First Meeting, Bond

Zhao Tiandu, in the end, still failed to break through the silver-haired girl's blockade.

"Ahhh!"

He threw punches again and again like a madman, his attacks raining down like a storm, yet they were blocked back time after time as if he were striking an iron wall.

He watched helplessly as the Four Tigers of the Zhao Family met their deaths, and witnessed Mu Chen double back to deliver a final blow to the third tiger, who had been critically wounded and unconscious since before the battle began, ending his life.

With this, of the Five Tigers of the Zhao Family, only the lead tiger, Zhao Tiandu, remained.

After a brief clash, the two panting figures separated.

In truth, thirteen days of relentless pursuit and day-and-night combat had long since drained both sides of their stamina, leaving them with nothing but sheer willpower to keep going.

Which side the scales of victory would tip toward depended entirely on who had external forces intervening.

Fortunately, the silver-haired girl's luck was not bad.

Mu Chen, a variable completely outside everyone's expectations, had appeared.

"You will regret coming to save me."

The silver-haired, black-skirted princess of the ancient clan held her sword as she retreated, her brilliant silver hair draped over her shoulders. She spoke to the youth in fine robes who had stepped up, her tone chillingly cold.

"You are not me, so how could you know my heart?"

Mu Chen tilted his head, replying calmly to the ice-cold beauty.

From this angle, he could finally catch a full glimpse of the Luo God Clan princess.

She wore a form-fitting black silk dress that perfectly outlined her curves, with golden threads tracing the edges, adding a touch of grace and nobility.

Her figure was exquisite, her frame slender, and her curves graceful.

Her skin was as fair as milk, and her face was delicate, crystalline, and flawless.

Her brows were like distant mountains and crescent moons, her jade legs were straight and shapely, and her willow waist could be spanned by a single hand.

The silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall did not detract from her beauty in the slightest; instead, it added an air of mystery that left one intoxicated and yearning to uncover her secrets.

Even the Royal Heir, who was well-traveled and had seen countless beauties, was momentarily dazed, subconsciously averting his gaze.

He had been careless!

A flicker of emotion appeared on the silver-haired girl's flawless, crystalline face, but she said nothing, merely shaking her head slightly before retreating.

The Five Tigers of the Zhao Family could at least take turns resting, but she had truly not closed her eyes for thirteen days and nights. She was far too exhausted, and having spent all this time suppressing the injuries within her, her vital energy was long since depleted.

The silver-haired girl seemed to place great trust in Mu Chen, whom she had just met. She retreated directly, found an open space to close her eyes and heal, and left the battlefield to him.

Before the Luo God Clan princess, sitting cross-legged on the ground, closed her clear, glass-like eyes, she cast one last shallow glance at the tall, slender figure standing before her.

Half a breath later, she finally relaxed and closed her gem-like eyes.

"Mu Chen, do you think you've already won?"

Zhao Tiandu took advantage of the momentary gap to gasp for air, struggling to recover his stamina.

He stared at Mu Chen's slightly heaving chest and analyzed coldly, "If I'm not mistaken, you also arrived here after a long-distance pursuit. After such a fierce battle, I suspect you don't have much stamina left either."

Mu Chen stood his ground with his staff, "And so?"

"Let me go."

Amidst the life-and-death tempering, the rage in Zhao Tiandu's heart—fueled by the successive deaths of his companions—had gradually calmed, and his brain was spinning frantically.

"If we fight, one of us will surely be hurt."

"As long as you are willing to let me leave, today's events will be wiped clean between us."

"In truth, those four were not my blood brothers, just fellow clansmen."

"Our blood ties are very distant; we only came together for profit, so you don't need to worry about me seeking revenge."

His words were as sincere as possible, his gaze growing increasingly earnest as he tried to sway Mu Chen.

At this point, Zhao Tiandu knew that hunting Luo Li was hopeless.

Not to mention the Blood-Colored Token and the Luo God Sword on her person; he just wanted to save his own life first.

"To let a tiger return to the mountains is to invite endless trouble."

"Brother Zhao, you are a veteran who has persisted for over a year in the brutal slaughter of the Spirit Road; why are you still so naive?"

"Why not just stretch out your neck and let Mu Chen finish you with one strike? It would save us both the trouble."

Mu Chen was as firm as iron, refusing to yield an inch.

"Mu Chen, let me tell you, I have been holding back since this battle began."

"I advise you not to push people too far, otherwise..."

As Zhao Tiandu spoke, he clenched his fists, his expression darkening bit by bit.

Mu Chen glanced at him sideways, noncommittal, "Otherwise what?"

"Otherwise, people! Will! Die!"

The last surviving fierce tiger among the Five Tigers of the Zhao Family roared toward the sky.

Boom, an oppressive aura surged from his body, causing his robes to flutter violently.

Having long stood at the peak of a Level 5 Spirit Body, he finally took that remaining half-step, fully entering the Level 6 realm, the rank of a King.

He had officially stepped into the ranks of the hundred, becoming one of the top tier among the hundred thousand youths of the Spirit Road.

After the breakthrough, Zhao Tiandu could not help but shed tears of old age.

This moment had come too late!

If only he had broken through sooner, his old brothers would not have died.

A Level 6 King, combined with four half-step Kings skilled in coordinated attacks—as long as he did not provoke peak Kings like Ji Xuan, Wu Ling, or Wen Qingxuan.

Looking across this world, vast as the Spirit Road was, he could go anywhere he pleased.

"Is that it?"

Mu Chen could hardly believe his eyes.

With such trash-tier strength, you actually treated it like a treasure, hiding it so deeply and only bringing it out when you were at your wit's end? Were you saving it as a family heirloom for me?

"Hmph, Zhao knows that you are also a King who has stepped into the Level 6 realm."

"But, there are differences even between Kings."

"Do you know of Ji Xuan, who is vaguely known as the number one person on the Spirit Road?"

"That man has long been pre-selected by the Holy Spirit Academy and favored by a Sovereign-level powerhouse; he is a true monster."

"A month ago, the Twin Kings of the Shi Family fought a great battle against Ji Xuan in the Qiyun Mountain Range, losing by only a single move, which made them famous. And I—"

Zhao Tiandu knew he was being looked down upon and spoke up in unconvinced explanation.

"You also fought a great battle against Ji Xuan?"

Mu Chen's interest was immediately piqued.

To have exchanged blows with Ji Xuan and survived, even if only by the skin of his teeth, meant he was a capable fighter.

Not bad; in that case, Zhao Tiandu's strength was not entirely weak.

"Although I was not fortunate enough to battle King Xuan, through a stroke of luck, I sparred with the Young King Shi Hao of the Twin Kings of the Shi Family, and I only lost by three moves."

Zhao Tiandu's old face flushed as he muttered in defense.

In his mind, he, having broken through, was nearly equal to Shi Hao.

And the Shi brothers were nearly equal to Ji Xuan.

Ji Xuan, in turn, was nearly the number one person on the Spirit Road.

Therefore, he was equivalent to one-quarter of a Ji Xuan.

I, one-quarter of the number one person on the Spirit Road, who would dare provoke me?!

"So you are the one who was defeated by Shi Ritian—no, Shi Hao~"

"Over half a month ago, Shi Hao was heavily injured by a single strike from me outside the Sanctuary; he would need at least a ten-day rest before he could even get out of bed. There were at least a thousand people watching at the time."

"If you hurry over now, you should still be in time to see that blockhead."

Mu Chen sighed in great disappointment after hearing this.

Anyone who would abandon their handy spirit weapon and demand a fair fight was nothing but a blockhead.

Zhao Tiandu: "."

I, one-quarter of a Ji Xuan, am feeling a bit panicked!