Hearing Brandon Nangong's words, the old servant—who had seemed utterly ordinary, like a dying candle in the wind—suddenly straightened his back. A fierce, overwhelming aura surged out, making Brandon shudder as if he'd been targeted by some primordial beast.
At the same time, his half-closed eyes snapped open, shooting out two beams of divine light. He fixed Brandon with a cold stare and said, "How dare you speak rudely to the Princess—you deserve death!"
Boom!
The old servant raised his fist, driving the air and unleashing a series of explosive sonic booms as he struck out.
The overwhelming aura locked onto Brandon, making him completely unable to move. For a moment, terror filled his heart, and he couldn't help but scream, "No, don't kill me!"
The old servant was a late Fusion-stage master, while Brandon Nangong had only just stepped into Soul-Split. There was no way he could be a match for the old servant.
The raging fist wind pressed in relentlessly. Everyone present except Ian Song and Jasper Easton was forced to retreat again and again.
Just as Brandon was about to be killed by the old servant's fist, a cold snort rang out: "Hmph! Killing someone right in front of me—do you think I don't exist?"
Bang!
A jade-white fist suddenly appeared in front of Brandon Nangong, colliding head-on with the old servant's fist.
The powerful force shattered the old servant's true essence, slammed into his arm, and blew it apart inch by inch in a spray of blood. Then it rampaged into his organs, injuring him internally.
"Ugh!"
The old servant spat blood and was sent flying in defeat.
He stared at Ian Song in disbelief. To be injured by someone at late Soul-Split was simply unimaginable—even if he'd only used thirty percent of his strength.
Boom!
His yuan spirit surged violently inside him, instantly healing his wounds. In the next moment, his aura exploded upward.
Then, he raised his fist again and struck out!
"Die!"
"You don't know what's good for you!"
Watching the old servant charge in again, Ian Song's eyes flashed with a cold smile. He swung his fist to meet the attack.
Bang!
The two fists collided in midair, but not a single trace of energy leaked out. In the next instant, the old servant's body was sent flying like a broken kite, crashing hard onto the street outside.
A moment later, the old servant staggered to his feet, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth, his eyes full of shock and fear. "How... how did you do that?"
He was a late Fusion-stage expert, yet even going all out, he couldn't withstand a single move and was seriously injured.
Before Ian Song transformed his true essence into immortal yuan force, his true essence was already close to late Fusion-stage. Thanks to the Heavenbreaker Sword Canon, he could cut down late Fusion experts. But after upgrading to immortal yuan force, his strength soared tenfold—he could crush late Fusion even without the Heavenbreaker Sword Canon.
This old servant was a top expert among late Fusion-stage cultivators. Unfortunately, he ran into Ian Song.
"Heh, you want to know why Ian is so strong? It's because he's a Core Disciple of Phoenix Heaven Church!" Brandon Nangong, now recovered, glared resentfully at the old servant and laughed gloatingly.
"So that's it—he's a Core Disciple of Phoenix Heaven Church! No wonder, no wonder!"
The old servant had felt it was hard to accept, but knowing Ian Song was a Core Disciple of Phoenix Heaven Church, he felt his defeat was justified. Still, he couldn't help but wonder—when did Phoenix Heaven Church gain such a powerful Core Disciple?
"I am Princess Claire of Qingping. Where did you get that Azure Flood-Dragon Sword?" The blue-robed woman spoke again, her eyes still locked on the sword in Ian Song's hand.
"Princess Claire?"
Hearing the blue-robed woman announce herself, Brandon Nangong, Jasper Easton, and the others looked shocked. Brandon hurriedly bowed, his face full of respect and a touch of anxiety: "I didn't realize the Princess was present. I am Brandon Nangong of the Nangong clan. I was rude before—please punish me as you see fit!"
Jasper Easton of the Easton clan greets the Princess!
Jasper Easton, Warren Wei, and the others all bowed respectfully, but Ian Song remained standing, unmoved.
Princess Claire swept her gaze coldly over Brandon Nangong and the others and said, "Rise."
Then her gaze fixed again on Ian Song: "Tell me, why is the Azure Flood-Dragon Sword in your hand?"
"Someone gave it to me," Ian Song replied.
"Who gave it to you?" Princess Claire pressed.
"You're really asking about Azureglass Immortal, aren't you?" Ian Song suddenly changed the subject.
"That's right!" Princess Claire nodded.
Ian Song continued, "Azureglass Immortal is already dead—he fell under Heavenly Tribulation!"
"What?!"
Hearing that Azureglass Immortal had died under Heavenly Tribulation, Princess Claire staggered, almost collapsing. Her face turned deathly pale, and she looked again at Ian Song: "Is that true?"
Ian Song replied calmly: "Sword immortals live as long as their swords. When the sword is destroyed, so is the master. Azureglass Immortal failed his tribulation, and the only thing left was this Azure Flood-Dragon Sword. It was stored in the royal treasure vault, then bestowed by the Empress on General Nangong, whose son gave the sword to me today."
As Ian Song finished speaking, Princess Claire's eyes filled with despair, and her body trembled violently. Fortunately, her loyal servant rushed forward to steady her.
After a long pause, Princess Claire suddenly screamed, "Impossible! His talent was extraordinary, far beyond others—how could he die under Heavenly Tribulation?"
Ian Song said, "I heard that he suffered hidden internal injuries on the Ten-Yao Continent. The tribulation came too suddenly, and he hadn't recovered yet."
"So that's it! Ha, so that's it!"
Princess Claire couldn't help but laugh, but tears soon streamed down her face.
After a long pause, Princess Claire wiped away her tears and looked at Ian Song: "Would you consider selling me the Azure Flood-Dragon Sword?"
"No." Ian Song shook his head. "I also practice swordsmanship—this Azure Flood-Dragon Sword is of great help to me, so I won't sell it to anyone."
"How about five hundred thousand supreme spirit crystals, and I'll owe you a favor!" Princess Claire pressed, her attitude firm.
"Sorry." Ian Song still shook his head.
A cold light flashed in Princess Claire's eyes. "Eight hundred thousand supreme spirit crystals, and I'll grant you two requests!"
Ian Song still shook his head.
Princess Claire's expression turned completely cold. "The Azure Flood-Dragon Sword is his legacy. It cannot fall into anyone else's hands. Guard it well—I will reclaim it, no matter what!"
With those words, Princess Claire turned and left.
Watching her leave, Ian Song noticed that Brandon Nangong and the others looked rather uneasy.
Half a quarter of an hour later, in a private room at a teahouse.
"Let's talk about Princess Claire," Ian Song said, picking up a cup of tea and turning to Brandon Nangong and the others.
Everyone was silent for a while. Suddenly, Jasper Easton spoke: "Sigh, Ian, you really shouldn't have refused her. Maybe if you send the sword over now, you might still have a chance to fix things!"