Chapter 2: Chapter 117: Angry Dragon Gang Leader! Five Qi Grandmaster!
Chapter 117: Angry Dragon Gang Leader! Five Qi Grandmaster!
Night fell.
The warriors, who had rested for a day, had regained some of their strength and decided to leave on the same night.
The battles that had occurred during the day were terrifying, and they had been frightened just by listening to the commotion from their rooms.
It was hard to imagine the kind of pressure that Han Zhao, Lang Fanyun, Su Tianqi, and Su Ningqiu, who had faced the enemy directly, had endured.
The group set out under the cover of night, heading in the direction of Heishi City.
Han Zhao and Lang Fanyun were at the front of the group, the wounded were in the middle, and Su Tianqi and Su Ningqiu were at the rear.
Along the way, Su Tianqi remained silent, and Su Ningqiu couldn't help but ask, "Cousin, what's wrong with you? Is your injury getting worse? Does it hurt a lot?"
Su Tianqi smiled and shook his head in response to his cousin's concerned look. "It's nothing, cousin. I'm just thinking about some things."
"Oh," Su Ningqiu replied and didn't press further.
Su Tianqi was indeed deep in thought, reflecting on the events of yesterday and today.
Yesterday, he had fallen victim to the Dream Demon's illusion. Despite having seen records about Dream Demons in his family's archives, he had felt helpless in the illusion. It was Han Zhao who had taken the initiative to break the deadlock, and in the end, it was Han Zhao and Lang Fanyun who had saved them.
Today's battle was no different. Mei Qiaoyan, who claimed to be the Blood Spirit Hall Master of the Longevity Sect, was a top-tier expert among those of the same realm. But he was from the Su family, one of the three major families in Yunzhou, and a true disciple of the Tianxuan Sect. He considered himself among the top talents in his realm.
However, today's battle had taught him a lesson.
While competition within sects could be intense, there were some geniuses he could look up to, but those battles were rarely life-threatening. Most of the time, the sect elders would intervene in time to prevent any fatal consequences.
Today was the first time in his life that he had faced a real battle.
During the fight, Mei Qiaoyan had repeatedly exchanged injuries with him. If he had been willing to fight back in the same way, he could have killed her. But he didn't dare, or rather, he lacked the determination to fight as fiercely as she did.
His fighting style was still stuck at the level of sect sparring.
This hesitation had ultimately led to him being injured by Mei Qiaoyan.
Dragging things out like this and hesitating in battles would never get him to the top of the Qilin and Qiantian Lists in the future.
As a scion of a noble family, he had given up his bloodline advantage and devoted himself to martial arts, dreaming of becoming a martial god and revitalizing the path of martial arts. But he lacked the heart of a true warrior.
If Mei Qiaoyan had been defeated by Lang Fanyun, he might not have felt so bad because Lang Fanyun was undeniably much stronger than him. But in the end, it was Han Zhao who had used a secret technique that cost him his lifespan to kill Mei Qiaoyan, who was already at the end of her strength.
Despite being stronger than Han Zhao, if he had fought as desperately as she had, he might not have been so severely injured and could have killed Mei Qiaoyan.
Sighing deeply, Su Tianqi thought about these things.
"Cousin," Su Ningqiu said, looking at Su Tianqi, who seemed defeated. She didn't know how to comfort him. Despite his lack of the demeanor of a strong fighter on many occasions, she had never had to worry about safety when traveling with him. He was always meticulous in his actions, and this experience seemed to have deeply affected him.
Unbeknownst to them, Han Zhao, who was walking ahead of the group, had no idea of the complex thoughts running through Su Tianqi's mind.
This trip had truly been profitable for him. With his increasing realm, he needed more Yin energy for his simulations. Even with the regular supply of Yin energy from the Elemental Pearl and the fragments of the Red Dragon Halberd, he still needed an average of seven to eight months to simulate once.
Furthermore, after breaking through to the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation, the cost of the simulations had increased.
However, this trip to the Fragrant Meat Inn had provided him with two simulations and some residual Yin energy.
The Heaven-Raining Sword Technique had advanced to the fifth level, reaching the level of Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation. The Three Elements Qi had also become stronger, not far from reaching the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation level.
His Blood Spirit Manual had directly advanced to a higher level, saving him years of painstaking cultivation.
As for the "Dream Demon Realm," which he temporarily didn't need, it might prove to be useful in the future.
He didn't mind more of these "unexpected" experiences. Perhaps he could soon advance multiple martial arts to the level of Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation.
Two days later, Han Zhao caught up with Xu Ling's group.
Afterward, they spent three days returning to Heishi City.
Due to the elimination of the Blood Spirit Hall Master and the protector of the Longevity Sect, the orders from the Lingyun Trading Company were nullified.
Naturally, there was no need for compensation, and they had even earned a substantial down payment.
When they returned to Heishi City, preparations had already been made by the martial academy.
More than half of the disciples were willing to follow Lu Yi to Yuanchang Prefecture City, and some of them were even the children of prominent families in the inner city.
Compared to the comfort and stability of Heishi City, they were more eager to explore the outside world.
Han Zhao readily agreed to take them along as long as they didn't bring their entire families with them.
After all, the journey of over three thousand miles would be much more manageable if they could afford horses. Traveling by foot, especially with ordinary people, would take a long time, and any illness on the road could be a significant problem.
He believed that once these martial artists established themselves in the prefecture city, they could reunite with their families and enjoy a better life. As long as nothing went wrong in the prefecture city, their relationship would remain secure.
"The time has come!" With the sun rising high in the sky, Lu Yi announced.
"Depart!" Zhao Yuantu, who was riding a tall horse, signaled loudly.
The group set off.
"Master Lu, Senior Brother Han, wait for me!"
Within Heishi City's south gate, a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes galloped towards them on a black horse.
Han Zhao looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Li Fei.
"Master Lu," Li Fei dismounted and saluted Lu Yi.
"You're quite slow," Lu Yi said with a hint of impatience. He had wanted to take Li Fei to the prefecture city, but Li Fei had hesitated for so long without giving an answer
.
Li Fei, who was almost thirty years old, knew that he had no hope of breaking through to the realm of Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation in Heishi City. He had already lost that chance. Going to the prefecture city and purchasing valuable medicines to forcibly break through to the realm of Qi Cultivation was his only option now.
Although it might reduce his chances of achieving the Grandmaster level, breaking through to the realm of Qi Cultivation was a more practical goal at this stage.
Li Fei was a good instructor in martial arts, and even in the prefecture city, he could still teach at a martial academy. He wouldn't have to take any risks.
"Yes, Master Lu," Li Fei responded with a happy expression. He mounted his horse and followed Lu Yi and Zhao Yuantu.
Li Fei had thought about it all night and had finally decided to take the opportunity to go to the prefecture city.
This was indeed his last chance in this lifetime.
Looking back at the three large characters "Heishi City" on the south gate, Li Fei couldn't help but feel melancholic.
Once he broke through to the realm of Qi Cultivation, he would bring his wife, concubines, and children to the prefecture city. Perhaps he wouldn't achieve anything great in his lifetime, but the next generation might have a starting point in the prefecture city, and maybe a martial master would emerge.
The wheels of the carriages rolled on, leaving tire tracks that gradually grew distant. The convoy slowly moved away from the south gate.
County Magistrate Wu Di and his eldest son, Wu Bi, stood on the city tower, gazing at the departing caravan.
Seeing the longing expression on Wu Bi's face, Wu Di smiled faintly.
"Bi'er, if you want to go to the prefecture city with us, there's still time."
"Father, you jest," Wu Bi replied, shaking his head. "I've already been to the prefecture city once. Without becoming a martial master, there's no point in going. There are more opportunities there, but without a strong background, it's incredibly difficult for ordinary people to make a name for themselves."
In the vicinity of Heishi City, Wu Bi was the eldest son of the county magistrate, a formidable expert who had reached the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation realm. Even Grandmasters of Qi Cultivation would show him some respect. He was a high-ranking figure, and people would go to great lengths to assist him.
However, once he arrived in the prefecture city, he would lose all of that status and influence.
In a place like the prefecture city, even Grandmasters of Qi Cultivation were considered decent, and only those who had reached the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation Completion could be regarded as experts.
To live a prosperous life there, he needed to become a top expert at the Martial Master realm.
Even if he succeeded in becoming a Martial Master, there would still be even stronger Five Qi Grandmasters and the supreme experts of the Martial Saint realm above him.
Wu Bi could enjoy the best resources for cultivation in this area, and he could command respect from most people. However, once he reached the prefecture city, he would be just an ordinary person.
Nevertheless, his father's words were right. After he broke through to the realm of Qi Cultivation Completion, he should give it a try in the prefecture city. Only there would he have the opportunity to break through to the Martial Master realm. He knew that Heishi City was too small to realize his ambitions.
"That's right, Father!" Wu Bi nodded in agreement. He looked ahead at the white-clad young man leading the group and whispered, "Father, according to the latest information we received, all the Longevity Sect disciples who contacted us earlier have left the vicinity of Heishi City. It seems that something has happened to the Blood Spirit Hall Master. Do you think it could be related to..."
"This matter has nothing to do with us," Wu Di said with a slightly stern expression. "Although that Blood Spirit Hall Master is on the same level as me and has reached the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation realm, she has exceptional skills in her heterodox martial arts, and she might be able to compete with a Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation. However, it's not our concern."
Wu Di's expression darkened slightly. "Even though that Blood Spirit Hall Master is on the same level as me and has reached the Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation realm, she is exceptionally skilled in her unorthodox martial arts and may be able to compete with a Grandmaster of Qi Cultivation.
Below the Blood Spirit Hall, there are also seven or eight experienced martial artists who can silently deal with them all. Only Han Zhao's sidekick, Lang Fanyun, can accomplish this.
In his early twenties, a Qilin List genius who can slay grandmaster-level experts is indeed formidable.
"Yes," Wu Bi sighed, "Not to mention Lang Fanyun, I can't even compare to Han Zhao."
Originally, the Wu family valued Han Zhao mainly because of the relationship with the Ji family.
But who could have imagined that in less than two years, Han Zhao, who was just an ordinary Qi Refiner, had become an experienced martial artist.
"When you go to the capital city, don't forget to maintain a good relationship with Han Zhao. We have treated the Xu family and the Su family so favorably for this reason," Wu Di said seriously.
"According to the information from the capital city, Han Zhao is not only an experienced martial artist, but also exceptionally talented in alchemy. Many major families have invited him to join them. Maintaining a long-term friendly relationship with someone like him will benefit the Wu family for generations to come."
"Yes, father," Wu Bi nodded and sighed, "I really don't know how he cultivated. He's so young and seems to know everything."
"This world is vast, and there are countless geniuses! We shouldn't compare ourselves to people like him; we should only compare ourselves to ourselves," Wu Di seemed to think of something and looked somewhat sentimental.
"Indeed," Wu Bi agreed deeply.
Five days later.
Han Zhao and his group had covered half of their journey.
After all, there were many novice martial artists in the group, and horses were not something ordinary people could afford, so they had to travel slowly.
As the group traveled along the dense forest by the river, Han Zhao suddenly raised his hand to signal everyone to stop.
"What's going on?" Lu Yi asked.
"Han Brother?" Su Tianqi was puzzled.
"You continue on the road; I'll catch up with you quickly," Han Zhao said with a faint smile and dismounted.
His incarnation followed closely behind, standing beside him.
"Could it be..." Xu Ling widened his eyes, afraid that a high-ranking member of the Longevity Sect was catching up.
"Han Brother, Lang Brother, should I stay and help you?" Su Tianqi also decided to stay.
"Alright," Han Zhao nodded. Su Tianqi's identity would still be useful.
"Cousin, I'll stay too." Su Ningqiu saw the situation and wanted to dismount.
"Cousin, you should stay with the group," Su Tianqi stopped her with a serious expression.
"Alright," Su Ningqiu saw Su Tianqi's solemn expression and didn't insist.
"Han Junior Brother, you need to be careful," Xu Ling said with concern.
"Don't worry," Han Zhao said seriously.
Seeing this, Lu Yi was also preparing to dismount, but Han Zhao stopped him and said, "Master, you should continue with them."
"In that case, you take care of yourself," Lu Yi pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Let's go," Han Zhao signaled the group to continue.
This series of actions alerted everyone, and the martial artists in the rear of the group became agitated.
However, under Lu Yi's command, the group continued on their way and soon emerged from the dense forest.
"Han Brother, what's going on exactly?" Su Tianqi asked, as he hadn't noticed anything.
"We're almost there," Han Zhao looked towards the forest along the river.
In fact, he hadn't noticed anything either; it was Yu Niang flying in the sky who had warned him.
After breaking through to the fourth level of the Blood Spirit Tactic, his connection with Yu Niang had strengthened further, allowing direct mental communication.
Just now, Yu Niang's voice had sounded in his mind, informing him that a powerful expert was approaching from the Changlin River. That's why he decided to stay behind.
"Alright," Su Tianqi didn't ask any further. It seemed that this Han brother had many secrets, and his perception was incredibly sharp.
The three of them waited quietly.
"Chirp, chirp!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion deep in the forest, and the treetops swayed, startling a group of birds as if something terrifying was approaching from afar.
"Oh? Did you discover me ahead of time?" A deep, resonant voice echoed in the woods, coming from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint the person's location.
"He's here!" Su Tianqi's expression tightened. The person who had arrived was unexpectedly a Grandmaster-level expert.
They had been killing members of the Longevity Sect, so it was unexpected that the pursuer would be the leader of the Furious Serpent Gang.
Facing such a formidable opponent, even Lang Fanyun, who had mastered the Indestructible Vajra Body, might not be a match.
"Do you know who I am?" Su Tianqi exclaimed in disbelief. How could the person who had arrived be the leader of the Furious Serpent Gang, a Grandmaster-level powerhouse?
In fact, it was clear that he was seriously injured, but even so, he was not someone an ordinary Three Qi Sect martial artist could contend with.
"You know me? You're quite an observant young man," the man, named Shangguan Yunfei, glanced at him and then turned his gaze to Han Zhao and Lang Fanyun.
If they wanted to take Han Zhao away, they would have to confront Lang Fanyun, who appeared to be a disciple of the Heavenly Sage Cave, and this was not what Shangguan Yunfei wanted.
However, Han Zhao's situation was critical, and he had to be taken away.
The capital city was vast, and while there were many talented alchemists, few had the potential to meet his requirements within a few years and lacked significant backgrounds like Han Zhao.
Han Zhao was almost his only choice.
[Shangguan Yunfei - Grandmaster of the Five Qi - he has fully integrated the Qi of the five elements - metal, wood, water, fire, and earth - into his body, achieving a complete balance of the Five Qi. He's just half a step away from the Martial Saint realm. Currently, he is in a severely injured state, but even at his weakest, he's not an opponent for ordinary Three Qi Sect Grandmasters. If you were to fight him to the death, the best result would be to delay him until his injuries resurface, ultimately leading to a mutual demise.]
Seeing the system's prompt, Han Zhao's expression became more serious. Shangguan Yunfei was indeed severely injured, and his attack seemed more like a test.
Soon, the dissipating airflow revealed Shangguan Yunfei's figure. He stood with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "Impressive, the successor of the Heavenly Sage Cave."
With that, he glanced at Han Zhao. "I, Shangguan Yunfei, keep my word. My promise is still valid. Young man, consider my offer carefully."
"Certainly," Han Zhao replied thoughtfully.
"Those who recognize the situation are wise. I'll wait for your answer," Shangguan Yunfei said with a faint smile, then turned and left.
After taking a few steps, blood welled up in his mouth uncontrollably.
'It seems that the Indestructible Vajra Body is indeed worthy of its reputation. I underestimated it.'
He quickly swallowed the blood back down and flew away.
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