However, that reasoning apparently only applied to swordsmen of equal rank. If it were about snatching the Dragon Blood Stone from the hands of these wet-behind-the-ears kids like Mu Hanyan, he probably wouldn’t feel any psychological pressure at all. The strong are revered; isn’t that just the natural order of things?
"That was said to those kids, not to the two of them," Qu Shanhai said dismissively.
"Oh, does seem like that’s the case?" Chen Pingfeng recalled the earlier moment when Qu Shanhai had asked the other two if they had any objections, which indeed targeted Mu Hanyan’s proposal. Although it seemed somewhat shameless, it was also justifiable, and so he didn’t say much more about it.
As Qu Shanhai spoke, he didn’t even give Mu Hanyan a second glance. Had Chen Pingfeng not preemptively agreed to Mu Hanyan’s request, Qu Shanhai wouldn’t have even given him the chance to try. Of course, even with Chen Pingfeng’s agreement, he saw it as futile.
He hadn’t made a move yet, and as long as he did, what business was it of theirs? He had absolute confidence in his own strength and complete contempt and disregard for the strength of those little brats.
The two approached the Dragon Blood Stone, exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and simultaneously exerted their strongest Tenth Rank Great Swordsman power, slashing at the red cocoon outside.
They both knew this was their only chance and that failure could lead to a lifetime of regret, so nobody played any tricks.
Sword light pierced the sky, and the wind and clouds surged abruptly. Their combined strike was obviously much stronger than that of Chen Pingfeng alone. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noⅴelfire.net
Yet, with another thunderous boom, they followed in Chen Pingfeng’s footsteps, swept away like dead leaves in a gale.
"Thud, thud," came the muffled sounds, as they fell to the ground in succession, their bones broken and unable to get up for the time being.
However, after their joint all-out attack, the cocoon had become thin, only a faint red haze remained, like the morning mist of early autumn, seemingly dispersable with a single blow.
"Quick, make your move." Seeing that the defense around the Dragon Blood Stone was about to break, Qu Shanhai could hardly contain his excitement, his voice trembling as he drew his longsword and leaped forward to slash.
Others were primed for battle and didn’t wait for his call before they unleashed their sword light, attacking in unison.
Even Chen Pingfeng managed to get up and join them in leaping forward with their swords.
Several sword lights struck the cocoon almost at the same time. Qu Shanhai had already extended his left hand, ready to snatch the Dragon Blood Stone as soon as the cocoon broke.
Although there was an unspoken pact among his companions, facing a strange treasure, who could guarantee that none would betray their intentions? He could only rest assured once the Dragon Blood Stone was firmly in his own hand.
Unfortunately, he had become complacent too soon. Just as their sword light appeared to break through the mist-like cocoon, the Dragon Blood Stone at the center suddenly erupted in a dazzling red light, dense like a substance, surging outward like a volcanic eruption, and the originally faint red glow once again took on a fiery solid color.
A tremendous force transmitted through their longswords, and Qu Shanhai and the others, as if struck by a sudden mountain, grunted as they were thrown backwards.
"Heavenly Flying Immortal, more like a group of flying immortals!"
Subsequently, Qu Shanhai and the others crashed heavily to the ground, one by one in a disheveled, sorry state. Qu Shanhai and Chen Pingfeng fared slightly better; one had superior strength, and the other had experience, so they didn’t get injured. But the others were not so lucky.
In the face of that enormous Rebound Force, some had their wrist bones broken from gripping their swords, while others suffered internal injuries with reversed blood flow—none of their conditions were much better than the previous two’s.