terrifying being would cut him down with a single stroke.
After all, the Saintly Sect Leader had perished at Chu Yang's hands. How could he possibly stand a chance against him?
The cultivators' faces fluctuated upon hearing this.
They turned their gazes to Chu Yang.
This guy? A mere mortal! Able to kill a Saint of the Tianyan Sect? What an international joke! Though they did not believe it, a sense of unease crept into their hearts. What if that Tianyan Sect disciple was right? If they provoked such a formidable being, wouldn't they be bringing doom upon their own sect?
Even Nie Fengyun was incredibly surprised. Could it be that what this guy had said before, that he alone had destroyed the Tianyan Sect, was true?
"I don't believe it! He's just a mere mortal! That Tianyan Sect disciple must have lost his mind and mistaken him!" the leading male cultivator shouted, trying to mask his inner worry. He charged at Chu Yang, intending to kill him to prove that Chu Yang was indeed just a mortal.
Chu Yang's face turned grim. He said nothing, but gripped his wooden sword tightly.
With a single slash, he struck at his opponent.
The sword light surged, and a cold gleam blossomed.
A cold sword slash shot out, aiming straight for the man's chest.
The male cultivator was somewhat surprised by Chu Yang's speed.
He quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding Chu Yang's sword.
As a cultivator at the Spirit Initiation stage, being wounded by a mere mortal would be a disgrace!
"Are you a sword cultivator?" the cultivator asked, eyeing Chu Yang with suspicion, but his initial apprehension faded.
He had heard that the one who killed the Tianyan Sect's Saint was a Dao law master, not a sword cultivator.
Chu Yang didn't answer, instead taking the opportunity to pull the heavily injured Nie Fengyun behind him.
Feeling humiliated, the male cultivator angrily said, "Do you think such skills can give you an advantage over me?"
He then launched himself at Chu Yang, throwing a punch filled with spiritual energy, its momentum overwhelming.
Chu Yang held his wooden sword firmly, slashing at his opponent again. Endless sword energy erupted forth.
A terrifying wave of force exploded, and in an instant, Chu Yang's sword energy was extinguished, with the residual force heavily impacting Chu Yang.
Chu Yang was thrown back dozens of meters, spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
This attack aggravated his previous injuries, making him feel as if his insides were being churned.
The male cultivator sneered, looking at the battered Chu Yang with ridicule.
But in the next moment, his smile stiffened.
Chu Yang, bloodied and battered, stood up once more, holding his wooden sword and charging at him again.
The male cultivator was surprised that Chu Yang could still stand and fight after taking his punch.
However, Chu Yang's sword skills were too weak to be taken seriously.
The male cultivator punched out again, sending Chu Yang flying.
"A mere ant dares to act presumptuously." The young man couldn't be bothered with Chu Yang anymore.
He turned to leave, as their goal had been achieved, and staying longer might attract other cultivators.
But before he could take a few steps, Chu Yang, covered in blood, stood up again.
Chu Yang was clearly at his limit, barely able to lift his wooden sword, but his eyes showed no fear.
The young man felt his dignity being challenged. A mortal repeatedly embarrassing him? This time, he intended to finish Chu Yang off for good.
He punched again, shaking the very air.
This time, he held nothing back.
Boom! Chu Yang was once again sent flying, crashing to the ground.
This time, Chu Yang seemed to have stopped moving after hitting the ground.
The young man sneered, "A mere mortal dares to challenge me. The gap between mortals and cultivators is beyond your imagination."
He didn't believe Chu Yang could stand up again, confident in his own power.
He returned to his fellow cultivators, ready to leave.
But just then, Chu Yang, covered in blood, stood up again, albeit unsteadily. "Fight!"
Chu Yang shouted the word.
It seemed as if the entire world was shaken by the will of this young man, and boundless sword intent burst forth from him.
An invincible sword heart was quietly awakening within Chu Yang.
"Is this guy a lunatic?"
One cultivator exclaimed.
Chu Yang was just a mortal, yet he was so resilient, like an unkillable cockroach.
"Let's kill him together!" The young man's expression changed, and despite being stronger than Chu Yang, he felt a twinge of fear towards this unyielding youth.
The four cultivators glanced at each other and decided to strike together, determined to end this madman.
Chu Yang raised his hand, and in that moment, his wooden sword seemed to transform into a divine sword with limitless power. The terrifying sword intent swept over everyone.
With one slash, the entire realm froze in cold!