From the fake emperor to the concubine

"I can tell you haven't fully recovered! As for me, although I'm somewhat exhausted, I'm still more than capable of killing you!"

After saying that, Qi Yang immediately launched an attack.

"Blood Demon Dance!"

Countless crimson attacks came at Zhang Yunfan from all directions, their power appearing extremely terrifying.

But Zhang Yunfan's expression remained unchanged, and a mocking smile even appeared on his lips.

"Is that all?" He slowly raised the Void-Breaking Sword. "It seems you've truly run out of ideas."

"Piercing Void Sword Technique - Sword Qi Like a Rainbow!"

A dazzling sword light slashed out, instantly neutralizing all of Qi Yang's attack.

Moreover, the sword light continued its relentless advance, heading straight for Qiyang.

"What?!" Qi Yang was shocked and quickly used his movement technique to dodge.

However, the sword light was extremely fast, and it still left a deep wound on his shoulder.

"How is this possible?" Qi Yang looked at his injuries in disbelief. "How can you still be so strong?"

“Because you’re too weak,” Zhang Yunfan said coldly, “so weak that I could injure you with a single, casual sword strike.”

"Impossible! This is impossible!" Qi Yang shook his head frantically. "I clearly exhausted so much of your power, how could you recover so quickly?"

"Want to know why?" Zhang Yunfan sneered. "It's simple: because I have enough good pills."

"And you, besides burning your life essence, what else can you do?"

Zhang Yunfan's words pierced Qi Yang's heart like a sharp sword. Indeed, he had expended too much power attacking the mountain-protecting formation, and was now outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

"Damn brat!" Qi Yang roared furiously, "Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me!"

"Blood Demon Burns Soul!"

This is the ultimate technique of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art," which requires burning one's own soul to activate. Its power is extremely terrifying, but it almost certainly leads to certain death after use.

Seeing Qi Yang's crazy behavior, Zhang Yunfan also abandoned his playful intentions and became serious.

"Since you insist on courting death, then I will grant your wish." Zhang Yunfan raised the Void-Breaking Sword, and the blade began to shimmer with an unprecedented light.

"The Ultimate Technique of the Void-Piercing Swordplay: Void-Piercing Annihilation!"

With this sword strike, Zhang Yunfan used all his current strength, even his divine sense.

The sword light was like a celestial river pouring down, or like stars falling, containing the power to create the world.

Compared to this sword light, Qi Yang's Blood Demon Soul Burning appeared so insignificant.

"No, this is impossible!" Qi Yang looked at the sword light in despair.

He could sense that the power contained in this sword strike had surpassed the Foundation Establishment stage and was even approaching the level of the Golden Core stage.

"boom!"

The sword light collided with the Blood Demon's Soul Burning, creating a deafening roar.

But the result was as expected: Blood Demon Soul Burning was instantly swallowed by the sword light, and Qi Yang's figure also vanished into thin air in the sword light.

The once-great leader of the Demon Heart Sect has fallen.

Watching Qi Yang's figure disappear, Zhang Yunfan slowly sheathed the Void-Breaking Sword.

"It's finally over." He breathed a sigh of relief, then strode quickly toward the dying Zheng An.

"Third Elder, how are you?" Zhang Yunfan asked with concern.

"I...I can still manage," Zheng An said weakly. "Thank you...thank you, nephew Yunfan."

"Please don't speak yet, let me heal your wounds." Zhang Yunfan took out a few healing pills and fed them to Zheng An.

Under the influence of the elixir, Zheng An's breathing gradually stabilized. Although he was still very weak, he was no longer in mortal danger.

"Yunfan!" Zheng Tianhao led the group out of the protective mountain formation. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Zhang Yunfan shook his head. "Qi Yang is dead; this crisis is completely over."

"Great!" Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

With Qi Yang dead, the Demon Heart Sect was leaderless and could no longer pose a threat to the Zheng family.

"Oh right, about Zheng Chengbai's matter," Zheng Tianhao suddenly remembered this important question.

"Don't worry, Chengbai will be fine," Zhang Yunfan said confidently. "Now that Qiyang is dead, those who kidnapped Chengbai can't cause any trouble."

"We will immediately send people to the Blood Fiend Sect to rescue Cheng Bai."

“Okay!” Zheng Tianhao immediately made arrangements.

The headquarters of the Demon Heart Sect, Black Cloud Peak.

"What? The sect leader is dead?"

"This is impossible! How could the sect leader, who is so strong, die?"

"It's true that someone witnessed their sect leader being killed by that kid named Zhang Yunfan with a single sword strike in front of the Zheng family's gate."

Upon hearing the news, the entire Demon Heart Sect descended into unprecedented chaos. The disciples were terrified, and the elders exchanged bewildered glances, none daring to believe this cruel reality.

In the council hall of the Demon Heart Sect, the remaining elders gathered together, the atmosphere so oppressive it was suffocating.

"What do we do now?" Second Elder Mo Wuhen asked in a trembling voice, his face ashen. "The Sect Master is dead. What will become of our Demon Heart Sect?"

"What else can we do?" Elder Mo Tianxing said with a bitter smile, "Without the sect leader, we're just a disorganized mess. Besides, this time we've offended the Zheng family, and also the demon race."

The mention of the demon race sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Before his death, Qi Yang signed a cooperation agreement with the demon race in order to deal with the Zheng family. Now that Qi Yang is dead and two demon race hall masters have also fallen, the demon race's anger is unimaginable.

"The demon race will not let us go," the Third Elder, Mo Xinyan, said, trembling. "Having lost two hall masters, the Demon King will surely unleash his wrath."

"Then what should we do?" an elder asked.

"Run," Mo Tianxing sighed. "Before the demon race can react, escape as far as possible."

"Escape? Where can we escape to?" Mo Wuhen said unwillingly, "This is our foundation, the culmination of generations of hard work!"

"Foundation? Heart and soul?" Mo Tianxing sneered, "Can these things be more important than life itself?"

"As long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn. As long as one is alive, there's always a chance to rise again. But if you die, you have nothing left."

Although the other elders were unwilling, they knew that Mo Tianxing was right. The Demon Heart Sect had become the target of everyone's hatred, and staying here would only lead to their death.

"What about the disciples in that sect?" an elder asked.

"Take what you can, and for what you can't," a ruthless glint flashed in Mo Tianxing's eyes, "we can only leave the rest to fate." While the higher-ups of the Demon Heart Sect were discussing their escape plan, the ordinary disciples within the sect had already begun to act on their own.

Some chose to join other sects, some decided to return to the secular world, and some simply gathered together to form a small group, wanting to continue the legacy of the Demon Heart Sect.

However, as a unified sect, the Demon Heart Sect no longer exists.

In stark contrast to the chaos of the Demon Heart Sect, the Blood Fiend Sect remained calm and rational.

The headquarters of the Blood Fiend Sect is located deep within the Blood Ridge Mountains.

"Sect Master, the Zheng family has sent people." A disciple rushed into the main hall to report.

"They've finally arrived." Xue Wuyai let out a long sigh. "Let them in."

Soon, a small team from the Zheng family entered the main hall. Leading them was Zheng Mingyuan, the fourth elder of the Zheng family, a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Sect Leader of the Blood Clan," Zheng Mingyuan bowed respectfully, "I have come on the orders of the Clan Chief to retrieve my clan's Zheng Chengbai."

"Elder Zheng, you're too kind." Xue Wuyai quickly rose to greet him, his attitude much warmer than before. "Young Master Zheng is unharmed; we'll have someone bring him over."

A short while later, Zheng Chengbai entered, escorted by several Blood Fiend Sect disciples. Although he looked somewhat tired, his spirits were relatively good.

"Fourth Elder!" Zheng Chengbai's eyes lit up with surprise when he saw Zheng Mingyuan.

"Chengbai, I'm so glad you're alright." Zheng Mingyuan carefully examined Zheng Chengbai and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that he was indeed unharmed.

"Thank you for your care, Sect Master Xue," Zheng Mingyuan said to Xue Wuyai.

"Of course, of course," Xue Wuyai waved his hands repeatedly. "It was all that damned Qi Yang's doing; it has nothing to do with our Blood Fiend Sect."

"Elder Zheng, the Blood Fiend Sect deeply apologizes for this incident. Although we are also victims, Young Master Zheng's accident occurred on our territory, and we cannot shirk our responsibility."

Xue Wuyai's attitude surprised Zheng Mingyuan. Logically speaking, as a medium-sized sect, the Blood Fiend Sect was quite powerful and had no need to be so polite to the Zheng family.

But he soon understood why.

Zhang Yunfan, with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation, killed two mid-Golden Core demon clan leaders—a feat that had already spread throughout the southwestern part of the cultivation world. Anyone with a brain knows that the Zheng family of today is not the same as the Zheng family of the past.

With a monster like Zhang Yunfan existing, the Zheng family's status will inevitably rise. To dare to oppose the Zheng family at this point is truly courting death.

"Sect Master Xue is too kind," Zheng Mingyuan said politely. "This matter really cannot be blamed on the Blood Fiend Sect; it was all the work of that fiend Qi Yang."

"However," Zheng Mingyuan changed the subject, "our clan leader has a message for the Blood Sect Master."

“Please speak.” Xue Wuya immediately became serious.

"The clan leader said that past transgressions will be forgiven, but he hopes that the Blood Sect Master will carefully consider the future of the Blood Fiend Sect," Zheng Mingyuan said meaningfully. "The landscape of the cultivation world is changing; choosing the right side is crucial."

Xue Wuyai was shocked and immediately understood Zheng Tianhao's meaning.

This is an invitation for the Blood Fiend Sect to join the Zheng family's camp, while also implying that if they continue to remain neutral or choose the wrong side, they may pay a price in the future.

"Please convey to Clan Chief Zheng that Xue Wuyai understands his meaning," Xue Wuyai said solemnly. "The Blood Fiend Sect is willing to reconcile with the Zheng family and face future challenges together."

"That's good." Zheng Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction. "Then we'll take our leave."

"Wait," Xue Wuyai called out to Zheng Mingyuan. "Elder Zheng, this is a small token of the Blood Fiend Sect's appreciation; please accept it."

As he spoke, he took out a storage bag and handed it to Zheng Mingyuan.

Zheng Mingyuan took the storage bag and saw that it contained various precious materials and pills, which were quite valuable.

"Sect Master Xue is too kind." Although Zheng Mingyuan was being polite, he still accepted the storage bag.

These items were not only an apology from the Blood Fiend Sect, but also a pledge of allegiance. Xue Wuyai used this method to demonstrate that the Blood Fiend Sect was willing to sincerely pledge allegiance to the Zheng family.

After bidding farewell to the Blood Fiend Sect, Zheng Mingyuan and his group, along with Zheng Chengbai, embarked on their journey home.

On the way, Zheng Chengbai described his experiences over the past few days to Zheng Mingyuan in detail.

"Fourth Elder, you have no idea how dangerous the situation was back then," Zheng Chengbai said with lingering fear. "That Qi Yang was simply insane. If it weren't for Xue Wuyai secretly protecting me, I might be dead by now."

"Xue Wuya will protect you?" Zheng Mingyuan was somewhat surprised.

“Yes.” Zheng Chengbai nodded. “Although he outwardly cooperated with Qi Yang, he was actually protecting me secretly, preventing me from suffering any real harm.”

"It seems that Xue Wuyai still has a conscience," Zheng Mingyuan commented.

“He told me that he didn’t want to get involved in this kidnapping from the beginning, but he had to cooperate because of Qi Yang’s threats,” Zheng Chengbai continued. “He also told me that Qi Yang was able to find me because someone told him my whereabouts.”

"Someone leaked it?" Zheng Mingyuan frowned. "Who?"

“Xue Wuyai couldn’t explain it clearly, but he suspects that someone within our ranks leaked the information.” Zheng Chengbai’s expression turned serious. “Fourth Elder, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.”

“Of course.” Zheng Mingyuan nodded. “After returning to the clan, I will report this matter in detail to the clan leader.”

The two traveled quickly and soon returned to the Zheng family's territory.

When Zheng Chengbai appeared in front of the Zheng family gate, the clansmen guarding the gate were all moved to tears.

"Young Master is back!"

"Go and inform the clan chief immediately!"

The news quickly reached Zheng Tianhao. He immediately put aside his work and went out to greet him personally.

"Chengbai!" Zheng Tianhao hugged his outstanding junior tightly upon seeing Zheng Chengbai safe and sound. "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

"Chieftain, I'm sorry to have worried you," Zheng Chengbai said with shame. "It was my carelessness that led to my capture by the enemy."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zheng Tianhao waved his hand and said, "This isn't your fault; the enemy is too cunning."

"By the way, where's Yunfan? I want to thank him in person." Zheng Chengbai looked around, searching for Zhang Yunfan.

"Yunfan is resting in the cultivation room," Zheng Tianhao said. "He expended a lot of energy saving you this time."

"I'm the one who dragged him down." Zheng Chengbai felt even more guilty.

"Don't say that," Zheng Tianhao comforted her. "We're family, helping each other is only natural. Besides, thanks to Yunfan, our Zheng family was able to escape danger this time."

“The clan leader is right,” Zheng Mingyuan continued. “Young friend Yunfan’s performance this time was truly remarkable. He not only saved Chengbai but also resolved the major threat of Qiyang, making a great contribution to our Zheng family.”

“Of course.” Zheng Tianhao nodded. “Our Zheng family will never forget Yunfan’s contributions.”

Just as the Zheng family was celebrating Zheng Chengbai's safe return, other forces in the cultivation world were also closely watching the aftermath of this incident.

Aoba Valley.

"Valley Master, breaking news! Qi Yang is dead, and the Demon Heart Sect is utterly finished!" An elder rushed into the main hall to report.

"Really?" asked Qingye Valley Master Qingshanzi in shock.

"Absolutely true. Moreover, it's said that the one who killed Qi Yang was a young man from the Zheng family named Zhang Yunfan." The elder continued his report, "This person, with only the early Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, not only killed Qi Yang, but also previously killed two mid-Golden Core stage demon clan hall masters." (End of Chapter)