C50 The Advantage of a Weapon

Upon witnessing Zhou Jibo's swift defeat of three adversaries, the Zhou family's sense of pressure began to melt away, and they erupted into cheers.

Their discernment and experience were limited; they couldn't even identify the level of the warrior Zhou Jibo had slain.

Zheng Linghan, Zheng Fanshuang, and Wang Sibo's faces were etched with astonishment.

If the middle-aged man hadn't misstated his name, he must have been Wu Dongyou of the Seven Celestial Eagles, the third-ranked Innate Warrior among them. Could it be that Zhou Jibo had dispatched him with a single sword strike?

They had braced themselves for a grueling fight between Zhou Jibo and Wu Dongyou, never anticipating such an effortless victory.

Zhou Jibo had effortlessly dispatched an Innate Stage Warrior with his formidable strength.

Though weapons, pills, formations, and the like all contribute to one's strength, the Blood Stripe Sword in Zhou Jibo's grasp could even sever a Yellow Rank weapon. The true essence itself couldn't withstand its might, underscoring the sword's immense significance to Zhou Jibo.

A notion dawned on Wang Sibo—Wu Dongyou must have died with a sense of injustice, never expecting to fall to Zhou Jibo by the sword's superior edge.

But then, he reconsidered; Zhou Jibo's victory wasn't solely attributable to his weapon.

Wang Sibo hastily abandoned his earlier thought, realizing the source of Zhou Jibo's confidence. Possessing such a potent weapon likely explained why Zhou Jibo had foregone any further strategies.

What kind of power stood behind Zhou Jibo? The Blood Stripe Sword had been enhanced to a degree that rendered Zhou Jibo nearly invincible within his realm.

Following Wu Dongyou's demise within the Zhou family's courtyard, a hush fell over the area outside.

Before long, a voice called out, "Third brother, are you alright?"

Zhou Jibo responded, "His departure was serene; he felt no pain."

A woman's voice then pierced the silence, "Lord Tao, this is Zhou Jibo."

The voice belonged to Zheng Xunqin.

"So, this is the infamous Zhou Jibo?" A harsh voice challenged, "I'm eager to uncover whatever schemes the Zhou family has concocted."

Moments later, footsteps approached as dozens of people streamed through the Zhou family's gates, led by a man in a white robe, his demeanor exuding pride.

Lord Tao, the head of the Star Sect, donned a garment adorned with stars on the front and a moon on the back, a tribute to the revered Shrine of Astral Radiance.

Trailing him were six Innate Warriors clad in white, their ages ranging from the thirties to the sixties. They were armed with an array of weapons—sharp swords, daggers, spears, iron whips, and one even wore a protective glove—each expert in their unique martial skills.

Their robes bore only black stars; they had not earned the right to stitch a crescent moon, marking them as the remaining six of the Seven Celestial Eagles.

Following them was Castellan Lang Shen, leading a contingent of over ten Acquired Stage subordinates.

On another front, four Innate Warriors in yellow led a group of Acquired Stage Warriors from Basinpond's Jiao family, seeking vengeance for the death of Jiao Lexin.

The Myriad Treasure Auction House had cautioned them to exercise caution, yet their path crossed with the Star Sect, presenting them with an unexpected chance for retribution. They seized the moment and joined the fray.

Soon after, Zheng Xunqin, Zheng Congyang, and others from the Zheng family arrived, bolstering their ranks.

Only Zheng Xunqin, Zheng Congyang, and a handful of others entered the Zhou residence, while the majority remained outside, awaiting their signal.

They stormed into the Zhou estate with formidable presence. Upon spotting Zhou Jibo at the forefront, Lord Tao let out a disdainful scoff, "Your end has come!"

His eyes fixed on the Blood Stripe Sword in Zhou Jibo's grasp, radiating with spirit light, he gasped, "An Earth Rank spirit artifact!"

Swallowing hard, he stared at Zhou Jibo, a mix of shock and curiosity in his gaze, "Who exactly are you? How did you come into possession of an Earth Rank spirit artifact?"

His outburst caused the Star Sect members behind him to gape in astonishment.

Lang Shen's eyes gleamed with envy and bitterness as he clenched his teeth, lamenting a missed opportunity to have claimed such a prize.

The four Innate Masters from the Jiao family exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence waning. The Myriad Treasure Auction House's warning echoed in their minds once more: The forces behind Young Master Zhou are not to be underestimated; the Jiao family must proceed with caution.

Zheng Congyang whispered in disbelief, "How can this be? How could the Zhou family possess an Earth Rank spirit artifact?"

"How can this be?"

Zheng Xunqin's gaze was fixed on Zhou Jibo as she echoed the sentiment.

Hadn't Zhou Jibo always been trying to win her favor? Who was this composed young man now, wielding an Earth Rank spirit artifact with such ease?

Hadn't the Second Palace Holy Son taken Zhou Jibo's low-grade Earth Spirit bone root? He should have been gravely ill, destined to be frail and sickly, unlikely to live beyond forty.

How could he possibly muster the bravery to confront foes who had reached the Soul Separation and Innate Stages?

"And here I am, merely at the fifth layer of the Acquired Stage. How can this be?"

Amidst their looks of shock, greed, and disbelief, Zhou Jibo smiled and asked, "Didn't you come here to kill me? What's stopping you now?"

"Think your weapon will save you?"

A member of the Star Sect scoffed and stepped forward to face Zhou Jibo, launching an attack.

"I've never feared a formidable weapon! There was once an Acquired Stage Warrior who thought he could defeat me with his Profound Rank weapon, but I killed him with my bare hands."

"You're too loud."

With a swift motion, Zhou Jibo brandished his Blood Stripe Sword. One of the Seven Celestial Eagles raised his hands, shining with a metallic sheen, to block.

Zhou Jibo then withdrew his sword, leaving his opponent in a daze.

Red lines traced across his neck and wrists. Blood gushed forth as both his arm and head tumbled to the ground.

Earth Rank weapons are indeed a cut above Profound Rank ones. Zhou Jibo, an Innate Warrior, was not like those of the Acquired Stage. The man had mistaken Zhou Jibo for an Acquired Warrior dependent on his weapon, and that mistake cost him his life.