Chapter 1720: A Three-Way Standoff
After carefully storing away the Heaven-Seizing Sword Condensation Art, Ling Feng continued deeper into the fourth level of the Mystic Sword Underground Palace.
As he traveled, he simultaneously studied the secret technique he had obtained from the Ancestor-tier sword tomb.
For an ordinary cultivator, a profound art like this would likely require years of dedicated study before yielding any meaningful results. However, with the miraculous abilities of the Eye of the Emperor, fully grasping the Heaven-Seizing Sword Condensation Art was far from difficult for Ling Feng.
In just half an hour, he had already gained an initial understanding of its fundamentals and taken the first step toward mastering this peerless technique.
...
Somewhere within the fourth level of the Mystic Sword Underground Palace.
"Wang Bodang, have you no shame at all? There should at least be some respect for who got here first!"
A swordsman dressed in purple glared furiously at the man standing opposite him.
This purple-robed swordsman was Song Yang, one of the three strongest experts among the factions that had entered the fourth level.
"Hehe."
Wang Bodang showed not the slightest intention of backing down.
Narrowing his eyes, he smiled at Song Yang and replied in a strange, mocking tone.
"Brother Song, opportunities and treasures have always belonged to the capable. Finding something first doesn't automatically make it yours. How about this? Consider it a favor to me today. If you let this go, I'll be sure to repay the debt in the future."
Anger surged within Song Yang's eyes.
Wang Bodang was obviously relying on his numerical advantage to act so arrogantly.
He wanted to seize Song Yang's opportunity by force.
In terms of personal strength, the two were evenly matched.
The difference lay in Wang Bodang's four companions.
They had worked together for years and possessed exceptional teamwork. Fighting as a group significantly increased their combat power.
Song Yang, on the other hand, only had two companions beside him.
Worse still, they were merely temporary allies.
Three against five.
The disadvantage was obvious.
If neither side backed down and a battle broke out, the ultimate victor would most likely be Wang Bodang's group.
"Hahaha! Brother Wang makes a fair point. However, I happen to think that I'm the capable one here."
At that moment, another voice suddenly rang out.
A burly man in a green robe walked forward leisurely, surrounded by a large group of swordsmen from the Xijian Region.
The newcomer was none other than Xu Jie, the genius who had led everyone into the fourth level of the underground palace.
Instantly, the situation transformed into a three-way standoff.
Although Xu Jie's followers were only temporary companions, their sheer numbers made up for it.
Meanwhile, Song Yang's individual strength was not weak.
If all three sides fought without yielding, a fierce battle would be unavoidable.
"Xu Jie!"
Wang Bodang's pupils contracted slightly.
A trace of seriousness appeared on his face.
He had been confident that Song Yang was already within his grasp.
Who would have thought Xu Jie would suddenly appear halfway through?
Drawing a deep breath, Wang Bodang fixed a cold stare on Xu Jie.
A sharp chill flickered in his eyes.
"Brother Xu, not every matter is worth involving yourself in. If you're willing to give up this sword tomb today, I'll consider you a friend. The Tianchuan Sword Manor will certainly remember this favor."
"Using the Tianchuan Sword Manor to pressure me?"
Xu Jie laughed dismissively.
"Can you even represent the Tianchuan Sword Manor? You're nothing more than a second-rate disciple, yet you've got the nerve to put on airs."
His eyes were filled with contempt.
To the younger generation of the Dongling Region, the people gathered here might seem like unbeatable experts.
Within the Xijian Region, however, they could at best be considered first-rate or second-rate swordsmen.
Compared to the true monsters among the younger generation, the gap was enormous and nearly impossible to cross.
"You!"
Wang Bodang's expression darkened immediately.
Xu Jie's words had struck directly at his sore spot.
Every genius possessed pride.
Wang Bodang had risen to fame at a young age.
Unfortunately, his talent had limits.
As time passed, he found himself gradually falling behind the true prodigies of the Xijian Region.
It was a wound that never truly healed.
At that moment, a gray figure stepped out from the shadows.
His gaze fell upon the treasure within the sword tomb.
Then he spoke coldly.
"If you don't want to die, disappear from my sight immediately."
"What?"
For a moment, Song Yang, Xu Jie, and Wang Bodang all widened their eyes in disbelief.
Someone actually dared to snatch food from the mouths of all three of them.
Not only that, he had openly challenged every one of them at the same time.
The sheer arrogance was unbelievable.
Song Yang let out a cold laugh.
"Hehe. And who do you think you are? You actually dare to bark orders here?"
"Not leaving?"
The gray figure's eyes turned colder.
"Then leave your lives behind."
With a sweep of his sleeve, a terrifying gale erupted outward.
The violent wind surged toward them like a tidal wave.
"Pathetic tricks!"
Song Yang roared.
His elemental force exploded from his body as he slashed forward with his sword.
Yet in the very next moment, his entire body was blasted backward.
A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.
The gray figure had merely flicked his sleeve.
That single casual movement was enough to defeat Song Yang.
Wang Bodang and Xu Jie stared with widened eyes.
Both saw the same emotion reflected in each other's gaze.
Fear!