Chapter 145: Gathering of the Mighty

After parting ways with Li Sanqing, Zhang Ze walked over to Woody.

Wearing an ingratiating smile, he said, "Teacher, this item is my trophy from battle. I figured you might find it useful."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Ze handed over the grade-six Qi replenishment pill he was holding.

Frowning at the sight, Woody asked instead, "This Qi replenishment pill has a mild effect, and you could take it yourself. Moreover, for mid-rank martial artists wanting to break through the barrier to rank seven, spiritual power has always been the greatest challenge!"

Even as he said this, Woody made no move to reach out and take it.

Ultimately unable to withstand Zhang Ze's firm insistence, the grade-six Qi replenishment pill ended up in Woody's hands.

Once that matter was settled, Zhang Ze began to act coy.

Knowing this fellow's temperament all too well, Woody immediately retorted with a scoff, "Out with it! Since you've already delivered a gift to me, what is there to be shy about?"

"Hehe~"

"Teacher, what are you saying?"

"I'm your student; isn't it only natural for you to teach me martial arts?"

Hearing this, Woody chuckled as well.

He cast a soft look at Zhang Ze and said, "I knew you brat couldn't forget about this martial skill."

With that, he handed Zhang Ze a small booklet.

In martial arts tales, this sort of thing would likely be considered a secret manual of combat techniques.

Seeing Zhang Ze take the booklet into his hands, Woody instructed further, "This isn't just about the moves of the martial skill; it also contains the old man's personal insights. Study it carefully."

"When we return to the martial arts administration bureau in a little while, I will systematically help you resolve any cultivation issues."

Just as Zhang Ze was about to reply, he caught sight of the speech-spilling name written on the cover.

"Emperor of Heaven God-Slaying Finger~"

"Isn't this name a bit too excessively cheesy?"

As he muttered to himself, Zhang Ze's mind conjured up the cringeworthy image of himself shouting "Emperor of Heaven God-Slaying Finger" aloud.

Woody didn't scold him for this, laughing instead, "That old fogey is eccentric to begin with~"

...

Zhang Ze went back.

He didn't tell Woody that he, along with Li Sanqing and the other, were going to venture deep behind enemy lines once more—all for the sake of wealth... no, for the noble cause of humanity's peace!

When Zhang Ze arrived at the city gates, Li Sanqing and Lu Mingyu were already waiting there.

The trio set off together and quickly left Anqing City.

It was worth mentioning that among the three of them, only Lu Mingyu was still a rank-three martial artist.

However, Zhang Ze could also tell that this fellow's vital force had already surpassed 900 points, so it would probably not take much longer for him to break through to rank four.

...

After traveling for half a day, Zhang Ze asked, "What kind of place are we heading to?"

Li Sanqing wasn't entirely sure either, and turned to look at Lu Mingyu beside him.

The latter said in a deep voice, "I surmise that place used to be the estate of a powerhouse, though it's no longer inside Blood Moon City!"

"A powerhouse's estate?"

"Just what rank of powerhouse could it be?"

Zhang Ze had already looted the home of a rank-six powerhouse before, so his standards for this kind of setup were naturally pulled all the way to the top!

Seeing Zhang Ze's expression, Lu Mingyu was somewhat displeased.

Even so, he explained, "At the very least, it should be the estate of a rank-seven powerhouse, or so I feel..."

"You feel?"

Li Sanqing was also starting to feel a bit annoyed.

It was one thing that you didn't mention it beforehand, considering this intelligence was provided by you, Lu Mingyu.

But now that we're already on the road, you suddenly come out with "you feel it is"...

Are you kidding me?

Noticing that both Zhang Ze and Li Sanqing were displeased, Lu Mingyu hurriedly explained, "I'm certain, I'm certain!"

"On what grounds?" Zhang Ze demanded.

"On the grounds that the place is guarded by mid-rank martial artists!"

Hearing this, Zhang Ze and Li Sanqing exchanged glances, feeling somewhat placated.

Since they were already on the move, calling it quits and turning back now would be rather anticlimactic.

With this thought in mind, the three of them immediately quickened their pace.

...

On the very evening that Zhang Ze and his companions set out.

Woody arrived at the top floor of the administrative building. Gone was his usual casual demeanor as he said in a serious tone, "Director Wu, Fu Wu and Lin Feng have already arrived in Anqing City."

Wu Shishen frowned upon hearing this.

He then replied, "Good thing you gave notice in time. The news coming from the frontlines recently has me very worried. It seems this Blood Moon is planning a major move!"

Muttering a couple of words under his breath, Wu Shishen beckoned, "Come with me to meet them~"

Soon, the two arrived at a conference hall somewhere within the administrative building.

At this moment, seven supreme powerhouses had already gathered in the conference hall, creating an oppressive atmosphere so heavy that even Woody, a rank-six martial artist, felt the strain upon entering.

Wu Shishen walked toward the head seat on his own.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man seated at the head of the right side stood up hastily upon seeing the uncle and niece duo. "Master~"

Wu Shishen nodded in acknowledgment. Just as the middle-aged man was about to walk over toward Woody, Woody's body trembled slightly, and she turned around and left the conference hall.

...

A moment later.

Including the middle-aged man from earlier, all the powerhouses present wore grave expressions.

Among these individuals were four rank-seven martial artists: Lin Feng, Liu Guang, Yang Yunfei, and Zhao Jinghong.

Beside the four of them stood another middle-aged figure in his forties. Upon closer inspection, the Li Zixing brothers bore a seventy-percent resemblance to this middle-aged man.

The newcomer was none other than Li Jiehao—a renowned rank-seven grandmaster powerhouse within Anqing Province.

It was also at this moment that Wu Shishen spoke up, "That old geezer Blood Moon has made a move, and it's no small skirmish. I'm afraid it's going to be another full-scale offensive like the one last year!"

Hearing Wu Shishen's words, the elderly man seated at the head of the left side instantly flew into a rage. "Damn that bastard~"

"If you ask me, we should have crippled that Blood Moon creature last time, sparing us from having him leap around every single day!"

Hearing the old man's words, everyone present nodded slightly.

However, Wu Shishen countered, "In the past, we only fought defensive battles. Wasn't that to avoid destroying Blood Moon completely and thereby provoking Wulan City?"

"But this time is different. I believe everyone is already aware of the Star Gate incident in Nanhe Province on the surface, and Director Yan is still trapped behind the Star Gate."

"In a month at most, the seal of the fourth Star Gate in Nanhe Province will be broken. Our high-tier combat strength cannot all be tied down in Anqing City."

"We fight! This time, we cripple Blood Moon City!"

Hearing Wu Shishen's declaration, everyone instantly perked up.

The middle-aged man from earlier was unfazed by Woody's departure, and said in a resolute voice, "Rest assured, Master. Since I have returned this time, I will certainly help you cripple Blood Moon!"

Wu Shishen, however, shook his head slightly. "Yanxin, you didn't return this time to assist me, Wu Shishen; you are going to help Anqing City fend off two rank-eights!"

Upon hearing this, Han Yanxin said gravely, "I understand~"

On the other hand, the elderly man Fu Wu chuckled and said, "Little Yanxin, don't be in such a rush. This old set of bones of mine can still play around with that Blood Moon fellow for a bit without falling apart!"

The oppressive atmosphere in the conference hall gradually eased.

Yet Wu Shishen still wore a worried expression as he looked at the middle-aged Li Jiehao and said, "Jiehao, I estimate that at least three of Blood Moon City's four rank-eights will come. When that time comes, you will have to hold the line!"

Li Jiehao's voice boomed like a bell: "Rest assured, Director Wu, I will surely face them with all my might!"

Having received this reply, Wu Shishen did not feel much more at ease; instead, he sighed with emotion, "We can only blame ourselves, these useless old folks. For you and Yanxin to possess such cultivation at your age—you are both our pride~"

"Still, you must never underestimate the enemy!"

Hearing this, Han Yanxin was temporarily left speechless.

Li Jiehao rose to his feet and replied, "Ever since we martial practitioners stepped onto the path of martial arts, we were destined to shoulder this heavy responsibility. Senior Wu need not pity us~"

"Good~"