Chapter 722: Each Harboring Their Own Intentions

Sword cultivators are incredibly powerful; once trapped by a sword formation, death is almost inevitable. They spread out to avoid being encircled by the enemy.

If they were in the wilderness, Zhou Tianmu wouldn't hesitate; he would immediately summon his flying swords to confront the enemy.

He had just sent someone to teleport back to Jade Spring Island, only to discover that Purple Sun Island was also under attack. The enemy was using a diversionary tactic. Zhou Shengtao, concerned about Jade Spring Island, instructed them to repel the invaders as much as possible and be ready to return to support Jade Spring Island at any moment.

Jade Spring Island housed the Zhou family's accumulated wealth of over a thousand years, including numerous thousand-year-old spirit herbs. Most of the family's elite disciples resided there. If Jade Spring Island were to fall, the Zhou family would suffer immense losses, even if Zhou Tianmu successfully defended Jade Void Island.

Zhou Tianmu dared not risk Jade Spring Island. He had to repel the enemies as much as possible and be prepared to reinforce Jade Spring Island at any moment.

Judging by their attire, the opponents were not cultivators from the Zhang family, which meant there was still room for negotiation.

"Hmph, do you take me for a three-year-old child? Let's see who's truly stronger!" Zhou Tianmu's expression turned cold.

A series of crisp sword hums resonated as thirty-six misty green flying swords shot out from the sword case on his back, circling above his head.

Wang Changsheng was stunned by the sight of thirty-six flying swords. The last sword cultivator he had encountered, from Sun Moon Palace, possessed only thirteen. The fact that Zhou Tianmu commanded thirty-six was astounding. It was no wonder there was a saying in the South Sea about "thousand-year families and ten-thousand-year sects"; the Zhou family's profound heritage far exceeded Wang Changsheng's imagination.

Wang Ruyan and Fairy Ziyue were equally startled. The more flying swords a sword cultivator wielded, the greater their power.

Wang Ruyan promptly flew back to Wang Changsheng's side. With thirty-six flying sword artifacts at his disposal, she knew she stood no chance if Zhou Tianmu unleashed all of them against her.

Fairy Ziyue's face was filled with vigilance, her expression solemn.

Wang Changsheng's gaze shifted, and he said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, we are merely acting on orders. How about this: let's have a brief spar. If you can withstand five moves from my wife and me, we will leave immediately. If you cannot, then you and your people should withdraw. What do you say?"

"Let's propose an alternative: you two withstand three moves from me. If you succeed, I will offer you a sum of wealth. If you fail, you must depart. What do you think?"

Jade Void Island cultivated a vast quantity of Jade Void Bamboo, with a value exceeding a million spirit stones. Zhou Tianmu could not simply cede it to the enemy, but offering a portion was acceptable.

He also perceived that Wang Changsheng and his two companions did not seek a battle to the death. Crucially, the three were too dispersed for his sword formation to effectively trap them all; otherwise, he would not have agreed to the terms.

"Alright, three moves it is, but you must not deploy a sword formation. If you lose, what will you offer us?"

Wang Changsheng agreed, confident that he and Wang Ruyan, working together, could withstand three moves from Zhou Tianmu without issue.

"Fairy Ziyue, fly further away. Be wary of a sneak attack. If the opportunity arises, eliminate him."

Wang Ruyan secretly transmitted a message to Fairy Ziyue: despite the talk of a "spar," Zhou Tianmu would not hold back if he had an opportunity to kill Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. Likewise, the three of them would not hesitate if a chance presented itself.

"One five-hundred-year-old spirit bamboo per person. A single spirit bamboo is sufficient to refine several flying sword artifacts."

"No, ten stalks. You should be aware that we are not the only ones interested in your Zhou family. With a millennium of heritage, countless eyes are fixed on your lucrative assets. Your controlled Purple Sun Island was also attacked, was it not? And Jade Spring Island, hehe."

Wang Changsheng's transmitted voice carried a clear tone of threat.

He could discern that Zhou Tianmu wished to avoid a fight to the death and was preparing to reinforce Jade Spring Island at any moment. Since Zhou Tianmu was unaware of the enemy's full strength, he undoubtedly wouldn't risk the safety of Jade Spring Island. Even if they couldn't consume the entire Zhou family like a fat lamb, "plucking a few strands of wool" was still feasible.

"Ten stalks? No, five at most."

Zhou Tianmu, of course, was not concerned about a mere few five-hundred-year-old spirit bamboos. It was a matter of principle—he could not show weakness to the enemy.

"Seven stalks, no less."

Zhou Tianmu hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

He formed a hand seal, and the thirty-six flying swords vibrated in unison, emitting crisp hums. Hundreds of azure sword energies shot forth, coalescing mid-flight into a singular, blindingly bright azure sword light, over a hundred zhang long, which menacingly slashed towards Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

Wang Changsheng dared not be careless. Veins bulged on his right arm as he punched the empty air ahead. The void rippled, and countless blue lights surged forth, forming a colossal blue water dragon that lunged forward, baring its fangs and claws.

A stirring pipa melody resounded, causing the seawater to churn violently, waves splashing over thirty zhang high. A colossal blue water wall rose, shielding Wang Changsheng and his wife.

Wang Changsheng raised his hand, and a dark light flew out, transforming into a small, dark black umbrella that opened above their heads. The black umbrella spun, unleashing a vast expanse of black ethereal light that enveloped both of them.

This defensive artifact was the Ink Cloud Umbrella, though its handle bore several fine cracks.

A thunderous roar erupted!

A massive roar erupted as the blue water dragon was shattered to pieces. The azure sword light also shrank by more than half. The blue water wall proved utterly ineffective against the azure sword light, which effortlessly tore a hole through it and appeared directly before Wang Changsheng and his wife.

Wang Ruyan's delicate fingers swiftly glided across the pipa strings. The void twisted, and a blue sound wave shot out to meet the azure sword light.

The azure sword light and blue sound wave exploded in the air like fireworks, and a powerful shockwave rapidly spread outwards.

The space rippled, and a foot-long azure miniature sword suddenly flew forth from the void. The azure sword emitted astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations, but upon closer inspection, it was not corporeal.

This was the Spirit Art: Evasion Spirit Slaying Sword, ranked seventy-first on the Heaven and Earth Spirit Art List. It was known for its masterful concealment, making it incredibly difficult to guard against, though its flaw was a rather obvious casting process.

Zhou Tianmu's initial move had been a feint, primarily to facilitate the spirit art.

The azure flying sword fiercely struck the black ethereal light, shattering it instantly.

A blue sound wave shot out, only to be similarly shattered by the azure flying sword.

A flash of purple light appeared, and a purple ethereal glow enveloped the azure flying sword, rendering it immobile.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan rapidly retreated. Wang Changsheng punched the void, sending a blue giant fist, several zhang in size, flying out to smash into the purple ethereal glow.

A tremendous crash!

The azure flying sword and purple ethereal glow were obliterated by the blue giant fist.

A powerful shockwave swept over from the opposite side, making Wang Changsheng flinch.

An astonishingly powerful azure flood dragon, formed by thousands of coalesced azure flying swords, lunged towards them.

At first glance, this technique bore a resemblance to Wang Qingshan's "Hundred Swords into One," but it was fundamentally different. Each individual azure flying sword within the construct possessed twenty percent of its original power.

If Wang Changsheng were to be heavily injured, Zhou Tianmu would certainly not deliver a killing blow. Fairy Ziyue's face remained vigilant, a purple short ruler clutched in her hand, ready to attack Zhou Tianmu at any moment.

As the azure flood dragon passed, powerful air currents churned up vast quantities of seawater.

Wang Changsheng quickly aimed the Purple Cloud Mirror forward, unleashing a stream of purple ethereal light.

The purple ethereal light, however, could not restrain the azure flood dragon and was torn to shreds.

A stirring pipa melody filled the air, and a thick blue water column shot up from the seabed, striking the azure flood dragon. It was equally ineffective; the azure flood dragon continued its relentless charge unimpeded.

A thick golden light beam shot forth, striking the azure flood dragon.

A thunderous roar!

With a colossal crash, a significant portion of the azure flood dragon's body disintegrated, yet it continued its charge towards Wang Changsheng. Just then, a massive yellow seal descended from the sky, blocking his path.