Splat!
Heads rolled, blood spraying like a fountain.
Li Yan swept his blade in a circle around himself, and the heads of the two men flanking him flew into the air.
The martial artists around him were dumbstruck. Just moments ago, Li Yan had been in constant peril beneath their encirclement and pursuit. How had he suddenly killed two of them instead?
Moreover, they had sensed something off about that last strike.
The saber techniques Li Yan had used before had been honed to perfection. Every move was composed and effortless, refined to the utmost limit, yet the traces of the techniques themselves could still be seen.
But that last strike had been different. Its sheer astonishment was like some bewitching, soul-stealing devilish power.
Could it be that this brat truly cultivated the Demon Blade?
While the others were still reeling in shock, Li Yan gave them no more room to think. The blade in his hand rose once more.
This time, he held nothing back. Every slash was empowered by War Blade: Bloodbath. His blade was swift and light, and killing people came easily.
However, the consumption was enormous as well.
After killing more than ten people in succession, Li Yan felt his strength beginning to fail. Looking around, he saw that no one dared step forward any longer.
After a moment's thought, Li Yan turned back and began searching the corpses, taking the gold and silver from their bodies—though what he truly wanted were the Attribute Points.
With the Attribute Points from more than a dozen men added to his account, the exhaustion in Li Yan's body eased considerably.
When he raised his eyes again, killing intent surged from them, frightening the surrounding martial artists into retreating several steps.
By now, Li Yan's feet were soaked in blood. With every step he took, a bloody footprint was left upon the ground.
For every step he took forward, the others retreated three steps. They kept backing away until they reached the city gates.
Behind him, the bloody footprints were a ghastly sight, like a living path of blood he had walked out himself!
"Hahahaha! You old bastard Wang, the people you brought are useless!"
On the rooftop, Shangguan Feiyun watched Li Yan stand alone at the pass, pressing a whole crowd of martial artists so hard that they could not lift their heads. Uncontrollable heroic spirit surged within him.
What use was having more people?
One man, one blade—his brother alone was enough to suppress a crowd until none dared approach.
Wang Jin naturally saw it clearly as well. His face was ashen, and while he cursed those men as useless trash, a sense of helplessness also rose within him.
He had not fought anyone for many years, and the skills in his hands had weakened considerably. Shangguan Feiyun was young and vigorous; even if his realm was slightly lower, he could still keep Wang Jin tied down.
Could today's plan truly end up as nothing but water under the bridge?
Just then, an explosive boom suddenly rang out in the distance.
Everyone turned to look, only to see endless frost and snow intertwining with wind-driven leaves, surging toward them in a rolling tide.
Clearly, this was the aftermath of Shangguan Liuyun and Huang Lingyan's clash. Yet with an entire major realm separating them, even the aftershocks of their battle carried the might of the Energy Gathering Realm. How could these people possibly withstand it?
But with no way to escape, everyone could only do their utmost to defend themselves.
At the instant everyone prepared to defend, Li Yan suddenly erupted with speed, cutting through the crowd and charging toward the city gates.
Boom!
The terrifying aftershock swept in. Under that devastating force, the Body Tempering Realm martial artists were no match at all. For a time, cries of agony filled the air.
The aftershock did not stop, charging straight toward Li Yan.
At the critical moment, Li Yan leaped into the air, using the city wall to soar upward.
Rumble!
After the explosion, dust and smoke blotted out the sky, and no one could see what was happening within.
"Heh heh heh... Hahahahaha! Shangguan Feiyun, you celebrated too soon!"
Wang Jin threw back his head and laughed. "No matter how sharp that brat's blade techniques are, he is still only at the Body Tempering Realm. With the aftershocks from two peak Meridian Opening Realm fighters erupting at once, he is dead for certain!"
"Damn it! Old dog, if anything happens to Brother Wan, I'll make you accompany him in death today!"
"Heh, keep dreaming your spring-and-autumn dream!"
Yet before either of them had finished speaking, a tearing whistle came from within the dust and smoke. A simple saber spun through the air, shooting at extreme speed toward Wang Jin's back.
Damn!
Sensing something amiss behind him, Wang Jin was greatly alarmed. Just as he prepared to dodge aside, a fierce wind howled before him.
How could Shangguan Feiyun allow him to evade? After launching a fierce assault, the sound of flesh being torn rang out.
Splat!
The simple saber hacked straight into Wang Jin's shoulder, blood instantly dyeing it red.
When Wang Jin turned around, the dust and smoke had gradually dispersed. Li Yan was kneeling on one knee, gasping for breath. His clothes had once again become tattered beyond recognition, but the savage grin at the corner of his lips would not fade.
"Wang, I'll remember today's grudge. Consider this slash the interest. One day, I'll come settle the account with you!"
Then Li Yan looked at Shangguan Feiyun. "Brother Feiyun, tell Brother Liuyun that I'll be taking my leave first today. When I return to Dongjiang City another day, we'll drink and make merry again."
"Hahahahaha! Safe travels, brother. I'll pass your words on to Elder Brother. The gates of the Shangguan Family will always be open to you."
With that, Li Yan prepared to leave through the gate that had been blasted open.
But just then, an angry shout rang through the air. "Wang Sanhuo, where do you think you're going before this matter is settled!?"
"If you dare leave today, there will certainly be a place for you on Great Wu's Martial Kill Order!"
In midair, Huang Lingyan came rushing over at high speed, the fury on his face impossible to conceal.
But halfway there, a gust of force arrived after him yet struck first, blocking his path.
Shangguan Liuyun suddenly unleashed a palm strike, forcing Huang Lingyan to retreat once more.
At the same time, another voice sounded from the air. "Brother Wan, may the wind favor your journey."
Li Yan cupped his fist and said, "Rest assured, Brother Liuyun. When I return another day, I will repay kindness with kindness... and revenge with revenge!"
After saying that, he ignored everyone else, turned, and left.
Watching Li Yan depart from Dongjiang City, Huang Lingyan could no longer suppress his fury. With an enraged roar, terrifying cold qi surged in all directions, forcibly driving Shangguan Liuyun far back.
"Damn it, Shangguan Liuyun! Do you know what you're doing?"
"I've already said it. Brother Wan is a benefactor of the Shangguan Family. No matter who wants to touch him, the Shangguan Family will not stand idly by."
"For some Body Tempering Realm brat of unknown origin, you're making an enemy of all Dongjiang City. What exactly are you thinking, Shangguan Liuyun?"
With a sweep of his sleeve, Shangguan Liuyun ignored him and said evenly, "The Shangguan Family only acts according to reason. If the City Lord has any further designs, Shangguan Liuyun will receive them at any time."
After saying that, Shangguan Liuyun did not linger. With several flashes, he arrived beside Shangguan Feiyun and patted his shoulder, signaling that it was time to return.
"You Shangguan Family people are really something!"
Wang Jin clutched his wound and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Heh, old man, you should accept your age. Wouldn't it have been better to spend your remaining years in peace? You just had to come out and stir up trouble. Now look at you—one hand crippled. Happy?"
After saying that, Shangguan Feiyun ignored Wang Jin's murderous expression and turned to follow his Elder Brother.
Huang Lingyan also landed beside Wang Jin. Wang Jin wanted to say something upon seeing him, but Huang Lingyan raised his hand and slapped him across the face, smashing him straight into a household beside the street.
"Trash!"
"You can't even handle such a minor matter. What use are you?"
"You!"
Lying on the ground, Wang Jin wanted to say something, but his rage attacked his heart. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted.
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