The trident's blade pierced his abdomen as easily as it would tofu, without even a sound of collision, instantly impaling him.
With his abdomen wounded, the intense pain made Bedra scream in agony. At the same time, he swung his long sword with all his might towards Ye Cangtian's head.
*Clang!*
Ye Cangtian blocked the attack and then said to Sasaki, "Sasaki, what are you hesitating for!"
With a roar, Sasaki finally reacted. Seizing the moment of their stalemate, he instantly moved forward, his samurai sword descending from the air.
"No!"
Bedra roared in fury.
He gripped the trident with one hand, preventing it from causing further injury to his body, while his other hand was locked in combat with Ye Cangtian.
It could be said that he was utterly incapable of dodging or defending himself.
And precisely at this moment, Sasaki's attack landed, aimed directly at his unprotected head. If it struck, he would surely die.
However, it was all in vain. Even though Bedra was unwilling, he could not resist. Ultimately, his head was cleaved in two by Sasaki, and he fell into a pool of blood.
"Heh, pleasure working with you!"
Seeing Bedra bisected, a faint smile appeared on Ye Cangtian's face.
Sasaki had personally killed Bedra, making the rift between the Ninja Clan and the Bright Hall irreparable. In the future, the Bright Hall would surely give the Ninja Clan trouble, and his objective had been achieved.
With that thought, Ye Cangtian withdrew his trident, preparing to check on Guiwu's injuries.
"Teacher, what are you doing!"
However, at that moment, Guiwu from the opposite side cried out.
It turned out that nothing was over yet. After killing Bedra, Sasaki had taken advantage of Ye Cangtian's inattention and launched a surprise attack.
Guiwu had truly not expected any of this. She had no idea what had gotten into Sasaki!
*Clang!*
The next instant, the sound of weapons colliding rang out. Ye Cangtian's reaction was not slow; he turned back immediately, blocking the attack with his trident.
Furthermore, he used the force of the incoming attack to rapidly retreat.
"Sasaki, what do you mean?"
"Why did you attack me!"
Ye Cangtian asked in a deep voice.
This was something he had not anticipated. He really hadn't expected Sasaki to launch a sneak attack on him.
After all, who could have imagined that an ally fighting alongside them one moment would become a mortal enemy attacking them the next?
For a moment, Ye Cangtian was immensely vexed. He really wanted to pry open Sasaki's head to see what the man was thinking!
"Xuan Qi, do you understand the concept of 'possessing a treasure brings about disaster'?"
Sasaki said with a smile towards Ye Cangtian.
Even Guiwu's samurai sword could not pierce the Bright Silver Armor, yet the trident in Xuan Qi's hand could do so with ease.
Was there anything more to say?
The Golden Trident was undoubtedly a powerful weapon. Who wouldn't covet such a weapon upon seeing it?
"Teacher, you can't do this. It's unethical. He's our ally!"
"Besides, you've already killed Bedra, how can you kill Xuan Qi?"
Guiwu quickly reminded him loudly.
The Ninja Clan had already offended the Bright Hall. If they were to offend the Dark Association as well, they would undoubtedly face retaliation from both sides, and the Ninja Clan would be in danger of annihilation.
She couldn't stand by and watch this happen!
"Trash! Don't you understand yet?"
"Joining forces with the Dark Association was merely a temporary measure for the Ninja Clan!"
"Did you think we would truly cooperate with the Dark Association long-term? Impossible!"
Sasaki glanced at Guiwu and reprimanded her.
Whether it was cooperating with the Dark Association or the Bright Hall, the Ninja Clan would not agree.
It was simple: both of these forces were too powerful!
If they cooperated, the Ninja Clan would only be fit to be their subordinate, serving as cannon fodder. They would never be able to stand on equal footing, nor would they have any autonomy.
This was not what the Ninja Clan desired!
The Ninja Clan could ally with any force, but within that alliance, they must have sufficient say. Neither the Dark Association nor the Bright Hall could provide that.
Therefore, even their cooperation was temporary.
As for the consequences of killing Xuan Qi, Sasaki believed they were nonexistent.
Everyone here was from the Ninja Clan. If Xuan Qi died here, it could be entirely blamed on Bedra.
At that time, if the Dark Association sought revenge, they would likely only target the Bright Hall, which would align with the Ninja Clan's objectives.
The ensuing conflict between the two powers might allow the Ninja Clan to reap substantial benefits.
"Teacher..."
Hearing Sasaki's words, Guiwu wanted to say more, but she couldn't utter a single word.
"Sasaki, your idea is not bad, but it's difficult to achieve!"
"Do you think you can kill me?"
Also listening to Sasaki's words, Ye Cangtian wore a look of contemptuous coldness.
In a way, this was also good.
He had been contemplating how to disrupt the cooperation between the Ninja Clan and the Dark Association. Now that the other party had made a move against him, it had solved his problem.
"Xuan Qi, one can be confident, but not arrogant!"
"Who do you think you are? You are merely a pinnacle-level Black-tier ant. Killing you is incredibly simple!"
Sasaki sneered at Xuan Qi.
He was currently in good condition. Although the effects of the secret technique were about to wear off, and he would enter a period of weakness,
it didn't matter to him. With his current state, dealing with Xuan Qi was not a problem!
"Sasaki, you should think carefully. Attacking me will not only invite retaliation from the Dark Association."
"Even those around you could be wiped out by me, including your disciple!"
Ye Cangtian said, looking coldly at the other man.
"Hahaha! Ridiculous! In my presence, do you have the ability to kill anyone?"
"And even if you did, so what?"
"Guiwu has become a cripple. Do you think the Ninja Clan will care about a cripple? Or do you think I will care about a cripple?"
Sasaki sneered, showing no concern for Guiwu beside him.
Guiwu was indeed the pride of the Ninja Clan, but that was in the past.
Guiwu's meridians were crippled, and with the Ninja Clan's capabilities, they couldn't restore them. After all, it was a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, something ordinary ruins couldn't produce.
Only in the extremely dangerous secret realms within the world's top three ruins could such a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir exist.
But how difficult it was to enter these secret realms. The Ninja Clan would not expend such great effort for Guiwu.
Therefore, even Guiwu, even Sasaki's disciple, was merely a cripple in Sasaki's eyes.
It was already a demonstration of his master-disciple affection that he hadn't personally ended Guiwu.
"Teacher..."
Guiwu's face was deathly pale, her eyes showing unconcealed resentment.
She had dedicated herself to the Ninja Clan for so many years, only to be discarded like worn-out shoes in the end.
And the person saying this was the master she had always cherished and respected.
For a moment, Guiwu couldn't accept this reality, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
If even her teacher said so, then the Ninja Clan's stance would be even more resolute...
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
Ye Cangtian clapped his hands, saying with disdain, "Well said, Master! Guiwu, you truly have blind eyes!"
"Xuan Qi, it's not your place to make sarcastic remarks!"
"I will give you a choice. If you voluntarily hand over the trident, I can let you end yourself!"
"But if not, I will have to let you taste the pain of hell!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Sasaki snorted coldly and said indifferently.
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the remaining ten-plus Ninja Clan ninjas around them immediately surrounded Ye Cangtian.
In their eyes, Xuan Qi must have been greatly depleted after the previous battle, and perhaps there was a chance to kill him. If they succeeded, it would be a great merit.
"Old man, it seems you won't rest until you see the Yellow River!"
"Very well, I'll show you something that might change your opinion of me!"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian took out a golden mask and waved it in front of Sasaki.