Chapter 12: Fighting with All One's Might

Mu Chenyuan’s agonized scream directly affected Yan Shiyu. “Master!” Yet Mu Chenyuan never saw his master again—he was dead. Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng were hardly faring better; truthfully, both had exhausted all their strength in this battle. Still, even in such dire straits, the two burst into loud laughter. “Yan Shiyu, your last disciple has now been slain by us brothers. What else can you do? Opposing us brought you to this end. Be at ease—you, as a master, will soon join your disciple.”

Yan Shiyu leapt out of the fray for the moment, gazing at his one remaining disciple, now slain by Yun and Xi. The murderous intent he had suppressed for so long finally erupted. “Fine! You two dared to kill my disciple; I’ll deal with you myself and send you to make amends to him!” Yan Shiyu was formidable indeed, but he seemed to have forgotten that the White Cloud Iron Guard was not merely a ceremonial force. Instantly, three streams of fierce true energy suppressed Yan Shiyu. “Master Yan, please don’t treat our White Cloud Iron Guard as a mere ornament.”

“You wish to act against someone—that’s your freedom. But should you dare lay hands on Liang Xi or his senior brother, we’ll be the first to object. You seem to have grown formidable, but let us be your opponents instead. We haven’t fought in years; it’s always been forbidden by our leader. What do you say?”

Before him stood two men of equal height, both exuding imposing presence. “Who’d have thought that the infamous Blade and Sword Demons of old would now abandon evil for good?” These two were once renowned beyond the borders, their methods ruthless, inspiring terror wherever they went. Yet, after so many years, they had become members of the White Cloud Iron Guard. Truly, time changes all things.

“Indeed, time can change everything. Years ago, my brother and I foolishly challenged the leader three times, losing miserably each time. Eventually, we understood we could never defeat him. Since that was impossible, joining his ranks became an unparalleled honor. And our progress in martial arts is thanks to him!”

“If people learn that we failed to properly protect his grandson, what will they say when we return beyond the borders? Those who know us will say we’ve grown soft, not as ruthless as before; those who don’t will claim we fear you, Yan Shiyu.”

“Perhaps your Cloud Immortal Sanctuary is the leading sect in Cloud Province, but beyond the borders, it’s nothing special. Even the neighboring Black Province doesn’t pay you any mind. Master Yan, you’ve been a frog at the bottom of a well for far too long! Indeed, you haven’t left Cloud Province in decades, so you’re unaware of how much things have changed beyond.”

“Brother Liang Xi, don’t worry. You and your senior have battled so much; you must have suffered severe internal injuries. Now that we’re here, you can rest. Your grandfather is our leader, deeply respected by everyone in the White Cloud Iron Guard. We hope to become men like him one day, though we know it’s not easy.”

“All these years, we’ve been honing our strength in secret. I won’t boast, but dealing with a mere Master Yan is simple.” So spoke Duan Zili, known as the Demon Blade, his blade technique wild and unstoppable.

“Old Duan, no need for words. Today, let’s teach this Yan Shiyu a lesson—show him just how strong the world beyond has become! I’ve disliked him for years. If it hadn’t been for my eagerness to challenge our leader, I’d have dealt with him back then. Now, with nothing holding us back, we can finally have some fun.” Liao Wuming, called the Mad Sword, wielded a broken blade, severed by Jun Daoxing’s bare hands years ago. Since then, Liao Wuming specialized in swordsmanship, creating the Nine Forms of the Broken Sword. With his current cultivation, it would be easy to replace it with a divine weapon, but he didn’t—he kept the broken blade to spur himself onward. Unlike Duan Zili, Liao Wuming was extremely serious.

Yet, his swordplay was graceful and fluid. Liao Wuming sensed Zhu Feixue’s sword and thought her a worthy opponent. If they fought, it would likely end in a draw, both sides wounded. If possible, he’d rather not face her, for it would be terrifying. “Enough talk—this battle, I’ll teach this man a lesson. If you won’t move, then let me strike first!”

“No need to rush. This is quite interesting; my hands itch to fight. This battle will let me prove myself. It’s been ages since I met a worthy adversary. So, you two young fellows, just watch closely!”

“Then, I thank you, seniors. If I can learn anything from you, it will be worthwhile.” Liao Wuming did not waste words. Using a willow twig as a sword, he unleashed the simplest strike, yet it gravely wounded Yan Shiyu. “Years apart, I expected you to have improved greatly, but you’re still so feeble. A pity for my powerful strike. Your blood-moving technique is impressive for your talent, but you cannot improve further.”

“Hahaha! Mad Sword Liao Wuming, do you think you’ll leave my Cloud Immortal Sanctuary alive after coming here? Never! Today, witness the supreme Demon-Suppressing Array I’ve painstakingly devised. No one here may leave! You’ll soon learn what happens to those who underestimate me!”

Countless disciples rushed in from all directions. The supreme array required ten thousand, but even combined, only a few hundred were present, much weaker than the full formation. Still, it was enough to handle the Demon Blade and Mad Sword. “You two never respected me before, but I never minded. Today’s clan affair—you two meddle as if Cloud Province belongs to your White Cloud Iron Guard?”

Combining so many people's strength and maintaining balance was remarkable. Yan Shiyu relied on this formation to secure his position as leader, commanding and serving as its focal point. Defeating him would break the array, but accomplishing that was extremely difficult.

Duan Zili laughed heartily. “Now you act more like a true master. That earlier show was nothing—this hundred-man array is hardly impressive. Today, my brother and I will break it, just as we defeated you years ago. Decades later, the outcome remains unchanged!” His Demon Blade technique erupted, waves of crimson, domineering blade energy surging forth.

The blade itself was ordinary, but the technique felt different to Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng. “Junior, steady your mind—the Demon Blade technique’s power lies in its subtle influence over one’s spirit!” How could such powerful swordplay affect someone’s mind? They didn’t understand.

Yet, the Demon-Suppressing Array had its strengths; if it could be shattered so easily, Yan Shiyu would be a laughingstock. At that moment, Qi Ying’s face turned ashen—he had miscalculated. He thought his years in seclusion would give him an eighty percent chance of defeating Yan Shiyu, but never guessed Yan had hidden such formidable techniques. His opponent simply hadn’t fought seriously before.

Clearly, Qi Ying lacked the qualifications. Zhu Feixue, seeing the Demon Blade’s power, felt her mind waver. With her cultivation, this shouldn’t have happened, but Qi Ying’s injury had disturbed her heart, leaving her vulnerable. Zhu Feixue’s cultivation was high; no one could help her—she had to rely on her own strength.

Zhu Feixue leapt, unleashing a storm of sword light—Sea Dragon’s Fury. She meant to end Yan Shiyu with this move. The sword light slew dozens of disciples in an instant, its momentum fierce. “Junior sister, you’re too naïve—do you think such a sword strike can kill me?”

“Why won’t you believe the lesson just taught?” Yan Shiyu’s protective true energy gathered again. “My Silent Protection has long been mastered, but I’ve never had the chance to display it. Now, with such formidable opponents, I can finally show it off. Even if you all join forces, you’re still no match for me!”

“Liao Wuming, why haven’t you used your Nine Forms of the Broken Sword? The issue isn’t your reluctance, but your inability to wield them. You Demon Blade and Mad Sword were inseparable; had the Demon Blade struck, you’d have helped your friend. Yet, you didn’t. In those days, you two were unrivaled, roaming the world. Now, you struggle alone—such is fate! If anyone can suppress me now, it would be Jun Daoxing. But he’s been missing for years, chasing martial perfection. Everyone knows he vanished decades ago!”

“The tournament has become my solo performance. I foresaw this outcome, but accepting it brings a different feeling altogether. All you once-invincible figures are now defeated by me—what abilities remain to you?”

“Liang Xi, Zhuang Yunzheng, these are your elders. Pity—the elders you trust are all struggling to survive. Yet you still believe in them? If you persist, the consequences will be dire!”

“You should all understand one thing: losing to me is an honor. Yet, I remain dissatisfied. I long for a worthy battle. You’re right—I’ve stayed too long in this Cloud Immortal Sanctuary, my vision narrowed. Now, I must venture forth. I don’t know your thoughts, but this is my truest desire!”

“All of you may strike—I fear none. With my Silent Protective True Energy, nothing is impossible!” Madly, Yan Shiyu had become utterly unhinged. “Now that my divine skill is complete, who can challenge me?”

“Heaven and earth, I alone am supreme. Hundred-man array, ten-thousand-man array—your strength comes from me. Now, I reclaim the power that is rightfully mine!”

Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng knew that if he absorbed the array’s energy, none could restrain him. Liang Xi’s palms emitted chilling air—the yin cold from the Earth Scroll of the Cloud Atlas, one of its four chapters: Sun, Moon, Stars, and the final, which he had yet to learn. The cold belonged to the chapter of the Moon.

“Hmph, mere yin cold, what can it do? Such a fine technique, wasted on you two. Even if you learned it, you can’t wield half its power. What a pair of failures! Since you can’t use it properly, I’ll take it for myself!”

The moon’s cold failed to break his Silent Protection. Zhuang Yunzheng summoned the force of Sword-Draw for merit, seeking to seal Yan Shiyu’s power. “Such a pity—you were promising talents, now doomed to die by my hand. This is your chosen path!”

“The Demon Blade and Mad Sword cannot watch Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng die; otherwise, they cannot answer to Jun Cailin. Yan Shiyu, your opponents are us. If you have skills, come at us—why bully juniors?”

“Hahaha, bullying juniors? Two who’ve cultivated the Cloud Atlas to this level, and you call them innocent? If they continue, even I might fail to suppress them. To prevent that, I’ll kill them first. I know you don’t want Liang Xi to die, but he and Zhuang Yunzheng caused the death of my only disciple. For that alone, I cannot forgive him.”

“Jun Daoxing, if you truly possess unmatched power, show yourself now! Otherwise, your beloved grandson will die by my hand today!”

“What’s wrong? With such prestige, you still dare not appear? It seems you fear me greatly—I hadn’t expected that. But even if you came, nothing would change. Liang Xi, Zhuang Yunzheng, the Cloud Atlas belongs to me. I told you before: whatever is mine will return to me, no matter how much time passes.”

“Look at you two brothers—proof of my words. Pity, no one can help you now!”

Yan Shiyu’s power had reached its peak. Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng were immobilized. “You have no recourse now—only your deaths can quell my rage!” Was the Cloud Atlas about to be absorbed? “Hahaha, so this famed Cloud Atlas is not so remarkable after all. I was curious about its techniques, but now I’m terribly disappointed!”

“You two are no longer worthy of my attention. Demon Blade and Mad Sword, don’t intervene; I promise not to harm Liang Xi or Zhuang Yunzheng. With my divine skill complete, though I fear none, fighting you would be troublesome.”

“Fine, you’re quite something. If we truly fought, one of us would surely die. That would be regrettable.”

“We’re unworthy of your attention? You dare say such things, as if we lost just now, but that’s not the case. Senior, you’re unharmed, right? Are we really about to lose?”

“Don’t worry, junior. We won’t lose. Master, I know your thoughts. Yan Shiyu always wanted to defeat you, but you’ve no strength left. The rest must be entrusted to us. Yan Shiyu, do you think we’re nothing? Is your protective true energy really so formidable? We brothers have only just begun to cultivate the Cloud Atlas, still learning, but I won’t accept your claim that it’s not powerful. My junior has already infused you with his chilling energy.”

“You’re a grandmaster—do you truly have a chance to resolve my junior’s chilling energy? No, you don’t.”

“Zhuang Yunzheng, do you know what you’re saying? I’m so powerful; mere cold means nothing to me. Let me show you my true strength!”

“Yes, your power is clear, but you know nothing of my junior’s true strength. Now, he’ll unleash all his power. Grandmaster, die!”

Liang Xi finally used the third move of Sword and Lyre Heart—the meaning being courage and elegance, the unity of sword and lyre, simultaneously bold and refined. Simply put, it was the art of doing two things at once. Liang Xi conjured an identical shadow—called Lyre—while the real self was Sword. The sharp swordplay and the shadow’s resonant lyre produced uncanny abilities. The essence of this move was composure amid chaos.

Liang Xi was only fifteen; if he truly achieved this composure, he would be unmatched. Even if he couldn’t fully grasp it, the ability to strike when facing a much stronger foe was courage itself. The lyre’s melody grew intense, stirring Zhuang Yunzheng’s blood. He never expected Sword and Lyre Heart to be so powerful.

Yan Shiyu sensed Liang Xi’s aura had changed. This boy, so close to defeat, was reborn—how? And the sword technique he used, why had Yan never seen it? Was there truly something in the Divine Sword Palace that could transform one’s nature?

Liang Xi, though unable to freely wield sword energy, still managed unpredictable attacks. “Boy, if you wish to fight, then do so earnestly. If you can’t, let your senior brother try.”

“I will, for my junior and I are inseparable. Why not taste my Sun and Moon Twin Palms?” Zhuang Yunzheng began with Clear Breeze and Jade Dew. Yan Shiyu dared not underestimate it, having faced it before—a thunderous crack split the ground. “Trying to escape? Today, you won’t!”

Zhuang Yunzheng and Liang Xi—one firm, one gentle—cooperated exquisitely. Their shared teachings created resonance; together, their strength exceeded the sum of their parts.

Though Silent Protection was formidable, virtually invulnerable as protective true energy, Yan Shiyu taunted, “Avoiding my moves? Do you think I fear you? I’ve said before: you two can never defeat me. Even your master Qi Ying lacks certainty!”

Its defense was astonishing; even together, Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng gained no advantage. “Junior, don’t rush. You’ve learned the Earth Scroll’s third chapter, which lets you discern the flow of the opponent’s true energy—attack their weakness with your strength.” Zhuang Yunzheng, unfamiliar with the Earth Scroll, recalled Liang Xi’s explanation and found it remarkable.

“You seek my weakness, but you should know there is none! I am flawless—why won’t you believe it?”

Now, Liang Xi abandoned swordplay, instead channeling the second chapter’s yin cold into Yan Shiyu to probe for weaknesses. “No weakness? Such a person can’t exist—you are human, not divine, and even gods have flaws. You cannot resist my chilling energy. It’s circled your body three times; I now understand your Silent Protection.”

“Your Silent Protection is not a solid block, but flows wherever needed. There are two streams—when they split, your power is weakest!”

“You discovered this? That makes you brothers more capable than most, but that’s your limit. Even knowing my secret, you cannot change anything. Liang Xi, your chilling energy is formidable, but I doubt you can endure a prolonged fight with me.”

Qi Ying, as their master, was no longer useful. His two disciples had managed to fight their senior to a draw, though how long they could maintain it was unknown. Still, their spirit was commendable.

With a thud, Liang Xi’s chilling energy sealed Yan Shiyu’s meridians. Zhuang Yunzheng struck with Burning Heaven, injuring Yan Shiyu again. “You two possess such power? I don’t believe it. I’ve always trusted my own strength, but what’s happening? You shattered my Silent Protection—impossible!”

“Qi Ying, all this is your fault. Without you, I wouldn’t have ended up this way. Even if I die today, I’ll take you with me!” Yan Shiyu gathered all remaining power in his hands. Qi Ying, also at his limit, refused to yield. “Senior, the one you seek is me. I said before, our grievance must end today!”

“You have your last strength—do you think I have none? Die!” Qi Ying unleashed his final attack. With a crash, two old friends who had shared a relationship much like Mu Chenyuan’s with Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng, finally resolved their long-standing feud.

“Junior, your disciples are truly remarkable, forcing me to this point! Today, let’s die together. You want to escape me—it’s impossible. Our resentment has entangled us for years; who owes whom more is beyond words. Do you think I’ll spare your disciples now? My hundred-man array is activated again—perfect for killing your disciples!”

“Zhuang Yunzheng, Liang Xi, don’t be arrogant! The Cloud Immortal Sanctuary isn’t a place you can come and go at will. Even after ten more years of cultivation, you must leave something behind before you can depart safely!”

“Hundred-man array—your only task is to slay these two brats. Don’t say you can’t; I won’t believe it! You hundred were trained by me; I know your true power.”

Instantly, Zhuang Yunzheng and Liang Xi were surrounded. “Senior, seems leaving today won’t be easy!”

“Haha! Little Liang Xi, afraid at last? We’ve known each other ten years; I’ve never seen you frown at anything. You love a lively scene—so many people to play with, isn’t it amusing? Such opportunities are rare!”

A wry smile crossed Liang Xi’s handsome face. “Usually it’s me talking; today, the roles are reversed. But you’re right—I thrive on excitement. If I were cold, I’d be ill at ease. Senior, I don’t want to stay in this sanctuary. When this ends, let’s take Master to travel. I’ve spent ten years training, never left the mountain, apart from the journey to the Sky Clouds. I haven’t seen anywhere in Qingyang County—what a pity.”

“Agreed, I think so too. I know you truly want to visit Black Province. They say it’s vast and rich—unlike Yun Province, dominated by one sect. There are many sects there. If we get the chance, it’d be great to visit Black Province, maybe even improve ourselves.”

He knew his junior’s thoughts well. Plans had long been made. “But before we can do that, we need to deal with these damned puppets. What do you say, young master? Surely your fighting spirit is boundless now. Whatever happens, your senior will be by your side.”

Suddenly, the brothers erupted with astonishing fighting spirit. Sun and Moon Twin Palms—first four gentle, last three fierce, final one a fusion of all seven. Zhuang Yunzheng invoked Sword Rainbow, the first heaven of his technique, making himself dazzlingly radiant—the momentum was unstoppable!

Such fierce internal power suited Zhuang Yunzheng’s nature. The sky darkened, thunder roared; his palm strikes were sharp, each accompanied by thunder, a technique called Thunder Motion. He also used the Bird Flight technique, previously incorporated into his moves, making his strikes mysterious and ruthless.

Liang Xi pushed the Star chapter’s probing to its limit. Sword Rainbow was dominant and fierce, providing endless true energy and unstoppable swordplay. After this bitter battle, Liang Xi understood how to supplement his own energy with the world’s—when his own faltered, he could use the Cloud Atlas to draw from the surroundings, thus maintaining perpetual strength.

In moments, the hundred-man array was shattered—no longer cohesive. “Come, let’s help Master; he can’t do it alone.”

“Junior, I’ve known Master’s internal injury has fully flared—so even if a celestial immortal came, it would be useless. This is our first and last battle with him, so we must give it everything.”

“Master, we’re here! Today, let us three join forces to defeat Yan Shiyu!” Naturally, Zhu Feixue joined, having recovered. The Demon Blade and Mad Sword seniors did not move, instead guarding against surprises.

Yan Shiyu laughed. “Excellent! You four intend to attack together—unexpected, but I’ve cultivated my power to the utmost. I fear nothing, for if I die, all Cloud Province’s masters will hunt you brothers. With a treasure, you’ll be blamed—do you not understand?”

“Weaklings have no right to possess the mighty Cloud Atlas. Even if you brothers leave the sanctuary today, you cannot escape Cloud Province. Liang Xi, don’t think you can act recklessly just because you have Yun Hailan as your backer—he’s the lord of Cloud Province. Even if his status restrains him, he will mobilize forces. Clearly, even heaven favors me—there’s no hope left for you!”

“We won’t yield. Whether we escape Cloud Province is unknown, but Yan Shiyu, you will not leave the Cloud Immortal Sanctuary today.”