"My Lord!"
"Your subordinate greets Your Lord!"
The many martial arts disciples knelt on one knee.
"Rise, I heard someone sneaked into the spiritual spring and took a thousand-year-old spiritual herb?"
"There was such a thing."
"I have already investigated. This person's name is Chu Chen, the eldest young master of the Chu family's merchant alliance in Cangzhou City!"
Xiao Heng's eyes flashed with killing intent, and he gritted his teeth, "This fellow is audacious, not only stealing the spiritual herb but also desecrating my imperial brother's tomb! He deserves to die! Send someone to bring Chu Chen back immediately!"
"Yes!"
The many martial arts disciples immediately complied and dispersed, searching everywhere.
...
On the other side, Chu Chen, who was cultivating at the bottom of the spiritual spring, was unaware that he had been targeted by a group of villains and remained focused on his cultivation.
Half a day later.
Spiritual energy vortices converged, merging into his body and forming a thin film.
Buzz~ Buzz~ Buzz...
This film floated and gradually solidified, completely encasing his entire body like a silkworm cocoon.
This film was the spiritual脉 (mài), containing immense spiritual energy, which could temper the physique and cleanse the meridians, making them stronger.
"Crack! Crack..."
The sound of bones rubbing against each other continued.
As this film gradually thickened, his physical body also strengthened!
One day passed.
Two days passed.
Three days...
Finally, with a thunderous roar, the film shattered, turning into powder and disappearing.
At this moment, a pair of eyes as dark as ink slowly opened, revealing a sharp gaze like a sword's edge, captivating and piercing!
"So strong!"
He threw a punch, and a violent, unparalleled true qi surged out, cracking the air.
"As expected of the spiritual spring water. In just a few days, my body has reached the sixth stage of Xiantian!"
"This speed is countless times faster than in the outside world!"
Chu Chen stood up, his bones cracking, his muscles bulging as if they could explode at any moment.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, Chu Chen roared at the sky, the sound waves violently impacting, shaking the void.
In an instant, the nearby vegetation trembled violently, and leaves fell.
"My heavens!"
In the distant forest, a group of martial arts disciples were terrified.
Originally, near the spiritual spring, spiritual energy was abundant, the vegetation was lush, and birds sang.
But now, these green plants had withered, as if struck by a great disaster.
"What's going on? Where is the spiritual energy near the spiritual spring?" a martial arts disciple asked uncertainly.
"Never mind the reason, have you noticed that we seemed to hear a tiger's roar and a dragon's cry just now?"
Another martial arts disciple whispered, "Does that kid have a young tiger and a green dragon on him?"
"Damn it!"
"Could it be such a coincidence?"
"Should we go and see?"
The crowd chattered, but in the end, no one dared to take the risk.
After all, this was the desolate ancient mountain range, full of fierce beasts. Even a small village had terrifying beasts, and if they were entangled, they might die without a burial place.
It was said that fortune favors the bold. If they obtained such a heaven-defying encounter, their future cultivation would surely soar, and they would reach the pinnacle!
However, not a single person dared to step into this area, for fear of being torn to shreds by ferocious beasts. Night fell.
The forest was silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects.
A bonfire burned.
A leg of a plump black bear was roasting over the bonfire, dripping oil. The fragrant soup was boiling,
bubbling and emitting an enticing aroma.
"Delicious!"
"I've never eaten anything so delicious. What kind of meat is this?"
The many martial arts disciples gathered around, devouring the meat, their faces filled with ecstasy.
"Haha, eat more if it's delicious. My treat!"
Chu Chen laughed heartily and poured himself another cup of wine.
"Esteemed junior brother, we are martial arts disciples under the command of the Prince of Beiling. We are ordered to apprehend a thief today. We ask for your cooperation."
Suddenly, a cold voice came.
A team of martial guards appeared, advancing towards them.
These martial guards were all armored, carrying sabers and long spears, looking valiant and mighty.
"It's Xiao Heng?!"
"The son of the Prince of Beiling is here!"
Everyone panicked.
"Everyone, I advise you not to interfere in this matter!"
Xiao Heng rode his warhorse, looking down from above.
"Xiao Heng, what do you want?"
A martial arts disciple shouted, "This is a mission assigned to us by His Highness the Prince!"
"Hmph, what a useless Prince, just a good-for-nothing."
Xiao Heng sneered, "I am investigating this case by imperial decree. You'd best leave here obediently, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
As he spoke, a powerful aura of a Wuzong realm spread out.
Instantly, the group of martial arts disciples trembled.
"What an overbearing aura!"
"Has he advanced to the Wuzong realm?"
The martial arts disciples were terrified, each one of them speechless.
From the ninth level of Wutu to the Wuzong realm was extraordinary, requiring immense resources. And the higher one climbed, the more difficult it became.
Although Xiao Heng was the son of a prince, he had not received much resources. It was difficult for him to advance to the Wuzong realm within five or six years.
"Xiao Heng, what kind of skill is it to bully a group of juniors? Why don't you fight me!" Just then, a rough voice came from the side.
Immediately after, a burly figure strode forward, enveloped in crimson armor, exuding an extremely dense scent of blood.
"Brother Iron Tower!"
"He actually came out alive!"
This iron tower-like strongman was the蛮牛 (mán niú) whom Chu Chen had let go earlier. He had fled all the way and managed to save his life.
"Heh heh, a mere seventh-level Wutu wants to challenge me?"
Xiao Heng smiled indifferently, "Since you want to die, I will grant you your wish!"
Swish!
Instantly.
Xiao Heng swung his arm, shooting a sleeve dart at the iron tower strongman, extremely sharp.
Bang bang bang!
The iron tower strongman raised his hand and threw three punches, each punch like a cannonball, shattering the sleeve dart. Xiao Heng was prepared and used his movement technique to dodge, evading this attack.
"Hmm? Your movement technique is not bad!"
Xiao Heng's brow furrowed slightly, then his eyes turned cold. He swung another whip kick towards the iron tower, the wind whistling, his foot stomping on the void, kicking towards the vital point of the opponent's neck.
"Petty trick!" The iron tower sneered disdainfully, raising his hand and forming a fist seal to meet it.
With a muffled thud, the two collided, and the force pushed outwards, forming a terrifying hurricane.
Pfft—
Xiao Heng spat blood and flew back, his right shoulder caved in, his bones shattered, and he was in excruciating pain.
His gaze was filled with apprehension. This iron tower's strength was too formidable, like a demon, and utterly impervious to harm.
"Let me help you!"
Two more martial arts disciples rushed forward, joining forces to attack the iron tower strongman.
However, the outcome was surprising.
The iron tower strongman, clad in crimson armor and wielding a giant hammer, was like a giant, sweeping across the army, unstoppable.
"Pfft!"
Blood splattered! The three martial arts disciples, working together, were still sent flying, spitting blood, with countless broken ribs!
"Brother Iron Tower is so powerful!"
"Heh heh, I think Xiao Heng is doomed this time!"