BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 561: Great War Against the Profound Sky Sect
Word Count: 2,815 Words
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The Flower Sect Elder’s words made many of the spectating experts shift uneasily. Something had changed in the wind.
"The Yan Alliance has thoroughly won over the Flower Sect." Someone murmured, voicing the thought many silently shared.
Most present knew Yun Yun’s history well enough. She had originally been the Misty Cloud Sect’s leader before joining the Flower Sect and inexplicably becoming its Sect Leader, after which Nalan Yanran took over the Misty Cloud Sect. Moreover, rumors about Yun Yun and Xiao Yan’s relationship had spread far and wide.
The accumulated grudges between the Yan Alliance and the Profound Sky Sect ran bone-deep. They were sworn enemies who could not coexist under the same sky. That much was common knowledge across the Central Plains.
Today’s sudden assault shocked countless observers. The Yan Alliance may have stood at its zenith, but the Profound Sky Sect was no paper tiger, especially with their alliance to the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. No one had expected this day to arrive so swiftly, with virtually no warning.
Yet the hidden factions who truly understood the situation, particularly survivors from those reclusive clans who had entered the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree’s domain and helped battle the Half-Saint puppets, grasped far more than most. They instantly realized the Yan Alliance’s assault on the Profound Sky Sect went beyond simple vengeance.
"That Xiao Yan definitely obtained the Bodhisattva Heart!"
A strange light flickered through the eyes of several old monsters from great clans. If Xiao Yan truly possessed the Bodhisattva Heart, then the Yan Alliance’s current backing was a Dou Saint! Not a Half-Saint, but a genuine Dou Saint!
Obtaining the Bodhisattva Heart guaranteed one would become a Dou Saint. Each generation’s bearer earned the title Bodhisattva Ancient Saint, a Dou Saint blessed by the Bodhisattva Heart.
Tian Ming Zi’s expression was icy. "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext! Since your Yan Alliance insists on war, our Profound Sky Sect is not afraid. If you have the ability, then come. Our Profound Sky Sect will not even furrow a brow!"
"Today, I’ll see exactly what gives your Yan Alliance the courage to attack my Profound Sky Sect. All Profound Sky Sect disciples and Elders, heed my command, activate the Sect Guardian Formation!"
"Understood!!"
Deep hums resonated through the air. Rings of light rose from the Profound Sky Sect’s mountain gate as formation after formation blazed to life, wrapping the sect in layered defenses. Every checkpoint sealed shut, barricading against the enemy assault.
As the Sect Guardian Formation blazed to life, Nalan Yanran smoothed her hair with her right hand and tossed her head. From her storage ring, she drew a silver-white longsword still marked with faint traces of rust.
Xiao Yan had certainly gotten his money’s worth with this sword. Two Venerate Ascension Spirit Pills were steep enough to trade for a Tian Class Qi Method, but this weapon was more than a simple blade. It carried a Tian Class Dou Technique created by a Sword Saint known as Saint Shan Hai, and it was an extraordinary weapon in its own right.
Once the Dou Technique it housed reached major mastery, the sword’s true power would fully awaken. After appraisal, this silver longsword had proven higher grade than the Cloud Slaying Black Sword. It was none other than the personal weapon Saint Shan Hai had once wielded, a Rank 9 weapon.
The sword rang clear. Nalan Yanran gazed toward the Profound Sky Sect’s mountain gate, her expression cold and merciless, completely unlike the little maid who stamped her feet whenever Xiao Yan bullied her. The moment a sword entered her hand and an enemy stood before her, she became the very picture of killing intent.
She had spent the longest time of anyone comprehending beneath the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, and her cultivation had leapt from 2-star Dou Venerate to 7-star. Strands of incomparably keen sword intent rose from her body, so sharp that even Venerable Tian Huo felt the sting of that razor-edged pressure.
Nalan Yanran rose slowly into the air, her longsword pointing straight at the Profound Sky Sect. "Misty Cloud Sect disciples and Elders, heed my command, break the formation!"
"Understood, Sect Leader!"
Buzz, buzz, buzz!!
Powerful experts at the Dou Emperor and Dou Ancestor levels, all clad in Misty Cloud Sect robes, formed hand seals in unison. Their Dou Qi connected and wove together into a vast formation network.
The Misty Cloud Sect was no longer what it had been in Yun Shan’s day. With the Yan Alliance’s might as its foundation, branch sects now spread throughout the North-Western Region, the western Central Plains, and the Northern Region, recruiting countless talented disciples. Dou Emperors were plentiful, and even 9-star Dou Ancestors were not rare.
Only at the Dou Venerate level did they remain limited to Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun.
Their Dou Qi surged together, condensing into a colossal longsword that took shape in the sky.
The Tian Class formation diagram Xiao Yan had won at auction had, without question, helped fill the Yan Alliance’s critical gap in formation work. At last, the Misty Cloud Sect no longer had to rely on the same Covering Sun Cloud Formation.
BOOM!!
The giant longsword hacked down onto the Profound Sky Sect’s Sect Guardian Formation. The terrifying impact fractured the surrounding space.
"The Profound Sky Sect truly lives up to its name as one of the Two Sects! That Misty Cloud Sect formation has definitely reached Tian Class, yet it still couldn’t break through!"
The Profound Sky Sect’s Sect Guardian Formation stood firm, only a web of cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. Many experts were visibly startled.
As long as the formation wasn’t utterly shattered, it could draw on the earth vein energy beneath the sect to repair itself.
"Heh, that’s where you’re wrong. The Yan Alliance hasn’t gotten serious yet; that was just a probe. Where do you think that Space Shuttle Boat came from?"
When the Misty Cloud Sect’s formation failed to breach the Profound Sky Sect’s defenses, Yao Ye’s eyes narrowed inside the Space Shuttle Boat’s cockpit. Her voice dropped into a cold command. "Blast it open!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A deep, resonant hum filled the air. The entire colossal Space Shuttle Boat vibrated as waves of energy surged through its hull. Its frame blazed with terrifying lightning, crackling arcs so powerful they shattered the surrounding space.
This special airship could store energy much like a colossal Monster Core.
Lightning blasted from the bow. Though it lacked the pitch-black hue of Black Demon Lightning, it carried a trace of that dread lightning’s might. The thick bolt smashed straight into the Sect Guardian Formation at its weakest point.
BOOM!
The lightning tore through the Profound Sky Sect’s Sect Guardian Formation in an instant. Its momentum undiminished, it razed an entire mountain peak to the ground and gouged a massive crater into the earth.
Several older-generation experts who recognized the Space Shuttle Boat’s origin felt their hearts sink as the formation shattered in a single blow.
"Truly worthy of a killing weapon passed down from ancient times by that clan."
"If not for the time it takes to recharge, a few consecutive shots could level any sect."
"Indeed. Even if the Dou God Clans have agreements not to meddle in the Dou Qi Continent’s affairs, just a small sliver of their heritage is enough to sway the outcome of a war!"
The Gu Clan truly hadn’t intervened. Xiao Yan himself hadn’t even appeared. Yet a single top-tier Space Shuttle Boat had already unleashed such devastating destruction.
The moment the Sect Guardian Formation shattered, a whirlwind rose around Nalan Yanran. Sword in hand, she charged forward without hesitation and plunged into the Profound Sky Sect, Misty Cloud Sect disciples surging behind her.
"Kill!!"
"Avenge our fallen brothers!"
The Misty Cloud Sect’s leader had spearheaded the charge. How could those Yan Alliance members who had suffered under the Profound Sky Sect’s oppression, or who bore blood feuds against them, possibly hold back? One after another, they leaped from the Space Shuttle Boat and streaked toward the Profound Sky Sect like bolts of flowing light.
Anyone could imagine how much resentment had piled up between the two factions over these past few years.
And it wasn’t only the Misty Cloud Sect. Familiar faces were scattered through the ranks: the Han sisters, Han Xue and Han Yue; Dou Ancestor Elders from the Ye Clan; members of Liu Qing’s Liu Clan; Lin Yan and others. They had all reached the Dou Ancestor level. Though most were low-level Dou Ancestors, they were still valuable fighting strength.
In an instant, Yan Alliance experts poured from the Space Shuttle Boat. Nalan Yanran, Venerable Tian Huo, and the Flower Sect split into three separate spearheads. Like torrents of steel, they crashed toward the Profound Sky Sect, driving straight for its main vein, three incomparably sharp blades aimed at plunging deep into the sect’s heart.
The sight of a mere 7-star Dou Venerate acting with such brazen arrogance made the Profound Sky Sect’s experts gnash their teeth.
"Brothers, sound the horn! Kill them back!"
"The Yan Alliance is just a faction not even ten years old! Let them see the true strength of the Profound Sky Sect!"
"Long live the Profound Sky Sect!"
With frenzied roars, Profound Sky Sect disciples launched themselves from the mountain peaks and surged toward the Space Shuttle Boat.
The two sides collided in the sky, and a heaven-shaking battle erupted!
Woooo!!
The horn’s mournful blare echoed across the entire Profound Sky Sect as war drums thundered, shaking the earth. From top to bottom, the sect boiled with fighting spirit. Every last disciple swore to fight to the bitter end.
The grudge between both sides had long since transcended the matter of the Profound Xuan Sect. What drove them now were far greater conflicts and deeply layered resentment.
"Little girl, your Yan Alliance dreams of breaching my Profound Sky Sect? Keep dreaming!" An 8-star Dou Venerate Supreme Elder of the Profound Sky Sect snorted coldly and blocked Nalan Yanran’s path.
Even among the Two Sects, high-level Dou Venerates were exceedingly few.
"You alone aren’t enough."
Nalan Yanran’s sword lashed out, lightning-fast, without a trace of hesitation.
Cold steel flashed. In that instant, the silver-white blade in her hand was cloaked in a howling vortex of wind. The strike was too fast, so fast that few could even see how she had drawn it. One sword, aimed to kill, its point lunging straight for the Supreme Elder’s throat!
The 8-star Dou Venerate’s heart jolted the moment she struck. The sheer speed of that sword sent a chill racing through his veins.
"Hah!"
Yet he was worthy of his 8-star Dou Venerate strength. In that hair’s-breadth instant, he unleashed a defensive Dou Technique, and a massive shield snapped into existence before him.
CLANG!
Nalan Yanran’s blade slammed into the shield, sparks spraying in all directions.
His defense had held. The Profound Sky Sect Elder smiled coldly. "Little girl, don’t think a stroke of luck makes you invincible beneath the heavens. You’re still far too green!"
"Profound Sky Blood Hand!"
The instant her longsword was deflected, a cold sneer curled at his lips. His left hand erupted with blood-colored light, and a bloody palm print roared toward her.
What he failed to notice was that Nalan Yanran’s eyes held not a shred of panic. Instead, a flash of open contempt flickered through them.
Swish!
A streak of black light flashed. A severed hand spun through the air. A heartbeat later, blood sprayed like a fountain.
"AAHHH!"
A heart-wrenching scream tore through the battlefield. Only then did the onlookers register what had happened: the Profound Sky Sect Elder’s left hand had been sliced clean off at the root. In Nalan Yanran’s left hand gleamed a black sword, the very blade that had taken his hand!
Two swords!
’Mountain River Sun Moon Slash!’
The words rang out in her heart. Dou Qi roared to life, and the energy of the world within a hundred miles boiled madly, flooding into both swords.
It happened faster than words could describe. After severing the arm, Nalan Yanran stood with a sword in each hand, one black, one white. The twin longswords descended in unison, their arcs as seamless and deadly as an antelope’s horn suspended in midair, leaving no trace to follow.
Her comprehension beneath the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had brought more than just a rise in cultivation. The tree’s greatest power was enhancing one’s understanding and insight, something even medicinal pills could not replicate.
The defensive Dou Technique shattered in an instant. Twin blades of sword light, brilliant as sun and moon, cleaved downward. Until the very end, that Profound Sky Sect Elder could not believe it. A woman at 7-star Dou Venerate, a full star below him, had killed him this easily!
A trace of gratification crossed Yun Yun’s face as she watched Nalan Yanran display such astonishing strength, but a faint hint of regret soon followed.
She knew well enough that Nalan Yanran had grown this strong by doggedly following in Xiao Yan’s footsteps and receiving his help.
In her heart, Yun Yun still carried guilt. She blamed herself as Nalan Yanran’s master for agreeing to let the girl break off that engagement all those years ago.
Tian Ming Zi, locked in combat with Yun Yun, clenched his teeth in fury as his heart sank. ’How did the Yan Alliance’s strength suddenly increase so much?!’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
It wasn’t only Nalan Yanran. Venerable Tian Huo and Hai Bodong were both extremely powerful, virtually invincible within their respective ranks, and the Dou Techniques they unleashed were devastating. Yet the Yun Yun before him was even more frightening.
Her cultivation was only at Four-Change Dou Venerate, yet she could contend with him, even faintly suppress him. He was a Seven-Change Dou Venerate!!
’The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree! It must be the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree! Damn it, these people must all have received the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree’s blessing!’
He quickly understood. Only a divine object like the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree could open one’s mind, elevate cultivation, and raise comprehension all at once, allowing one’s strength to skyrocket!
After exchanging a few dozen more blows, Tian Ming Zi could see clearly that the Profound Sky Sect’s experts were completely outmatched. The Flower Sect’s strength had never been inferior to the Profound Sky Sect’s, and now with the suddenly empowered Yan Alliance, the Profound Sky Sect disciples, himself included, were being driven back step by step.
The energy of the world began to seethe. Tian Ming Zi shouted and thrust out a palm, unleashing a Tian Class Dou Technique. "Great Blood Demon Palm!"
A colossal blood-red handprint descended, its baleful aura surging.
Yun Yun remained steady and unhurried. The longsword in her hand spun into blooming flowers of steel as she called silently in her heart, ’Flower Light Willow Shadow.’
Streaks of sword wind rose like flower petals and willow branches lifted by the breeze. Gentle to the extreme, they met the terrifying blood-red palm pressing down from above, guiding and wearing down its force with softness overcoming hardness.
The Flower Sect’s techniques had never been about pure offense. They specialized in using softness to defeat hardness, slowly exhausting an opponent’s Dou Qi and relying on defense and counterattack.
"Hah!" Yun Yun let out a sharp cry. Her sword shifted at a subtle angle, pulling the massive blood-red palm slightly off course. A flick of her wrist sent the sword flower whipping the deflected palm away, hurling it toward the Profound Sky Sect’s ancestral ground.
BOOM!
The blood-red hand slammed into the ancestral land. Blood-like Dou Qi exploded outward, its extreme corrosiveness instantly eating a massive hole into the sacred earth.
Yun Yun flicked her sword, scattering the residual force, and stood poised in midair, noble and peerlessly elegant, as light as a drifting cloud. She might not possess Nalan Yanran’s sheer ferocity, but this style of fighting, using softness to counter hardness like a Tai Chi sword, was what truly made opponents suffer.
It was the sensation of striking cotton.
Tian Ming Zi remained uninjured, but the Dou Qi in his body had already been depleted by more than half. Even a Tian Class Dou Technique had accomplished nothing against Yun Yun.
His eyes narrowed. He swept his gaze around the battlefield and, still finding no sign of Xiao Yan, drew out a spatial jade slip.
Yun Yun’s expression shifted the moment she saw it. Her Dou Qi surged into a whirlwind, sweeping up Nalan Yanran who had pushed too far forward and yanking her violently backward.
The instant the spatial jade slip shattered, an aura belonging to a high-level Half-Saint erupted forth, blasting across the battlefield.
"Your Yan Alliance... is truly bold."
