"What? A sword duel with a withered branch?"
Daoist Xuanqing thought he had misheard. He asked, "Sect Leader Chu, could you please repeat what you just said? I didn’t hear you clearly."
Chu Tianxiong took a deep breath and repeated, "I said, Elder Su might want to use the withered branch in his hand to duel Qi Bian in swordsmanship."
Upon hearing this, Daoist Xuanqing was stunned.
’What kind of joke is this?’
’Qi Bian’s Six Harmonies Sword is a Tier Five Spiritual Soldier. How could a withered branch possibly block it?’
’At the very least, he should use a normal Iron Sword.’
’A withered branch?’
’He’s insane!’
Daoist Xuanqing said anxiously, "I’ll go talk some sense into Elder Su. I’ll have him use my sword. I absolutely cannot let Elder Su take this risk."
This matter didn’t just concern Su Mo; it also involved the Beast Taming Sect and the Eighteen Kingdoms.
If Su Mo were defeated, the Beast Taming Sect and the Eighteen Kingdoms wouldn’t be able to escape. They would be mercilessly annihilated by the other side.
After all, Ouyang Cheng had died on the Beast Taming Sect’s territory.
With a flip of his hand, Daoist Xuanqing produced a longsword and respectfully offered it to Su Mo. "Elder Su, please use my Wandering Dragon Sword."
Although the Wandering Dragon Sword was only a Tier Two Spiritual Soldier, incomparable to Qi Bian’s Tier Five Six Harmonies Sword, it was still better than a withered branch.
However, Su Mo refused, saying, "I think this withered branch is just fine."
"This..."
Daoist Xuanqing’s face was filled with worry.
Seeing this, Qi Bian couldn’t help but laugh.
’What an idiot.’
’Trying to fight me with a withered branch... I really don’t know if he’s dim-witted or if his head was caught in a door to come up with such a stupid idea.’
"Make your move!"
Su Mo said impatiently.
Qi Bian sneered, "You’re courting death yourself. Don’t blame me for taking advantage of you! Six Harmonies Sword, kill!"
SHHIIING!
As Qi Bian infused it with Spiritual Qi, the Six Harmonies Sword immediately flew into the air and split into six silver Light Sabers.
A terrifying, silvery sword glint bloomed from each Light Saber.
These sword glints were extremely blinding.
Almost like the scorching sun.
"Kill!"
With an enraged roar from Qi Bian, the six beams of sword light tore through the sky, flying toward Su Mo with the speed of a thunderclap.
Each sword was aimed at one of Su Mo’s vital points.
Witnessing such a terrifying scene, Daoist Xuanqing couldn’t help but close his eyes, unable to bear the sight of Su Mo being pierced through.
However, Su Mo wasn’t the least bit flustered. He simply raised his hand.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
All six beams of sword light struck Su Mo’s palm and were blocked by it.
Huh?
Amidst his surprise, Chu Tianxiong didn’t forget to tug on the still-blinded Daoist Xuanqing. "Quick, look! Elder Su blocked it!"
"Sect Leader Chu, don’t try to fool me."
Although Daoist Xuanqing was skeptical, he still opened his eyes.
And then, he was dumbfounded.
Su Mo had blocked Qi Bian’s Six Harmonies Sword simply by raising his palm.
’How is this possible?’
’That’s a Tier Five Spiritual Soldier!’
The nearby Cyan Cloud Sparrow was also dumbstruck.
Although it had bragged that Su Mo could smack a Martial Monarch to death and kill a Martial King with a single finger, that was all just boasting and wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.
It never expected Su Mo to actually possess such strength.
CRUNCH!
Before the shocked eyes of the crowd, Su Mo gently clenched his right fist, and the six Light Sabers shattered.
The Six Harmonies Sword was crushed into scrap metal.
Su Mo casually tossed it aside.
Qi Bian rubbed his eyes and said in disbelief, "You... you actually destroyed my Six Harmonies Sword! Do you have any idea how many Spirit Stones it was worth?"
"Ahhhh..."
Qi Bian screamed, completely breaking down.
He had spent more than half his life’s fortune to finally acquire this Six Harmonies Sword from an auction.
Normally, he couldn’t even bear to use it, treasuring the Six Harmonies Sword like a precious jewel.
And now, Su Mo had crushed it into scrap metal with a single squeeze of his hand.
Seeing the broken-down Qi Bian, Su Mo asked curiously, "It’s just a piece of junk. Is there really a need to cry so wretchedly over it?"
"Junk?"
Qi Bian completely lost it.
Su Mo raised the withered branch in his hand and said, "Put up your defense. I’m about to cut you down."
Qi Bian snorted coldly. "Hmph, you plan to cut me down with a branch? I refuse to believe you’re that skilled."
With that, he mustered all his strength and condensed a Defense Shield in front of himself!
Su Mo raised the withered branch in his hand and gave it a gentle wave.
SHIIICK!
The Defense Shield in front of Qi Bian cracked on cue, and a sword mark appeared on his forehead, gushing blood.
In an instant, everyone was stunned.
Su Mo had actually insta-killed Qi Bian with a single withered branch.
That was a Martial Monarch!
Daoist Xuanqing tightened his grip on the sword in his hand. "This... How did he do that?"
"It’s simple. Elder Su’s strength far surpasses Qi Bian’s. His swordsmanship has reached a Realm where he can do as he pleases," Chu Tianxiong explained.
"Do as he pleases?"
Daoist Xuanqing asked, puzzled.
Chu Tianxiong nodded. "Experts of the Sword Dao at this level are not bound by external objects. It doesn’t matter if you give them a sword, a withered branch, or even a blade of grass—they can still unleash powerful swordsmanship."
Hiss...
Daoist Xuanqing sucked in a sharp, cold breath.
’To think there’s someone under the heavens who could cultivate their swordsmanship to such a powerful Realm.’
’It’s too incredible.’
Chu Tianxiong said, "I’ve also heard that some Sword Dao experts can release Sword Qi with a mere lift of their hand, slaying heavens, earth, and even the air itself. I believe Elder Su is not far from such a Realm."
THUD! THUD!
Qi Bian’s corpse fell heavily to the ground, his life completely extinguished.
Even at the moment of his death, he had no idea how Su Mo had done it.
"How boring."
Su Mo glanced at Qi Bian’s corpse, then called to the Cyan Cloud Sparrow, "Let’s go. We’re heading to Medicine King Valley."
"Yes!"
The Cyan Cloud Sparrow immediately spread its wings and soared high, carrying Su Mo toward Medicine King Valley.
The journey was exceptionally smooth.
Seeing Su Mo casually insta-kill a Martial Monarch expert, it was scared sober in an instant.
"So Brother Que wasn’t bullshitting after all."
"I know, right? Such a powerful Martial Monarch, insta-killed by Elder Su with just a branch. I bet Qi Bian died without ever figuring it out."
"Hahaha, he can’t exactly report to Yama Hall and tell King Yama he was insta-killed by a withered branch, can he? King Yama would laugh him to death all over again!"
"I hope Brother Que puts in a good word for us, so we can escape this hellhole of the Beast Taming Sect sooner and follow Elder Su, serving him hand and foot."
The Demon Pets of the Beast Taming Sect chattered amongst themselves.
Chu Tianxiong’s head was starting to ache.
He was genuinely afraid these Demon Pets would team up, defect from the Beast Taming Sect, run off to the Xiao Family in Qingyang City, and end up guarding their gates.
RUMBLE!
Just then, a terrifying aura descended from the sky.
The Ancient Giant Crocodile said in pleasant surprise, "What a terrifying aura! Could it be that Brother Que put in a good word for us, and Elder Su has agreed to take us as his Demon Pets?"
"That must be it."
The Demon Beasts said excitedly.
However...
The next second, an enraged roar suddenly echoed from the sky, "You scum of the Beast Taming Sect, give me back my son Ouyang Cheng’s life!"
"Ouyang Cheng? Oh no, it’s people from the Celestial Moon Sect! It’s not Elder Su."
"What? The Celestial Moon Sect? Why are they here again?"
"Is this ever going to end?"