"Hmph, easy for you to say, but who knows? At least the Canghai Sword Sect knows!" the refined middle-aged man scoffed without politeness.

"That's not necessarily true. I say this old fellow is hanging a sheep's head to sell dog meat. Maybe there are no Canghai Sword Sect people at all, and he's just using a broken sword to scare people!" the burly fellow dismissed.

Qi Langyun frowned and remained silent.

"It's better to be safe than sorry. If there really are people from the Canghai Sword Sect present, and we act rashly, things will become very troublesome!" the refined middle-aged man shook his head.

The burly man chuckled, "Old Guo, is the Canghai Sword Sect as terrifying as you make it out to be? Look how scared you are; your face has gone pale!"

"Truly ignorant and fearless!" The refined middle-aged man shook his head. "Gang Leader, think twice, think twice!"

"Think twice my foot!" The burly man waved his large hand, "If we think twice more, the chance will be gone! Let's hit him hard, grab the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome, and then what do we have to fear from the Canghai Sword Sect!"

…………

The two argued louder and louder, almost coming to blows, yet Qi Langyun remained contemplative, his sword-like brows furrowed, paying no heed to their quarrel.

Li Wudi watched the three of them with a half-smile, electing not to leave.

As they argued, the volume of their voices slowly dropped, finally stopping as they looked toward Qi Langyun.

Qi Langyun let out a long breath: "Life and death hang in the balance; let's attack!"

"Gang Leader!..." The refined middle-aged man turned ashen with shock.

The burly man beamed with delight and chuckled, "The Gang Leader is wise!"

He strode toward Li Wudi, his large hand sweeping out like a fan, "Get out of my way!"

Li Wudi's expression darkened, and he thrust out his fist—a punch that moved like a spear.

Although he was not skilled in boxing and kicking, his spear technique was divine. When integrated into his fists, his strikes were incomparably sharp, no different from a real spear.

"Hey!" The burly man lunged forward with a braced stance and punched to meet Li Wudi.

"Bang..." A dull thud sounded. Li Wudi retreated a step, dispersing the immense force. His spear technique was godlike, and his control over internal energy far surpassed that of ordinary people.

The burly man stood firm, sneering, "So, the famous Li Wudi is nothing more than this!"

He charged again with another punch, driving straight ahead with formidable wind pressure. Li Wudi shook his head, extended his right palm forward to meet the blow, and then pushed flatly.

The burly man's body spun; he quickly exerted force to stabilize himself. Li Wudi seized the opportunity to advance, his left palm flashing out to press against the man's chest.

"Thump!" A muffled sound, like a heavy hammer striking a drum. The burly man stumbled back a step, his face flushed as he glared at Li Wudi, filled with hatred.

Li Wudi stepped back a pace, frowning at him: "Quite the Iron Body skill you possess!"

"Old Li, you actually have some skill!" The burly man rubbed his chest, and instantly, powder fell like dust, revealing a distinct palm print on his dark skin.

………………

Qi Langyun shook his head, "Right Protector, remove the Canghai Sword Token!"

"Yes, Gang Leader," the refined middle-aged man sighed.

Although he disagreed, the Gang Leader had already decided, and he could only obey. He moved lightly to Li Wudi's side and pressed out a palm strike, like a falling leaf descending.

Li Wudi's fist shot out like a spear. After their fists met, Li Wudi's expression changed, and he staggered back three steps. The door threshold was jolted into two pieces.

He channeled the internal force downwards through his feet; by retreating, he dissipated the energy, but the threshold, unable to stop his momentum, was instantly split in two, as fragile as tofu.

The burly man seized the chance, snatched the Canghai Sword Token, and burst into laughter, "What damn Canghai Sword Token! Didn't it still fall into my hands, Gang Leader!"

He turned to hand it to Qi Langyun. Li Wudi moved to snatch it back, but the refined middle-aged man blocked him. "Bang, bang, bang, bang!" In an instant, the two exchanged four moves before separating.

Li Wudi sneered coldly, "Truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Qi Langyun examined the small black token, shaking his head, "The Canghai Sword Token is nothing special, rather disappointing!"

"Is that so?" A flash crossed everyone's eyes, and suddenly two figures appeared.

Li Mùchán wore a plain cyan robe and a skullcap adorned with a piece of exquisite jade that shimmered with soft light, exuding overwhelming nobility. Wen Yīnyuè was wrapped in a snow-white fox fur cloak, her complexion as pure as frost.

The moment the pair materialized, they illuminated the surroundings.

Qi Langyun's expression shifted slightly, yet he managed a faint smile, "Which esteemed figures are you two?"

This man and woman had appeared soundlessly, their movement incredibly swift, demanding caution.

Li Mùchán pointed to the small black token and smiled slightly, "This is an item I carry with me... My surname is Li, and this is my senior sister; her surname is Wen."

"Fairy Cold Lotus Wen Yīnyuè?" The refined middle-aged man gasped.

Wen Yīnyuè swept him with her clear gaze, giving a faint nod.

The refined middle-aged man's face darkened. He turned to Qi Langyun, only to see that Qi Langyun remained composed. He observed Wen Yīnyuè for a few moments and then smiled, "It is said the Fairy Cold Lotus possesses unparalleled beauty; seeing her today confirms the rumors are not exaggerated!"

Wen Yīnyuè gave him a slight, cold glance but said nothing.

Li Mùchán said, "Senior Li Wudi belongs to our Canghai Sword Sect. Gang Leader Qi, it is not too late to turn back before conflict begins!"

"When did Li Wudi become a member of the Canghai Sword Sect? Perhaps your sect is trying to strong-arm him for the Dragon Slaying Secret Tome?" Qi Langyun drawled lazily.

His gaze lingered shamelessly on Wen Yīnyuè.

…………

Li Mùchán smiled and shook his head, "Senior Li's daughter is a disciple of our Canghai Sword Sect. Gang Leader Qi insists on opposing the Canghai Sword Sect?"

Qi Langyun smiled faintly, "Canghai Sword Sect, hehe, quite a famous name. We have admired you from afar; your reputation thunders in our ears. Since the opportunity is rare today, we would like to seek your counsel!"

Li Mùchán's brows twitched slightly; he laughed and shook his head, "I have no such interest. Many come to Mount Canghai challenging me; if I entertained them all, nothing else would ever get done... Considering no casualties have occurred, hand over the Sword Token and depart, and I shall not pursue the matter."

"What arrogance!" The burly man scoffed disdainfully.

Li Mùchán shook his head, "This is a rare opportunity; cherish it. Senior Sister, Senior, let us be going."

"Good," Li Wudi nodded with a smile.

He was curious how Qi Langyun would react, and what Li Mùchán would do next.

The three turned and walked inside. As the door closed, Li Mùchán turned back, "I will give Gang Leader Qi a quarter of an hour. After the quarter hour, I will act according to the rules of the Canghai Sword Sect!"

With that, the great door slammed shut with a "bang," the small sword imprint clearly visible on it.

Qi Langyun stared at the door, his face suddenly turning grim.

"Gang Leader...?" the refined middle-aged man whispered.

The burly man snorted, "What nonsense! So arrogant, giving a quarter of an hour! What airs! I'll crush him with one palm!"

Qi Langyun frowned, "Enough!"

He stared darkly at the door, his lips pressed tightly together.

The two immediately fell silent, and the surrounding air grew gradually oppressive, making breathing difficult.

Qi Langyun thought for a moment, then sneered, "I'd like to see just what the Canghai Sword Sect is capable of! Bring out Elder Chu and Elder Tong!"

"Yes..." The refined middle-aged man sighed, nodded, and turned to leave.

Soon after, he returned accompanying two elders. Both old men were gaunt and sallow-faced, looking as if afflicted with consumption, but their eyes shone brightly.

"Gang Leader," the two bowed their fists.

Qi Langyun returned the bow and said gently, "Elder Dao, Elder Tong, we are about to face disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect. Do the two elders have confidence?"

The slightly taller elder stroked his goatee and frowned, "Disciples of the Canghai Sword Sect?... Are they not Zhu Zhao and the others?"

"No, they are second-generation disciples," Qi Langyun shook his head.

The elder broke into a smile, "Second-generation disciples are not worth worrying about; leave them to us brothers."

"Then we must trouble Elder Dao and Elder Tong!" Qi Langyun smiled.

………………

The elder stroked his goatee and chuckled, "I heard that Fairy Cold Lotus is beautiful as an immortal; is she among them?"

"That is the woman," Qi Langyun nodded.

The elder roared with laughter, "Hahahaha, taking this woman into one's chambers would be a wonderful thing! Right, Second Senior Brother?"

The shorter elder slowly nodded, "Mm, this woman is peerless quality; we cannot let her go."

The tall elder laughed joyously, unable to contain himself, "Hahahaha! Heaven truly favors us!"

The quarter of an hour passed quickly. Li Mùchán suddenly appeared, holding his long spear, glancing over the crowd, and shaking his head with a sigh, "It seems the Mad Wind Gang insists on giving my Canghai Sword Sect trouble!"

The tip of his spear pointed at Qi Langyun: "Gang Leader Qi, have you made up your mind?"

Qi Langyun smiled faintly, cupped his fists, "Elder Zhu, Elder Tong, I must trouble you!"

The two elders flickered and appeared before Li Mùchán, blocking the space between him and Qi Langyun. The tall elder let out a strange laugh, "Kid, the Canghai Sword Sect is not what it used to be; stop trying to scare people! If young girl Zhu Zhao had come, perhaps, but you, a mere boy whose hair hasn't even fully grown, what authority do you wield?"

Li Mùchán frowned. His intuition became sharper; the two elders possessed profound internal energy, surging like the sea—they would not be easy opponents.

Li Mùchán asked, "May I ask which esteemed seniors you are?"

"Who I am is not for a brat like you to know! Defeat me first!" The tall elder sneered, his claws darting down like an eagle's talon.

Li Mùchán swept his spear to stab, transforming into several spear blooms, while his left hand formed a sword seal.

"Chii!" The tall elder suddenly retreated. Li Mùchán flashed past him, appearing behind him, and pierced through his chest with the spear.

"Uh—" The tall elder clutched his chest, looked down at the spear tip, then twisted his head around unwillingly, but he could no longer see Li Mùchán, as he had already fallen.

"Junior Brother!" The shorter elder roared, and a flash of cold light flew from his waist, shooting straight at Li Mùchán.

Li Mùchán parried with his spear—Ding. Ding-ding-ding—a flurry of sounds. Only shadows of spears and swords could be seen; the figures of the two were obscured.

Qi Langyun stared grimly at the fight, unwilling to believe that the two pillars he relied on were so easily defeated. How formidable were these Canghai Sword Sect disciples!

He knew the high level of martial arts possessed by the two elders; yet, they couldn't withstand even two moves. They must have been ambushed.

"Gang Leader, let's go," the refined middle-aged man whispered.

Qi Langyun frowned impatiently, "Right Protector, the matter has come to this; we must kill him!"

"Sigh..." The refined middle-aged man shook his head, then nodded, "We must cut the weeds and dig up the roots! Let's go together!"

"Wait a moment longer," Qi Langyun waved his hand.

Elder Tong was proud and detested having others interfere with his battles unnecessarily.

"Bang!" A muffled sound. The two separated abruptly. The shorter elder's face changed slightly as he looked at his chest—there was a bloody hole, and oil-like blood was oozing out.

"Everyone attack together!" Qi Langyun waved his hand lightly.

The refined middle-aged man and the burly fellow charged forward simultaneously. Behind them, more than a dozen middle-aged men, along with nearly a hundred Green Clothed Gang members, surged forward, engulfing Li Mùchán.

Li Mùchán swept his long spear, which transformed into a winding flood dragon circling his body. Anyone who came within reach was immediately tossed away; no one could penetrate within a zone of ten feet around him.

The spear, the king of all weapons, manifested its power. The swords and blades of the crowd were all shorter than the spear, unable to reach Li Mùchán's body. His spear formed an impenetrable defense, blocking all incoming blades.

Li Mùchán's spear technique had greatly advanced; his spear hummed with a peculiar force. Those who touched the spear were sent flying, either losing their weapons or being flung away along with them.