As Lao Tze’s strike came crashing down, Mei Hwa had no choice but to steel herself for the impact. Her chest throbbed with a dull, persistent pain, but the young woman refused to give in so easily. The chasm in their strength did not shake her resolve — even though she knew her odds of winning were slimmer than a thread.From the brief clash earlier, when she had thrown herself between Wan Fenli and death, she had already measured her foe’s power: he was far stronger than she was. But still, she whispered words of courage to herself, vowing to fight until her last breath. She understood that death was the price all warriors risked — and to die defending what was right was a glory worth chasing.The Sky Sword in her hand blazed back to life with a brilliant blue light, having dimmed only moments before. The inner energy she poured into the blade seemed to awaken something within it — as if the sword itself sensed its master’s desperation and offered its power willingly.A brutal duel e

Zhao Wen dared to march four thousand warriors into the palace only because the White Faction Alliance had all but seized control of the battle outside the gates. He could feel it in his bones – the Shadow Emperor’s remaining forces beyond the walls would soon collapse entirely. The deaths of several of the Emperor’s most trusted lieutenants had struck a devastating blow to their morale, shattering the fighting spirit that had kept them going for so long. The arrival of Zhao Wen and his massive contingent sent ripples of chaos through the palace’s interior. Where the Shadow Emperor’s troops had once focused their entire fury on just three warriors – Fang Yun, Wan Fenli, and Mei Hwa – they now found themselves surrounded on all sides, their ranks being torn apart by a flood of fresh, determined fighters. The shift in momentum was immediate and overwhelming. Meanwhile, the two commanders Han Zi had left in charge of the palace defenses were in deep, deep trouble. They were already st

The clash between the Fire Sword and the Energy Staff erupted with a ferocity that shook the very fabric of the world – a battle so raw and terrifying that the surviving soldiers who had hidden behind broken pillars and piles of rubble could only stare, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe, fear, and disbelief. Each time the two ancient relics collided, a devastating explosion ripped through the air, its thunderous boom echoing across the ruined palace grounds and sending shockwaves that made the earth tremble and the remaining walls crumble. The blasts came in rapid succession, a relentless symphony of destruction that left nothing but smoldering ash and twisted stone in its wake.Their movements were as fast as lightning – so impossibly fast that the naked eye could not hope to follow them. All anyone could see was a swirling, searing ball of golden fire, surrounded by thick, choking smoke that billowed high into the sky, darkening the early dawn until it looked like midnight. They

Mei Hwa could no longer hold back her tears. Hot, bitter drops streamed down her face as she feared the worst: that Fang Yun had perished in the battle. Wan Fenli, too, was overcome with grief, her shoulders shaking with sobs she could not contain. They threw their arms around each other, their cries merging into a single, heart-wrenching wail that echoed through the empty landscape. After his triumphant battle with the Demon King, Fang Yun—who had suffered grievous wounds across his entire body—vanished using the Heavenly Seal and returned to the land of Hu, arriving precisely at the Eternal Temple. He had come not only to heal his battered frame but also to keep the promise he had made to the two girls who had been waiting for his return. But as he looked down at his broken body, doubt crept into his heart. His left arm had been severed at the shoulder, leaving only a jagged scar, and his face was badly disfigured—marred by cuts and burns that had left permanent marks. He wonder

“Fang An, clean the stables immediately. After that, drain the bathing trough and refill it until it’s full!”The order came from a 22-year-old man, his chin lifted and both hands on his hips with arrogance.Behind the young man stood two others of similar age, both wearing sneers on their faces, mocking Fang An with condescending laughter.Kneeling before the three of them was a 21-year-old young man, clutching his stomach in pain. His white clothes were stained with dirt, and a footprint mark was visible on the back of his robe.Fang An said nothing, his head bowed. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened around the fabric of his clothes. He wanted to retaliate against the man in front of him, but his parents’ words echoed in his mind.“Can’t you just give me orders without hitting or kicking me, Zhang Wuji!?”“Hahaha… Are you upset because I beat you up?” Zhang Wuji lifted his chin even higher. “Don’t forget, Fang An... You’re a disgrace to the White Eagle Sect! Your crippled fat