These four had clearly been active in the area as well, drawn here by the celestial phenomenon accompanying the birth of the Myriad Mysteries Treasure Lotus.
One of them was tall and imposing, his expression carrying an air of authority even at rest. His cultivation was at the third level of the Dao Source Realm — a formidable level indeed. Another was a short-haired young man whose eyes darted about with a shifty, scheming glemlight, as though he were hatching some petty scheme at every moment. His cultivation was middling, only at the second level of the Dao Source Realm. The remaining man and woman appeared to be companions. The woman was petite and delicate, while the man cut a dashing figure. The two stood close together with an unmistakable intimacy — fellow disciples of the same sect, and close ones at that. Both were also at the second level of the Dao Source Realm.
All four stared at the Myriad Mysteries Treasure Lotus with undisguised wonder, greed swirling in their eyes.
Seeing this, Yang Kai couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Though he had braced himself beforehand — knowing that the celestial phenomenon triggered by the birth of such a treasure would inevitably attract warriors — he hadn't expected anyone to arrive this quickly.
And it was four of them at once.
It seemed there were more warriors roaming this plain than he'd assumed. Otherwise, they couldn't have reached this place so swiftly.
"Senior Brother He… what kind of spirit herb is this?" After observing for a moment, the young woman dressed in the style of a married lady asked the man beside her in a soft voice. She had no idea what species of spirit herb lay before her — only that it was something extraordinary.
Senior Brother He heard the question and slowly shook his head. "I don't know either."
As he spoke, he licked his dry lips, his expression one of barely restrained eagerness. But his gaze kept flickering toward the burly man with undisguised wariness. After all, that man's cultivation was the highest among them all. If anyone tried to seize the spirit herb, he would be the most dangerous rival.
"Brother Cheng Tai, do you recognize what this spirit herb is?" The flat-haired young man suddenly addressed the burly man, as though the two had known each other before.
"Don't know." Cheng Tai answered in a deep, gruff voice, casting a sidelong glance at the young man. "Even Brother Bao can't tell?"
Bao Peng grinned. "If even Brother Cheng Tai doesn't recognize it, how could I possibly? You think too highly of me."
"Hmph." Cheng Tai snorted coldly and turned his gaze toward the man and woman from the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect. "You two from the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect — do you recognize it?"
Senior Brother He furrowed his brow and slowly shook his head. The young woman did the same.
Only then did Cheng Tai shift his attention to Yang Kai, calling out, "You there — looks like you arrived first. What exactly is this spirit herb? Let's hear it."
"I… I don't know." Yang Kai put on a flustered, helpless expression and stammered, "I was only drawn here by the phenomenon…"
"What a bunch of useless fools!" Cheng Tai cut him off before he could finish, unable to hold back his contempt. "Can't even identify a spirit herb, yet you all came scrambling here!"
His remark managed to offend everyone present.
Senior Brother He and the young woman from the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect both frowned, clearly displeased. Bao Peng, however, seemed well acquainted with Cheng Tai's temperament and took no offense.
Then Cheng Tai spoke again. "Regardless of what this spirit herb is, Cheng Tai claims it. If any of you value your lives, scram now — otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Bao Peng raised an eyebrow, his expression caught somewhere between a smile and a grimace. "Brother Cheng… that's not very sporting, is it?"
"You have a problem with that?" Cheng Tai fixed the flat-haired young man with a cold stare. "If you've got something to say, say it boldly — but bear the consequences!"
Bao Peng hastily raised both hands and retreated several steps, speaking quickly. "Brother Cheng Tai misunderstands me. You want this thing — how would I dare object? It's just that these two from the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect probably won't agree so easily. After all, when a natural treasure appears, it belongs to those fated to claim it…"
At this, Senior Brother He nodded solemnly. "That's right. When a treasure of heaven and earth appears, it goes to the one with the fortune to claim it. If you want it, friend, you'll need to prove you have the ability!"
Though Cheng Tai was a cultivator of the third level of the Dao Source Realm, he himself and his Junior Sister numbered two. So he wasn't particularly intimidated. Moreover, with such a wondrous treasure right before his eyes, there was no way he would yield easily.
"Oh? So the two of you want to test my abilities?" Cheng Tai's lips stretched into a grin, one utterly savage in its intensity. "I've long heard that the Flowing Shadow Sword Art of the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect is elusive and unpredictable — never quite sure if that's true or not. Today seems like a perfect opportunity for me to experience your techniques firsthand."
As he spoke, Source Power surged across the surface of his already imposing body, which suddenly seemed to swell another size larger. A terrifying, suffocating pressure erupted outward.
He continued from where he'd left off: "I do hope you two won't disappoint me!"
The words had barely left his mouth when he stamped both feet against the ground. The very void cracked beneath the impact, and his entire body rocketed forward like a meteor descending from the heavens, hurtling toward the two Flowing Shadow Sword Sect disciples with terrifying force.
He had attacked without warning!
"Watch out!" Senior Brother He barked. His body spun and blurred, leaving layer upon layer of afterimages behind as he and the young woman darted more than ten zhang away in the blink of an eye.
Shing. Shing.
Two soft rings of steel split the air, trailing twin arcs of cold light.
Swords cleared their sheaths, radiating murderous intent.