Chapter 21：brotherhood

"What did you just say? You refuse!?"

The Yin-Yang Master's face darkened with fury. Who was he? The most favored son of the leader of the Yin-Yang Sect, someone before whom everyone bowed, flattered, and feared. Yet today, he had been defied not once, but repeatedly. He could tolerate Sun Yueying, as she too was backed by her own sect, but this man? A mere disciple from a small sect dared to speak to him like this!

"Did you not hear me? If it survives, those villagers will die!"

Tianfan's voice was icy as he stared down the Yin-Yang Master.

"Hmph! A few villagers, just a bunch of commoners! If they die, so be it. Their lives are worthless. You're making a poor trade, offending me for a few cheap lives."

The Yin-Yang Master's face twisted with cold arrogance as he delivered his naked threat.

"Commoners? What makes someone a commoner? Are you not one yourself!?"

Hearing the word "commoner" again and again made Tianfan bristle with disgust. He remembered how, in the past, he had been unable to cultivate and was ridiculed by his family, even disdained by his own father. Only his younger siblings had treated him with affection. Without them, perhaps his heart would have grown cold. Now, facing this callous Yin-Yang Master who disregarded life, Tianfan's expression turned colder.

"What a joke. I've already reached the peak of the Concentration Realm, and I'm but a step away from the Cloud Heaven Stage. How dare you compare me to those worthless beings! Your cultivation seems decent, so I advise you not to throw your life away. Back down now, and I'll let this all pass. I, for one, can be magnanimous."

The Yin-Yang Master's tone was dripping with arrogance as he looked Tianfan up and down.

"Hmph! Who do you think you are to speak to the Young Master like that? Are you seeking death?"

Old Second, who had been humiliated earlier by Tianfan, now seized the opportunity to ridicule him. With the Yin-Yang Master standing tall before him, he felt emboldened to regain his lost pride and show his loyalty.

"Scram!"

Tianfan's cold gaze swept over, and his eyes gleamed with a divine light.

"Ah!"

Old Second was sent flying, rolling on the ground clutching his head, screaming in agony. The sight made the two men behind the Yin-Yang Master, Li Ming and the other, step back in fear. They had been ready to hurl insults, but seeing Old Second fall with just a glance from Tianfan, their courage evaporated.

This level of power—injuring someone with a mere glance—was enough to terrify them. Only a few monstrous talents had this kind of strength, and those were already at the Cloud Heaven Stage. Could this young man also have reached that level? The thought sent chills through their spines. Someone at the Cloud Heaven Stage was a being they could only look up to in awe.

"You dare harm my men!"

Seeing his subordinate injured right in front of him, the Yin-Yang Master's face twisted in rage. This was a direct slap to his face.

"And what if I did?"

Tianfan's voice was as cold as ice.

"Fine, very fine. I hope you can still laugh when you reach hell."

The Yin-Yang Master's voice was deadly cold, and in his hand, a sword suddenly appeared. Its hilt was shaped like a dragon, and yin and yang energies flowed around the flawless blade, emitting a chilling aura. The sword's presence alone made the Yin-Yang Master seem as imposing as a Cloud Heaven cultivator. He didn't even need to channel his internal energy—the sword's own aura was enough.

"That's... the Yin-Yang Sword!"

Sun Yueying's face paled at the sight of the weapon, her voice trembling.

"Could it be, little sister? Is it the legendary Yin-Yang Sword that slayed a Reborn Stage cultivator?"

Li Yunyang murmured in disbelief.

"Hmph, you've got a good eye, Sun Yueying. Indeed, it's the Yin-Yang Sword."

The Yin-Yang Master smiled with smug satisfaction.

"How is this possible? How could the leader of the Yin-Yang Sect dote on him so much as to give him their sacred weapon?"

Sun Yueying muttered in shock, before turning to Tianfan. "Little Brother Tianfan, let it go. Let him take the old zombie away."

Her voice was filled with bitterness. Letting the zombie go meant condemning the villagers to death, but how could Tianfan possibly fight against the Yin-Yang Sword? A weapon that had once slain a Reborn Stage master, a sword ranked thirteenth among divine weapons. With it, the Yin-Yang Master could defeat enemies even above his level, and she couldn't see how Tianfan could survive.

"Yes, Tianfan, let him take the zombie," Li Yunyang added, his voice equally heavy with regret.

"Hmph, too late. Since I've drawn this sword, it must taste blood."

The Yin-Yang Master sneered, his gaze fixed coldly on Tianfan.

"Kill him! How dare he defy you, Young Master!"

Li Ming, emboldened by the sword's appearance, shouted. He knew better than anyone the terrifying power of the Yin-Yang Sword. Just recently, he had watched the Young Master use it to drive an early Cloud Heaven cultivator into a desperate retreat. Now, with this sword drawn, his confidence surged.

"Yin-Yang Master, don't go too far!" Sun Yueying cried out. "If you kill him, my grandfather won't let you get away with it!"

"Hmph. Sun Yueying, out of respect for your grandfather, I'll spare you and your friend, but this one... He dared to speak to me this way. He must die."

The Yin-Yang Master's voice was ice-cold as he glanced at Sun Yueying and then fixed his gaze on Tianfan.

"You!"

Sun Yueying and Li Yunyang both stood up, moving to Tianfan's side. Sun Yueying drew her Azure-Green Sword, pointing it forward. Li Yunyang, though unarmed, stood fearlessly beside her, shielding Tianfan.

"You two..."

Tianfan looked at their actions, fully understanding their intent. They were preparing to fight alongside him.

"Tianfan, we may have just met, but I already see you as a brother. I, Li Yunyang, am no coward. If we die, we die together!"

Li Yunyang, usually playful and carefree, now spoke with solemn sincerity.

Tianfan's body trembled slightly. A brother? He called me brother?

Yes, even knowing they might die, they stood unflinching before the sword, protecting the one behind them. All for the sake of a single word—brother.

Suddenly, Tianfan laughed, a carefree and joyous sound.

"Haha! Brother! Alright, brother, stand aside and rest. I alone am more than enough."

Tianfan's laughter echoed as he strode forward, unflinching...