Chapter 357: Confrontation
"He's a Level 6 King Xuan! And he's been at this level for many years, his profound force extremely deep, carrying an abnormally sharp aura." Mo Li said cautiously, "I didn't expect that on this land, there would actually be someone who has set foot into the mid-stage King Xuan realm. With your current strength, you are absolutely no match for him."
Mid-stage King Xuan. Yun Che turned his gaze southward, his expression heavy. After listening to Mo Li's words, a name immediately came to Yun Che's mind... and along with it, the warning Ling Jie had given him that day.
The number one person of Cang Feng — Ling Tianni!!
In all of Cang Feng, the only one with such strength was Ling Tianni!
Ling Jie's warning had come true... no, it was even more thorough than his warning. Not only had he made a move, but he had personally pursued all the way to the Imperial City, and had transmitted his voice across the entire city, declaring his intent to take Yun Che's life!
Ling Tianni, the previous sect master of Tian Jian Villa, was the pinnacle myth of the Cang Feng Empire, and the universally recognized number one person of Cang Feng. In his youth, he had shaken the world with his fame, obsessed with the sword as if it were his very nature. Twenty years ago, he had become the world's number one, his profound force and sword mastery reaching the pinnacle, unmatched by any. To this day, he had not shown himself in front of others for a full twenty years, but the myth of Ling Tianni had always circulated throughout the Cang Feng Empire. Young profound practitioners mostly grew up listening to his legends, developing an endless yearning for his greatness.
And now, this mythical pinnacle figure had appeared before the public, his purpose being to kill Yun Che.
Only Yun Che had ever received such an honor.
When Ling Tianni had made his declaration, he was already quite close to Yun Che. Yun Che could sense that he was now less than three li from the front of the Imperial Palace. He even suspected that Ling Tianni had already discovered his location but simply didn't want to enter the palace to make his move.
After all, Tian Jian Villa and the Cang Feng Imperial Clan had a deep connection from their origins.
"Until the destruction of the Fen Tian Sect, he never appeared. I thought all my worries were unnecessary, but I didn't expect that he would finally show up." Yun Che said quietly to Mo Li. "But since he's already chased me to this point and even transmitted his voice across the entire city just to force me out... if I retreat and don't respond, would that be like me, Yun Che?"
"Hmph, I knew you'd say that!" Mo Li said with great disdain. "If you're unwilling to flee, then by all means charge forward and fight him. Although you can't defeat him, you have the protection of the Dragon God's bloodline, so it won't be that easy for him to kill you. But if you don't know when to advance or retreat, you will undoubtedly die."
"I understand. My life is more precious than anything. How could I allow myself to die here for nothing... Since he's come, it's perfect. Let me see for myself this world-renowned number one person of Cang Feng!"
"Little Chan, let's go!"
The Snow Phoenix Beast carried Yun Che, let out a long cry, and flew straight toward the direction where Ling Tianni was located. And the moment the Snow Phoenix Beast took to the air, a heavy, mountain-like aura firmly locked onto Yun Che's body.
"What? That person is... Ling Tianni? The legendary Sword Saint?"
After all, this was the Imperial City. Among the older generation, many had witnessed the Sword Saint's glory in his younger days. Thus, when Ling Tianni appeared in the sky above the Imperial City, some elders cried out his name with shocked voices.
"Sword... Sword Saint? The legendary Sword Saint? My god! I've actually seen this myth of Cang Feng with my own eyes!"
"No wonder Ling Tianni is so determined to kill Yun Che... besides the Sword Saint, who else has such strength and spirit?"
"Yun Che is in big trouble now. No matter how monstrous he is, he can't possibly be a match for the Sword Saint. If Yun Che is smart enough, he should hide immediately."
"I heard the Sword Saint has been out of worldly affairs for twenty years. This time, the destruction of the Fen Tian Sect shook Cang Feng, and even he was stirred."
"I heard the Sword Saint has a temper as straight as a sword, hating evil as much as an enemy. He had a deep friendship with Fen Yijue, the former sect master of Fen Tian, back in the day. It's not surprising at all that he personally appeared after Yun Che wiped out the Fen Tian Sect."
Three li in front of the Imperial Palace, a black figure floated in the air, a black robe rustling loudly in the strong wind. Below him, the crowd gathered more and more densely, discussions filling the sky, countless people surging toward this spot, looking up at the legendary Sword Saint.
At this moment, a long cry came from the direction of the Imperial Palace. Soon, a streak of white shadow approached like lightning, stopping in front of the black-robed man, facing him.
"Ah? It's... it's Yun Che!"
"He was actually in the Imperial City all along... and he's appeared!"
"Although his strength is monstrous enough to destroy the Fen Tian Sect, he's no match for the Sword Saint... The Sword Saint clearly wants to kill him, but he actually dares to show up!"
"This is going to be quite a show."
Ling Tianni appeared to be around forty years old. Although he was the father of Ling Yuefeng of Tian Jian Villa, he actually looked younger than Ling Yuefeng. His appearance was about sixty percent similar to Ling Yuefeng's, but the sword aura naturally emanating from his body was several times sharper than Ling Yuefeng's.
The moment Ling Tianni's gaze turned to Yun Che... merely his gaze made Yun Che instantly feel a terrifying sensation as if several sword auras were stabbing into his body.
"You are Yun Che?" Ling Tianni spoke slowly, his voice as calm as water.
"Junior Yun Che pays respects to Senior Ling. To have the honor of meeting the legendary Sword Saint is the fortune of three lifetimes for this junior." Yun Che said politely and courteously.
"So young, with profound force only at Level 7 Earth Xuan, yet able to bring about the destruction of the Fen Tian Sect. Such an achievement—when I was young, I was far from your equal." Ling Tianni's cold praise was given. For the Sword Saint to personally utter the words "far from your equal," Yun Che was undoubtedly the first. But after the praise came an icy killing intent: "With your talent, you could have looked down upon Cang Feng, become a grandmaster of your generation, reach a height that even my Tian Jian Villa could only gaze up at. If you were to represent Cang Feng in the upcoming Heaven's Mystery Seven Nations Ranking Battle, you might have changed the shame of Cang Feng's last-place millennium and gained supreme glory. But your heart is so vicious! For personal grudges, you massacred the entire Fen Tian Sect, all seventy-three thousand six hundred people! Such conduct is outrageous!"
Yun Che, however, smiled faintly and said, "Senior, you exaggerate. Although I cannot claim to be a good person, I certainly do not dare to call myself 'vicious.' I have killed many, but I have never killed anyone without reason. I destroyed the Fen Tian Sect because they crossed my bottom line. They brought it upon themselves. I also took this opportunity to show everyone the consequences of touching my loved ones... But this matter is a personal grudge between me and the Fen Tian Sect. How is it any of your business?"
"Hmph, the tragedy of the Fen Tian Sect is an outrage that angers both gods and men. A venomous beast like you deserves heaven's punishment, and everyone has the right to kill you! I am killing you to carry out heaven's will!"
"Carry out heaven's will? Hahahaha!" Yun Che laughed loudly, his tone turning cold: "My contact with the Fen Tian Sect was not long, but I deeply felt the despicable and lowly nature of their conduct. In these thousand years, the evil deeds committed by this sect must be countless. The number of people they have bullied with their power, or even directly or indirectly killed, far exceeds seventy-three thousand six hundred! Where were you back then? Why didn't you come out to carry out heaven's will?"
Ling Tianni suddenly fell silent.
"I have heard that Tian Jian Villa and the Cang Feng Imperial Clan have a very deep connection. The founder of your Tian Jian Villa and the founding emperor of the Cang Feng Imperial Clan were brothers who shared life and death. When they established Tian Jian Villa and the Cang Feng Imperial Clan respectively, they swore to depend on and support each other through the ages. But as Tian Jian Villa grew increasingly prosperous and found the Tian Wei Sword Domain as its backing, the Cang Feng Imperial Clan weakened day by day. By today, they are even more beset by crises. Even the Cang Feng emperor has fallen victim to schemes. With the power of your Tian Jian Villa, you could not have been unaware of the crisis facing the Cang Feng Imperial Clan, yet during this time, why was there not a single sign of help from your Tian Jian Villa? You claim to carry out heaven's will, yet why have you completely disregarded this most basic of moral duties? On the other hand, I saved the life of the Cang Feng emperor. If not for my intervention, the Cang Feng emperor would now be dead. When you die, how will you face your ancestors?"
Yun Che pointed at Ling Tianni, his brows furrowed: "Your so-called 'carrying out heaven's will' is a joke in my ears! You have no right to condemn me! If it weren't for your title of 'Sword Saint,' I wouldn't even have the interest to look at you today! Instead... I destroyed the entire Fen Tian Sect. Not only did I vent my hatred, but I truly carried out heaven's will!"
Ling Tianni had come to call Yun Che to account. Facing Yun Che, who had slaughtered the entire Fen Tian Sect and committed a shocking blood debt, he was originally on the side of righteousness, unafraid to act publicly, and even intended to execute Yun Che before the crowd. Unexpectedly, he was instead rebuked by Yun Che in front of everyone. Every word hit the vital point, striking directly at his weakness, leaving Ling Tianni unable to counter. The one who had come to "carry out heaven's will" was instead reversed by Yun Che's few words into a heartless and unjust person. Moreover, under the list of reasons, the crowd below couldn't help but feel a sense of agreement.
Especially those profound practitioners who had often been oppressed by powerful sects but dared not speak out, some of Yun Che's words struck directly at their hearts. Those who had once suffered from the Fen Tian Sect or its outer branches clenched their fists, their emotions surging, and their admiration for the Sword Saint faded somewhat.
Ling Tianni let out a long sigh: "Not only are your talents astonishing and your strength world-shaking, but you are also so sharp-tongued. But even if you can turn flowers into gold, it cannot cover up the monstrous blood debt you have committed. For the seventy thousand souls who died at your hands, today, I will surely execute you by my sword. No amount of reasons will let you escape death."
"Heh!" Yun Che sneered. "Do you think I wasted my breath saying all that just now to make you spare me? You flatter yourself. You are not qualified to make me afraid, let alone kill me."
Facing someone who wanted to kill him, Yun Che naturally would not put on any false politeness. He swung his arm, and the nine-foot Dragon Gate materialized in his hand, producing a dragon's roar that shook the sky. "Today, I will test you, the Sword Saint, and see if your 'dao' is worthy of challenging my 'dao'!"
Yun Che leaped down from the Snow Phoenix Beast, activated Heart Incineration, and his aura surged dramatically. Dragon Gate carved a pitch-black trajectory through the air, smashing toward Ling Tianni with a force that stirred the wind and clouds.
Ling Tianni slowly lifted his gaze. In his hand, a cyan long sword appeared silently. The sword body had no luster, no gleam, and even showed no edge, but held in the Sword Saint's hand, it released an intimidating aura that made it impossible to look directly at.
Meeting Yun Che's strike that contained a violent power, Ling Tianni did not move his body, showing no intention of avoiding the edge. Instead, he faced Dragon Gate and slowly thrust out his sword.
Indeed, slowly. Whether it was Yun Che or anyone below, even a Xuan Entry realm profound practitioner, they could clearly see the trajectory of the sword's movement. But, although it was such a slow thrust, it seemed to transcend space, even time itself. Half a breath ago, it was still thirty zhang away; half a breath later, it had slowly... thrust toward Yun Che's chest.
An extremely dangerous aura suddenly assaulted him. Before his chest, a surging wave of force—as if mountains were collapsing and the earth splitting—appeared without any warning. An intense pain also came from his chest region. Yun Che was greatly shocked, and without a second thought, he suddenly activated Star God Remnant Shadow to flash away, then quickly rolled and landed.
When he landed, his chest was already gushing blood. Two half-foot-long sword wounds were deeply imprinted on it... and Yun Che didn't even know how his sword had struck him.
...