The martial world is full of dangers.

Chapter 115 The Killer Is Innocent

"It matters not. I also wish to see how outstanding the inner disciples of our sect are in this generation."

"Besides, it is I who they will be escorting tomorrow. What harm is there in meeting them beforehand today?" Outside the dueling arena, a maiden of eighteen or nineteen years of age walked slowly.

She was beautiful, clad in a deep red dress that accentuated her shapely figure to the fullest.

The green-clad attendant girl smiled wryly upon hearing this, then introduced to the crowd, "This is Master Zhou's daughter, named Zhou Yuyan. She is also the employer you will be escorting and protecting tomorrow."

...

"Miss Zhou Yuyan, rest assured. With me, Zhao Yang, escorting you, I guarantee your safety." Upon seeing Zhou Yuyan's appearance, Zhao Yang's eyes lit up. He thumped his chest and declared loudly.

Li Chen, standing nearby, also showed a slight change in expression.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuyan raised her delicate eyebrows and then said with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Zhao. However, let us first confirm the five temporary escorts!"

The green-clad attendant girl nodded. "The selection begins. Everyone, please step into the defensive formation circle."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yang and Li Chen were the first to enter the formation circle, their eyes fixed on Wu Tao with a look of confidence, as if victory was already in hand.

Wu Tao, dressed in white, possessed an aura no weaker than that of Zhao Yang and Li Chen.

As for the other inner disciples who dared to accept a Xuan-tier mission, they were naturally not to be trifled with, and they all entered the formation circle.

Once all the inner disciples in the arena had entered the formation circle, the green-clad attendant girl instructed her subordinates to activate the formation.

Immediately after, the green-clad attendant girl announced, "The selection begins. Prepare for battle."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Almost simultaneously with the green-clad attendant girl's words, everyone inside had already begun to fight.

Vast spiritual energies converged in mid-air, forming beams of spiritual light that clashed and contended with each other.

Rumble!

Amidst the crowd, Leng Jianxin and Luo Dijie exchanged a spell. After their spells dissipated, they burst forth, creating a huge spiritual energy shockwave that swept in all directions.

...

Zhao Yang himself immediately charged towards Wu Tao's direction.

He grinned menacingly and said, "Kid, if you kowtow and lick my shoes now, there's still room for negotiation. Otherwise, today you'll become a corpse and be carried out."

Pale red, scorching spiritual energy erupted ferociously. Zhao Yang took two steps in one, and with the might of thunder, he attacked Wu Tao, holding the top-tier magical artifact "Flame Execution Divine Sword" in his left hand and the top-tier magical artifact "Ethereal Soft Flying Fire Shield" in his right.

"If you can withstand ten of my moves without dying, I'll spare your life." Facing the fierce Zhao Yang, Wu Tao was unfazed. He had already decided to go all out.

If the opponent could withstand it, then so be it. If they couldn't and were killed, then it was their own fault.

After all, it was not unprecedented for two inner disciples to clash in a dueling arena, resulting in one of them being killed.

One more or one less made no difference. Their sect could not hold anyone accountable; at most, they would be fined some spirit stones and confined for a few months.

As for the backlash and revenge from the Zhao family later, that was a matter for the future.

Hearing Wu Tao's words, Zhao Yang was furious. He fiercely swung his left hand, and the Flame Execution Divine Sword slashed out menacingly, intending to lop off Wu Tao's head.

Zhao Yang's Flame Execution Divine Sword was far more domineering and scorching than ordinary fire-attribute top-tier magical artifacts.

Paired with the top-tier magical artifact, the Flame Execution Divine Sword, a single strike could incinerate all things, possessing immense power.

Other inner disciples who were too close quickly retreated and jumped away, lest they get caught in the crossfire and suffer collateral damage.

Wu Tao roared, golden light surged around him, and potent sword spiritual energy surged from his dan tian and sea of consciousness, with wisps of invisible sharpness emanating outwards.

Then, Wu Tao drew his sword backward.

Ching—

A sword's hum resounded, like a dragon's roar.

On the tattered ancient sword, golden yellow energy swirled, crystal clear, with shimmering light. It sliced through the air, silently.

Wu Tao's draw was slow, but his strike was fast. The sound of the sword's hum grew higher and higher, reaching its peak with a world-shattering sword cry that pierced the heavens.

Hum—

With a downward slash, the sword energy was brilliant, and the sword intent ascended.

Like an emperor sweeping across the land with the Heavenly Emperor's sword that traversed all directions, a majestic immortal aura rippled with indifference.

The Flame Execution Divine Sword and the tattered ancient sword met head-on the next second.

Golden yellow and fiery red light intertwined, constantly clashing and exploding, creating explosions of wind like fireworks.

Pfft!

After three collisions, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Yang was the first to buckle. The Flame Execution Divine Sword in his hand began to crackle and break.

It was actually shattered into countless fragments by the unassuming tattered ancient sword in Wu Tao's hand!

Then, a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out. Zhao Yang, stunned, was blasted flying by the aftershock of the energy.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Wu Tao did not intend to let his opponent off easily. He employed his sword-step instant movement technique, and his figure vanished without a trace.

He reappeared close to Zhao Yang's body, matching his speed as he was being thrown back.

A murderous glint flashed in Wu Tao's eyes. He raised the tattered ancient sword and slashed directly at Zhao Yang's head.

Although Zhao Yang managed to throw out dozens of talismans to slow Wu Tao's speed and used the Ethereal Soft Flying Fire Shield to block his vital points...

...

However, as the tip of the tattered ancient sword in Wu Tao's hand pierced the Ethereal Soft Flying Fire Shield by an inch, the sound of the shield's surface cracking was clearly audible...

"No!" Zhao Yang roared in despair. Then, gritting his teeth, he fumbled in his storage bag and threw out his trump card, an ancient and mysterious crimson-gold talisman.

The crimson-gold talisman shone with mysterious light, emitting ethereal flames. It grew in size, forming a thirty-foot square, like a giant meteor streaking across the sky, smashing down towards Wu Tao.

"Slash!"

With a sharp cry, a sharp glint flashed in Wu Tao's eyes. The tattered ancient sword moved slower, but it contained a terrifying immortal charm.

The sword spiritual energy in the air intensified. The sword body was filled with dense energy, and the golden light shone brilliantly, almost impossible to resist.

Bang!

The giant meteor formed by the crimson-gold talisman let out a mournful cry, sparks flying, and the sound of metal striking metal echoing.

Finally, this meteor was skillfully deflected by Wu Tao with a single, seemingly effortless sword strike.

Pressing his advantage, Wu Tao stepped forward again. He casually swung the tattered ancient sword in his right hand, pointed its tip, then pulled it up, and then slashed again. Wu Tao shouted, "Break!"

Pfft—

The already tattered Ethereal Soft Flying Fire Shield was completely shattered. Zhao Yang cried out miserably, falling dozens of meters away onto the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

...

"So what if you defeated me? Do you dare to kill me?" Zhao Yang, lying on the ground, still looked arrogant. Coughing up blood, he roared loudly.

...

"You court death!"

The sharp sword blade, under the sunlight, flashed with dazzling light, so crystal clear that one could not help but avert their eyes slightly.

Since he had already offended Zhao Yang, there was no need to hold back, Wu Tao thought to himself.

Wu Tao gripped the tattered ancient sword tightly. In the instant no one else could see...

A bone-chilling cold light flashed, piercing Zhao Yang's throat.

The onlookers, at the same moment, felt their hearts tighten.

Hiss!

It sounded like a faint noise, or perhaps it didn't.

Because it was so faint, it was inaudible.

After the tattered ancient sword penetrated his throat, half of its blood-stained blade protruded from the back of his neck.

Bright red blood flowed onto the ground.

The dueling arena fell silent. Almost everyone stared blankly at Wu Tao and the cold corpse that had lost its breath.

Only Zhou Yuyan, standing outside the formation, raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, showing a hint of interest in Wu Tao.

...

Without giving the others much time to be shocked, Wu Tao turned around, a cold smile on his face as he looked at Li Chen.

Then Wu Tao spoke, "Didn't you just say that if we were elsewhere, my life would be forfeit? Now I want to see what difference there is between what you said about dealing with me properly after reaching the arena, and your understanding."

The others heard this and were greatly alarmed.

Did this Wu Tao intend to kill Li Chen as well?