"How is it? Father-in-law, do you approve of the surprise your humble son-in-law prepared?"
Looking at Tang Jiutian, who was visibly shocked, Shen Lang flashed a smile and said.
"Shen Lang, what exactly have you done?"
Seeing the three thousand Tang Sect disciples collapse to the ground for no apparent reason, Tang Jiutian's eyes widened as he spoke.
"Father-in-law, you are a renowned figure with extensive knowledge. Take a guess."
Shen Lang placed his hands on his hips and addressed Tang Jiutian, "No way, no way! Good heavens, you truly can't tell, can you?"
"Haha, if you really can't see it, then please lower your stance and say 'please,' so your humble son-in-law can enlighten you."
Upon hearing this, Tang Jiutian's forehead veins bulged. "You poisoned the Tang Sect disciples?"
"As expected of Father-in-law, your intelligence surpasses my humble son-in-law's imagination. However, can Father-in-law guess what kind of poison it is?"
Shen Lang chuckled, "The Tang Sect is renowned for its use of poisons. You should be familiar with every poison in existence, so it shouldn't be difficult to guess, right?"
"A poison capable of incapacitating thousands? The Tang Sect doesn't possess it, nor have I ever heard of such a thing. What in the world is this?"
Tang Jiutian approached Shen Lang step by step and said, "And how did you administer the poison?"
"You want to know?"
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this. "If you want to know the answer, that's no problem. However, you must first prove that you are worthy of knowing it."
Shen Lang took two steps back, positioning himself behind Feng Yijian and Can Dao, and said with a smile, "Father-in-law, these two friends of mine get excited when they see masters. They've long wanted to spar with you, the Sect Master of the Tang Sect. Please satisfy their competitive spirit."
"Two peak Earth Realm Great Perfection cultivators. Shen Lang, you have such formidable experts by your side?"
Upon seeing Feng Yijian and Can Dao, Tang Jiutian's face contorted with shock as he said.
"Very well, since they wish to test their skills, I shall allow them to."
Tang Jiutian looked at Feng Yijian and Can Dao and said with a smile, "Please, make your move."
"Brother Can Dao, shall I go first, or will you?"
Hearing Tang Jiutian's words, Feng Yijian smiled and said.
"If Elder Feng cannot wait any longer, you may go first. Because once I make my move, you will have no opportunity left."
Can Dao, his pale hand gripping the ink-black scabbard of his dark saber, said coldly.
"Very well, since Brother Can Dao is willing to let this old man go first, I am grateful."
Feng Yijian nodded thankfully towards Can Dao, then walked step by step towards Tang Jiutian, saying, "Twenty years ago, Sect Master Tang was already a top-tier expert. It is a great honor for me to have the chance to fight against the Sect Master of the Tang Sect."
"I recognize you. You are Feng Yijian, a genius of the sword. Twenty years ago, your swordsmanship was already astonishing. I never thought you would stoop to becoming Shen Lang's subordinate."
Tang Jiutian said with disdain, "Do you not feel that this is self-degradation?"
"Haha, Sect Master Tang is joking."
"A genius of the sword? Before the emergence of Dugu Jian, this old man could still be considered one. But since Dugu Jian appeared, where are there any sword geniuses left in this world?"
"Sword Qi crisscrossing thirty thousand miles, a single sword light chills nineteen provinces. Dugu Jian's brilliance eclipses all sword geniuses in this world. How dare this humble firefly compete with the brilliant moon."
"As for Sect Master Tang's accusation of self-degradation by becoming Shen Lang's subordinate, that is a misunderstanding. Brother Shen and I hit it off immediately. We are kindred spirits, and it is my honor, not self-degradation."
Upon hearing Feng Yijian's words, Tang Jiutian smiled and said, "It seems Shen Lang truly possesses some talent to win the admiration of someone like you. In that case, we must eliminate this young man sooner."
"Very well, I shall kill you first, and then kill Shen Lang."
With that, Tang Jiutian's aura surged. A ball of black energy appeared in his hand, and then he leaped forward, pressing a palm down towards Feng Yijian.
"I've long heard of the Tang Sect Master's ultimate skill, the Black Sand Palm. To witness it today is truly enlightening."
As soon as Tang Jiutian made his move, Feng Yijian felt a suffocating power, but it also completely ignited his fighting spirit.
He spoke, and Feng Yijian's long sword was drawn from its sheath. A cold glint streaked across the air, surprisingly piercing through the black energy in Tang Jiutian's hand, and then the sword tip stopped just before Tang Jiutian's throat.
However, at the very moment the sword tip was inches from Tang Jiutian's throat, Tang Jiutian pinched Feng Yijian's sword with two fingers, rendering it impossible for Feng Yijian to advance even a millimeter, no matter how hard he tried.
"Crack—"
With a twist of Tang Jiutian's two fingers, Feng Yijian's long sword snapped into two pieces. Tang Jiutian held the broken hilt and flung it backhand, sending the half-broken sword hurtling towards Feng Yijian like a deadly projectile.
Fast, too fast! Feng Yijian could barely believe such speed existed in the world. Startled, he hurriedly swung the remaining half of his broken sword to block.
But the moment the two pieces of broken sword collided, Feng Yijian's broken sword shattered. The terrifying force of the impact sent Feng Yijian flying back over ten meters. He landed on one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"As expected of the Tang Sect Master. This old man concedes defeat."
Feng Yijian struggled to his feet with all his might, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and cupped his hands towards Tang Jiutian.
"Concede? No, that's not enough. You must concede death."
Hearing Feng Yijian's words, Tang Jiutian said with a smile, then appeared before Feng Yijian like a ghost, unleashing a heavy palm strike towards him.
This palm strike carried a destructive momentum. If it were to land, Feng Yijian would likely be killed on the spot.
However, Feng Yijian was injured and unable to dodge.
At the critical moment, a dark saber covered in rust, radiating a terrifying killing intent, flashed through the air. The sheer aura forced Tang Jiutian to retreat seven or eight steps back to create a safe distance.
"What a fearsome person, and what a fearsome saber."
After Tang Jiutian created some distance, he stared intently at Can Dao, who had intervened, and sighed deeply.
"Tang Jiutian, you are mistaken. The person is useless, and the saber is also Can Dao, not at all fearsome. However, it is enough to kill you."
Can Dao walked step by step until he stopped half a meter in front of Tang Jiutian and said to him, "Your martial cultivation is far superior to mine. Theoretically, killing me would be as easy as flipping your hand. But I doubt you would believe you would die at my hands."
"Kill me?"
Hearing Can Dao's words, Tang Jiutian chuckled, "Are you joking with this old man?"
"Tang Jiutian, have you ever seen a saber wall? A saber wall so dense it's impenetrable. Above and below, there is nowhere to escape. Even a peak Heavenly Realm expert could not evade it."
Can Dao slowly raised the rusty black saber in his hand and said, "You will have ample time to savor this scenery, for you will only get one chance in your life to witness it. Are you ready?"