Chapter 465 - Broken Sword

The Elder’s sword intent erupted around him. Before the three men even hit the ground, they were shattered into dust by the sword energy.

“Those who fight without reason, die!”

The white-robed sword cultivator floated with his robes billowing, sword energy radiating fiercely as he looked around at everyone.

Then his gaze turned to Xu Zimo, and he said, “You were protecting your companion and forced to act. That doesn’t count.”

After speaking, the white-robed sword cultivator vanished into the void.

Xu Zimo guessed that the man was likely hidden in the void, watching everyone inside the tower.

If anyone broke the rules, he would instantly strike to eliminate them.

But that wasn’t foolproof, if Xu Zimo hadn’t intervened just now, Hong Tianfu might’ve been seriously injured or even killed.

It seemed Hong Tianfu knew someone might come for him, which is why he chose to team up with Xu Zimo in the first place.

…

After a while, Xu Zimo could feel Hong Tianfu’s aura changing.

The sword fruit in front of him slowly cracked open, and from inside grew a black sword.

The sword was sleek and glowed with a dark shine, a thin blade with a concealed edge.

Hong Tianfu slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath, but couldn’t hold back a mouthful of blood.

“You okay?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I overestimated myself. These sword spirits are really powerful,” Hong Tianfu shook his head and smiled. “But being able to get this black sword was worth it.”

He held the black sword in his hand, it seemed alive and gave off a faint hum.

“By the way, did anyone try to kill me just now?” Hong Tianfu asked.

“Three people,” Xu Zimo said.

“Thanks. I owe you one,” Hong Tianfu fell silent for a moment. His expression turned gloomy, and as if thinking of something, his eyes became deep and sharp. He gripped his sword tighter.

“Who wants you dead?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I’m a lesser son of the Hong Clan. I’m not favored, but by the rules, I still have a chance to become the Patriarch,” Hong Tianfu smiled. “If I die, who do you think benefits most?”

“Power struggles are boring,” Xu Zimo shook his head slightly and dropped the topic.

“I used to still hold some hope,” Hong Tianfu said. “But now that they’ve openly tried to kill me, there’s no reason not to tear off the mask.”

He laughed and shook his head.

“Enough about me. Where do you want to go next? I’ll go with you.”

“You’re very familiar with the Sword Tower?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I did my homework. I know pretty much everything people can find out,” Hong Tianfu said.

“Then tell me, are there any strange swords or sword fragments in this tower?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Sword fragments? You must mean the sword on the ninth floor,” Hong Tianfu said with a smile.

“Explain,” Xu Zimo said.

“The Sword Tower has nine floors. The most unique one is the ninth. I only know what I’ve heard from others,” Hong Tianfu replied.

“They say there’s only one broken sword on that floor. The sword is alive, full of spirit and very temperamental. Everyone who’s entered that floor before has been attacked by the sword and killed. No one’s ever managed to tame it.”

“Sounds interesting. Let’s go see,” Xu Zimo replied.

“You’re not really planning to take that sword, are you?” Hong Tianfu tried to persuade him. “It’s a vicious sword. It’s too dangerous. Not worth it.”

Xu Zimo didn’t say anything and headed straight for the ninth floor.

Hong Tianfu hesitated, then looked at the black sword in his hand, gritted his teeth, and followed.

When they arrived at the ninth floor, they saw it was a volcanic scene.

The volcano had awakened. Meteors of molten lava constantly fell from the sky, smashing the ground into a mess.

The earth was covered in gray volcanic ash, and the heat was intense enough to burn the air itself.

The space was vast. Besides the volcano in the center, the surroundings were empty.

But Xu Zimo and Hong Tianfu weren’t the only ones there. Not far away was another group of people.

Xu Zimo saw them, and they saw him.

There were five of them, three young men, one young woman, and an old man.

“These days, a lot of people aren’t afraid to die,” Hong Tianfu muttered.

“As long as the reward’s big enough, there’ll always be people ready to die,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

He ignored the group and continued walking with Hong Tianfu toward the volcano.

The meteors in the sky were too dense, so neither of them flew.

The closer they got, the hotter it became.

Xu Zimo had various pills on him. He took out two Ice-Skin Pills, one for himself and one for Hong Tianfu.

Only then did their body temperatures cool down.

“This must be a star-tier pill. Xu Zimo, you’re pretty generous,” Hong Tianfu laughed.

“Want me to just watch you roast to death instead?” Xu Zimo replied.

When they reached the base of the volcano, the rocks were scalding hot, as if wrapped in flames.

Xu Zimo was fine, but Hong Tianfu’s strength was too low, he couldn’t walk on the rocks for long.

So Xu Zimo carried him and flew toward the summit.

As more meteors rained down, Xu Zimo drew Shadow Tyrant.

Blade aura surrounded them, preventing any meteor from coming within three meters.

When they reached the volcano’s summit, they found the other group of five had already arrived.

Their speed was impressive, they must’ve prepared in advance.

Several fire-covered trees grew at the peak.

These were Fire trees, flame-loving trees that grew only near volcanoes, adding some beauty to the otherwise barren summit.

The volcano below rumbled like a furious beast.

Its core was filled with thick lava, bubbling and boiling.

And at the very center of that lava pool, there was a broken sword.

It was the blade of a sword.

Xu Zimo was now only missing the blade and hilt to complete the true God Sword.

Before he could act, one of the five young men walked toward him.

“How should I address you, friend?” the man asked with a smile.

“You need something?” Xu Zimo replied flatly.

“We’d like to ask that you not compete with us for that broken sword,” the young man said directly.

“Sure,” Xu Zimo nodded and agreed immediately.

The young man was slightly stunned, looking at Xu Zimo with suspicion before finally thanking him and walking away.

“You’re just giving it up like that?” Hong Tianfu asked, surprised.

“Let them try first. If they can’t get it, then we’ll go,” Xu Zimo replied.

“What if they succeed?”

“That’s simple. We kill them and take it.”