The most unexpected thing was that Feng Ming, who had ventured into the Demon Cave together with me, also sent a letter. In it, he mentioned that during the previous encounter, it was entirely thanks to Zhang Yan that he managed to escape the cave alive. He reflected that despite his own humble status, if there were anything Zhang Yan needed of him, he would spare no effort in fulfilling it, and would never reject the request. Judging by the sincerity of his words, there seemed no falsehood at all.
Human sentiments, warm or cold as they may be, are laid bare within these few letters.
However, Zhang Yan merely smiled faintly and thought to himself: "How could you possibly know my plans?"
At that moment, he heard a commotion outside his Cave Mansion. He lifted his gaze and asked, "What’s going on outside the door?"
Shang Shang hurriedly entered the Cave Mansion, bowed respectfully, and said, "Reporting to Master, there are people outside the island seeking an audience. They claim to be old acquaintances of yours, but I noticed their hostile expressions, and feared they weren’t here with good intentions. Therefore, I dared not let them in without your permission."
Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow, stood up, and strode out of the Cave Mansion. Looking skyward, he scanned the group above. Ever since embarking upon his cultivation path, anyone Zhang Yan had met was not someone he’d forget. One glance was all it took for him to recognize where these people had come from. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he thought to himself: "I haven’t truly met my end, yet these demons and ghosts dare to show themselves."
With a cold smile, he retrieved a token from his sleeve and casually activated the Prohibition. He was curious to see what business these people had coming here.
Led by Wan Zhang, this group descended arrogantly at the front of Zhang Yan’s Cave Mansion. Zhang Yan observed them further and realized that most of the young men who had previously stormed the Elixir Cauldron Institute were included in this group.
A young man in blue robes cast a piercing glance at Shang Shang, who stood gracefully to one side. Clicking his tongue several times, he remarked, "This Fish Maid beauty isn’t bad at all. Later, let’s take her back and gift her to Senior Brother, perhaps he’ll teach us a few more profound techniques in return. What do you say, fellow disciples?"
The young men behind him burst into laughter and applauded brazenly. The blue-robed youth grew even more conceited, casting sneering glances at Zhang Yan. They had come today solely to seek vengeance for past humiliations and had no intention of being courteous.
Wan Zhang, who appeared somewhat restrained, stepped forward, made a perfunctory bow with a mocking smile at the corner of his lips, and said, "I am a member of the Tai Shou Wan Family, cultivating on Red Sun Island. Currently, I need to forge a Fire Attribute Flying Sword. You happen to have one, so hand it over to me."
His demeanor was one of entitlement, as though certain Zhang Yan wouldn’t dare refuse.
Zhang Yan didn’t reply to him. Instead, he gestured at the group led by the blue-robed youth and asked indifferently, "Weren’t these dozen or so individuals already expelled from the sect? Why are they here now?"
When the blue-robed youth heard this, he stepped forward and snarled, "Zhang Yan, do you still see yourself as the True Disciple of old? You’re now a dying man! Quit acting high and mighty here, and focus on your own plight. Back then, I was invited to leave, and today, I can be invited back! What could you possibly do about it?"
Cold light flashed in Zhang Yan’s eyes as he responded icily, "So you’re saying, you returned to the Mountain Gate without the sect’s permission?"
"The sect rules?" The blue-robed youth roared with laughter, turning back to his companions and proclaiming, "What do sect rules even mean? I’d like to see who still has the guts to..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a streak of blue light silently flashed across his neck. His mouth opened slightly, his eyes rolled back, and his head toppled from his shoulders with a thud. His headless body then collapsed to the ground.
Zhang Yan remarked coldly, "A mere clown dares to yell at me?"
The scene unfolded so swiftly that the youths who had been laughing moments before froze mid-expression, their voices cutting off abruptly. They stared blankly, as though in a dream.
But the head, with its previously arrogant expression now twisted in death, lay visibly on the ground—a clear testament that everything was real.
Even Wan Zhang was stunned, his face filled with disbelief. Pointing at Zhang Yan with a trembling hand, he stammered in shock and rage, "Zhang Yan, how dare you harm your fellow sect members?"
With a chilling laugh, Zhang Yan replied, "Expelled from the sect—what fellow members are you referring to? Dare to return after violating sect rules? Then you’ve sought your own death. Why wouldn’t I kill? Not only him, but since you’ve come here of your own accord, I’ll deal with all of you today."
These words brimmed with murderous intent. Seeing Zhang Yan’s cold, piercing gaze, the dozen or so youths felt a chill down their spines, rendered utterly dazed.
Wan Zhang roared in anger, "You dare..."
But before he could finish, his heart faltered as a sudden awareness of danger arose. Crying out loudly, he shifted all his strength to evade sideways. However, glancing at his right shoulder, he gasped in horror—his arm was gone.
Seeing Wan Zhang unable to withstand even a moment against Zhang Yan, someone shouted, "Quick, run!"
The youths snapped back to reality, frantically retrieving their Flying Boat Magical Artifacts, fumbling desperately to escape.
Zhang Yan flicked his sleeve, shouting furiously, "Leave not a single one behind!"
Blue light burst forth suddenly, and a cascade of sword light danced wildly, impossible to discern how many attacks had been unleashed in that instant. When the Sword Qi dissipated, all eighteen of the disciples connected to the Six Rivers and Four Islands lay dead, their Primordial Spirits shredded as well.
Among them, only Wan Zhang clung to his final breath because Zhang Yan simply didn’t find him worthy of further attention.
Wan Zhang, realizing Zhang Yan’s ruthless nature, froze in terror. Forgetting all else, he desperately activated his tunneling light to flee while shrieking at the top of his lungs, "Zhang Yan, if you kill me, the Six Rivers and Four Islands will never let you off..."
With a cold laugh, Zhang Yan pursued, his tunneling light flashing as he chased after him.
In the sky, Zhang Yan suddenly felt a surge of unrestrained freedom, as though he had thrown off all shackles. Filled with soaring resolve, he declared thunderously, "Six Rivers and Four Islands—what of it? If you dare provoke me today, I’ll use the sword in my hand to crush your Mountain Gates and show you my power!"
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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