The protective formation hummed with dense spiritual energy, yet the atmosphere inside the grand hall felt heavier than any restriction array.
Grand Elder Xuan sat at the head of the ancient stone table, his wrinkled face etched with deep concern. The two trusted Saint Realm elders beside him remained silent, occasionally glancing at Lin Feng.
Jian Mo sat to Lin Feng's right, still gripping the hilt of the Heavenly Ruin Sword. The black blade pulsed with destructive intent, occasionally releasing faint ruinous qi.
"News of the Heavenly Ruin Sword has already begun spreading," Grand Elder Xuan said gravely, stroking his long beard. "Even though we tried to suppress the information, the aura it released when it awakened was too strong. By tomorrow, every major power within the Heavenly Sword Domain will know that a supreme destruction sword has appeared in our sect."
Lin Feng sat calmly, back straight, expression indifferent. His Azure Sovereign Sword rested across his knees, quietly emitting a soft, restrained azure glow.
He had deliberately kept his own sword's aura suppressed during their return. Only Jian Mo's Heavenly Ruin Sword had leaked its full presence.
Elder Mei leaned forward. "The Ruin Sword alone is enough to shake the entire domain. If the other supreme powers learn that our sect now possesses such a treasure…"
Grand Elder Xuan sighed. "The Crimson Flame Empire, the Void Sword Pavilion, and the Blood Shadow Alliance have already sent probing divine senses. They are most interested in the Heavenly Ruin Sword. We must be extremely careful."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. He could feel several powerful divine senses sweeping across the sect, all focused on Jian Mo's location. His own Azure Sovereign Sword remained mostly unnoticed for now — exactly as he preferred.
Jian Mo gripped his sword tighter, his expression serious.
"If they want the Ruin Sword, they'll have to go through me first."
Lin Feng placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"We will face them together. Focus on stabilizing your bond with the sword. Its power is immense."
Grand Elder Xuan looked at both young men, especially Lin Feng. Even though Lin Feng was suppressing his aura, the Grand Elder could still feel an uncomfortable pressure whenever he looked at him.
"Lin Feng," the Grand Elder said slowly, "your aura has also changed dramatically. You broke through to Early Saint Realm inside the tomb?"
Lin Feng nodded calmly.
"Yes. The inheritance helped me greatly."
He revealed nothing more. The Dragon Sovereign Path, the Nine-Headed Dragon Bloodline, and the true depth of the Azure Sovereign legacy remained hidden deep within him.
The meeting continued for another hour as they discussed defensive strategies and how to protect Jian Mo. Lin Feng contributed little, choosing instead to listen quietly while his mind focused inward.
After the meeting ended, Jian Mo went to train and stabilize the Heavenly Ruin Sword.
Lin Feng flew alone to Cloud Severing Peak, the highest restricted sword peak of the sect.
The moment he sat down beneath the ancient sword monument, the Azure Sovereign Sword appeared in his sea of consciousness.
"Wise choice," the ancient voice spoke. "Let the world chase the Ruin Sword for now. Your time to reveal true sovereignty has not yet come."
Lin Feng smiled coldly.
He began circulating his energy. Azure sword qi flowed like a mighty river through his meridians.
The second head of the Nine-Headed Dragon Bloodline — Sword Head — fully awakened. A faint phantom dragon with a blade-like horn appeared behind him for a brief second before vanishing.
His official realm was Early Saint Realm, but his true combat power had already reached Peak Great Saint.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
A streak of crimson light shot toward the sect from the north at terrifying speed — a mid-stage Saint Realm assassin from the Blood Shadow Alliance, clearly targeting Jian Mo's location.
Lin Feng stood up.
"They came for the Ruin Sword."
Azure Dragon Void Step – Dragon Flash!
Space folded. He vanished from Cloud Severing Peak and reappeared thousands of miles away, blocking the assassin's path.
The black-robed assassin froze in shock.
"Who—?"
Lin Feng drew the Azure Sovereign Sword in one smooth motion and slashed.
Azure Sword Art – Killing Sword Intent!
A single clean azure arc infused with fused Sword and Slaughter intent tore through the air.
The mid-stage Saint Realm assassin was cut in half before he could even activate his defensive treasure. Blood rained down as Lin Feng caught the falling storage ring.
He crushed it casually and took the valuable contents, discarding the rest.
"Too weak."
More auras began appearing on the horizon — two late-stage Saint Realm experts, one from the Crimson Flame Empire and one from the Void Sword Pavilion.
They stopped in the distance, staring at the blood in the sky.
"You dare interfere with matters concerning the Heavenly Ruin Sword?" the flame elder roared.
Lin Feng hovered calmly in the air. A faint Sovereign Suppression radiated from him, making both experts feel heavy pressure on their chests.
"The Ruin Sword belongs to my brother," Lin Feng said coldly. "Anyone who wants it… must pass through me first."
He activated Azure Flow Sword Domain.
The world within ten miles turned into flowing azure river currents. Time slowed for his enemies while he moved freely.
One slash fused with Nine Heavens Dragon Tyrant Fist sent the flame elder flying, coughing blood. The Void Sword cultivator lost an arm in the next strike.
"Tell your masters," Lin Feng said indifferently, "if they want the Heavenly Ruin Sword, they should come personally. Sending trash like you is meaningless."
He finished both experts with clean, decisive strikes.
Silence returned.
Lin Feng looked toward the distant horizon where even stronger auras were beginning to stir. News of the Heavenly Ruin Sword was spreading rapidly across the Heavenly Sword Domain, attracting greedy eyes from every corner.
But his own Azure Sovereign Sword remained mostly in the shadows. For now.
He returned to the sect quietly. Grand Elder Xuan and several elders rushed out after sensing the battle.
When they saw the blood rain and the calm Lin Feng, their expressions turned to shock.
"Lin Feng… you killed them all by yourself?" the Grand Elder asked in disbelief.
"They came for Jian Mo's sword," Lin Feng replied simply. "I sent them back."
Inside his body, the third Dragon Head — Destruction — stirred faintly, eager for more.
The entire Heavenly Sword Domain — a powerful region within the Upper Realm — was about to be shaken.