The shockwave of the impact blasted outward, flattening everything in its path for countless miles.
The scale of the destruction was unimaginable. What had once been a proud symbol of the Silver Fox Sect’s power was now a massive, gaping void in the earth.
The crater left behind was so vast that it could house several giant cities or hundreds of millions of mortals with ease. The land surrounding the crater was scorched and barren, the very essence of life obliterated by the sword attack.
Shen Yuan hovered above the devastation, his figure silhouetted against the lingering aftershocks of his attack.
Crimson Devourer radiated faintly, the glow of its blade slowly fading as it consumed the remnants of the gathered Qi.
In the ruins below, the Ancestor staggered to her feet, her robes in tatters and her face pale.
She had barely managed to escape the full force of the technique, activating her life-preserving treasures at the last moment.
Even so, the backlash had left her severely weakened.
Her gaze turned upward, locking onto Shen Yuan’s figure. Fury and disbelief burned in her eyes. “Who… who dares to attack my sect with such impunity?!”
Shen Yuan smirked, lowering his sword slightly as he met her gaze. His voice was calm, almost mocking, as he spoke. “You must be the esteemed Ancestor of the Silver Fox Sect. I see your sect’s reputation is not undeserved. Surviving my Mountain Cleave? Impressive.”
“You… insolent child!” the Ancestor spat, her voice shaking with rage. “Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve declared war on the Silver Fox Sect! You’ll regret this!”
Shen Yuan chuckled, his tone dripping with disdain. “War? No, Ancestor, this isn’t war. This is the beginning of your end. I’ve barely started.”
The disciples below began to recover from their shock, scrambling to respond. Alarms rang out across the sect as guards and elders rushed to protect the survivors and prepare a counterattack.
[Yuan’er,]
Yue Lan’s amused voice rang in his mind,
[Did you really have to destroy an entire mountain? What if they still had good tea leaves stored there?]
“I’ll compensate for the tea later,” Shen Yuan said with a smile. “This level of power show should be enough for them to run away, right?”
[What do you exactly want from this sect? I don’t remember them offending you in the past.]
Yue Lan materialized herself into her cat form and floated beside Shen Yuan.
“Of course, that’s why I have not killed anyone.” Shen replied while pointing at the crater. “The peak I destroyed was their sacred peak, but empty due to the status of their ancestor. All their important buildings and treasures were on other peaks. All I want is to send a message to them.”
[And what message is that, exactly?]
She asked, tilting her head, though her eyes sparkled with understanding.
“To bend the knee,” Shen Yuan replied simply. “I don’t want the Silver Fox Sect annihilated. I want them under my command. A sect of assassins can be useful, don’t you think?”
[Hah! I knew it. You’re not just a destroyer; you’re a conqueror. How bold of you, Yuan’er. But do you think they’ll agree after you just obliterated one of their most sacred sites?]
Yue Lan asked, her tone dripping with amusement.
Shen Yuan chuckled lightly. “That’s precisely why I did it. Fear is a powerful motivator. If they see what I can do with a single swing of my sword, they’ll realize resistance is futile. Better to surrender than to be obliterated.”
[Hmm, and if they refuse?]
Yue Lan’s voice carried a playful edge, though her question was genuine.
“They won’t refuse,” Shen Yuan said with unshakable confidence. “Even their ancestor is hiding behind her treasures, barely alive. She knows she stands no chance.”
…
Below, the Silver Fox Sect Ancestor staggered toward the teleportation array hidden deep within one of the remaining peaks. Her trembling hand glowed with Essence as she activated the array, pouring in energy despite her weakened state.
The ancient runes and glyphs of the array began to light up, spreading a web of power throughout the sect’s grounds.
The disciples across the sect, still recovering from the shock of Shen Yuan’s attack, froze as a brilliant sigil began to glow on their chests. The sigil pulsed in sync with the teleportation array, binding them to its energy.
“What is happening?!” a panicked disciple cried.
“It’s the teleportation formation!” another shouted. “The Ancestor must have activated it!”
The entire sect trembled as the teleportation array roared to life, its power drawing every disciple and elder into its fold. Beams of light shot upward, converging into a single column that seemed to pierce the heavens.
…
High above, Shen Yuan’s attention shifted as he felt the spatial energy ripple through the air. He raised an eyebrow, watching with growing amusement. “So, this was really their final card.”
[It’s their teleportation formation,]
Yue Lan remarked, her tone curious.
[But you already took care of it.]
“Of course,” Shen Yuan said, a grin spreading across his face. “It won’t take them to safety. It’ll bring them directly to me.”
[Yuan’er, you truly are wicked,] Your journey continues with empire
Yue Lan said, her laughter ringing in his mind.
[This is what I was waiting for. Now things are going to be entertaining.]
…
The Ancestor, her robes in tatters and her face pale with fury, poured more energy into the formation. She glared upward at Shen Yuan’s hovering figure, her voice trembling with anger. “You arrogant bastard! You’ll regret provoking the Silver Fox Sect! We’ll show you why we’ve survived for centuries!”
Shen Yuan tilted his head slightly, his expression one of amusement. “Oh, please. Do continue. I’m dying to hear how you’ll stop me.”
The formation erupted in a blinding flash of light, and in an instant, the entire sect was transported.
…
When the light faded, the entire Silver Fox Sect, including its disciples, elders, and even the Ancestor, found themselves in the very heart of their own sect’s central courtyard—directly beneath Shen Yuan’s hovering figure.
The disciples looked around in confusion and horror as they realized what had happened.
The Ancestor, still standing near the formation’s center, froze as she stared up at Shen Yuan, her expression twisting in disbelief.
“How… How is this possible?!” she stammered. “The array… it should have taken us far from here!”
Shen Yuan’s smirk widened as he descended slowly, his presence exuding a tyrannical aura. “Oh, did I forget to mention? I made a few adjustments to your teleportation array. Consider this my way of gathering everyone for a… conversation.”
The Ancestor clenched her fists, her body trembling with rage and humiliation. “You… You tampered with the formation?!”
Shen Yuan nodded. “Indeed. It wasn’t hard, really. You should invest in better spatial defenses next time.”
The disciples murmured among themselves, their fear and awe growing as they looked at the man who had single-handedly devastated their sect and now stood above them like an immovable God.
…
[Yuan’er, I must admit, this is a scene worthy to remember,]
Yue Lan said, her voice brimming with amusement.
[You’ve got them right where you want them.]
“Exactly,” Shen Yuan replied, his gaze locking onto the Ancestor. “Now, let’s see if they’re wise enough to accept my offer.”