Chapter 733: Eternal Heavenly Sword School
After making up his mind, the black-clad swordsman wanted to launch himself forward to delay Xiao Chen.
However, just at this moment, a saber appeared in Xiao Chen’s left hand. Then, he placed his right hand on the handle and tilted his body forward slightly.
Instantly, a boundless murderous intent poured out. The black-clad swordsman got the impression that numerous eyes in the air were looking coldly at him.
This sensation startled the black-clad swordsman. He quickly stopped himself, not daring to advance.
d.a.m.n! What is going on? That is obviously just a stance. Why did it frighten me this much? The black-clad swordsman’s eyes filled with fear as the desire to retreat bubbled up instinctively in his heart.
“Xiu!”
A saber light flashed, and the black-clad swordsman quickly tried to block with his sword. However, nothing landed on his sword. Xiao Chen appeared beside him, and blood spurted out. Xiao Chen had chopped off his left arm.
Pain flooded the black-clad swordsman’s brain. He cried out loudly and paled as he flew backwards, retreating continuously.
The four black-clad swordsmen lying on the ground could not understand what happened. They had seen everything clearly, and Xiao Chen’s attack seemed ordinary. Why did their leader not block it?
Xiao Chen had used the stance of the Azure Emperor’s Drawing the Saber in actual combat for the first time. The effects were pretty good.
Right now, the moment Xiao Chen drew his saber, he could s.h.i.+ft to sixteen different positions. When he faced a weaker opponent, he could defeat his opponent in an instant.
Situ Feng’s eyes opened wide as he watched this scene before him in disbelief. Unexpectedly, Xiao Chen could defeat an early-stage Medial Grade Martial Monarch so easily.
Where exactly did this person before me come from? I have never heard of such a powerful white-robed bladesman in Azure Peak City, no, in the Hunluo Province.
“Let’s go!”
Before Situ Feng could recover from his shock, he felt his body turn light and lift up. Xiao Chen had picked him up and flown away.
The wind roared in Situ Feng’s ears as they traveled quickly through the air. At this point, it was not a good time for him to clarify the doubts in his head.
Xiao Chen only made a slow descent after flying for a long time. When Situ Feng stood firmly on the ground, Situ Feng immediately said, “Many thanks to this friend for saving me. Might I ask what your great name is?”
After escaping death, Situ Feng could not help being in high spirits.
Typically, when Xiao Chen interacted with strangers, he remained alert and would keep his guard up. So he did not answer him but immediately repeated the question that Ao Jiao asked, “Where did you learn your Sword Techniques?”
This question somewhat stunned Situ Feng for a while before he reacted. Then he replied, “I learned my Sword Techniques at the Eternal Heavenly Sword School. I was once an outer sect disciple there. After failing to become an inner sect disciple several times, I returned to my clan in Azure Peak City.”
Eternal Heavenly Sword School… Within the Immortal Spirit Ring, Ao Jiao repeated this name twice. Her eyes filled with doubts.
What are the origins of this person’s Sword Techniques? Why did you ask me to save him after seeing it? Xiao Chen asked curiously.
Ao Jiao replied softly, That is a Sword Technique that Sang Mu comprehended himself—the Thunder Light Fleeing Shadows Sword. However, he had never taught it to outsiders. I’m just curious about how he learned it.
Naturally, Situ Feng could not hear the conversation between the two. After bandaging up his wounds, he looked at Xiao Chen and said, “Friend, by saving me, you have probably offended the Liu Clan. How about you return to the Situ Clan with me?”
“Is the Liu Clan powerful?” Xiao Chen asked interestedly.
Situ Feng had forgotten that Xiao Chen did not come from these parts. So he explained some of the local affairs in detail to Xiao Chen.
This part of the Savage Beast Forest was very close to Hunluo Province. The nearest city to this place would be Azure Peak City, a midsize city in Hunluo Province.
There were two major factions in this city—the Liu Clan and the Situ Clan. These two clans were like water and fire, having fought each other for many years already.
The Clan Heads of the two clans were half-Sages. Although they had fought for many years, their strengths were about equal. Neither could triumph over the other.
Since the Clan Head was only a half-Sage, Xiao Chen relaxed. He rejected the invitation and said, “There is no need. I’ll see you up to the periphery of the forest and will leave from there.”
Situ Feng said in shock, “Their Clan Head is currently in this Savage Beast Forest. If they discover you, it would be hard for you to escape death.”
In Situ Feng’s opinion, although Xiao Chen was strong, he could only have the combat prowess of a late-stage Superior Grade Martial Monarch at best. If Xiao Chen had to face a peak late-stage Superior Grade Martial Monarch, things would not go well.
Situ Feng believed that if Xiao Chen met with a half-Sage, he would not stand a chance, that Xiao Chen’s only hope lay in relying on his Situ Clan.
Xiao Chen shook his head to reject Situ Feng’s invitation. This person still had not mentioned why the Liu Clan’s people chased after him. Evidently, this person did not trust him.
At this moment, this repeated invitation had the obvious purpose of recruiting Xiao Chen, trying to use the potential conflict between him and the Liu Clan to bring him to the Situ Clan’s side.
Seeing his invitation rejected so many times, Situ Feng turned indifferent, and he did not press any further.
“We have arrived. Take care of yourself.”
After leaving the inner area of the Savage Beast Forest, Xiao Chen checked the surroundings. After finding no danger, he planned to depart.
Situ Feng looked around, and a thought occurred to him. He said, “Friend, actually, there is a stronghold of the Situ Clan not far away. How about escorting me there? At that time, our Clan Head will thank you greatly.
“Right now, my injuries have not completely healed yet. Any Spirit Beast would be able to kill me. I will only be safe after reaching the stronghold.”
Situ Feng had already sent a messenger bird to the Situ Clan with the information he discovered. The Clan Head would no doubt make a move and bring all the experts over.
At that time, when the Situ Clan warred with the Liu Clan, an additional helping hand would mean better odds. Xiao Chen’s strength made him worth roping in.
If Situ Feng could accomplish this, then taking into account the earlier contribution as well, the Clan Head would reward him heavily.
Xiao Chen thought for a moment and said, “That is fine. Lead the way, then. It is just a little bit more walking.”
Situ Feng rejoiced in his heart and quickly took the lead, heading to the Situ Clan’s stronghold.
The two traveled quickly in the dense forest. Spirit Beasts appeared occasionally. However, Xiao Chen’s aura scared these away, so they did not encounter any delay at all.
Soon, a heavily guarded mountain stronghold appeared before the two. Two Situ Clan cultivators leaped down from a tree.
Situ Feng revealed a smile and rushed forward. Then, he whispered a few words. The two cultivators gave Xiao Chen a meaningful glance before going into the stronghold.
After Xiao Chen saw this, he did not want to waste any more time. He said, “I’ll be taking my leave, then. You are already safe here.”
“Friend, don’t be in a rush to leave!”
Seeing that Xiao Chen still wanted to go, Situ Feng grabbed his wrist and said somewhat anxiously, “The Clan Head will be coming out immediately. There will be a big reward for you.”
With a faint frown, Xiao Chen moved his body lightly, shaking off Situ Feng.
“Haha, this friend must be the young hero who killed the Liu Clan cultivators!”
Carefree laughter resounded. Many cultivators of the stronghold gathered around a stern, gray-robed old man who quickly headed for Xiao Chen.
Situ Feng revealed joy on his face as he rushed over to the gray-robed old man and whispered a few words.
As the gray-robed old man looked at Xiao Chen, his expression became increasingly graver. He waved his hand, motioning Situ Feng to step back.
The gray-robed old man stepped forward and said in a generous tone, “This little brother does not seem familiar to me. You must be from somewhere else. Speak, what rewards do you want? After saving my Situ Clan’s people, I, Situ Lei, will not mistreat you.”
However, Xiao Chen noticed that the Situ Clan experts behind the gray-robed old man had fanned out into an extremely exquisite troop formation.
Should Xiao Chen make any strange moves, this group of people could promptly seal off his escape route, surround him, and kill him right away.
Xiao Chen’s expression did not change as he held his Lunar Shadow Saber in his left hand. Then, he took a casual step forward and took a wondrous stance.
All the cultivators who had fanned out immediately felt that Xiao Chen was staring at them. However, he was clearly only one man with one pair of eyes.
Xiao Chen’s stance seemed extremely unusual as if he could draw his saber in an instant and chop down everyone here.
“Old sir is right. I am indeed not from here. I am merely pa.s.sing through, and saving him was just a matter of convenience. There is no need for any reward.”
Xiao Chen’s color remained even. He did not feel any nervousness when facing the half-Sage Situ Lei.
A boundless light gleamed in the depths of Situ Lei’s cold eyes as he tried to see through this white-robed bladesman in front of him.
This brat is undeniably only a peak Medial Grade Martial Monarch. Why is he so composed before this old man? What kind of trump cards does he have to make him so confident?
Situ Lei did not show any dissatisfaction on his face. He smiled and said, “Young hero is of n.o.ble character and unquestionable integrity. This old man respects that. Since you do not need any reward, how about you come in and have a drink? No matter what, we have to have a good chat at least.”
Situ Lei was indeed a wily old fox. Compared to that impatient and coa.r.s.e baby, Situ Feng, he completely hid his intentions. The contrast looked laughable.
Xiao Chen performed a cupped-fist salute and replied, “There is no need. I am currently in a rush, so I will take my leave first!”
When Situ Lei heard this, his expression did not change much. He smiled faintly and said, “Very well. We will not see you off, then.”
However, Situ Lei formed a particular gesture with the hand behind his back—the signal to kill—to the cultivators around.
Once he completed the gesture, all the Situ Clan cultivators would attack Xiao Chen without showing any mercy.
Xiao Chen caught the actions of this old man distinctly. Before Situ Lei could finish his gesture, Xiao Chen took the initiative to make the first move.
As Xiao Chen pulled back his hands from the cupped-fist salute, he abruptly placed his right hand on the saber’s handle and completed the stance for the Azure Emperor’s Drawing the Saber.
All the fanned-out cultivators felt as though a saber light flew towards them.
“Weng!”
The ten-odd people quickly drew their weapons and dodged to the left or right. The perfect encirclement became an utter mess.
Xiao Chen relaxed his hand and withdrew his killing Qi. Then, his lips curled up in a smile. “My apologies, old sir. That was just a joke. Please don’t take it for real. I guess that the gesture old sir is making behind his back is also meant to be a joke.”
Situ Lei had not completed his gesture yet, but such a thing happened. He could not help being considerably startled, although his expression did not change.
He quickly withdrew his hand and extended it towards Xiao Chen as though nothing had happened. He laughed loudly and said, “You are indeed an outstanding youth. Little brother’s courage is admirable.”
Xiao Chen took two steps back and then calmly turned around, departing leisurely from the unfriendly gazes of the group of Superior Grade Martial Monarchs.
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One kilometer later, Xiao Chen revealed an expression that acknowledged his close call. The situation earlier had honestly been exceedingly suspenseful.
One half-Sage, several Superior Grade Martial Monarchs, and numerous Medial Grade and Inferior Grade Martial Monarchs. If they had really fought, Xiao Chen would have had to pay a disastrous price to escape.