“Second floor had a treasure, wonder what’s on the third floor,” Leo thought, ascending the stairs to the third floor.
The third floor was the topmost one, relatively spacious compared to the lower floors. The most prominent feature was a long stone platform against the wall. On the platform were three delicate wooden boxes.
Leo approached the stone platform and opened one of the wooden boxes. The bottom was lined with yellow silk, upon which rested an antique-looking thread-bound book.
On the book’s cover, four characters caught his eye: “Seven Stars Fist Technique.”
It seemed the third floor held the hidden martial arts manuals of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
Leo opened the second wooden box, revealing another ancient book titled “Seven Stars Martial Technique.”
So, it appeared that the “Seven Stars Sword Technique” should be in the third box.
With anticipation, Leo opened the third box, only to be disappointed. The book’s title wasn’t “Seven Stars Sword Technique” but “Seven Stars Internal Practice Technique.”
Leo muttered, “The Seven Stars Sword Technique must be the core martial art of the Seven Stars Sword Sect. They wouldn’t keep such an important technique here.”
Taking all three books, Leo thoroughly checked the third floor for any hidden compartments before heading downstairs to leave.
This trip had yielded three martial arts manuals and a treasure – not a wasted effort.
As Leo reached the staircase on the first floor, an old man rushed in through the main door. Leo quickly hid behind a bookshelf.
The old man nervously scanned the first floor before rushing toward the staircase leading to the second floor. Immediately after, the main door swung open, and numerous disciples of the Seven Stars Sword Sect poured in.
It was clear that leaving unnoticed was out of the question now.
Leo pressed his hand against the sword hilt and swiftly positioned himself next to the old man.
“Don’t move, or I’ll kill you!” Leo’s blue sword rested on the old man’s shoulder, its edge barely an inch from his neck artery.
Feeling the cold sensation on his neck, the old man froze momentarily.
Despite his decent strength, the old man had no doubt that the blue phantom blade would slice his neck artery if he made any sudden moves.
The disciples who had rushed in froze in place upon seeing their elder held hostage, glaring at Leo.
“Release our elder!” one shouted.
“This guy’s the thief who stole the turtle!”
Leo had little regard for these young disciples. If not for his aversion to killing, they would’ve been on the ground already.
The elder who was responsible for guarding this building and now held hostage by Leo, cast a sidelong glance at Leo and said coldly, “Kid, you’re quite bold, daring to infiltrate our Seven Stars Sword Sect’s forbidden area.”
“I’ve always had quite the courage. If you don’t want to die, help me find a way out,” Leo replied, inching the blue blade closer. With its edge that cut iron like mud, a faint blood trace appeared on the elder’s neck.
Though the elder’s composure remained on the surface, fear was evident in his heart.
Indeed, due to their special nature, martial cultivators feared death more than ordinary people. Consider that being born with martial talent was a one-in-a-million chance. Cultivating internal energy and obtaining martial arts inheritances were blessings accumulated over generations.
Holding the elder hostage, Leo slowly moved toward the exit. Disciples of the Seven Stars Sword Sect quickly gathered around, along with Elder Giles and Elder Greg. They surrounded Leo. Without the hostage, he would be trapped.
“Kid, I advise you to release him and return the Blue Phantom Sword. Maybe then I’ll consider sparing your life,” Elder Giles said coldly.
Elder Greg, shocked and nervous, had never encountered someone this audacious. Not only did he try to steal the white jade turtle, but he also managed to infiltrate the sect’s most valuable treasure, the Blue Phantom Sword. Leo might have even stolen the third floor’s martial arts manuals. If this kid wasn’t killed today, the reputation of the Seven Stars Sword Sect in the martial world would suffer greatly.
“What do you mean, ‘consider sparing my life’? If I let go of this old man, what will you do?” Leo laughed.
Though he possessed spiritual power, he and these martial cultivators weren’t on the same level. However, his current cultivation was too low. If he let go of the elder, he’d likely meet his end under the combined efforts of the three elders.
Elder Greg exploded in anger, cursing, “You little brat, you better not fall into my hands, or I’ll make sure you never live another day!”
“Old man, spare me your tongue. Step aside, or I might lose control. Your brother here will meet the King of Hell,” Leo threatened, moving his sword. Blood was already dripping from the blade’s edge onto the floor.
The elder in Leo’s hostage was the fifth elder of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, a junior to both Elder Greg and Elder Giles. This made Elder Greg and Elder Giles wary, and they hesitated to take action against Leo.
As the standoff continued, the elder’s determined expression began to waver. He gritted his teeth and raised his voice, “Greg, Giles, don’t worry about me. We can’t let this kid leave the sect. Kill him!”
Leo chuckled, “Who would’ve thought, Elder, that you’d be so honorable? Since you’re willing to die for your principles, I don’t mind fulfilling your wish.”
With those words, Leo’s sword blade was about to slice into the elder’s neck.
Elder Greg roared with shock and anger, “You brat, if you dare harm my junior, I’ll make sure you regret it!”
A hint of mockery flickered in Leo’s eyes. His right hand’s movement didn’t stop, and drops of fresh blood were already falling from the blade onto the ground.
“Stop!” Elder Giles urgently intervened.
His junior, Elder Alan’s strength was second only to Elder Gile’s. If he died by this kid’s hand, the Seven Stars Sword Sect’s power would greatly diminish. Plus, most of the sect’s disciples were present; they couldn’t watch Elder Alan die before their eyes. The Sect Master and their senior had entered seclusion three days ago. Disturbing them now would only worsen the situation.
“Don’t harm Alan, and I’ll let you go!” After careful consideration, Elder Giles made a concession. He now managed all sect affairs, and his orders were unquestionably followed. The white-clad disciples opened a path for Leo, stepping back.
Leo continued to hold Elder Alan captive as they walked towards the exit of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
The sect’s entrance was strategically concealed, yet it exuded a grand and imposing aura. Massive stone carvings resembling swords stood on either side, flanking the entrance. A path paved with blue stones led directly to the outside world.
Leo came to a halt outside the gate.