Han Yi sensed the rapidly approaching aura of a Golden Immortal, prompting him to swiftly retract his Sword Realm and focus on self-preservation.
The first Immortal he had slain within the Great Peaks Immortal Sect was Li Yi Xuanxian, and he was still disguised as the Ancient Past Profound Immortal. Just moments ago, he had even killed Gu Yun True Immortal, the guardian who had known of True Immortal Fuling's return.
With no one left in the Great Peaks Immortal Sect aware of his true identity or the long-standing feud between the Profound Pill Sect and Great Wei, the remaining Immortals held little significance. Facing a Golden Immortal, Han Yi couldn't afford to divide his attention; he needed to give his full focus to the battle, leaving no room to concern himself with the other Great Wei Immortals.
At that moment, he detected a decaying aura emanating from the Immortal figure streaking across the vast Jade Lake—a Golden Immortal on the verge of collapse. Despite this, Han Yi remained vigilant. Though the aura was indeed decaying, it undeniably radiated the majestic authority of the Heavenly Dao, confirming the Immortal's true Golden Immortal status.
While he had slain over a dozen Golden Immortals on the Profound Immortal Ranking within the Immortal Court, this was his first real-world encounter with one. Even with the Golden Immortal's obvious weakness, Han Yi dared not lower his guard.
Moreover, the Golden Immortal's sudden appearance at this critical moment strongly suggested a connection to the Great Peaks Immortal Sect—perhaps even being one of their original Golden Immortals.
While the Divine Soul memories of True Immortal Fuling and Profound Immortal Ancient Past indicated that the Great Peaks Immortal Sect hadn't revealed a Golden Immortal in recent years, this didn't necessarily mean none remained alive within the sect.
It was possible that a Golden Immortal had secretly returned but, for some unknown reason, chose not to reveal himself to ordinary Immortals, perhaps even keeping his presence hidden from the current Sect Leader, Profound Immortal Li Yi Xuanxian.
In fact, as Han Yi had suspected, the Golden Immortal rapidly approaching was indeed from the Great Peaks Immortal Sect.
Coincidentally, this Golden Immortal was none other than Fu Ling himself—the Gu Xi lineage's Golden Immortal, whose Daoist Title was Gu Lian.
Over two centuries ago, Golden Immortal Gu Lian had been ambushed by a rival Immortal Sect and trapped within a mysterious Cave Heaven World. He only managed to escape seventy years ago, but his injuries showed no signs of healing. Instead, they grew steadily worse. A sinister force, like a malignant tumor, clung to him, corroding his Immortal Body and Immortal Soul, gradually diminishing even his Immortal Power.
Having secretly obtained clues, he arrived at the Profound Nuwa Immortal Sect and discovered a magnificent treasure land beneath the vast Jade Lake. This land could suppress his internal injuries, allowing him to endure for at least another two thousand years. During that time, if a Golden Immortal were to emerge from the Great Peaks Immortal Sect, there was a chance they could cure him.
Therefore, he kept his return a secret from all the Immortals of the Great Peaks Immortal Sect. Even the Profound Immortal disciples of his own lineage and those loyal to the Sect Leader remained unaware of his hidden presence near the sect.
He then entered a state of semi-hibernation within the treasure land beneath the Jade Lake, using a false death technique to minimize his aura and slow the further deterioration of his injuries.
He was jolted awake by the news of Han Yi's slaughter of Li Yi Xuanxian and his subsequent massacre of the Great Peaks Immortals using the Sword Realm. The revelation shocked and infuriated him.
If the Great Peaks Immortal Sect's painstakingly rebuilt stronghold were destroyed, his only fate would be to await death, with no hope of recovery.
Sensing Han Yi's cultivation realm and power from afar, he hesitated for a moment, stunned by the strength Han Yi had displayed.
At that very moment, as the thought of his sect's demise and the utter hopelessness of the situation flashed through his mind, Han Yi immediately released his feigned death restriction and fled the treasured land using an escape technique.
Though the Profound Immortal was strong, Han Yi possessed numerous Golden Immortal-level techniques. Even severely injured, he was confident he could slay the immortal with a high probability. Even if this Profound Immortal resembled the Crimson Bell Profound Immortal of his sect—capable of battling Golden Immortals—Han Yi believed he could at least shock him into retreat, safeguarding his sect and preserving its last hope.
Meanwhile, the scattered Great Wei Immortals, upon witnessing the arrival of Golden Immortal Gu Lian, instantly halted their flight, their faces erupting with frenzied joy.
"It's Peak Lord Gu Lian, master of the Seventh Main Peak!"
"Heavens! Peak Lord Gu Lian isn't dead! He's still alive!"
"Great Wei is saved!"
"Kill this intruder! Don't let him escape!"
"That's right! He must die!"
Though Han Yi wore the guise of Daoist Gu Xi, the immortals who had fled to the periphery knew he was no ordinary Gu Xi. His strength and methods were worlds apart from the real Gu Xi.
In their hearts, they were convinced Han Yi was an invader—most likely an immortal from one of the Golden Immortal-level sects that had conspired to besiege the Great Peaks Immortal Sect years ago.
As Golden Immortal Gu Lian approached the Sword Realm, Han Yi's solemn expression shifted to one of eager anticipation. He recognized the immortal's identity from the memories of both Fu Ling and Gu Xi.
Golden Immortal Gu Lian, Peak Lord of the Seventh Main Peak of the Great Peaks Immortal Sect.
Gu Lian was an ordinary Golden Immortal. His innate talent was unremarkable, but his longevity had allowed him to outlive countless fellow immortals of his generation. He had attained the Dao of the Golden Immortal, yet remained stagnant at that level, becoming one of the most commonplace Golden Immortals.
Han Yi had slain over a dozen such Golden Immortals within the Void Tower. Had Gu Lian been at his peak, Han Yi might have been wary and prepared to retreat. But the immortal's aura was clearly unstable, indicating severely diminished power. With little remaining threat, Han Yi's battle intent surged.
It was an ironic coincidence.
The first Profound Immortal Han Yi had ever killed was a branch member of the Great Peaks Immortal Sect—the Nine Peaks Profound Immortal in Sui Gu Immortal City. Now, in the real world, the first hostile Golden Immortal he was about to confront also hailed from the same sect.
Could the Great Peaks Immortal Sect be sending him another batch of "experience points"?
The thought had barely crossed Han Yi's mind before he acted. Instead of retreating, he advanced, waving his hand as he flew toward Jade Lake. The thirteen Immortal Swords surrounding him scattered and regrouped, their trajectories unpredictable.
In that instant, he dismantled his Sword Realm and switched to the Great Freedom Cosmic Light Sword Canon, a technique that amplified his individual combat prowess.
In truth, this Sword Canon comprised nine sword techniques. The first three could unleash True Immortal-level combat power, the middle six Profound Immortal-level power, and the final three Golden Immortal-level power.
Furthermore, the Sword Canon could be divided: the first six techniques formed the Cosmic Radiance Sword Canon, while the latter three constituted the Great Freedom Sword Canon.
Han Yi had now fully mastered the first six techniques—the Cosmic Radiance Sword Canon.
Overturning Sea, Dawn-Breaking, Heavenburning, Netherworld, Eternal Night, Light-Slaying.
Each of the thirteen Immortal Swords casually unleashed one of these sword techniques: the surging tides of Overturning Sea, the radiant light of Dawn-Breaking, the raging fury of Heavenburning, the desolate stillness of Netherworld, the oppressive darkness of Eternal Night, and the decisive might of Light-Slaying.
Moreover, these thirteen sword techniques were executed using the Sword Control Immortal Art, creating a dual-layered effect that had allowed him to personally slay three severely injured Golden Immortals within the Void Tower.
Above Jade Lake, amidst the countless unpredictable flashes of sword light, a silver-white radiance flickered almost imperceptibly, vanishing into the Void with sporadic bursts, leaving no trace in space.
This was the Heavenly Demon Halberd Fragment. Within the Void Tower, this fragment had been Han Yi's primary weapon for slaying Golden Immortals. Now, facing a Golden Immortal in the real world for the first time, he naturally wouldn't hesitate to unleash its power.
Dozens of miles away, above Jade Lake, Golden Immortal Gu Lian stood flushed, his face crimson and even his beard unnaturally red. A blood-colored glint flashed in his eyes as he hurled a jade ruyi. The ruyi expanded explosively in mid-air, then swept forward, colliding with the myriad sword lights in a cacophony of crisp, metallic clangs that reverberated across the vast expanse.
Though the sounds were clear and musical, they carried terrifying power. As they spread, the dark gray aura surrounding Han Yi rippled like water, concentric waves vibrating outward.
Those Immortals who had closed in from behind to prevent Han Yi's escape lacked such resilience. The resonant clangs caused their bodies to tremble violently before erupting in bursts of blood and flesh. Their Immortal Souls, trailing wisps of lingering soul energy, fled desperately for survival.
Under the reverberating sound, Daoist Gu Lian's Immortal Robe began to shimmer with seven-colored light. This Sixth-Tier Immortal Robe had saved him from Golden Immortal assassins years ago.
Boom! Below, the surface of Jade Lake buckled under immense pressure, instantly plummeting a hundred meters. The water within a hundred-meter radius surged outward, forming a colossal tidal wave.
"Good!"
Having just escaped the territory of the Great Peaks Immortal Sect, Han Yi stood hovering above the edge of Jade Lake. The dual-colored radiance in his Silverfire Dual Pupils intensified, overflowing with power. He murmured softly, his thoughts surging as his Immortal Power spread. He drew back the scattered Immortal Swords and thrust them forward again.
In that instant, the sword light erupted anew, burning with even greater killing intent.
At the same time, Han Yi realized that while Golden Immortal Gu Lian's combat prowess was lacking, his Jade Ruyi was likely a Fifth-Rank Immortal Artifact, and his Immortal Robe might even be of a higher tier, perhaps a Sixth-Rank Immortal Artifact.
In the Void Tower, facing Golden Immortals wielding such high-level Immortal Artifacts had always required multiple attempts. He had to probe for weaknesses, evade the artifacts, and then strike decisively to eliminate his foes.
For Han Yi, this battle was far easier than facing a Golden Immortal with overwhelming combat prowess. His opponent's strength was no match for his, making him virtually invincible. All he needed was time to slowly whittle the man down and secure the kill.
With that in mind, Han Yi reactivated his thirteen Immortal Swords. Nine of them coalesced into a Sword Realm, while the remaining four, guided by the Sword Canon, relentlessly circled the Jade Ruyi, bombarding his opponent.
Several miles away, Peak Lord Gu Lian's expression had already undergone a dramatic shift. He had initially clashed with the Jade Ruyi against the opponent's strikes, relying on his Immortal Robe to block the incoming sword light.
The vibrations from his Immortal Robe now revealed a shocking truth: his foe was no ordinary Profound Immortal. This warrior surpassed even the Crimson Bell Profound Immortal, a Heaven's Chosen of their sect—not a Half-Step Golden Immortal, but someone wielding the true combat power of a Golden Immortal!
Such heaven-defying Profound Immortals were exceedingly rare in the Immortal Realm. Some Dao Fields might harbor a few, while even in the Immortal Courts of the Great Luo Immortal Realm, their numbers rarely exceeded a hundred.
This opponent must hail from one of those Dao Fields or Immortal Courts, and moreover, he was likely a peak Profound Immortal within his respective organization.
The Great Peaks Immortal Sect had never considered such a possibility. Knowing their limitations, they had never provoked a Dao Field, let alone the Immortal Court. Their only rivals were a few Golden Immortal Sects.
Even with the resources of a Golden Immortal Sect, nurturing a Half-Step Golden Immortal like Crimson Bell Profound Immortal—who had once escaped from a Golden Immortal's grasp—was an extraordinary feat. Ultimately, no matter how hard they tried, they could never produce a heaven-defying prodigy capable of battling, let alone slaying, a Golden Immortal while still in the Profound Immortal Realm.
But now, as the first clash unfolded, Golden Immortal Gu Lian immediately realized that Han Yi's experience in facing Golden Immortals was no less than his own. A thought flashed through his mind: could this opponent have actually killed a Golden Immortal? That would explain his burning battle intent and unwavering composure.
As Gu Lian's confidence faltered, Han Yi's eyes suddenly blazed with brilliance over a dozen miles away.
In the next instant, the silver light that had been concealed within the myriad sword lights of the Sword Canon erupted with explosive speed, more than doubling its previous velocity.
Chih!
A thin line of blood appeared on Gu Lian's arm. Under the force of Han Yi's peak-speed strike, a flaw opened in his Immortal Robe, rendering it useless. It could no longer withstand the onslaught.
Before Golden Immortal Gu Lian's expression could fully register his shock, the silver light flashed back, leaving a second bloody gash on his other arm.
In the next instant, the silver light above Jade Lake intensified dramatically, becoming so dazzling that an unwary observer might have mistaken it for a vast sea of silver, completely encircling Golden Immortal Gu Lian.
Within this ocean of silver light, a life-or-death crisis loomed. Gu Lian's eyes widened in fury as he let out a low roar, unleashing the Nine Purple Lihuo Immortal Wrath.
Sensing imminent doom, he recklessly activated this Immortal Art, despite its severe side effects. This technique had been passed down through his lineage; Ancient Past Profound Immortal Gu Xi had attempted to use it during Han Yi's assassination attempt, but his strength had been insufficient, leaving Han Yi no opportunity to intervene.
Now, however, Golden Immortal Gu Lian's activation of the art left Han Yi no room for counteraction.
As the low roar echoed, nine purple flames materialized above Gu Lian's head. These flames instantly plunged downward, surging into his body and temporarily suppressing his injuries, restoring him to his peak condition in an instant.
Over ten miles away, Han Yi's face showed no trace of fear. He refused to turn and flee, refusing to expose his back to the Golden Immortal who had unleashed this dangerous Immortal Art.
Instead, Han Yi stepped forward, his figure vanishing in an instant.
Spirit Void Transformation.
Simultaneously, the sword light that had permeated the surrounding tens of miles instantly erupted, its murderous intent solidifying into a tangible force.
When it came to endurance, Han Yi had never been defeated.
Boom!
Terrifying explosions echoed incessantly in the sky. Within the space transformed into an ocean of light, furious roars reverberated, gradually fading until they disappeared completely.
Less than ten breaths later, a blood-soaked figure plunged into Jade Lake.
The residual sword light and Immortal Qi in the sky slowly dissipated or were extinguished. It took a full minute for the space to return to normal.
By then, the two figures who had clashed earlier had vanished without a trace.
An eerie silence descended.
On the shores of Jade Lake, within the half-destroyed Great Peaks Immortal Sect, seven Profound Immortals and dozens of True Immortals mustered their courage and ventured onto the lake's surface. They extended their Immortal Sense across hundreds of miles, but found no trace of any other Immortals. It was as if the Golden Immortal battle they had just witnessed had been nothing more than a hallucination.
But when they turned to gaze upon the nearly obliterated Great Peaks Immortal Sect, they were confronted with a brutal, blood-soaked reality.
"Who won?"
"Did Peak Lord Gu Lian win?"
"That figure didn't look like Peak Lord Gu Lian."
"Impossible! Peak Lord Gu Lian is a Golden Immortal. How could he possibly be defeated by a mere Profound Immortal?"
"Exactly! That's utterly inconceivable."
"If it were truly Peak Lord Gu Lian, why wouldn't he return to the Sect instead of fleeing into Jade Lake?"
"This..."
"Should we wait here, or descend into the lake to investigate?"
"What if...?"
Above Jade Lake, the Immortals were divided. Finally, a Peak Profound Immortal stepped forward, forcefully silencing the dissent. Refusing to delude themselves any longer, he declared Peak Lord Gu Lian dead and announced that the Profound Immortal, severely wounded, had escaped into the lake.
He then divided the surviving Immortals into two groups. One group was tasked with reorganizing the Sect's cultivators, securing the Sect's Secret Treasury, and temporarily evacuating to a secondary stronghold.
Meanwhile, he led the remaining three Profound Immortals and sixteen True Immortals into Jade Lake to hunt down the Profound Immortal, determined to finish him off. After all, having slain Peak Lord Gu Lian, the Profound Immortal must be gravely injured.
This rebellious Profound Immortal was the Sect's sworn enemy. They couldn't miss this opportunity to eliminate him; only then could the Sect secure its future.