Chapter 142: Encounter
“Let go!”
Xiao Zifeng’s eyes gleamed sharply, and a powerful qi surged through his body like a vast river, causing his sleeves to flap wildly in the fierce wind.
Boom!
A brilliant light burst from his fingertips as the ‘Heaven Severing Seal’ instantly cracked and then dissolved into nothingness, the remaining qi continuing to surge forward.
Yang Xing swung his Ghost Head Blade, unleashing a flash of red light from the blade’s edge.
Ssshh!
The remaining qi was swept away by the blade’s radiance and completely dissipated.
“Refreshing!” Xiao Zifeng shouted boldly, his finger light exploding like a violent storm, instantly blocking all escape routes.
Sizzle, sizzle!
At the same time, Yang Xing’s blood and qi began to stir and boil, as if hallucinations flickered before his eyes.
“Hm!?”
Yang Xing sensed that Xiao Zifeng was close to breaking through.
The transition from middle Dan qi to upper Dan qi marked a fundamental transformation.
Among the top young talents in Hezhong Prefecture, the Seven Heroes of the Four Excellences all cultivated at the middle Dan qi level. Should someone reach upper Dan qi, they would instantly become the foremost among their generation.
Xiao Zifeng, having avenged a great grudge, also experienced a change in mindset, which greatly favored his breakthrough past the mysterious bottleneck.
Yang Xing gripped his Ghost Head Blade with both hands, his Iron Shirt technique pushed to its limit as Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise qi converged within him, his qi no weaker than that of a Dan qi master who had opened the four channels.
Clang clang clang clang!
The two figures flew and flipped, exchanging dozens of moves in the blink of an eye.
Lin Ao watched this with a heavy heart. “How has his strength...”
More than half a year ago, within the Plum Blossom Gang, this youngster wouldn’t have even earned a second glance. Yet now, he could contend evenly with the young master for dozens of exchanges.
Xiao Zifeng’s true power was certainly not inferior to any of the Seven Heroes of the Four Excellences and might even rank among the very best.
After several more moves, Xiao Zifeng shouted, “Sir, since we’ve clashed and know each other, why not call it a draw?”
“What do you mean?”
Yang Xing’s face showed no expression, but his hand reached toward the signal flare on his back.
Xiao Zifeng smiled, “Honestly, between you and me, there’s little grudge—why must we fight to the death?”
Yang Xing nodded, “Indeed, no need. But you nearly killed me twice.”
Xiao Zifeng’s strength was formidable; without the intervention of the sect’s four lineage heads or elder masters, it would be hard to capture him.
But when reinforcements arrived, Xiao Zifeng would have long since fled.
“It’s just different circumstances. I apologize to you here in this place.”
Xiao Zifeng glanced at Lin Ao, “Uncle Lin, offer this brother some compensation.”
“Yes!”
Lin Ao grunted and tossed a heavy package to Yang Xing.
The package was weighty, containing several martial arts manuals along with gold, silver, and jewels—quite valuable.
Xiao Zifeng grinned, “Consider this my apology. I wonder if it’s sufficient?”
Yang Xing shook his head, “Not enough.”
Xiao Zifeng was slightly taken aback, then said, “Uncle Lin, throw in another one.”
Lin Ao frowned but complied, throwing another package.
Xiao Zifeng asked, “Is that enough, sir?”
Yang Xing glanced casually, “Enough.”
“Let’s go.”
Xiao Zifeng nodded and began descending the mountain.
Yang Xing did not stop them and watched as they slowly departed.
Lin Ao was somewhat resentful and whispered, “Young master, that guy is truly greedy. Why not kill him?”
Five packages were stolen in total, with Yang Xing taking two—how could he stand for that?
“This guy cultivated hard skills, hard to kill. Besides, I don’t know if the old relics of the Four Excellences Sect will appear suddenly.”
Xiao Zifeng waved his hand, “The Heavenly River Sect has fallen, but many still covet the ancient Tianyang jade in my hands. Only when I break through to upper Dan qi can I dispel their desires. So for now, it’s unwise to provoke the Four Excellences Sect.”
Lin Ao nodded, “When the young master reaches upper Dan qi, then the Xiao family can be rebuilt.”
Xiao Zifeng clenched his fists tightly, “That day will come soon.”
...
“With the two packages from Xiao Zifeng, this haul is quite substantial.”
Yang Xing looked at the several packages beside him, filled with gold, silver, jewels, and banknotes worth over a hundred thousand taels—a veritable fortune.
Especially valuable were the martial arts manuals ‘Peacock Feather’ and ‘Qi Sealing Technique,’ priceless treasures.
At that moment, two figures appeared at the narrow mountain pass exit.
Yang Xing looked up and recognized a familiar figure.
It was Lu Shaoyou, accompanied by a disciple of the Four Excellences Sect.
“Follow my lead,” Lu Shaoyou whispered.
Duan Anyu nodded. If they could descend smoothly, all the better; if not, more foes would fall.
Bai Ziyun was one of the Seven Sons of the Heavenly River. As long as they avoided the Four Excellences Sect’s elders, descending the mountain should not be difficult.
“Senior brother!”
Yang Xing suddenly leapt forward, clasping his fists in greeting.
Lu Shaoyou nodded, “Junior brother, how are things?”
“All is well, except for a few troublemakers.”
Yang Xing glanced at the man beside Lu Shaoyou, “And this gentleman?”
This man was not a disciple of the Black Tortoise Institute.
Lu Shaoyou explained, “He’s a disciple from the outer sect, badly wounded. Junior brother, do you have any healing pills?”
Duan Anyu was startled; he hadn’t expected his senior uncle to be so bold as to request medicine from a disciple of the Four Excellences Sect.
“Yes!”
Yang Xing produced a healing pill and handed it over.
Hmm!?
Suddenly, Yang Xing felt something odd.
Lu Shaoyou was tall, and usually when they stood together, they were about the same height, but this ‘Lu Shaoyou’ was two inches shorter.
Ordinary people might overlook such a detail, but Yang Xing was astute—he knew every hair was hollow.
He remained silent, instead scrutinizing this ‘Lu Shaoyou.’
As the porcelain bottle was handed to ‘Lu Shaoyou,’ Yang Xing’s heart jolted.
Such majestic qi!
Having practiced the ‘Qi Sealing Technique,’ Yang Xing’s sensitivity to qi was greatly enhanced. This ‘Lu Shaoyou’ was desperately concealing his qi, but at such close range, subtle changes were still detectable.
This person’s qi was mighty, not weaker than the elder who fought him the previous night.
With such strength, there would be no need to hide one’s identity when descending the mountain.
After all, the Four Excellences Sect’s blockade at the pass was meant only to stop minor ruffians, knowing full well they couldn’t hold off a true master—it was about maximizing their own benefit.
Thus, the concealed identity likely meant this was a Heavenly River Sect member.
In a flash, Yang Xing’s mind raced.
“Thank you.”
‘Lu Shaoyou’ smiled and said to Duan Anyu, “Junior brother, take this.”
“Thank you, senior brother.”
Duan Anyu was reluctant but wore a grateful expression as he consumed the pill.
‘Lu Shaoyou’ smiled, “Junior brother, no more talk—we shall descend now.”
“Alright.”
Yang Xing nodded.
Then, ‘Lu Shaoyou’ led Duan Anyu down the mountain.
“Wait!”
Suddenly, Yang Xing called out.
Duan Anyu’s heart leapt into his throat.
He only wanted a smooth descent; nothing else mattered.
‘Lu Shaoyou’ turned with a puzzled look, “What is it?”
“Xiao Zifeng just passed here, searching the outskirts for remnants of the Heavenly River Sect.”
Yang Xing said with concern, “If you meet him, be careful not to be mistakenly harmed.”
“Oh?”
‘Lu Shaoyou’s eyes brightened, and he clasped his fists, “Junior brother, thank you.”
With that, ‘Lu Shaoyou’ hurried down the mountain.
Yang Xing watched their backs, a gleam flashing in his eyes. Xiao Zifeng had not gone far.
They should encounter each other soon.
...
PS: Wishing all brothers and sisters a Happy New Year, may all your wishes come true, family happiness, and continued prosperity. Also, little Fatty is asking for a free little gift!!!