The Snipe and the Clam

Though he wasn’t entirely sure what this thing was,

a small piece of jade capable of creating such astonishing phenomena was undoubtedly extraordinary.

He didn’t rush forward immediately.

The temperature radiating from the jade was terrifyingly high, making it impossible to approach.

However, he could sense that the heat emanating from the jade was gradually receding.

Once it cooled to a certain degree, he could claim it.

After waiting for a moment, he suddenly turned his head toward the rear.

Several auras were rapidly approaching from behind.

"Others are nearby?"

"It seems securing this treasure won’t be easy."

His eyes flashed, but he remained motionless, hovering in mid-air.

Moments later,

a burly figure came soaring over.

"What a treasure!"

Upon arrival, the man’s gaze immediately locked onto the jade, his face lighting up with delight.

Only then did he glance at Wang Jianqiang.

Sensing the thick aura of decay around Wang Jianqiang, a look of disdain flickered across his face.

"Old man, I remember you. You’re from the Joy Union Sect, aren’t you?"

"Honestly, what was your sect thinking, letting a half-dead waste like you into the secret realm? What a waste of a spot."

"Lucky for you, I’m in a good mood. Scram now, and I’ll let you live. This treasure is mine."

Wang Jianqiang narrowed his eyes at the hulking figure.

At the secret realm’s entrance, Yan Qingxuan had mentioned this man when introducing the top ten outer disciples of the three great sects.

Wuyan of the Righteous Sun Sect, ranked tenth among the outer disciples.

"What? Not leaving?"

Seeing Wang Jianqiang’s lack of reaction, Wuyan’s eyes darkened with menace. "Fine. Don’t blame me for what comes next."

As he spoke, Wang Jianqiang noticed Wuyan’s "Good and Evil Value" had dropped from -50 to -70.

Just as Wuyan was about to strike,

a sharp whistling sound cut through the air from afar.

Wuyan frowned and halted his attack.

Wang Jianqiang also sensed something and turned to look.

A razor-sharp flying sword was hurtling toward them at an incredible speed.

One moment it was a hundred yards away; the next, it was right before them.

Standing atop the sword was a young man.

He first glanced at the jade below, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Then his gaze swept over Wang Jianqiang.

Recognizing him as nothing more than a decrepit old man nearing his end, the youth’s expression turned dismissive before shifting to Wuyan.

A trace of wariness flickered in his eyes as he seemed to recognize Wuyan.

"Him!"

At the same time, Wuyan stared intently at the newcomer, his face also tightening with caution.

He clearly recognized the other’s identity as well and, forgetting about Wang Jianqiang for the moment, focused entirely on the new threat.

While the two sized each other up, Wang Jianqiang—now sidelined—studied them both.

"Wu Feng, ranked ninth among the outer disciples of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!"

His gaze lingered on the sword-riding youth as the man’s identity surfaced in his mind.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

After half a month in the secret realm without encountering anyone, the first people he ran into were two top-ten disciples.

His eyes subtly swept over the two.

Both were clearly wary, poised for battle yet unwilling to strike first.

A stalemate ensued.

Meanwhile, Wang Jianqiang, ignored by both, became an outsider to the standoff.

As time passed, the jade’s temperature continued to drop.

Finally, it cooled to a tolerable level.

This seemed to break the deadlock.

Wu Feng and Wuyan moved simultaneously, both lunging for the jade.

Wang Jianqiang, however, didn’t rush. He simply watched the struggle unfold with calm amusement.

In terms of speed, Wu Feng was clearly faster, reaching the jade first.

Just as he reached out to grab it, Wuyan roared, his body swelling to over thirty feet tall like a giant.

He threw a punch.

The sheer force compressed the air, launching it like a cannonball toward Wu Feng.

Wu Feng’s expression darkened. Forced to abandon the jade, he flicked a finger, sending a streak of sword energy shooting forth.

BOOM!

The two forces collided mid-air, exploding violently.

Wu Feng was sent flying backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Wuyan lunged for the jade, his massive hand closing in.

"Back off!"

Wu Feng pointed, and his flying sword shot out.

Mid-flight, the sword split into two, then four.

Wuyan’s eyes widened in alarm. He retracted his hand and leaped back, a brilliant crimson light erupting from his body.

The light condensed rapidly, forming a suit of blood-red armor around him.

"Break!"

He bellowed, throwing another punch.

Three of the four sword projections shattered, and the main sword was sent flying back. Wu Feng paled, stumbling dozens of yards away.

Wuyan didn’t fare much better.

Though his strike had destroyed most of the sword energy, remnants still pierced through his armor and into his body.

SPLURT!

He coughed up blood, hastily channeling spiritual energy to suppress the invading sword force.

Just as the two were about to escalate their fight to the death, they suddenly sensed something amiss.

Alarmed, they halted their attacks and turned toward the jade.

There, standing beside it, was a figure they had overlooked entirely—Wang Jianqiang.

Noticing their stares, Wang Jianqiang froze mid-motion, then chuckled awkwardly.

"Don’t mind me, gentlemen. Carry on."

"You old bastard! You dare steal from us?!"

"Stop him!"

Their faces twisted with fury.

They had never considered Wang Jianqiang a threat.

In their eyes, only top-ten disciples from the four great sects were worth their attention.

This old man wasn’t just weak—he was practically on death’s doorstep, the lowest of the low among those who had entered the secret realm.

They couldn’t believe he’d have the audacity to snatch the treasure right under their noses after witnessing their power.

Yet here he was, doing exactly that.

Ignoring their enraged roars, Wang Jianqiang didn’t hesitate. His hand closed around the jade.

"You’re dead!"

Wuyan and Wu Feng’s eyes burned with fury as they charged like enraged bulls.

"See ya."

Wang Jianqiang grinned, about to make his escape—when he suddenly felt his spiritual energy being suppressed.

"What the—?! This jade can seal spiritual power?!"

His expression darkened. His first instinct was to stash the jade into a prepared storage pouch.

But then his face fell further.

It wouldn’t go in!

With Wuyan and Wu Feng closing in, Wang Jianqiang sighed.

"I wanted to keep things civil, but you left me no choice."

"Fine. No more pretending."

He flicked a finger.

Dozens of emerald-green sword energies shot out, vanishing into the void.

A moment later, a massive formation materialized, trapping Wuyan and Wu Feng within.

BOOM!

Boom!

The combined attacks of the two struck the grand formation, causing it to tremble violently as countless cracks spread across its surface, resembling a piece of porcelain on the verge of shattering.

Yet in the next moment, an emerald-green light flickered across the formation.

Every last crack vanished without a trace.

Witnessing this scene, Wang Jianqiang couldn’t help but shake his head.

"With our spiritual power suppressed by seventy percent, the impact on our strength is far too great."

"Otherwise, these two insignificant ants wouldn’t have even been able to leave cracks in his Wooden Sword Formation."