Blocked at the Gate!

Within 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 Elder Shentu's guidance.

Over those two days, Zhang Su took Blood Replenishing Pills every day, increasing his Blood Qi by eight strands daily.

Two days later, his Blood Qi had just reached four hundred strands.

Do not underestimate four hundred strands of Blood Qi.

Even when cultivating a top-tier cultivation method, one would generally only reach around four hundred strands of Blood Qi.

To reach five hundred strands was practically the dream of an idiot.

As for anything above five hundred strands, one could only achieve that by cultivating a peerless cultivation method.

In other words, Zhang Su's current four hundred strands of Blood Qi already placed him near the top among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

Of course, he was still very far from Zhang Su's goal of one thousand strands of Blood Qi.

"Senior Brother, an Outer Sect disciple named Lu Xiang has come outside. He says he is delivering a letter of challenge to you..."

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

"A letter of challenge?"

Zhang Su frowned.

"I'll go take a look."

Thus, Zhang Su rose and left the secret chamber, heading to the front hall.

Before long, he saw Lu Xiang in the front hall.

"Who sent me this letter of challenge?"

Zhang Su asked.

This was Lu Xiang's first time meeting Zhang Su.

Yet he had long heard of Zhang Su's various exploits.

Although he was acting on Bai Junze's behalf, before Zhang Su, one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, he did not dare act presumptuously. He could only answer respectfully, "It is a letter of challenge 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 softly explained beside him, "Senior Brother, Bai Junze ranks second among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples. His nickname is 'Madman,' and he is obsessed with the blade! It is said that his blade arts have reached an extraordinary level, and his strength is unfathomable."

"He should have long since been able to produce Internal Force and advance to the Inner Sect. But he has been determined to defeat the top-ranked 'freak' in the Blood Qi Realm, so he has delayed entering the Inner Sect..."

Hearing this, Zhang Su narrowed his eyes slightly.

Bai Junze, ranked second among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples and known as the "Madman"?

Yet Zhang Su did not know Bai Junze at all.

They had never even met, much less had any conflict of interest.

Why had this Bai Junze come to challenge him?

"Zhang will not accept this letter of challenge!"

Zhang Su was not some battle-crazed madman.

He paid no heed to fights without cause.

"As expected..."

Lu Xiang sighed inwardly.

He had anticipated this outcome long ago.

Bai Junze, the dignified second-ranked disciple among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, was challenging Zhang Su, who ranked tenth, for no reason at all?

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

"Senior Brother Zhang, if you do not accept this letter of challenge, Senior Brother Bai may personally come to Jinyu Peak. When that happens, I fear there will be no dignity left to speak of..."

Lu Xiang's words carried an implied threat.

"Hm?"

A sharp glint flashed through Zhang Su's eyes.

Bang.

No one saw Zhang Su move.

Yet Lu Xiang felt a tremendous force strike his body.

Then pain exploded in his chest.

Pfft.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and flew several zhang away, crashing heavily onto the ground.

"You think you are worthy of threatening Zhang? Get lost. If Bai Junze wants to challenge Zhang, have him come himself!"

After saying that, Zhang Su turned and left.

"You..."

Lu Xiang's face darkened.

But this was Jinyu Peak.

He did not dare act recklessly.

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

Only Zhang Su, Du Tian, and the others remained in the hall.

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

Zhang Su said calmly, "Soldiers come, generals block them; water comes, earth dams it. But why would Bai Junze deliver a letter of challenge to me for no reason?"

"Du Tian."

"What are your instructions, Senior Brother?"

"Go investigate everyone Bai Junze has met recently. Find out every detail, from beginning to end."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Du Tian immediately turned and left Jinyu Peak.

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Zhang Su's mind.

He was no reckless brute.

He would not accept a challenge from just anyone.

Moreover, Bai Junze was not weak.

Though Zhang Su was strong, he would not underestimate anyone.

Several hours later, Du Tian returned.

His expression was somewhat grave as he reported everything in detail. "Senior Brother, I have investigated it. Few people ever go up Fengye Mountain, but in the past few days, an Inner Sect disciple went there."

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

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su suddenly understood.

"Wei Yunzhou..."

Everything now made sense.

Zhang Su had never met Wei Yunzhou.

Nor had there been any conflict between them.

However, in Qingquan Prefecture, the Wei Family had expanded aggressively, and it had deep conflicts with both the Su Family and even the Jiang Family.

Most likely, the Wei Family of Qingquan Prefecture had asked Wei Yunzhou to deal with him.

As an Inner Sect disciple, Wei Yunzhou was naturally constrained by sect rules and could not personally step in. He could only have Bai Junze act.

Zhang Su did not know whether Bai Junze would come to Jinyu Peak, but he had to make thorough preparations.

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

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Holding the silver notes, Chu Dachuan immediately headed for the Trading Hall.

At present, Zhang Su only had about five thousand taels of silver on him.

Of those five thousand taels in silver notes, three thousand had been sent by the Gu Family as a "congratulatory gift" to celebrate Zhang Su's ascent into the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

Chu Dachuan handled matters with thunderous speed. Before long, he had exchanged them for over a hundred Blood Replenishing Pills. After all, Zhang Su was already one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples and could enjoy a ten-percent discount.

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

"Good. For the time being, none of you should leave Jinyu Peak if possible."

Zhang Su warned them.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Zhang Su immediately returned to the secret chamber and began concentrating all his efforts on condensing Blood Qi.

Whether it was Bai Junze or Wei Yunzhou.

The reason they threatened Zhang Su, when all was said and done, came down to only one thing.

He was still not strong enough!

Therefore, focusing all his efforts on increasing his strength was the most important matter.

Only an hour later.

A young man with disheveled hair and a filthy appearance, yet radiating a terrifying Blood Qi aura from head to toe, arrived step by step at Jinyu Peak.

He held an ancient, unadorned blade in his hand.

His right hand gripped the hilt, and merely one glance made one's heart palpitate.

"Zhang Su, come out and fight me!"

The young man's voice rolled like thunder, echoing over Jinyu Peak.

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

When they saw that slovenly young man, their expressions changed slightly.

"That is... Bai Junze?"

"Bai Junze, ranked second in the Outer Sect and known as the 'Madman'? Why has he gone to Jinyu Peak?"

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

"The Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples may seem equally famous, but in truth, the top three far surpass the other seven in strength. Bai Junze is ranked second, and his strength is unfathomable!"

"I heard Bai Junze sent Zhang Su a letter of challenge, but Zhang Su refused to accept it..."

Many disciples discussed the matter heatedly.

Bai Junze was a major figure in the Outer Sect.

And Zhang Su was the Outer Sect disciple with the greatest momentum at present.

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

The three men's expressions changed, and they immediately headed for the secret chamber to report to Zhang Su.

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

Zhang Su opened his eyes.

Yet he did not move in the slightest.

He currently had only four hundred strands of Blood Qi, along with the perfected Light Shadow Killing Sword.

Perhaps he could defeat Bai Junze, but there was still a certain degree of risk.

Who knew just how strong this "Madman" had become?

Bai Junze was shouting provocations at the foot of Jinyu Peak, so did Zhang Su have to go out and accept the challenge?

Then fight to the death, with danger lurking at every turn?

Zhang Su had no desire to do that.

He did not want to defeat the strong while weak.

Nor did he want a narrow and perilous victory.

If he had to fight, he wanted a sweeping, utterly satisfying crushing victory!

Thus, Zhang Su said evenly, "Let him shout at the foot of the mountain. Ignore him. As for the three of you, it is safe to remain on the mountain. Do not go down, lest Bai Junze use you as targets."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Chu Dachuan and the other two exchanged glances, disappointment in their eyes.

After all, someone had come right to their door to bully them.

Yet Senior Brother Zhang remained completely unmoved?

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

There was no movement whatsoever atop Jinyu Peak.

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

If Zhang Su refused to fight for a day, then Bai Junze would remain for a day.

He was going to block the gate!

Seeing this, many disciples were somewhat dumbfounded.

"Senior Brother Bai may have a fierce reputation, but isn't Senior Brother Zhang being too cowardly? His gate is being blocked, yet he does not even dare accept the challenge..."

"It cannot be helped. Senior Brother Bai is a true 'Madman,' and his strength is unfathomable. Zhang Su only barely defeated Luo Feng, who ranked tenth. How could he dare accept Senior Brother Bai's letter of challenge?"

"But this is far too stifling... In the past hundred years, I have never heard of any of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples having their gate blocked like this..."

"Just wait and see. Though it is indeed somewhat stifling, the wise submit to the times. If he cannot defeat Bai Junze, can he not at least hide from him?"

"Hide? How long can he hide? Zhang Su needs Blood Replenishing Pills to cultivate, and there are three Outer Sect disciples on Jinyu Peak who also need cultivation resources. They cannot hide forever..."

For a time, news of Bai Junze "blocking the gate" at the foot of Jinyu Peak spread without wings, swiftly sweeping through the entire Outer Sect.