Peerless Empress: One Woman, One Sword, Slaying Through Myriad Realms

On the third day of the trial, in a dense forest

Ye Wuxi, Duan Hong, and Liu Yu'er landed in front of several disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, looking quite respectable.

"Hand over everything you have!"

Liu Yu'er spoke first, behaving exactly like a bandit leader, but she was also helpless. With two oddballs around, she basically didn't need to lift a finger, so she simply accepted the task of shouting slogans.

The disciples, disheveled and on the verge of tears, pleaded, "We really have nothing. We've been robbed twice along the way, and we've practically been stripped naked. Please, let us go..."

Ye Wuxi and Duan Hong exchanged a glance, and Ye Wuxi raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who else is trying to take it?"

One of the disciples said dejectedly, "There are now two major factions. One is led by Jiang Chen and Yuan Xin, and the other is led by Fang Tao and Hua Zhou. They have already recruited many disciples to collect demon cores for them."

Duan Hong asked calmly, "You encountered those four geniuses? Where are they?"

Another disciple shook his head. "No, someone discovered a demon cave. It's said to contain many spiritual herbs and treasures. The four geniuses have already headed there. As for the robbery, that's been left to the subordinates..."

Ye Wuxi's eyes lit up. "Do you know the location of that demon's lair?"

The disciples shook their heads. "You guys shouldn't go and join in the fun. With those geniuses around, how can we possibly get anything out of it..."

News of Peng Hui's death hadn't spread, and they didn't know the true strength of the people in front of them. As for the three men's so-called robbery, they didn't really care; they were just looking for someone to vent to after being robbed by the other two groups...

Duan Hong said in a deep voice, "Take us there..."

"you……"

"Stop talking nonsense..."

Seeing that the three remained unmoved, the disciples slowly spoke up, "Alright, let's go take a look, just in case you still won't give up."

The group sped deeper into the area and soon arrived at the location of the demon's lair.

However, at this moment, the entrance to the demon cave was already surrounded by about thirty disciples.

Upon seeing Ye Wuxi and his group, someone immediately shouted, "Stop!"

Duan Hong said calmly, "Get out of the way!"

A young man stepped forward and said, "This place has already been occupied by the four geniuses. No one else is allowed to enter. You'd better leave now, or we won't be polite."

The disciples who had led the way touched their noses and quickly backed away. They had already said there was no place for them, but this person just wouldn't listen...

Ye Wuxi sneered, "Get out of the way or you'll die."

The two boys in the lead sized up the group and then sneered, "You think you can take it all?"

Seeing this, Ye Wuxi and Duan Hong exchanged a glance, then without further ado, they drew their swords and swung them twice at the two leaders.

Immediately, faint bloodstains appeared on their necks, and they collapsed to the ground.

The other disciples blocking the way were stunned. He died with just one sword strike?

The deterrent effect of killing the two was indeed effective; no one dared to block their way again, and Ye Wuxi and his companions thus entered the demon cave smoothly.

As soon as the three entered the demon's lair, a cold, foul stench wafted over them, causing Ye Wuxi and Liu Yu'er to frown.

After advancing for a while, they still hadn't found a single person, only the occasional corpse of a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple and the carcass of some foul-smelling giant insects on the ground.

Duan Hong slowly spoke, "Let's head straight deeper in. Those few have probably already looted everything on the outer perimeter."

Ye Wuxi and Liu Yu'er nodded in agreement, and the three of them quickened their pace, heading straight into the depths.

Soon, strong fluctuations of true energy accompanied by sounds of fighting gradually approached from ahead. Ye Wuxi and the other two exchanged glances, quickly concealing their auras and quietly moving closer.

Ahead, a dense swarm of giant insects was frantically attacking a dozen or so teenagers.

The four geniuses, Jiang Chen, Yuan Xin, Fang Tao, and Hua Zhou, are among them.

In the open space in front of them stood a towering ancient tree, its branches covered with insect eggs teeming with life—clearly the breeding ground of the giant black insects.

At the top of the branch grew ten grayish-white fruits, each about the size of two fists, all radiating a mysterious glow...

"Do you recognize this fruit?" Ye Wuxi asked in a low voice.

Liu Yu'er's face lit up with joy as she whispered, "This is a white jade spirit fruit. Although it can't increase cultivation level, it can allow martial artists to enter a state of spiritual clarity, enabling them to quickly comprehend martial arts techniques..."

Ye Wuxi and Duan Hong's eyes brightened slightly. In fact, everyone's talent for spiritual affinity was about the same. When their cultivation levels were similar, it usually came down to their mastery of martial arts techniques. No wonder these people were so eager to compete for it...

However, the group did not rush forward, but instead observed carefully first.

There were probably over a hundred of these giant insects, with the lowest being level two or three, the majority being level two or four, but there were also about ten level two or five. The one in the very center was even larger, reaching level two or six.

Moreover, the carapaces of these black demonic insects are extremely hard; those without sufficient strength simply cannot break through their defenses.

Although the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples present were not weak in cultivation—four at the fifth level of the Profound Martial Realm and ten at the fourth level—they were still at a disadvantage against this swarm of giant black insects.

The giant insect at level two, level six was restrained by Jiang Chen, and the other level two, level five demonic insects were also restrained by the combined efforts of the other three geniuses.

However, due to the sheer number of demonic insects, the situation for the remaining people was still dire, with many suffering injuries to varying degrees.

Jiang Chen, who was dealing with the six-fold giant insect, had a grim face. If things continued like this, it would be disadvantageous for them...

"The three of you hold off these six layers of demonic insects for a moment, I'm going to pick the spirit fruit."

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Chen gave instructions to the three disciples in his own camp.

"This..." The three people who were called hesitated. How could they possibly deal with a level two, sixth level cultivator? Wasn't this sending them to their deaths?

But Jiang Chen didn't care whether they were willing or not. After speaking, he immediately took a step and flew swiftly towards the ancient tree.

The remaining three exchanged bewildered glances, but had no time to think further, for the level two, sixth-level demonic beast bared its fangs and charged towards them.

Jiang Chen soon approached the ancient tree, and looking at the ten grayish-white fruits on its branches, he was filled with excitement.

Just as he was about to pick it, a terrifying sword aura suddenly appeared behind him.

Jiang Chen quickly dodged to the side, but the person attacking him was already in front of him.

Seeing the person who suddenly appeared in front of him, Jiang Chen gritted his teeth and said, "Duan Hong! Get out of my way!"

He had already heard about Peng Hui's murder from Yuan Xin, so he didn't dare to be too careless when facing Duan Hong. However, he was determined to obtain this spiritual fruit.

At this moment, Fang Tao and Hua Zhou also noticed Jiang Chen and Duan Hong's actions. Their expressions changed, and after quickly blasting apart several level-two, level-five demonic beasts in front of them, they also rushed towards the ancient tree.