175

On Canglan Island, it was confirmed that there was not only the Grandmaster of Huo Tu Mo Zun, but as for how many other Grandmasters were lying in ambush, it was unknown.

Even the origins of the other Grandmasters were a mystery.

However, they were mainly from the Black Robe faction and the Demon Sect.

Whether there was a third faction involved was uncertain.

Regardless of which faction the other Grandmasters belonged to, for Xu Yan, it made no difference.

They would be killed all the same!

Outside of Canglan Island, above the Cang River, small boats floated, each at a distance from Canglan Island, but for the powerful, this distance meant little.

On each boat was a Grandmaster, all here to watch the battle.

The Battle of Canglan Island was a major event in the Inner Domain Martial World, unprecedented for thousands of years. On one side was the sudden rise of an unparalleled genius, on the other, the notorious Demon Sect Demon Lord.

Martial artists of Grandmaster level were no longer qualified to watch.

On one boat, Wu Shuang Grandmaster and Yun Miaomiao were present along with two other Grandmasters.

All were powerful figures from the Wu Shuang Pavilion.

"The Great Yue Kingdom's royal family has sent representatives too," said Wu Shuang Grandmaster, looking into the distance at a boat with purple patterns.

Yun Miaomiao frowned as she looked, "Will the Great Yue Kingdom interfere?"

Canglan Island, situated within the territory of the Great Yue Kingdom, theoretically fell under their jurisdiction. It used to be under Yin Hong's control but later became Xu Yan's.

However, in the Inner Domain, strength always commanded respect. Even if it was the Great Yue Kingdom, they wouldn't rashly claim ownership of an area controlled by a Grandmaster.

Of course, a Grandmaster wouldn't deny that the territory they controlled belonged to the Great Yue Kingdom.

There was an understanding between them.

"If the Great Yue Kingdom intervenes, it's unclear if it's aimed at Huo Tu Mo Zun or Xu Yan," Wu Shuang Grandmaster shook his head.

On the boat of the Great Yue Kingdom, a young man in purple robes gazed at Canglan Island, "This island, on the surface, belongs to Yin Hong, but in reality, it's mine. Let's see if Xu Yan is qualified to claim it."

The Second Prince of the Great Yue Kingdom!

Beside him was a middle-aged man, tall and sharp-eyed, a Grandmaster.

"Your Highness, should I take action?" the middle-aged man asked.

"No need, just observe," the Second Prince shook his head.

As a prince of the Great Yue Kingdom, his status was noble, but Grandmasters were the true powerhouses. The middle-aged man's duty was merely to protect him; apart from that, he didn't have to obey any orders. However, generally, Grandmaster bodyguards weren't entirely disobedient; it was more of a matter of asking rather than commanding them.

Another boat carried Fu Yuntian silently watching Canglan Island. Beside him was an old man holding a book, engrossed in reading.

The old man was unkempt, but he was still a Grandmaster.

Among the many boats, one was made of precious materials, clearly valuable. It belonged to the Tianbao Pavilion.

Such a grand event attracted powerful figures from various factions.

Even the Yan Kingdom and the Ziyun Kingdom had Grandmasters here to witness the battle.

A weathered wooden boat floated quietly by the banks of the Cang River. A figure sat at the bow, a long black-sheathed sword across his knees.

This boat didn't attract much attention from the many powerhouses on the river. After all, there were too many powerful figures here, all Grandmasters, and there were more than a few who kept a low profile.

Only the powerhouses of the Tianbao Pavilion noticed the figure on the old wooden boat.

"Hu Hai from the Swordmaster Cliff is here. Since Xu Yan and Xie Lingfeng are close, does this mean Hu Hai is going to intervene?"

"Hu Hai alone can only handle one person at best, unless Xie Tianheng shows up."

"Xie Tianheng has been absent for a long time, seemingly in seclusion. If he comes, that Huo Tu fellow will surely flee."

While the powerhouses of the Tianbao Pavilion conversed, Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan had already arrived at the wooden boat.

"Dad, is it just you?" Hu Shan looked around.

"Uncle Hai," Xie Lingfeng called out.

"Hmm," Hu Hai opened his eyes, nodded, and looked towards Canglan Island, "With at least three Grandmasters present, if I act, I can intercept one and delay two for some time."

Xie Lingfeng sighed, "Since Brother Xu dares to come, he must have confidence. Uncle Hai's intervention might not be necessary."

Hu Hai chuckled, "I'm curious too. What kind of unparalleled genius is he, making even the young master feel inferior."

Xie Lingfeng smiled bitterly, "Uncle Hai, Xu's talent is beyond comparison to mine. My only wish in this life is to grasp the essence of swordsmanship, that would be enough."

Hu Hai frowned, "Young master, what are you saying? Even if your strength is not on par with his, can you still not be considered to have not yet grasped the essence of swordsmanship?"

Xie Lingfeng shook his head with a smile, saying nothing.

He himself hadn't even grasped the essence of swordsmanship, let alone the members of the Swordmaster Cliff. There was no need to say such things.

Hu Hai, Xie Tianheng's personal attendant and one of the peak Grandmasters of the Swordmaster Cliff, was naturally proud. How could he consider himself to have not yet grasped the essence of swordsmanship?

What outsiders said was irrelevant; he needed to realize the truth himself.

...

"Truly lively," muttered someone.

Xu Yan looked around Canglan Island and sighed.

His gaze fell on the old wooden boat where Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan were. This time, with strong individuals from the Swordmaster Cliff present, they would intervene when necessary.

However, for Xu Yan, it was completely unnecessary.

Looking at Canglan Island, the aura of Huo Tu Mo Zun was unmistakable.

"Elder brother, how many Grandmasters do you think there will be?" Meng Chong asked in a deep voice.

"At least three," Xu Yan smiled, his expression gradually becoming solemn. "Today, let the martial artists of the Inner Domain understand what true martial arts are!"

This battle was not only to deter various factions, display their formidable strength, and protect the Changqing Pavilion but also to hone their own martial arts for the breakthrough to Tongxuan.

Once they reached Tongxuan, they would be at the peak of the Inner Domain!

"Elder brother, I think there might be an ambush underwater. Let me handle it," Meng Chong said solemnly.

He also intended to temper his physical martial arts in this battle, preparing for the breakthrough to perfection in the innate realm.

Improvement during battle.

"Good!" Xu Yan nodded.

He walked on the water's surface, graceful and relaxed, with his master's leisurely stride in his mind.

At this moment, it felt like he had found the freedom and ease that a strong individual should have.

"I'm still far from my master's realm. I can't walk as leisurely and naturally as him," Xu Yan sighed inwardly.

Meng Chong concealed himself in the Cang River, waiting for the ambushers to show themselves so he could act.

"They're here!"

Many of the observing powerhouses were now alert.

The handsome young man stepped forward leisurely, as if he were walking in a paradise rather than heading towards a dangerous place.

"Master Xu..."

Yun Miaomiao squinted her eyes, murmuring to herself.

The Grandmaster beside her slapped his forehead; his disciple was beyond help!

Outside of Canglan Island, above the Cang River.

Xu Yan halted. "Huo Tu Mo Zun, come out and meet your death, but don't ruin my Canglan Island."

"Arrogant brat!"

Huo Tu Mo Zun snorted coldly and soared from the island.

As Huo Tu Mo Zun appeared, his crimson hair fluttered, and the aura of the heavens and earth surged around him, instantly turning into a scarlet hue around him.

As if blood waves were surging around him, a continuous hissing sound echoed, and the terrifying blood waves seemed to become thicker and stickier in the polluted aura.

A faint scent of blood began to spread.

The surging blood waves gradually turned into blood-colored flames, as if to refine all living beings.

"Bloody Purgatory Blood Refinement!"

The observing powerhouses, upon seeing this scene, all wore solemn expressions.

One of the demon sect's peerless techniques and the method Huo Tu Mo Zun relied on to become famous. Bloody Purgatory Blood Refinement was a true method of killing, refining the essence of living beings, especially suitable for refining the blood essence of martial artists.

The fact that Huo Tu Mo Zun reached the peak Grandmaster level indicated how many martial artists he had killed and how much blood essence he had refined to attain such terrifying strength.

"Kid, I'll take your blood today."

Huo Tu Mo Zun wielded a crimson curved hook, seemingly formed from blood, as if it had dissected countless martial artists.

Xu Yan remained indifferent. "Where's the map you're hiding? Hand it over, or I'll have to kill you now, and then I'll have to look for it myself. Isn't that troublesome?"

"Wow, you insolent brat, I'm going to dig out your heart and eat it!"

Huo Tu Mo Zun's eyes blazed with anger.

With a rumble, a bloody cloud appeared in mid-air, then transformed into raging purgatory blood fire, with a gloomy and bloody aura pervading the surroundings.

With a slash of the curved hook, the terrifying purgatory blood fire swept towards Xu Yan, covering him directly.

As soon as Huo Tu Mo Zun made a move, it was a fierce attack, without any hint of underestimation, going all out.

Xu Yan's figure flashed, shifting instantly to another place, evading the attack, and appearing elsewhere.

"Fire Butcher Demon Lord, how do I know you're not lying to me and there's actually no treasure map hidden?" Xu Yan remained calm and unaffected by the formidable aura of the Fire Butcher Demon Lord.

The Fire Butcher Demon Lord's expression became solemn. His attack just now was evaded by the opponent's bizarre body technique.

"I, never go back on my word. The map is indeed on the island," the Fire Butcher Demon Lord said in a deep voice.

"What if someone takes it while we're fighting?" Xu Yan glanced at Canglan Island and smiled, "Why hide? Bring the map over."

The Fire Butcher Demon Lord's gaze narrowed. Since Xu Yan knew there were others on the island besides him, and yet still dared to come and fight, did he rely on his strange body technique to think he could walk away unscathed?

Two figures appeared on the island, wearing black robes that only revealed their eyes.

One of them tossed a scroll towards Xu Yan.

Xu Yan's true energy surged as the scroll opened before him, revealing a map.

He immediately took it, completely ignoring the black-robed individuals who spread out to surround him.

One of the black-robed figures had a red leaf embroidered on his chest.

A guardian-level?

The other had a crescent moon pattern embroidered on his chest.

A stronger powerhouse?

Moreover, the black-robed figure with the crescent moon pattern seemed slightly stronger.

Three peak Grandmasters!

The many observing powerhouses all had a change in expression. Besides the Fire Butcher Demon Lord, they had hidden two other peak Grandmasters.

Xu Yan might be strong enough to defeat the Fire Butcher Demon Lord, but could he contend with three peak Grandmasters?

The Fire Butcher Demon Lord was already a formidable figure among the peak Grandmasters, and one of the others, his aura was no weaker, even slightly stronger.

Though the other was slightly weaker, he was still a peak Grandmaster.

"Xu Yan, it's dangerous!" The observing powerhouses all had this thought.

Yun Miaomiao's expression tensed as she grabbed her master's hand. "Master, you must act!"

The Grandmaster scoffed. "That kid is formidable. He can kill a peak Grandmaster with just two or three strikes, let alone three. Don't worry."

"Master, it's not a time to be stubborn," Yun Miaomiao urged anxiously.

"That kid dares to come. Do you think he's not confident? Ni Zi, don't worry about it," the Grandmaster sighed.

"Three peak Grandmasters, what do you think?" Fu Yuntian asked the old man.

"Use your eyes," the old man replied irritably. "That kid isn't stupid. If he can't win, he won't fight. What are you worried about? There's someone there. If the situation turns unfavorable, he'll definitely make a move."

Following Fu Yuntian's gaze, there was an old wooden boat with a person sitting cross-legged on it, a long black sword lying across his knees.

"He actually came," Fu Yuntian was surprised, but not entirely unexpected. After all, Xu Yan had entered the Seven Stars Academy's Treasury using Xie Lingfeng's name, indicating their close relationship.

The old man looked towards Canglan Island and said coldly, "As long as it's not that old man from the Hidden Tower who's come, this is just a small matter. If that old man comes, then it's serious."

"Who is that?" Fu Yuntian asked curiously.

The old man remained silent, seeming quite wary of the person from the Hidden Tower.

Xu Yan surveyed the surroundings and smiled brightly, "You hidden fellows always show up at the last minute. Only two of you came?"

Yin Jue's voice was cold, "Xu Yan, all you need to do is reveal the whereabouts of that girl, and you'll be spared today!"

For the sake of Su Lingxiu!

Xu Yan wasn't surprised by this but became even more curious. Why did the black-robed individuals insist on capturing his junior sister? And it seemed that as long as they caught her, any price would be worth it.

"Spare me? Just the three of you?" Xu Yan's eyes were cold, a faint killing intent emanating from him.

Drawing his sword, he stared at Yin Jue and sneered, "Rats in the gutter, not even daring to reveal your names, yet you dare to boast? Today, I, Sword God Xu Yan, will slay you!"

Boom!

"Arrogant!"

The Fire Butcher Demon Lord snorted coldly. With a slash of his curved hook, the purgatory blood fire surged forth, turning the sky crimson, with a hissing sound filling the air.

As if corroding the sky.

With a rumble, Yin Jue raised his hand for a slash. The blade light seemed to merge with the heavens and earth, forming layers of blade curtains that sealed off all directions, rushing towards Xu Yan.

The other black-robed figure also made a move.

The three peak Grandmasters joined forces, causing the sky to change color, and even the surging Cang River was oppressed by their terrifying power, sinking a layer below the water surface.

From a distance, the battlefield seemed to be engulfed in a world-ending aura.

End of Chapter.