Chapter 98

Wishes are often beautiful, but reality is always cruel.

In just three days, Shujian Mountain had widely issued the Sword Summoning Order. When the message arrived, Qin Feng had just managed to raise his cultivation to the Third Stage of Human Gang Realm.

The cultivation of a Dharma practitioner had also barely improved to the Eighth Stage of Mortal Gang Realm.

The Third Stage of Human Gang Realm was actually a level Qin Feng could have reached half a year ago, but he had always suppressed his cultivation. Only after thoroughly stabilizing his rapidly increased cultivation did he raise his realm. This time, the cultivation improvement was the simplest, almost like water flowing into a channel, with no resistance at all.

As for flying with a sword, it was still half-baked.

Fortunately, he could now fly successfully two out of ten times, which was a significant improvement from three days ago. This was the result of Qin Feng's diligent practice over these few days.

The Sword Summoning Order was essentially a mobilization order for the sect.

It was usually issued during a sect battle, mobilizing all sect disciples to prepare for war actively.

And the opponent was the Earth Corpse Sect, which also ranked among the top three in Yunqi Kingdom!

The comprehensive strength of the Earth Corpse Sect and Shujian Mountain was actually not much different, but the two sects belonged to the righteous and the evil, respectively. When people ranked them, they always preferred to place the righteous sects at the forefront, hence the origin of Shujian, Earth Corpse, and Tianfeng City.

"Sect battle? Earth Corpse Sect?"

Qin Feng frowned, sensing a hint of conspiracy.

The ones who accelerated the start of the sect battle were likely the two mysterious people from the sect invasion three days ago. What exactly did Li Xingjian want to do this time?

Qin Feng's neighbor, Qiu Huzi, also received the Sword Summoning Order. Qiu Huzi was only at the Tenth Stage of Mortal Gang Realm. What could so many Mortal Gang Realm disciples do in a sect battle? Serve as cannon fodder? For many Mortal Gang Realm disciples, this was undoubtedly a death sentence, but for Qin Feng, it was an excellent opportunity.

An opportunity to leave Shujian Mountain!

No need to worry about how to escape anymore; the opportunity had come to him.

When Qiu Huzi, with a pale face, came to visit, Qin Feng was packing his things, stuffing everything he could take into his storage ring. Qin Feng came out and asked tentatively, "Huzi, what do you think about the upcoming sect battle?"

"Cannon fodder, sent to die!" Qiu Huzi's face was ashen. He knew that in such a high-level battle, death was often just a matter of a single encounter.

Moreover, the Earth Corpse Sect was skilled in controlling corpses, with all sorts of bizarre abilities. The thought of becoming food for those disgusting things was indeed unpleasant.

Qin Feng nodded. Qiu Huzi was indeed wise, no wonder he could independently research the "Nine Transformations of Heavenly Fire." His insight into matters was also sharp.

Both of them were exceptionally intelligent.

"Do you have any plans?"

"Plans? Just survive first." Qiu Huzi sighed, and his small eyes suddenly turned, whispering, "Brother Qin, you're not planning to leave Shujian Mountain amidst the chaos, are you?"

Qiu Huzi's words surprised Qin Feng.

Qiu Huzi's ability to read people was truly remarkable. In just a few words, he could discern someone's inner thoughts. If Qiu Huzi had a good opportunity, his future achievements would likely be significant, but it was a pity...

Qin Feng smiled, not answering Qiu Huzi directly.

From Qiu Huzi's words and his understanding of Qiu Huzi, Qin Feng could easily guess that Qiu Huzi still hoped to stay at Shujian Mountain. After all, Qiu Huzi was already quite old, and if he missed this opportunity, he would never have another chance to start over.

Qiu Huzi, though a good person, had one fatal flaw: he was very cowardly and afraid of death.

This flaw often affected many things, even his stance!

Therefore, Qin Feng did not strongly persuade Qiu Huzi to leave Shujian Mountain. Everyone's choices were different, and his path might not suit others. Given Qiu Huzi's character, the treacherous Shujian Mountain might be more suitable for him.

Both of them understood each other's thoughts and smiled tacitly.

When the time came, the two agreed to go out together and arrived at the Ten Thousand People Sword Summoning Platform of Shujian Mountain.

From Qingyuan Peak to the Sword Summoning Platform, it took only the time of a joss stick, of course, with Qiu Huzi riding a flying sword and carrying Qin Feng. Qin Feng was not skilled in flying with a sword, and if he were to ride one in front of tens of thousands of people, it would be embarrassing.

While still in the air, Qin Feng saw hundreds of corpses displayed on the Sword Summoning Platform.

Among them were the dead Shujian Mountain elders, Luo Ping and Bai Ping, both of whom were placed in coffins. Bai Ping's head had been reattached using special silk threads, and it was hard to tell that she had died from decapitation without a close look.

The most noticeable among the hundreds of corpses were two wearing black clothes.

These two corpses were the only ones not placed in coffins.

The two corpses were very different; one was shorter, and the other was larger. However, both clearly had human appearances.

"Strange!" Qin Feng was puzzled when he saw these two corpses.

The two mysterious people who invaded Shujian Mountain that day did not look like this. How did they become two completely different people after death?

Especially Gulei, with his exaggerated bone and flesh mixture, mysterious and unpredictable abilities, and bloodthirsty gaze, which left a lasting impression.

But what about these two corpses?

When Qin Feng looked at the forehead of one of the corpses, his eyes suddenly lit up.

There was a burned-out remnant of a talisman.

Only one, the other corpse's forehead was empty, clearly torn off by someone.

This one, however, had burned out due to energy depletion, leaving a corner, which allowed Qin Feng to notice some clues.

Qin Feng had never seen this talisman before, but the ancient aura on it made him sense something unusual.

Looking around and seeing no one nearby, Qin Feng cautiously released Tian Yao.

Tian Yao, help me look at that remnant of the talisman and see if you recognize it.

Tian Yao opened his eyes from Qin Feng's palm and closed them again in an instant. There were too many experts around, and for Qin Feng's safety, Tian Yao had to be cautious.

But even in that brief moment, Tian Yao noticed something.

"Familiar aura!"

Although only a corner remained, Tian Yao recognized the death aura and the silver patterns on the talisman. It was a strange talisman, the legendary Ghost Puppet Ancient Talisman technique—Silver Puppet Corpse Talisman, which was said to have vanished long ago.

It was a powerful talisman from ancient times!

That thing was very strong, capable of using a puppet body to exert 20% to 40% of the main body's power, depending on the puppet's physical strength and cultivation realm. The two corpses in front of him were only at the First or Second Stage of Earth Gang Realm, so they could only carry about 20% of the main body's power at most.

After saying this, Tian Yao fell silent.

In such a situation surrounded by experts, Tian Yao's caution was justified.

Actually, Tian Yao had already explained in detail.

The invaders used just two talismans and two Earth Gang Realm corpses to wreak havoc in Shujian Mountain. If not for Qin Feng's interception of the black scythe, the sect leader's son would have been kidnapped long ago.

And right in front of Li Xingjian, his son was taken away!

Using just a puppet body?

What did this mean?!

Qin Feng also felt lucky. That day, it was fortunate that he used the name of Chishi to scare away the intruder; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Two mysterious and unpredictable individuals!

Just thinking about it made him shudder.

But, just for a sect invasion, was it necessary to mobilize the entire sect for a battle to the death? And the target was not the two mysterious people who intended to kidnap the young sect leader, but the Earth Corpse Sect, which was equally powerful as Shujian Mountain. Why?

Qin Feng was puzzled!

Could there be some unknown secrets hidden in this?

Or, a grand conspiracy?

Qin Feng's brows furrowed deeply!

Qiu Huzi carried Qin Feng and flew to their position.

All the Mortal Gang Realm disciples stood in hundreds of designated areas, with about a hundred people in each area.

Clearly, Mortal Gang Realm disciples could not act independently and needed Human Gang Realm experts to lead them.

Looking around at the eager and excited new disciples of Shujian Mountain, Qin Feng sneered inwardly.

He felt pity for these people, who were being used without knowing it and might not even know how they died!

These people, who had never experienced the trials of blood and fire, were pure cannon fodder. Some of them were so foolish that they didn't even qualify as cannon fodder. Out of a hundred people, only 10% to 20% might survive.

Of course, the survival rate also depended on the leader.

If the leader was strong and adaptable, the survival rate would be higher.

But—

When Qin Feng looked at the stage and saw Li Haoran, who stood behind Li Xingjian with a smug look, he sighed inwardly.

If such a self-important person were the leader, even with an additional Earth Gang Realm elder for protection, the entire group would be wiped out...