Chapter 85: The Assault

After Luo Long finished speaking, he fixed his gaze unwaveringly on Li Yang, who carried the black blade on his back. This was a formidable man. Perhaps Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue were unfamiliar with Li Yang, the Black Blade, but as an elder of the Luo family, Luo Long naturally had access to channels to gather information on masters of the Yuan Realm.

Poison Dragon Town lay on the outskirts of the Demon Forest, a small settlement fraught with chaos. Ordinary people rarely dared to live here, for magical beasts frequently attacked, making peaceful days elusive. Yet, precisely because of this, the place became a haven for wandering martial artists. These wanderers prized freedom, and few major powers would establish their headquarters on the edge of the Demon Forest, so only minor factions existed here alongside martial artists who had gathered from across the land.

Thus, Poison Dragon Town was a place teeming with all sorts, where killings occurred often, and a moment's carelessness could bring disaster. Over time, only those with considerable strength dared to venture here. Usually, those who came were martial artists who had reached the peak of the Blood Qi Realm or higher.

Five years ago, a lone wanderer arrived in Poison Dragon Town, carrying a black blade. He was provoked by the son of a mid-sized faction's leader; after killing the boy, the leader himself stepped out to face him. But in a single night, the entire faction was eradicated from Poison Dragon Town, wiped out by the black-bladed wanderer. His name spread throughout the town overnight, and many remembered it: Black Blade, Li Yang.

Nearly five years had passed, and Luo Long had never expected to encounter such a figure today in Poison Dragon Town. He needed to understand why Li Yang had interrupted his attack. Luo Long only wished to eliminate Ye Cheng, whose talent posed a great threat to the Luo family—he had no desire to make an enemy of someone like Li Yang.

"Interfering in the affairs of Luo Yang Town?" Li Yang, clad in black robes, sneered at the corners of his mouth, raised his head slightly, and looked at Luo Long. "I'm not interested, but I'm here at someone's request. I'm only here to ensure nothing happens to this young man from the Ye family. And it seems Elder Luo speaks as if Luo Yang Town belongs solely to your family. Have you forgotten that the Luo family isn't the sole authority here? The Ye family rivals yours in every way. When Ye Shan was still around, your Luo family didn't even dare raise your voice."

"Asked to protect me?" Hearing Li Yang's words, Ye Cheng grew thoughtful. No wonder this man had appeared at his most perilous moment to help him. "But who could possibly persuade a Yuan Realm master like him to protect me?"

"Could it be that my uncle and third uncle sought the help of this senior to protect me?" Ye Cheng wondered. Since his father had disappeared, he and his sister had been cared for by their uncle and third uncle.

Ye Cheng's quiet speculation did not escape Li Yang's ears. Li Yang turned and smiled at Ye Cheng. "Years ago, I owed your grandfather, Elder Ye, a life. This time, I can finally repay that debt."

"Grandfather..." Ye Cheng’s heart trembled at those words. He had never expected that the one who secretly invited such a powerful guardian—someone he saw only once every few months—was his grandfather. A warm feeling blossomed in Ye Cheng's chest. It was a comforting sensation.

"Ye Shan..." Luo Long’s expression darkened. "Ye Shan truly was formidable, but his era is over. He’s been missing for years, and may well have been killed somewhere."

"My father is not dead, but even if I don’t wait for his return, one day I will destroy your Luo family," Ye Cheng snarled, gritting his teeth.

"Heh, you may not even survive today, yet you dare boast about destroying my family," Luo Long sneered. Then his attention shifted to Li Yang, the true threat in this place. "Since you were invited by that old man from the Ye family, I suppose you intend to protect this Ye family prodigy."

"Though I have no wish to clash with your family, I am not one to break my word. I owed Elder Ye a life, and I’ve wanted to settle that debt for a long time now," Li Yang replied calmly, his gaze unflinching as it met Luo Long’s. Though Luo Long’s strength was at the peak of the Yuan Realm, Li Yang was his equal—the outcome of a duel between them remained uncertain.

"Heh, repaying a debt." Luo Long lowered his head, hiding his expression, but his voice was oddly quiet. When he raised his head again, his hand gripped the green blade tightly. Countless blade lights silently erupted, transforming into nine shadows that concealed their Yuan energy completely. A chilling smile spread across his face.

"I’m afraid you won’t live to repay that debt."

"Nine Blades of Imprisoning Shadow!"

With a sharp cry, his sudden attack manifested; nine blade shadows circled above Li Yang’s head, weaving into a cage that shrouded him completely.

Luo Long’s attack did not contain much Yuan energy, and its fluctuation was deliberately hidden. His intent was clear: a sudden assault to trap Li Yang, buying himself time to kill Ye Cheng and his companion.

He knew well that slaying a Yuan Realm master was no easy feat—especially since his opponent’s blade skills rivaled his own. The longer the fight dragged on, the more likely the Nangong family would arrive, robbing him of any chance and even endangering his own life. The only solution was to deal with Ye Cheng and his companion swiftly and flee. So, after successfully trapping Li Yang, his figure spun around and lunged at the pair.

"Hmph, cunning bastard," Li Yang muttered, trapped within the cage of blade shadows as he watched Luo Long abruptly turn away. The black blade on his back shot into the air with a swish, landing in his grip. His blade technique was swift and fierce, seemingly conjuring countless overlapping blade shadows. Yuan energy surged and crashed against the cage.

With a crack, the cage, meant only to delay Li Yang, shattered easily.

Breaking free, Li Yang rushed toward Luo Long, but by then Luo Long was already closing in on Ye Cheng and his companion. Li Yang was still some distance away—he would not make it in time.

"Damn it! It’s too late," Li Yang cursed, pushing himself to the limit.