Chapter 107: The Chase

“Xu Feng, I never imagined you were this powerful, haha. Looks like I’ll have to hand over my position as Hall Master to you,” Sun Lei said, clapping Xu Feng on the shoulder as he laughed heartily.

Xu Feng smiled slightly, knowing Sun Lei was joking. Thunder Martial Hall didn’t belong to Sun Lei—he was just a branch Hall Master and probably didn’t even have the authority to appoint or dismiss a Deputy Hall Master.

Still, in this conflict at Blackwater Swamp, if it hadn’t been for Xu Feng, Thunder Martial Hall would have been utterly defeated here. It was widely accepted that the Village of Sacrifice was located at Black Water Lake. If Sun Lei had been forced to promise not to appear near Black Water Lake again, the loss would have been tremendous—at the very least, the Village of Sacrifice would no longer have any connection with Thunder Martial Hall.

In his past life, precisely for this reason, Thunder Martial Hall had given up all interests around Black Water Lake, allowing the Doomsday Ark Alliance to take advantage.

If Thunder Martial Hall could hold on a little longer, it wouldn’t be long before major forces like the 104th Unit near Linhai City would catch wind and act. Even organizations from nearby cities would come, hoping to get a share of the benefits.

“Xu Feng, why did we retreat just now? You’re so strong—wouldn’t it be better to take out all those fanatics?” a young man stepped forward and asked.

Xu Feng glanced at him. This man was an Elite Disciple of Thunder Martial Hall who had once sparred with him and was quite capable.

“The cost was too high. After that strike, I was out of energy,” Xu Feng shook his head and said.

Ever since Xu Feng’s energy converted into Sword Element True Qi, although the power of all his moves increased significantly, the consumption rate became very fast too. Additionally, he could only control his Flying Sword within ten meters; beyond that, the Sword Element True Qi consumed would multiply, leaving him like Cheng Yaojin—after unleashing his three signature moves, his Sword Element True Qi would bottom out.

“So that’s your Life-Bound Flying Sword, no wonder you asked me about Life-Bound Flying Swords—truly impressive! Its power is terrifying,” Sun Lei said, shaking his head. Recalling that earlier strike, Sun Lei felt a hint of fear.

Xu Feng smiled slightly. His Flying Sword was just a Sword Embryo, without any skills, and its power wasn’t great. What was truly formidable was his talent, which increased sword-based power by 300%, making the Flying Sword seem so terrifying.

“Dammit, we suffered a big loss this time. Next time, I’ll bring out all the disciples of Thunder Martial Hall and have a real fight with those fanatics, to see who’s really stronger,” Sun Lei said, his face full of resentment.

“That earlier strike frightened them, but I think they’ll figure it out soon and come after us again. When that happens, it’ll be trouble once more,” Xu Feng frowned.

“If we have to, let’s just go back first,” the Elite Disciple said softly. Retreating now would make them seem cowardly, and if word got out, Thunder Martial Hall would lose face.

“No choice but to head back first. Damn it, I really hate this,” Sun Lei said, punching his thigh hard.

He couldn’t risk the lives of these forty to fifty people just for Thunder Martial Hall’s reputation. As Hall Master, Sun Lei had that awareness. If not for Xu Feng, Sun Lei would have agreed to the Doomsday Ark Alliance’s deal earlier.

“Maybe we can set a trap for them,” Xu Feng’s lips curled slightly as he suddenly thought of a good idea.

“Oh, what sneaky plan do you have now?” Seeing Xu Feng’s strange smile, Sun Lei asked.

“I’m sending you an invitation; accept it first,” Xu Feng said.

“Village Chief Xu Feng of the Village of Sacrifice invites you to become a villager of the Village of Sacrifice. Do you accept?” A System voice suddenly sounded in Sun Lei’s mind.

“Priest… Village Chief of the Village of Sacrifice?” Sun Lei suddenly yelled, staring at Xu Feng as if he had seen a ghost.

All major forces were searching for the exact location of the Village of Sacrifice. Only the Doomsday Ark Alliance seemed to have some leads, always watching Black Water Lake, while all other organizations wandered around Blackwater Swamp like casting nets to catch fish. Yet, Xu Feng had quietly become the Village Chief of the Village of Sacrifice, making Sun Lei feel that their whole group had been played by Xu Feng.

“Accept it first, then we’ll talk,” Xu Feng urged. The matter of the Village of Sacrifice would eventually become known to everyone, and he didn’t mind letting Thunder Martial Hall learn about it now. Moreover, he planned to use the Village of Sacrifice to set a trap for the Doomsday Ark Alliance.

“Accept!” Sun Lei confirmed Xu Feng’s invitation in his mind.

“Earth’s Chosen Sun Lei has become a villager of the Village of Sacrifice. You can still invite ninety-nine more villagers,” the System voice rang in Xu Feng’s mind.

Then, Xu Feng promoted Sun Lei’s authority to Deputy Village Chief.

“Alright, now you have the right to recruit people. Bring all of them in first, and then we’ll…” Xu Feng whispered into Sun Lei’s ear.

…

“Leader, they’re retreating toward Black Water Lake,” a person approached the Black-robed Man and said.

The Black-robed Man was in a wretched state—his upper body bare, his Bronze Grade cloth armor split in two by a sword strike, a huge gash on his chest still oozing blood. The Bone Staff in his hand had been broken in half, sliced away by that strike. Covered in mud and filthy water, he looked as though he had just crawled out of a sewer.

“Damn it, how could that guy be so powerful?” The Black-robed Man’s expression shifted unpredictably—one moment angry, the next fearful. He couldn’t decide whether to continue pursuing or give up, still seemingly haunted by the terror of that sword strike.

“Leader, his skill was immensely powerful, so the cost must have been huge. Also, even though he had the upper hand, he suggested retreating—it’s suspicious. Probably that strike either cost a lot or has serious aftereffects. He can’t use it repeatedly,” someone whispered to the Black-robed Man, analyzing quietly.

The Black-robed Man’s eyes lit up.

“Right, that move must have a huge cost. He can’t use it continuously,” the Black-robed Man muttered to himself, then turned and shouted to the others, “Brothers, the Village of Sacrifice is at Black Water Lake—it belongs to us, the Doomsday Ark Alliance. Only by gaining ownership of the Village of Sacrifice can our Doomsday Ark Alliance truly survive in this apocalypse.”

“Brothers, join me and drive our enemies away from Black Water Lake!” the Black-robed Man roared.

“The Village of Sacrifice is ours…”

“Drive them out…”

“Drive them out, drive them out, drive them out…”

Hundreds of people raised their weapons and shouted in unison.

Seeing morale rise, the Black-robed Man nodded slightly. He pulled out another black robe from his Virtual Backpack and put it on. Glancing at the broken Bone Staff in his hand, he felt a pang of heartache, then carefully stored the two halves into his backpack.

…