Blocking the Door!

Inside a secret chamber on Jinyu Peak.

Zhang Su slowly opened his eyes.

"Finally, four hundred strands of blood qi..."

Two days had passed since he last sought guidance from Elder Shentu.

Over these two days, Zhang Su had consumed a Blood Replenishing Pill daily, increasing his blood qi by eight strands each day.

After two days, his blood qi had just reached the level of four hundred strands.

Do not underestimate four hundred strands of blood qi.

Even when cultivating top-tier techniques, blood qi usually hovers around four hundred strands.

Trying to reach five hundred strands was almost a pipe dream.

As for anything above five hundred strands, one would have to cultivate peerless techniques to achieve it.

In other words, Zhang Su's current four hundred strands of blood qi already placed him among the top of the ten great Outer Sect disciples.

Of course, he was still a long way from his goal of one thousand strands of blood qi.

"Senior Brother, an Outer Sect disciple named Lu Xiang has arrived outside, saying he is here to deliver a challenge letter to you..."

At this moment, Du Tian hurried to the secret chamber to report.

"A challenge letter?"

Zhang Su frowned.

"I will go take a look."

With that, Zhang Su stood up and left the secret chamber, heading to the front hall.

Soon, he met Lu Xiang in the front hall.

"Who sent me a challenge letter?"

Zhang Su asked.

This was also Lu Xiang's first time seeing Zhang Su.

However, he had long heard of Zhang Su's various deeds.

Although he was acting on behalf of Bai Junze, he dared not act presumptuously in front of Zhang Su, one of the ten great Outer Sect disciples, and could only respectfully reply: "It is a challenge letter from Senior Brother Bai Junze. Please consider it carefully, Senior Brother Zhang."

"Bai Junze?"

Zhang Su narrowed his eyes slightly.

The name was somewhat unfamiliar.

However, Du Tian whispered an explanation in his ear: "Senior Brother, Bai Junze is ranked second among the ten great Outer Sect disciples. His nickname is 'The Madman', and he is obsessed with the blade! It is said that his blade technique is superb and his strength is unfathomable."

"He should have been able to generate Internal Force and ascend to the Inner Sect long ago, but he is fixated on defeating the 'Freak' ranked first while still in the Blood Qi Realm, so he has delayed his promotion to the Inner Sect..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su narrowed his eyes slightly.

Bai Junze, ranked second among the ten great Outer Sect disciples and known as "The Madman"?

Yet, Zhang Su did not know Bai Junze at all.

They had never even met, let alone had any conflict of interest.

Why would this Bai Junze come to challenge him?

"This challenge letter, I will not accept!"

Zhang Su was not a battle-hungry maniac.

He would ignore any battle that had no reason behind it.

"As expected..."

Lu Xiang sighed inwardly.

He had long anticipated this result.

Bai Junze was the dignified second-ranked of the ten great Outer Sect disciples; why would he challenge Zhang Su, who was ranked tenth, for no reason?

It would be strange if the other party accepted...

"Senior Brother Zhang, if you do not accept this challenge letter, Senior Brother Bai will likely come to Jinyu Peak in person. At that point, it might not be very dignified..."

Lu Xiang's words contained a veiled threat.

"Hmm?"

A flash of sharp light flickered in Zhang Su's eyes.

"Bang."

No one could see Zhang Su's movement clearly.

However, Lu Xiang felt a great force strike his body.

Immediately after, a sharp pain struck his chest.

"Pfft."

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying several yards away before crashing heavily to the ground.

"You think you're worthy of threatening me? Get lost. If you want to challenge me, tell Bai Junze to come himself!"

After saying this, Zhang Su turned and walked away.

"You..."

Lu Xiang's expression was dark.

But this was Jinyu Peak.

He dared not act recklessly.

He could only swallow his anger, struggle to his feet, and turn to leave.

In the living room, only Zhang Su, Du Tian, and the others remained.

Du Tian said cautiously, "Senior Brother, that Bai Junze is no ordinary person. If he really comes..."

Zhang Su replied indifferently, "It's just a matter of soldiers coming to block and water coming to cover. But why would Bai Junze come to deliver a challenge letter to me for no reason?"

"Du Tian."

"What are your orders, Senior Brother?"

"Go and investigate exactly who Bai Junze has met recently. I want every detail."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Du Tian immediately turned and left Jinyu Peak.

Various thoughts flashed through Zhang Su's mind.

He was no brute.

He didn't accept every challenge that came his way.

Moreover, Bai Junze was no weakling.

Although Zhang Su was strong, he would never underestimate anyone.

Several hours later, Du Tian returned.

His expression was somewhat grave as he reported, "Senior Brother, I've investigated it. Very few people go up Fengye Mountain, but in the last few days, an Inner Sect disciple went there."

"Someone recognized that Inner Sect disciple as Lu Quan. This Lu Quan... is almost inseparable from Senior Brother Wei Yunzhou!"

Upon hearing this, realization dawned on Zhang Su.

"Wei Yunzhou..."

Everything made sense now.

Zhang Su had never met Wei Yunzhou.

There was no conflict between him and Wei Yunzhou.

However, in Qingquan Prefecture, the Wei Family was expanding aggressively, leading to heavy friction with the Su Family and even the Jiang Family.

It was highly likely that the Wei Family in Qingquan Prefecture had asked Wei Yunzhou to deal with him.

As an Inner Sect disciple, Wei Yunzhou was constrained by sect rules and naturally couldn't take action himself, so he had to let Bai Junze do it.

Zhang Su didn't know if Bai Junze would come to Jinyu Peak, but he had to be fully prepared.

"Chu Dachuan, take these five thousand taels of silver notes and exchange them all for Blood Replenishing Pills. Go and return quickly."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Chu Dachuan took the silver notes and immediately headed toward the Trading Hall.

Zhang Su only had about five thousand taels of silver on him right now.

Of these five thousand taels, three thousand were "congratulatory gifts" sent by the Gu Family to celebrate Zhang Su reaching the rank of one of the Top Ten Outer Sect disciples.

Chu Dachuan was efficient, and soon he had exchanged them for over a hundred Blood Replenishing Pills; after all, as one of the Top Ten Outer Sect disciples, Zhang Su enjoyed a ten percent discount.

Added to the seventy-two Blood Replenishing Pills Zhang Su already had, it was enough for him to cultivate for over a month.

"Alright, for the next little while, it's best if none of you leave Jinyu Peak."

Zhang Su warned them.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Zhang Su immediately returned to his secret chamber and began to focus all his energy on condensing his blood and qi.

Whether it was Bai Junze or Wei Yunzhou.

To Zhang Su, the reason they were a threat ultimately boiled down to one thing.

It was that he was not yet strong enough!

Therefore, focusing his energy on improving his own strength was the most important thing.

Just one hour later.

A young man with disheveled hair and a filthy appearance, yet radiating a terrifying aura of blood energy, arrived at Jinyu Peak step by step.

He carried an ancient-looking saber in his hand.

His right hand gripped the hilt, a sight that made anyone who looked at it feel a sense of palpitations.

"Zhang Su, come out and fight me!"

The young man's voice was vast and mighty, echoing across the sky above Jinyu Peak.

Such a commotion naturally attracted the attention of many Outer Sect disciples.

Upon seeing the disheveled young man, their expressions shifted slightly.

"Is that... Bai Junze?"

"The second-ranked disciple of the Outer Sect, known as the 'Madman' Bai Junze? Why has he come to Jinyu Peak?"

"When did Senior Brother Zhang Su offend this madman?"

"The top ten disciples of the Outer Sect may seem to be on equal footing, but in reality, the top three possess strength far exceeding the other seven. And Bai Junze is ranked second; his strength is unfathomable!"

"It is said that Bai Junze sent a challenge to Zhang Su, but Zhang Su refused to accept it..."

Many disciples were whispering among themselves.

Bai Junze was a big shot in the Outer Sect.

And Zhang Su was currently the most prominent disciple in the Outer Sect.

Chu Dachuan, Du Tian, and Zhao Feng also saw Bai Junze arriving at Jinyu Peak.

The expressions of the three changed, and they immediately headed to the secret chamber to report to Zhang Su.

"Senior Brother, that Bai Junze has come; he is at the foot of Jinyu Peak..."

Zhang Su opened his eyes.

But he did not move an inch.

He currently possessed four hundred strands of blood energy, and his Light Shadow Killing Sword was at perfection.

He might be able to defeat Bai Junze, but there was a certain amount of risk involved.

Who knew how strong this "madman" really was right now?

Just because Bai Junze was clamoring at the foot of Jinyu Peak, did Zhang Su have to go out and fight?

And then fight to the death, facing life-threatening danger?

Zhang Su did not want that.

He did not want to win against a stronger opponent by a narrow margin.

Nor did he want a thrilling, close victory.

If he had to fight, he wanted it to be a thorough, crushing defeat of his opponent!

Therefore, Zhang Su said in a calm tone: "Let him clamor at the foot of the mountain; pay him no mind. As for the three of you, stay on the mountain where it is safe. Do not go down, lest Bai Junze uses you to vent his frustration."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Chu Dachuan and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disappointment.

After all, someone had bullied their way to their doorstep.

Yet, Senior Brother Zhang remained completely indifferent?

However, this was Zhang Su's decision, and they could only obey.

There was no movement on Jinyu Peak.

Bai Junze simply sat cross-legged at the foot of the mountain.

If Zhang Su did not accept the challenge for a day, he would not leave for a day.

He was "blocking the door"!

Seeing this, many disciples were stunned.

"Although Senior Brother Bai has a fierce reputation, isn't Senior Brother Zhang being too cowardly? He's blocking the door, and he doesn't even dare to accept the challenge..."

"There's no helping it. Senior Brother Bai is an out-and-out 'madman' with unfathomable strength. Zhang Su only barely defeated Luo Feng, who was ranked tenth; how could he dare to accept Senior Brother Bai's challenge?"

"But this is too humiliating... In the last hundred years, I've never heard of any of the top ten Outer Sect disciples having their door blocked..."

"Let's wait and see. Although it is indeed humiliating, a wise man knows when to submit. If you can't beat Bai Junze, can't you just hide?"

"Hide? How long can he hide? Zhang Su needs Blood Replenishing Pills for his cultivation, and there are three other Outer Sect disciples on Jinyu Peak who also need cultivation resources. He can't hide forever..."

In an instant, the news of Bai Junze "blocking the door" at Jinyu Peak spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the Outer Sect.