Chapter 107: Foundation

Hong Yun had a distinct feeling: there was something about Elder Shadow Moon that tugged at his very soul. He glanced in that direction, sensing the dense aura of calamity, and steadied his mind slightly.

But it was only a fleeting moment.

He didn’t waste any more thought on this figure, for he knew that even if there was something he needed, now was not the time.

Focusing his gaze ahead, he noticed two more figures had appeared before him: one was the butterfly-transformed cultivator who had appeared earlier, seemingly called Supreme Elder Withered Moon; the other was unfamiliar to him.

“Since you’ve heard what Shadow Moon said, you must understand which is more important: an ordinary nirvana or a butterfly transformation,” the young butterfly-transformed cultivator said, looking at Hong Yun with cautious eyes, though his words bore no hostility.

“Though you don’t know what conditions were used to summon these two Supreme Elders of the Phoenix clan to assist you, the Crescent Moon Sect is not without aid. If you retreat now, I guarantee your safety...”

“Silence!” Hong Yun snapped, his eyes filled with killing intent as he fixed his gaze on the elder before him, speaking each word deliberately: “Supreme Elder Withered Moon, right? You must have heard what Elder Shadow Moon said just now. More than his nonsense, what I want to know is whose body my master’s Death Elixir was used on.”

Withered Moon could clearly see the malevolence in Hong Yun’s expression. Just as he was about to respond, the other figure beside him interrupted sharply:

“You brat, didn’t you hear me? I am Supreme Elder Bewildered Moon. Your master’s Death Elixir was used on me. She should be grateful that her late-stage nirvana Death Elixir granted me my cultivation...”

Hong Yun could no longer hold back. Laughing bitterly in anger, he raised his hand to the hilt of his blade and unleashed a strike—a blow born of fury. Under the blade’s radiant edge, the grand formation of the Crescent Moon Sect, whose stability had lasted countless years, shattered instantly, dissolving into flickering sparks of light.

“Phoenix Qingliu, anyone who dares resist, kill them all!”

Originally cautious and moderate in temperament, Phoenix Qingliu felt a surge of excitement upon transforming into the Heartfire Phoenix. She hadn’t yet tested her powers, but now she nodded vigorously, bringing a long flute to her lips and playing.

Feeling her bloodline ablaze, Phoenix Qingshan’s eyes gleamed brightly. Knowing his elder brother had entered a battle-ready state, he lightly waved the feather fan in his hand:

“Charge, everyone!”

Hundreds of phoenixes’ eyes ignited, wings spreading as they surged toward the Crescent Moon Sect. The cries of the phoenixes echoed like meteor flames raining down upon the sect.

At that moment, two balls of scorching energy erupted, hovering above the Crescent Moon Sect and forming a barrier.

When the flames dispersed, two figures in black robes embroidered with red patterns appeared.

“Sir, they are butterfly-transformed cultivators from the Setting Sun Sect,” Phoenix Qingshan said after a mere glance, recognizing their servants.

Hong Yun looked up and then lowered his head again, murmuring to himself: “Courtesy before force. If they don’t get it, kill them.”

With those words, he raised his blade again, poised to strike at the stunned Bewildered Moon.

The elder hadn’t realized why their formation—known to block even half-step Emperors—was as fragile as paper. Before he could react, the blade reached him.

At this moment, life and death hung in the balance.

Boom!

The strike unleashed a tremendous roar as the ground split open wide beneath them, heat radiating faintly from the fissure.

Nearby, a hazy moonlight shimmered, revealing the form of Bewildered Moon once more.

But his expression was grim—his arm severed.

“Interesting. A death substitution technique?” Hong Yun said coldly, casting a glance at the elder’s attendant before striking down again.

He gave them no chance. A faint image of Shadow Moon flickered in the void, then shattered like a mirage, accompanied by the mournful cries of the heavens.

The Weeping Heaven Phenomenon—a sign of a butterfly-transformed cultivator’s demise.

Two strikes, huh...

Hong Yun gripped his blade anew and looked toward Supreme Elder Withered Moon, grinning bitterly.

“Withered Moon, how many lives do you think can repay my master’s wrongful death?”

Before he could unleash another strike, pure moonlight cascaded down, bathing him. Two luminous moon discs howled and appeared around him.

“Uncle Bright Moon, Uncle Radiant Moon...”

“They have arrived—this matter is now known to us,” said a man and a woman, seemingly a pair of Daoist companions. One held a mirror glowing with moonlight; the other wielded an indeterminate moon disc. They flanked Hong Yun, forming a pincer.

“I understand the situation. It is indeed our sect’s fault,” the man said, casting a glance at Withered Moon and then toward the still-wailing Weeping Heaven Phenomenon, frowning slightly.

“You go and assist Blood Moon in restraining that brat. Leave this place to us.”

Withered Moon glanced around. Though the two butterfly cultivators of the Setting Sun Sect were in a sorry state, they still possessed a half-step Emperor’s artifact, providing some support.

Blood Moon, however, was being relentlessly pursued by the Shadow Moon elder, fleeing in headlong panic.

Hong Yun watched Withered Moon depart, then turned his gaze back to the two blocking him.

Seeing the weapons in their hands, his expression darkened slightly.

These were two Emperor-class artifacts!

After some thought, he decided to test their strength. Without a word, he raised his blade.

Whoosh—

A cold, sharp blade sliced through the air, leaving a dazzling trail of light cascading downward.

The woman standing before him flicked her mirror, and by some unknown means, deflected the blade’s light.

Yet, it seemed to come at a cost—her body trembled slightly, as if silently enduring some pain.

Hong Yun intended to draw his blade again, but seeing both wield Emperor artifacts now bathed in moonlight, he realized any attack might be blocked.

So he folded his hands behind his back, quietly observing them.

“Bright Moon, Radiant Moon, battling for brilliance?” he said.

Seeing they did not respond, he refrained from attacking again, instead surveying the surroundings.

Not far off, the two butterfly-transformed cultivators of the Setting Sun Sect were being overwhelmed by Phoenix Qingshan and Phoenix Qingliu.

Even with an unexpected butterfly cultivator from the Crescent Moon Sect arriving—wielding a jade tablet that was a half-step Emperor artifact—they could only hold ground.

Neither phoenix had unleashed the full power of their Heartfire Phoenix transformations.

As for Shadow Moon... his aura now was truly strange beyond measure.

Using his Calamity-Scanning Eyes, Hong Yun sensed that the calamity energy surrounding him exceeded even that of a butterfly-transformed Heartfire Phoenix.