A True Strong Man Faces the Wind and Rain Head-On

A vast group of people entered the military camp ahead.

Only after they had fully entered the camp did Lu Chen see the scene across from them.

On the mountain opposite, countless military camps were likewise stationed there, a black mass linked together by a unique formation. The baleful qi there was heavier, the bloodshed more intense.

It was as though a layer of dark clouds hung overhead.

"Are the Northern Barbarians stationed on the mountain?"

Lu Chen frowned suspiciously. "Wouldn't that mean they can see all the military movements on your side at a glance?"

"Yes, but in order to fight for the Azure Void Ancient Land, there is no helping it."

Shen Lian sighed softly.

The Azure Void Ancient Land lay right between the two sides.

Great Yu wanted to relocate its camp, but if they retreated even one step, the Northern Barbarians would gain one step of ground.

If they were allowed to nibble away at it bit by bit, this Azure Void Ancient Land would eventually become the Northern Barbarians' entirely.

Thus, even knowing they were at a disadvantage, Great Yu had no other choice.

They could only keep dispatching troops here year after year.

Fortunately, those reclusive families had not yet completely torn off all pretense, and would still help them guard the place to some extent.

Lu Chen's thoughts churned.

He wondered how many Merit Points he would get for killing Northern Barbarians.

Once this trip to the Azure Void Ancient Land was over, would he be able to break through to Grandmaster?

If he could reach Grandmaster, he would immediately settle accounts with the reclusive Xu Family.

"Lord Shen, Lord Lu!"

At that moment, a general clad in heavy armor strode over and respectfully cupped his fists.

"This is General Yue Zhenshan, who is responsible for guarding this place," Shen Lian introduced.

Lu Chen gave a slight nod.

"Lord Shen, the Northern Barbarians' army has made some minor movements..."

Yue Zhenshan said in a grave, low voice.

"Continue monitoring them. If there is the slightest sign of trouble, you have full authority to handle it."

Shen Lian's voice was low.

"Yes, my lord."

Yue Zhenshan cupped his fists solemnly.

Before long, they arrived ahead and joined the others.

Several hundred figures had already gathered in the spacious camp, carrying sabers and swords, their auras formidable.

More than thirty of them came from reclusive families and sects.

The rest came from ordinary sects and prominent clans.

As Lu Chen appeared, many gazes immediately swept toward him.

"Lord Shen, this must be the renowned Young Hero Lu, correct?"

An aged voice rang out. The speaker was a half-bald old man with a hooked nose, high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a cold, sinister air.

"That's right."

Shen Lian replied, "Once the Azure Void Ancient Land opens, everyone must stand united against our common enemy. There must be no internal conflict."

"A hero rises in his youth. Impressive, impressive!"

The half-bald old man gave Lu Chen a meaningful look and spoke those inexplicable words.

The others beside him also smiled.

There was no need to oppose Lu Chen here. With Shen Lian watching from the side, no matter how they opposed him, they would only startle the grass and alert the snake.

Everything could wait until they entered the Azure Void Ancient Land.

They had never imagined that Lu Chen would be so bold.

He had only just raided the reclusive Lin Family and landed himself on the blacklist of their reclusive families, yet he actually dared to enter the Azure Void Ancient Land directly afterward.

Had Dugu Wudi gone senile?

Or did Lu Chen simply not take them seriously?

No matter how talented you fucking are, aren't you only at the Great Perfection of True Qi?

Could you withstand an expert of the Spirit Hidden Realm?

When the time came, you would die without even knowing how.

"How much longer do we have to wait?"

Lu Chen did not waste words with them and instead turned to Shen Lian.

"Soon. We can head into the mountains now and join up with those Northern Barbarian people."

Shen Lian knew everyone here had grown impatient, so he immediately began calling them into action.

The group promptly set off, making their way toward the mountains ahead.

With their skills, they swiftly crossed layer upon layer of obstacles and reached the very front.

Before them stood a towering cliff face, smooth as a mirror and stretching vast and wide for at least several hundred meters.

A large number of Northern Barbarian people had gathered before the cliff.

Every one of them brimmed with dense vitality, their gazes sharp, wolfish and tiger-like, carrying an indescribable savagery.

Their stares were almost tangible, enough to make one's body feel deeply uncomfortable.

"Hmph!"

Shen Lian and the half-bald elder both snorted coldly, instantly shattering those powerful gazes one after another.

"Helian Tu, it has been many years. Why must you act like this?"

Shen Lian said hoarsely.

"Brother Shen, I truly feel it is not worth it for you!"

A burly Northern Barbarian elder sighed. "You can be said to have rendered great service to Great Yu, holding down Great Yu's Jianghu for so many years. And what happened in the end? Your position as chief of the Pacification Bureau was stripped away just like that. As they say, once the sly rabbit is dead, the hunting hounds are boiled; once the birds are gone, the good bow is put away. Your Great Yu court has wronged you so badly that even we of the Northern Barbarian Heavenly Kingdom cannot stand to watch. Why not come to our Heavenly Kingdom instead?"

"Helian Tu, do not sow discord. You and I have both weathered great storms and enormous waves. You should know such words are useless against me!"

Shen Lian's face darkened as he spoke in a rasping voice.

"Is that so? I heard the one who replaced you is merely a brat whose hair has yet to grow in. I wonder whether that brat came today?"

The burly Northern Barbarian elder smiled as he swept his gaze toward Lu Chen. His eyes shone like snow, sharp as blade light. With a soft chuckle, he said, "Could this young hero be that Lu Chen?"

"Do you need something?"

Lu Chen's voice was calm.

"Unmoved by favor or disgrace—such composure is rare."

The Northern Barbarian elder praised him. "I heard you are also known for your saber arts. What a coincidence. This old man has practiced the saber since childhood as well. But my saber is a saber for killing. Would you like to have a look?"

"Helian Tu!"

Shen Lian's tone sank as he barked in a low voice.

"Why so worked up? It was merely a joke. How could this old man, a dignified senior, lower himself to bicker with a junior?"

The Northern Barbarian elder threw back his head and laughed, his voice rough and bold.

"Lu Chen, remember him. If you encounter him, you must run."

Shen Lian's expression was grave as he sent a voice transmission. "His nickname is the Bloodthirsty Saber Maniac. His saber arts are driven by killing intent and are terrifyingly unpredictable. He has long since reached the second layer of the Spirit Hidden Realm, second only to me."

"Is that so?"

Lu Chen looked the man over.

Run?

What kind of joke was that!

Such a rare opportunity had come along, and he was supposed to run?

"Hehe, Senior Shen, there is no need to be so agitated. Senior Helian will not stoop to deal with Young Hero Lu. Your Young Hero Lu possesses only the strength of twenty-eighth on the Human Rankings, yet you are being far too cautious. On our Northern Barbarian side, true powerhouses face wind and rain head-on, rather than hiding behind the strong. Those raised under such protection, even if they grow up, are no more than flowers in a greenhouse."

A seductively dressed Northern Barbarian woman smiled as she watched Lu Chen. "Young Hero Lu, what do you think?"

"I think that makes a lot of sense."

Lu Chen nodded.

"Hahahaha..."

The seductive woman burst out laughing.

The other Northern Barbarian people also revealed strange smiles.

How had this Lu Chen managed to grow this far?

And he had even made it to twenty-eighth on the Human Rankings?

What bullshit was that?