Blade Slave

The Lesser Yang Guard in the camp whispered among themselves, frowning as they also felt that Mo Duanfeng's suggestion was inappropriate.

Whether Chu Yutian, so cunning and resourceful, would fall for his tricks was secondary.

The Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin is located in the Netherworld of the Departed, which is naturally advantageous to the Taiyin Sect. If it cannot be defeated in one battle and exposed to the light, it will not be used as bait, but rather as food.

In short, the risk is too great, and they cannot afford the consequences of failure.

Mo Duanfeng knew the principle that "people's hearts are different, and they seek peace but fear loss." To accomplish something, sometimes one really does need that decisive authority. So he said, "I heard that your Lesser Yang Division is going to spend twenty years to defeat Chu Yutian and kill half of the Taiyin Envoy. This news has become a joke in the Holy Capital!"

"Lesser Yang Division Sishengsi, in the East Sea, used talismans crafted by others and the flames of the Great Longevity to kill Qin Zhengyang, who was far stronger than her. She did manage to regain a little bit of face."

"But only by killing Chu Yutian can the Sentinel Spirit Army avenge its defeat."

"This is not just a matter for your Dongxu Camp; it concerns the dignity of the entire Sentinel Spirit Army."

"Your Dongxu Camp's face can be trampled on by the Taiyin Sect for twenty years, you can swallow your insults and endure ridicule and abuse with a clear conscience, but the Taixu Camp cannot tolerate it, the Ancestral Dragon Camp cannot tolerate it. For twenty years, you have been deceiving yourselves."

"If you are afraid, if you are terrified, you don't have to go to the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin. But get out of the Sentinel Spirit Army. The Sentinel Spirit Army doesn't have spineless cowards like you. We are facing the most dangerous enemy. We are standing at the forefront of life and death. If we all retreat and become afraid of death, then humanity has no hope."

His words sparked public outrage.

The eyes of all the Lesser Yang Guard turned cold.

"Please retract those words, Your Excellency." Xu Daoqing's tone was sharp, each word like a sword.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Mo Duanfeng continued with a contemptuous look, laughing, "What did I say wrong? With our help, the opportunity to kill Chu Yutian is right in front of us, yet you insist on waiting twenty years. From top to bottom, you are all timid and cowardly, lacking any fighting spirit or will."

"In the end, it all boils down to a lack of strength and fear of a powerful enemy. I've insulted you all so much, yet not one of you has the guts to teach me a lesson. If you're so afraid of me, wouldn't you kneel down and beg for mercy when you see Chu Yutian, becoming his slave?"

"The Lesser Yang Division Chi Haohan; please Mo Duanfeng, bestow your guidance."

"Qiu Cheng of Lesser Yang Division, I'll break your Wind-Breaking Blade."

At almost the same time, Chi Haohan and Qiu Cheng rushed onto the high platform from the left and right, respectively, their magical energy exploding. One clenched his fist, and the other pinched his fingers, attacking Mo Duanfeng.

The two were enormous, one a giant six or seven meters tall, with scriptures flashing on his armor, possessing immense strength and the might to devour the heavens and drink the seas.

The other figure moved with lightning speed, his brow radiating a dazzling light, and his hand, which was clenched into a fist, turned jade-colored.

They themselves hadn't expected to act at the same time.

"Whoosh!"

The Formation Script on the high platform were instantly activated by the magical energy emanating from the two individuals, transforming into a battle arena of array light.

Tang Wanzhou did not stop them. He and Bai Chuan gracefully retreated, flying out of the array platform.

"Boom!"

Mo Duanfeng did not activate his magical energy to enhance the defense of his three layers of armor, nor did he use any Daoist techniques. He simply raised one arm and used his forearm to block the fierce fist force of Chi Haohan, who was several times larger than his own body.

"Bang!"

At the same time, Qiu Cheng's fingertip touched the ancestral field on Mo Duanfeng's abdomen. Ripples of energy vibrated across the armor, producing a buzzing sound.

Qiu Cheng's face lit up with joy.

Even if the opponent is wearing three layers of armor, this finger strike can definitely penetrate the armor and severely injure them.

Mo Duanfeng stood firmly in place and kicked Qiu Cheng away.

With Qiu Cheng's speed and agility, he didn't even have time to dodge or react before he coughed up blood, his body collided with the array's light barrier, and he fell limply to one knee.

"Boom!"

On the other side, Chi Haohan appeared furious and dull-witted, but his combat wisdom was extraordinary. The moment Mo Duanfeng swung his arm to strike, knowing he couldn't dodge, he didn't flinch but counterattacked, using his massive body to swoop down.

You must strike with your bare body, armor against armor, before the opponent's palm strike lands on you.

His armor was already activated, releasing both defensive runes and offensive power simultaneously. His opponent, however, relying on his superior cultivation, hadn't activated his armor, clearly underestimating him and being overconfident.

Despite knowing that his opponent was stronger than him, Chi Haohan still felt he had a chance to win.

With a loud bang, it was like two massive iron mountains colliding.

The sound of metal clashing exploded in everyone's ears.

On the battle formation platform, sparks and storms raged.

After the collision, Mo Duanfeng a step back, but Chi Haohan was thrown away and crashed heavily into the array's light screen before staggering to the ground.

Chi Haohan's head was throbbing with pain. Although his body had withstood the direct impact of the attack, his brain seemed to be shaken to its core. His vision went black, and it took him several breaths to recover.

During this time, Mo Duanfeng did not make a move, but merely watched him coldly.

That arrogant gaze was a more decisive victory than simply knocking him down.

Seeing that Chi Haohan had recovered, Mo Duanfeng finally spoke, "Being able to repel me by one step means you are qualified to enter the <Longevity Earth Ranking>. In just one year, you refined two orbs of Dragon Soul Origin Light, advancing from the Early Third Realm. Your cultivation has indeed made great progress, reaching the level you would achieve ten years later. However, this also means you can no longer control your internal energy and scriptures at will. If you can calm down and hone your skills for a few months, your combat power will increase by at least 20%, and that will be the true Mid Third Realm."

Chi Haohan did not make another move.

In just a brief exchange, his opponent had completely seen through him.

It is clear that although Mo Duanfeng acts aggressively, he is by no means a reckless and ignorant person. Perhaps he really has the confidence to kill Chu Yutian.

Mo Duanfeng's gaze fell on Xu Daoqing, the scholar, and the Pipa Woman: "Who among you is the most skilled fighter? If any of you can force me to draw my treasured sword, then this matter will be dropped. If you don't even have that ability, then I think I am qualified to command you."

The three of them were the strongest in the Lesser Yang Division, and they were all in their eighties or nineties.

A martial artist in the third stage of the Longevity Realm has a lifespan of three hundred years, so being eighty or ninety years old is considered very young.

Saint Tang Wanzhou, however, is simply more talented, but his cultivation level is still only at the Second Realm.

Xu Daoqing walked step by step onto the battle platform, took out a whisk, and purple clouds rose from his head. "Before we begin, I have three questions for Mr. Mo on behalf of the Lesser Yang Division."

"Go ahead and ask," Mo Duanfeng said.

Xu Daoqing asked, "For the first question, Mr. Mo, are you aware of Chu Yutian's cultivation level and strength?"

Mo Duanfeng said, "The Taixu Camp is responsible for monitoring the Taixu Realm. They have the most dealings with the Taiyin Sect and have the most people planted within it. They possess the most detailed intelligence on the Taiyin Sect. The news of Qin Zhengyang's meeting with the Dao Palace Zhenchuan on the Lantern Festival was provided to you by us."

"I've analyzed all of Chu Yutian's battle records over the past decade, repeatedly studying the details of each fight, and I know all his trump cards. My understanding of him even surpasses his understanding of himself."

Xu Daoqing pondered, his resentment towards Mo Duanfeng lessening somewhat, at least recognizing that Mo was taking his opponent very seriously. He then asked, "My second question is, Mr. Mo, do you know how many experts the Taiyin Sect has entered the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin?"

"The answer is still the same: our informants within the Taiyin Sect will deliver the intelligence to me," Mo Duanfeng said.

Xu Daoqing asked, "The third question is, if we fail, how do we extricate ourselves?"

"In case of any unforeseen circumstances, I possess a transcendent escape technique, condensed within my armor over a decade of cultivation, which should be sufficient to get everyone out of trouble," Mo Duanfeng said.

"I'm all set!"

On the battle formation platform, Xu Daoqing unleashed his magical energy and willpower, filling the air with purple light, like thousands of intertwined chains.

For the first time, Mo Duanfeng revealed a cautious expression, and scriptures began to flicker on his armor.

Below, Chang Yujian, "It seems that Master Xu's cultivation has reached the Peak Third Realm. Even for Ancient Sect True Disciple at the Early Third Realm, defeating him would not be an easy task."

"Can this Wind-Breaking Blade be compared to Ancient Sect True Disciple in the third realm?"

Li Weiyi didn't know much about Mo Duanfeng, only that he was very strong, so strong that no one could fathom his strength, and that he already possessed the Aura of Great Longevity.

Chang Yujian gently shook her head. "Without personally sparring with someone of this caliber, who would know what level they are at? Even with enough Dragon Soul Origin Light to help us, we would still have to wait ten years before we would be qualified to fight him now. His reputation is so great that he definitely possesses genuine talent and skill."

"Legend has it that the Martial Path Son of Heaven of the Holy Capital once commented on him, 'Blade Slave, Blade Slave, truly a fine sword worthy of being honed.'"

"You must understand, even for those of the Great Longevity and Transcendental realms, catching the eye of the Martial Path Son of Heaven is no easy feat. To be praised as a 'good sword,' what extraordinary talent must one possess?"

Lu Qing said, "The rules in the Imperial Capital are very strict. He came from there, no wonder it's so harsh."

"Having witnessed the emperor's might in the inner palace, he probably learned his decisive and ruthless style from that Martial Path Son of Heaven," Liu Ye said.

The scholar interjected, "Don't you think that reaching his level of cultivation at seventy-two is truly terrifying?"

The four nodded in deep agreement.

Breaking through to immortality within sixty years in the Lingxiao Shengjing is extremely rare. Advancing from the First Realm to the Second Realm within ten years is often only achievable by Ancient Sect True Disciple. And the further one progresses, the more difficult it becomes to break through realms.

On the battle formation platform, victory or defeat will be decided.

Suddenly, the Metal Saber Box on Mo Duanfeng's back flew up, and he raised it above his head with one hand.

The sword sheath fell, cleaving through the purple clouds and mist that Xu Daoqing had created.

"Boom!"

A blinding blade of light appeared, stirring up a whistling Wind Force. Instantly, all of Xu Daoqing's defenses crumbled, and he was forced to retreat violently.

The whisk slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

The sword case crashed into the battle platform, shattering it completely and obliterating even the Defensive Formation.

"I lost!"

Xu Daoqing, who had retreated to a distance, stared in disbelief at the figure opposite him wearing three layers of armor, his fingers bleeding profusely.

He knew there was a gap between him and the other party.

But when he was at the Dao Seed Realm, he could fight the Young Son of Heaven of the same realm to a standstill. But now, at the same realm, he was defeated without even being able to force the other to draw his sword!

Mo Duanfeng said, "Although I didn't use a sword, I already used sword techniques. If you hone your skills at the Peak Third Realm for ten years, I definitely can't defeat you without a sword. Currently, among the Twelve Taiyin Envoys, only Envoy Luoyinji and Envoy Qingzao can reliably defeat you."

"Seiji, do you want to fight?"

Tang Wanzhou shook his head and said, "The Deputy Sentinel Lord just transmitted a message to me, saying that all matters should be discussed and decided by the three of us, and that discord is the most important thing. You two have already made your decisions, so do you think a fight can change that?"

Seeing that he had subdued Lesser Yang Division, Mo Duanfeng's attitude softened immediately. "The existence of Hai Envoy is too dangerous. The sooner we use our talents, the sooner we can get rid of him, lest we make things worse."

"Furthermore, once we enter the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, we will inevitably encounter Chu Yutian sooner or later. From what I understand, Chu Yutian is not far from breaking through to the next realm, and we cannot give him any more time. Therefore, after discussing it with Bai Chuan, we feel that this battle should be fought sooner rather than later. I hope you all can understand."

Tang Wanzhou said nothing and went straight down the mountain towards the Camp Hall.

Mo Duanfeng watched her retreating figure, not paying much attention. "To enter the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, everyone should prepare at least ten years' worth of daily necessities. We'll depart in three days."