The tension in the air crackled as Yun Xiao's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits. The oppressive supernatural power from the Buddhist elder, loomed over him. But instead of cowering, Yun Xiao stood firm, his Heaven-Burying Sword Soul humming faintly, its presence stirring the air around him.
Ning Yan's brows furrowed deeply. "Yun Xiao, this isn't the time to—"
"Comply?" Yun Xiao interrupted, his tone sharp and unwavering. He cast a glance at Ning Yan, then shifted his gaze toward the sneering Son of God. "Why should I bow to someone who hides behind arrogance and borrowed power?"
Gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd. The Blue Soul disciples gaped in disbelief, while even some of Sword Cloud's own murmured in hushed tones.
The Son of God's body trembled with fury, his voice erupting like thunder. "Yun Xiao! Do you think yourself invincible? Today, not even the heavens can save you!" His aura exploded, a golden radiance enveloping him as his Holy Glazed Scripture surged with destructive power.
But Yun Xiao was unperturbed. His gaze was steady, his voice cold."Words of a man desperate to reclaim his crumbled dignity. I care not for your title or status. You wanted to measure my Sword Soul? Come then—measure it with your life."
Ning Yan stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Yun Xiao! Stand down!" Her black skirt fluttered in the residual energy rippling through the air, but even she hesitated to approach. "This is no longer a battle—it's a slaughter waiting to happen! Do not provoke him further!"
Yun Xiao turned his head slightly, his gaze brushing over Ning Yan. His expression betrayed no emotion."I do not provoke. I simply end what they begin."
The Blue Soul cultivators, having just stood at Yun Xiao's command, were paralyzed by the sheer audacity of his words. Their hearts pounded as they watched the unfolding confrontation.
The Son of God's aura intensified, the very ground beneath him cracking and splitting."Fine! Since you insist on death, I will personally grant your wish!" He formed a hand seal, summoning an enormous golden wheel of light inscribed with ancient runes.
"Divine Judgment Wheel!" he bellowed. The artifact spun violently, releasing arcs of divine energy that cleaved through the air.
Yun Xiao's lips curled into a faint smirk. His sword hummed, the azure glow transforming into a blinding pillar of light that shot toward the heavens. The phantom of the Azure Dragon roared once more, its form coiling around him protectively.
"Heaven-Burying Sword Art—Fifth Form: Dragon Ascends Beyond the Heavens!"
The two forces collided with catastrophic intensity. The ground quaked, the mountain trembled, and the sky above seemed to split as azure and golden energies clashed. The crowd was forced back by the shockwave, their bodies trembling under the sheer pressure of the clash.
When the light subsided, Yun Xiao stood unharmed, his sword pointed toward the Son of God. The Divine Judgment Wheel had shattered, its fragments dissipating like dust. The Son of God stumbled, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth.
His expression was one of disbelief and humiliation. "Impossible…"
Yun Xiao stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Son of God, remember this day. Remember that your arrogance led to this humiliation. And remember that your life now hangs by a thread—a thread I may choose to sever at any moment."
The Son of God's hand twitched as he considered attacking again, but the fear in his eyes betrayed him. He took a step back, then another, before finally turning away. "This isn't over, Yun Xiao. Your defiance has sealed your fate!"
He vanished into the horizon, his pride in tatters.
Ning Yan, though still furious, couldn't hide the hint of admiration in her eyes. She sighed deeply, stepping toward Yun Xiao. "You've created enemies that even Sword Cloud may struggle to defend against. Do you truly understand the weight of what you've done?"
Yun Xiao sheathed his sword, his voice calm and unwavering. "The weight of a sword is only as heavy as the resolve of its wielder. If Sword Cloud falters, then I will stand alone."
The Blue Soul cultivators erupted into cheers, their voices shaking the mountain as they chanted Yun Xiao's name. In their eyes, he wasn't just a reckless youth—he was a symbol of defiance, of unshakable resolve.
As Yun Xiao turned to leave, he paused, glancing over his shoulder at the distant figure of Ning Yan. "Tell Sword Cloud to prepare. In three years, I'll bring the fight to Taboo Tower."
With that, he walked away, his figure disappearing into the horizon like a lone dragon ascending into the endless skies.
The crowd stirred, murmurs of awe and admiration rippling through the gathered Blue Soul sword cultivators. Yun Xiao's defiance was more than bravado; it was a declaration of war against oppression and injustice.
Ning Yan sighed deeply, knowing that reasoning with him was futile took off to the skies, leaving behind the jeering whispers and mocking smiles of the Blue Soul cultivators.
Yun Xiao turned to the gathered sword cultivators, their eyes brimming with new hope and determination. His voice, steady and commanding, carried over the crowd.
"We've driven back the darkness today, but our fight isn't over," he said."The Taboo Tower may come for revenge. The Ten Thousand Swords Sea looms with challenges we cannot ignore. But we are Blue Soul sword cultivators, and our duty is clear: we protect this world, no matter the cost."
The crowd erupted into cheers, the energy of their collective belief in Yun Xiao charging the air.
Amidst the throng, Senior Sister Zhao stood quietly, her black skirt flowing like the tide. Her eyes, calm and resolute, lingered on Yun Xiao's figure. Her lips moved softly, as if uttering a silent prayer.
"Father... if only you could see this now."
As the northern wildlands finally began to heal under the returned light, Yun Xiao looked to the horizon. The battles ahead were daunting, but he carried the weight of his responsibility with ease. His sword wasn't just his weapon—it was the hope of thousands.
"We go home today," Yun Xiao said, a rare smile breaking his usually stoic expression. "But tomorrow, we face the sea."
With that, the three thousand Blue Soul sword cultivators mounted their swords, their collective energy parting the clouds above. In the sky, they looked like a radiant storm of light, heading toward destiny itself.