Chapter 48: A Storm of Blood

The valley was painted in crimson. Jiang Cheng stood amidst the fallen, his blade dripping with fresh blood. The battle was not yet over, but it was clear—the so-called "alliance" of sects and rogue cultivators had underestimated him.

Their numbers had given them confidence. Their greed had blinded them. And now, one by one, they were falling like insects before a storm.

Ren Qing clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on his sword. "Damn it…" His mind raced. How had this turned against them so quickly?

Jiang Cheng was a single man. A lone cultivator. But standing before him felt like facing a walking calamity.

The remaining forces hesitated, unsure whether to advance or flee.

Jiang Cheng flicked his sword, sending blood splattering onto the dirt. "I'll give you a choice," he said, his voice carrying over the battlefield. "Run, or die here."

A moment of silence. Then, as if a dam had broken—half of the cultivators turned and fled.

Jiang Cheng smirked. Smart ones.

But not all had the sense to retreat. Ren Qing, his pride refusing to let him back down, lifted his sword. "Cowards! Stand your ground! He's just one man—"

Before he could finish, Jiang Cheng moved.

Heaven Blitzing Step.

A blur. A flash of steel.

Ren Qing barely had time to react before Jiang Cheng appeared directly in front of him. His sword was already swinging down.

Ren Qing's instincts screamed. He raised his blade to block—

CRACK!

His arms went numb. The force of the strike sent him skidding backward, his sword trembling from the impact. His face twisted in disbelief.

"What kind of inhuman strength is this?!"

Jiang Cheng didn't give him time to recover.

Cloudstep!

In an instant, he was above Ren Qing, bringing his sword down like a lightning bolt. Ren Qing gritted his teeth and swung his sword to counter.

CLANG!

The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Jiang Cheng's sword arts were flawless—fluid yet devastating, like a hurricane wrapped in steel. Every strike carried terrifying force, forcing Ren Qing back step by step.

But the real danger wasn't just Jiang Cheng's swordplay.

It was his presence.

Every motion, every attack—it exuded absolute dominance. It was suffocating. The realization hit Ren Qing like a hammer.

"He's playing with me."

Jiang Cheng wasn't even using his full strength.

Rage and humiliation burned in Ren Qing's chest. He let out a furious roar, his sword bursting with blue flames. "Sky Blade Pavilion's Supreme Slash!"

A crescent-shaped arc of energy tore through the air, cutting toward Jiang Cheng at blinding speed.

Jiang Cheng's eyes flickered with amusement.

Instead of dodging—he sheathed his sword.

Ren Qing's heart stopped and his eyes widened. "What…?!"

Lightning Serpent Draw.

A single flash.

Jiang Cheng's sword was unsheathed in a blur, cutting through Ren Qing's attack as if it were paper. The energy slash shattered, and before Ren Qing could react—Jiang Cheng's blade was already at his throat.

A thin line of blood appeared.

Ren Qing froze. His breath came in ragged gasps. The fight was over.

Jiang Cheng tilted his head and smirked. "You talk too much."

Then, with a flick of his wrist—Ren Qing collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

The remaining cultivators who hadn't fled were now staring in horror. If even Ren Qing was defeated so easily…

Jiang Cheng turned his gaze toward them . "Any of you still want to fight?"

Silence.

Then—a mad scramble as the rest of them fled.

Jiang Cheng sighed, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "Finally."

He had no time to waste on small fries. The true dangers were yet to come.

As he turned away, his sharp senses picked up movement in the distance.

Someone had been watching.

Jiang Cheng's eyes narrowed. Whoever it was… they were strong.