The Cunning Treasure Hunter-Chapter 120: Storm of Blades: The Battle for Everstone

A dark glint flashed across his eyes.

"—is discovering what happens when the Heavenly Blood Absorption Art is used by a Kingdom of Harmony master."

At that moment, the shadows of two figures stretched over the entrance of Everstone Family’s Secluded Training Hall.

Dark Emperor instinctively turned to look in that direction.

A sharp sword aura came slashing towards him.

"...Kugh!!"

Despite being in the mid-stage of Kingdom of Harmony, he was pushed back significantly.

It was the sword aura emanating from Edwin’s blade.

"Do not push yourself too hard, leader."

"The same goes for you, Master of the Void Fist."

"Hahaha. Even though we are at the same level, I have trained longer than you."

The elder of Celestial Sword Sect, Clear Peace.

The leader of Everstone Family, Thousand Path Pavilion Master, Edwin.

The two had rushed in after receiving Aria’s urgent message.

To arrive faster, Edwin had even used an emergency measure—

a privilege exclusive to the leader, the ability to deactivate all formations and traps around the Secluded Training Hall in an instant.

"Will that be easy to restore?"

"Do not worry. It will be back to normal in three hours."

By temporarily severing the mountain’s energy veins, everything had been neutralized.

This was only possible for someone with precise knowledge of the energy flow and formation layout.

And such information was only disclosed to the leader.

Clear Peace shrugged, seeing it as none of his concern.

Then, he slowly stepped forward alongside Edwin.

Vera lay sprawled on the ground, groaning weakly.

"Can you stand, disciple of Mount Suncrest Sect?"

Clear Peace glanced down at her.

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Helping her would not be easy.

If someone moved to assist Vera, Dark Emperor would seize that moment to attack the other.

The difference between early and mid-stage Kingdom of Harmony may seem small, but the gap in power was vast.

There was no guarantee that they could hold out until Vera was safely moved.

Yet, neither Edwin nor Clear Peace could afford to hold back.

If they did not work together to attack, victory was not guaranteed.

If they were to be isolated and attacked one by one, defeat was inevitable.

Helping Vera would mean dividing their forces—a shortcut to being picked off individually.

And Vera understood this as well.

"...Do not worry about me."

She drove her sword into the ground.

Using it as a crutch, she barely managed to push herself up.

Her left leg, pierced by a dagger and poisoned, refused to obey.

Pulling the blade out would only worsen the bleeding.

Gritting her teeth, Vera endured the pain and slowly retreated.

"...I won’t disappoint you."

Edwin assumed the stance of the Heavenly Dragon Sword.

Clear Peace followed suit, emanating deep blue energy from his fists.

Iron Fist energy.

"The leader is getting serious."

"Be careful, Elder."

"Worry about yourself."

Two early Kingdom of Harmony masters.

One mid-stage Kingdom of Harmony master.

The odds were in Dark Emperor’s favor...

But Edwin and Clear Peace still had a 30% chance of victory.

And their goal was not to win—only to hold out until Elder Thorne arrived.

Edwin and Clear Peace stomped hard against the cave floor, launching themselves toward Dark Emperor.

At that moment.

Outside the Everstone Family’s Secluded Training Hall.

Aria, Aiden, Elder Vivian, and Caleb stood together.

All of them were listening intently to the sounds coming from within.

"...They will be fine, right?"

Aria hesitantly asked the group.

But neither Aiden, Vivian, nor Caleb could guarantee victory.

Despite being Edwin’s wife, Vivian was also a formidable warrior.

A master who had reached the peak of her Fiery Dragon Sword Art.

Though insignificant compared to Kingdom of Harmony, she could still sense the sheer intensity of the energy clashes within.

"...A thirty percent chance."

"Mother?"

"Aria you know this already. Their chances of winning are about thirty percent."

Aria’s face turned pale.

She had known the odds were low…

But hearing it confirmed by her mother felt much heavier.

"...Uncle Caleb, is that true?"

"From my judgment, yes, young miss."

"B-but Vera is in there too…!"

Aria glanced at Aiden.

His expression was more rigid than ever before.

"...Aiden, are you alright?"

"I am not."

His fists were clenched so tightly that the veins bulged.

He needed to assess the situation inside.

To rescue Vera, no matter what.

Aiden carefully calculated the flow of internal energy clashing from within the Secluded Training Hall.

Once.

Twice.

Three times…

At that moment, three distinct energies clashed within Everstone Family’s Secluded Training Hall—the Great Celestial Art of Everstone Family, the Clear Mind Technique of Celestial Sword Sect, and the Killing Intent of Bloodshadow Pavilion.

The chaotic mixture of these auras was overwhelming.

"...I have to go inside," Aiden murmured.

Blocking his path was not Aria or Vivian, but Caleb.

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"I will go instead."

"...You, Caleb?"

"Among us, my martial prowess is the highest, is it not?"

The sheer intensity of the clashing auras was enough to make them break into cold sweat.

A battlefield of three Kingdom of Harmony experts.

A true hell on earth.

"She is my disciple. There is no need for you to intervene."

"That is precisely why."

Caleb took a deep breath, regulating his internal energy.

the Sword That Splits Skulls, Caleb.

A master of Cloud Piercing Sword Art, a secret martial art.

If anyone could extract Vera from that chaos, it would be him.

And if not him, then who?

"If the disciple barely makes it out alive, but the master dies or loses an arm, that would be problematic."

"That is a very real possibility, Aiden."

Aria added quietly.

But it did not stop there.

"And Uncle Caleb, the same applies to you."

"I am still a notch above that Mount Suncrest Daoist, young miss."

"Whether it’s an arm or a wrist, it’s painful to watch regardless."

"I will do my best to ensure that does not happen."

Caleb smiled, offering a respectful bow to Aria.

And also to Matriarch Vivian.

Vivian looked upon the warrior jesting with her daughter with a rare expression of approval.

"Then, I shall take my leave."

Meanwhile, Crescent and Galen urged their horses forward at full speed.

While humans developed martial arts and even Lightness Skill,

those techniques were, in essence, meant to match the speed of a horse.

The two fastest steeds of Everstone Family carried their riders swiftly across the land.

Yet another problem remained.

Crescent had stepped beyond the threshold of Peak Expert Realm.

But Galen had only barely reached the pinnacle of First-Class Martial Artists.

Hardly worthy of being called an expert.

If they matched his pace, they would lose time.

Thus, relying on the sustained speed of their horses was the better choice.

After riding for a long while, they finally saw it.

The steep, imposing ridges of Mount Suncrest.

A sight truly deserving of the name Sword Peak.

But they had no time to admire the view.

Rushing toward the grand entrance of the sect, the brothers drove their horses with all their might.

"Halt!"

A gatekeeper stopped them.

Dressed in white martial robes, with a cherry blossom embroidered on his chest.

A warrior of Mount Suncrest Sect.

"What urgent business brings you here? Identify yourselves and state your purpose!"

"I am Crescent, first young master of Everstone Family! I seek an audience with Elder Thorne!"

Elder Thorne.

At that name, the gatekeeper’s expression stiffened.

Had the visitor not been the heir of Everstone Family, he might have been pulled down from his horse immediately.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No. But it is urgent… Just inform him that his direct disciple, Vera, is in danger. That should grant us entry."

"...Very well. But if this is a lie, there will be consequences."

The gatekeeper signaled his subordinate to go.

The young warrior used the Silent Fragrance Steps, swiftly ascending the steep mountain path.

"...I am not lying. Dark Emperor has appeared in Everstone Family."

"Dark Emperor? The legendary killer from Bloodshadow Pavilion...? If your words are true, my subordinate must run with all his strength."

Still, the gatekeeper remained skeptical.

He knew that Everstone Family had no reason to fabricate such a story.

But...

To an ordinary gatekeeper, this was too shocking a revelation to process at midday.

"It is the truth. Besides, the fact that Aiden, the second-generation disciple of Mount Suncrest, and Vera, the third-generation disciple, both headed to Everstone Family is undeniable."

"...That is true."

"So there is no point in doubting us."

Crescent glanced around warily.

He feared that Dark Emperor might have already slaughtered their kin and was now chasing them down.

But thankfully, nothing seemed amiss.

"...Brother. What are you thinking?"

"Nothing. I just hope everything resolves quickly..."

It was at that moment.

From the distant peak of Mount Suncrest, a figure leapt into the air.

Stepping lightly upon the void, descending effortlessly.

"That figure…"

"If there is anyone in Mount Suncrest capable of executing Void Step, it can only be Elder Thorne."

The gatekeeper looked up, his voice filled with pride.