Bai Xifeng let out a cold laugh. "That will depend on just how capable you truly are."
"If you insist on courting death, then we can only oblige. Attack!"
Four cultivators struck at once.
Three were at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and one at the late stage.
In the one-armed elder's left hand, he gripped a willow branch. As he swung it, it moved like a divine dragon wagging its tail, yet each motion carried incomparably sharp sword qi. Every move was flawless. Even facing four opponents alone, there were no signs of imminent defeat in the short term.
Moreover, during the fight, he deliberately created tremendous noise, clearly intending to draw attention to the commotion here.
These demonic cultivators conducting the siege ultimately could not stand in the light. If the orthodox sects within the Nine Nether Forbidden Land discovered them, they would only encounter even greater trouble.
After 5 or 6 exchanges without achieving their objective, the two other late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators lurking in the shadows could no longer hold back. Seizing an opportunity, they joined the battle.
They too were disguised, wearing masks forged from special materials to conceal their identities—but in truth—
It was completely useless!
Because the natal mystic weapons and spirit beasts of these two were far too conspicuous.
One controlled a golden blade over 1 zhang in length, while the other rode a Mysterious Body realm spirit beast Wu, holding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade radiating purple-gold light.
They were unmistakably Jiang Shang, City Lord of Ronghua City, and the Eighth Prince Zhao Xun of Northern Yang Dao in the Song Dynasty.
The two attacked from left and right, launching a fierce strike at the one-armed elder.
Already somewhat strained, Bai Xifeng now suddenly had to face two additional opponents of the same realm. No matter how refined and formidable his martial prowess, he ultimately found it difficult to withstand.
"Old bastard, die!!!"
The Eighth Prince Zhao Xun descended from the sky atop his mount, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade falling as though from beyond the firmament.
Pressed for time, Bai Xifeng hastily activated a talisman at his back, unfolding a defensive barrier behind his heart.
"Boom—!"
The Green Dragon Crescent Blade crashed down.
The defensive barrier shattered into fragments. Bai Xifeng spat out a mouthful of blood and lost his balance, crashing violently into the waters of Night Spring Pool, sending up waves more than 1 zhang high.
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Soaked through, the one-armed elder staggered to his feet by the pool's edge. Looking at the crowd rapidly closing in again, he spoke with a grim smile, "Zhao Lao Ba, Jiang Shang—you two truly have mixed yourselves with the Seven Kill Sect. Are you not afraid your superior sect will learn of this?"
"My Great Song court may form alliances with whomever it pleases. Why must we explain ourselves to others?!" Zhao Xun narrowed his eyes, gripping his long blade. "This is your last chance. Hand over the item, and we can all be happy. There will be no need to fight to the death."
"Zhao Lao Ba."
After catching his breath briefly, the one-armed elder straightened once more, his voice suddenly turning cold and murderous. "Have you not considered why, knowing full well that the news was deliberately spread by you, I still came alone?"
"What are you saying?"
An inexplicable chill tightened Zhao Xun's heart. The Wu beneath him seemed to sense danger and grew restless.
"Be careful!"
The leader of the demonic cultivators shouted.
They saw—
The one-armed elder discarded the already tattered willow branch and reached toward the Storage Bag at his waist.
In an instant, a tempest surged!
A force like the collapse of heaven erupted outward from the Bai family's ancestor as the center, lifting the pool water and even the vegetation from the ground by the roots, wreaking havoc in all directions.
Looking closely, one could see a 3-foot-long brown wooden sword. It bore almost no signs of elaborate refinement; its crude appearance resembled a toy carved by a village child. Yet within it resided an incomparably terrifying power. Even from dozens of steps away, one could sense its danger.
"Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Shaking Willow?!"
Cao Dongjun, Hall Master of the Seven Kill Sect, recognized its origin at a glance. Beneath his mask, shock spread across his face.
The Spirit-Shaking Willow was an exceptional material of wind and thunder attributes. Not only were the mystic weapons forged from it immensely powerful, but they could also inflict damage upon divine sense!
Items capable of targeting divine sense had always been exceedingly rare.
The Spirit-Shaking Willow was no exception.
A 500-year Spirit-Shaking Willow was sufficient to forge a middle-grade second-tier mystic weapon. At 1,000 years, it could produce an upper-grade second-tier mystic weapon. At over 3,000 years, it could be crafted into a lower-grade magical treasure suitable for Golden Core cultivators. And if it surpassed 10,000 years, the magical treasure forged from it would be so formidable that even Golden Core cultivators would retreat in fear!
And at this moment, the wooden sword Bai Xifeng had drawn out was precisely forged from a Spirit-Shaking Willow!
"Excellent!"
Behind his mask, Zhao Xun's pupils gleamed. "So this is what grows from that ancient treasure? Bai Xifeng, Bai Xifeng—must your Bai family truly squander heavenly treasures? Do you know what it means to possess virtue unworthy of one's treasure?!"
"Well said."
Bai Xifeng's beard and hair flew wildly. Holding the Thunder-Rushing Sword forged from Spirit-Shaking Willow, he rose into the air, speaking word by word, his voice booming like thunder: "I have only recently understood this principle myself. Therefore, I have already prepared to hand this treasure over to another—but unfortunately, not to you!"
"You wish!!!"
The Eighth Prince roared with bloodshot eyes, "Do not be afraid! Even if it is a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Shaking Willow, with his crippled body and realm, he cannot possibly unleash the true power of a magical treasure. At most, he can only attack by relying on the Spirit-Shaking Willow's original essence!"
No matter what magical treasure it was, it required a cultivator to wield it in order to display its true might.
It was not as though an ancient broken treasure falling into the hands of a 3-year-old child would allow that child to battle immortals. It still required a cultivator of the corresponding realm to drive it.
Yet by the same logic, even a 3-year-old child swinging a piece of scrap metal versus a divine weapon would produce completely different destructive power.
"…"
Chen Sanshi slowly lowered the Purple Thunder Bow he had raised.
Perhaps his help would not be needed after all.
And moreover…
Looking at the heavenly treasure before him, to nurture it to 10,000 years would likely require consuming the entire half-bottle of Divine Wood Spirit Liquid he had seen before.
But there absolutely was not enough time.
Even forced maturation required time. Otherwise, the Bai clan would not have needed to hold internal assessments every few years to exchange for the qualification to open Jing Shen.
Unless the other half of the spirit liquid that had been consumed earlier had all been used in advance to cultivate the Spirit-Shaking Willow wood—but that did not make sense either.
If that were the case, where had the Bai family's resources over the years come from?
Two possibilities.
First, the Bai family possessed a large additional supply of Nine-Colored Divine Wood Spirit Liquid.
Second, Chen Sanshi's earlier judgment was correct—the item the Bai family had been hiding all along was not Divine Wood Spirit Liquid at all, but something else entirely, which merely happened to also be capable of nurturing heavenly treasures, achieving a similar effect through different means.
Combining the dialogue and what he had witnessed, the latter possibility was clearly more likely.
When the Bai family spoke of preparing to present the treasure to another, they likely meant the Qingxu Sect.
Chen Sanshi did not act rashly and continued observing in secret.
Bai Xifeng raised the Thunder-Rushing Sword high. It was as though a divine willow that had grown for 10,000 years unfurled above his head. Every willow strand released brilliant azure spiritual light, dancing wildly amid the storm, resembling countless bolts of lightning surging and roiling.
With a single swing of his one arm, thousands upon thousands of willow strands transformed into rumbling thunder descending from above!
"Boom—!"
How could Zhao Xun and the others dare to take it head-on? They each unleashed their most powerful escape techniques, scattering in all directions. Yet even so, they could not completely avoid being caught in the aftermath.
Within the sweeping storm, Jiang Shang spun through the air like a top, blasted back more than 100 zhang before embedding his over-1-zhang golden blade into the ground to brace himself, barely stabilizing his body.
The Wu beneath the Eighth Prince Zhao Xun was struck by several storm-laden bolts of thunder and died on the spot. Zhao Xun himself spat out a mist of blood, crashing against the broken stone stele of Night Spring Pool, unable to rise for a long while.
Cao Dongjun, Hall Master of the Seven Kill Sect, activated several defensive mystic weapons before himself, barely avoiding injury, yet he no longer dared to approach recklessly.
As for the rest, two early-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators were killed on the spot!
"Graveside bones!"
Zhao Xun forced himself to his feet with a ferocious expression, wiping the blood from his mouth with his sleeve. "Do not panic! Use the formation to hold him back. He cannot last much longer!"
"Activate the formation!!!"
…
One blood-red iron chain after another burst from the ground, flying toward the one-armed elder like venomous serpents filling the sky.
Under the night sky, the Thunder-Rushing Sword swept through the air. Azure lightning within the storm crushed and destroyed all evil in its path.
A second-tier formation could not harm Bai Xifeng while he wielded the Ten-Thousand-Year willow wood. But he himself was already like a candle flickering in the wind—how could he endure prolonged activation of a magical treasure?
With each swing of the Thunder-Rushing Sword, the one-armed elder's speed visibly slowed. Later on, after every strike, he had to swallow pills and gasp for breath.
Even so, not a single person could force their way close!
"Bai Xifeng!"
Zhao Xun shouted sharply, "You have extended your life multiple times with heavenly treasures. Your lifespan has long reached its limit. Today you are grievously wounded as well—how much longer can you live?!
"What are you still persisting for?
"Even if you escape with the Golden Essence Clay Embryo, you will absolutely have no chance of forging a Golden Body!"
"Zhao Lao Ba, no need to rush. Before I die, I will drag you down with me!"
"Ah—!"
Bai Xifeng threw back his head and roared. Once more, he burned his essence blood to drive the Ten-Thousand-Year Thunder-Rushing Sword. With a single thrust toward the heavens, it was like a horned golden dragon soaring skyward.
"Boom—!"
After a violent tremor shook heaven and earth, the formation the demonic cultivators had set up in advance tore open with a massive gap, no longer able to trap anyone within.
The Wind Breathing Method was a rare martial technique capable of flight at the True Force Realm.
Stepping onto the Thunder-Rushing Sword, Bai Xifeng transformed almost into a bolt of lightning. In the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace.
All disturbances abruptly ceased. Around Night Spring Pool, nothing remained but broken wood strewn everywhere, corpses, and shattered mystic weapons.
No one gave chase.
"Hiss—"
The Eighth Prince Zhao Xun clutched his chest, repeatedly drawing in sharp breaths. Trembling, he sat down on the ground. After swallowing medicinal pills, he began regulating his breathing on the spot.
Jiang Shang let out a cold snort. "That old bastard truly had a trump card in hand! Fortunately, Hall Master Cao had prepared in advance and laid such a layered scheme. What follows should be foolproof."
Cao Dongjun clasped his hands behind his back, merely gazing in the direction where the elder had departed, saying nothing.
"Heh…"
Zhao Xun opened his eyes again and sneered. "Bai Xifeng would never have imagined that we already knew we couldn't keep him here. We let him go on purpose. Once he leaves, half the grand plan is accomplished."
"Indeed."
Jiang Shang said angrily, "If not for that group of fools from the Shengyun Sect suddenly running to Northern Yang Dao, why would this matter have required so much trouble? Going in circles, in the end it was all just to hold back Shouzhongzi!"
"Someone is coming."
Cao Dongjun looked into the distance. "The scheme has succeeded. It is not suitable to remain here long."
"Go!"
"Buzz—"
All manner of flying mystic weapons appeared as they departed one after another.
"On purpose?"
From the scattered remarks, Chen Sanshi grasped the key information.
These people—
Had intentionally delivered the Golden Essence Clay Embryo into the Bai family ancestor's hands?!
Could it be that something was wrong with the Golden Essence Clay Embryo?
Chen Sanshi suddenly recalled that the Golden Essence Clay Embryo had appeared only after the demonic cultivators used some special object as bait to lure it out.
That meant they were extremely familiar with it, and very likely had tampered with it beforehand.
He had no evidence for this speculation, but once he returned, he could at least remind the Bai family to be vigilant.
Chen Sanshi no longer remained hidden. Using an earth-escape talisman, he left the area, then disguised himself as a wandering rogue cultivator coming to watch the excitement and returned toward Night Spring Pool along the original path.
The earlier commotion had been enormous. At least dozens of people were converging here.
"What happened?!"
"Another treasure must have appeared!"
…
Chen Sanshi had already altered his appearance beforehand, so there was no need to worry about exposure. He deliberately approached the front, hoping to encounter a few sect disciples.
He had already gathered the main resources he needed. Next, it was time to deal with the matter of the Guiyuan Sect.
Sure enough.
Disciples from the Shengyun Sect, the Guiyuan Sect, and several other sects arrived one after another, speaking in unison with regret.
"The last time something appeared nearby, it was the Demon Locust Tree Heart. Just now, it must have been some third-tier treasure!"
"We came too late!"
"If we had known, we shouldn't have left after searching during the day."
"Don't you agree, Junior Brother Wang Jun?"
"Senior Brother speaks correctly."
Wang Jun replied respectfully, "But whether we obtain it is our fortune; whether we lose it is our fate. There is no need to be disheartened. There are still many unexplored places in this secret realm. There will surely be more treasures."
"Well said."
Zhang Jinchen nodded. "In that case, let's go quickly. Those wild dogs from the Guiyuan Sect move fast. They've already gathered quite a few good things this time. We mustn't let them get ahead again."
Not long after the Shengyun Sect disciples left, those from Lingji Cavern and the Guiyuan Sect arrived as well.
To ensure safety by declaring their identities, these people wore their sect's specially made battle robes, making them easy to recognize.
"Senior Brother Liu Feng, look! When we came during the day, the pool here was clearly dry. How did it become like this at night?"
"It seems we missed a treasure."
Liu Feng shook his head and sighed.
"Then forget it," a fellow disciple said. "Let's go join Senior Brother Xu and Senior Brother Qian."
"Very well."
The two Guiyuan Sect disciples also chose to leave.
Chen Sanshi silently followed behind them, intending to trace the vine to find the location of the Guiyuan Sect's main group.
After walking several li, a sandstorm with the power equivalent to a first-tier formation suddenly swept through the forbidden land.
Such occurrences were common here.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Liu Feng suddenly changed direction, quietly shaking off his fellow sect disciples. Alone, he arrived outside a cave over 100 zhang away and bent down to pull up a spiritual plant with 800 years of medicinal age.
"Finally got it! Luckily he didn't see!"
Sect disciples enjoyed the protection of their sects, but naturally at a cost.
Any treasure obtained in the secret realm had to be "taxed" at a certain proportion, or even directly reclaimed.
This Guiyuan Sect disciple named Liu Feng was clearly planning to secretly pocket some spiritual plants.
Chen Sanshi did not miss this opportunity. Standing 1 li away, he drew his bow and nocked a flying sword. The bowstring released—the flying sword shot forth with perfect precision, piercing through the cultivator's throat. True Force ravaged his vitality. Without even time to let out a scream, he collapsed lifeless to the ground.
Chen Sanshi stepped forward and, comparing with Liu Feng's appearance, altered his own face to match.