Chapter 18: Battle Within the Ancient Ruins

"Die, all of you!" Prison Sword God erupted in a frenzy, fiercely attacking the four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals. He knew well that if the battle dragged on too long, it might attract other Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals exploring the Su Feng Ruins.

"I can't hold on."

The burly Ancestral God wielding six black rods growled lowly. The sword light from Prison Sword God striking his body only raised a few sparks.

"Careful."

"Retreat."

A close-combat Ancestral God in a blood-colored robe's face changed drastically. He even voluntarily split his divine body into two figures to flee.

Pfft.

A sword light fell but still killed one of the doppelgangers.

"My divine body is heavily damaged; I can't hold on." The blood-robed Ancestral God swiftly fled. As he fled, the other three Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals cursed inwardly and reluctantly scattered in all directions. They were not originally a team; they had only temporarily joined forces because Prison Sword God was too strong.

"Hmph, a bunch of fools." Prison Sword God stopped, watching the four fleeing figures, then grinned.

"Hm?" Prison Sword God's expression suddenly changed drastically. He turned his head abruptly.

A cold sword light appeared out of nowhere, thrusting straight at him.

"So there was another one hiding nearby." Prison Sword God grinned savagely and swung his six divine swords without mercy. He didn't take the thrusting sword seriously at all; though fast, it was too simple and direct.

"Boom!!!"

The two sword lights collided.

Prison Sword God flew backward with a stunned expression, while Ji Ning in white robes chased after him.

Brightmoon Sword Art—Blood Drop Style!

"Such strong power." Prison Sword God was completely shocked. The power of this opponent's sword technique far surpassed his own, holding an overwhelming advantage.

"Raw power alone is useless." While flying backward, Prison Sword God abruptly halted, then turned to engage Ji Ning.

Pfft pfft pfft pfft pfft pfft!!!!!!

Their sword lights crossed, then separated.

Prison Sword God stared at Ji Ning and said in a low voice, "Who are you? With such formidable sword arts, you shouldn't be unknown."

"Xuri." Ji Ning said calmly.

"So you're a newly emerged sword expert." Prison Sword God said coldly, "Impressive strength, but this is an ancient ruin, not a suitable place for sparring. We'll have a proper match after we leave." With that, Prison Sword God transformed into a black light, his speed reaching the limits of the Heavenly Daos. After that exchange, he sensed that Ji Ning's sword technique was simply too perfect.

He couldn't find any flaws. Facing such an opponent, Prison Sword God felt it best to avoid him.

"Leave?" Ji Ning willed it.

Swish, swish, swish...

Nine sword lights shot through the air. These nine divine swords were Chaos treasures Ji Ning had obtained in the Su Feng Ruins. Though not a set, under Ji Ning's control and infused with his Ancestral Immortal power, each divine sword possessed astonishing might, forming a layered net that completely blocked Prison Sword God's path.

The nine swords, all faster than the limits of the Heavenly Daos, quickly caught up to Prison Sword God.

"Damn it." Prison Sword God, seeing the nine swords surrounding him, changed expression drastically. "Where did this terrifying sword expert come from? His sword has no flaws. Damn it all."

He would rather face an enemy with overwhelming killing power than encounter such a terrifying opponent whose sword technique was virtually flawless. Facing such an opponent could drive one to despair.

The nine sword lights circled...

Forcing the fleeing Prison Sword God to be held back.

"You can't escape." Ji Ning manifested three heads and six arms, wielding six Northmoon swords, and charged at Prison Sword God.

"Then let's fight!" Prison Sword God also went berserk, turning back to charge at Ji Ning, his eyes filled with killing intent.

For the sake of two Dao weapons, neither would back down.

Dao weapons were extremely rare.

Even among experts of their level, most did not possess Dao weapons. Each Dao weapon was worth at least one square of Chaos Nectar, and top-tier ones could exceed ten squares—enough to tempt World-level powers. It was only natural that Ji Ning and Prison Sword God would go mad over them.

"With these two Dao weapons, if I extract their Five Elements essence, perhaps the divine sword Ziguangqiong can be fully repaired!" Ji Ning's killing intent soared.

...

"What's happening?"

The other four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals, who had scattered and fled, all sensed the powerful fluctuations. "Who is Prison Sword God fighting?"

The four of them cautiously returned. The temptation of Dao weapons was too great!

"Hm?"

"That is..."

After stealthily returning, the four saw two figures locked in battle—one in black robes, one in white.

The black-robed one was the renowned Prison Sword God.

The white-robed one appeared as a young man.

"What? Prison Sword God is at a disadvantage?" The four were shocked. "Where did this sword expert come from? So powerful?"

"Brother Xiuyi, what should we do?"

"What can we do? Stay at a distance and watch slowly. If they both suffer heavy injuries, we'll strike if there's an opportunity. If not, once their fight ends, we'll flee far away immediately."

"Mm, Brother Xiuyi speaks sense."

"This white-robed Ancestral God is even more terrifying than Prison Sword God."

...

Both Ji Ning and Prison Sword God guessed that the four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals might return to watch from the sidelines, but neither paid them any heed. Four peak Ancestral Gods? Killing them would take some effort but wasn't difficult. Especially Ji Ning's Heartsword style, which was least afraid of group attacks.

The two exchanged blows.

Ji Ning's sword seemed casual and free, yet each move connected seamlessly, making Prison Sword God feel suffocated.

Prison Sword God's sword was wilder, carrying a dense dark aura.

"Clang."

A flash of sword light finally struck Prison Sword God's divine body. Ji Ning felt as if he had stabbed an extremely tough treasure. The impact force within the sword sent Prison Sword God flying backward, crashing into distant rocks, which crumbled and scattered.

"Body-protecting divine ability?" Ji Ning frowned slightly. "I'll have to find a way to suppress him."

"What!" Being struck by Ji Ning's sword made Prison Sword God's expression change. Clearly, he was inferior in sword technique.

"Since I can't match you in swordsmanship..."

Prison Sword God gritted his teeth. In one of his hands appeared a huge purple hammer, radiating powerful fluctuations.

"A Dao weapon?" Ji Ning immediately understood. The Dao weapon Prison Sword God had obtained was a hammer. No wonder he hadn't used it for so long—wielding such a hammer for sword techniques was unsuitable.

But when the gap became too obvious, Prison Sword God had to change his fighting style.

"Die."

Prison Sword God swung the purple hammer with one hand.

Rumble~~~

As the hammer swung, lightning coiled around it, layers of space were compressed, crushing toward Ji Ning.

"Such immense power." Ji Ning sensed it immediately. He willed it, and the Northmoon sword transformed into a black hole, meeting the attack.

"Whoosh~~~" The hammer was deflected to the side.

Ji Ning was also knocked back a step.

"I knew it." Prison Sword God's expression darkened further. This white-robed youth's strength was already absurdly high. Even with the Dao weapon, the youth's deflection technique could still block it.

"Such a hammer must consume even more Five Elements essence." Ji Ning grew even more covetous.

"There are two hammers. How about we each take one?" Prison Sword God sent a telepathic message during the fight, compromising. Faced with Ji Ning's terrifying sword technique, he was at a loss. He knew that if the battle continued, he would surely lose. Ji Ning's long-range attacks were also formidable; he couldn't even escape.

"Give me both, and we stop." Ji Ning sent back.

"Dream on." Prison Sword God grew somewhat frantic.

"Then let's fight."

Ji Ning charged even more ferociously, sword light dancing. A rope also floated nearby, controlled by a sliver of Ji Ning's thought. If he could break through Prison Sword God's sword technique and leave him unable to defend, he could bind him in one move.

Boom boom boom~~~

Prison Sword God fought while fleeing, frantically sending telepathic messages: "This is the Su Feng Ruins. There might be dangers around. If you chase me, you'll fall into a trap too."

But Ji Ning continued his frenzied assault.

...

The four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals watching from afar held their breath.

"They're both mad."

"If they both get killed by some formation or restriction in these ancient ruins, leaving the treasures behind, that would be perfect." The four watched as Prison Sword God and the white-robed Sword God fought while moving into the distance, quickly following behind, silently hoping.

"Boom!"

Just as Ji Ning and Prison Sword God were locked in battle high in the air—

Suddenly, a gray gale appeared out of nowhere. The gray wind swirled, instantly enveloping Ji Ning and Prison Sword God, then vanished. The two, wrapped in the gray wind, disappeared completely.

The four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals watching from afar changed expression.

"It's said that in the dangerous areas of the Su Feng Ruins, you can't fly recklessly high, or you might fall into formations or restrictions. They must have been swept into a death zone."

"Damn it. The two Dao weapons are also swept in."

The four Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals waited unwillingly in the distance for over three days, but neither saw the corpses of Ji Ning or Prison Sword God, nor the Dao weapons. They could only leave reluctantly.