Chapter 32: The Three Blades of Death

Jiang Fan walked leisurely down the road, his mind oscillating between thoughts of frantic cultivation once he returned—wondering who would appear in the "Great Dao Heavenly Book" after Deacon Chen of the Wind and Moon Pavilion was worked to death—and how the Wild Wolf Gang would react if news of today’s events reached them.

He maintained a steady pace, calculating that even if word were to reach the gang, it would take enough time for him to arrive there first. Unfortunately, he had not anticipated that the Third Leader would be conducting business on Nanping Street.

As he passed a small grove, a familiar figure blocked his path.

"Young Master Jiang, we meet again!" It was Wang Gang. Having been injured by Jiang Fan’s Azure Wood Seal not long ago, he still looked pale and frail.

"Deacon Wang, why do you block my way?" Jiang Fan frowned.

"Our Third Leader wishes to speak with you," Wang Gang said gravely. "The Third Leader will strike at you with his full strength. If you cooperate, you have a chance to live. If you do not, then what you discussed with me earlier will come to nothing—and you will surely die."

The Third Leader, radiating killing intent, emerged holding a massive blade forged of refined iron. He blocked the only path leading back to the Wild Wolf Gang—a narrow mountain road flanked by precipitous cliffs. Jiang Fan had only two choices: fall into the abyss or attempt to reach the gang. But reaching the gang was impossible; his speed could not match that of a Xiantian-stage martial artist. In short, he had no retreat.

"Kid, no matter what methods you use, if you can withstand three strikes from me, I will acknowledge you and agree to our cooperation! If you fail, these cliffs shall be your burial ground!" The Third Leader spoke coldly. True Qi surged around his blade, making it razor-sharp and glinting with a chilling light.

The Third Leader’s True Qi was far superior to that of a Post-Xiantian practitioner. While the latter only cultivated basic True Qi, the Xiantian-stage expert possessed Xiantian True Qi, which was vastly more powerful. A Xiantian warrior could easily suppress or even execute a Post-Xiantian warrior; even one at the peak of the Post-Xiantian stage would be no match. Facing such an opponent, Jiang Fan did not dare to be careless.

"Very well! Let me see just how strong the Third Leader is!" Jiang Fan immediately channeled his spiritual energy to manifest the Azure Wood Seal, condensing it to its limit until it reached a meter in size.

"The Three Blades of Death! First blade: Decapitation!" The Third Leader did not hold back, slashing at Jiang Fan with full force. The biting blade aura seemed to shatter the very air, its intensity forcing Jiang Fan into a state of extreme concentration.

"Suppress!" Jiang Fan controlled the Azure Wood Seal to meet the attack.

*Clang!*

The force of that terrifying blow was successfully blocked by the Azure Wood Seal. Although the blade carved a foot-deep gash into the seal, it held firm.

"To think you could block my first strike—cultivators are truly extraordinary! No wonder even my eldest brother is so wary of that Immortal Xu." The Third Leader was clearly shocked. "Then try the second of my Three Blades of Death: Life-Snatching Blade!"

The Third Leader flicked his wrist, executing two overlapping slashes. The razor-sharp aura formed a cross, hurtling toward the Azure Wood Seal.

"Kill!" Jiang Fan poured more spiritual energy into the seal, forcing it to recover instantly, and slammed it against the incoming cross-blade aura.

*Rip!*

This time, the Azure Wood Seal was cleaved into four pieces, but the force of the Life-Snatching Blade was finally dissipated.

"Is this the power of a Xiantian warrior? It is nothing special! If you think you can kill me in three strikes, you may find yourself disappointed," Jiang Fan said coldly. He gathered his energy to form the seal once more, knowing the third strike would be even stronger.

"Good, good, good! Although I am only at the early Xiantian stage, your ability to block my second strike is impressive. Immortal cultivation techniques are indeed remarkable! No wonder my eldest brother covets Immortal Xu’s methods!" The Third Leader was stunned, then added coldly, "If you survive this third strike, I will bypass my eldest and second brothers and agree to your terms."

"Come then! Let me see the power of your third blade!" Jiang Fan manifested two meter-wide azure seals this time. Though they appeared somewhat ethereal, their power was terrifying. He dared not be reckless against the final strike.

"Three Blades of Death, third blade: Death’s End!" The Third Leader unleashed his ultimate technique. His blade became a blur, manifesting three distinct, solid-looking blade auras that merged into one, carrying a devastating force as it struck at Jiang Fan.

"Break!" Jiang Fan roared, stacking the two seals one behind the other and hurling them at the incoming aura.

*Rip!* The first seal was easily sliced through. The vicious aura continued on, biting into the second seal.

*Rip!*

The second seal was nearly nine-tenths destroyed, but it finally managed to stop the momentum of the Death’s End blade.

"Third Leader, how about that? Am I qualified to cooperate with your three leaders now?" Jiang Fan asked with a smile, not continuing the attack. He was satisfied with his combat performance; he had only succeeded because his spiritual energy reserves were nine times those of an ordinary cultivator at his level.

He did not know that a typical second-level Qi Refiner, if skilled in spells, could indeed fight a Xiantian warrior by absorbing spirit stones during the battle. But that didn't matter now. Both he and the Third Leader still had energy to spare. He had manifested the massive Azure Wood Seal nine times, and his reserves were still significant.

"Very well! I had underestimated you!" the Third Leader laughed. "From now on, you need not call me Third Leader. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Wu. We shall be brothers, though in front of Immortal Xu, you must still maintain the title."

"Brother Wu is indeed straightforward! In that case, shall we find a secluded spot to discuss the details of our cooperation?" Jiang Fan smiled. He realized that while Wu Gang was hot-headed, he was a man of his word.

"Agreed. Let us head deeper into this grove!" The Third Leader turned to Wang Gang. "Deacon Wang, keep watch. Ensure no one sees us."

Jiang Fan and Wu Gang walked into the depths of the woods.

"It seems you are aware that Immortal Xu intends to harm you, Brother Jiang. Tell me, how exactly do you propose we cooperate?" Wu Gang asked solemnly.

"I would first like to know what arrangements your three leaders have made," Jiang Fan replied with equal gravity, believing that only by knowing their plans could they devise a proper strategy.

"What is the meaning of this question?" Wu Gang’s expression turned cold, and he reached for the blade on his back.