Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

"Running? Is that all you’ve got?"

Zhao Hong thundered, fury blazing in his eyes. Though his face was pale, his momentum was terrifying, cold air billowing around him. The longsword in his hand released biting cold, slicing the air into ribbons of snowy light.

His body radiated bone-chilling frost, yet gave off a wild, violent force like a volcano erupting.

Xu Yang slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, circulating immortal essence to force the invading cold from his body, looking at Zhao Hong with a bitter smile.

"I’ve returned all the immortal fruit to you, can you let me go?"

Zhao Hong was stunned, then burst out laughing, both furious and amused: "Are you dreaming?"

"You dare mess with me and expect mercy?"

"I may not be allowed to kill you, but I’ll show you what punishment means in a land of ice and snow!"

Boom!

Zhao Hong’s sword pointed at Xu Yang, transforming into a streak of silvery light, man and blade as one.

Man and sword arrived in an instant.

A deluge of cold erupted violently.

Under Zhao Hong’s command, the dazzling sword gleam bloomed like a snow lotus atop an ice peak, transforming into an enormous ice crystal dragon.

Roar!

Xu Yang’s expression shifted. The Four Division Daluo Saber appeared in his palm, hacking down on the crystal dragon’s head.

Bam!

Ice crystals flew everywhere.

The ice dragon shuddered, releasing a piercing shriek, its massive jaws clamping down fiercely on the saber.

"Damn it."

The Daluo Saber’s power remained, but Xu Yang felt an immense force drilling through, blood and immortal essence in his arm turning slow and sluggish.

Zhao Hong’s strength was truly unrivaled among Early Stage Celestial Immortals.

In a split second—

Xu Yang unleashed his immortal seed full force, power surging almost to the point of tearing his flesh, gushing into the Daluo Saber.

"Break!"

He growled and shook the blade wildly, as if a thousand sabers rang out together, unleashing a force like mountains collapsing and seas roaring, with the Daluo Immortal Artifact’s power, brutally ripping apart the dragon’s head.

Crack!

The blade surged forward, driving into the dragon’s body.

Zhao Hong was utterly shocked: "Impossible!"

Seizing his moment of distraction, Xu Yang gritted his teeth, unleashing the last reserves within him. Ancient Evil Qi in the Minor Immortal Realm erupted, and as the crystal dragon was shredded, saber light and Evil Qi surged at Zhao Hong like a tidal wave.

But Zhao Hong retreated in a flash, turning to flee.

In this Cold Vein Land, disciples of the Ice and Snow Immortal Palace had a tremendous advantage.

Even their immortal techniques were greatly enhanced here, making them far more powerful.

Compared to Zhao Hong, Xu Yang was weaker; the longer the battle dragged on, once Zhao Yuanyuan and Li Qingtian arrived, he would be in even worse shape.

Swish swish swish!!

Thousands of sword lights erupted, shredding both Evil Qi and saber light to pieces.

Zhao Hong leaped, transforming into a sword rainbow, chasing closely behind.

"You bastard, don’t think you can run! Kneel and beg me, I might go easy on you."

"You think you can escape?"

...

Xu Yang ignored Zhao Hong’s threats and insults, burying his head and running frantically.

But only moments later, Zhao Hong caught up again.

"Do I have to hide in the Minor Immortal Realm?"

Xu Yang felt helpless. At this point, that seemed the only option left.

If he hid inside the Minor Immortal Realm, Zhao Hong could never break the divine cauldron’s barrier to enter.

But if he did, he’d be like a trapped turtle—Zhao Hong couldn’t get in, and he couldn’t get out.

"Hold on."

Xu Yang’s peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the blurry Cold Vein below.

The edge of the Cold Vein radiated terrifying cold—even Zhao Hong didn’t dare step in.

Of course, neither did he.

But if he hid in the Minor Immortal Realm, the Cold Vein wouldn’t affect him; controlling the divine cauldron, he’d escape Zhao Hong’s pursuit.

As he was thinking this, a furious shout from Zhao Hong blasted from behind: "Die!"

Swish!

A slim sword beam gleamed with a piercing chill, crossing hundreds of feet instantly and slashing down from above.

Boom!

The sky exploded, frost spraying out everywhere.

Xu Yang rolled away in desperation, his clothes frozen into shards by the cold Qi.

Pale-faced, he glanced at Zhao Hong and sneered, "If you want me dead, you’re not quite up to it."

"As for the Cold Vein Immortal Fruit, you can forget about it for life."

Zhao Hong faltered, unable to understand how Xu Yang still dared brag at such a moment.

But he had caught up, and with Zhao Yuanyuan and Li Qingtian closing in fast, he was even more confident in his own strength.

"You don’t know your place."

Zhao Hong’s eyes glinted cold; he shook his sword, sending out waves of sword light, determined to capture Xu Yang and make him suffer like never before and vent his rage.

Xu Yang had made up his mind: hide in the Minor Immortal Realm, sink into the Cold Vein’s surface layer.

Suddenly—

Boom, crack!

The massive ice wall to the side was battered by a terrible force, hundreds of feet exploding apart, shattered into bits.

Two figures burst in, one ahead, one behind.

"You dare pick a fight with me in a place like this, Luo Jiang? You’re really overestimating yourself."

"Damn it, Qin Qian, you lunatic! I just cursed you a couple times; did you have to go this far? If you’ve got guts, go after Xu Yang—it wasn’t me who made you lose face!"

"You’re courting death."

Boom!

Waves of force erupted in all directions.

Xu Yang and Zhao Hong were both stunned.

Qin Qian, Luo Jiang!

The two who collided and separated instantly also noticed Xu Yang and Zhao Hong, freezing at the sight.

"Xu Yang!"

Luo Jiang’s eyes went wide with disbelief. What are the odds?

Qin Qian locked his gaze on Xu Yang, killing intent pouring from his eyes.

"Well, isn’t this a coincidence. Never thought I’d run into you here."

"Mr. Luo, save me!"

Xu Yang’s eyes darted, and he instantly rushed toward Luo Jiang.

"..."

Luo Jiang opened his mouth to speak, but choked on his words.

Honestly, because Xu Yang caused Qin Qian such a humiliating loss in the Ice and Snow Immortal Palace, Luo Jiang actually liked Xu Yang’s attitude.

But right now—what the hell was happening?

Luo Jiang gave a bitter smile, "Kid, I’d love to help you, but I’m barely hanging on myself. Qin Qian’s powers have grown; in here he’s got a huge advantage. I can only struggle to keep up now."

"Where are Ji Hong, Zhou Tai, and Yang Yuan? You’re alone?"

"Just me."

"Mr. Luo, what do we do now?"

"They’re not going to go easy on me, and I doubt they’ll let you off either," Xu Yang said with a wry expression.

This was truly beyond anything he could’ve expected.

Luo Jiang looked up to see Zhao Hong and Qin Qian grinning mockingly at him.

Not far away, Li Qingtian and Zhao Yuanyuan arrived, shocked to see Qin Qian and Luo Jiang, but immediately eyeing Xu Yang and Luo Jiang like hungry tigers.

"Ahem ahem."

"Qin Qian, the main target is right here. Let me go. Sure, you’re stronger than me here, but if you really press me, it’ll be bad for all of us. If I draw others in, things get complicated."

Luo Jiang coughed and grinned, then looked at Xu Yang, "You don’t need to worry—they won’t dare kill you. The most you’ll get is a beating."

"Just accept it!"

"..."

Xu Yang’s mouth twitched.

Well said, but next time, just don’t say it.

Qin Qian, however, frowned slightly.

He had to admit, Luo Jiang was right.

"Hand it over, and I’ll let you go," Qin Qian said coldly.

"Here you go."

Luo Jiang tossed a jade box over without hesitation.

Clearly, this was the treasure he’d snatched from Qin Qian earlier in their confrontation.

He had no idea what was inside—but this was hardly the time to care.

"I’m leaving now."

Luo Jiang eyed Qin Qian warily.

Seeing Qin Qian make no move, Luo Jiang instantly brightened, gave Xu Yang a sympathetic look, and turned to run.

If this were any other time, he’d gladly help Xu Yang and forge a bond, but today, even the cleverest can’t cook without rice.

Watching all this, Xu Yang sighed helplessly—but he didn’t really blame Luo Jiang.

Qin Qian and the others didn’t go after Luo Jiang. Zhao Yuanyuan, Li Qingtian, and Zhao Hong slowly closed in, surrounding him.