The power of a sword is terrifying

At that moment, all the hidden forces trailing behind the Zilin Sect's entourage collectively gasped in shock.

They were astonished by the strength of the white-robed swordsman and equally amazed at his audacity. After all, among the Zilin Sect's ranks was Wang Shouti, a powerful Spirit Bridge realm cultivator, whose presence alone could suppress all opposition.

Yet this man dared to act, even killing the Sixth Elder of the Zilin Sect with a single sword strike. It was unbelievable.

As everyone was left in awe of this one strike, Ye Daocang remained indifferent, coldly gazing at the group before him.

At this moment, Wang Shouti's eyes narrowed as he felt a similar power emanating from Ye Daocang. Immediately, he realized that this person was also in the Spirit Bridge realm.

In the Spirit Bridge realm, only those of equal standing could engage in a meaningful conversation. Wang Shouti no longer remained silent and restrained his men, preventing them from taking action.

Taking a step forward, his face cold, he addressed Ye Daocang with a deep voice.

"Who are you? Killing an elder of the Zilin Sect without hesitation, what does this mean? You are not from Donglai County. I've never seen a Spirit Bridge cultivator as young as you here. Who are you?"

Wang Shouti asked three times, but before Ye Daocang could answer, gasps of shock spread through the crowd.

"A Spirit Bridge realm swordsman!"

"No wonder he dared to kill the Sixth Elder of the Zilin Sect. He's a Spirit Bridge realm expert!"

"This makes sense now. In the Spirit Bridge realm, you can't be insulted. The Sixth Elder had it coming!"

"But killing the Sixth Elder in front of the Grand Elder Wang Shouti—he won't let this go!"

"Who is this man? Why is he here, blocking the Zilin Sect? Could he be a powerful ally invited by the Ye family?"

"Very likely!"

People buzzed with speculation. After all, Ye Daocang's appearance at this moment was highly coincidental.

Wang Shouti, meanwhile, was filled with unease.

Ye Daocang's Spirit Bridge cultivation didn't scare him, but the young man's appearance made him wary. Ye Daocang looked to be in his thirties, and for someone this young to reach the Spirit Bridge realm, it suggested that he might have a powerful background.

In this world, even though Spirit Bridge cultivators could dominate Donglai County, outside of it, they were nothing.

Wang Shouti knew this all too well, which was why he had stayed within Donglai County for so long.

Just as Wang Shouti was lost in thought, Ye Daocang let out a faint smile, mocking the group before him.

"Aren't you here to kill the head of the Ye family? Why is it that now that the head of the Ye family is standing before you, none of you recognize me?"

These words caused an uproar, and all eyes turned to Ye Daocang in shock.

"What did he say?"

"The head of the Ye family! He's the Ye family patriarch, Ye Daocang? How is that possible?"

"Wasn't it said that the head of the Ye family was a seventh-level Grandmaster and appeared to be a man in his forties? Why does he look so young?"

"He broke through to the Spirit Bridge realm! That must be why he looks ten years younger. How did he do it?"

"This is unbelievable. Now things are about to get interesting!"

Everyone's gaze locked onto Ye Daocang, completely shocked by the revelation.

Even Wang Shouti and his people were astonished, finding it hard to believe.

"You! You're Ye Daocang?" Wang Shouti exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at Ye Daocang.

"The one and only," Ye Daocang said, holding his sword with an air of indifference.

Wang Shouti withdrew his gaze and looked at Ye Daocang with murderous intent. "Hmph! You dare show yourself here? Do you think that just because you broke through to the Spirit Bridge realm, you're invincible?"

Ye Daocang chuckled faintly. "A mere Spirit Bridge breakthrough doesn't mean invincibility, of course. But it's enough to kill you."

Hiss!

Everyone drew a sharp breath at Ye Daocang's words, stunned by his boldness.

No one had expected him to outright declare that he could kill Wang Shouti!

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Wang Shouti's loud laughter echoed through the sky, causing everyone to tremble in awe.

He took a step forward, and a terrifying aura radiated from him, drawing all eyes to him.

Amidst the shocked crowd, Wang Shouti rose into the air, looking down at Ye Daocang as though gazing at an insect.

"How arrogant! Do you truly believe that breaking through to the Spirit Bridge realm will protect your Ye family? Hmm?"

With that, he no longer concealed his power, allowing his aura to explode forth.

Boom!

The overwhelming force of a fourth-level Spirit Bridge cultivator swept across the land, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

"He's a fourth-level Spirit Bridge cultivator! My God!"

"The Ye family is doomed now. The gap between third and fourth levels of the Spirit Bridge realm is enormous!"

"Ye Daocang has Sword Intent and could defeat a second-level Spirit Bridge cultivator, maybe even hold his own against a third-level one, but against a fourth-level? He stands no chance!"

"He won't even be able to escape!"

No one thought Ye Daocang stood a chance anymore. A fourth-level Spirit Bridge cultivator was a force that even the Eight Great Families of the Da Qian Dynasty would seek to recruit at all costs.

The members of the Zilin Sect, meanwhile, smirked arrogantly, confident that with Wang Shouti, no one could stand in their way.

Wang Shouti, fully unleashing his power, felt that he had everything under control.

He coldly glared at Ye Daocang and demanded, "Who gave you the audacity to kill the elders and prodigies of my Zilin Sect?"

Despite the pressure, Ye Daocang remained calm, even smiling.

"They came to destroy my Ye family. If they lacked the strength, who can they blame?"

"Arrogant!"

Wang Shouti bellowed in rage. "Even if my Zilin Sect wants to destroy your Ye family, your family should meekly accept death! Who gave you the right to resist? What do you think you are?"

The crowd felt their lips twitch, and many looked at Wang Shouti with speechless disbelief. He was outrageously domineering, demanding that others accept their destruction without fighting back.

But in Donglai County, Wang Shouti certainly had the authority to speak like this.

Only Ye Daocang remained unaffected, his expression cold. "Have you lost your mind in cultivation? You think you have the right to question me?"

"Fine! Fine! Fine! You impudent brat, today I will show you the gap between us Spirit Bridge cultivators!"

Wang Shouti roared in fury, his killing intent boiling over, stirring the very winds and clouds.

The next moment, his aura expanded further, filling the entire space.

He wielded a long blade, slashing it across the sky.

Whoosh!

The blade light was extreme, cutting through the heavens with unstoppable force.

At the same time, Ye Daocang remained composed. With his Qingyun Sword in hand, he swung it calmly.

The clash between blade and sword occurred in an instant.

Clang!

The crisp sound reverberated, shaking everyone to their core.

Ye Daocang and Wang Shouti collided for a brief moment before separating.

In the aftermath, Wang Shouti stood in disbelief, staring at Ye Daocang.

He couldn't comprehend it, Ye Daocang had taken his strike and remained unharmed. Not only that, but Wang Shouti had been forced back three steps, clearly on the defensive.

"You! How are you so strong?" Wang Shouti exclaimed in horror.

Standing with his sword in hand, Ye Daocang's expression remained calm, his voice cold. "So this is the gap between us?"

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Ye Daocang's lips, and anyone watching could sense the ridicule in his words.