Chapter 303
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Chapter 303: Return
In the sky, the blue light and shadow suddenly expanded into a massive glowing sphere, finally forming a spatial passage that pulsed with sapphire radiance.
The moment the passage solidified, a figure emerged within the blue light—a lean elderly man Ye Yun hadn’t seen before, with silver hair and wearing gray Daoist robes. His sharp gaze swept across the crowd like a torch.
"The trial of the Soul-Cutting Mountains concludes now. All disciples shall exit and return."
The elder’s voice boomed clearly, echoing across the wilderness and resonating in every ear.
As he finished speaking, the old man pointed rapidly dozens of times in midair. Beams of light erupted from his fingertips, striking invisible points in the void.
Instantly, radiant threads connected all the points. Before anyone could blink, Ye Yun and the others found themselves standing before the blue spatial passage—not floating above, but level with a massive jade platform beneath their feet.
Ye Yun’s group of five appeared alongside Murong Wuhen and Jiang Shui Ning, each leading four disciples. The four from Tian Shen Peak materialized nearby, faces etched with shock. Jun Ruolan approached gracefully, her figure swaying like willow branches.
"Jun Ruolan!"
Cold fury flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes as murderous intent solidified.
"Junior Brother Ye Yun, we meet again." Jun Ruolan smiled sweetly, utterly unfazed by his killing aura.
With the spatial passage active, combat became impossible unless they sought mutual destruction. Not even tenfold courage would let Ye Yun strike now.
"This isn’t over," Ye Yun growled, forcing down his rage.
"You’ll understand soon—there’s no true enmity between us." Jun Ruolan chuckled lightly.
Ye Yun snorted coldly, shifting his glare to the silver-haired elder.
"Greetings, Elder Gong!"
Su Yinxue and Murong Wuhen bowed deeply in unison, voices thick with reverence.
Jiang Shui Ning paled before hurriedly performing the sect salute. The elder nodded slightly, his sleeve flick lifting Murong Wuhen and Su Yinxue without any detectable spiritual energy waves.
"The trial ends. Disappointing that Tian Zhu Peak’s disciples all perished." Elder Gong’s gaze swept the survivors. "Regardless, you pass. Follow me—the Peak Masters and elders demand your presence."
"By your will, Elder Gong!" The disciples chorused.
"Who’s Elder Gong?" Duan Chenfeng whispered to Su Yinxue.
Her voice dropped reverently, "The Sect Leader’s grandmaster-uncle. They say he reached the Golden Core stage two centuries ago—our Heavenly Sword Sect’s Supreme Elder."
"Golden Core? Two hundred seventy years?!" Duan Chenfeng’s group inhaled sharply.
Rumors claimed no Golden Core expert had emerged in centuries, yet here stood Elder Gong—living proof. Such beings were sect guardians, beyond precious.
"Is he our only Golden Core expert?" Ye Yun pressed.
Su Yinxue shook her head. "I only met him once as a child. My father’s generation revered him deeply. Whether others exist… I don’t know."
"Another exists," Murong Wuhen interjected softly. "My brother hinted at it once."
"Two Golden Cores?" Ye Yun mused. "Impressive… but I suspect more."
Murong Wuhen watched Elder Gong enter the spatial passage. "The sect’s true strength remains hidden. Even the Sect Leader merely fronts for deeper powers."
"Naturally." Jun Ruolan’s voice drifted over as she passed. "Thinking three Golden Cores suffice? How naive." With a final coy smile, she vanished into the glowing passage.
Without waiting for Ye Yun’s reply, she stepped into the spatial passage. Her figure instantly turned ethereal, twisted, and vanished from sight.
Ye Yun stared at the spot where Jun Ruolan had disappeared, only releasing a slow breath long after she’d gone.
"We should return too. If we can kill Jun Ruolan, we must eliminate her," Ye Yun said flatly, though a flicker of murderous intent passed through his eyes.
"Brother Ye Yun, Sister… must we truly go back?" Su Ling whispered as the spatial passage opened, fear creeping into her heart.
Her Demon Race Bloodline had been exposed during the transformation. Everyone had heard Murong Wuhen recite that cursed prophecy – "When the demon calamity arises, a sword comes from the west!" If this proved true, returning meant facing consequences worse than death. A peaceful end would be merciful compared to what likely awaited her.
Ye Yun gently grasped her trembling hand, feeling the cold sweat on her palm.
"Fear nothing. Should they move against you, they’ll have to cross my corpse first," he murmured, his secret affections lending softness to his words.
"Don’t forget me and our parents," Su Yinxue added, embracing Su Ling.
"Exactly! If those old men want senseless violence, we’ll fight till the river runs red!" Duan Chenfeng roared, face flushed with anger.
"This hasn’t reached the point of no return yet," Yu Minghong reasoned calmly. "The higher-ups likely remain unaware. Our true danger lies in Jun Ruolan reporting immediately after escaping."
"Little Yu! Call that Jun Ruolan ‘senior sister’ once more and I’ll thrash you myself!" Duan Chenfeng snapped.
"But her cultivation level surpasses mine. By sect rules…"
"Then go lick her boots at Tian Shen Peak!"
"Brother Duan, you’re being unreasonable!"
"Enough!" Ye Yun’s shout silenced both men. He glared at Yu Minghong. Though technically correct, hearing Jun Ruolan addressed respectfully grated on his nerves.
"Yu Minghong speaks true," Su Yinxue interjected urgently. "If Jun Ruolan alerts them about Ling’er, all is lost. We must hurry."
"Then move!" Duan Chenfeng barked, already charging into the spatial passage. His form distorted and vanished.
"Come. What must come, will come." Ye Yun squeezed Su Ling’s hand, leading her toward the shimmering blue light.
Su Ling inhaled deeply, resolve hardening her features as they entered the passage.
Su Yinxue swept her frosty gaze across the Tian Shen Peak disciples and Murong Wuhen. "This secret won’t keep," Murong Wuhen remarked.
"True. But ensure it doesn’t spread through your tongues," Su Yinxue sighed wearily.
"None of our concern," Murong Wuhen and Jiang Shui Ning chorused.
With final nods, the group vanished into the spatial passage. As the last disciple disappeared from Soul-Cutting Mountains, the True Fire Flying Lion charged forward with its spirit beasts, staring at the empty space where the portal had been.
Blue light engulfed them. When it faded, Ye Yun found himself clutching Su Ling’s sweaty palm in Heavenly Sword Sect’s divine hall plaza. Disciples materialized around them.
"You’ve returned. The rest falls to your elders now." Elder Gong’s voice echoed as they bowed before the Sect Leader, Four Peak Masters, and Murong Wuqing.
"Why is this so?" The Sect Leader’s gentle tone held no emotion as all eyes locked onto Su Ling.
Trembling violently, Su Ling felt tears streak down her jade-like cheeks. The Demon Race Bloodline couldn’t be hidden.
