Saber Art Improved, Cultivation Nearing a Breakthrough

Liu Qi could not help thinking of the man in black, whose entire presence had been chilling and sinister. He gave a bitter smile. "We ran into an old monster who had undergone Blood Exchange three times."

"Three Blood Exchanges!"

Gu Zhao's fingers froze as they stroked his beard. Hong Tao stopped turning the white jade walnut in his hand. Wei Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly. The four fell silent for a moment.

"Tao Yuan and He Cheng were gravely wounded in a single exchange. I was no match for him either and could only flee in panic with the Heavenly Thunder Seed."

Liu Qi added.

Hong Tao's gaze flickered before he spoke.

"Brother Liu, may I ask where that map leads?"

Liu Qi was silent for a moment. He sighed, as though a burden had been lifted, then said,

"Alas... at this point, I won't hide it from you any longer."

"Do you all know of that mysterious expert who appeared on Azure Radiance Mountain?"

At the mention of the mysterious expert, Liu Qi's expression turned solemn. Even the pain from his wounds no longer seemed so important.

As soon as Liu Qi said this, everyone's expressions changed.

Wei Zheng's expression remained unchanged, as if he knew who this mysterious expert was. Yet he buried that trace of confusion deep in his eyes.

As the Firewood Gang's leader, he did not know who the "mysterious expert" Liu Qi spoke of was, but that did not stop him from pretending he did.

Because this was important.

Hong Tao lowered his head in thought. Recalling scattered fragments from ancient records, the more he thought about them, the more alarmed he became.

Only Gu Zhao was stunned at first upon hearing this news, then instinctively looked toward Hong Tao and Wei Zheng.

Seeing Wei Zheng's calm expression and air of confidence, he turned to Hong Tao and saw him deep in thought, as though he had remembered something.

Gu Zhao could not help but be astonished, sighing inwardly,

I never expected that, among this whole group, I alone knew nothing.

If I had not formed an alliance in time, I would surely have revealed an utterly bewildered and embarrassing look by now.

At this thought, Gu Zhao sincerely praised himself for his decision to form an alliance, convinced that it had been entirely correct.

Qin Anming frowned deeply.

He had considered matters more deeply than the others—this news had come too conveniently.

They had just been preparing to make their move when the underground palace and the man in black emerged, as if they had been waiting specifically for that moment. Something about this was suspicious.

An old monster with three Blood Exchanges was not someone he could handle alone. He would have to ask the courtyard master to intervene.

But a trip back to the city would take at least two days. Would some new upheaval arise at Blackwind Stronghold during those two days?

What if they got there first and obtained that mysterious expert's inheritance...

Qin Anming pinched the bridge of his nose and did not think any further.

While everyone was lost in thought, Liu Qi continued, "Following the map, we found an underground palace."

Everyone's gazes converged on Liu Qi once again.

"An underground palace? Could it be the burial site of that mysterious expert?"

Gu Zhao's heart surged like a stormy sea. He could not help taking a step forward, then realized it was inappropriate and quietly drew it back.

The others were immersed in this information and did not notice Gu Zhao's small movement.

At the same time, a trace of delight flashed through Hong Tao's and Wei Zheng's eyes. Hong Tao had finally recalled records of this mysterious expert and learned a thing or two about his past.

Wei Zheng, meanwhile, knew that where there were ruins, there were naturally opportunities.

He and Hong Tao had long been held at the first Blood Exchange due to a lack of resources. If they could make up for that deficiency, they could step into the second Blood Exchange in a short time.

Qin Anming, however, thought of even more. He hurriedly asked, "Has this news leaked out?"

Regarding this, Liu Qi said with certainty,

"Rest assured, Great Elder. There is absolutely no possibility that this matter has leaked."

Gu Zhao and Wei Zheng nodded without speaking.

However, Liu Qi's certainty made Hong Tao's thoughts wander even further.

If he was so certain, could this news have come from within the three great Lineages? Or perhaps the three great Lineages themselves had discovered it?

It seemed that he would have to pay closer attention to the movements of the three great Lineages in the future.

Hong Tao turned the white jade walnut in his hand as he thought this.

Just then, Tao Yuan, who had been regulating his breath, slowly opened his eyes.

His complexion alternated between rosy and pale, as if a force was circulating within his body.

At last, Tao Yuan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

The blood was scarlet, but when it splashed onto the ground, it gave off a sinister chill. Even the air within several paces cooled by a few degrees.

Qin Anming crouched down and dipped a finger into it. The blood was ice-cold to the bone, unlike something that had just been vomited from a living person's body.

Qin Anming stepped forward, staring at the pool of blood with a grave expression.

"It truly is blood-and-qi force struck out by someone with three Blood Exchanges."

As he spoke, he reached out and touched it again. After sensing it carefully, he said, "The frigid aura mixed within this blood-and-qi force is likely something only one who cultivates an ultimate martial art could possess."

"An ultimate martial art..."

The ultimate martial arts of Verdant Grain County were all documented. None belonged to the frigid yin category.

That proved the martial artist with three Blood Exchanges had come from outside.

Coupled with the unclear, tangled relationship between Blackwind Stronghold and the Azure Cloud Bandits,

the identity of the man in black was all but ready to reveal itself.

Thinking of this, Qin Anming spoke with a trace of certainty. "That martial artist with three Blood Exchanges is one of the Azure Cloud Bandits."

Liu Qi had already come to Tao Yuan's side. Though Tao Yuan's face was still pale, the previous sense of weakness was gone.

During his breath regulation, Tao Yuan had not sealed off his five senses. He knew everything that had happened around him.

At this moment, Tao Yuan's weak voice rang out.

"This is no place to stay long. If that man in black joins forces with the people from Blackwind Stronghold and attacks, I fear we will be no match for them."

Gu Zhao hurriedly said, "If that is so, we might as well heed Elder Tao and retreat to the city first."

"Whether to discuss countermeasures or guard against Blackwind Stronghold, that would be the best course."

Wei Zheng glanced at Gu Zhao, disdain rising in his heart. An old fool who bullies the weak and fears the strong.

Hong Tao was already thinking of returning to the city. He wanted to search for more information regarding the mysterious expert.

Only Qin Anming remained troubled by the fear that Blackwind Stronghold and the Azure Cloud Bandits would get to the underground palace first.

Seeing Qin Anming's concern, Liu Qi said, "Rest assured, Great Elder. That underground palace is heavily constructed. Though I only saw it from afar, breaking it open will certainly not be accomplished overnight."

Qin Anming stroked his long beard and said helplessly,

"Since that is the case, we shall discuss it after returning to the city."

Afterward, Liu Qi carried the still-unconscious He Cheng on his back, and the group headed straight for Verdant Grain County under cover of night.

East of Verdant Grain County, Cloud Perch Courtyard.

The sky was still dim when Liu Yunche arrived in the courtyard early.

Concealed Edge was in hand as the Thunderclap Saber Art bloomed beneath his blade. The saber technique was fierce, swift as racing thunder.

After one full set, he sheathed his saber and stood still.

"With this data panel, I've become much more diligent in my martial training."

Once progress could be seen, everyone in this world would become diligent.

Liu Yunche looked toward the panel.

[Cultivation: Iron Skin (94/100)]

[Martial Arts: Thunderclap Saber Art (Minor Mastery: 140/1000), Eight Steps Chasing Cicada (Beginner: 39/100), Dragon-Imprisoning Stance—Skin-Locking Method (Not Initiated: 9/10)]

As for the perfected Gale Swift Saber and Nurturing Origin Stance, they seemed able to be hidden, so Liu Yunche had not displayed them on the panel.