The sudden voice from the sky halted everyone in their tracks. The air itself seemed to shiver as the ominous proclamation echoed:
"Taboo Tower's Son of God descends to the mortal realm! All insignificant beings, come forth to pay homage!"
The sheer arrogance of the declaration, coupled with the overwhelming power accompanying it, sent a ripple of unease through the Blue Soul sword cultivators. The governing sword's howl tore through the atmosphere, a harbinger of chaos. Above, clouds churned, carrying with them a storm of sinister energy, painting the horizon in crimson and black hues.
Yun Xiao's grip tightened around the Blue Soul flag. His eyes narrowed, a cold glint reflecting the ominous sky. "Taboo Tower…" he muttered, recognizing the name as one of the most formidable forces in the Ten Thousand Swords Sea. Their arrival here could only mean trouble, perhaps a reckoning for the devastation he had wrought upon Ye Guying and his clan.
Ning Yan, who had begun to leave, stopped mid-step. Her eyes darkened as she turned to face the looming danger."Taboo Tower's Son of God? So soon? Even I didn't expect them to intervene this directly." Her tone betrayed a mix of disdain and wariness.
The Blue Soul cultivators froze, unsure of what to do. The aura emanating from the oncoming presence was suffocating. Some trembled, while others instinctively clutched their swords, though they knew it would hardly make a difference.
Senior Sister Zhao stepped closer to Yun Xiao, her usually calm face now tense. "Junior Brother, this isn't just about us anymore. If Taboo Tower truly intends to act, the entire Blue Soul Sect could be at risk. We must prepare."
Yun Xiao nodded, his resolve hardening. He glanced at Ning Yan, who was already summoning her own sword, a magnificent artifact glowing with celestial power."Big Sword Revere Ning, do you intend to wait, or will you assist us now?"
Ning Yan smirked, though her eyes were sharp. "You have a sharp tongue for someone who might die in the next moment. But fine, Yun Xiao. Show me what your so-called Heaven-Burying Sword Soul can do against a force like this."
The ominous presence grew closer, the sound of governing swords howling like a symphony of death. Suddenly, the air cracked, and a figure descended—radiant, menacing, and exuding an unearthly aura.
The figure, clad in robes of flowing gold and obsidian, held an immense blade that seemed to shimmer with the essence of stars and blood. His face was obscured by a mask, but his voice resonated with divine authority.
"You who challenge the heavens, defy the natural order, and harbor forbidden power. Kneel, or face the wrath of the Taboo Tower!"
Yun Xiao stepped forward, planting himself firmly between the Blue Soul cultivators and the so-called Son of God. His voice was steady, yet defiant.
"Kneel? I don't kneel to mortals, gods, or spirits. If you've come to deliver judgment, then I'll deliver retribution!"
The crowd gasped, but Yun Xiao didn't flinch. He raised the Blue Soul flag, its captured souls screaming in defiance. His Heaven-Burying Sword Soul began to glow, its golden and black hues intertwining as it radiated an aura of destruction.
The Son of God tilted his head, seemingly intrigued."Bold words. Let's see if your sword can match them."
With that, the battle began. The skies roared as the two forces clashed, shaking the heavens and earth alike.
The air roared with power as the golden lion Sword Soul surged downward, radiating an aura that made the ground beneath Yun Xiao tremble. The sheer force of the strike threatened to overwhelm everything in its path. Yet, Yun Xiao stood firm, his calm demeanor masking the storm brewing within him.
Buzz!
In that instant, Yun Xiao's Heaven-Burying Sword Soul erupted. The dark and golden hues of his sword clashed violently with the incoming strike, sending shockwaves rippling through the azure deep mountain. The sky itself seemed to split under the collision of their auras, and the surrounding cultivators were forced to shield themselves from the backlash.
The Son of God laughed maniacally, pressing his sword harder. "Do you think a whelp like you can stand against my golden lion Sword Soul? I'll crush your arrogance!"
But Yun Xiao's expression didn't waver. His grip on the Heaven-Burying Sword tightened as he redirected the force of the attack, his voice calm but cutting.
"You rely on borrowed strength and empty arrogance. Let me show you the difference between power and conviction!"
Yun Xiao shifted his stance, channeling all his energy into the Heaven-Burying Sword. The aura surrounding him intensified, crackling with an otherworldly energy that seemed to pierce the heavens. With a sharp exhale, he unleashed a devastating counterstrike.
Clang!
The sound of the swords colliding again reverberated like thunder, but this time, Yun Xiao's strike forced the buddhist old to stumble back. The golden lion Sword Soul wavered as cracks began to form along its luminous surface.
The Son of God, who had been watching with a disdainful smirk, now narrowed his eyes. "Interesting. This boy's Sword Soul isn't ordinary."
The Blue Soul cultivators gasped, their fear momentarily replaced by astonishment. Yun Xiao was holding his ground against an elder of Taboo Tower—a feat none of them had thought possible.
The Son of God growled, his face contorted in anger and disbelief."You dare mock me, brat? I'll end this now!" He poured more of his energy into his Sword Soul, causing it to radiate a blinding golden light.
But Yun Xiao's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and steady." Let me show you the true essence of a sword!"
He raised the Heaven-Burying Sword, and in a fluid motion, the sword seemed to merge with the very fabric of the sky. The light around him dimmed as his Sword Soul absorbed the surrounding energy, becoming an all-consuming shadow. Then, with a single, decisive slash, he unleashed a Heaven-Breaking Strike, a move that carried the full weight of his determination and hatred for injustice.
Boom!
The golden lion Sword Soul shattered under the force of Yun Xiao's attack. The Son of God was thrown backward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth as he struggled to rise, his aura flickering weakly.
The surrounding Blue Soul cultivators erupted in cheers, their fear replaced by awe and newfound hope.
But the Son of God remained unfazed. He clapped slowly, his mocking tone cutting through the jubilant cries. "Impressive. Very impressive. But do you think defeating a mere dog will save you from me?"
Yun Xiao turned to face him, his sword still glowing with power. "You'll regret underestimating me."
The Son of God smiled coldly, his aura exploding outward."Let's see if your arrogance can match the heavens themselves!"
The battle was far from over.
The atmosphere froze as the Son of God's mocking words echoed through the air. The surrounding cultivators exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how the Ning Yan big sword reveres would respond. Her sharp gaze locked onto the Son of God, and a deadly chill seemed to emanate from her very presence.
"What did you just say?" Ning Yan's voice was low, yet it carried the weight of her overwhelming authority.
The Son of God shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips."No offense, Ning Dajian reveres. But it's rare for someone of your... status to interfere so zealously for a mere nobody." He glanced at Yun Xiao, his expression laced with disdain. "Is he truly worth your favor? Or perhaps there's... another reason?"
She took a step forward, her cold gaze boring into his."You speak as if my preferences require your validation. But let me make one thing clear—this Yun Xiao is under my protection. Whether you approve or not is irrelevant."
Yun Xiao, who had been silent until now, glanced at Ning Yan, his eyes narrowing. He wasn't sure whether to be grateful or irritated at her interference. Yet, her words carried a conviction that couldn't be ignored.
The Son of God chuckled softly, though his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Impressive display of dominance, Ning Dajian reveres. But claiming him as your own won't erase the fact that he violated the serious famine convention. Do you intend to shield him from the consequences of his actions? Even you cannot stand against the will of Taboo Tower."
Ning Yan's lips curled into a cold smile."The will of Taboo Tower?" Her voice dripped with contempt."You overestimate your reach. This so-called 'serious famine convention' is a convenient excuse for your cowardice, not a law I recognize. Sword Cloud answers to no one—not Taboo Tower, not your pathetic 'convention,' and certainly not you."
The air grew heavier as her aura clashed with the Son of God's. The Blue Soul cultivators watched in stunned silence, the tension suffocating.
"You dare challenge Taboo Tower?" The Son of God's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. "You forget your place, Ning Yan. Perhaps it's time you were reminded why the world fears Taboo Tower."
Ning Yan raised an eyebrow, her confidence unshaken."Fear? You think fear equates to respect? Let me remind you of something, Son of God. Fear is meaningless to a sword that never bends."
As the two powers prepared to clash, Yun Xiao suddenly stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "Enough."
All eyes turned to him.
He looked at Ning Yan, his tone respectful but firm. "I appreciate your support, Ning Yan reveres, but I am not someone who hides behind others. If they have a problem with me, let them face me directly."
Turning to the Son of God, his gaze burned with defiance. "You claim I've broken some sacred rule, but all I see is hypocrisy. If you believe I'm a threat to your precious convention, then prove it—face me yourself."
A murmur swept through the crowd. Challenging the Son of God directly was unthinkable for most, but Yun Xiao's words carried an undeniable weight.
The Son of God's expression darkened. "Arrogant fool. Do you think you're worthy to stand against me?"
Yun Xiao raised his sword, its aura surging with an unyielding light."We'll see soon enough."