173: Chapter 173 Jian Wuhen Surrounded by Three People

Unlike Xia Jin, Jian Wuhen and Venerable Miaodi did not encounter any so-called Thunder Beasts.

Venerable Miaodi was doing well; his journey was smooth as the lightning within the dense fog could not break through his Protective Buddha Light.

Jian Wuhen, however, was somewhat unlucky. He had been in this place for less than an hour before he was forced to stop.

Within the dense fog ahead, three figures stood faintly.

Jian Wuhen narrowed his eyes and focused his gaze. When he clearly saw the faces of those three, his brows twitched slightly.

Among those three, he recognized two of them; they were the two from the Tianqi Continent who had passed the assessment with him that day.

One was a man carrying a black long spear, and the other was a man who had lost his right arm.

Standing in front of the two of them was another figure.

It was a tall middle-aged man who was blind in one eye. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Jian Wuhen with a condescending gaze.

As if to intimidate him, he released his aura without reservation, revealing a cultivation level at the ninth level of the Tongshen Realm.

“Master Cao, it’s this kid.”

The man carrying the black spear pointed at Jian Wuhen not far away, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. “This kid is also from that East Profound Continent. Big Brother Li of the Heaven Gate died at the hands of those from the East Profound Continent. We should take this opportunity to slaughter them! Avenge Big Brother Li!”

“Oh?” The middle-aged man called “Master Cao” swept his gaze over Jian Wuhen, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Someone from the East Profound Continent? For Li Chen to actually fall at the hands of these people is simply a disgrace!”

His indifferent expression clearly showed that he did not take Jian Wuhen seriously.

Jian Wuhen naturally heard the conversation between the two opposite him, and his heart stirred slightly.

Heaven Gate? Big Brother Li?

A name instantly flashed through his mind: Li Chen.

Back in the East Profound Continent, that fellow who wanted to snatch Brother Xia’s treasure was said to have been turned directly into powder by a single palm strike from Brother Xia.

Looking at the posture of these few people, it seemed they wanted to settle the score on his head?

Having guessed the other party's thoughts, Jian Wuhen sneered inwardly but remained calm on the surface. “Gentlemen, by the rules of the Temple, fellow disciples are not allowed to strike or harm one another at will. Do you actually intend to Move against me here?”

“Do you hear what this guy is saying? Hahahaha!”

Upon hearing Jian Wuhen’s questioning, the three people opposite him laughed simultaneously.

“A newcomer is a newcomer; you understand nothing!”

The man called “Master Cao” stopped laughing, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “That’s right, the Temple does indeed have such a rule. But this is the Lightning Pool Trial.”

“In the Lightning Pool Trial, it couldn't be more normal for a few people to die. Struck down by heavenly lightning, killed by Thunder Beasts, or... accidentally falling to one's death. Who would suspect us? After all, dead men tell no tales!”

“So, you’ve made up your minds to strike?” The corners of Jian Wuhen’s mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, his tone even carrying a hint of playfulness.

“As long as you know! Die obediently, and it will save you some suffering!”

The man carrying the black spear could no longer restrain himself. He took a step forward, and his black spear lunged out instantly.

This spear strike was both fast and ruthless, clearly aimed for a killing blow.

A hint of mockery flashed in Jian Wuhen’s eyes.

If it were his former self, he would certainly have to avoid the brunt of this spear or even turn and flee.

But his current self was no longer the same as before.

“Clang!”

A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out.

The black spear was directly intercepted. Jian Wuhen had drawn his sword at some unknown point, casually suppressing the opponent with the tip of his blade.

“What? How is this possible!” The man’s pupils contracted, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

Even if he hadn't used his full strength in this spear strike, it still carried ninety percent of his power.

“It seems you still think I am the same as I was before? Then you’ve guessed wrong!”

A smile widened on Jian Wuhen’s face, and as he spoke, the iron sword in his hand moved again.

One strike.

Just one strike.

The onlookers only saw a flash of sword light, and the black spear began to shatter inch by inch from the tip. The sword's momentum did not stop, striking directly at the man’s chest.

“Pfft!”

The man spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.

“You... how could your strength be...”

The man’s eyes widened, looking at Jian Wuhen with utter disbelief. He couldn't understand how, in just half a month, someone who was far inferior to him could possess such terrifying strength.

The man with the severed right arm also had a change in expression. He subconsciously took a step back, holding a long saber he had obtained from somewhere in front of his chest for protection.

“It’s useless! I didn't want to bother with you fellows, but since you’ve come looking for trouble with me, then prepare to go down and reunite with that Li Chen!” Jian Wuhen shook his head with a smile.

But no one saw Jian Wuhen’s next Move clearly.

Another strike.

This strike did not slash at the opponent but slapped toward him.

The blade of the sword slapped against the one-armed man’s shoulder. With a “crack,” his shoulder blade shattered instantly, and he fell beside the spear-wielding man, likewise losing his ability to fight.

Two strikes.

Just two strikes.

Two Cultivators of the sixth level of the Tongshen Realm were like clay chickens or pottery dogs, collapsing to the ground.

“You two really are trash!! You couldn't even take two casual strikes from me.”

Jian Wuhen’s mockery caused the face of the man called “Master Cao” to turn extremely grim.

He narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at Jian Wuhen, a hint of solemnity flashing in his gaze.

“I didn't expect that a newcomer like you would actually have such strength.”

Jian Wuhen wiped a speck of rust from the blade of his sword, looking at him with a half-smile. “What, are you scared? Do you regret standing up for these two?”

“Scared?” Master Cao patted his knotted, muscular arm and sneered. “Didn't you just win against the two of them? That’s not enough to make this lord afraid.”

“However, your strength is indeed extraordinary. How about this, this lord can give you a chance today.”

“Follow me. As long as you are willing to follow me, I guarantee you will pass this Lightning Pool Trial smoothly, and in the future within the Temple, no one will dare to easily make things difficult for you.”

Hearing this, Jian Wuhen was stunned for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

“Hahahaha! Just based on a fellow like you who hasn't even stepped into the Creation Realm? You dare to speak such big words?”

“Who gave you the face?”

Jian Wuhen’s arrogant words instantly made Master Cao blow his top.

A flash of killing intent appeared in his eyes, and the aura on his body surged instantly, fully releasing his cultivation at the ninth level of the Tongshen Realm.

The surrounding mist was blasted away in all directions by the impact of this aura.

“So what if I haven't stepped into the Creation Realm? There are many experts from my Tianqi Continent, but to deal with you, there is no need for them to act. This lord alone is enough!!”

He took a step forward, his hands forming claws as he lunged straight for Jian Wuhen’s throat. With this strike, he used his full power, determined to kill this arrogant newcomer on the spot.

A hint of disdain flashed in Jian Wuhen’s eyes. After obtaining that ancient animal skin scroll, not only had his cultivation reached the ninth level of the Tongshen Realm—only a step away from the Creation Realm—

but it had also greatly enhanced his swordsmanship.

Without dodging or evading, he slashed out directly.

This strike had no fancy Moves or brilliant sword light; it was just the simplest, most direct strike.

“Bang!”

Sword and claw met, producing a muffled thud.

Master Cao’s expression changed drastically. He felt a terrifying force transmit from the blade, shaking his hands until they were numb; he had suffered a hidden loss from this single strike.

“How is this possible?!”

Before he could think further, Jian Wuhen’s second strike had already arrived.

This strike was even faster and more ruthless.

Master Cao barely managed to raise his hand to block, but he was shaken by the strike and forced back three steps.

The third strike.

With this strike, Jian Wuhen held nothing back.

As the sword light flashed, Master Cao’s defense collapsed instantly. A shocking sword wound appeared on his chest, with blood constantly flowing out.

Three strikes.

In just three strikes,

he was defeated.