Bu Fan Heavily Injured, Bu Chen Enraged!

The appearance of Mercenary Tao caused a stir among some Martial Alliance disciples, though others remained entirely unperturbed. The ones panicking were those who had heard of his notorious reputation; those who hadn't were calm as could be, completely unaware of the kind of monster they were facing.

"Halt! Who are you?"

Looking at the approaching Mercenary Tao, several disciples who didn't recognize him demanded an answer. Mercenary Tao made no effort to conceal the killing intent radiating from his body, so it was clear to anyone that he had come to stir up trouble.

One sharp-eyed disciple, however, clearly recognized him and slipped away unnoticed to report the news to Bu Fan.

Facing the hostile Mercenary Tao, the few Martial Alliance members, having trained for several years, could tell from his aura that they were no match for him. Yet, faced with an enemy at their doorstep, their martial hearts would not allow them to retreat. They exchanged glances, and in an instant, they reached a silent understanding.

They attacked Mercenary Tao in unison!

"Go to hell!"

They struck out at him fiercely. Faced with their combined assault, Mercenary Tao sneered, "Fireflies daring to compete with the brilliance of the moon!"

In a flash!

Slap! Slap! Slap!

A few sounds rang out, and the Martial Alliance disciples were sent flying backward, spitting blood. In the span of a single exchange, they were all injured, and the situation turned dire in an instant.

Having been defeated by Mercenary Tao in a single encounter, the disciples were shocked. This Mercenary Tao's combat power is truly terrifying. The gap between us is actually this vast!

Facing the terrified group, Mercenary Tao was not entirely calm himself. Although the combat power of these disciples was still far behind his own, their quality was superior to that of the Crane School disciples, which forced him to show a modicum of respect.

Seeing that Mercenary Tao had defeated them so quickly, the group grew grave, and with a nod, they decided to unleash their ultimate techniques.

"Half-Step Crushing Fist Double-Strength!!"

"Prepare to die!!"

One after another, they unleashed the martial arts taught to them by Jiang Yun. However, due to their own lack of cultivation, the power they exerted was far inferior to Jiang Yun's. Had the Gravity Training Room not just been built, or had these disciples been given more time, Mercenary Tao might not have been their match.

Mercenary Tao felt the aura of the disciples suddenly double in an instant and exclaimed, "You actually possess such a secret technique, capable of erupting with double the power in an instant!!"

Greed stirred in Mercenary Tao's heart. If he could force this secret technique out of them, wouldn't he be invincible? Such a heaven-defying technique was likely comparable to the Tri-Beam. As long as the side effects weren't too severe, he would seize it.

The disciples kicked toward Mercenary Tao simultaneously. Wanting to test their strength, he blocked a kick with his backhand, only to be sent flying like a cannonball.

Mercenary Tao's body slammed into a wall, and it took a moment before he slid down. This was the martial philosophy contained within Jiang Yun's Half-Step Crushing Fist: hitting a person so hard they hang like a painting on a wall.

Yet, the Mercenary Tao who fell was completely unscathed. Dusting off his clothes, he said cruelly, "If you hand over the secret technique that allows you to instantly increase your strength, I can spare your lives. Otherwise, I will leave no one alive!"

His words made the disciples tremble, but after years of training, the martial heart Jiang Yun had instilled in them would not allow them to compromise. Even if they were no match for him, they would not betray the interests of the Martial Alliance—especially since that man was there to hold the fort. They knew they couldn't lose.

In their view, even if Jiang Yun didn't act, Bu Chen could defeat Mercenary Tao. One disciple named Harichi said, "Give up that thought. We disciples of the Martial Alliance do not fear death. What does death matter? We will protect the Martial Alliance to the end!"

To Mercenary Tao, these disciples who would throw their lives away for the Martial Alliance were nothing but fools. In this world, only profit and strength existed; only they would never betray you. He stopped wasting his breath, thinking that eventually, someone would fear death and tell him, or that there would be two normal people among them.

Mercenary Tao viewed their commitment to the martial path as foolishness, unaware that he was no longer worthy of being called a martial artist—he was merely an executioner with a bit of power.

"Dodon Ray!!"

No longer wasting words, Mercenary Tao struck immediately. He condensed energy at his fingertip, intending to kill the Martial Alliance disciples in one blow. As the beam shot toward them, the group felt as if they were being stared at by a venomous snake; their intuition told them they were going to die!

At that critical moment, a figure flashed out—it was Bu Fan, who had arrived after receiving the news. He reached out and deflected the Dodon Ray, causing it to veer off course. He was secretly shocked: I used the martial arts Brother Jiang Yun taught me, and I could only barely deflect this Mercenary Tao's attack. Truly, his reputation is well-earned!

Mercenary Tao was slightly surprised to see the newcomer. Anyone capable of deflecting his attack was clearly a figure not to be underestimated.

"Who are you, sir? Could you be the person behind the Martial Alliance? I, Mercenary Tao, pay my respects."

Mercenary Tao performed a traditional martial arts greeting toward Bu Fan.

Mercenary Tao's reputation had long since spread; he was a cold-blooded demon in the martial arts world. Bu Fan did not believe for a second that he would perform such a gesture in good faith.

Sure enough, Mercenary Tao's eyes shifted, and he instantly lunged at Bu Fan. His opening move was a killing blow; he had hidden a Dodon Ray behind his back. Although the power of the beam wasn't at its peak, being hit by it would mean death or severe injury.

Bu Fan had been guarding against him all along, knowing he had ill intentions. Seeing Mercenary Tao close in, he retreated immediately. Mercenary Tao fired the Dodon Ray, and Bu Fan dodged by tilting his head.

Bu Fan even saw the beam slice a lock of his hair in two, the strands still drifting in the air. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he thought, What terrifying speed!

Only Jiang Yun and my brother, who is in seclusion, could handle a powerhouse like this. Before this, he had already sent someone to notify his brother, who should be arriving soon!

Thinking that he was the only one who could handle Mercenary Tao for now, Bu Fan charged back in, using the same martial technique to amplify his combat power. His strength was not weak, and comparing their auras, Mercenary Tao knew that the Bu Fan before him was only slightly inferior to himself.

The two engaged in a rapid exchange, moving so fast that those around them could no longer see them. The surrounding environment was constantly being destroyed as both unleashed shocking power.

Just then, Mercenary Tao shamelessly pulled out a blade. Bu Fan, who was already under immense pressure, suddenly found it difficult to cope, as his current physical body could not withstand blades.

Mercenary Tao threw the blade at Bu Fan. Bu Fan dodged, but he failed to notice that Mercenary Tao had instantly condensed a Dodon Ray after throwing the blade. By the time Bu Fan realized it, it was too late.

The Dodon Ray pierced through his body in an instant, and he slowly collapsed under Mercenary Tao's triumphant gaze.

"No!!!!!"

A cry of shock rang out; it was Bu Chen who had arrived.

"You deserve to die! I will tear you into ten thousand pieces!!"

Believing Bu Fan to be dead, Bu Chen instantly radiated immense killing intent. He seemed to lose his sanity, his eyes fixed on Mercenary Tao with a gaze filled with bloodlust.