Chapter 228 - 226: Flabbergasted Qi Nan

Luo Tian hadn’t been using his full strength. He was using the two leaders of the Black Death Bandits to put pressure on himself and hone his Spirit Sea Vortex.

Now, he had achieved his goal.

SHINK!

A brilliant arc of Sword Light, like a radiant river, surged forward, stirring up a roiling tide of chilling mist and exuding a hint of the vast and boundless Great Trend of the Sword Way.

For this sword strike, Luo Tian did not use Sword Intent, but he activated the power of his Nether Dragon Divine Vein!

This allowed the Middle Level Ice Rune inside the Ice Trace Sword to unleash even greater power. A chilling aura spread in all directions, plunging the surroundings into a harsh winter.

"That sword strike is dangerous! Fall back!"

The Dragon Leader shouted to the brawny woman.

Luo Tian’s sword strike was aimed directly at the brawny woman.

"What a terrifying sword strike!"

The brawny woman sensed a mortal danger and quickly retreated.

But Luo Tian’s sword strike was swift and powerful. Before it even landed, a terrifying coldness rushed over like an avalanche.

The brawny woman’s entire body was covered in a layer of frost, and her speed suddenly dropped by about thirty percent.

The next instant, that brilliant sword strike fell!

"No!"

The brawny woman let out a blood-curdling scream.

SLASH!

The brilliant, star-river-like tide of frigid Sword Light engulfed the brawny woman. A Sword Mark appeared between her eyebrows and split down the length of her body.

THUD!

The brawny woman’s body, split in two, fell to the ground.

The Dragon Leader, who was off to the side, was not the main target of the attack, but he was still hit by the Sword Qi and cold aura. He was forced back several steps, a layer of frost forming on his arms and long spear.

"You bastard, you actually killed her!"

The Dragon Leader looked at the brawny woman’s corpse, his face ashen, and cursed loudly.

The two leaders had joined forces, yet one of them was killed, and their enemy was only at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer.

This made the Dragon Leader feel utterly humiliated.

"Don’t worry, you’re next!"

Luo Tian’s expression was calm.

Just now, without using Sword Intent, he had killed a Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer expert in one blow. This was all due to the upgrade of his weapon.

If he had used Sword Intent, he might have even been able to kill someone at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer.

A chill ran through the Dragon Leader’s body and soul, and he felt a faint sense of danger.

’What kind of joke is this? I’m a dignified expert at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer. How could I possibly be killed by this brat!’

"What arrogance!"

The Dragon Leader shouted coldly. The Cyan Patterned Long Spear in his hand transformed into a venomous, swift viper, striking with incredible agility.

CLANG!

Luo Tian swung his sword, precisely intercepting the Dragon Leader’s attack.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

The Ice Trace Sword shimmered with a crystalline light as he stabbed forward repeatedly, the Sword Light exceptionally sharp.

"What profound and powerful Swordsmanship."

The Dragon Leader said in shock.

After ten moves, in a direct confrontation, he was almost completely suppressed by Luo Tian, forced to switch from offense to defense.

"This is an Earth Level Sword Technique."

In the midst of battle, Luo Tian was even in the mood to chat with the Dragon Leader.

"An Earth Level Sword Technique!"

The Dragon Leader’s heart trembled, filled with immense envy.

For rogue Martial Artists like them, they could only rely on their own abilities to obtain Martial Arts Skills and Techniques. Earth Level Sword Techniques were basically in the hands of the top Holy Mansions of various nations, almost completely out of their reach.

But the Dragon Leader soon realized something was wrong.

The power of Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship was gradually increasing.

Seeing Luo Tian completely immersed in his Swordsmanship, the Dragon Leader had a sudden realization.

’This brat is using me for sword practice!’

And he was right.

Luo Tian was currently using moves from the "Yunxiao Sword Technique," but they weren’t the ultimate techniques.

First, he’d honed his Cultivation, and now he was honing his Swordsmanship. Luo Tian was fully demonstrating the meaning of "making the best use of everything."

"You damnable little thief!"

The Dragon Leader was furious and frustrated, but there was nothing he could do about Luo Tian.

Once again, Luo Tian wasn’t fighting with his full strength, yet he was gradually forcing the Dragon Leader into a desperate situation, inflicting minor wounds on him from time to time.

"Retreat!"

The Dragon Leader roared, mounted his mutated Black-Maned Horse, and turned to flee.

’I have to retreat!’

This brat was simply too monstrous, too terrifying.

Luo Tian hadn’t used any finishing moves, nor had he seriously injured the Dragon Leader. But as time went on, the sense of danger the Dragon Leader felt grew stronger and stronger, even making him think of death!

SWOOSH!

Suddenly, a beam of Sword Light shot out, carrying a sharp momentum that seemed as if it could pierce the clouds.

SHINK!

The Dragon Leader took a sword to the abdomen, a hole pierced through him, and a cold chill invaded his internal organs.

"Since you won’t be my training partner, there’s no need for mercy!"

Luo Tian said coldly.

The Dragon Leader’s pupils shrank as fear spread through him.

’This kid’s Earth Level Sword Technique... it’s actually this terrifying!’

GALLOP! GALLOP! GALLOP!

The mutated Black-Maned Horse galloped wildly, carrying the heavily injured Dragon Leader away.

"Run! Retreat!"

The few remaining survivors of the Black Death Bandits also fled immediately.

With one leader dead and the strongest, the Dragon Leader, heavily wounded, the entire Black Death Bandits faced the danger of being wiped out.

"After them!"

Luo Tian ordered decisively.

The Black Death Bandits had to be eliminated. At the very least, the Dragon Leader had to be killed, otherwise they would have a chance to rise again.

"Kill!"

The other Yunxiao Sect disciples felt exhilarated, their spirits high.

Fortunately, there were still plenty of horses in the camp. Everyone mounted the Black-Maned Horses and gave chase to the Black Death Bandits.

A hundred meters away, Qi Nan and Yu Muling rushed out.

"We’ll team up with the Black Death Bandits. As soon as Luo Tian is dead, we retreat immediately!"

Qi Nan, dressed in black to hide his identity, had finally made his decision.

He had originally thought that the two leaders of the Black Death Bandits would be able to kill Luo Tian.

The result was far beyond his expectations.

’Luo Tian’s strength... it’s actually reached this level.’

However, Qi Nan was still confident he could kill Luo Tian, especially if he teamed up with Yu Muling and the Black Death Bandits.

It was just that teaming up with the Black Death Bandits required more caution. He absolutely could not expose his identity.

This was also why they hadn’t acted from the start.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, Qi Nan did not want to join forces with the Black Death Bandits to murder a fellow Yunxiao Sect disciple!

...

「On the Tianye Plain.」

Two groups galloped across the plain, one chasing, one fleeing.

"Black Death Bandits, where do you think you’re going!?"

"You’ve robbed over a dozen merchant caravans, not only taking their goods but also slaughtering everyone to silence them! Today is the day you die!"

Several Yunxiao Sect disciples shouted.

"Heh heh, if you have the guts, then keep on chasing."

A sinister smile crept onto the Dragon Leader’s lips.

The Black Death Bandits’ strength had surged in the last half-year. The secret behind this was unknown to outsiders.

Even if some people guessed, they only assumed that the Black Death Bandits had unearthed some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

But what was the real situation?

The Black Death Bandits had met an expert. It was only under this expert’s guidance that their cultivation and strength had soared so quickly.

And now, they were fleeing toward that expert’s residence.

’As long as Luo Tian’s squad dares to follow, they will surely die!’

But just then, two people in black appeared from the side, also riding the Black Death Bandits’ Black-Maned Horses.

’Who are these two?’

Not only were the Black Death Bandits confused, but Luo Tian and the other Yunxiao Sect disciples also found it strange.

"Heh heh, members of the Black Death Bandits! Are you interested in joining forces to kill this group of Yunxiao Sect disciples!"

Qi Nan transmitted his voice secretly.

"Who are you?"

The Dragon Leader’s brow furrowed.

"You only need to know that we have a common enemy!"

Qi Nan said with a laugh.

He couldn’t believe the Black Death Bandits would refuse to cooperate when facing such a desperate situation.

"Is that so?"

The Dragon Leader deliberately didn’t answer, continuing to flee for his life.

He felt a powerful threat from Qi Nan. His intuition told him that this person was even stronger than Luo Tian.

’What if, after we team up, the man in black decides to silence me by killing me? I’d be no match for him.’

Therefore, the Dragon Leader was unwilling to cooperate with this mysterious person who had suddenly appeared. He put more faith in the expert backing him.

’He won’t agree?’

Qi Nan wasn’t stupid; he could see that the Dragon Leader was refusing to cooperate, which he couldn’t understand.

’If you team up with me, you can destroy the Luo Tian Squad. Why the fuck are you refusing?’ Qi Nan’s mood grew agitated.

"My cultivation is at Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer! If we join forces, we can definitely annihilate the squad chasing you!"

Qi Nan, feeling helpless, revealed his cultivation level.

"Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer?"

The Dragon Leader was terrified, but he still had no intention of cooperating!

’We’re almost at the expert’s residence. Team up my ass!’

’When the expert makes his move, even you, a Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer, will have to submit!’

Behind them, many of the new disciples were puzzled by the appearance of the two people in black. Were they friend or foe?

"Luo Tian, that black-clothed leader seems very strong, at least stronger than the Dragon Leader!"

Ke Yuexuan reminded him.

Based on her intuition, these two people in black were more likely enemies.

"I know!"

Luo Tian’s face was calm, and he even showed a smile of sudden understanding.

Ke Yuexuan’s brow furrowed slightly.

’What did Luo Tian figure out?’

She looked around but didn’t notice anything, her gaze returning to Luo Tian, filled with confusion.

From the moment she met Luo Tian until now, she had never seen him flustered. It seemed he had a solution for any situation he faced.

’What a profound and unfathomable person!’

At this moment, of the three parties present, Qi Nan was in the most awkward position, unsure of what to do.

He didn’t know what was wrong with these Black Death Bandits. To refuse to team up with him in a situation like this...

’Is my carefully laid plan going to end in failure?’

Suddenly, the Dragon Leader and the other Black Death Bandits changed direction and charged toward a nearby cliff face.

’A group suicide?’

Of course not. When the Dragon Leader and his men crashed into the cliff, they suddenly vanished.

Ripples surged across the surface of the cliff, and a circular opening more than two meters in diameter faintly appeared before vanishing in an instant.

"A Concealing Array!"

Qi Nan’s expression froze, and he and Yu Muling came to a halt.

’Is this cave the Black Death Bandits’ hideout? Or some kind of mysterious place?’

Considering the Black Death Bandits’ explosive increase in strength over the past six months, it was highly likely that there were treasures or an inheritance left behind by some powerful expert inside.

It might even be the Black Death Bandits’ main lair, where all the goods they’d plundered were stored!

Qi Nan was instantly tempted!

He even considered temporarily giving up on murdering Luo Tian to plunder the treasures inside first!

WHOA!

The pursuing Luo Tian Squad also reined in their horses, stopping outside the cliff wall that hid a Grotto Heaven, not daring to rush in rashly.

The rest of the squad stared warily at the two people in black.

But just then, Luo Tian suddenly spoke, "Brother Qi, shall we go in and take a look together?"

’Brother Qi?’

Ke Yuexuan, Yuwen Xuan, and the other new disciples were all stunned.

’Does Brother Qi mean Qi Nan?’

’Why would Luo Tian suddenly call out to Brother Qi?’

But the two masked figures in black standing nearby suddenly widened their eyes, completely dumbfounded!