The Might of the Sword Art

In the battle in the woods.

Jiang Yuan faced the encirclement of more than a dozen Blood-Clad slaves, weaving through the crowd as though strolling through a quiet courtyard. Wherever his long sword passed, enemies fell one after another.

His swordsmanship was exquisitely refined. It looked casual, yet every move struck straight at a vital point.

"Azure Lotus Sword Art!"

As more and more Blood-Clad slaves fixed their sights on him, Jiang Yuan let out a long cry and stopped holding back. Vast true qi poured into the Evergreen Sword in his hand, erupting into an endless storm of sword qi that swept outward in all directions!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In an instant, countless streaks of sword qi fell upon the surrounding Blood-Clad slaves like a gale sweeping away fallen leaves, followed by a chorus of screams.

With a single strike, he had slain more than a dozen Blood-Clad slaves of equal cultivation.

"Senior Jiang is indeed formidable!"

Guan Ling's face was filled with admiration at the sight.

She had never imagined that Jiang Yuan, having practiced the Azure Lotus Sword Art for only a month, could wield it to such a level!

"Azure Lotus Sword Art?"

Watching the scene, Zhao You and Zhang Sheng, who had been locked in an even fight with Xue Tu, both froze and stopped fighting.

Just what was Jiang Yuan's relationship with their sect?

He even knew the Azure Lotus Sword Art?

"Kill! Slaughter these bastards!"

Just as the battle had reached a deadlock, cries of killing suddenly rang out in the distance. Another force charged over!

At their head was a one-eyed burly man mounted on a tall horse, his presence fierce and imposing.

"People from the Black Market?"

Everyone was somewhat startled.

Why had these bastards come?

The newcomers were none other than forces from the Black Market of Jiangning City, drawn here by the news.

As martial artists, they had always looked down on underworld factions like the Black Market, but its strength was indeed far from insignificant.

No one knew whether they had come as enemies or allies.

"Hahaha, what a lively scene!"

The one-eyed man laughed loudly. "Xue Tu, you brat dared to kill people from our Black Market. Let's see where you can run today!"

"Heroes, Xue Tu is an enemy of ours. Please give the Black Market some face and leave this man for us to deal with, would you?"

As he spoke, his gaze suddenly flicked toward Jiang Yuan, who had just sheathed his sword in the midst of the field, and he frowned slightly.

If that old fellow had not caused such a huge commotion just now, he would not have planned to reveal himself so soon. He had only intended to sit back and reap the fisherman's profit.

But now, he had no choice but to show himself.

Any later, and he would not even get a sip of the soup!

"Black Market?"

Xue Tu's face darkened. "Hmph, I merely killed a few pieces of trash. So what?"

Previously, in order to cultivate an evil art, he had killed quite a few Black Market members and seized some treasures.

But he did not consider it a big deal.

They were just a bunch of underworld scum. Their reputation was hardly any better than that of the demonic sects.

So what if the black underworld devoured its own?

"Enough nonsense! Hand over your life!"

With a wave of the one-eyed man's hand, the Black Market forces rushed into the fray, hacking at anyone they saw!

At once, the three sides descended into a chaotic melee.

Jiang Yuan, standing in the field, furrowed his brow as well, growing ever more puzzled.

The Black Market?

Those people never rose early without profit. Could Xue Tu truly possess some extraordinary treasure?

The chaotic battle continued for roughly half an hour.

Though the Blood-Clad Cult held the advantage in numbers, the Azure Profound Sect and the Black Market forces were no weaklings. They had nearly slaughtered the Blood-Clad slaves to the last.

"Retreat!"

Seeing that the situation had turned unfavorable, Xue Tu could only order a retreat. He vanished into the woods and fled.

"Chase!"

Zhao You shouted and took the lead in pursuit.

The Black Market forces seemed unwilling to let the matter rest as well, and they all chased after him.

For a time, only the City Lord's Manor retainers, along with Guan Ling and Zhou Yun, remained at the scene.

The others hesitated.

They were only doing a job for money. Having barely escaped with their lives after falling into an ambush, they naturally had no wish to continue the pursuit.

Someone stepped before Guan Ling and cupped his hands. "Miss Guan, a desperate foe should not be pursued. We have all suffered considerable injuries, so today is not suitable for further pursuit."

"Yes, yes, so say we all!" the others echoed.

"Hmph, a bunch of cowards afraid of death!"

Zhou Yun snorted, his eyes full of disdain. "Junior Sister, I knew long ago that this bunch could not be relied upon. We should hurry and catch up with Senior Brother Zhao."

Guan Ling hesitated and looked at Jiang Yuan. "Old Mister Jiang, what about you?"

Jiang Yuan stroked his beard and said, "This old man used the Azure Lotus Sword Art for the first time just now and exerted too much force. My meridians are suffering some backlash at the moment, so I had best not pursue them."

"When one is old, one has no choice but to admit it."

Guan Ling nodded. Jiang Yuan's words were reasonable, so she cupped her hands and said, "Very well. Thank you, old sir, and all you seniors, for your assistance today. Guan Ling will remember it in her heart."

"Hehe, Miss Guan is too polite."

The others replied with smiles, though inwardly they breathed a sigh of relief.

They truly did not want to take any more risks.

After bidding farewell, Guan Ling and Zhou Yun also headed in the direction where Xue Tu and the others had disappeared.

"Ah, let's go as well."

Once the two had gone far away, the retainers sighed and departed one by one.

Watching the retreating backs of the crowd, a thoughtful glint flashed through Jiang Yuan's eyes. Yet his gaze suddenly settled on the temple that no one had paid any attention to all this time.