In total, the realm of martial arts is divided into 7 realms with 3 stages at each realm. The Mortal Realm, Qi essence gathering Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Divine Sea Realm, Grand cultivation Realm, Core Formation Realm, Nascent soul Formation Realm.
The two big-built men standing in front of Nero were only at a measly Foundation Establishment Realm and they were looking down on Nero who was able to hunt down a beast that could easily kill them. The lightning Jaguar is a level three wild beast, corresponding to a martial artist at the Foundation Establishment Realm or maybe stronger. The battle that Nero suspected took place here initially was most likely between these two men and the lightning Jaguar. The lightning Jaguar did not sustain any injury but its strength was greatly reduced.
The same goes for these two men. Nero was able to tell that their Spirit Qi was greatly reduced and their faces a bit pale.
"What do you want?" Nero asked coldly.
"What I want?" One of the big-built men asked mockingly.
"Since you are ignorant, I'll have to waste my time explaining to you. The flower in your hand is of very high value. We came here to fetch it but that damned Jaguar fought us off. We had to retreat to recover our strength. And now, a useless nobody like you wants to gloat in our presence. Are you even a martial artist? You don't have the slightest Qi fluctuations in your body… useless mortal. Go call your master quickly before we put you out of your misery."
This big-built man spoke every unpleasant word he could think of at the moment.
Nero remained indifferent. This was truly the fate of mortals in the martial world. Being treated like garbage and disposed of like they weren't supposed to exist. One had to know that Nero had sealed his powers to avoid overstressing his injuries. Thus leading to the misconception that he was a helpless mortal, which was why these two men mentioned that he had a master hiding in the shadows.
"The flower is in my hand. If you're strong enough, then come snatch it from me." Nero coldly replied. His voice carried a calm but imposing aura.
The faces of the two big-built men turned ugly. Since when did a mortal talk down on them.
"Don't tempt us to hurt you. I know your master is around here but don't think we are weaklings." The other big-built man quickly retorted.
Nero sneered, "What I think is that the both of you are delusional cowards. I have no business with the likes of you, so you both can go to hell for all I care."
With these words, Nero strode away not minding the presence of the two men.
"You…" One of them frowned. "You dare talk to us like that?… You can only blame yourself for running your mouth!"
The one who said this didn't hesitate to launch his attack. He drew the big sword on his back and thrust it towards Nero's throat.
"How naïve.." Nero sneered.
He put his right hand which held the flower behind him and grabbed at the sword that aimed at him.
The man who just charged at Nero was stunned. This sword strike was meant to instantly kill this mortal. But now, the mortal was the one who grabbed unto his sword. And to top it all off, he grabbed unto it with one hand!
This was simply impossible!
How could this happen!?
How can this useless mortal withstand my attack!? Unless… the one standing in front of him wasn't mortal at all!
Seeing the confused expression on his face, Nero gave a satisfied smirk.
"As I said, you can go to hell for all I care!" Nero said as he tightened his grip on the sword, smashing it to pieces. His hand nimbly moved and covered the distance between him and the big-built man, grabbing his throat.
Nero held this big-built man on his throat, suspending him a few meters above the ground.
Ka!
The sound of bones breaking resounded through the quiet atmosphere.
"Brother!!" The other man shouted. He had looked down on Nero from the very beginning, which was why he didn't stop his brother from attacking him. And if his master showed up, then they would battle him too. But now the tables had turned and his brother had died I'm front of him.
At this point, words failed to describe the anger welling up in his heart. He drew his sword and charged at Nero.
"You never learn… imbeciles." Nero mocked and flung the body of the big-built man he had just killed in the direction of the other man who was charging towards him.
The man who charged at Nero slightly tilted to catch the body of his brother, but… that was his biggest mistake.
Nero's figure followed directly after he flung the body into the air. The other big-built man saw Nero's figure as he appeared in front of him, however, it was too late. Nero quickly closed the gap between them and punched out. His fist stopped a few inches from them, but what happened next was even more shocking. A fist-sized hole tore through the dead body and passed through the body of the other man.
It was no surprise that these men weren't a match for Nero. The lightning Jaguar had once fought off these two brothers initially. Although it consumed a lot of energy, it was still able to cause the two brothers to retreat. And now the lightning Jaguar had died at the hands of someone like Nero, which indirectly meant that Nero could subdue if not kill these two brothers.
They were led astray by thinking Nero was some helpless mortal because he sealed away his powers. This also led them to think that Nero had a master hidden somewhere who had battled and killed the lightning Jaguar. Even if his master was strong, these brothers still thought that they would at least leave with their lives. Now, this helpless mortal turned out to be the hidden master whom they feared. It had only taken him one move for each to end their lives.