126: Knives Out

Currently, only Cheng Tianhao and the young girl Lin Ying's teams were on this path.

The other teams had not yet arrived.

Cheng Tianhao originally thought his team's speed was already very fast.

Who would have thought... Lin Ying's team wasn't slow either!

Unfortunately, although they arrived first, they couldn't set off immediately.

They needed to wait here for ten minutes.

There was a certain distance between the two sides.

Both were also blocked by barriers.

This prevented them from engaging in battle immediately.

At present, both of their teams hoped that the other teams would not be able to reach this checkpoint within ten minutes.

This way, things would be much easier for them.

Unfortunately.

These five teams this time.

Were not simple.

Although the other three teams weren't as fast as them, they also arrived here within ten minutes.

When the last team arrived here.

Only three minutes remained.

However, the last arrival, a young man with messy hair and sleepy eyes, looking as if he had just woken up, was not in a hurry at all.

Even though the other teams had already received a certain speed boost during this period.

He remained completely unperturbed.

"Everyone."

The sleepy-eyed young man suddenly looked around and spoke loudly.

Although there were barriers between their five teams.

They couldn't block the transmission of sound.

His words were clearly audible to everyone present.

"If you are willing to assist me on the path ahead and help me reach the core area, then no matter the outcome, I will give each of you a Shadow Comprehension Talisman as a reward!"

As soon as his words came out.

It immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Especially the many protectors.

Their eyes all lit up.

They knew very well.

His words were clearly directed at them, the protectors.

In response.

The tall and burly Meng Que sneered.

"Wei Chen, your methods are a bit too crude, aren't they? You think you can turn our protectors against us with a casual promise? Save it."

Cheng Tianhao and the others also scoffed.

They hadn't expected Wei Chen to use such a pathetic trick.

However, Wei Chen, in front of everyone, directly took out a large handful of Shadow Comprehension Talismans.

"See clearly, whether I'm making empty promises or not! As long as you help me, I'll give you a Shadow Comprehension Talisman immediately!"

When everyone clearly saw the many Shadow Comprehension Talismans in Wei Chen's hand, their gazes all shrank simultaneously.

Even Cheng Tianhao and the others' expressions changed drastically.

They hadn't expected Wei Chen to be able to produce so many Shadow Comprehension Talismans at once!

"He... how could he have so many Shadow Comprehension Talismans!!"

"This is impossible!"

"Even the Sequence behind him couldn't produce so many Shadow Comprehension Talismans! This... this must be a trick!"

Cheng Tianhao and the others exclaimed in surprise.

In fact, behind these five individuals competing for the Sequence.

There were Sequence Disciples supporting them.

This was both a competition among themselves and a factional struggle among those Sequence Disciples.

Now, Cheng Tianhao and the others hadn't expected.

Wei Chen to have such a trick up his sleeve!

And the many protectors, upon seeing the Shadow Comprehension Talismans Wei Chen produced, all had fervent glows in their eyes.

The vast majority of protectors were tempted.

After all, these protectors... were not like Xiao Shi, who was hired with a hefty sum.

The remuneration they received was far from the value of a single Shadow Comprehension Talisman!

The allure of a Shadow Comprehension Talisman was extremely great for them; many protectors were tempted at this moment.

"Don't listen to him! As long as you continue to help me, I will also give you Shadow Comprehension Talismans afterwards!"

The tall Meng Que was a little anxious.

He quickly spoke to the several protectors beside him.

Cheng Tianhao and the others also immediately appeased the protectors beside them.

Once their protectors turned against them at this time... all their previous efforts would be in vain!

However, Wei Chen sneered.

"You see clearly who is making empty promises! As long as you help me, I will give you a Shadow Comprehension Talisman immediately!"

Wei Chen held up the many Shadow Comprehension Talismans in his hand.

He then took out four Shadow Comprehension Talismans from the stack and, in front of everyone, gave them to the protectors beside him.

Then he looked around at everyone.

"Whoever helps me, I will give them a Shadow Comprehension Talisman!"

His actions.

Coupled with the excited joy of the four protectors beside him, the allure it brought to others instantly reached its peak.

Making the eyes of these protectors all glow with excitement.

They could all see... that what Wei Chen said was not false.

He really would give Shadow Comprehension Talismans!

As for Meng Que and the others, no matter how much they promised, it was always for afterwards, and there were too many unstable factors involved.

This caused many protectors to start having second thoughts.

Their agreement to be protectors was inherently driven by self-interest.

Now that there were greater benefits.

Even betraying was reasonable.

The four people, including Cheng Tianhao, had extremely grim expressions.

They could all see that the protectors beside them were already tempted.

Wei Chen's move... truly tricked them.

And they had no good way to resolve it.

After all, they couldn't immediately produce something better than a Shadow Comprehension Talisman.

They could only offer some promises.

But such promises... were far less substantial than immediately receiving a Shadow Comprehension Talisman.

At the same time.

The barriers around them also dissipated as time passed.

Three minutes were up!

Almost immediately after the barriers dissipated.

The protectors around everyone, except for Wei Chen's four protectors, all turned against their masters.

Among Cheng Tianhao's four protectors.

Except for Xiao Shi, who made no move.

The other three protectors all immediately turned and attacked Cheng Tianhao!

"You..."

Cheng Tianhao's expression was extremely grim.

But he had also anticipated facing this situation.

He immediately made a move to block them.

The others also encountered the same fate.

Some were even worse off than Cheng Tianhao.

Cheng Tianhao, after all, was only attacked by three protectors.

The others were all attacked by four protectors.

The allure brought by the Shadow Comprehension Talismans made all these protectors choose to join Wei Chen's camp.

Wei Chen grinned.

Everything was going according to his plan.

Taking advantage of the others being under attack.

He moved.

Leading the way, he sprinted forward along the path.

His four protectors, on the other hand, rushed towards Cheng Tianhao and the other three, joining the battle to prevent them from setting off and catching up.

This meant that although Wei Chen was the last to arrive.

On this path, only he could speed forward.

Everyone else was trapped in place.

Xiao Shi silently watched this scene unfold.

Even he hadn't anticipated the turn of events.

However.

This didn't have much of an impact on him.

Anyway, in his plan.

These people were just his prey.

However, before Xiao Shi could make a move.

A protector of Wei Chen, who had rushed over from a distance, saw that he hadn't defected like the other protectors, and a sharp glint immediately flashed in his eyes.

The broad-bladed heavy sword in his hand whistled as it chopped down directly towards Xiao Shi.

Raising a sharp, piercing sound.

This person already possessed the cultivation of the Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection.

With his Qi Strength bursting forth, the descending sword strike was incredibly astonishing.

Tearing through the air.

Moreover, the hundred Qi Vortex he had activated were all special Qi Vortex, far from comparable to the ordinary Qi Martial Realm martial artists Xiao Shi had faced before.

Boom!

The immense sword Qi shone dazzlingly.

Startling to behold.

It swiftly slashed down towards Xiao Shi.

However, the moment the entire sword Qi slashed down.

Swish!

Beneath Xiao Shi.

A black branch, barely discernible to the naked eye, suddenly shot up from underground, carrying numerous Taiyin Qi Strength, and instantly collided with the descending sword Qi.

Boom!!

Under the terrifying explosion.

The surrounding air roared and burst apart.

Although Xiao Shi had only activated ninety-nine Taiyin Qi Vortex at present.

Still lacking the last one to be activated.

However, among his ninety-nine Taiyin Qi Vortex, more than thirty Taiyin Qi Vortex had already reached their limit!

This meant that his Taiyin Qi Strength was not weaker than the Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection in front of him.

The entire sword Qi was immediately shattered by the black branch's strike.

Wei Chen's protector showed surprise in his eyes.

He hadn't expected this protector, who outwardly only appeared to be at the Qi Martial Realm Mid-stage, to actually be able to withstand his strike!!

At the same time.

An intensely strong sense of crisis.

Suddenly came from all directions around him.

Although he couldn't see clearly with his naked eyes, he could distinctly feel it.

He immediately raised the broad-bladed heavy sword in his hand to block.

Boom!

Numerous branches rising from the ground simultaneously struck the broad-bladed heavy sword he used to block.

The terrifying force caused the ground beneath his feet to directly crack and shatter.

Blood seeped from his mouth.

He felt as if a mountain had pressed down on him.

All the flesh, blood, and bones in his body vibrated.

But just as he raised the broad-bladed heavy sword in his hand to block the branches attacking from above, a blade light, as fast as lightning, flashed past him.

So fast that he couldn't react at all.

It directly slashed into his body.

At the critical moment.

Numerous tree and grass branches suddenly emerged from the protector's body.

These tree and grass branches completely enveloped his body.

Causing Xiao Shi's whistling slash to actually be blocked by these tree and grass branches.

It was precisely... the important item obtained when passing the second stage, Tree Grass Protection!

These tree and grass possessed extremely strong protective capabilities.

Even Xiao Shi's incoming slash.

Failed to break through these tree and grass.

It was forcibly blocked.

Xiao Shi's eyes narrowed slightly.

He took a step forward with his right foot.

The Qi Severing Blade in his hand slashed forward again.

The Absolute Severing Blade Technique he performed was inherently continuous, like ocean waves, one wave following another.

Leaving Wei Chen's protector no time to react.

He had just used the tree and grass to block Xiao Shi's first slash.

Xiao Shi's second blade strike had already whistled down.

Not only that.

When Xiao Shi's Qi Severing Blade whistled and slashed in front of him.

Xiao Shi's heart suddenly let out a low growl.

"Scatter!"

The tree and grass encircling Wei Chen's protector's body actually scattered amidst tremors under Xiao Shi's low growl.

Wei Chen's protector's eyes widened.

He hadn't expected these tree and grass to detach from his body!

Hiss!

Without the protection of these tree and grass.

His body was directly cut into two halves by Xiao Shi's Qi Severing Blade.

Until the moment of his death.

His heart was filled with confusion.

He truly couldn't understand why these tree and grass would suddenly scatter... Xiao Shi glanced at his corpse.

Everything was as he had expected.

With his current strength, he was already capable of killing ordinary Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection cultivators.

And his action also attracted the attention of others.

Although many protectors were currently attacking Cheng Tianhao and the others, they were only responsible for holding Cheng Tianhao and the others back, preventing them from moving forward, and did not dare to actually kill them.

None of their attacks drew blood.

However, Xiao Shi's current action directly resulted in the death of Wei Chen's protector.

This caused everyone's gaze to converge on Xiao Shi.

They all hadn't expected Xiao Shi, who outwardly appeared to be only at the Qi Martial Realm Mid-stage, to so easily take down a Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection!

Wei Chen's other three protectors had even darker expressions.

Killing intent flickered in their eyes.

Although they dared not kill Cheng Tianhao and these Sequence contenders, there were no such scruples between protectors.

Since Xiao Shi had already initiated killing.

They would no longer hold back.

Most importantly... the protector killed by Xiao Shi still had a Shadow Comprehension Talisman on him!!

At this moment.

Not only were Wei Chen's three protectors tempted.

The other protectors also stirred restlessly.

Xiao Shi's gaze swept coldly over these charging protectors.

Since the sharp blade had already been unsheathed.

There was no need to hide it anymore.

It was time for slaughter.

His gaze swept over these charging protectors.

Although there were two Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection among them, he felt no pressure whatsoever.

Having killed that Qi Warrior Realm Great Perfection earlier, he already understood his own strength, and now there was no need to talk about martial ethics with them.

Xiao Shi immediately had a thought.

Boom!

He immediately obtained the power blessing of the ancient tree through his authority within the ancient tree.

Waves of terrifying power instantly emanated from him.

Under this astonishing power, streaks of leaves and branches quickly spread from his body, enveloping him.

These leaves and branches not only provided protection for his body but also brought an extremely strong power boost.

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Shi's eyes.

He raised his right hand.

And slammed it down on the ground in front of him.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

Immediately, numerous tree trunks and branches emerged from the ground.

These tree trunks and branches swept directly towards the many charging protectors.

Quickly coiling around their bodies.

These protectors were all greatly alarmed.

Their expressions changed drastically.

"This... what is this!!"

These tree trunks and branches were extremely tough.

Even if they struggled with all their might.

They found it difficult to break free.

What frightened them even more was that the Qi Strength within their bodies was continuously draining away under the entanglement of these tree trunks and branches.

Xiao Shi looked coldly at these protectors.

With his authority in this place, killing them was as easy as turning his hand.

"Kill!"

Xiao Shi wielded the Qi Severing Blade in his hand, and numerous blade Qi immediately whistled towards these several protectors.

These protectors, entangled by the tree trunks and branches, were utterly unable to resist.

With sounds of 'pupu'.

Heads rolled.

In a moment.

All of Wei Chen's protectors were dead!