Although the guards had long heard that Ling Zifeng was drained by Chu Qingyun until he was nothing but a husk, looking extremely miserable, witnessing their companions being turned into dried corpses with their own eyes still sent chills down their spines, causing them to cry out in shock.

Seeing them in disarray, Chu Qingyun used the same method to devour the spiritual power and blood of two more guards.

Two more dried corpses appeared on the ground, and the remaining seven guards were filled with fear, not daring to approach Chu Qingyun.

The captain of the guards, enraged, pointed at Chu Qingyun and cursed, "You damned beast, you really have practiced some evil demonic art!

Chu Qingyun, today you will not only be disgraced and executed, but your name will also be reviled for eternity!"

Ling Zhan remained silent, his expression as dark as water, his eyes fixed on Chu Qingyun as if trying to see through him.

"Demonic art? Perhaps not.

Could this little bastard be a descendant of that legendary race..."

Ling Zhan, being in a high position and well-informed, knew many secrets unknown to ordinary people.

In his view, although Chu Qingyun's methods were sinister, they didn't have the chaotic and inherently evil aura typical of demonic arts.

On the contrary, when Chu Qingyun turned the guards into dried corpses, there was no sign of evil, but rather a sense of calm and naturalness.

It was as if he wasn't committing any heinous acts, but merely doing what came naturally.

This peculiar feeling was very discordant.

It reminded Ling Zhan of an ancient race and a shocking tragedy that once occurred in the Kingdom Qian.

With this thought in mind, Ling Zhan immediately shouted angrily at the guards, "You useless trash! Can't even handle a weakling at the Hualing Realm?

Form the Seven Stars Battle Formation and attack him together!

As long as he doesn't touch your bodies, he can't do anything to you!"

Hearing the order, the seven guards could only form the Seven Stars Battle Formation and continue to attack Chu Qingyun, though they were reluctant.

But they all had a shadow in their hearts, not daring to get too close to Chu Qingyun, attacking with hesitation and restraint.

Their usual combat strength couldn't even be fully utilized now.

And Chu Qingyun, not only experienced in battle but also familiar with the Seven Stars Battle Formation, was able to counter it.

More importantly, he reversed the Heaven Devouring Art, unleashing a powerful spiritual force, executing exquisite swordsmanship and movements.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

The two sides clashed in the courtyard, colorful flashes of blades and swords flying, the sound of weapons clashing ringing out.

After exchanging three moves, Chu Qingyun found a flaw in the opponent's formation, grabbing a guard's saber with his left hand.

The guard instinctively tried to pull back his saber, but it didn't budge.

He was enveloped by an invisible devouring force, his face showing despair as he let out a dying wail.

"Help! Quick... save me!"

His spiritual power and blood rapidly drained, his body quickly withering.

The guard closest to him didn't dare to reach out to save him, instead fleeing in terror.

Two breaths later, another dried corpse lay on the ground.

The remaining six guards retreated to a distance, keeping away from Chu Qingyun.

Their fighting spirit was completely gone, thoughts of retreat filling their minds.

"Too terrifying! What kind of demon is he?"

"Even without touching him, he can drain us through a blade!"

"Don't get close to him!"

The guards discussed in terror, some feeling a lingering fear, others sneaking glances at Ling Zhan's expression.

Clearly, they all thought Ling Zhan had made a misjudgment.

But they didn't know that Ling Zhan's command was just a further test of Chu Qingyun.

And now, he was even more certain of his inner suspicions.

"Any object that can conduct spiritual power can become a tool for spirit devouring, especially spiritual artifacts..."

Ling Zhan examined the dried corpses on the ground and the battle saber that had lost its spiritual energy, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Heh... Chu Qingyun, whether you are of that race or not, this time you and the Chu Family are doomed!"

With this thought in mind, Ling Zhan sternly ordered, "You useless lot, all of you stand down!"

As he spoke, Ling Zhan strode forward, his aura like a rainbow, advancing towards Chu Qingyun.

Seeing that he was going to take action himself, the captain and the six guards all breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, they were all at the Hualing Realm, with no confidence in defeating Chu Qingyun.

Only a master like Ling Zhan, at the Spirit Sea Realm, could use martial skills to kill from a distance.

"Chu Qingyun, you have strayed from the path, practicing demonic arts, committing such heinous crimes that outrage both heaven and earth, you deserve to die a thousand deaths!

Today, I will act on behalf of the heavens and capture you, this demon!"

Ling Zhan righteously rebuked Chu Qingyun, his spiritual power surging within him, his robes fluttering without wind, exuding the majesty of a strongman.

He didn't use a weapon, forming a sword gesture with his hands, attacking Chu Qingyun from six meters away.

"Hundred Leaves Through the Forest!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

In just two breaths, Ling Zhan released over thirty sword lights, weaving into a sword net that enveloped Chu Qingyun.

Each sword light was two feet long, solid and sharp, sharper than swords forged from fine steel.

Chu Qingyun was immediately in danger, forced to wield his treasured sword with all his might to fend off the onslaught of sword lights.

With a series of "clang, clang" sounds, many sword lights were shattered, turning into fragments of spiritual light scattered on the ground.

Although Chu Qingyun's defense was tight, it wasn't impenetrable or flawless.

He was still struck by two sword lights, leaving wounds on his left leg and back, blood immediately gushing out, staining his clothes red.

Seeing this, the guards were invigorated, cheering for Ling Zhan.

Ling Zhan also wore a confident expression, continuously sending colorful sword lights towards Chu Qingyun's vital points.

Chu Qingyun kept dodging, darting left and right in the courtyard, but he couldn't escape the sword lights' coverage.

He swung his sword with all his might, trying to cut through the sword lights and break through the sword net to get close to Ling Zhan.

Even though Ling Zhan's power level was much higher than his, he wanted to take the risk and try.

Even if it meant paying the price of serious injury, as long as he could touch Ling Zhan, he would show him the power of the Heaven Devouring Art!

However, Ling Zhan remained vigilant, always keeping a distance of six meters from Chu Qingyun.

He could release sword lights to attack Chu Qingyun from afar, but Chu Qingyun couldn't reach him, unable to pose a threat.

This was the essential difference between the Hualing Realm and the Spirit Sea Realm.

No matter how extraordinary the Heaven Devouring Art Chu Qingyun had mastered, it couldn't create miracles.

Unknowingly, half an hour passed.

Ling Zhan had already released over a thousand sword lights, consuming more than thirty percent of his spiritual power.

In his view, even if Chu Qingyun had recovered to the Spirit Sea Realm 1nd Level, he should have been severely injured or even shredded to pieces by now.

But Chu Qingyun, struck by over a dozen swords, his body stained with blood, was still full of vitality, showing no signs of fatigue.

He moved swiftly, like lightning, and swung his sword, sending out a sky full of cold light, his spiritual power still abundant.

Ling Zhan could see that his spiritual power was extremely vigorous, surpassing that of a master at the Spirit Sea Realm 1nd Level.

"This kid is indeed exceptionally talented! Without using a weapon, I can't take him down for a while!"

Ling Zhan muttered with a frown, finally deciding to use his weapon.

He extended his right hand, and with a flash of spiritual light in his palm, a treasure sword emitting silver light appeared out of thin air.

A sword that could be hidden within the body and change size at will was at least of Treasure Grade.

Ling Zhan's Silver Frost Sword was a Treasure Grade low-grade spirit sword, with extraordinary power.

"Little bastard, it's over!"

Ling Zhan held the Silver Frost Sword, a disdainful cold smile on his face, swinging the sword towards Chu Qingyun.

"Swish!"

A six-foot-long giant silver sword, with the posture of cutting through everything, slashed towards Chu Qingyun.

This seemingly ordinary sword was one of Ling Zhan's ultimate sword techniques.

He locked onto Chu Qingyun's aura, so even if Chu Qingyun had three heads and six arms, he couldn't dodge this sword.

As expected.

When the giant silver sword appeared, Chu Qingyun was enveloped by an invisible sword intent.

He felt as if death was approaching, his whole body cold, his movements becoming sluggish.

But he wouldn't sit and wait for death, immediately using exquisite footwork to burst out at the fastest speed, dodging to the side.

However, just as he moved three feet to the side, the giant silver sword changed direction, continuing to slash towards him.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he could only hold his sword horizontally in front of him, fully defending.

"Clang!"

With a sound like metal clashing, the sword in Chu Qingyun's hands broke into two pieces.

The violent impact sent him flying over three meters, tumbling and falling under the eaves.

The giant silver sword shattered, exploding into countless fragments, cutting the courtyard's bluestone floor into numerous cracks and pits.

"Poof..."

Chu Qingyun struggled to stand despite his internal injuries, but couldn't help spitting out a mouthful of blood, his steps staggering and unsteady.

"Brother!"

At this moment, Chu Qingzhi cried out in sorrow, opened the door, and rushed out, quickly supporting Chu Qingyun.

She had been hiding inside, secretly watching the situation in the courtyard.

To avoid distracting her brother, she had held back from making any noise.

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But now, seeing her brother so injured, her heart ached like a knife, and she couldn't help but rush out.

"This sword, let's see how you block it!"

Ling Zhan shouted coldly, raising the Silver Frost Sword again, slashing towards Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi from a distance.

"Swish!"

Another giant silver sword appeared, carrying an unstoppable force, slashing towards the Chu siblings.

Chu Qingyun's sword was broken, his internal organs injured, making it impossible to block this sword barehanded.

Seeing the giant silver sword about to strike him and Chu Qingzhi.

At this critical moment, a thunderous roar suddenly echoed above the Abandoned Garden.

"Ling Zhan, you're courting death!"

Along with the roar, a golden palm shadow appeared.

The palm shadow flew in from outside the courtyard, crossing thirty meters in an instant, shattering the giant silver sword with a bang.

Chu Qingyun and Chu Qingzhi were spared, and upon hearing the familiar voice, their eyes lit up, looking towards the gate.

Ling Zhan's expression also changed, quickly turning to look outside the gate.

A tall and burly purple figure was flying through the air like lightning.

In the blink of an eye, he crossed the courtyard wall and gate, landing in the middle of the courtyard, standing between Ling Zhan and the Chu siblings.

This was an elderly man with gray hair, a kind face, and a vigorous spirit.

His ability to fly through the air proved that his strength had reached the Sky Soaring Realm!