Chapter Seventy-Three: An Unexpected Turn

More than thirty Void Realm cultivators advanced toward the Tang family’s grand courtyard. Twenty-two Seven Spirits Realm masters followed at a measured pace behind them. Yet, Su Yizhao reached out to stop Feng Manyin.

Feng Manyin looked at him in puzzlement. At that moment, Leng Moran and his three companions passed by, letting out a soft, mocking hiss.

“Already frightened before the fight even starts?” Leng Moran whispered. “Don’t even think of fleeing when the battle begins, or you’ll face punishment, old man!”

Old man?

Su Yizhao blinked in surprise. Did he really look so aged?

Feng Manyin asked softly, “Fellow Daoist Su, what is it?”

As the group drew ever closer to the Tang family estate, a sense of foreboding deepened in Su Yizhao’s heart. He hesitated. “Something’s not right. Let’s wait a moment.”

“Fellow Daoist Feng, aren’t you coming? We’re only...!” Before Hua Chengshuang could finish her call, Leng Moran cut in impatiently, “If you haven’t the courage for bloodshed, what business have you cultivating immortality? Leave them be!”

With that, Leng Moran led her group of three to descend. With more than thirty Void Realm cultivators, they could annihilate any family with ease. The Tang family, unremarkable save for an abundance of weapons, seemed to possess no figures of note.

“Fellow Daoist Su?” Feng Manyin tugged at Su Yizhao’s sleeve.

Su Yizhao narrowed his eyes, watching Hua Chengshuang, who kept glancing back. This was not right. Instead of advancing, he drew Feng Manyin back with him. “Let’s move farther away.”

Feng Manyin could not comprehend. Not only did he refuse to go forward, he was retreating even more? What was this, coming to earn merit or running away? Besides, this was already far enough!

She tried to pull her arm free, but the grip on her forearm was unyielding. In that instant, she realized that even with all her strength, she might not escape his grasp.

He drew her gently backward, her eyes wide with confusion and disbelief.

“What are those two doing? Not only do they refuse to enter, but they’re retreating beyond the perimeter!” whispered a voice from within the mountain wall. “We can’t wait any longer. As soon as they shatter the formation that isolates spiritual perception, activate the array immediately! Otherwise, our plan will be exposed. Those two are only Six Spirits Realm cultivators; someone will deal with them.”

“They’re escaping! I’ll go after them!” Seizing a chance when Leng Moran was distracted, Hua Chengshuang broke from the group and shot toward Su Yizhao and Feng Manyin.

“Why bother chasing them? Cowards like that have no place in cultivation,” Leng Moran snorted, descending with the others.

By now, the thirty-odd Void Realm cultivators hovered above the courtyard. One of them suddenly punched the air. With a resounding thrum, an invisible ripple spread out like water, reaching every corner of the Tang estate.

Su Yizhao marveled, “Is this the spiritual isolation array?”

Feng Manyin groaned inwardly. He couldn’t even recognize a spiritual isolation formation?

“A mid-grade array. The Tang family is well-prepared. But after tonight, their legacy will be no more. Let’s strike together!” Ten Void Realm cultivators gathered their power and punched downward in unison.

Ten fists, carrying world-shattering force, smashed into the ripple. With a deafening crash, the barrier in Su Yizhao’s spiritual sense shattered.

Immediately, their senses penetrated the Tang courtyard. Cultivators—everywhere!

Suddenly, dazzling lights flickered atop the walls. Beams shot skyward, forming a cage around the invaders.

A voice rang out, “Welcome, all of you! This Annihilation Array and the Myriad Absolute Divine Arms must be new to you. Enjoy yourselves!”

No sooner had the words faded than desperate screams echoed from within the glowing barriers.

Feng Manyin’s face drained of color. Heart pounding, she seized Su Yizhao’s hand. By then, Hua Chengshuang was already within a hundred yards.

Su Yizhao pointed at her, stopping her advance. “Don’t come any closer! Do you mean to drag us into the trap?”

Feng Manyin trembled at his words.

Hua Chengshuang pressed on, her expression unchanged. “What do you mean, Fellow Daoist Su? The plan’s been compromised—we have to escape!”

The glowing cage lit the night, and within, screams rose.

Su Yizhao, pulling the dazed Feng Manyin toward the snowy mountains, said to Hua Chengshuang, “You’re awfully calm, aren’t you? Shouldn’t you be shocked and terrified seeing your allies ambushed?”

Hua Chengshuang suddenly accelerated, shouting, “What are you implying? I suspect you’re the traitor—otherwise, how could this happen the night you joined?”

Feng Manyin struggled weakly.

Su Yizhao chuckled, “Then why are you charging at us?”

“To kill a traitor, of course!”

No sooner had she spoken than her flying swords shot forth.

Countless streaks of silver light howled through the night.

“Not even sparing Fellow Daoist Feng? She’s so lovely!”

“Still making jokes at death’s door!” Hua Chengshuang raged.

Su Yizhao’s mind stirred; nine flying swords leapt to life.

To show off before a brothel swordsman—how foolish!

Feng Manyin was about to release her own sword when she saw a flash of gold beside her, accompanied by the melodious clashing of blades. She looked up, her body trembling in shock.

Where were the thousands of silver streaks?

Nine silver swords, battered and keening, spun from the air and fell, their true forms revealed.

Unconsciously, she glanced at Su Yizhao—so composed, so calm, a faint, mischievous smile on his lips. No, not mischievous—almost… sword-like.

Catching the tremor in her chest, Su Yizhao murmured, “Fellow Daoist Feng, I’m letting go now, all right?”

Her earlobes tinged pink, Feng Manyin stammered, “Yes, yes!”

Hua Chengshuang seemed stunned by what had just transpired.

The Heavenly Sword Art!

How could her top-grade divine weapon’s Heavenly Sword Art be broken in an instant?

By the time she recovered, the pair had already vanished into the snowy mountains.

“Useless!” a cold voice barked behind her.

Hua Chengshuang paled, turned, and bowed.

A middle-aged man stepped from the shadows, eyes fixed on her. “Did you not say there’d be no surprises? What about those two?”

Gritting her teeth, Hua Chengshuang replied, “Su Yizhao only joined tonight. He must’ve been too timid. The mishap is his fault!”

“Hmph!” The man’s face was grim. “Too timid? With swordsmanship like that, could he be timid?”

Hua Chengshuang finally realized—the flying swords had indeed been casually defeated. She hissed, “I’ll go finish them off!”

The man gazed toward the snowy peaks and nodded. “They must die, but to be safe, we’ll go together. The others are occupied. Let’s move!”