The Grand Cycle Sword Intent met the red sword. That one strike jolted Chu Songyun back. His red sword trembled with a soft ringing, and cracks even spread across it.

He Xiao slowly smiled. He casually walked forward, and every step fell in step with the sword intent that surrounded him. With each step, his sword intent rose by one degree. “You really think that you can fight an Immortal? You’ve been raised too high, not realizing that people like you fall harder the higher they’re upheld. Since you look down on the Path of Dispassion, then die beneath the Path of Dispassion for me.”

With that, the blade swept sideways. Streaks of sword shadows fused together, each one precisely matching a step that He Xiao had just taken.

Elder Qiu was also within the Sect of Dispassion at this moment. He had always been one of its members. Seeing He Xiao’s strike, his expression shook.

“The Cycle-Fusion Sword Method, when combined with Lifeforce, gives rise to Ninefold Crimson He Xiao’s Grand Cycle Sword Intent. This is an Immortal-realm supreme art. Beneath the Immortal realm, nothing can withstand it.”

Chu Songyun tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and let out a breath. He opened the blood-red umbrella: Umbrella Dominion.

Withered leaves whirled around, sealing off the surroundings and trapping He Xiao within them. Right after that, layer after layer of withered leaves enclosed the Immortal, locking him down more and more.

He Xiao did not care at all. He looked beyond the withered leaves at Chu Songyun. “You are unwilling to cultivate the Path of Dispassion, and yet you’re using Crimson Starshade’s inheritance. What? Is this your dignity?”

Chu Songyun was completely unfazed. There was very little effect when using the Umbrella Dominion against someone from Crimson Starshade, but he had no other choice. Compared to an Immortal, Chu Songyun truly fell far too short. The fact that he was even able to exchange blows at all was quite remarkable.

None of the other Sixfold Crimsons could take even a single strike from He Xiao. No, they were unable to even endure the pressure of his Lifeforce.

Soon, the six-layered Umbrella Dominion enveloped everything. Chu Songyun’s eyes turned cold. He raised the red sword with his right hand and closed his eyes. Victory or defeat would be decided with this next sword.

He Xiao raised an eyebrow. His Grand Cycle Sword Intent fell.

The Umbrella Dominion was struck, and it shook endlessly.

Elder Qiu and the others retreated even farther. A six-layer Umbrella Dominion would absolutely give an Immortal from another civilization a headache, but for a Crimson Starshade, the effect was greatly reduced. Additionally, the Path of Dispassion within the Umbrella Dominion was utterly useless against He Xiao.

At most, this move could stall the Immortal for just a moment; what did Chu Songyun intend to do? Where had his confidence to challenge He Xiao come from?

Elsewhere in the Sect of Dispassion, Jiu Wen took a sip of wine, his eyes on Chu Songyun. Interesting... He hid it so well. It seems that he truly doesn’t want to stay in Crimson Starshade. But even if you don’t stay, where can you go?

Even if every other person who is part of Crimson Starshade abandons the Path of Dispassion, you, Chu Songyun, still wouldn’t be able to escape it.

Lu Yin watched the battle with interest from Canglan Valley. Chu Songyun was far stronger than Xie Man, and he was also still holding something back. If He Xiao were a bit weaker, perhaps about the level of the humanoid Verdant Sage or the droplet-shaped Verdant Sage, Chu Songyun might not even lose.

Of course, even then, victory was impossible. The man still had not reached the level of an Aberrant, but not losing was already approaching that level.

He Xiao did not know what Chu Songyun was planning, but as the red sword in the man’s hand pressed harder and harder against the void, the Immortal no longer wanted to wait. He did not want to end up as Chu Songyun’s stepping-stone to becoming an Aberrant.

He Xiao could not afford such humiliation.

With that thought, there was a surge of Lifeforce as He Xiao stepped forward: Grand Cycle Sword Intent.

Bang! With a thunderous boom, the six-layered Umbrella Dominion was instantly broken. Cracks ran up Chu Songyun’s red umbrella, inch by inch, and yet it did not shatter completely as Xie Man’s had.

He Xiao released the hilt of his sword and pushed his palm forward. His sword shot at Chu Songyun, aiming right at his face. If Chu Songyun did not dodge, the sword would pierce his skull.

At that moment, Chu Songyun’s eyes opened, and as everyone watched in amazement, another rib of his umbrella lit up.

Sevenfold Crimson. That was the Sevenfold Crimson level.

Elder Qiu was horrified. “Se... Sevenfold Crimson?”

Everyone else who saw this was stunned. Sevenfold Crimson? The man was not yet an Immortal, and yet he was a Sevenfold Crimson; the legend was real. Someone truly was able to comprehend Sevenfold Crimson before reaching the Immortal realm.

He Xiao saw it as well, and his pupils constricted slightly. Instantly following that, there was a release of sky-high killing intent.

No matter how greatly Jiu Wen and the others might value a Sixfold Crimson like Chu Songyun, killing him would simply end him. Would they blame an Immortal like He Xiao for killing a mere Sixfold Crimson? An Immortal was incomparably more valuable.

However, a Sevenfold Crimson who was not yet an Immortal was completely different. Such a person was another concept entirely, given that the achievement existed only in legend.

Only by reaching Sevenfold Crimson before becoming an Immortal was it possible to master all twelve paths of the Path of Dispassion. That was the theoretical pinnacle of Crimson Starshade. Such experts possessed invincible power.

The fact that Chu Songyun had already become a Sevenfold Crimson meant that he had the potential to one day master all twelve folds of the Path of Dispassion. That was something that He Xiao could not accept.

Facing He Xiao’s sword, Chu Songyun’s red blade rang softly, and an indescribable sense of tragic resolve spread outward.

Sorrow Without Heart, Forged as a Sword.

This was a realm of comprehension related to the red sword and the Path of Dispassion, one that only an Immortal could grasp.

This was also Chu Songyun’s most powerful attack. With his Sevenfold Crimson Path of Dispassion, he released a slash with his sword.

Clang!

Sword met sword. The spatial cracks spread out to encompass the entire Sect of Dispassion.

He Xiao’s sword strike had been blocked, or more specifically, his Grand Cycle Sword Intent had been stopped. It appeared gently, yet it carried an overwhelmingly weighty sword intent.

Chu Songyun had unleashed a strike that only Immortals who walked the Path of Dispassion could comprehend. This was the true meaning of the red sword being embedded into the umbrella’s ribs.

Clearly He Xiao was an Immortal Crimson Starshade, but at this moment, everyone felt as if they had fallen into an illusion. It seemed as though Chu Songyun were the true Crimson Starshade instead.

A shattering sound rang out. He Xiao’s sword strike had been broken.

Chu Songyun retreated three steps, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His face turned deathly pale, and all seven ribs of his umbrella grew dim. He had done everything he could, and yet he had only managed to withstand a single true blow from He Xiao.

He Xiao had never expected his strike to be blocked. He had attacked with what could be considered one of his killing moves. It had been powerful enough to draw the attention of the other Immortals. While it was not his strongest technique, it was still something that only those within the same realm could withstand. The fact that Chu Songyun had blocked it meant that he had broken through the limits of those beneath the Immortal realm and had genuinely stepped onto a level where he was capable of contending with Immortals.

He could now be considered an Aberrant.

That one strike had elevated Chu Songyun’s status to that of a legend, and yet it had also turned He Xiao into a laughingstock. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He Xiao could never allow such a thing to happen, and at this moment, the man who prided himself on his unmatched composure revealed an astonishing killing intent.

Chu Songyun tightened his grip on his sword while staring fixedly at He Xiao. There was no intention of retreating.

Just as He Xiao was about to release another slash, he was interrupted by a bout of coughing. He froze and looked to the side, where Jiu Wen slowly revealed himself.

Chu Songyun also saw Jiu Wen appear, and his hand slowly relaxed from its clenching position on the hilt of his sword.

Jiu Wen took a hearty gulp of wine to suppress his coughing and looked at the two men. “Have you two fought enough? This is the Sect of Dispassion, not the wilderness.”

He Xiao opened his mouth to speak, but Chu Songyun beat him to it. “Enough.”

He Xiao stared at Chu Songyun. “Disrespecting an Immortal warrants death.”

Chu Songyun slid his red sword back into his umbrella and closed it. He appeared to be completely unconcerned.

Jiu Wen let out a belch that reeked of wine. “He Xiao, what are you here for?”

He Xiao looked at Jiu Wen. “Senior, are you shielding Chu Songyun? He neither belongs to the Sect of Dispassion nor respects the Path of Dispassion. He even seeks to leave Crimson Starshade. Such a person deserves death.”

Jiu Wen chuckled. “Your mouth is stubborn, but your body is honest. Look at him—Chu Songyun has already achieved the Sevenfold Crimson level. Do you still think he doesn’t respect the Path of Dispassion?”

He Xiao wanted to retort yet found himself unable to do so. If someone had achieved Sevenfold Crimson before reaching the Immortal realm, no one would believe that he was unwilling to cultivate the Path of Dispassion, and that was even after Chu Songyun had admitted to wanting to leave Crimson Starshade.

But what did that matter? The moment he revealed himself as a Sevenfold Crimson, Chu Songyun was destined to become extraordinary within the Crimson Starshade Civilization. Though unwilling, He Xiao knew that it was simply impossible to kill Chu Songyun in front of Jiu Wen.

“I have come here to see Ba Yue.”

Jiu Wen looked at He Xiao. “She does not wish to see you.”

There was a flicker across He Xiao’s eyes, though he calmly replied, “I ask that you allow me to speak with Ba Yue.”

Jiu Wen shook his head. “I have never stopped you, but if Ba Yue does not wish to see you, you must not force the matter.”

He Xiao slowly bowed in agreement and then looked in a certain direction. “Ba Yue, come out and meet me.”

There was no response.

Chu Songyun faced Jiu Wen and bowed. “I have come to see Ba Yue.”

He Xiao’s eyes grew sharper as he stared at Chu Songyun.

Jiu Wen was speechless. “Did Lu Yin send you to seek Ba Yue’s forgiveness?”

“Yes.”

He Xiao frowned. Lu Yin?

“Then you should also leave. Ba Yue does not wish to see you either.”

“Why?”

“Because the way you speak is too unpleasant.”

“I only speak the truth.”

Jiu Wen was left speechless.

He Xiao stared at Chu Songyun. “Stay away from Ba Yue, or the next time we clash, you will not be so lucky.”

Turning to the man, Chu Songyun calmly stated, “You are not worthy.”

Bloodlust surged into He Xiao’s eyes as he turned to leave, but at that moment, a figure appeared and entered the Sect of Dispassion. Upon seeing who it was, the man’s eyes flickered. “Mr. Lu.”

Jiu Wen, Chu Songyun, and Elder Qiu all turned to look.

Lu Yin’s name had become famous throughout Crimson Starshade long ago, yet very few had actually seen him.

There had only been two exchanges at Canglan Valley, but the first had been a single finger strike breaking a Sixfold Crimson’s attack, forcing the man to leave. The second had been Lu Yin crushing Xie Man’s Umbrella Dominion with a single hand.

Despite both of Lu Yin’s opponents being Sixfold Crimsons, both of his victories had been far too effortless, to the point where they seemed unreal.

In particular, the fact that he had crushed Xie Man’s Umbrella Dominion with one hand truly defied imagination.

No one had any idea just how powerful Lu Yin truly was, yet people had already formed countless mental images of him.

Still, they were surprised to see him in person. They had not expected Lu Yin to be so young, or so slender. He was completely unlike the burly giant that many had imagined.

This was also Chu Songyun’s first time laying eyes on Lu Yin, and he immediately showed a deeply respectful attitude. This was not due to Lu Yin’s strength, but rather because Lu Yin could lead Chu Songyun onto another cultivation path.

When Lu Yin arrived, he ignored He Xiao after merely glancing at him. He then looked over and smiled at Jiu Wen. “Things are quite lively.”

Jiu Wen smiled. “Indeed, they are.”

He Xiao stared at Lu Yin’s back. The Immortal’s previous composure was completely gone, and his eyes radiated cold malice.

Lu Yin looked over at Chu Songyun. “Ba Yue refuses to forgive you?”

Chu Songyun answered helplessly, “I cannot see her.”

“That means that your sincerity is insufficient.”

“May I ask, Mr. Lu, how can one show greater sincerity?” Chu Songyun asked. He was genuinely seeking guidance. In Crimson Starshade, the concept of sincerity had long since vanished from the cultivation world. Where on the Path of Dispassion could sincerity come from?

Lu Yin’s gaze swept over to He Xiao. “Whoever Ba Yue despises most, help her beat that person. That will show sincerity.”

He Xiao continued to coldly stare at Lu Yin. “Are you speaking about me, Mr. Lu?”

Lu Yin met He Xiao’s gaze, but before he could even respond, Chu Songyun spoke up from the side. “I am not his match at the moment.”