Chapter 240 - 221: Ambush
"Uncle, save me!"
Facing a Second Grade opponent, Qian Jiu had no power to fight back. After a few moves, he was in imminent danger and hurriedly called for help.
However, Zhou Yilan had not fought in a long time and was preoccupied with the enemies surrounding her, still needing to focus on Chen Ming, making it impossible to spare a hand to save him.
Just as Qian Jiu was about to meet his demise at the hands of the enemy, a sword qi descended from the sky, slaying the enemy.
"Tha... Thank you, Master..." Having survived a near-death experience, Qian Jiu’s legs turned weak.
At critical moments, he still relied on his master!
...
At this moment, Chen Ming also witnessed Fang Yong’s strength. Holding a sword, Fang Yong didn’t even use his Gang Yuan, yet with just swordsmanship, he was able to handle three opponents with ease.
"This person’s swordsmanship mastery..."
The more Chen Ming observed, the more shocked he became. In his eye, Fang Yong’s swordsmanship mastery hadn’t reached perfection, yet each time he seemed to anticipate his enemies’ moves.
It was as if he had learned Ling Huchong’s Dugu Nine Swords, specializing in exploiting opponents’ flaws, forcing them into disarray.
Zhou You said, "Junior Brother, stop playing around and quickly settle these three."
"Yes."
Fang Yong responded, his swordsmanship suddenly changing as he released the sword from his hand, penetrating one of them and "killing" him.
Then, the long sword turned in mid-air, attacking the other two.
In no time, he swiftly and cleanly resolved the remaining two.
"So powerful!"
Chen Ming watched with a heavy heart. Ever since his Swallow Returning Sword Technique reached great mastery, this was the first time he encountered someone with sword proficiency above his own.
Just now, Fang Yong hadn’t used Gang Yuan or Sword Intent; simply utilizing Sword Technique, it was truly elusive and unpredictable, leaving Chen Ming a bit puzzled.
If he were to face Fang Yong, he truly wasn’t confident.
After Fang Yong dealt with the three opponents, he then killed all the "small foes" besieging Zhou Yilan and the others.
Seeing this scene, Chen Ming thought if this were a quest instance, either Fang Yong or Zhou You had the capability to solo this instance.
No wonder the warden of this prison needed First Grade strength; any weaker and they wouldn’t dare venture here.
Above, the battle between Zhou You and the middle-aged man was also reaching its end.
Alongside a tragic scream, the middle-aged man was sliced into segments by a sword as black as ink, unwillingly transforming into black mist and ascending to the sky.
"Hahaha... The Demon Sword is mine!"
Zhou You laughed wildly, flew toward the tallest pavilion, reaching out to grasp the Cyan Steel Sword.
Chen Ming couldn’t help but glance at Fang Yong beside him, thinking that this individual was just as strong as Zhou You, yet refrained from seizing the Demon Sword. Were the feelings between the brothers this profound?
At that moment, a sudden change occurred.
A furious roar was heard, Zhou You was sent flying, blood spilling through the sky.
Chen Ming was shocked, "What happened?"
Looking up, he saw the rooftop of the pavilion break open, revealing a figure in snow-white clothes standing beside the Cyan Steel Sword.
The figure was a middle-aged man, possessing an ethereal aura, elegant as a celestial.
This disposition...
Celestial Dao Alliance?
Could it be... Su Zhining’s uncle!
A brilliant thought flashed in Chen Ming’s mind, guessing who that person was.
The man in white chuckled, "Luo Zhouwu of the Celestial Dao Alliance, has been waiting here for some time."
So it’s him!
No wonder Su Zhining couldn’t reach her uncle; he’d been lying in ambush here all along.
Zhou You had a bloody hole in his chest, pierced by a sword, falling beside Fang Yong, angrily scolding, "The mighty Celestial Dao Alliance, so despicable, lurking on the side for a sneak attack."
Luo Zhouwu looked completely indifferent, "Indeed not very honorable. However, I am alone, while you are two. Facing two opponents, my chances are slim, so I resorted to this tactic."
Zhou You, seeing his shameless demeanor, was infuriated, gritting his teeth, he said, "So the so-called top sect and righteous spearhead are actually vile and contemptible."
Luo Zhouwu seemed unfazed, instead complimenting, "The Nine Nether Great Technique is indeed the Longevity Sect’s top cultivation technique. Despite taking a sword blow from me, you still didn’t die. It seems the records are indeed accurate, when practicing the Nine Nether Great Technique to reach First Grade, the body transforms. To completely kill you, not only must all vital forces be severed, but your Lifebound Object’s Spiritual Sense must also be erased."
Zhou You shouted, "Junior Brother, hold him off while I fetch the Demon Sword."
Fang Yong immediately took action, flying toward Luo Zhouwu to attack.
Luo Zhouwu stood his ground, wielding a silvery long sword, slashing toward Fang Yong, suddenly altering moves continuously.
Below, Chen Ming’s eyes almost dazzled, just in that instant, Luo Zhouwu’s sword had changed numerous times — direction, angle, power...
This was a true battle between First Grade experts, his first time witnessing such a level of combat.
It feels a bit abstract.
Clang!
Finally, the two swords collided.
Fang Yong was knocked flying, stopping only about ten meters away, his face grim, "I can no longer see through his flaws."
Below, Chen Ming heard these words, and suddenly realized that it wasn’t that his swordsmanship was superior, but rather he could see through the flaws in others’ techniques.
This must be the function of his Lifebound Object.
Where did these four martial siblings get so many powerful treasures?
A Mirage Pearl, a Divine Weapon, a treasure that can see through others’ flaws, plus a healing treasure. Such a combination, if they work together, the synergy would be terrifying.
Zhou You shouted, "Attack together."
Then, he and Fang Yong both leaped forward, one in front and the other behind, attacking Luo Zhouwu.
After several moves, Luo Zhouwu fell into a disadvantage, facing grave danger.
Chen Ming finally saw the true battle between First Grade experts. The biggest difference from Third Grade martial artists is that First Grade experts have restrained power when they strike. There’s no grand visual effect, but the power contained within makes him shiver.
This means that First Grade experts have extremely strong control over power, their force highly concentrated. Unlike Third Grade, where using Gang Yuan creates a grand spectacle, but essentially just wastes Gang Yuan.
He was sweating coldly.
He realized he had underestimated First Grade experts; if it really started a fight, even borrowing the power from the Mingfeng Sword, it would be difficult to compete.
The power within the Mingfeng Sword is extremely strong, but his efficiency in utilizing it is far inferior to that of a First Grade expert; in a fight, he wouldn’t last long.
Chen Ming could see that Luo Zhouwu’s cultivation was far above Zhou You and Fang Yong, but fighting one against two, unable to move freely, he still fell into disadvantage.
If he hadn’t injured Zhou You with a sneak attack earlier, he wouldn’t have held on this long.
Zhou You’s Black Sword is tremendously powerful; every time it collides with Luo Zhouwu’s long sword, it dims the divine weapon’s light as if contaminating it.
Fang Yong is like a venomous snake, always watching for flaws, every strike making Luo Zhouwu extremely uncomfortable.
Chen Ming watched below, sweating for Luo Zhouwu.
Seeing Luo Zhouwu nearly get injured several times, suddenly, a light appeared overhead, a gentle white glow spread out, restoring the original black-and-white space to color.
The originally black tiles underfoot turned gray.
The white light continuously expanded, spreading to a range of about ten meters.
Zhou You shouted, "Heavenly Heart Sword Domain! This guy is going all out, be careful, junior brother."
Chen Ming’s heart shook, focusing his gaze, seeing Luo Zhouwu forced Zhou You and Fang Yong back ten meters with a single sword, finally gaining a chance for respite.
Legend has it that upon reaching First Grade, when wielding Sword Intent, it forms a Sword Domain around them, granting absolute control within this domain.
Others entering this Sword Domain invite deadly attacks.
The core disciples of the Celestial Dao Alliance cultivate the Celestial Heart Technique, naturally forming the Heavenly Heart Sword Domain, which is indeed famous.
However, his cultivation is still lacking, not showing much skill. But just seeing Luo Zhouwu’s Heavenly Heart Sword Domain restore the colors of this realm shows its power.
The Celestial Dao Alliance becoming the first among the nine great sects is not without reason.
Currently, Luo Zhouwu has to stay near that Demon Sword; if forced back, allowing either of them to obtain the sword, he fails.
For Zhou You and Fang Yong, they must end quickly; Luo Zhouwu’s cultivation is higher than theirs, and Celestial Dao Alliance techniques are famous for endurance.
In this realm, Gang Yuan cannot be replenished; once consumption is too high, it becomes very dangerous.
Seeing this situation, Chen Ming took advantage of no one noticing, quietly converting his Gang Yuan into Profound Wood True Skill, first to heal his injuries.
"It’s coming... It’s coming again..."
Suddenly, Qian Jiu exclaimed in panic.
Several more people leapt out from within the manor, dressed as Protectors, just like Second Grade "small threats."
At this time, the battle reignited above, Zhou You and Fang Yong no longer able to attend to them.
These two must have also used domains; once they approached within ten meters of Luo Zhouwu, the restored colored area returned to black and white.
With the escalation of the combat, even three First Grade experts couldn’t control the leakage of power, terrifying energy burst forth, the first strike causing the entire pavilion to collapse.
Seeing the Demon Sword falling as well.
Suddenly, Luo Zhouwu reached out, grasping the Demon Sword’s hilt.
Zhou You incredulously said, "Are you insane? Touching our Nine Nether Sect’s Demon Sword?"
Only to see Luo Zhouwu’s eyes quickly dyed with a faint purple hue, even the smile at the corner of his mouth turned somewhat wicked, "I can only hold for ten breaths, after that I will be controlled by the Demon Sword. If you don’t want to die under the Demon Sword, flee within ten breaths."
The implication is, if they abandon seizing the Demon Sword, everyone survives.
If they refuse to abandon, after ten breaths, he will be controlled by the Demon Sword and everyone present will die beneath it.
Zhou You answered with action, the ink-black sword in his hand flying out, stabbing toward Luo Zhouwu!