Chapter 89: Chapter 78 The Murderer Luo Xiong, at Your Service
Yang Ji held nothing back. Sword wings emerged from his palms as a Flying Sword, and four types of Gui Cang Sword Intent poured out crazily, merging into the most powerful strike he could execute thus far.
An earth-shattering Sword Intent formed abruptly, Sword Qi soaring into the sky, raising Yang Ji's aura to several dozen times higher than before in an instant.
The overwhelming pressure rolled in like a flood into the sea, mixed with Sword Intent charging in all directions, turning the air into countless tiny frenzied Flying Swords.
Yang Ji's unreserved outpouring of power caused the pale-faced elderly man and others to drastically change their expressions. This drastic change was a joyous surprise from a despairing situation.
"Such powerful Sword Intent, I never expected him to be so formidable; he has been hiding his strength all along!" The white-haired old man and others were overjoyed. With this sword, they instantly saw hope for survival.
"Who would have thought the one who came with us for the assessment would be such a high-level genius. It's truly a fortuitous encounter directed by fate. Perhaps our lives are not yet at an end!" The refined middle-aged man, fixing his gaze on Yang Ji, his eyes sparkled with excitement, and he was ecstatic.
"This guy is actually this strong..." The robust-looking girl's expression changed slightly, but thinking that Yang Ji had awakened from the essence of the Dao before she did, she felt somewhat relieved. She did not display the emotional fluctuations of the white-haired old man and the others, but her eyes were still filled with surprise. At this moment, she truly recognized Yang Ji's strength.
Faced with this sword strike, Di Xuansha was also greatly moved. His speed was even faster, aiming to finish off Yang Ji who was rapidly increasing his momentum.
Yang Ji suddenly looked up and, in the blink of an eye, also split into eight shadows, each positioned in different directions, surprisingly forming a counter-encirclement against Di Xuansha.
Clang clang clang!
Their swords collided thousands of times in a moment, instantaneously releasing dazzling white Sword Light. When the Sword Light finally filled the entire secret chamber, the sound of their collision ceased abruptly, leaving silence.
"How did it go?" Everyone's expressions were tense, their hearts lifted as they all looked toward the dazzling Sword Light, eager to discern the situation inside.
Soon, the Sword Light dissipated, revealing two figures standing there, yet with their backs turned to the onlookers.
Both were silent; the white-haired old man and the others held their breath, their hearts pounding, uncertain of the outcome.
But suddenly, 'Whoosh!' Di Xuansha staggered, his robe shredded by Sword Qi, bloodlight bursting out innumerably, and he spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, his vitality rapidly declining.
"Won?"
"Haha, won!"
The group exchanged glances, all brimming with uncontrollable joy.
Di Xuansha wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly turned around, looking at Yang Ji, and said in a deep voice, "My clone was filled with killing intent, but unfortunately, the level of its technique was not quite mature. I did not expect that your Zhou Tian Nuoyi would be perfected, instantly teleporting to strike eight swords, turning defence into offence.
The four styles of the Gui Cang Sword Technique in your hands have also reached the perfected state of integration, sharp and formidable."
"At such a young age, your mastery of techniques has already reached such a level, your comprehension is very strong. And you were not intimidated by my intense killing intent, remaining calm and composed, which speaks of an excellent temperament. You're quite impressive, Wuji Dao Sect has gained yet another genius worthy of my attention."
"You killed my clone. I will remember you. However, I do not yet know your name." Di Xuansha looked indifferently at Yang Ji, his eyes devoid of animosity, only containing appreciation.
"The killer, Luo Xiong!" Yang Ji turned and said.
"Luo Xiong? I will remember you. On the path of the strong, meeting an equal, we are both travelers on the same road. We shall meet again." After taking a deep look at Yang Ji, Di Xuansha said these words, then the hidden Sword Qi in his body burst forth again, his body instantly sliced into several pieces, scattered on the ground.
Immediately after, he transformed into eight streams of black smoke, reconstituting the bodies of the eight city lords.
Seeing this spectacle, everyone was astounded.
"Who exactly is Di Xuansha? Such techniques are too inconceivable," said the white-haired old man, struggling to stand up and staggering towards the bodies, his face showing shock.
"This technique is too similar to the 'Split Mind Divine Technique of the Heavenly Demon.' It is said that this technique originates from the Heavenly Demon Clan, able to divide one's mind into eight, with all eight minds connected in spirit, yet existing independently. Each mind can control eight individuals suited to themselves, and this is not mere control.
It preserves their independent thoughts and personalities. When the eight unite, they will unleash terrifying power," the refined middle-aged man also approached and observed deeply.
"Di Xuansha? Why does that name sound familiar?" the sullen-faced young man muttered, furrowing his brow as he walked slowly forward.
"Di Xuansha? Could he be the Dao Child of the Demon Sect, Di Xuansha?" the white-haired elder exclaimed, his complexion suddenly changing.
"The Dao Child of the Slaughter Demon Sect? How could such a figure possibly appear here?" the smile on the amiable-faced young man's face froze, and cold sweat couldn't help but break out on his back.
"If the cultivation technique he used was indeed the 'Split Mind Divine Technique of the Heavenly Demon', then this person who claims to be Di Xuansha is very likely to be the Dao Child 'Di Xuansha' of the Slaughter Demon Sect!" the black-haired elder took a deep breath and said.
"It seems likely now, otherwise how could a single clone be so powerful? To run into the clone of such a figure in our very first assessment, and for this Daoist friend to have killed it with his formidable strength, we are indeed fortunate amidst the misfortune!"
The group was shaken, the entire affair was far too perilous; never would they have imagined that within the confines of Baxuan City, such a person could be hidden.
What was more astounding to them was that amongst those who came together for the assessment, there was someone who was able to kill a Dao Child clone on par with their own level.
The assembled crowd glanced covertly at Yang Ji, their eyes flashing, wondering to themselves.
"Regardless of whether he was a clone of a Dao Child of the Demon Sect, he is now dead. The corpses of all eight City Lords of Baxuan City are here; everyone, take one." Yang Ji said indifferently.
"Many thanks, Daoist friend." Upon hearing this, the group was overjoyed, and they each clasped their fists in thanks.
The robust girl was the first to collect the seductive woman's corpse, then flicked a ball of Spiritual Light toward Yang Ji, "This contains a lower-grade Treasure Device. The Demon Sect Dao Child was slain by you, I can't simply take it for nothing."
Yang Ji saw her serious expression, pondered for a moment, then nodded and accepted it without hesitation.
"Heh, I do not possess any treasure devices, but I am willing to serve at your behest," said the white-haired elder, after taking a corpse, as he bowed deeply to Yang Ji.
"I also am willing to serve at your behest," the black-haired elder gave Yang Ji a glance, and without hesitating, bowed deeply like the white-haired elder.
"I don't have anything of value, only my strength," said the burly man with a smile, taking one of the corpses and bowing to Yang Ji as well.
"I am also willing," the cold-faced young man hesitated for a moment before saying the same.
"I am willing too," said the refined middle-aged scholar with a smile, also bowing to Yang Ji.
"Hmph! You guys are clever, seizing such a good opportunity, I won't miss out either. Honored master, I am also willing to serve at your behest," the cheerful-faced young man said with a gentle smile.
"You wish to follow me?" Yang Ji was taken aback.
"With your potential, capable of standing toe-to-toe with a Dao Child's clone, you are a genius with boundless possibilities and a limitless future. There's an eighty percent chance that you will attain true transmission in the future.
If they miss this chance, they will probably regret it immensely, and it will be difficult for them to get in touch with such a genius as yourself ever again," said the girl in martial attire, speaking slowly.
"But I'm accustomed to my freedom, I don't want to be bound by trivial matters. Take the bodies, I don't need any compensation," Yang Ji shook his head lightly.
"No, no, no, if you were to achieve true transmission and the eight hundred li of the Heavenly Domain were empty of people, that wouldn't be fitting of true transmission," the girl insisted.
"If you become a Dao Child later and don't have a single capable person under you, attending to everything personally, that would be the greatest failure for a Dao Child," she continued.
"Without such stature, later on, you wouldn't be fit to compete for the position of Sect Master, let alone handle the power over life and death, commanding a million disciples," she explained.
"Actually creating a following is of great benefit to you, whether within the sect or outside; it can solve many troublesome and petty issues for you," she advised.
"If you are willing to welcome followers, in the future even the sect elders will probably flock to your side. If you remain aloof, even if others wish to align with you, they probably won't come forward," she stated.
"The path of cultivation requires understanding interpersonal relationships. If someone were to achieve immortality just through bitter cultivation alone, then you wouldn't have joined the Dao Sect.
Building a power of your own, supporting each other on the path to Longevity, having others share your worries and solve troubles, makes everything much easier for you," the girl in martial attire concluded with a smile.