Chapter 663: Jumping Up on the Spot

Three disciples from the Outer Realm Divine Sect possessed extremely formidable auras. Among them, the disciple surnamed Zhang had reached the ninth layer of the Core Formation realm! His gaze contained palpable power. With a sweep of his eyes, the air trembled. He faintly showed the same level of mastery as Fang Taiji once did.

“It really is the ancient giant's bludgeon!” Senior Brother Zhang drew a light breath. “The elders ordered us to stay and clear the battlefield, but they never mentioned such a valuable treasure would be left here! However, Brother Wang, why didn't you take it yourself? Why did you contact us to retrieve it together?”

But soon, Senior Brother Zhang narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Wang Chongxiao adopted a candid demeanor: “Naturally, this bludgeon is dangerous, and my power alone isn't enough, which is why I invited everyone from Sky's Edge Sea Pavilion. Otherwise, I would have quietly taken it long ago.”

Senior Brother Zhang nodded slightly, his vigilance dropping considerably: “I'll commend your honesty. This bludgeon has shattered several spiritual artifacts. Even the Nascent Soul elders didn't take it, which shows how dangerous it is. If you had dared to conceal this and tricked us into taking it, you'd be a corpse right now!”

Wang Chongxiao showed displeasure: “Senior Brother Zhang, you worry too much. Although I, Wang Chongxiao, cultivate the path of Yin Corpse Arts, I only practice honorable methods. Please don't underestimate me.” He had a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.

The three disciples from Sky's Edge Sea Pavilion showed a hint of awkwardness. Senior Brother Zhang quickly offered a faint smile: “Brother Wang, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way. It's just that when one is out and about, it's inevitable to be a bit more vigilant. If I've caused you displeasure, I apologize.”

Wang Chongxiao's expression softened slightly. He waved his hand dismissively: “No need for apologies. You'll make me seem petty. Let's first discuss the ownership of this bludgeon, shall we? There's only one, and there are four of us.”

Senior Brother Zhang's eyes flickered. He said: “Brother Wang, what's your proposal?”

Wang Chongxiao pondered: “How about this? If the bludgeon goes to me, I will give the three of you adequate compensation. No one disputes, no one grabs; we'll all profit amicably. There's no need to fight to the death over this.”

Jiang Fan, hiding in the shadows, twitched an eyebrow. *This line sounds so familiar!* Upon hearing this, he confirmed that Wang Chongxiao was planning to scheme against someone again! The kind that schemes to kill. Thinking of this, Jiang Fan's lips curved into a slight smile. He patiently watched Wang Chongxiao's performance.

Senior Brother Zhang nodded slightly: “Brother Wang, with such honesty, what more is there to say? Alright! Later, Brother Wang will have the first choice for the bludgeon. But if the compensation you offer isn't agreed upon by the others, then the next person will get the bludgeon and compensate everyone else. And so on; whoever offers the most generous compensation in the end will own the bludgeon.”

Wang Chongxiao said without hesitation: “No problem! Then let's act quickly! We're not the only disciples from the two sects clearing the battlefield here. If others discover the bludgeon, things will get troublesome.”

Senior Brother Zhang's expression became serious, and he said: “Junior Brothers, prepare to move! Don't be careless. If you sense danger, retreat immediately. Do not be greedy. Brother Wang, you and I are slightly stronger, so we'll lead the way!” He wouldn't feel at ease without pulling Wang Chongxiao along.

Wang Chongxiao nodded: “Let's go!” He took the lead, soaring towards the bludgeon. Seeing this, Senior Brother Zhang felt slightly relieved and followed closely behind.

Soon, the four appeared before the bludgeon.

“Let's work together and pull it out!” Wang Chongxiao said: “If anything feels off, retreat immediately!”

Senior Brother Zhang nodded. So, the four successively gripped the bludgeon's handle and exerted force simultaneously. With a rumble, the bludgeon was pulled from the earth.

It was at this moment that a sudden change occurred! From within the bludgeon came the roar of an ancient giant! It shook the four away, changed direction, and swung fiercely towards them.

Senior Brother Zhang was horrified and cried out: “There's still an unspent strike remaining within this bludgeon! Split up and run!!!” He finally understood why the Nascent Soul elders hadn't dared to take this treasure. Whoever touched the bludgeon had to endure its strike. This was a strike from a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator! Who would dare to endure it?

The slight silver lining was that there were four of them. If they split up, the bludgeon could only choose to strike one of them. It would just depend on who was unluckier.

However! Just as the three of them were preparing to retreat, several Yin corpses suddenly burst out from underground around the bludgeon. They forcefully gripped the three disciples' legs!!! Normally, they could easily shake them off; mere Yin corpses wouldn't be able to hinder them. But in the face of a mid-stage Nascent Soul strike, how could they afford even a moment's hesitation?

“Wang Chongxiao!”“You tricked us!”

These Yin corpses were buried in advance by Wang Chongxiao! His purpose was to trap them, making them bear the bludgeon's strike!

Wang Chongxiao shrugged, waved his hand with an evil smile, and said: “Good luck, Senior Brothers.” He then crushed a piece of unpolished jade. A burst of green light erupted, enveloping him. He vanished without a trace in an instant.

The bludgeon ultimately locked onto Senior Brother Zhang and the other two. With a thunderous crash, it struck down.

“No!!!”

Senior Brother Zhang's roar was drowned out by the earth-shattering explosion. The ground trembled violently. A canyon was carved out of thin air. The bludgeon, having expended its final strike, fell limply to the ground.

At this moment, dust billowed. Yet, a transparent figure, braving the dust, arrived before the bludgeon. It was Jiang Fan! He smiled faintly, took out a Heaven Thunder Stone, and with a light touch on the bludgeon, put it away. Then, he looked towards Senior Brother Zhang and the other two. The other two were already reduced to dust. Senior Brother Zhang, however, only had half of his body remaining. His face, frozen in anger, stared with wide, unseeing eyes, unable to rest in peace.

“A ninth-layer Core Formation cultivator, just gone like that.” Jiang Fan showed a hint of regret. He secretly reminded himself to be even more careful in the future. Even someone as powerful and cautious as Senior Brother Zhang met such a fate. He himself needed to be even more careful.

Under the cover of the dust, he quietly departed.

Soon after, the dust settled. Wang Chongxiao cautiously hurried over from a distance. Only after confirming from afar that Senior Brother Zhang was truly dead did he dare to approach.

“Heh heh, Senior Brother Zhang, my apologies. This time next year, I'll burn extra incense for you. As for this bludgeon, I'll keep it safe for you… for…”

“Wait!”“Where's the bludgeon?”

Wang Chongxiao's expression froze. He spun in a circle, scanning all around.

“That's not right, where is the bludgeon?” The surroundings were empty. There was no sign of the bludgeon anywhere.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. He noticed a fresh set of footprints where the bludgeon had been. He immediately realized that someone had played the 'mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' trick! All his hard work had benefited someone else!

“Son of a bitch!!!” Wang Chongxiao stomped his foot and cursed angrily: “I risked my life, and you took advantage of it from behind! You damn lack martial ethics! No martial ethics at all! I curse you to give birth to eight babies in one go! All sons!!!”

Jiang Fan, who had long since vanished without a trace, was gleefully examining his spoils. Suddenly, he heard a faint cry of alarm. It was Consort Yunxia's voice! Was she in danger? Jiang Fan's heart tightened!