Wandering Swordsman |

A crystal-clear gemstone was inlaid at the hilt of the sword, shimmering with a mysterious light under the glow of the luminescent stone. Everyone held their breath, as if afraid to disturb this ancient sword.

Next, they arrived at the second stone door, engraved with a large sword pattern. The sword was broad and heavy, its back covered with intricate patterns, layered like dragon scales, exuding a powerful and domineering aura. The blade gleamed coldly, sending a chill down their spines even in the dimly lit chamber.

Then, a third stone door, engraved with a spear pattern, appeared before them. The spear shaft was straight and long, like a jade pillar reaching to the sky, its tip incredibly sharp, seemingly capable of piercing through any obstacle. Fine runes were wrapped around the spear, winding upwards like snakes, giving it an air of both mystery and majesty.

The fourth stone door is carved with a long staff, thick and strong, with a round stone bead at each end, like stars adorning it. The staff is carved with exquisite patterns, delicate and meticulous, as if telling an ancient story.

On the fifth stone door was an iron hammer, its head enormous and heavy, its surface riddled with pits and uneven marks, as if it had witnessed countless fierce battles. The handle was wrapped with a tough hemp rope, a testament to the user's ultimate pursuit of power.

The last stone door is carved with a soft whip. The whip is flexible and agile, like a nimble snake. A string of delicate little bells hangs from the tip of the whip, making a crisp sound as the water flows, as if whispering some secret.

Just as everyone was engrossed in studying these stone gates, the scene shifted to the shores of Erhai Lake.

Elder Lin Feiyan of the Diancang Sect was patrolling and guarding the shore with several disciples.

She stood on the shore, her eyes fixed on the few wooden boats in the center of Erhai Lake, her brows furrowed and her expression serious.

The moonlight, like water, spilled across the calm lake, creating shimmering ripples. However, Lin Feiyan felt no desire to appreciate the scenery. Gazing at the seemingly tranquil water, her heart was filled with worry. As the outer guardian of this operation, her task was to ensure its secrecy, preventing any outsiders from noticing the Diancang Sect's unusual movements. But at this moment, her greatest concern was whether Sect Leader Duan Qianya's underwater operation was going smoothly.

"Sect Leader Brother..." Lin Feiyan murmured softly, her voice almost drowned out by the lake breeze, "I hope everything goes well."

She knew that this exploration of the "Martial God's Tomb" was of great importance to the Diancang Sect.

If successful, the Diancang Sect could potentially rise to become a top force in the martial arts world; but if it fails, it will not only lose this precious opportunity, but may also face a pincer attack from the Black Wind Gang and overseas evil cultivators.

Thinking of this, she unconsciously gripped the long sword in her hand, her gaze becoming even more determined, as if she wanted to pierce through the night and see the mysterious ancient tomb deep in Erhai Lake.

Just then, a barely perceptible rustling sound came from the woods behind them, like a leaf gently touching the ground or a breeze rustling through the branches.

However, Lin Feiyan keenly noticed this subtle change, and her heart tightened. She quickly became alert, her eyes fixed on the grove of trees where the noise had just occurred, trying to find any suspicious signs.

"Something's up!" she whispered, her voice low yet carrying an undeniable authority. The surrounding Diancang disciples immediately swarmed around, weapons in hand, ready for battle.

A moment later, several figures slowly emerged from the woods, the leader of whom was none other than Ding Chengfeng, the leader of the Black Wind Gang.

He was dressed in a long black robe, his face cold and stern, his eyes flashing with a deep and icy light. Behind him followed the three Holy Lords—the Black Tortoise Holy Lord, the White Tiger Holy Lord, and the Vermilion Bird Holy Lord—each exuding a menacing aura and murderous intent.

Lin Feiyan's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm, forcing herself to be composed: "Chief Ding? It's so late, what brings you to the Erhai Lake to admire the moon?"

Ding Chengfeng's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt: "Elder Lin, you don't need to play dumb. There are spies from my Black Wind Gang within the Diancang Sect. We already know everything about Duan Qianya's every move. Since you are so ruthless, don't blame us for being unjust."

Upon hearing this, Lin Feiyan's expression changed drastically; she realized that the situation was beyond repair.

Ding Chengfeng's words were undoubtedly announcing to her that a traitor had appeared within the Diancang Sect, and the secret of their operation had long been exposed. She knew that only by fighting to the death could she perhaps secure a glimmer of hope for the Diancang Sect.

"Ding Chengfeng, you won't get away with this!" Lin Feiyan shouted sharply, her long sword flashing with a cold light. Her voice echoed in the night sky, like a thunderclap shattering the silence of Erhai Lake.

Before she finished speaking, she had already made her move, her longsword flashing like lightning as she stabbed towards Ding Chengfeng.

At the same time, the disciples of Diancang also drew their swords and engaged in fierce combat with the Black Wind Gang members. In an instant, swords flashed and shadows danced, blood splattered, and screams filled the air.

Lin Feiyan's swordsmanship was incredibly sharp; every move and stance contained all the skills she had learned in her life, aiming to kill Ding Chengfeng in the shortest possible time.

However, Ding Chengfeng was no ordinary man. His martial arts skills were on par with those of the Diancang Sect Leader, and he handled Lin Feiyan's attacks with ease.

He dodged the fatal blow with a swift movement, then struck out with a powerful palm strike, like a raging wave crashing against the shore, aiming straight for Lin Feiyan's chest.

Lin Feiyan barely managed to dodge to the side, but was still struck by the palm wind, spitting out a mouthful of blood and staggering backward.

She knew she was at a disadvantage, but she refused to give up and gritted her teeth to attack again with her sword.

However, the three Holy Lords of the Black Wind Gang possessed formidable power. Although the remaining Diancang disciples fought back valiantly, their sword flashes like rain, they were steadily defeated under the combined might of the three. The sounds of bones breaking, groans, and weapons falling to the ground rose and fell like a mournful dirge. Before long, everyone was knocked down, some with broken arms and bones, others unconscious, collapsing on the muddy lakeshore, no longer able to fight.

Lin Feiyan was also struck in the left shoulder by Ding Chengfeng's heavy punch, her shoulder blade shattering instantly. Her longsword flew out of her hand and embedded itself in the soil. She staggered backward, and her right leg was then slashed across by Ding Chengfeng's thrusting longsword, blood gushing out and staining half of her skirt red.

She knelt on one knee, supporting herself with her left hand, her hair disheveled, blood trickling from the corner of her lips, yet her eyes still burned with an indomitable flame, like a candle flickering in the wind, swaying but not extinguished.

Ding Chengfeng stepped forward slowly, his black robes fluttering, his gaze as deep and cold as a still pool. He looked down at Lin Feiyan, a faint, complex emotion flashing in his eyes, a fleeting glimmer of old friendship. He spoke coldly, his voice like the clash of iron and stone: "Elder Lin, for the sake of the many days of cooperation between Diancang and the Black Wind Gang, I will spare your lives today."

Just as Ding Chengfeng finished speaking and was about to turn and step into the lake, at that very moment—

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several dark figures, like venomous snakes emerging from their holes, darted out from the shadows of the forest! It was Oda and his group of overseas martial artists! Dressed in strange attire and with their faces covered by black cloths, they moved with ghostly speed and silence, so fast that even Ding Chengfeng didn't notice them in time. Their target was clear: the heavily wounded and fallen Lin Feiyan!