The sword beams became increasingly ferocious. Finally, one of them pierced through the combat armour to directly strike Chen Feng's body, piercing right through him.

A second sword beam, a third, a fourth… Chen Feng's figure became riddled with holes.

“Hit!”

Finally, the sword in Chen Feng's hand stabbed into his opponent's body. Instantly, he blew it up.

Due to the self-destruct move from the sword, Sword Immortal Life Death's body broke down into fragments and motes of starlight, leaving only the Undying Heaven Sword hovering in mid-air.

“Not bad, kid. You have pa.s.sed my stage. However, you will have to be careful for the next one,” Sword Immortal said before dissipating away. For Chen Feng, though, the way he said the words “be careful” felt particularly heavy.

“Two more stages to go.” Chen Feng moved forward to pick up the Undying Heaven Sword. Add the Wicked Sceptre into the mix, he had obtained two mid-grade Divine artifacts. Naturally, there was also the Soul Demise Bow, his killer trump card.

The Soul Demise Bow had been given to him by Tower. Thus, Chen Feng could utilize it with peace of mind. The Wicked Sceptre and Undying Heaven Sword, on the other hand, were more unstable. There was no telling when they might turn on him. Of course, not taking a Divine artifact would be even more unacceptable.

The 98th palace hall…

A withered-looking old man who was so skinny it seemed as though there was not a bit of flesh within his body was giving Chen Feng a peculiar look. On the other hand, Chen Feng was unable to sense even a hint of vitality from the old man. If it weren't for the fact that there was light gleaming off the old man's eyes, Chen Feng would have thought of the old man as a corpse.

“h.e.l.lo there. I am the guardian of this stage. You may address me as the Withered Bone Daoist.” The withered old man stood up and his aura gave Chen Feng a feeling of greatness and power.

“I am slightly stronger than Sword Immortal Life Death and Demon Monarch Wickedness. You be careful,” the Withered Bone Daoist said, jabbing out with a finger. Next, Chen Feng saw a withered piece of bone growing in size before him. More, his divine sense had seemingly become frozen. Even though his soul flame was burning furiously, he could not pull himself away from the feeling of being frozen.

Bang!

Finally, Chen Feng was able to force his body to move slightly. However, the withered bone had still managed to smash into him. Due to the formidable power behind it, Chen Feng's figure was sent tumbling while a stabbing pain a.s.sailed the part of his body that was. .h.i.t. Even with the protection of the combat armour, part of Chen Feng's bones had still cracked from that blow.

“It might not be that powerful, but the technique is somewhat peculiar,” Chen Feng said, smiling.

“A good armour,” the Withered Bone Daoist said, jabbing his finger forward again and s.p.a.ce rippled. This time, two pieces of withered bones shot towards Chen Feng.

Chen Feng, though, was prepared. His eyes locked down on his opponent's actions and the Longevity Wings flapped, allowing him to evade the bones. At the same time, he also sped up, charging towards the Withered Bone Daoist. A battle lance – its tip burning with the raging Longevity Flame – had appeared in his hand. It gave off a highly formidable appearance.

Unlike the previous two opponents, this Withered Bone Daoist did not bring out any magic treasures for their fight. Instead, he was simply using his bare hands to fight Chen Feng. After several rounds, Chen Feng had to admit that this old man was truly strong.

Strange techniques and exquisite application of the laws. Even the way he attacked was somewhat different compared to others. Additionally, Chen Feng had a feeling. Although this person appeared bereft of flesh, his vitality was very strong, so much so that it secretly astounded Chen Feng.

Still, this was not an impossible opponent for him. By figuring out the right method and paying a certain price, he would be able to defeat the Withered Bone Daoist.

The battles he had to overcome to get here, defeating half-step Gold Immortals and even Gold Immortals, had caused a change in Chen Feng's state of mind. Chen Feng himself may be unaware of this change, but as his state of mind advanced to a higher level, his understanding towards all things also underwent a slight change. In the past, this opponent would have seemed impossible to beat. But now, victory seemed attainable. All he needed to do was to bring out his strengths to conquer his opponent's shortcomings.

More, Chen Feng could see that this opponent was only the clone of a Gold Immortal. And if he could defeat one, he would be able to defeat a second one and even a third one.

…

The higher-ups of the Six Daos Sword Faction had been constantly having meetings recently. All of that – as Dao Monarch Heavensdao put it – was due to Chen Feng.

In the beginning, due to the Graveyard of Divine Dragons, the Six Daos Sword Faction had entered a war with the other major forces. And although they suffered from serious casualties from the war and lost a high number of territories, the Six Daos Sword Faction had a deep foundation. Most importantly, they had found a high number of treasures in the Graveyard of Divine Dragons. With just some time, the Six Daos Sword Faction would be able to recover from their losses.

As time pa.s.sed, the Six Daos Sword Faction developed rapidly. However, they remained conservative in the face of the provocations from the other forces. That said, thanks to Chen Feng, the situation was becoming increasingly unfavourable for the Six Daos Sword Faction.

Firstly, a high number of cultivators would enter the territories belonging to the Six Daos Sword Faction to fight Tun Ri's group. Infuriatingly, even the weakest amongst them was at the Heavenly Immortal stage. Due to that, the shockwaves from their battle could reach the Six Daos Sword Faction's headquarters. For a sect like the Six Daos Sword Faction, dealing with a small number of Heavenly Immortals was well within their capabilities. But with so many high-level Heavenly Immortals, only half-step Gold Immortals like Dao Monarch Heavensdao could handle them. Additionally, Chen Feng had disappeared in the Six Daos Sword Faction. For that reason, some of the cultivators would simply come after the Six Daos Sword Faction, leading to the pointless deaths of a considerable number of their disciples.

Dao Monarch Heavensdao and the other half-step Gold Immortals, though, had chosen to remain silent about it. Thus, the disciples themselves responded by adopting measures to resist the attackers. The result, however, was an increase in their casualties. 

And so, many came to feel somewhat resentful towards Chen Feng and Tun Ri's group. On this particular day, several Heavenly Immortals had grouped up and they headed towards the place where Tun Ri's group was hunkering down. They hoped to – through negotiations – get them to leave the Six Daos Sword Faction's territory.

However, when they arrived at their camp, they instantly sensed the unusual atmosphere of the place. Killing intent, bloodiness, chaos, oppression, rage, resolution and various other emotions were intertwined together, giving the Heavenly Immortals from the Six Daos Sword Faction a slight feeling of suffocation.

“Tsk, tsk. Your Six Daos Sword Faction has finally stepped forward. Let me see. A total of 13 high-level Heavenly Immortals. Hmm, the number is somewhat low, but your individual combat power is quite good. Are you fellows the reinforcements from the Six Daos Sword Faction?” Seeing them, Tun Ri said with a smile.

“We are here to discuss something with you all,” Sword Premier Demolisher stepped forward and spoke.

“So, you fellows are not reinforcements. If that's the case, there's nothing to talk about. Da Feng, you deal with this.” After saying that, Tun Ri simply walked to the side, ignoring Sword Premier Demolisher and the others.

As soon as Da Feng took over, he said, “I understand what you fellows are thinking.”

“Until our Young Master re-appears, we will not leave. In truth, the fact that we are not holding your Six Daos Sword Faction accountable is already an act of kindness from our Celestial Longevity Plane. Naturally, this is only temporary. If even the slightest accident befalls our Young Master, I a.s.sure you, we will level your Six Daos Sword Faction. Not a chicken, dog or a blade of gra.s.s will be left, understand? Now that you all understand, please leave. This place is dangerous.” Saying all that in one breath, Da Feng then extended his hand outwards, a gesture to send guests out.

Sword Premier Demolisher and the others were so infuriated that they nearly blew up. They were practically the lords of the Six Daos Sword Faction. When had they ever had to take this lying down? And yet, they were unable to show their temper. Tun Ri's group was simply too strong. Although they were the elites of the Six Daos Sword Faction, their strength was somewhat lacking in comparison.

“Fellows, aren't you being too overbearing here? This is our Six Daos Sword Faction's territory,” Sword Premier Abyss said loudly.

“This place has been expropriated. For us cultivators from the Celestial Longevity Plane, wherever we go, that place is our territory. I hear that your Six Daos Sword Faction is also facing some troubles. If there is nothing going on, you should not waste your time here.” Da Feng waved them off before casually walking to the side, ignoring them.

Sword Premier Demolisher and the others turned to look at one another. Before coming, they had antic.i.p.ated certain ways for this conversation to develop. Unexpectedly, the way their conversation developed was completely different from what they had expected. Rather, the other party was simply ignoring them.

Feelings of anger and aggrievement kept emerging from their hearts.

Boom!

Suddenly, a crack appeared at a certain spot in the sky. Next, a spherical barrier – made from unknown energies – fell down from the void. A cultivator could be seen trapped inside it and he kept attacking the barrier. Every attack from him was capable of violently shaking the barrier and everyone there could tell that it would not take all that long before the cultivator broke out from the barrier.

“A half-step Gold Immortal!” Sword Premier Demolisher and the others were astounded. To think that an expert at this level could become trapped.

“Attack!”

With a shout from Da Feng, the hundred plus Heavenly Immortals who had long since prepared themselves launched their attacks. The attacks fused up in a unique manner before making their way into the barrier.

After letting out but a few wretched screams, the half-step Gold Immortal fell down limply, all signs of life from his body weakening before utterly disappearing.

Bang!

After his death, the barrier blew up and disappeared. Next, Da Feng and the others rushed forward to split up the corpse of the half-step Gold Immortal amongst themselves.

Seeing how efficient they were, Sword Premier Demolisher's group was left dumbfounded. Even after Da Feng and the others were done, they remained in a dazed state.

“Is there anything else?” Da Feng asked, turning around.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.” Sword Premier Demolisher himself was not even aware of what he just said.

“If there's nothing else, hurry up and leave. This place is very dangerous. There is no telling when more half-step Gold Immortals would kill their way over.” After saying that, Da Feng opened up a spatial pa.s.sageway and led a group of cultivators into the spatial pa.s.sageway.

Even after their departure, Sword Premier Demolisher's group was still at a loss for words. After returning to the Six Daos Sword Faction, they discussed the issue again before finally deciding to visit Dao Monarch Heavensdao and the other Dao Monarchs – the true masters of the Six Daos Sword Faction – to ask them what they should do.

…

Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu!

A series of popping sounds rang out as flowers of blood kept blooming across Chen Feng's body. Holes had also appeared on his combat armour, something that had been capable of blocking almost everything so far. On the other side was the Withered Bone Daoist, who now held an unremarkable piece of withered bone while locking down every single one of Chen Feng's movements.

“Young man, looks like you are no match for me. Your combat armour is not bad. It is capable of blocking my attacks. However, the same spots cannot take too many hits,” the Withered Bone Daoist said smilingly. His face, which was seemingly devoid of any flesh, appeared like a creature of the Ghost Plane.