Chapter Seventy-Eight: Mutual Destruction

Above the city of Yunshui, a flood dragon more than thirty zhang in length soared amidst clouds and mist. Its scales, each as large as a palm, shimmered with crystalline luster under the sunlight. Atop its head, a single jade-like horn rose proudly, while blood-red, fierce eyes surveyed the land below, exuding a terrifying demonic aura.

"Ye Haiyi, are you still unwilling to hand over the Crimson Blood Jade?" The Jade Flood Dragon King revealed its true form, gazing down imperiously at the head of the Ye household.

"Even if I hand it over, nothing will change," Ye Haiyi replied expressionlessly.

"Hand it over, and this king will grant you a swift death!" the Jade Flood Dragon King threatened.

"Heh, why waste words with him, Your Majesty? Once he's captured, the Crimson Blood Jade will be ours," Wu Ying interjected with a cold smile, flying over and casting a venomous glance at Ye Haiyi. He frowned and asked, "Ye Haiyi, where are the rest of your Ye clan?"

Ye Haiyi did not respond. Instead, a dazzling golden radiance erupted from his body. A vast and mighty aura surged forth, piercing the heavens.

Both the Jade Flood Dragon King and Wu Ying were awed by this overwhelming force. Ye Haiyi's figure blurred, wreathed in golden flames, as he charged towards Wu Ying.

"Damn you! Ye Haiyi, do you intend to perish together with us?" Wu Ying's expression changed drastically, for he sensed that Ye Haiyi’s current strength now rivaled a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.

Undoubtedly, Ye Haiyi was burning his life force, sacrificing his longevity to force his cultivation up a whole level for a short time.

The moment Wu Ying unleashed his magic treasure, a golden bronze bell struck it aside. The bell's tangible waves swept through the air, shattering everything in their path. Even the Jade Flood Dragon King, with his formidable body, was forced to retreat repeatedly, not daring to meet the attack head-on.

At this moment, Ye Yun stood in the Rain Pavilion, gazing up as three figures waged a ferocious battle in the sky. Ye Haiyi's aura had surged, and by his power alone, he was suppressing both the Jade Flood Dragon King and Wu Ying—two Golden Core cultivators.

Ye Yun activated his Supreme Divine Eyes, but could not discern any flaws in the techniques of the three combatants; the gap in cultivation was simply too great.

"The head of your Ye clan has burned his lifespan, boosting his cultivation to the mid-Golden Core stage. He can probably hold out for about an hour," the voice of the unscrupulous Demon Lord echoed in Ye Yun's mind.

"And then?" Ye Yun frowned.

"Naturally, total annihilation. Burning one's lifespan is a forbidden art; those who defy taboos never end well," the Supreme Demon Lord replied.

Hearing this, Ye Yun realized that Ye Haiyi had resolved to die.

He and Ye Haiyi had little connection; as clan head, Ye Haiyi had always favored Ye Peng, which had once left Ye Yun with some resentment.

Yet now, watching Ye Haiyi fight two Golden Core cultivators at the cost of his life so that others might escape, Ye Yun's emotions grew complicated.

Cultivators are human too, and who among men is without fault?

Head Ye Haiyi had certainly made mistakes, but he also possessed qualities deserving admiration and respect.

A wild and arrogant laugh resounded. "Ye Yun! You haven’t run away after all!"

Following the voice, Ye Yun saw Ye Peng barge into the Rain Pavilion.

The city of Yunshui was in chaos. Disaster had befallen the Ye clan; only a few could escape via secret tunnels, while most gathered in hopes of fleeing through the city gates.

However, at each of the four gates, Lü Mengqiu had set deadly formations. All four were killing arrays—even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would perish if they tried to break through.

Ye Yun sensed all this with his divine perception, but he alone could do nothing to change it. Although the Supreme Demon Lord had means to help him confront the three Golden Core experts, the requirements and time limits were extremely strict.

And the culprit behind all this stood before him—Ye Peng!

"Die!" With a sweep of his hand, Ye Yun gathered Crimson Flame True Qi in his palm. A crimson dragon burst forth, roaring fiercely as it lunged at Ye Peng.

Ye Peng knew he was no match for Ye Yun, so he had not come alone. He had brought with him two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wu family, and an elder of the Wu family at the very peak of Foundation Establishment.

In Ye Peng's eyes, even though Ye Yun had broken through to Foundation Establishment and was far stronger than others, he could not possibly defeat these three Wu family experts.

A flying sword sliced through the air, splitting Ye Yun’s crimson dragon in two. At the same moment, the other two Wu cultivators attacked in unison. Three flying swords shot forth like meteors.

Most Foundation Establishment cultivators refined flying swords as their main treasures, for their power was great, they were easy to forge, and simple to control.

"Crimson Flame Demon Body!" Ye Yun roared. Crimson flames blazed around him, his disheveled black hair turning upright and red. Using his Supreme Divine Eyes, he locked onto the trajectories of the three flying swords. With a flickering movement, as if a shadow in the light, he slipped free from their encirclement.

"I’ve been waiting for this!" Ye Peng waved his hand and formed a seal. The Golden Light Celestial Net suddenly expanded, descending toward Ye Yun.

Faced with such a flawless encirclement, Ye Yun’s face remained expressionless. With a thought, a strand of crimson flame in his dantian surged into his palms.

He reached out and tore the low-grade magic treasure, the Golden Light Celestial Net, in two with a single motion. Leaping forward like a crimson-flamed tiger, he pounced on Ye Peng.

Ye Peng’s face twisted in terror. In this moment, Ye Yun seemed a crimson demon god, filling his heart with dread.

Ye Peng turned to flee, but how could his speed match Ye Yun’s Roc Totem footwork?

With a thud, Ye Yun caught up and punched Ye Peng in the back. Ye Peng screamed, flying across the courtyard and crashing through a wall in a cloud of dust.

At the same time, the three Wu family experts unleashed their flying swords once more. Ye Yun’s pupils contracted; he spun around and hurled three fireballs, each as large as a human head.

With a series of metallic clangs, the power of the Crimson Flame Essence matched that of a Golden Core cultivator. The three flying swords were knocked aside, their blades scorched and blackened—unable to withstand the burning of Crimson Flame Essence.

"Damn it! You dare damage my magic treasure?" The three Wu experts, mind-linked to their flying swords, felt the pain deeply. Grim-faced, they recalled their weapons and saw the charred marks.

The clash in the courtyard was fierce. In the main hall, Ye Zili and his wife, along with all the servants, stood by the door, anxiously watching the battle and fearing for Ye Yun’s safety.

Reluctant to risk their flying swords again, the three Wu experts switched tactics, forming seals and casting various spells.

Vine Bind, Ice Shard, Fireball, Wind Blade—one attack after another flew forth.

"Crimson Flame Shield!" Ye Yun formed a seal and summoned crimson flames to enshroud himself. The blazing shield blocked all low-level spells; they crackled harmlessly against it, unable to harm him.

Ye Yun’s movements were those of a dragon or a tiger, his steps as steady as an elephant, his leaps as swift as a roc. Though skilled in both magic and martial arts, it was in close combat where he truly excelled.