Though he had no idea what exactly this thing was,
for such a small piece of jade to cause such an astonishing phenomenon—it was surely extraordinary.
He did not rush forward.
The heat radiating from the jade was simply too terrifying to approach.
But he could sense that the fiery aura within was slowly calming.
As long as he waited until it cooled enough, he could naturally claim it.
After a short while, he suddenly turned his head.
Several auras were swiftly approaching from behind.
"Others nearby?"
"Looks like getting this treasure won't be so simple."
His eyes flashed, but he remained where he was, hovering in the air.
Moments later—
A burly figure shot over.
"What a fine treasure!"
The newcomer's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the jade.
Only after that did he glance at Wang Jianqiang.
Sensing the thick decaying aura around Wang Jianqiang, disdain flickered across his face.
"Old thing, I think I recognize you. You should be from the Hehuan Sect, right?"
"I really don't know what your sect was thinking, letting a half-buried piece of trash like you enter the secret realm. Isn't that just wasting a slot?"
"Still, I'm in a good mood today. I'll give you a chance—scram right now, and this treasure belongs to me."
Wang Jianqiang narrowed his eyes at the man.
Outside the secret realm, when Yan Qingxuan had introduced the top ten disciples of the three major sects, she had mentioned this one.
Zhengyang Sect, Wu Yan, ranked tenth in the Outer Sect.
"What? Not leaving?"
Seeing Wang Jianqiang unmoved, a cruel light flashed in Wu Yan's eyes."In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Even as he spoke, Wang Jianqiang noticed his Good/Evil value dropping—from -50 to -70.
Just as Wang Jianqiang prepared to act—
Whoosh!
A piercing sound came from afar.
Wu Yan frowned, halting his strike.
Wang Jianqiang also sensed it and turned his gaze.
A sharp flying sword was shooting toward them at incredible speed.
In one instant it was still hundreds of feet away; the next, it was right before them.
Standing atop the sword was a young man.
His eyes lit up when he spotted the jade below.
Then his gaze swept over Wang Jianqiang.
Realizing he was just an old, dying waste, his eyes flashed with disdain, then turned to Wu Yan.
Recognition dawned on his face, his expression suddenly solemn.
"It's him!"
At the same time, Wu Yan stared fixedly at the newcomer, his own face growing wary.
He clearly recognized the man too, ignoring Wang Jianqiang for the moment and focusing his full attention.
As the two sized each other up, Wang Jianqiang calmly observed them.
"Wu Feng, Myriad Sword Sect, Outer Sect rank nine!"
The name flashed across his mind as he studied the sword-rider.
He couldn't help but sigh.
Half a month wandering the realm without meeting a soul—and the first ones he encountered were both top ten ranked disciples.
He swept his eyes casually over them.
The two were clearly wary of each other.Though both were tense and ready, neither wished to strike first.
For the moment, the situation was deadlocked.
And he, ignored by both, had become like an outsider.
Time passed, and the jade's heat steadily waned.
At last, it cooled to a bearable level.
That moment was like a signal breaking the stalemate.
Wu Feng and Wu Yan moved at once.
Both charged for the jade.
Wang Jianqiang remained still, watching calmly as they fought over it.
In terms of speed, Wu Feng was clearly faster. He reached the jade first, hand stretching toward it.
But then Wu Yan roared. His body swelled to over ten zhang tall, like a giant.
He threw a punch.
The compressed air shot forward like a cannon blast.
Wu Feng's face changed, forcing him to abandon the jade. With a finger, he shot a sword beam in return.
Boom!
The two forces clashed midair, exploding.
Wu Feng was blasted back.
Wu Yan seized the chance, lunging for the jade with his massive palm.
"Get lost!"
Wu Feng's finger jabbed again, his flying sword streaking forward.
Mid-flight, the sword split in two, then four.
Startled, Wu Yan quickly pulled back his hand. As he retreated, a crimson glow burst from his body.
The blood light condensed rapidly, forming into a set of blood-red armor covering him.
"Break for me!"
He roared, punching forward.
Three of the four swords shattered instantly, the true blade recoiling back. Wu Feng's face turned pale, his body hurled dozens of meters away.
Wu Yan fared no better.
Though the sword qi had been shattered, fragments pierced through his blood armor and into his flesh.
Pfft!
He spat blood, hurriedly circulating spiritual power to expel the remnants.
Just as the two were ready to fight to the death, both suddenly sensed something amiss.
Startled, they ceased their attacks and turned toward the jade.
At some point, a figure had appeared there.
That figure was none other than Wang Jianqiang.
Feeling their gazes, Wang Jianqiang froze for a moment, then chuckled.
"You two carry on, don't mind me."
"You old bastard—you dare steal it?!"
"Stop!"
Their faces twisted with rage.
They had never taken Wang Jianqiang seriously.
To them, only the top-ten-ranked disciples of the four sects were worth recognition.
This old man was not only outside the top ten—he was nearly at death's door, weaker than even an ordinary elite disciple.He was, in truth, the lowest tier of all those who had entered the realm.
Before them, someone like him shouldn't even count as an opponent.
They never believed he would dare steal food from the tiger's mouth after seeing their strength.
But the reality was—
They had miscalculated!
Wang Jianqiang ignored their furious roars.
Without pausing, he snatched the jade into his hand.
"Courting death!"
Wu Yan and Wu Feng's eyes turned bloodshot.
They charged like enraged bulls.
"Goodbye, gentlemen."
Wang Jianqiang chuckled, ready to leave—but suddenly felt most of his spiritual power suppressed.
"What the—?! This jade actually suppresses spiritual power!"
His expression changed. His first instinct was to shove the jade into a storage pouch he had prepared.
But the next instant, his face darkened.
It couldn't be stored!
As Wu Yan and Wu Feng closed in, Wang Jianqiang sighed.
"I wanted to keep a low profile and talk to you as an ordinary man. But you forced my hand."
"No more pretending—time to lay my cards on the table."
He pointed a finger.
Dozens of emerald sword beams shot forth, vanishing into the void.
The next moment, a grand formation emerged, trapping Wu Yan and Wu Feng inside.
Boom!
Boom!
Their attacks struck the formation, shaking it violently. Cracks spread across it like a shattered porcelain vase.
But then, emerald light flashed.
All cracks vanished instantly.
Seeing this, Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but shake his head.
"With seventy percent of my power suppressed, my strength is too limited."
"Otherwise, these two little punks would never have been able to crack my Wood Sword Formation at all."