Chapter 136: He Is No Match for You
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“Friend Yu Zhao,” Mo Ci’s eyes shifted warily as she scanned the surrounding cultivators.
“Be careful.”
Yu Zhao exchanged a quick glance with Ji Han Zhou, signaling him to remain vigilant.
Amid the tense atmosphere, everyone was on high alert, unwilling to become a stepping stone for others.
Time passed as slow as burning incense.
“Better you die than me. Brother Wang, rest easy on your way!”
Near the edge of the swamp, a man suddenly punched his companion in the back, his movements as swift as lightning.
Unexpectedly, the intended victim dodged the strike, spun around, and delivered a vicious kick to the attacker’s waist.
“Ah!”
The man cried out in terror as he lost control of his body, flying forward and plunging into the swamp.
His companion laughed heartily from the edge. “Brother Zhang, I’ll let you pave the way for me… Ah!”
Before he could finish, multiple spiritual lights struck his back simultaneously, sending him flying into the swamp as well.
Their gruesome demise triggered the surrounding cultivators, their bloodlust exploding like a powder keg.
In an instant, flashes of colorful spiritual light illuminated the area as shouts, screams, and sounds of combat filled the air.
Yu Zhao struck down an attacker with a single palm strike, turning to Mo Ci. “Fall back! Don’t get caught up in this.”
Mo Ci nodded emphatically, retreating alongside her three junior sisters while defending themselves.
The six of them quickly withdrew to a relatively safe distance.
“This is madness! Are they after the Pure World Green Lotus, or do they just want to kill people?” Jing Nan’s horrified gaze swept over the chaotic battlefield, blood and flesh flying everywhere.
“They want both,” Yu Zhao replied coldly. “Killing others only increases their odds of obtaining the lotus. Why show mercy?”
The brutality of the scene left Ji Han Zhou, Yang Xi, and Wang Sheng Xue pale-faced. Having spent most of their time cultivating within their sect, they were unaccustomed to such carnage. Yet, they knew this was a trial they had to endure, forcing themselves to stomach the gruesome sight.
…
Elsewhere, Fang Cheng Lang and Cui Jue found themselves targeted.
One was severely weakened, the other feeble and frail—a pair of easy prey.
Three cultivators, exuding violent auras, approached them stealthily.
Although his spiritual energy was suppressed, Fang Cheng Lang’s instincts remained sharp. Sensing danger, he drew his Life-Bonded Flying Sword, holding it horizontally in front of him. His gaze was as sharp as a blade.
The trio, undeterred by his stance, smirked mockingly.
Sword cultivators were among the most feared of all cultivators; once their blades were drawn, it often ended in death or severe injury. The most adept needed no weapon to unleash lethal sword energy.
However, Fang Cheng Lang’s disheveled appearance, coupled with the sickly figure he carried on his back, diminished his intimidating presence.
“Does he think holding a sword will scare us? Ridiculous!” one of them sneered.
“Enough talk. Let’s grab them and use their bodies to fill the swamp,” another urged.
Without hesitation, the three closed in on Fang Cheng Lang, their brutish faces twisted into cruel grins.
Not far away, Yao Wu Ji crossed her arms, watching with mild amusement, showing no intention of intervening.
“I only need one strike to kill you,” Fang Cheng Lang’s deep voice rang out.
The three men froze for a moment, then burst into laughter as if they had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
One of them mockingly mimicked Fang Cheng Lang’s tone, sneering, “Killyouallwithjustonesword~.”
“Hahaha! Does this kid think he’s the Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua? What a joke!”
“Enough of this nonsense! Let me send you on your way.”
A small black-gold hammer whistled through the air like a shooting star, heading straight for Fang Cheng Lang’s head.
Fang Cheng Lang didn’t dodge or flinch. With his sword in hand, he slashed downward. His movement seemed slow and deliberate, but it was so fast that the naked eye couldn’t track it.
To the three men, it was as if a flash of white light streaked by. Then, an enormous surge of sword energy rushed toward them.
In that instant, memories of countless life-or-death escapes replayed in their minds. Once again, they faced the cold grip of death.
Their bodies reacted faster than their minds. They immediately retrieved various defensive artifacts from their storage pouches, placing them before themselves as they retreated hastily.
The sword energy collided with the black-gold hammer midair, sending it flying. Undeterred, the energy continued its path, barreling toward the three men.
Shock and regret flashed across their faces, but despair quickly overtook them.
Swish.
Their bodies froze as a thin red line slowly appeared across their necks. With a sickening thud, three heads rolled to the ground. Their lifeless eyes remained wide open, reflecting their final moments of terror.
“Not bad. It seems my decision to plant the poisonous insects was the right one,” Yao Wu Ji mused aloud, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.
The ease with which she had incapacitated Cui Jue and Fang Cheng Lang had led her to underestimate him. She hadn’t expected such power from him.
Her lips curved into a sly smile. Regardless of how formidable Fang Cheng Lang was, in the end, he still fell prey to her poisonous insects. That made her, in her eyes, the true victor.
Fang Cheng Lang ignored her, raising his gaze to survey the surrounding cultivators. Those who met his eyes quickly averted their gazes, clearly shaken by the scene they had just witnessed.
Quietly withdrawing his gaze, Fang Cheng Lang let out a subtle sigh of relief. That single slash had drained almost all the spiritual energy he could muster. Moreover, the excessive use of energy seemed to have agitated the poison within him, making it harder to suppress.
He was at his limit.
“Senior Sister Yu, did you see that? That swordsman was incredible!” Ji Han Zhou exclaimed from afar, his face glowing with admiration.
As a fellow sword cultivator, he could sense the intent within Fang Cheng Lang’s sword energy—a spirit as resilient as bamboo, steadfast and powerful. Ji Han Zhou couldn’t help but silently hold the man in the highest regard.
“Really? I think you’re better than him,” Yu Zhao remarked nonchalantly.
Hearing the first half of her sentence, Ji Han Zhou was ready to defend Fang Cheng Lang. But the latter half left him stunned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “Really? Senior Sister Yu, do you truly think I’m better than him?”
“Absolutely. One day, you’ll surpass him and become an even greater sword cultivator.”
A wide grin spread across Ji Han Zhou’s face. His phoenix eyes sparkled like stars. Senior Sister Yu believed in him, and he was determined not to let her down.
Just as their conversation unfolded, the light pillar in the swamp suddenly disappeared. A delicate floral fragrance filled the air, saturating the surroundings.