As soon as Chang Zhige called out for help, two figures appeared beside him—a cold-faced middle-aged man and a youth who seemed around thirteen or fourteen years old. Together, they resembled three generations of a family, yet, in truth, the youngest, the boy, was their leader.

The boy’s name was Jiang Yun, a mid-stage Earth Celestial, while the middle-aged man, Cui Shenji, was second in command, and both he and Chang Zhige were peak Profound Celestials.

Seeing the three of them together, Ye Yu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. They shared a peculiar similarity: each wore a bamboo fishing basket at their waist and carried a fishing rod on their back, looking very much like a group of fishing enthusiasts. This reminded him of a warning from the Nine-Tailed Fox Elder from an earlier dream, who had advised him to “take down the fishermen.” Could these people be the ones he meant?

Meanwhile, Chang Zhige’s spirit form, fragile without a physical body, quickly took cover behind Jiang Yun.

“Boss Jiang, this kid is strange! I think he’s here for us!”

Jiang Yun shot Chang Zhige a disdainful look. “Obviously. Barely in the early stages of True Celestial, yet nearly killed a peak Profound Celestial with a single move? If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.”

In the Celestial Realm, each level was a world apart. For someone at the early stages of True Celestial to threaten a peak Profound Celestial was unheard of—madness, even. The only logical explanation was that this young man before them was concealing his true cultivation.

Then, Jiang Yun noticed Ye Yu’s gaze shifting toward the fishing rods and baskets behind them. Had he discovered something?

This realization made Jiang Yun’s decision clear: they couldn’t let Ye Yu leave alive. If word got out about this place, it would spell disaster for them.

Jiang Yun sent a telepathic message to Chang Zhige and Cui Shenji: Kill him! Destroy his soul and leave his body for Old Three!

Hearing this, Chang Zhige agreed eagerly. Without a physical form, he needed a new vessel, and this boy’s appearance and quality made him a perfect fit.

Cui Shenji, however, hesitated. Sharing the same cultivation as Chang Zhige, he knew that confronting Ye Yu could lead to a similar fate. But when Jiang Yun noticed his reluctance, he snapped, “Stop dithering. If this place’s secret is exposed, none of us will survive. Either kill him, or we’re all dead. Make your choice!”

With that, Jiang Yun surged forward, transforming into a streak of light that split into a thousand identical clones, encircling Ye Yu. As each clone appeared, a golden light formed in their hands.

Seeing this, Ye Yu wasted no time, locking his gaze on Cui Shenji nearby. Cui Shenji’s heart pounded—what was Ye Yu planning?

Hesitation had kept Cui Shenji from attacking, fearing a fate like Chang Zhige’s. But now, Ye Yu had focused on him, making him feel like a prime target.

Grinding his teeth, Cui Shenji attempted to mimic Jiang Yun’s clone technique, but it was already too late. Ye Yu pressed his palm against his own chest, applying a bit of force.

A piercing pain surged through Cui Shenji, forcing him to his knees as he cried out in agony, his face turning ghostly pale.

The sound drew the attention of Jiang Yun and Chang Zhige, both of whom were stunned. What was happening? Why was Ye Yu targeting Cui Shenji instead of Jiang Yun?

Jiang Yun was visibly perplexed, while Chang Zhige, fearing involvement, immediately backed away.

Meanwhile, Cui Shenji’s body bled from all seven orifices, his face twisted in torment. With a heavy thud, he collapsed, a pool of blood spreading from his chest. The blood coalesced into a crimson sword, which rose slowly, its blade pointing directly at Jiang Yun.

The sword slashed through the air, transforming into a streak of red light that beheaded countless Jiang Yun clones in an instant. Even Chang Zhige’s spirit form could not escape.

This was another forbidden technique: Heaven-Splitting Blood Sword. By nurturing a sword with blood from the heart, it unleashed unparalleled destructive power.

All of this happened in a flash. Moments ago, three intimidating celestials had stood before Ye Yu; now, they lay dead or defeated.

Despite the victory, Ye Yu remained cautious. He sensed faint traces of celestial energy nearby—Jiang Yun wasn’t dead. Though weakened, his presence lingered.

As the blood sword faded, Ye Yu stood alone in silence. “Your two comrades are dead, and yet you hide. Don’t you plan to avenge them?”

Jiang Yun’s voice echoed from every direction. “Comrades? They were merely partners of convenience. With them gone, that’s fewer people to share the spoils.”

Hidden behind the barrier, Jiang Yun had witnessed the battle and recognized the true nature of Ye Yu’s techniques—each one a forbidden art, exacting an immense price to cast. But Ye Yu seemed to possess an unusual ability to transfer the toll onto others, as seen in the fates of Chang Zhige and Cui Shenji.

Jiang Yun wasn’t intimidated by the raw power of forbidden arts, but the strange, invasive nature of Ye Yu’s skills left him vulnerable. He couldn’t defend against that!