Having wiped out the pirates, Li Hao stepped into the empty air and flew onward.
In the distance, he could already faintly make out several clusters of light.
***
At that moment, a grim, frigid look covered the Bright Light Sword's face. After fleeing for an entire day, she had still been intercepted. More and more experts were converging here, and this time, she was afraid she was thoroughly finished.
Did she regret it?
There was nothing to regret.
If she had any regrets at all, it was likely that her strength still was not formidable enough, she had not killed enough people to strike true terror into their hearts, and... Silver Moon was simply too far away!
She gripped her longsword, still sheathed.
Light energy radiated outward. Her body had long been soaked in blood—both her own and her enemies'.
"Bright Light Sword, hand over the Wind-Chasing Boots!" someone shouted coldly. "We have no desire to kill you! Hand over the Wind-Chasing Boots, and you can settle your feud with the Xu family on your own!"
Indeed, they had come solely for the treasure.
As for killing the Bright Light Sword, that was the Xu family's business.
The Bright Light Sword was clearly on her last legs, yet in such a state, these Silver Moon martial masters remained exceedingly difficult to handle, easily capable of dragging several experts down with them in a desperate counterattack.
Reaching the Rising Light level had not come easily for anyone.
No one wanted to be dragged into the abyss by this old witch.
When the Bright Light Sword advanced, they retreated.
Yet they refused to leave, dogging her relentlessly like a pack of hyenas. The moment the Bright Light Sword revealed a fatal flaw, they would seize the opening to strike.
No one was willing to mount a frontal assault!
From every direction, more and more experts continued to gather.
Some wore masks, others cloaks, and some were clad in armor just like Li Hao, concealing their faces.
Many of them were obscuring their identities.
They were wary of the Xu family, wary of one another, and just as wary of Silver Moon...
Silver Moon martial masters tended to stick together when outside their homeland.
They might fight among themselves back home, but once outside, they often joined hands with one accord. Killing the Bright Light Sword might provoke retaliation from other Silver Moon martial masters. In the past, of course, no one would have cared.
Now, however, more and more Silver Moon martial masters were stepping into the world and displaying their prowess, which was terrifyingly potent.
***
In the distance, Li Hao arrived.
He saw it all—the Bright Light Sword surrounded in the center, encircled on all sides by powerful experts.
Right now, whenever the Bright Light Sword took a step forward, these people took a step back.
Yet none of them were willing to leave.
If this continued, the Bright Light Sword was certain to perish.
Li Hao had already spotted the light cluster belonging to the Bright Light Sword. It was chaotic and disordered—the severe backlash caused by severing her supernatural locks during an all-out eruption. At this moment, energy from her broken supernatural locks was running rampant, triggering supernatural eruptions that she was desperately suppressing by force...
Without even a closer look, he knew her internal state was an utter disaster, tangled and discordant.
Of course, there was also a distinct energy that seemed to be shielding her and striving to mend the damage. Unfortunately, it was futile, producing little effect. From the look of it, that was her light energy.
Li Hao did not draw near.
He swept his gaze across the surroundings and let out a gentle breath.
*Impressive!*
In the vicinity, there were a staggering fourteen large light clusters, representing fourteen Rising Light experts. Moreover, the weakest among them possessed mid Rising Light cultivation, and two of the light clusters were even slightly dazzling!
Li Hao compared the brilliance of these light clusters. They were nearly on par with the four great demons—definitely stronger than the giant serpent, though perhaps not quite as formidable as the other three great demons.
They were likely in the metamorphosis phase as well, just not as physically imposing as the demon race.
They had undoubtedly surpassed peak Rising Light!
*Two in the Rising Light metamorphosis phase, four likely at the peak, six in the late stage, and only two in the mid stage...*
Li Hao's teeth ached with frustration. The arrogance he had felt moments ago vanished completely.
*Are you kidding me?!*
*Where did all these experts come from?*
He had thought that having a few Rising Light pursuers was already an impressive lineup. Good heavens, this was not just a handful—the top experts of the surrounding region had all converged here! Had the distance not been so vast, even more would likely have come.
*Was all this really necessary?*
*The Wind-Chasing Boots are merely one of the heirloom weapons of the Eight Great Families. Why didn't so many experts come looking for trouble with me?*
After a moment, Li Hao grew thoughtful.
Perhaps... they were still wary of Silver Moon.
Though Silver Moon's old schemers rarely revealed their hands, it did not mean people were unaware of their power. Hou Xiaochen was proof of that. So while those figures had not openly stepped forward to shield Li Hao, it was undeniable that Silver Moon's shadow was the reason he was still safe and sound today.
First Yuan Shuo, then Hou Xiaochen, and now Li Hao himself was far from weak. With Silver Moon backing him, no truly formidable experts had dared to seek him out within Silver Moon territory.
The stronger one was, the more acutely one understood the peril of Silver Moon.
*Fourteen Rising Light experts...*
Li Hao had a headache. These were only the ones encircling the area; who knew if even more experts were lurking farther away?
Silently, Li Hao slipped into the depths of the ocean.
Having acted brazenly just now, he was better off keeping a low profile for the moment.
As a martial master, concealing his presence was easy.
Had the Bright Light Sword not severed her supernatural locks, she could easily have hidden as well. Unfortunately, with her energy radiating chaotically, she could not escape detection no matter where she hid.
Deep beneath the waves, Li Hao rapidly pondered how to rescue her.
Though there were many experts, Li Hao was no longer the weakling he once had been.
Fear was out of the question.
He had seen plenty of experts in the metamorphosis phase. Hou Xiaochen and his peers were among them, while Earth-Overturning Sword and Southern Fist had both exceeded the Rising Light level when unsealed. Inside Battle Heaven City, the awakened Silver-tier warriors all possessed metamorphosis-level power, and the Gold-tier fighters were terrifying beyond measure.
Having witnessed all of that, Li Hao's horizon was incomparably broader than before.
He swiftly calculated. Right now, the best course was for the Bright Light Sword to recover. Once healed, her fearsome strength would easily allow her to match those peak Rising Light and metamorphosis-phase figures.
As for the late and mid stages, there were eight of them in total. Black Panther could handle one without issue, and Li Hao would have no trouble dispatching a mid-stage opponent...
Yet that was still far from enough.
Of course, all of this was predicated on the Bright Light Sword recovering.
Otherwise, everything was idle talk.
Combat power was not merely a contest of numbers; once momentum flared and the Bright Light Sword recovered, how would these people dare trade life-and-death blows with her?
*If I dive beneath the sea, I wonder if I can get close to her...*
Waiting in the water, Li Hao peered into the distance. However, beneath the Bright Light Sword's feet lurked another supernatural—a late Rising Light water-type expert. That was another reason why she had not plunged into the sea.
Someone was guarding the waters as well.
*Too many experts...*
The crux was his inability to help the Bright Light Sword regain her combat power, which remained an enormous obstacle.
Just then, a voice rang in Li Hao's ear. "She looks like she can barely hold on. I'll make a move."
Li Hao, who had felt fully confident, indeed possessed strong backing.
Yet hearing these words, his brows knit slightly as he transmitted back, "You, alone...? There are so many Rising Light experts, including those in the metamorphosis phase, and this might not even be all of them. The Bright Light Sword is half-crippled right now. If you strike... you'll either have to kill them all, or there will be endless trouble later."
"What if I try unsealing myself?"
"Martial Uncle, aren't you afraid of wasting divine energy stones?"
"We are all Silver Moon martial masters, fellow members of the Seven Swords. In the vastness of Silver Moon, I'm the only one with some free time right now. The fellows in the Central Region are too far away. Thinking it over, I'm the only one who can step in..."
Yes, Hong Yitang.
With Li Hao's cautious nature, knowing that many experts would arrive, how could he have come without any preparation?
Long before leaving the ruin, when he was within a thousand li of the Sword Gate, he had sent a message to Hong Yitang. His original intention had been to have Hong Yitang tag along to protect him, but now Hong Yitang actually wanted to intervene.
The reason was simple: they were both Silver Moon martial masters.
When out in the wider world, seeing the Bright Light Sword in trouble, he, as the Earth-Overturning Sword, could not bear to sit idly by.
"Martial Uncle, if you unseal yourself as well... Given the Bright Light Sword's condition, if I have to help her while helping you... setting aside the immense consumption, we might not even have enough time!"
If Hong Yitang unsealed himself on top of the Bright Light Sword's condition, the situation would be far more troublesome than the time with Southern Fist.
The Bright Light Sword was in terrible shape!
Hong Yitang transmitted again, "Let it be troublesome, then. Li Hao, Silver Moon isn't large, and we don't have many martial masters. You might not feel it deeply right now, but once you reach the Central Region in the future, you'll understand. When you're out in the world, your fellow countrymen are the most reliable. At least when you truly run into trouble, there will still be Silver Moon martial masters willing to stand up for you... That is precisely why Silver Moon martial masters have such a renowned name.
"Otherwise, if everyone fought alone, no matter how strong a Silver Moon martial master was, two fists couldn't beat four hands.
"Charging those fellows a fee was completely justified; they had it coming. As for the Bright Light Sword... some grievances don't need to be reconciled. If you can't stand her, let your teacher settle it with her later... But right now, we still have to save her. If you save her today, then in the future when you find yourself in danger, a great many Silver Moon martial masters will come to your rescue!
"I'll draw their attention first while you look for an opportunity to take her away... If you can treat her injuries, do it as quickly as possible. Don't worry about me for now; heal whatever you can."
Li Hao furrowed his brows.
There was nothing wrong with Hong Yitang wanting to intervene, but given the circumstances, if Hong Yitang unsealed himself, Li Hao truly could not guarantee he could swiftly suppress the violent energy backlash in both of them at once. Furthermore, this place was fraught with danger.
A bigger fish might still be hiding in the shadows.
Moreover, Hong Yitang was not his subordinate. Coming here had not merely been for Li Hao's sake; the moment he learned the Bright Light Sword was in peril, he had already resolved to come.
Li Hao had simply provided him with the intelligence along the way.
While Li Hao was still deep in thought, waves began to churn violently upon the ocean's surface.
***
Just as despair was beginning to set in for the Bright Light Sword, her expression suddenly shifted.
At the same time, several concealed experts turned to look in one direction.
In the distance, a man holding a longsword was walking across the surging waves.
Hong Yitang had made no effort to hide his identity.
He strode forward openly and casually. Someone seemed to recognize him, their eyes flickering as a cold voice echoed out, "The Earth-Overturning Sword, Hong Yitang?"
A Silver Moon martial master had arrived?
In an instant, many turned to scan the surroundings, yet they saw only Hong Yitang alone.
Hong Yitang smiled faintly. "The Silver Moon Seven Swords may not see eye to eye with one another, but for you people to use numbers to bully the few, ganging up on a woman—don't you think that's a bit much?"
"A bit much?" someone sneered.
The Earth-Overturning Sword had come... How laughable.
Had it been the Sky Sword, everyone might have felt some trepidation. But the one who had come was merely the Earth-Overturning Sword—a fellow who had been crippled long ago. What was there to fear?
"They always say Silver Moon martial masters are bizarre, fighting tooth and nail amongst themselves, yet remarkably united once outside—the fiercest and most pugnacious in all the land... Today, my eyes have truly been opened. It really is so. To think that while no one else dared to come, you, the Earth-Overturning Sword, actually showed up..."
At this moment, the Earth-Overturning Sword drew the attention of many.
The Bright Light Sword looked on with a complicated expression. She glanced around once more and, seeing no sign of Li Hao, felt even more conflicted.
The Earth-Overturning Sword was here, but his presence might not change anything.
She would rather have seen Li Hao.
Unfortunately, she also knew what kind of person Li Hao was. After she had threatened him last time, waiting in Silver Moon to treat her was already the utmost limit of what could be expected of him. Why would he risk his life to come here?
As for the Earth-Overturning Sword rushing over, she was surprised, yet not entirely so.
At times, Silver Moon martial masters were a contradictory bunch.
Sometimes they fought each other to the death, but the moment a third party intervened, they would join hands to kill the enemy. Once the enemy was dead, they would resume their own duel.
These people attached the name 'Silver Moon' before 'martial master' to distinguish themselves from martial masters of other regions. It represented their pride—the pride of a martial master. *We are Silver Moon martial masters!*
Perhaps this was the faith of a Silver Moon martial master.
Silver Moon martial masters, peerless under heaven.
"Hong Yitang..." The Bright Light Sword coughed repeatedly, blood spilling from her lips. "Where is Southern Fist?"
"He went back to the Central Region."
Hong Yitang gave a slight smile and added, "No other way around it; only I could come. The others either couldn't be reached or couldn't leave. Look at you, though... what a pathetic state!"
"I'll manage."
The Bright Light Sword smiled as well—not a radiant grin, but the weary, haggard smile of an old crone.
Right at that instant, a surging wave swept toward them!
*Bang!* It exploded right in front of Hong Yitang.
Yet Hong Yitang did not even glance at it. With a light flick of his sword, the churning waves settled, returning to absolute stillness. He looked toward the attacker. "You don't truly think I'm merely at Three Suns, do you?"
Hong Yitang chuckled. "If you believe a water wave capable of killing a Three Suns can slay me... aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?"
Someone said darkly, "Hong Yitang, no matter how much strength you're hiding, even if you're on par with the Bright Light Sword, you won't be taking her away today! The price you'll have to pay to get her out will far exceed what you can bear!"
The auras of the surrounding experts began to fluctuate.
Even if Hong Yitang matched the Bright Light Sword, he could forget about taking away the dying woman today—unless he wished to stay behind as well.
Farther off, Xu Zhen also frowned as he looked at Hong Yitang. "Earth-Overturning Sword, will your Silver Moon even protect a traitor? Silver Moon martial masters were powerful in the past, and you have experts active today as well, but you had better think clearly: she betrayed the Duke of Dingguo's Residence! Don't forget, when the Heavenly Star Dynasty unified the realm back then, my Dingguo Army marched through Silver Moon more than once..."
An attempt at intimidation?
Hong Yitang burst into laughter. "Spare me the talk of the Dingguo Army! Only the imperial family's Black Armor Army was worth mentioning. When the first Duke of Dingguo led your army into Silver Moon, you were nearly wiped out. If the Black Armor Army hadn't come to your aid, you would have been obliterated long ago! Besides, that was two hundred years ago. Do you still count that as your glory? Does your family genealogy omit all those humiliations?"
Xu Zhen scowled.
*Bullshit!*
Naturally, the family records contained that history, but they only recorded glorious achievements—such as suppressing Silver Moon, in which the Dingguo Army had played a crucial role. Of course, history was written by the victors.
As for the truth, only those who had lived through it truly knew, and even Hong Yitang had merely heard of it from the older generation.
These people were rather reluctant to strike just yet.
Because the Earth-Overturning Sword had arrived, and his strength might truly be formidable.
Stalling for time carried no disadvantages for them. The Bright Light Sword's condition would only worsen; given enough time, she would collapse entirely on her own.
***
At the same time, deep underwater.
Li Hao advanced without a sound.
The Earth-Overturning Sword's appearance had drawn everyone's attention. Li Hao was currently closing in on the late Rising Light water-type expert submerged beneath the waves.
*Keep chatting up there!*
He did not mind launching another sneak attack.
Once he dealt with this late Rising Light expert, he could rendezvous with the Bright Light Sword. At that point, providing her with some sword energy might help her recover somewhat.
Li Hao crept forward silently.
A late Rising Light expert was hard to kill.
However, he had experience. Working in concert with Black Panther, killing one in an instant was not out of the question.
Step by step, he drew closer.
Closer and closer.
Li Hao could not see a physical person, only a large cluster of light. The opponent might have used some special technique to conceal himself, but in Li Hao's eyes, such tricks were utterly useless.
About thirty meters from his target, Li Hao stopped moving.
He halted his steps.
Directly above was where the Bright Light Sword hovered.
At that moment, the Bright Light Sword seemed to vaguely sense something. Knowing someone was beneath her, she had refrained from entering the water, but now, another presence seemed to have slipped in.
*Who?*
It did not feel like a supernatural—it felt more like... a martial master!
***
Underwater.
Li Hao remained still for a brief moment.
Above, the Earth-Overturning Sword was still conversing with them as if making casual small talk.
No one seemed to be in a hurry; the only one anxious was probably the Bright Light Sword.
In Li Hao's hand, the small sword manifested.
Li Hao had not cultivated the Sword Nurturing Technique very well, and its effects were modest, yet he had kept nurturing it. Inside the small sword, four types of sword intent were constantly being sustained, without the need to fuse them again.
Li Hao closed his eyes. In this instant, he recalled once more the sword strike he had witnessed back then.
The stronger he became, the more profoundly he understood how terrifying that strike truly was.
A faint wisp of sword intent began to seep out. Simultaneously, above the water, a magnificent wave of sword intent erupted from Hong Yitang, permeating the surroundings and sending shivers down many spines.
Underwater, the water-type expert also sensed a piercing chill of sword intent.
He was inwardly startled. *Hong Yitang is so strong!*
Across such a distance and penetrating the sea water, his sword intent still carried such bone-chilling cold. Could this fellow be another Bright Light Sword?
At this moment, it had to be said that the coordination between Li Hao and Hong Yitang was nothing short of perfection!
With sword intent suffusing the area, an ordinary person could not tell the difference at all.
In the entire area, only the Bright Light Sword's eyes flickered slightly.
*It doesn't feel... like the same sword intent!*
As a swordmaster—a top-tier one at that—she sensed a subtle distinction. Beneath her feet, another thread of sword intent seemed to be spreading. Was that... Li Hao?
*Demon Sword?*
In that split second, the thought crossed her mind.
Just as the thought surfaced, in the distance, Hong Yitang slashed out with his sword!
"Get lost!" Hong Yitang barked softly. A single sword strike covered heaven and earth, instantly churning the sea's surface and turning the world upside down!
***
Underwater.
Li Hao struck instantly!
Fast—blazingly, exquisitely fast!
Not only that, but the Blood Saber Art erupted without the slightest hesitation. His sword cleaved through the surging waves, hurtling straight toward that cluster of light.
He looked at nothing else.
He simply struck at the light cluster, disregarding whatever illusions the opponent conjured.
The Rising Light expert in the water had still been marveling at Hong Yitang's might when his expression suddenly morphed in horror. He fled through the water, turning into a stream as he used a water-escape technique to slip away.
*Boom!*
A detonation rang out at his original position, and an explosion echoed above the water as well.
The escaping Rising Light expert stumbled slightly, overwhelmed with lingering fear. Fortunately, he had dodged in time. Looking toward the source... there was actually another swordmaster! Before the thought could fully form, Li Hao struck again!
This time, the waves surged violently—*Boom!*
A succession of nine thunderous cracks erupted!
In a flash, Li Hao bore down on him. A cold glint flashed in the late Rising Light expert's eyes. *An impressive swordmaster, but I only missed him because he took me by surprise. Now that I see him, he isn't stronger than me!*
He reached out with a wave of his hand, conjuring countless torrents to engulf Li Hao and instantly freezing an entire section of the seabed.
Just as he prepared to exert his power again, his face paled, and he tried to flee once more. Yet he could not evade the descending dog paw. With a sickening *squelch*, the paw punched straight through his arm—it had been aimed directly at his heart!
However, the expert had sensed it at the last moment. In the water, water-type supernaturals had exceptionally sharp senses, allowing him to twist away from his vitals.
Even so, the late Rising Light expert was filled with sheer terror!
*Damn it!*
*There's another one?!*
*A great demon!*
Black Panther seemed somewhat dissatisfied. This was its first failed ambush, and the hound felt it was an absolute disgrace.
Meanwhile, Li Hao's longsword had already descended!
The water-type supernatural had only one thought left: *flee!* If this continued, he was finished.
Yet right at that moment, on the surface of the sea...
The Bright Light Sword's eyes flashed. She stomped her foot violently, sending colossal waves surging as her sword intent surged forth, crashing straight down into the depths!
The water-type supernatural, just about to flee, was caught off guard. To his left, Black Panther pounced again; to his right, Li Hao's sword slashed in; and from above... the Bright Light Sword's intent bore down upon him.
*Boom!*
His path was cut off. In that fractional second, Li Hao thrust forward, driving his blade straight into the man's chest. The water-type supernatural let out a roar, but the sound was choked off. At his side, Black Panther struck with a paw, turning the seawater into a thousand-jin weight that instantly crushed his head, sending blood spraying!
Li Hao twisted his longsword, executing a sweeping arc. Light burst from the blade with a splash, churning up swirling currents that severed the man clean in two.
Li Hao, Black Panther, the Bright Light Sword, the Earth-Overturning Sword...
Three swordmasters and one great demon had never discussed a strategy, yet at this moment, their coordination was seamless, dispatching a late Rising Light expert specializing in aquatic combat on the spot.
Li Hao instantly stowed the corpse into his storage ring.
Meanwhile, on the surface, the several supernaturals still probing Hong Yitang seemed to sense something, yet could not be certain. One after another, they turned toward the Bright Light Sword.
Beside Xu Zhen, the white-haired elder silently extended his senses, his face suddenly changing!
"There's someone in the water!"
*Boom!*
In an instant, sword qi surged skyward. A supernatural encircling the Bright Light Sword hurriedly dodged as the sword qi erupted with a deafening blast. The surging waves transformed into water arrows shooting in all directions; dozens of sword gashes instantly scored the legs of the fleeing man, blood pouring freely.
Li Hao surfaced.
The onlookers were utterly stunned, turning to stare at Li Hao in disbelief. Where had this swordmaster in the water come from?
Or rather, did Silver Moon possess an eighth powerful swordmaster?
Today, the Bright Light Sword had already displayed her terrifying might, while the Earth-Overturning Sword's depths had yet to be tested. Now, yet another swordmaster had appeared, and crimson blood was surfacing from the depths. Several faces darkened!
Someone had been stationed underwater just now. Could he... be dead?
Li Hao did not pursue. Instead, he appeared beside the Bright Light Sword, glancing at the androgynous old figure before him. Truthfully, Li Hao was reluctant to look too closely, but he had to admit that her instantaneous reaction—driving her sword through the water—showed no trace of someone mortally wounded and devoid of fighting spirit.
On the contrary, her will to battle was ferociously intense.
At that moment, another figure broke through the perimeter—or rather, the others did not stop him, allowing the Earth-Overturning Sword to barge right in. The three swordmasters converged.
Before the Bright Light Sword could speak, someone on the outer perimeter suddenly exclaimed, "Sword qi so fierce, drawing blood with every strike... If that's not the Sky Sword, then it must be... Demon Sword Li Hao!!"
Instantly, all eyes locked onto Li Hao.
Everyone was concealing their appearances.
Yet in the eyes of some, wild joy and madness could not be contained.
*Li Hao!*
The Li family's divine sword was in his hands! A fellow who, in a short span, could slay Rising Light experts, carrying the bloodline legacy of the Eight Great Families...
At this moment, genuine ecstasy surged through several hearts.
What had they pursued the Bright Light Sword for?
Was it not for the Wind-Chasing Boots?
Yet even if the Wind-Chasing Boots truly were an heirloom weapon of the Eight Great Families, they could not compare to the Li family's sword! Was this a buy-one-get-one-free deal?
No, the bonus was even better than the prize!
In the distance, Xu Zhen was also taken aback. A moment later, an enraged roar tore from his throat: "You are Li Hao?!"
Initially, when the news first broke, everyone had assumed Hou Xiaochen had killed Xu Feng.
Yet as Li Hao slew experts of the White Shark Pirates and reports spread of his feud with the Bright Light Sword, careful reflection easily led to one conclusion: Li Hao had done it!
At this moment, Xu Zhen went wild with fury, roaring, "Bright Light Sword, you venomous old hag! You truly have the heart of a viper! Xiao Feng must have been murdered by the two of you working together! Li Hao is the culprit who killed Xiao Feng, yet he actually came to save you... You treacherous bitch, you vile hag!"
Anyone seeing this scene would suspect the Bright Light Sword!
Li Hao was Xu Feng's murderer, yet here he was, risking his life to rescue her. It defied all common sense.
It could only prove that the Bright Light Sword had long betrayed the Xu family, and perhaps Xu Feng had even been killed by her own hand.
The Bright Light Sword said nothing.
She merely glanced at Li Hao and sighed softly. Just as she was about to speak, Li Hao revealed his true face, looked around at the crowd, and chuckled. "My reputation is quite renowned, it seems. I'm truly honored! To think you could recognize me even while I'm wearing armor—your eyesight is quite impressive, gentlemen!"
With three swordmasters gathered, Li Hao felt no apprehension.
In Silver Moon today, only the Sky Sword and the Jade Light Sword were absent; otherwise, all the great swordmasters would have been present, which would have made for quite a grand occasion.
Hong Yitang shook his head as well. "I haven't walked the martial world for years. It took them longer to recognize me than to recognize you. It seems I really ought to travel more often."
At that moment, voice transmissions flickered continuously through the surroundings.
"It's Li Hao! He has the Li family's divine sword! Everyone, join forces—hesitate no longer..."
"The Earth-Overturning Sword is not weak, and he might even be able to unseal himself. He's formidable. As for Li Hao, judging from just now and his previous battle records, he isn't weak either... If we don't join forces, taking them down will be difficult!"
"How do we split the Li family's divine sword and the Wind-Chasing Boots?"
"Is the Li family's divine sword something you could simply take for yourself? Of course, whoever truly gets it will possess an immense fortune. Even selling it to someone else would fetch an astronomical sum..."
The experts communicated rapidly.
They had no choice but to coordinate. Originally, they were merely a temporary alliance hoping to wear down the Bright Light Sword. But now that two more swordmasters had arrived, things had grown complicated.
Without a clear agreement, who would strike first?
The first to attack would face the greatest danger.
Yet if they did not strike, what if the trio fled?
Right now, they urgently needed to reach a consensus and finalize the division of spoils.
Meanwhile, the Bright Light Sword looked at Li Hao with mixed emotions and transmitted, "For you two to charge straight into the encirclement... I'm afraid it won't be easy to leave!"
This was no way to rescue someone.
Of course, doing it this way made her the safest. Had they harassed from the perimeter, they could have relieved some of her pressure, but she would still have had to break out on her own, which would have been exceedingly perilous.
Now that the three had converged, she was safe, but the other two were in grave danger.
She knew the Earth-Overturning Sword was strong, but being strong did not mean invincible.
More than a dozen Rising Light experts were present, including powerful figures in the metamorphosis phase.
"Can you still fight?" Li Hao asked.
The Bright Light Sword transmitted, "I can... but I won't last long..."
Li Hao felt a twinge of hesitation.
Yet now that he had come, what was the use of hesitating?
*Martial masters... sometimes they truly are hotheaded.*
These Silver Moon figures had not paid him a fee to save their lives—merely the cost of medical treatment. He should have waited outside. This was all Hong Yitang's fault for insisting on showing himself!
Li Hao tossed a small bottle toward the Bright Light Sword.
Before it reached her, however, it flew back on its own. Li Hao looked at Hong Yitang, who had also produced a bottle that had already landed in the Bright Light Sword's hand. "Drink it. It's the Spring of Life. Li Hao won't be able to suppress your injuries in the short term, so make do with this for now."
Li Hao retrieved his own Spring of Life, somewhat surprised. Hong Yitang had some as well?
Hong Yitang sighed internally. *These people are going to bleed me dry!*
Southern Fist had cost him an extremely pure divine energy stone, and now the Bright Light Sword had cost him his Spring of Life. Of the treasures he had scavenged in Battle Heaven City last time, only two high-purity divine energy stones remained.
Money had literally fallen from the sky, and he hadn't even managed to hold onto it.
The Bright Light Sword said nothing and swallowed it swiftly.
On the perimeter, someone noticed this and gave a sudden start, urgently transmitting, "Stop deliberating! They seem to have brought a supreme healing treasure! If you want to seize the treasures... now is our chance! Any later, and the price we pay will be far greater!"
In an instant, the experts reached a swift consensus.
Take them down first, and sort everything else out later.
Otherwise, all talk was meaningless.
At this moment, Xu Zhen gritted his teeth and roared at the two men beside him, "Kill them!"
If no one made a move, and the Duke of Dingguo's Residence hung back as well, how could they proceed?
Of the two men beside him, the white-haired elder was at peak Rising Light, while the middle-aged man was at late Rising Light. Both were formidable experts. After a brief hesitation, they gritted their teeth and charged together!
The white-haired elder seemed to practice a unique system, perhaps having transitioned from a martial master. As his fist slammed forward, heaven and earth seemed to shatter!
The middle-aged man slashed out with a saber, churning up colossal waves.
With these two taking the lead, the others hesitated no longer and struck simultaneously. In an instant, supernatural powers detonated across the area, tossing the entire sea into turmoil.
Li Hao and the Earth-Overturning Sword struck at the same time.
Longswords cleaved the air!
Sword cries resonated between heaven and earth. The Earth-Overturning Sword suppressed all directions, while Li Hao's four-force sword struck with reckless abandon—a strike of absolute resolve with no return!
*Boom!*
The clash between sword momentum and supernatural power detonated instantly. Li Hao coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the Earth-Overturning Sword stumbled slightly. Around them, the supernaturals were filled with shock!
"Silver Moon swordmasters..."
Someone muttered in a low voice, visibly shaken. *So strong!*
The most terrifying was still the Earth-Overturning Sword. With a single strike, he had suppressed multiple supernaturals, creating the opening for Li Hao to attack. Li Hao's sword was formidable as well, but not to the point of leaving them awestruck.
Yet the Earth-Overturning Sword had suppressed several top-tier experts with a single blow—that was what was truly frightening.
Under the combined assault of the two swords, the initial clash left Li Hao injured and the Earth-Overturning Sword with churning internal organs, but the supernaturals had not emerged unscathed either. A bloody gash had appeared on the white-haired elder's fist.
Behind them, Xu Zhen's expression shifted, and he growled, "Attack together! Don't hold back! Hong Yitang hasn't unsealed himself yet, but he might be able to! Strike now!"
Yet no one paid him any heed.
Someone said darkly, "Xu Zhen, are you just watching the show? Strike with us!"
That man was also at late Rising Light.
No matter what, members of the Xu family were not completely useless; he still possessed some strength. What right did he have to command others?
Xu Zhen felt a surge of rage!
A man of noble blood should not expose himself to danger.
Were his family's retainers and consecrated elders not enough?
To think they were demanding he step onto the field himself.
How perilous!
Yet he could no longer hold back. Gritting his teeth, he said, "The Bright Light Sword seems to be recovering... Attack together!"
The next instant, he vaulted into the air and kicked out!
That kick unleashed a swirling whirlwind.
He had practiced martial arts in his youth, but his talent had been mediocre, and he had never managed to comprehend a force. When supernaturals emerged, he had transitioned into one, and his cultivation had progressed quite well.
With him stepping onto the field in person, the surrounding experts finally reached an agreement.
*Let's attack together!*
In that instant, ice froze the sea for ten thousand li, and lightning crackled violently!
*Boom!*
Deafening roars erupted instantly. The Earth-Overturning Sword unleashed strike after strike, overturning heaven and earth to form a defensive perimeter of over ten meters, holding off the onslaught. Meanwhile, Li Hao's sword struck out repeatedly, inflicting damage on the outer experts.
One defended while the other attacked... However, while the defense held, the offense was lacking.
Li Hao's attacks were somewhat weak.
Hong Yitang sighed softly. "Pity you aren't the Sky Sword..."
Those words stung a little.
Clearly, Hong Yitang felt that if the Sky Sword were here to coordinate with him, these foes would be nothing to worry about.
And that was indeed the truth. With mid Rising Light combat power, Li Hao's offensive output was comparatively weak.
On the outside, only two opponents were at mid Rising Light.
The rest were in the late stage, at the peak, or even in the metamorphosis phase. How could Li Hao's sword qi kill them? Even wounding them was an uphill battle.
At this moment, the Bright Light Sword was still absorbing the Spring of Life to recover from her injuries.
Without her recovering first, even Li Hao would find it difficult to suppress the violent turbulence in her five organs.
Because of this, the two had no choice but to hold their ground.
Li Hao remained silent, feeling thoroughly stifled and aggrieved.
*Where on earth did these fellows come from?*
*Where did all these experts spring from?*
His attacks grew even weaker, yet his swordplay turned ethereal and drifting, like floating willow catkins. Combined with the Shadowless Sword, his strikes were ghostly and unpredictable. Yet to the pursuers outside, the pressure eased significantly!
Earlier, Li Hao's strikes had carried some threat.
Now, they felt that the threat had diminished even further.
Hong Yitang, on the other hand... wanted to weep.
He regretted everything!
What was Li Hao doing?
Using him as a meat shield while hiding behind him to practice his Willow Catkin Sword on live targets... *Good heavens, do you think this place is safe?*
The Bright Light Sword was recovering, and while Li Hao was still fighting, he had curled entirely into the defensive circle, his strikes appearing limp and powerless. If this continued, how was Hong Yitang supposed to hold out?
Yet Li Hao paid no heed.
This was trust—trust that Hong Yitang could endure. Otherwise, if the defense broke, Li Hao would not be able to escape either.
However, his attacks truly appeared soft and feeble.
In that case... since he couldn't hurt them anyway, he might as well make them even weaker!
Strike followed strike like drifting willow catkins. Li Hao immersed himself in his swordsmanship, growing bolder by the second. He even charged out of the defensive circle several times to deliver a strike, giving the opponent a fright, only for them to discover... that the blow couldn't even breach the defenses of a mid Rising Light expert.
Xu Zhen kicked Li Hao back into the perimeter and suddenly laughed. "He used the Blood Saber Art earlier! Now that its effects have faded, he's suffering the backlash. His strength has waned drastically—his true power is only around early Rising Light!"
Li Hao's condition closely mirrored the exhaustion following the Blood Saber Art.
Xu Zhen quickly convinced himself of this conclusion.
Hong Yitang, on the other hand, was genuinely terrifying, actually withstanding their combined assaults. Yet he lacked the strength to counterattack; continuing this passive defense would only lead to death.
Xu Zhen's words caused everyone's eyes to brighten.
*He's that weak?*
Early Rising Light... That was something they could easily handle. Many pairs of eyes locked onto Li Hao. When Li Hao charged out again, various supernatural powers erupted in an instant. With a colossal boom, Li Hao was battered until he was covered in blood, tumbling backward.
Yet he paid no attention to his wounds; his eyes held only the sword in his hand!
The next instant, he charged out once more. His formidable physical body granted him repeated opportunities to fight. Strike followed strike, and Li Hao's Willow Catkin Sword grew increasingly fluid and practiced, yet a sword momentum had still failed to manifest!
"Li Hao!" Hong Yitang barked, his defensive perimeter wavering slightly. Li Hao charged out once more, only for a cloaked expert to lash out with a claw. With a wet *rip*, a large chunk of flesh was torn from his arm!
The cloaked figure had lunged for the longsword, but having been cut by it earlier, he chose instead to tear Li Hao's arm off.
Even a powerful physique could not withstand the attack, leaving his flesh split open and mangled.
Li Hao's sword drifted like willow catkins, stabbing into the opponent, only to be blasted back by an overwhelming surge of supernatural power. With a thunderous boom, Li Hao coughed up blood and retreated rapidly, barely making it back inside.
The cloaked expert moved to pursue, but was repelled by the Earth-Overturning Sword's technique that overturned heaven and earth!
Hong Yitang's face was gradually turning pale.
Right now, he could only defend. The Bright Light Sword was still absorbing the medicine, and Li Hao was busy practicing his sword... Hong Yitang was acting like a guardian nanny, defending vigilantly to prevent the enemy from shattering their trio's formation.
Hong Yitang was utterly exhausted at heart. Had he known, he would have been better off ambushing these fellows alone.
Not a single one of these people gave him peace of mind!
Meanwhile, Li Hao was completely immersed. His sword strikes grew increasingly supple, swaying like tree branches in the wind, elusive and unpredictable.
With a sharp clang, his sword recoiled as a kick struck him. Coughing blood, Li Hao retreated once more.
Glancing at Xu Zhen, he cracked a slight smile.
*You're having fun hitting me, aren't you?*
*In a moment... I'll test my sword on you!*
*The first sword of the five elements will be you!*
The wood sword momentum was faintly beginning to emerge. Indeed, only life-and-death combat was the most thrilling—and the most capable of igniting sword intent.
Chapter 181