Houtian Gang Qi

For the next few days.

After bypassing Dangyang City, Lin Fan led the two women, stopping and starting as they made their way towards King of Linzi's City.

The mountain road was rugged, and the carriage was very bumpy.

The two women stayed inside the carriage while Lin Fan drove alone.

With a casual flip of his hand, four cloth bags appeared, left behind by the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect disciples who had died earlier.

There wasn't much in the cloth bags. In total, there were only a few thousand taels of silver, a sword or two, and a cultivation method or two.

Lin Fan picked up a booklet at random. The cover read "Flowing Cloud Spirit Gathering Art."

After a brief flip through, he realized it was a cultivation method for the low-level disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, similar in function to the Blood Demon Sect's "Low-level Demonic Arts."

"Even the cultivation methods of righteous sects contain elements of Dual Cultivation, just not as crude as the Blood Demon Sect's. They involve appropriately absorbing a certain degree of Yang essence and Yin essence without harming the life of the Dual Cultivation partner," Lin Fan mused.

He had already cultivated demonic sect methods, so this cultivation method was useless to him. He set it aside.

Lin Fan then picked up the second booklet, "Houtian Gang Qi."

A mere glance made his eyes light up.

"Houtian Gang Qi" Function: Condenses protective Gang Qi, capable of resisting damage to a certain extent; Cultivation Requirement: Above the third grade of the Meridian Condensing Realm.

"I'm currently in need of a defensive technique. This cultivation method is practically tailor-made for me."

Lin Fan's thoughts stirred, and he immediately communicated with his Panel.

[Do you wish to consume thirty years of lifespan to preemptively reach the 'Introductory' level of "Houtian Gang Qi"?]

The next second, a line of text appeared in his vision.

Lin Fan said without hesitation, "Agree to pre-empt."

A wave of comprehension regarding "Houtian Gang Qi" surged into Lin Fan's mind out of thin air.

At the same time, a strange scene appeared. A youth with Lin Fan's appearance sat cross-legged, his Internal Breath circulating slowly through his body along a unique path.

He breathed in and out, his aura suddenly surging. Immediately, a faint layer of green light materialized from the surface of the youth's hands.

"That's Gang Qi!" Lin Fan's eyes narrowed.

He immediately sat down cross-legged and began circulating his Internal Breath, mimicking the youth's movements.

After an unknown amount of time, as Lin Fan's body suddenly trembled, a faint trace of green light also slowly emerged from his palm.

Lin Fan's face lit up with joy. He immediately took out a flying sword and thrust it towards his right palm, which was emitting Gang Qi.

Crack!

The next second, the flying sword shattered. The Gang Qi on his palm flickered, but his entire hand remained unharmed.

"The defense is strong, but the Internal Breath consumption is quite significant." Lin Fan could feel that his Internal Breath had been depleted by ten percent, but it was still within an acceptable range.

He quickly summoned his status panel to check his changes.

[Name: Lin Fan]
[Lifespan: 1295]
[Talent: Pre-emptive Dao Fruit]
[Realm: Meridian Condensing Realm (Fourth Grade)]
[Cultivation Methods: Advanced Demonic Arts (Minor Accomplishment), Blood Gathering Art (Major Accomplishment), Talisman Secret Manual (Introductory), Sword Control Technique (Introductory), Houtian Gang Qi (Introductory)]

"With this defensive measure, my strength will be enhanced considerably." Lin Fan smiled.

This journey away from the Demonic Sect was fraught with danger, but it also seemed to be a rare opportunity for him, with risks and rewards coexisting.

Traveling eastward for many more days, it wasn't until half a month later that the carriage finally entered the Eastern Territory.

Due to his keen senses, Lin Fan could perceive his surroundings even from a distance, allowing him to avoid numerous mountain bandits and rebel soldiers along the way, thus avoiding a lot of trouble and danger.

According to Wang Yuyao's reminder, they were not far from King of Linzi's City, with only a day's journey remaining.

That day, as the carriage traveled as usual, Lin Fan suddenly perked up his ears, faintly catching the words "King of Linzi" from not far away.

He slowed down, concentrating his mind, and listened to the voices from nearby.

The voices grew clearer. Someone was discussing, "Since the Treacherous Minister assisted the Traitor in ascending the throne, the entire Great Jin Dynasty has been in chaos. Now that the King of Linzi has safely returned to King of Linzi's City, we must assist His Highness in eliminating the Treacherous Minister and the Traitor."

"Once the army sent by the Usurper Emperor is annihilated, the King of Linzi will surely lead us to the Imperial City."

"That's right. The King of Linzi, having survived a great calamity, will surely prosper. Moreover, the Crown Prince is currently wise and valiant, leading the Black Armored Army to resist the imperial army without falling behind. They will surely turn the tide."

"I don't think they can just turn the tide; they even have a chance to contend for the Supreme Throne. It is said that the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect has already officially supported several princes."

"With the backing of that transcendent cultivation sect, the usurper emperor's cause is lost."

Lin Fan remained silent. It seemed the situation in King of Linzi's City was not as chaotic as he had imagined.

The King of Linzi had returned to King of Linzi's City, and with the King of Linzi's heir leading the troops, they were clashing with the army sent by the Great Jin Dynasty's New Emperor. From the sounds of their discussion, it appeared the King of Linzi's forces held the upper hand.

If that were the case, King of Linzi's City still posed a significant danger to Lin Fan.

The King of Linzi was a feudal lord. His ability to return to King of Linzi's City and regain power might truly have the support of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect behind him.

Lin Fan had initially intended to send the two women directly into King of Linzi's City, but now it seemed he needed to be more cautious.

Once they entered King of Linzi's City, his own situation would become very dangerous.

As for the relationship between him and the two women, it was actually more about mutual benefit.

His eyes flickered, his thoughts racing quickly, and he soon came up with an idea.

The next day.

The gates of King of Linzi's City.

"Halt."

A soldier shouted sternly.

As his voice fell, swords and arrows from behind him were aimed at the approaching carriage.

The one driving the carriage was a beautiful woman.

Gazing at the gates of King of Linzi's City, a hint of unconcealable excitement flickered across her lovely brows. She shouted, "I am the King of Linzi's sister, Princess Anyang, Wang Yuyao. Who dares to stop me?"

The soldier was taken aback.

Hadn't most of the King of Linzi's family been sent to the Demonic Sect by the New Emperor? He doubted Wang Yuyao's identity, but his own status was too low to make a unilateral decision. Moreover, there happened to be an important figure at the city gate who recognized Princess Anyang.

He softened his tone, speaking cautiously, "Stop for now. If you are truly Princess Anyang, someone will recognize you. Please remain calm, I will go report this."

Wang Yuyao nodded slightly and stopped the carriage.

They were already at the city gate, and there was no rush for this moment.

A short while later.

A tall, sturdy man clad in heavy armor strode quickly forward.

He was followed by many armored soldiers.

Upon seeing Wang Yuyao on the carriage, the man suddenly froze, then his tiger-like eyes widened, and he shouted, "Aunt..."

He was both surprised and delighted, his loss of composure leaving the accompanying soldiers stunned.

This King of Linzi's heir usually presented himself as a decisive and ruthless general in front of others, rarely showing such an demeanor.

"An Shi!"

Wang Yuyao was also very excited, finally seeing her relative.

Her emotions surged, feeling as if she were in a dream, an unreal sensation.

Aunt and nephew reunited, both weeping with joy.

A moment later, as their emotions slightly calmed, the King of Linzi's heir suddenly said coldly, "Aunt, you're saying that brat from the Demonic Sect sent you to the city gates and then left on his own?"

Wang Yuyao nodded gently.

"Follow me."

The heir's face darkened, killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Wang Yuyao was startled but quickly reacted, subconsciously trying to stop him, "He must be long gone, don't go after him."

"Aunt, he's a brat from the Demonic Sect. The people of the Demonic Sect are wicked and evil-hearted. If we let him escape, he will surely wreak havoc."

The heir said urgently.

Wang Yuyao shook her head, her expression somewhat complex, "He was very good to me. If you still listen to your aunt, then don't take people to chase him."

She harbored some resentment towards Lin Fan, but also some attachment, and did not wish for Lin Fan to be killed.

Although Wang Yuyao was just a woman, she had considerable influence in the royal city before, relying on the King of Linzi's indulgence.

Furthermore, the heir had a good relationship with her, so he dared not defy her wishes.

"Fine, I'll listen to Aunt. But if we encounter him again next time, Aunt, you're not allowed to plead for him."

The heir said helplessly.

Of course, he knew very well that it was difficult for cultivators to survive in the mortal world, not only because of the scarcity of spiritual energy but also because the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect was currently dealing with the Blood Demon Sect.

Even if he let the other party go, he believed that it wouldn't be long before that brat from the Demonic Sect would be found and killed by the people of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

Under the personal arrangements of the heir, Wang Yuyao and Zhou Wanqing, who was in the carriage, were brought into the city.