Celestial Dragon Sword Venerable-Chapter 229: No Retreat

「Cloud Mist Mountain Range.」

The Celestial Travel Transmission Array pulsed with voidlight, teleporting out wave after wave of Cultivators.

Chen Fengyan’s expression was calm.

But when Qin Shuzong and Qin Tianzhao learned that Ye Tianling was truly on his way, their expressions turned cold and grim.

Qin Tianzhao’s progress wasn’t as heaven-defying as Xiao Zhengnan’s, but he had also already stepped into the Sword Soul Second Heaven Peak.

He felt that his current Realm was more than enough to slay an ant like Ye Tianling!

As for Ye Tianling having slaughtered Long Tianxiao, Qin Tianzhao simply dismissed it. He attributed the feat to Ye Tianling using some despicable means like Divine Blood in a sneak attack, refusing to believe it was a display of his true strength.

’How strong could a disciple banished to the Outer Sect Medicinal Garden possibly be?’

"I’m really looking forward to it. When he arrives and finds out how much we’ve improved in just three months, I wonder what he’ll think!"

Qin Tianzhao couldn’t help but feel a little smug.

Wang Yufei gave him a cool glance, her pretty face devoid of expression. Ever since the incident with Ye Tianling, her attitude toward Qin Tianzhao had grown increasingly icy.

Ye Shuiyan’s brow furrowed slightly. "He has grown stronger. There are rumors that he fought Xia Xinyan of the Void Realm to a standstill, using his true strength."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhengnan sneered. "Rumors are just rumors. Him, fight someone in the Void Realm? He must have gotten lucky and acquired some incredible trump card. That’s not real strength. And how many times can you use a trump card?

He’d better really have some strength. Otherwise, this time, even if he gets on his knees and begs, he won’t escape death!"

Wang Yufei trembled slightly. "You’re going to kill him?"

Xiao Zhengnan grinned savagely. "You and Ningqing used to be close. What happened? He ran her through with a sword—have you already forgotten that she’s dead?"

Wang Yufei’s face instantly turned deathly pale. She said angrily, "You’re shameless!"

Xiao Zhengnan sneered. "Shameless? If being shameless makes someone so memorable, then I’d rather be shameless! I know you can’t forget this bastard. Just you wait! If he doesn’t show up, fine. But if he does, I will tear him to shreds!"

Ye Shuiyan’s brow furrowed once more as an inexplicable sense of danger welled up inside her.

’Are these people idiots?’

’If Ye Tianling dares to wreak havoc on the Cyan Dragon Race, he must have some skill to back it up, right?’

’What kind of place is the Cyan Dragon Race? It’s a Holy Dao Land, guarded by a Saint! Ye Tianling dares to go there, yet you all are here not to maintain the Celestial Travel Transmission Array, but to commit murder?’

Ye Shuiyan glanced at Chen Fengyan, only to see a hint of madness in his eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat as a sudden understanding dawned on her.

Provoked by Xiao Zhengnan’s words, Wang Yufei’s eyes reddened as tears welled within them.

Her affair had become a running joke. People gossiped and pointed fingers behind her back.

But these former friends, far from offering any comfort or support, only met her with scorn and ridicule.

This had all happened because she had stood up for them, yet now, they were repaying her kindness with cruelty...

Guan Yusu spoke, her tone cold. "That Ye Tianling has some trump cards. He probably has an extremely powerful Weapon in his possession—that must be what he’s relying on."

She could not forget the horrifying scene of Guan Cangyun being obliterated by a single sword strike, but she wasn’t particularly afraid either.

After she returned, she had replayed the events in her mind. She realized she’d missed a golden opportunity to kill Ye Tianling. After that single attack, he had been completely weakened; his subsequent composure was just an act!

’Otherwise, with the temperament of a Great Demon like Ye Tianling, why would he have ever let me escape?’

"He has his crutches, but which of us doesn’t? We all have our own killer trump cards. He’s just ruthless and decisive enough to play his hand immediately! Now that we know his style, we can be prepared. We have nothing to fear.

If he doesn’t appear, so be it. But if he does, I, Qin Shuzong, will be the first to take him down!"

Qin Shuzong’s arrogance was palpable.

As he spoke, his pupils suddenly contracted. His gaze sharpened, and his eyes turned bloodshot.

A murderous glint instantly locked onto the distance.

"Well, well, look who’s here to greet me. What’s the rush? Itching to die already?"

Riding the Heaven-Slaying Demon Slayer Sword, Ye Tianling flew in from the distance.

His hands were clasped behind his back. The white scholar’s robes, formed from his Ice Spirit Armor, billowed in the wind, giving him an air of dashing confidence.

"Hm? Sword Soul Third Heaven Perfection? A Half-step Sword Spirit? You little bastard, you do have some skill. No wonder you dare head to the Cyan Dragon Race! But do you really think that a mere Half-step Sword Spirit is enough to decide the outcome?"

Qin Shuzong’s pupils constricted, his slightly aged face twisting into a ferocious scowl.

"Heh. How nice."

Ye Tianling smiled indifferently.

As he spoke, his gaze ignored Qin Shuzong, Guan Yusu, Chen Fengyan, and the others, landing on Ye Shuiyan and Wang Yufei.

"Long time no see. Are the two Fairies well? Don’t tell me you’ve also come to kill me, Ye Tianling?"

Ye Tianling had a smile on his face.

His light tone, however, created a rift. Ye Shuiyan and Wang Yufei felt the distance between them and Ye Tianling grow even wider.

And from Qin Shuzong’s words, the two women also realized that in just three short months, Ye Tianling had now already stepped into the Half-step Sword Spirit Realm!

’What incredible Talent! What a terrifying Cultivation speed!’

"No, that’s not it. What right do we have to be your enemy? Even if we did, we wouldn’t. We’re here to maintain the Celestial Travel Transmission Array and to witness things."

Ye Shuiyan sighed lightly, a wry smile on her face.

Ye Tianling’s strength now far surpassed her own.

She had only just stepped into the Sword Soul Second Heaven Realm; she could only look up to Ye Tianling, who was at the Sword Soul Third Heaven Perfection Realm.

"Ye Tianling, are you... are you really going to the Cyan Dragon Race? It’s a Holy Land! They won’t spare you. You shouldn’t go."

Wang Yufei’s eyes, full of complex emotions, fixed on Ye Tianling. The tenderness in her gaze was unmistakable.

That look made Ye Tianling feel a pang of guilt.

After all, he had ruined her, yet the young woman was still so concerned for him.

With his Soul Talent, Ye Tianling’s senses were never wrong about such things.

Ye Tianling gave Wang Yufei a deep look. "Things have progressed to a point where I can no longer retreat, even if I wanted to. If I back down, others will only press their advantage. That’s why, in this lifetime, I will never retreat!

Alright, I understand your position, and I’m gratified. Now, step aside. Hmm, this will be quick!"

Ye Tianling said softly.

Wang Yufei started to protest, but when she saw the cold, resolute determination in his eyes—a look filled with intimidating majesty and a solitary, domineering aura—her heart trembled, and she lost all courage to dissuade him.

"Let’s step aside."

Ye Shuiyan took Wang Yufei’s hand, and they silently fell back several dozen feet.

"Heh, two bitches."

Emboldened by Qin Shuzong’s presence, Qin Tianzhao was furious with Ye Shuiyan and Wang Yufei’s behavior and immediately snarled.