On this day.
The previously clear skies suddenly filled with thunder and lightning.
A thousand miles away from the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls, over a mountain range, terrifying bolts of lightning coalesced into a blue dragon and descended upon the earth.
The blast obliterated everything within a hundred-mile radius, leaving behind a vast, sunken crater.
The thunderstorm raged for a full half-hour, making the heavens and earth seem as if heralding the end of days.
The people within a thousand miles of the scene watched in terror, believing they had witnessed the wrath of the gods. Trembling, they fell to their knees, bowing repeatedly in the direction of the thunder.
Finally, the storm ceased, and the clouds dispersed.
Li Guangning and Ye Xiujié were reduced to ashes. Not even the treasures on Ye Xiujié’s body could withstand the overwhelming strike.
Zhu Diezhen, too, was utterly shaken by the scene.
She had never imagined that the power of a single sword could be so devastating. Could this level of destruction only be achieved by an immortal?
But it wasn’t just her.
Even Ye Yu himself was astounded.
So this is what happens when a sword is unleashed at full power. It was truly unstoppable!
Surveying the surroundings, all that met Ye Yu’s eyes was scorched black earth. The mountain range had been turned into a crater.
Altering the terrain with sheer force—how fearsome!
What’s more, Ye Yu felt an extraordinary resonance with the spirit sword in his hand, as if their hearts were one. With just a bit more refinement, he was certain it could become his life-bound flying sword.
Ye Yu softly asked, “What is the name of this sword?”
Zhu Diezhen, her eyes brimming with affection, replied, “It is my husband’s sword, so of course, you should name it yourself.”
After a moment of thought, Ye Yu said, “Let’s call it Yudie.”
Zhu Diezhen’s joy was boundless.
To name the sword after both their names—this meant that every time Ye Yu wielded it, he would think of her. She was ecstatic, feeling like she had won a great victory.
Leaning gently against Ye Yu’s shoulder, Zhu Diezhen savored the brief moment of peace.
But just then, from the scorched earth below, a bead suddenly shot into the sky.
It absorbed all the surrounding spiritual energy, emitting a dazzling light.
Before long, a pair of enormous eyes appeared.
“You dare kill my son? No matter who you are, no matter where you flee, the Forbidden Yin River Ye Family will never rest until you’re dead!”
A thunderous roar echoed from all directions!
The owner of the voice was none other than Ye Zhouhao, the current head of the Ye family.
At that moment, in a secluded valley thousands of miles away, Ye Zhouhao’s bloodshot eyes radiated murderous intent so intense it seemed tangible. His face twisted with rage as he stared at the Mirror of Resentment before him.
The image reflected in the mirror was none other than Ye Yu and Zhu Diezhen.
The Ye family had a tradition: every direct descendant carried a Heart Jade, stored within the Hall of Serenity. When a descendant perished, their Heart Jade would shatter. This allowed the family to monitor the safety of their lineage.
As the patriarch’s son and heir, Ye Xiujié’s Heart Jade was displayed in the most prominent position among the younger generation.
Ye Zhouhao had been deep in cultivation when a sudden unease struck him. Rushing to the Hall of Serenity to investigate, he was shocked to find Ye Xiujié’s Heart Jade shattered into dust—signifying not just death but utter annihilation.
The blow was too much. A white-haired father mourning his black-haired son, Ye Zhouhao spat blood in fury.
Ye Xiujié, dead? How could that be possible?
He was protected by numerous treasures and accompanied by Elder Li Guangning. Even against an Ascension Realm cultivator, they could have put up a fight, buying time to send a distress signal.
How could it all have ended without even a chance to call for help?
Suppressing his grief, Ye Zhouhao immediately used a secret technique to activate the Debt Collection Pearl carried by Ye Xiujié.
This golden bead, small as a soybean and nearly indestructible, had been a staple for scions of great cultivation families for tens of thousands of years. Upon their death, the pearl could be activated remotely, revealing the circumstances of their demise. A grievance must have a source, and a debt must have a debtor—hence its name.
Naturally, Ye Xiujié had carried one during his journey. To think it would now serve its purpose.
Back at the mountain range, Zhu Diezhen explained the pearl’s function to Ye Yu, who, upon hearing it, gazed at the massive eyes in the sky and coldly declared, “Wait for me—I’ll come find you.”
With that, he willed a sliver of sword qi to pierce the pearl, instantly shattering it. The enormous eyes vanished as abruptly as they had appeared.
Zhu Diezhen’s expression grew heavy. She had hoped that destroying all traces would leave no witnesses to the incident. Never did she expect Ye Xiujié to carry such an artifact. Had she known, she would have left the scene immediately.
Ye Yu spoke calmly, “You should return to the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls and wait for me.”
Zhu Diezhen instantly understood—Ye Yu intended to face the Forbidden Yin River Ye Family alone. Gripping his sleeve tightly, she said firmly, “I will accompany you. This is my fault—I cannot stand idly by.”
Ye Yu gently flicked her nose. “Silly girl, what do you mean, ‘your fault’? They brought this upon themselves. If you come along, I’ll be distracted. Be good and wait for me at the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls.”
Zhu Diezhen’s body stiffened. She knew Ye Yu’s words were meant to spare her pride. As the master of the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls, she was a mid-Tribulation Realm cultivator, a powerhouse by any standard. But against the Ye family, especially their late-Tribulation Realm elites, she would be a liability.
The realization stung. She reluctantly released her grip, staring at Ye Yu’s familiar face.
In a voice filled with determination, she said, “Promise me you’ll come back. If you die, I won’t live either.”
“Don’t talk about death. We’ll be together forever.”
Ye Yu embraced Zhu Diezhen and whispered softly before turning to leave.
Watching his departing figure, Zhu Diezhen clenched her fists, her eyes reddening.
This scene felt painfully familiar. In her dreams, Ye Yu had once sealed her away to face the righteous sects alone, ultimately sacrificing his life. When she awoke, it was too late to change anything. She had lived with regret ever since.
Now, once again, Ye Yu was heading off to face danger alone, leaving her behind as a burden.
She hated herself—hated that she wasn’t an Ascension Realm cultivator, capable of solving all his problems. All she could do was stand behind him.
As her despair grew, the skies darkened once more. Countless vengeful spirits began to wail, their cries echoing across the heavens.
Zhu Diezhen’s cultivation shackles began to crack.
At the Forbidden Yin River Ye Family’s ancestral hall.
Hundreds of Ye family disciples knelt outside, while Ye Zhouhao stood at the forefront, his expression twisted in rage. He held up a Memory Stone, replaying the image of Ye Yu and Zhu Diezhen.
“Search! Mobilize all Ye family members. No matter the cost, these two will pay for my son’s death!”
The disciples chorused their agreement, preparing to act.
Just as they began moving, a surge of sword qi abruptly descended, slamming into the Ye family’s protective formation.
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
The ground shook violently.