Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

At the entrance to Lingxian Valley, sheer cliffs jut out, their jagged walls bearing the charred sword marks and bloodstains of the previous battle. A fierce wind howls through the valley, swirling dust and withered leaves, filling the air with an inescapable sense of impending doom.

Lin Yan stood against the wind in a deep sea blue robe, the hem of which billowed wildly in the gale, yet his composed demeanor remained undisturbed. The Inkstone and the Dingyuan Pearl floated slowly in front of him, one with its dark, restrained spiritual light as deep as an abyss, the other with its shimmering blue spiritual energy flowing gently. The two treasures of the Void reflected each other, protecting his aura as solid as a rock.

Beside him, four core inner disciples of Laoshan stood side by side, each in their designated positions, their aura perfectly unified, forming the most solid defensive line in front of the valley.

Yunxi wore a moon-white robe from Laoshan Mountain, with golden cloud patterns hidden on the hem. Her gentle eyes held a resolute expression, and her natal sword gleamed brightly. Her body was surrounded by a continuous stream of spiritual energy.

Shen Yue was also dressed in a moon-white disciple's robe, with a sect's robe over his blue shirt. He held a fine iron spear, the shaft of which gleamed with a cold light. His fierce and violent spear technique was faintly revealed. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his eyes were fierce and sharp, fixed on the enemy coming from the sea.

Su Lingyue was also dressed in a moon-white robe, her figure as light as a swallow flying in the wind, the scabbard of the long sword at her waist was smooth and lustrous, her eyebrows and eyes were sharp like blades, and her agile sword intent concealed sharpness.

Behind the four, dozens of Laoshan inner disciples stood in formation, holding magical artifacts and standing ready. Their spiritual energy circulated in perfect unison. Despite facing powerful enemies from all sides, none of them showed any fear, demonstrating the spirit of Laoshan disciples.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, flames suddenly erupted on the distant surface of the East Sea. Towering flames swept across the vast expanse of blue waves, and rolling heatwaves rushed in from several miles away, scorching and distorting the surrounding air. Huo Xiao, the sea garrison commander of the Burning Heaven Gate, clad in crimson flame armor with dancing flame patterns, wielding a ten-foot-long flaming spear, personally led three thousand elite fire cultivators in dozens of flame-patterned warships in formation. The crimson sect banners fluttered in the wind, their fiery vapors soaring into the heavens.

Huo Xiao rose into the air, his feet treading on flames, looking down at the four people at the valley entrance. His voice, like thunder, echoed through the valley, causing rocks to fall from the cliff face: "Lin Yan! Laoshan has monopolized the Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein, openly violating the rules of the East Sea cultivation world. Quickly hand over full control of the spirit vein, and I may spare the lives of you and your fellow Laoshan juniors!"

Lin Yan raised his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering, yet concealing an unyielding resolve. His clear voice pierced the gale, echoing in all directions: "The Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein originates in the Laoshan region and is connected to the root vein of the Guixu Seal. It is the lifeblood of our sect, and we will not yield an inch or a fraction of it. You shall all retreat immediately and refrain from causing trouble!"

Before he finished speaking, Shen Yue immediately stepped forward with his spear, the tip of the fine iron spear suddenly bursting with sharp spiritual energy. The spear trembled, and with an incomparably fierce aura, he shouted, "Since Senior Brother Lin Yan has given his word, if you evil disciples dare to take another step forward, you will become the testing ground for the disciples of Laoshan. Don't even think about setting foot in Lingxian Valley!"

Su Lingyue lightly pressed the hilt of her sword at her waist, and with a crisp "clang," the longsword was drawn half an inch from its sheath, its cold light flashing. She spun slightly, her agile sword intent instantly locking onto Huo Xiao, her tone sharp and decisive: "Dare to trespass into my Laoshan territory and covet the sect's spiritual veins? Today, I will make sure you don't leave alive, and pay a bloody price!"

"Arrogant brat, how dare you be so insolent before me!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Xiao flew into a rage. Flames surged around him, and his flaming spear pointed straight at the valley entrance, his violent fire churning into waves: "Since you are so ignorant of your own mortality, then I will grant your wish!"

Before he finished speaking, he flipped his wrist and unleashed a spear strike, channeling all his spiritual power. The raging flames condensed into a fire python several meters long, baring its fangs and claws, and with the power to burn everything, it crashed down on the four people at the valley entrance. Wherever the fire python passed, the air scorched and hissed, its power terrifying.

"Watch out!" Yunxi shouted in a low voice. The jade hairpin at her fingertips instantly emitted a soft light, and a continuous stream of spiritual energy surged out, converging towards Lin Yan's side.

Shen Yue stood with his spear held horizontally, his body radiating fierce spiritual energy. Su Lingyue also immediately activated her spiritual sword intent. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, poured all their spiritual energy into the defensive barrier erected by Lin Yan.

Lin Yan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he lightly pointed his finger at the Abyss Pearl. A burst of shimmering blue spiritual light erupted, transforming into an incredibly thick light shield that enveloped the four of them and the Laoshan disciples behind them. The fire python slammed into the light shield, and a deafening roar exploded, scattering flames and sending violent shockwaves of spiritual energy sweeping in all directions, raising dust and billowing smoke at the valley entrance.

When the smoke and dust cleared, Lin Yan and the other three remained unmoved, their defensive barrier intact. Huo Xiao's all-out attack was actually blocked!

Huo Xiao's expression changed drastically, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Just as he was about to order a full-scale attack, sword energy suddenly roared in the western sky, and thousands of snow-white sword rainbows pierced through the clouds. Chu Linfeng, the sword guardian of the eastern border of the Qingyun Sect, led the elite sword cultivators of the sect to form a formation in the air. The sword energy was cold and blocked out the sun, but they remained at the border, coldly observing the battle. It was clear that they were sitting on the sidelines watching the tigers fight, waiting to reap the benefits.

The southern sea was shrouded in mist, its surface calm and still. Luo Wei, the commander of the Water Moon Pavilion's secret guards, led the Shadow Water Guards, concealing themselves within the vast mist. Their auras were completely suppressed, and they remained motionless, silently watching the movements in front of the valley. They obeyed Su Wanli's orders, neither interfering nor retreating, and quietly observed the situation.

Deep within the dense forests on both sides of Lingxian Valley, a malevolent aura surged like ink. Bone Demon, an elder of the Blood Fiend Sect, led a large group of evil cultivators to lie in wait in the shadows. Their blood-stained eyes were fixed on the battlefield, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of their mouths. They patiently waited for the Burning Heaven Sect and Laoshan to be weakened before striking to reap the rewards and massacre Lingxian Valley.

Surrounded by powerful enemies from all sides, with layers upon layers of murderous intent surging, the entire Lingxian Valley was completely encircled.

Lin Yan raised his hand to recall the precious spiritual light, two streams of dark blue spiritual energy swirling around him. He glanced at the sword rainbow in the sky, the mist on the sea, and the baleful aura in the forest, finally focusing his gaze on Huo Xiao. His voice was steady and resounding, carrying a terrifying power: "The Guixu Seal is crucial to the safety of countless lives in the East Sea. If the spiritual veins are disturbed, the seal will be in danger. Today, with the four of us here, not an inch of Lingxian Valley will be yielded. Anyone who dares to cross this line will be an enemy of Laoshan and of all living beings in the East Sea!"

Shen Yue slammed his spear into the ground, unleashing a burst of powerful spiritual energy that intensified his aura.

Su Lingyue drew her longsword, her agile sword intent pointing directly at the enemy formation, each move carrying killing intent.

Yunxi channeled her spiritual energy, protecting the three's flanks, making their defense impregnable.

The four core disciples of Laoshan Mountain were of one mind and were surrounded, yet their momentum was overwhelming, and they managed to suppress the entire scene.

Huo Xiao was caught in a dilemma, his face ashen. With each of the four forces harboring their own secrets, the stalemate was about to escalate into an even more brutal bloodbath.