Ling Tian and Lianhua traversed the desolate landscape, scouring the terrain for their fellow cultivators. Meanwhile, Liang Wong and his students confronted the two rival sects, their gazes fixed covetously on the scattered middle-grade treasures. The leaders' eyes burned with an unquenchable desire as they fixed their gazes on the revered Qingyun sword. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, the three sects poised on the precipice of a fiery clash.
Wen Zhang from the Mystic Lotus Cult burst forth with incredible velocity, his trajectory carrying him toward the Nascent soul as he endeavored to claim the sword. Liang Wong retaliated by summoning a Spirit Formation of wind and thunder, sending Wen Zhang tumbling backward.
Yi Liu from the Heavenly Sword Sect drew his sword with a swift motion, speeding toward Liang Wong with his pointed sword spinning menacingly toward Liang Wong's chest. Liang Wong rapidly drew his sword, executing a precise block that pushed both combatants slightly back. They accelerated their flying movements, spinning their bodies while utilizing their swords as gestural focal points, summoning cross blades to clash with each other. However, both warriors blocked the attacks with effortless ease.
Liang Wong's blade began to radiate an azure glow, and he projected a concentrated spirit energy outside his body, preparing to launch a devastating strike. Yi Liu's body enveloped itself in a resplendent golden aura, and he grasped his sword firmly. Their flying movements attained incredible velocities, their swords clashing in a flurry of four distinct slashes that illuminated the air with vibrant colors.
As their different cultivation colors glowed on their bodies and swords, the atmosphere became even more electrifying. Wen Zhang seized the opportunity to claim the Qingyun sword, prompting Yi Liu to halt his battle with Liang Wong. Yi Liu pushed Liang Wong flying downward, creating an opening for Liang Wong to counterattack.
Liang Wong capitalized on the chance, summoning a thunderbolt that struck Yi Liu's body with incredible force. The lightning convulsed Yi Liu, causing him to dance erratically in the sky before his body darkened and plummeted to the ground, lifeless.
As the three sects' students clashed, the Heavenly Sword Sect students' eyes widened in shock and astonishment. One of them exclaimed, "Master! Master Yi Liu!" The students' momentary distraction allowed the two rival sects to gain the upper hand, swiftly cutting down the Heavenly Sword Sect students.
With the Heavenly Sword Sect defeated, only two sects remained. Liang Wong's gaze locked onto Wen Zhang, who grasped the Qingyun sword triumphantly.
"Ha! The Qingyun sword now belongs to me," Wen Zhang declared, his voice dripping with malevolent intent. "You're nothing but a insignificant ant to me, Liang Wong."
Liang Wong's face contorted in rage. "The Qingyun sword is in the wrong hands, and I must reclaim it!" he asserted, his voice low and menacing.
Liang Wong launched himself toward Wen Zhang with incredible velocity, but Wen Zhang merely laughed, posing with the Qingyun sword as he awaited Liang Wong's attack. Liang Wong raised his sword, striking downward toward Wen Zhang.
"Fool!" Wen Zhang taunted, utilizing the Qingyun sword to block Liang Wong's attack. The swords clashed, generating a colossal force and wind that shook the surroundings. Both cultivators channeled their strength into the clash, amplifying the force and wind.
Suddenly, Liang Wong's sword began to fracture, slowly splintering under the pressure of the Qingyun sword's power. Despite this, Liang Wong continued to push forward, but Wen Zhang's sword proved too powerful, repelling Liang Wong's attack with immense strength.
Liang Wong's sword shattered into fragments, and the force of their clash sent him hurtling toward the wall, where he landed with severe injuries. Wen Zhang seized the opportunity, pointing the Qingyun sword's blade toward Liang Wong's throat.
Just as all seemed lost, a sonorous hum filled the air, heralding the arrival of a powerful ancient artifact. The artifact blocked the Qingyun sword's deadly thrust, sending Wen Zhang stumbling backward. The sword slipped from Wen Zhang's grasp, falling to the ground.
The artifact struck Wen Zhang with immense force, sending him flying across the landscape. As it returned to its owner, Ling Tian appeared, his presence commanding attention.
Ling Tian and Lianhua walked toward Liang Wong, gently lifting him up. The Heavenly Sword Sect students rushed to their master's lifeless body.
"How did you manage to claim the Jade Emperor's Staff?" Wen Zhang inquired, his voice laced with concern.
Ling Tian's expression turned solemn. "The sword does not belong to you; it belongs to us."
Wen Zhang shook his head, a malevolent grin spreading across his face. "You'll never defeat me."
Liang Wong gazed at Ling Tian with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "Ling Tian, where did you learn to be so brave? The gap between you and Wen Zhang is immense. He's at the Nascent Soul level 5, with 10,000 years of cultivation, while you're only at the Foundation Establishment level 7. You can't defeat him."
Ling Tian's expression remained resolute, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll protect my friends, no matter the cost."
Lianhua's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Ling Tian. "Ling Tian, you can't do this. Let me help you."
Ling Tian gently shook off Lianhua's hand, his voice low and reassuring. "Lianhua, I love you."
Lianhua's face contorted in anguish, and she burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs. Ling Tian's expression remained steadfast, his eyes fixed intently on Wen Zhang.
Wen Zhang sneered, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Seriously, young man, do you want to do this?"
Ling Tian nodded, his voice firm. "Yes."
The two enemies posed, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. The sect students watched in sorrow, sensing the impending tragedy.
Ling Tian's body burst forth with a radiant white and golden aura, while Wen Zhang's eyes gleamed with malevolent intent. Wen Zhang charged forward, his body spinning rapidly as he wielded the Qingyun sword. Ling Tian grasped the Jade Emperor's Staff, its blue glow illuminating the surroundings.
The two enemies clashed, their powers locked in a fierce struggle. Ling Tian blocked Wen Zhang's attack, the staff's lightning force unleashing a powerful counterattack. However, Wen Zhang proved relentless, his elemental powers of fire amplifying the Qingyun sword's strength.
As they exchanged blows, their auras intensified, their powers reaching a critical point. Wen Zhang's eyes gleamed with cunning, and he resorted to a deceitful tactic. He reached into his pocket, retrieving a hot pill, and swiftly threw it at Ling Tian's eyes.
Ling Tian's vision blurred, and Wen Zhang seized the opportunity to strike. With a swift and merciless motion, he pierced the Qingyun sword through Ling Tian's stomach. Ling Tian's mouth opened wide, and blood spilled from his lips.
Liang Wong's voice was barely audible, his words laced with despair. "No..." Lianhua's eyes had lost their luster, her tears flowing like a waterfall as she knelt beside Ling Tian. Her voice was a heart-wrenching scream. "Ling Tian!!!"