Ling Tian Sword God

Upon arriving at the Divine Intent Sect's area, Ling Chen removed his mask, revealing his true face.

"Ling Chen?"

Shangguan Qiushui and Xiao Muyu looked pleasantly surprised as they saw Ling Chen approach. Since Ling Chen's escape, they hadn't seen him and had been worried something might have happened to him. Seeing Ling Chen safe and sound was a huge relief.

"You little beast! You slaughtered your fellow Disciples and killed our Junior Brother Song Hailan. How dare you show your face here!" Longyang's face turned grim as Ling Chen appeared before him, and he shouted sharply.

"And why shouldn't I?" Ling Chen replied with a cold smile. "Do you have any proof that I killed Song Hailan? I wasn't even aware he was dead."

Hearing this, Shangguan Qiushui and Xiao Muyu exchanged surprised glances, then it dawned on them. At the time, Ling Chen had been wearing a mask and had not shown his true face. Although they knew it was Ling Chen, no one could prove that the masked youth was indeed him.

"You scoundrel, still daring to argue?" Longyang's expression turned even colder. He hadn't expected Ling Chen to deny it. He immediately glared at Shangguan Qiushui and Xiao Muyu. "You two were present. You can testify that this boy killed Junior Brother Song, can't you?"

"The one who killed Song Hailan was a masked man. No one knows who that person was. How can we be certain it was Ling Chen?" Xiao Muyu naturally defended Ling Chen and wouldn't expose him on the spot.

Shangguan Qiushui also nodded. "Junior Sister Xiao is right. Without conclusive evidence, Senior Brother Long, you cannot accuse an innocent person." Although she knew the masked youth, Dustless, was Ling Chen, she also knew she couldn't say so. If it were revealed, Ling Chen would be doomed. Killing a fellow Sect Disciple, if proven, was an unpardonable crime.

"You two!" Longyang was practically seething with rage. These two wretched girls were clearly colluding to protect Ling Chen and distort the facts.

"You little beast, I will kill you today and avenge Junior Brother Song!" Ignoring the two girls' testimonies, Longyang fiercely slashed his sword towards Ling Chen's neck.

"Stop!" Shangguan Qiushui and Xiao Muyu cried out almost simultaneously. They hadn't expected Longyang to be so overbearing and unreasonable as to attack Ling Chen directly here.

However, Ling Chen was prepared. He, too, swung his sword, and as his sword qi erupted, the airflow reversed. The intense, sharp aura left the crowd momentarily stunned. Ling Chen's sword qi wasn't as potent as Longyang's, but it was far sharper. The two swords clashed, producing a sharp clang of colliding metal.

The next moment, a series of explosive sounds ripped through the surrounding air, and the residual sword qi scattered in all directions.

"What? He actually blocked Senior Brother Longyang's attack?"

"Even if Longyang only used eighty percent of his strength, a Martial Artist Sixth Realm shouldn't be able to block it so easily. This Ling Chen is no simpleton!"

"Why is Ling Chen's sword qi sharper than Longyang's? That must be how he neutralized that sword strike."

"It's Sword Intent! Ling Chen has long since mastered Sword Intent, so his sword qi is naturally far sharper than others'!"

The crowd was shocked by this exchange.

Longyang's eyes turned red, indicating his murderous intent. Ling Chen's comprehension of Sword Intent didn't deter him in the slightest. What's the use of Sword Intent to a dead Swordsman? He was going to kill Ling Chen now and ensure he would never rise again.

"That's enough!" Nie Wu Xiang finally spoke, glancing at Ling Chen with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Having listened for so long, he had a general understanding of the situation. But regardless of who was right or wrong, they couldn't fight now. "Defeating this Gold Horned Python is the priority. Whatever grievances you have can be settled after we leave the Tienzong Ruins."

"But..." Longyang was still unwilling to let it go. In his eyes, Ling Chen, originally no threat, would become a great one if allowed to continue developing. Sooner or later, even he would not be Ling Chen's match.

"No 'buts'," Nie Wu Xiang frowned, then continued, "Besides, people from both the righteous and demonic paths are present. With so many watching, do you intend to stage a scene of fellow Disciples killing each other and make the entire world mock our Divine Intent Sect?"

"Brother Nie is right. The overall situation is what matters. Without solid evidence, it's not appropriate to act rashly."

"We entered the Tienzong Ruins to find the Heavenly Sect's Secret Treasure and its legacy. What sense does it make to kill each other here?"

Some True Disciples of the Divine Intent Sect also spoke up, their gazes carrying a warning for Longyang.

Slightly retracting his True Qi, Longyang decided to endure for a while longer. He couldn't harm a hair on Ling Chen's head now and could only wait for another opportunity after leaving this place.

"Quickly form up! Everyone to your positions! Prepare to attack the Gold Horned Python on command!" Nie Wu Xiang then turned, his gaze falling upon the Gold Horned Python. By now, other Sects had already formed their battle formations and were engaged with the Gold Horned Python. If they continued their internal strife and didn't act, the members of the other Sects wouldn't stand for it.

HISSSSSS...

The Gold Horned Python, a three-hundred-year-old Third Grade Demonic Beast, was still incredibly formidable under the combined assault of the various battle formations. Every so often, two or three Sect Disciples were sliced in half by its tail, and blood filled the air.

However, it was now a cornered beast fighting desperately. The Experts on the Heavenly List all possessed the ability to challenge those of higher cultivation levels. How could the Gold Horned Python, despite its strength, withstand their united efforts for long? As time passed, it was beaten back relentlessly, unable to mount an effective counter-attack.

"Kill!"

Cries of battle filled the air. Waves of Air Energy struck the Gold Horned Python, causing blossoms of blood to erupt. As for the Experts on the Heavenly List, the prodigies of the Demonic Sect, and the elites of the Black Market, they either held back or, when they did strike, aimed for the Python's vital spots. Their attacks were at least ten times more devastating than those of ordinary Disciples. They were the main force attacking the Gold Horned Python.

About half an hour later, the Gold Horned Python let out a mournful cry. Its massive, serpentine body collapsed with the force of a falling mountain, crashing heavily to the ground. Then, with a tremendous effort, it swam into the pool beside the main hall, sending up a large splash of water, and fled.

With the Gold Horned Python's obstruction gone, the gates of the entire Heavenly Sect Main Hall were exposed to everyone. All eyes shifted to the entrance, their gazes becoming fervent.

An eerie silence fell upon the square before the grand hall. Yet, the atmosphere within the square suddenly grew charged.

"Charge!"

The silence lasted only for a moment before being shattered by a shout. The next instant, numerous figures, like a swarm of locusts, surged towards the main hall's entrance, unleashing a torrent of air-rending sounds.

The bronze gate was instantly blasted to smithereens by countless sword gleams, palm strikes, fist energies, spear thrusts, and staff blows. However, as the many young Experts streamed into the hall, they didn't forget to ambush and attack each other, throwing Flying Daggers and Hidden Weapons. Miserable screams echoed incessantly.