Chapter 13: The Black Dragon Sword Technique

With a crisp ringing sound, a figure suddenly appeared before Wu Tian, instantly blocking the Black Dragon Blade in his hand.

Wu Tian’s furious blade energy exploded in all directions.

Boom! The tremendous shock shattered tables and chairs throughout the room, and even the entire house trembled violently.

“Blocking my path?!” Wu Tian’s tiger eyes blazed with anger. Without seeing clearly who had stopped him, he raised the Black Dragon Blade once more, channeling his internal true energy into the blade.

"Black Dragon Blade Technique, First Stage! Winds Rise and Clouds Surge! Break!" Fifty points of true energy were instantly consumed, half of Wu Tian’s total reserves, leaving him unable to perform another Black Dragon Blade move.

Though the blade technique consumed massive amounts of true energy, its power was immense. As Wu Tian unleashed the first stage, a fierce aura swept through the surroundings, overturning everything. A transparent wave of blade energy surged forth.

No matter who stood in his way, no matter their strength, Wu Tian was determined to fight to the bitter end today!

Boom!

With a wild roar, Wu Tian’s blade energy exploded violently. The already trembling house could not withstand his ferocity and was blasted apart, the ceiling reduced to ash in an instant.

“What’s happening?! It seems there’s a fierce battle in the inner courtyard—the house has collapsed!”

“What overwhelming force! That aura is at least at the level of a Sixth Rank Martial Master!”

“Could it be that the master is furious?”

The battle in the room drew the attention of all disciples in the Elder’s residence, each discussing in shock and amazement.

The destruction of the house sent plumes of dust billowing. As it cleared, Wu Tian was already clutching the trembling Xiao Hui in his arms.

Standing opposite, a middle-aged man in a grey robe held Wang Xiaoshi. Wang Xiaoshi’s left arm had been severed by Wu Tian’s earlier blade energy—he was now unconscious. If not for the man absorbing most of the attack, Wang Xiaoshi would surely have died.

“How dare you, Wu Tian! You trespass in the Elder’s residence, kill my attendants, and even attempt to slay my disciple! Do you still regard me as an Elder?” The middle-aged man was none other than He Jiang, master to Wang Xiaoshi and Qin Long, and an Elder of the Sky-Bound Sect.

He Jiang was both shocked and furious. Wu Tian had managed to sever his disciple’s arm despite his defense. This young man had supposedly lost all his cultivation, yet after two months, he displayed such power. The blade energy had reached at least the level of an Eighth Rank Martial Master! How could someone whose meridians and dantian had been destroyed possess such strength?

“So it’s Uncle He.” Wu Tian focused his gaze and understood why his attack had been blocked. He Jiang was a senior of the Sky-Bound Sect, now at the Third Rank Martial Spirit stage. Wu Tian was only a Tenth Rank Martial Master; even with the Black Dragon Blade and its secret art, he could not hope to defeat He Jiang in one move.

"Wu Tian, do not presume upon your former glory as the Sky-Bound Sect’s greatest prodigy. Now, you are nearly abandoned by the sect. Today you have slain attendants in my residence and injured my disciple. You had better give me an explanation, or I’ll send you to the Hall of Punishment immediately!" He Jiang roared, pointing at Wu Tian, furious that his disciple had lost an arm before his very eyes—both his pride and his heart wounded.

Wu Tian stared coldly at He Jiang. "I respected you as my uncle, so I refrained from attacking! Your precious disciple, Wang Xiaoshi, seized my maid and even attempted to violate her. Should I not come to reclaim her? If your disciple commits evil, am I not allowed to kill him?"

"Just a mere maid—if she’s dead, I’ll compensate you with another," He Jiang replied coldly.

"Heh, compensate me with another? Very well, then I’ll kill one of your disciples and compensate you with another. How does that sound?" Wu Tian retorted fiercely, utterly unafraid.

He Jiang was momentarily speechless. The matter was indeed Wang Xiaoshi’s fault, but he still felt bitter. "Wu Tian, how do you explain killing my attendants? As a member of the Sky-Bound Sect, you have slain your own kin. Such disgraceful conduct is unworthy of a sect disciple—you do not deserve to be one!"

"Hmph! Those mere attendants dared to try and kill their master—shouldn’t such servants be punished? Uncle He, what do you think?" Wu Tian glared coldly at He Jiang.

"Wu Tian, you twist words and reason! Today you’ve severed my disciple’s arm—I’ll take both of yours!" He Jiang could endure no longer, laying Wang Xiaoshi down and preparing to strike.

"Uncle He, since you insist on defending your disciple, I won’t hold back today!" Wu Tian showed not a hint of retreat. He gently set Xiao Hui aside, drew the Black Dragon Blade from his equipment space, and unleashed a domineering aura, ready to fight He Jiang.

Though He Jiang was at the Third Rank Martial Spirit stage, Wu Tian showed no fear. With the Black Dragon Blade and its technique, his base damage was doubled. He also possessed instant-kill skills, and his system inventory was filled with countless healing and energy-restoring pills—Blood Essence Pills, True Yuan Pills, and more—that could instantly restore him to full health and power. Even if he couldn’t defeat He Jiang, he could outlast him.

The two glared at each other, the battle about to erupt.

"Stop!" At that moment, a furious shout came from the entrance to the inner courtyard.

A middle-aged man with a grim expression stood at the door, followed by more than a dozen disciples from the Hall of Punishment, armed and armored.

"What are you doing? This is the Sky-Bound Sect. How dare you, as sect members, engage in private combat here? Do you still respect the sect’s rules? Elder He, as one of the many elders, do you think it’s proper to fight with a junior? And Wu Tian, as a disciple, you trespass in the Elder’s residence, slay attendants, harm your fellow disciples—do you consider your actions appropriate?"

Elder Hao Dahu of the Hall of Punishment glared at Wu Tian and He Jiang, showing no leniency.

From Wu Tian’s memories, Elder Hao Dahu was known as a strict, upright elder, not only powerful but uncompromising towards others. The younger disciples all feared this elder who oversaw punishments. Wu Tian had a favorable impression of him and felt little animosity.

"Elder Hao, I did not start this. Wang Xiaoshi seized my maid and tried to violate her—his conduct is disgraceful. I only came to reclaim her."

"Wu Tian, this matter will be settled later. For now, deal with your affairs. In two hours, report to the Hall of Punishment!"

With that, Hao Dahu departed with his men.