Mercenary Tao's arrival threw some of the Martial Alliance disciples into a panic, though others remained utterly calm. Those who panicked had heard of Mercenary Tao's dreadful reputation. The ones who hadn't were so unconcerned they had no idea what kind of vicious killer they were facing.
"Stop! Who are you?"
A few disciples who didn't recognize him challenged Mercenary Tao as he approached. He made no attempt to conceal the killing intent radiating from him, so it was obvious he had come looking for trouble.
One sharp-eyed disciple clearly recognized Mercenary Tao. While the others weren't paying attention, he slipped away to alert Bu Fan.
Seeing the hostility in Mercenary Tao's eyes, the Martial Alliance disciples knew from his bearing that they were no match for him. But their Martial Heart wouldn't allow them to back down from an enemy who had come to their door. They exchanged glances and immediately understood what they had to do.
Together, they charged at Mercenary Tao!
"Die!"
The disciples launched a fierce attack. Facing their assault, Mercenary Tao sneered. "How dare fireflies try to outshine the moon!"
In an instant—
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Several sharp cracks rang out. The Martial Alliance disciples were sent flying, then spat out mouthfuls of blood. In a brief exchange, several of them had been injured, and the situation quickly turned grim.
The disciples had been defeated in a single exchange. They were astonished. "Mercenary Tao is incredibly powerful! The gap between us is enormous!"
As he faced the horrified group, Mercenary Tao was also unsettled. The disciples before him were nowhere near as strong as he was, but they were still better than the Crane School's disciples. He couldn't help taking them a little more seriously.
After Mercenary Tao swiftly defeated them, the disciples grew solemn. With a nod to one another, they decided to use their trump card.
"Half-Step Crushing Fist Double-Strength!"
"Die!"
One after another, the disciples used the martial techniques Jiang Yun had taught them. Their cultivation was too weak, however, so the power they unleashed was far inferior to Jiang Yun's. The Gravity Training Room had only just been built. If the disciples had had more time to train there, even Mercenary Tao might not have been able to defeat them.
Mercenary Tao immediately sensed the disciples' auras surge, doubling in strength. He exclaimed, "You actually have a secret technique like that, one that can double your power in an instant!"
Greed rose in Mercenary Tao's heart. If he could force them to reveal the secret, wouldn't he become invincible? This heaven-defying technique seemed almost as powerful as the Tri-Beam. As long as its side effects weren't too severe, he would take it for himself.
The disciples kicked at Mercenary Tao. Wanting to see just how powerful their technique was, he raised an arm to block one of the kicks. The next instant, he was sent flying like a cannonball.
Mercenary Tao slammed into a wall and only fell to the ground a moment later. This was the martial principle at the heart of Jiang Yun's Half-Step Crushing Fist: striking someone so hard they were hung on the wall like a painting.
But Mercenary Tao was completely unharmed when he got back up. He brushed off his clothes and said cruelly, "Hand over the secret technique that lets you increase your strength in an instant, and I'll spare your lives. Otherwise, I'll kill every last one of you!"
His words shook the disciples, but years of training had instilled in them the Martial Heart Jiang Yun had taught them. They wouldn't compromise, even if they had no chance of beating Mercenary Tao. They wouldn't betray the Martial Alliance's interests. Besides, the man was there to protect the Alliance. There was no way they could lose.
In their eyes, even if Jiang Yun didn't intervene, Bu Chen could defeat Mercenary Tao. One of the disciples, Harichi, said, "Give it up. We disciples of the Martial Alliance aren't afraid to die. So what if we die? We'll defend the Martial Alliance to the very end!"
To Mercenary Tao, these disciples who were willing to die for the Martial Alliance were nothing but fools. The only things in this world that wouldn't betray you were power and profit. He stopped wasting his breath, thinking that sooner or later someone would be afraid of death and tell him what he wanted to know. Surely there'd be a couple of sensible people among them.
Mercenary Tao thought the others were fools for holding to their martial principles, never realizing that he himself was no longer worthy of being called a martial artist. He was nothing more than an executioner with some strength.
"Dodon Ray!"
Mercenary Tao quit wasting time and attacked at once. He gathered energy at his fingertip, intending to kill the Martial Alliance disciples in one strike. The Dodon Ray shot toward them. They felt as though a venomous snake had fixed its gaze on them. Their instincts told them they were going to die!
At that critical moment, a figure appeared—it was Bu Fan, who had rushed over after hearing the report. He thrust out a hand and knocked the Dodon Ray off course. Inwardly, he was startled. Even after using the technique Brother Jiang Yun taught me, I could only just barely deflect Mercenary Tao's attack. As expected, a fearsome reputation is never undeserved!
Mercenary Tao was surprised to see Bu Fan appear. Someone who could deflect his attack clearly couldn't be underestimated.
"Who are you, sir? Are you perhaps the one behind the Martial Alliance? I am Mercenary Tao. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mercenary Tao gave Bu Fan a formal greeting from the martial world.
Mercenary Tao's reputation had spread far and wide. Throughout the martial world, he was known as a ruthless demon who killed without batting an eye. Bu Fan didn't believe he would offer a greeting for no reason.
Sure enough, Mercenary Tao's eyes shifted, and he instantly lunged at Bu Fan, striking with a deadly move. His hand was held behind his back, hiding a Dodon Ray. Though the technique wasn't very powerful, anyone it hit would either die or be crippled.
Bu Fan had been on guard, knowing Mercenary Tao couldn't be trusted. As soon as Mercenary Tao closed in, Bu Fan retreated. Mercenary Tao immediately fired a Dodon Ray, and Bu Fan dodged to the side.
He even saw the ray split a strand of his hair in two as it floated through the air. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. What terrifying speed!
A fighter this powerful could probably only be handled by Jiang Yun or his brother, who was in seclusion. He had already sent someone to notify his brother, so he should be arriving soon!
Realizing that he was the only one who could hold Mercenary Tao off until then, Bu Fan charged forward again. He used the same martial technique to boost his fighting strength. It was no small increase, and judging by Bu Fan's aura, Mercenary Tao could tell he was only slightly weaker than himself.
The two began exchanging blows at tremendous speed, too fast for the onlookers to follow. The surrounding area was steadily demolished as both fighters unleashed astonishing power.
Then Mercenary Tao shamelessly pulled out a knife. Bu Fan had already been struggling to deal with him, and now he was suddenly in even greater danger. His body wasn't strong enough to withstand a blade.
Mercenary Tao hurled the knife at Bu Fan. Bu Fan dodged it, but he failed to notice Mercenary Tao gathering energy into a Dodon Ray the instant he let go of the knife. By the time Bu Fan realized what was happening, it was too late.
The Dodon Ray pierced through his body. Under Mercenary Tao's triumphant gaze, Bu Fan slowly collapsed.
"No!"
A cry rang out. Bu Chen had arrived.
"You deserve to die! I'll tear you to pieces!"
Believing Bu Fan dead, Bu Chen unleashed a tremendous killing intent. He seemed to have lost all reason, fixing Mercenary Tao with a murderous glare.
Before you continue