That day, the once clear sky suddenly rumbled with thunder and flashed with lightning.
Above a mountain range a thousand miles from the Ten Thousand Souls Hall, a terrifying thunderstorm took the form of a massive azure dragon, descending upon the earth.
It scorched a hundred-mile radius, leaving it as a sunken wasteland.
The thunderstorm persisted for half an hour. Heaven and earth appeared like an omen of the apocalypse.
People within a thousand miles witnessed this scene, and assumed it was the wrath of the gods. They all dropped to their knees, bowing repeatedly in the direction of the thunder.
After a long while, the thunder ceased, and the clouds dispersed.
Li Guangning and Ye Xujie were reduced to nothing but dust, their bones utterly obliterated.
Even the treasures on Ye Xujie’s person could not withstand the strike of that sword.
Zhu Diezhen was utterly terrified by the sight.
She had truly never imagined that the power of a single sword could be so overwhelming. Could such a feat only be achieved by an immortal?
And it wasn’t just her, Ye Yu was also deeply astonished.
So this was the power of a sword at full force.
It was indeed unstoppable!
Surveying his surroundings, all he saw was blackened char.
The mountains had been reduced to a sunken basin. By sheer force alone, the landscape was changed.
How fierce.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that Ye Yu felt an extraordinary resonance with this sword. It was as if their wills were in perfect harmony.
He believed that with little effort, he could refine it into his own life-bound sword.
Ye Yu asked softly, “What is this sword called?”
“This is my husband’s sword, so naturally, you should name it yourself!”
Zhu Diezhen’s eyes were filled with love.
After thinking for a moment, Ye Yu spoke, “How about we call it Yudie?”
Zhu Diezhen was overjoyed.
Using both their names to name the sword meant that each time Ye Yu wielded it, he would think of her. She felt immense happiness.
This was truly a perfect win.
Zhu Diezhen leaned gently on Ye Yu’s shoulder, savoring this moment of peace.
But just then, from within the scorched earth, a pearl suddenly rose into the air, absorbing all the surrounding spiritual energy, emitting a brilliant light.
In an instant, a pair of enormous eyes appeared.
“You dare to kill my son? Whoever you are, no matter where you may hide, the Ye Family of the Forbidden Yin River will never rest until vengeance is served!”
The furious voice echoed from all directions.
The voice’s owner was none other than the current head of the Ye family, Ye Zhouhao.
At this very moment, in a hidden valley thousands of miles away, Ye Zhouhao’s eyes were bloodshot, his killing intent tangible.
He looked at the Reflection Mirror before him with a fierce expression.
The scene in the mirror showed none other than Ye Yu and Zhu Diezhen.
In fact, every direct descendant of the Ye family possessed a Heart Intent Jade.
Stored within the Enlightenment Hall, whenever someone died, their corresponding Heart’s Intent Jade would shatter.
This was also a method for the Ye family to ensure the safety of its members.
As the direct son of the Ye family’s head, the future successor, Ye Xujie’s Heart Intent Jade was placed in the most conspicuous position among the younger generation.
Ye Zhouhao had been meditating when he suddenly felt uneasy. He hurried to the Enlightenment Hall to check.
To his astonishment, he discovered that Ye Xujie’s Heart Intent Jade had shattered into pieces. This indicated that there was nothing left of him!
Ye Zhouhao, having lost a son to death, was so enraged that he spat blood on the spot.
Ye Xujie had actually died outside?
How could this be possible?
He had many protective treasures on him!
Plus, there was Elder Li Guangning supporting him.
Even if he encountered an Ascension Realm cultivator, he could still manage to evade. At that point, if he could send out a distress signal in time, there might still be a glimmer of hope.
How could he be in such a situation that he couldn’t even send a signal for help?
Ye Zhouhao had no time to grieve. He immediately cast a technique to activate the Debt Retrieval Pearl on Ye Xujie.
This object was entirely golden, only the size of a soybean, and incredibly hard.
Thousands of years ago, the direct descendants of great cultivation families were equipped with Debt Retrieval Pearls when they went out. If one fell, someone could remotely activate the Debt Retrieval Pearl.
At that time, one could see the surrounding situation of the deceased through the pearl.
It was said that debts should be settled with the person responsible, thus the name “Debt Retrieval Pearl.”
Naturally, Ye Xujie had taken one with him this time. Unexpectedly, it proved to be useful.
In the mountains, Zhu Diezhen explained the origin of the Debt Retrieval Pearl to Ye Yu.
After listening, Ye Yu gazed up at the eyes in the sky and said solemnly, “Wait for me. I will find you!”
After finishing his words, with a thought, a strand of sword energy instantly pierced the Debt Retrieval Pearl.
Those enormous eyes suddenly vanished.
Zhu Diezhen’s expression grew grave.
She had initially thought that as long as they destroyed the body, no one would ever know about this matter.
But unexpectedly, Ye Xujie had a Debt Retrieval Pearl on him. Had she known this, she should have left the scene immediately.
Ye Yu said, “You should return to the Ten Thousand Souls Hall and wait for me.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Diezhen immediately understood that Ye Yu intended to go alone to confront the Ye family of the Forbidden Yin River.
She quickly tightened her grip on his sleeve, saying solemnly, “I will accompany you. This matter arose because of me; how can I stand by and do nothing?”
Ye Yu raised his hand and gently flicked Zhu Diezhen’s nose.
“Fool, what do you mean it’s because of you? They brought this upon themselves. If you come with me, I’ll be distracted.”
“Just behave and wait for me at the Ten Thousand Souls Hall.”
Zhu Diezhen’s expression stiffened.
She understood that Ye Yu said this out of concern for her feelings.
As the head of the Ten Thousand Souls Hall, with mid-stage Tribulation Crossing cultivation, she was considered a top-tier cultivator even across the realm.
Yet, in front of the Ye family of the Forbidden Yin River, she felt inadequate.
Once faced with a late-stage Tribulation Crossing cultivator, not only could she not help, but she would also become a burden to Ye Yu.
This feeling made her very uncomfortable.
Reluctantly, Zhu Diezhen released her hands, looking at Ye Yu’s familiar face, and said earnestly, “You must come back to find me. If you die, I won’t live on alone!”
“Don’t talk about dying. We will always be together!”
Ye Yu embraced Zhu Diezhen.
After whispering softly, he turned and left.
Watching Ye Yu’s departing figure, Zhu Diezhen clenched her fists tightly, her eyes slightly reddening.
She felt that this scene was all too familiar.
Back in the dream, Ye Yu had sent her to a secluded place, cutting off all communication. He faced the righteous path alone, ultimately meeting his demise.
After Zhu Diezhen emerged from her retreat, everything was over.
Only a lifetime of regret remained.
And now, once again, danger loomed in their lives, and Ye Yu was the only one facing it.
She felt like a burden.
Zhu Diezhen hated this. She hated that she wasn’t a late-stage Tribulation Crossing cultivator, unable to help Ye Yu solve any problems.
She could only stand behind him.
At that moment, the once clear sky became overcast once more. Countless vengeful spirits began to wander, their mournful cries echoing throughout the world.
Zhu Diezhen’s shackles of cultivation began to show signs of shattering.
……
In the Ye family of the Forbidden Yin River, hundreds of Ye family members knelt outside the great hall.
Ye Zhouhao stood at the forefront, his expression ferocious.
He pulled out a recording stone and roared, “Investigate! All Ye family members, mobilize! No matter what the cost, I will make these two accompany my son to the grave!”
Upon hearing this, hundreds of Ye family members nodded in agreement.
Just as they prepared to take action, a surging sword energy suddenly appeared, striking the Ye family’s protective grand formation.
In an instant, the earth trembled and the mountains shook.