Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening, Martial Arts Breakthrough

Wind-and-Rain Tower.

Xue Shaokan's face was full of fury, his chest heaving violently. Yin Duanyue gripped his feather fan tightly as well, his brows deeply furrowed and his gaze gloomy.

"You'd best give me a reasonable explanation on Drooping-Ear Monk's behalf. Otherwise..."

A murderous glint flashed in Xue Shaokan's eyes as he looked at the monk, killing intent rising around him!

The messenger monk was terrified and uneasy. He repeatedly lowered his head, his voice trembling.

"Young Master Xue, please quell your anger. It is not that Master has gone back on his word, only..."

Recalling Drooping-Ear Monk's furious state, the monk shuddered with fear.

"The two senior brothers are dead as well. They seemed to have been killed by an evil cultivator. All the blood essence in their bodies was devoured, leaving behind only empty husks."

With that, he took out a cloth sack and opened it. Two shriveled heads rolled out—Kong Ye and Yuchen. Terror still lingered on their twisted faces.

"This..."

Yin Duanyue's gaze sharpened. He recognized Kong Ye and Yuchen and saw that the heads were indeed theirs, but a chill also rose in his heart.

From the expressions on their faces before death, he discerned some clues.

Such expressions could only come from facing an enemy they had no hope of defeating.

But... both of them had been at the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening. Just who had possessed the strength to leave them utterly unable to resist?

"Young Master..."

Suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, Yin Duanyue shook his head at Xue Shaokan, indicating that it was true.

Xue Shaokan stared at the two heads as well, shocked and enraged. He was an intelligent man and naturally understood Yin Duanyue's meaning. He was so furious that he laughed.

"Good, good, good... the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. Someone actually dared interfere in the affairs of my Xue Household!"

Xue Shaokan's eyes were incomparably cold as he ground his teeth.

"What tremendous audacity!"

Yin Duanyue turned to the monk and asked in a grave voice.

"When did these two die? Where were they killed?"

The monk immediately stammered. Under Xue Shaokan's nearly murderous gaze, he finally replied in a trembling voice.

"They... they were killed before entering the city. By the time they were found, their bodies had already been discarded in the Barren Forest."

Yin Duanyue's gaze flickered. He looked at the monk for a while, then asked no further questions and waved a hand.

"Go back. Tell Drooping-Ear Monk that the plan has changed. The matter of the Evil Armament cannot be delayed any longer. We will not wait another half year. Tell him to speed up the forging."

"As for the sacrifices, we will prepare them for him ahead of time."

"Y-yes!"

The monk hurriedly nodded before going downstairs.

After he left, Xue Shaokan looked at the frowning Yin Duanyue. His eyes were dark, but his heart stirred as he asked.

"Sir, do you suspect that Drooping-Ear Monk has a problem?"

Yin Duanyue nodded lightly, his expression uncertain.

"That man has indeed become somewhat dishonest. But the deaths of Kong Ye and Yuchen clearly exceeded his expectations and struck directly at his sore spot."

Upon hearing that, Xue Shaokan radiated killing intent.

"Sir, that man harbors evil intentions. Should we kill him? I fear the Evil Armament may not be secure!"

"It is of no concern. I issued him that ultimatum precisely to observe his reaction for now."

Yin Duanyue waved his hand, spreading open his feather fan and gently fanning himself.

"If he agrees, he can still be put to use. If he refuses..."

Xue Shaokan nodded lightly, then gritted his teeth, his expression turning unpleasant.

"Our losses this time are not small. Especially with that meddler suddenly appearing—his cultivation is definitely not low. This is unfavorable for us!"

"Which is why the Evil Armament must be forged as quickly as possible!"

Yin Duanyue's gaze darkened.

"Once the Evil Armament is complete, anyone below the Astral Condensation Realm will be of no consequence. Besides, Drooping-Ear Monk is a sharp and useful blade!"

"Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening..."

Inside the room, Lu Li ended his seclusion and let out a soft breath.

He rose to his full height, closing his eyes slightly as he sensed the surging inner energy within his body. He was satisfied.

Over the past seven days, aside from eating, drinking, and sleeping, he had devoted all his time to cultivation. With sufficient vitality and blood, the results had been gratifying.

He had leaped from the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening directly to the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening, reaching the Late Meridian Opening stage.

His strength had now reached seven thousand jin. Ordinarily, only martial artists above the Tenth Layer of Meridian Opening possessed such strength.

"The Heart-Breaking Buddha Body has broken through to the second layer as well."

Lu Li extended a hand and flicked a finger. An invisible burst of force shot forth, leaving a deep hole in the brick wall.

After reaching the Second Layer of Heart-Breaking Buddha Body, the energy network within his body had solidified. He could now release it beyond his body, and the range of his Mind's Eye had greatly increased as well.

Wherever his force reached, the effects of his Mind's Eye could spread.

"Who could have imagined that just one month ago, I was an ordinary person without the strength to truss a chicken?"

Lu Li's expression was calm as he smiled. It was no exaggeration to say that in one month, he had accomplished what others accumulated over ten years of cultivation.

The gap was more than a hundredfold.

"The next time we meet, Shuang Qiuyue will have to bow her head before me!"

Lu Li had always remembered the cautious restraint he had felt when facing Shuang Qiuyue in Cloud Province City.

"I'm one step closer to being able to eat beef again."

With such thoughts in his heart, Lu Li pushed open the door and walked out. Unlike the usual quietness, the noodle shop had regained its liveliness.

The reason he had emerged from seclusion was that Peng Shan and the others had returned after many days.

"Brother Lu..."

A burst of hearty laughter rang out from afar. Yan Dan strode over with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, slapping Lu Li on the shoulder.

"When I first met you, Brother Lu, I knew you were no ordinary man. You truly foresaw everything!"

"You overpraise me, Brother Yan."

Lu Li clasped his hands modestly and looked ahead. Peng Shan and Peng Wan'er were walking over as well, the latter cradling Liu Yueling in her arms and softly amusing her.

"No matter what, we must thank you for your warning, little brother."

Peng Shan clasped his hands and sincerely thanked him.

It was not only the matter of the Slender Golden Saber. When they rescued the infants who had been intended as sacrifices, Lu Li's numerous warnings had also helped them avoid heavy casualties.

Lu Li accepted the thanks gladly. During his seclusion, he had also searched through his memories and provided Peng Shan and the others with whatever intelligence assistance he could.

When evil deeds were everywhere, good deeds became all the more precious, like firelight in the darkness. They were worth protecting and aiding.

"Haha, we saved dozens more children today. The Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple must be furious by now. We should have a grand drink in celebration."

Yan Dan laughed, then turned to Peng Shan.

"Old Peng, hurry and bring out that ten-year Drunken Fragrance Brew of yours. Let's have a bowl with Brother Lu and celebrate."

"Get lost. You're just coveting my wine."

Peng Shan laughed and cursed, but did not refuse. Seeing this, Lu Li smiled as well.

"Then I'll go buy the food. I've been in seclusion for many days, so it will be good to take a walk outside."

Peng Shan had no objections. He nodded.

"The brothers from the Heavenly Righteousness Society couldn't make it last time. This time, everyone can get together properly."

Lu Li walked down the street carrying Liu Yueling, while Peng Wan'er followed along to help.

Only then did he learn that all the dishes from the previous banquet had been made by Peng Wan'er.

But he had to admit, they had tasted quite good.

"Hehe, it's rare for you to treat us this time. I'll reluctantly show you what I can really do."

Peng Wan'er hummed, then gave him a sly smile.

"But let me warn you in advance, we'll be buying quite a lot of ingredients. If you think it's too expensive, say so now."

"It's fine. Buy whatever you want."

Lu Li laughed. After looting the Blood Pool, he had searched the corpses as well and found around twenty more taels of silver.

His purse was full again.

"Good."

Peng Wan'er, with twin ponytails tied in her hair, walked ahead with a lively sway, looking bright and pretty.

Just then, Lu Li suddenly heard a cry.

"Lord Guan, you must uphold justice for me! My youngest son, only three years old, has gone missing!"

"He's only three!"