Ling Xiao hesitated to intervene because he couldn’t stay with the Divine Sword Sect forever.
Some matters they needed to handle themselves.
Of course, if danger arose, he’d step in.
“Ling Xiaotian, you’re old. After all these years, you’re only at the peak of Martial Vein Eighth Level, weaker than your disciples. Why struggle? Change the sect’s name and retire,” Wan Ben said coldly, hands behind his back, his tone dripping with condescension.
“The name ‘Divine Sword Sect’ was decided by several Supreme Elders and the Sect Master. It’s not for you to change at will,” Ling Xiaotian replied calmly, avoiding conflict. “If Governor Wan Ben can provide a convincing reason, we’ll contact our Supreme Elder Ling Xiao, currently training at the Yuehua Sect. Changing the name wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Hmph, change it because I say so. No need for nonsense. Do you want to offend the Sword King Sect?” Wan Ben sneered. “As for that Ling Xiao, hmph, he’s crossed the Demonic Flame Heavenly Venerable of the Yuehua Sect. Do you think he’ll return alive? Laughable!”
“That’s too overbearing!” Ling Yihang snapped angrily.
“Overbearing? So what? Enough talk. If you refuse to change the name, I’ll flatten the Divine Sword Sect myself! There’s no need for such a sect to exist!” Wan Ben said disdainfully.
“Governor, no need to waste words. We outnumber them, and with the Sword King Sect’s experts, crushing them is child’s play. These fools have been aiding Lin Ze. They can’t be spared,” Luxing, standing beside Wan Ben, added. “Lin Ze’s off suppressing bandits, and Master Baiyun was gravely injured by the Sword King Sect’s experts. They’re out of options. We can’t wait for Lin Ze to return, or our losses will be greater.”
“He’s right!”
From the crowd behind Wan Ben stepped several brightly dressed Mortal Realm martial artists.
Though only Mortal Realm first-level, they were top-tier in the secular world.
One addressed Wan Ben, “Do it boldly. With the Sword King Sect backing you, what’s there to fear? Don’t you want the precious-grade gold martial art we promised?”
This man wore a green robe emblazoned with the Sword King Sect’s emblem.
Ling Xiao had a decent impression of the Sword King Sect. During the Yunkong City battle, their disciples scared off Beast King Palace members, saving Master Baiyun.
But now, the Sword King Sect was attacking over a name, intent on wiping out the Divine Sword Sect.
Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed.
He knew sects housed diverse individuals. The Yuehua Sect had both the Demonic Flame Heavenly Venerable and the Guanghan Heavenly Venerable.
But this likely came from the Sword King Sect’s higher-ups, who found the name offensive and sent forces to erase it, treating the sect like disposable trash.
Such was the cold ruthlessness of the strong.
“Rest assured, the Divine Sword Sect is just a minor faction. We can destroy it without your help!” Wan Ben said with a chilling expression, raising his hand and swinging it down. “Attack!”
He had no fear of the Divine Sword Sect.
In his mind, Ling Xiao, only two months at the Yuehua Sect, might at best have reached Mortal Realm first level, even with exceptional talent.
Such a Ling Xiao didn’t scare him. Master Baiyun was already gravely injured, wasn’t he?
Another Mortal Realm first-level master would just take a bit more effort.
He had ten Mortal Realm first-level masters, all skilled in entry-level or precious-grade gold martial arts!
Why fear Ling Xiao?
At his command, Yunkong City’s ten thousand troops drew their bows and crossbows, unleashing a volley of deadly arrows.
To Wan Ben, this was routine; he’d done it before.
In an instant, the sky darkened with arrows swarming toward the Divine Sword Sect like locusts.
“Take cover! Raise shields!”
Ling Wuhen calmly directed the sect’s disciples.
He, Ling Yihang, and Ling Xiaotian gripped massive shields, protecting themselves.
Unlike Ling Xiao’s terrifying defence, they relied on shields to block the arrows, or they’d be pierced instantly.
Clang! Thud!
Arrows struck walls and shields, ringing sharply.
Shields dented, and walls pitted under the barrage.
“Ling Xiaotian, you old fool, die!”
Wan Ben knew to target the leader.
Though not the strongest, Ling Xiaotian was the sect’s backbone. Killing him would end it all.
From his storage ring, Wan Ben drew a heavy bow, nocking two feathered arrows. Infusing them with true essence, he fired.
The arrows, crackling with pale blue lightning, shot forth like bolts of thunder.
Boom! Boom!
The arrows pierced Ling Xiaotian’s iron shield one after another, a surge of electricity blasting him backward, blood spraying as he flew.
Several Supreme Elders leapt to block the arrows for Ling Xiaotian.
Even so, they were forced back several steps by the impact.
Wan Ben, self-proclaimed the strongest below Mortal Realm, wasn’t entirely boasting in Baiyun Province.
“Giant Whale Devours Corpse!”
“Flowing Water Sword Shadow!”
Feiyu and Feiliu, beside Wan Ben, seized the moment to strike.
Feiyu’s spear conjured a whale’s phantom, thrusting like a whale’s maw toward Ling Xiaotian.
Feiliu’s sword flashed, a stream of water forming a massive sword shadow.
Both targeted Ling Xiaotian, clearly intent on killing him.
Their attacks were too sudden, their strength surpassing Ling Xiaotian’s. The Supreme Elders couldn’t possibly block them.
As Ling Xiaotian faced death under their combined assault, a furious shout rang out.
“Those who kill my Divine Sword Sect disciples will die!”
Ling Xiao finally acted.
He couldn’t stand by and watch Ling Xiaotian die.
This elder had shown him kindness.
His figure blurred into a streak, crossing dozens of meters as if it were inches.
Countless arrows fell around him, only to be deflected, striking Yunkong City soldiers instead.
No matter how sturdy the arrows, they were meaningless against him.
