Chapter 20: The Next Target Is Me

Though the elder senior brother’s swordsmanship was exquisitely profound, each move infused with deep spiritual power and sword intent, it nonetheless appeared somewhat strained against the torrent of the burly man’s relentless assault. He continuously adjusted his breathing, striving to find a flaw amid the chaotic battle, yet the burly man seemed without weakness; each strike was powerful and forceful like a sudden mountain flood, overwhelming and difficult to withstand.

This was only natural. Previously, the elder senior brother and the younger junior brother had joined forces against the burly man, yet even then they had failed to gain the upper hand. Now, relying on the elder senior brother alone, his strength was plainly insufficient. Even the burly man, who had sustained slight injuries in his earlier fierce duel with the junior brother, now displayed a combat prowess far beyond what the elder senior brother could easily match.

Still, the gap in their power was only about seven or eight parts to ten; the balance of victory had not yet decisively tilted. As time wore on, the elder senior brother’s stamina and spiritual energy gradually waned, every sword swing growing heavier. Meanwhile, the burly man seemed to grow ever fiercer in battle, his source of strength inexhaustible, each attack more ferocious than the last, as if determined to utterly crush the elder senior brother.

The elder senior brother knew well that unless he could swiftly find a way to break the stalemate, he would likely suffer a crushing defeat. At this critical moment, Yun Yi was hiding in the shadows, watching the life-or-death struggle with a cold eye. He had initially intended to remain a spectator, waiting until both were exhausted before effortlessly claiming the precious Lingzhi mushroom without much effort.

However, as the battle deepened, Yun Yi realized the elder senior brother’s situation was growing increasingly dire—he was clearly no match for the burly man. Alarm bells rang in his mind; if the elder senior brother were easily defeated, his own plan to obtain the Lingzhi would be severely compromised. After all, the burly man’s strength was formidable, and even in Yun Yi’s prime, victory was not guaranteed.

“No, if the burly man is the last to leave this battlefield alive, I fear I will not succeed either,” Yun Yi calculated. A thought flashed through his mind: “Why not seize the moment during their fight and sneak over to take the Lingzhi?” But he quickly dismissed the idea. If discovered, he would become the target of all, not only risking capture but possibly his life.

“Seems I must find a safer way,” Yun Yi murmured to himself, his gaze shifting back to the elder senior brother. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck him. “If I lend the elder senior brother a hand and kill the burly man, perhaps I can seize the Lingzhi in the process.”

He clearly saw the elder senior brother was on his last legs; even if victorious, he would be gravely weakened. Yun Yi, at the height of his powers, could intervene at this critical juncture and possibly secure victory at a relatively small cost.

“Very well, it is decided,” Yun Yi resolved, then softly chanted, “Extinguish the poisonous stings.” As his words fell, countless fine poisonous needles, like invisible arrows, silently streaked toward the burly man. At first, the burly man failed to detect these tiny threats, but when faint stings spread across his body, he suddenly snapped awake, roaring, “You have an accomplice!”

The elder senior brother was momentarily taken aback but saw nothing unusual around him. Then he thought, “An accomplice? Hmph, you’re seeking death yourself!” Rejoicing inwardly at this unintended aid, he seized the moment while the burly man’s attention was distracted by the poisonous needles to rapidly gather his spiritual power, preparing a fatal strike.

He murmured, “One sword to part the clouds!” Then the sword light, like a dragon imbued with dawn’s first rays, cleaved fiercely toward the burly man. The sword light, dragon-like, tore through the sky, embodying the elder senior brother’s final spiritual energy and will, determined to fell the burly man in a single stroke.

The burly man’s pupils contracted sharply as he sensed the terrifying power locked within that strike—a force capable of rending space itself. Yet he was no ordinary man; he roared, muscles bulging as if to unleash his last reserves of strength. Gripping his weapon tightly, he struck hard against the sword light, attempting to shatter the elder senior brother’s blow with sheer force.

With a thunderous clash, sword light met weapon, sparking dazzling flames. Although the elder senior brother’s sword was sharp, the burly man’s mountainous strength forced it off its course. Still, the blow staggered the burly man, granting the elder senior brother a precious moment to catch his breath.

At that instant, Yun Yi struck again. He directed the fine poisonous needles, like invisible assassins, relentlessly targeting the burly man’s vital points. Though small, each needle contained lethal venom, and even the burly man struggled to withstand the unending onslaught.

A harrowing scream escaped from the burly man as his body became riddled with poisonous stings, the venom spreading swiftly within. He felt his strength rapidly ebbing, his body growing heavier by the moment.

The elder senior brother’s eyes flashed with resolute determination. Knowing this was his final chance, he once again gathered spiritual energy for a deadly strike. This time, he spared no strength, focusing all his power into the sword’s tip.

“One sword, break the dawn!” he murmured. The sword light once again tore through the sky, now even brighter and swifter than before. The burly man, utterly spent, could only watch helplessly as the blade approached.

With a resounding impact, the sword pierced the burly man’s body, spraying a crimson blossom of blood. Like a kite with a broken string, the burly man fell weakly to the ground, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair, powerless to alter his fate.

The elder senior brother smiled faintly, the victor’s smile, mumbling, “Ha, in the end, I have triumphed.” Yet the joy of victory was short-lived, as a more complex feeling swiftly welled within him. Scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce the night itself, he spoke softly, “Sir, I am deeply grateful for your aid, but may I ask you to reveal yourself?”

He waited quietly, though inwardly wary. The elder senior brother was no fool; he knew this victory was not his alone. Those subtle yet deadly poisonous stings had undoubtedly come from a hidden master lurking in the shadows. He must uncover the true intent of this mysterious ally.

But the night remained silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze, as if mocking his hope. A frown creased the elder senior brother’s brow, a foreboding sense rising in his heart.