“H-Hey?” the man stammered. His jaw dropped as he watched the man in yellow getting skewered by those vines. In a daze, he stood frozen, unable to grasp the sudden death of someone lively who was just talking moments ago.
Rhythmic drips filled the air as the vines hoisted the lifeless body, letting fresh blood spill out and eagerly devour the body.
Before their eyes, the once withered vines transformed into a more nourished and glossy look with a faint crimson hue accentuating its surface.
As the vines greedily absorbed the fresh blood, the man in yellow underwent a swift and noticeable transformation. His once vital body rapidly withered, leaving behind nothing but a desiccated corpse.
“Help! Somebody, help! Monsters!”
Finally, the other man snapped out of his stupor. He started yelling and desperately tried to escape, not even caring about the weapon he had dropped.
As he turned to run, a vine shot up from the ground.
Swift as lightning, it speared through the man’s head like a javelin, entering from the back and exiting through his mouth. It immediately pinned him to the ground.
His eyes widened in terror, face contorted with fear as he met his demise with open eyes. If he had known the danger, he wouldn’t have come in search of treasure. Sadly, regret struck him too late.
“Attack!”
The deaths of two Embersteel Order disciples spurred everyone around into action. They swiftly armed themselves and prepared for a counterattack.
After draining the blood of two Embersteel Order disciples, the vines remained unsatisfied. A dozen thick vines, each resembling a child’s arm, emerged.
These agile appendages, reminiscent of an octopus, swiftly launched a ferocious attack on the other martial artists.
“How dare you kill my comrades? I’ll make sure you pay for it!” Enraged by the demise of his companions, the burly man unsheathed his sword. With fearless determination, he charged at the vines.
“Die!” he roared, swinging his large blade ferociously.
The sharp blade aura surged forth, effortlessly slicing the two nearest vines into segments. His swordsmanship, a perfect blend of precision and intensity, made him nearly impervious.
Amid the assault, he skillfully dodged the retaliatory strikes, defending himself with finesse. As the two vines were severed, the remaining ones swiftly changed direction, converging towards him.
Although the vines were fast and powerful in their attacks, they were inherently fragile.
While capable of unleashing great power in a sneak attack, confronting a martial artist master head-on left them vulnerable to being cut.
Undeterred, the burly man continued his relentless swordplay, forming a net of white blade aura in front of him. With each swing, he sliced through every approaching vine with ease, reducing them into distinct sections.
“Impressive swordsmanship!”
The scene drew gasps and admiration from everyone present. The Embersteel Order’s disciples were well-known in the southwest for their exceptional swordsmanship.
The burly man, clearly a standout member, demonstrated formidable strength and flawless swordplay. He skillfully cleared the area of vines, showcasing his skill with each precise cut. Remarkably, he emerged unscathed throughout the entire process.
His exceptional skill surpassed everyone present, and his confidence in leading was well-founded.
“Go to hell!” With a powerful swing, the burly man cut the last vine at its roots.
He sheathed his sword, stood, and caught his breath. However, the effort had clearly worn him out, and his true energy was struggling to recover from the exertion.
