Main problem

I hope Brother Xuan Ping knows what he is doing because this elder hasn't even used a percent of his strength, yet he is claiming fifty percent. "Damn! So hard to get a good sword. There is no way I won't involve myself in this sweet fight," Xiao Feng thought to himself.

"Wow! Brother Xuan Ping is really great with his speed," said Xu Qing as she chuckled, looking at Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng looked puzzled at how Xu Qing got there. Looking at her temper, he knew she wouldn't want to miss this wonderful chance to watch them display their battle prowess. "What are you doing here, Xu Qing?"

"Obviously, I'm here so I won't miss out on the fun going on," Xu Qing replied with a mischievous smile.

Xiao Feng sighed, knowing that there was no use arguing with her. "Look at the lady we asked to watch and report everything that is going on in the Mu Clan," Xiao Feng said, gesturing towards Xu Qing.

Xu Qing acted as if she didn't hear what her senior brother was saying. Instead, she focused mostly on the fight between the elder and Xuan Ping. "Well, there was nothing more to take care of in the clan, everyone was getting suspicious, so I had to leave. I even came along with a sword in case things become rough... he-he."

"Never could I imagine a day would come when I'll get belittled by a junior sister. Since you're here already, I'm certain that old geezer would have sensed your presence," Xiao Feng remarked with a wry smile.

"What! But I'm sure I concealed my Qi very well," Xu Qing exclaimed, surprised.

"If we get out of here unharmed, probably not though. I'll teach you the world concealment depth technique," Xiao Feng replied, refocusing on the fight, leaving Xu Qing anxious.

Does that mean...?

"Yes, even Xuan Ping would have noticed by now. This elder is as strong as our vice sect master," Xiao Feng confirmed.

"What!" Xu Qing couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Well, it was also nice coming all the way here since someone might be in need of that pill of yours," Xiao Feng said nonchalantly, shocking Xu Qing even more.

"Yeah, let me have that sword of yours. I might be needing it anytime soon," Xiao Feng added, extending his hand towards Xu Qing.

Elder Cheng, one of the deadliest and most active elders in the Netherworld Sect, according to the sect's hierarchy, ranked fifth. He was once a murderer who existed around twenty years ago. The Sect Master of the Netherworld took an interest in him and invited him to be an elder in the sect. After fighting his way up to the fifth position, he stopped being active in the sect and went into close cultivation. Despite his inactivity, his name was feared throughout the Netherworld Sect.

...

"Little brat, would you stop running and face me like a man?" the elder taunted Xuan Ping.

"Run? I wasn't running. I was merely evading your dagger with my speed," Xuan Ping retorted.

The elder retrieved his dagger and began to walk slowly towards Xuan Ping. "Most martial arts cultivators practice one or two weapon techniques these days, but you and that bummer over there are really strange. One relies on speed while the other depends on brute force."

"Merely with that, you guys won't go far. You need to be more ruthless with what you have. And I also welcome our new guest," the elder said, his true nature beginning to show.

Everywhere became silent, not even the leaves on the trees rustled.

"Well, since you're not planning on coming out, it will soon be your turn," the elder threatened, preparing for the worst.

Xuan Ping dashed at the elder, knowing that the person the elder was referring to was Xu Qing. He decided to draw more of the elder's attention. He got closer and threw a punch at the elder.

"Well, since you're using your fist, I'll play along," the elder responded.

Their fists collided with a loud explosive sound. Dust erupted, clouding everyone's eyesight.

"Good, now that Mu Tianxing's helpers have been injured, it's his time to die," Mu Fengsha thought.

But to everyone's surprise, Xuan Ping wasn't dead. However, he was heavily injured, bleeding from his nose, mouth, and body. "Damn!" Xuan Ping cursed. If he hadn't used thirty percent of his Qi to unleash that attack, his body would have ended up totally gutted.

"This elder is truly formidable. It seems I'll have to go all out," Xuan Ping thought determinedly.

"Do you know the most critical time to strike your opponent? Well, it's when they are at their weakest without leaving them a chance to strike," the elder said, finally at the peak of his mood to fight. He went all out, giving a hundred percent.

The elder moved so quickly that his body couldn't be seen, leaving only his after-image as he headed towards Xuan ping, aiming to stab him with his dagger. Xuan ping closed his eyes, seemingly resigned to his fate.

But just as the elder got close, Xuan ping opened his eyes and released all of his sealed QI, preventing the elder from getting any closer. He then said, "Brother Xiao, we are killing this fucking elder."

Suddenly, Xiao feng appeared out of nowhere and aimed his sword at the elder's neck. The elder was shocked and wondered if he had gotten old or if these individuals were truly formidable.

"It would have been too late if I didn't show up," Xiao feng chuckled. He helped Xuan ping up and gave him a pill.

"Why is she here?" Xuan ping asked, referring to a woman who had joined them.

"She said there was nothing left to do back in the sect, so she came to witness your pathetic state," Xiao feng mocked.

Haoran and Mu tianxing ran towards Xuan ping. Haoran asked if he was well, to which Xuan ping annoyedly responded that he obviously wasn't well. Haoran then asked about Xiao feng, impressed by his strength.

While they were discussing, the furious elder interrupted, demanding to continue their fight. Xiao feng asked Xuan ping if he was ready.

"We're killing him right now," Xuan ping declared.

Haoran expressed his desire to join the fight, not wanting to simply watch. Xiao feng agreed and instructed him to deliver the final blow to the elder's solar plexus.

Meanwhile, Mu tianxing found Xu qing hiding and joked about her seeking instruction from the brothers on cultivation techniques.

During the fight, Mu tianxing noticed that Xiao feng was wielding the Mu clan family heirloom, a sword passed down from their ancestors. He wondered how Xiao feng obtained it and speculated if he was cultivating a divine manual.

The three of them attacked the elder from different directions, but he remained overpowering. Xuan ping used his speed advantage, Haoran relentlessly attacked, and Xiao feng aimed for the elder's head with his sword slashes.

As the fight continued, the elder began to weaken. Finally, a chance presented itself. Haoran struck the elder's solar plexus with all his might, followed by Xuan ping delivering a devastating blow to the face, and Xiao feng swinging his sword at the elder's head. The elder's head rolled on the floor, and the three fell on their butts.

They each expressed their feelings about the fight. Xiao feng found it exhilarating, Xuan ping found it boring, and Haoran felt a sense of accomplishment for achieving a fraction of his revenge.

Xuan ping asked Haoran what he planned to do next, and Haoran explained that he intended to go against the entire sect once he was strong enough to face them all at once. Xuan ping and Xiao feng exchanged glances, recognizing his potential usefulness.

Curious about Haoran's intentions after seeking revenge, Xuan ping asked if there was something that could guarantee his safety.

[“Finally, I've achieved a fraction of my revenge,” Haoran said.

“Huh... Do you intend to go against the whole sect?”

“Well, I intend to do that, but only when I'm more than strong enough to face the entire sect at once.”

Xuan Ping and Xiao Feng exchanged glances. They recognized the potential usefulness of Haoran's determination.

“What do you plan to do thereafter?” Xuan Ping asked, wanting to understand Haoran's role in their mission.

“Well, I don't know for now. I can't predict whether I will die seeking my revenge or survive after achieving it.”

“And what if there is something that could guarantee your safety?” Xuan Ping asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

“Well, what do you expect me to do? Of course, I would grab that opportunity,” Haoran said, looking down at the ground. The thought of having such an opportunity was enticing to him.

Xuan Ping glanced at Xuan Ping, wondering about his intentions with the way he questioned Haoran. Nevertheless, the main problem at hand was figuring out how to dispose of the elder's body.

Xiao Feng approached the elder, retrieved a manual from him, and began searching his body for any valuable items. He soon discovered thousands of gold coins, which excited him greatly. "Who walks around carrying so much gold? I'm rich!" he exclaimed.

Mu Fengsha and her bodyguards stood shaking in fear, unable to properly move. Even if they could, escaping from these formidable opponents seemed impossible.

Xiao Feng continued rummaging through the elder's possessions and stumbled upon a green shining orb. Just as he was about to pocket it, Xu Qing spoke up.

"Please, Senior Brother, let me have that. I feel a connection between the orb and my alchemy arts."

Xiao Feng hesitated but, considering the sincerity in Xu Qing's plea, he tossed the green orb to her. "Okay, take it," he said.

"Brother Xiao, what should we do about my stepmother?" Xuan Ping asked.

"Do you want to kill her?" Xiao Feng questioned.

"No, I don't think I'm capable enough to handle the responsibility of killing her yet."

"Simple. We'll take her back to your clan and let your clan's acting head preside over her judgment and punishment," Xiao Feng suggested as he continued searching the elder's body.

"But what if the clan head lets her live and she sells you guys out for killing an elder of the Netherworld Sect?" Xuan Ping expressed his concern.

"Are you sure you don't want to kill her?" Xiao Feng inquired, noticing the change in Mu's expression.

"Well... at least for now," Xuan Ping replied.

"Hmm," Xiao Feng left Xuan Ping to ponder while he continued searching for valuables. Just how many pockets did this elder's clothes have?

Meanwhile, Xuan Ping pulled Haoran aside, away from the group, and called for Xiao Feng to join them.

"What's going on?" Xiao Feng asked, slightly annoyed at being interrupted from his loot search.

"Well, Senior Brother, I've been meaning to tell you this, but it kept slipping my mind," Haoran began.

Xuan Ping gripped Xiao Feng's hand, and they entered into Xuan Ping's interdimensional spatial ring.

"What!" Xiao Feng exclaimed. He couldn't be more surprised; after all, it was them.

Inside the interdimensional spatial ring:

"Wow! This place exists, and you made us sleep in some run-down inn?" Xiao Feng exclaimed.

"It forcefully repels anyone who isn't cultivating," Xuan Ping explained.

"Oh, I see... But what did you really want to show me?" Xiao Feng looked around, impressed by the surroundings.

And then Xiao Feng became mesmerized by what he saw. He ran toward Xuan Ping and jumped on him. "Sworn brother, you are the best," he exclaimed.

Xiao Feng returned to the sword and attempted to pull it out, infused with his Qi. "Even the sword is smiling at me."