Chapter 4: The Destruction of the Luocha Sect

"The Luocha Sect? Is that sect particularly powerful?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.

He had never heard of this sect before.

Of course, part of that was due to his own limited exposure to the outside world — ever since his master Su Mubai had brought him into the Shenxiao Sword Sect, he had rarely ventured out, and his knowledge of the wider world was pitifully sparse.

The few major powers he did know of were ones his master had occasionally mentioned in passing.

If he hadn't heard of it, that meant it wasn't among the top-tier sects within Li Continent.

So how could an obscure, unknown sect dare to provoke the Shenxiao Sword Sect?

"The Luocha Sect isn't particularly strong," Leng Hanshuang replied.

"Then how did they dare offend our Shenxiao Sword Sect?" Lin Feng's tone was thick with disbelief.

The Shenxiao Sword Sect was one of the four supreme powers in Li Continent — what was the Luocha Sect compared to that?

"In the past, the Luocha Sect would never have dared. But now that they've taken the Wuji Demon Sect as their backer, they've grown bold enough. Your Uncle Zhao and Uncle Jiang set out for the Luocha Sect intending to avenge your master and reclaim the Haoran Sword, but they were ambushed along the way by Grand Elder Qian Dao Xiong of the Wuji Demon Sect. They never reached the Luocha Sect and had to return to consult with Sect Master Senior Brother on a new course of action," Leng Hanshuang explained.

So that was it!

Lin Feng now understood.

He knew of the Wuji Demon Sect.

His master had spoken of it at length on more than one occasion.

The Wuji Demon Sect and the Shenxiao Sword Sect were both among the supreme powers of Li Continent — and they were bitter enemies, with constant minor conflicts between them. With the Wuji Demon Sect as their backer, it was no wonder the Luocha Sect had dared to gravely wound his master.

"Thank you for telling me, Aunt Leng!" Lin Feng clasped his fists in gratitude.

"Lin Feng, Nephew! Senior Brother Mubai has only you as his disciple, and it goes without saying that he has placed great hopes in you. Though your talent may not be exceptional, in the cultivation world, talent is not the only deciding factor. As the saying goes, diligence can make up for a lack of natural ability. If you devote yourself entirely to cultivation from now on, it is not impossible that you will one day inherit Senior Brother Mubai's Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak. Otherwise, given Senior Brother Mubai's current condition, both the Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak will change hands before long."

Leng Hanshuang's words unsettled Lin Feng — a man who normally remained composed even in the face of catastrophe.

The Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak were going to change hands?

That was something he could never accept, no matter what.

The Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak both belonged to his master — no one was going to take them away!

"Please enlighten me further, Aunt Leng," Lin Feng said, taking a deep breath and speaking respectfully.

"You know that Senior Brother Mubai suffered damage to his foundation during a mission in his earlier years, which has caused his cultivation to stagnate ever since. The rest of us have long since surpassed him. As the wielder of the Haoran Sword — one of the Seven Swords of Shenxiao — Senior Brother Mubai's strength no longer matches his standing. There are many within the Shenxiao Sword Sect who have been eyeing the Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak. The only reason no one has acted is because Sect Master Senior Brother has been holding the pressure at bay. But now that Senior Brother Mubai has been gravely wounded and the Haoran Sword has been lost, someone will surely seize this opportunity to make a move. You should prepare yourself mentally."

For Lin Feng, who had always lived by the principles of keeping a low profile and surviving quietly, the internal scheming of the sect was something he had no desire to involve himself in.

But if anyone dared to touch what belonged to his master, that was absolutely unacceptable.

"I understand. Thank you, Aunt Leng!" Lin Feng bowed in gratitude once more.

"Alright! Go back and focus on your cultivation. Even if the Haoran Sword and Lone Existence Peak are lost for now, you can always take them back by force in the future. I believe you won't disappoint Senior Brother Mubai."

Lin Feng gathered more detailed information about the Luocha Sect from Leng Hanshuang. Upon learning that it was a sect composed of former fugitives and wanted criminals, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

He then left Jade Maiden Peak and returned to Lone Existence Peak.

The events of that day had taught Lin Feng an important lesson.

On the Nine Continents, being too low-profile was not always the right approach.

Had he revealed even a fraction of his true ability, perhaps Lone Existence Peak would not have fallen to such a state.

And no one would have dared set their sights on the Haoran Sword or Lone Existence Peak.

* * *

Night fell.

A dark figure slipped quietly out of the Shenxiao Sword Sect and shot westward at tremendous speed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Hundreds of thousands of li to the west of the Shenxiao Sword Sect, the Luocha Sect was situated.

At that moment, within the Luocha Sect, more than a dozen individuals were holding a secret meeting.

These were the decision-makers of the Luocha Sect.

One of them asked, "Sect Master! Isn't what we're doing far too risky? Both the Wuji Demon Sect and the Shenxiao Sword Sect are the supreme powers of Li Continent. If our Luocha Sect rashly gets involved, won't we…"

"Your concern is understandable," the Luocha Sect Master replied. "But what I will say is this — in the past, I would never have gotten involved in the conflict between the Wuji Demon Sect and the Shenxiao Sword Sect. But now, things are different."

"How so?"

"The Supreme Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect, the Wuji Daoist, made a Breakthrough not long ago!"

The moment those words fell, every high-ranking member of the Luocha Sect present felt a jolt in their hearts. They stared wide-eyed at their Sect Master in disbelief.

The Wuji Daoist had broken through?

Did that not mean the Wuji Demon Sect would completely suppress the Shenxiao Sword Sect?

Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, the Luocha Sect Master smiled faintly and continued:

"The Wuji Demon Sect is working together with the Seven Slaughter Sect to gradually erode the Shenxiao Sword Sect's strength. Once the Wuji Daoist fully consolidates his new realm, they will launch an all-out assault to destroy the Shenxiao Sword Sect — their long-standing nemesis — and then deal with the Qingyun Sect. Once the Wuji Demon Sect dominates Li Continent, our Luocha Sect will be able to soar to great heights on their coattails. This is our one and only opportunity — we cannot afford to miss it."

With the Sect Master's explanation, the assembled Luocha Sect leadership finally understood.

No wonder the Sect Master had dared to gravely wound Su Mubai — one of the Seven Swords of Shenxiao — and steal the Haoran Sword. He had already secured a way out long in advance.

* * *

The following day at noon, under bright and brilliant sunshine.

Above the Luocha Sect, a phantom greatsword three hundred meters long suddenly materialized, its tip pointed directly downward at the sect below.

Boom!

The sect's protective Array Formation held for only a brief moment before being utterly destroyed.

The overwhelming might caused the entire Luocha Sect to tremble, with countless structures teetering on the verge of collapse.

"How dare you! Who dares run wild in the Luocha Sect?! Are you seeking death?!"

A furious shout rang out as dozens of the Luocha Sect's high-ranking members charged forward.

But when they saw the three-hundred-meter phantom greatsword hanging in the sky, they were all struck dumb with terror.

Rumble!

The greatsword descended with unstoppable force. The Luocha Sect's people couldn't even get close, let alone stop it. In the end, they could only watch as the phantom blade plunged into the Luocha Sect's main hall, obliterating it entirely.

The colossal shockwave reduced everything in the surrounding area to rubble.

Even the dozens of high-ranking Luocha Sect members were slammed to the ground, unable to move.

One-third of the three-hundred-meter greatsword had been driven into the earth, with the remaining two-thirds still standing above the surface.

It was only then that the people of the Luocha Sect noticed — someone was actually standing atop the sword's hilt.

"Who… who are you?! How exactly have we offended you, that you would strike so ruthlessly without even giving us a chance to speak?!" the Luocha Sect Master demanded loudly.

He knew in his heart that since the other party had attacked without warning, begging for mercy would be useless.

The Luocha Sect had committed no small number of dark deeds in secret, and being a gathering of outlaws, it was difficult to determine who this person might be or where they came from.

The figure standing atop the hilt said nothing. They simply turned slowly, revealing a face hidden behind a ghost-patterned mask.

Then they stamped their foot.

Boom!

The greatsword plunged another third into the ground, leaving only the hilt above the surface.

What had already been reduced to rubble was now leveled completely to the ground.

The Luocha Sect's disciples suffered devastating casualties.

Only a dozen or so of the stronger high-ranking members still clung to a single breath of life.

A single strike had annihilated the Luocha Sect — testament enough to this person's terrifying power.

"You wretch! Are you not afraid of retribution?!" the Luocha Sect Master cursed furiously.

The Luocha Sect was the fruit of his life's work. He had been on the verge of rising to greatness under the Wuji Demon Sect's wing — and now, without warning, everything had been reduced to nothing.

Where were the Wuji Demon Sect's people?

Had they not promised to guarantee the Luocha Sect's safety?

Why had they still not appeared?

The Ghost-Masked Man still said nothing, only fixing the Luocha Sect Master with an icy stare.

It was none other than Lin Feng — who had slipped out of the Shenxiao Sword Sect to avenge his master Su Mubai.

This was the first time he had revealed even a fraction of his true power, and it was nothing short of terrifying.

If the senior members of the Shenxiao Sword Sect were to learn that the so-called Trash Senior Brother had destroyed the Luocha Sect with a single sword strike, one could only wonder what they would think.

The Luocha Sect may not have been the strongest, but it was still a mid-tier sect — not something just anyone could wipe out, let alone with a single sword.

"Are you from the Shenxiao Sword Sect?" the Luocha Sect Master demanded.

But then he immediately dismissed the thought himself.

"Impossible! You can't be from the Shenxiao Sword Sect. The Wuji Demon Sect promised to monitor every move of the Shenxiao Sword Sect's powerful cultivators. You couldn't be from the Shenxiao Sword Sect. So who exactly are you?!"

Lin Feng was about to deal with these evildoers when he suddenly sensed something. He reached out casually, and a sword flew out from the rubble, arriving before him.

The Haoran Sword!

Gazing at the familiar blade before him, a flicker of emotion stirred in Lin Feng's eyes.

At that very moment, an enraged roar thundered in from the distance.

"Insolent wretch! How dare you commit such slaughter! Today, I shall send you to your grave!"

Hearing that voice, the Luocha Sect Master's face lit up with desperate excitement as he cried out, "Grand Elder, save me!"

The one who had arrived was none other than Grand Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect — Qian Daoxiong.

He was absolutely furious.

In the eyes of the Wuji Demon Sect, the Luocha Sect was merely a pawn — but a pawn still had its uses.

Their mission this time had been to ambush the Shenxiao Sword Sect's people, erode the sect's fighting strength, and protect the Luocha Sect's safety.

Now that the Luocha Sect had been wiped out, wasn't this a resounding slap to the face of the Wuji Demon Sect?

For a supreme power like the Wuji Demon Sect, reputation was of paramount importance — otherwise, who would be willing to work for them in the future?

Lin Feng stood atop the greatsword, watching the dozens of dark figures hurtling toward him from the distance. Without a trace of fear, he pushed off with his feet and shot forward like a bolt.

Launching himself into the air, Lin Feng gripped his master Su Mubai's Haoran Sword and unleashed a single sword strike toward Grand Elder Qian Daoxiong and the others of the Wuji Demon Sect.

What had appeared to be a soft, unremarkable swing transformed the instant it was released — the sky and earth shifted, clouds churned, and a sword beam dozens of meters long erupted in a flash, carrying a heaven-shaking might as it slashed toward the Wuji Demon Sect's forces.

Sensing the astonishing power within that sword beam, Qian Daoxiong's heart lurched.

This was…?

Sword Intent?!

Who was this person?

To have comprehended such terrifying Sword Intent!

And moreover, this Sword Intent gave him a feeling of being suppressed.

The Sword Intent unleashed through the upright and unyielding Haoran Sword had a powerful restraining effect on those who cultivated demonic arts.

"Scatter!"

Qian Daoxiong bellowed.

The dozens of dark figures behind him whooshed apart in all directions, scattering to avoid the strike.

They too had felt the restraining force within that Sword Intent.

Lin Feng's speed did not falter. He burst through in an instant, and as he went, his laughter rang out:

"Ha ha ha… A single breath of Haoran energy, a thousand li of joyous wind! So this is all the Grand Elder of the Wuji Demon Sect amounts to — truly unworthy of your reputation! Today I shall spare you wretches for now. The next time we meet, I will take your lives."

After Lin Feng departed, the dozens of dark figures gathered once more around Qian Daoxiong.

"Grand Elder! The Sword Intent this person has comprehended has an extreme restraining effect on us. If he is not eliminated, he will surely become a great threat to our Wuji Demon Sect!"

Qian Daoxiong stared in the direction Lin Feng had gone, fists clenched, his entire body trembling with rage.

The situation had unfolded too suddenly just now, and he had not dared to take that sword strike head-on.

But thinking back on it — there were so many of them. Even if the other party had comprehended Sword Intent, what of it?

Having dealt with Sword Cultivators for so many years, Qian Daoxiong understood that while Sword Cultivators were formidable and could fight above their level as a matter of course, it shouldn't be to an outrageous degree.

Besides, the demonic arts of the Wuji Demon Sect were no pushover either.

When had such a heaven-defying Sword Cultivator appeared in Li Continent?

Qian Daoxiong also did not believe Lin Feng was from the Shenxiao Sword Sect, because within the Shenxiao Sword Sect, those with such power were few, and all of them were under the Wuji Demon Sect's surveillance.

But if not from the Shenxiao Sword Sect, then who could it be?

* * *

News of the Luocha Sect's destruction spread quickly.

Everyone was curious about the identity of the Ghost-Masked Man.

To destroy the Luocha Sect with a single sword strike, and then depart with ease even while surrounded by Grand Elder Qian Daoxiong and dozens of Wuji Demon Sect experts — this was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.

The more mysterious Lin Feng remained, the more he stoked people's curiosity.

The Wuji Demon Sect also launched an investigation into Lin Feng's true identity.

Within Li Continent, the only sword cultivation force capable of posing a threat to the Wuji Demon Sect was the Shenxiao Sword Sect — all others fell short by more than one tier.

Yet the powerful cultivators of the Shenxiao Sword Sect were all within their surveillance.

It was precisely because of this that the Wuji Demon Sect found themselves at a complete loss.

What kind of power could have nurtured such a formidable Sword Cultivator?

Their original plan had been to slowly chip away at the Shenxiao Sword Sect's strength, and once their patriarch emerged from seclusion with his new realm stabilized, to crush them in one decisive blow at minimal cost.

Now, with this mysterious powerhouse suddenly appearing, the Wuji Demon Sect's plans had been thrown into complete disarray.

Not even in their wildest dreams would the Wuji Demon Sect's leadership have imagined that the one causing them such trouble was none other than the Trash Senior Brother of the Shenxiao Sword Sect's current generation.

─────────────

Edited by Fat Goose