Provoking the Left Guardian

Jiang Dao opened the panel, looked at the Wind Thunder Poison Sand Palm before him, and directly focused his mind on it to modify it.

Whoosh!

The words "Beginner" behind the Wind Thunder Poison Sand Palm immediately changed.

Wind Thunder Poison Sand Palm (thirty years later). Cannot be modified.

"Only modified by thirty years? Just like the Mad Demon Bloodsoul Blade?"

Jiang Dao's eyes flashed.

Did that not mean the Wind Thunder Poison Sand Palm ranked on par with the Mad Demon Bloodsoul Blade?

The various figures on the panel changed slightly once more.

Strength: 4.3 (0.2 away from the physical limit. Please cultivate an internal energy method as soon as possible.)

Speed: 3.4

Spirit: 1.5

...

Jiang Dao revealed a surprised look as he noticed the line of small text behind Strength.

His strength was about to reach the physical limit?

"The physical limit should be 4.5. Once I reach 4.5, does that mean no matter how I modify martial arts in the future, I won't become any stronger?"

Jiang Dao frowned.

This was absolutely not good news!

At present, he only had one internal energy method: the Life Nurturing Art.

The key was that the Life Nurturing Art was not even a proper internal energy method and could not help him break through the physical limit.

As for other internal energy methods, only the sect leader and deputy sect leader could possess them.

But with his current strength, could he force his way into the leadership?

Clearly, that was unlikely!

Sect Leader Fang Tianba had controlled the Blazing Flame Sect for so many years and cultivated internal energy for just as long. He was certainly already an expert of the Divine Strength Realm.

Even if Jiang Dao faced him now, he might not be able to guarantee victory, not to mention the deputy sect leader and the Left and Right Guardians.

Therefore, forcibly seizing an internal energy method was simply unrealistic.

"Am I destined to cultivate only to this extent?"

Jiang Dao's heart darkened.

An internal energy method!

It had practically become one of his greatest obsessions.

If he did not obtain one, he would never be safe in a world like this.

Spirit Child Palace's retaliation could come at any time.

Jiang Dao slowly exhaled a breath of foul air, rose to his full height, opened the door, and walked outside.

Lü An hurriedly arranged lunch for Jiang Dao.

After lunch, Jiang Dao did not linger. He led the remaining men toward the Blazing Flame Sect's headquarters.

The sky was dim.

Dark clouds blanketed the heavens.

The sky, which had been clear moments ago, suddenly seemed on the verge of rain.

Jiang Dao sat atop a tall horse and looked up at the sky, frowning slightly.

"Hall Master, it's about to rain. Should we find somewhere to take shelter first?"

Du Feng asked.

"Go look."

Jiang Dao said.

Du Feng immediately sent men out in all directions, urging their horses onward as they searched nearby.

Before long, Du Feng galloped back from the distance and shouted, "Hall Master, there's an abandoned temple here!"

Jiang Dao immediately called everyone forward.

The fierce wind howled, its wailing piercing to the ear.

Jiang Dao's group quickly entered the abandoned temple. Everyone busied themselves tying up the horses and lighting a fire.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Jiang Dao's ears twitched. He heard faint, indistinct breathing coming from behind him.

His eyes flashed as he turned and swept his gaze toward a massive Buddha statue behind him.

"Hall Master, what is it?"

Du Feng asked suspiciously.

"There's someone behind the statue."

Jiang Dao said quietly.

Du Feng froze, then immediately summoned the others. They swiftly surrounded the Buddha statue and moved behind it.

Jiang Dao stepped over, his gaze sweeping around.

Behind the statue was empty and covered in dust. Only a few drops of black blood remained, as though someone had hidden there earlier.

He listened carefully, then suddenly drew his long blade and slashed behind the Buddha statue like lightning.

Rip!

The statue's back split open, revealing a hidden compartment inside.

Within it, a seven- or eight-year-old girl was curled up, her face pale as she trembled. She did not move, and her breathing was extremely erratic.

As if realizing she had been discovered, the girl's eyelashes trembled. She looked at Jiang Dao's group in terror.

"A little girl?"

Du Feng said in surprise.

"Little girl, who are you? Why are you hiding here?"

Jiang Dao examined her.

The girl bit her lip and stared at him intently without saying a word.

Du Feng frowned. "Could she be mute?"

Jiang Dao suddenly reached out with a large hand and grabbed toward the girl.

The girl looked terrified and shrank farther inside. Suddenly, she let out a frightened scream.

"Ah..."

After that cry, her eyes rolled back. It was as if her strength had been exhausted, or as if her internal organs had been gravely injured. She abruptly fainted.

Jiang Dao pulled the girl out and immediately smelled a scent like rotten apples coming from her. Black blood stained the corners of her mouth and nostrils. His voice sank. "She's poisoned!"

Whoosh!

He immediately circulated the Life Nurturing Art, sending a continuous stream of internal energy into the girl's body.

Besides its powerful self-healing effects, the Life Nurturing Art could also heal others.

A faint flush gradually appeared on the girl's pale little face. She let out a muffled groan, while even more black blood flowed from her mouth and nostrils. Wisps of white smoke began rising from the top of her head like steam.

In the end, she suddenly sprayed out a mouthful of black bloody fluid. It landed on the wall with a sizzling sound and began bubbling violently.

"What potent poison!"

Du Feng clicked his tongue.

Who could be so ruthless as to lay such murderous hands even on a little girl?

After Jiang Dao forced out most of the poison from the girl's body, she slowly opened her eyes again and looked at him.

"Little girl, who exactly are you?"

Jiang Dao set the girl down and asked.

Anyone who could endure such a deadly poison and still flee this far was certainly no ordinary person.

The girl remained silent again, saying nothing.

"Aren't you from around here? Can't you understand me?"

Jiang Dao frowned.

The girl remained silent.

Jiang Dao nodded lightly. "If you don't wish to speak, then forget it."

He did not ask further. Turning around, he walked to the fire and sat down cross-legged.

The girl stood not far away, staring blankly at Jiang Dao. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself, seeming somewhat cold, while hungry gurgles came from her stomach.

The rain outside pattered and splashed, gradually weakening. Half an hour later, it finally stopped.

Jiang Dao and the others immediately strode out the door.

The girl's expression changed. She hurriedly took small steps and quickly followed them outside.

Seeing Jiang Dao and the others mount their horses, she immediately broke into a trot after him.

"Hall Master, that girl followed us?"

Du Feng looked back.

Jiang Dao reined in his horse and looked back. After pondering briefly, he urged his horse toward the girl again. Amid her panicked gaze, he grabbed the back of her neck, lifted her up, and placed her in front of him.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you following us?"

Jiang Dao asked.

The girl lowered her head and continued to remain silent.

Jiang Dao frowned deeply.

Had he encountered a mute girl?

He still decided to bring her back first and deal with it later.

The group raced along the official road. The path was muddy, and only after several hours did they finally arrive at Qianyuan City.

Jiang Dao casually handed the girl to Du Feng and told him to take her to the Flying Eagle Hall, while he himself headed directly for headquarters.

Not long after.

A large group of people gathered in the headquarters' main hall once more.

Jiang Dao first paid his respects to the sect leader, then explained everything that had happened in Greenstone Town, including the causes of Hu Biao and Fan Hu's deaths. He even took out the bottle containing Golden Wave Poison Gas as evidence.

"I ask the sect leader to uphold justice for this subordinate and severely punish the Left Guardian!"

Jiang Dao clasped his fists.

"Utter nonsense! This is nothing but utter nonsense!"

The Left Guardian flew into a rage. On one hand, he secretly hated Hu Biao and Fan Hu for being such useless cowards; on the other, he swiftly said, "Sect Leader, Jiang is deliberately slandering this subordinate. Hu Biao and Fan Hu had never been familiar with me. Why would I instruct them?

"Besides, Hall Master Jiang carried out the mission with them. Why was Hall Master Jiang the only one unharmed, while the other two died miserably? There must be some conspiracy here. This subordinate suggests that all the other survivors be arrested and severely interrogated. The truth will surely come out!"

"Old bastard, you dare claim you didn't instruct those two?"

Jiang Dao's tone was icy as he looked at the Left Guardian.

"Insolence!"

The Left Guardian raged. "Hall Master Jiang, you have repeatedly shown me disrespect. Do you truly think I am easy to bully?"

"Left Guardian, frank men do not speak in riddles. Since you want to kill me, why not do it yourself? Let us set a date another day and settle superiority as well as life and death. Wouldn't that be satisfying? Why resort to such underhanded, furtive means? It only makes you look despicable and shameless, utterly devoid of a master's bearing!"

Jiang Dao's tone was cold.

The Left Guardian laughed in fury, his sleeves billowing.

"You do not know the immensity of heaven and earth. Do you really think I don't dare kill you?"

"Then come. Why merely delight in the clash of tongues? I have long wished to witness the Left Guardian's divine arts!"

Jiang Dao glared at the Left Guardian, his words sharp as blades, strength permeating his entire body.

"Enough. Say no more. You are all brothers of the same sect, so why make such a fuss?"

Suddenly, Sect Leader Fang Tianba waved a hand and spoke.

The Left Guardian burned with resentment, grinding his teeth as he stared at Jiang Dao, wishing he could cut him into a thousand pieces.

"Hall Master Jiang, you claim that Hall Master Hu and Hall Master Fan intended to harm you, and that you only killed them in retaliation. Do you have evidence?"

Fang Tianba asked.

"Those who traveled with me are all witnesses!"

Jiang Dao said.

"Reporting to Sect Leader, those people must have received benefits from Jiang Dao and are deliberately trying to frame this subordinate. Their words cannot serve as evidence at all. In my view, all of them should be seized and severely interrogated. Only then can the truth truly be uncovered!"

The Left Guardian said coldly.

"Hall Master Jiang, did you hear that?"

Fang Tianba turned to Jiang Dao and said, "Those people cannot count as genuine evidence. Do you want me to severely interrogate them? You resolved the matter in Greenstone Town and should have rendered great merit, but the sect lost two hall masters because of you, which is also a grave offense. I will not pursue the exact process any further. I now rule that your merits and faults cancel each other out. There will be neither reward nor punishment. Are you satisfied?"

Jiang Dao's heart darkened as he drew in a light breath.

Fang Tianba was deliberately favoring the Left Guardian?

"This subordinate obeys!"

Jiang Dao still clasped his fists and said.