Song Juming had originally planned to pay his respects to his Master’s distinguished guest once he had finished his current tasks. After all, there were very few people in the entire world who possessed the token of an Honorary Elder of the Cangyun Sword Sect.

But before he could get to work, that shocking incident occurred.

In an instant, the spiritual energy of the entire Sword Sect was drained by some unknown force; a gale swept through, nearly tearing the doors of the Cangyun Sword Sect’s main hall off their hinges.

Song Juming immediately flew toward the source of the disturbance.

But when he looked up and saw thunderclouds gathering over the Sixth Peak, Song Juming’s heart skipped a beat.

Someone was undergoing the Tribulation on the Sixth Peak of the Cangyun Sword Sect.

Are they out of their minds?

Undergoing the Tribulation right atop the Cangyun Sword Sect—what’s the difference between that and tearing the roof off someone’s house? That’s simply too arrogant and reckless!

Song Juming wasted no time and immediately headed for the Sixth Peak.

Disciples rushing about in all directions bumped into him and cried out in alarm, “Sect Master! It’s terrible! A demonic tyrant has arrived at the Sixth Peak! It’s the Supreme Sect Master of the Demon Sect!”

Hearing this, Song Juming’s expression darkened.

A demonic tyrant, summoning the Heavenly Tribulation to his Sword Sect?! Does he intend to slaughter everyone, or to bring ruin upon all living beings?

Song Juming drew his sword, preparing to rush to the battlefield, and left these words behind: “Have all Sword Sect disciples descend the mountain—flee! The farther, the better!!”

The disciple froze. “Sect Master…”

“What are you standing there for?”

“But… the Demon Lord hasn’t killed anyone…” the disciple said nervously. “He just drove everyone from the Scripture Hall off the Sixth Peak. And it seems he’s the only one from the Demon Sect who came.”

Song Juming was momentarily puzzled, but the thunderclouds were already gathering. With no time to spare, he shouted, “You must flee regardless! Can’t you see what’s in the sky? When that lightning strikes, everyone will die! Order all Sword Sect disciples to flee as far as possible! Let the Cangyun Sword Sect perish if it must, but everyone must survive!”

The disciples immediately responded with solemn resolve, “Yes!”

Rushing past the crowd, Song Juming flew on his sword toward the Sixth Peak.

By then, the thunderclouds in the sky had nearly gathered in full force. One could even see thunder dragons emerging from within the black clouds.

Just what level of thunder tribulation was this…

Song Juming watched, his heart growing cold.

He had come here prepared to fight to the death.

But when Song Juming arrived, the scene before him left him speechless.

The Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect, clad in ink-black robes yet exuding boundless arrogance, was now soaring through the air, with several spirit orbs swirling around him.

There were no cultivators left on the Sixth Peak.

The once bustling “academy” was now empty, with cultivators scattered throughout the sky—yet none had fled, seemingly gathered to witness the spectacle.

Seeing this, Song Juming abruptly halted his flight and glided forward on his sword.

Those present were all cultivators from other sects; upon seeing the Cangyun Sword Sect’s Patriarch, their faces betrayed a hint of respect. “Patriarch Song.”

“Sect Master!” A few Sword Sect disciples who had been carrying books also hurried over upon seeing their leader—

“Sect Master, you’re here!”

“Why aren’t you leaving? What are you still doing here!” Song Juming’s face darkened. Couldn’t they see the thunder in the sky?

“There’s a barrier up ahead; it seems to be separating us from that lightning tribulation,” a Sword Sect disciple hurriedly explained.

Song Juming sent out a strand of spiritual energy to probe. He saw his spiritual energy swiftly merge into that “thin membrane” shimmering with spiritual light, like a drop of water cast into the sea—it rippled briefly before vanishing without a trace.

Seeing this, his expression grew even more grim.

What on earth is the Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect up to!

Song Juming stood up to confront Lu Qi but was grabbed by a Sword Sect disciple. Even the other cultivators looked troubled.

“Sect Master, I think it was the Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect who saved us.” the Cangyun Sword Sect disciple spoke of the sudden turn of events, still trembling with fear.

The gale of spiritual energy nearly tore the entire Scripture Hall from its foundations.

The wind lashed against their cheeks, leaving countless bloody gashes like razor blades.

Before anyone could process what had happened, a sharp command rang out from above.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to die, get out of here!”

That voice, imbued with the power of spiritual incantations, swept all the cultivators present out of the hall.

When the cultivators looked up and saw the demonic fiend, they fled in terror.

They didn’t understand how the demonic fiend had suddenly appeared in the Cangyun Sword Sect. But they knew that if the demonic fiend went on a killing spree, there wouldn’t be enough of them to go around.

They all summoned their spiritual artifacts and fled. Once they reached the outskirts of the Sixth Peak, however, they discovered the demonic overlord hadn’t pursued them at all.

By the time they realized something was amiss and turned their gaze toward the Scripture Hall, a barrier had already descended from the heavens, completely enveloping the area around the Sixth Peak.

When the crowd looked up, they saw that terrifying thunderclouds had already gathered above the Sixth Peak, which was now enclosed by the barrier.

Someone was about to undergo the tribulation.

And that barrier seemed to have been set up to ensure the thunder tribulation did not harm the innocent. Even the demon’s appearance seemed intended to drive them away swiftly.

If they didn’t leave, no one would escape death when the thunderclouds struck.

“Did he… save us?” someone thought to themselves.

But he was a demon.

Why would a demon lord help them?

The cultivators were puzzled, yet they could not deny that the demon lord’s actions seemed genuinely benevolent.

After hearing his disciple’s words, Song Juming clenched his fist.

Did he lure the lightning tribulation onto the Cangyun Sword Sect, only to step forward and protect others’ lives?

If that were the case, the one undergoing the tribulation could not be the Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect.

Song Juming flew forward on his sword.

He wanted to see exactly what Lu Qi was doing.

He saw the Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect working frantically. With a wave of his hand, several spirit orbs flew out in all directions around the mountain peak.

The spirit orbs settled at the eight corners.

A stunning light connected the eight orbs. The aura emitted the instant they linked was comparable to that of a Great Perfection cultivator.

Song Juming had some experience, and this formation felt all too familiar. the Cangyun Sword Sect’s protective formation was also this “Eight Stars Linked, Orbs United”—a formation that ensured the master’s safety.

This was not an offensive formation, but a defensive one.

Protecting the master with spirit orbs.

Why such a formation… A thought flashed through Song Juming’s mind. The Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect had set up this formation to protect the one undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation! He intended to use the Eight-Star Formation to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation?!

What a mad idea!

Song Juming’s heart pounded wildly.

But… judging by the aura emanating from that Eight-Star Array, resisting the Heavenly Tribulation did not seem like a delusional fantasy.

Having fought against the Demon Sect for many years, this was the first time Song Juming realized that the Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect had actually attained the pinnacle of mastery in the art of formations.

Song Juming took a deep breath.

No matter what…

“Supreme Patriarch of the Demon Sect, you should not have drawn this Heavenly Tribulation upon the Cangyun Sword Sect! The feud between the righteous and demonic paths should not endanger so many lives around the Cangyun Sword Sect!”

A Great Perfection-stage Heavenly Tribulation would reduce not just the Cangyun Sword Sect’s Twelve Peaks, but everything in the surrounding area to ashes.

Lu Qi heard the voice and finally looked up. Instantly, he burst into laughter, utterly brazen. “You’ve really done me a disservice. What good would it do me to wipe out your penniless Sword Sect?”

As he spoke, lightning flashed, and thunder roared across the sky. The first bolt of lightning struck down, heading straight for the Scripture Hall.

Lu Qi’s expression turned cold. “You can’t just strike when people aren’t paying attention!”

Lu Qi clenched his palm tightly.

The eight Spirit Pearls surged with immense power, instantly condensing their spiritual energy into a massive shield that loomed above the Sixth Peak.

The thunderbolt struck down but failed to breach the shield.

The first bolt failed.

The very first bolt of a Great Perfection-stage tribulation had been intercepted.

It wasn’t just Song Juming who was stunned; even the cultivators beyond the boundary stared in disbelief.

It was the first time they had ever seen an array directly withstand heavenly lightning.

The first bolt from the Thunder Dragon struck down, yet it didn’t harm a single person inside the Scripture Hall. This seemed to enrage the Thunder Dragon.

Bolt after bolt of heavenly lightning began to rain down as if they were worthless.

The second, third, fourth—

There were nine bolts of lightning in total, and a single protective array had single-handedly withstood four of them.

Lu Qi’s face paled slightly, but his tone remained defiant. “Hey, is this the Thunder Tribulation of the Great Perfection Realm? It’s a bit underwhelming.”

Though he spoke, Lu Qi’s hands never stopped.

Eight more beads were pulled from his Cosmos Bag.

Once again, the Eight-Star Linked Beads.

“I’ll block them today. Let’s see what you can do,” Lu Qi said, his expression hardening.

The Thunder Dragon was thoroughly enraged.

With a sweep of its tail, lightning several times thicker than before coalesced in the air, as if intent on obliterating all twelve peaks of the Cangyun Sword Sect.

Song Juming was horrified at the sight.

But in the next second, the ever-growing lightning seemed to be bound by something, gradually shrinking back to its previous size.

“It’s a barrier! The barrier is restraining the lightning tribulation,” the crowd exclaimed excitedly. What immense power could control the scale of a heavenly tribulation with one’s own body!

Song Juming looked up.

Above the barrier, a figure hovered in the air, appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds.

The figure’s white robes fluttered in the wind as his palm rested upon the barrier stone. “Why are there so many spectators? Don’t you fear being struck dead by lightning?”

“That’s…”

“The Great Demon Lord! The Great Demon Lord Wen Jue!”

“Both Demon Lords are actually at the Cangyun Sword Sect!”

“Was it Wen Jue who set up the barrier?!”

Amidst their astonishment, the crowd struggled to comprehend why a Demon Lord would protect them.

Song Juming was equally astonished—it was Wen Jue who had shielded the entire Sword Sect with that barrier.

Wen Jue’s appearance here was no less shocking than Lu Qi’s.

Although Song Juming couldn’t connect Wen Jue’s appearance to the world-renowned chief disciple of the Cangyun Sword Sect described in ancient texts, he knew of a rumor.

A rumor concerning the Lord of Zhutian Realm.

According to the rumor, the Lord of Zhutian Realm—who served as the Master’s adoptive father—had raised more than just him. The Demon Lord Wen Jue and the various city lords of the Immortal-Demon City were all disciples of the Lord of Zhutian Realm.

And in the past, before the paths of the righteous and the demonic were so deeply divided, they addressed one another as fellow disciples.

Wen Jue’s appearance here might be connected to the rumor of the ‘Lord of the Heavens’ reemerging.

If the Lord of the Heavens were to reappear, then…

What would become of the relationship between his Master and the Demon Sect?

As Song Juming pondered, the sixth heavenly tribulation struck down!

The sound of the heavenly thunder colliding with the Eight-Star Array was nearly enough to shatter one’s eardrums.

Just as Song Juming looked up, a figure flew out from behind him, heading straight for the barrier.

Immediately afterward, he heard the urgent voice of his junior brother Jiang Huan from behind him—

“Lu Xiao, you can’t go! That’s Great Perfection-level heavenly thunder; you won’t be able to withstand it!”

Song Juming’s thoughts froze for a moment.

Hadn’t his junior brother Jiang Huan met with an accident?

When had he returned?

And he was still calling out the name of the Demon Sect’s leader…

The next second, Lu Xiao, who had charged forward, was bounced back by the barrier. He jerked his head up. “Uncle Wen!”

“Stay over there. Don’t get in the way.” Wen Jue waved him off.

“My father…” Lu Xiao frowned with concern.

He’d only been away with Jiang Huan for a short while—what on earth had happened in the Scripture Hall?

Jiang Huan quickly pulled him back. “With that Demon Lord Wen here, the Supreme Patriarch will be fine! Don’t make things worse.”

Wen Jue:?

“It’s not my father undergoing the tribulation.” Lu Xiao had calmed down by then. He looked at his father’s figure within the formation and said, “He’s using the formation to shield someone from the tribulation.”

But… who could be so important that his father would step in to shield them?

As Lu Xiao spoke, his expression suddenly changed. “Oh no, it’s my other father undergoing the tribulation.”

Jiang Huan:?

Are you out of your mind?

No, wait.

Hold on.

Jiang Huan thought for a second, then nearly jumped out of his skin. “Oh no, it’s my Master undergoing the tribulation in there!” Lu Xiao’s two fathers!

Wen Jue snorted coldly, “Good to know. This heavenly tribulation wasn’t brought on by Lu Qi or me. If you’re going to blame anyone, blame your Cangyun Sword Immortal—he can’t take a word of advice and insists on undergoing the tribulation at the slightest disagreement.”

Although he knew Lu Er hadn’t meant it, Wen Jue still felt compelled to take a few jabs.

Always causing trouble for others.

Song Juming was completely baffled. “Junior Brother Jiang Huan, what… on earth are you all talking about?”

Just as Jiang Huan was pondering how to explain the complex relationships among this group to his senior brother, the seventh bolt of heavenly lightning struck down.

Nine bolts of heavenly lightning, each fiercer than the last.

The Great Perfection-stage heavenly tribulation, carrying a momentum capable of shattering the heavens, crashed into the Eight-Star Array once more.

This time, Lu Qi’s Eight-Star Array could not withstand it.

Boom—

The eight spirit orbs situated at the eight corners of the array shattered simultaneously.

Lu Qi, standing in front of the Scripture Hall, had clearly become the heavenly thunder’s next target.

Wen Jue’s expression darkened. “Heavenly Dao, how dare you!!”

“Father!” Lu Xiao shouted as well.

It wasn’t just Wen Jue; all the cultivators present were holding their breath for Lu Qi, who stood above the Scripture Hall.

‘Clang.’

A crisp sound rang out.

That terrifying thunder tribulation was blocked by a streak of sword light.

The sword, enveloped in domineering and colossal spiritual energy, repelled the heavenly thunder.

The flying sword in midair shielded Lu Qi, hovering before him, its tip pointing forward—invincible in every direction!

Lu Qi’s long hair was swept up by the surging spiritual energy. He narrowed his eyes slightly, took in the scene, and laughed wildly.

“I told you, you would surely find your path.”

Within the Scripture Hall, a shadowy figure slowly emerged from the building.

The effects of the Facial Rejuvenation Pill had worn off, and his face drew the gaze of all present.

His eyes were resolute, and he stood as firm as a green pine.

The jade sword flew back from Lu Qi’s side, returning to the palm of his hand.

Man and sword were one; his sword heart had healed. From now on, the path to the Great Dao would be smooth sailing.

But in Lu Er’s gaze toward Lu Qi, a flicker of disapproval still passed. “Even if you couldn’t grasp this Dao, I didn’t want to see you get hurt because of me.”

Between his slightly furrowed brows lay no shortage of worry.

That tone was just like… back when they were still sweet together.

Lu Qi’s smile froze on his face. He looked away, feeling extremely uncomfortable. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“You’ll have to take on the remaining three bolts of lightning yourself.” Lu Qi said, about to fly away.

But Lu Er wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him back.

Lu Qi’s whole body stiffened.

“Stay with me through the tribulation,” he whispered softly, “Please, will you?”

Lu Qi’s eyes reddened. He pressed down on the hand around his waist, his voice trembling slightly. “Don’t be crazy…”

The onlookers:?

Huh???

Wen Jue looked up at the sky—how shameless. Suddenly remembering something, he lowered his head, searching the crowd for a certain figure.

The moment he lowered his head, his gaze met Qin Zhou’s in the crowd.

Qin Zhou smiled, his eyes holding a hint of depth that easily set Wen Jue’s nerves on edge.

Wen Jue’s ears grew slightly warm.

He wasn’t envious. After all… his village chief had returned, too.