"Hmm. You go ahead first. After I adjust my breath for a moment, I’ll tell you in detail about the matter deep within the Celestial Abyss..."
Tuoba You nodded with satisfaction, just about to wave Chen Ye away.
"Bang!"
At that moment, a muffled thud of a heavy object hitting the ground suddenly sounded from outside the camp, followed by cries of pain from the guards.
The camp’s curtain was rudely lifted open.
A young demon cultivator with a face seven-tenths similar to Tuoba You barged in, exuding an aggressive aura and looking gloomy.
"Tuoba Hong? What are you doing here?"
Tuoba You frowned slightly, his expression turning cold.
The intruder was none other than his own blood brother, Tuoba Hong!
"What am I doing here? My dear brother, are you so injured that you’re confused?"
Tuoba Hong let out a cold laugh, swaggering to the center of the tent, ignoring Chen Ye standing to the side, and instead glaring intently at the heavily injured Tuoba You,
"The Venerable just left to deal with the Lingyin Sect’s traitors, and you immediately took advantage, using a feather as a command arrow, deceiving Yuan Zhuo and Yuan Huan, and privately transferring over half the disciples of Chouyun Pass to seal off the Celestial Abyss! What is this about? Are you planning a rebellion?!"
"Shut up!"
Tuoba You shouted harshly, agitating his wound and coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood,
"There is a major disturbance in the Celestial Abyss, concerning the rise and fall of the Holy Sect. As the commander of Chouyun Pass, I naturally have the right to make this decision!"
Twenty-three years ago, Tuoba You was already in the Foundation Establishment Third Layer, holding a significant position in Chouyun Pass.
Moreover, the Venerable and City Lord were not present, having gone to hunt down the so-called Lingyin Sect traitors.
With the power of the Tuoba family and Tuoba You’s true cultivation at the time, he could easily seize control of Chouyun Pass... Yet, he couldn’t do anything about his brother, Tuoba Hong.
Tuoba Hong had extremely high talent, already in the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer at the time and in the future, he would reach the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, far surpassing himself.
Tuoba You felt it difficult to express his grievances.
He understood his brother’s character well, knowing that if he confessed directly, Tuoba Hong would surely think it was an excuse.
"Don’t try to fool me with such high-sounding words!"
Tuoba Hong sneered, advancing step by step towards the large chair, his gaze vicious,
"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking! Did you discover some ancient relic in the Celestial Abyss and intend to keep it secret from the Venerable and the family to swallow it all by yourself? Let me tell you, if you don’t hand over the ancient relic today, I’ll immediately send a message to the Venerable!"
"You fool!"
Tuoba You was trembling with anger, pointing at Tuoba Hong’s nose, his vision turning black.
Though he had tested it, discovering this world couldn’t contact cultivators outside Chouyun Pass, unafraid of the Venerable’s arrival.
Yet this fool was highly regarded by the cultivators in the city, and if he stubbornly persisted, Tuoba You really couldn’t do anything about Tuoba Hong.
Tuoba You’s expression suddenly turned ruthless, glancing at Chen Ye, his eyes turning dark.
"Since you’re so stubborn, don’t blame your brother for being heartless!"
Before the words had fully left his lips, Tuoba You, enduring the tearing pain in his organs, suddenly raised his arm.
"Swoosh!"
A wisp-thin dark red blood beam shot out from his sleeve like lightning, directly piercing through Tuoba Hong’s chest!
"Ah—! Are you insane?!"
Tuoba Hong let out a miserable cry, clutching his bleeding shoulder and stumbling back several steps in disbelief.
He had never imagined that Tuoba You would actually dare make a move against him!
Though aware of his brother’s ruthlessness, the issue was that this was in the heart of Qi Kingdom, with the Venerable, family elders, and many real cultivators above!
If Tuoba You killed him, he wouldn’t survive either!
"Qing Xuan! Do it! Kill him!"
Having succeeded in his strike, Tuoba You’s aura was weak, collapsing heavily back into the beast-skin chair.
Chen Ye’s heart skipped a beat.
Something’s not right...
Tuoba You, despite his severe physical injuries, shouldn’t be this feeble; furthermore, with Tuoba Hong being only in the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer at the time, his arrival wouldn’t escape Tuoba You’s divine sense.
This guy is likely trying to test me?
"Seeking death!"
Though Tuoba Hong was severely wounded by the ambush, the intense pain only aroused his ferocity.
He roared in anger, demonic qi surging around him, as a Ghost Head Saber appeared in his hand, slashing directly at the heavily injured Tuoba You!
If this slash landed, Tuoba You would undoubtedly die.
"Clang!"
Chen Ye suppressed his aura to the early stage of Foundation Establishment, summoning a flying sword to meet the attack with grit.
His mind was racing,
ultimately resorting to concealment, engaging only with the strength of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator.
"Clang—!"
The saber and sword clashed, spiritual light bursting.
"Pfft!"
Chen Ye’s face paled, vomiting blood, and was sent flying horizontally.
"Just an early-stage Foundation Establishment waste, and you dare block me?!"
Tuoba Hong sneered, looking at his brother,
"Brother, since you’ve refused my graciousness, don’t force me to soul-search you!"
"Oh?"
Tuoba You narrowed his eyes, glancing at the wounded Chen Ye, finally feeling assured.
It seems he’s merely an ordinary early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Back then, the Fake Pill abomination chased him probably only because he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, wanting more blood sustenance.
"You’re too impatient, Hong."
Tuoba You’s cold voice echoed within the tent.
"Boom!"
Spiritual power surged, and a terrifying pressure erupted from Tuoba You.
The dark red blood beam that had pierced through Tuoba Hong’s shoulder returned in mid-air, transforming into a condensed blood-colored short sword.
"What?!"
Tuoba Hong’s eyes widened in fear, as he was terrified to his core.
Simultaneously,
The wound on his body suddenly erupted with pain, countless blood threads spreading over the wound, burrowing into his blood vessels and meridians.
"This is... the Blood Refining Sword Technique? When did you learn this swordsmanship..."
"Swoosh—!"
Without giving Tuoba Hong a chance to respond, Tuoba You’s expression remained cold, and the blood-colored short sword pierced through the back of Tuoba Hong’s head, emerging from his forehead. His body stiffened, collapsing to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.