Xie Yun's lips moved, but she did not say anything.
Just like that, he and Dan Chao looked at each other. Under the illumination of the brilliant flames that filled the sky, he slowly spun and swept backwards, landing on the ground that had already been blasted into ruins by the cliff.
"…" Xie Yun opened her mouth, but she felt hot blood rising from her throat to the base of her tongue. Her voice was hoarse and hard to hear, "Why haven't you left yet?"
Shan Chao looked away and said in a low voice, "… Master."
"Shan, Chao." Yin Kaiyang slowly landed three feet away. He seemed to be interested.
The Seven Stars Longyuan's attack, which carried the wrath of the mountains and rivers, not only made the shocking blade power of Marquis Xin Ting vanish into thin air, the shockwave also sent Yin Kaiyang flying. The coiling silver python sleeve was torn open, revealing the terrifying white tattoo on his arm.
Yin Kaiyang rubbed his chin and laughed loudly, "Do you know who is on the stage today? Do you also want to compete for the position of the Wulin's Alliance Master?"
Shan Chao put down Xie Yun, but his strong hand was still firmly holding on to his shoulder, "What is the Alliance Master? How much is the monthly salary?"
Yin Kaiyang laughed in spite of himself and said, "I don't think so.
But to command the heroes, to have hundreds of responses, to reach the peak of fame, and to leave one's name in history after a hundred years … "
He knew that this would be attractive to Shan Chao. A hot-blooded young man like him would be easily attracted by glory.
However, Shan Chao smiled and said,
"I know another way to leave one's name in history."
"If I kill you, I will eliminate the Emperor's subordinates, kill the demons, and free His Majesty from the control of your Puppet Technique. Won't I immediately leave one's name in history?"
Yin Kaiyang's eyes suddenly became cold.
Shan Chao pushed Xie Yun behind him, then pulled out his sword and stood up. All of these actions happened in the blink of an eye. He was already in front of Yin Kaiyang.
The seven stars on Long Yuan's sword shone brightly at the same time, slashing diagonally at Yin Kaiyang's throat!
Below the high platform, Ma Xin cried out involuntarily in shock, "Shan Chao?!" But then he reacted and hastily ordered his men, "Help the Commander to come down and treat his injury, quickly!"
However, when several imperial guards rushed up the stage, Xie Yun held onto half of the stone pillar and raised her hand to stop them.
"The Commander has been seriously injured. There's no time to lose …"
"Go down," Xie Yun said.
With a clear clang, he nailed the Taia sword to the ground and used it to prop himself up.
The subordinate looked at him with slight unease and fear. He saw that the mysterious tattoo seemed to have a life of its own. It swayed slightly around his right eye, as if it was about to invade his pupil at any time.
He was indeed at the last moment, but there seemed to be an increasingly unfamiliar and domineering power that was gradually rising from his body that was riddled with scars.
At this moment, his eyes were fixed on the battlefield of life and death not far away.
Yin Kaiyang shouted, "Break!"
Marquis Xin Ting stirred up a strong evil wind, forming thousands of spinning blades that tore apart the Seven Star Long Yuan's sword shadows. In an instant, the swords and blades had exchanged dozens of blows.
In the center of the battlefield, the blurry shadows of swords and blades spread out to form a high wall of murderous intent. It continued to advance in the void, like a horribly expanding meat grinder.
Anything that came into contact with this wall, including large pieces of wood and gravel, was crushed into fine powder in the blink of an eye, splashing in all directions!
Yin Kaiyang shouted, "Good sword!" Then he held his sword horizontally, making a loud bang!
The ground clanged as it firmly blocked the Seven Star Long Yuan!
The veins on the back of Shan Chao's hand bulged, but the tip of his sword could not be pressed down any further. Yin Kaiyang jokingly said, "I heard that you saw Xie Yun try to kill you again and again …"
Shan Chao frowned and did not say a word.
"Do you want to know why he wants to kill you?"
Yin Kaiyang smiled slightly, and a strange white light suddenly flashed in the depths of his eyes. He suddenly used the deadly illusion of the Mirror Flower, Suiyue.
The flickering light continued to expand and expand, quickly creating an illusory world in the void.
However, at this moment, Shan Chao was expressionless. The Seven Star Long Yuan pulled out from Marquis Xin Ting's sword at an extremely tricky angle, and suddenly cut Yin Kaiyang's body in half!
Blood spurted into the sky, and limbs burst out.
Yin Kaiyang's body gradually fell from the sky.
Shan Chao withdrew his sword and took half a step back. The scene of blood and black shadows intersecting was reflected in his cold eyes.
The next moment, he suddenly turned around and slashed with all his strength — Clang!
At this critical moment, the tip of his sword narrowly blocked Marquis Xin Ting's silent attack!
If he was a moment later, the tip of his sword would have cut off Shan Chao's head from the back of his neck.
Yin Kaiyang, who was unscathed, sighed and said, "I was actually seen through …"
Shan Chao said coldly, "I already told you that the monkey trick is useless against me, didn't you know?!"
However, Yin Kaiyang raised his left index finger and shook it.
"Young man, don't speak too early."
Xie Yun's expression suddenly changed, and she said sternly, "Be careful!"
Before her voice died away, Shan Chao retreated in a flash.
In the deep stream behind Yin Kaiyang, a giant beast with a tortoise shell and a snake body suddenly stood up and opened its huge mouth to the sky.
Countless rows of sharp teeth like a forest were exposed from its bloody mouth. Huge pieces of broken scales and Xuanhuang Dragon blood hung between the gaps of its teeth. The stench gathered into a gust of wind, blowing close to the ground!
"Xuanhuang …" Shan Chao said in astonishment, "Xuanwu?"
Xuanwu's heavy footsteps shook the ground with every step. Many people did not even have the time to escape before they fell to the ground from the tremors.
It climbed up the cliff step by step from the deep stream. Its huge body passed by Yin Kaiyang and went straight to the high platform. The two blood-red eyes on its ferocious tortoise head looked around and stared at Shan Chao.
Shan Chao took half a step back.
But then, Xuanwu smelled a familiar and hostile aura. His gaze passed by Shan Chao and suddenly fixed on Xie Yun!
All these changes happened in the next few breaths of time.
Shan Chao followed Xuanwu's gaze and looked back. He and Xie Yun's eyes met in mid-air. Before he could say anything, Xuanwu rushed over. It did not stop when it passed by Shan Chao. It went straight for the defenseless Xie Yun.
At the moment of life and death, Dan Chao didn't even think about it before rushing out. At the moment when the Black Tortoise was about to bite down, he grabbed Xie Yun and rolled on the ground. The Turtle Snake Sacred Beast's sharp teeth stuck close to their backs and sank deep into the ground.
Shan Chao held Xie Yun's head tightly in his arms. After the huge momentum caused them to stop rolling, he immediately let go of Xie Yun and checked her, "Are you okay?"
"…" Xie Yun panted and shook her head. She pointed to one side of his arm.
Only then did Shan Chao feel the pain. The outside of his arm had been cut by the sharp rocks on the ground. It was bleeding profusely. Even his flesh was exposed.
"Damn it, what the hell is this?!"
Shan Chao cursed. Xuanwu let out an indignant roar. It swung its four claws again and rushed over.
It was like a monster. Rocks cracked and trees were broken as it ran. The thick tree trunks were like tofu. It swallowed them into its stomach after a few bites.
Shan Chao held Xie Yun and dodged a few times. They hid behind huge rocks on the rugged mountain path. Suddenly, they swung their sword and blocked Yin Kaiyang's sneak attack.
"I'm telling you, don't speak too soon …"
Shan Chao interrupted Yin Kaiyang. He sneered, "Shut up, bastard."
Xie Yun wanted to stop him, but it was too late. Yin Kaiyang stopped abruptly. After a while, a cold smile crept up the corner of its mouth.
"… You've got guts, young man."
This time, Shan Chao didn't have time to retort.
Yin Kaiyang withdrew his saber, turned sideways, and swung his arm straight down from the air. From his fingers to his wrist, his elbow, and even his upper arm, he demonized at a speed visible to the naked eye, transforming into a giant claw. He grabbed Dan Chao by the neck and smashed him into the air with a whoosh!
Xie Yun pulled out her Tai-Ah Sword and blocked the giant claw. She shouted, "Shan Chao, be careful!"
Xuanwu saw a person flying towards it from behind a huge rock not far away. Without thinking, it raised its leg and stomped down.
This stomp was so heavy that even Xie Yun's Green Dragon couldn't compare to it. If it landed, Shan Chao wouldn't even have a single bone left in his body. He would be turned into a pool of bubbling blood in an instant.
However, right before the turtle's leg landed, Shan Chao's figure flashed across the sky. On the Long Yuan, the Big Dipper shone brightly like never before.
Yin Kaiyang seemed to have sensed something and raised its head.
The tip of the Long Yuan pierced through the sky, setting off a blazing light. At that moment, it once again recreated the legendary scene of sword energy piercing through the world and projecting it into the night sky, reflecting the brilliance of the stars.
The Big Dipper Long Yuan, the light of the bull.
The tip of the sword cut through the turtle's leg, passing through layers of thick scales as if it was cutting through soft mud. Then, it rushed out, bathed in blood.
Xuanwu let out an extremely angry and painful howl. Its broken leg fell to the ground with a loud crash, and the entire giant beast fell down with a loud crash!
Shan Chao fell to the ground and rolled on the ground. Then, he stood up in a sorry state. His hands were trembling slightly from overexertion. His shoulders, arms, and even his fingernails were stained with blood.
"Ah Yun …" Yin Kaiyang said softly, "This disciple of yours, he just awakened the Big Dipper on the Long Yuan …"
Xie Yun tried her best to resist the Tai Ah Sword. Yin Kaiyang said, "Legend has it that the one who controls the Long Yuan and the Tai Ah Sword can rule the world. However, I only know of one kind of person who can awaken the Big Dipper when he wields the sword."
They looked at each other. Xie Yun said coldly, "So what?"
"Nothing," Yin Kaiyang held the Tai Ah Sword and pushed Xie Yun to the side. He walked forward, "It's only now that I know why you traveled thousands of miles from Chang An to Mo Bei to find this person."
Yin Kaiyang carried Marquis Xin Ting and strode towards Shan Chao. At the same time, he stretched out his hand and opened his palm, facing Xuanwu who was crouching on the ground.
The sacred beast seemed to have sensed its master's strong command. It slowly used its three legs to support its heavy body and turned its head around. The muscles on the turtle's body bulged horrifically. It was in a very dangerous position to attack.
Shan Chao turned his head and met Xuanwu's scarlet eyes. His eyebrows twitched.
Yin Kaiyang played it down and said,
"Kill him."
There was no need for Yin Kaiyang to say it again. Xuanwu suddenly let out a crazy roar. Along the way, it smashed through countless rocks and smashed towards Shan Chao like lightning.
No one would have thought that this severely injured sacred beast could still move so nimbly and attack so violently. This time, Shan Chao did not have any time to defend himself. He was sent flying by the hurricane and hit the mountain wall. He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Then, Yin Kaiyang arrived. Shan Chao hastily exchanged blows. The sword and saber qi crisscrossed, and in the blink of an eye, they had exchanged hundreds of blows. Xuanwu's snake tail slashed down from the sky and sent Shan Chao flying more than ten feet.
Shan Chao fell to the ground amidst the chaos. He almost lost his sense of pain. He only felt a hot and salty liquid gushing out of his chest. Before he could spit it out, it flowed back into his mouth.
He stood up and Yin Kaiyang shouted, "Xuanwu!"
The Black Tortoise arrived in a few steps and opened its huge mouth to bite down on Dan Chao!
At this moment, an arc of light split the air. Xie Yun said in a deep voice, "Catch!"
Shan Chao stood up like lightning and grabbed the Tai-Ah Sword with perfect coordination.
Xuanwu's sharp teeth whistled down. Shan Chao turned around and crossed his two swords. "Clang!"
He blocked the tip of the fang with a clang. Then, he used the force to shoot out like an arrow and landed firmly beside Xie Yun.
— — This was a pure external martial art. Only those who were extremely strong could perform such a wonderful counterattack in an instant.
"Damn it!
What the hell is this tortoise?! "
Xie Yun said, "This Wang … Xuanwu is the true form of Yin Kaiyang. It's an entity created by the power of the Four Holy Fiendcelestial, and it's not part of the five elements … It's useless to beat it like this. It'll never truly die."
Shan Chao said angrily, "Then how can we make it disappear?!"
Xie Yun fell silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "You have to go to the Zen Altar."
Shan Chao faltered slightly.
Then, he suddenly recalled the words that Xie Yun had said to the empress in the Purple Imperial Palace that night.
"If I'm not doing well in battle, or if my life is in danger at the hands of Yin Kaiyang, please insert this Spirit Stabilizing Needle into His Majesty's temple …"
"… Once the puppet technique is broken, Yin Kaiyang will be greatly affected. This is the only way I can think of right now …"
Xuanwu raised its ferocious tortoise head and turned around again.
Shan Chao grabbed Xie Yun's wrist and yelled, "You can't stay here by yourself. Come with me!"
Xie Yun, however, shook his head. He held Dan Chao's hand and gently brushed it away.
"There are many guards around the Zen Altar, and I'm a burden to you. I won't be able to leave.
Furthermore, Yin Kaiyang is determined to kill you right now, so I can hold them off for a while longer. "
Dan Chao was just about to speak when he saw Xie Yun staring at him. The corners of her pale red lips were slightly raised. It was actually a sly and gentle smile.
"Do you really think I'm going to die?
Do you really think so little of me? "
When she smiled, Shan Chao felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy blow. He couldn't even feel any pain as an indescribable warmth welled up from the bottom of his heart.
In the next moment, the tattoo on the side of Xie Yun's face spread and finally pierced into her pupil.
Xie Yun's left eye was normal, but her right eye instantly turned green. A rapidly spinning vortex rose from the bottom of her feet and rushed to the top of her head, transforming into the shape of a soaring dragon.
Yin Kaiyang suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He looked up in shock. The dark clouds in the sky slowly rotated and churned. Lightning flashed from above, illuminating the world. A mountain-like phantom slowly lowered its head from the void, unscrupulously revealing its noble true appearance to the world.
"… How can this be …" Yin Kaiyang muttered.
Pure Green Dragon scales, five golden claws, able to summon the wind and rain, and penetrate the earth.
It wasn't Xie Yun's young Green Dragon that had yet to grow five claws. Instead, it was another one that he had summoned. It was a powerful and powerful female dragon that should have been extinct long ago.
Yin Kaiyang exhaled deeply and raised his hand to summon Xuanwu back.
He finally realized who the female dragon was.