From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

Zhou Huachao and the others gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes locked on the approaching group. The strangers were leading several desert walking beasts, creatures resembling camels but far larger, with rows of sharp teeth—fierce carnivores.

"Hmm? Coffin bearers?" one of the men, his face marked by a deep scar, glanced at them, a sneer forming on his lips.

Coffin bearers were considered lowly, beneath notice.

"What do you want?" Wolf Brother asked, stepping forward and clutching his long knife.

"What do we want?" the scar-faced man sneered.

"I've heard there are valuable treasures buried in those coffins. We just happen to be passing through, so we thought we'd dig them up for a look."

"You coffin bearers are experts, aren't you? How about helping us dig them up?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over them with a smirk.

The others in his group laughed mockingly.

"In your dreams! We won't allow it!" Wolf Brother retorted immediately.

They had just buried these coffins. If the coffins were dug up now, people would think they were accomplices, and that would bring them big trouble.

The thought made Wolf Brother grip his weapon even tighter.

"You don't get a choice in this," the scar-faced man said coldly.

Their group numbered nearly twenty, while there were only six coffin bearers in total. The highest cultivation levels among them were Zhou Huachao and Wolf Brother, both eighth-tier. But the opposing group had a martial master among them.

As the intruders moved closer, sweat beaded on Wolf Brother's forehead. This was bad. Despite his brave words, he knew they were no match for these men. What should they do?

"Stop," Zhou Huachao suddenly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group as he spoke calmly.

"Oh?" The scar-faced man's eyes narrowed as he stared at Zhou Huachao.

"Are you talking to us?" he asked, amusement in his voice.

"I'm giving you a chance. Leave now," Zhou Huachao said coldly.

A martial master? Heh. Now that he held this sword, even a martial master wasn't his equal. He could feel the power coursing through him, magnified by the sword in his hand.

"Huachao…" Wolf Brother was stunned by Zhou Huachao's boldness.

He hadn't expected Zhou Huachao to be so firm in his stance.

"Leave?" The scar-faced man turned to his companions, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha."

The rest of the group joined in, as if they'd just heard the most absurd joke.

"Kill him," the scar-faced man ordered, his grin vanishing.

Two men from his group immediately charged at Zhou Huachao with their blades drawn.

"Fools," Zhou Huachao muttered, showing no fear.

As the men's weapons swung toward him, Ji Mie flashed in his hand, cutting through the air with a sharp sound. There wasn't even a clang of metal—before anyone realized it, the attackers' swords had been sliced clean in half.

The two men were stunned, staring in disbelief at their broken blades. It was as if their weapons were made of paper rather than hardened steel.

"Goodbye," Zhou Huachao said coolly, not giving them time to react. With a swift slash, he cut them both down in one stroke.

[Killed an eighth-tier warrior. Gained 8,000 evolution points.]

[Killed an eighth-tier warrior. Gained 8,000 evolution points.]

[Absorbed eighth-tier warrior's blood essence. Gained 8 energy points.]

[Absorbed eighth-tier warrior's blood essence. Gained 8 energy points.]

As the two men collapsed, their blood was drawn from their bodies and absorbed into Ji Mie.

"Tsk tsk, eighth-tier warriors," Ye Fan chuckled, observing the scene.

Killing eighth-tier warriors had become as simple as killing chickens. Ji Mie cut through their weapons and bodies like they were nothing.

The others, watching in shock, were paralyzed. Zhou Huachao had not only killed two men with ease, but his sword had absorbed their blood—an eerie sight that left everyone terrified.

"You… you…" The scar-faced man's body trembled, but he quickly recovered, his expression twisting in rage.

[Eighth-tier martial skill: Mountain-Splitting Slash]!

With a roar, he raised his blade high, unleashing a powerful strike that sent a massive shockwave surging toward Zhou Huachao.

Boom!

The force of the attack was overwhelming. Zhou Huachao was thrown backward, his body slamming into the ground. His skin was slashed by countless small cuts, as if he'd been attacked by a swarm of blades. Blood oozed from his wounds.

"Hahaha! Just a weakling after all!" the scar-faced man laughed triumphantly.

He'd been momentarily scared, but now he realized that while Zhou Huachao had a strange sword and had killed two of his men, his strength was nothing special.

"Huachao!" Wolf Brother and the others called out, rushing toward him.

"Heh."

Zhou Huachao chuckled as he slowly stood, ignoring the pain. He willed his inner energy into Ji Mie, activating its power.

Though it was his first time using Ji Mie's abilities, he could feel its healing energy coursing through him. Light energy burst from the sword, flowing into his wounds.

The pain began to fade, replaced by a warm, soothing sensation. His injuries healed rapidly, disappearing as if they had never been there.

Zhou Huachao's eyes widened in astonishment. It was real—the sword could heal him!

Not only were his wounds completely healed, but they left no trace, as if he'd never been injured at all. It was truly miraculous.

Wolf Brother and the others were completely dumbfounded. They had just seen Zhou Huachao grievously injured, and now he was standing there, perfectly fine.

It was unbelievable—how had his wounds vanished in an instant?