Sole Sword Supremacy-Chapter 553 - 557: Not Enough

Looking at Jing Yuan, Qu Lishang suddenly laughed, his eyes revealing a playful smile as he casually said, "This time, I’ve come to kill."

This sentence immediately made everyone’s nerves tense, even Jing Yuan’s heart couldn’t help but accelerate.

The reason he dared to stand out was largely because he was betting that Qu Lishang would still take into account the Profound Moon Sword Sect and the overall situation in the Northern Domain. However, he also knew very well that at Qu Lishang’s level, he was often not bound by any rules.

If he truly angered Qu Lishang, and he decided to go on a killing spree, no matter how much Jing Yuan had prepared or how many strategies he had hidden, it would be meaningless.

Qu Lishang couldn’t kill all the Deserters alone, but he had enough power to massacre most of the experts present, which would be an unbearable pain for the Deserters. Moreover, even if they went south disregarding everything and started a war, regardless of victory or defeat, it would not be good for the Deserters.

The most likely outcome would just be mutual destruction.

"I’ve heard of your name."

Qu Lishang continued, "You planned the previous attack on our sect, and the war against the Northern Domain was also your scheme. Looking at it now... you are likely to be in charge of the future Divine Court. So... does killing you mean cutting off the Deserters’ future?"

"!!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the face of the Divine Court High Priest changed drastically, almost instinctively standing in front of Jing Yuan.

The High Priest had already prepared for various possibilities in this revenge against Qu Lishang, including the possibility of sacrificing his own life.

However, none of these preparations included sacrificing Jing Yuan.

No one understood better than him how important Jing Yuan was to the Deserters!

Among the Deserters, there was no shortage of experts or geniuses. Even if the High Priest died, as long as they lay low for a while, another Saint Realm Powerhouse would naturally emerge. But if Jing Yuan died, the Deserters would immediately revert to the previous dilemma of not knowing what to do or how to develop.

Compared to the Human Race, the Deserters have always lacked wise men, let alone a top-notch talent like Jing Yuan. Losing Jing Yuan might mean that for the next centuries, or even longer, they may not find such a talent again.

Qu Lishang saying that killing Jing Yuan would sever the Deserters’ future was indeed not an exaggeration.

After a few moments of silence, only when his gaze fell on Wang Junze and Luo Qingxuan did a resolute expression finally reappear in Jing Yuan’s eyes. He softly replied, "Li Shang Sword Venerable is right, I don’t deny my importance to the Deserters, but don’t forget... Wang Junze and Saintess Luo are also the future of the Profound Moon Sword Sect."

His eyes deepened as Jing Yuan spoke again, "If you want to kill me, no one can stop you, but in the same way, with the High Priest and the Black Mountain Demon King’s constraints, if my Deserters are willing to pay any price to kill those two... you can’t stop us either!"

"My life for their lives... it’s not a loss!"

With no intention of backing down, Jing Yuan retaliated tit for tat.

Following Jing Yuan’s words, not only the High Priest but also all the surrounding Deserters cast hateful eyes on Wang Junze and Luo Qingxuan. If Jing Yuan really died, they would certainly risk their lives to besiege Wang Junze and seek vengeance!

"Brother Jing Yuan... we are friends, after all. Are you hoping I’ll die?"

With a bitter smile, Wang Junze finally couldn’t help but speak.

"Haha, aren’t good friends supposed to live and die together?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Yuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud, "Since Li Shang Sword Venerable brought you and Saintess Luo here, I suppose he never intended for a complete fallout but rather wanted to ask for benefits for you. Am I right, Sword Venerable?"

Only at this moment did a hint of surprise finally appear in Qu Lishang’s eyes.

His intentions had not even been disclosed to Wang Junze or Luo Bingyun, yet Jing Yuan had guessed just because of the mere fact that Wang Junze was brought here.

To know, Jing Yuan barely had any room for thought under such circumstances, and still, he was able to react so quickly facing a threat to his life—this intellect was truly frightening.

In this instant, a trace of killing intent truly rose in Qu Lishang’s heart!

But this thought only flashed for a moment before being suppressed, because Qu Lishang indeed did not have the confidence to protect Wang Junze and Luo Qingxuan’s safety while this point had already been pointed out.

"Young and formidable!"

With a light laugh, Qu Lishang then slowly spoke, "Indeed, if I were only here for revenge, coming alone would be enough."

"However, this doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay a price..."

"Of course!"

Without any hesitation, Jing Yuan immediately replied, "The conflict between us has never been a personal vendetta but rather a clash of interests due to differing stances!"

"Previously, when Li Shang Sword Venerable hadn’t returned, our Deserters were stronger, so we attacked the Profound Moon Sword Technique to seize more benefits! Now that the Sword Venerable has returned, the balance of power has reversed, and naturally, my Deserters are willing to pay a price to settle this matter—it’s only fair."

Anything can be false, but only strength is real.

Qu Lishang is more powerful and therefore entitled to venture into the Extreme North Wilderness for revenge and demand compensation—this is the fundamental basis for everything.

"The Deserters are poor and do not have a large amount of Spirit Stones or other resources for compensation. However, there are indeed some rare treasures in the Extreme North Wilderness that can aid Brother Wang and Saintess Luo in their cultivation."

Jing Yuan continued, "My Deserters are willing to offer two thousand-year-old Ice Cicadas, enough to help them break through a Great Realm!"

Thousand-year-old Ice Cicadas!

Upon hearing these four words, even the Black Mountain Demon King couldn’t help but be moved!

The most precious treasures in the Extreme North Wilderness are these thousand-year-old Ice Cicadas. To cultivators, they are absolutely the finest cultivation resource. Not only can they refine the Divine Soul and temper the body, but they also have powerful properties for Enlightenment. Even with the most outstanding prodigies among the Deserters, the Divine Court is only willing to grant them when there is a real chance of breaking through to the Saint Realm.

Moreover, as the name suggests, these thousand-year-old Ice Cicadas indeed require a millennium to nurture one—it is incredibly precious.

"Not enough!"

Evidently, Qu Lishang also knew the effects of the thousand-year-old Ice Cicadas, yet still, he was not satisfied!

"I can also open the Ice Spring, allowing them to enter and absorb the Ice and Snow Essence to cultivate and gain Enlightenment!"

The High Priest interjected once more.

The Ice Spring is also a cultivation sacred land for the Divine Court. The Ice and Snow Essence within is similarly finite. Leaving aside outsiders, even the most talented of the Deserters rarely get the opportunity to cultivate within.

"Still not enough!"