Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 31: Ma Yu

The Southern Mountain stood tall, its majestic peaks stretching into the sky.

At Zhongnan Mountain, the Quanzhen Sect bustled with movement. Before the Taoist temple, disciples came and went, gazes lingering on the striking woman before them.

Hao Datong watched in silence, his eyes fixed on the longsword slipping from his grasp. A heavy mix of grief and indignation clouded his voice. “Eldest Brother…”

At the forefront of Quanzhen Sect stood Ma Yu, the head teacher. Stroking his beard, he let out a light chuckle. “Senior Brother, if one loss leads to suicide, then you must have perished countless times already.”

He made no mention of Granny Sun’s death—his words acknowledged only the duel.

Hao Datong exhaled a long sigh before lowering his sword. Turning to Ma Yu, he bowed slightly. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother.”

Ma Yu’s eyes then settled on the Little Dragon Lady. A faint smile touched the corners of his lips. “I presume this young lady is a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect.”

His tone was even, neither overbearing nor humble.

The Little Dragon Lady met his gaze with an icy stare. “Yes.”

Her words were few, cold, yet fitting for one of her ethereal beauty.

Ma Yu sighed inwardly. With a flick of his floating dust whisk, he reached for the longsword behind him. A trace of helplessness tinged his voice. “If this is to be a match, then allow me to experience the Ancient Tomb Sect’s renowned techniques.”

The Little Dragon Lady’s expression remained unchanged, her chilling gaze locked onto him. Her floating silk trembled slightly, poised to strike.

“Hmph… Quanzhen Sect, you have quite the nerve.”

A long whistle suddenly resounded across the mountain, its force shaking the very air.

Ma Yu’s expression stiffened as he clasped his hands together, his voice carrying respect. “May I ask which esteemed senior has arrived?”

Then, as if emerging from the void itself, a figure descended. Clad in silver-white robes, his silver hair shimmered under the light.

Landing beside the Little Dragon Lady, he took hold of her right hand. Lifting his gaze, he locked eyes with Ma Yu, his silver pupils brimming with unrestrained fury.

A trace of impatience flickered across his otherwise cold face. His voice, though low, carried the weight of thunder. “Hmph… Quanzhen Sect, how dare you.”

The moment his words fell, a suffocating pressure surged outward. The surrounding disciples staggered as if struck by an invisible force.

Ma Yu’s hands trembled slightly. His voice, filled with shock, slipped out. “Such formidable internal strength…”

The silver-haired man’s cold expression did not waver. His right hand gently caressed the Little Dragon Lady’s cheek. “Dragon Child, I told you—‘Twelve Lesser Silkworm Techniques’ should not be practiced. Yet now, you have recklessly used your martial arts. The warmth in your smile has vanished, leaving only icy indifference.”

The Little Dragon Lady turned her head, her chilling gaze meeting his. Her voice, crisp and clear like a frozen stream, rang softly. “Royal Sky, Granny Sun is dead.”

Though calm, a faint sorrow underpinned her words.

Royal Sky—Yutian—sighed as his gaze lowered to the lifeless body at their feet.

Then, his eyes shifted to the young man standing beside Granny Sun’s corpse. A cruel smile crept onto his lips. “So, you are the one she sought to protect… The one for whom she gave her life.”

His gaze bore into Yang Guo.

A flicker of fear passed through Yang Guo’s face. His heart clenched. Since childhood, he had learned to read people, to gauge danger, and—most of all—to survive.

With his head slightly lowered, he nodded. “Granny Sun died because of me. I… I am sorry.” His voice carried the weight of sorrow, trembling slightly.

Yutian’s eyes narrowed. “Hmph…!” The killing intent in his gaze sharpened. “A deceitful child, already skilled at exploiting others. Granny Sun may have been old, but she was naive to the ways of the world. And my wife, the Little Dragon Lady… is even more incapable of protecting herself.” His voice grew colder. “Brat, you have guts.”

With a flick of his right hand, an overwhelming force erupted.

Boom!

The void trembled as Yang Guo’s body was flung into the air. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

Ma Yu’s eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, he leaped up, catching Yang Guo before he could crash to the ground. The sheer force of the impact shook him to the core.

Suppressing the turmoil in his chest, Ma Yu steadied himself. “Your Excellency,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of warning, “such ruthlessness… Was that strike meant to kill?”

Yutian’s lips curled into a smirk, his silver eyes scanning Ma Yu with indifference. “Not bad,” he mused. “You withstood that. At the peak of the Houtian realm, you are indeed a figure of some renown.” His gaze darkened. “But you made a grave mistake.”

His voice dropped into a frigid whisper. “You should not have provoked me. And you should never have forced my Dragon Child into this state.”

As his words faded, a fragment of silver appeared between his fingers.

The air vibrated. A high-pitched sound sliced through the silence.

A crushing pressure descended upon the sect.

Ma Yu’s pupils shrank. “Snapping Finger Avatar…!”

Instinct took over. He turned, shouting, “Senior Brother! Lend me your strength—only together can we resist this strike!”

Hao Datong did not hesitate. With a deep breath, he pressed his palms to Ma Yu’s back, sending a surge of internal energy into him.

Ma Yu’s sword flashed.

Three sword shadows burst forth—one transforming into three.

Boom!

A deafening explosion ruptured the air.

Ma Yu was sent flying, blood spilling from his lips. Behind him, Hao Datong staggered, clutching his chest as a fountain of crimson spurted forth.

Yutian stood motionless, untouched.

His technique—Snapping Finger Avatar—carried the force of ten thousand pounds. Even Ma Yu’s formidable swordplay had failed to withstand it.

The longsword in Ma Yu’s grasp shattered into countless fragments.

Yet even Yutian’s silver projectile could not endure the collision.

Boom!

The silver shard splintered.

Shards of metal exploded in all directions.

“Everyone, scatter! Now!” Ma Yu’s voice rang out, thick with urgency.

But it was too late.

Like the petals of a celestial maiden’s flowers, silver fragments rained down.

Boom!

A crimson mist erupted.

Hundreds of disciples fell where they stood.

Ma Yu’s vision swam. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. A seething fury ignited within him.

His voice, hoarse and trembling with rage, rose into the air. “Your Excellency… Your methods are too cruel!”

Yutian’s gaze swept over him with disdain. “Hmph…! You call my methods cruel, yet your Senior Brother took a life and called it honorable. You twisted his suicide into a mere loss in battle.” His voice turned sharp. “Granny Sun was slain—what of that? Tell me, Quanzhen Sect… What price should be paid for my people?”

Ma Yu had no words.

Silence engulfed the mountain.