Nie Yun was not yet seventeen, yet he already possessed such strength. In the eyes of Feng Yu and the others, he was a thorn in their side that had to be eliminated as soon as possible. Otherwise, who knew when he might break through? If he truly reached the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm, they would only face a bitter death, even if their own power increased tenfold. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"It’s a good idea to kick a man while he’s down, but some men aren’t so easy to kick!"

Before Feng Yu’s laughter could fade, a cold snort suddenly echoed from within the group of guards.

"Who’s there?"

Hearing the deep and powerful voice, filled with confidence, Feng Yu was stunned. Two rays of golden light instantly shot from his eyes, aimed straight at the group of guards.

"Heh heh."

Meeting his gaze without fear, a young guard strode forward. He wiped a hand across his face, and his features transformed into a different appearance. It was the very person the Emperor of the Empire had used to deceive Nie Yun.

"Venerable Mi Hong? What are you...?"

Seeing the man’s true face, Feng Yu and the others jumped in fright.

This young man was none other than the Mi Tian Sect Master, Venerable Mi Hong!

Of course, after reverting to his original appearance, he was no longer a young man but a middle-aged man with an imposing aura about his brow.

’The great Mi Tian Sect Master, whose status is no lower than the Emperor of the Empire... why would he disguise himself as a guard here?’

Mi Hong smiled faintly. Ignoring Feng Yu’s question, he waved a hand. "I saw the three of you sparring just now, and it gave me an itch to fight. Why don’t you let me have a try and see what level your strength has reached?"

"Spar with you?"

Feng Yu, Mo Yanqing, and Luo Tianxiang exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of excitement in the others’ eyes.

Before Nie Yun’s appearance, Venerable Mi Hong was known as the number one expert in the Divine Wind Empire. No one truly knew the depths of his power.

Then Nie Yun burst onto the scene. Some said he was stronger, while others claimed Venerable Mi Hong still had the upper hand. However, the two had never fought, so no one knew who was truly superior!

Having mastered the Wind Spirit Heavenly Wings Technique and successfully activated the Wind Ancient Bloodline within him, Feng Yu’s confidence had soared. He was eager to challenge this number one expert before him!

"Alright, I’ll go first!" Seeing his opponent standing motionless, Feng Yu roared and stepped forward.

"No need. The three of you can come at me together," Venerable Mi Hong said, a faint smile still playing on his lips.

"The three of us together?"

The expressions on the faces of Mo Yanqing and the others instantly turned grim.

’Just now, the three of us were only sparring. While we didn’t use our full power, we used at least ninety percent of our strength. He saw all that and still dares to challenge the three of us? Is Venerable Mi Hong truly that powerful?’

"Very well, then we won’t be polite. Let’s go together!"

Although they felt it was insulting to team up, Feng Yu and the others were well aware of their opponent’s reputation and stood together.

"Alright, let’s begin! Wind Spirit Heavenly Wings Technique!"

"Wind Thunder Body Technique!"

"Man and Sword Unity, Clear Sky Strike!"

The three exchanged a look and simultaneously unleashed their strongest attacks.

As the three Ultimate Venerable Peak experts struck at once, the world seemed to shift, and the winds surged like a gathering storm. The entire courtyard was enveloped in a special energy, and any Cultivator caught within would feel its crushing pressure.

’Their combined strength is probably at least one thousand Elephant Power. Not bad, not bad at all, heh heh!’

Facing the almost-solid wave of energy, Venerable Mi Hong did not dodge. Instead, he smiled faintly, and his slender hand suddenly moved!

His fingers were long and well-maintained, without a single callus or patch of dead skin, as smooth as a maiden’s. Yet this very hand reached forward in a gentle grasp, looking for all the world like a lover’s caress.

BOOM! CRACK!

With that caress-like grasp, the wave of energy in the air vanished completely. The attack, carrying the force of one thousand Elephant Power, dissipated into nothing as if it had never existed.

THUD THUD THUD THUD!

Struck by the backlash of their own power, Feng Yu and the others stumbled back several steps, their faces turning pale.

"Heh heh, what do you think? My strength is passable, wouldn’t you say?" Having defeated the three of them in a single move, Venerable Mi Hong clasped his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face.

"Incredible!"

A look of utter shock filled the eyes of all three. They clenched their fists and couldn’t help but nod hastily.

’Our individual strengths have clearly improved, yet before this Venerable Mi Hong, we are still like children. Just what is his true level of power?’

’As expected of the Divine Wind Empire’s strongest expert. He’s terrifyingly powerful!’

"Even with my level of strength, I wouldn’t dare to casually go looking for trouble with Nie Yun. Did you three really think you were stronger than me?"

Seeing them nod, Venerable Mi Hong said with a faint smile.

"You wouldn’t dare go looking for trouble with Nie Yun? This... Does that Nie Yun truly possess such strength?"

Feng Yu was stunned.

’I fought Nie Yun just a few days ago. Only that Momentum of the Earth technique of his was a bit strange. With my current power, I could definitely kill him. Why would Venerable Mi Hong, the great number one expert, not dare to cause him trouble?’

"Heh heh, the boy Nie Yun himself is no cause for concern. The one I’m worried about is his master!"

Venerable Mi Hong explained, seeing the confusion in their eyes.

"His master?"

The group was stunned for a moment, then understanding dawned, and looks of horror appeared in their eyes.

’Indeed, for a master to raise a boy under seventeen to the Ultimate Venerable Peak... how could such a master be anything but extraordinary?’

’We were blinded by hatred, focused only on revenge, and completely overlooked this point.’

"Correct. It is precisely because I learned something about his master that I came here as a guard to observe in secret," Venerable Mi Hong said.

"Who is his master? Could he be a powerhouse from the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm?" Feng Yu asked hastily.

"I’m not entirely sure who he is yet, but he is definitely a supreme powerhouse from the Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm. If that weren’t the case, I would have made my move long ago instead of waiting until now." Mi Hong rubbed the bridge of his nose, seemingly at a loss.

His strength was at the peak among Ultimate Venerables, but in the eyes of a Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm Powerhouse, he was still no different from trash.

"The Heaven-Seizing Creation Secret Realm? Th-this... What do we do then? Are we supposed to just let that Nie Yun run wild, flaunting his master’s power?"

Feng Yu’s fists clenched.

"Not necessarily. We must come up with a good plan! When Nie Yun went to the Assassin Union, I had already sent people to follow him in secret. He annihilated the entire Assassin Union but may have been injured in the process. He’s currently recuperating on a mountain in the eastern suburbs. If we want to kill him, this is our only chance!"

Venerable Mi Hong continued slowly, "However, before we make a move, we must set up a Grand Array to prevent him from escaping or sending any messages. Otherwise, if his master finds out we were the ones who acted, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Venerable Mi Hong is right. As long as we can kill Nie Yun, I am willing to follow your lead!"

Feng Yu was an incredibly cunning man—the kind who wished he could split his mind into eight parts to scheme. Hearing Mi Hong’s proposal, he knew the man must have a plan and simply needed their commitment, so he was quick to declare his stance.

"We are also willing to follow Venerable Mi Hong’s lead!"

Mo Yanqing and Luo Tianxiang were no fools either. Understanding the situation, they hastily cupped their fists.

"Good! In that case, let’s go surround and kill Nie Yun!" Venerable Mi Hong clenched his fist, a cold, sinister glint flashing in his eyes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)