Above Lishui Lake.

Wispy white mist rose!

Bang!

Celestial Venerable laws shattered, transforming into countless glazed fragments of light. Nangong Li immediately retracted his hand in pain, staring incredulously at the lake surface as he instantly sensed something amiss.

Within the water mist,

Qin Yang and Liu Wushuang emerged from the water, lightly stepping upon the rippling lake.

Their expressions remained composed.

“How can it be you?!”

Nangong Li was momentarily stunned. The moment he saw Qin Yang, his pupils abruptly contracted, unable to believe the scene before his eyes.

At this moment.

The aura emanating from Qin Yang was vast and mighty, as if the heavens, earth, and mountains flowed endlessly within him. His Dao aligned with the heavens, clearly indicating he had entered a higher realm.

Celestial Venerable Realm!

It was actually the Celestial Venerable Realm!

“How is this possible?”

Nangong Li murmured, then fell silent.

The Jianghai True Dragon phenomenon from a few days ago remained fresh in his memory. He had originally speculated that some old monster from the Exploding Heavens Gang had achieved a breakthrough.

But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine.

It would be Qin Yang?!

How many days had passed since their last meeting?

Had this Qin fellow actually broken through to the Celestial Venerable Realm?

When recalling his own breakthrough past the Earth Venerable Realm threshold, he had spent decades just to condense his Dharma Form, only achieving it through a fortunate coincidence.

His absolute advantage in strength had now vanished!

The two stood in confrontation as a gentle breeze swept across the lake, stirring their hair. Liu Wushuang wisely stepped aside to avoid holding Qin Yang back.

A battle between Celestial Venerables was no ordinary matter – a mere gesture could crack the heavens and shake the earth.

This was no longer a fight he could participate in.

……

“Nangong Li, you’ve walked right into the trap this time!”

Qin Yang’s expression remained calm and composed as he rested his hand on the hilt of the Ziwei Divine Sword, leisurely remarking, “I was just worrying about where to find you. Now you’ve conveniently delivered yourself to me.”

As he spoke, the Ziwei Divine Sword erupted with a sharp sword cry.

Countless rays of light illuminated Qin Yang’s face, his spirit soaring as if a celestial being had descended to earth, instantly making Nangong Li somewhat timid.

He truly has entered the Celestial Venerable Realm…

Nangong Li took a deep breath, exhaled turbid energy, and recomposed himself.

“Hmph, just with you?”

Nangong Li snorted coldly, crossing his arms as he forced himself to maintain composure. “You’ve only just entered the Celestial Venerable Realm. Your Spirit Platform isn’t even consolidated yet. Why should I fear you?”

“Is that so?”

Qin Yang smiled lightly, not taking it to heart.

Since he had emerged from the lake, he had already made complete preparations.

His chances of victory could be said to be firmly in hand.

Seeing Qin Yang’s calm and unperturbed demeanor, Nangong Li’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t help but touch his Star Ring, feeling uncertain—

This wasn’t because he was cowardly.

But because the wise man adapts to circumstances!

In terms of pure realm and strength alone.

Although Nangong Li couldn’t see through Qin Yang’s depth, he still felt confident in his own abilities, believing he could exchange several moves with him, and might even possibly capture him.

The problem was… his opponent was from the Exploding Heavens Gang!

And Qin Yang was the Young Gang Leader of the Exploding Heavens Gang!

If they couldn’t win, they’d self-destruct!

This was these madmen’s fine tradition!

Who could compete with that?!

How could a mere Earth Venerable Realm compare to a Celestial Venerable self-destruction?

Having witnessed so many Exploding Heavens Gang self-destructions, Nangong Li searched his conscience and admitted he no longer dared to gamble on that one-in-ten-thousand probability.

If Qin Yang went mad and truly decided to self-destruct, it would inevitably end in mutual destruction!

“First, I need to find a way to stabilize this Qin madman. I’ll make other decisions later.”At this thought, Nangong Li’s eyes flickered before he decisively looked up at Qin Yang before him and spoke sharply:

“Qin Yang, what do you intend to do with the Blood Spirit Formation?”

“Tsk, what nonsense are you spouting? Can’t I just come to take a look?”

Qin Yang flicked the Ziwei Divine Sword as he calmly retorted, “This is Jianghai territory. As a citizen of Jianghai, isn’t it reasonable for me to stroll around here?”

As his words fell.

“Hmph, sharp-tongued. Say whatever you want to justify yourself.Nangong Li narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Qin Yang cautiously as he circled half a step away, his voice low:

“But this Celestial Venerable advises you not to entertain any wicked ideas.” You should know the consequences if the Blood Spirit Formation is destroyed, right? The entire world would lose its source of Star Power. If you forcibly shut down the formation, you’d be cutting off the lifeline of countless Star Warriors!

You, Qin Yang, would become the eternal sinner.”

Silence instantly fell over the scene.

Indigo-purple lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating both their faces as the air grew still and soundless.

“Rest assured, I have no intention of destroying it for now.”

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yang swept a cold glance around before his gaze settled beneath the lake, revealing a hint of softness:

“The Heavenly Law has its rules, yet there’s always a path of escape for humanity. Leaving the Blood Spirit Formation in Jianghai City, I might still unravel its mysteries and bring peace to the world’s Star Warriors.”

“However…”

As he spoke, Qin Yang paused, staring intently at Nangong Li while resting his hand on the hilt of the Ziwei Sword.

His tone abruptly shifted.

“But your Beast God Sect has no reason to remain!”

The moment the words left his mouth,

Qin Yang flicked his wrist.

Clang!

A fierce sword light shot forth!

The lake waters surged into towering waves as the Ziwei Sword Intent skimmed across the surface, swift as a startled swan, carrying with it a killing intent like ten thousand rolling thunders!

The water along its path evaporated, and mist erupted over the streets.

The icy torrent dispersed into rising steam.

This was the full power of the Sky-Slicing Sword Draw.

Amidst the drifting clouds, the sword light pierced the heavens, its edge effortlessly tearing through the void as it shot straight toward Nangong Li’s face.

To Nangong Li’s eyes, the sword light moved with such speed and was so imbued with profound meaning that it seemed nothing in the world could block it.

“Not good!”

Nangong Li’s eyelids twitched violently, his expression instantly changing.

Instinct screamed at him that he must block it.

This Sword Intent was too profound; if he tried to flee, he would inevitably be struck by Qin Yang’s sword light and meet his end!

Realizing this,

Nangong Li didn’t dare hesitate, channeling all the Star Power within him!

The next moment,

His Celestial Venerable Avatar erupted, its domain spreading out as a giant palm slammed toward the incoming sword, the explosive shockwaves engulfing the sky.

The roaring sound waves shattered the glass of distant buildings.

Two terrifying forces collided!

Boom!

A deep crater exploded on the surface of Lishui Lake, a gaping mouth dozens of meters wide forming as water vapor shot into the clouds before rapidly cascading back down.

Splash!

As if in a heavy downpour.

The sword light cut through the giant palm amidst the rain curtain, tearing a massive gash!

“You madman!”

Nangong Li clutched his hand, a clear blood line running diagonally across his palm, flesh torn open to reveal white bone, tendons twitching uncontrollably.

He had lost.

Qin Yang’s Swordplay was far more refined, surpassing his own.

His eyes betrayed apprehension as he looked up at Qin Yang again, finding it hard to believe.

This kid had only just entered the realm, while he, a dignified Late-stage Celestial Venerable Realm, was actually no match for him?! With such extraordinary talent, no one in the world could hinder Qin Yang’s progress anymore. If allowed to develop further, he would inevitably pose a threat to the Beast God Sect¹.

At this thought,

a flicker of fear passed through Nangong Li’s eyes as he gazed toward the Valley.

“It seems only the Beast God himself can suppress this young man!”

(End of Chapter)

1. Translator’s note — the raw text reads “Supreme Alliance” (至尊盟) here, but this appears to be an author slip. Nangong Li is a venerable of the Beast God Sect (兽神教), and the Supreme Alliance is a rival faction whose leader was devoured by the Beast God; moments earlier Qin Yang vowed to wipe out the Beast God Sect. The party Qin Yang endangers, from Nangong Li’s perspective, is his own sect — so this has been rendered as “Beast God Sect.” ↩