Old Man Snow Mountain

Inside the wooden house, Shen Fan calmly read through the Azure Dragon Transformation, a True Condensation martial art, wearing an expression of lingering satisfaction.

This Azure Dragon Transformation was indeed a True Condensation martial art superior to the Innate Cultivation Method; the martial principles it involved were clearly much deeper, and its application of one's own strength was far more refined.

Of course, its difficulty was also far greater than that of the Innate tier, but for Shen Fan, whose aptitude was steadily rising, this art—dauntingly profound in others' eyes—was merely so-so in his view, not even an exaggeration to call it plain and easy to understand.

The rise in his aptitude had elevated his comprehension and understanding to an inhuman level; grasping analogies and drawing inferences from one instance was nothing more than a trivial matter.

"Although this art is at the True Condensation level, its difficulty seems a bit excessive. There should be a prerequisite art; otherwise, it's almost impossible for an ordinary person to even begin!"

Relying on his extraordinary aptitude, Shen Fan saw the flaw in the Azure Dragon Transformation at a glance.

And indeed, Xiao Yuxian not only possessed the cultivation manual for the Azure Dragon Transformation but also held its prerequisite art—the foundational martial art.

The Fish Dragon Transformation was the prerequisite for the Azure Dragon Transformation; Xiao Yuxian cultivated the Fish Dragon Transformation, and once she mastered it, she could easily step into the Azure Dragon Transformation, after which she would at least become an Innate expert!

In Xiao Yuxian's expectations, no one could successfully begin the Azure Dragon Transformation without first cultivating the Fish Dragon Transformation. So, after enduring a bout of torment, she had unhesitatingly handed over this True Condensation martial art.

But in Shen Fan's hands, this iron rule seemed to have been broken. After running through just Two Cycles, he had already entered the threshold of this True Condensation martial art.

Feeling a surge of high-quality True Qi within him, Shen Fan felt a burst of joy.

Meanwhile, in the dungeon of Black Wind Stockade, Liu Yucheng, bound by iron chains, was cleaning the wounds of the battered Xiao Yuxian.

Looking at his Junior Sister's pitiful state, Liu Yucheng couldn't help but sigh.

Yet Xiao Yuxian seemed far from despair. Though she lay motionless on the ground, her words remained arrogant.

"Hahaha, Senior Brother, don't you think those country bumpkins are fools? They think that just because they got the art, they can cultivate it? How stupid! Without the Fish Dragon Transformation, those idiots couldn't even begin it even if they spent decades!"

"That bastard in the Green Robe, acting all high and mighty, doesn't he? I'd like to see him come begging me when he can't make any progress after bitter training! When that happens, I'll mock that bastard to no end!"

Liu Yucheng watched his nearly hysterical Junior Sister, opened his mouth, but said nothing. He could only pray now that Shen Fan wouldn't take offense at this and blame them out of anger.

If Shen Fan, cultivating in the wooden house, heard this, he'd probably want to laugh. Hard to begin? How hard? Running the art for Two Cycles—was that supposed to be difficult?

Shen Fan wouldn't understand, nor did he want to. The distance between him and ordinary people was growing ever wider.

In truth, beginning the Azure Dragon Transformation in just Two Cycles was even faster than those who had cultivated the foundational art. If the founder of the Qingcheng Sect knew, he'd likely be shocked enough to crawl out of his coffin and grab Shen Fan for a thorough study.

Of course, he'd only reach one conclusion in the end—this child is terrifyingly formidable!

Shen Fan focused without distraction, diligently cultivating the Azure Dragon Transformation. Though he had begun quickly, advancing the art to a higher realm to break through his cultivation was still a challenging task.

By Shen Fan's estimated pace, it would take at least another month!

Yes, the Innate bottleneck that ordinary people might not break through even after decades barely existed for Shen Fan. Breaking through to True Condensation would take him only a month!

With the Azure Dragon Transformation begun, Shen Fan's realm reached the Innate Ninth Layer—the so-called Innate Peak—extending his Lifespan by ten years, while his aptitude remained unchanged.

Just as Shen Fan entered a secluded cultivation state, an old man riding a donkey finally arrived at Nine Lions City.

If Liu Yucheng and Xiao Yuxian were here, they would recognize him as the last hidden agent of their Qingcheng Sect—also an Elder, known in the Jianghu as Old Man Snow Mountain!

Though Old Man Snow Mountain had made a name for himself in the Jianghu of Lanzhou, he had indeed cultivated the Qingcheng Sect's martial art, the Beast King Art.

After decades of bitter training, Old Man Snow Mountain had long reached the art's limit, becoming an Innate Peak expert.

But in the decades that followed, Old Man Snow Mountain made no further progress, stubbornly stuck at this realm for years.

Even though an Innate expert had a two-hundred-year Lifespan, given Old Man Snow Mountain's age, he didn't have many years left to live!

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching by the author—maybe it's just been renamed!

But Old Man Snow Mountain refused to accept this. He believed his talent was no less than that of the Qingcheng Sect's leader, yet because he wasn't a direct disciple, he could only cultivate the Beast King Art.

But if he could also cultivate the Azure Dragon Transformation, Old Man Snow Mountain was confident he could become the pillar of the Qingcheng Sect!

The difference in status, however, meant he could never obtain the Azure Dragon Transformation through legitimate means. Still, he had other ways!

Thus, after over a decade of scheming, he finally caused the Qingcheng Sect to offend King Lanling, leading to its annihilation by the king, with only two young juniors escaping with the sect's signature martial art!

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

"Xiao Yuxian, Liu Yucheng—I haven't met these two juniors yet. I wonder how much of that old bastard's skill they've inherited? But the Azure Dragon Transformation must end up in this old man's hands. Youngsters are still youngsters; they can't hold onto such a treasure!"

Thinking this, even Old Man Snow Mountain's State of Mind couldn't help but burst into wild laughter. After waiting decades and scheming for over ten years, he finally had hope of entering the next realm!

Anyone else would have been unable to hold back.

Old Man Snow Mountain's wild laughter eventually drew some attention.

Several subordinates of the Thirteen Protectors glanced at the white-haired Old Man Snow Mountain.

One of them muttered, "What a strange old man, but he's not the one we're looking for. I wonder where those two Qingcheng Sect remnants have hidden themselves. We've searched for so long without a single clue—how ridiculous!"

"Yeah, yeah. The Protectors have put out a sky-high bounty. If we find those two, we'll be rewarded with an Innate Cultivation Method!"

"The bosses really went all out this time, but this task is no joke. Those two remnants aren't weak, you know!"

As an Innate Peak Martial Artist, Old Man Snow Mountain naturally overheard their conversation.

When he heard the words "Qingcheng Sect remnants," Old Man Snow Mountain couldn't hold back any longer. With a single leap, he crossed over ten meters to land beside the lackeys.

Grabbing one of them, he growled fiercely, "What did you say? Qingcheng Sect remnants? Where are they? Speak!"

With his chance to break through to True Condensation at stake, how could Old Man Snow Mountain not be alarmed?

The few of them were cowed by the terrifying aura Old Man Snow Mountain released, instantly realizing the power of the person before them.

This man was far stronger than any of their leaders!

Shocked at heart, they recognized reality and yielded without hesitation.

"Senior, don't strike, we'll talk, we'll talk!"

"Tell this old man quickly—one wrong word and this old man will take your head!"

"Senior, calm your wrath! To be honest, those two Qingcheng Sect remnants were discovered by Ding Zhen, Chief Ding, but the two managed to escape. We're still tracking them now—don't even know if they're still in Nine Lions City!"

"What do you say?"

The others, already nearly pissing themselves in fear, hurriedly replied: "Senior, he spoke not a single error. Please, Senior, spare us!"

Watching their panicked, flustered state, Old Man Snow Mountain believed most of it.

But thinking that Liu Yucheng and the other must be hiding by now, how was he supposed to find them?

At that thought, rage surged in Old Man Snow Mountain's heart. He slapped and crushed the heads of the several men.

"Bastards! Decades of effort, nearly ruined by a few country bumpkins! That Ding Zhen, is it? Fine, this old man has remembered you. Just wait!"

Old Man Snow Mountain paid no heed to the panicked crowd around him or the donkey a dozen meters away. He picked a direction and left.

That direction held the most imposing building in Nine Lions City—the lair of the Thirteen Protectors.

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