Bloody Eagle (1)

Ed made no sound. He immediately turned in the person's direction and attacked. The person was too shocked to react as Ed threw a punch. One could hear bones cracking in the person's midsection just before he fell to the ground.

"Too much strength," Ed commented. The other cultivators guarding the area were shocked at how fast things turned. But their shock descended into anger, anger reckless enough to make them come at him together. Just the kind Ed wanted.

"Attacking the eagle faction? You are looking for death!"

"Attack him together!"

Ed was surrounded in seconds. He took out a low-grade earth sword and waited for them to attack. They did just so. A wave of spears came in his direction. Waving his sword, he cut them in half. He turned to the nearest person and grabbed him into the air. He threw him at the second wave of spears, then turned to handle those on the ground.

He swiped his sword and one-half of the group stepped back. The other half was just enough for now. He swayed away from the incoming axe and threw a punch two sideways punches as he slid down between them. Not waiting to see the outcome, he chopped at the neck of the axe cultivator and his head rolled to the ground.

"Too much strength," he sighed at the scene for a second. He saw as two ropes came at him and did not move. The ropes tied his hands sideways, away from each other.

"Brothers, gather. Hold him in place!" On both sides, a wave of cultivators drew the ropes. With his hands tied away, others attacked him standing in the middle. Ignoring the incoming cultivators, he calmed his breath and consciously pulled the ropes with little strength. His action caused those holding the rope to be drawn a step forward.

"Does he think he can actually pull himself free?" The cultivators were angry and pulled the ropes tighter. Ed added more strength and a wave of them were sent through the air. Their direction was the same, a collision was destined. Most were wise enough to let go. Ed did not wait to see their outcome and he picked up his fallen sword and swiped at the incoming cultivators.

At this time, most were too scared to come close. He was too strong. Not allowing them time to decide if to run or not, he waved his sword and it returned to his spatial ring and attacked them bare-fisted. His action caused the cultivators to pause.

"He intends to fight us bare-handed?"

"What an insult!"

"Are you looking down on the eagle faction?!" Their reaction caused excitement to pulse through Ed's veins.

"Come!" he said and the fight continued. On the other side, other members of the Eagle Squad were watching as their members were killed. They rushed inside the canyon to tell their leaders.

"Master Usung! Master Ntie!" Many of the leaders in cultivation were annoyed by the interference.

"Who dares!" one bald cultivator bellowed.

"Forgive me, sirs! We are under attack!" the cultivator announced.

"Who would dare?" one of them seemed completely calm.

"The devil's faction was rumour to be coming our way. They dared?"

"Did their leader really break through into early spirit-merging?" one asked.

"That would make him at the same level as our leader," another said.

"They are really bold! A new spirit-merging master thinks he can compete with our leader?" another said. The conversation was moving without the lowly junior who had brought the news.

"No, sirs... it was not them," he managed to say.

"Who?"

"A lone cultivator," the junior said and they all paused.