Feather Blade Barrage

Ning Rongrong quickly stood back-to-back with Ning Tianchen, summoning the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit in her hand.

This was the standard formation taught to disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, ensuring there were no blind spots behind them when danger struck.

Watching the fiery lights on both sides draw nearer and nearer, Ning Tianchen said in a deep voice.

"Damn it, we've stumbled into a bandit trap."

These bandits had likely relied on hidden weapons they had set up in advance. Once someone triggered the mechanism, they would come over to collect the corpses.

Moreover, there was definitely more than one trap. Concealed by the night, charging ahead recklessly would inevitably lead them into other mechanisms.

This completely cut off any chance of escape.

"Tianchen Gege, what should we do?" Ning Rongrong's face paled as she spoke anxiously.

Ning Tianchen replied, "Rongrong, don't worry. Not all bandits are soul masters. Even if there are soul masters among them, they may not be our match."

Before long, two groups of people rushed out from either side of the road.

The two groups quickly joined together, more than twenty people in all, surrounding Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong.

"This road was opened by our stronghold. If you two want to pass without paying, you're really looking down on us!" the leading big man said arrogantly.

"Black Wind Stronghold?" Ning Tianchen asked casually.

The big man froze for a moment. Looking at their faces, he could not help but laugh. "So they're just two little brats. Since you know our stronghold, you should know our rules!"

Ning Tianchen cursed inwardly.

Did all bandit strongholds have the same few names?

The nearby mountains had no names, so the bandit strongholds could not name themselves after locations. They could only choose generic names.

Black Wind Stronghold, Mountain Opening Stronghold...

"I don't know your rules. We had no intention of becoming enemies with you. If we have offended you, we'll leave now," Ning Tianchen said in a low voice.

"You want to leave?" The big man waved his hand, and his more than twenty underlings immediately stepped forward, drawing the broadswords in their hands.

"The rules of our Black Wind Stronghold are these: men leave behind their toll money and may leave on their own; women must stay and entertain our brothers. This little girl is a fine beauty in the making. We can take her back, raise her properly for a few years, and enjoy her later."

"Hahaha!"

Ning Rongrong immediately grew fearful and clutched Ning Tianchen's arm tightly with her other hand.

"Since there's no room for negotiation, I'll use you to sharpen my skills." Ning Tianchen's gaze turned cold as three soul rings—Huang, Huang, and Zi—appeared beneath his feet.

"A Three-Ringed Soul Grandmaster!"

At the sight of the soul rings, many of the bandits showed fear.

A Soul Grandmaster was already considered a pillar of strength in the soul master world. In some small cities, Soul Grandmaster-level experts were practically the heads of minor clans.

The leading big man's expression grew grave.

He was not afraid of Ning Tianchen's Soul Grandmaster strength, but of the power behind him.

For someone to cultivate to the Soul Grandmaster realm at such a young age, it was clearly impossible for him not to have a major clan behind him.

If they offended a major clan, Black Wind Stronghold would surely face catastrophe.

"Don't retreat! If their clan comes after our stronghold, none of us will survive. Attack together and kill them. The money on them will be enough for us to live in luxury for half our lives."

More importantly, as long as they killed them, it would be difficult for the clan behind them to trace the matter back to them.

Hearing that they could have enough money to spend for half their lives, his brothers became much bolder.

Nearly half of them were soul masters with ten-year soul rings, and there were also three two-ring Soul Grand Masters.

The leading big man revealed his soul rings. He was actually a Three-Ringed Soul Grandmaster.

"Rongrong, buff me," Ning Tianchen said softly as he slowly raised the Seven Kill Sword in his hand.

While the enemy was summoning their spirits, a layer of Soul Power sword aura had already formed over his Seven Kill Sword.

"Glazed light turns from the Seven Treasures, the Seven Treasures have their names: First: Strength, Second: Speed."

Seven-colored light entered Ning Tianchen's body, increasing his strength and speed by thirty percent.

At first, the leading big man had not recognized the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit. It was only when Ning Rongrong recited the spirit incantation that he became certain.

"They're disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We must kill them!"

The big man swung his cleaver spirit and charged at the two of them first.

"Too late!"

Ning Tianchen let out a furious roar as the Seven Kill Sword Spirit swept horizontally before him.

Fierce sword aura burst forth. Ordinary people without Soul Power could not withstand it even if they raised their broadswords to block.

Their bodies were severed at the waist by the sword aura.

The remaining soul masters all suffered injuries of varying severity.

"One of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guardian Douluo has a sword spirit. Could you be his disciple?" Having witnessed the might of the sword aura, the big man was horrified.

Since he had already chosen to become their enemy, he had no choice but to see it through to the end.

"Whether I am or not, you'll know once you're dead."

"First Spirit Ability, Azure Dragon Break."

The sword aura shot forth. With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement, its power was enough to easily kill soul masters. The three Soul Grand Masters were resisting with all their strength.

Ning Tianchen had no intention of sparing them. With the speed boost, his figure flashed before them like an afterimage.

Sword strike after sword strike fell, harvesting all three of their lives.

"Stop right there, you bastard!" At some point, the leading big man had arrived beside Ning Rongrong.

His broadsword was now pressed against Ning Rongrong's neck.

Ning Tianchen turned around.

By then, he had slaughtered every underling the big man had brought. Only the big man remained, and he could not cause much trouble alone.

Ning Rongrong had spirit as well. Instead of begging him for mercy, she said, "Tianchen Gege, don't mind me. Kill him quickly. If Rongrong dies, please tell Father. If there is a next life, Rongrong will definitely listen to Father."

"Shut up, you're too damn noisy." The big man cursed, then immediately stated his terms. "Kid, you don't want her to die, do you? Hand over ten thousand—no, twenty thousand Gold Soul Coins. Once I'm down the mountain, I'll release this little girl."

Ning Tianchen acted as though he would agree to anything. "Do you have any other demands? State them all at once."

The big man thought for a moment. "I want a shop too."

"No problem."

"I want twenty beauties to attend to my daily needs."

"Easy enough."

"I want a residence too, and you people can't come after me in the future."

"Fine, I promise you."

"I also want—"

Just as the big man fantasized about his future, Ning Tianchen's Third Spirit Ring silently lit up beneath his feet.

The big man suddenly became wary, but when he saw Ning Tianchen make no other move, he continued listing his demands.

Suddenly, a flash of cold light streaked through the night. Multiple flying blades shot out from the side, piercing the big man's neck and severing the arm holding his blade.

"External Soul Bone skill, Feather Blade Barrage."

Countless feather blades returned behind Ning Tianchen as the External Soul Bone Sword Wings unfolded, their edges gleaming with a biting chill.