Chapter 82: If You Continue to Pester, Do Not Blame Me for Drawing My Sword!

In the sky, the roar of a dragon echoed, and the enormous five-clawed golden dragon churned ceaselessly above. Suddenly, the golden dragon’s apparition vanished! A ray of golden light pierced through the clouds and shot straight down toward the peak of a mountain.

“The Imperial Sword!”
“It’s the Imperial Sword!”

Some masters, discerning the signs, immediately recognized the birth of a peerless divine weapon and cried out. But as they spoke, they realized that many had already begun to rush toward the small earthen mound.

At first, Ji Huo was merely a spectator, quietly sitting on the ground, waiting for the treasure. That was until the golden light descended from the heavens and embedded itself directly into the earth before him.

It was a sword—its scabbard dazzlingly ornate, carved with intricate runes, the blade itself golden. Just gazing upon it felt as if one were faced with the supreme majesty of an emperor and the vast righteousness of heaven and earth.

The Sovereign of Swords, the Imperial Sword.

Ji Huo: “...”

He glanced at the sky—indeed, it was noon. So this was the treasure? Since when did treasures from treasure maps fall from the sky!

Already, crowds surged around, shouting as they raced toward him. Without hesitation, Ji Huo snatched the Imperial Sword and fled.

Who knew how many eyes were fixed upon this artifact, and experts from Liang were nearby. Even a fragment of a demonic weapon could provoke chaos in the martial world—now, with the pristine Imperial Sword revealed, who could say what monsters would appear!

Fortunately, Ji Huo had chosen a mountain far from Tianjue Mountain, so most people couldn't arrive immediately, granting him precious time to escape.

“Store in backpack!” Ji Huo whispered.

[This item cannot be stored!]

Damn it! As if dragging him into this vortex wasn't enough, now even the backpack couldn't be used!

Cursing inwardly, Ji Huo dashed toward the territory of Great Zhou.

But Tianjue Mountain stood on the border, surrounded by desolate mountains. It had taken days to arrive; no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't return at once.

And he hadn't forgotten—according to the old emperor, Liang’s experts might be lurking nearby...

He’d thought they were here to watch; now it seemed they’d come to kill him!

“Boy! Stop!” someone shouted, closing in swiftly.

“Scram!” Ji Huo yelled back.

“Fine brat! Take my palm!”

The pursuer shouted, unleashing a powerful gust. Ji Huo struck back with his palm, shattering the opponent’s energy. The residual force hit the man, causing him to spit blood and fly backward.

“That’s all?”

But this brief delay allowed more figures to leap forward in the distance.

“Villain! Drop the Imperial Sword!”
“Who are you, thief? How dare you steal the Imperial Sword of Liang!”
“Scoundrel, halt!”

Ji Huo cursed inwardly—so now it belonged to Liang?

He was about to flee again when a burst of force suddenly erupted behind him, slamming into the ground ahead with a thunderous roar. The earth shook, dust billowed.

Ji Huo had to stop. People sprang up all around him.

His eyes narrowed; he turned to face them, his voice cold:

“If you persist in pestering me, don’t blame me for drawing the sword.”

The crowd’s hearts tightened. The incident with the demonic weapon fragment had rocked the martial world—everyone knew. That was just a third of a peerless demonic weapon, yet three factions had perished.

Now, with a complete Imperial Sword in hand, even those who considered themselves powerful dared not underestimate him.

“Ridiculous! You’re just a boy—do you think you can wield the Imperial Sword’s power?” someone sneered.

Ji Huo’s gaze sharpened. He knew the matter wouldn’t end peacefully. Scanning the crowd, he saw many mid- and lower-ranking cultivators, and even several upper-ranking ones.

“If so, don’t blame me for being rude!”

His voice was deep. Left hand gripping the scabbard at his waist, right hand slowly grasping the sword’s hilt, the sword intent around him soared wildly.

A low, ominous hum filled the air—the sword had yet to leave its scabbard, but a murderous aura spiraled around Ji Huo, quickly gathering in, like a volcano about to erupt.

Should the sword be drawn, surely the earth would be shaken.

The mere pressure of his sword intent made the crowd’s hearts clench. Some involuntarily retreated, others secretly channeled their inner strength, preparing to resist the tidal wave of sword energy.

The Imperial Sword itself was not terrifying—it was terrifying in the hands of a master swordsman. This youth, though young, radiated dense sword intent. Among all present, few could rival him in swordsmanship!

Ji Huo gripped the hilt tightly, let out a low cry, and pulled with all his might!

Around him, masters drew their weapons in panic, preparing to defend, swallowing nervously, their expressions tense.

But the expected ferocious attack never came. The crowd looked at one another, watching the surrounded youth.

Ji Huo’s face stiffened. He pulled again, but the Imperial Sword remained immovable, as if forged in one piece.

No way!

He exerted more force—enough to lift a small mountain—but the sword did not budge.

“He hasn’t been recognized by the Imperial Sword!” a keen-eyed martial artist exclaimed.

“He’s been playing tricks on all the heroes present!”

“Kill him!”

The crowd surged forward, their angry shouts masking their earlier embarrassment and frustration.

“Damn!”

Ji Huo instantly abandoned drawing the sword. With his left hand, he flung the Imperial Sword skyward.

At that moment, murderous intent blazed in Ji Huo’s eyes. His hands moved in succession, reaching out ahead.

With his movements, a wild wind rushed toward him from all directions. Those martial artists charging at him could not resist being drawn toward Ji Huo.

“It’s the Star-Absorbing Hand!”

Within five yards, all were pulled in. Ji Huo suddenly raised his head, fists forming, chest thrust out, and then slammed his fists together before his chest!

A thunderous roar erupted—a gigantic shadow of a thunder bear appeared behind him, electricity crackling all around!

Both bear paws slammed together with force.

Suddenly, blinding lightning flashed, accompanied by wild explosive force, obliterating all enemies.

Blood sprayed as those drawn in by the technique were struck and sent flying, collapsing to the ground, their bodies flickering with electric light, lifeless.

With a single blow, nearly twenty martial experts were slain. Such a terrifying move stunned the crowd—they halted, staring in shock at the youth who had unleashed this devastating technique without even breaking a sweat.

“It’s the Thunder Bear Fist!”
“He’s Ji Huo, son of the Flying Bear!”
“He slew countless martial artists in Nine-Curve Gorge, defeated three great second-tier masters, and even blocked Sword Saint’s strike—suspected to be first-tier!”

Ji Huo calmly extended his left hand, catching the falling Imperial Sword, and spoke blandly:

“No need for suspicion. I am indeed first-tier.”