But the young clansman shook his head. “Though our strength is limited, we managed to set up a few injury-inflicting sword formations to resist them. Both sides suffered casualties. We sent out distress signals, hoping to hold out until Promise Squad returned.”
“Then…?”
The clansman’s face turned fearful, his body visibly trembling.
“Later… later, three old men dressed in gray appeared. They floated mid-air and struck our sword formations with a single palm strike. Just one strike was enough…”
As he spoke, his face turned pale with terror, unable to continue, clearly haunted by a horrific scene he never wished to recall again.
Yang Hao closed his eyes, his inner fury surging like molten lava, ready to erupt at any moment. Three old men in gray—members of the Elder Council. To eliminate the Hao Sword Group, they had actually dispatched elders. This was a ruthless, life-or-death assault.
Xie Fengmo led the wounded clansman away for treatment. Upon returning, he continued, “I originally came to find you for something important, but coincidentally arrived right in the middle of the battle. Surprisingly, those elders showed me some respect and withdrew their forces. Immediately afterwards, I sent for medics. Fortunately, no one died, although a few might be permanently disabled.”
“Damn them!” Inside Yang Hao, Yingyue buzzed furiously, flames visibly flickering across his skin.
Yet the ordeal was far from over; an even heavier blow awaited Yang Hao.
Sighing deeply, Xie Fengmo, though concerned about Yang Hao’s condition, continued, “Shortly after, Long Yun and Maya returned with Promise Squad. Witnessing the devastation here, Long Yun flew into a rage and ignored my pleas, rushing off to seek vengeance against the Ten Sword Sect. They still haven’t returned. Eventually, unable to wait any longer, I came looking for you. Fortunately, I used the Merchant Guild’s satellite tracking system, or I might never have found you…”
“They haven’t returned?” Yang Hao looked around anxiously, indeed not seeing Long Yun, Maya, or Promise Squad. Within the Hao Sword Group, these ten individuals were the strongest.
“Yang Hao,” Xie Fengmo shouted, gripping his shoulders. “They’re gone. They’ve met their fate!”
Though Yang Hao had sensed something terrible, hearing it confirmed made his eyes bloodshot red. Like a maddened bull, he turned and charged outside.
“Yang Hao!” Xie Fengmo rushed after him, blocking his path.
“Get out of my way!” Yang Hao roared viciously. “Or I’ll kill you too!”
“You can’t go seeking revenge now!” Xie Fengmo stood firm, not retreating an inch.
“Long Yun and the others are my brothers! My closest friends!” Yang Hao had become a raging lion. “If my brothers are in trouble, how can I not go? Move aside! I’ll slaughter every member of the Ten Sword Sect! I’ll kill all those damn elders!”
Yingyue howled, slicing straight at Xie Fengmo’s head.
Xie Fengmo raised his hand. A brilliant light erupted from his palm, illuminating the area like daylight.
Yingyue whimpered and retreated into Yang Hao’s body. Yang Hao himself staggered backward several steps, while Xie Fengmo’s face turned pale, his breathing ragged.
“You can’t even defeat me—how do you expect to kill elders?” Xie Fengmo roared back.
“I’m not afraid. I still have…”
“The Divine Rings, right? You have five Divine Rings!” Xie Fengmo sneered. “Even so, maybe you could kill one elder, but the second? The third? There are hundreds of elders in the Elder Council, not to mention the experts of the Ten Sword Sect. Do you really think you can kill them all?”
“I’ll die alongside them if I must!”
“Yang Hao! Get a grip on yourself! You’re a leader now, not just a killer!” Xie Fengmo punched Yang Hao hard in the chest.
Yang Hao swayed like a leaf in the wind, the red fury in his eyes fading, replaced by a deep, agonizing sorrow.
“Why… why did this happen…” Yang Hao’s voice was weak. The blow was devastating, even worse than when Shir Mingyuan had been injured. All his soldiers from Lemin Star were wounded, his closest friends missing, and he now stood utterly alone.
“Do you want to know why?” Xie Fengmo gripped Yang Hao’s shoulders tightly. “That’s exactly why I’m here—to tell you the truth.”
Yang Hao stared at Xie Fengmo, finally calming himself. Only now did he feel the bitter cold of the capital city, and the vast, inescapable darkness of the predicament he faced.
“Yang Hao, I don’t know why you came to Earth, and neither does the force behind me. But ever since your arrival, you’ve relentlessly attacked the Ten Sword Sect and the Elder Council, shocking everyone.”
“At that time, you were the aggressor while the Ten Sword Sect could only defend. The Elder Council didn’t retaliate—not because they couldn’t, but because they weren’t sure of your true strength or your background. The Elder Council are true old foxes; they strike only after understanding both themselves and their enemy.”
“How much strength do I really have?” Yang Hao looked at his hands. He knew well that his fierce assault on the Ten Sword Sect had been a bluff, a strategy agreed upon with Hun Yuanzi.
“Your bluff worked, but it couldn’t last long,” Xie Fengmo understood Yang Hao’s thoughts. “Later, you single-handedly destroyed the Beast Heart Sword Group and freed four dragons—an impressive feat. That battle made your name known across Earth and firmly established the Dan Ding Sword Sect. But did you ever consider that this battle exposed your true capabilities?”
“My true capabilities?”
“Exactly. The Elder Council hesitated to act against you because they feared some hidden force behind you or powerful treasures in your possession. But during that battle, everyone saw your treasures were just the five Divine Rings—formidable, yes, but not enough to stand against all the elders. More importantly, the elders saw through you. They realized you had no support on Earth, that you were a rootless weed, relying only on brute courage.”
“So that’s why they decided to strike me down?”
“They wouldn’t dare confront you directly. One-on-one, any elder would hesitate to face a divine artifact. But your companions? They had no such reservations. Because you have no roots, no one will help you.”
Xie Fengmo sighed. “Although you’ve been accelerating the growth of the Dan Ding Sword Sect, recruiting nobles, it’s still too slow. Your fledgling force is no match for the centuries-old Elder Council.”
“Do you think I’m incapable of saving my own brothers?” Yang Hao asked.
Xie Fengmo didn’t answer directly. “Once the Elder Council decided to strike you, they must have laid traps waiting for you. Even if you could survive an attack from three elders, what about more?”
“Do you think I can’t save them?” Yang Hao asked again, his voice strange.
“Precisely,” Xie Fengmo clenched his jaw and bluntly replied. “You don’t have the power.”
Yang Hao took a deep breath. He raised one hand to the sky, and instantly, a golden sword aura erupted from his body, piercing the heavens. The aura was so sharp it scattered the darkness in the sky.
“Come!” Yang Hao roared.
In response to his call, a golden shadow indeed streaked from the distant sky toward him, transforming into a massive fireball mid-flight.
Within just over ten seconds, the fireball reached the Dan Ding Sword Sect and crashed down exactly where Yang Hao guided it.
Dust and smoke billowed into the air.
Xie Fengmo used his inner energy to clear the dust, only to be stunned by what lay before him. A massive crater had been formed where the fireball struck. But what truly astonished him was the figure inside the crater.
Maya.
Though she had been engulfed in flames moments ago, Maya seemed unharmed. She leapt up and flung herself into Yang Hao’s arms. “You bad, bad Yang Hao! Took you long enough to come rescue me!”
Xie Fengmo was dumbfounded. Instantly, he reassessed Yang Hao’s strength. Previously, he had thought Yang Hao was merely a Great Sword Master, relying on his rings to threaten the Elder Council. But now, witnessing Yang Hao summon someone with just sword aura, he realized Yang Hao’s power was beyond comprehension. Xie Fengmo doubted even decades of training could bring him to such a level.
In truth, Yang Hao was inwardly relieved. This wasn’t a display of strength—it was because his sword heart had fused with Maya. Though Maya was now an independent being, she was still fundamentally a part of Yang Hao’s sword heart, allowing him to summon her.
Fortunately, no one knew this secret. If the elders discovered it and imprisoned Maya, not even a god could bring her back.
“You’re safe now,” Yang Hao said, wrapping his cape around Maya. Clearly, she had just fought a fierce battle; her spiritual form was significantly weakened.
As Xie Fengmo stood in shock, Yang Hao quickly questioned Maya about Long Yun’s whereabouts.
It turned out that after Long Yun arrived and saw the devastation of the Hao Sword Group, he led his people to seek justice. Though rough around the edges, Long Yun was no fool. He noticed that the main force of the Divine Wrath Sword Group was away, and the elders wouldn’t return so quickly. So they used an instantaneous teleportation device to transport Long Yun, Maya, and Promise Squad directly into the Divine Wrath Sword Group’s base, hoping to catch them off guard.
The plan was somewhat feasible. When Long Yun and the others arrived, the sword group was indeed lightly guarded. They encountered little resistance, wounding over a dozen sword masters before reaching the core area.
But soon, they realized they had walked into an ambush. At least five elders and ten Great Sword Masters were waiting for them inside. Long Yun and the others were quickly captured without much resistance.
After hearing Maya’s account, Yang Hao’s expression darkened sharply.
Xie Fengmo’s words had indeed proven true. An ambush force of five elders and ten Great Sword Masters was not meant for Long Yun. Clearly, the Elder Council was targeting Yang Hao himself. He had been fortunate not to rush in recklessly. If he had, the elders might have sacrificed one of their own to kill him.
Coming out of his shock, Xie Fengmo’s brow furrowed more tightly than ever upon hearing Maya mention five elders. He shook his head and sighed.
“Yang Hao, you’re in serious trouble. You’ve gotten yourself into a huge mess. In the past hundred years, the Elder Council has never mobilized so many members. Today, eight elders came out specifically for you. They’re determined to end your life.”
What Xie Fengmo didn’t know was that these eight elders had been secretly contacted by the Ten Sword Sect, not officially sanctioned by the Council’s executive elders. But such a massive mobilization was enough to mislead anyone into believing the worst.
“Long Yun and Promise Squad are still in their hands,” Yang Hao gazed at the sky, his heart crying out in anguish.
“With the five Divine Swords in your possession, they won’t dare kill them,” Xie Fengmo said. “For now, your priority must be self-preservation. You need to find allies strong enough to counter the Elder Council.”
“In this vast world, who can stand against the Elder Council?” Yang Hao gave a bitter smile. He had always wanted to cultivate a powerful force, but time was not on his side—his efforts were crushed before they could even take root.
“The Merchant Guild can,” Xie Fengmo finally revealed the power behind him. “I came here because the Merchant Guild sent me to warn you. In the Galactic Empire, aside from the Emperor and the Intelligence Bureau, only the Merchant Guild has the strength to rival the Elder Council.”
“Can the Merchant Guild help me?” Yang Hao was puzzled.
“We’ve already helped you once,” Xie Fengmo reminded him. “Without those three crates of medicinal herbs, could you have defeated the Beast Heart Sword Group? Now, your only option is to join a force even the Elder Council can’t shake, to protect those you care about.”
“Is that the only way?” Yang Hao felt waves of power surging within him. He was reluctant, but as Xie Fengmo had said, for the sake of those around him, he had no other choice.
To ensure Long Yun and the others returned safely, Yang Hao would bear any humiliation. This was the responsibility of a leader.
The sky grew darker, but suddenly, Yang Hao’s body erupted with brilliant sword aura. He had just swallowed a sword pill, instantly multiplying his strength several times over.
Before Xie Fengmo could react in shock, Yang Hao’s sword aura, accompanied by the invisible Yingyue, surged into the sky, leaving a trail of powerful energy.
Yingyue vanished into the distance.
Inside the Divine Wrath Sword Group’s base.
The deputy leader was raging furiously. Holding a standard cross-shaped golden sword of the Divine Wrath Sword Group, he stormed angrily across the training grounds.
Today was supposed to be a day of great victory. The leader of the Divine Wrath Sword Group had gone to crush the Dan Ding Sword Sect, while he remained behind to set an ambush. Five elders and ten Great Sword Masters, including himself, were more than enough to eliminate anyone.
But to their surprise, their primary target, Yang Hao, never showed up. Only ten of his subordinates arrived. At first, capturing them seemed like a success, but then something inexplicable happened—right under their very eyes, the woman they had bound suddenly transformed into a golden beam of light and vanished into the sky.
Seeing Yang Hao, the Promise Squad rushed over and hugged him tightly. Although Long Yun stood outside the circle, his expression was a mix of excitement and sadness. Although it had only been three days since they last met, it felt as if Yang Hao had returned after narrowly escaping from the gates of hell—so close had they come to being forever separated.
Long Yun had just heard Yang Hao’s nearly frenzied roar, and the blood in his heart had been boiling ever since. At a moment like this, seeing someone he had desperately wanted to save was, to Yang Hao, simply unbelievable and shocking. Yet soon, a brand-new feeling stirred within him.
It was a profound reverence for power.
Long Yun and the others had been captured by the Elder Council. The ambush had included five elders and ten sword masters—an astonishing force. Even an enraged Yang Hao had dared not attempt a rescue lightly. Yet the Merchant Guild had silently pulled them out, seemingly without even a single battle taking place. It was simply astounding.
Sitting at the round table, laughing heartily, the nine directors—like mischievous old men—were the ones who truly wielded power. Yang Hao, despite all his abilities, was clearly far beneath them.
After spending a long moment with Long Yun and the others, Yang Hao finally calmed down. He then asked Long Yun to take the Promise Squad outside, before turning back to face the nine directors.
This time, Yang Hao’s face carried genuine respect and trust.
“Thank you,” Yang Hao said sincerely.
“No need to thank us,” the directors spoke gently yet sharply, “Even though everyone’s safe, you’re still an idiot.”
“Actually daring to provoke the Elder Council—”
“Fortunately, this time it wasn’t the Council members themselves who acted, but merely the Ten Sword Sects secretly enlisting a few elders who originally came from our own sword sect. Otherwise, even we couldn’t have helped you.”
“Do you really think we’d be after your little bit of money?”
“Rescuing them was just a small welcome gift—to let you see the strength of the Merchant Guild.”
“So you won’t underestimate us old men and women.”
“Yes,” Yang Hao replied awkwardly, yet with a sigh of relief. He had previously thought the Elder Council had officially declared war on him, but now it seemed the conflict was still just with the Ten Sword Sects. The difference in opposing forces was huge.
“Sit down. Let’s talk,” one of the directors pointed at the ground. Far from the round table, a large chair with a wide back suddenly emerged.
Yang Hao obediently sat down. He knew that now, the real negotiations were about to begin.
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