The scene was filled with curses as the disappointed heirs of the feudal lords gathered in ever greater numbers.
"Everyone, quiet down, quiet down! We have the White Tiger Marquis's heir here, and the Black Tortoise Marquis's heir — both are heirs of the four great lords, leaders of our respective families. The Long family is manipulating this competition. We have to demand an answer, or when the month is up and we leave, won't we all lose our lordship tokens?"
"That's right, we need to unite! We can't just let them do whatever they want!"
"Exactly! We didn't want to form cliques, but they shouldn't push us to the wall!"
Bai Zhanyun, heir of the White Tiger Marquis, and Yi Taichu, heir of the Black Tortoise Marquis, were both pushed forward by the crowd.
"Fellow lords, although I, Bai, am one of the four great lords' heirs, everyone can see that the future balance of power among the kingdom's lords will inevitably change because of one person."
Bai Zhanyun spoke loudly, but his gaze settled on Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen?
"Brother Jiang Chen, I, Bai Zhanyun, only respect one person — you." Having been bested by Jiang Chen multiple times, Bai Zhanyun had instead come to admire him wholeheartedly.
"Brother Jiang Chen, I, Yi Taichu, respect you as well." Yi Taichu, heir of the Black Tortoise Marquis, nodded in agreement.
"Brother Jiang Chen, you challenged a first-rank marquis and overpowered the Dragon Soaring Marquis's heir during the assessment. We accept that. Please give us some guidance."
Jiang Chen was the type who yielded to kindness but resisted force.
"Fellow lords, I, Jiang Chen, am not one to issue orders. However, I surmise that the Green-Winged Sword Birds must be located somewhere in this third layer of space. No matter what tricks the Long siblings have up their sleeve, they wouldn't dare go to the fourth layer. So whether they like it or not, the final battleground will inevitably be in this third layer."
"The strategy you've all chosen is correct. At this point, my only advice is to band together and hunt in groups. Acting alone in this third layer would put you at a serious disadvantage."
That was all Jiang Chen could offer.
"Brother Jiang Chen, does that mean we all still have hope of completing the mission?"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "All I can say is, if you band together, you all have a sliver of hope. If everyone acts out of self-interest, then all bets are off."
"That's right — band together, band together!"
"I'm forming a team! Who's willing to join me?"
"Brother Jiang Chen, would you be willing to team up with us?"
"If you don't want to earn the Long family's grudge, or suffer collateral damage, your best bet is to stay far away from me."
Jiang Chen was telling the truth. The Long siblings had made so many moves — if there wasn't at least some scheme targeting him, Jiang Chen, he would absolutely not believe it.
Of course, on the other hand, Jiang Chen preferred to go it alone and naturally had no desire to act together with these lords' heirs.
After saying this, Jiang Chen pushed off with his feet, and his figure vanished into the darkness.
No matter what schemes the Long siblings played, Jiang Chen decided to counter all change with steadfastness. First complete the mission, then worry about everything else.
With his plan set, Jiang Chen headed straight into the depths of the third layer of space.
After penetrating roughly thirty or forty li into the area, Jiang Chen suddenly stopped, his nose twitching several times.
A faint, almost imperceptible aura had caught his attention, triggering an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"What is that scent?"
He tried to sniff it out more carefully, but found nothing.
Just then, Jiang Chen's pupils contracted slightly. His Heavenly Eye Divine Pupil suddenly shot forth a brilliant ray of light, and he saw a flock of Sword Birds sweeping through a stone forest ahead. The three or four at the front had a faint silver glow emanating from their heads.
"Silver-Winged Sword Birds?"
Jiang Chen cast aside all other thoughts, pushing his speed to the limit as he shot toward the flock of Sword Birds.
This was the first time since entering the Endless Underground Cavern that he had encountered a flock of Sword Birds.
The flock numbered roughly forty to fifty, with four Silver-Winged Sword Birds leading them. They had been flying in another direction, but suddenly turned around and headed straight toward Jiang Chen.
The moment Jiang Chen drew close, several figures shot out from a corner ahead, cutting off the flock's escape routes from multiple directions.
"The fat prize isn't getting away — charge!"
The three figures attacked the Sword Birds one after another.
Seeing this, how could Jiang Chen pass up such a golden opportunity? He surged forward and swung the Nameless Blade through the air!
Like the ocean reversing its flow, like the Milky Way hanging upside down!
Blue Sea Reversal Blade, Second Form — Wave Breaker!
BOOM!
The powerful blade energy surged forward with the force of a tidal wave, sweeping down a large swath of Sword Birds on the spot.
Jiang Chen reached out repeatedly, and two Silver Spirit Beads immediately landed in his hand. His sleeve swept out again, scooping up nine Green Spirit Beads into his possession.
The other three divided up the remaining Spirit Beads as quickly as they could.
"Jiang Chen, you're just reaping where you didn't sow! The three of us worked hard to set an ambush and drive this flock, and you snagged the biggest share."
One of the feudal lords' heirs spoke with some discontent.
The other two said nothing, but watched Jiang Chen with predatory eyes.
Jiang Chen had indeed gained the most this time — two Silver Spirit Beads and nine Green Spirit Beads, equivalent to gaining twenty-nine Green Spirit Beads in one stroke.
He had previously obtained fifty-seven Green Spirit Beads, and adding these twenty-nine brought his total to eighty-six — only fourteen short of completing the mission.
"Hmph, if I hadn't acted, would you have been confident about keeping this entire flock here?" Jiang Chen let out a cold laugh and turned to walk away.
Had he not acted just now, most of this flock of Sword Birds would likely have escaped.
After all, Sword Birds were extremely fast, especially in this darkness. The three could only cover three directions, and this flock had happened to be flying toward Jiang Chen's position.