Qing Dao's strength was immense. With a single strike, the weapons in Ye Cangtian and Zhao Ziyang's hands were nearly shattered, and their arms went numb from the impact!
Fortunately, both their bodies were robust. Had it been anyone else, even a Xuan-level deacon, resisting such a blow would have resulted in death or severe injury!
After all, Ye Cangtian had killed quite a few Xuan-level deacons before, yet even so, he was utterly powerless against the Earth-level expert Qing Dao.
This was the might of an Earth-level expert!
Ye Cangtian's expression turned solemn. He glanced at the surrounding battlefield and felt a slight relief.
The Dragon Group members, along with Pandora's mercenaries, were currently handling the Dark Association's members with relative ease. Especially Mu Chenglong, who was fighting Xuan Eleven one-on-one without being at a disadvantage.
The plump Xuan Nine seemed to be slacking off, engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Zhang Liang.
The remaining Huang-level members were actually at a disadvantage against the remaining Dragon Group members. The dozen or so members of the Caesar mercenary group were being chased and hacked by Pandora's mercenaries.
As long as he and Zhao Ziyang could hold off the Earth-level expert Qing Dao, the current situation seemed to favor them!
That was, provided he and Zhao Ziyang could truly endure!
Otherwise, if Qing Dao killed them both, everyone else would perish!
Across from them!
Qing Dao glanced at the two with disdain. "You two truly believe I don't know what you're plotting?"
Although Qing Dao was somewhat surprised by the strength of these two, especially Ye Cangtian, whose power likely placed him among the top Xuan-level deacons of the Dark Association.
But did you two really think you could hold me back? Were you overestimating yourselves?
Earth-level experts are not as simple as you imagine!
He sneered, and the long saber in his hand suddenly emitted a sharp, piercing sound as he forcefully slashed at the two.
Ye Cangtian and Zhao Ziyang simultaneously swung their sabers to block.
However, the next moment, both of their expressions changed.
The sabers they held were taken from the stone soldier squad leader. Not only were they exceptionally sharp, but they were also incredibly sturdy. They had remained undamaged for countless years, showcasing the quality of their materials.
Yet, as Qing Dao's saber descended, the long sabers in their hands were directly cleaved into pieces.
Simultaneously, both were sent flying and collapsed on the ground, spitting blood profusely!
"This is the gap between you and an Earth-level expert!"
Qing Dao let out a cold snort, moved his feet, and reappeared before the two, a slight curve at the corner of his mouth. "You two managed to force me to act personally, you can die with peace!"
He brought his saber down!
The speed was so rapid that even Ye Cangtian and Zhao Ziyang found it difficult to react or evade.
At that moment, Ye Cangtian felt a chill down his spine. He hadn't expected the gap between himself and an Earth-level expert to be so vast. Could he truly be fated to die here?
He couldn't help but glance in Shangguan Yun's direction. Had this guy lied to him?
"Swish~"
At the critical juncture, a sword shadow flashed by, emitting a whistling sound.
Immediately after, that sword shadow directly met Qing Dao's descending saber.
"Bang!"
The two weapons collided. Qing Dao was forced back two steps, his expression grave as he looked at the long sword flying back. He gritted his teeth.
"Hmph, the Hidden Group has indeed sent someone. Hiding for so long, you really know how to play the waiting game!"
"Haha, Qing Dao, you haven't changed in all these years, still so bloodthirsty!"
Not far away, a man in green emerged from the shadows. The long sword that flew back directly landed behind him, and he walked over with a smiling expression, a sword strapped to his back.
The moment this person appeared, both sides engaged in combat immediately stopped.
The Bright Hall members also felt a surge of energy, surprised that the Hidden Group had indeed sent an expert.
The Cardinal Archbishop Hassar's expression turned solemn as he murmured, "I didn't expect the person from the Hidden Group to be him!"
"Archbishop, who is this person?" a purple-robed bishop asked in a low voice.
"Jian Wusheng! Ten years ago, Cardinal Archbishop Kyle died at his hands!" Hassar, the Cardinal Archbishop, exhaled lightly, his words revealing a hint of apprehension.
Ten years ago, a ruin appeared on the Chinese border. It attracted the covetous eyes of many factions, and even the Dark Association and the Bright Hall secretly dispatched personnel.
However, on that occasion, neither the Dark Association nor the Bright Hall gained any advantage. The Bright Hall even lost a newly promoted Cardinal Archbishop.
The Bright Hall members behind them gasped in unison, realizing that the Hidden Group had also sent an expert comparable to a Cardinal Archbishop.
On the other side!
Seeing the man in green appear, Ye Cangtian breathed a sigh of relief.
The Hidden Group had indeed sent someone, and he had met this person before.
The last time in the capital, the Dark Association had conspired to assassinate Princess Shibeiya of Saudi Arabia, involving over a dozen Huang-level members and two Xuan-level deacons.
Originally, the Dragon Group, along with Ye Cangtian, would not have been able to handle these Dark Association members. However, at the critical moment, this man in green appeared and effortlessly killed the two Xuan-level experts.
At this moment.
Shangguan Yun suddenly spoke, "Third Uncle! Why are you only appearing now? I thought you hadn't come!"
Ye Cangtian was stunned. Was this man in green a member of the Shangguan family?
He soon understood. It was likely because of Shangguan Yun that the man in green had appeared to deal with the Dark Association in the capital last time.
"You brat, if I hadn't come, you'd be dead this time! Also, bringing Yanran into such a dangerous place as the ruins, wait until we get back and I see how you explain this to Eldest Brother!" the man in green said with displeasure.
Shangguan Yun looked wronged. The little sister insisted on coming, what could he do?
Qing Dao looked at the man in green who walked back with his sword and couldn't help but let out a cold snort. "Jian Wusheng, you entered the ruins long ago, didn't you? Yet you've been hiding in the shadows, what exactly are you planning?"
"Heh, no other plans!"
The man in green finally looked at the other party and then said with a smile, "I just wanted your Dark Association and the Bright Hall to fight each other until both sides are severely weakened. Ideally, you and that old man in red would kill each other, and I would come out at the end to pick up the scraps."
"But it's a pity that neither side made a move! Otherwise, I might have truly been able to reap the benefits."
Both were top-tier experts, and they were considered old acquaintances.
The man in green had crossed swords with Qing Dao because of the ruins in the past. Later, when the Dark Association wanted to expand within China, Qing Dao had also had multiple interactions with him.
It was precisely because the man in green was often active within China that Qing Dao rarely entered China himself afterward, only sending his subordinates to develop their influence.
Therefore, when the two met again, it was as if they were old acquaintances.
The man in green glanced at the Dark Association members who had returned behind Qing Dao, then looked at the Dragon Group members who held a clear numerical advantage, and smiled. "Now it seems like our side has the advantage. Qing Dao, take your men and leave!"
"If your Dark Association loses a few more people, you won't be able to account for it when you return!"
"You... Hmph!"
Qing Dao gritted his teeth and snorted angrily, then said with a cold laugh, "Such arrogance, Jian Wusheng. If I and the Bright Hall joined forces, do you still think your Chinese Dragon Group would have the advantage?"
Cardinal Archbishop Hassar in the distance coughed. He could clearly discern Qing Dao's intention.
However, he also knew that even if they joined forces with the Dark Association and managed to kill everyone else, it would still be difficult to keep Jian Wusheng.
So he smiled and quickly mediated, "Please calm down, both of you. The Heart of the Ruins has not yet appeared. It would be best if we don't fight anymore and explore this underground passage together!"
Old fox!
Both Qing Dao and the man in green let out sneering laughs, but they no longer had the intention to continue fighting.