The dungeon of the Shadow Court was becoming crowded.
Young Master Jian hung from chains in the center of the room. He was stripped to his waist, his body covered in bruises. His cultivation had been sealed by Mo Tian's needles.
He wasn't dead. He wasn't even badly tortured yet. He was just humiliated.
Mo Tian sat in a chair, eating an apple. He watched Jian struggle.
"My father will kill you," Jian spat. "The Divine Sword Sect has three Nascent Soul Elders! They will flatten this city!"
"They won't," Mo Tian chewed. "Because they love their legacy more than they hate me."
He finished the apple and stood up.
"Ghost One. Is the message delivered?"
"Yes, Master. The Divine Sword Sect is in an uproar. But they have agreed to the exchange. They are bringing the Fragment."
"Good."
Mo Tian walked over to Jian.
"You know, Jian. I don't actually hate you. You were just born with something I need."
"The Fragment?" Jian laughed weakly. "You can't use it! The Heaven-Splitter is a righteous artifact! It rejects demonic Qi! If you touch it, it will burn your soul!"
"Is that so?" Mo Tian smiled.
He placed his hand on Jian's chest.
"Dao Plunder."
[System Feature Active.] [Target: Jian (Divine Sword Heir).] [Scanning for Law Fragments...] [Found: Minor Sword Law (Sharpness).] [Extracting...]
"ARGHHHHH!"
Jian screamed as if his soul was being flayed. White light leaked from his eyes and mouth, flowing into Mo Tian's hand.
Mo Tian wasn't taking his cultivation. He was taking his understanding. He was stealing the years Jian had spent meditating on the sword.
When it was over, Jian slumped, unconscious. He was still alive, still a cultivator, but he had forgotten how to hold a sword. His intent was gone.
Mo Tian looked at his hand. A small, white orb of energy hovered there.
[Acquired: Sword Intent (Sharpness)]
"I don't need to touch the artifact with demonic Qi," Mo Tian whispered. "I just need to trick it into thinking I am you."
He crushed the orb, absorbing it.
His Horizon Sword appeared. The black blade shimmered, gaining a new, razor-sharp edge of white light.
"Hybridization," Mo Tian grinned. "The ultimate heresy."
Mount Desolation - Three Days Later
The wind whipped the barren peak.
Mo Tian stood alone. He wore his white mask and black robes. Beside him, Young Master Jian lay bound and gagged on the rock.
In the sky, three flying swords descended.
Three Elders of the Divine Sword Sect. All Golden Core (Late Stage).
"We are here!" The lead Elder shouted, holding a lead box. "We brought the Fragment! Release the Young Master!"
"Toss the box," Mo Tian shouted back.
"Release him first!"
Mo Tian put his boot on Jian's neck and pressed down. Jian whimpered.
"I am not negotiating," Mo Tian said. "Toss it. Or I crush his throat and leave."
The Elder gritted his teeth. "If you harm him, we will hunt you to the ends of the earth!"
He threw the box.
It landed halfway between them.
Mo Tian waved his hand. [Soul Puppet Thread] latched onto the box and pulled it to him.
He opened it.
Inside lay a shard of jagged metal. It looked ordinary, but the space around it was warping. It radiated a terrifying cutting power. The Heaven-Splitter Fragment.
[System Scan: Authentic.]
"Pleasure doing business," Mo Tian kicked Jian toward the Elders.
"Get him!" The Elders rushed to catch Jian.
As soon as they laid hands on the Young Master, the lead Elder looked at Mo Tian with murder in his eyes.
"Kill the demon! Recover the fragment!"
The three Golden Core Elders charged.
Mo Tian didn't fight. He didn't run.
He smiled.
"Goodbye."
He activated the Teleportation Talisman rigged under his feet.
FLASH.
He vanished.
The Elders' attacks hit empty air, shattering the mountain peak.
They stood in the dust, holding their traumatized, sword-less Young Master, while the villain escaped with their greatest treasure.