"Where is this?"
After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yi finally woke. Seeing Wang Mingxuan before him with his chest pierced through, he finally understood that he had not been killed.
Examining himself inwardly, he discovered that his previously shattered meridians had now healed. The Essence of Flora within him had vanished, presumably exhausted in repairing his meridians. Yet that strand of Sword Qi was like a festering parasite clinging to the bone, wildly churning through his body and causing him unbearable pain.
"This blood curse technique is truly bizarre."
Shen Yi struggled to his feet and went over to Wang Mingxuan. He took out the half of the Stone Key, then brought out the half in his own possession. Sure enough, they fitted together into a complete key. Unable to wait any longer, Shen Yi took out the Stone Casket and inserted the key.
On Jiang Miaoyi's side, the group arrived at the room at the end of the passage. More than a dozen people had already gathered there in confrontation. Upon seeing Jiang Miaoyi and the others, their expressions changed, and they each edged closer to their own companions.
"There are so many magic treasures and spiritual artifacts here. There are also many high-grade pills and spirit herbs over there, and ancient texts and secret arts on the other side. It seems Senior Shen was right."
Jiang Miaoyi turned back as she spoke, giving the others a meaningful look to signal them to stay alert.
"Soul Summoning Banner!"
Wang Teng recognized at a glance the long black banner planted in the round platform at the center of the room. His gaze burned with desire, but he forcibly suppressed the impatience in his heart and, together with Jiang Miaoyi's group, warily observed the dozen or so people.
"Fellow Daoists, I am An Ping, a disciple of the Ninghai branch of the Mysterious Nether Cult. These are all my fellow disciples. Today, I hope you will do us the honor of yielding this long banner to us. The Mysterious Nether Cult will be deeply grateful, and you may divide all the remaining items as you please."
Seeing that neither side would yield, the Mysterious Nether Cult disciple spoke up. The moment he opened his mouth, he demanded the Soul Summoning Banner, immediately drawing hostile looks from everyone else.
"The Mysterious Nether Cult has always acted unpredictably. How are we supposed to trust you? Why not have your group withdraw now? We will naturally give you a share of the benefits."
The people present were divided into three factions: five from the Mysterious Nether Cult, four from Jiang Miaoyi's group, and five Rogue Cultivators. It was the Rogue Cultivators who voiced the objection.
Seeing that negotiations had failed, the two groups drew their weapons one after another. In an instant, blades were bared and bows drawn, and the atmosphere in the room became taut to the extreme.
"Attack!"
An Ping shouted, and all ten of them unexpectedly attacked Jiang Miaoyi's group at once.
"Shameless!"
Jiang Miaoyi snapped. She called for Wu Liujian and Yuwen Yue to protect Wang Teng behind them. In an instant, saber light and sword shadows filled the room as spiritual energy ran rampant. Yet Jiang Miaoyi's side had fewer people to begin with, and they also had to protect Wang Teng. Before long, they fell into a disadvantage. Wu Liujian charged at the front and suffered the worst injuries. Fortunately, he had the Crimson Firmament Sword's enhancement; otherwise, his life would already have been in danger.
Wu Liujian stood at the very front with his sword in hand, his body covered in wounds, several so deep that bone showed through. Even so, he did not retreat a single step. Jiang Miaoyi and Yuwen Yue were also in a sorry state, with several new wounds on their bodies. Wang Teng could no longer care about his own injuries. He drew the Ink Saber and stood shoulder to shoulder with them.
"Damn it, you're tough as cockroaches!"
An Ping cursed, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He was clearly badly injured as well. Looking around, the others had gained no advantage either, each bearing wounds large and small.
"Together!"
With a sweep of his broadsword, An Ping led the others in another charge. By now, Jiang Miaoyi's group had exhausted their spiritual power and were holding on by sheer force of will. Wu Liujian had no strength left even to lift his sword. Just as their enemies' weapons swung toward them again, Jiang Miaoyi raised her longsword and barely knocked them aside—only for another wave of attacks to come crashing in. She had no time to withdraw her sword. Jiang Miaoyi looked at the others with longing in her eyes, then turned back and slowly closed them.
Death did not arrive as expected. Jiang Miaoyi opened her eyes and saw a familiar figure standing before her, holding a long halberd and shielding her from the attack.
"Those who harm my fellow disciples deserve to die!"
It was Shen Yi. When he had opened the Stone Casket, he discovered that it contained a long halberd, entirely black and emanating a chaotic aura. A True Dragon was carved upon its shaft, as though it would soar into the heavens from the halberd the moment spiritual power was poured into it. Without time to tend to his injuries, Shen Yi took out the halberd and raced all the way here. He had arrived just in time, preventing the tragedy of Jiang Miaoyi's beauty fading and her soul perishing.
With the Coiled Dragon Halberd in hand, Shen Yi's long hair whipped in the wind. Like a demonic god above the nine heavens, he looked down upon the enemies before him.
The battle halberd swept out, stirring gust after gust of wild wind that howled toward the opposing side. The ten men did not dare slacken and joined forces to resist him. For a time, neither side could break the stalemate.
"Take the banner!"
Shen Yi's face remained expressionless as he stared at the enemy side and shouted for Wang Teng and the others to seize the Soul Summoning Banner. An Ping and the others grew anxious, but the clash of spiritual power between both sides had reached a delicate balance. Whoever withdrew their power first would inevitably suffer backlash.
"It won't be that easy!"
An Ping roared and struck his chest with his palm, spraying a mouthful of essence blood onto his weapon. It immediately blazed with light, and its tremendous power sent Shen Yi flying in an instant. "Stop them!" An Ping's aura weakened, but he did not forget his ultimate goal.
Ignoring his injuries, Shen Yi thrust out his battle halberd again in an instant, blocking the others' path with a cold, stern gaze.
"What terrifying eyes!"
Everyone was alarmed and did not dare act rashly for a moment. Just as Wang Teng was about to touch the Soul Summoning Banner, several Mysterious Nether Cult disciples could no longer restrain themselves.
"Attack together! He's severely injured—he's only putting on a brave front!"
Hearing this, everyone's spirits surged, and they charged forward once more. Weapons of every kind, wrapped in spiritual gales, came crashing down upon Shen Yi as though they could split the heavens and cover the earth. Shen Yi gave a cold snort, circulating all the spiritual power in his body and gathering it into the Coiled Dragon Halberd before unleashing a strike of the Sun Piercer Halberd Technique.
"Boom—"
The two forces collided violently with a tremendous roar, making the entire room tremble. Shen Yi bore the brunt of the impact and dropped to one knee, blood pouring from his chest. The opposing side had also suffered grievous casualties; two people died on the spot. Though the rest were seriously wounded, they could still move.
The instant Wang Teng grasped the Soul Summoning Banner, a pillar of light rose beneath his feet. Jiang Miaoyi and the others were slowly lifted into the air by the beam, their bodies nearly turning insubstantial.
"A teleportation array!"
The Mysterious Nether Cult members cried out in alarm. Disregarding their companions, they staggered toward the teleportation array one after another. This was their last chance to leave alive.
"Senior Shen, quickly! The teleportation array won't hold for long!"
Wang Teng shouted. Wu Liujian and the others urged him on with equally anxious faces. Shen Yi struggled to rise. Though the distance was only a few meters, it felt as far away as the ends of the earth. He could no longer suppress the cursed Sword Qi Wang Mingxuan had left inside him; even raising a hand had become difficult.
Seeing this, Jiang Miaoyi tried to rush out of the pillar of light to meet him, only to find that she could not break free no matter what she did. Tears filled her eyes as she watched Shen Yi vanish from sight with a grief-stricken expression.
Shen Yi collapsed to the ground. Watching the last wisp of light disappear before his eyes, he revealed a faint smile, though neither sorrow nor joy could be seen within it.
Suddenly, a stream of black qi shot into Shen Yi's body with the speed of lightning, too swift to cover one's ears.
"It's actually not dead!"
Before you continue