There were many First Heavenly Layer Immortal Exalts around the stone steps, but their expressions all changed when they witnessed the might behind the Heavenloss Master’s attack.
The Heavenloss Master did not hold back at all, completely displaying his strength as a Second Heavenly Layer Immortal Exalt. The attack was so powerful that even some of the First Heavenly Layer Immortal Exalts nearby had no confidence in blocking it.
The Heavenloss Master was no regular Second Heavenly Layer expert. He came from the Sword Sect of Yang Soul. He was a powerful Immortal Exalt who had comprehended the Laws of the Sword with sharp and swift attacks.
Jian Chen became stern. From that attack, he could tell that the Heavenloss Master was much stronger than the Seven Antelope Ancestor who also happened to be at the Second Heavenly Layer.
Without any hesitation, he drew the Heaven-lifting sword. As Chaotic Force surged in, the sword erupted with blinding light. He immediately produced a net of slashes in front of him.
The slashes overlapped, filling the space and seemingly forming an airtight wall to block the Heavenloss Master’s barrage.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Deafening rumbles rang out on the stone steps. The scattered sword Qi filled the skies as the powerful storms of energy swept through the surroundings.
The dozen or so Immortal Exalt on the steps all began to block the incoming storm of sword Qi. Some of them used their cultivation to condense thick barriers of energy, while others drew out their various defensive god artifacts to avoid being affected.
The Heavenloss Master was surrounded in a layer of blinding Laws of the Sword. He had his left hand behind his back while his right hand pointed at Jian Chen. He seemed to become a sharp sword himself, cleaving the incoming storm of energy in half.
A while later, the storm of sword Qi gradually subsided. The Heavenloss Master’s presence continued to surge, remaining stationary without budging like a divine sword. The sword intent he gave off left a few other Second Heavenly Layer Immortal Exalts deeply wary.
Meanwhile, Jian Chen had already retreated over a hundred steps. He did not wear the Divine Armour of Heavenflight, so he was already covered in blood. He was covered in densely-packed wounds, which was a hideous sight to behold. He had been pierced all the way through multiple times, with entire chunks of flesh missing.
His Chaotic Body was very powerful. It was known to be invincible among his peers. However, the difference in cultivation was far too great. With several minor realms of cultivation and a major realm of cultivation separating them, it was already extremely impressive that he could remain standing.
Despite his severe-looking injuries, Jian Chen’s presence continued to soar. There were no signs of weakening or feebleness.
He raised the Heaven-lifting sword high up in the air. The blinding light it gave off was dazzling like a sun as he slashed at the Heavenloss Master.
“You’re overestimating yourself to be swinging your sword at me with your bit of strength.” The Heavenloss Master shook his head gently and mocked him openly when he saw that.
But in the next moment, his expression changed drastically. He shook violently and let out an uncontrollable grunt. Blood flowed out from the corner of his lips.
“I didn’t think you’d actually know such a strange secret technique. You actually managed to bypass all of my defences and injure me with your measly strength as a mid Immortal Emperor.” The way that the Heavenloss Master looked at Jian Chen changed slightly. He took him a little more seriously, but shortly afterwards, he sneered. “Unfortunately, your cultivation is too low. Even when you’ve grasped such a mysterious and powerful secret technique, you’ve only left a painless scratch on me.”
“Fellows, please surround this place for me. I’ll definitely capture this kid alive today.”
“Hahahaha, you have nothing to worry about, fellow Heavenloss. This person is going nowhere today!” The Profound Spirit Master from the Heavenly Palace of Scaling Heights was the first one to stand forward. He arrived below Jian Chen with a flash, blocking his path of retreat.
At the same time, the Immortal Exalts sitting in the surroundings all stood up one by one, answering the Heavenloss Master’s call. They gathered nearby to block off Jian Chen’s paths of retreat.
At this moment, a total of ten Immortal Exalts surrounded Jian Chen, including the Heavenloss Master. Only a few remained seated nearby without taking any action.
However, despite being trapped, Jian Chen remained unfazed. He did not panic at all. His injuries healed at a visible rate. His rate of recovery left many of the nearby Immortal Exalts envious and jealous.
He looked past the Heavenloss Master, gazing at a region of space behind him.
He sensed a powerful pulse of energy from there. Clearly, something like a trap was hidden there, waiting for him to throw himself into it. Even if he wore the Divine Armour of Heavenflight and used its ability to hide itself, he could not pass through.
Clearly, these Immortal Exalts had already taken countermeasures after what happened at the sword pool.
“Yang Yutian, I’ll give you one last chance. Are you going to hand over the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing or not?” the Heavenloss Master bellowed furiously.
The Immortal Exalts who answered the Heavenloss Master’s call and surrounded Jian Chen all stared at him with sharp gazes. Their faces were filled with determination, staring at Jian Chen closely.
The Seven Antelope Ancestor was among them.
“Hmph, even if I can’t use the Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing to forge a tie with the Immortal Sect of Myriad Swords, it won’t be too great of a loss if I can establish a bond with the Sword Sect of Yang Soul today,” the Seven Antelope Ancestor thought, finally finding some comfort.
“Heavenloss Master, if the elder princess found out that you went as far as to steal from an Immortal Emperor junior for the sake of a Spiritual Fruit of Sword Nurturing, do you think the elder princess will be happy? Or should I say, do you think the elder princess will still recognise your good will?”
At this moment, a gruff voice rang out from behind.
When he heard that, the Heavenloss Master’s face sank slightly. He slowly turned around and looked at the burly middle-aged man behind him. He said sternly, “Fellow Zuo Dao, are you helping Yang Yutian?”
Zuo Dao shook his head. “I’m not helping him. I simply can’t stand to watch a group of sect ancestors stoop to the level of banding together to steal from an Immortal Emperor.”
Zuo Dao’s words caused many of their expressions to change. Zuo Dao was not particularly powerful, but the Divine Valley of the Nine Heavens behind him was a terrifying organisation that no one could neglect.
Only the Sword Sect of Yang Soul that was now connected to the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance had no need to be wary of the Divine Valley of the Nine Heavens’ authority. The Heavenloss Master’s voice gradually turned cold as he said mercilessly, “Fellow Zuo Dao, why are you saying this? If you can’t stand this, then you’re welcome to assist Yang Yutian. However, you better remember that Yang Yutian has killed great elders of the Immortal Feather sect and robbed the medicinal gardens of who knows how many organisations. He has quite a lot of enemies outside.”
Zuo Dao’s face immediately sank. He said frigidly, “Just because you’re connected to the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance, your Sword Sect of Yang Soul no longer takes our Divine Valley of the Nine Heavens seriously? Your Sword Sect of Yang Soul better cling on tightly to the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, fellow Zuo Dao. That descendant of mine is on very good terms with the fifth princess of the Heavenly Palace of Great Radiance.” The Heavenloss Master was unfazed.
“Master, the Divine Formation of the Heavens is prepared. We’re ready to strike at any time!”
At the same time, Jian Chen received the Primeval artifact spirit’s message. The space on the stone steps was limited. Not only was he facing so many Immortal Exalts, but there were also unknown dangers lurking up ahead that targeted his Divine Armour of Heavenflight.
Faced with a situation like this, the Profound Sword Qi was no longer sufficient. Only the Divine Formation of the Heavens would be of any use.
Right when Jian Chen was about to unleash the Divine Formation of the Heavens, a terrifying presence suddenly erupted from below.
The presence was so powerful that all of the Immortal Exalt ancestors’ expressions changed drastically. When they glanced down subconsciously, they saw a bloody cloud rise up from below with unbelievable speed. The surging energy sent chills down all of their spines.