On this day.

    The previously clear skies suddenly filled with thunder and lightning.

    A thousand miles away from the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls, over a mountain range, terrifying bolts of lightning coalesced into a blue dragon and descended upon the earth.

    The blast obliterated everything within a hundred-mile radius, leaving behind a vast, sunken crater.

    The thunderstorm raged for a full half-hour, making the heavens and earth seem as if heralding the end of days.

    The people within a thousand miles of the scene watched in terror, believing they had witnessed the wrath of the gods. Trembling, they fell to their knees, bowing repeatedly in the direction of the thunder.

    Finally, the storm ceased, and the clouds dispersed.

    Li Guangning and Ye Xiujie? were reduced to ashes. Not even the treasures on Ye Xiujie?’s body could withstand the overwhelming strike.

    Zhu Diezhen, too, was utterly shaken by the scene.

    She had never imagined that the power of a single sword could be so devastating. Could this level of destruction only be achieved by an immortal?@@@@

    But it wasn’t just her.

    Even Ye Yu himself was astounded.

    So this is what happens when a sword is unleashed at full power. It was truly unstoppable!

    Surveying the surroundings, all that met Ye Yu’s eyes was scorched black earth. The mountain range had been turned into a crater.

    Altering the terrain with sheer force—how fearsome!

    What’s more, Ye Yu felt an extraordinary resonance with the spirit sword in his hand, as if their hearts were one. With just a bit more refinement, he was certain it could become his life-bound flying sword.

    Ye Yu softly asked, “What is the name of this sword?”

    Zhu Diezhen, her eyes brimming with affection, replied, “It is my husband’s sword, so of course, you should name it yourself.”

    After a moment of thought, Ye Yu said, “Let’s call it Yudie.”

    Zhu Diezhen’s joy was boundless.

    To name the sword after both their names—this meant that every time Ye Yu wielded it, he would think of her. She was ecstatic, feeling like she had won a great victory.

    Zhu Diezhen’s expression grew heavy. She had hoped that destroying all traces would leave no witnesses to the incident. Never did she expect Ye Xiujie? to carry such an artifact. Had she known, she would have left the scene immediately.

    Ye Yu spoke calmly, “You should return to the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls and wait for me.”

    Zhu Diezhen instantly understood—Ye Yu intended to face the Forbidden Yin River Ye Family alone. Gripping his sleeve tightly, she said firmly, “I will accompany you. This is my fault—I cannot stand idly by.”

    Ye Yu gently flicked her nose. “Silly girl, what do you mean, ‘your fault’? They brought this upon themselves. If you come along, I’ll be distracted. Be good and wait for me at the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls.”

    Zhu Diezhen’s body stiffened. She knew Ye Yu’s words were meant to spare her pride. As the master of the Hall of Ten Thousand Souls, she was a mid-Tribulation Realm cultivator, a powerhouse by any standard. But against the Ye family, especially their late-Tribulation Realm elites, she would be a liability.

    The realization stung. She reluctantly released her grip, staring at Ye Yu’s familiar face.

    In a voice filled with determination, she said, “Promise me you’ll come back. If you die, I won’t live either.”

    “Don’t talk about death. We’ll be together forever.”

    Ye Yu embraced Zhu Diezhen and whispered softly before turning to leave.

    Watching his departing figure, Zhu Diezhen clenched her fists, her eyes reddening.

    This scene felt painfully familiar. In her dreams, Ye Yu had once sealed her away to face the righteous sects alone, ultimately sacrificing his life. When she awoke, it was too late to change anything. She had lived with regret ever since.

    Now, once again, Ye Yu was heading off to face danger alone, leaving her behind as a burden.

    She hated herself—hated that she wasn’t an Ascension Realm cultivator, capable of solving all his problems. All she could do was stand behind him.

    As her despair grew, the skies darkened once more. Countless vengeful spirits began to wail, their cries echoing across the heavens.

    Zhu Diezhen’s cultivation shackles began to crack.

    At the Forbidden Yin River Ye Family’s ancestral hall.

    Hundreds of Ye family disciples knelt outside, while Ye Zhouhao stood at the forefront, his expression twisted in rage. He held up a Memory Stone, replaying the image of Ye Yu and Zhu Diezhen.

    “Search! Mobilize all Ye family members. No matter the cost, these two will pay for my son’s death!”

    The disciples chorused their agreement, preparing to act.

    Just as they began moving, a surge of sword qi abruptly descended, slamming into the Ye family’s protective formation.

    The ground shook violently.