Self-sacrifice

The Mighty Heavenly Sword Region is one of the Four Great Sacred Grounds of the Profound Sky Continent.

Since Ling Kun became an elder of this sacred ground, no one dared to question his authority.

Who would've thought that in this tiny empire, not just one but three people would dare to threaten him with just their measly power.

It sounds so ridiculous that he couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone felt coldness in their heart as they listened to his laughter.

"In the entire Blue Wind Empire no one dared to question an elder of Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. I didn't expect that I would meet a group of foolish people in this tiny empire." Ling Kun crossed his arms across his chest as he measured Gyuuki and the rest with his eyes. His gaze lingered especially long at Yohime's body as his smile grew even more strange.

His calm and unruffled appearance clearly showed that he didn't put the Nura Clan in his eyes.

Heavy pressure suddenly descended without warning.

Bam!

The enormous pressure coming from Ling Kun nailed Ling Chu and Gyuuki to the ground, crack started to form beneath them until their feet sank in the ground.

Despite the fact that they're in perilous situation, they're eyes never left Ling Kun.

Rolling mist started to gather around them which made Ling Kun's eyes narrow.

Soon, the crowd started to hear something within the mist.

Crack! Crack!

Kishaa!

Their heart skipped a bit when they heard those sounds, it felt like it came from the depths of hell.

Simultaneously, two massive creatures loomed out of the fog.

Revealing their demonic appearance.

One of them is an ox-headed demon that has oni-like appearance while having the body of a giant spider.

Standing beside it is a massive skeleton with a pair of red orbs that flickers in their sockets.

These two creatures were emitting different aura's.

One is filled with bloodlust while the other was surrounded by gloomy aura which clouded it's skeletal body like mist.

If one observes the skeleton, they will definitely notice it's aura of withering.

This is the first time that Ling Chu revealed his power. Up until now, the Nura Clan was able to survive with just the Sky Profound Realm Experts like Gyuuki.

However, their current opponent is no pushover. With Gyuuki's current level of power, there's no way that he can beat him.

On the other hand, as an Emperor Profound Realm Expert, he has the strength to buy enough time for the rest to escape.

The only thing that they can do is to make sure that Yohime is safe otherwise not just the crowd but even them might suffer the wrath of the two monsters from the Nura Clan.

The appearance of this two creatures made the pressure coming from Ling Kun bearable.

"Gyuuki, you should bring Yohime and Yuanba away. I'll use everything that I have to keep him in bay."

Ling Chu's voice was filled with determination. Even though he doesn't like to fight a losing battle he still need to, especially when the safety of the Patriarch's wife is at stake.

"I will, don't die on me." Gyuuki nodded as he took Yohime and Yuanba away without looking back.

Ling Chu didn't say anything and just revealed a smile.

When he met Hannya, both of them were enemies.

At that time he felt scared, Hannya's is like the embodiment of true demon in his eyes but it soon changed when he finally got to know him.

He's like a normal person that would act childish from time to time.

He never regretted his decision when he took Hannya's hand and became a member of his clan.

Unlike the Withering Heaven's Clan, the Nura Clan never let him feel unwanted, they would always show their true self around him.

Since then, he felt that he truly belonged to this clan.

Now that Hannya isn't around, it his duty to protect his wife.

"Do you really think that I'd let you leave without my permission?!"

Ling Kun immediately sent a sword slash towards Gyuuki's leaving figure.

"Sorry but, I can't let you do that.", Ling Chu's eyes immediately turned cold as he spoke.

The two massive creatures clashed with Ling Kun's sword slash.

Bam!

Ushi-oni was made of negative energy so it was still able to remain without Gyuuki.

But without the constant evil energy from Gyuuki, it's strength dropped in half so when it clashed with Ling Kun's attack it was immediately destroyed.

Only the Skeleton survive the attack but half of it's body was destroyed.

When Ling Kun was about to send another attack Ling Chu finally unleashed his domain without second thoughts.

"Withering Cemetery"

Darkness started to cover the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.

In the place where Ling Chu stood, a black fog appeared which slowly spread outwards.

The fog was very thick which gave everyone a hard time in checking their surroundings.

crack! crack!

The disciple who stood nearby Ling Chu unconciously took a step back and felt like he stepped on something.

His eyes squinted in fear the moment he saw a skeleton beneath his feet.

When the fog dissappeared, what everyone saw made their blood turn cold.

The entire scene had an eerie and horror feeling that couldn't be described.

Ling Chu stood on top of the mountain of bones formed by countless skeletons being piled up.

What caused the crowd to tremble was the fact that those skeleton would regain their flesh from time to time.

"So this is your domain? You think this is enough to stop me?"

An enormous sword intent spread out from Ling Kun's body. As the thin sword in his hand swayed, a giant sword rose behind him.

It was a hundred meters long and golden light filled the blade.

Ling Chu let out a cold snort. The skeletons beneath him fused to create an even more massive skeleton which sprinted forwards and clashed with Ling Kun's gigantic sword strike.

Two incredible energies collided, the ripples of the energy swept across the place and destroyed every structures within.

The weak onlookers were sent flying from the impact.

Although the Withering Cemetery Skeleton was really powerful, Ling Kun is still an Emperor Profound Realm after all. He was no match for Ling Kun who was at the Tyrant Profound Realm.

The massive Skeleton was instantly reduced into fragments, and Ling Chu suffered a huge wound on his chest.

He was sent flying from the impact.

After Ling Kun wounded Ling Chu and forced him back with just a single strike, he let out a cold snort as he immediately disappeared towards Gyuuki's location.

...

When Gyuuki heard the explosion from afar, he knew that Ling Chu lost, he's thoughts were immediately proven right when he felt the huge amount of killing intent.

The killing intent grew increasingly dense as he kept flying with Yohime and Yuanba in tow.

He could feel that Ling Kun is getting closer so he immediately descended.

"Yuanba, immediately return to the headquarters and enter Takarabune. It is equipped with concealment formation so only members of the Nura Clan can enter. Go! Now!"

Yuanba wanted to say something but was stopped by Gyuuki's urgent expression.

Yuanba bit his lips as he took Yohime with him and ran.

Gyuuki looked at Yohime's figure on Yuanba's back as he touched his shoulder that was wet with tears. He knew that Yohime was crying as they left Ling Chu, she felt responsible for this outcome.

Still, she didn't speak the whole time and just kept her worries and guilt inside.

"She's indeed a strong woman. Nurarihyon-sama wasn't wrong in marrying her."

After mumbling those words, he immediately flew in a different direction.

...

While running Yuanba's heart is heavy. Because of his disobedience Yohime got disrespected, Ling Chu situation is currently unknown and now Gyuuki became a decoy.

For the first time in his life, he lusted for power.

The strength to protect everyone important to him.

He was too focused on his thoughts and didn't notice the subtle changes happening in his body.