Chapter Twelve: A Gathering of the Mighty

Long Yun withdrew his gaze from the young woman in white and looked at the arrogant bandit chief, the corners of his mouth curling into a trace of bitterness and apology. If not for the sudden change within his body, the two of them might never have been exposed. Yet, he could not discern the source of this sensation. He was certain it was his first encounter with this white-robed girl, but why had his aura shifted so drastically in an instant?

He swiftly brushed aside the doubts clouding his mind and regained his unshakable composure. Now was not the time to ponder such things; the most pressing matter was to deal with these mountain bandits.

He had previously heard Xiao Leng mention the formidable reputation of the Bixiu Mountain bandits but had not expected their leader to be a formidable expert of the Marrow Transcendence stage—this far exceeded his expectations.

How could a mere mountain bandit possess such strength? Moreover, each of these brigands was so powerful, their might comparable to the smaller sects of cultivators.

Long Yun could not help but harbor suspicions. Clearly, there was a force backing this band of thieves, perhaps even a cultivator sect. Otherwise, such strength was inexplicable.

Hearing the chief's words, Long Yun shook his head and said, "Do you truly think you have us cornered? Since we dared to come here, how could we not have some assurance? Hmph, I think you’re celebrating too soon! My master and senior brothers are awaiting our signal. The moment battle breaks out, they’ll charge in at once. I refuse to believe your Bixiu Stronghold dares to stand against our Jade Sword Sect!"

"Ha!" The bandit chief burst into wild laughter. "Boy, do you take me for a fool? I know every move your Jade Sword Sect makes. If you’d mobilized in force to besiege my stronghold, I’d have known even before your disciples did. You really think you can deceive me?"

"Not good—there’s a traitor in Jade Sword Sect colluding with this chief!" Long Yun and Xiao Leng exchanged a glance, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes. This confirmed Long Yun’s suspicions—he had not expected the real force behind these bandits to be the Jade Sword Sect itself.

The chief clasped his hands behind his back, his voice growing cold. "Just as you suspected, I have my people within the Jade Sword Sect. But that’s a secret. Now that you know, you’ll remain here. Kill them!"

He did not act himself, but the experts at the Marrow Transcendence and Spirit Gathering stages under his command moved at once. Two chilling flashes of light shot forth, aimed straight at their throats.

Meanwhile, the remaining eighteen men stepped back, leaving space for the four to fight.

"One each—let’s see who finishes first!" With nowhere to hide, escape was nearly impossible. Gritting their teeth, the two each raised their swords and engaged one of the Spirit Gathering bandits.

Xiao Leng’s sword radiated shimmering white halos. Streams of icy sword energy crisscrossed as he drove his Flying Snow Sword Technique to its utmost, each stroke exuding a bone-chilling cold.

The Marrow Transcendence expert facing him immediately felt the pressure. At the same cultivation level, Jade Sword Sect disciples were far superior to these unaffiliated fighters.

After a mere dozen exchanges, the expert was forced into retreat again and again, peril mounting with each step, barely holding on with clenched teeth.

Long Yun, by contrast, seemed the picture of calm. Though he was only at the Energy Gathering stage, even Quan Guanxin, the prodigy of the Human Sword lineage, was no match for him—let alone this rustic bandit at the Spirit Gathering stage.

Thus, he made no move to employ any of the Five Supreme Slaughter Sword Techniques, relying instead on his formidable sword intent and shifting forms. Outwardly he appeared to be at a disadvantage, but his defense was seamless, not allowing a single opening, with his sword energy swirling protectively around him. He let the opponent’s attacks rain down like a storm, yet remained as unmovable as a mountain.

This, of course, was intentional. A decisive, fatal strike would be difficult to land, especially since the bandit chief’s attention was firmly fixed on their duel. The moment he saw an opportunity, he was sure to intervene. Thus, Long Yun waited patiently for a chance to kill in one blow.

The two had already exchanged more than thirty moves without a clear victor, but on Xiao Leng’s side, the results were apparent—the Marrow Transcendence expert was covered in blood, his wounds ghastly and his clothes soaked, looking utterly wretched.

"Four Vajra! Assist the Right Guardian and seize this brat!" the chief commanded, still refraining from making a move himself. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept toward four Energy Gathering experts.

At his order, the four did not dare hesitate and charged at Xiao Leng, weapons flashing with auras of light.

Xiao Leng immediately felt the mounting pressure. He unleashed the Flying Snow Sword Technique with all his might—frigid energy coalesced almost into substance, sword shadows weaving together to block the oncoming attacks.

Long Yun’s gaze flickered. The Left Guardian was indeed formidable, wielding a horse-slaying saber with a fierce and bold style, making wide, sweeping attacks. Yet all were deftly parried by Long Yun’s dense sword energy. His stance was steady, each move measured, revealing no sign of disarray; he seemed to hold strength in reserve.

The Left Guardian grew increasingly agitated at his inability to break through. He was a renowned independent expert—many a righteous cultivator had fallen beneath his saber. Now, to be stalled so long by a mere Energy Gathering youth, and one so slippery at that, who always slipped away just as victory seemed in reach, was unbearable.

The chief’s impatience was written on his face, further heightening the Left Guardian’s anxiety. With a furious roar, he brought his saber down in a mountain-cleaving arc directly at Long Yun’s head.

A surge of spiritual power instantly enveloped Long Yun, locking him in place and preventing any escape.

"Die, boy!" The saber carried the force of ten thousand pounds, the blade’s passage even causing faint ripples in the air—a testament to its terrifying might.

Long Yun showed not the slightest sign of panic. As the blow descended, his sword intent erupted, shattering the spiritual force binding him.

In the same instant, his right hand thrust forward like lightning. A streak of sword energy, swift as a meteor, collided head-on with the falling blade.

A thunderous explosion split the air as the two forces clashed, sending a wild storm of energy surging outward.

Long Yun’s sword intent instantly enveloped the Left Guardian, causing him to falter for a heartbeat.

With a sudden swish of his robes, Long Yun’s form flickered through the aftermath of the clash, appearing before the Left Guardian. His sword swept out horizontally, sharp and merciless.

This time, he did not employ the vast power of the Great Compassion Supreme Sword, nor the all-encompassing Great Chaos Sword Technique. Instead, he unleashed the most ruthless of the Five Supreme Slaughter Sword Techniques—the Ten Thousand Annihilation Slaughter Sword. This strike brimmed with murderous intent, so intense it seemed almost tangible.

"Not good!" The bandit chief’s face changed drastically. In a flash, he lunged forward, palm striking toward Long Yun’s back—a classic tactic to relieve an ally by threatening the enemy.

At that moment, he could not afford to hesitate, for Long Yun’s sword had reached its apex, far beyond what the Left Guardian could withstand, especially as the latter was in no state to defend himself. Dazed and bewildered, the Left Guardian was like a lamb to the slaughter.

He was the only Spirit Gathering expert in Bixiu Mountain. Should he fall, the stronghold’s power would be greatly diminished.

Thus, the chief abandoned any pretense of honor, unleashing a tidal wave of force with his palm. The air crackled with explosive energy.

The Marrow Transcendence stage was a mysterious realm among the Eight Postnatal Stages, signaling a leap to new heights—a shedding of the mortal shell, a transformation of essence.

This palm strike was powerful enough to shatter Long Yun’s bones and meridians in an instant!