Ambush!

Jiang Yuan left.

It all happened very suddenly.

So suddenly that no one had time to react. Even the teahouse attendants had not known Jiang Yuan was leaving that day. He simply departed without a sound.

As usual, those patrons accustomed to listening to stories came to the teahouse, only to find no one before the storyteller's table.

"Eh, isn't Old Mister Jiang telling stories today?"

"Yeah, I still haven't had my fill of yesterday's part about the eight great sects besieging Bright Summit!"

"Don't you know? Old Mister Jiang has left!"

"Huh? Left?"

"Yeah, I heard he's gone off to roam the martial world."

"Tsk, tsk. Roaming the martial world at such an age—his final day must be near. He'll soon be riding a crane westward."

"Pah, pah, pah! Why are your words so venomous?"

"It's the truth. Old Mister Jiang is leaving at his age—where else do you think he could be going?"

"Ah, what a pity."

The teahouse patrons buzzed with discussion, astonished by Jiang Yuan's sudden departure.

Only one person watched Jiang Yuan's departing figure, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

"Tell Xue Tu. The man is leaving the city."

Jiang Yuan left Jiangning City and headed north along the official road.

After walking some seven or eight li, he reached the banks of the Clear Water River outside the city and abruptly stopped.

The surroundings were too quiet.

There were no bird calls, no insect chirps. Even the wind seemed especially muffled.

"You have followed me for so long. Aren't you tired?" Jiang Yuan suddenly asked flatly.

As his words fell, the reed marshes around them seemed to fall silent for a moment. Then came a rustling disturbance.

Before long, countless figures sprang from the reeds. All wore blood-red robes, encircling Jiang Yuan completely.

They were members of the Blood-Clad Cult.

"Old man, your senses are sharp."

At that moment, Xue Tu, the leader, stepped out from the crowd with a strange smile on his face.

Then Zhou Yun emerged from behind Xue Tu, his gaze upon Jiang Yuan filled with mockery.

"Old bastard, so you have a day like this too?"

Jiang Yuan glanced at him, then at Xue Tu. There was not the slightest hint of panic on his face.

"Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?"

Xue Tu sneered. "Old man, let's not beat around the bush. You were the one who tampered with my treasure vault first, weren't you?"

"Hand over the items, and I can spare your life."

Back when he had been fighting Zhao You and the others, he had noticed the battle on Jiang Yuan's side as well.

He had found it strange even then.

How could an old man possess such terrifying strength?

Now that he thought about it—

This old man must have deliberately concealed his strength, waiting until he and Zhao You's group had fought each other to mutual ruin before secretly plotting to seize his treasures!

What a cunning old bastard!

Jiang Yuan fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "You misunderstand. This old man does not know what you are talking about."

Xue Tu's expression darkened. "Old man, are you playing dumb with me?"

Zhou Yun sneered from the side. "Brother Xue, I told you this old bastard was sinister. Don't waste words on him. Just kill him."

Jiang Yuan looked deeply at Zhou Yun. He had not expected this fellow to deliberately stay behind simply to deal with him.

For that, he had even gone so far as to collude with Xue Tu like wolves in the same den.

What an upright and renowned sect!

Xue Tu shot Zhou Yun a glance, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes. What he hated most was people speaking to him in a commanding tone.

Who the hell did this Zhou Yun think he was?

He would kill him together with the old man afterward.

"Old man, I'll ask you one last time. Are you handing over the treasures or not?" Xue Tu asked coldly.

Jiang Yuan's expression did not change as he said calmly, "Young man, do not be so rude."

"You're courting death!"

Xue Tu waved his hand. "Get him!"

The instant the order was given, dozens of Blood-Clad Slaves lunged at Jiang Yuan at once. Blades and swords descended together, sealing every path of retreat. They clearly meant to leave him without even a corpse intact!

At that moment, both Xue Tu and Zhou Yun had already begun to sneer.

Yet in the next instant, a scene that shocked them unfolded.

Clang!

A dense barrage of metallic clashes rang out.

The blades and swords of the Blood-Clad Slaves struck Jiang Yuan's body in a flurry, yet they made crisp sounds as if they had hit refined iron!

And Jiang Yuan stood where he was, utterly unmoving!

Vajra Invulnerability!

Though this move lasted only a few seconds, it was enough for Jiang Yuan to withstand the deadliest blow.

"What?!"

Everyone was shocked at the sight.

No one had expected Jiang Yuan to withstand weapons with his bare body and emerge completely unscathed.

What kind of martial art was this?

The next moment, while everyone stood stunned—

Jiang Yuan moved!

With a sweep of the Evergreen Sword in his hand, vast true qi poured into it and transformed into sword qi that filled the sky!

Azure Lotus Sword Art!

The sword qi swept forth like a storm, whistling through the air with terrifying force.

"That move again!"

Xue Tu's eyelids twitched wildly. Once again, Jiang Yuan's powerful sword technique had intimidated him.

By his judgment—

The might of this move was enough to heavily injure an ordinary Meridian-Opening Realm martial artist head-on.

"Ahhh—"

Miserable screams immediately rang out one after another.

Within a few breaths, Jiang Yuan had slaughtered all several dozen Blood-Clad Slaves. Blood stained the riverbank red.

Xue Tu's expression changed completely.

Zhou Yun stumbled back several steps in fright, his face deathly pale.

"How... how is this possible?"

"This old bastard still isn't dead?"

Jiang Yuan sheathed his sword and looked down upon Xue Tu and Zhou Yun. His voice grew even deeper.

"Gentlemen, do you still wish to fight?"

Zhou Yun's expression changed dramatically. The thought of fleeing had already taken root in his mind, and he even began to regret coming here.

Who could have expected Jiang Yuan to be such a monster?

This was over. This old bastard would definitely not spare him!

He did not want to die.

"Don't panic!"

Xue Tu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart as he said, "Brother Zhou, this old man is somewhat strange. Let us attack together!"

"That invulnerable technique of yours, old man—you cannot use it many times, can you?"

Xue Tu glared viciously at Jiang Yuan.

After all, he was a Meridian-Opening Realm expert, and his eyesight was not poor. He had keenly noticed that Jiang Yuan's breathing had become heavy.

That meant the latter had expended a tremendous amount of energy!

Naturally. If such heaven-defying martial arts had no cost, martial artists across the world might as well bash their heads against walls and die.

"Y-Yes... it must be so!"

Zhou Yun came to his senses, his face lighting up with wild joy. "This old bastard must be at the end of his tether."

"Damn old bastard, you still tried to bluff me!"

"I want you dead!!!"

Zhou Yun roared. Whether from excessive fear or excitement, he charged forward headlong.

"This idiot!"

Xue Tu cursed inwardly, but he too drew his saber, unleashing the full strength of his Meridian-Opening Realm cultivation!

The two attacked Jiang Yuan from the left and right.

Facing the joint assault of these two, not to mention Jiang Yuan, even a true Meridian-Opening Realm expert would find it difficult to withstand.

There was one thing Xue Tu had guessed correctly.

Jiang Yuan's use of the Azure Lotus Sword Art and Vajra Invulnerability had indeed consumed a great deal of energy.

Moreover, Vajra Invulnerability could only be used once per day.

He could not delay any longer.

With that thought, Jiang Yuan slipped his left hand into his robes and quietly took out the Seven-Kill Sword Casket. Sword intent surged skyward!

With sword intent as the guide, the flying sword emerged!