A heavy, oppressive silence now clung to every corner. In the Great Hall, servants were moving like shadows, scrubbing the floors to erase the crimson stains of the fallen.

  Inside the Imperial Library, where rows of ancient scrolls stood like silent judges, the atmosphere was thick enough to choke. Mo Yan and Yu Sui stood side by side, backed by the twenty disciples who stood with unwavering confidence.

  Facing them was Grandmaster Wu Xiang, standing behind his desk. Before him stood Wui Guan, the "Halt" talisman still fixed firmly to her forehead.

  Wui Guan’s remaining followers had been disarmed and forced onto their knees, their movements closely monitored by Duie. With a sudden, swift motion, Grandmaster Wu Xiang drew his sword. With a single, surgical strike, he sliced the talisman on Wui Guan’s forehead into two pieces. The spiritual energy dissipated instantly, and the lifeless paper fluttered to her feet.

  The moment she regained her senses, Wui Guan’s hand flew to the hilt of her sword. But before she could even draw an inch of steel, the cold tip of Mo Yan’s blade was already pressed against her throat.

  Suddenly, Yu Sui stepped forward. With a calm, steady hand, he used his fingers to gently push Mo Yan’s sword down. "Mo Yan," he whispered, "do not lose your dignity. Compose yourself."

  To Wui Guan, Yu Sui’s words were like pure venom. She sneered at him,

  "A creature like you... talking about dignity? I am shocked you even know the word."

  In that instant, Yu Sui’s own sword leaped from its scabbard with a sound that made every soul in the room shiver. The blade was wreathed in a terrifying blue flame—a fire so cold and intense that it seemed it could only be extinguished by blood. But more terrifying than the sword were Yu Sui’s eyes. Looking past the blue flames, Wui Guan saw a gaze devoid of any mercy. Those eyes screamed that if the blade struck, it would not stop until it had carved her into pieces.

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  The flaming sword pointed directly at Wui Guan’s forehead. Every face in the library turned pale. Duie shot a glance at Su Nian, but even Su Nian stood paralyzed in shock. Only Mo Yan remained steady, though his eyes were wide with a different kind of intensity.

  Wui Guan could feel the searing heat of the blue flames against her skin. It burned near her brow, threatening to consume her. Just as Mo Yan’s hand moved back to his own sword, Grandmaster Wu Xiang’s voice thundered through the library:

  "Sheathe your swords! This instant!"

  For a long heartbeat, the flaming blade remained poised. Then, it slid back into its scabbard. Mo Yan reached out and secretly took Yu Sui’s hand, his touch soft and comforting, as if trying to soothe the storm inside him. The effect was immediate; Yu Sui looked at Mo Yan and gave him a faint, weary smile. Behind them, Su Nian’s eyes fell upon their interlaced fingers. He lowered his gaze slightly a subtle movement that did not escape Duie’s notice.

  Wui Guan was vibrating with a volcano of rage. Seeing Mo Yan, his disciples, and the silent bond between him and Yu Sui made her blood boil. She had forgotten that she was in the wrong place at the very worst time.

  When a fragile peace returned, Grandmaster Wu Xiang stepped forward with immense grace. He bowed deeply before Mo Yan, addressing him for the first time with his full, imperial title.

  "Emperor," the Grandmaster said solemnly. "How do you wish to proceed with this matter?"

  As the title echoed, Yu Sui’s eyes sparkled with immense pride. Wui Guan clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white, but she remained silent.

  Mo Yan stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Wui Guan’s. His gaze itself was a weapon. His voice rose, sharp and echoing through every pillar of the library:

  "From this day, and from this very moment, the Xuemo Sect, the Linyan Clan, and the Fuzi Xion Clan are severing all ties with the Ming Jing Men Sect. Completely. And forever."

  The words were like a divine decree, heavy and final. There was no room for negotiation, no space for argument. It was an iron law spoken into existence.

  Mo Yan then turned his gaze toward his followers and gave his final command in a thunderous tone: "Show them the way out."

  Wui Guan stood frozen not in surprise, but in the heat of her own burning arrogance. Her pride, which once touched the heavens, was now nothing but scorched earth beneath her feet. She had nothing left to say.

  But as she turned to leave, her eyes spoke volumes. She looked at Mo Yan, then at Yu Sui, her gaze promising a dark future:

  "This... is far from over."