Chapter 10: Eat Heartily

"Diata, I've risked life and limb for the family while you and your father's household have enjoyed all the glory I brought... It's time to settle the score!" Iwao withdrew the blade from the Chief of the Guard's abdomen, his eyes gleaming with unpredictable malice. His voice was hoarse, filled with murderous intent. However, Diata's Flame Sword was already upon him! "Screech!" Above them, Flame Bird emitted a sharp screech, its wings slicing toward Iwao. "Did you think I'm a pushover?" Travis leaped from Iwao's shoulder, leaves shining bright green above his head. Facing Flame Bird's attack, he scoffed, enveloping himself in green light and charging forward. "Bang!" Travis's heavy fist collided with Flame Bird's wing. Sparks flew! Flame Bird cried out in pain. Meanwhile, Travis smirked, somersaulting onto Flame Bird's head. With a sudden clamp of his tiny legs, he transformed into vines that wrapped around Flame Bird's neck. "Plop! Plop! Plop!" The vines bore sharp thorns that pierced deeply into Flame Bird's flesh. Flame Bird writhed in agony, trying to shake Travis off. But Travis's legs were firmly rooted, holding fast like an immovable tree. Excitedly, he yelled, "Go! Go!" In the thick fog, Diata and Iwao clashed fiercely. Their figures weaved in and out, locked in intense combat. Thanks to Iwao's awakening of 'Myriad Wood Soaring Body', his physique was exceptionally robust. Every punch he threw was as forceful as a giant tree. Diata, wielding the Flame Sword, found himself steadily retreating, increasingly battered and desperate. Furious, he spat, "Iwao, you're nothing but a waste, having lost your Illusionary Beast, yet you still dare to challenge me!" Remembering Little Wolf's gruesome death, Iwao gritted his teeth, his murderous intent intensifying. He clenched his fist, surrounded by a shimmering green aura of spiritual energy, and slammed it directly into Diata's chest. Diata grunted, stumbling backward. But he regained his footing, sweeping the Flame Sword across Iwao's abdomen. A fiery gash appeared, searing deep into the flesh, horrifyingly visible down to the bone. The surrounding flesh was charred by the intense heat. Diata sneered, "Iwao, you're doomed no matter what. Why not make one last sacrifice for us? I'll take your head as proof of allegiance to the Wind Sword Sect!" "Then you can try." Iwao remained expressionless. "Swoosh!" At that moment, a green light flashed, enveloping Iwao in a vibrant aura of life. Feeling a slight itch in his abdomen, Iwao glanced down to find the wound had completely healed in a matter of moments! "The Myriad Wood Soaring Body truly has remarkable effects!" A flicker of astonishment passed through Iwao's eyes. A wound like this would typically take several days of rest to heal. Diata watched, his expression shifting dramatically. The wound from this strike, deep enough to expose bone, how was it possible for it to heal so quickly? What was going on? Fueled by rage, Diata quickened the pace of his sword swings! "Swish!" The Flame Sword slashed through the air, its brilliance sharp. Iwao's gaze was fierce; he grabbed the Flame Sword's blade directly with his right hand. Fast, precise, ruthless! The flames burned, agonizingly piercing. But Iwao paid no heed; with a tug, he sent Diata stumbling backward. His left hand clenched into a fist and hammered down on Diata's arm. "Crack!" A crisp sound rang out, followed by Diata's anguished cry. His arm, gripping the sword, fractured! Sharp bone shards protruded from the flesh, a horrifying sight. Iwao seized the sword in a swift motion, then darted past Diata. "Whoosh!" A flash of fire. Diata froze in place. Moments later, his head fell to the ground with a dull thud. "Thunk." The headless body collapsed. Iwao glanced down; his palm was charred black. No matter; the Myriad Wood Soaring Body's self-healing ability was astonishing, and it would soon be as good as new. "Kid, you're something else!" Travis bounded over, eyebrows raised in triumph. "How do you like the physique and techniques I gave you?" Iwao closed his eyes, activating the Imperial Art. His previously depleted Spiritual Energy surged once more. "Boom!" In the void, storms and thunder roared again! Countless streams of Spiritual Energy surged into Iwao's body like a tide. After a moment, he opened his eyes. "Five days left!" "No... if Omega and Diata were both taken out by me, Ensio, that old dog, would surely go berserk if he got wind of it. Perhaps, there won't even be five days!" A cold determination flickered across Iwao's face. "I must quickly strengthen my cultivation!" Once, the Leach Family was indeed powerful. But without Iwao, the Leach Family was fragile! It was solely through Iwao's efforts that the Leach Family rose to prominence among the four major families. After Iwao left, the only strong individual remaining was Ensio, who was at the Sixth Level of the Earth Spirit Realm. Afterward, Iwao searched through the group, removing all their Storage Rings. Diata's Storage Ring contained numerous treasures! Even Iwao was impressed. "Over these years, all the wealth I've fought for and accumulated is now in the hands of this father and son duo. Ridiculously, when I asked for a few Spiritual Elixirs for my sister, they made all sorts of excuses!" A coldness flashed in Iwao's eyes, feeling even more guilty towards his sister! With their parents passing away early, Iwao and Tammy were raised by their grandfather. Their grandfather was severely injured during an expedition and passed away. Since then, Tammy was the only family Iwao had left! Iwao fought desperately outside, building a solid foundation with his own hands, just to make the family strong and give his sister a good life! But unexpectedly, his sister was mistreated by them at home. All of this, he was completely unaware of! If it wasn't for this incident, perhaps he would have been deceived again. Thinking about all this, Iwao felt deeply guilty. For his sister, he would do anything! Even risking his life was nothing. "These are... Double Marked Spirit Jade!" Iwao counted them; there were seventy or eighty pieces in total. This was quite a fortune! "Quick, I'm starving!" Travis's eyes lit up with excitement when he saw the Double Marked Spirit Jade. Iwao tossed him a few pieces, and Travis devoured them eagerly, the sound of his chewing echoing. "Not enough, give me more, hurry!" Travis's tone was urgent; the few pieces weren't even enough to fill the gap between his teeth. Feeling the abundant Spiritual Energy in his body, a faint smile curved on Iwao's lips. Travis absorbed Spiritual Energy much faster than himself, and as Beast Tamer shared a bond with Illusionary Beasts, his consuming Spirit Jade was akin to Iwao cultivating himself. "Take them all!" Iwao waved his hand, giving all the Double Marked Spirit Jade to Travis. "Eat, eat heartily for me!"