West Glow Mountain, Five Tigers of Red Mountain

On the road.

Su Yun wore the robes of the Mystic Blade Sect, so he did not encounter any trouble.

About two hours later, Su Yun arrived at Long River Town.

It seems many factions have already learned the intelligence regarding this place.

Just after entering Long River Town, Su Yun noticed that something was off.

At this moment, Long River Town was already swarming with a large number of martial artists wandering about.

They carried various weapons, their expressions as sharp as hawks.

Among them were members of major sects and factions, as well as rogue cultivators and masked martial artists of unknown identity.

Are they all here for the Crimson Blood Fruit?

Or are they looking to fish in troubled waters, killing people and seizing their goods?

Su Yun could not help but ponder.

The Crimson Blood Fruit was, in reality, a type of spirit fruit.

Consuming it could significantly increase one's vital energy and blood.

Even disciples of major factions desired such a treasure.

Not to mention those rogue cultivators.

Once a rogue cultivator obtained such a treasure, whether they chose to use it themselves or offer it to some powerful figure, they would reap great rewards.

I need to find a place to gather some intelligence first.

Coming back to his senses, Su Yun walked into a bustling tavern.

As he entered.

Swish!!

Countless sharp gazes fell upon him one after another.

In that instant, the previously noisy tavern gradually fell silent.

The air grew noticeably colder.

At the various tables in the tavern sat many martial artists of different appearances.

Seeing Su Yun walk in, many could not help but reveal fierce expressions.

However, upon seeing Su Yun wearing the Mystic Blade Sect disciple robes, some hurriedly lowered their heads, their hearts trembling.

Even the hands holding their wine cups were shaking.

Of course, there were also those who didn't care, continuing to drink on their own.

Yet, in secret, they were still somewhat wary.

It seems the reputation of the Mystic Blade Sect can suppress quite a few martial artists.

Seeing this, Su Yun thought to himself.

Indeed, facing a behemoth like the Mystic Blade Sect, many martial artists would be apprehensive.

Especially those rogue cultivators, who were even more terrified and dared not meet Su Yun's gaze.

A moment later, Su Yun found a random seat in the tavern.

"Customer, what would you like to have?"

The waiter, who hadn't dared to breathe loudly just a moment ago, saw Su Yun sit down and hurriedly trotted over with an eager, fawning expression.

He had naturally served the martial artists in the tavern over these past few days.

Some of those martial artists were unreasonable and arrogant, treating him like a dog.

But now, facing Su Yun, those same martial artists had changed their demeanor, not even daring to look him in the eye.

He naturally had to serve him well!

"Bring a pot of clear tea; just bring whatever dishes you see fit."

Su Yun said casually.

"Coming right up!"

"Please wait a moment, customer."

The waiter nodded repeatedly.

Clap!

At this moment, Su Yun did not beat around the bush; he took out a tael of silver and slapped it onto the table.

"I want to ask you for some information. Do you know about the Crimson Blood Fruit?"

The waiter's eyes were fixed intently on the silver.

He didn't dare to take it immediately, but instead rubbed his hands together, nodding with an excited expression.

"I know, I naturally know!"

Over these past few days, there have simply been too many martial artists coming and going in Long River Town.

Gradually, news regarding the Crimson Blood Fruit has already spread far and wide.

As a waiter at the tavern, he is naturally well-informed.

"Take the silver, and tell me everything you know."

Seeing the fervent look on his face, Su Yun spoke slowly.

The waiter took the silver, bit it to check its authenticity, then tucked it into his pocket and spoke with a grin.

"Guest, it's been circulating all over town lately that someone spotted a crimson fruit tree deep within West Glow Mountain, just outside the town."

"It is said that the tree bears bright red fruits that look as if they were irrigated with fresh blood; it is very likely the legendary Crimson Blood Fruit!"

"Has anyone picked them yet?"

Su Yun continued to inquire.

"It seems they haven't been picked."

"Rumor has it that the fruit tree grows on an extremely steep cliff, and there is a terrifying demonic beast coiled nearby, seemingly guarding it."

"There has been too much information over the last two days; between what's true and what's false, no one can say for sure."

The waiter spoke truthfully, without holding anything back.

In any case, this is not some great secret.

Anyone who stays in town for two days would be able to learn this information.

"I see."

Su Yun nodded slowly, lost in thought.

Afterward.

He sipped a few cups of clear tea, tasted some food and wine, then picked up his blade and walked out of the tavern.

However, the moment he left the tavern.

On the third floor, several martial artists with not-so-weak auras exchanged glances.

Then, they whispered to one another.

"Big Brother, this kid is an outer disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect. Are we really going to waylay and kill him?"

"It doesn't matter. It's not the first time we, the Five Tigers of Red Mountain, have killed sect disciples."

"So what if he's from the Mystic Blade Sect? He's just an outer disciple; we can slaughter him all the same!"

"Heh heh, treasures like the Crimson Blood Fruit are nice, but where is there a faster way to make money than killing people and seizing their goods?"

Finally, a burly, brawny man said with a cold expression.

"Body Tempering stage six, nothing to fear. He can be killed!"

Having said that, they all chased after him with fierce expressions.

Before long, Su Yun arrived at West Glow Mountain.

The area of West Glow Mountain is not small.

The mountain paths wind on, the vegetation is lush, and birds chirp in harmony.

Walking along the mountain paths, one would often see martial artists in twos and threes searching everywhere.

Su Yun walked for a while before arriving at a secluded spot.

At this moment, he turned to look behind him and spoke slowly.

"Are you not coming out yet?"

As soon as his voice fell, several figures wielding vicious weapons immediately rushed out from the bushes.

There were five of them in total, holding various weapons, and they surrounded Su Yun tightly.

The weakest among them was at the eighth stage of Body Tempering.

The leader was already at the ninth stage of Body Tempering, his blood energy surging; it seemed he had practiced some kind of body-tempering technique.

"Kid, you're quite alert."

Among the five, a thin, sinister-looking youth holding a black dagger sneered.

"Running into us, the Five Tigers of Red Mountain, even if you are an outer disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect, it won't do you any good."

"When you get to hell, don't forget to report our names!"

"The Five Tigers of Red Mountain?"

Su Yun laughed in amusement.

Shing!

Without another word, he raised his right hand, fingers pressed together in a blade-hand, and slashed forward. A flash of blood-colored light erupted!

A blinding streak of crimson tore through the air!

"Ah! My right hand!"

In an instant, the scrawny youth broke into a cold sweat, clutching his blood-drenched arm as he collapsed to his knees, howling in agony.

He lowered his head, staring at his severed hand on the ground with a look of sheer terror.

"Not good!"

"This brat is freakish—attack together!"

The leader of the five seemed to grasp the extent of Su Yun's strength; he gripped his long blade tightly and roared.

"Kill!"

The remaining four men, faces twisted in shock and rage, tightened their grips on their weapons and charged at Su Yun.

Yet, facing their combined assault, Su Yun merely extended a single finger.

Seeing this, the burly man in the lead flew into a rage.

"You think you can block it with your bare flesh?"

"You're courting death!"

BOOM!

In a heartbeat, the blood within him surged like a roaring tiger, and he swung his blade down with ferocious force!

CLANG!!

However, when his silver blade struck Su Yun's finger, it emitted a sharp, vibrating chime.

It sounded as if metal had collided with metal!

Immediately after, he realized that Su Yun's finger remained completely unscathed.

Meanwhile, the high-grade Mortal-tier blade in his hand had actually chipped!

"How is this possible!?"

The burly man's expression shattered; he could not believe what he was seeing.

CRACK!

Before he could react, Su Yun flicked his finger, shattering the silver blade into pieces.

The jagged shards then shot into the burly man's body at an unimaginable speed.

They pierced through flesh and bone!

"Cough... cough..."

The man stumbled back dozens of steps before collapsing to one knee, clutching his chest and coughing up blood, his eyes filled with terror.

"Big Brother!"

The remaining three, seeing this, were struck by a mix of fury and mounting dread.

"Die!"

Su Yun stood his ground, flicking his fingers to unleash a barrage of blood-colored blade lights that pierced through the skulls of the four men in rapid succession!

"Ah!"

After a chorus of screams, four corpses lay on the ground, and silence returned to the surroundings.

Only the burly man remained, staring at Su Yun with wide, fearful eyes.

Looking at the bodies of his companions, he felt a chilling sense of impending doom.

At that moment, he noticed the black blade held in Su Yun's left hand, and his eyes bled as he looked on with a desolate expression.

"You... why didn't you use your blade?"

The only response he received was a single streak of blood-colored light.

The next moment, his vision went black, and he slumped to the ground.

Blood flowed freely!

In his final moments, he seemed to hear a whisper brush against his ear.

"To kill the likes of you, why would I need a blade?"