The entire Wen Dao Sect was in a deathly silence at this moment, with all eyes and Divine Sense focused on Zheng Yuan.
Everyone's face was filled with disbelief.
Because none of them dared to believe what they were seeing—a Tongmai Realm Cultivator had actually injured a Blessed Land Realm Cultivator!
Battling across Realms was not uncommon in the world of Cultivators, but here, 'Realm' referred to the nine minor Realms within each major Realm, not the major Realms themselves.
Battling across a major Realm, and even more so, a lower Realm Cultivator injuring a higher Realm Cultivator, was something that, in everyone's consciousness, was absolutely impossible!
Yet, the truth was now before their eyes; Zheng Yuan, lying on the ground seemingly seriously injured and unable to move, was the best proof.
Without any external help, Jiang Yun had managed to injure Zheng Yuan with just a single Misty Finger and a Fire Dragon, and now, he even intended to use Zheng Yuan's sword to kill Zheng Yuan!
This scene finally brought everyone back to their senses, and their expressions changed drastically, while most of the Disciples felt a deep apprehension towards Jiang Yun.
After injuring Zheng Yuan, Jiang Yun actually dared to deliver a killing blow to Zheng Yuan!
Putting aside their cultivation, there was a huge disparity in their identities; a Utility Disciple daring to kill an Inner Sect Disciple was absolutely unprecedented in the history of the Wen Dao Sect.
However, everything that had happened on Hidden Peak today, especially the repeated shocks Jiang Yun had delivered to everyone, was also unprecedented.
But shock was one thing; if Jiang Yun truly killed Zheng Yuan, then what awaited him would be the Sect's strict disciplinary action, so at this moment, sharp shouts suddenly rang out from all directions.
"Stop!"
"Jiang Yun!"
Several voices came from the Peak Masters and Elders who intended to take Jiang Yun as their Disciple.
They certainly didn't want the Disciple they had finally taken a liking to to have his cultivation crippled or even lose his Life and Death due to Sect rules, so they urgently spoke out to protect Jiang Yun.
In fact, how could Jiang Yun not know the price he would have to pay after killing Zheng Yuan? But he remembered what his grandfather had said: being merciful to an enemy is being cruel to oneself!
Between Zheng Yuan and himself, it was bound to be a Life and Death struggle. Even if he let Zheng Yuan go today, Zheng Yuan would definitely find various opportunities to deal with him in the future.
Jiang Yun had already made such a mistake once, which led to the hidden danger of Feng Wuji for Jiang Village. He did not want, and could not, make a second mistake. Therefore, even if he knew the consequences would be unfavorable to him, he still had to kill Zheng Yuan first.
If Jiang Yun had been somewhat hesitant before, then the moment the voices of these Peak Masters and Elders rang out, it finally solidified his resolve.
Apparently, he misunderstood the intention of these Elders and Peak Masters, thinking they were trying to protect Zheng Yuan.
With a flash of fierce light in his eyes, the Fire Radiance Sword in Jiang Yun's hand finally pierced Zheng Yuan's throat, but just then, the motionless Zheng Yuan suddenly reached out and grasped the blade of the Fire Radiance Sword.
Although Zheng Yuan was indeed struck by Jiang Yun's Misty Finger and suffered a minor injury, it was not severe.
After all, Jiang Yun's Misty Finger itself focused on deterrence rather than attack, and furthermore, when Jiang Yun made his move, the Spiritual Qi transformed by the Meridian Opening Pill in his body was almost depleted. Finally, the river of fire outside Zheng Yuan's Physical Body also blocked part of the power, so this single finger could not severely injure Zheng Yuan.
The reason Zheng Yuan lay there motionless was not intentional pretense, but rather that his mind was shaken, and he was still in a state of being intimidated.
It was not until the pain of the Fire Radiance Sword piercing his throat finally made him regain consciousness that he hurriedly reached out and grasped the sword blade.
"You dare to kill me!"
The shock on Zheng Yuan's face had been replaced by anger and panic, especially the great force coming from the Fire Radiance Sword, which made him feel the threat of death.
He had never imagined that one day he would have his throat pierced by a sword wielded by a Tongmai Realm Cultivator, and what's more, this sword was his own!
Although Zheng Yuan's move caused Jiang Yun to pause slightly, the look in his eyes became even more resolute. He suddenly gripped the hilt of the Fire Radiance Sword with both hands and continued to exert force, intending to completely pierce Zheng Yuan's throat with the Fire Radiance Sword.
Since he had decided to kill, he should not hesitate; he should act decisively.
The awakened Zheng Yuan certainly wouldn't just sit there and wait for death, especially since his injuries were not severe, and he was a Blessed Land Realm Cultivator; how could he be so easily killed by Jiang Yun?
However, just as he was about to cast a spell to counterattack, a cold voice suddenly rang in his ear: "Do not resist. Today, you must die by Jiang Yun's hand!"
Hearing this voice, Zheng Yuan trembled violently as if struck by lightning, and his face showed extreme shock.
Because the speaker was none other than Wei Zhengyang, the Peak Master of the Sword Dao Peak where he resided!
No matter what, Zheng Yuan had never imagined that at the moment of his death, Wei Zhengyang would tell him to give up resisting, and even demand that he must die by Jiang Yun's hand.
Wei Zhengyang's voice continued: "But rest assured, I won't let you die in vain. Not only will I personally avenge you, but I can also guarantee that soon, I will choose someone from your Zheng family to take as my Disciple!"
Zheng Yuan's body trembled again. Now he finally understood.
Wei Zhengyang wanted to kill Jiang Yun but couldn't find a legitimate reason. However, if he died at Jiang Yun's hands, then Wei Zhengyang could justifiably kill Jiang Yun.
"No..."
Of course, Zheng Yuan was unwilling to die. He still had a bright future, a glorious future; how could he sacrifice his Life and Death as an Inner Sect Disciple for a Utility Disciple?
"If you do not die by Jiang Yun's hand today, then I can also guarantee you that after today, your Zheng family will no longer exist in Nanshan Prefecture. I will personally exterminate your entire Zheng family!"
The calm and cold words instantly made Zheng Yuan's just-spoken voice abruptly stop. His eyes widened suddenly, and his body couldn't help but tremble, the shock on his face completely turning into despair.
If he didn't die, Wei Zhengyang would kill his entire Zheng family!
He still had parents, siblings, and many relatives...
"Good!"
Without needing much deliberation, Zheng Yuan had already made his choice in his heart. With a tragic smile on his face, he closed his eyes, and the hand gripping the blade of the Fire Radiance Sword suddenly relaxed.
"Pfft!"
Along with a large splash of blood, the Fire Radiance Sword finally deeply pierced Zheng Yuan's throat!
"Jiang Yun, how dare you!"
Almost simultaneously, a voice filled with anger, like a thunderclap, resounded throughout the entire Wen Dao Sect, echoing in everyone's ears.
Immediately after, a yellow light flashed, and a yellow-robed man appeared out of thin air in front of Jiang Yun. His honest face was now filled with anger and sorrow. He didn't even glance at Jiang Yun, his eyes fixed on Zheng Yuan, who lay in a pool of blood, uttering word by word: "Yuan'er, Yuan'er!"
Jiang Yun, however, was stunned there, staring blankly at Zheng Yuan.
Although it looked like he had killed Zheng Yuan, he knew very well in his heart that Zheng Yuan had committed suicide, or rather, Zheng Yuan had clearly sought death!
Jiang Yun truly couldn't understand why Zheng Yuan, who had just been struggling for survival, suddenly sought death at the last moment?
The yellow-robed man suddenly turned his head and looked at Jiang Yun, saying: "Jiang Yun, you disregarded Sect rules and killed a fellow Disciple. You shall pay with your Life and Death! No one can save you today. I will kill you now to avenge Yuan'er!"
Although the other party made no movement, when his gaze fell on Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun's expression suddenly changed. At the same time, several "pfft pfft" sounds rang out, and several finger-sized wounds appeared on his powerful Physical Body, as if pierced by countless sharp swords, and blood gushed out like a fountain.
A strong Life and Death crisis enveloped Jiang Yun's entire body. A deafening roar echoed in his mind, his vision turned black, and all his senses rapidly disappeared, as if he had fallen into endless darkness, sinking deeper and deeper.
But just then, an old voice suddenly rang out: "Wei Zhengyang, how audacious of you!"
This voice was like a pair of giant hands, directly tearing open the boundless darkness around Jiang Yun, allowing him to finally see light again, and within that light—three figures.