Lan Wuying

After spending more than twenty days, Lu Ming had learned both Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg and Great Demon Execution Palm.

At the same time, with the help of Low-grade Yuan Stones, his cultivation had reached the peak of the early Zhen Qi Realm.

He had yet to sense any sign of a breakthrough, so he decided to go out and take on another mission.

When he arrived at the Mission Hall, he planned to challenge a somewhat more difficult mission this time.

After looking around, he found that none of the first- or second-level missions suited him. Either they took too long, or the rewards were too low.

In the end, he chose a three-star, third-level mission. It was a guard mission.

Mission Brief: The notorious Jianghu bandit Lan Wuying had set a date and would soon steal the Liu Family's ancestral cultivation art. He had left a message: if he failed, he would not harm so much as a blade of grass; if he succeeded, he would exterminate the entire family.

Objective: Guard the Liu Family's ancestral cultivation art. If the defense failed, help fend off Lan Wuying.

Intelligence: Lan Wuying was the inheritor of Xiao Zan, a notorious bandit who had run rampant across several nations decades ago. His current cultivation was at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm, and he excelled at movement techniques.

Recommendation: For those at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm who excelled at movement techniques.

Reward: Three hundred Contribution Points, one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver, and one hundred Low-grade Yuan Stones.

Lu Ming felt that his speed was not slow. Moreover, he was confident he could contend with, or even kill, someone at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm.

Thus, he accepted it without hesitation.

"Look, he's only at the early stage of the Zhen Qi Realm, yet he actually dares to accept a third-level mission meant for those at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm."

Lu Ming's action immediately drew the attention of the people nearby.

"Fend off Lan Wuying? I've seen this mission. I heard his movement technique is so fast that you can't even see his shadow. Against such speed, anyone even slightly slower will be killed."

"He chose this mission either because he's confident, or because he's looking for death."

Lu Ming turned a deaf ear to their opinions and went straight to the counter to register.

"You're sure you want to accept this mission?"

The registering Elder looked at Lu Ming in surprise. He had clearly also received instructions from above to pay attention to Lu Ming.

A reminder was still necessary.

Lu Ming nodded firmly. "Reporting to you, Elder, I'm sure."

The registering Elder was still hesitant. Although he knew Lu Ming's strength was not weak—he had been able to kill above his level while in the Nei Qi Realm—he had also heard that Lu Ming relied on his speed, whereas Lan Wuying was clearly no slouch in that regard either.

There might be an accident.

"Let him go."

But at that moment, an ethereal voice suddenly reached his ears. He recognized it as the Sect Master's.

He was somewhat puzzled. Why was the Sect Master keeping such close watch over this place? Had the young man before him really received that much attention?

However, since the order had come from above, he dared not disobey and began the registration.

"Be careful."

"Thank you, Elder."

Lu Ming thanked him and quickly left.

The Liu Family was a small, unranked family in southwestern Zhao. Although its patriarch was at the late stage of the Zhen Qi Realm, he was already old, and it was hard to say how much of his strength he could still bring to bear.

Thus, as soon as they received the letter from the notorious bandit Lan Wuying, they immediately sent people to the various sects to request aid by posting missions.

Though the Liu Family was not large, it still had some savings.

Besides, this was an existential crisis for the family. If they did not use their wealth now, they might never get the chance.

Therefore, Old Patriarch Liu did not feel pained in the slightest.

Old Patriarch Liu might not have minded, but his son Liu Qing felt the loss keenly.

Liu Qing asked, "Father, it would have been enough to post the mission with those three Seventh-Rank Sects. Why did you also send it to several Eighth- and Ninth-Rank Sects?"

"Isn't that just wasting money?"

"Foolish!"

Old Patriarch Liu berated him and lectured him:

"However inferior those Eighth- and Ninth-Rank Sects may be compared with a Seventh-Rank great sect, they are still stronger than an unranked family like ours. Never say such disrespectful things again."

The man immediately lowered his head. "Father's lesson is well taken."

Seeing that he was still somewhat unconvinced, Old Patriarch Liu offered another warning:

"Qing'er, you must understand that this is an extermination crisis. The disciples of those Seventh-Rank Sects may not think our small offering worth their notice."

"So we need to cast a wide net. And once the family is destroyed, our money will be worthless anyway. We may even lose our lives."

Liu Qing suddenly understood, then hesitated before asking:

"Father, do you think this sudden letter is genuine? What if someone is deliberately playing a joke on us? Wouldn't all our efforts be in vain?"

Old Patriarch Liu shook his head. "It can't be fake. The letter bears a plum-blossom mark. That is Lan Wuying's sign."

"Last time, a family refused to believe him and was tragically wiped out."

"In any case, we can't go wrong by being careful."

Liu Qing continued, "The letter said he was coming to steal our ancestral cultivation art, didn't it? Why don't we destroy it, leaving him nothing to steal? Wouldn't that make him fail?"

After he finished, no reply came for a long while. When he looked up, he saw his father gazing at him as though he were an idiot.

He could not help feeling awkward. "Father, did I say something wrong again?"

Old Patriarch Liu sighed. He could only lament that the Liu Family had no worthy successor before explaining:

"Then he'll capture whoever knows the ancestral cultivation art. You're my only son, and although your father is old, I'm still at the late stage of the Zhen Qi Realm. So he could only capture you."

Liu Qing was badly frightened. He hurriedly waved his hands. "Then we can't destroy it! We can't!"

He knew his own limitations. He was nearly thirty, yet had only just broken through to the early stage of the Zhen Qi Realm.

He was absolutely no match for Lan Wuying.

Seeing his son's manner, Old Patriarch Liu felt even more disappointed. If his opponent had at least put on a brave front and stubbornly argued a few words, he would have felt somewhat better.

Who could have known he would be so useless?

Just as he was sighing, a servant suddenly ran in. "Reporting to the patriarch, a young hero has arrived outside. He claims to be an inner disciple of Kaishan Gate."

Old Patriarch Liu immediately stood up. "Invite him in!"

As time passed, the date Lan Wuying had set for the theft drew near. Only one day remained; he would make his move tomorrow.

What delighted the Liu Family's patriarch was that, among the three Seventh-Rank Sects, disciples from Nine Heavens Sect and Jade Luo Sect had accepted the mission and arrived, with only Wuji Sect absent.

Five people had also come from the other Eighth- and Ninth-Rank Sects.

The person sent by Nine Heavens Sect was a tall young man dressed in yellow robes. His cultivation was at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm.

At that moment, he was speaking frivolously with the female disciple from Jade Luo Sect.

"Junior Sister Jiang, if that Lan Wuying really dares to come tomorrow, just hide behind me. I can settle him with one palm."

The female disciple from Jade Luo Sect wore a fitted outfit and looked highly valiant. She held a longsword in her hand, and her cultivation was likewise at the mid-stage of the Zhen Qi Realm.

Hearing this, she cupped her hands and said coldly:

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chen, but your junior sister has no need for your care. Besides, you and I belong to different sects. Calling me Junior Sister is inappropriate."

"Then I'll call you Miss Ruoshui."

The Nine Heavens Sect disciple was not angered. He continued:

"You mustn't underestimate Lan Wuying. According to the intelligence of our Nine Heavens Sect, his Master, Xiao Zan, was very likely a remnant of the Demon Cult's Ghost Lineage, and his movement technique was extraordinary."

"So you'd better stay behind me. Otherwise, you may end up like these disciples from the low-ranked sects, with a very high chance of never returning."

"What did you say?!"

His words immediately provoked the other sect disciples who had arrived.

These people came from various Eighth- and Ninth-Rank Sects. Hearing him insult them and their sects, they flew into a rage.

"What? Are you dissatisfied?"

The Nine Heavens Sect disciple took one step forward. A burst of force suddenly surged from his body and spread like ripples across water, forcing everyone back repeatedly.

"Primal Chaos Golden Jade Art!"

Sensing the massive true qi that had suddenly erupted from his body, everyone was startled. They clearly knew how formidable this art was.

Moreover, judging from his display, he had already cultivated the art to a considerable level.

Even Jiang Ruoshui, the Jade Luo Sect disciple standing behind them, revealed a look of surprise.

As far as she knew, this art was extraordinarily profound. Although it was only a Human-grade, peak-stage art, in certain aspects it already rivaled an early-stage Earth-grade art.

In particular, the true qi it cultivated was domineering and heavy.

When facing an opponent, it was not only enduring but also made every move immensely powerful.

Many sect disciples had suffered at the hands of this art of Nine Heavens Sect, including those from Jade Luo Sect.

Thus, this cultivation art was extremely famous.

"You know your stuff."

The Nine Heavens Sect disciple smugly withdrew his true qi and swept his gaze over everyone. Without exception, they shifted their eyes away, not daring to meet his gaze.

Only one person lowered his head, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as though he were thinking about something.

"Everyone, everyone, the banquet is ready. Come, follow me to the feast."

At that moment, Old Patriarch Liu hurried over. With so many sect disciples arriving at once, he was both delighted and worried.

His delight went without saying. His worry was that all these sect disciples were young, hot-blooded, and eager to compete.

If they fought and someone suffered in his home, it would be difficult to explain himself.

Thus, when he heard that a conflict had broken out, he hurried over to mediate.

He simply had not expected to find that they had not truly begun fighting. Instead, they had all been cowed by the Nine Heavens Sect disciple.

He was therefore even more pleasantly surprised. After all, the stronger the people who came, the more confidence they had in dealing with Lan Wuying.

However, he certainly could not show his delight, or he would offend the other sects.

So he found an excuse to invite them to the feast.

Although everyone looked displeased and felt that they had lost face, no one started another conflict.

Following the directions, they headed toward the banquet hall.

But at that moment, another servant led someone inside.