A Blind Swordsman's Sword Coffin

Zhou Zhi gazed down at the unconscious Ye Feng, his teeth clenched. He decided against descending the stairs, having already left secret sect signals in several locations. Anyone who recognized these signals would surely come searching. For now, it was best he remained close by.

Besides, Ye Feng was still out cold, and Zhou Zhi couldn’t just abandon him. So he shut the door and waited.

Sure enough, Zhou Zhi soon detected another presence approaching. Recognizing the distinctive aura of a fellow Daxia Sword Sect disciple, he quickly invited them in.

They talked, and he learned the newcomer had also been pursued by the men in black.

Zhou Zhi cleared his throat and asked nervously, “Duan Xiong, did you see Jiang Su after you came in?”

The young man. Duan Xiong, frowned slightly. He spoke in a low voice and said, “I saw her once! In the northern part of the main city.

“I was just about to step in to help, but the ground gave way. Senior Sister Jiang and one of the black-robed men fell straight through. I was injured at the time, and by the time I reached the edge, it was already too late.

“Later, I saw the markings you left and followed them here.”

Zhou Zhi stood motionless, his gaze distant and unfocused, lost in the depths of his thoughts. Beneath his sleeves, his fists were clenched with such intensity that his nails bit into his palms, drawing blood he didn’t even notice.

It was a while before Zhou Zhi snapped out of it. He took a deep breath. “We still don’t know who those people are. Go upstairs and tend to your injuries. And keep an eye on Ye Feng. He’s badly hurt and currently unconscious.”

Duan Xiong’s firm face revealed a sudden understanding. He grabbed Zhou Zhi’s shoulder. ”Senior Brother, I know what you’re thinking.

”But this mechanical city is incredibly strange. Please don’t throw your life away chasing after Senior Sister Jiang!”

Zhou Zhi’s voice broke free, hoarse with strain. “How could I not be worried?”

“Those people all have hidden weapons, and they’re coated with poison! A single misstep—”

Zhou Zhi cut in and said, “Just stay here. If anything happens, shout. I won’t go far.”

Duan Xiong hesitated for a long time before giving in. He said solemnly, “Senior Brother, you may have only just entered the inner sect, but when we were in the outer sect... you looked after all of us. Me included.

“I know you like Senior Sister Jiang, but from what I’ve seen, she should be able to defeat that man with her strength.”

Zhou Zhi had already turned around. Without looking back, he said. “Most likely, but I still can’t relax. I’ll take a look and come right back.”

Zhou Zhi moved like the wind, slipping into the underground city. Inside the room, a hidden compartment showed faint signs of tampering.

Duan Xiong closed the door with a sigh and then quickly headed upstairs. “You’re awake? How are you feeling? I have spirit stones here. Take them so you can start recovering.”

***

In the depths of the underground city, Li Guanqi stood warily near the stairwell, still clad in armor. But the puppet armor continuously drained his vital force, so he eventually stored it away.

Li Guanqi clutched the Emerald Wolf Sword, now wearing silver armor etched with mysterious black-gold patterns that shimmered faintly. As he drew nearer to the source of light, his fingers instinctively tightened around the hilt.

When he stepped off the final stair, a vast square platform nearly 500 zhang wide stretched before him. Directly opposite stood twelve figures shrouded in black robes.

The leader’s eyes flashed with killing intent, especially when he saw the puppet armor on Li Guanqi. Greed flickered in his gaze.

Li Guanqi frowned. He had no idea why they had gathered here, but since they didn’t attack immediately, he slowly put the armor away.

He narrowed his eyes and asked coolly, “All of you at once?”

“Pfft! Hahahahaha! Did you guys hear what he just said?”

“Hahaha, all of us at once? Are you an idiot?”

“All of us just to kill you?”

“You sect brats really don’t know your place.”

Jeers echoed through the place, one after another. However, the man with the purple armband just sneered. “Heh. How about this? A duel to the death. Just you and me.”

Then, the man leaped into the air and landed on the platform.

Buzz!

As his feet touched down, the entire platform trembled. A half-dome barrier of light rose from beneath. A crimson light glowed ominously, but only around the man’s side.

Li Guanqi’s eyes gleamed as he called out to Sword Spirit in his mind. Even after several seconds, there was no response. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

I didn’t expect this mechanical city to suppress Sword Spirit so strongly. Should I start giving her more energy to strengthen her?

Seeing that Li Guanqi didn’t move, the man scoffed. “Tch, you sure talk big. Afraid of a one-on-one fight? Want me to suppress my cultivation down to your mid-stage level?

“Hahaha! I guess it is a bit shameful, picking on a child.”

The other black-robed figures all joined in mocking laughter.

Li Guanqi didn’t spare them a glance. He’d heard far worse. Picking at his ear, he drawled, “One dog barking is tolerable, but an entire pack is unbearable. Your insults are pathetic.

“There’s a widow in my village who could curse circles around all of you for three hours straight without stopping to breathe. Please stop talking out of your asses. The stench is overwhelming.

“A bunch of clowns, jumping around like you’re in a circus. How about I call a few people and turn this into a proper free-for-all?

”Whoever chickens out becomes the winner’s grandchild. And if I don’t beat you senseless, I... You know what, forget it. Sharing a surname with you would be too humiliating.”

The mocking voices had gone quiet.

Li Guanqi rolled up his sleeves, slowly tightened his grip on his sword, and smirked. “Didn’t you want a one-on-one? Fine.

”Just me. Against all of you.”

He stepped forward and drew his sword with a flash of chilling light. His entire presence changed in an instant. His vital force surged as an oppressive aura emerged from him.

The black-robed leader’s pupils contracted. He could feel that Li Guanqi’s aura was even stronger than his own.

As Li Guanqi’s foot touched the ground, he caught a glint of mockery in his enemy’s eyes. A chill of danger shot through him, and he immediately sprang backward with all his strength.

Thump!

He slammed into something solid behind him—a thick wall.

This is bad...