A Blind Swordsman's Sword Coffin

The instant You Ming appeared within the Gu clan’s domain, the entire world fell deathly still. Crushing pressure swept outward, and Zhu Ying, Lu Hengtian, and the others felt their blood run cold.

They had no idea who the strikingly handsome man in red was, but they could tell his strength was immense. Lu Hengtian reacted almost on instinct, concealing Tang Ru.

A devilish smile played on the man’s lips. Lu Hengtian narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?”

Zhu Ying tapped her cane against the void, sending an invisible barrier rippling outward. She spoke coldly. “Blood Sovereign You Ming. I never expected to see you here.”

You Ming stood with his hands behind his back, studying Zhu Ying with playful interest. After a long moment, he smiled amusedly. “Hmm... Aren’t you that little girl from the Zhu clan? Hahaha! I can’t believe you’ve turned into this. How many years has it been? I’m surprised you still remember me.”

Zhu Ying’s face had soured. Her voice came out sharp and low. “Forget? How could I possibly forget? The sight of you killing our clan’s ancestor is still burned into my memory.”

You Ming pursed his lips but said nothing. He turned toward Yu Chang’an, and his expression soured.

From somewhere in the void came a quiet murmur. “What is he doing here?”

You Ming glared at Yu Chang’an with open disgust. “You’re awfully effeminate.”

Yu Chang’an’s face twisted. He fixed You Ming with a hostile stare and sneered. “You’re one to talk.”

The words had barely left his mouth when a three-chi blood formation materialized in front of him. Crimson light erupted from it and struck him like a battering ram, sending him crashing into the earth.

The ground shook and split open. You Ming raised a hand, and a faint blood-red glow shimmered around his fingers. The formation expanded layer by layer until it became a massive array spanning one hundred zhang.

You Ming narrowed his eyes and crooked a finger. The blood formation blazed with light, and a roaring sea of blood poured from it. Corrosive energy ate away at the surrounding space as countless tormented spirits shrieked and wailed within the crimson tide.

The sight shook Lu Hengtian and Zhu Ying to their cores. Lu Hengtian understood now how You Ming had soundlessly slipped through the Ancient Era barrier their two clans had raised together.

His mastery of arrays is terrifying! We have to leave. Now!

Zhu Ying sent Lu Hengtian a frantic voice transmission. “Keep his attention on Yu Chang’an and use the opening to escape! If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late. Gu Changsheng and the others must already be racing back. We can’t afford any more delays!”

Yu Chang’an roared furiously, shaking the heavens. Why had You Ming singled him out the instant he appeared, while leaving Zhu Ying, who actually had a grudge against him, completely untouched?

He was not the only one confused. Several Mahayana Realm cultivators watching from a distance looked equally baffled.

Only Gu Lie, battered and bloodied, appeared tense. He kept his eyes locked on You Ming, every muscle taut and bulging. He swallowed, his palms slick with sweat.

Beneath the blood formation, Yu Chang’an threw everything he had into defending himself.

You Ming slowly turned, sweeping his gaze past the other two alchemists without a second glance. The instant his eyes fell on Gu Lie, he burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Little Lie, you really did become an alchemist! I told you ages ago. With your strength, you should’ve been swinging a hammer and forging artifacts.”

Gu Lie’s expression shifted. His jaw clenched and his temples throbbed, yet he kept his head lowered, not daring to utter a single word of defiance. He stood with his hands at his sides, controlling his breathing, ready to react at any moment.

You Ming clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head with a sigh. “Tsk. You’ve all grown old. You’re no fun anymore.”

Whoosh!

Every hair on Gu Lie’s body stood on end like a terrified cat’s.

You Ming was already beside him, his slender fingers resting on his shoulder, tracing lightly across it. Ice-cold dread shot up Gu Lie’s spine.

You Ming draped his arm around the burly old man and leaned close to his ear. “That fellow said he and I are the same. Tell me, Little Lie. Are we the same?”

Gu Lie’s entire body was rigid. His voice trembled as he answered, “No. You’re nothing alike.”

You Ming leaned in, studying Gu Lie’s eyes closely before giving a small nod. “Hm. You don’t look like you’re lying. Hahaha. Then tell me, what’s the difference between him and me?”

Gu Lie’s heart hammered. His blood churned through his veins, as if only that roaring current could ease the terror gripping him. Blood-red runes flickered where You Ming’s fingers touched Gu Lie’s bronze skin. As those fingers moved, more runes appeared and sank beneath the skin, racing toward the heart. Within a breath, they had formed a tiny blood formation no more than three cun across, wrapped tight around Gu Lie’s heart.

You Ming’s lips curled upward. He leaned close to Gu Lie’s ear and whispered, “Your heart is beating a little fast.”

Gu Lie swallowed hard. He drew a deep breath, steadied himself a little, and replied through clenched teeth, saying, “Blood Sovereign, you’re merely delicate. Yu Chang’an... is nothing but a bitch.”

Bang!

The blood formation shattered. Every inscription within Gu Lie’s body dissolved, transforming into streams of pure power that flowed into his flesh. “Good, good, good! Well said. You weren’t lying. Tsk tsk. You’re still the same Little Lie I remember. But seriously, listen to me. Learn artifact forging. Train under Meng Jiangchu, and I guarantee you’ll go far.”

Gu Lie couldn’t take in a single word. Every last shred of his composure had drained away. He doubled over with his hands on his knees and gasped for breath, cold sweat soaking his back. Only a few seconds had passed, yet he had walked through the gates of death and returned.

You Ming glanced up at the two cloud boats trying to break through the barrier overhead. He slowly raised his left hand and slammed it down.

Boom!

Runes flooded the sky. The blood formation, previously one hundred zhang across, expanded fivefold.

Yu Chang’an cursed viciously. “You filthy mongrel! Why are you targeting me?!”

You Ming pursed his lips, his gaze sharp with contempt.

Boom!

“Reverse Blood, Sea of Buried Souls!”

Boom!

The formation ground down on Yu Chang’an like a millstone. He could not fight back at all. Soon, no sound remained but his agonized screaming.

You Ming stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of amusement at the corner of his lips. He murmured, “No reason. I just don’t like you.”

You Ming turned toward the two cloud boats struggling to escape the Gu clan’s domain. His eyes glinted.