Chapter 63: Clash of the Titans

Sensing that Xiao Yu too had unleashed such formidable power, Muramasa Sakai could not help but be taken aback. At the same time, a question arose in his heart: who exactly was this young man before him? To possess such strength at such a young age—given time, he might well become a second Dark Empress.

But no matter what, his killing blow was already set in motion. For the matter of Xiao Yu destroying the Divine Palace, Muramasa Sakai was resolute—he would never let Xiao Yu go so easily.

“Ultimate Ninja Art! Void Imprisonment!”

Muramasa Sakai’s eyes hardened as he shouted, then he pressed both hands down fiercely. Instantly, a powerful force surged from all directions, crashing down toward Xiao Yu.

Feeling the flow of energy around him, Xiao Yu’s expression grew solemn. As Muramasa Sakai’s hands pressed downward, Xiao Yu also shouted, “Heaven-Cleaving Sword!”

This time, Xiao Yu did not strike toward Muramasa Sakai, but instead raised his sword to the sky. In a moment, an aura even more overwhelming than Muramasa Sakai’s gathered rapidly around Xiao Yu, concentrating atop the blade.

The next instant, a tangible beam of light shot from the sword, piercing the heavens. In that moment, the power sweeping toward Xiao Yu dissolved into nothingness, and the brilliance of his sword faded.

As Muramasa Sakai stared in shock at Xiao Yu, a current of destructive energy suddenly erupted. Looking closely, Muramasa Sakai saw it was Xiao Yu’s sword releasing this terrifying presence.

Startled, Muramasa Sakai looked to Xiao Yu, who met his gaze with a wicked smile. Muramasa Sakai hesitated, a sense of dread rising in his heart. At that moment, Xiao Yu swung his sword fiercely toward Muramasa Sakai, sending a wild surge of power at him.

Seeing the sword arc toward him, Muramasa Sakai snapped back to his senses and darted away in a flash. Just as he left his previous spot, the raging sword force crashed down.

Boom!

The sword’s impact triggered a deafening explosion, and the entire Divine Palace began to tremble violently beneath the blast. Within a ten-mile radius, everything was devastated, centered on Xiao Yu. The once-magnificent palace now lay in utter ruin.

The explosion immediately drew the attention of the other battlefields.

With a thrust of his spear, Azure Dragon forced back the Ninja Kings surrounding him, then looked toward the source of the blast and shouted, “Don’t get bogged down, everyone! Big Brother is already fighting the Divine Palace’s elite!”

Upon hearing this, Typhon and the others unleashed their strongest attacks, driving back the ninjas besieging them. Quickly, they regrouped and raced toward Xiao Yu’s location, with a host of Divine Palace ninjas in hot pursuit.

Not far outside the Divine Palace, the two priests who had gone off in pursuit also noticed the explosion. Alarmed, they immediately changed course and rushed back toward the palace.

At this moment, in the heart of the Divine Palace—

Muramasa Sakai stared in a daze at the devastated palace before him. Under their watch, the Divine Palace had been reduced to this—he, as a priest, could hardly shirk responsibility. The only way to redeem himself now was to kill the one who had wrought this destruction.

With this thought, Muramasa Sakai shouted again and lunged at Xiao Yu like lightning. Xiao Yu’s figure flickered, vanishing from sight, only to reappear right before Muramasa Sakai.

Muramasa Sakai reacted by spinning his staff, while Xiao Yu swung his sword in swift reply—the two clashed once more.

Before long, Azure Dragon, Typhon, and the others arrived, trailed by more than a dozen Divine Palace ninjas.

Clang!

A sharp sound rang out as Xiao Yu and Muramasa Sakai separated. Typhon and the others leaped to Xiao Yu’s side.

“Kill them all—no exceptions!” With his forces behind him, Muramasa Sakai gave the order at once. Hearing him, the dozen-odd ninjas drew their blades and charged at Xiao Yu’s group.

“Get behind me!” Xiao Yu’s eyes hardened, his voice icy cold. Typhon and the others quickly stepped behind Xiao Yu, making no move to intercept the onrushing ninjas.

A glint of chilling murderous intent flashed across Xiao Yu’s face as he slowly raised his sword, channeling all his power into the blade.

“Breaker Slash!”

Fixing his gaze ahead, Xiao Yu shouted sternly and brought the raised sword slashing down. In an instant, a world-shaking arc of sword energy burst forth.

The sword energy, laced with annihilating power, shot toward the charging ninjas. As it swept past, the group was sliced cleanly in two at the waist. In a single breath, more than a dozen ninjas were slain—among them were even Ninja Kings.

Seeing his palace warriors slaughtered so easily, Muramasa Sakai’s fury only deepened. At that moment, the two priests who had left returned to the palace, landing beside him.

The two elders stared in stunned disbelief at the scene, before turning their gaze on Xiao Yu’s group, veins bulging with rage—three surges of overwhelming power began to swirl through the space. One of the priests, near madness, roared, “Ignorant wretch! You dare destroy our Ise Divine Palace and slaughter our warriors? Even if it means our deaths, we will crush you here today!”

As his words fell, Muramasa Sakai and the other priest rose into the air, hovering steadily above.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu waved a hand at his companions, then turned to the Empress and said quietly, “When I make my move, take everyone and leave. Only then can I fight without restraint.”

Though worried, the Empress nodded. Xiao Yu was right—the battle had long since surpassed what they could handle. Facing three priests, they might stand a chance against one, but against two or more, even the Twelve Celestials would be powerless.

They all knew Xiao Yu’s strength well; without the burden of protecting them, he might not be able to kill the three priests, but if he wished to escape, even these three with their sky-piercing powers would be helpless to stop him. Their departure was only to lessen Xiao Yu’s burden.