SWORD OF FLAME

Death of the Venomous Serpent Duo

Moments later, Su Ji felt a surge of energy pierce through his back and burst out from his chest.

"What strange technique is this?" he muttered before coughing blood and collapsing to the ground, his eyes wide open in disbelief. His life had ended.

The venomous serpent duo had fallen.

Seeing his opponent slain, Fang Yun leapt into the air, clenching his fists.

"Yeeees! I did it!" he shouted in excitement, thrilled to have successfully modified the Without Form strike into a sword technique.

After celebrating his victory, Fang Yun looked down at the two corpses of the dark sect warriors he had just killed. "Had you not chosen the wrong path, you might still be alive today," he said quietly.

He stepped away, alertly scanning his surroundings. His body was far too exhausted for another fight. All he wanted now was to return to the inn and rest.

He remembered he had promised to buy food for Feng Chen and Zhen Ni, and he himself was famished after the long, energy-draining battle.

Back in the village, Fang Yun entered a small tavern and ordered three meals to go. While waiting, he sat on a chair facing the street so he could keep an eye out for the two remaining dark sect warriors.

"Your food is ready, young man," said the tavern owner, startling Fang Yun from his watchful gaze.

He paid with a few bronze coins. "Thank you, Uncle," he replied, grabbing the food packages and hurrying back to the inn.

Upon arrival, Fang Yun immediately entered his room and handed the food to Feng Chen and Zhen Ni. The three of them devoured their meals ravenously.

"Grandfather, I just killed the Venomous Serpent Duo outside the village. They were still here searching for us. We'd better wait until tomorrow before leaving the inn."

"You're right, Fang Yun. Zhen Ni must be protected at all costs," Feng Chen agreed.

"Very well. I'm going to rest now. I'm completely worn out after the fight," Fang Yun said before collapsing into bed.

Not long after, he rose again and reached for his sword. His mind remained focused on the Without Form Sword technique he had used earlier. He imagined the destruction it could cause if wielded with the Sea of Fire Sword.

Without realizing it, he fell asleep holding the sword tightly in his grasp until morning came.

---

By morning, Fang Yun was ready to take Zhen Ni to Mount Tianmen. Before leaving, he went outside the inn to check the surroundings. Once assured it was safe, he returned and lifted Zhen Ni onto his back.

"Grandfather, we part ways here. After I deliver Zhen Ni, I'll continue my quest to find the remaining three relics."

"Be careful, Fang Yun. Protect Zhen Ni with your life if you must. She could be either the light or the darkness of this world."

Fang Yun nodded resolutely. He left the inn and quickly sprinted out of the village.

Feng Chen watched him leave with a hopeful heart, believing this young man would one day become a great and noble warrior.

Once Fang Yun disappeared beyond the village borders, Feng Chen turned and walked away, following a calling that would lead him who-knows-where.

"How could they be dead? Who killed them?" asked Datuk Sesat as one of his subordinates reported to him at an inn.

"According to the villagers, Su Ji was seen fighting a young man. By then, Li Xue was already dead."

"Could that young man have defeated the Venomous Serpent Duo?" Datuk Sesat wondered.

The short warrior pondered and assessed the young man's strength. If he truly had killed the Venomous Serpent Duo, then he must be stronger than himself. Even Datuk Sesat wasn't sure he could defeat them alone.

"We should abandon this search before we lose our own lives."

"Understood, Master."

"Tell the others—leave the girl. Let's get out of here!"

The four remaining dark sect warriors left the inn, abandoning their pursuit of the girl with the Pure Body, unwilling to risk their lives any further.

Meanwhile, Fang Yun continued to run using the Quiet Wind technique to avoid any dark sect warriors who might still be in the village. He bore a great responsibility to deliver the girl safely to the Temple of Immortality atop Mount Tianmen.

Upon reaching the next village, Fang Yun slowed his pace, walking casually while surveying the surroundings for those in need.

His eyes settled on a young beggar by the roadside. The child's clothes were filthy and his body caked in dirt, as though he hadn't bathed in days. Fang Yun approached and squatted in front of him.

"Have you eaten yet?"

The child simply shook his head.

"Where is your home?"

The little beggar said nothing and began to weep.

Scratching his head in confusion, Fang Yun wondered if he'd asked something wrong.

"Here, take this coin. Go home and give it to your parents," Fang Yun said, placing a gold coin in the boy's hand.

The boy stared wide-eyed at the coin, amazed.

Fang Yun gently patted his head before walking toward a nearby tavern. He planned to buy food for the young beggar, for Zhen Ni, and for himself—they hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

Just as Fang Yun had set Zhen Ni down from his back, he turned his head upon hearing a shout from behind. He saw three grown men laughing loudly near the young beggar to whom he had just given a gold coin. The little beggar now lay on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain.

"Uncle, please watch over my sister here for a moment. I need to go over there!"

"Don't, young man. Don't get involved with those three. They're the thugs of this village. No one dares to mess with them," the owner of the food stall warned Fang Yun.

"Don’t worry, Uncle. I’m not looking for trouble. But they’ve already brought trouble to me," Fang Yun replied with a slight smile.

“Hahaha... With this gold coin, we can get drunk and find some company for the night. We can party today, hahaha!”

“Party your lice-infested head! If you want to enjoy life and earn money, get a real job instead of extorting others!”

The three men immediately turned around and saw a young man standing behind them, a blade of grass between his lips.

“You crazy brat! What did you just say!?” barked the one who was a bit taller but skinny, with a protruding belly.

"Skinny and deaf, are you?" Fang Yun mocked. “Look at your bloated bellies—that’s a clear sign of worms!”