22: Prelude to the Suppression of Bandits
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, Ye Chen lived simply and rarely went out. Except for necessary rest, he spent most of his time immersed in cultivation and preparation.
He repeatedly tempered the "Wind Shadow Sword Art," integrating his recent insights into the Sword Intents of "Sharp Metal" and "Flowing Water." His sword moves became increasingly smooth and natural, and their power rose to a higher level. As for that sliver of "Explosion" Sword Intent, he did not dare use it lightly, instead constantly contemplating its core Concept to deepen his understanding.
At the same time, he kept the "Gold Sword Protective Talisman" gifted by Zhao Qianjun close to his body; it was his life-saving trump card for critical moments.
During this period, Su Wanqing came to visit. She informed him that because of the Black Wind Stockade matter, the Outer Court had tightened the review process for outgoing missions and warned him to be absolutely careful of Chen Feng on this trip. Ye Chen thanked her for her kindness but did not say much.
On the morning of the third day, the sky was just beginning to brighten.
On the square in front of the Law Enforcement Hall, over ten people stood solemnly. In addition to Chen Feng and his three trusted Law Enforcement Disciples, there were eight elite Outer Court Disciples with sharp auras. Their cultivation levels were all at the first or second layer of the Kaiyuan Realm, clearly elites mobilized by the Law Enforcement Hall.
Ye Chen arrived on time, still dressed in his green robes with the qingfeng sword on his back. His appearance immediately drew everyone's gaze. The looks the Law Enforcement Hall elites gave him were mostly scrutinizing, curious, or even tinged with an imperceptible trace of contempt. To them, someone at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm, even if somewhat famous, seemed more like a burden in a bandit suppression operation like this.
Chen Feng glanced at Ye Chen expressionlessly and said coldly, "Since everyone is here, I will emphasize the rules once more before we set out. The primary goal of this trip is to wipe out the Black Wind Stockade and capture or kill the bandit chief 'Blackevil spirits'! All actions will follow my command! If anyone violates orders, do not blame me for handling it according to the academy rules!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "follow my command," his gaze flickering toward Ye Chen as if unintentionally.
"Yes! Senior Brother Chen!" everyone responded in unison.
Ye Chen's expression was calm, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Chen Feng said no more and waved his hand. "Depart!"
Over ten figures, like arrows released from a bow, left Tianfeng Academy and vanished into the vast Myriad Beast Mountain Range.
The group moved extremely fast, heading straight for the Black Wind Cliff under Chen Feng's lead. These Law Enforcement Hall Disciples were clearly well-trained; they coordinated with each other as they moved, vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Ye Chen followed silently in the middle of the group, but his Divine Sense had already quietly spread out, covering a range of dozens of meters. After the tempering from the Basic Qi Guiding Art and the honing in the Myriad Worlds Sword Tomb, his Divine Sense strength far exceeded those of the same level, and was even no weaker than some Middle Stage Kaiyuan Realm Cultivators.
Along the way, the atmosphere was silent and oppressive. Chen Feng seemed to be intentionally isolating Ye Chen, talking with other Disciples but never speaking to him. Ye Chen was happy to have the peace, focusing on sensing the environment and familiarizing himself with the terrain of the area.
Based on the fragmented information obtained from the One-Eyed Strongman's memories and the data provided by Su Wanqing, the Black Wind Stockade's lair should be in an extremely well-hidden cave deep within the Black Wind Cliff, a place easy to defend but hard to attack.
By evening, the team reached the outer area of the Black Wind Cliff and stopped to rest in a hidden mountain hollow.
"We camp here tonight. Tomorrow morning, we launch the surprise attack!" Chen Feng ordered.
Everyone found their own spots to sit and regulate their breathing. Ye Chen chose a spot near a rock wall, sat cross-legged, and laid the qingfeng sword across his knees.
As the night grew darker, occasional beast roars echoed from the mountain forest, adding a touch of grimness.
Ye Chen closed his eyes to concentrate, but he did not enter a full meditative state, maintaining a sliver of vigilance at all times. He felt several gazes sweeping over him in the darkness, carrying a hint of cold intent.
"It seems someone can't wait anymore," he sneered inwardly.
Sure enough, around midnight, two dark shadows silently left the camp, creeping toward Ye Chen's resting position like ghosts. They were two Law Enforcement Disciples under Chen Feng's command, both at the Kaiyuan Realm First Layer!
The two coordinated perfectly, one on the left and one on the right. They held poisoned daggers that glinted with a faint blue luster under the moonlight; they were clearly intending to kill!
Just as they approached within ten feet of Ye Chen and were about to strike—
Ye Chen, who had been closing his eyes as if unaware, suddenly snapped them open! A cold light flashed in his eyes like two icy sword blades!
The two Disciples were startled by his sudden gaze, and their movements involuntarily faltered.
In that instant, Ye Chen moved!
He didn't stand up, nor did he reach for the qingfeng sword on his knees. He simply joined his fingers like a sword and struck out rapidly in both directions toward the two men!
*Chi! Chi!*
Two extremely condensed, nearly invisible pale gold finger-gusts pierced through the air! Contained within these finger-gusts was the sharp Sword Qi he had fused from the "Sharp Metal" and "Wind Shadow" Concepts, and their speed was beyond imagination!
The two Disciples had no time to react. They only felt a chill at their brows before a sharp, overbearing power pierced through their brains!
The cruel smiles on their faces instantly froze, their eyes filled with unbelievable terror. Then, the light in their eyes quickly dimmed, and their bodies slumped down, devoid of breath.
An instant kill!
It was another instant kill! He hadn't even used the qingfeng sword!
Ye Chen slowly retracted his fingers as if he had just brushed away two flies. He glanced coldly at the two corpses, then looked toward where Chen Feng was resting, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He knew Chen Feng must be watching in the shadows. This act was both a counterattack and a warning.
If you want to strike from the shadows, you must be prepared to be killed in return!
In the distant shadows, Chen Feng's fists were clenched so tight his nails dug deep into his palms, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water. He never expected Ye Chen's perception to be so sharp, nor his strength to be so terrifying! A sneak attack by two Kaiyuan Realm First Layer Cultivators had been instantly countered and killed!
"Useless trash!" he cursed inwardly, but he didn't dare to act rashly again. The strength Ye Chen displayed made him feel a deep sense of dread.
Silence returned to the camp, but this silence was tinged with a faint scent of blood and an even more heavy atmosphere.
The other resting Law Enforcement Hall Disciples, though they didn't know exactly what happened, vaguely sensed that something had occurred. The gazes they directed toward Ye Chen's position couldn't help but carry more suspicion and awe.
Ye Chen closed his eyes again, as if nothing had happened.
He knew in his heart that this was only the beginning. Tomorrow's attack on the Black Wind Stockade would be the real test. Chen Feng would never be satisfied and would surely find ways to create trouble for him during the battle.
And then there was the bandit chief 'Black Sha,' with a cultivation at the Kaiyuan Realm Third Level and potentially evil techniques; he was certainly no easy opponent.
"Black Sha... Lin Batian..." Ye Chen's thoughts turned. "Perhaps this is an opportunity."
An opportunity to use someone else's strength, or even... to shift the trouble onto others.
He needed to plan carefully.
As the night deepened, the forest was filled with the oppression preceding a great battle. Everyone understood that tomorrow would be a bloody fight.
Meanwhile, in the silence, Ye Chen silently adjusted his state, raising his essence, energy, and spirit to their absolute Peak.
The qingfeng sword at his knees let out an imperceptible soft hum, as if it too were longing for a hearty battle.