Rely on Yourself

Rely on Yourself

The thought of "who was stronger and who was weaker" merely flashed through Han Yi's mind before he cast it aside.

After all, Han Yi had little combat experience, and he had never seen the Pill Sword Technique in action. Naturally, he could not make a subjective judgment.

Next.

The other three at Qi Refining Layer 7 and four at Qi Refining Layer 6 introduced themselves as well. Of course, such introductions inevitably held something back. Matters involving one's own secrets could not possibly be disclosed rashly.

As Han Yi listened, he finally understood why there were rumors outside that Mystic Pill Sect disciples were poor at combat.

In truth, that was indeed the case.

Take Lu Su, for example. He was already at Qi Refining Layer 8, yet he only knew one offensive spell, and from the sound of it, its power was rather worrying.

Han Yi could not help shaking his head inwardly.

This did not sound very reliable. If they truly encountered enemies, he definitely could not place all his faith in his teammates. He would still have to rely on himself.

At last, it was Han Yi's turn.

"My name is Han Yi. I am an Outer Peak disciple of Little Spirit Void Peak, at Qi Refining Layer 6. I cultivate a Sword Control Technique, as well as a defensive Fire Shield Technique."

Han Yi answered in a proper, unremarkable manner, mentioning the Fire Shield Technique and his Sword Control Technique.

After all, a sword hung from his waist. Rather than conceal it, he might as well state it openly.

"Oh, Sword Control Technique?" Lu Su gave Han Yi another look, surprise flashing across his face.

Sword Control Technique was no simple matter. One generally needed to reach Qi Refining Layer 7 before truly cultivating it, and even getting started was exceedingly difficult.

For this Outer Peak junior brother to cultivate Sword Control Technique at Qi Refining Layer 6, his aptitude seemed fairly decent. Perhaps his combat strength might even bring Lu Su a pleasant surprise.

"It is only an incomplete version of the Sword Control Technique. I happened to obtain it at a market when I was sent down the mountain on an external assignment years ago," Han Yi said truthfully.

"Oh."

The interest in Lu Su's eyes faded once more.

An incomplete version of the Sword Control Technique was certainly far weaker than the complete version.

Moreover, this junior brother had once been sent out on an external assignment. It was already a stroke of great fortune that he had managed to return to the sect alive. His aptitude was likely quite limited as well.

Forget it. He had been overthinking things.

The others also immediately withdrew their gazes from Han Yi.

Han Yi said nothing further and quietly fell silent.

Though he had been helplessly conscripted for the sect's mandatory mission, he still chose to keep a suitably low profile.

He had long passed the age of striving to outdo others.

"Alright, everyone is acquainted now. Next, choose a room in this temporary base and settle in."

"Keep watch for any stirrings outside. If anything unusual happens, report to me immediately."

"You may disperse."

After everyone had finished introducing themselves, Lu Su had gained a general understanding of his squad and knew what he needed to know. With a light wave of his hand, he dismissed them.

Han Yi followed the others out of the room, found an empty room in the temporary base, and began meditating cross-legged. At the same time, he placed the Shadowless Sword across his knees and slowly channeled spiritual power into it, gradually refining it.

This mid-grade sword was currently only in the initial stages of refinement, still far from the point where he could use it for sword control.

But Han Yi had his own plans.

At his waist, trouser cuffs, and back, he had hidden three daggers. He had refined these three daggers for seven or eight years. He could send and retrieve them at will, wielding them as easily as his own arms. Nothing could have been more familiar.

Those were his greatest current reliance for long-range attacks.

For now, the Shadowless Sword could only serve as a decoy.

Furthermore, if enemies came close, he had the Spirit Void Finger. For defense, he had the Fire Shield Technique. To conceal his tracks, he had the Turtle Breath Technique.

Unfortunately, he had not had much time to cultivate the Turtle Breath Technique, and it had only reached the Intermediate level.

Time—there was still far too little of it.

Han Yi let out a sigh.

On the front lines, there was no use rushing now.

Moreover, cultivating the Turtle Breath Technique required entering deep meditation, which did not suit the current environment.

As for the Fire Shield Technique, it caused quite a commotion when used.

Thus, he could only take advantage of this time to nurture his sword. Even that nurturing had to be kept to the bare minimum, so that the spiritual power within his body remained in an almost perfect state, ready to deal with any sudden development.

Han Yi had thought there should still be a period of calm respite ahead. After all, even if war broke out across the entire front, it could not begin the instant someone said fight.

But in truth, reality slapped him in the face.

On the very night they entered Heavenfall City, the slaughter began.

Deep into the night.

A piercing howl suddenly rang out, followed by violent explosions.

Han Yi abruptly opened his eyes from his shallow meditation. His heart jolted, and every muscle in his body tightened.

It would be impossible not to feel nervous.

In such a great battle, a mere Qi Refining Layer 6 cultivator like him was at the very bottom. One careless mistake, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator could crush him to death without much more effort than crushing an ant.

If money could ward off disaster, Han Yi would have been willing to offer most of his possessions to the sect and hide away on Little Spirit Void Peak to cultivate.

Unfortunately, once the sect issued a mandatory mission, there was no room left to maneuver.

Hearing the explosions and sounds of battle, Han Yi knew he could no longer be a turtle hiding in its shell. Sword in hand, he swiftly yet cautiously pushed open the door.

Outside the doorway, Lu Su had already led several senior brothers to stand in the open space, looking up into the sky.

High above, two Foundation Establishment cultivators were fighting with spells.

The explosions came from the sky.

"It's Uncle Gu."

"Damn it, the Blood God Sect actually launched a night raid."

"What do we do, Senior Brother Lu?"

"What should we do now?"

Of this squad, only Lu Su and a Qi Refining Layer 7 senior brother named Luo Yunzhou had participated in the battle at the Demon Cave four years ago and possessed relatively abundant combat experience. The others were all taking part in such slaughter for the first time and immediately lost their heads.

Before the grim-faced Lu Su could speak, the situation in midair suddenly changed.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators, one pursuing and one fleeing, vanished into the distance in an instant.

"Uncle Gu is pursuing the enemy."

"Wonderful, Uncle Gu has the upper hand."

"We won."

"Should we follow them?"

Han Yi stood beside the others without speaking. He withdrew his gaze from the two streaks of light disappearing into the sky, and his expression grew even more solemn.

He believed the battle above was only the beginning, not the end.

Lu Su possessed the same instinct. Having gone through the battle at the Demon Cave, his experience was the richest among them all.

"Don't rush. Wait first."

The moment his words fell.

Suddenly.

Dozens of figures abruptly appeared around the temporary base. Beneath the moonlight, the blood-red robes upon them snapped in the wind.

Unconcealed killing intent swept over them, blotting out the sky and covering the earth.

"You soft-legged whelps of the Mystic Pill Sect, today we'll send you on your way."

"Kill!!"

A Blood God Sect Cultivator at Qi Refining Layer 9 took a thunderous step forward. His killing intent soared to the heavens, so dense that even the night seemed to carry a stronger stench of blood.

Lu Su took a deep breath. His face turned stern, and killing intent surfaced in his eyes.

"Junior brothers of the Mystic Pill Sect, join forces and kill the enemy. Remember, do not scatter and end up alone."

"Kill!!"

Not only Lu Su's squad, but the other nine squads in the temporary base also gathered into makeshift groups and clashed with the Blood God Sect cultivators who had leapt over the walls and charged inside.

Boom!!

The instant they collided, the slaughter reached a fever pitch.