Chapter 148: Gathering at the Tri-Union Escort Agency

Thud, thud!

Shao Qiuju only felt a sharp soreness in her arms as she stumbled backward step after step.

Opposite her, Yang Xing wore a calm expression, effortlessly brushing away the surging aura that washed over him.

He had not activated his Iron Cloth skill, nor did he draw upon the Azure Dragon inner breath within his body; he had suppressed Shao Qiuju purely through the strength of his Black Tortoise inner breath.

Yang Xing had unblocked two of the main meridians, whereas Shao Qiuju had unblocked three. Logically speaking, the depth of the latter's inner breath should have surpassed his.

However, after being purified by the Heavenly Sun Ancient Jade, Yang Xing's inner breath had undergone a qualitative transformation beneath the surface.

"How is that possible!?"

Shao Qiuju took a deep breath, forming hand seals with her fingers that spun into swirling vortexes of inner breath.

Overturning Heaven Seal!

As the most domineering seal technique within the Black Tortoise arts, it could also be considered one of her ultimate lethal moves.

Boom!

The seal came crashing down with the overwhelming momentum of Mount Tai pressing overhead.

Yang Xing did not retreat an inch; his fingers formed a seal, and he likewise executed the "Overturning Heaven Seal."

Clang! Clang!

The two seal techniques violently collided, and Shao Qiuju was once again forced back several steps, a look of utter astonishment dawning on her face.

Bang—!

Yang Xing struck out with a punch resembling a thrusting spear, shattering the air right before him.

Shao Qiuju hastily raised her hands to block her chest, but a tremendous force instantly impacted her, driving her back repeatedly. Before she could steady her footing, an even more domineering wave of punch momentum followed closely behind.

The surrounding disciples of the Black Tortoise Hall were all inwardly shaken.

They had witnessed the two exchange only a few moves, yet Shao Qiuju was forced back step after step, utterly powerless to parry.

"Senior Brother's strength is formidable!"

"Did he really just breakthrough to the Elixir Breath realm?"

......

Yu Baoquan's pupils constricted sharply, a trace of incredulity welling up in his heart. Since his own cultivation had also reached the Elixir Breath realm, he could perceive far more than the ordinary disciples.

Yang Xing's demeanor was so relaxed that it was clear Shao Qiuju hadn't even forced him to reveal his full strength.

In other words, even if he were to face Yang Xing himself, his fate would likely be no better.

Only at this moment did he understand why Huang Zhen had appointed Yang Xing as the chief senior brother instead of him or Shao Qiuju.

It turned out this "Junior Brother Yang" was not as simple, honest, or plain-spoken as he appeared on the surface.

A sense of lingering fortune arose in his heart; thankfully, he had not heeded Zhuo Ding's instigations.

Bang!

Another exchange of blows, and Yang Xing stood as immovable as a mountain.

Shao Qiuju was driven back against the wall, breathing heavily with a face as pale as paper.

Yang Xing said indifferently, "Do you understand now?"

Shao Qiuju panted heavily and murmured, "I understand, Senior Brother."

It was not just her who understood; all the Black Tortoise Hall disciples present understood now as well.

Yang Xing clapped his hands and said, "If there is nothing else, return to your proper cultivation."

"Yes!"

Hearing this, the surrounding disciples quickly dispersed to resume their training.

After offering a few pointers to Wang Dong, Yang Xing fell into deep contemplation.

The Heavenly Sun Ancient Jade purified inner breath through a gradual accumulation over time; the longer it lasted, the purer the inner breath within his body would become.

Currently, if he wanted to significantly enhance his strength, there were two paths: the first was to continue unblocking the main meridians in his body, and the second was to cultivate the White Tiger inner breath and the Vermilion Bird inner breath.

Unblocking the meridians required a step-by-step, methodical approach, so it could not be rushed.

Cultivating the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird inner breaths was also a way to increase strength, but two streams of inner breath were already gathered within his body. Adding yet another would shatter the existing equilibrium.

The memory of the violent collision between the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise inner breaths back then was still vivid in Yang Xing's mind.

Therefore, cultivating a third mental art required foolproof preparation.

Just as Yang Xing was deep in thought, Wang Dong hurried over and lowered his voice, "Senior Brother, someone outside claims to be from the Tri-Union Escort Agency and has delivered an invitation for you."

The Tri-Union Escort Agency!?

Yang Xing took the invitation and promptly opened it.

It turned out that Jiang Qing, the head escorter of the Tri-Union Escort Agency, was inviting him for a conversation that very evening.

The Tri-Union Escort Agency was one of the three major escort agencies in the prefecture city. Head Escorter Jiang Qing had unblocked seven main meridians and was a widely renowned master; forging a connection with him could certainly do no harm.

With this in mind, Yang Xing returned home to change into a clean set of robes before boarding a carriage bound for the Tri-Union Escort Agency.

After roughly half an hour, the carriage stopped before the gates of the Tri-Union Escort Agency.

Yang Xing disembarked and stepped forward to knock on the door.

"Head Escorter has already given instructions. Please, come inside."

Upon hearing Yang Xing's name, the guard who opened the door immediately escorted him directly to the inner parlor.

Jiang Qing walked out with a hearty laugh, "Brother Yang, you have finally arrived. Please, come in."

The last time the two had met, Jiang Qing had still treated Yang Xing as a promising junior to be groomed. Times had changed, however, and Yang Xing's current status and standing were no longer inferior to his own.

After all, the chief senior brother of the Black Tortoise Hall carried considerable weight outside the Four Absolute Sects.

"Head Escorter Jiang is too polite."

Yang Xing followed Jiang Qing inside and discovered that aside from the host, there were three other people present.

On the left was a one-eyed, gray-robed elder with grayish-white hair tinged with a faint reddish hue. His face was covered in wrinkles, bearing the heavy marks of time.

In the center sat a woman in her thirties wearing a black pleated skirt. Her appearance was above average, and she still retained a charming grace, with an ancient-looking longsword resting right beside her hands.

On the right was a robust, middle-aged man whose entire body radiated a powerful and majestic inner breath, making ordinary people hesitant to look him in the eye.

"Brother Yang, let me introduce you. This is the 'Poison Master' Shang Lujing; she is 'Blood-Drifting Sword' Xiang Meng; and the final one is the Xie family's honored guest, 'Crossing-River Dragon' Ding Chong," Jiang Qing introduced enthusiastically. "This is the Brother Yang—Yang Xing—whom I mentioned to you all."

'Poison Master' Shang Lujing.

'Blood-Drifting Sword' Xiang Meng.

'Crossing-River Dragon' Ding Chong.

Hearing the names of these three individuals, Yang Xing felt a slight stir in his heart.

All three were renowned masters within Hezhong Prefecture. In particular, the 'Poison Master' Shang Lujing was a powerhouse whom even the Wang family and the Golden Feather Guards had desperately sought to recruit.

Shang Lujing was exceptionally skilled in the use of poison and had once single-handedly poisoned all three hundred and twelve members of the Wan family estate, instantly shaking Hezhong Prefecture with his notoriety. Originally, he should have secured a spot on the Prefecture Rankings.

However, Zhen Bu'er, the commander of the Golden Feather Guards, wanted to recruit him and thus withheld his name from the roster.

Not only that, the Wang family had also attempted to recruit Shang Lujing into the prefectural army.

Yet Shang Lujing had rejected them all.

'Blood-Drifting Sword' Xiang Meng had unblocked six main meridians and was likewise a master of considerable renown.

As for the final person, 'Crossing-River Dragon' Ding Chong, he was a gold-tier honored guest of the Xie family. The Xie family currently only possessed six gold-tier honored guests, and to attain that status, one's strength naturally had to be extraordinary.

Yang Xing did not know Ding Chong's exact combat strength, but he estimated inwardly that the man had likely unblocked eight main meridians, putting his cultivation at the peak of the middle Elixir Breath realm.

It was no exaggeration to say that in the eyes of ordinary people, these three belonged to the absolute elite tier of martial artists in the pugilistic world.

Yang Xing cupped his fists and said, "I have long admired your esteemed names. To meet you all today is truly an immense honor."

Xiang Meng covered her mouth and chuckled, "True to his reputation as a disciple of a major sect, Brother Yang certainly knows how to say pleasant things. Please, take your seat."

Ding Chong hastily waved his hand and said, "Brother Yang flatters us too much; your words truly humble us."