Chapter 105: The Great Battle

In the distance, Sakai Masamune and Yagyu Wei appeared relatively composed, but the smaller sects and wandering martial artists watched Xiao Yu and his companions with undisguised terror.

Although they had never met Xiao Yu in person, his reputation was legendary. During the conflicts between the Great Yan and the Sakura Kingdom, countless Sakura martial artists had fallen at the hands of Xiao Yu and his subordinates. Ultimately, he had single-handedly forced the masters of the seven major sects to retreat—a level of power that was far beyond what these people could hope to challenge.

"Sakai Masamune, long time no see. I wonder how the Ise Grand Shrine is faring these days? Oh, and Sect Master Suzuki is here as well. The power you displayed during the last encounter with the Two-Sword Style truly left an impression on me; I still remember it vividly," Xiao Yu said, looking at Sakai Masamune and the others with a playful smirk.

Hearing his words, both Sakai Masamune and Suzuki were consumed by rage. The Ise Grand Shrine, guarded by Sakai, had been razed, and the headquarters of Suzuki’s Two-Sword Style had been obliterated—all because of the man standing before them. To hear Xiao Yu treat these tragedies with such nonchalance was an insult they could not endure.

"Xiao Yu! I never expected you to be hiding here. No wonder the martial artists of the Sakura Kingdom searched the entire empire and could not find a trace of you!" Sakai Masamune growled.

"Is that so? I never imagined that a man like me would be worth such an extensive mobilization," Xiao Yu replied with a calm smile.

"Hmph! You have slaughtered so many of our warriors; a demon like you deserves to be purged by the entire martial world. Today, I, Sakai Masamune, shall rid the world of your scourge!"

With that, a tyrannical aura erupted from Sakai. His followers immediately prepared for battle.

"Heh, perfect. You all wanted to test the limits of your strength after your recent 'purification,' didn't you? Aside from Sakai Masamune, divide the rest among yourselves," Xiao Yu said. He beckoned to Sakai with a finger and then vanished from his spot.

As the High Priest of the Ise Grand Shrine, Sakai could not tolerate such provocation. His figure flashed as he gave chase in a frenzy.

"Uh, Big Brother just lured him away. What should we do now?" Taisui scratched his head and asked Azure Dragon and the others.

Before Azure Dragon could speak, Liuhe stepped forward, his long sword pointed directly at Yagyu Wei and Suzuki, his face etched with defiance. "You two—if you have the guts, follow me!"

Liuhe darted toward a dense forest on Mount Gehe. Yagyu Wei and Suzuki exchanged a glance and followed without a moment's hesitation.

"Is Liuhe crazy? He’s planning to take on two sect masters alone? Those two are at the Divine Rank—can he actually handle them?" Taisui remarked, watching them disappear.

"While you're worried about others, you should be worrying about yourselves," a cold voice replied. The remaining two high priests stepped forward, eyeing Taisui and his companions with icy glares.

"Damn it, they’re looking down on us! I’ve had enough!" Taisui roared, charging forward. Azure Dragon and the others followed suit, each locking onto an opponent.

A life-and-death struggle erupted in the sky. Azure Dragon, wielding his long spear, fought both a high priest and a sect master. Every collision between them sent shockwaves rippling through the air. After a few exchanges, Azure Dragon darted toward Mount Gehe, and his two pursuers followed. Fire Phoenix, brandishing a battle saber, engaged the last high priest and soon lured him toward the mountain as well.

With the elite warriors lured away, the only Divine Rank expert left in the air was a sect master of the Zong school. While the others were formidable, they were powerless against the Twelve Heavenly Descendants. Figures tumbled from the sky; the air was thick with screams and cries. The remaining Divine Rank expert tried to intervene, but he was pinned down by Lege and the others, unable to escape.

Soon, everyone except the two Divine Rank masters had been slaughtered. Consumed by rage, the sect master unleashed the full extent of his power, but the sheer numbers of the Twelve Heavenly Descendants kept the battle in a stalemate.

Deep in the forest, another battle raged. Liuhe had vanished into the trees. Yagyu Wei and Suzuki searched the area, unable to find him. Suddenly, a flash of sword light surged, sending a chill through them. They leapt into the air just as a sword aura sliced through the spot where they had stood. Before they could land, another flash appeared. The elusive, ghostly nature of the attacks left them overwhelmed.

They realized their opponent had entered the Realm of the Gods, just as they had. As they landed on a branch, the tree shattered under another strike, and Yagyu Wei finally caught a glimpse of Liuhe. He lashed out with his long blade, a massive wave of energy shattering a boulder below. A black silhouette emerged—it was Liuhe.

"The Twelve Heavenly Descendants?" Suzuki said in broken Yan language.

"Liuhe! Very well, you are worthy of being my opponent," Suzuki said, turning to Yagyu Wei. "Yagyu-kun, leave this one to me. I shall use his blood to honor the spirits of my fallen Two-Sword Style disciples!"

Yagyu Wei nodded and stepped aside, sheathing his blade.

"Suzuki, Master of the Two-Sword Style. Remember that name, for I shall be your end!" Suzuki declared coldly.

Liuhe sneered, slowly raising his long sword. "Have you decided how you want to die?"