Chapter 674: Supreme Cloud the Obstacle

With a cold chuckle, lightning suddenly erupted in the sky in a dazzling display of brilliance.

The lightning strikes in the sky were ceaseless as if they were about to end the world. They continued to flare in a spectacle of furious power, but the Ma-i Sect stood their ground after a brief moment of uncertainty upon confronting the raw energy. The Grand Elder and the sect leader could even discern that while the lightning strikes were on a rampage and would persist for a while, much of the executer's spiritual energy would be depleted if the opponents could not be wiped out in one go. This was especially true when the executor was faced with formations that hardly wavered and possessed incredibly strong defenses like the Ma-i Sect did.

No matter how impressive the attacker's cultivation base was or how magical his cultivation method, it was only temporal. The advantage was ultimately on the Ma-i Sect's side. After all, the constellation formation worked mainly due to the cooperation of over a hundred people - it was simply not something a single man could fight against.

However, just as the Ma-i Sect's higher authorities were confident that the victory was ultimately theirs, a deep voice hollered again in the sky, "Harvest!"

Before the word could ricochet in the air, a chorus of cries suddenly erupted from the Ma-i Sect members, seemingly without reason. The Grand Elder's gaze followed the sound only to discover in shock that a fog of blood had materialized amongst them. The spray of blood was flying towards the sky, converging to become a blood cloud that hovered over the horizon.

The Ma-i Sect's prized skill, the Deva of a Hundred and Eight Constellations Formation was powerful and equipped with excellent defensive strength, enabling the members to deflect the disastrous lightning and preventing them from death, but it did not mean that they were not hurt in the process. Differences were present among the cultivation bases of the Ma-i disciples and many of whose cultivation bases were weaker among the injured. While the injuries were not severe and would not affect their combat power, they were still wounds after all. Facing the sudden command of 'Harvest', a large amount of blood was lost from the wounds of those who were injured.

The outcome of massive instant blood loss was light-headedness, panic, and flagging strength. In just the blink of an eye - while the lightning strikes were still rampant - dozens of men were already dead, killed by the abrupt attack.

It truly took only an instant for the Ma-i Sect's renowned constellation formation to be broken.

The twist was unexpected. The Grand Elder, Wang Changfeng, was already regaining his composure but his repose vanished instantly as he cried out, "Nine Supremes? Yutang's Nine Supremes?"

The wind whistled, clouds stirred, lightning and thunder went wild, and the fog of blood colored the sky. If Wang Changfeng was unable to guess who the person was, he could quit the martial world already.

A snigger rang out as a greyish shadow appeared in the sky. "By defying your ancestral edicts and leaving the mountain to partake in the hegemony of empires, the Ma-i Sect is asking for its own end! Your grandmaster can't penalize all of you personally, so I shall do it for him to stay true to his name and reputation!"

"Indeed, I, am Yutang's Nine Supremes; Supreme Cloud of Nine Supremes. Cloud over the world and decide upon your final fate I shall!"

The dazzling glint of saber light flashed amidst the growl. The man sneered, "I could kill all of you discreetly but I am worried that you all may die in bewilderment. It doesn't give me satisfaction. This is why I stepped forward to play with you, so all of you can leave the Nine Springs without regrets - so that you may die in peace."

Yutang's Nine Supremes! It was Supreme Cloud who greeted the world and extended his killing spree.

Wang Changfeng and Ge Zuheng no longer looked confident as the color drained from their faces. At this point in time, both of them felt the pressure on them were greater than it had been just now.

Their ancestral edict back then stated clearly that they were not to partake in the hegemony of empires. Being informed that Dongxuan was destined to be the sole ruler over Tianxuan, however, they were finally swayed, and they sent elite experts off the mountain to assist the blessed country.

They had thought that they could demolish Yutang directly and establish themselves as the national sect of Dongxuan, thereby gaining the force of the national providence and setting their foundation to becoming the unassailable sect.

Who could have known that the so-called blessed country - the destined empire, Dongxuan - had lost, despite having the advantage!

Their sect members had just arrived at the army base and joined their first battle, but Dongxuan was then defeated!

Up until now, there were jabs of ridicule from the partial officials of Dongxuan - "Maybe we'd have won if it weren't for a certain cursed sect's fault..."

Such accusations were infuriating!

In spite of this, no one from the Ma-i Sect could argue that point. Firstly, it was the reality; secondly, it would be meaningless to refute it any further! This was because Dongxuan's emperor, who had treated the Ma-i Sect like honorable guests in the past, had obviously given them the cold shoulder and was even repulsed by their behavior.

If they did not leave, Dongxuan might have already sent people to put an end to the Ma-i Sect.

What made the sect lose their hope thoroughly was an irritated comment by Dongxuan's emperor, "Who's the one to suggest going to Ma-i Sect for help? What was he thinking? Ma-i, Ma-i, wearing hemp gown everyday... Who wears hemp gowns? People who mourn wear them! What an inauspicious sect and they're asked to back us up... Are you afraid that my army doesn't lose quicker!?"

Ge Zuheng remembered that he almost spat blood when he heard of this.

'How could you say such a thing? We've gone against our ancestral teachings for you, Dongxuan and sacrificed so many people, but you don't even give us a word of comfort.'

'Who's the one who said; I wait for your arrival like sprouts wait for rain, like winter waits for warmth - and now you despise us for that?'

With the coincidence of the dragon hide treasure map matter erupting in Yutang, the members discussed and decided to gather the elites together. It would be best if they could snatch the treasure map and return to the forest thereafter to rebuild their organization; if they failed to obtain the hide, they would still return to the mountain and live as recluses.

What they did not expect was being blocked by Yutang's Supreme Cloud right as the elite troops arrived at the outskirts of Tiantang City after coming so far. The Nine Supremes' sole survivor was aggressive and intended to wipe everyone out!

"Lord Supreme Cloud!"

Wang Changfeng's gold hook glimmered, turning him into a golden tornado to deflect the intense saber light that came showering like a heavy rain, as he called out, "We're a reclusive sect and have only gotten involved in the worldly contest by chance. We're on separate ways with Dongxuan now - our paths no longer cross. We're returning to being a recluse. When this is settled, we shall return to the deep mountain immediately and won't reemerge! Why do you have to force us to a corner, Lord Supreme Cloud?"

Yun Yang chuckled icily and retorted, "Force you into a corner? Proficient cultivators rarely ever participate in the war of empires - this is the unchanged rule of Tianxuan Continent. Once involved, there must be an end. Think of the many Yutang men who died in your hands at the Fortress of Resilience - have we ever said that you've forced us into a corner then?"

"For every action, there must be consequences! Since the Ma-i Sect has begun your cause of a blood debt, you'll have to sustain the effect of sect extermination. This is the inescapable cycle of fate! Today, right now, is the day this debt is collected. All of the Ma-i Sect shall be killed without mercy!"

With a loud growl, the saber light intensified and flew out in a wide fan. Yun Yang morphed into wind and cloud, going in for his kill recklessly in the crowd. No matter how the Ma-i members defended and countered, the golden hooks flashing like a waterfall, the counterattacks had only landed in his shadow. It could not actually damage him.

The battle went on for only a moment, but wherever Yun Yang passed, people fell in groups while blood splattered copiously. The victims' arduously cultivated mystical methods and martial skills were vulnerable before Yun Yang's unusual cultivation method, rendering all their efforts to defend themselves.

Wang Changfeng pursued the grey shadow fervently to attack and stop the latter, wishing that he could still save the situation. However, all of his actions were just like his members' like they had struck the air and harbored no effect.

Horses and men were strewn everywhere then, the scene chaotic and a terrible mess.