Chapter 85: Sowing Discord

Ye Feng once again concealed himself quietly. Under his subtle manipulations, all events unfolded just as he had anticipated.

When one of the survivors finally launched a signal flare, bright as fireworks, Ye Feng knew that success was now within reach.

After the flare soared into the sky, and five or six hours of patient waiting had passed, the roars of beasts echoed from deep within the dense forest. From every direction, people began to arrive at the scene.

For a time, chaos reigned in the Wildlands: monsters pursued intruders into their territory, while some beasts, driven by panic, fled headlong from the relentless chase of several young warriors.

Such an uproar naturally drew the curious. As more bystanders gathered and discovered the strange markings carved onto the tree trunks, flares shot up one after another.

“This can’t be right! Things have gotten out of hand now.” As dusk fell and the lakeshore swelled with a crowd of over a hundred, Ye Feng’s astonishment grew. The turnout far exceeded his expectations.

With so many gathered, the larger groups began to grow restless. After all, collecting enough tokens was the main goal for everyone who had come.

“Xiao Chong, you’re just in time. Where is Ye Feng? Tell him to come out. He dared break one of Brother Jin’s fingers—does he really think he’s some leader among the young generation?” Sure enough, as Xiao Chong and his companions arrived, a team of more than twenty immediately made trouble.

At these words, nearly half the crowd turned to look toward Xiao Chong’s group. Yet, as they took in the composition of his team, many exchanged glances with the provocateur, their eyes brimming with mockery.

Indeed, before Xiao Chong could reply, the savage known as the Demon of Slaughter stepped forward, hefting his massive hammer with a grunt. “Looking to die, are you? I’ll grant your wish.”

The troublemaker’s face turned deathly pale. For among Xiao Chong’s companions stood not only the brute force of the Demon of Slaughter, but also Garo, known as the Sword Demon, and Xiao Ye, the fourth-ranked youth in the capital.

With such a formidable lineup, it was already a blessing they weren’t causing trouble for others—now someone had the nerve to provoke them. The man’s poor judgment was truly beyond belief.

“Leave your token and go.” Xiao Chong, apparently disinclined to argue, merely waved his hand dismissively.

Upon hearing this, the man paled further, turning helplessly to his teammates, silently pleading for their support.

But not everyone had the courage to challenge Xiao Chong’s terrifying lineup.

“The Xiao family’s brothers are certainly imposing. Does speaking a fair word mean nothing to you?” Just as the young man hesitated, about to hand over his token, Jin Ming—with his prominent hooked nose—strode over from afar, his demeanor unhurried.

Casting a sidelong glance at Jin Ming, the Demon of Slaughter said nothing, but strode directly toward him and, without warning, brought his hammer crashing down.

Boom—

Jin Ming had not expected the Demon of Slaughter to attack so decisively. Yet, as the third-ranked youth, he was not without his skills, dodging the sudden blow in the nick of time.

“Demon of Slaughter, stand down!” At that moment, Garo, usually the quietest of the group, spoke. “Have him surrender his token and let this matter rest. You must see, though the lake holds treasure, the words on the trunks were clearly carved to manipulate us.”

“Indeed, someone seeks to use our hands to rid the lake of its monster for their own gain.” Jin Ming nodded, frowning as he glanced at the tree trunks. “But this man is under my protection. If I cannot defend one who stands up for me, what face have I to remain here?”

At Jin Ming’s words, silence fell over the crowd. Even Ye Feng, hidden in the shadows, felt the situation grow complicated.

If anyone stepped in now to sow discord, a full-scale battle would surely erupt.

Though Garo’s side was powerful, they numbered only twelve—far too few to withstand the onslaught of dozens, even hundreds, of young warriors.

As Ye Feng expected, the mysterious man who had been lurking in the shadows slipped quietly into the crowd.

A moment later, his voice rang out, “Do you think your family’s influence gives you the right to bully us? That man merely spoke up for Jin Ming—what right do you have to take his token?”

“That’s right! Our families may not be as powerful as yours, but we won’t be pushed around!”

“Brothers, let’s fight them! These bullies think we’re afraid!”

From the crowd, voices of provocation spread like wildfire. Before long, both schemers and the unwitting alike had joined in the chorus of accusation.

“Hiding behind slander—if you’ve got the guts, step out and face me!” As the clamor grew, the Demon of Slaughter, now furious, leapt forward with his massive hammer, charging into the crowd toward the mysterious youth.

Yet he flew in as swiftly as he was sent flying back. No one seemed to move, but the giant figure of the Demon of Slaughter was flung backward in disarray. Even before he hit the ground, blood spurted from his mouth.

Seeing this, Xiao Chong and his companions turned pale, exchanging shocked glances. Almost in unison, they cried, “Spirit Emperor!”

“Attack—they’re nothing special! Kill them!” In an instant, several men brandished their blades and rushed at the fallen Demon of Slaughter.

As the honest brute was about to be hacked to pieces, Xiao Chong and his companions charged desperately to his defense. At that moment, an ancient iron sword swept horizontally through the air.

Whoosh—

The iron sword danced, crackling with intense spiritual energy, forcing several attackers to stagger back in terror, each nursing a wound cut deep to the bone across their chests.

Whoosh—

The sword flashed again. On the other side, a man at the forefront suddenly lost his head, his severed skull flying through the air. Only after the fact did anyone see the deadly sword light slice by.

Clang—

Just then, a jet-black surge of spiritual force shot from the crowd, crashing heavily against the iron sword and sending tremors along its blade.

“Coward, show yourself!” From behind Garo, Xiao Ye—silent until now—suddenly bellowed, his body soaring like a great roc as he launched a punch at the mysterious youth lurking in the void.