“As for elder brother… you’ll know once you return.” In any case, they were all going back; why not see these things for himself? It was the perfect opportunity to witness the true faces of his parents.
“…” Yan Qixuan pressed his lips together, remaining silent. It seemed many major events had occurred at home that he was unaware of.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince and his companions were concealed in the grass. Yan Qingyu was by his side offering comfort, which gradually eased the displeasure in the Fourth Prince’s heart. However, he still intended to obtain the Shoujing of the Fourth-Rank Phantom Beast.
“Your Highness, with the Yan family’s eldest young master present, we have no chance of succeeding,” one disciple remarked, rubbing his temples as he faced reality.
“Indeed, Yan Qixuan’s Huanli surpasses all of ours. If conflict arises, we’ll be the ones at a disadvantage.”
He was well aware that with Yan Qixuan around, they couldn’t even think of getting close to Yan Wuxin. He couldn’t understand why Yan Qixuan wasn’t looking for his own full-blooded sister but instead showing concern for his cousin.
“Your Highness, I’ll distract elder brother. The rest of you, deal with Yan Wuxin.” She was willing to do anything if it meant killing Yan Wuxin.
Everyone exchanged glances and nodded. Among their group, only Yan Qingyu could lure Yan Qixuan away. Having reached a consensus, they stood up, but the next moment, a cold voice sounded behind them.
“Deal with whom?”
Who?
They all turned their heads in unison, gripping their weapons tightly. When they saw Yan Wuxin staring at them with icy eyes, they froze instantly.
“Yan Qingyu.” Yan Qixuan frowned, looking at the panicked Yan Qingyu across from him, his eyes filled with disappointment.
“She is still your sister. How can you be so heartless?” It was both an accusation and a roar, but more than that, it was his own disbelief at gaining a new understanding of the Yan family.
“Elder brother.” Yan Qingyu took a deep breath and met his gaze. “If you care about your parents, then stand with us. Otherwise, don’t blame your sister for being ruthless.”
Ruthless?
Wasn’t what she was doing now exactly the ruthlessness she spoke of? Born from the same root, why torment each other so urgently? Yet she was willing to harm her own flesh and blood for her own selfish desires.
“I might as well tell you—wanting Yan Wuxin dead is also the wish of your aunt,” Yan Qingyu sneered coldly before turning her gaze to Yan Wuxin. “Since you’ve come to us willingly, don’t blame us for being merciless.”
The Fourth Prince stood to the side, unmoved, but since the one he favored had already stepped forward, he could only wave his hand in command.
The other four immediately sprang into action. Without another word, they raised their weapons and charged at Yan Wuxin. Their target was clear—all aimed directly at Yan Wuxin.
Yan Wuxin’s figure shifted slightly, her eyes filled with a startling aura of death.
“Die.” She uttered the word softly, her entire presence terrifying. Without waiting for her opponents to react, she flashed forward and charged.
The four surrounded Yan Wuxin in the center. Seeing this, Yan Qixuan wanted to fight alongside her, but the Fourth Prince noticed his intention and, together with Yan Qingyu, trapped him.
Shangguan Ruoyu quickly reached Yan Wuxin’s side, but the next moment, a surge of powerful Huanli struck her. Before she could even begin, she was already coughing up blood, collapsing to the ground, unable to move.
Yan Wuxin’s fists clenched with a creaking sound as she drew a weapon. The sword’s edge was cold, its killing intent fully poised and ready to strike.
Clang!
The sword’s edge clashed head-on with the four opponents. The collision of blades produced a sharp, piercing sound, instantly sparking flames.
The four had collaborated more than once before, their minds in perfect sync. As one retreated, another would step forward, taking turns to engage Yan Wuxin.
Blades and sword shadows enveloped her from all directions, putting Yan Wuxin, standing at the center, at a severe disadvantage. A murderous aura coiled menacingly around her, preventing her from leaping away.
Yan Wuxin twisted her sword, tilting her head to dodge a strike while bending her body to kick one of her attackers.
Li Cheng, momentarily overconfident, was struck on the shin by Yan Wuxin’s kick. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, but as soon as he steadied himself, another cold gleam shot toward him from the opposite side.
Yan Wuxin’s footwork was uncanny. Years of training had combined ancient martial arts with judo, blending hardness and softness, making her speed far superior to anyone else’s. Recognizing Li Cheng’s arrogance, she channeled Huanli with her left hand and struck at him.
As for her right hand, she multitasked, her sword continuously attacking another opponent.
“Master.”
In the distance, a man in red robes stood eerily suspended in mid-air, his silver hair fluttering in the breeze, a pair of purple eyes fixed on the figure fighting ahead.
“Should this subordinate…”
His gaze withdrew from afar, and he cast a cold glance at the man. The look seemed to suggest the man had asked an utterly foolish question.
The shadowy figure wiped cold sweat from his brow, straightened his posture, and nodded hastily. “This subordinate understands his mistake.”
Xin’er, this venerable one awaits the day you stand at the pinnacle. With a swift leap, Xuanyuan Mei vanished without a trace.
Below, blood splattered everywhere!
A weapon pierced the neck of the last royal disciple. Yan Wuxin’s eyes darkened, as if she could no longer hear any sound around her.
Blood sprayed onto her face, dripping down her hair and cheeks. She withdrew the weapon, blood poised to drip from the blade. Her eyes resembled those of a god of death—deep and unfathomable.
The body before her fell heavily. Yan Wuxin slightly lowered her gaze, her slender eyelashes and solitary figure appearing cold and shadowy under the sun. At this moment, she was the god of death from hell, come to claim souls.
At that instant, everyone who had come to watch upon hearing the commotion was stunned. The Yan Wuxin before them did not seem like Yan Wuxin; her aura was so unfamiliar it sent chills down their spines.
“Your turn,” she said coldly, her eyes fixed on the Fourth Prince and Yan Qingyu without a trace of emotion.
The Fourth Prince had lost all will to fight. Staring at the young girl before him, his legs trembled uncontrollably. He realized he was actually afraid.
Neither his third brother’s cruel methods nor his father’s imposing authority had ever frightened him like this, yet this Waste/Useless Talent, once despised by everyone, now terrified him.
No, she was no Waste/Useless Talent.
How could someone who single-handedly slaughtered four Spirit Master Junior Grades like a madwoman be someone who had only begun cultivating overnight?
Escape—yes, he had to leave. Otherwise, he would surely die here.
“Teleportation Array?” Seeing him activate the Teleportation Array and intending to take her along, Yan Qingyu quickly dodged away. The Fourth Prince no longer cared; he fled alone.
At the exit of Duanhun Shan.
The heads of various major families seemed to know someone would emerge. According to tradition, disciples would be teleported out gradually over the course of a week.
At the same time, the royal Great Elder frowned. The Lingqi in his hand had reacted, indicating that the royal disciples were the first to leave Duanhun Shan.
“Enduring for a week is quite commendable,” the Second Elder murmured in consolation.
However, what they didn’t expect was that the first team to be teleported out turned out to be the Fourth Prince, covered in wounds. The Fourth Prince alone, that…
“Fourth Prince, where is Qingyu?” The Second Elder of Yan Jia frowned deeply and quickly inquired.