Above the town of Yan, Pi Yan and Pi Batian oversaw the battle unfolding below them, smiling in satisfaction.

The Fengs overall strength might have improved with the Lies assistance, but the Pi family still has the highest concentration of seasoned swordsmen, Pi Batian said. Ju Tians a top-grade fighter that I nurtured with huge quantities of spirit crystals, and even the Fengs wouldnt be able to defeat him so easily. Just one more victory, and hell win this challenge.

The only ones who can defeat Ju Tian are Feng Bo and Li Mo, Pi Yan replied. Feng Bos a strong cultivator, and even Im barely a match for him. Feng Yanyang will surely leave him to deal with me, so the last challenger from the Feng family has to be Li Mo. Is your ambush ready?

Dont worry, Father. Everything is prepared, and Im just waiting for Li Mo to show up. Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan harbor deep feelings for one another, so as long as we catch just one of them, the other will naturally obey our every command. I cant believe Im only realizing this now.

In that case, we have to catch at least one of them, Pi Yan said, staring straight at Yun Ruoyan, Li Mo, and Feng Yicheng, who were watching the battle from the sidelines.

Feng Yicheng was wearing an overcoat that Feng Yanyang frequently wore, and his head was covered by a hood. Pi Yan was unable to see his face clearly. Tianer, even after so many days, Feng Yanyang still seems to be hale and hearty. It seems as though Feng Mian didnt act according to your plan.

Father, have you noticed that Feng Mian isnt watching the duels? Pi Batian asked.

Indeed. Pi Yan sucked in a breath. Could it be that

There are three possibilities, Pi Batian began. First, that Feng Mian didnt take action, but this possibility is limited. If he hadnt taken any action, he would surely be with his father watching the battle.

As for the other two possibilities? Pi Yan asked.

Second, Feng Mian tried to assassinate Feng Yanyang but failed, and is being imprisoned. Third, Feng Mian injured Feng Yanyang but failed to kill him, causing Feng Yanyang to cower and not dare to reveal his face.

Based on what were seeing, the third possibility seems the most likely. Pi Yan began to smile.

However, neither Pi Yan nor Pi Batian were close to the truth: that Feng Yanyang had already perished, and Feng Yicheng was taking his place.

Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan sat behind Feng Yicheng and Feng Bo as they watched the duels.

It seems as though Ill have to be the final challenger, Feng Bo murmured.

You cant go, Feng Yicheng quickly rejected the idea. Uncle, youre our trump card. If we send you out now, the Pi family might quickly establish countermeasures against you. He turned to Li Mo. Brother Li, would you be willing to step in?

That Ju Tian was only a first-rank sword saint, but Li Mo was a second-rank sword saint. For Li Mo to beat Ju Tian wouldnt be a difficult task. He glanced at Yun Ruoyan, about to accept, when murmurs came from the Feng soldiers.

Someone else has gone to challenge Ju Tian!

Who? Even Old Lin lost to him!

ItIts Zhuo Yifeng! someone exclaimed. Could he be stronger than Old Lin? That cant be right!

Zhuo Yifeng isnt he only a ninth-rank blademaster? Qin Feng murmured. He had been standing together with Zhuo Yifeng, who had suddenly stepped up before he could do anything about it. Qin Feng called him back from behind, but Zhuo Yifeng didnt respond.

Worried, Qin Feng turned back to Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan.

Zhuo Yifeng! Yun Ruoyan couldnt help standing up and looking toward him. As if detecting her gaze from afar, Zhuo Yifeng turned around to look toward her. Their eyes met. Yun Ruoyans expression was complex; after being confessed to and forcefully kissed by Zhuo Yifeng, this was Yun Ruoyns first time seeing him again.

These last few days, she had been thinking about the kiss. The whole encounter made her feel strange, as though the Zhuo Yifeng of that night wasnt the Zhuo Yifeng she used to know, but someone else entirely.

Whats Zhuo Yifeng doing now?! Feng Yichengs voice sounded irate. Given his cultivation, how could he be any match for that swordsman? Isnt he just asking for death?

Li Mo was equally confused: as far as he knew, Zhuo Yifeng didnt often act on impulse.

I know a little of Zhuo Yifengs personality, Feng Bo began. Hes not reckless, and he wouldnt act unless he was confident of his success. Lets watch and see for now; if he cant handle his opponent, then well step in.

That brat! Pi Batian was equally surprised to see Zhuo Yifeng step up. If you want to die, Ill grant you your wish!

That traps left for Li Mo, and if not Li Mo, then at least Yun Ruoyan, Pi Yan reminded him. Ju Tian alone will be enough to deal with this lad.

Yes, Father, Pi Batian replied. Ill have the trap removed. As Pi Batian walked down the town walls, Zhuo Yifeng and Ju Tian got ready for their duel.

My name is Zhuo Yifeng, Zhuo Yifeng called out.

Lad, you dont seem like an expert. Zhuo Yifeng was tall and broad, but Ju Tian was half again as wide. Zhuo Yifeng seemed almost like a child by his side, and, more importantly, hed never heard of his name. Is there no one else in the Feng family? To send such a young lad to face meI recommend you back down and let Li Mo stand in your place.

Say that after you beat me, Zhuo Yifeng replied archly, drawing a pitch-black whip and cracking it at Ju Tian.

Oh, youre an impatient brat, arent you? Ju Tian laughed, then caught the whip with his bare hands. Heh, Ill teach you that theres a blood price to pay for your impertinence.

Ju Tian infused a large amount of spiritual energy into the whip, then wrenched it hard, expecting to send Zhuo Yifeng flying. However, he suddenly realized that the spiritual energy that he infused into the whip seemed to sink into an abyss.

Just as he doubted what hed experienced, an equally large pulse of spiritual energy emanated from Zhuo Yifengs hands, travelling toward Ju Tian through the whip that connected them both. The spiritual energy that Ju Tian sent out seemed to have been absorbed by axx mysterious power, but Zhuo Yifengs spiritual energy struck him true.

The massive outpouring of spiritual energy, along with an unusually eerie, cold presence, flooded Ju Tians body. Despite how tough his physical body was, it was utterly incapable of resisting the spiritual onslaught.

The crowd watched on with shock as Ju Tian staggered backwards. The moment before he could step out, Zhuo Yifeng extended his other hand at him, conjuring up a thick vine that wrapped around Ju Tians neck like a venomous snake.

The moment the vine touched Ju Tians body, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

No one could see how the whip had swallowed up Ju Tians spiritual energy and allowed Zhuo Yifengs to flow freelyall they saw was that Zhuo Yifeng had bested Ju Tian in a contest of spiritual energy.

You, youyoure cheating! Ju Tian accused, his eyes as wide as copper bells.

Zhuo Yifeng smirked. Ill teach you that theres a blood price to pay for underestimating me. He flicked his hand, and, with a loud, resounding crack, broke Ju Tians neck.

How could this be?! Pi Batian watched on in disbelief. Zhuo Yifengs cultivation has reached the level of a sword saint, and he even killed the peak first-rank sword saint Ju Tian?!

Pi Yan also frowned at the scene. Although he was as confused as his son at their enemies incredible growth, his eyes wouldnt lie. Theyre growing stronger, he murmured, almost to himself. It looks like this war wont be as easy as I first thought. Elder, youll have to help us Pis