Both suffer defeat, a sacrifice to the heavens.

The two young children brandished the Twin Sheng Sword Technique with remarkable skill, relentlessly pressing forward and forcing Li Qiufeng to retreat step by step. Xie Wujie was astonished; it was obvious the two were not even at the Golden Core stage, yet their prowess was formidable. Upon closer inspection, he realized Li Qiufeng’s arm seemed fractured from their earlier clash, now compelling him to fend off the children’s swords single-handedly, leaving him exhausted and overwhelmed.

The Twin Sheng Sword Technique’s footwork was in perfect harmony—each thrust delivered immense power, doubling the force, and with two swords attacking from both sides, it was impossible to defend. Their synchronized advances and retreats were seamless, as if they were one entity.

“Don’t harm my father!” From Ye Fang’s sleeve flew two throwing darts, their ends dripping with potent poison, which sizzled and smoked as it hit the flagstones. Should the darts strike, the children’s fate would be grim.

Seizing the moment, Xie Wujie hurled two balls of Undying True Fire, each the size of a bowl, intercepting the darts and knocking them off course. The poisoned projectiles slammed into the walls instead.

Ye Fang glared furiously at Xie Wujie. “You fool! I gave you a chance, but you don’t appreciate it. Dozens have pursued me, and I chose you, yet you still want to ruin my plans!”

“Hmph, beauty is but skin deep—yours is only surface. Your soul is uglier than a dog’s. Forgive me, I insulted dogs,” Xie Wujie retorted.

Ye Fang’s viciousness had shattered Xie Wujie’s worldview. He surmised that Lu Tong had likely met with misfortune and deeply regretted not escorting the pair safely out of the village; perhaps then they would have survived. Now, nothing could be undone. That loving couple had surely fallen to the cruel father and daughter, so he was determined to seek justice for them.

With that resolve, Xie Wujie launched his fists at Ye Fang.

Unexpectedly, Ye Fang resorted to trickery, not dodging but thrusting her ample chest forward. Xie Wujie was taken aback by her boldness and, not wishing to dishonor her, hastily withdrew, yet still collided.

Bounce!

Xie Wujie was rebounded, secretly marveling at the elasticity.

Of course, he had pulled his punch; otherwise, Ye Fang would have died. He said, “So now you play dirty?”

“Ha! You’ve taken advantage of me now,” Ye Fang replied.

“Don’t be bewitched by this demoness. The women of the Demon Hall are all trouble, especially those skilled in seduction!” Protector Chu shouted.

Xie Wujie spat. “Relax—girls from the Danxia Sect are a thousand times prettier than her!”

“What? There are women more beautiful than me?” Ye Fang, narrow-minded and ignorant, had never left Qingshi Village and believed herself the fairest in the world. In truth, Dongmen Qianyun surpassed her by far, though her figure was less full than Ye Fang’s. But Xie Wujie valued character above all; no matter how shapely Ye Fang was, her vicious heart warranted death.

Ye Fang spun and kicked at Xie Wujie’s head. He watched closely and noticed a mechanism in her embroidered shoe—when she kicked, a sharp blade suddenly emerged from the heel, aiming straight for his brow.

Xie Wujie glared, instantly pinching with his fingers, but caught Ye Fang’s ankle instead. Sliding his hand up her ankle, Ye Fang’s cheeks flushed with outrage. “What are you doing?”

Without answering, Xie Wujie gripped her ankle, seized the short blade with his other hand, and flung it aside, breaking the shoe’s dagger and tossing it toward Li Qiufeng.

The old villain rolled over, and since his mouth was a demon master, he easily unleashed a burst of energy, blasting the two children away. They were thrown to the ground, blood trickling from their lips, unable to rise.

“My disciples, are you alright?” Protector Chu rushed over, grinding his teeth in frustration. With his cultivation ruined, he could not fight; now his disciples had to battle in his stead, filling him with shame and helplessness.

Li Qiufeng laughed heartily. “Protector Chu, wasn’t it you who spoiled my plans more than ten years ago? My sight had just returned, but you ruined everything!”

“You beast! To restore your sight you would sacrifice innocent lives. If I witness such evil, how could I allow it? Old villain, die!” Protector Chu snatched a sword from the ground and thrust it at Li Qiufeng.

Li Qiufeng glanced at him coolly. “What a joke. You’re a cripple now. What can you do to me? Wh—”

Li Qiufeng stared in shock as the sword pierced his chest.

Protector Chu burst into laughter, spitting blood. “You forget—the Undying Longevity Sect excels at lifespan and essence arts. I burned my remaining years to briefly regain my peak cultivation…”

“Burned your life?” Li Qiufeng grabbed the blade, suddenly raising his hand to strike Protector Chu’s head.

Thunk!

Protector Chu spewed blood from mouth and nose, slammed to the ground, bleeding profusely.

Li Qiufeng clutched his abdomen, staggering backward, eyes filled with hatred and fear. “A life lasts just a few decades… cough… even if you’ve lost your cultivation, you could live a hundred years without using true energy. Why throw it away for mutual destruction?”

“I’ve lived seventy years and grown weary… I’ve been waiting for this day. Waiting and waiting! No family left—what’s the point of living? Endless loneliness, that’s all. The longer life, the greater the pain—watching the old bury the young, suffering all the world’s sorrows… My greatest regret is embarking on this path of cultivation. I should have been a grandfather by now…”

Protector Chu struggled to his feet, body swaying.

“Even if I killed your wife and children, you could remarry. I don’t understand you so-called righteous people…” Li Qiufeng spat a mouthful of blood and sank to the ground.

Protector Chu laughed. “Then you will never understand true kinship. Have you ever truly loved your wife?”

“What?” Li Qiufeng looked at him, both old rivals now breathless and weak.

“Father!” Ye Fang cried, rushing to Li Qiufeng.

“It’s none of your concern…” Li Qiufeng slowly closed his eyes.

Protector Chu gazed at the sky, blood trickling from his lips. “This sky… so beautiful. If Tong’er and Yun’er could see it… then… all would be well…”

Protector Chu closed his eyes. Li Qiufeng struggled to rise, but failed. “You still died before me… heh… heh heh…”

“Xie Wujie, I will avenge my father!” Ye Fang screamed, eyes blazing with hatred. She yanked the sword from her father’s chest and lunged at Xie Wujie.

At that moment, the two children acted. One stabbed Ye Fang in the back, while the other leapt onto her shoulder, plunging his fingers into her temples.

Ye Fang staggered a few steps and fell, her eyes locked on Xie Wujie, dying without peace.

No one had expected this conflict to end in such a deadly fight.

“Protector Chu!” Xie Wujie rushed to Chu Sheng.

Chu Sheng smacked his lips. “Don’t fuss. I just want to sleep.”

Xie Wujie rejoiced. “Wonderful, you’re alive!”

“Go away. I burned ten years of my lifespan; was supposed to live to eighty-five, now I’ll be lucky to last another five,” Protector Chu said.

Xie Wujie pondered. “Protector Chu, could you teach me the art of burning lifespan?”

The old man’s expression changed, his eyes snapping open in anger. “What did you say?”