"Boss, is what he told us accurate? A bunch of youths really possess this many treasures?" a one-armed man asked the burly, black-robed figure standing before them.

"He has no reason to deceive us; isn't this Free Teleportation Array the best proof?" the black-robed strongman replied.

"The Free Teleportation Array is a fine item, hehe. Never mind anything else, just obtaining this thing means we've struck it rich! We won't have to bother with such hassle wherever we go in the future!" the one-armed man laughed, "And we won't need to rush over day and night like this!"

"Mm." The black-robed strongman’s face remained expressionless as he drew a heavy broadsword from behind his back. It was over four feet long, gleaming with intermittent cold light.

"Boss, I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. A group of youths—are they really worth you bringing out the [Earth Demon Blade]?" the one-armed man was unconvinced.

"This isn't just a simple group of youths!" the black-robed strongman said. "Anyone who makes it into the top thirty of the Five Unification Tournament is bound to be astonishingly gifted. I heard one of them even broke five records held by the Fist Emperor, now ranking second on the Experts Registry!"

"The Experts Registry? Pfft!" the one-armed man chuckled. "That thing is just made up for fun. If you went up to compete, Boss, I bet even the Fist Emperor would be cut in two by one of your slashes!"

The black-robed strongman shook his head. "Don't take that Experts Registry lightly! It might not be entirely accurate past the 30th rank, as abilities vary, but those before the 3C mark—we must be cautious. Their strength cannot be underestimated!"

"Even if they can't be ignored, what of it? Haven't you set up the whole island with restrictions, Boss? It's become a magic vacuum, rendering Saint Domain experts mere decorations since they can't borrow the might of heaven and earth. One swing of your [Earth Demon Blade] and even a Fist Emperor would meet only death!" the one-armed man roared with laughter.

The black-robed strongman offered a slight smile. He flicked the [Earth Demon Blade] in his hand, which emitted a low dragon's roar. "Forged from ten thousand years of undersea iron essence and tempered with the vital essence blood of nine hundred and ninety-nine Level Nine Battle Beasts. Today, it can finally display its majestic power!"

The one-armed man's eyes filled with envy as he looked at the great blade. "Boss, we've never seen the might of this blade since you forged it. Could you open our eyes for us?"

At his suggestion, the surrounding crowd cheered in unison. "Yeah! Boss, show us!"

"Show you? Heh heh." The black-robed strongman laughed. "Fine, today I’ll let you all witness it!"

As the black-robed strongman gently raised the [Earth Demon Blade], his entire aura underwent a sudden transformation. The people nearby instantly felt a wave of killing intent wash over them, causing them to involuntarily shiver.

Whoosh! Boom!

With a violent rush of wind, a flash of blade light streaked past, striking a massive ten-thousand-pound boulder dozens of meters away from the black-robed strongman. Under the blade light, the rock instantly exploded!

"Good!" Everyone shouted in unison, a flush of excitement rising on their faces.

"Such immense power..." the one-armed man muttered dazedly. "Without borrowing the might of heaven and earth, relying solely on external Dou Qi projection, to shatter a stone from that distance—the [Earth Demon Blade] is truly incredible!"

"I only used thirty percent of my strength!" the black-robed strongman said with a smile, pleased by their reactions.

"Three... percent?" The one-armed man was even more astonished by the power unleashed with just thirty percent. How strong would it be if he used his full might? The thought filled him with sudden excitement. Finding such a powerful boss was truly the happiest event of his life!

"Alright, you've all seen it! Hurry up and open that recently acquired Free Teleportation Array. We'll take one down after another, haha! All the good things will naturally belong to us!" The black-robed strongman sheathed his great blade, a greedy look crossing his features.

"Yes!" The surrounding men responded simultaneously, deploying their magic formations.

The one-armed man watched his boss stand outside the magic array, holding the [Earth Demon Blade] high, accumulating his long-held power. His heart involuntarily trembled. A Saint Domain expert, unable to draw upon the might of heaven and earth for defense. If they meet the full force of the Boss's strike right as they exit the teleportation array before they can even react... is there anyone in this world who can dodge such a move?

No one! He immediately affirmed the question in his mind.

Buzz! Buzz!

The magic array stirred, and a light slowly brightened as a figure materialized outside of it.

"Die!" the black-robed strongman roared, bringing the [Earth Demon Blade] down with all his might!

....................................................

"Blade light?" Before Chen Feng could fully stabilize himself, he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down. In desperation, his Dark power spun rapidly, and the Mind Teleportation technique activated, instantly transporting him tens of meters away.

"Boom!"

A violent explosion sounded. The black-robed strongman's full-force strike hit empty air; the blade's radiance shot out like lightning toward the distance, carving out a massive crater.

"Eh?" the black-robed strongman exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief. "The array absorbed all the elemental energy on the island, how can he still teleport?"

"Who are you people?" Chen Feng turned and asked.

"So what if he can teleport?" The black-robed strongman hardened his resolve. "This entire island is manned by my people; I doubt he can escape my grasp!"

With that thought, he recovered from his shock, a cold smile spreading across his face. "No need to ask who we are. Just know that we are here to take your life!"

"Is that so?" Chen Feng frowned slightly, then asked, "Where is Durutes?"

"Durutes? Are you referring to this seemingly harmless little fellow?" The black-robed strongman chuckled, pointing behind him.

Chen Feng followed the direction of his finger. On a large rock not far away, two Bone Piercing Nails were driven through Durutes's palms, pinning him to the rock. He appeared unconscious.

"You are vicious!" Seeing him in that state, killing intent surged within Chen Feng.

"Don't worry!" The black-robed strongman felt everything was under his control and victory was certain. Ignoring Chen Feng's murderous glare, he smiled and said, "He won't die!"

Chen Feng let out a breath, restraining the impulse to attack. Several people stood near Durutes; if he rushed in rashly, it would only lead to his companion's death.

"What do you want?"

"Heh heh, that's the spirit!" The black-robed strongman laughed. "We only seek wealth. Hand over everything you have, including the [Striped Goldfish] and the [Gold Thread Spirit Plate]!"

"Hmm? Who exactly are you, and how do you know about these items?" Chen Feng asked.

"Ha! They really have them! I told you he was right!" the one-armed man interjected.

"Good that he was right; it saves us trouble!" The black-robed strongman responded, then addressed Chen Feng, "I suppose I don't need to waste words. Hand them over!"

Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat hearing their exchange. Who is 'he'? It seemed someone had thoroughly scouted their movements for Durutes to be captured, and the only ones who knew about the artifacts [Striped Goldfish] and [Gold Thread Spirit Plate] could be those who were on Fist Emperor Island with them!

Could it be Elder Hú Bēn? Possibly... No!

Hú Bēn would never allow their little princess to be put in danger. If the first person to arrive hadn't been him, anyone else would have met a grim fate. If Jīn had been here, she would likely be dead already. Hú Bēn would never betray them to cause such a situation.

If not Hú Bēn, then who? Chen Feng was perplexed. He looked around at the men; their clothing was strange, and judging by their skin and demeanor, they were definitely not a regular force with special training, but rather bandits. It was almost unbelievable that people of such power would resort to banditry.

However, this was not the time for contemplation. Chen Feng composed his spirit and said, "Release my companion, and I will give them to you!"

In truth, the [Striped Goldfish] and [Gold Thread Spirit Plate] were not on him; he had given them to Lóng Yī. He merely wanted to gauge their attitude, perhaps make them lower their guard so he could rescue Durutes. Once Durutes was safe, with his divine-level physique, even double the number of these men wouldn't pose a threat.

"Hahahaha..." Everyone who heard Chen Feng's words burst into laughter.

"Kid, haven't you grasped your situation? To us, you are already a dead man! Hand them over, and I'll give you a quick end. If you refuse, hehe, I'll use this [Earth Demon Blade] to chop off your limbs one by one!" Although the black-robed strongman spoke this way, he remained cautiously alert; the opponent's calmness suggested he was indeed a troublesome character.

"Is that so?" Chen Feng suddenly sneered. "I'm afraid your blade isn't sharp enough!"

"Hmph, I know you are Chen Feng. In the past, I might not have been your match, but now, with the [Earth Demon Blade], why would I fear you?" the black-robed strongman sneered, as if convincing himself.

"Is that so? How about a bet?" Chen Feng smiled and suddenly held up three fingers. "Since you're so confident, within three moves, if I can't defeat you, I'll hand over the items automatically. If you lose... release my companion!"

Chen Feng's words caused an uproar among the surrounding men.

"Three moves? Is this kid insane?"

"He must be an idiot, boasting like that without fear of tripping over his own tongue!"

"I think he got it backward—it should be the Boss taking his life within three moves!"

...........................

The black-robed strongman had initially hesitated, but upon hearing the opponent's bold claim, his heart leaped with joy. He gently raised the [Earth Demon Blade] in his hand, his entire aura condensing into a single point. The four-foot blade instantly emitted a cheerful hum, and a chilling voice echoed, "Boy, don't regret this!"

"Regret? I'm afraid you'll be the one regretting it!" Chen Feng laughed.

"Since you seek death, I won't hold back!" The black-robed strongman didn't bother with false heroism, roaring as he brought the great blade down directly toward Chen Feng.

The powerful blade wind forced the surrounding men back several steps, making it difficult for them to breathe. Seeing the fierce attack, Chen Feng stamped his feet hard and suddenly lunged backward, leaping more than ten meters away. None of the men noticed that this leap was precisely in the direction where Durutes was bound.

"Do you think you can escape?" The black-robed strongman coldly sneered, his aura suddenly intensifying as his body and the blade became a single line, shooting straight toward Chen Feng.

Chen Feng retreated quickly, but the blade was even faster, clinging to him like a poison in the bone—it was hard to shake off. Suddenly, a dark red light shot from the blade, enveloping Chen Feng like a wave.

Killing Intent!

The [Earth Demon Blade], refined with the essence cores of nine hundred and ninety-nine Level Nine beasts, already contained a degree of killing will. Releasing it suddenly during an attack could indeed serve an unexpected purpose.

Chen Feng was startled, then immediately laughed. "Compared to the Killing Intent of the Nether Feather Sword, what can this thing compare to?" This degree of killing intent, in front of him, was simply akin to showing off one's meager skills!

However, to save Durutes, he had to pretend to be overwhelmed to confuse the opponent.

"Aaaah..." Chen Feng shrieked, clutching his head, feigning intense pain, and collapsing heavily backward!

"Heh heh, still not dead?" the black-robed strongman sneered, the blade edge instantly arriving before Chen Feng.

The crowd, seeing Chen Feng unable to withstand it and acting wildly, believed him doomed. They inwardly rejoiced, praising the might of their Boss's great blade!

Boom!

A massive roar shook the ground, which the great blade split open into a deep pit, sending dust and debris flying.

"Overestimating yourself!" the black-robed strongman scoffed, stopping his attack and walking toward the pit. "Hmm? Where is the person?"

Although the power of the [Earth Demon Blade] was extraordinary, Chen Feng, ranked second on the Experts Registry, shouldn't have been reduced to minced meat by a single strike. But he clearly saw the blow land on him—why was there no one in the pit?

"Boss..." a voice full of panic called out.

"Shut up, you motherf—" The black-robed strongman cursed, about to strike the caller, when he saw that Durutes, who had been tied up on the nearby rock face, had vanished!

"What's going on? Where is he?" The black-robed strongman seemed to realize something but dared not believe it. Yet, a strong sense of dread made him tremble involuntarily.

"I don't know... During the explosion, I felt... a gust of wind pass by, and this guy was gone..." the guard watching Durutes explained hurriedly.

The black-robed strongman flew into the air, clutching the [Earth Demon Blade], and scanned the area. He could see all his men surrounding the island, but there was no trace of Chen Feng or Durutes anywhere!

"Find them! One is unconscious, and the other was hit by my blade—they definitely couldn't have gotten far!" he roared, about to dive down, when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. A pale, white hand had settled on his shoulder at some unknown point in time.

ps:: Frustrated, I got drunk yesterday, so there's only one chapter. Apologies. I'll make up for it today. Also, the chapter owed to the reader [I Am A Coward] will be delivered tomorrow... (To be continued. For future events, please log in to m for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)