Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The second layer of defensive light barrier completely collapsed.

The array's light barrier shattered into countless transparent fragments. These fragments reflected the wind and snow of the far north, cascading down.

A massive, blood-red tiger, enveloped in dark red Geng metal aura, crashed into the center of the plaza.

The obsidian-paved ground could not withstand such force. The ground instantly collapsed, creating a crater tens of meters wide in the center of the plaza. Soil and rubble were compressed and churned outwards by the immense force.

The shockwave spread wildly in all directions along the ground.

White marble pillars along the way were snapped in half. Stone fragments flew everywhere. Load-bearing walls of buildings collapsed one after another. Heavy bricks and stones crashed onto the snow with dull thuds.

The remaining defensive runes around the altar had just begun to glow faintly when the malevolent energy of Geng metal swept across.

The array patterns were forcibly erased. The runes' light instantly extinguished, turning into black ash and dissipating in the wind.

Dozens of disciples from the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect were attempting to retreat. A violent current of air caught up with them.

The disciples were blasted into the air. Their bodies went out of control, crashing heavily into the distant ruins. Blood stained the white snow. They died without even a scream.

Smoke and dust filled the entire square, obscuring all visibility.

The crimson tiger's body rapidly contracted at the bottom of the pit. The sound of bones grinding together echoed continuously.

A tall man appeared in the ruins.

His full head of white hair flew wildly in the gale. His hair was stained with dried blood.

His tattered robe was already soaked in blood. Dark red drops of blood dripped from the hem, leaving red spots on the snow.

Bai Yin was barefoot. He stepped out of the deep pit, his feet crunching over the sharp pebbles scattered on the ground.

The stone cut his foot. Blood flowed out, instantly evaporated by the Geng metal aura.

The surrounding area was filled with the mangled limbs and groans of sect disciples. Bai Yin did not look down at them.

His bloodshot eyes pierced through the smoke and dust, his gaze fixed on the stone lion at the edge of the square.

A phantom figure in a gray robe stood beneath the stone lion.

The violent killing intent in Bai Yin's eyes vanished the moment he saw the outline clearly.

Utter disbelief welled up within him. His facial muscles twitched slightly. Then, an uncontrollable ecstasy filled his eyes.

Zhao Wuji struggled to his feet from the ruins.

He held a broken bronze array plate in his hand. He watched the white-haired man approach step by step, swallowed the blood in his mouth, and loudly gave the order.

The remaining three elders quickly changed positions. They stood in a triangular formation, attempting to form an array to block their path.

The three elders simultaneously bit their tongues, spraying their life essence onto their respective flying swords. The swords then emitted a blinding white light.

Three sharp sword lights slashed through the wind and snow. The sword energy went straight for Bai Yin's back.

Bai Yin did not turn around. He did not stop walking.

An extremely dense aura of malevolent metal erupted from his body. The malevolent energy transformed into a solid, dark red beam of light, sweeping backward.

The malevolent energy clashed with the sword light.

There was no stalemate. The three natal flying swords shattered into iron dust on the spot. The fragments scattered on the snow.

The bodies of the three elders at the Cave Profound Realm exploded under the crushing force of the baleful aura. Three plumes of blood mist dispersed in the wind and snow, staining the ruins behind them crimson.

Zhao Wuji was struck head-on by the aftershocks of this malevolent energy.

The high-grade protective jade pendant he wore on his chest shattered into powder.

Half of his body was brutally ripped away. His stark white ribs were exposed to the air. His internal organs were clearly visible.

Zhao Wuji screamed and flew backward. He smashed through a stone pillar and collapsed into a pool of blood. His body twisted unnaturally, incapacitated.

Bai Yin walked up to Su Chang'an.

With each step he took, his tall body trembled slightly.

He stopped three steps away from Su Chang'an.

He raised his hands, stained with blood and murderous intent. His knuckles turned white from the force. He wanted to touch the figure before him.

His gaze fell on Su Chang'an.

The soul had become almost transparent under the erosion of the Absolute Spirit Law. The edges of the gray robe were constantly blurring, turning into specks of light and dissipating.

Only a faint layer of crimson flame remained around his body, barely maintaining the integrity of his soul.

Bai Yin's hand hovered in mid-air, then stopped.

He abruptly pulled his hand back, his fingers clenched into a tight fist. His nails dug into his palm, drawing blood.

He feared that the malevolent energy emanating from his body would scatter this fragile, remnant soul.

The wind swept snowflakes across the three steps between the two.

Bai Yin bent his knees. He knelt heavily on the cold bluestone slab.

The kneecap slammed into the ground with a dull thud.

He lowered his head and pressed his hands against the icy ground.

He suppressed the raging malevolent energy within his body deep within his dantian. Veins bulged on his forehead.

He held his breath. His chest stopped rising and falling. He dared not reveal even the slightest bit of his power, for fear of causing fluctuations in the surrounding spiritual energy.

Bai Yin carefully mobilized the gentlest primal energy within his body.

He tried to send this energy into Su Chang'an's body to help stabilize her soul, which was on the verge of collapse.

Just as his primordial aura was about to touch Su Chang'an.

The broken sword in Su Chang'an's hand, covered in cracks, suddenly emitted a sword cry.

The sound was piercing and sharp. The sword's cry carried undisguised hostility and killing intent.

The broken sword broke free from Su Chang'an's grasp.

A jet-black killing intent surged forth from the white bone-like sword blade.

The sword intent drew out a thick black barrier in mid-air.

The barrier abruptly severed Bai Yin's vital energy transmission route, blocking that gentle aura from entering.

The sword flipped in mid-air, its tip pointing directly at Bai Yin's brow as he knelt on the ground.

The broken sword trembled violently. A continuous buzzing sound echoed in the wind and snow. Fine beads of black blood seeped from the surface of the blade.

Chen Xuan's remaining will within the sword bone was fully awakened.

This will stood arrogantly between the two. It adopted an absolute defensive stance. It refused to allow anything to touch the person behind it.

Bai Yin raised his head. His previously suppressed gaze instantly turned cold.

He stared at the broken sword hovering an inch in front of his brow. He could clearly sense the possessiveness contained within the sword's aura.

Bai Yin let out a cold laugh.

He stood up. His tall frame exuded an aura of power. He raised his right hand, a dense layer of dark golden light covering his palm.

"You think a mere broken sword is worthy to stop me?"

Bai Yin spread his five fingers. He reached directly for the black blade.

He wanted to forcibly crush the obstructing broken sword into powder, to remove this inanimate object that was blocking his way.

A sharp pain shot through the depths of Su Chang'an's soul.

She watched the impending conflict unfold before her. Gritting her teeth, she mustered her weakened spirit and raised her right arm.

He slapped Bai Yin directly on the back of the head.

A crisp sound rang out. The force was not great, but it was precise and accurate.

At the same time, Su Chang'an activated the last remaining Heavenly Fox essence within his body.

A crimson light pressed down on the broken sword. She forcefully suppressed the restless killing intent within the sword's core.

"All of you better behave yourselves."

Su Chang'an's voice was weak, and his tone was cold.

"Do you want me to be obliterated right now?"

Bai Yin immediately withdrew his right hand.

He lowered his head again. He took half a step back, his hands hanging at his sides. The dark golden light emanating from his body quickly subsided.

The broken sword stopped trembling under the suppression of the red light.

The sword tip drooped. The blade emitted a low hum and slowly drifted back to Su Chang'an's side, no longer releasing killing intent.

The wind and snow continued to rage over the square. Only the wails of the surviving disciples remained amidst the ruins.

Beneath the stone lion, the two men and the sword fell into a brief silence.