Chapter 143: The Strength of Bai Ziyun

Along the shaded mountain path, Xiao Zifeng and Lin Ao descended swiftly toward the foothills. With his great vengeance now fulfilled, Xiao Zifeng saw no reason to linger in the troublesome lands of Jade River Mountain. After all, he was still a wanted fugitive of the imperial court, having slain members of the Four Extremes Sect and possessing the rare Heavenly Yang Ancient Jade—an artifact sure to bring him endless trouble.

Suddenly, Xiao Zifeng furrowed his brow. "Someone's behind us."

Lin Ao glanced back quietly. "Disciples of the Four Extremes Sect—probably nothing to worry about."

Xiao Zifeng shook his head, voice steady. "These two move with exceptional skill, and they're heading straight for us."

Years in hiding had made him cautious; any disturbance aroused his vigilance.

"Hmm?"

Lin Ao's heart tightened. "Could they be reinforcements called by that greedy brat from earlier?"

"Uncertain."

Xiao Zifeng narrowed his eyes and motioned for Lin Ao to halt.

Soon, Bai Ziyun and Duan Anyu caught up. Though Xiao Zifeng wore a bamboo hat, Bai Ziyun recognized him instantly, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Truly, he had found his quarry effortlessly.

Neither party spoke, but the atmosphere within the dense forest thickened palpably.

Xiao Zifeng asked, "Do we know each other?"

"Of course, intimately," Bai Ziyun replied calmly.

A thunderclap seemed to strike Xiao Zifeng; his gaze locked fiercely on Bai Ziyun.

That voice was too familiar—haunting his restless nights in dreams.

They were indeed well acquainted.

This familiarity was not born of friendship but a bitter, inextricable bond.

Xiao Zifeng enunciated each syllable coldly: "Bai—Zi—Yun?!"

Lin Ao's face paled, clutching his spear tightly, his mind swirling with confusion.

Wasn't Bai Ziyun supposed to have perished alongside Chou Xiaochi?

How could he still be alive?

Bai Ziyun smiled faintly. "It seems you've never stopped thinking about me all these years."

A crimson fire flickered in Xiao Zifeng’s eyes, his voice roughened with hatred. "I long to devour your flesh and annihilate your clan."

At that moment, his qi surged explosively, rippling through the air in waves.

Leaves trembled violently, rustling with an ominous whisper.

Years ago, the Heavenly River Sect had coveted the Heavenly Yang Ancient Jade, massacring Xiao Zifeng’s entire family, setting fire to the Xiao estate to cover their tracks, and framing him as a criminal of the empire—forcing him into hiding.

Bai Ziyun had been their chief instrument in this atrocity.

"I have never forgotten the Xiao family massacre," Bai Ziyun said with chilling resolve, "etched deeply in my heart. I once thought you dead, which left me some regret."

Xiao Zifeng watched the pure Yuan Qi within him and murmured, "Fate has been kind; it will not leave me with regrets."

Duan Anyu stood nearby, sweat beading on his brow. How could Xiao Zifeng be so powerful?

Bai Ziyun’s voice was calm. "You cannot let go of your clan, can you? Then let me do a kindness—send you to join them in the netherworld."

In a ghostlike blur, Bai Ziyun materialized before Xiao Zifeng, slapping his palm down toward the latter’s crown.

Boom!

A mighty qi surged, shaking the very air.

Xiao Zifeng’s qi roared within him as he flicked a finger sharply.

Phantom Heart Finger!

A brilliant beam of light shot forth like an unstoppable spear.

Bai Ziyun retracted his palm and countered with a single finger.

Six Yang Finger!

As the two beams clashed, fierce winds swept outward.

Nearby, Yang Xing executed the Cloud Dragon Triple Bend technique, landing on a branch, frowning.

"This man is Bai Ziyun, one of the Seven Sons of Heavenly River? Why does he wear the Master Brother’s face?"

The Seven Sons of Heavenly River were notorious throughout Hezhong Prefecture. Bai Ziyun was not the strongest among them but certainly the most vicious. Many who crossed him met tragic ends.

The destruction of the Xiao family was his handiwork.

Yang Xing pondered silently, "Can Xiao Zifeng stand against him?"

Bai Ziyun had reached Upper Dan Qi, mastering over eight main meridians, while Xiao Zifeng was at the peak of Middle Dan Qi, also with eight meridians cleared. Yet, Xiao Zifeng’s qi had been refined to a higher level than most at his rank.

Their clash promised to be fierce.

Suddenly, a starry diagram appeared behind Xiao Zifeng, several beams of light flashing forth as his fingertips erupted with immense qi.

Phantom Heart Finger combined with Seven Stars Shining Sun!

Bai Ziyun extended his palm and drew his sword from his waist, lunging forward with the blade.

Clang!

Sword tip met fingertip with a clear, crisp ring.

Simultaneously, the surrounding leaves stirred violently, slicing through the air with deadly intent toward Xiao Zifeng.

Unmoved, Xiao Zifeng’s fingers struck forward rapidly, beams of light crashing like a storm.

The sword-charged leaves shattered into dust one by one.

"Xiao Zifeng is formidable!" Duan Anyu’s brow furrowed deeply, his heart heavy. "If I were to spar with him..."

"Interesting," Bai Ziyun said, flicking his sleeve to dissipate the surrounding qi.

Xiao Zifeng sneered. "Bai Ziyun, as long as I hold you here, you will surely die."

Though he possessed the Heavenly Yang Ancient Jade, the realm gap between them made killing Bai Ziyun a daunting task.

Moreover, Bai Ziyun was no longer the proud Seven Son of Heavenly River but a traitor allied with the Reform Sect—a conflict sure to attract other masters.

Duan Anyu grew anxious hearing this.

"Hold me?" Bai Ziyun looked at his palm. "Can you?"

Boom!

Bai Ziyun’s aura surged. His sword sliced horizontally, a river of sword qi rushing forth.

Xiao Zifeng was shocked, hastily channeling qi to shield his chest.

Crack! Crack!

The sword qi struck Xiao Zifeng’s protective qi, tearing through it like a knife through tofu.

Tear!

Xiao Zifeng’s clothes shredded instantly, a bloody gash appearing across his chest. His eyes widened in shock. "Upper Dan Qi perfected!?"

The human body contained twelve main meridians and two extraordinary meridians—the Ren and Du channels. Mastering all twelve main meridians meant reaching Upper Dan Qi perfection.

To advance further, one had to clear the extraordinary meridians.

Among the Seven Sons of Heavenly River, only Song Yang and Luo Shan had mastered all twelve meridians and were striving to break through the Ren and Du channels.

Clearing even one of these extraordinary meridians meant a tremendous leap in power.

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