The Earth quaked.
The skies rumbled.
And the air—once thick with tension—now crackled with war.
From every direction, spiritual lights roared as cultivators clashed midair, blades meeting spells, talismans flaring like stars falling in reverse.
The watchers—disciples, rogue cultivators, neutral sect elders, even hidden clan spies—had long since retreated to a safe distance beyond the battlefield’s edge.
But even from there, they could hardly believe what they were seeing.
“…It’s really happening,” someone muttered. “The Bai, Li, and Zhao Clans… they’ve actually gone to war.”
“A War among the Desolate Heaven Empire’s three strongest clans…” another said grimly.
“Once this starts, there’s no going back.”
“No kidding. Just look at them! That Li Clan elder—he just used a Heaven-Grade Technique! I’ve only heard about it from my parents!”
“Bai Clan isn’t backing down either. Their Nine Shadows Flowing Light Sword Technique instantly took down more than 5 Zhao Clan Members!”
More gasps followed as another wave of energy swept across the battlefield.
A Bai Clan elder raised his sword high, spiritual light swirling around the blade.
It howled like a storm, shaking the very air as it flew forward—only to be shattered moments later by five synchronized lightning spears hurled from the Zhao side.
“These people… they’re just average members of their clans, right?”
A younger cultivator asked, his face pale.
Someone beside him scoffed.
“Average? Maybe by their standards. For us? These so-called ’average clan members’ would be revered as grand elders in most clans.”
The younger cultivator swallowed hard.
“But to the Bai, Li, and Zhao Clans,” the man went on, “they’re cannon fodder.”
Boom!
Another shockwave tore through the land, splitting stone and uprooting entire trees.
Earth-Grade Techniques were being thrown out like they were nothing.
In truth, every clash was enough to wipe out a small clan. And yet here? It was just the opening act.
“Crazy,” someone whispered.
“This war isn’t just between clans… this is a clash of empires.”
“And to think that right now, both sides are still holding back. Imagine if their Grand Elders and Ancestors joined the battle… Half the Empire might disappear the next day.”
The two sides weren’t going to let their Grand Elders join in—because once they did, there would be no turning back.
One only relied on Grand Elders when the clan was on the verge of destruction or facing something just as catastrophic.
Otherwise, even in a war like this, it was generally agreed upon: Grand Elders should not be involved.
Of course, if this dragged on and became bigger then perhaps they would start involving their Grand Elders as well.
However, this was just the beginning!
***
Li Feng grinned as he finally moved.
A dark red aura burst from his body, swirling like a bloodstorm as he dashed across the battlefield—straight toward Bai Zihan.
Several figures followed closely behind him—young cultivators, each radiating terrifying strength. fr\ vel .cm
They weren’t ordinary disciples. These were the elite geniuses of the Li and Zhao Clans—older, more experienced, and each one had survived bloodshed of their own.
They weren’t here for glory.
They were here to kill.
“Target in sight!”
One of them said coldly—a tall woman with silver-bladed claws and hawk-like eyes.
Another, a bulky man wielding a black spear, let out a low chuckle.
“That cripple’s not even worth half a breath. But orders are orders.”
Their Qi surged in unison, locking onto Bai Zihan.
Even amidst the chaos of the battle, several cultivators noticed the unnatural focus on him.
“Wait… they’re going for—”
“They’re targeting Bai Zihan!”
“Well, now that he’s vulnerable, it’s the perfect chance to take him out. Though, I’m not sure it’s even worth it now that he’s lost all his cultivation.”
The realization spread like fire.
And Bai Tianheng felt it instantly.
His expression darkened as his spiritual sense flared. His gaze snapped toward his son, who was struggling to stay on his feet near the rear.
“How dare you!”
But just as he stepped forward—
BOOM!
A blast of golden Qi exploded in front of him.
Li Jianhong.
And beside him, Zhao Wutian.
“You’ll have to get through us first, Bai Tianheng,” Zhao Wutian sneered.
“This is war,” Li Jianhong added, voice cold and righteous.
“Don’t tell me you’re abandoning your duty as clan patriarch just to save a crippled disgrace.”
“You want to protect him? While hundreds of your people die?”
Zhao Wutian’s smile was sharp as a knife.
Bai Tianheng’s fists clenched.
He looked past them—at Bai Zihan.
But he didn’t move.
He couldn’t, not with Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian here.
He gritted his teeth.
“Zihan’er…”
(Should I use it?)
He was referring to the Saint-Grade Artifact—a trump card hidden deep within the clan.
But using it in front of so many people could bring even greater problems later which might not be worth it.
They might survive today… only to be hunted tomorrow.
Still, he couldn’t risk Bai Zihan’s life. He could only hope that others could protect him while he fight against Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian.
But if they failed…
Then he’d have no choice but to reveal it.
***
Meanwhile—
A streak of lightning flashed across the air.
Chu Ziyan landed like a thunderbolt between Bai Zihan and the incoming group.
Her sword gleamed with righteous fury as she stood protectively in front of him.
“I dare you,” she growled. “Try touching him and see what happens!”
As his fiancée, how could she just stand by and do nothing?
Moments later, Bai Xueqing appeared at his side, her icy blade radiating bone-deep chill.
Her glare toward Li Feng could’ve frozen rivers.
“I knew you bastards couldn’t wait to kick someone when they’re down.”
And then—
A gust of golden wind.
Bai Xinyue descended behind them.
For a moment, she said nothing. She simply looked at Bai Zihan—bloodied, barely breathing, still standing.
Her eyes narrowed as her aura surged with terrifying force.
“You touch him,” she said softly, “and I’ll bury you with him.”
That sentence made many freeze.
Even though the Dao Bone had been returned, most still believed Bai Xinyue would harbor resentment—hatred even.
But from the way she stepped forward to protect Bai Zihan, it became clear…
That wasn’t the case!
But—
Li Feng didn’t stop.
Nor did he plan to deal with the others first.
He wasn’t alone.
From the side, a tall figure in a dark green robe stepped forward, folding his arms lazily.
“Chu Ziyan… long time no see!”
Chu Ziyan’s eyes flicked sideways.
“Li Xuan!”
Li Xuan—a core disciple of the Li Clan’s main branch.
They had met once during a Sect Competition, where Chu Ziyan had represented the Heaven Sword Sect.
Chu Ziyan is five years younger and at time was one Realm below Li Xuan, so ultimately she lost the match—but not without making Li Xuan bleed.
Back then, Li Xuan was ranked among the top geniuses of the Li Clan—now so many years has passed, his strength has obviously increased.
Another figure appeared beside him—a serene-looking girl in Zhao Clan robes embroidered with golden thread.
Zhao Yue!
Like Li Xuan, she was also a top genius—one generation older than Bai Xueqing.
But unlike Li Xuan, Zhao Yue had lost to Bai Xueqing, a younger generation.
A humiliation she had never forgotten.
“Bai Xueqing,” Zhao Yue said coldly, “Today, I’ll repay that loss. Don’t think I’m the same as before.”
“…”
Bai Xueqing didn’t reply.
She simply raised her sword—and got ready.
More footsteps echoed.
One by one, the older generation geniuses of the Li and Zhao Clans emerged.
Five people had been assigned to keep Bai Xinyue in place, knowing she was in the Spirit Severing Realm.
Although none of them had reached the Spirit Severing Realm themselves, all five were in the Soul Formation Realm.
Even for someone in the Spirit Severing Realm, escaping from so many Soul Formation cultivators wasn’t easy—especially when they belonged to the Li and Zhao Clans.
Outnumbered.
And surrounded.
But even they felt it.
This wasn’t a fair fight.
This wasn’t a duel.
This… was a hunt.
And they were defending a man who could barely stand.
“Just give up, there is no way that you all can protect him.”
Li Feng said.
And as he said, indeed protecting Bai Zihan wasn’t an easy task. This could also end up costing their lives or at the least heavy injuries.
But there was no way that three of them didn’t know that without Li Feng spelling it out for them.
Li Feng’s smile faded and his eyes narrowed.
Perhaps he was disappointed because he wanted Bai Zihan to experience the same feeling of being abandoned after losing his cultivation—just like he had, after being defeated by him.
But unlike him, Bai Zihan still had people protecting him—even someone whose Dao Bone he had stolen.
He couldn’t help but feel how unfair and unjust the world was.
And that only made him angrier.
“Hmph! Since you don’t want to listen to my advice, then you’ll just have to suffer the consequences of your decision.”