Swords Drawn!

Another three days passed in the blink of an eye. Even the most thick-nerved people could clearly sense the increasingly oppressive atmosphere in the city.

Recently, many unfamiliar faces had appeared in the city. Every inn was filled with outsiders. In ordinary times, these people would have been regarded as fat sheep by the local "gold diggers," but now, few dared to set their sights on them.

Quite a few people knew exactly why they had come. However, ever since those two Five-Star Great Dou Masters had been beaten to death in the street by that fiend three days ago, no one had dared to seek trouble with him again.

Even the people living near that fiend had moved out completely, terrified of being dragged into the mess for no reason.

That day, a Dou Zhe who had been keeping watch on the location of Mu Chen's courtyard stared in shock as five people in white robes patterned with clouds strode through the streets. All of them radiated sharp, powerful auras, and without saying a word, they headed toward the courtyard that had already lost its gate and walls.

Their undisguised actions left countless onlookers astonished. Someone asked in confusion, "Who are these people? They seem to belong to the same faction. They're coming in so aggressively—they probably aren't here for anything good."

"They're unfamiliar, but it's very likely that some of the Empire's major factions have made a move. Naturally, once a heavenly treasure like a Heavenly Flame appears, it can stir up the winds and clouds across the world. Even though its authenticity hasn't been confirmed yet, those important figures won't miss such an opportunity. That fiend is probably finished this time."

An old Dou Master could not help sighing.

"That's right. Even from so far away, I can feel the pressure those five are giving off. They should all be Great Dou Masters."

Hearing that, someone gasped. "Five Great Dou Masters dispatched at once! There can't be many factions in the entire Jia Ma Empire capable of such extravagance, right? The force behind them must at least have a Dou Wang-level expert overseeing it."

The moment the words "Dou Wang" were spoken, the entire street fell into deathly silence.

No matter where they went, a Dou Wang possessed an incomparably terrifying deterrent. They were usually elusive figures, seen only in glimpses. At the very least, no one in Stone Desert City had ever seen an expert at the Dou Wang level.

They were practically legendary existences. Someone had secretly counted them before: throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire, there might not even be twenty Dou Wangs in total. Every one of them was a renowned top-tier expert.

Even the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect, those two colossal powers standing at the peak of the Empire, would never dare look down on a Dou Wang.

"Tsk, tsk. Over this period, the fiend's name has nearly spread throughout the entire eastern region. Now, it's finally about to come to an end."

Someone said gleefully.

"He can be considered an unprecedented genius. Even compared to someone like the Misty Cloud Sect Young Master, he wouldn't fall far short."

"Unfortunately, a genius who hasn't grown up is still only a genius. The path from genius to powerhouse is filled with far too many uncertainties. It's all too easy to die young."

Others were amazed by the powerful combat strength Mu Chen had displayed and spoke with regretful expressions.

Almost the moment those five ill-looking men in white entered within a hundred meters, Mu Chen, who had been cultivating by drawing in the energy of heaven and earth within the courtyard, opened his eyes.

Mu Chen frowned. He could vaguely sense a lingering, bloodthirsty aura around each of the newcomers. His brow immediately furrowed tightly, and he looked back worriedly at the closed door. Qing Lin should still be cultivating at this time.

Mu Chen could not determine whether these five strangers had come for him or Qing Lin. If it was the former, that was fine—he even thought there were not enough of them. But if it was the latter, things would be troublesome. Once a fight broke out, if the five split into two groups, it would give Mu Chen a massive headache.

Mu Chen did not believe the newcomers had come with good intentions. He had only been in this world for a short time and had almost no dealings with outsiders. Thus, the identity of the people gradually approaching outside was obvious.

Five enemies! Every one of them feels no weaker than Rob, and one of them is even giving me a faint sense of pressure. He's probably at least a high-level Great Dou Master.

Damn it. If I want to win this time, it looks like I'll have to reveal some of my trump cards.

But that's fine. There hasn't been any "wool" to fleece lately, and there are only seven days left before the deadline to activate the mission. Once I finish this job, it'll be time to run.

A dangerous glint flashed through Mu Chen's eyes. He stood up and brushed the corner of his clothes, his expression somewhat grim. Without turning around, he simply shouted into the air, "Little Qing Lin, stay inside. Don't come out."

Clang! Clang!

Mu Chen raised both swords, shifting his feet slightly as he assumed a combat stance. The sunlight reflecting off the blades shone directly onto the faces of the five people slowly approaching him.

The two Ink Shadow Swords slowly lowered. The scorching wind rushing toward them struck the sharp blades, producing a string of icy, bone-chilling sword cries.

The leader of the five was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties or fifties. His features were utterly ordinary, the sort that would disappear into a crowd and never be found again.

A savage sword scar ran diagonally from his left forehead to his right jaw. His nose, which had been split apart, seemed to have been treated with medicinal pills. Though the two halves had been pressed tightly back together, it still looked deeply unnatural.

His hands were covered in thick calluses. Mu Chen's gaze lingered on them for a long time as he silently judged him to be a formidable opponent, likely above the level of a Seven-Star Great Dou Master.

His gaze shifted to the other four, who were much younger. Their auras were roughly on par with Rob's, hovering around the level of four- or five-star Great Dou Masters.

The scar-faced middle-aged man studied Mu Chen's formidable aura with mild surprise. His attention first fell on the sharp swords in Mu Chen's hands. At a glance, they were clearly exceptionally sharp weapons.

Although he was somewhat surprised that Mu Chen possessed such divine weapons, the middle-aged man was well-traveled. Those two swords might be sharp, but they did not even have Magic Cores embedded in them. They were probably nothing special.

"A Seven-Star Dou Master? Kid, with just this little strength, how did you kill a Great Dou Master?" The scar-faced man frowned, clearly highly skeptical of Mu Chen's remarkable record.

"Forget it. I have no interest in listening to your glorious deeds. Be sensible and come with us." The scar-faced man glanced at Mu Chen, contempt flashing through his eyes as he spoke in an almost commanding tone.

Whether Mu Chen possessed the strength of a Great Dou Master or not, he had absolute confidence that he could easily crush him. That confidence came from his peak Great Dou Master strength.

If not for the severe injuries he had suffered during an unexpected encounter while traveling, he would have already advanced to the Dou Ling realm with his foundation.

"Tch. I was tense for nothing. So you came for me." Mu Chen smiled and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Since these people were targeting him, he no longer needed to worry about them splitting up from the start. Moreover, judging by the scar-faced man's disdainful expression, he clearly did not take Mu Chen seriously.

An enemy's contempt was his opportunity.

Seeing that Mu Chen remained unmoved, the scar-faced man's expression immediately darkened. Then he sneered viciously. "Looks like you don't intend to cooperate. Fine. The Grand Elder ordered us to bring you back, but he never said we had to treat you politely.

"You young people are always so full of yourselves. You have to be beaten to your knees before you cast aside that so-called pride of a genius.

"You use swords? I hate sword users the most. Then break this brat's arms and beat him into a dead dog. Keep him alive, then bring him back." The scar-faced man touched the sword scar on his face and spoke viciously.

Hearing that, the four people standing to the scar-faced man's left and right looked at one another. In the end, the one on the far left stepped forward with a savage grin.

He gave the expressionless Mu Chen a disdainful look and shook his head mockingly. "The information says you aren't even twenty years old. To possess the strength of a Seven-Star Dou Master at such a young age, you truly are a rare genius.

"I heard you have a Heavenly Flame with you, but that is probably just a rumor. What kind of violently terrifying spiritual treasure is a Heavenly Flame? How could a mere Dou Master like you possibly subdue one?

"Kid, you're definitely going to suffer. If you know what's good for you, chop off your own hands. Otherwise, when it's my turn to act, I won't mind taking off your legs as well."