Beneath this platform, it’s not just a bottomless void. Those scattered platforms are actually the tips of enormous black stone pillars, like a forest of towering black trees hundreds of meters tall. For regular folks, this is a death trap, but for this group, it’s as easy as a stroll in the park. Jack Young and his crew are up front, Silverblade King’s team hot on their heels, Wind Wushang nowhere to be seen but definitely lurking nearby, waiting for a chance to strike. They leap between the black pillars, plunging deeper and deeper into the abyss.
Whoosh—finally, they land on the bottom floor, where it’s almost pitch black. The glow from the Wedding Dress Divine Skill barely lights up anything down here; it’s so dark even Goldblade King is frowning. “Kid, what are you even trying to do?” Humans are visual creatures after all, and even the most elite masters get uneasy when they can’t see a thing.
Jack Young’s voice is steady and confident: “His internal energy makes him invisible, so we can’t see him. Well, let’s go invisible too. Now nobody can see anybody, so it’s all about raw strength.”
Flower Shifter instantly gets it. She’d heard from Embroidered Jade about the underground caves and knew that in a pitch-black, complicated place like this, Jack Young was in his element—wait, but hold on. The darkness isn’t just Jack’s home turf; there’s someone even better at fighting in the dark. “What about Lady Three Marvels?”
Just as she finished, a playful laugh echoed down from above—Lady Three Marvels herself: “Little brother, playing hide-and-seek with you again? Big sis is thrilled!” Then came the tinkling sound of her zither, rippling out in waves. This black stone forest is the perfect place for sound to bounce and vibrate, and Lady Three Marvels’ music is like radar, sweeping the surroundings with pinpoint accuracy.
Jack Young just smiled, a meaningful grin. He started scribbling on Flower Shifter and Goldblade King’s backs, both hands moving like dragons and phoenixes, quickly passing on his plan. At first, the two were confused, but then Flower Shifter’s eyes widened in shock and she was about to protest. Jack Young patted her arm, firm and resolute, showing he’d made up his mind.
Flower Shifter whispered, “How confident are you?”
Jack Young traced the number ‘five’ on her back.
Just as Flower Shifter was about to speak, Jack Young quickly wrote, “Only way. Worth the gamble.” Then he whispered, “Hide yourselves. If you run into Silverblade King or Iron Spear King, stall them. But if you meet Lady Three Marvels, do exactly what I just said. I trust you can pull it off. As for that snake-eyed lunatic, leave him to me.” He said this last part out loud, really for Lady Three Marvels to hear. If anyone could catch Jack Young’s whisper, it’d be her.
Actually, his plan just needed Lady Three Marvels to hang back and keep playing her zither. There was no ‘just said’ at all—he’d thrown that in on purpose. But that one line was enough to make that endlessly suspicious woman overthink, and that’s exactly what he wanted.
“Alright then.” Goldblade King whispered, “If you pull this off, I’ll owe you one.”
“Get ready to pay up.” Jack Young gave their shoulders a shove and muttered, “Go!”
Whoosh—the three split up without a sound, heading for their positions. It’s pitch black underground, but these masters aren’t helpless; maybe they can’t move as smoothly as Lady Three Marvels or Jack Young, but they’re not totally out of their depth.
In this pitch-black stone forest, only Lady Three Marvels’ zither echoes on, the notes weaving up and down like sonar in the deep sea. Unlike the old cave days, Flower Shifter and Goldblade King now have serious skills—stronger than Lady Three Marvels, in fact—so they can mostly avoid getting pinged by her sonar. Right now, the only one whose position is obvious is Jack Young.
So Lady Three Marvels sent a message to Wind Wushang: “Reporting in, Your Highness, that little thief is now…”
Ding! Before she finished, a sword rang out—a crisp, clear sound everyone could place, right at the center of the circular area. There’s a hollow at the heart of the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, and here in the black stone forest, too. Jack Young stood at the very center, sword in hand, leisurely plucking at it to make it sing.
Ding, ding, ding—steady and unhurried, no dodging or hiding. The sword’s song was both an invitation and a challenge, like the hoofbeats of a lone general riding out before two armies. No words needed; everyone knew what it meant. This duel was so aboveboard it was almost shocking—so open that no self-respecting fighter could possibly refuse.
“You’re Wind Wushang, right? Come on over.” Jack Young plucked his sword again, eyes locked on the blade in the darkness. “You’ve got the numbers, but except for you, none of your crew can touch me. So don’t bother sending your lackeys to die.”
Wind Wushang’s voice came from the void, impossible to pinpoint: “So eager to die? You don’t strike me as an idiot. Is this some kind of trap for me, Your Majesty?”
“We’re both new here—how would I set a trap?” Ding! He plucked the sword one last time, the hum echoing endlessly. Jack Young lowered the tip, letting it hover above the ground. “You’re a king; I’m just a guy who’s been around for thirty years. You want to be emperor; I’m just a nobody. You’re aiming for the top; I don’t even know what ‘the top’ is. Now I want to fight you—fight or run, your choice.”
Jack Young's words echoed through the dark stone forest, and—miraculously—no one interrupted him. Not Lady Miao, not Silverblade King, not even the ever-loyal Iron Spear King. If this were planet Earth, you can bet Iron Spear King would never let his boss take such risks. You know the saying: 'A princeling doesn't sit under a shaky roof.' Big bosses don't go swinging swords with the grunts. But here in the martial world? Totally different story. Except for Lady Miao's zither, not a peep from anyone. That silence? It's saying a lot.
Jack Young was one hundred percent sure Wind Wushang would come for him—trap or no trap. Even if he knew it was a setup, he'd still show up. Just like Jack and his crew, who knew there was danger but were dead set on taking Wind Wushang out first. It’s inevitable—no way these two sides are just gonna sit around, eyeing each other, practicing their kung fu for fun.
Sure enough, Wind Wushang spoke: "You really think you can beat me?"
"I don’t think I can beat you, but I’m confident I can break your killer move." Jack Young’s face was cool, eyes locked in: "Once I bust your secret technique, you’re pretty much out of tricks."
"Ha ha ha! Bold words! I’ll turn that big mouth of yours into my personal chamber pot!"
Here he comes—
No sound, not a flicker of light, but Jack Young’s hair stood up all at once—Wind Wushang was here. Not far away, circling in the pitch black, so subtle you couldn’t even catch a breeze. The same move that killed Menglong and Sa Tongtian in a flash? It was lurking right nearby!
"Tell me—was it you who snatched the treasure first?"
Wind Wushang’s voice sounded totally normal, like a bad guy making small talk before the fight kicks off. But when he hit the word "you," right at the halfway mark—when you’re most off guard—Jack Young suddenly leaned way back—
A single strand of hair snapped and floated down, silent as a whisper!
Then Jack Young slashed out with his sword—
Sparks exploded from the blade—like his treasured sword had just smashed head-on into another divine weapon, sending a shower of crimson sparks flying.
"Yep, that treasure haul? That was me." Jack Young answered like it was no big deal, as if there hadn’t just been a split-second brush with death. But his whole body was on high alert—every hair standing to attention.
[That’s right!]
"Oh, so it was you. Then answer me this: How’d you move the treasure?" Wind Wushang’s tone was still smooth as silk, but Jack Young spun around again, moving like a ghost—one corner of his robe dropped off, but he was totally fine. "Sure," he said, "but you’ve gotta tell me first—how did you know about the Jade Sword, the Jade Pendant, and that Lianhua Compendium hidden inside?"
[Exactly!!]
"If you join me, I’ll share the secret." The killing intent was razor-sharp—Wind Wushang’s voice gave nothing away, not even a hint of when he’d strike. He sounded like a true kingpin recruiting talent: "With you on my side, I’ll be unstoppable. When I rule the martial world, you’ll get your share of the spoils."
Slash—slash—Jack Young took two shallow cuts, but none too deep. It was like some invisible blade had grazed him, but he dodged just in time. He wiped the blood from his cheek—tiny wound, already clotting—and his eyes were full of confidence: "If you wanna recruit me, show some sincerity. Why don’t you start by telling me how I’m supposed to avenge Ouyezi?"
On the surface, their back-and-forth sounded casual, but in Jack Young’s mind he was screaming [Exactly, exactly, exactly—my hunch was dead-on!!!]