Chapter Fifty-Two: Unmatched Power in Battle!

“Bloodblade Demon Lord!”
“It’s him.”
When Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and the others heard the Blood River Ancestor address the burly man, their hearts began to pound uncontrollably, and fear flickered in their eyes.
They had all heard terrifying stories about the Bloodblade Demon Lord—he was said to be a fiend incarnate, one who killed when he was pleased and killed when he was not, his hands itching for blood if a day passed without slaughter.
At times, if the whim struck him, he would exterminate an entire clan.
He had been wanted by the Great Chu Empire for years, but his cunning knew no bounds; his whereabouts were elusive, allowing him to roam free.
Time slipped by; as half a day passed, six more warriors of the Guardian class arrived, the weakest among them already at mid-stage.
Gao Chenzhong, Heng Jinbiao, Blood River Ancestor, and Bloodblade Demon Lord grew more anxious as they watched the ranks of Guardian-level fighters swell.
The more Guardians arrived, the fiercer the impending struggle would become, and the slimmer their chances of seizing the millennial spirit herb.
“We can’t afford to wait any longer,” Gao Chenzhong said, unable to suppress his urgency. “Let’s make a pact—whoever kills Qin Feng takes the millennial spirit herb.”
His eyes swept over Heng Jinbiao, Blood River Ancestor, Bloodblade Demon Lord, and the others.
“Agreed!”
“I concur!”
“I have no objection.”
The nine Guardian-level powerhouses all nodded in assent.
Of course, none of them took the pact seriously; anyone who did would be a fool.
“I’ll go first!”
With a low roar, Heng Jinbiao’s presence surged with savagery. He swung his twin hammers and charged toward the room.
In the same instant, Gao Chenzhong, Blood River Ancestor, Bloodblade Demon Lord, and the others unleashed their full strength and rushed forward as well.
“They’re finally making their move!”
“Let’s hope they destroy each other.”
Hidden in the shadows, Yun Qing and Chen Haicheng prayed fervently.
The power of the assembled warriors far exceeded their expectations; only if both sides suffered grievous losses could they hope to benefit.
“It seems our lives end here today!”
“Kill!”
“Hold them back!”
Liu Qingchang, Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Zhao Hu, and Liu Qing radiated a tragic resolve. Armed with blades, they threw themselves at Heng Jinbiao.
“Out of my way!”
Heng Jinbiao raised his hammers before him, blocking every attack. With a tremendous surge of force, he sent Liu Qingchang, Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Wang Bao, Liu Hu, and the rest flying.
“Hahaha! The millennial spirit herb is mine!”
He laughed wildly, charging straight for the room, hammers swinging as he smashed them down upon the door.
Boom!

But before Heng Jinbiao’s hammers could land, the door exploded outward from within—a massive halberd crashed down upon him.
Boom!
Heng Jinbiao’s expression changed drastically; he had no time to dodge, so he crossed his hammers before his chest in defense.
Boom!
The halberd struck the twin hammers, shattering them and continuing its descent toward Heng Jinbiao’s head.
His palms split, his arm bones twisted, and terror filled his eyes—Qin Feng had already broken through to the General rank.
He tried to retreat, but his body refused to obey, his bones numb and unresponsive.
Thud.
Qin Feng’s blow landed squarely on Heng Jinbiao’s head, which burst like a watermelon, blood spraying in all directions.
Heng Jinbiao’s defenses were formidable; his external arts had reached the Guardian’s pinnacle, impervious to blade or spear—but only against other Guardians.
Faced with a General, he was nothing.
With a dull crash, Heng Jinbiao’s headless corpse toppled to the ground.
Swish! Swish!
Blood River Ancestor, Gao Chenzhong, Bloodblade Demon Lord, and the other nine Generals turned pale at the sight of Heng Jinbiao’s instant death, retreating over twenty paces as they watched the room with grave faces.
Step. Step. Step.
Qin Feng, halberd in hand, strode boldly from the room, his gaze sweeping the courtyard as he stepped over Heng Jinbiao’s corpse.
“Young Master Qin!”
“Master Qin!”
“Young Lord!”
Liu Qingchang, Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, Wang Fu, and the rest, seeing Qin Feng, struggled to their feet and hurried to his side.
“You’ve all done well. Leave the rest to me.”
Qin Feng’s eyes grew cold as he turned to face Blood River Ancestor, Gao Chenzhong, Bloodblade Demon Lord, and the other nine Guardian-level warriors.
“To kill Heng Jinbiao with a single strike… Your cultivation must have reached the General’s realm,” Gao Chenzhong said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Qin Feng, whose body was stained with blood.
“Did you consume all the millennial spirit herbs yourself?” Blood River Ancestor’s voice was icy.

“Millennial spirit herb…” Bloodblade Demon Lord’s gaze at Qin Feng was filled with murderous intent.
The other Guardian-level fighters looked at Qin Feng as well, most with killing intent in their eyes.
They had set their sights on Qin Feng not just because of the spirit herbs but because his blood-soaked appearance suggested he had met with mishap during his breakthrough and was likely gravely wounded.
“Gentlemen!
Qin Feng has acquired the millennial spirit herb, and we came here to seize it. Our enmity is already set.
Now, though he has broken through, it seems he suffered a mishap. He’s likely seriously injured and only putting on a brave front.
Let us join forces, slay Qin Feng, and achieve the glorious feat of Guardians felling a General!”
Blood River Ancestor, whose cultivation relied on the Blood Refinement Technique—drawing power from the blood of living beings—spoke excitedly. Qin Feng had consumed the spirit herb and broken through, but had not completely absorbed its medicinal power. If Blood River Ancestor could kill Qin Feng and use his body in his cultivation, he might reach the General’s level himself.
Bloodblade Demon Lord, Gao Chenzhong, and the others hesitated, not daring to make the first move.
“There’s no need to hesitate!
You have harmed my people—I will not let you leave here alive!
All of you will remain.”
Qin Feng let out a long, thunderous cry and, halberd in hand, charged straight at Gao Chenzhong, Bloodblade Demon Lord, Blood River Ancestor, and the rest.
“Attack!”
“Don’t hesitate—strike now!”
“Even if you escape today, you’ll face their vengeance sooner or later!”
Blood River Ancestor shouted.
“Kill!”
“Cut him down!”
“To be so arrogant in your wounded state—today, you die!”
Bloodblade Demon Lord, Gao Chenzhong, and the other eight warriors roared, brandishing their weapons as they rushed Qin Feng.
“You’re just in time!”
The power within Qin Feng erupted; not only had he broken through to the Guardian realm, but he had instantly reached the mid-stage, his bones radiating a yellow glow. His strength now surpassed 15,000 catties, and, after further improvement, reached 45,000 catties!
Brandishing his halberd, he unleashed overwhelming might—his combat power nearly matching that of a mid-stage General.