Chapter 1713: Trouble Arrives
"Kid, that Slaughterous Sword Will of yours is pretty interesting. Why don't you join us?"
"That's right, friend from the Dongling Region. The Profound Sword Earth Palace is full of dangers. If you join our group, we'll be able to look out for one another."
At that moment, Ling Feng happened to run into a team of geniuses from the Xijian Region.
Back outside the palace, he had revealed his Slaughterous Sword Will, so quite a few of the Xijian Region geniuses had taken notice of him.
Ling Feng sneered inwardly.
These people clearly had no genuine intention of accepting him as an equal. At best, they wanted an extra expendable pawn.
Just as he suspected, Slaughterous Sword Will ranked among the strongest of the Ten Attributed Sword Wills.
Every one of them was interested in the secrets he possessed.
Bringing him into their group would give them an additional cannon fodder, while also allowing them opportunities to investigate him.
If Ling Feng foolishly agreed, they would happily make use of him.
If he refused, conflict would likely be unavoidable.
Ling Feng frowned.
Just as the two sides reached an impasse, three figures approached from the distance.
"Hm?"
The leader was none other than Sima Xu, the Xijian Region genius who had repeatedly provoked Gu Changfeng outside.
When Sima Xu saw Ling Feng wandering around the third level, surprise flashed across his face.
Being able to move freely within the third level meant only one thing.
Ling Feng had already comprehended Sword Force.
His Slaughterous Sword Will had evolved into Slaughterous Sword Force.
That meant his Slaughterous Sword Will had already reached the Great Perfection level.
After all, Slaughterous Sword Will grew through slaughter.
Yet Ling Feng looked nothing like a bloodthirsty butcher.
In that case, there was a strong possibility that he possessed some secret technique capable of increasing Sword Intent through other means.
Such a Sword Dao scripture would be considered a priceless treasure even within the Xijian Region. Powerful clans would fight desperately to obtain it.
Of course, Sima Xu's guess was not entirely accurate, though he was not far off.
Ling Feng's Slaughterous Sword Will could indeed improve through cultivating the Art of Simple Detachment.
As for his comprehension of Sword Force, that had been largely a matter of chance.
Still, the Art of Simple Detachment was undeniably an extraordinarily precious Sword Dao scripture.
"Hahaha!"
Sima Xu laughed loudly as he strode toward Ling Feng.
"Brother Ling from the Dongling Region! What a coincidence. It seems fate keeps bringing us together!"
As he approached, the four-man team that had been blocking Ling Feng immediately retreated without a second glance.
Although they outnumbered Sima Xu's group, none of them dared compete with him for a prize.
"Tsk tsk, trouble's here."
The Despicable Donkey's vulgar laughter echoed inside Ling Feng's mind.
Ling Feng's face darkened.
The donkey was as shameless as ever.
Not only did it have no intention of helping, it was actually enjoying the situation.
Ling Feng glanced at Sima Xu and replied calmly,
"I don't recall us being close enough to call each other friends."
"How dare you!"
One of the swordsmen behind Sima Xu shot Ling Feng a cold glare.
"You've got some nerve speaking to Young Master Sima like that!"
A sharp Sword Intent instantly erupted from his body.
Ling Feng was secretly astonished.
As expected of a genius from the Xijian Region.
This random swordsman's Sword Dao attainments were already far above Gu Changfeng's.
Of course, Ling Feng now understood that Gu Changfeng was not weak.
His Sword Seed had once been destroyed. The fact that he had rebuilt himself from scratch and reached his current level already proved his extraordinary talent.
"Enough."
Sima Xu raised a hand, signaling the green-robed swordsman to stand down.
Wearing a hypocritical smile, he said,
"I, Sima Xu, have always admired talented individuals. How about this? There's no need for you to remain in the Dongling Region any longer. If you're willing to serve the Sima Family, I'll personally recommend you to Dragon Sword Heavenly Manor. With your Slaughterous Sword Will, there's every chance you'll make a name for yourself in the Xijian Region one day. Staying in a tiny place like the Dongling Region is simply wasting your talent."
When Ling Feng remained silent, Sima Xu continued.
"Not only that. Once I become head of the Sima Family in the future, I can provide you with even greater cultivation resources. At that point, comprehending a Slaughterous Sword Domain would be entirely within reach."
"Oh?"
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Brother Sima thinks rather highly of me."
"I told you already."
Sima Xu smiled.
"I appreciate talent."
"Ling Feng, be careful. The Xijian Region has methods for transplanting Sword Seeds. This brat is definitely up to something."
The Despicable Donkey's warning sounded again.
Even without the reminder, Ling Feng was no fool.
Nobody offered favors for no reason.
Either they wanted something, or they were plotting something.
Sima Xu clearly looked down on everyone from the Dongling Region.
Claiming he valued talent was laughable.
Did he think Ling Feng was a three-year-old child?
If he actually trusted Sima Xu, he might very well end up becoming another Gu Changfeng.
"My apologies."
Ling Feng curled his lips slightly.
"I've always preferred my freedom. Serving under someone else doesn't suit me. I'm afraid I'll have to decline Brother Sima's kindness."
He rejected the offer outright.
"Hehe. Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit."
The handsome features on Sima Xu's face immediately twisted.
"Ling Feng, I'll give you one last chance. People who reject me rarely meet a good end."
Ling Feng smiled casually.
"Sorry. In my experience, people who threaten me usually don't meet a good end either."
"Hahahahaha!"
Sima Xu's expression stiffened for a moment before he burst into laughter.
He had genuinely been amused by Ling Feng's response.
This brat really had no idea what situation he was in.
A mere Human Emperor was threatening three Divine Destiny Realm Great Emperors.
Not just any Great Emperors either.
Three genius swordsmen from the Xijian Region.
At that very instant, two terrifying killing intents erupted from behind Sima Xu and locked onto Ling Feng.
"You clearly don't understand what kind of status my Sima Family holds within the Xijian Region."
Sima Xu laughed loudly.
Ling Feng merely smirked.
"Sorry. The faction backing me isn't weak in the Dongling Region either."
"Short-sighted fool!"
Sima Xu finally lost his patience.
"How can a tiny Dongling Region possibly be compared to the Xijian Region?"
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Fine. You two can play with him for a bit. Teach him the difference between the Dongling Region and the Xijian Region. Let him understand the gap that can never be crossed."
"Yes!"
The two swordsmen behind him simultaneously drew their swords.
Twin flashes of cold light swept through the air.
An icy chill spread through the surroundings, penetrating straight into the bone.
Ling Feng let out a soft sigh.
He had never intended to stir up trouble.
Still, when trouble came looking for him, he had no intention of swallowing the insult.
"Kid, prepare yourself!"
The green-robed swordsman swung his blade.
A fierce sword strike slashed straight toward Ling Feng.