At this point in time, the two pieces of the dragon hide treasure maps were already in the hands of Mu Shixiong, the Phantom Swordsman.
Mu Shixiong was a magnificent swordsman who had both achieved his fame and had also kept away from the martial world a long time ago. This person had awed the world away with his phantom-like swordsmanship back in the day; his techniques were unpredictable and mystical. No one could ever guess when or where he would strike with his sword. What they only knew was once his phantom-like sword attacked, someone would sure to turn into a ghost. There had never been an exception, thus his title as the Phantom Swordsman was without rival and well-earned.
It was after the Unrivaled Swordsman, Jun Moyan, came to him and after an amazing battle of the swords that took hundreds of techniques that the results were apparent. The Phantom Swordsman disappeared from the martial world after suffering from severe injuries inflicted in that awe-inspiring battle.
In spite of this, he was one of the only two survivors in Jun Moyan's lifetime worth of sword fights.
Off-screen voice: The other person was Bai Yixue - a lucky one who was truly fortunate to have survived without many capabilities to speak of!
Now, however, the Phantom Swordsman had emerged once again and was going after the treasure map.
The formidable force of the Phantom Swordsman had not faded over time. He stayed true to his past reputation. The martial artists who faced him were helpless in the face of his skill as they could do nothing against him.
Seeing that the Phantom Swordsman had already seized the game, able to flee at any time and escape unscathed, it was obvious that he would become the final winner of this remarkable battle for the treasure map. In fact, the Phantom Swordsman had already done so - his movements were ghostly, drifting no shorter than dozens of miles away in the blink of an eye. He had hidden in a valley, varying his directions as he switching paths dozens of times before he finally slipped into a thick forest.
The Phantom Swordsman only heaved a sigh of relief when he arrived at the forest. Feeling that he was safe and secure, a triumphant smile tugged the corners of his mouth as he lowered his gaze to look at the treasure maps in his hands.
With this item in his possession, it would be of no concern if he were to meet Jun Moyan again, as long as he located a place and cultivated wholeheartedly for a few years. He had to obtain his revenge! By then, the title of the Unrivaled Swordsman or even the Unrivaled Expert would have to be crowned on the head of the Phantom Swordsman, Mu Shixiong!
He had paid the price of hefty injuries, bathing in blood during the battles today, but it was all worth it!
Then, a strange phenomenon took place. The hues of all the things around him seemed to experience an odd change; even the pure, violet sky was no longer clear, slowly changing its tint.
This peculiar scene took place right before the Phantom Swordsman's eyes!
Mu Shixiong was confounded, his anxious gaze flitting around his surroundings. It was then that he saw a wraith-like fog materialize out of nowhere, concealing the sky, the purple sky. He, being incredibly knowledgeable, immediately knew who it was and exclaimed in shock, "Concourse…"
Before he finished his sentence, a sword swept out of thin air while an extremely distant voice said, "Let me experience the expertise of the Phantom Swordsman!"
The moment the sword struck, the entire world turned cold! A wash of white fluttered in the air, the ray of sword light flew as fast as a thunderbolt; it was Bai Yixue, instead, who came, wielding his sword.
Mu Shixiong sneered, "It's you, Bai Yixue… How could you possibly think that you are a worthy opponent? Do you really think that because you also survived Jun Moyan's battle that you can be my equal?"
The man's sword light then flashed mystically as a slash descended towards Bai Yixue's sword. With a drawn cry, the latter retreated and made a turn in the air before he attacked again. Although he was thrown back by Mu Shixiong's strike, he did not suffer any serious damage and could still fight.
Right then, a low voice spoke out flatly, "Is he not a worthy opponent? Then, what about me?"
The voice was laced with the sense of loneliness and desolation experienced when one was alone at the peak.
A flash of sword light glittered in the wake of that voice; it had just emerged, yet it had threatened where it mattered most - Mu Shixiong's throat!
Mu Shixiong gasped in surprise, "What a swift strike!"
The consecutive threats sobered the Phantom Swordsman up; he could no longer take the situation lightly. He drew back speedily, but Bai Yixue was already launching another attack upon recovering.
Facing the pair's combined ambush, Mu Shixiong kept his composure. As he dealt a swift strike, the sword light separated into two beams and shot towards Bai Yixue and the mysterious man respectively. He yelled, "Who are you?"
The person morphed into a series of shadows alongside his sword as he moved left and right. However, the sword light from his weapon sprayed out like a storm of blades. He replied coldly, "The one who kills you!"
While Mu Shixiong was a pinnacle swordsman, he was worn out and wounded prior to facing the simultaneous attacks of the duo. He could not avoid the gradual loss of his upper hand as his exhaustion grew more apparent.
An eerie voice rang, "The gate to hell is open… Time to go, Phantom Swordsman…"
The voice was the combined orchestra of hundreds and thousands of the underworld's souls which had escaped together. Countless silhouettes flashed into existence, accompanying the ghoulish sound.
The Phantom Swordsman was shocked. Panic and anger crossed paths as he cried out, "It is truly you fellows..."
Even as he faced the two experts, the Phantom Swordsman was at the losing end, but all was not lost yet. Even though the mysterious man was a pinnacle expert whose swordsmanship and cultivation base was no weaker than his own, the Phantom Swordsman was still confident in his ability to escape alive.
As the Concourse of the Underworld's ten experts entered the fray, however, the situation turned foul quickly enough. The Phantom Swordsman's defeat became an undeniable outcome, one that was impossible to be reversed.
The Phantom Swordsman hollered out of panic and rage, "Wait!"
To Mu Shixiong, this was no longer a threat - it was death. His only chance of escape was if Bai Yixue and his partner were not on the same side as the Concourse of the Underworld's assassins; he would then have some room to maneuver himself out of this sticky situation.
In spite of it, how could these people, who were in the same group, slow down? They could only wish that they speed up as much as possible and launch a simultaneous attack.
With two consecutively squelches, the Phantom Swordsman was wounded horrifically. Two fountains of blood shot out. Mu Shixiong realized immediately that only death awaited him if he held back the treasure map any longer.
It was with this consideration that he cried out with much anguish, "Stop! I'll give you all the treasure map! "
The siege did not show any sign of stopping; instead, the killing intent heightened.
Mu Shixiong thought quickly. Making a swift decision, he tossed the dragon hide treasure map away. One person bolted and caught hold of the treasure map; flames flared up and flashes of saber slashes gleamed to verify that the leather pieces were indestructible, confirming that they were indeed the dragon hide treasure map.
Upon confirmation, that person made a howl to which the group's attack eased slightly.
The Phantom Swordsman, Mu Shixiong, puffed huge gulps of air and spat harshly, "You've gotten the treasure map, do you still want to put an end to me?"
The twelve people exchanged a glance and suddenly guffawed. "As you wish; we'll end you!"
Before their voices echoed in the air, the dozen men rushed forward in unison. Their attack this time was ten times fiercer than before!
"Shameless… Shameless! Argh…"
The Phantom Swordsman, who had long lost his edge, cried out in agony in the face of the inexorable momentum. A head shot into the sky, evidence that a life had been lost.
"Let's go," said King Qinguang.
The rest withdrew then, vanishing after turning into mist-like wraiths.
"Bai Yi, we'll talk upon returning."
The words emerged from the fog as the silhouettes of the men slowly faded and disappeared entirely.