Instant Kill, Conspiracy

"Buzz..."

With the Four Symbols Sword Array activated, the wind and clouds changed color.

The Inner Force of the four Half-step Innate experts merged through the array, transforming into a visible green vortex that completely enveloped Lu Shaoyou, horse and all.

Sword energy crisscrossed, sharp and unparalleled, slicing the air with "chi chi" explosive sounds. The sand and stones on the ground were swept up and instantly ground into powder.

The martial artists, watching from a distance, felt a sharp aura rush towards them, making their skin ache as if countless small knives were scraping their faces. They all changed color in terror and retreated further.

"It's the Qingcheng Sword Sect's Four Symbols Sword Array! Legend has it that this formation is exquisitely crafted, and with the combined efforts of four people, it can kill Xiantian realm cultivators!"

"Lu Shaoyou is in trouble now! No matter how strong he is, he's still just one person!"

"The Four Swords of Qingcheng live up to their name! This is the true foundation of a prestigious sect!"

The crowd murmured, their gazes towards the center of the action filled with awe and anticipation.

However, Lu Shaoyou, at the heart of the sword array, showed no change in his expression.

He didn't even reach for the Qi Mei Cudgel hanging from his saddle. He simply sat on his horse, looking at the rapidly spinning sword light around him with amusement, as if watching a juggling act.

A moment later, he seemed to grow tired of it and lightly shook his head.

"All flash, no substance. Easily broken."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the whistling sword energy and reached the ears of the Four Swords of Qingcheng.

"Arrogant!"

Chu Yan, known for his fiery temper, roared and made the first move.

"Green Dragon Probes Claw!"

He flicked his long sword, and the sword light surged, transforming into a green dragon shadow that pounced towards Lu Shaoyou's chest with bared fangs and claws.

At the same time, the other three attacked in unison.

"White Tiger Carries Corpse!"

"Vermilion Bird Shakes Wings!"

"Black Tortoise Pushes Path!"

Three equally sharp sword lights, from the other three directions, sealed off all of Lu Shaoyou's escape routes. The four symbols attacked in unison, their killing intent fully displayed, determined to strike him dead in one blow!

Facing an attack that would make any expert below the Xiantian realm despair, Lu Shaoyou finally moved.

He didn't dodge, nor did he block.

He simply raised his right hand slowly.

It was a very ordinary hand, with slender fingers and well-defined knuckles.

But as he raised it, his fingers curled slightly, like eagle claws, or perhaps dragon forms. A faint, almost invisible golden glow surrounded his fingertips.

Secret Technique, Dragon Claw Hand!

"Ding!"

A crisp sound, so faint it was almost inaudible.

Lu Shaoyou casually extended two fingers and precisely clamped the tip of Chu Yan's thunderous sword.

The ferocious sword energy, capable of shattering stone, vanished without a trace the moment it touched his fingertips, like a mud ox entering the sea.

The smug smile on Chu Yan's face froze instantly, his pupils contracting sharply, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He felt as if his sword had struck an ancient divine mountain. No matter how he channeled his Inner Force, he couldn't advance another inch.

"You..."

He had just uttered one word.

Lu Shaoyou's two fingers, which were clamping the sword tip, twisted slightly.

"Crack!"

The treasure sword, sharp enough to cut iron like mud, snapped in two!

Chu Yan felt an irresistible, terrifying force travel back through the broken sword. His tiger's mouth instantly split, blood spraying wildly. He was struck as if by lightning and sent flying backward.

Lu Shaoyou didn't even glance at him. With a backhand wave, the broken sword tip in his hand transformed into a cold light faster than lightning.

"Pfft!"

Chu Yan, flying through the air, had a bloody hole appear in the center of his forehead. Without even a groan, he completely lost his life.

[Slaughter Value +2000 points.]

One move broke the formation, one person killed!

This scene, which happened in the blink of an eye, made the remaining three's hearts turn to ice!

"Junior brother!"

"This is impossible!"

The pride and confidence in the hearts of Xiao Yi, Qin Feng, and Wei Shan were shattered at this moment, replaced by endless fear.

Their proud Four Symbols Sword Array was as fragile as a joke before the opponent!

"Retreat!"

Xiao Yi made a decisive call, letting out a sharp roar.

However, it was already too late.

Lu Shaoyou's figure flickered slightly on his horse, then vanished from his original spot like a phantom.

Lingbo Weibu!

The next instant, he appeared before Qin Feng.

Qin Feng was terrified. Without thinking, he parried with his sword.

Lu Shaoyou ignored him, his Dragon Claw Hand reaching out, arriving first, and grabbed Qin Feng's throat.

"Crack!"

A crisp bone-cracking sound rang out.

Qin Feng's head lolled at an odd angle.

[Slaughter Value +2000 points.]

Wei Shan's soul nearly fled his body from fright, turning to flee.

But as soon as he turned, he felt a chill down his back. A palm had already landed on his vest.

"Boom!"

Pale golden Xiantian true energy surged in, instantly destroying all his meridians and internal organs.

Wei Shan's body stiffened, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and he toppled forward rigidly.

[Slaughter Value +2000 points.]

In the blink of an eye, only Xiao Yi, the leader, remained of the Four Swords of Qingcheng.

He stood dazed on the spot, looking at the corpses of his three junior brothers, his body trembling like a sieve.

"Devil... You... You're a devil!"

He finally understood. The rumors hadn't exaggerated; they had far underestimated the terror of the young man before him!

This wasn't Xiantian, this was a god or a demon!

Lu Shaoyou's figure appeared silently before him, looking down at him from above.

"My master is True Man Songyue, the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sword Sect! He is a Xiantian mid-stage expert! If you kill me, he will never let you go!"

Under the threat of death, Xiao Yi brought out his biggest backing.

Lu Shaoyou's expression was blank. He simply raised a finger and pointed at Xiao Yi's brow.

"So what?"

"Puff."

Xiao Yi's threat abruptly ceased. The last spark of life in his eyes extinguished completely.

[Slaughter Value +2000 points.]

The wind blew across the official road again.

But this time, it wasn't sand and stones being kicked up, but a thick scent of blood.

The Four Swords of Qingcheng, four young talents renowned throughout Qingzhou, had all turned into four cold corpses.

In the distance, the observing martial artists were completely numb.

Their minds were blank; they could no longer think.

They instinctively remembered that golden dragon claw that seemed capable of crushing everything, and that terrifying finger that could decide life and death with a gentle touch.

They also finally understood one thing.

The fifty thousand taels of silver from the Blood Saber Sect weren't a bounty; it was a murder-for-hire! It was bait thrown by Xue Yutang to eliminate rivals and, at the same time, test Lu Shaoyou's depth!

The Four Swords of Qingcheng were the first batch of foolish pawns to be used.

Lingshui City, Giant Whale Gang headquarters.

An urgent dispatch was delivered to Li Changge and Wei Tuo.

"Gang Leader, something's happened!" After reading the dispatch, Wei Tuo's face turned extremely grim. "The Four Swords of Qingcheng intercepted Lu Shaoyou on the official road, and... and they were all slain by Lu Shaoyou!"

Li Changge's pupils also constricted.

"Xue Yutang's methods are ruthless!" He instantly figured out the connection. "He's using Lu Shaoyou's hand to eliminate the future of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, and then using the Qingcheng Sword Sect's fury to push Lu Shaoyou completely into opposition with the entire Qingzhou martial arts world!"

Wei Tuo said urgently, "Precisely! Gang Leader, this is a sequential trap! Lu Shaoyou killed the Four Swords of Qingcheng, and True Man Songyue, the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, will definitely not let it go! We must immediately warn Lu Shaoyou, let him know that the Soul Severing Cliff in Blazing Fire City is a complete trap!"

This time, Wei Tuo's tone was exceptionally firm.

Lu Shaoyou's blade was too fast, and too sharp.

If he were to fall to Xue Yutang's schemes and tricks like this, it would be a huge loss for their Giant Whale Gang.

Li Changge's fingers tapped rapidly on the tabletop, lost in thought.

Offering an olive branch to Lu Shaoyou meant taking on the risk of being simultaneously antagonized by the Blood Saber Sect and the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

But if he did nothing, and simply watched him fall into a trap…

Wei Tuo, seeing Li Changge's indecision, gritted his teeth and added more weight to his plea: "Leader! While this man's methods are brutal, he isn't unreasonable."

"Black Wind Village, Xiong Jiaojiao – he only killed those who deserved it."

"The Black Wind Seven Fiends and the Four Swords of Qingcheng provoked him first; they brought their deaths upon themselves."

"He's a fierce tiger. As long as we don't provoke him, his fangs will only turn towards our enemies!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changge finally stopped tapping his fingers, a flicker of resolve flashing in his eyes.

"Good!" he said sternly. "We'll take the gamble!"

"Deploy our fastest 'Flying Fish' spies. Before Lu Shaoyou reaches Blazing Fire City, ensure they deliver all information regarding Xue Yutang's scheme and True Man Songyue! Let him know that the appointment at Soul Severing Cliff is intended to paint him as a public enemy of the martial world!"

"Yes!" Wei Tuo was overjoyed and immediately accepted the command before leaving.

Blood Saber Sect, Blood Saber Peak.

Xue Yutang sat enthroned in the main hall, idly playing with a carrier pigeon in his hand.

A scout had just reported that the Four Swords of Qingcheng had been annihilated.

Upon hearing this news, Xue Yutang showed no surprise. Instead, a strange, cruel smile spread across his face.

"Trash, they were always trash," he muttered to himself. He then took out a pre-written letter from his robes and inserted it into the bamboo tube attached to the pigeon's leg.

The letter, written with a bleeding heart, was filled with sincere emotion.

He walked to the front of the hall and released his hand.

The pigeon spread its wings and soared, flying rapidly towards the direction of Qingcheng Mountain.

"Lu Shaoyou, Lu Shaoyou, the more you kill, the faster you die."

Xue Yutang watched the distant pigeon, the smile on his lips growing colder.

His plan had only just begun.