No Reward

"Change formation! Suppress the demon!"

The moment they sensed the aura of Bai Qianshuang's avatar, the leading elder of the Qingyun Sect roared in alarm. The four of them simultaneously formed hand seals, while over a dozen disciples behind them drove their swords into the ground.

In an instant, the entire Blackwind Valley trembled violently. Thick streams of azure spiritual energy surged from the earth, transforming into countless sword beams that shot into the sky, weaving together into a massive sword formation spanning several miles!

Runes shimmered across the formation, each one writhing like a living entity, radiating an awe-inspiring righteous energy capable of suppressing all things. Even the stars in the sky dimmed under its overwhelming pressure!

"Qingyun Demon-Sealing Formation!"

"..."

Bai Qianshuang showed no fear. Instead, she pushed her spiritual energy to its limits.

At the same time, she merged with her golden lotus avatar. Layer upon layer of petals unfurled, each one gleaming with a holy white light. As spiritual energy poured into it, the lotus began absorbing the surrounding natural energy—even the valley’s eerie winds were drawn into its core, transforming into a tempest of power!

"Golden Lotus, Suppress the World!" she shouted softly. The lotus surged forward, its petals parting to unleash countless golden beams toward the sword net. Each beam carried the force to shatter the void, tearing through the air with a deafening crackle.

"BOOM—" The moment the golden light clashed with the sword formation, it felt as though heaven and earth were collapsing.

The collision of the two forces erupted in a blinding radiance, illuminating the entire valley like daylight.

"Ugh." The instant the energies clashed, Bai Qianshuang felt the immense strain on her spiritual reserves.

She narrowed her eyes, struggling to maintain her avatar’s form!

The sword formation’s runes flickered violently, trying to repel the golden beams, but the light clung like a relentless parasite, spreading across the formation. Wherever it touched, the azure energy froze into ice, and white cracks began spiderwebbing across the formation.

"What?!" The four Qingyun Sect elders paled, immediately pouring more spiritual energy into the formation!

The sword formation flared once more, crushing the golden radiance before condensing into a single colossal azure sword—thousands of feet long—descending with world-shattering force toward the lotus.

"This strike can cleave mountains and rivers! Let’s see how you, demoness, withstand it!"

Bai Qianshuang naturally sensed the sword’s overwhelming power. She clasped her hands in a seal, and the hundred-foot lotus instantly closed, forming a massive bud covered in dense defensive runes. It met the azure blade head-on.

"CLANG!" An ear-splitting roar echoed across the land. The sword was halted by a radiant pillar, yet its crushing weight pressed down relentlessly. The runes on the lotus bud shattered one by one, its golden light dissolving rapidly!

Bai Qianshuang spat blood as the bud was forced deeper into the earth, carving out a crater dozens of feet deep. The surrounding cliffs collapsed, raining debris like a storm!

"Crush her! She won’t last much longer!" The elders and disciples simultaneously expelled a mouthful of vital blood, merging it with the azure sword.

The blade’s radiance surged, pushing the pillar back several feet. Cracks multiplied across the lotus bud, as if it would shatter at any moment!

Bai Qianshuang’s spiritual energy drained rapidly, her face deathly pale. Yet her eyes held no retreat—the blood debt of the Jade Void Sect remained unpaid, and she hadn’t yet reunited with Ye Chuan. She couldn’t fall here!

With a furious cry, she channeled every last drop of energy into the bud. It exploded, countless petals laced with destruction hurtling toward the azure sword and the four elders!

Some petals struck the sword, dimming its brilliance, while others shot toward the elders. But the four were prepared, summoning azure barriers to block the assault!

The valley had already been flattened by the residual force of their clash, leaving nothing but devastation.

As both sides weakened, the lead elder sneered, "Impressive, Demon Sect Saintess! To think you could push us this far!"

"Your energy is spent. Today is your end!" Another elder shuddered inwardly—how could this woman resist four Spirit Transformation cultivators alone?

"Hahaha! No one can save you now!"

"Slay the demoness and seize her soul for the Sect Master!"

The elders formed seals again, and the azure sword descended once more. This time, its edge carried a trace of Dao Comprehension pressure—enough to obliterate a Spirit Transformation cultivator instantly!

Bai Qianshuang had nowhere to dodge. Gripping her spirit sword, she prepared for a final stand.

She… couldn’t fall.

Someone was waiting for her.

Ye Chuan…

A flash of resolve crossed her eyes—she would burn her soul for one last chance.

But just as the sword fell, a figure clad in black streaked through the void like a meteor, appearing before her in an instant!

"Dare to touch my Qianshuang?!"

The familiar voice froze Bai Qianshuang mid-motion, disbelief flickering across her face.

This was…

"Ye Chuan?!"

Ye Chuan didn’t even glance at the descending sword. Instead, he pulled Bai Qianshuang close and casually swung her blade.

No earth-shaking spectacle followed—just a simple black sword beam. Yet this beam carried an unfathomable power, rippling the void in its wake.

The moment it met the azure sword, the colossal blade shattered like fragile glass, dissolving into scattered spiritual energy!

The four elders were sent flying by the residual force, crashing into the cliffs with bone-snapping impact. Blood sprayed from their mouths as their barriers shattered.

"You—?!" The lead elder trembled, staring at Ye Chuan in horror. With a single strike, he had broken their blood-enhanced formation?!

This power… was this Dao Comprehension realm?!

Ignoring their shock, Ye Chuan tightened his hold on the swaying Bai Qianshuang, emerald healing energy seeping into her body.

"Qianshuang, your husband is here."

His voice was soft, yet it carried an unshakable reassurance.

"Ye Chuan…" Bai Qianshuang stared at him as if confirming he was real, then suddenly buried herself in his chest, clutching his sleeves desperately.

"I… don’t want to be apart from you."

Tears spilled as she spoke. Ye Chuan gently patted her back, his eyes softening with heartache.

But when his gaze shifted to the Qingyun Sect elders, it turned glacial.

"Y-you… who are you?!"

"Qin Tianya."

"Q-Qin… Lies! That’s our Sect Master’s name!"

"Correct. No reward for you." Ye Chuan smirked.

His sword flashed again, unleashing a beam of annihilation. The elders had no time to scream—their bodies were pierced, their souls erased without a trace!

The remaining disciples fled in terror, but Ye Chuan cut them down effortlessly.