496: Chapter 496 The White-Clad Swordsman

King Dong didn't want to discuss this topic any further; discussing such practical problems with a guy who only thought about research and combat was completely pointless.

To put it bluntly, as the new leader and a primary beneficiary of this plan, King Dong wasn't thinking about how to complete the mission, but rather how to enjoy the delicious meat from this hot potato without getting his hands blistered.

This plan had almost been scrapped, but it was restarted because King Dong acted as a guide for the big boss, leading to the capture of one of Kun Gou's Incarnations.

Because of this, he became the leader.

Since it was so easy to gain leadership, he lost his awe of the plan; now, his head was filled with various ways to reap benefits.

As long as he stuffed his own pockets, he didn't care what happened to the plan in the end.

Just then, a researcher wearing a white lab coat and glasses jogged over to report to King Dong.

"Your Eminence King Dong, we have successfully located the Conquest Subject and the War Subject. They happen to be together, and we have already dispatched assassins."

Hearing that there was progress, King Dong quickly took the device from the other man's hand and looked at the screen.

The screen showed Wang Yao and Xiao Sheng, who were standing ready as if watching something.

"Old Wang, why do I feel like something's wrong?"

"How long has it been since we came down the mountain, and how many times have people come looking for trouble? Everything was smooth sailing before we left, but how many does this make now?"

Wang Yao also frowned.

"The ones before don't count. This is the first one!"

"The first one?" Xiao Sheng looked at the white-clad swordsman blocking their path with some confusion.

The white-clad swordsman wore clothes as white as snow, arms crossed over his chest, one hand holding a silver-white longsword. His collar and cuffs were embroidered with silver cloud patterns, which reflected the midday sun so brightly they almost glowed.

He just watched their exchange with cold eyes, a faint sneer playing on his lips.

The white-clad youth looked at the two coldly, first glancing at Wang Yao, then casting a disdainful look at Xiao Sheng.

"Wang Yao of Qingxu Grotto-Heaven and Xiao Sheng of Kurong Temple."

"Wang Yao is somewhat interesting, but you... you're quite ordinary."

"Hey, you..." Xiao Sheng pointed his small hand, intending to show him what's what, only to find the white-clad swordsman's aura suddenly erupt—he was at the Nascent Soul Stage.

Xiao Sheng was instantly speechless and retreated behind Wang Yao in embarrassment, whispering to him.

"Old Wang, did you see his cultivation level? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Wang Yao showed a look of surprise and said in confusion,

"Didn't I just say it? He's the first one."

"The ones before weren't trouble; at most, they were just scouts. This is the first real trouble."

"You say I'm uninteresting? Well, I say you're uninteresting too. If you're here to pick a fight, you two fight first. Once you beat Old Wang, I'll see if I'm in the mood to deal with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Sheng bolted toward the rear and quickly vanished.

The white-clad swordsman ignored the fleeing Xiao Sheng, merely staring coldly at Wang Yao with a slightly ferocious smile.

"Your friend isn't very loyal, and you are much bolder than I expected."

The white-clad swordsman stepped forward slowly. From his silver-white scabbard, a flash of red was slowly being drawn out.

"I've heard of your great name long ago. To join the Heaven Rank at such a young age—it's a pity your virtue doesn't match your position."

"I reached the Nascent Soul Stage at sixty, and even then I was only on the Earth Rank. Yet now, you, a mere Core Formation Stage, can occupy a spot on the Heaven Rank. It's truly laughable."

"The world says you only made it to the Heaven Rank by riding the coattails of your Sect's Saint. Let me test your strength on behalf of everyone."

"Don't disappoint me too much, or else I'm afraid..." The longsword was now fully drawn from the silver scabbard, revealing a blood-red blade. "Or else I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from killing you."

The white-clad swordsman flicked the scabbard, and it plunged into the ground nearby. Simultaneously, a blood-red formation rapidly expanded, enveloping both of them.

Wang Yao's nerves were also taut as he adjusted his combat stance, preparing to face this man.

Seeing this, the white-clad swordsman just shook his head in amusement. He held his longsword horizontally, the blood-light reflecting off his pale face as he pointed the blade at Wang Yao.

"Wrath Prison, Li Hua. Please enlighten me."

"First City Under Heaven, Wang Yao. Please enlighten me."

Wang Yao also cupped his fists and announced his title.

But Li Hua didn't care; it was as if he were just going through the motions and had no intention of truly respecting his opponent.

After announcing his name, a red light flashed in Li Hua's eyes, and a sharp Sword Qi suddenly erupted, slashing vertically toward Wang Yao.

The Sword Qi carved a long trench wherever it passed, carrying a foul aura as if the ground were being severely corroded.

Facing this sudden strike, Wang Yao couldn't dodge in time. He could only cross his arms before his chest, using all his spiritual power for defense.

In an instant, dust and smoke rose everywhere, and a red light exploded like a flame, continuing to bloom for three seconds before vanishing.

When the dust cleared, there was only a long trench and Wang Yao, whose arms were now reduced to bare bone.

Li Hua's eyes were full of disdain. He was about to mock him when he saw Wang Yao's hands instantly recover with startling speed.

Wang Yao didn't waste this opportunity. A small Pill Furnace quickly appeared in his hand, and he threw it out with all his strength.

The small furnace grew as it met the wind, and in a moment, it was over six feet tall.

Li Hua's eyebrows twitched slightly. He was about to catch it with one hand, but unexpectedly, Wang Yao pushed off with his feet, charging forward like an explosion. He slammed a fist into the furnace, not only making it faster but also causing the furnace fire shaking out of it to be quite extraordinary.

Realizing this brute-force attack wasn't simple, he didn't dodge. Instead, he reached out his hand even more firmly, intending to stop it with one hand while revealing a bloodthirsty smile.

"BOOM!!!"

A massive roar was followed by a soaring wall of fire.

Wang Yao had struck back in almost the exact same way, and Li Hua had chosen to take it head-on.

"Boom."

The sound of a heavy object hitting the ground rang out, followed by several sword beams.

The fire that had enveloped Li Hua's position was instantly shredded, losing its spirit and gradually dissipating into sparks.

After the fire vanished, Li Hua's figure was revealed once more.

He held his sword in one hand and pressed down on Wang Yao's Pill Furnace with the other.

The sleeve of the hand touching the Pill Furnace had been burned away by the flames, and there were some burns on his arm.

Li Hua didn't get angry but laughed, pushing the Pill Furnace back. This time, Li Hua didn't use much force, so Wang Yao caught it easily, though he frowned.

"Why didn't you dodge when you could have?"

Hearing Wang Yao's words, the playfulness in Li Hua's eyes grew even stronger.

"A mere grain of rice dares to compete with the light of the sun."

"If I had dodged an attack of this level, it would make me look petty."

Having said that, Li Hua raised his longsword again and pointed it at Wang Yao.

"As for you, you've exceeded my expectations, giving me a slight desire to fight."

"The Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Stage is a bit unfair to you, isn't it? Then I shall lower my cultivation to the Middle Stage of the Core Formation Stage. I hope you can entertain me."

"Alright, I'll allow you to celebrate for two seconds. After all, based on your performance, I'm willing to turn this slaughter into a duel."

"So... Argh!"

Before Li Hua could finish his sentence, two mechanical arms reached out from the ground beneath his feet, tightly clamping his legs and rapidly releasing an electric current.

This instantaneous electric shock brought him immense pain, and his body fell into a state of paralysis.

He could clearly feel that this power was pure lightning magic, one of the powers that extremely countered the Wrath Prison Cultivation Technique.

But before he could think about where the arms and lightning magic came from, Wang Yao revealed a sinister grin.

He held three pills in one hand and three syringes in the other, throwing them like darts with precision into Li Hua's mouth and onto his body.

Realizing he was in trouble, Li Hua finally remembered to restore his cultivation. His Nascent Soul Stage aura exploded, and he was about to break free from the lightning magic's restraint.

But unfortunately, this combination was perfect, with zero margin for error.

The very instant his body could move, the pills had already entered his mouth, and the syringes had stuck into his body.

The Medicinal Pills melted instantly, carrying a slightly sweet taste, and the syringes injected the liquid the moment they hit.

At this point, the mechanical arms let go and vanished, and the lightning magic stopped.

The moment the lightning magic disappeared, Li Hua collapsed to his knees, clutching his neck and questioning Wang Yao with eyes full of rage.

"You... what did you do to me!"

Wang Yao just smiled with satisfaction and said,

"Just gave you some tonic."

From the ground beside Wang Yao, a giant robot emerged. After the hatch opened, Xiao Sheng was revealed inside. The two of them high-fived in perfect sync.

"I didn't expect the first Nascent Soul Stage we encountered to be so easy to deal with?"

"I was planning to stay hidden for a bit longer, but who knew this guy would want a fair duel and lower his own cultivation."

After saying that, Xiao Sheng burst into laughter, and Wang Yao beside him followed suit, laughing uncontrollably.

"Don't say that. Even though it's making me laugh too, at least show some respect for this demon brat's fighting spirit."

By now, Li Hua felt his dao body losing balance. Even though his power was constantly increasing, his body felt increasingly weak. He soon slumped to the ground and pointed at the two, questioning them.

"You... aren't you from the righteous Sects? Why... why are you so dishonorable!"

This cry interrupted their laughter, and they both turned to look at Li Hua.

In Li Hua's eyes, their faces were now blurred, but he could still see the traces of mockery.

"Once a demonic cultivator, always a demonic cultivator. If we treated you like a human, wouldn't your decision to become a demon have been for nothing?"