TRAAANG! TRAAANG! TRAAANG! Steel clashed in a furious rhythm, sparks scattering like fireflies in the twilight. Wu Tian, pressed to the edge of defeat, drew forth the Fairy Relic Sword, its blade shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. He met Xiuyin’s relentless strikes head-on, the ringing of metal echoing through the frozen ridges of the Yin Nan Mountains. Xiuyin’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Impressive. What kind of sword is this, Wu Tian?” Her tone carried both curiosity and scorn, as if she already knew the answer but wanted to hear him admit it. “You don’t need to know,” Wu Tian retorted, his voice steady despite the strain in his arms. “Surrender, Xiuyin. End this madness.” Her laughter was sharp, cutting through the cold air. “Never! I will not yield!” Slaaash! Wuussh! Xiuyin’s blade swept forward, infused with icy qi. Wherever it passed, frost bloomed instantly—rocks glazed over, branches crystallized, and even the air itself seemed to freeze. Wu Tian

Wu Tian remained suspended in the air, his body cloaked in shimmering flames that radiated like the wings of a divine phoenix. The fire pulsed with a rhythm of its own, illuminating the jagged cliffs of the Yin Nan Mountains, casting long shadows that danced across the frozen terrain. His figure glowed brilliantly, yet he did not move, as though locked in a trance, his silence more terrifying than any roar of battle. “It’s useless for you to protect him, Yueyin!” Xiuyin’s voice rang out, sharp and venomous. Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction. “Wu Tian will perish. His body cannot withstand the immense energy raging inside him!” Yueyin’s face twisted with anguish, her voice trembling with fury. “Why are you so heartless, Xiuyin? Wu Tian has always treated you with kindness, yet this is how you repay him? You are nothing but a girl without compassion!” Xiuyin’s lips curled into a sneer. “Say what you will, Yueyin. I don’t care. All I desire is to be recognized as the Martial

Wu Tian had no choice but to intervene. Xiuyin’s obsession with destroying Zhou Chen had reached a fever pitch, her determination fueled not by justice but by a twisted desire to make Zhou Chen bear the weight of every sin she herself had committed. If Zhou Chen were to die here, no voice would remain to refute her crimes, no witness to unravel the lies she had so carefully woven. The air trembled with tension, the ground beneath them humming faintly as if the earth itself anticipated the clash. A faint scent of scorched soil lingered from earlier skirmishes, mingling with the metallic tang of blood carried on the wind. Wu Tian’s voice rang out, firm yet tinged with sorrow. “Xiuyin, I’ll give you one last chance. Surrender now… your future is still long, still waiting to be written. Don’t let Mao Xiang’s poison consume you. He cares for no one—not even you.” Xiuyin’s eyes flared, her breath sharp and ragged. Shadows seemed to coil around her palm as she spat back, “You’re wrong!

“Perhaps I can help you, Wu Tian!” A voice rang out suddenly, muffled yet distinct, from within Wu Tian’s pocket. Wu Tian stiffened, his palm instinctively tightening around the hilt of his sword. His breath caught as he whispered back, his tone edged with disbelief. “Trexis… what could you possibly do? Even the strength I inherited from my past life as a cultivator isn’t enough to defeat her!” Trexis’s reply was firm, carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. “That is precisely the problem. A Martial Genius cannot be defeated by a cultivator, no matter how powerful.” Wu Tian’s brows furrowed, his voice low and tense. “Why is that so?” Trexis’s tone softened, almost like a teacher recounting a forgotten legend. “There is a story from long ago. For now, what you must understand is this: a Martial Genius can only be overcome by a warrior who fights in alliance with a dragon.” Wu Tian’s eyes widened, confusion flashing across his face. “You mean… I must become a warrior first,

“WAIT!” The cry split the storm of battle, commanding attention with its authority. A figure descended from the heavens, his presence radiating dignity and power. His robes fluttered in the turbulent wind, illuminated by the fractured light of the sky. “Uncle Cao!” Wu Tian’s voice trembled with both shock and joy. “How did you know we were here?” “It was young Zhou who told me,” Wu Cao replied, his tone calm yet resolute. “He said you were in grave danger.” Xiuyin’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp with disdain. “Old man… stay out of my affairs!” Wu Cao’s gaze hardened, sorrow flickering in his expression. “Xiuyin… I never imagined you would fall this far into darkness.” Her lips curled into a sneer. “What I choose is none of your concern. Go back to your home and stop meddling in my path!” Wu Cao’s voice thundered, unwavering. “As long as Wu Tian’s life is threatened, I will not allow you to act as you please.” Xiuyin’s fury ignited. “Then face me, old man! Don’t blame