Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Tie Sha and Wen Hou

As soon as Wen Hou finished speaking, Feng Wendu and the others immediately burst into uproarious laughter. Although the two men’s sudden interruption had startled them moments before, seeing them materialize now, especially after hearing such remarks, made them unable to hold back their amusement. These two were extraordinarily bold! Did they imagine they alone could snatch Lou Yun from them?

Lou Yun, too, found Wen Hou’s words baffling. He didn’t know them at all. Why would they arrive out of nowhere and ask him to join their group? What exactly was this ‘us’ he mentioned? An organization, a sect, or some other faction?

Hai Yixiao also thought it somewhat ludicrous. Though his spiritual sense couldn’t detect the other party’s magical weapon realm, his initial apprehension vanished entirely upon seeing their appearance and judging their age. Relaxed now, he crossed his arms and said mockingly, "Even if this kid agreed to join you, what capabilities do you possess to take him away?"

Wen Hou smiled gently, glancing towards the man beside him. "Naturally, Tie Sha will help him leave."

"All right then!" Hai Yixiao feigned seriousness. "Let’s ask the kid what he thinks!"

He then turned to Lou Yun. "Kid, you now have three paths. Which one do you choose?"

Before Lou Yun could answer, Chang Xiang urgently whispered in his mind: "The third one! Join these two!"

"Why?" Lou Yun was utterly perplexed. How could Chang Xiang urge him to join strangers whose backgrounds were unknown?

"I don’t know either," Chang Xiang admitted. "Just my intuition. I cannot penetrate the depths of their cultivation. All I sense within them is an immensely powerful energy. Besides, these two definitely have other companions. If they belong to an organization, its strength must be formidable beyond belief. Aligning with them should bring you unexpected benefits!"

Lou Yun was still reluctant, mainly valuing his freedom and feeling any organization would bind him: "The advantages I’ve gained so far are plenty. Do I really need more?"

"Listen to me. Join them," Chang Xiang insisted. "Otherwise, I wash my hands of this today! Let Xiao Huo try to help you escape!"

Faced with this killer weapon, Lou Yun froze. He knew full well Xiao Huo could only issue his Hellfire three times a day, each blast weaker than the last. Against five highly skilled adversaries here, hitting them with Hellfire was uncertain at best. Relying on Xiao Huo for escape was virtually impossible!

Helpless, Lou Yun had to speak: "I naturally choose the third path. To join them and leave with them."

Hearing Lou Yun’s answer, both Hai Yixiao and Wen Hou smiled, though the meaning behind their smiles was utterly different.

Wen Hou addressed Tie Sha, who still kept his eyes closed: "Tie Sha, we’ve gained another companion."

Tie Sha merely let out a cold, nasal grunt, a sound barely acknowledging Wen Hou.

Hai Yixiao spread his hands. "Since that’s the case, I respect your choice. Go with them."

Seemingly to show sincerity, Hai Yixiao even took a step back, clearing a path for Lou Yun.

Lou Yun knew perfectly well Hai Yixiao wouldn’t just let him walk away easily. Yet after a moment’s brief hesitation, Lou Yun strode purposefully towards the spot where Wen Hou and Tie Sha stood.

Upon reaching them safely, Wen Hou immediately said warmly to Lou Yun: "Welcome! Now, we’ll take you away."

With that, he and Tie Sha turned around, heading straight for the position where Feng Wendu and the other three stood – the only exit route. The crisp, rhythmic jingling of the bells on Tie Sha’s braid accompanied his steps. Lou Yun hesitated briefly, then followed closely behind the two men.

Reaching Feng Wendu and his companions, Wen Hou said pleasantly: "Excuse us, step aside."

Zhao Jingang erupted in booming laughter: "Whether you are pretending to be fools or are actually fools, today, none of you three shall leave here alive!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Tie Sha’s hand flashed. A colossal sword, nearly two meters long, materialized. Single-handed, eyes still shut, he brought it crashing down savagely towards Zhao Jingang! The bells on his braid rang out fiercely with the motion.

Zhao Jingang hastily raised his magical weapon to block. But there was only a resounding clang! The massive sword in Tie Sha’s grasp cleanly shattered Zhao Jingang’s magical weapon! Neither the force nor momentum diminished; it continued downward, splitting him in two from the center.

Poor Zhao Jingang! Even in death, he could scarcely believe someone on earth possessed such terrifying might!

Everyone present, except Wen Hou who retained his gentle smile, stood utterly stunned by the sight! Zhao Jingang was a magical weapons master at the human level, one star! His strength was no small matter. Yet he hadn’t withstood a single blow from Tie Sha – split asunder alongside his magical weapon.

The chilling question surfaced in every mind: If that devastating sword strike had targeted me, could I have withstood it? Not even Hai Yixiao could answer that affirmatively.

After cleaving Zhao Jingang with but a single stroke, Tie Sha showed no visible signs of other movement. The colossal sword had simply vanished. Still with eyes closed, he resumed walking forward. From drawing the sword, slaying Zhao Jingang, to now striding onwards – the entire sequence flowed with flawless, relentless smoothness, utterly unbroken!

Wen Hou turned around and looked at Lou Yun, saying: "What are you still dazing there for? We’re leaving!"

The remaining Feng Wendu and others finally snapped out of their shock. Watching Tie Sha walk past them, each couldn’t help but hastily back away several steps. No one dared to block his path again. Meanwhile, the three turned to Hai Yixiao, asking with their eyes whether they should intercept Tie Sha and his companions.

The smile on Hai Yixiao’s face had vanished. He watched Tie Sha and Wen Hou receding backs and shook his head gently. This action instantly relieved Feng Wendu and the other two, who hastily withdrew a few more steps back, just watching the three depart helplessly.

Not until they could no longer hear the bells behind Tie Sha’s braid did the three hurry to Hai Yixiao’s side, saying: "Sect Master, do you need us to send someone to follow them and investigate their background?"

Hai Yixiao slowly shook his head, replying: "Besides me, I suspect no other member of our sect could track them without being noticed!"

"Sect Master, what do we do now? Do we just let it go?"

After brief thought, Hai Yixiao nodded: "These two surely have other companions, and anyone who befriends them must be extraordinarily skilled. We should avoid provoking such people if possible. So, we drop this matter. Also, transmit my order: henceforth, if any sect member spots them or people dressed similarly, remember not to provoke them at all and instantly report to the headquarters!"

"Yes!"

…

Having witnessed Tie Sha’s strength, Lou Yun now somewhat understood why Chang Xiang wanted him to join "them." If everyone among "them" was as powerful as Tie Sha, then "their" strength was truly supreme!

Following behind the two, Lou Yun exited the forest onto the main road. Wen Hou suddenly turned and said with a smile: "We’re about to fly. Can you fly?"

"I can’t!" Lou Yun replied bitterly. "But where are you taking me?"

"Not far, just ahead!" Wen Hou pointed in a direction. Lou Yun followed his finger and saw it aimed towards Bei Xiong Nation. This brought relief to Lou Yun; at least their destination aligned with his own route to the Great Snowfield. That shouldn’t delay his task of gathering Qi Cai Xue Lian for Huier much.

Wen Hou flicked his wrist, and a mirror appeared in his hand. He said with a smile: "Since you can’t fly, we’ll use a magical weapon for flight and carry you along!"

The enemy’s magical weapon being a mirror genuinely surprised Lou Yun. But for Wen Hou’s suggestion, Lou Yun naturally had to nod in agreement now.

Wen Hou tossed the mirror into the air, and it instantly enlarged dozens of times. The three jumped onto it in turn. At Wen Hou’s urging, the mirror rose steadily into the sky, then transformed into a silver streak and flew towards Bei Xiong Nation.

Sitting on the mirror, Lou Yun found the flight smooth and steady, without any bumps. This flawlessly showcased Wen Hou’s profound cultivation.

While steering the mirror, Wen Hou turned and said to Lou Yun with a grin: "You must be full of questions now. Go ahead and ask. I’ll answer whatever I know."

Originally, Lou Yun assumed Wen Hou would share something only after they arrived. But now that he could ask, Lou Yun didn’t hesitate. He composed his thoughts and inquired: "Who exactly are you? Why do you want me to join? How did you find me?"

"Heh, that calls for a long tale. I’ll keep it simple. Originally, Tie Sha and I were just friends—both orphans wandering Spirit Weapon Star. Later, we met Zhuge Mou, our leader (you’ll see him soon). He formed our group and invited us in. Oh, our organization is ‘Tian Jiao.’ Heard of it?"

Lou Yun pondered and was certain he hadn’t. He quickly asked Chang Xiang instead.

Chang Xiang, also listening intently, hadn’t heard of the group "Tian Jiao" either.

"Normal you haven’t. Our Tian Jiao hasn’t existed long. Currently, with you joining, we’re just seven people!"

Seven people!

That resembled a mercenary crew, Lou Yun thought inwardly.

Just then, Tie Sha, silent until now, suddenly spoke in a raspy voice: "Too slow. Hurry!"

Wen Hou gave Lou Yun a resigned smile: "Tie Sha’s just impatient and quiet."

He then addressed Tie Sha: "Alright, I know!"

Shaking his head, Wen Hou rose to his feet. His smile vanished, replaced by solemn intensity. He roared abruptly: "Spirit Transformation!"