As his voice fell, Zhou Yan’s foot heavily landed on the ground.
*Thump!*
Immediately, fine lines like a spiderweb spread out. The entire plaza seemed to tremble, and then a powerful gust of wind, originating from the point beneath Zhou Yan’s foot, swept outwards, overturning nearby stone tables and stools, and even scattering the mud and gravel on the ground.
The scene was like a typhoon descending!
At this moment, Zhou Yan’s figure suddenly soared into the air, transforming into a dazzling beam of light that instantly traversed several *zhang* further.
A radiant golden blade glow, carrying a suffocating sharpness, fierce and domineering, as if it could cleave the void.
At this moment, Zhou Yan unleashed an extremely powerful saber technique. Empowered by this technique, his speed more than doubled, instantly reaching its peak.
"What!"
Kong Tian'ao was so terrified his soul almost fled his body.
Such speed surpassed the limits of human capability; even Kong Tian'ao could not react in time.
The golden blade glow flashed like lightning, and then Kong Tian'ao’s clothes shattered. He was struck as if by lightning, his body sent flying.
*Pfft!*
He spat out a large mouthful of blood, his face pale and drained of color.
"No, impossible..." Kong Tian'ao’s expression was dazed, his mind buzzing, unwilling to accept the truth.
He had lost again, this time a complete and utter defeat, even losing the opportunity to escape.
"Hahaha, too weak. Kong Tian'ao, is this all the strength you have? Or are you just trash?" Zhou Yan snatched the Sunfire Sword from his hand, his gaze fixed on Kong Tian'ao, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"No, this is impossible..." Kong Tian'ao muttered to himself.
Although he was a top disciple among the second generation of the Peacock Dynasty, there was still a vast gap between him and Zhou Yan, like the difference between an infant and a strong man.
"Whether you admit it or not, you’re just a useless dog," Zhou Yan glanced at him indifferently, then retracted the Sunfire Sword and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Kong Tian'ao called out to Zhou Yan, a flicker of hope in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Let’s join forces. We’ll cooperate and take care of those old guys. If you help me, we can split the wealth in the treasure vault..."
Zhou Yan stopped, his gaze falling on Kong Tian'ao. "Oh? Join forces? Aren’t you the proud Peacock Young Master? Why do you want to join forces with me?"
A fawning smile appeared on Kong Tian'ao’s face. "I was just too excited just now, so I misspoke. Please don't mind me. Actually... I've wanted to get rid of those old guys for a long time, but my strength alone isn't enough to complete the plan."
"Is that so?" Zhou Yan smiled faintly, then shook his head and said, "Sorry, I'm not interested in your plan. If you continue to pester me, then I’ll have to kill you. I don’t mind the extra effort."
"You..." Kong Tian'ao was furious upon hearing this, his eyes shooting out cold light as he stared intently at Zhou Yan. "You piece of trash, you don’t deserve the Sunfire Sword. Give it back to me!"
He shouted, and his body erupted with blazing fiery light. Clenching his fist, he struck towards Zhou Yan.
"Trash? You call yourself a genius?" Zhou Yan’s eyes narrowed, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "I don’t care who you are, I only know that you’ve touched my inverse scale and angered me."
Zhou Yan slowly drew the Sunfire Sword. In an instant, countless rays of light erupted from the sword tip, illuminating the entire plaza.
The two long swords clashed, producing piercing clangor like the tolling of a bell, shaking the surroundings.
Kong Tian'ao’s fist collided fiercely with Zhou Yan’s Sunfire Sword. Then, crackling sounds continuously echoed. Countless cracks appeared on his fist, and finally, it shattered with a bang.
"Ah~~~" The piercing pain made Kong Tian'ao let out a shrill scream.
His left hand had been severed.
Diao Chan and Zhen Mi looked at Zhou Yan. "Husband, let's not play with them anymore. Let’s leave quickly."
Ye Xun also looked at the others. "Finish them all off!"
"Good, kill them all!"
Zhou Yan nodded. Then, with a gentle wave of his right hand, his sword edge flicked. In an instant, countless sword lights flashed, slicing through the necks of the remaining Peacock Dynasty disciples. One by one, their heads separated from their bodies as they fell to the ground, dead.
"Damn it!" Kong Tian'ao’s face turned grim. "Zhou Yan, I remember you!"
With that, his body ignited with raging flames, transforming into a crimson fireball that quickly plunged into the cave leading to the treasure vault.
"Oh, running quite fast. It must be a one-time use treasure!" Zhou Yan sneered, his gaze falling on the black circular disk. He beckoned.
*Whoosh!* The black circular disk instantly transformed into a dark streak of light and flew into Zhou Yan’s hand, landing in his storage ring.
"This Saint artifact-level treasure is truly rare. I was in need of a suitable weapon," a delighted smile appeared on Zhou Yan’s face. Then, holding the Sunfire Sword, he walked directly back to his courtyard.
In this battle, Zhou Yan had completely toyed with his opponent. For Zhou Yan, fighting against those with lower strength could still offer him much insight.
Previously, he had always crushed his opponents with sheer power. Now, by suppressing his own strength, he had found a little more passion for combat.
Zhou Yan felt that continuing to seal his strength and fight others in the future would be greatly beneficial to him.
...
Kong Tian'ao burst out from the Luoli Immortal Palace, his body covered in blood, his wounds shocking to behold.
Gritting his teeth, he stood on the mountaintop, looking at Zhou Yan in the distance, and said hatefully, "This time, I lost! However, I will settle this score with you sooner or later."
With that, his figure disappeared into the night.
But in the next moment, he reappeared.
Before him, a large number of demons appeared.
"Oh, it's the body of a human powerhouse. Although injured, this body is good. Give it to me!" a powerful demon man’s eyes swept over, and instantly, fervent light appeared.
He raised his hand and grabbed towards Kong Tian'ao.
"Get lost!" Kong Tian'ao roared, unleashing a palm strike. Surging primordial energy surged forth, repelling the demon powerhouse.
"Hmm?" The demon powerhouse frowned, his eyes flashing with bloodlust. "A mere human at the ninety-ninth heaven dares to be arrogant in front of me. In that case, let me show you the might of the Demon Dragon Claw."
Before his words had finished, the demon powerhouse suddenly struck, lunging towards Kong Tian'ao. His five claws extended, their tips glinting with cold light.
Two terrifying forces exploded, and Kong Tian'ao was sent flying again, spitting blood.
"Hmph, a human martial artist like an ant, yet you dare try to stop me. Someone like you can’t even last three moves in my hands!" the demon sneered. "Let’s see how you block this!"