CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: BLACK DEATH BLADE KING

Shen Wang sidestepped to dodge, but Hou Shangcai swung his sword over, snarling, "You dare attack? I want to see what kind of ghost you are!"

Shen Wang was stunned, "I didn’t attack."

He then realized Hou Shangcai was hitting the cliff wall, rocks and soil falling as he continued his mad assault.

This made Shen Wang realize, "My senses were distorted; my dodge appeared as an attack to him. Yet, within the illusion realm, he can’t threaten me; instead, I can easily kill him!"

Shen Wang was shocked, quickly pointed at the ground to swiftly pull away and observe the others.

At the door, Ning Xia was warily confronting a rock, while Li Jian’an punched a tree.

Outside, the terrain was sparse without any bloody clashes yet; inside the cave mansion was too cramped, with blood already staining the ground as four people engaged in chaotic fighting.

Wang Chuanfu’s chest was ripped open by Liao Lie’s claw, bleeding profusely; the former also managed to cut Liao Lie’s arm with his flying sword.

Chen Xian and Li Yuanning were still fighting, one a martial artist, the other a qi cultivation cultivator. At close range, Li Yuanning was no match and got sent flying by Chen Xian’s palm.

Continuing like this, it won’t be long before half of them are dead from mutual slaughter.

He quickly unleashed a palm wind, dispersing some possible remaining toxic gas, and kicked Li Jian’an away to prevent the three outside from starting a fight immediately.

He went to the door and tossed a vine magical artifact to pull Wang Chuanfu out, who was nearly being beaten to death by Liao Lie, ready to deal with Liao Lie, when Shen Wang’s pupils shrank as he caught a glimpse of a figure sitting in the room to the east.

This person wore black robes, incredibly old, with most of his white hair gone, leaving a bald scalp; the remaining hair was dry and his skin cracked like tree bark, devoid of any vitality.

None of this was crucial; the key was the opponent’s eye movement, which was eerily fixated on him.

Shen Wang was shocked, as a layer of golden light shield shattered with a cracking sound.

He quickly retreated, discovering an ink-green afterimage was attacking him, already hidden among the bookshelves, giving him a dangerous feeling.

"Very cautious, you’ve layered yourself with three golden light talismans, and you still have a more durable vajra talisman."

The bald elder unexpectedly spoke, his voice hoarse but undeniably alive.

"Alive?"

Shen Wang frowned, while staying vigilant and cupped his fists, "We didn’t know elder was here; our intrusion may have offended you, we ask for your leniency."

He realized this person was still alive but not in good condition, otherwise, with enough capability, he could have easily killed Chen Xian and the others who intruded.

"Your willpower is not bad, your spiritual power stronger than theirs, hence you managed to dispel the influence of the Black Poison Qi."

The bald elder didn’t say if he’d spare Chen Xian and the others but instead looked at Shen Wang with admiration, then shook his head, "A pity you’re of the five-element mixed spirit root, you lack outstanding talent."

Shen Wang cupped his fists, "Elder has sharp perception; this junior’s talent is indeed mediocre. However, I do possess some strength. Is there anything elder may need assistance with?"

"Haha, a clever young man, but unfortunately you can’t help me. Now, leave immediately."

The bald elder sneered.

Shen Wang retreated honestly, flicking his vine magical artifact to grab Chen Xian, simultaneously kicking Liao Lie out.

Upon reaching outside, as he was about to pull Li Yuanning out, the bald elder’s gaze turned icy, "Leave him for me!"

"He’s considered my friend."

Shen Wang replied, Li Yuanning repeatedly explained various situations to him, he must repay the favor, and pulling the others was also to test the old man’s limits.

He was somewhat puzzled why pulling Chen Xian and Liao Lie out was fine but Li Yuanning faced obstruction.

"But he belongs to me."

The bald elder’s eyes flashed coldly; the green silhouette from before appeared again, with a bang breaking another layer of golden light shield.

Shen Wang coolly swung his blade to respond but the green shadow agilely dodged, revealing in the corner a four-legged green snake, basically a lizard.

Its scales were ink-green, claws sharp, gaze icy.

From breaking the golden light shield in one strike, its attack power wasn’t weak, as the shield could fend off ordinary flying sword strikes.

Glaring at the latter, Shen Wang felt no fear. He lifted his gaze and straightened up, speaking sharply, "Do you think you can scare me with a mere beast?"

This old thing had twice tried to kill him, so Shen Wang didn’t have any politeness left, immediately retrieving three more golden light activations, both to block sneak attacks and isolate toxic gas.

The bald elder eyed the saber in Shen Wang’s hand: "So, you took the saber of mine and stand at my door with such dignity?"

Shen Wang thought no wonder the poisons and blade shared names, contemplating, "So you’re the owner of this saber; why was it in another cave mansion? I understand, you’ve occupied multiple cave mansions."

He eyed the elder, "You’re not the original owner either; you entered through the stone talisman. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve occupied three cave mansions, and you threw out these three stone talismans."

"Correct, you’ve guessed most of it. This area was originally Void Sect territory three millennia ago; they left for unknown reasons. I accidentally obtained a stone talisman and, upon entering, successively found the keys to two more cave mansions, settled here for cultivation, and earned the name Black Death Blade King six hundred years ago."

The bald elder sneered.

Shen Wang retreated a few more steps.

Sword King? This elder is actually a Martial King?

He was surprised, saying, "This junior was blind, unable to see elder as someone comparable to a Golden Core Zhenren, a Martial Dao King."

Shen Wang couldn’t calm his heart, as a Martial Dao King was even more terrifying than a Golden Core Zhenren, martial arts are inherently tough, let alone breaking through limits to achieve the Martial King realm.

Anyone who reached this stage must be extraordinarily persevering, not to be trifled with.

"That was in the past; now, I’m a dying man."

Black Death Blade King sighed, eyeing the blade in Li Yuanning’s hand, "That blade was mine when I was young; you don’t know saber techniques, unworthy to wield it. Give it to me."

Shen Wang shook his head, "Elder, I actually wish to learn saber techniques, need the sword manual; if you give it to me, I’ll help you spread your legacy."

He deliberately said this to provoke the elder, to see what reaction he’d have.

This old man hadn’t moved from the beginning, likely unable to; otherwise, why waste words?

"You’re not a suitable saber person, teaching you would taint my name."

Black Death Blade King mocked, with his judgment, he looked down on Shen Wang’s martial arts talent.

"Were you really a top genius elder? Even if you were a martial arts genius, compared to those with spirit roots, you’re not comparable, yet you still reached Martial King; does talent really have decisiveness?"

Shen Wang sneered, secretly observing the green lizard, which had hidden again, but its strength was very ordinary, not posing a threat to him.

His words made Black Death Blade King momentarily pause, revealing a reminiscence, sighing, "You’re right, but unfortunately talent sometimes matters. If not limited by my talent, I might have hope of condensing a Martial Dao Primordial Body and advancing further."