CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 238 TRAP, CHAOS

Zhao Honglie’s hands formed complex Dharma Seals, and Demonic Qi surged from his body.

As the Dharma Seals merged into the air, the dazzling seven-colored light on the Ten Thousand Soul Banner instantly vanished, revealing its true appearance.

The Ten Thousand Soul Banner was not large, approximately a meter in length and fifty centimeters in height. Its overall color was black, adorned with numerous golden, mystical patterns.

The moment the seven-colored light disappeared, rolling black mist surged out from the banner, unleashing a storm-like wave of sinister and violent energy.

The Ten Thousand Soul Banner descended slowly from the air, and when it hovered about two meters above the ground, it suddenly began to move into the distance.

At this moment, those who had been preparing to seize it instantly made their moves.

"Brother Gu, I’ll hold them back! That banner is yours to take!"

Gu Sheng nodded: "No problem!"

Lin Tianhao brandished his spear and moved first.

Lu Yun, seeing this, unsheathed his weapon and shouted at the team he had arranged earlier: "Stop him!"

Lu Feng immediately led over ten individuals with strong auras to encircle Lin Tianhao, while the rest of Haoyang Sect’s members were also engaged in confrontation.

Just as Gu Sheng was about to activate his Wind Boots to seize the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, two figures appeared before him.

One was fat, the other slim—a man and a woman—none other than Linghu Qingwan from the Giant Sword Sect and Qian Duoduo from the Qian family.

Although Lu Yun was unsure of Gu Sheng’s true capabilities, he hadn’t forgotten the scene where Gu Sheng’s sword had suppressed Zhu Hong. Hence, he had specially arranged Linghu Qingwan and Qian Duoduo to block Gu Sheng.

Linghu Qingwan and Qian Duoduo were no weaklings. In Lu Feng’s opinion, the combined efforts of these two should suffice to defeat Gu Sheng.

Linghu Qingwan stood in front of Gu Sheng and spoke coldly: "Brother Gu, the Demon Suppression Golden Scroll and the Vajra Demon Suppression Bell have already fallen into your hands. Let this artifact be ours. Though Giant Sword Sect and Holy Pill Sect share little camaraderie, we have no grievances either. I would rather avoid creating unnecessary rifts with you over this matter. Stand down."

Her tone was polite, and Gu Sheng didn’t immediately adopt a hostile attitude. Instead, smiling, he shook his head and replied, "Apologies, this isn’t something I can decide alone. I owe Brother Lin a favor and have promised to help him claim this item. If your Giant Sword Sect truly doesn’t wish to create animosity between us, then step aside. Forgive my frankness, but with your strength, you might find it difficult to stop me. If we truly come to blows, blades and swords spare no mercy, and the ensuing tension would hardly be worth it."

Qian Duoduo immediately became furious upon hearing this. He took a step forward, retrieved a pair of massive hammers from his storage bag, and glared at Gu Sheng, cursing: "Arrogant brat! While your talent is impressive, your time in cultivation has been too short. Ha! I alone could defeat you, let alone with Qingwan assisting! Young people truly have their noses in the air once they achieve a modicum of skill."

As he finished, Qian Duoduo glanced smugly at Linghu Qingwan: "Qingwan, no need for you to intervene. Watch me take down this boy by myself."

Linghu Qingwan, radiant in beauty and ethereal in temperament, was unquestionably a goddess-like figure. Qian Duoduo clearly wanted to show off in front of her by taking down Gu Sheng himself.

Linghu Qingwan maintained her cool expression, took a step back, and said, "Then, Brother Qian, proceed with caution. If you encounter trouble, I’ll be ready to assist."

Gu Sheng’s strength was an unknown variable, leaving Linghu Qingwan uncertain. Seeing Qian Duoduo eager to act, she welcomed the opportunity to assess Gu Sheng’s capability. Should his power prove to be merely on par with theirs, she would have no hesitation in stepping in to help apprehend him.

But if Gu Sheng’s strength turned out to be as formidable as he claimed, she would retreat without a shred of hesitation.

After all, the temporary alliance between the Governor Mansion and the three sects hinged on their ability to halt Lin Tianhao and Gu Sheng and secure the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

If Gu Sheng’s strength truly rivaled Lin Tianhao’s, they wouldn’t have enough people to spare for containing him.

Faced with an impossible scenario, Linghu Qingwan wasn’t foolish enough to risk the lives of her junior sect members—or her own life—for it.

Qian Duoduo, emboldened by Linghu Qingwan’s words, twirled his dual hammers with ferocity, his excess flesh shaking with every movement, while his face radiated confidence: "Haha, Qingwan, you’re overthinking! To deal with him, I’ll hardly need your assistance! This year, I’ve mastered the Qian family’s ultimate Martial Arts—the Chaotic Wind Hammer Skill. Taking down this boy? Simple as pie!"

Watching Qian Duoduo put on airs, Gu Sheng felt irritated. He couldn’t stand people flaunting in front of him. With a cold laugh, he pulled out the Water Cold Sword from his waist and slashed at Qian Jin without hesitation.

The initially grinning Qian Duoduo’s expression changed drastically upon sensing the Sword Momentum emanating from Gu Sheng’s strike. His eyes filled with panic.

"You... Your sword momentum is this strong?!"

Qian Duoduo had known of Gu Sheng’s mastery of Sword Momentum after witnessing him suppress Zhu Hong with a single strike, but he hadn’t imagined its intensity would reach such terrifying levels.

The seemingly casual slash from Gu Sheng made Qian Duoduo’s hair stand on end.

He wanted to retreat and evade, but Linghu Qingwan’s voice suddenly rang out behind him.

"Brother Qian, take him down! I believe in you—you can do it!"

Thinking about how he’d boasted earlier, Qian Duoduo realized fleeing would undoubtedly tarnish his image in Linghu Qingwan’s eyes. Determination flashed in his gaze.

"I’ll fight you to the death!"

Qian Duoduo let out a low roar, swinging his dual hammers furiously. Hammer shadows danced wildly, and fierce winds surged.

"I refuse to believe your casual sword strike can overcome my family’s ultimate Martial Arts!"