"Yes..."
"Dragon family patriarch, Long Teng!"
"Why is he here? What's going on?"
After a moment of stunned silence, the bosses of these underground forces began to whisper amongst themselves. They didn't recognize the Sword Master.
But Long Teng had recently ascended to the position of patriarch of the ancient martial arts family, the Long family, making him another prominent figure in Jiangdong Province.
They were quite well-informed.
Immediately, they classified Long Teng as a top-tier figure not to be offended.
And now...
This influential figure was actually following this old man.
Coupled with his shocking entrance just now, he was likely an unprecedentedly powerful being!
The few exchanged glances and made a decision instantly.
They would make a quick escape!
"Did I say you could leave?"
But as the few men began to move, the Sword Master's cold snort exploded like thunder in their ears.
The bosses of the underground forces, without exception, froze.
Then, they slowly turned around.
And knelt before the Sword Master.
"Sir, we were merely passing through this area..."
"Sir, we meant no offense, and we saw nothing!"
"Sir, please spare us..."
At this moment, they all began to beg for mercy, without any other action.
"Hmph."
The Sword Master let out another cold snort, like the wrath of a thunder god.
The next moment.
He pinched two fingers together and drew a line across the sky.
The numerous bosses were confused, not knowing what he intended to do.
But soon.
A sharp sword energy, infused with immense wind and thunder, slashed down.
Everyone was terrified and about to dodge, when they felt a chill at their necks. A line of blood slowly seeped out; they had been instantly killed by him.
Then.
The Sword Master rapidly formed mudras with his hands, channeling them into the corpses of these bosses from afar.
The corpses were tossed back and forth by him, undergoing an astonishing transformation.
Powerful auras began to gather.
After a moment.
They all stood up with vacant eyes, having become the Sword Master's sword slaves.
Long Teng and Long Fei, standing behind the Sword Master, watched this scene with wide-eyed astonishment.
Such a technique...
It was truly unheard of, mysterious and unfathomable.
Ji Xueyun, after her recent endeavors in the provincial capital, had long been aware of the Sword Master's existence and knew his power was unfathomably deep and terrifying.
She immediately stepped forward to warn him, "Little martial brother, be careful..."
"The Sword Master became famous twenty years ago and has been in seclusion for many years. His strength has likely advanced to an unimaginable level. Do not underestimate him."
Bai Zihe smiled at her gently and nodded.
After the Sword Master finished his actions.
His gaze fell upon Bai Zihe, and the casual killing intent emanating from him made Long Fei and the others shiver uncontrollably.
"Bai Zihe."
"You killed my cultivator slaves, and you killed my junior martial brother."
"Today..."
"I will sever your limbs, gouge out your ears and nose, and pluck out your eyes, to create you into a human pig, to be hung above the gates of Jiangdong Prefecture for nine days and nine nights."
"To let the world see."
"What the consequences are for opposing me!"
His voice was chillingly cold, but the words he spoke sent a chill to the bone, making one feel that life was not worth living.
Immediately.
He ordered his many sword slaves, "Kill Bai Zihe!"
*Swish!*
The sword slaves were no longer the bosses of the underground forces from moments ago. From the moment they were turned into sword slaves, their hearts held only one voice.
That was the Sword Master's voice.
At his command, all the sword slaves immediately sprang forward, heading straight for Bai Zihe, without the slightest hesitation or fear.
Bai Zihe sneered and struck out with both palms.
*Bang bang bang!*
Before these sword slaves could even get within ten feet of Bai Zihe, they were all crushed by him, turning into pools of blood that splattered on the ground.
"Old man."
Bai Zihe scoffed, "Your sword slaves... are not as good as before. They are far inferior to the previous batch."
"Let alone..."
"Compared to those two Grandmaster level cultivator slaves!"
This statement undoubtedly struck a nerve with the Sword Master.
"Bai Zihe, how dare you be so arrogant!"
The Sword Master instantly flew into a rage, roaring madly, "When I take your head, I will extract your purest heart's blood to refine countless sword slaves."
"Even in death, you will live under my shadow."
"Never to rise again!"
With that said.
He walked step by step towards Bai Zihe.
He walked slowly, but each step landed on a specific point, stirring the qi of the surrounding world, creating a magnificent spectacle.
Long Teng and Long Fei held their breath, fearing they would miss the most exciting and anticipated scene.
"Wait!"
Bai Zihe suddenly spoke.
The Sword Master's eyes narrowed, and his icy gaze swept over Bai Zihe. "Bai Zihe, you will die today. Nothing you say will matter. Do not struggle any further."
With that, he continued his slow approach.
Bai Zihe's lips curved into a faint smile. "I mean, it doesn't have to be so troublesome."
His words caused everyone to pause.
The Sword Master's white eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he said sternly, "What do you mean?"
"You want to take a drop of my blood to make a sword slave, don't you?"
Bai Zihe's face showed a mysterious smile, leaving the Sword Master somewhat bewildered. "I'll give it to you now!"
With that.
Bai Zihe actually bit his finger.
A drop of bright red blood gathered at his fingertip, glistening under the moonlight.
This action...
Astonished Long Teng and the others.
They were momentarily filled with doubt, unsure of what scheme Bai Zihe was devising.
Ji Xueyun felt a pang of heartache and stepped forward to ask, "Little martial brother, what are you doing? Aren't you afraid the Sword Master will truly create an unprecedented sword slave?"
Bai Zihe smiled faintly, "Fifth martial sister, it's fine. Just watch."
Ji Xueyun still had reservations.
But since Bai Zihe had said so, she couldn't ask further and stepped back.
As for the Sword Master...
He was already furious, his eyebrows and beard trembling.
Bai Zihe was humiliating him.
Extreme humiliation!
The Sword Master's voice, as if squeezed from between his molars, said, "Bai Zihe, you are playing with fire, and you will surely be consumed by it!"
Bai Zihe let out a scoff and tossed the blood over. "Catch."
The Sword Master's gaze sharpened, and he immediately caught the drop of blood.
After observing it for a moment.
Bai Zihe hadn't tricked him. This was indeed a drop of blood, and it was incredibly pure, containing energy...
Enough to excite the Sword Master.
Immediately.
Without further ado.
Enraged, the Sword Master had lost all reason.
He immediately began to use Bai Zihe's pure blood to refine a sword slave, pouring in countless efforts.
He wanted to use the sword slave refined from this drop of pure blood to kill Bai Zihe.
Only then could he wash away the shame!
*Splash.*
The blood floated in mid-air.
The Sword Master circled it, constantly forming seals.
The mudras flowed effortlessly, dazzling the onlookers.
But suddenly.
"Pfft—"
The Sword Master's body trembled violently. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed onto the ground.
His eyes widened in shock, staring intently at the drop of blood suspended in the air. His face was filled with horror, and he managed to utter two words with difficulty.
"Dragon... blood!"
With that, he died a tragic death on the spot!