Chapter Thirty-Three: Fighting Amid Blood and Fire

Just as in the beginning of chaos, dust and smoke rose between heaven and earth. The brothers of the Mad Dog Battalion and Chu Jie formed a massive shield of light, its shimmering radiance stretching for miles, dazzling and resplendent.

The Lord of Heavenly Swords possessed the Sword Embryo physique, a talent even more formidable than Jiang Ziwen’s, and with his spiritual energy already at the fifth level of the Confluence Realm, his power was truly fearsome. His spirit swords unleashed a wild, frenzied assault, their force gradually weakened by the layers of the shield forged by Chu Jie and his brothers, though somehow, the effect still seemed somewhat lacking.

“Break!” the Lord of Heavenly Swords bellowed, driving his attack even harder, both fists thrusting forward. The five spirit swords swept forth once more.

“Change formation!” Chu Jie shouted, and the brothers of the Mad Dog Battalion swiftly shifted positions. The Black Tortoise Squad, previously at the front, moved to the rear, while the White Tiger Squad surged forward. Ten thousand rays of golden light pierced the sky, blinding all who looked.

Chu Jie knew they could not hold out much longer; these brothers’ cultivation was only at the fifth or sixth tier of the Body Gang Realm.

“Brothers, hold the line!” Chu Jie roared, gripping his long sword in one hand. The blade returned to his grasp, and, riding upon his sword, he shot straight toward the Lord of Heavenly Swords.

But the Lord of Heavenly Swords’ defensive shield remained unyielding, a powerful blue radiance shrouding his body—no ordinary man could hope to break through.

“Petty tricks, not worth mentioning,” Chu Jie sneered coldly. The small cauldron and the Wheel of Heaven and Earth surged forth with a demonic force, their movements cunning and terrifying.

The Lord of Heavenly Swords merely cast him a sidelong glance and laughed. “Not bad, boy. I didn’t expect you had such skill.”

“Then let me show you more.” With those words, Chu Jie sent the Wheel of Heaven and Earth hurtling even faster, and at the same time, soared upward, his long sword slicing through the air. “Whoever dares harm the Mad Dog Battalion shall find no place under heaven or earth!”

“The Wheel of Heaven and Earth… So, you’re of the Luo Clan.” The Lord of Heavenly Swords was taken aback, but quickly recovered. “Even if the Luo Clan elders come, I fear them not. Prepare to die!”

With a metallic clang, the five spirit swords merged into a single demonic sword that shone with blue light. Like a specter, it lunged at Chu Jie.

A duel to the death!

The brothers of the Mad Dog Battalion dissolved the formation and returned to individual combat.

The Lord of Heavenly Swords, protected by his powerful Sword Embryo, was even more dangerous than the Lord of Heavenly Thunder before him. His lips curled in a wicked grin, his expression twisted and fierce.

Chu Jie dared not be careless. Sword-riding, he danced through the air, his figure flashing brilliantly again and again.

Boom! The instant their blades clashed, the rocks around them exploded. Chu Jie was forced back several paces by the impact.

The Lord of Heavenly Swords fared little better. Blood streaked from the corner of his mouth; though his smile remained, his face took on a more sinister cast.

“The Lord of Heavenly Swords from the Abyss of Gods and Demons—so this is all?” Battle-thirsty, Chu Jie leaped up once more. In a blur of movement, dust billowed along his path, his sword’s tip scraping the earth with gleaming golden sparks.

The Lord of Heavenly Swords soared into the air, his demonic sword cleaving down, its wicked aura pressing down like a storm.

“Mad Dog Battalion, form up!” Chen Long, sensing the tide of battle, suddenly shouted. The thirty brothers of the Mad Dog Battalion instantly channeled their spiritual energy into Chu Jie, forming a mighty shield.

“Hmph, nothing can stand in my way!” The Lord of Heavenly Swords seemed unimpressed by Chu Jie’s tactics and charged with murderous intent.

A chill ran through Chu Jie—he had underestimated his foe’s cultivation. A surge of powerful spiritual energy crashed toward him, and evasion was impossible.

Bang! Chu Jie took a heavy blow to the chest and nearly went flying, but the brothers behind him caught him and steadied his stance.

“Haha! With such meager cultivation, you dare challenge my power?” Seeing Chu Jie falter, the Lord of Heavenly Swords grew smug. His demonic sword flared with renewed energy, its assault swift and terrifying.

Chu Jie realized he would gain nothing by pressing on. He shouted, “All brothers, retreat!”

At his command, the Mad Dog Battalion scattered at once, dispersing with astonishing speed. Chu Jie fixed his gaze on his foe, then charged forward, sword in hand.

This time, the small cauldron and the Wheel of Heaven and Earth performed magnificently, their spiritual energy surging.

The brothers of the Mad Dog Battalion saw that Chu Jie was struggling in this fight. Quick-witted Jiang Ziwen led his men to encircle the Lord of Heavenly Swords from all sides.

Chen Long and Liang Bo followed suit, and the thirty brothers shouted with thunderous vigor, “If I do not die, I shall never be defeated!”

The Mad Dog Battalion’s onslaught soon forced the Lord of Heavenly Swords to divide his attention, and his counterattacks against Chu Jie became less effective.

Seizing this opportunity, Chu Jie’s long sword flashed and thrust directly at the Lord of Heavenly Swords’ throat.

The blade struck true. Blood sprayed forth, the Lord of Heavenly Swords’ waist clattered to the ground, his body reverting to five separate spirit swords. Clutching his throat, his eyes still lingered on this world, but his body collapsed with a thud.

The death of the Lord of Heavenly Swords brought a wave of relief to Chu Jie—this Abyss of Gods and Demons was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

And this was only the fourth level. The deeper they went, the greater the dangers—far beyond what he had anticipated. This would be a brutal and harrowing battle.

“Boss, will it be even more dangerous below?” Chen Long had just steadied his nerves after that harrowing fight.

The battle had been fierce; several brothers were wounded by the Lord of Heavenly Swords’ aura. Fortunately, Chen Long, Liang Bo, and Jiang Ziwen’s cultivation was stronger, or they might not have survived.

Chu Jie took a deep breath. “Tell the brothers: they must train even harder. The road ahead will be even more perilous. The Five Lords of Heaven are stronger than we imagined. Now only the eldest and the fifth remain. We’ve already slain three, but you all know how much strength that cost us.”

His voice echoed through the valley, piercing the hearts of his brothers like needles.

They knew the boss only meant well.

This was just the fourth terrace, and already it was a struggle. Anyone with sense could guess what dangers lay below.

Led by Chen Long, the men nodded firmly to Chu Jie. Then he turned and shouted, “Train! Train! Keep training!”

His voice was laced with anger, frustration, and defiance.

Chu Jie understood—he could feel their exhaustion. The Abyss of Gods and Demons was more terrifying than anyone could have predicted.

Even Liang Bo’s once steadfast gaze now seemed dimmed.

Chu Jie knew this was a sign of shaken morale. Gritting his teeth, he bellowed, “Mad Dog Battalion! Are you afraid?”

Caught off guard, the men stared in surprise. Jiang Ziwen, Liang Bo, and Chen Long exchanged glances, then all three roared in unison, “No!”