Bloody Jianghu

"Quicksand Technique!"

A vortex appeared out of nowhere on the ground, swallowing a wild wolf. The wolf struggled fiercely, but could only watch as it was consumed by the quicksand.

"Fireball Technique!"

With a boom, a large tree was blasted into countless pieces, its branches and leaves engulfed in raging flames.

"Wind Riding Technique!"

The black-shirted youth's body suddenly became as light and agile as a swallow, darting rapidly through the jungle. With leaps and bounds, he covered ten to fifteen meters in a single step, moving as swift as a phantom.

Origin Energy circulates, and heaven and earth are established; creation unfolds, and all things are utilized.

Pfft!

The black-shirted youth seemed to feel a soft pop within his body, as if a membrane had been broken. Immediately after, a new stream of Origin Energy surged from his Dantian, circulating through his meridians.

His Origin Energy nearly doubled, consuming all five Qi Gathering Pills he had obtained from the Golden Robe Youth. After another half a year, he finally broke through to the Qi Refining Second Layer.

Lu Xiaotian opened his eyes. Because he had exchanged the Pill Recipe for the Qi Gathering Pills, the spiritual energy from two pills had gone to the Black Robe Old Man. He had also given the old man half of the remaining three pills, leaving him with only one and a half pills for himself. He felt a pang of heartache at the thought of the Black Robe Old Man having gained such a huge advantage.

"We've been stuck in these desolate mountains for over half a year. When are we leaving?" a woman in a red dress emerged from behind a large tree and said to Lu Xiaotian with dissatisfaction.

"If you want to leave, you can. Your legs are your own. I'm not stopping you," Lu Xiaotian replied indifferently.

"Liangzhou is too remote. In the past half year, we've only found one Spirit Stone. I really regret coming here. Since you're planning to go to Moon Gazing Immortal City, let's travel together. We can look out for each other on the way."

Lu Bifeng wasn't angered by Lu Xiaotian's words. Instead, she smiled brightly. After spending over half a year together, even though Lu Xiaotian was a few years younger than her, she didn't dare to underestimate him. Staying in the wilderness for half a year, spending every day cultivating, required a level of patience that even adults rarely possessed.

"It's time to go. Let's leave."

Situ Yong's son had died. For the past half year, he had been mobilizing martial sects to frantically search for his whereabouts. Leaving now would inevitably carry some risk. Previously, he knew nothing about spells. Over the past half year, he had focused on cultivating several low-level spells and had achieved minor success. Even without relying on his Leopard Spirit Beast, he now possessed a certain level of combat power.

More importantly, his Qi Gathering Pills were depleted. To further improve his cultivation, he would have to rely on diligent, step-by-step practice. He estimated that at his current pace, without the aid of pills, it would take at least six to seven years, or perhaps even over ten years, to reach the Qi Refining Third Layer.

After much deliberation, Lu Xiaotian decided to go to Moon Gazing Immortal City, a place where cultivators gathered and where it would be easier to find Spirit Stones and Spiritual Grass.

He retrieved the Shadow Ants he had been raising from the Jade Pool in the mountain cave. After half a year of effort, he had successfully raised over twenty Shadow Ants, bringing his total to more than thirty. Originally, with his current strength at the Qi Refining Second Layer, he could only command twenty at a time. However, the woman in the red dress had informed him that Shadow Ants could be raised to have a Head Ant, which could simultaneously command no more than twenty of its kind to attack enemies. Although not as effective as his direct command, it would free him up to cast spells against enemies, increasing his combat effectiveness rather than decreasing it.

Several days later, on the official road leading to Qingzhu County, a stout, dark-faced man and a middle-aged woman with a pockmarked face rode their horses at a leisurely pace.

"I really don't understand why you, a young man, are so cautious. The Situ Family only has Situ Yong at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Even if you encounter someone at the Qi Refining Third Layer besides him, with your current strength, you can easily overpower them. Liangzhou has nearly a hundred counties. Do you think Situ Yong can set up defenses everywhere to block us?"

Lu Bifeng, who was naturally a good-looking woman, had deliberately used herbs to create pockmarks on her face and was wearing coarse linen clothes like an ordinary mortal. She complained to Lu Xiaotian, unable to suppress her frustration.

"If you're confident, we can split up."

Lu Xiaotian replied. Earlier, he had been discovered and pursued by Lu Bifeng and Situ Jing in Pingwu County City. If he hadn't launched a surprise attack to subdue Lu Bifeng beforehand, he would have been surrounded and likely killed. After that incident, he had no choice but to act cautiously.

"You..."

Lu Bifeng was exasperated but quickly couldn't help but smile. She would never agree to splitting up. In terms of cultivation, Lu Xiaotian was already at the same level as her, Qi Refining Second Layer, but Lu Xiaotian also possessed formidable weapons like the Leopard Spirit Beast and Shadow Ants. If she encountered someone from the Situ Family at the Qi Refining Third Layer alone, she would be in danger. The journey to Moon Gazing Immortal City was long, and it was safer to stay with Lu Xiaotian.

Clang clang!

Not far from Qingzhu County City, the sounds of clashing swords and the shouts of martial artists could be heard incessantly, punctuated by occasional screams.

"Qian'er, Qingshan, go, hurry!" At this moment, Zhou Lie, the head of the Punishment Hall of the Thunder Blade Sect, was leading a group of disciples, blocking the encirclement of dozens of skilled fighters. His body was already covered in blood, but he was still holding on.

"Master, if we go, we go together!" Shi Qingshan and another female disciple in white cried out in grief.

"Remnants of the Thunder Blade Sect, stop struggling. None of you will escape today." A one-eyed man on a dark red horse, wielding a large saber, roared arrogantly.

The group hadn't fled far before they were intercepted by martial artists who had caught up from behind, completely surrounding them. Shi Qingshan managed to cut down two opponents, but was then entangled by two other men in grey.

"Senior Brother Shi!" the white-clothed girl cried out tragically, attempting to charge forward, but was intercepted by another young martial artist with a pale complexion, holding an iron fan.

The young man with the fan's eyes lit up upon seeing the white-clothed girl's beauty, a lecherous glint appearing in his eyes. "This young lady is so beautiful, she's truly a sight to behold. After today, the Thunder Blade Sect will cease to exist. A wise bird chooses its tree. Why doesn't this young lady follow me? In the future, you'll be the future Sect Master's wife of our Five Yang Sect, enjoying endless glory and wealth."

"Dream on! I'd rather fall for a toad than for you!" The white-clothed girl trembled with anger.

"You don't know what's good for you. Once I catch you, after I've had my fill, I'll have the disciples of my sect torment you in every way possible." Hearing the white-clothed girl's disdain, the young man with the fan's expression darkened. He unfurled his fan, and a sharp blade at its tip swept towards the white-clothed girl.

"You're seeking death!" Shi Qingshan forced back his two enemies with a saber strike and slashed diagonally towards the young man with the fan.

Ching! They clashed head-on, resulting in a draw. However, Shi Qingshan sustained a bloody gash on his back from the grey-clothed men.

At this moment, Lu Xiaotian, who was traveling along the official road, witnessed this scene. Shi Qingshan and another young martial artist of similar age were protecting a white-clothed girl as they tried to break out. Hall Master Zhou Lie and a group of disciples were trapped in an encirclement by several times their number.

The Thunder Blade Sect is in trouble. How could this happen? The Thunder Blade Sect is the largest sect in Qingzhu County, and its strength is enough to rank in the top ten even in the entire Liangzhou.

"It's better to mind our own business. Let's hurry," Lu Bifeng said to Lu Xiaotian. Near Moon Gazing Immortal City, she had grown accustomed to the clashes between Immortals. This kind of fight between mortal martial artists held no interest for her.

"I've run into an acquaintance. Stay put for a moment, I'll resolve this quickly." Lu Xiaotian drew the green long sword he had obtained from Situ Jing and leaped off his horse.

"You brat, you think you can play the hero and save the damsel? Leave them alive. Later, I'll torment this little lady right in front of this boy," the young man with the fan sneered.

"You wouldn't dare!" Shi Qingshan's eyes, filled with blood, were about to charge at the young man with the fan, thinking of that horrifying scene.

"Why wouldn't I dare!" The young man with the fan laughed heartily, but his smile quickly froze on his face.

Ugh. The young man with the fan felt a sharp pain in his throat and could no longer make a sound. A warm current flowed down his chest. His throat felt like it was leaking air.

"Who are you to dare interfere in my Five Yang Sect's affairs? Take your life!" The one-eyed man on the horse, seeing the young man with the fan killed, was instantly shocked and enraged. His young master had been killed; how could he report back to the Sect Master if he didn't slay this enemy?

"This person is the Vice Sect Master of the Five Yang Sect. He is a Peerless Martial Artist, with powerful saber techniques and immense strength. Be careful!"

Zhou Lie was already covered in blood, both his own and his enemies'. In his desperate situation, he was overjoyed to have an ally, but upon seeing the one-eyed man make his move, his expression couldn't help but sink as he shouted a warning.

"Clang!" The blades clashed.

Lu Xiaotian's wrist went numb, and he was inwardly shocked. It seemed that a Peerless Martial Artist was not to be trifled with. Even though he had reached the Qi Refining Second Layer, he was still inferior in terms of raw strength.

"Is that all you've got!" the one-eyed burly man snorted coldly. However, a flicker of disbelief quickly flashed in his eyes. His Wugang Broadsword, which had been able to slice through iron for many years, had been cut in half by the opponent's Qing sword.

Puff!

A large head flew several feet into the air. The one-eyed burly man's eyes were still wide open in disbelief as his body fell to the ground, severed.

The Mysterious Green Sword was forged by mixing a small amount of profound iron with other ores, making it only a low-tier Spiritual Artifact. Yet, it had so easily severed the treasure saber of a Peerless Martial Artist. It seemed that the gap between secular martial artists and cultivators widened significantly as they progressed further.

Having killed a Peerless Martial Artist in one move, Lu Xiaotian's confidence soared. He charged at the other disciples of the Five Yang Sect. Wherever he went, none could withstand him for more than a single move. In moments, over twenty people were slain.

The remaining disciples of the Five Colors Sect turned pale and scattered. Lu Xiaotian wanted to keep them all there, but with dozens of people fleeing in all directions at considerable speed, he felt powerless to pursue them.

"I am Zhou Lie of the Thunder Blade Sect. Thank you, brother, for your assistance. I am deeply grateful!" Zhou Lie, covered in blood, cupped his hands towards Lu Xiaotian.

"This is no place to talk. Let's find a safe spot before we discuss this," Lu Xiaotian said in a deep voice.