A Change of Plans

Seeing Lu Ming dispatch his opponent so quickly, Chu Yunxiao was surprised, but unwilling to be outdone, he unleashed an even more powerful move.

His sword moved with him, instantly condensing three streams of Sword Qi that shot forth.

Their main target was the Mid True Qi Realm man.

Compared to the Sword Qi from before, these were clearly faster and more powerful.

Ha!

Seeing the Sword Qi flying toward him, the Mid True Qi Realm man did not dare be careless. His palms swung repeatedly, quickly condensing a palm force barrier. From the look of it, he intended to defend.

Very soon, the first stream of Sword Qi arrived. The Mid True Qi Realm man, together with his palm force barrier, was blasted back again and again.

Then came the second.

After sending out three streams of Sword Qi in succession, Chu Yunxiao had no time to concern himself with the man any longer, because the other had seized the chance to attack from midair.

A massive fist shadow descended from above.

"Take my Corpse King Descends!"

"I know fist techniques too—Hegemon Lifts Cauldron!"

Unexpectedly, Chu Yunxiao did not use his swordsmanship to block again. Instead, he met the attack with a fist technique.

One was above and one below, needle against wheat awn. Their fists collided in an instant, erupting with a thunderous blast as force energy scattered in all directions.

Centered on Chu Yunxiao, the ground beneath his feet seemed packed with explosive powder. Amid the explosions, clods of earth flew skyward.

The two only remained locked in stalemate for a few seconds before separating.

Chu Yunxiao's feet had sunk completely into the mud, while Chi Wuya was sent tumbling backward through the air. After landing, he staggered back several more steps before steadying himself.

Then he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The difference between them was immediately clear.

But it was not over yet. Just as Chi Wuya struggled to suppress the chaotic True Qi within his body, a sharp saber flash suddenly slashed toward his neck.

"It's you!"

Chi Wuya quickly realized who had come to ambush him. He was both enraged and panicked.

Li Chonghu's death was still fresh before his eyes. Even he had no confidence that he could finish off his opponent so quickly.

He hurriedly used Ghost Shadow Steps to evade.

However, Lu Ming was no slower. When his ambushing slash missed, he immediately pursued and launched another slash.

"Haha, again!"

Chu Yunxiao had just dispersed the fist force when he saw Lu Ming attacking, chasing Chi Wuya down. With a laugh, he headed straight for the Mid True Qi Realm man.

By now, that Mid True Qi Realm man had already neutralized the three streams of Sword Qi, though he did not seem to have done so easily.

Seeing Chu Yunxiao coming at him again, and taking in the current situation, he gritted his teeth and fled outright.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Chu Yunxiao immediately saw through his intentions. Pushing his movement technique to the limit, he gave chase. Just as he was about to catch up, the other man suddenly threw out a bead.

Not daring to be careless, Chu Yunxiao hurriedly dodged.

Bang!

The bead instantly exploded. It had little power, but released a cloud of pungent jade-green smoke. Chu Yunxiao did not dare let it touch him and quickly retreated even farther.

"Hmph. These people aren't much in a fight, but their underhanded tricks just keep coming."

After reaching a safe distance, Chu Yunxiao looked again. The Mid True Qi Realm man had already fled far away; there was no way he could catch him now.

He could only give up and prepare to help Lu Ming.

Yet he had barely turned around when he heard a scream. Lu Ming had already dealt with his opponent.

"Taking out two in a row. Impressive."

Arriving beside Lu Ming, Chu Yunxiao glanced at Chi Wuya's corpse and praised him.

To be honest, he truly had not expected Lu Ming's strength to have improved so much in barely more than ten days.

"I only picked up an easy win."

Lu Ming shook his head and pointed at Chi Wuya's corpse. "First, you beat his True Qi into disorder. Then his companion's escape distracted him. That's why I was able to finish him so quickly."

In truth, in terms of strength, although both were in the Early True Qi Realm, Chi Wuya was far stronger than Li Chonghu.

And among those at the same realm, Chu Yunxiao was a cut above both of them. Had they not just seen it? Even facing two opponents alone, he had not fallen into a disadvantage.

Lu Ming estimated that if he faced Chu Yunxiao without using the embryonic form of Saber Intent, he would not be a match for him.

"Ordinary people wouldn't be able to seize such an opportunity either."

Chu Yunxiao shook his head as well. He did not continue the subject, instead saying, "After that man escapes, who knows how many people he'll gather and bring back. We should leave this place first."

Lu Ming understood the seriousness of the situation, but before leaving, he did not forget to clean up the battlefield.

From Li Chonghu, he found over three thousand taels in gold notes, more than ten thousand taels in silver notes, and a martial skill manual—Li Chonghu's signature technique, the Human-grade High Stage martial skill, Tiger Fiend Claw.

Chi Wuya was rather poor. He only had seven thousand taels' worth of silver notes on him, and no cultivation manuals or martial techniques whatsoever.

"Any moderately large faction won't allow people to take their secret manuals out."

Chu Yunxiao explained to Lu Ming.

Lu Ming nodded, intending to give half of what he had gained to Chu Yunxiao. After all, he could guess that Chu Yunxiao had shown himself this time to help him.

Yet Chu Yunxiao refused, saying he did not care for such a small amount.

Lu Ming could only keep it himself.

Then the two quickly departed.

"Looks like this old man won't need to make a move."

High in the sky—yes, truly high in the sky—Old Man Zhao stood there stroking his beard, watching Lu Ming and Chu Yunxiao leave. "But why do I feel like this lad is about to be lured into the Wuji Sect?"

Then he smiled and shook his head. "Whether it's the Wuji Sect or the Nine Heavens Sect, there isn't much difference. Either is enough to protect him in his early days."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the Mid True Qi Realm member of the Demonic Cult who was fleeing, intending to deal with him.

But after thinking it over, he did not act.

"Jade must be carved before it can become a vessel. A genius must always face trials before he can truly grow. I'll leave those people for you to sharpen your blade on."

After one last look at Lu Ming, Old Man Zhao tore through space and left.

On the other side, Lu Ming could not help looking back. He kept feeling that someone was watching him, though he sensed no malice.

Was it Old Man Zhao? he wondered.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing this, Chu Yunxiao asked in confusion.

"Nothing." Lu Ming shook his head and did not answer.

Chu Yunxiao did not press the matter, instead asking another question. "You're heading far from home this time. Where are you going?"

Lu Ming did not hide it either, saying that he wanted to join the Nine Heavens Sect.

"That Demonic Cult member escaped just now. There's no telling when he might come back for revenge, so we're still in danger along the way."

"Why not return to the Wuji Sect with me first? I can call upon fellow disciples for aid on the road, and then there won't be any danger."

Naturally, Lu Ming could hear what the other man was aiming for. The danger did exist, but it was not quite that great.

After all, the Demonic Cult was currently like a stray dog driven from its home. They would not dare make too much of a commotion.

Still, joining the Wuji Sect did not particularly repel him. Though the overall strength of the three sects differed somewhat, the gap was not large.

Moreover, he had a favorable impression of this Wuji Sect disciple before him.

Thus, after pondering for a moment, he nodded in agreement.

Chu Yunxiao was delighted. He believed that so long as he brought Lu Ming back to the Wuji Sect, he would have a chance to persuade him to join the sect.

Thus, the two headed toward the Wuji Sect in the southeast.

Along the way, Chu Yunxiao indeed kept summoning fellow disciples—but not to seek their assistance. Rather, he was relaying news of the Demonic Cult's reappearance.

Once they reached a city, they switched to horses to continue their journey.

Azure Mane Horses possessed demon beast bloodlines. They ran like the wind and could travel a thousand li in a day. Their travel speed immediately rose sharply.

Along the way, Chu Yunxiao constantly introduced the benefits of the Wuji Sect to Lu Ming, naturally hoping to deepen his favorable impression of it.

At first, Lu Ming listened with great interest. But as time dragged on, he grew annoyed.

Only then did he realize just how talkative Chu Yunxiao was.

So, to grant his ears a moment of peace, he directly voiced his thoughts.

Yet upon hearing them, Chu Yunxiao became even happier and explained with even greater enthusiasm.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Only after traveling through it himself did Lu Ming understand just how vast this world was. Zhao Kingdom alone had made him ride more than ten thousand li.

Add to that the other kingdoms and the lands beyond them, and this world was far larger than he had imagined.

"We've finally arrived."

Looking at the endless mountain peaks in the distance, Chu Yunxiao reined in his horse and said:

"Yangguan Town is a few dozen li ahead. Once we pass the town, we'll reach the mountain gate. It's still early, so we won't enter the town. We'll head straight for the mountain gate."

"Alright."

Lu Ming naturally had no objections.

With that, the two once again increased their speed.