"That was just a warning!" Su Yan regarded Han Qiancheng coolly. Speaking out of line naturally warranted a warning.
"You… very well!" Han Qiancheng, having narrowly escaped death, felt his expression shift through several changes. Fixing Su Yan with a venomous glare, he slowly retreated until he stood outside the cavern, then waved his hand. "Take her down!"
Today, no matter what, he would have his way with her. His patience had long since worn thin, and he was unwilling to wait any longer. If she wouldn't accept the wine of respect, then she would drink the wine of punishment!
Two elders who had accompanied him stood shoulder to shoulder, blocking the cavern entrance. The pair bore a strong resemblance in their features—likely brothers. Both were built like bears with the backs of tigers, broad-waisted and thick-armed. When they channeled the Source Force within their bodies, a faint crimson glow surfaced across their skin, like burning flames, unbearably scorching.
Had Han Qiancheng brought people to the Fire Cloud Mineral Vein to trouble Su Yan without preparation? Both elders he had selected practiced fire-attribute cultivation techniques, and in this Fire Cloud Mineral Vein—a place brimming with fire energy—they could exert strength far beyond their normal limits.
The moment the two took their stand, the sole exit was sealed shut. If Su Yan wanted to get out, she would have to carve a bloody path.
The elder on the left spoke in a deep voice: "Su Yan, our Yunxia Sect all but gave you a second life. When you first came to the Ancestral Domain, if our Yunxia Sect hadn't taken you in, where would you be today? Knowing that kindness demands gratitude—is this how you repay the Young Sect Master?"
Su Yan replied: "The one who showed me kindness was my master. What does that have to do with the Yunxia Sect?"
The elder on the right snorted coldly: "The Young Sect Master is a dragon among men. He will surely inherit the position of Yunxia Sect Master one day. What about him could possibly be beneath you? If you know what's good for you, you'll agree to the Young Sect Master's request at once, and perhaps spare yourself some pain."
Su Yan slowly shook her head. "Impossible!"
"Stubborn beyond remedy!"
"Courting death!"
The two elders barked from either side, their Source Force vibrating so powerfully that loose gravel rattled down from above.
Han Qiancheng cursed angrily: "What are you waiting for? Take her down now! I want her to regret this for the rest of her life! And don't damage her face or body—wouldn't want to spoil my enjoyment."
"Rest easy, Young Sect Master. She's just a little girl—my companion and I can take her down without breaking a sweat." The left elder snorted, his internal Source Force surging abruptly. Shifting his step, he lunged toward Su Yan, his massive hand spreading open as he slammed it down in a grab. The surrounding fire energy seemed drawn by his will, rushing into his palm and amplifying his might.
With a sweep of the Profound Frost Divine Sword, a semicircular curtain of sword light materialized a zhang before Su Yan, radiating an azure glow that shielded her from behind. The barrier looked paper-thin, as if the slightest breeze would shatter it, yet it was forged from countless densely packed gleams of sword energy.
The moment the left elder's massive hand made contact with the sword curtain, a jolting pain shot through him. He expelled Source Force from his palm, slamming it into the barrier.
Ripples spread outward, but the sword curtain remained intact. Meanwhile, the left elder's charging figure was brought to a halt. He raised his eyebrows in some surprise. Although both were at the Dao Source Realm's first layer, he had advanced years ago, whereas Su Yan had been stationed in the Fire Cloud Mineral Vein all this time with no way to increase her strength. With the advantage of both terrain and timing, the left elder had assumed he could defeat her with ease.
After a single exchange, he realized he had been terribly wrong. Su Yan's sword curtain was as solid as forged gold—impenetrable. Truly worthy of a warrior who hailed from a lower-plane star field, the purity of her Source Force was almost beyond imagination.
But... so what?
Having failed his strike, the left elder immediately drifted three steps away, tilting his body as he circled behind Su Yan.
At the same time, the right elder stepped forward, a copper hammer materializing in his hand. The hammer was a full three chi in diameter—an object of unmistakable weight and force. Wielding this artifact, the right elder closed the distance to the sword curtain in two or three steps and smashed down with all his might.
Su Yan's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she sensed the power behind this strike. Out in the open, she could have relied on her agile footwork to dodge, but here within the cavern, her movement was constrained—how could she evade?
The sword curtain suddenly dissolved. The Profound Frost Divine Sword erupted with ten thousand cold gleams that, in a single instant, converged into a single point and shot straight toward the right elder.
Sword intent soared to the heavens, and sword qi cut through the air with chilling severity. Su Yan's face was a mask of cold indifference, her eyes filled with merciless, resolute frost—completely ignoring the copper hammer hurtling down upon her, adopting the posture of one who intended to perish together with the right elder.
The right elder was startled. How could he dare continue? His hammer might indeed send Su Yan to her death, but he would likely die even faster. Feeling the overwhelming might on that sword, his heart filled with shock—how was this woman so powerful?
This was the result of being suppressed for ten years. If she had been allowed to cultivate peacefully within the Yunxia Sect all along, enjoying the full supply of the sect's resources, what level would she have reached by now?
Such talent was nothing short of terrifying. No wonder the Sect Master had prudently exiled her to guard this Fire Cloud Mineral Vein for a decade—otherwise, in today's Yunxia Sect, who could possibly stand as her match?
In the space of a lightning flash, the copper hammer swung downward into a horizontal guard, blocking the vital point.
But the Frost Divine Sword deftly pivoted, grazing past the right elder's side and hurtling straight toward Han Qiancheng behind him.
What a swift change of technique! The right elder turned pale with shock. How could he not realize that Su Yan's apparent suicide attack had been nothing but a feint—her true aim was to capture the ringleader. With the two elders joining forces, Su Yan had no chance of leaving this place today. But if she managed to seize Han Qiancheng, she would gain absolute initiative.
It was already too late to turn back and protect Han Qiancheng. In that critical moment, the right elder raised his foot and stomped violently upon the ground. Earth and stone cracked apart, and rubble rocketed skyward, filling Su Yan's vision and causing her piercing sword momentum to falter.
"Come back here!" Seizing the opportunity, the right elder finally swung his copper hammer, cutting off the path Su Yan had to take.