All the dust had settled, and everyone gathered beside Lan Wuying's corpse.
"Many thanks to all of you, Young Heroes, for your help this time."
Old Patriarch Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief. The crisis had been resolved.
"Patriarch Liu, there's no need to be so formal. We were only carrying out a paid task."
Yu Shan of Nine Tripod Mountain cupped his fists.
"That's right. Come to think of it, we should thank Brother Lu this time. If not for his sharp eyes, we might still have been kept in the dark."
Zhou Heng of Seven Fragrance Gate added.
At those words, everyone's eyes once again turned toward Lu Ming.
They had not expected this disciple of Wuji Sect to possess not only formidable strength, but also such meticulous attention to detail.
Before they had even arrived, he had already begun considering the circumstances of the mission, and everything he had anticipated had turned out to be accurate. They could not help admiring him even more.
"Many thanks, Young Hero Lu."
Old Patriarch Liu also bowed deeply to him in thanks.
"This battle also relied on everyone's efforts."
Lu Ming cupped his fists and spoke modestly.
In truth, after seeing the other party's exceptional movement technique, he had been confident that he could easily deal with him alone.
However, after hearing Jiang Ruoshui shout the words "Demonic Cult movement technique," he had chosen not to unleash his full strength.
They were outside, and he did not know whether Lan Wuying had any accomplices. It was better to keep a little more of his strength hidden.
"Then how should we divide Lan Wuying's spoils?"
Yu Shan of Nine Tripod Mountain suddenly asked again.
For a moment, no one spoke. They all looked toward Lu Ming, wanting him to decide.
Lu Ming did not shirk his responsibility. After thinking for a moment, he said, "As for the mission, let Patriarch Liu write us a certificate. As for the valuables on him, we'll divide them equally. If there are cultivation techniques or martial skills, each person can record them once."
"Good idea. We'll do that."
Zhou Heng of Seven Fragrance Gate agreed. He was very satisfied with this method of division; it was extremely fair.
He had originally worried that Lu Ming would rely on his contributions and strength to claim everything for himself. He had not expected that he had been judging a gentleman with the heart of a petty man.
He could not help developing a favorable impression of him.
The others also gained a new understanding of Lu Ming: domineering when he needed to be, and modest when he should be.
"Let me see what he has on him."
Yu Shan stepped forward impatiently. He was extremely covetous of the peerless movement technique Lan Wuying had just displayed.
However, to everyone's disappointment, there were no martial arts manuals in his Storage Ring or on his person.
There were only more than a hundred thousand silver notes, around one hundred and thirty Low-grade Yuan Stones, and some pills.
After the four of them divided them, there was not much to be gained.
They felt somewhat unwilling to accept it.
Lu Ming, however, did not care.
Afterward, Old Patriarch Liu invited everyone to a banquet and asked them to stay the night before returning.
Lu Ming refused. He always had an ominous feeling in his heart, and it would be better to leave first.
What was worth mentioning was that Jiang Ruoshui also chose to leave with him.
The Liu Family was located in Shattered Stone Town. Night had already fallen, and Lu Ming and Jiang Ruoshui rode side by side through the streets.
They soon left the town and vanished into the darkness.
"You never used your full strength, did you?"
In the blink of an eye, the two arrived on a plain. Jiang Ruoshui suddenly turned her head and asked.
"No. But you should be the same."
Lu Ming did not even turn his head as he replied.
"I indeed didn't. But I only held back four-tenths of my strength, while you..."
As she spoke, she held the reins in one hand and brushed aside the fine hair tousled across her brow by the wind with the other. "Yet the feeling you give me is as if you're unfathomable. That doesn't seem like something an Early Zhen Qi Realm Martial Artist should be capable of."
Lu Ming neither confirmed nor denied it. Her judgment was indeed sharp; he had not even used his most formidable saber.
"You should also be careful of the people from Nine Heavens Sect in the future. This time, you injured their disciple. When his senior brothers and sisters encounter you, they'll certainly try to even the score."
Jiang Ruoshui kindly reminded him again.
"Thanks for telling me. If I run into them, I'm not some vegetarian they can bully."
Lu Ming replied.
He knew his own circumstances best. With his current strength, he had more than enough ability to protect himself in the Zhen Qi Realm. But if he wanted to defeat those young geniuses in the late Zhen Qi Realm—
He was still far from capable.
After all, their talents were not weak either, and they had all cultivated their martial arts to extremely high levels. Combined with their advantage in cultivation realm, he had no superiority to speak of.
However, he was confident that he could break through to the mid Zhen Qi Realm after returning this time. By then, the gap would narrow further.
The two then focused on hurrying along. When they passed a small mountain, Lu Ming suddenly pulled on the reins.
"Whoa..."
Because of the sudden stop, the horse spun several times before finally steadying itself.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Ruoshui stopped as well and came over to his side.
With a grave expression, Lu Ming stared at the figure atop the mountain peak. The matter he had been worried about had still happened.
Lan Wuying indeed had an accomplice, and his cultivation realm was not low. Judging from his aura, he was likely in the Gang Qi Realm.
Following Lu Ming's gaze, Jiang Ruoshui also saw the figure. Her expression changed drastically. She had naturally guessed that Lan Wuying might have an accomplice.
That was why she had left with Lu Ming.
She had simply never expected this accomplice to come after them—and to be a Gang Qi Realm expert.
"What should we do?"
She turned and asked him.
Lu Ming shook his head. At present, their only option was to fight for their lives. Relying on the Saber Intent Prototype, perhaps there was still a sliver of hope.
As for failure, they could only lament that their fate was unfortunate.
But resigning himself to fate was impossible.
"Who are you?"
Lu Ming tightened the reins, restraining the restless horse, and called out loudly.
"You killed my disciple, yet you ask who I am?"
A light, drifting voice floated over.
"Xiao Zan!"
Jiang Ruoshui beside him cried out in alarm. Lu Ming's heart sank even further. This man had already made a name for himself decades ago; he was likely far more than an Early Gang Qi Realm expert.
This made his chance of survival even slimmer.
"More than one person killed your disciple. Why are you fixated on us in particular?"
Lu Ming was somewhat puzzled. He had done his best to keep a low profile.
"Hmph!"
In an instant, it was as if thunder exploded beside Lu Ming's ears. "Though more than one person killed my disciple, you're the chief culprit."
Lu Ming dug at his ear, then suddenly turned his head and smiled. "You're lucky. He came for me. Leave first."
Jiang Ruoshui froze, then understood his meaning. Her heart filled with emotion, but could she leave now?
She was not certain. "I'd better not. Perhaps today is simply the day fate has decreed for me."
She sighed and shook her head in refusal.
Lu Ming could do nothing else. He drew the Wraith Blade and focused all his attention.
"What a loyal-hearted fellow. But I most enjoy killing people like you. Die!"
Suddenly, the figure atop the small mountain moved. With his back to the bright moon, he resembled a bat spreading its wings. Only a dark shadow could be seen as he rushed toward them.
Before he even arrived, the fierce Gang Qi winds had already blown them unsteadily on their feet.
"So this is the might of the Gang Qi Realm?"
Lu Ming held his breath and concentrated, doing his utmost to capture information about the other party. Just then, another deep voice suddenly rang out.
"Hmph! You think a remnant of the Demonic Cult like you can lay a hand on a disciple of my Wuji Sect?"
A moment later, a crack rang out, and a streak of purple radiance descended from the sky, striking toward the black shadow.
The black shadow was forced to reveal himself. He had a strange appearance, with hair and beard as white as snow, yet skin as smooth and delicate as a baby's.
He exclaimed in surprise, "Purple Sun Divine Skill? Could you be Li Ansheng, the Master of Wuji Sect?"
"Good eyes. That's right!"
Another figure appeared opposite the black shadow. He looked to be around forty years old, dressed in a white robe and exuding an air of refined elegance.
After confirming the newcomer's identity, Xiao Zan's expression turned grave. Clearly, he knew how formidable this person was.
However, he quickly returned to normal and asked in a deep voice, "Why aren't you staying in Wuji Sect? Why have you appeared here?"
Li Ansheng snorted coldly. "Naturally, I came for you. Did you think your movements were secret? Let me tell you this: the moment you stepped into Zhao, we took notice of you."
Xiao Zan's expression darkened. Once again, he had underestimated the sects' control over Zhao.
He had never intended to kill every disciple of every sect involved in his disciple's death. Doing so would have stirred up a hornet's nest.
That was why he had come specifically for Lu Ming.
Yet he had still been discovered.
"Enough nonsense. Today, let me experience the ultimate arts of your Demonic Cult!"
With that, purple qi suddenly surged across Li Ansheng's face, and waves of heat rose from him. It was the air scorching beneath the intense temperature.
"Take my Purple Sun Palm!"
In an instant, he suddenly thrust out his palm. A highly condensed purple palm force shot toward Xiao Zan at incredible speed.
Xiao Zan's expression changed. He immediately retreated through the air, and once he reached midair, he did not linger. He turned and fled.
Boom!
Though the purple palm force missed its target, it shattered a small mountain, sending broken rocks flying in all directions.
"Hmph, where do you think you're going?"
Li Ansheng had no intention of letting him escape. He immediately gave chase, but before leaving, he said to Lu Ming:
"Not bad. You haven't tarnished the reputation of my Wuji Sect. Go back first."
With that, he vanished.
Before you continue