As Xiang Shaoyun withdrew the seal he placed around the area, he soared up from under the ground. The 49 bandits waiting outside had the area surrounded. Among them, eight Heaven Battling Realm experts had even the space sealed, not giving Xiang Shaoyun an opportunity to flee.
Upon landing on the surface of the desert, Xiang Shaoyun looked at the 49 bandits around him. Before his eyes, their bandanas seemed to have ceased to exist as all their faces were revealed fully to him. Not even their leader could escape Xiang Shaoyun’s scrutiny.
He was somewhat astonished when he saw the bandit leader. The leader was an extremely handsome young man who did not look older than 30 years old. Of course, the leader was older than he looked, but his youthful appearance proved that he had broken through into the Heaven Battling Realm at a young age, which was how he had maintained his youthful appearance.
Xiang Shaoyun couldn’t understand why such a talented young genius would become a bandit. With the bandit leader’s strength, he should be able to do well anywhere. While Xiang Shaoyun was studying the bandit leader, the bandit leader was studying Xiang Shaoyun as well. The leader was also shocked at Xiang Shaoyun’s age. After forging his god body, Xiang Shaoyun’s entire body had been cleansed, making him look like he was 18. His vibrant life force and powerful god body were incredibly eye-catching.
The leader thought inwardly, This kid probably has quite a background. Too bad he has encountered me.
“Kid, leave everything behind, and your life will be spared,” demanded a Saint while pointing at Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head and said, “You’re not weak. Why did you stoop so low that you became bandits?”
“Hehe. How audacious. You dare insult us?” replied the Saint with a sneer.
“I was merely speaking the truth,” said Xiang Shaoyun calmly.
“At times, speaking the truth is the wrong choice. Take this slap to your mouth,” said the Saint as he sent a slap toward Xiang Shaoyun.
The attacker was a third-stage Heaven Battling Realm cultivator, with his strength ranked in the middle-lower range among the nine Saints in the bandit group. Even so, his strength was not to be underestimated.
When the palm was about to reach Xiang Shaoyun, an indescribable power emerged from Xiang Shaoyun’s body and dissolved the incoming palm attack. The faces of all the bandits twitched at that sight. None of them understood what they had just witnessed. How had their sixth boss’s attack been dissolved so easily?
“You’re quite capable. Let me capture you first before giving you a real nice treatment,” said the Saint before charging Xiang Shaoyun.
At this time, the leader shouted, “Stop!”
The Saint looked at the leader doubtfully and said, “Boss, I can capture him!”
“No you can’t!” said the leader firmly. He looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, “Your distinguished self, you’re not weak. As a second-stage Saint, you can crush sixth brother’s attack without lifting an arm. You must be a king among Saints capable of fighting beyond your class. Unfortunately, your strength is still not enough against the Army of Despair. Surrender all your belongings, and I’ll let you leave. Otherwise, this will be your grave.”
The leader was only being so kind because he believed that Xiang Shaoyun was backed by a powerful organization that might be able to cause them some trouble. Thus, he decided to leave Xiang Shaoyun a way out.
A smile formed on Xiang Shaoyun’s face as he said, “You look like an ex-military guy. Why don’t all of you follow me? I’ll give you a chance to start fresh. You’ll even get the chance to spread your name throughout the world.”
The bandits roared with laughter. That was the funniest joke they had ever heard. Who was their leader? Their leader was one of the top-10 most wanted criminals of the Western Desert. Those on the wanted list were hunted by the various organizations of the Western Desert, including some notorious criminals and ruthless monsters.
Only those with incredible strength would be able to enter the wanted list with rich rewards offered for their heads. For example, the Seven Villains of the Bloodsin City were also on the list, but they weren’t even able to get into the top 500 on the list. As for this young bandit leader, he was a top-10 wanted criminal. One could only imagine how strong he was.
The leader looked at Xiang Shaoyun with a toying look in his eyes and said, “Looks like you still don’t understand the circumstances you’re in. Don’t blame me for showing no mercy. Third brother, go. Take him.”
At that command, a bulky Saint rode forth on an earth dragon. With a pair of massive axes in his hands, he emanated the aura of a peak sixth-stage Saint and looked incredibly valiant. He was Tie Ta, ranked third in the group.
“Leader, I’m enough to deal with him. Why do we need third brother for this?” asked the sixth brother indignantly.
“Step back!” berated the leader.
The ranked sixth bandit shut his mouth and hurriedly retreated. If the leader was truly angered, things would be bad for him as well.
“Kid, it’s still not too late for you to get on your knees and beg for mercy,” said Tie Ta.
As an earth cultivator, Tie Ta had great affinity with the ambient energy in his surroundings. The world around him had already fallen under his control. He was confident he could take down Xiang Shaoyun anytime he wanted.
“It’s still not too late for you to submit,” replied Xiang Shaoyun nonchalantly.
“You’re courting death!” Tie Ta roared as an imposing aura erupted from his body. With a wave of his arm, the sand around him formed a massive palm and swatted toward Xiang Shaoyun.
The attack had formed so abruptly that most people wouldn’t be able to react to it. The attack was proof of Tie Ta’s strength and his exquisite control over the power of earth.
Unfortunately for him, Xiang Shaoyun had long noticed what Tie Ta was doing to their surroundings. After all, Xiang Shaoyun had a deep understanding of the profundity of earth. After forging his god body, his reaction time had also reached an unimaginable level. The moment the palm descended upon him, he slightly moved his feet, harmonized with the world around him, and deprived Tie Ta of his control over the earth energy. With that, the palm of sand crumbled apart.
Tie Ta raised his brow and leaped off his earth dragon before bringing his axes down at Xiang Shaoyun. The attack was incredibly heavy, displaying enough prowess to contend against a regular seventh-stage Saint. Additionally, the attack was also powered by thick axe intent. This attack could instantly reduce even a mountain to dust, let alone a human.
Facing the incoming attack, Xiang Shaoyun stood completely still. In the eyes of the bandits, he seemed to have been petrified by fear. Only the bandit leader furrowed his brows as a solemn look covered his face. As the axes descended, a single finger slowly rose up to meet the axes.
