Feng Renjian stepped forward to challenge them, and the Black Banner Army squad leader hesitated. If he refused, he would have to withdraw his troops. He was at a loss, and there was no time to fetch reinforcements.
Everyone in the caravan saw his fear and hoped he would recognize the difficulty and retreat.
Li Qiang frowned slightly. He heard a dense clatter of hoofbeats approaching from the distance. Moments later, everyone else heard it too. Delight appeared on the squad leader's face, and he declared arrogantly, "Fine! I accept!" Now even Feng Renjian could not back out. If the challenger regretted his challenge, it counted as a loss.
More than two hundred riders galloped over, led by Yuan Ba, the Black Banner Army's Thunder Banner General. Li Qiang shifted behind the others to conceal himself. He was not afraid of the Black Banner Army; he simply wanted no more trouble right now. Finding Zhao Hao and Mei Jingjing as soon as possible was his foremost concern.
Thunder Banner General Yuan Ba asked, "Bai Dafu, have you found that brat? Damn it, we didn't come out here to plunder this time! If you botch the old immortal's orders, do you still want to keep those heads you eat with?"
Squad Leader Bai Dafu cupped his fists in salute. "General, I saw that this shipment looked pretty fat. Heh heh, I wanted to seize it as an offering to you."
Yuan Ba laughed loudly. "Excellent! Haha, you really do know how to honor me. I haven't doted on you for nothing. What are you waiting for, then? Kill them all."
Li Qiang shook his head slightly. This band of Black Banner soldiers was simply inhuman.
Bai Dafu smiled ingratiatingly. "They asked for a wagered duel. When I saw you coming, General, I agreed. I know you're invincible under heaven. These few men are only here to give you a little amusement." His flattery struck Yuan Ba right in the heart.
Swinging the thick-backed mountain-cleaving saber in his hand, Yuan Ba laughed smugly. "Good! Who wants to duel? Are you coming one at a time or all together? I, Yuan Ba, will take you all on! Haha!"
Feng Renjian steeled himself. "I'll seek your instruction. Please, General." Gripping a long-handled saber, he started forward.
Ma Jingning caught his arm and secretly pressed a jade talisman into his hand, whispering, "Crush it if you're in danger. Be careful." After stepping back, he nodded to Li Qiang.
"If you're going to fight, hurry up! Stop fussing! If you don't come over, don't blame me for ordering everyone killed!" Seeing Feng Renjian step out with his saber, Yuan Ba shouted excitedly, "Good! Take my blade first!" He spurred his horse forward and charged, swinging his saber.
It was a savage stroke, its force made all the more thunderous by the charging horse.
The difference in their strength was simply too great. With a ringing clash, Feng Renjian's saber flew into the sky. Yuan Ba twisted at the waist and delivered another backhand slash, cutting diagonally down across his shoulder and back. Ma Jingning shouted, "Crush it!"
Azure light flashed as the jade talisman shattered, and Feng Renjian was sent flying by the blow. The four caravan drivers cried out, "Head driver!" Yet he actually coughed and climbed to his feet.
Yuan Ba stared incredulously at his thick-backed mountain-cleaving saber. This was impossible. No matter how powerful his protective True Qi was, it could not have stopped that stroke.
"You lost! Everyone must come with us. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!" Squad Leader Bai Dafu shouted smugly.
Li Qiang sighed and stepped out from behind the others, wearing something that was not quite a smile. "Really? All of you, get lost!"
Squad Leader Bai Dafu had never seen Li Qiang before. He cursed, "Damn you, are you looking to die? I'll chop you into-" Before he could finish his foul words, a heavy slap struck his face. It was Yuan Ba who had hit him.
Bai Dafu was stunned, his lips stammering without producing a word.
Yuan Ba knew things had gone wrong. After slapping Bai Dafu, he spoke as though he had seen a ghost. "It's you? So you're here. We're leaving!" He wheeled his horse around, clamped his legs hard against its belly, and led the retreat, thinking that the little fiend was here and he had to hurry back to report it.
When the Black Banner soldiers saw that even their general had been frightened into flight, they scrambled over one another to flee in a swarm.
Feng Renjian stared at Li Qiang in disbelief, somewhat at a loss. "Little brother, you... who exactly are you?"
Someone giggled in the air. "Oh my, aren't you impressive here? You're making your big sister so envious."
The voice startled Li Qiang. Looking up, he saw Hua Meiniang, but beside her was another young woman dressed in bright red.
The caravan members stared in terror at the beautiful women suspended in the sky. Silence fell instantly, and everyone wondered whether heavenly maidens had descended to earth. Still more unexpected was that Li Qiang, who had traveled with them for so long, actually flew into the air too. Zhang Yunbo could not help slapping himself. He truly had eyes but failed to see.
Li Qiang was quite skilled at trimming his sails to the wind, and he knew Hua Meiniang could not be judged by ordinary standards. He sprang into the air and said with a grin, "Elder Sister Hua, you're the truly formidable and impressive one. How could your little brother compare?"
Hua Meiniang made a great fuss. "Oh? Oh? I blinked, and the sky turned dark. Why do those words sound so awkward? You slippery brat! Your big sister was fighting until heaven and earth went dark up ahead, while you slipped away here to play the hero. If my little sister hadn't arrived, I would have suffered badly. Tell me, brat, how are we going to settle this account?"
Li Qiang continued showering her with reckless flattery. "Ah, a heroine like you, Elder Sister Hua, can climb mountains to fight tigers and plunge into the sea to capture dragons. Raise your fists, and you can strike people down—surely you dispose of anyone the moment you act. You wouldn't need help from a beginner like me, would you?" He added, "I originally meant to enjoy watching you beat Lei Tianxiao to death in three punches, but something urgent happened to come up, so I left first. I didn't have time to keep admiring your heroic bearing. You wouldn't blame your little brother for that, would you?" He thought he should bluff his way through this hurdle first.
The young woman beside Hua Meiniang burst out laughing. "Sister, he really does have a glib tongue."
Li Qiang immediately cut in. "Wow, who is this young lady? Such a beautiful girl-could a fairy have lost her way and wandered into the mortal world?" His praise left her speechless, and a faint blush crept onto her face. Li Qiang thought, Surely that will stop your mouth. If you say another few words, who knows what idea Hua Meiniang might come up with?
Hua Meiniang giggled sweetly and patted the young woman's shoulder. "You've never met a wretched brat like this, have you? You wouldn't believe me when I told you, but he's Old Master Fu's brother. Didn't expect that, did you?" She broke into another peal of laughter.
The young woman covered her little mouth in astonishment, looking utterly captivating. With a slightly bashful expression, she whispered, "Surely not? Old Master Fu would never act like this. Then, Sister, you...?"
Hua Meiniang said nervously, "Don't say it!"
Li Qiang thought, What is going on? So mysterious. Smiling, he asked, "Elder Sister Hua, who is this young lady?"
With that interruption, Hua Meiniang indeed dropped the previous subject. "She's quite famous on Sealed Fate Planet. She cultivates under Granny Hong. As for her name, let her tell you herself."
The young woman said openly, "My surname is Qin, and my given name is Xiaohuan. You must be Young Master Li Qiang. Sister Hua told me everything..."
Hua Meiniang grabbed Qin Xiaohuan. "Hey, silly sister, don't tell him everything!"
Li Qiang immediately realized that Qin Xiaohuan was a girl without much guile, unlike that old fox Hua Meiniang. He smiled. "Greetings, Miss Qin." Then he told Hua Meiniang, "Elder Sister Hua, I still have some things to take care of. I'll take my leave."
"Stop! Where are you trying to run off to now?" Hua Meiniang blocked him.
Li Qiang looked utterly innocent. "I'm not running away. I have a little personal business to attend to, so I'm leaving first."
Hua Meiniang said very seriously, "You don't know yet, but a large number of cultivation experts have come from Qianjie Star. I have no idea what trouble you've stirred up to cause such a great mobilization, yet you still dare to wander around."
Li Qiang was lost in a fog. Bewildered, he said, "I haven't done anything. I don't understand why the people from Qianjie Star insist on finding me either."
Qin Xiaohuan said, "Many cultivation experts from Sealed Fate Planet are coming this time too. I heard Old Master Fu made special trips to several planets to find people. He may arrive on Heavenly Court Star soon. Granny told me that ten of the twelve experts currently at the Profound Mystery Sect are coming. Many major sects have sent experts too."
Hearing that Fu Shan was coming, Li Qiang was delighted, and his mood immediately brightened. "Wonderful! Big Brother Fu is finally coming." He glanced at Hua Meiniang and thought, Strange. Why does she seem excited to hear that Big Brother Fu is coming, without the slightest fear? Isn't she afraid he'll take revenge?
After thinking a little more, Li Qiang said, "That can't be right. All these cultivation experts wouldn't be coming for me. Something major must have happened."
Hua Meiniang could not help laughing. "You've still got a clear head. I knew I couldn't fool you."
Qin Xiaohuan explained, "It's because Old Man Baihuang of Qianjie Star allowed his subordinates to hunt cultivators everywhere and forcibly seize their Nascent Souls. That aroused public outrage, which led to this large-scale operation."
Only then did Li Qiang understand, and he became even more worried about Zhao Hao and Mei Jingjing. "I really do have something to do. I need to find someone in Crushed Stone City. I'll take my leave."
Hua Meiniang refused to let him leave and insisted on going with him.
Li Qiang knew he could not shake her off. On further thought, traveling with her would be safer, so he had no choice but to agree.
After landing, Li Qiang made a point of giving Ma Jingning and the others some jade talismans and explaining how to use them. Only then did the three of them fly toward Crushed Stone City, with Hua Meiniang leading the way.
They had not flown far when a black line on the distant horizon swiftly rushed toward them.
Shrill, piercing laughter shook their souls, and in an instant, heaven and earth darkened.
Qin Xiaohuan raised her hand, and white mist spread around the three of them. Hua Meiniang smiled. "Sister, Granny even passed the White Cloud Barrier to you. Brat, you're in luck. With this treasure here, there's nothing to fear."
Two people arrived. One was Lei Tianxiao, and the other was an old woman with a pockmarked face heaped with wrinkles. Black Qi swirled all around her, and she leaned on a strangely shaped staff whose head constantly spewed black smoke. She was as ugly as could be.
Li Qiang stole a glance at Qin Xiaohuan. Seeing her standing steadily without betraying the slightest emotion, he could not help secretly admiring her.
The old woman gave a strange, rasping laugh. "Boy Lei, didn't Yuan Ba report that he was alone? Why is Hua Meiniang here too? Who is this little girl?" Then she added, "Little Sister Hua, what are you doing here joining the commotion?"
Hua Meiniang was an expert at stirring up trouble. She giggled at those words. "Shentu Yu, I never expected an elder like you to belong to Qianjie Star too. Did Old Man Baihuang give you some benefits? My hands have been itching these past few days, and I just love joining in the fun wherever I find it. What of it?" Li Qiang could hardly believe these words had come from Hua Meiniang, and much of his dislike for her immediately faded.
Lei Tianxiao cursed, "She's an unreasonable madwoman. Senior Shentu, don't stand on ceremony with her. Capture her, and I'll make her wish she were dead." Then he pointed at Li Qiang and cursed, "Little bastard, you run faster than a rabbit! You actually dared to ambush me. Once I catch you..."
Li Qiang immediately interrupted him, laughing as he cursed back. "Once you catch me, you'll just skin me and pull out my tendons or something. Surely you won't come up with something original and make me your father? All those years of yours were wasted. You talk like a child who knows nothing. Why don't you find a lump of mud and dash your head against it until you die? Living in this world, you only make a disgrace of yourself."
Hua Meiniang clapped and roared with laughter. "Oh my, little brother, you certainly know how to curse. I like it! Haha, find a lump of mud to dash his head against-how novel!" A faint smile appeared on Qin Xiaohuan's face. This was her first taste of Li Qiang's biting tongue.
Incredibly, Shentu Yu also gave a strange cackle. "Boy Lei, he really tore into you, didn't he?"
Lei Tianxiao's entire face turned the purple of an eggplant. He did not dare offend Shentu Yu, but inwardly he cursed wildly that this old hag was no good either.
Humiliated into fury, Lei Tianxiao launched straight into his deadly trump card! He deployed the Nine-Aperture Soul-Seizing Orb, and this time it actually spewed out nine cultivators' Nascent Souls.
Shentu Yu seemed displeased. She floated back some distance and said, "Boy Lei, I'll stand guard for you."
Lei Tianxiao cursed inwardly, but he could only drive the Nascent Souls forward with all his strength.
The nine Nascent Souls struck the White Cloud Barrier almost simultaneously. They shrieked and roared but could not advance another step. A trace of surprise appeared on Shentu Yu's face. "Is that Hong Jingyu's White Cloud Barrier? Hey, little girl, what is Hong Jingyu to you?" Qin Xiaohuan was using all her strength to maintain the White Cloud Barrier and had no leisure to speak.
When no one answered, Shentu Yu angrily stamped her strangely shaped staff. The black smoke at its head surged as though blown by the wind, stabbing toward the White Cloud Barrier like a sharp sword. Qin Xiaohuan immediately felt the strain.
Seeing that things were going badly, Hua Meiniang immediately donned her Peach Blossom Battle Armor. "Sister, I'm going out to fight. You two stay inside the White Cloud Barrier." She sprang out.
The nine Nascent Souls turned and rushed at Hua Meiniang with piercing shrieks. Vast clouds of pink flower mist billowed out, and she shouted, "Flower Sword!" Countless slender pink swords danced through the air. The Nascent Souls were merely scattered, then gathered again and charged once more. Their momentum made one's scalp crawl.
Without the Nascent Souls attacking, Qin Xiaohuan could barely hold up her White Cloud Barrier. Li Qiang did not want two young women protecting him, but the instinct to preserve his life was deeply rooted. He donned his battle armor too. This armor had been given to him by Mo Huaiyuan and was called the Billowing Essence Battle Armor.
As soon as the Billowing Essence Battle Armor covered him, Li Qiang seemed transformed into another person. No one knew that he could actually wear three layers of armor: his Nascent Soul had the Stars Filling the Sky Armor, his own body had the Shadow Dream Armor, and now he wore the Billowing Essence Battle Armor over that.
Qin Xiaohuan was secretly startled. She did not know what armor Li Qiang wore. Blue light shimmered over it, and within it, waves seemed to surge. Seven bands of golden light actually circled his body as well. These were protective divine lights emitted by the Radiant Sun Ring.
Li Qiang grabbed a large handful of his most powerful jade talismans. "Miss Qin, I'll go help Elder Sister Hua. Be careful."
Intimidated by his Billowing Essence Battle Armor, Qin Xiaohuan could not tell how powerful he was. "You be careful too."
Li Qiang leaped out of the White Cloud Barrier and immediately threw nine lightning jade talismans.
The talismans left his hand and transformed into nine bolts of lightning. Thunder boomed, and the nine Nascent Souls were instantly scattered. Li Qiang was overjoyed. Before he could cheer, the nine Nascent Souls gathered again.
Lei Tianxiao was furious. This little bastard was ambushing him again. He pointed at Li Qiang, and the Nine-Aperture Soul-Seizing Orb above his head shot white light onto the Nascent Souls. All nine turned furiously and charged at Li Qiang.
Now Li Qiang was thrown into a frantic scramble. His strength had been inferior to Lei Tianxiao's to begin with, and the Nine-Aperture Soul-Seizing Orb was the man's killing move. Even someone as formidable as Hua Meiniang found it difficult to deal with, let alone a novice cultivator like Li Qiang.
Lightning jade talismans, explosive jade talismans, and thunderbolt jade talismans flew out without pause. For a time, heaven shook and earth trembled, and smoke and dust rose everywhere. Each exploding talisman inflicted a small setback on the Nascent Souls. After all, the jade talismans had been refined beforehand and cost him no true essence power.
Lei Tianxiao said viciously, "Let's see how many talismans you have to throw!"
Li Qiang shouted, "Elder Sister Hua, attack him! I'll hold off the nine Nascent Souls. Hurry!"
This move of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao immediately reminded Hua Meiniang. She stopped chasing the Nascent Souls at once and turned to attack Lei Tianxiao.
Lei Tianxiao cursed, "Little bastard..." With his attention divided, the Nascent Souls' power immediately weakened. He shouted wildly, "Senior Shentu, please make your move!" As he spoke, he retreated toward her, trying to spread the flames of battle to Shentu Yu.
Li Qiang was already in grave danger. He had thrown nearly all his powerful jade talismans, but fortunately, the force of the Nascent Souls' charges weakened. One Nascent Soul, however, had already come very close. In his panic, he threw two jade talismans, realizing his mistake as soon as they left his hand. One of them was actually a protective jade talisman.
Qin Xiaohuan struggled to move closer to Li Qiang. She had already seen that he could not hold out, but Shentu Yu's black smoke weighed as heavily as a mountain. Moving was far too difficult.
The protective jade talisman became a thin layer of azure light over the Nascent Soul. The other talisman was an explosive talisman. Like a small arrow flickering with red flame, it silently pierced the Nascent Soul's body, as though the protective talisman had never existed.
In an instant, the Nascent Soul wailed frantically, trying to change form and escape, but the protective talisman's azure light held it firmly in place. Red light flashed, and the Nascent Soul was blasted into ash and smoke. Lei Tianxiao immediately felt the impact, and his vital Qi was badly damaged. Never could he have imagined that Li Qiang could destroy one of his Nascent Souls.
Hua Meiniang roared with laughter, and Qin Xiaohuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Qiang followed the same method and destroyed two more Nascent Souls. Lei Tianxiao could no longer hold on. He spat several mouthfuls of blood and had no choice but to recall the Nine-Aperture Soul-Seizing Orb. The returning Nascent Souls nearly turned on him, and only after he spat a mouthful of heart's blood for them did the matter end. Worse still, Hua Meiniang took advantage of his frantic state to strike him with a flower ball. Had Shentu Yu not diverted a stream of black smoke to block it somewhat, even if he had survived, he would have lost a layer of skin. His hatred for Li Qiang was now absolute.
Everyone stopped for the moment. Shentu Yu asked, "Little girl, I'll ask you again. What is Hong Jingyu to you?"
"She is my master." Qin Xiaohuan added, "You know my master?"
Shentu Yu nodded. "Since you're an old acquaintance's disciple, I would be embarrassed to attack you. Give your master my regards when you return."
Somewhat surprised, Qin Xiaohuan nodded. "All right. I'll certainly tell my master."
Shentu Yu added, "Little girl, you'd best return to Sealed Fate Planet. Heavenly Court Star hasn't been peaceful lately."
Lei Tianxiao could no longer contain himself. "Senior Shentu, you can't let them go!"
Shentu Yu cackled. "Boy Lei, it's not your place to speak here. Come with me. If you can beat these three, take your time fighting them. Aren't you leaving?"
Lei Tianxiao was so angry he nearly spat blood again. Without a word, he turned and flew back the way he had come.
With another strange laugh, Shentu Yu raised a stream of black smoke and swiftly withdrew.
The three looked at one another and laughed together. They had not expected to get through this ordeal so easily.
Li Qiang thought, What a sturdy life, great fortune, and abundant blessings I have! Otherwise, I wouldn't even have known how I died. That Shentu Yu looked very formidable. If she had joined forces with Lei Tianxiao, we would have been in trouble.
The three continued on their way and soon reached the outskirts of Crushed Stone City. Qin Xiaohuan said, "Let's land and walk into the city, so we don't shock the world."
Crushed Stone City was a small frontier city, known only for its abundant production of crushed stone. It also had another name, Ice Town. Because it stood near the Frozen Plain, its bitterly cold weather was also extremely famous.
After entering the small city, Li Qiang inexplicably began to feel nervous.