"Today, we killed the Shadows."

The words hung in the air, heavy and shocking, as the elders' eyes widened in unison. Disbelief etched itself across their faces, each one struggling to grasp the enormity of what had just been said. "What? Killed the Shadows?"

Murmurs of dread rippled through the hall.

"We're doomed."

"They'll surely come for revenge."

One after another, the elders voiced their fears, their voices tinged with rising panic. Just the mention of these so-called Shadows sent a wave of terror washing over the room, a cold shiver that seemed to wrap itself around their hearts. Eli Shan could feel it, a tangible fear that gripped them all.

Well, he could understand their fear. After all, an army of peak-stage emperors was a force that would make even the bravest cultivators from a low-level universe tremble.

Sensing the growing tension, the sect leader shifted his piercing gaze toward Jian Wu. His voice broke the whispers. "Jian Wu, have you grown strong enough to kill the Shadows now?"

Jian Wu lowered his head, a flicker of shame in his eyes. His voice was soft but steady. "I'm afraid not, Sect Leader. It was my junior brother, Eli Shan, who killed the Shadows."

A stunned silence fell over the room. The sect leader's eyes widened in shock, his composure momentarily shattered. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice betraying his disbelief. But as the realization sank in, a slow smile spread across his face. He turned to Eli Shan, admiration shining in his eyes. "Eli Shan, you are indeed a dragon among men."

Eli Shan smiled serenely, his tone humble as he replied, "Thank you, Sect Leade-."

Before Eli Shan could finish, a sharp crack echoed through the room as the Great Elder erupted in a fit of rage. His fist slammed against the table with such force that the entire hall trembled. Rising to his feet, his eyes blazed with fury, veins throbbing at his temples. "Little brat, I understand you're strong," he growled, his voice hoarse with anger. "But do you truly believe that gives you the right to endanger the entire sect?"

Eli Shan raised an eyebrow, his calm gaze shifting toward the Great Elder. As their eyes met, the atmosphere of the room became heavy. A silence fell over the hall, every eye drawn to the silent standoff between Eli Shan and the furious elder.

Seeing Eli Shan's composed stare, the Great Elder's anger only deepened. "What? Do you think you can kill me too? Don't fool yourself into believing that taking down those mere Shadow disciples means you can stand a chance against me!"

Eli Shan shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I have no interest in fighting a person who trembles before those I killed with ease."

"You...!" The Great Elder's voice trembled with fury as he took a step forward, ready to strike.

But before he could act, the Sect Leader's voice cut through the tension like a blade, cold and commanding. "Sit down."

The words carried a weight that made the Great Elder freeze in place. He felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon him, forcing him back into his chair. The anger in his eyes was replaced by a flicker of fear, and he bit his tongue, unable to challenge the Sect Leader's authority.

A heavy silence settled over the room. The other elders watched in stunned silence, none daring to speak. The Sect Leader's power was not to be underestimated, and the weight of his presence was palpable.

Eli Shan observed the scene with silence. The pressure he felt from the Sect Leader gave him a clear indication—this man was not just a figurehead but a hidden dragon in his own right.

The Sect Leader stood up, his gaze sharp as it swept across the room, meeting the eyes of every elder. "We are the Sword Sect! And a true sword fears no one, no matter who they are. Do you elders truly consider yourselves sword warriors?"

His words struck like a hammer, and the elders lowered their heads, shame coloring their faces.

The Sect Leader pressed on, his voice firm and resolute. "Even if we are destined to die in battle, we will do so with honor, rather than live in disgrace. If any elder fears death, they are free to leave the sect. But for those who are not afraid, let us stand tall before those shadows who don't even dare to show their faces. Prepare yourselves, this is the time for war!"

The Sect Leader's words washed over the room like a wave of courage, dispelling the lingering fear. Even Eli Shan felt a surge of admiration, his heart swelling with respect. "This is how a Sect Leader should be," he thought, his awe for the Sect Leader's bravery deepening.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted. The fear that had gripped the elders melted away, replaced by a fierce determination. They exchanged resolute glances, their expressions hardening with resolve. "We are not afraid, Sect Leader. We will live with the Sword Sect, and die with the Sword Sect!"

The Sect Leader nodded, his gaze turning warm as it settled on Eli Shan. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Eli Shan, you're not going to run, are you?"

Eli Shan met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "I am ready to die with the Sword Sect, Sect Leader!"

The Sect Leader's smile widened in satisfaction. "Good, good. All of you, go and prepare for the battle ahead."

Eli Shan and the others cupped their fists in respect before turning to leave.

As they walked outside, Wen Lun glanced at Jian Wu and Eli Shan, a shadow of guilt crossing his face. "I'm sorry, brothers. If only I hadn't been caught..."

Jian Wu placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his voice firm and calm. "What are you talking about? Do you think we're afraid of them? Besides, we were already planning to fight the Shadows. We're just getting to it a little earlier than expected. What's the problem?"

Eli Shan nodded in agreement. "Senior Brother Jian Wu is right. We're going to destroy them for sure."

Wen Lun managed a smile, the burden of his guilt easing. Then, as if remembering something important, he turned to Eli Shan with a brightened expression. "Ah, Junior Brother, this dragon heart—we brought it for you."

Eli Shan blinked in surprise. "Huh? No, no, Brother. I can't accept something so precious."

A warmth spread through him, touched by their thoughtfulness even in such a dire time. But he still hesitated, not wanting to take something so valuable from them.

Wen Lun smiled, undeterred by Eli Shan's reluctance, and forcibly pressed the dragon heart into his hand. "Junior Brother, this is a gift from us to you. Don't decline it."

Eli Shan hesitated, but could only nod, accepting the gift with a mix of gratitude and reluctance. "Then I'll thank you, Senior Brother."

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But as soon as he took the dragon heart, it began to tremble in his hand, as if it was scared of something. The three of them exchanged puzzled glances. "What's happening?" Jian Wu muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Eli Shan studied the dragon heart, a slight frown forming on his face. "Maybe this dragon heart doesn't want to merge with me. It might be better if one of you uses it instead."

Jian Wu and Wen Lun sighed, disappointment flashing across their faces. "It's a shame," Wen Lun said, his voice tinged with regret.

Jian Wu, however, quickly regained his composure, smiling as he turned to leave. "Wen Lun, I have something to take care of, so I'll be heading back. You go ahead and merge with the dragon heart in the meantime. We don't have time to waste."

Before Wen Lun could respond, Jian Wu vanished, leaving only a faint ripple in the air.

Wen Lun's eyes lingered on the empty space where Jian Wu had stood, frustration boiling up inside him. His fists clenched, and his voice trembled with emotion. "You... you take this dragon heart! I won't merge with it!"

Before he could argue further, Jian Wu's voice echoed faintly from the distance. "I've closed my peak's formation and don't have time for these small matters. Fuse with it before the Shadows come back."

"You...!" Wen Lun gritted his teeth, his words faltering as frustration gave way to resignation. Shaking his head, he muttered, "Stubborn as always."

Watching the exchange in silence, Eli Shan's lips curved into a small smile, a sense of warmth and contentment swelling in his chest. He admired how none of them acted out of selfishness, always willing to stand together, no matter the situation.

As he continued to smile like a maniac, an idea suddenly formed in his mind. Without a word, he abruptly knelt down and started tracing intricate patterns on the ground, his fingers moving gracefully.

Wen Lun, watching his movements, quickly caught on. "Brother, are you creating a formation?"

Eli Shan nodded, his focus unwavering. "I have an idea I want to try."

Wen Lun nodded in understanding. "Then I'll work on merging with the dragon heart while you do that."

Eli Shan looked up, a thought occurring to him. "Ah, Brother, could I borrow the dragon heart for a moment?"

Wen Lun smiled and handed it over without hesitation. "Of course."

Eli Shan took the dragon heart and carefully began etching a strange circular pattern onto it. "It might not make a huge difference, but I've heard that fusing with a dragon heart can be risky. This formation should help ease the process, making it safer for you," Eli Shan said, giving the heart back to Wen Lun.

Wen Lun's eyes softened, his smile warm as he took it back. "Having a junior brother like you is truly a blessing. Haha."

Eli Shan shook his head, returning the smile. "I'm just doing what I can."

With a chuckle, Wen Lun prepared to leave for his mountain peak. "Then I'll be heading back now, Junior Brother."

Eli Shan nodded, watching as Wen Lun disappeared into the distance. Once alone, he refocused on his task, his expression calm but resolute. With practiced ease, he began inscribing more formations, his hands flowing gracefully as he channeled his energy into each mark. Soon, he was soaring through the air everywhere, his robes fluttering behind him, as he marked the grounds with formations that pulsed quietly with power.

Meanwhile, the sect buzzed with activity as disciples caught sight of Eli Shan's strange behavior, but none dared to question him. The air was thick with tension—word had already spread among the disciples that a battle against the Shadows was imminent. Everyone was busy preparing for the fight, their faces grim with determination.

But Eli Shan remained focused, his mind solely on the formations. He moved from one mountain peak to another with effortless grace, determined to fortify the sect as much as possible.

After some time, as Eli Shan was still deep in his work, the sky above the sect suddenly darkened, casting an ominous shadow over the grounds. A palpable sense of fear began to seep into the atmosphere, gripping the hearts of all who were present.

Boom!

A deafening crash reverberated through the air as something powerful struck the sect's main protective formation. The sound was so terrifying that many disciples collapsed to the ground, clutching their chests in sheer terror, feeling as if their hearts had stopped beating.

Eli Shan looked up, his gaze piercing through the transparent barrier that shielded the sect. Thousands of figures, dressed in black, hovered menacingly above the formation, their presence casting a foreboding shadow over the entire sect.

Without hesitation, many of the sect's members bolted to the skies, flying up to confront the intruders. At the forefront was the Sect Leader, with the elders following him, and behind them were the elite disciples, their faces set with grim determination.

As they approached the dark-clad figures, the Sect Leader's eyes fixed on the one standing at the very front. This man's aura was overwhelming, far surpassing the Emperor realm—a true leader among the Shadows.

The Sect Leader cupped his fists, his voice calm but respectful. "I greet the Sect Leader of the Shadow Sect. What brings you to our gates?"

A silence fell over the atmosphere, then the shadows glanced at each other, bursting into terrifying laughter. "Hahaha! Sect Leader? Do you think my Sect Leader would bother to come here to crush mere worms? No, I am merely an elder of the Shadow Sect!"

The words hit like a hammer, and the faces of the Sword Sect elders darkened with dread. The realization was chilling—if this was just an elder, what kind of power did their Sect Leader possess?

The Sect Leader's expression grew grim, his gaze locked on the man before him. He knew that he could, at best, hold his own against this person. But behind him were countless others, all with cultivation far beyond the peak step of the Emperor realm! And then there was the Shadow Sect’s leader—an even greater threat, one who hadn’t even appeared yet!

How could this be possible? They had always known the Shadows were strong, but this... this was terrifying!

The Sect Leader's thoughts raced. He knew the odds were against them, but there was no turning back now. This was the battle that would determine the fate of the Sword Sect.

The elder of the Shadow Sect smiled with a sinister glint in his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the Sword Sect's warriors. His voice, dripping with arrogance, carried a menacing edge. "Perhaps you're unaware," he said, gesturing dismissively towards the terrifying cultivators behind him. "But these are merely disciples of the Shadow Sect." He then locked eyes with the sect master, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "One of your sect members dared to kill our disciples—now, your sect no longer has a reason to exist."

"They're just disciples?" The elite disciples of the Sword Sect, who had steeled themselves to fight, felt helpless before this terrifying army. But not one of them backed down. The weight of impending doom pressed heavily on the entire sect, pushing it to the brink of destruction, yet no disciple turned to flee. Their resolve was unwavering.

The Sect Leader looked at the Shadows, shaking his head in defiance. "Our swords will never bow, nor will they retreat. If it's a fight you want, then we'll give you one."

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure surged from the Sect Leader, rippling through the air with such force that even the elders staggered in its wake. In that moment, the crushing despair that had gripped the sect began to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope.

The Great Elder, his eyes wide with shock, murmured in disbelief, "The Sect Leader... He's finally broken through to the next stage of the Great Emperor!"

The disciples and elders, encouraged by the revelation of their sect leader's power, felt their blood boil with renewed vigor. Their hearts raced as the Sect Leader’s pressure descended heavily upon the Shadows, filling the air with palpable intensity. Yet, the elder of the Shadow Sect remained utterly unfazed. With a casual wave of his hand, he dispelled the overwhelming force as if it were nothing more than a light breeze.

"A high-level Great Emperor, I see," he remarked, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. "This will be a good fight."

He too revealed his cultivation—a high-level Great Emperor! The air between them crackled with power, the tension almost tangible.

The Sect Leader unsheathed his sword, and a powerful sword intent surged around him, far stronger than anything Eli Shan had ever encountered. Witnessing the Sect Leader's true strength, Eli Shan's eyes shone with awe, yet he remained focused on his task, continuing to create formations from one point to another.

The sword aura emanating from the Sect Leader, combined with his cultivation, began to warp the very fabric of the world around them. The ground trembled, and the skies darkened under the weight of his power. The realm of the Great Emperor was already beyond what this world could bear, and now, with two high-level Great Emperors clashing, the world itself seemed on the verge of collapse.

In an instant, the Sect Leader vanished from his spot and reappeared beneath the Shadow Sect elder, slashing his sword filled with killing intent. The Shadow elder tried to block the blow with his sword, but the Sect Leader's overwhelming aura shattered his defenses. The force of the strike hurled the elder out of the world, flinging him into the vast expanse of the universe.

For beings at their level, space and earth were the same. They could traverse galaxies in an instant if they wished, their power unbound by the limitations of ordinary cultivators.

Below, the Shadows began to prepare for battle, their expressions nonchalant as if they were about to crush insignificant insects. They hovered confidently in the air, ready to slaughter the Sword Sect's elders and disciples with ruthless ease. In stark contrast, the disciples of the Sword Sect stood their ground, bracing themselves for a war they knew they could not win, yet unwilling to surrender.