Liu Qi could not help thinking of the Black-robed Man, whose entire aura was grim and chilling.
He could not help but give a bitter smile. "We ran into an old monster with Three Blood Exchanges."
"Three Blood Exchanges!"
Gu Zhao's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze. Hong Tao's fingers stopped turning the white jade walnuts. Wei Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly. The four fell silent for a moment.
"Tao Yuan and He Cheng were severely wounded in a single exchange. I was no match for him either and could only flee in a panic using the Heavenly Thunder Seed."
Liu Qi added afterward.
Hong Tao's gaze shifted slightly before he spoke.
"Brother Liu, may I ask where that map leads?"
Liu Qi was silent for a moment. He sighed, seeming to have let go of something, then spoke.
"Alas... at this point, I will not hide it from you any longer."
"Have you all heard of the mysterious expert who appeared at Azure Radiance Mountain?"
At the mention of that 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 in different ways.
Wei Zheng's expression remained unchanged, as though he knew who this mysterious expert was. Yet he desperately concealed the faint trace of confusion deep in his eyes.
As the Firewood Gang's leader, although he had no idea who the "mysterious expert" Liu Qi spoke of was, that did not stop him from pretending that he did.
Because this was very important.
Hong Tao lowered his head, deep in thought. He recalled scattered fragments from ancient records, and the more he thought about them, the more alarmed he became.
Only Gu Zhao was initially stunned upon hearing this news. Then he instinctively looked toward Hong Tao and Wei Zheng.
Seeing Wei Zheng's calm expression and confident bearing, he turned to Hong Tao and saw that Hong Tao seemed lost in thought, as though he had recalled something.
Gu Zhao could not help but be astonished, sighing inwardly.
I never thought that, among this group, I would be the only one who did not know.
If I had not formed an alliance in time, I would probably be making a fool of myself with a bewildered expression right now.
Thinking of this, Gu Zhao sincerely praised his own idea of forming an alliance, believing his decision had been entirely correct.
Qin Anming frowned deeply.
He had thought more deeply than the others—this news had come far too conveniently.
They had just been preparing to make their move when the Underground Palace and the Black-robed Man emerged, as if they had been waiting specifically for that moment. Something about this was suspicious.
He could not handle an old monster with Three Blood Exchanges alone. He would have to ask the Dean to step in.
But a trip back to the city would take at least two days. Would some other change arise at Blackwind Stronghold during those two days?
If the inheritance of that mysterious expert had truly been snatched away by them first...
Qin Anming pinched the bridge of his nose and did not let himself think any further.
Just as everyone was lost in thought, Liu Qi continued, "Following the map, we found an Underground Palace."
Everyone's gazes gathered on Liu Qi once more.
"An Underground Palace? Could it be the burial site of that mysterious expert?"
Gu Zhao's heart surged with excitement, and he could not help stepping forward. Then he realized it was inappropriate and quietly withdrew his foot.
The others were absorbed in this information and did not notice Gu Zhao's little movement.
At the same time, a trace of delight flashed through Hong Tao and Wei Zheng's eyes. Hong Tao had finally recalled the records concerning this mysterious expert and learned a thing or two about his past deeds.
Wei Zheng, meanwhile, knew that where there were ruins, there would naturally be opportunities.
He and Hong Tao had suffered from a lack of resources and had remained at One Blood Exchange all this time. If they could make up for those resources, they could step into Two Blood Exchanges in a short time.
Qin Anming, however, thought even further ahead and hurriedly asked, "Has this news leaked out?"
Regarding this point, 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 certain manner made Hong Tao think further.
So certain... could this news have come from within the Three Great Families? Or perhaps the Three Great Families had discovered it themselves?
It seemed he would have to pay closer attention to the movements of the Three Great Families in the future.
Hong Tao turned the white jade walnuts in his hand as he thought this.
At that moment, Tao Yuan, who had been regulating his breath, finally slowly opened his eyes.
His face alternated between rosy and pale, as though a force was circulating within his body.
At last, Tao Yuan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blood was crimson, but as it splattered onto the ground, it gave off a grim, icy chill. Even the air several steps around it cooled by a few degrees.
Qin Anming crouched down and dipped a finger into it. The blood was ice-cold to the bone, unlike blood that had just been spat from a living person's body.
Qin Anming stepped forward and stared at that pool of blood, his expression grave.
"It truly is the force of qi and blood struck out by someone with Three Blood Exchanges."
After saying that, he reached out and touched it again. After sensing it carefully, he said, "The icy aura mixed into this qi and blood probably comes only from cultivating an unrivaled martial art."
"An unrivaled martial art..."
The unrivaled martial arts of Verdant Grain County were all recorded, and none belonged to the yin-cold category.
This proved that the martial artist with Three Blood Exchanges had come from outside.
Then, recalling the unclear and tangled relationship between Blackwind Stronghold and the Azure Cloud Bandits—
The Black-robed Man's identity was practically about 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. Tao Yuan's face was still pale, but he no longer had that previous sense of weakness.
While regulating his breath, Tao Yuan had not closed off his five senses. He knew everything that had happened around him.
Tao Yuan's weak voice sounded at that moment.
"This is no place to remain for long. If that Black-robed Man joins forces with the people of Blackwind Stronghold and attacks us, we will likely be no match for them."
Gu Zhao hurriedly said, "In that case, why not heed Elder Tao's advice and withdraw to the city first?"
"Whether we 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 bastard 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 concerning the mysterious expert.
Only Qin Anming remained worried that the Underground Palace would be beaten to the prize by Blackwind Stronghold and the Azure Cloud Bandits, so his brows remained furrowed.
Seeing Qin Anming's concern, Liu Qi said, "Rest assured, Great Elder. That Underground Palace is built with formidable defenses. 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 will 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.
Cloud Perch Courtyard, east of Verdant Grain County.
The sky was still dim with early light when Liu Yunche arrived in the courtyard.
Concealed Edge was in his hand, and the Thunderclap Saber Art bloomed beneath his blade. The saber techniques were fierce, swift as rolling thunder.
After one round, he sheathed his saber and stood still.
"With this data panel, I have become much more diligent in practicing martial arts."
Once progress could be seen, everyone in the world would become diligent.
Liu Yunche looked toward the panel.
[Cultivation: Iron Skin (94/100)] [Martial Arts: Thunderclap Saber Art (Minor Accomplishment: 140/1000), Eight Steps Catching Cicada (Beginner: 39/100), Dragon-Imprisoning Stance—Skin-Locking Method (Not Yet Initiated: 9/10)]
As for the Perfected Realm Gale Swift Saber and Nurturing Origin Stance, they seemed capable of being hidden, so Liu Yunche did not let them appear on the panel.
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