Chapter 70 - 71: The Condemnation and the Ashen Thorn Sect’s Panic!

Chapter 70: Chapter 71: The Condemnation and the Ashen Thorn Sect’s Panic!

As soon as Eamon Strake spoke, a terrifying pressure spread across the sect grounds, weighing on everyone’s hearts.

The six Purple Mansion Realm Elders among the crowd exchanged uneasy looks. They quickly flew forward and stopped before Eamon.

They knew the rumors surrounding this one-armed Swordmaster. None of them dared show their anger. Instead, they spoke in cautious, respectful tones.

"Senior Eamon, could there be some misunderstanding between us? We haven’t offended the Mercer Family, have we?"

Eamon drew the sword at his waist and answered coldly.

"Whether there is a misunderstanding has nothing to do with me. Save your explanations for later. My only concern right now is carrying out the Clan Head’s orders."

With that, he turned toward the Main Hall.

His sharp gaze settled on the plaque above its entrance. Three gilded words were carved into it:

Ashen Thorn Sect.

Under the nervous gazes of the elders and disciples, Eamon gripped his sword with his left hand.

He circulated the Returning Origin Sword Art, gathered his Origin Energy, and channeled it into the blade.

Then he unleashed a powerful slash.

Whoosh!

A dazzling sword light swept across the area.

Divine light flowed along the blade. Sword Intent surged, and an unstoppable sharpness filled the air.

The brilliance was so intense that everyone felt a sharp pain in their eyes. They lowered their heads and hurriedly shut their eyes.

Boom!

The sword light struck the plaque above the Main Hall.

The plaque shattered with a deafening crash.

Origin Energy surged through the hall. Sword Qi erupted, and a storm of Sword Intent swept across the building.

In an instant, the once-grand Main Hall looked as though countless blades had torn through it. Deep sword marks covered its walls and pillars.

Eamon casually withdrew his sword and turned back toward the crowd.

Then came a heavy rumble.

The sound spread across the entire sect grounds, reaching the ears of every Ashen Thorn Sect disciple.

They opened their eyes and looked toward the Main Hall.

The wooden pillars had snapped. The walls crumbled and collapsed. Dust filled the air as the building turned into a pile of ruins.

The entire sect fell silent.

Not a single person dared speak.

Gulp!

The disciples swallowed nervously.

Eamon ignored their frightened expressions.

He tightened his grip on the sword, angled the blade forward, and pointed its tip at the crowd.

"I need to return and report to the Clan Head as soon as possible. To save time, you can all attack me together."

His cold, dismissive words echoed across the sect grounds.

The six Purple Mansion Realm Elders looked at one another with fear and hesitation.

Judging by the power of Eamon’s earlier strike, even if all six joined forces, they might not survive a single exchange with him.

But if they refused to fight...

They sensed the killing intent radiating from Eamon and felt their hearts tighten.

Knowing that they might die either way, the six Elders hardened their expressions. They gritted their teeth, drew their weapons, and charged.

"Attack!"

They exchanged glances and rushed toward him together.

Eamon remained perfectly calm. His expression did not change.

The first Purple Mansion Elder reached him.

Whoosh!

Eamon flicked his wrist. His sword moved with a sharp hiss, like a serpent striking its prey.

The attack was so fast that the Elder could not even follow its path with his eyes.

He had nowhere to dodge.

The sword struck him.

However, Eamon had no intention of killing him. He merely pierced his Dantian with the tip of his blade, then kicked him away.

The Elder flew dozens of meters before crashing to the ground.

Before Eamon could turn toward his next opponent, five gleaming swords came at him from different directions.

He glanced at them and shifted his body.

His figure blurred like a ghost, and all five attacks passed through empty air.

The five Elders had not yet recovered from their failed assault when Eamon moved again.

He gathered Origin Energy and pushed his speed even higher.

In a flash, he appeared before them.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Five sword thrusts followed in quick succession.

Each blade pierced the Dantian of one Elder.

Blood stained their robes. Their bodies went limp, and one after another, they collapsed to the ground, crying out in pain.

Decades of cultivation vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, the Ashen Thorn Sect disciples watched in horror.

All six Elders had attacked together, yet Eamon had defeated them with ease and crippled every one of them.

The disciples were terrified.

They understood that the Ashen Thorn Sect was likely finished.

When Eamon’s gaze swept across the crowd, their hearts shook. Their bodies trembled, and fear showed on every face.

They worried that he would turn his sword on them next.

If he did, none of them would stand a chance.

But Eamon’s next words gave them a small measure of hope.

"Some time ago, a member of the Mercer Family from Crownfall Mountain studied at the Aldercrest Order. His name was Adrian Mercer."

"Not long ago, one of you crippled Adrian’s Dantian. That caused him great suffering."

"Now, the Clan Head has personally ordered me to find the person responsible. If anyone among you identifies the culprit, I will spare your lives. If no one speaks up, I will treat every one of you as an accomplice. None of you will leave here alive."

His cold voice rang across the sect grounds.

The crowd erupted into an uproar.

The Ashen Thorn Sect Elders, whose cultivation had just been crippled, were shaken.

Only now did they understand that the Mercer Family Eamon had mentioned was the powerful family on Crownfall Mountain!

How could this be?

Hadn’t their Sect Master gathered valuable gifts just a few days ago and personally set out for Crownfall Mountain to visit the Mercer Family and establish friendly relations?

How had things changed so quickly?

Why had Julian Mercer sent Eamon Strake to destroy their sect?

Could their Sect Master have done something foolish during his visit and angered Julian?

The Elders began turning over every possibility in their minds.

The disciples were just as stunned.

They had never expected that their long-running conflicts with the Aldercrest Order would lead them to provoke the Mercer Family of Crownfall Mountain.

Now that a member of the Mercer Family had suffered a crippled Dantian, it was no wonder the Clan Head had sent Eamon to demand justice.

But who was this Adrian Mercer?

Most of them had never heard that name before.

When they learned that exposing the culprit could save their lives, everyone began searching their memories.

They tried to recall every past conflict with the Aldercrest Order.

Yet no matter how hard most of the disciples thought, they remained confused.

Apart from the True Disciples of the Aldercrest Order and a few well-known Inner Disciples, they had never heard of anyone by that name.