Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

Bang.

The martial arts arena shattered across the ground.

Countless white pillars burst from the earth like stone forests, standing tall despite their modest scale, causing many disciples present to gasp in astonishment.

Some slightly more advanced disciples furrowed their brows, observing intently, as no one expected such a dark horse to suddenly emerge on the sixth day of the Nine Peaks Martial Meeting.

Violent fluctuations of spiritual energy instantly broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage, shocking everyone present. Some wanted to intervene, while others were calling for the overseeing steward.

"Stay calm!"

A low shout echoed.

The steward leaped into the air, hovering in mid-air, his aura at the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage bursting forth, enveloping the duel site to prevent the spiritual energy from leaking out.

"No need to panic, everyone. These two are still dueling within the martial arts arena, just wait for the result to be announced!"

The voice was loud and clear.

Although the dust obscured the view inside, flashes of white light and purple lightning could be seen intersecting continuously, especially with an unpredictable blood-red aura appearing, spurring the imagination.

This duel had only officially begun in the eyes of the disciples present, though several high-grade Core Formation disciples were in heated discussion.

"Something's off, what's with that hint of blood? It doesn't look like a spell from the Purple Cloud Palace."

"The aura is menacing, with a glow of blood—it seems more like an Evil Cultivator's method. Does Xiao Xuan from Dragon Head Peak know this?"

"I'm not sure, but it looks eerie. Normally, even if losing in a same-sect match, one shouldn't be so desperate. Using such a sinister daoist skill, even if he wins, the elders and Peak Master would still declare him the loser, right?"

"What exactly is it then…"

Even sounds within the martial arts arena were largely isolated. To outsiders, it seemed like a protective measure for the many disciples present, though such an aura, even if it reached them, wouldn't cause any harm.

Yan Fengchun felt a bit anxious.

Most cultivators who have tempered themselves outside for years, experiencing life and death, often possess an inexplicable sixth sense, a perception of danger. The red and white flashing blood light unmistakably harbored murderous intent, not something that should appear in a spar between fellow disciples.

"Deacon Ma! Please stop these two from fighting immediately!"

Stood up directly.

But the other merely glanced over, leaving Yan Fengchun feeling that the gaze contained a hint of disdain, a touch of scorn, as he impassively replied.

"The martial grand meeting is no child's play, it can't be stopped at will. Rest assured, this steward knows his limits."

Though he said so, the hundreds of disciples present remained uneasy. After all, they frequently dealt with demonic threats outside, and any one of them could count seven or eight Evil Cultivators they had killed. Such behavior was all too familiar to them.

The disciples continued to murmur amongst themselves, yet with the steward maintaining order, they naturally didn't say much more. No one anticipated that within the massive dust and space shrouded by the magic treasure...

"Scarlet Sun Infinite Heavenly Thunder Art!"

"Demolishing Demon Frost Palm, Thunderbolt Technique... Heaven and Earth Unite!"

Almost all deployable daoist skills erupted at that instant.

The Demon Heart Technique began operating, his body madly drawing in spiritual energy like a vortex, his movements never stopped.

He even formed a spell with his left hand before releasing it when the right hand already had a new spell ready to fire, the unending flow of daoist skills seemed inexhaustible.

Nether River Return Yin, Paper Folding Spirit—even these yin soul-type evil techniques were used by Jiang Feng without hesitation. He knew he had no chance of winning now, his only option was to buy time.

Until his senior sister arrived.

His meridians slightly spasmed, his arms twitched—even under such high load, he felt a bit dizzy and faint.

Yet as Jiang Feng had anticipated, his explosive power could only be described as terrifying, the immense force brutally sent Xiao Xuan flying, his chest collapsed, flesh tore revealing stark white bones, dying the entire martial arts arena red.

Blood splattered, and even though isolated outside by the magic treasure, the many disciples could sense the unusual grim scene within. Yet Xiao Xuan was still smiling as if feeling no pain.

"Hahahaha, hahahaha!"

"Beautiful, truly perfect body, flawlessly gifted and concealing many secrets inside, no wonder Liu Tangxi took a liking."

"Such a wondrous body can unexpectedly fall into my hands. From today on, this old man shall live in your place within the Purple Cloud Palace, True Sword Immortal inheritance, what a True Sword Immortal…"

Screech!

"Yin Soul Lock Spirit, Yang Spirit Binding Body, using blood as fire, bone as array, Jiang Feng, today, let's see where you escape to!"

With maniacal laughter, Xiao Xuan astonishingly began tearing his own flesh in front of everyone, tearing open his chest with his hands, grabbing hold of his heart without hesitation.

With a forceful pull!

"Burn, burn, burn! Burn: my Soul Refining Array has long awaited this moment. From this day onward, you are me, and I am you."

Even though the steward deliberately concealed it, the anomaly was finally detected. The multitude of daoist skills Jiang Feng executed just now was not solely to prevent Xiao Xuan's actions but also to disperse the enveloping dust mist completely.

Including those gold pillars hindering others' vision—once destroyed, seeming like pillars, but in fact…