Unlike the head-on clash between Lin Chongyang and Fang Jing, the battle between the white-robed immortal Luo Yi and the blue-robed immortal Li Yanfeng showcased a different style. Both were soaring through the air, engaging in a fast-paced fight, flitting about like butterflies among flowers, making it hard for onlookers to follow their movements. The thousands of watching cultivators could only see two streaks of lightning—a white one and a blue one—chasing each other in the sky.
Despite Guo Xingyue's keen eyesight, he couldn't make out the details of Luo Yi and Li Yanfeng's combat; however, he instinctively felt that Li Yanfeng seemed to be at a slight disadvantage. Neither of the immortals was using their artifacts, engaging instead in barehanded combat. After a while, Li Yanfeng appeared to suffer some setbacks and created some distance from Luo Yi with a sudden shift. He then unleashed a blade-like artifact toward Luo Yi, who smirked dismissively. "A grain of rice can also shine!" he taunted, summoning his own artifact—a silver-white sword that streaked through the air like a lightning bolt, fiercely colliding with Li Yanfeng's blade.
Luo Yi's attack seemed significantly stronger than Li Yanfeng's; not only did he send Li Yanfeng's blade flying, but he also charged forward without losing momentum, racing toward Li Yanfeng. Unperturbed, Li Yanfeng summoned a shield to block Luo Yi's sword. A thunderous crash followed, and the remnants of their clash caused the surrounding area to erupt into chaos, sending dust and debris flying.
Though Luo Yi's attack was deflected, the impact sent Li Yanfeng hurtling backward. He wasn't injured but looked far from comfortable. It was clear that Luo Yi's power exceeded Li Yanfeng's, but given the number of artifacts at Li Yanfeng's disposal, defeating him would not be an easy task for Luo Yi.
Guo Xingyue was mesmerized by the ongoing battle. Both Luo Yi's swordplay and Li Yanfeng's use of artifacts provided him with deep insights. Particularly, Luo Yi's swordsmanship left a lasting impression: though he was a martial cultivator with greater offensive power than Li Yanfeng, he didn't rely solely on brute strength. The silver sword moved with a rhythm, sometimes fast as lightning, other times slow and heavy, at times darting forward like a rabbit, at others remaining as still as a maiden—an embodiment of mastery in swordsmanship. Meanwhile, Li Yanfeng's numerous artifacts danced in the air, working in harmony. Some attacked while others defended, even forming an array in the sky. Although Li Yanfeng was at a slight disadvantage in terms of offensive capability, his sheer number of artifacts and clever tactics helped him mitigate Luo Yi's strength. It was evident that he was not without options in this battle.
The fierce battle continued from noon until the sun began to set. While Luo Yi and Li Yanfeng remained locked in a struggle, it became clear that Li Yanfeng was increasingly on the defensive. Meanwhile, the confrontation between Lin Chongyang and Fang Jing was reaching its climax. The rules of a direct confrontation dictated that the stronger would triumph, and while both were evenly matched, Lin Chongyang had a slight edge over Fang Jing. Exhausted and nearing the end of his endurance, Fang Jing found it increasingly difficult to hold on.
Although Lin Chongyang was also expending considerable energy, he was faring slightly better than Fang Jing. Spotting his opponent's weakening state, he let out a hearty laugh and commanded his Mixed Yuan Hammer to smash down upon Fang Jing. At this point, Fang Jing was so drained that he lacked the strength to evade, much less defend himself. He could only withdraw his Celestial Ruler and brace for impact, waiting for the inevitable.
However, just as the Mixed Yuan Hammer was about to strike Fang Jing, it was caught by a mysterious figure in blue who appeared out of nowhere.
As soon as the figure emerged, Luo Yi and Li Yanfeng halted their combat, retracting their artifacts and landing on the ground. The newcomer tossed the Mixed Yuan Hammer back to Lin Chongyang and coldly remarked, "Have you all had enough? Have you forgotten the agreements with the celestial realm?"
Lin Chongyang opened his mouth to respond, but the figure raised a hand, saying, "I know the details. You've caused quite a stir with your unauthorized descent. If it weren't for the support of the Celestial Emperor, you wouldn't stand a chance of returning to the heavenly realm."
At the mention of the Celestial Emperor, the four immortals fell silent, exchanging apprehensive glances. The figure, showing no intention to continue speaking, turned to Luo Yi and instructed, "Have your disciples release the captives. Once the matter is resolved, you will return to the celestial realm immediately."
With that, he vanished into thin air.
What had begun as a magnificent, thousands-of-years-in-the-making battle in the cultivation world concluded abruptly, with no clear victor and both sides suffering significant losses. All cultivators involved were injured, and the four immortals led their respective disciples back to their sects. Guo Xingyue returned to the Jinshi Sect with the group.
The Jinshi Sect was left with around fifty to sixty injured experts, all showing signs of battle fatigue. The grand hall of the Jinshi Sect had turned into a makeshift infirmary. Although the experts quickly consumed the recovery pills provided by Guo Xingyue to stabilize their injuries, they would still require time to heal properly. To avoid any further complications, many invited guests chose to recuperate within the Jinshi Sect, while all the cultivators above the Dividing Spirit stage there bore their own injuries. As a result, Li Yanfeng stayed at the Jinshi Sect to oversee matters.
Though Guo Xingyue was only slightly injured, he was worried about his elder brother. Upon returning to the Jinshi Sect, he made his way to Ye Mingcheng's home and recounted the details of the recent battle. A few days later, disciples from the Jinshi Sect returned with Ye Yue, who had been taken by the Sword Heart Sect. Their original aim had been the recovery pill, and they hadn't mistreated Ye Yue, but the young girl, unaccustomed to such hardship, had been understandably anxious. As soon as she returned home, she threw herself into her mother's embrace, crying out her grievances.
Along with bringing Ye Yue back, the disciples conveyed a message from Li Yanfeng: he wished to meet with Guo Xingyue for a discussion. Since Guo Xingyue had many questions he wanted to ask Li Yanfeng, he arranged his younger brother Ye Kai's training plan and then accompanied the Jinshi Sect disciples to the Grand Elder's Hall.