Translator: CinderTL
This was an independent secret realm!
Moreover, it was one of the Hundred Saints Secret Realms, making its value immeasurable.
Consider Endless Central City, for example, or this ghost city!
The value of either was beyond calculation.
"If this treasure falls into our hands, our four families can explore it together," Fang Qingge reiterated his promise.
Jiang Yan's expression twisted wildly before he gritted his teeth and strode resolutely toward Fang Qingge.
The Family Elder behind him ceased his protests and silently followed.
When the potential reward was great enough, taking risks was only natural.
Besides, the Jiang Family of Southern Heaven Valley was no small clan. Even if they failed in their bid, the demonic sect wouldn't dare exterminate them completely, lest they incur the Jiang Family's eternal enmity.
Xu Sanyan watched calmly, making no move to intervene. The Jiang Family was insignificant; their presence or absence made little difference.
The situation on the field had completely shifted. Numerically, Fang Qingge's side clearly outnumbered the others, boasting over a hundred members, nearly half of whom were from the Wei Clan.
In contrast, Xu Sanyan, Qi Liang, and Tu Wanshan's combined forces numbered fewer than fifty. Yet their aura was entirely different.
Xu Sanyan remained composed, while Fang Qingge's face was grim.
This was because Fang Qingge's strength had been severely compromised. He knew he stood no chance against the combined might of the demonic sect's three holy sons.
"If you know what's good for you, withdraw now and spare yourselves further bloodshed," Qi Liang said slowly, drawing his longsword and fixing his gaze on Fang Qingge.
Fang Qingge shook his head. This treasure was of paramount importance; he would fight for it no matter what.
"Then let's dispense with the pleasantries and attack!"
Xu Sanyan stomped his foot, his figure shooting toward the gray, misty fruit like an arrow released from a bow.
"Stop him!" Fang Qingge shouted in alarm.
Wei Xunzhi flicked her wrists, unleashing a swarm of venomous insects that swarmed toward Xu Sanyan, their mandibles snapping and claws slashing.
Jiang Yan gritted his teeth. The memory of Xu Sanyan severing his arms was still vivid, and a flicker of fear rose in his heart. Yet he forced himself to swing his longsword, a razor-sharp blade of light tearing through the air toward Xu Sanyan.
"Hmph!"
Xu Sanyan's gaze swept over them, his eyes filled with disdain. "Mere parlor tricks," he sneered. "In my prime, these two wouldn't last three moves against me." Even with his spiritual power depleted by more than half, he still didn't consider them a threat.
His hand clenched into a fist, and a pitch-black great halberd materialized. With a flick of his wrist, the venomous insects were instantly cleaved in two, and the sword light vanished without a trace.
Qi Liang and Tu Wanshan moved simultaneously, but instead of attacking Fang Qingge, they also lunged toward the fruit.
"Quick, stop them!"
Fang Qingge flicked his fingers, sending his longsword soaring into the air. His fingers, now shaped like a blade, pointed directly at Xu Sanyan, who stood at the forefront. "Go!"
Whoosh—
The Jade Clarity Longsword streaked through the air like a jade dragon, leaving a shimmering trail in its wake.
Clang!
A flash of dark light erupted as the great halberd swung in a wide arc, perfectly deflecting the longsword.
Fortunately, the impact momentarily halted Xu Sanyan's advance, giving Jiang Yan and Wei Xunzhi the opportunity to close in.
A savage glint flashed in Xu Sanyan's eyes as he abruptly turned to glare at the pair.
In that instant, a tidal wave of fear crashed through Jiang Yan's heart. Being targeted by those eyes felt like a mortal facing a tiger—the overwhelming pressure made his limbs tremble.
Wei Xunzhi's hair stood on end, and she dared not move forward.
Fang Qingge gritted his teeth in frustration. Two useless cowards! If you're too scared to fight, why rush in so quickly? Were you just trying to scare Xu Sanyan?
"Hmph!"
Xu Sanyan snorted coldly, his figure blurring as he reached the fruit in a single stride.
"Junior Brother, why not let Senior Brother safeguard it for you?" Qi Liang's voice echoed from behind, his tone dripping with avarice.
The alliance between the three was as fragile as thin paper, utterly devoid of trust.
"Senior Brother? You're not worthy!"
Xu Sanyan's gaze turned icy. He trusted no one with this treasure; only in his own hands would it be safe.
"Get lost!"
Seeing Qi Liang, Tu Wanshan, and the others still closing in, Xu Sanyan's brow furrowed. A torrent of overwhelming spiritual energy erupted from him, sweeping across the entire area in an instant.
A chill of fear gripped Qi Liang's heart, and he abruptly halted in his tracks.
This level of power...
It's beyond anything I can contend with!
Xu Sanyan, clutching the fruit in one hand, swept his gaze across the crowd. "This belongs to me. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to try and take it, but don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
As he spoke, his aura fully unfurled, revealing his cultivation level: the Initial Stage of the Soul Refining Realm.
Fang Qingge sighed inwardly. Back when Xu Sanyan was merely at the Mid Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm, he had already held his own against their four-person team. Now that he had broken through to Soul Refinement, his power had multiplied beyond measure. Even if everyone present joined forces, they would likely struggle to restrain him.
The arena fell into an instant hush. All eyes remained fixed on Xu Sanyan, yet no one dared to make the first move.
None had anticipated that Xu Sanyan, fresh from a major battle, would still possess such reserves of strength. His confident demeanor suggested he held a decisive advantage.
Tu Wanshan's gaze shifted. Truthfully, it mattered little which of the three held the fruit, as it would ultimately end up in the hands of his father, Venerable He Yu. After all, they would need to board his father's flying boat to return to the sect. By then...
Tu Wanshan chuckled coldly to himself. All he needed to ensure was that Fang Qingge didn't seize the fruit.
He slowly opened his mouth, "Instead of fighting Senior Brother Xu for his fruit, why not just take..."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the direction Jingyi had left, his meaning clear.
Qi Liang paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. Xu Sanyan had already broken through to the Soul Refinement Realm, making a direct confrontation unwise. If that was the case, why not target the fruit in Jingyi's possession?
Jingyi hadn't reached the Soul Refinement Realm yet...
"Let's go!"
Qi Liang knew there was no hope of claiming the fruit from Xu Sanyan. It was better to try their luck with Jingyi's.
As for their earlier promise...
It was just a joke anyway. Even Jingyi hadn't taken it seriously. In the end, everything would come down to strength.
Fang Qingge watched Qi Liang lead his group away, hesitation flickering in his eyes. In the end, he remained where he was.
After all, he still had over a hundred men behind him, while Xu Sanyan, no matter how strong, was just one person.
Moreover, with Qi Liang's departure, only about thirty men remained behind Xu Sanyan.
Fang Qingge pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Brother Xu, how about we make a bet? If you win, I'll stop contesting the fruit. If you lose, you hand it over. What do you say?"
"Hahahaha... A wager? The item is already in my hands. Why would I wager with you?" Xu Sanyan roared with laughter, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Do you truly believe these chickens and dogs can force me to yield?"
"Brother Xu, aren't you being a bit overconfident?" Fang Qingge replied.
Fang Qingge was reluctant to fight Xu Sanyan. He couldn't gauge how much of Xu Sanyan's strength remained, and with his Soul Refining Realm cultivation level, Xu Sanyan could likely escape if he truly wanted to.
"Since you insist, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
A sudden flush rose on Fang Qingge's face as he forcibly circulated his spiritual power. The Jade Clarity Longsword floated above his head, humming resonantly.
"Attack! This item must never fall into the hands of the demonic sect!"
As Fang Qingge moved, the crowd surged forward behind him.
"Hahahaha..."
Xu Sanyan threw his head back and laughed heartily, then abruptly ceased, his face twisting into a ferocious grimace.
"I've been too merciful all this time. Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant you your wish!"
Since entering the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, he hadn't truly unleashed his killing intent.
It seemed today, his great halberd would be drenched in blood!
(End of the Chapter)
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