Leo was not unfamiliar with the people of Broken Blade Gate. Broken Blade Gate, along with Bloodsoul Sect and Falling Blossom Palace, was one of the three strongest sects in the Zratol region. Leo had seen members of Broken Blade Gate at an auction in Marquis Manor.
Shatter Mountain Sect belonged to the Crescent Dynasty and was a sect on par with Broken Blade Gate and Falling Blossom Palace, primarily focusing on physical strength.
At this moment, seven of the eight members of Broken Blade Gate had formed a sword formation in front of a bamboo house. As their spiritual power surged, a giant sword glowing with blue light formed above their heads.
“Slash!” An elder within the formation shouted, and the giant blue sword slashed down fiercely at the barrier surrounding the bamboo house. The massive sword light struck the Sealing Light Screen, causing runes to ripple across its surface.
A white beam of light then shot up with unmatched ferocity towards the seven members of Broken Blade Gate. “Defend!” A tall elder from Shatter Mountain Sect shouted. The seven members of Shatter Mountain Sect formed a defensive formation beside the Broken Blade Gate members. As the tall elder’s voice rang out, their spiritual power surged, forming a massive green stone shield above the heads of the Broken Blade Gate members.
With a loud crash, the green stone shield blocked the white beam aimed at the seven members of Broken Blade Gate. After blocking the attack, another blue giant sword formed above their heads. “Slash again!” The elder from Broken Blade Gate commanded. The giant sword struck the barrier above the bamboo house once more, causing it to shake violently and emit another white beam of light.
The barrier’s attack was again blocked by the formation of Shatter Mountain Sect. This pattern continued, with Broken Blade Gate attacking and Shatter Mountain Sect defending, showing their strategic cooperation.
Leo’s gaze shifted to a small, thin elder exuding sword intent outside the formations. This elder, who did not participate in the attack or defense, was none other than Wood Sword Venerable, the deputy master of Broken Blade Gate. Wood Sword Venerable’s powerful aura spread out as his sharp eyes watched the increasing number of figures in the bamboo forest with a warning and vigilant look.
Leo then looked inside the bamboo house. At the window were two potted plants and a red vine. Each potted plant bore two white, crystalline Spirit Fruits, while two red flowers bloomed on the red vine entwined around the window.
“White Jade Spirit Fruit and Red Vine Spirit Flower,” Leo murmured, narrowing his eyes at the four Spirit Fruits and two red flowers. Both were seventh-grade Spirit Fruits and flowers that could enhance one’s cultivation when consumed and refined.
Under another attack from the giant sword, the Sealing Light Screen shook violently, its runes rapidly disintegrating and nearing collapse. Seeing this, some Cultivators in the bamboo forest showed signs of impatience.
Wood Sword Venerable’s spiritual power erupted, releasing the aura of an upper-level Spirit Saint. However, Leo noticed that Wood Sword Venerable’s aura was somewhat unstable, indicating a recent breakthrough. Moreover, Wood Sword Venerable now held a green long sword, his eyes flashing with warning as he scanned the approaching Cultivators.
“Fellow cultivators, the items in this bamboo house now belong to Broken Blade Gate and Shatter Mountain Sect. There are many opportunities on Pill Sovereign Island; please seek them elsewhere,” Wood Sword Venerable declared loudly, sweeping his sword around.
“Indeed, this barrier was broken by Broken Blade Gate and Shatter Mountain Sect’s efforts. Anyone attempting to take advantage will be our enemy!” The tall elder from Shatter Mountain Sect added threateningly.
Hearing their words, some Cultivators in the bamboo forest hesitated, their fervor dimming. Seeing no further action from them, Wood Sword Venerable breathed a sigh of relief. He felt fortunate to have broken through to an upper-level Spirit Saint before arriving at Pill Island; otherwise, he might not have been able to intimidate these Cultivators.
As the Sealing Light Screen neared its breaking point, joy appeared on the faces of Broken Blade Gate and Shatter Mountain Sect members. Wood Sword Venerable also showed anticipation; consuming a White Jade Spirit Fruit would solidify his upper-level Spirit Saint cultivation.
Another blue giant sword formed above the seven members of Broken Blade Gate. Just as they were about to break through the Sealing Light Screen, two streams of demonic energy shot out from the bamboo forest. A hoarse laugh echoed above: “Wood, others may fear your two sects, but we do not!”
Before the unpleasant laughter faded, two identical and hideously ugly men appeared in the clearing. Each held two black scimitars, surrounded by demonic energy.
Most Cultivators present recognized them or had heard of them: “the Malevolent Twins!” Seeing them, Wood Sword Venerable’s face turned grim.
“Wood, everything in that bamboo house belongs to us!” Evan Malice declared in his grating voice. With that, he slashed two massive black blade lights at the already crumbling Sealing Light Screen, shattering it like foam.
Surrounded by demonic energy, Evan Malice charged towards the potted plants and red vine at the bamboo house window. “Stop!” Wood Sword Venerable and the tall elder from Shatter Mountain Sect roared as their victory was about to be snatched away.
In a critical moment, the tall elder shouted to Wood Sword Venerable: “I’ll hold him off; you grab the Spirit Fruits!” The tall elder’s spiritual power surged into a massive stone wall blocking the black blade lights.
Wood Sword Venerable seized this opportunity to dash towards the bamboo house.