Chapter 111: Chapter 111: A True Hero Only Seeks a Worthy Death
Ten spear-wielding men stood resolute, and with a single glance, Zhong Shan could discern their strengths and weaknesses. The leader among them was undoubtedly the one who had just unleashed a tremendous wave of spear energy—a Nascent Soul stage master and the Sect Master of Iron Spear Gate.
"The Sect Master of Iron Spear Gate, Qiang Wudi," Bei Qingsi whispered softly.
"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded slightly, his eyes shifting to the enemies Qiang Wudi pointed at—the ones who had broken through Iron Spear Gate's formation and slaughtered many of its members.
The enemies were divided into three factions. One faction wielded swords, another wielded sabers, and the third was a mixed group with various weapons, each faction numbering around two hundred men.
At the forefront of each faction stood a leader, and in the center of these leaders was a man clad in a black robe.
"Those three factions are from Mingjian Tower, Tianyou Valley, and Wanmo Sect. Their leaders stand at the front. The man in the black robe, however, is unknown," Bei Qingsi explained to Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan nodded. He had already learned from Zhong Mansion that these three sects were besieging Iron Spear Gate, and it seemed the conflict had dragged on until today. Or perhaps Iron Spear Gate had managed to hold out until now.
"Qiang Wudi, I didn't expect you to return from Shenzhou so soon," the black-robed man suddenly spoke in a deep voice.
As soon as he spoke, Zhong Shan's brow furrowed because he recognized the voice. Staring at the black-robed man, Zhong Shan's eyes turned cold. That voice—he would never forget it for the rest of his life. It was Leiting, the Thunder General, who had fought with the Thunder Scorpion during the Thunder Flower incident. Zhong Shan hadn't expected him to be involved in this matter as well.
"Hmph," Qiang Wudi snorted coldly, not even glancing at Leiting. Instead, his gaze turned to the Sect Master of Mingjian Tower.
"I never expected Mingjian Tower to fall so low," Qiang Wudi said coldly.
After all, Iron Spear Gate and Mingjian Tower had always supported each other. Who would have thought that today, Mingjian Tower would join forces with two other sects to besiege Iron Spear Gate, killing most of its disciples in the process?
"Fallen? Hahaha, Mingjian Tower fallen? Your Iron Spear Gate is not without traitors. If it weren't for them opening the gate formation, would so many of your people have died? Yes, you're back, but it's too late. Iron Spear Gate is already a thing of the past. Only a handful of you are left, and you think you can turn the tide? Just you and these nine remnants? Can you defend this spirit stone mine?" The Sect Master of Mingjian Tower sneered.
The Sect Masters of Tianyou Valley and Wanmo Sect also smiled faintly. The three sects had attacked Iron Spear Gate precisely for its vast reserves of spirit stones.
Qiang Wudi's brows knit together as he scanned the faces of the three sect masters before finally turning to Leiting.
"Mingjian Tower, Tianyou Valley, and Wanmo Sect—there's no way you three would be so united. Someone must be pulling the strings. Thunder General, the claws of your Yin Yue Dynasty are reaching too far," Qiang Wudi suddenly said, his gaze sharp on Leiting.
With a slight gesture, Leiting removed his black hat, revealing a confident smile.
"Mingjian Tower, Tianyou Valley, and Wanmo Sect are all nearby, but your Yin Yue Dynasty is in the extreme north. Do you also want a share of the spirit stone mine?" Qiang Wudi asked calmly.
"Hahaha, you needn't worry about that. We've already agreed. I don't want a single spirit stone. I only need the Iron Spear Gate's legacy artifact—the Heart of the Spear. If you hand over the Heart of the Spear now, you can leave with your disciples, and I guarantee no one will stop you," Leiting laughed heartily.
"Then let's fight!" Qiang Wudi declared, his spear twirling and pointing directly at the Sect Master of Mingjian Tower.
With a tremor, the spear in his hand transformed into a formidable hundred-zhang-long spear aura, thrusting fiercely towards the Master of the Mingjian Sect.
The spear aura, like a striking dragon, shot straight at the Mingjian Sect Leader. Simultaneously, a massive energy leopard materialized around the spear aura, pouncing rapidly towards the sect's leader as soon as it appeared.
"Roar～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
The giant leopard, towering at a hundred zhang high, lunged forward with the ferocity of a starving predator, seemingly intent on tearing apart everyone in the Mingjian Sect. With a thunderous roar, it closed in on the sect leader in the blink of an eye.
"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
The Mingjian Sect Leader responded with a swift motion, waving his sword to form a hundred-zhang-long sword aura. When the ferocious spear aura collided with the sword aura, an explosion of dazzling white light ensued, radiating outward like a sunburst from the center of their clash.
The earth trembled, and even the distant peaks of Zhongshan Mountain quivered from the impact. In the blinding flash, Zhong Shan caught a glimpse of two other sect leaders and the Thunder General joining the fray.
"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
Another deafening explosion followed, accompanied by an even more blinding light, rendering the entire valley invisible for a moment. When the light subsided, Gun Wudi, the three sect leaders, and the Thunder General had all vanished from the valley below.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
Suddenly, a series of rumbles echoed from the distant sky. Looking up, Zhong Shan saw a gigantic orb of light high above. Inside the orb, immense energies of spear, sword, and blade clashed, continuously erupting outward.
The leaders had taken their battle to the sky, wary of the devastating aftershocks endangering their disciples below. The strongest remaining in the valley were at the Golden Core stage, mostly from the lower sects.
Nearly fifty elite warriors emerged from the three sects' ranks, encircling the central group. These fifty were evidently all at the Golden Core stage, while the others, merely at the innate level, posed no significant threat.
"Ha～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
Zhao Suoxiang and eight other Iron Spear Sect disciples pointed their long spears at their enemies. The prolonged fighting had deepened their enmity, bringing them to a point of life and death.
"Qingsi, Senior Brother, there's a friend of mine among the Iron Spear Sect. Could you lend a hand?" Zhong Shan suddenly asked.
Zhong Shan was confident in Bei Qingsi's abilities, hence his request. After all, Zhao Suoxiang had a personal connection with him and had helped him in the past.
Upon hearing Zhong Shan, Tian Sha furrowed his brows, a flash of coldness in his eyes. Your friend? What does that have to do with me?
"Who is it?" Bei Qingsi asked directly.
"The man in white, Zhao Suoxiang, the one with swollen eyes on the far east side," Zhong Shan pointed out straightforwardly.
"Alright," Bei Qingsi nodded immediately.
"Let's go," Tian Sha suddenly called out to Zhong Shan, evidently agreeing to help. However, his true intentions were far from benevolent.
Zhong Shan gave Tian Sha a puzzled look but nodded nonetheless. Tian Sha hoped to expose him, leading to his death at the hands of these cultivators?
"Let's go," Zhong Shan agreed, tossing his broadsword and flying forward. Bei Qingsi and Tian Sha followed closely.
The tension in the valley was palpable, and the sudden appearance of the three newcomers added another layer of unpredictability. They approached, flying on swords and blades.
"Zhao Suoxiang!" Zhong Shan shouted.
At Zhong Shan's shout, everyone froze and turned their cold gazes towards the three figures flying towards them.
Zhao Suoxiang, already tense and exhausted from days of fierce battles, stiffened at the sudden call of his name. He turned his head skyward, his eyes widening in recognition.
Zhong Shan?
"Kaiyang Sect? Tian Sha?" a distant Golden Core stage cultivator exclaimed.
The Golden Core cultivators halted in their tracks, looking at the three newcomers in astonishment. Tian Sha, the infamous senior brother of the Kaiyang Sect, was well-known. Why was he here? Was he going to intervene?
"What do you want?" a blood-covered swordsman suddenly shouted towards Zhong Shan.
"Zhao Suoxiang, come with us," Zhong Shan immediately replied.
With Zhong Shan's declaration, the trio's intentions were clear—they were here to take Zhao Suoxiang away. But Zhao Suoxiang hadn't even reached the Golden Core stage yet. If it was just to take him away, so be it. There were still eight other Golden Core disciples of the Iron Spear Sect present.
The eight Iron Spear disciples understood immediately. The Kaiyang Sect had no relations with the Iron Spear Sect; these three were here solely to save Zhao Suoxiang.
"Suoxiang, go with them," a spear-wielding disciple urged.
"Go!" the others echoed in unison.
"No, the Iron Spear Sect is my root. A true man seeks to die with honor. I, Suoxiang, would rather fight to the death with my uncles here than flee from the enemy to survive in disgrace," Zhao Suoxiang declared with unyielding resolve.
Zhao Suoxiang's bold words shook everyone. A surge of hot blood coursed through the veins of his eight uncles. This nephew of theirs exuded a rare heroic spirit, the true mark of a great man. Yes, dying with honor.
In that moment, they no longer saw Zhao Suoxiang as a junior but as an equal, a brother in arms. Though his cultivation was the lowest among them, Zhao Suoxiang had shown no fear in battle, fighting ten foes at once for his sect, forsaking survival for solidarity.
Across from them, the enemies frowned. Zhao Suoxiang was indeed a remarkable individual, despite his lower cultivation level.
Flying nearby, Tian Sha furrowed his brows, a glint of respect in his eyes. He hadn't expected Zhong Shan's friend to possess such a heroic spirit. Bei Qingsi, however, remained indifferent, ready to save Zhao Suoxiang solely for Zhong Shan's sake.
In mid-air, Zhong Shan gazed at Zhao Suoxiang, unsurprised by his words. He knew Zhao Suoxiang well—honorable, trustworthy, loyal. If Zhao Suoxiang had chosen to leave, Zhong Shan would have misjudged him.
"Zhong Shan, I appreciate your goodwill. The battle is chaotic; you should leave quickly," Zhao Suoxiang said, shaking his head.
"Very well, then you all come with me!" Zhong Shan declared again.
His words stunned everyone. Did he truly believe he could take nine people away?
Initially, the Golden Core cultivators could accept him taking Zhao Suoxiang out of respect for the Kaiyang Sect. But now, he intended to take all the Iron Spear disciples? Impossible. They had killed so many of their brothers—how could they let them escape? Weapons were gripped tighter, ready to strike at any moment.
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