Chapter 78: A Stunning Slash

The Ten Directions Sect was known for popping Evil Pills, essentially mass-producing Entering Grade Martial Artists at the cost of their future potential.

Never mind Eighth Grade—even Seventh Grade masters would pop up from time to time. That was why even Vice Gang Leader Xiang Kang had been overwhelmed and injured before.

Thus, as far as Zou Feng was concerned, he needed to find a good excuse to avoid the mission to exterminate the remnants of the Ten Directions Sect. It was best to sit it out if he could.

Facing this Eighth Grade brawny man, Zou Feng could certainly take him down with force. ’But what then?’

’It would just lead to rewards from the Black Flood Dragon Gang, along with all sorts of praise and attention.’

’Then, it would be a matter of course for me to continue leading the team, fighting on the front lines of the extermination mission...’

’As a bonus, the Ten Directions Sect remnants would start taking me more seriously. Maybe one day they’d find an opportunity to send two Seventh Grade masters to ambush me, letting me experience twice the fun.’

With a plan forming in his mind, Zou Feng’s response was naturally not to unleash an Inner Qi-infused Five Poison Heart-Pushing Palm and send the brawny man flying higher and farther through the air.

A timely look of panic appeared on his face as Zou Feng hurriedly pulled the female cultist in his arms in front of him as a shield.

"You despicable bastard!"

The brawny man seemed to care a great deal for the female cultist’s safety. He cursed, and the momentum of his saber instantly halted.

However, upon landing, the man changed direction, clearly intending to use his Snake Skin Movement to rapidly circle behind Zou Feng.

Of course, Zou Feng wasn’t about to let him succeed. He kept turning, making sure the female cultist always faced the brawny man.

The brawny man tried several times to get around the female cultist and attack Zou Feng, but to no avail. He started howling in frustration.

After all, he couldn’t drag this out any longer. His opponent’s reinforcements were about to arrive.

Gritting his teeth, the brawny man quickly pulled out a white elixir and swallowed it.

"Ten Directions Divine King, grant me Divine Power!"

"Great Mighty Bright King, Celestial Spirit Demon Suppression!"

’This thing again!’

’But based on the chant, it seems the effect is different.’

Zou Feng clearly remembered that when he’d killed that other Eighth Grade Ten Directions Sect remnant, the man had swallowed this elixir and shouted, "Unmoving Bright King, True Gang Body Protection!"

’So depending on which "king" is summoned, the effects are different?’

’Judging by the literal meaning, True Gang Body Protection strengthens one’s defense and dispels negative effects like poison.’

’In that case, Celestial Spirit Demon Suppression must be a major boost to attack speed and power.’

Zou Feng quickly assessed the situation and immediately realized he probably couldn’t keep playing "Qin King’s Column Wrapping" anymore.

So he quickly channeled his Karmic Fire Red Lotus Palm, unleashed the "Fires Burning Across the Sky" technique, and struck the female cultist with both palms, sending her flying.

The female cultist was only Ninth Grade and had just been thoroughly manhandled by Zou Feng. How could she possibly withstand the scalding, venomous Fire Force of the Karmic Fire Red Lotus Palm?

"PFFT—"

She sprayed a mouthful of blood as she was sent flying.

"Xiaoyu!"

The brawny man’s eyes blazed with fury. And yet, instead of rushing to catch the girl he called Xiaoyu, he changed direction at top speed without a moment’s hesitation, swerving around the severely injured, vomiting girl.

Man and saber moved as one, chopping down at Zou Feng with the force of a thunderclap.

The speed, power, timing, and trajectory of this strike could only be described as breathtaking.

Even Xie Yang and Lu Zhenbang, who were on the opposing side, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. ’What a magnificent strike!’ they thought.

And at the same time, they mentally prepared to attend his funeral.

After all, in their eyes, Zou Incense Master, who had only just recovered from severe injuries, had no way of dodging this brilliant "Summoning Gods" strike from the Ten Directions Cultist.

In reality, for Zou Feng, who had already advanced to the Eighth Grade, dodging this strike was no difficult task.

’I can dodge it, but there’s no need.’

’After all, I still need to lay the groundwork for my plan...’

So, with a look of terror in his eyes and a panicked expression as if he couldn’t dodge in time, Zou Feng let out a shout and circulated his Skill to take the blow head-on!

His Tribulation-Indestructible Body formed the base of his defense, while the Black Tortoise Sea-Suppressing Force surged ceaselessly into his arms.

"CLANG—"

The saber struck home with a tremendous, muffled thud.

At the perfect moment, Zou Feng let out a blood-curdling scream and went flying backward.

A hideous wound had already appeared on his arm.

But that was nothing. Judging from the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, he had most likely suffered a serious internal injury as well.

As for the Eighth Grade Ten Directions Cultist, he was genuinely surprised that his "Summoning Gods" strike hadn’t cut the shameless bastard in two.

’Still, the kid must be severely wounded now, with no strength left to resist!’

At this thought, the brawny man prepared to rush forward and deliver the finishing blow, to completely eliminate the one who had so thoroughly disrupted his peace of mind.

But as he took a step, his legs began to tremble and feel weak.

’Huh?’

’He looked down at the web of the hand gripping his saber and saw it had been split open by the rebound force. It was bleeding.’

’How could he be so tough?!’

’And this stream of Inner Qi still coursing through my saber...’

’Wait, this kid isn’t Ninth Grade!’

Realizing something was amiss, the Ten Directions Cultist silently cursed Zou Feng’s treachery and immediately abandoned any thought of delivering a finishing blow.

He turned, pulled up the female cultist whom Zou Feng had grievously wounded, and bolted.

"Villain, where do you think you’re going!"

The Elite Disciple from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect finally arrived, clad in white with a long sword at his side, looking every bit the part.

As was customary, if they discovered Ninth Grade remnants of the Ten Directions Sect, they generally wouldn’t intervene, but would instead maintain their positions.

But if an Eighth Grade appeared, the nearest Celestial Essence Sword Sect disciple would rush over to provide support.

They were clearly aware that the power unleashed by a Ten Directions Sect remnant using a Divine Inviting Pill was far beyond that of an ordinary Eighth Grade Martial Artist.

The Celestial Essence Sword Sect disciple descended from the sky, his sleeves fluttering. He was like a sharp, unsheathed sword, the very picture of a Sword Immortal descending to the mortal realm.

Xie Yang and Lu Zhenbang, who could do nothing but watch from the sidelines, were filled with envy.

Meanwhile, Zou Feng, pretending to be gravely wounded once more, was cursing inwardly.

’Is this guy an idiot? He could have just swooped in silently and run that Eighth Grade Ten Directions Cultist through from behind.’

’But no, he just had to make a grand entrance from the sky, striking what he thought was a cool pose, flexing his Qinggong and his "style," and topping it off with a self-righteous bellow: "Villain, where do you think you’re going..."’

’He basically just prioritized looking cool over killing the Ten Directions Sect remnant.’

’Even if it let the cultist get away, nothing could get in the way of his own stylish entrance, right?’

Sure enough, the brawny Ten Directions Cultist didn’t say a word. He immediately changed direction, preparing to use the chaotic and complex terrain of the shantytown to hide and weave as he fled.

"Don’t even think of escaping!"

Seeing this, the Celestial Essence Sword Sect disciple shouted again. He formed a hand seal for his Sword Formulas and slashed out through the air.

An invisible wave of Sword Qi shot out, slicing a large chunk off the eaves of two shacks from dozens of feet away.

But the brawny Ten Directions Cultist was already on guard; he changed direction an instant beforehand and calmly dodged the wave of Sword Qi.

Although Zou Feng had already guessed that the Celestial Essence Sword Sect disciple was a Seventh Grade Expert, he was still quite surprised that such a casual-looking strike could have such an effect.

At the same time, he cursed even more viciously in his heart.

’With that kind of power, wouldn’t it have been better to just launch a sneak attack from the start?’

’If he had, this fight would already be over.’

’But now, thanks to all his posturing, he’d given the enemy a chance to escape.’