151

Tianchui Mountain, the original dense forest had nearly disappeared, and the large tree in front of the stone cave, though cut off halfway, still stood tall like a giant pillar.

Originally severed, the area had been leveled, and a figure in black robes sat cross-legged atop it.

On either side of the large tree under the stone cave, six figures in black robes stood, relaxed and unguarded, seemingly communicating through telepathy.

With a grandmaster present, there was no need for vigilance from these martial artist grandmasters.

The grandmaster seated atop the tree was a mid-level grandmaster, a formidable presence even among grandmasters.

Though not comparable to a grandmaster at the pinnacle, retreat was still an option.

Without significant benefits at stake, the other grandmasters wouldn't act rashly; after all, it was unwise to provoke peers of equal strength.

Of course, if there were substantial benefits, it would be a different story, but here in Tianchui Mountain, while it was a sanctuary of rare herbs, outsiders remained unaware.

Moreover, typical sanctuaries of rare herbs weren't worth antagonizing grandmasters over.

The figure in black robes seated atop the tree, like the two grandmasters before, wore the same attire, but the difference lay in the white leaf embroidered on their chest, a thin, willow-like white leaf.

Xu Yan and his companions made their presence known, flying directly and fearlessly into the air, disregarding any powerful beings present in the sanctuary.

The grandmaster in black robes opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Someone is approaching!"

The black-robed figures on either side of the stone cave immediately tensed, gripping their curved blades, on high alert.

If attacked by a grandmaster, they would break into the stone cave first, even if it meant damaging the herbs; it was better than letting others benefit.

Xu Yan immediately spotted the black-robed figure standing on the half-cut tree.

A grandmaster! And a stronger one at that!

"Senior Xu, that grandmaster seems even stronger!" Meng Shushu nervously exclaimed.

Strength varied among grandmasters just as it did among martial artists. Those who broke through to grandmaster in one go, relying on their innate talent and accumulated strength, were far stronger than those who lingered at the threshold of grandmaster, relying on herbs for gradual breakthroughs.

The grandmaster on the tree ahead evidently belonged to the former category, relying solely on innate talent and strength for advancement. Their power far surpassed that of the deceased duo.

The black-robed figure standing there exuded an imposing aura.

Not an entry-level grandmaster, but a mid-level grandmaster!

Xu Yan showed no fear, instead expressing excitement, remarking, "Strength is a great asset. The stronger one is, the higher their status and wealth. This could mean a windfall!"

Meng Shushu twitched his mouth; Xu Yan saw everything as an opportunity for profit.

"Junior, let's deal with those people later to prevent them from damaging the herb sanctuary."

Xu Yan looked towards the six black-robed figures on either side of the large tree behind him.

"No problem, one blade each, just six blades," Meng Chong nodded excitedly.

After being hunted for so long, they could finally let off some steam.

Meng Shushu remained silent.

These two brothers were both ruthless and unbelievably strong.

To them, grandmasters and martial artists were as common as cabbage, easily disposed of.

"Who are you, intervening in this matter?"

The black-robed figure's aura surged, his grandmaster presence akin to divine might.

Xu Yan's own dragon-like aura countered it, calmly stating, "I am Xu Yan, the Sword God."

"Sword God's Cliff?"

The black-robed figure frowned.

At the mention of a swordsman, the first thought was Sword God's Cliff, but the name Xu Yan was unfamiliar.

And the title Sword God seemed overly arrogant.

Even Xie Tianheng didn't dare to claim such a title!

"Not quite!"

Xu Yan shook his head, his gaze falling on the white leaf embroidered on the opponent's chest. Perhaps this emblem could reveal the faction to which the black-robed figure belonged.

"Which faction do you represent? Declare it!"

Xu Yan demanded sternly.

"If you wish to intervene in this matter, think twice about offending a peak grandmaster!"

The black-robed figure evaded, responding coldly.

A peak grandmaster?

Xu Yan remained unfazed; even if he couldn't defeat a peak grandmaster, they couldn't harm him either.

And once he broke through to the Perfect Realm, peak grandmasters would pose no threat; one slash would deal with them, utterly removing any danger.

Since the other party was unwilling to divulge their affiliation, there was no need for further discussion.

Xu Yan drew his sword from its sheath, saying, "You hide behind anonymity, yet dare to intimidate others with the title of peak grandmaster? Today, I'll cut you down!"

The black-robed figure, infuriated, brandished his curved blade and flew towards Xu Yan. "Let's see how you'll kill me!"

Boom!

In the moment Xu Yan and the black-robed figure clashed, Meng Chong and Meng Shushu had already attacked the stone cave.

The six martial artist grandmasters showed no intention of fleeing; after all, they outnumbered their opponents two to one.

"Kill them!"

The six black-robed figures brandished their curved blades and advanced.

Meng Shushu paused momentarily, then slowed his pace, following behind Meng Chong.

He didn't need to intervene.

Boom!

The blades radiated, dominating the surroundings with their unmatched fierceness.

With one slash, a black-robed figure fell!

"Not good!"

The remaining black-robed figures paled in shock.

This was terrifying; one slash and one of their own was dead. With just a few of them, how could they withstand several slashes?

They wanted to flee, but it was too late.

Meng Chong continued to slash, six strikes in total, each claiming the life of a martial artist grandmaster.

After the slaughter, Meng Chong excitedly searched the bodies, emptied their purses, then let his blade sweep, crushing the bodies to dust.

"Outrageous!"

An angry roar echoed from mid-air.

The grandmaster was horrified to see their six martial artist grandmasters, as common as cabbage, slain one by one by that bald brute!

Not a shred of resistance!

These were martial artist grandmasters, each requiring considerable resources to train, and their talents were undoubtedly exceptional!

"How dare you divert your attention in my presence?"

Xu Yan sneered; did the grandmaster find the deaths too slow?

Ah!

The roar of dragons echoed, sword intent enveloped them, and mountains and rivers trembled as golden dragons circled.

Then, another strike, the Sword of Myriad Realms!

"Not good!"

The black-robed grandmaster paled; he hurriedly concentrated his mind. In that instant, his curved blade shattered inch by inch, emitting a terrifying light.

He must flee!

He sensed the terrifying threat of death looming!

With decisive action, he unleashed a secret technique; his curved blade shattered, unleashing a powerful strike, attempting to break through Xu Yan's assault and escape.

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow; a martial arts secret technique?

This was his first encounter with a practitioner of martial arts secret techniques, and a mid-level grandmaster at that.

Martial arts secret techniques were extremely rare even within the Inner Domain, usually only found in powerful factions with deep roots.

Especially powerful ones were exclusive to top-tier factions.

Despite Seven Star Academy seeming to possess numerous martial arts secret techniques, those truly compatible with a practitioner's martial arts were actually quite scarce.

Not all martial arts secret techniques were suitable for cultivation, nor did they all unleash formidable combat power.

Moreover, successful cultivation of a martial arts secret technique required a solid foundation of talent and compatibility with one's own martial arts, avoiding conflict.

Generally, martial arts secret techniques were passed down within the same faction to prevent conflicts and unsuitable cultivation.

Seven Star Academy's martial arts secret techniques were varied, and students had to find ones compatible with their own martial arts.

Ordinary martial arts students rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with them.

"So what if it's a martial arts secret technique? Can you escape?"

Xu Yan sneered; he didn't hold martial arts secret techniques in high regard.

Most martial arts secret techniques had strict conditions for activation and could damage the user. Their unleashed power, in his opinion, was limited.

Xu Yan's sword slashed out; the mountains and rivers overlapped, and golden dragons circled. In an instant, it was as if eighteen golden dragons commanded the mountains and rivers, engulfing everything.

Boom!

The black-robed figure emitted a brilliant light, with powerful aura bursting forth, shattering mountains and rivers, seemingly intending to break through the Sword Intent of Mountains and Rivers with a single strike!

However, the Mountains and Rivers were vast and boundless. In an instant, numerous figures brandished their swords, and swordlight enveloped him.

"No..."

The black-robed grandmaster's eyes widened in fear, unable to believe what was happening, but he couldn't even scream anymore.

Crack!

His head split open, and his body began to disintegrate, his black robe crumbling as a bag dropped to the ground.

Xu Yan reached out and grabbed the bag, sneering, "If it weren't for fear of damaging my money bag, would you have lasted this long? Did you really think using secret techniques could save you?"

The black-robed figure's body continued to disintegrate until he finally turned into ash.

Xu Yan gleefully opened the bag, finding a stack of spirit bills inside, each worth ten thousand units.

There were over thirty bills in total.

"Not bad, not bad. Truly worthy of a grandmaster. Another windfall for me!"

The faction to which the black-robed figure belonged seemed wealthy. Xu Yan wondered where their headquarters was; he was tempted to raid it and make another fortune.

Xu Yan wore a regretful expression.

If he raided their headquarters, wouldn't he become rich?

"This faction probably has more than one peak grandmaster. With my current strength, it might be a bit difficult to raid their headquarters. But once I breakthrough to the peak of the Precelestial Realm or even the Transcendent Realm, I can go for it. Once my junior sister returns to the Inner Domain, I bet they'll show themselves. As soon as they do, I'll find their headquarters!"

Xu Yan muttered to himself.

Arriving at the entrance of the stone cave, his face filled with anticipation, he asked, "Is this the entrance to the spiritual herb treasure land?"

"Exactly!"

Meng Shushu nodded.

He was deeply shocked; that was a mid-level grandmaster, yet he couldn't withstand a few strikes and was destroyed. Xu Yan's strength was truly terrifying.

But then he became excited again. Although he owed a lot, having such a powerful backer seemed worth it.

"Let's go in!"

Xu Yan waved his hand.

Entering the cave, they found mottled stone walls, with no visible doors.

Only on one side of the wall was a small circular hole.

Meng Shushu took out a key, a small hammer, and inserted it into the hole, turning the handle. With a click, the hammerhead opened, seeming to latch onto something inside the hole.

He turned it forcefully, and with a series of clicks, the wall trembled, and dust fell. At one moment, with a thud, something seemed to be moved.

Meng Shushu pushed the wall with his hand, and with a rumble, it opened inward, allowing light to filter in.

"Let's go, the door's open!"

Meng Shushu flicked his finger, and several forces shot out, seemingly probing something.

Excitedly, they entered the passage.

Xu Yan and Meng Chong followed closely behind.

Looking up, they saw that the walls of the passage seemed to be pieced together. If forcibly broken, the entire passage would collapse.

"This construction is quite ingenious!"

Xu Yan exclaimed.

Meng Shushu excitedly said, "It can be confirmed that this was once a spiritual herb sect, cultivating spiritual herbs here!"

The dim light ahead grew brighter. As they walked out of the passage, the three of them were astonished by the scene before them.

Even though some time had passed, one could still vaguely see patches of cultivated fields, each planted with spiritual herbs.

As Meng Shushu had said, this was once the site of a spiritual herb sect, where spiritual herbs were cultivated.

Beams of light radiated from all directions and above, illuminating the entire mountain space.

"Mountains like this one are man-made."

Xu Yan said solemnly.

From the outside, there were no traces of human intervention, but from the inside, one could clearly see some traces of stitching, and the stitching was very clever.

Weaker martial artists couldn't forcibly break in. If martial artists above the grandmaster level forcibly broke in, it would trigger a chain reaction, causing the entire Iron Hammer Mountain to collapse, destroying the spiritual herbs and leaving them with nothing.

"The worst spiritual herbs here are all eighth-grade!"

Meng Shushu exclaimed excitedly.

Although there weren't many spiritual herbs left on each field, when combined, there were still quite a few.

"The spiritual herbs planted in the mountain are all shade-loving. These spiritual herbs are usually rare and not easy to find."

As Meng Shushu began to dig up the spiritual herbs, he explained.

"For example, this Earth Moon Bamboo, which grows in dark places, has thin branches and is no more than three feet tall..."

Meng Shushu pointed to a small bamboo in front of him.

Quickly, he dug up the Earth Moon Bamboo from underground.

About the size of a baby's fist and half a foot long, wrapped in white bamboo clothes, as soon as it was dug up, a faint fragrance of bamboo wood filled the air.

"Meng Shushu, you're a spiritual herb scout. You know how to dig and preserve spiritual herbs. How do we dig and preserve them?"

Xu Yan and Meng Chong joined in the excitement of digging up spiritual herbs.

Most of these spiritual herbs were on Su Lingxiu's list.

(End of this chapter)