Xie Yuan could see that Zhou Yun was indeed prepared to fight to the death with them because of the loss of the Blood Essence Crystal. Essentially, it was a case of mutual suffering.
With a cold snort, Xie Yuan showed no intention of backing down and shouted in a deep voice, "Not to mention that Jinyu is no longer in our Heavenly Sword Faction, having gone to the Dayan Dynasty to participate in the Hidden Dragon Conference. Even if he were still here, I would not hand him over!"
"If you want to fight, then fight!"
Xie Yuan shouted angrily, and instantly, the entire Heavenly Sword Mountain Range began to tremble violently. Waves of unparalleled Sword Qi shot up from each peak into the sky, flying in mid-air before finally coalescing into a massive sword tens of feet tall!
When Zhou Yun and the people from the Blood Sword Sect saw this scene, a few shades of shock appeared in their eyes.
Rumor had it that the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range where the Heavenly Sword Faction was located was the battleground of Ancient Immortal Swords. The last Immortal Sword shattered and fell to the earth, its fragments forming peaks that eventually became a mountain range.
This mountain range was the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.
At the time, people heard this and dismissed it as mere talk, but it seemed that the rumor might not be false after all!
However...
Zhou Yun gazed at that chilling giant sword, and the crazed battle intent in his eyes grew even stronger.
Since the Blood Sword Sect had lost the Blood Essence Crystal and would have no successors in the future, they might as well perish together with the Heavenly Sword Faction today!
Either they fight until the Heavenly Sword Faction hands over Mu Jinyu and half of the Heavenly Sword Pool, or they all get erased from the Yan Kingdom together!
"Attack!"
Zhou Yun shouted loudly, drawing his sword while taking out a scarlet pill and swallowing it.
The Elders and disciples of the Blood Sword Sect heard this and followed suit, taking the peculiar scarlet pill as well.
"Boom!!"
After they consumed the pill, their already fierce and aggressive auras became even more ferocious.
"This is... the Blood Demon Life-Reducing Pill!"
Xie Yuan and Xie Chenkun, upon seeing the immense boost in strength of those who had consumed the scarlet pill, looked extremely serious and their faces were very grim.
The Blood Demon Life-Reducing Pill was a unique pill of the Blood Sword Sect.
As the name implies, it's made from the special Blood Essence Liquid of the Blood Essence Pool. Taking it reduces the consumer's lifespan but at the same time enhances their strength!
The extent of the power boost depends on the consumer's strength and talent, but generally speaking, it can advance a minor realm!
This kind of forbidden pill is rarely used by the disciples and elders of the Blood Sword Sect in battle unless it becomes a life-or-death situation where they have no other choice.
After all, though a cultivator's lifespan far exceeds that of ordinary people, it is still limited. Frequent use of such a pill would deplete their lifespan—how could they continue their cultivation and strive for longevity?
Right now, the fact that everyone in the Blood Sword Sect had taken the Blood Demon Life-Reducing Pill without hesitation showed their determination to fight to the death with the Heavenly Sword Faction!
Originally, the Blood Sword Sect was much stronger than the Heavenly Sword Faction, but with the advantage of their terrain and the use of formations, the Heavenly Sword Faction could match them in battle. However, with the Blood Sword Sect having consumed the Blood Demon Life-Reducing Pill, the situation had become unpredictable!
"Kill!"
Even though Xie Yuan was worried, under these circumstances, he had no choice but to shout and take the lead, directing that giant sword above to strike at the Blood Sword Sect!
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The numerous elders and inner sect disciples of the Heavenly Sword Faction shouted in unison, their murderous aura soaring to the sky, as they rushed towards the Blood Sword Sect!
And so, the two sides became entangled in a chaotic battle!
...
Mu Jinyu's residence.
Wen Rou, Jian Ruyan, and Ji Li, the three women, had been carefully attending to Mu Jinyu, whose mind was still immersed in the "Killing Character Secret Technique."
When they took Mu Jinyu from the Great Elder yesterday, they had known that Mu Jinyu's condition was dire.
Now, hearing the shouts from outside and recalling the tremors from not long ago...
It likely meant that the Blood Sword Sect had come to attack.
Mu Jinyu hadn't hidden the matter from them. They all knew that when Mu Jinyu returned from the Blood Sword Sect that day, he had taken the Blood Essence Crystal. Now, the Heavenly Sword Faction must be at war with the Blood Sword Sect.
"What do we do, Ruyan? Should we go out and fight, or get Little Mu out of here quickly?"
Wen Rou glanced at Mu Jinyu, who lay like a vegetable, her brows full of worry, her heart in chaos, unable to decide, she turned to ask Jian Ruyan.
"Hmm..." Jian Ruyan pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "Let's leave first. Although this is the mountain gate of the Heavenly Sword Faction, their home field, there is still the chance something might go wrong. If the Heavenly Sword Faction ends up losing, and they want to hand over Jinyu to placate their anger, we won't have the means to resist. It's better to leave first."
"Okay, let's leave quickly then."
Ji Li was not originally a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Faction and didn't have a sense of belonging there. Hearing both Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan say they wanted to leave, she naturally nodded in agreement.
In her view, Mu Jinyu's safety was far more important than the entire Heavenly Sword Faction.
If the Heavenly Sword Faction was destroyed, it didn't matter, as long as Mu Jinyu was safe, they could eventually avenge them!
The three women quickly packed essential items into their storage bags. Then, Wen Rou carried Mu Jinyu on her back, and with Jian Ruyan and Ji Li, they opened the door and headed outside.
Wen Rou was no longer a weak young woman; she possessed the strength of the Fourth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, which made it easy to carry Mu Jinyu on her back.
But as they reached the courtyard gate, they saw someone standing with his back to them, blocking the way!
Realizing the situation, their hearts sank.
Was someone from the Heavenly Sword Faction monitoring them to prevent them from taking Mu Jinyu away?
That meant the Heavenly Sword Faction indeed had the intention of abandoning Mu Jinyu!
"Please go back. The sect is currently officially at battle with the Blood Sword Sect. It's dangerous outside, and since Senior Brother Mu is unconscious, to prevent any accidents, it's best that you don't leave."
The man facing away turned around, speaking in a cold tone.
"And, don't even think about taking Senior Brother Mu out!"
Jian Ruyan recognized the man's face immediately.
Ranked eighteenth on the List of Outstanding Talents, with the strength of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, was Li Daochen!
Both Jian Ruyan and Wen Rou only had the strength of the Fourth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm—how could they be his match?
If that's the case, how could they take Mu Jinyu away?
Jian Ruyan felt anxious and uneasy.
"We have urgent business to attend to, get out of the way!"
Though Ji Li saw that Li Daochen had the strength of the Seventh Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, she showed no fear, as she herself possessed the strength of the Sixth Layer.
After all, she was once an inner sect disciple of Mingyue Valley!
"Go back, or I won't be able to explain to the Elders!"
Li Daochen spoke, eyes bursting with coldness, indicating that he intended to force them back into the courtyard.
"Elder Sister Wen Rou, Elder Sister Ruyan, take Young Master and leave; I'll hold him off!"
Seeing this, Ji Li knew that without preoccupying this man, Wen Rou and the others wouldn't be able to take Mu Jinyu out, so she resolutely drew her sword and said to the two women.
"Ji Li..."
Wen Rou was somewhat startled by Ji Li's words, hesitating.
Ji Li charged at Li Daochen with her sword while speaking without looking back, "Go quickly; the young master has saved my life multiple times. Now is the time for me to repay him!"