With me here, you shall not dare to harm Junior Sister Jiang.

On the other side, within just a brief moment, Jiang Yueli was already covered in wounds.

Had it not been for the heaven-defying properties of the Immortal Phoenix Indestructible Body, she probably would have perished long ago.

Even so, Jiang Yueli's spiritual power was now completely exhausted, leaving her extremely weak and struggling even to stand.

"Cough, cough!"

She coughed a few times, breathing with great difficulty as blood spilling from the corners of her mouth dripped onto the ground, presenting a startling and gruesome sight.

"Hehe, what use is a stubborn spine? Without the strength to back it up, everything is in vain."

The masked figure walked over to Jiang Yueli, squatted down, and stared at her mockingly.

"Pui!"

Jiang Yueli spat out the blood and froth in her mouth viciously, gritting her teeth as she said, "You won't die a good death! Even if you kill me, when my master returns, he will definitely avenge me!"

"Oh? Your master?"

Hearing Jiang Yueli mention her master, the masked figure immediately wore a playful expression.

"Hahaha! Are you talking about Li Tianyuan? And here I thought it was someone formidable! Just a down-and-out peak master, do you really think he has the strength to avenge you?"

"Besides, even if your master returns, you'll already be dead. Will he even know who did it?"

The masked figure sneered, a flash of cold light suddenly erupting in his eyes.

"Well, I've had enough fun. Now, it's time to send you on your way!"

With that, the masked figure extended a finger and pointed toward the empty air.

Instantly, a pitch-black blade condensed out of thin air, lunging toward Jiang Yueli like a venomous snake!

However, at this critical juncture,

a golden sword radiance swept across from the distance, carrying a piercing whistle that shattered the blade in an instant.

At the same time, a cold, delicate shout rang out.

"What reckless scoundrel dares to commit murder within the soaring heavens holy land!"

As the voice faded, a graceful figure rushed over swiftly.

The newcomer was none other to Murong Mingyue. With her white dress fluttering like a fairy descending from the nine heavens to the mortal world, she landed directly in front of Jiang Yueli.

"Senior Sister Murong? Why are you here?!"

Seeing Murong Mingyue, a look of joy instantly appeared on Jiang Yueli's face.

However, remembering the masked figure's terrifying strength, she hurriedly urged, "Senior Sister, run! This person's strength is unimaginably terrifying; you are no match for him! You must flee quickly!"

Hearing this, Murong Mingyue did not panic. Instead, she took a medicinal pill from her storage pouch and popped it into Jiang Yueli's mouth.

"Junior Sister Jiang, pay no mind to me. Swallow this pill first; healing your injuries is paramount!"

She smiled slightly, offering a soft word of comfort before turning to face the masked figure, her beautiful eyes radiating an icy, bone-chilling brilliance.

She had never expected that someone within the holy land would be audacious enough to commit murder so openly!

Had she not arrived in time, the consequences would have been simply unthinkable.

Murong Mingyue questioned coldly, "Hiding your head and tail, acting so stealthily—who on earth are you? Why are you trying to drive Junior Sister Jiang to her death?"

Seeing the suddenly appearing Murong Mingyue, the masked figure's expression changed slightly. He clearly recognized her identity and felt a trace of panic!

He had never anticipated that a stumbling block like Murong Mingyue would emerge halfway through.

Yet the panic was fleeting, and he quickly regained his composure.

"This matter has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to muddy these murky waters!"

The masked figure let out a cold snort and issued a warning.

"I am the saintess of the soaring heavens holy land. You are injuring people here—if this has nothing to do with me, then whose concern is it?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Mingyue let out a cold laugh, her expression turning glacial.

"I'd like to see just what kind of person dares to act within the holy land and harm disciples of the soaring heavens!"

Although she had not known Jiang Yueli for long, the two felt a deep mutual appreciation.

Now seeing Jiang Yueli bullied, how could she stand idly by and watch?

"Senior Sister! This person's strength is formidable, far beyond what we can resist. Please, run away!!!"

Seeing that Murong Mingyue not only refused to leave but intended to stay and deal with the masked figure, Jiang Yueli's face turned anxious as she cried out in a pleading tone.

Yet Murong Mingyue shook her head. She stepped forward slowly, sword intent surging around her entire body!

"Hmph! Since you insist on muddying the waters, don't blame me!"

The masked figure let out a cold snort. With the arrow already nocked on the bowstring, he had no choice but to fire, and he could no longer afford to care about her identity.

As he spoke, a powerful aura suddenly erupted.

The surrounding temperature plummeted abruptly, feeling as bone-chillingly cold as an ancient glacial valley.

Feeling the intense pressure emanating from the masked figure, Murong Mingyue's expression shifted slightly.

"The grand completion of the Nirvana Tribulation Realm?"

Although she could sense that the other party was strong, she hadn't expected him to be *this* strong—his mere aura was enough to make her wary.

Furthermore, anyone with such cultivation must be a prominent figure within the holy land, which explained why he dared not reveal his true face.

"Hmph, so what if you are a Nirvana expert!"

"With me here today, you won't even think of harming Junior Sister Jiang!"

Murong Mingyue let out a cold snort, involuntarily puffing out her chest as determination flickered in her eyes.

"Obstinate and foolish! You're courting death!"

The masked figure's face was as dark as ink, his gaze ice-cold and brimming with murderous intent.

He roared angrily, a majestic red light suddenly surging around his body and enveloping him entirely.

In an instant, a raging red fire flared up, resembling erupting magma and carrying a searing, scorching heat.

Moreover, this intense heat seemed capable of incinerating the firmament, warping even the air around them into twisted shapes.

Upon seeing this, Murong Mingyue's pupils constricted slightly. This was... the Yin-Yang True Fire?!

Yet she did not retreat; instead, she met him head-on.

"Slash!"

Wielding her treasured sword, Murong Mingyue let out a sharp cry that echoed across the entire Lingyun Peak.

Instantly, her long sword pierced the air, slicing through the void like a shooting star in flight.

"Rumble!"

Following a deafening crash, Murong Mingyue's attack collided with her opponent's.

In a flash, a towering pillar of fire intertwined with golden radiance swept across the horizon!

For a moment, the scattering shockwaves rippled outward in all directions.

Caught off guard and unable to dodge in time, Murong Mingyue was struck directly by the shockwave, staggering backward a few steps with a pale face.

"So strong!!!"

Murong Mingyue wore a look of apprehension.

The realm of divine transformation and grotto-heavens truly possessed a chasm-like difference compared to a Nirvana realm expert who had already successfully crossed their tribulation.

She had originally believed that even if her opponent's cultivation was greater by a major realm, she could still contend with them to some degree by relying on her unique physique.

But now it appeared that the two were simply not in the same league.

With this thought in mind, Murong Mingyue did not try to force the issue. She immediately retrieved a thousand-mile sound-transmission talisman, tossed it into the air, and prepared to notify the holy land elders.

"Whoosh!"

The talisman transformed into a streak of light and shot forward, about to escape into the distance when suddenly,

the streak of light halted abruptly, hovering in mid-air as if it had struck some invisible barrier. Immediately afterward, it caught fire and burned away into a wisp of blue smoke!

"Huh? This is a Demon-Sealing Barrier!"

Witnessing this scene, Murong Mingyue felt a jolt of shock in her heart.

A Demon-Sealing Barrier was a spatial-sealing array. Once activated, it completely isolated the inside from the outside, preventing any information or energy from passing through!

"Damn it, it seems this person prepared everything in advance. No wonder he dared to commit murder within the holy land with such unbridled arrogance!"

Murong Mingyue's mood plummeted instantly to rock bottom as her solemn eyes locked onto the proudly standing figure.