Chapter 229: First-class Genius
“Vice Leader Mihos escaped.”
“The three monsters are dead.”
“Could all of this really have been done by Obsidian Martial Arts Hall?”
Lin Yan watched the players stripping the loot, and for a long moment she could not bring herself to believe it.
Leaving aside Mihos who escaped, just the strength of those three monsters alone, working together, could probably stand against a Bone Forging Realm expert. It was hard to imagine that the martial artist disciples of Obsidian Martial Arts Hall could actually fight them, and even kill three of them.
“Although it is indeed hard to believe, it is the truth. Vice Leader Mihos escaped, so it should be that Hall Master Lin also took action this time.” Wu Zhuoqun looked at the terrain below that had been completely reshaped, and at the corpses of the garrison team captains strewn all across the rift valley. Other than a clash between Bone Forging Realms, he simply could not think of any other explanation. He could not help but sigh. “These three died, and so many captain-level figures also died. The Three-eyed Tribe, Crystal Race, and Half-Scale Race will surely be driven mad with rage this time.”
In the City of Light Chasing, becoming a member of the garrison was very simple, but becoming a garrison captain was not easy at all. That required the strength of a Peak High-Level Martial Artist. Without a certain level of talent, it was really hard to reach.
Now the three races had suddenly lost so many at once. This was no small loss for them, especially with the three monsters of the three races all gone. Many matters in the wilderness from now on would become harder to handle.
“Isn’t this great.” Lin Yan rarely showed a trace of a smile. “Those three races used to rely on those three monsters and pulled all kinds of tricks in the wilderness. Now that these three monsters are gone, and so many captains are dead, our actions in the wilderness will be much easier.”
Among the races, things were not harmonious in the city. It only appeared peaceful because fighting between martial artists was forbidden inside the city. Outside the city, however, all the races fought frequently over various resources and territory.
And for this kind of private action, no matter who suffered losses, they could only swallow it. After all, once they tore each other’s faces off, it would do no good to anyone.
“Indeed.” Wu Zhuoqun also rarely nodded, then smiled and said, “Let’s head back and quickly inform the elders.”
Then Wu Zhuoqun and Lin Yan immediately returned to the City of Light Chasing at once and reported this shocking news to the senior officials of their race.
“Elder Xiang, that is everything.” Wu Zhuoqun looked at the old man who sat with his eyes closed, listening to the report in deep thought, and spoke with full respect. “This time those three races suffered huge losses. After this, they are very likely to act against Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, especially the disciples of Obsidian Martial Arts Hall who were able to kill those three monsters. They might resort to sinister means.”
“If they dare! Old Liu is dead, but I am not!” The old man opened his eyes, and his qi and blood surged through his whole body, instantly flooding the entire hall, making Wu Zhuoqun feel that for a moment he could not even move.
“Elder Xiang, you broke through?” Wu Zhuoqun saw the terrifying qi and blood erupting from the old man and could not help a hint of excitement in his eyes.
The situation of the Human Race in the City of Light Chasing was not good now. They were only stronger than those weak races and their voice in the city had greatly diminished.
All of this was solely because there was no top-tier Bone Forging Realm martial artist sitting in town.
As a veteran Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artist, if Elder Xiang could become a Top Bone Forging Realm expert, then life for the Human Race in the City of Light Chasing would undoubtedly become much better.
“A breakthrough is not that easy.” Elder Xiang shook his head. “Top-tier Bone Forging Realm seems only half a step away from Advanced Bone Forging Realm, but that half step is a chasm. However, I have indeed improved somewhat recently. I finally pushed the super-tier martial skill I study to Second Level Perfection. Although I cannot compare with those Top Bone Forging Realm experts, I can at least exchange a few blows.”
“Super Tier Martial Skill Second Level Perfected?” Wu Zhuoqun could not help showing joy.
Although Elder Xiang had not broken through to become a Top Bone Forging Realm expert, reaching Second Level Perfection with a seventh-stage super-tier martial skill was also extraordinary. After all, for most Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists, merely practicing the First Level of a super-tier martial skill to proficient level was difficult enough, let alone training it to Second Level Perfection.
As he was now, Elder Xiang could already be considered half a Top Bone Forging Realm expert.
With this level of strength, even other strong races would not tear faces unless absolutely necessary. After all, a half Top Bone Forging Realm expert already had the qualifications to assassinate Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists. If such a person focused solely on assassination, there was no race in the City of Light Chasing that could bear it, so naturally they would not act recklessly.
“This is nothing.” Elder Xiang smiled at the excited Wu Zhuoqun. “In the end, whether our Human Race can restore our former status in the City of Light Chasing still depends on your junior sister. As long as she can enter a domain city, our Human Race can once again become one of the ten great powers of the City of Light Chasing.”
While Wu Zhuoqun was reporting the news, all races and major powers in the City of Light Chasing also received word about Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, and the whole city exploded.
“What did you say? Those three monsters are dead?” The Elegant Noblewoman of the Winged Tribe looked at the message from the golden-furred gorilla, hardly able to believe it.
“Not only are those three monsters dead,” the golden-furred gorilla of the Ape Clan said helplessly, “I received news that Mihos from the Three-eyed Tribe also went once, and ended up fleeing back to the city. I hear he was badly injured. Many powers now suspect that Lin Qi, the hall master of that Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, may have taken action.”
“Wasn’t that Lin Qi a newly advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artist?” The Elegant Noblewoman said in surprise. “Mihos has been promoted to Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level for more than half a year and counts as a noteworthy expert among that level. How could he possibly be defeated by Mihos?”
“But Mihos is indeed injured. Whether Lin Qi has reached Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level or not, he already has the strength of that level,” the golden-furred gorilla said. “He is so young and already has Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level strength. The Human Race will definitely protect him at all costs. It will be difficult for us to get Chiyue Town now.”
Bone Forging Realm Beginner Level, while important for all races, was not someone worth too much emphasis.
But once promoted to Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level, it was different. Even among strong races, such a person could serve as an elder, a counted figure in the race, no longer insignificant.
“It is only Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level.” The Elegant Noblewoman curled her lip, completely unimpressed. “Monsters are rampaging nowadays, and it is becoming harder and harder to clear the frontline. It is only a matter of time before we Bone Forging Realm martial artists are summoned to the frontline to clear monsters. With his level of strength, it is hard to say whether he can even survive.”
“He is indeed a small matter.” The golden-furred gorilla also laughed. “This time the City Lord has already issued a summons, specifically calling us Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists to act together and prepare to hunt that Earth Dragon. We will be responsible for dealing with those High-Level Lords standing guard nearby. This is no easy task. The Human Race only has two Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists now: one guarding an important frontline stronghold, and one old fellow coming to act with us this time. If that old fellow dies, the Human Race will be completely finished.”
Whether a race could live well in a city depended entirely on its top-level strength. The Human Race no longer had a Top Bone Forging Realm expert, and now relied on just two Advanced Bone Forging Realm martial artists. If they lost one more, they would completely fall into the ranks of the weak.
By then, let alone outlying wilderness towns, it would be difficult to even keep a residential area in the city center.
City of Light Chasing, suburbs, White Feather Shop.
“None of them came back?” Isaac listened to his subordinate’s report, his expression extremely dark.
The loss this time was enormous.
Not only were the subordinates he had painstakingly cultivated gone, but even the treasures he had taken from Crimson Moon Mountain had now been taken by Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.
Now his plan to slowly grow in the City of Light Chasing could no longer be carried out.
“Gang leader, why don’t we hurry up and run?” a certain elder said. “This time it is obvious that Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is targeting us. If we do not run, we might not even be able to keep our lives.”
The entire stronghold had been wiped out, without a single survivor. With such ruthless action, it would be hard for anyone to believe Obsidian Martial Arts Hall was not targeting them.
They were only Organ Refining Realm martial artists. Once a Bone Forging Realm expert fixed on them, they would not be safe even inside the city.
“Run?” Isaac’s face turned ashen, and he hesitated.
He had worked hard for many years in the City of Light Chasing. If he really left and went to another city to start over, he had no idea how much time it would cost.
But if he did not run and was targeted by a Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level martial artist, that was truly a dead end.
“No. I still have a chance.” Isaac gritted his teeth. “Since Lin Qi will not let me live, then do not blame me for being ruthless.”
“Gang leader, that is a Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level expert who defeated Mihos,” an elder of the White Feather Gang said fearfully, looking at the increasingly frenzied Isaac.
Facing a Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level expert, being able to escape was already lucky. To take the initiative to provoke such a person would truly leave no way to live.
“The only formidable one in Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is Lin Qi. As long as Lin Qi disappears, the entire Obsidian Martial Arts Hall will be finished.” Isaac sneered. “I cannot deal with him, but someone can. As long as he dies, I have a chance to gain a foothold again in the City of Light Chasing.”
“Gang leader, do you mean…” The elder of the White Feather Gang immediately understood something, unease written on his face.
“Red Moon Merchant Guild was willing to pay five thousand energy crystals to purchase that Body Strengthening Secret Technique before. I do not believe five thousand energy crystals cannot buy his life.” Madness flashed in Isaac’s eyes as he prepared for one last gamble.
The many resources he had accumulated from Crimson Moon Mountain were now all in the stronghold. It was clearly impossible to snatch them back from Obsidian Martial Arts Hall. But if Lin Qi, the hall master, died, then he would still have a chance to take them back. Even if he could get only a portion back, he could rise again.
City of Light Chasing, an underground bar in the city proper.
Though the sun had just risen into the sky, the bar was still buzzing with noise. Everyone inside the bar had strength above Quasi-Martial Artist. These people were either discussing something or crowded before the huge screen in the hall, watching the slaughter and battles on the screen, with people placing bets from time to time.
Isaac entered the bar, already long accustomed to its atmosphere, and went straight to the largest private room.
The two Advanced Martial Artists guarding the door glanced at the Red Moon badge on Isaac’s body. After confirming it, they opened the private room door and let him in.
There was no luxurious decor inside, only a sofa and a holographic projection of a red moon.
“I want to discuss a deal with you.” Isaac sat on the sofa and addressed the projected red moon directly. “Does the price you offered before for that Body Strengthening Secret Technique still stand?”
After Isaac spoke, the holographic red moon quickly answered with a mechanical voice, “Our Red Moon Merchant Guild has always dealt fairly. The prices we name never change. Isaac, gang leader, you can rest assured of that.”
“Good.” Isaac then took out a pale silver metal plate from his clothes. “I want to hire you to kill someone. His name is Lin Qi, hall master of the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall of the Human Race.”
“Please wait while I check.” After a brief pause, the mechanical voice of the red moon spoke again. “Lin Qi, hall master of Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, special grade potential genius of the Martial Artist Association, suspected to have reached Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level.”
“What is the price to kill him?” Isaac asked.
Red Moon Merchant Guild had branches in many regions and had strongholds in every city. As long as they were paid, they did any trade, taking no small share of business from many cities. Yet those cities had always turned a blind eye.
Their hottest business was undoubtedly assassination.
Whether it was a wilderness vagrant or a Bone Forging Realm expert, as long as the money was paid, Red Moon Merchant Guild never refused. But their prices were extremely high, beyond the reach of ordinary factions, who usually chose cheaper rogues instead.
But this time, the target was Lin Qi, a Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level expert. Wilderness rogues could not possibly accomplish this. Only Red Moon Merchant Guild had the ability, while not having to worry about being investigated afterward.
“Three thousand five hundred energy crystals.” The mechanical voice of the red moon replied coldly.
“Why so expensive?” Isaac frowned slightly. He had a general idea of Red Moon Merchant Guild’s rates.
Bone Forging Realm Beginner Level targets cost from three hundred to five hundred energy crystals. Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level targets cost from one thousand to two thousand. Only Advanced Bone Forging Realm targets ranged from four thousand to ten thousand. Top Bone Forging Realm experts were exorbitantly priced, starting at twenty thousand.
Lin Qi was currently only suspected to be Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level, yet the price was almost that of Advanced Bone Forging Realm.
“According to the information we have, Lin Qi’s strength is very likely close to Advanced Bone Forging Realm. Completing this task will require strength approaching Top-tier Bone Forging Realm. This quoted price is very fair,” the red moon explained. “Moreover, Lin Qi’s progress is very rapid. He is a rare first-class genius. This price is only the current price. In a few days it will likely increase.”
“He can be rated by you as a first-class genius?” Isaac was stunned.
The Martial Artist Association’s evaluation of genius martial artists was quite straightforward, but for truly major powers, such as those in domain cities, special grade potential was only the baseline.
Though being rated a genius martial artist by the Martial Artist Association was already impressive and allowed easy entry to the city’s genius training camp, there were still differences among geniuses.
Every time a domain city recruited people from outside, they only took geniuses among geniuses. Ordinary geniuses did not catch their eye.
Accordingly, the domain cities classified geniuses into four tiers. Third-class was the weakest, special grade the best. Martial artists recognized as second-class geniuses could almost always make it into a domain city. First-class geniuses were outstanding even among the domain city’s geniuses, with over a seventy percent chance of reaching that level in the future and becoming a City Lord.
“Are you sure you want to make this deal?” the red moon asked mechanically.
“Of course.” Isaac did not hesitate at all and handed the pale silver metal plate to Red Moon Merchant Guild.
For a future City Lord, if he did not deal with him early, he would never sleep peacefully again.
“Deal confirmed. We will act within three days. The remaining one thousand five hundred energy crystals will be delivered safely to your designated location in one day.”
As the cold mechanical voice of the red moon finished, the private room door slowly opened, indicating that Isaac could leave.
Isaac did not doubt them and left the bar directly.
He had traded with Red Moon Merchant Guild more than once, and it was precisely because of their excellent reputation and strict secrecy that all the major powers in the city were willing to do business with them.
“Three days. I still have three days to prepare. But those disciples of Obsidian Martial Arts Hall are not easy to deal with either. It seems I must hire a Bone Forging Realm expert.”
Isaac checked the time. He had to find a Bone Forging Realm expert from outside within three days to help him. Otherwise, with only the remaining members of the White Feather Gang, it was impossible to take back the stronghold.
After Isaac left Red Moon Merchant Guild, Red Moon Merchant Guild also issued an internal bounty across various cities.
Wanxing City, Wanxing Building.
A Sub-demon Race youth with four arms and skin like steel constantly demonstrated blade techniques for a group of Sub-demon Race young men and women below with obvious martial artist strength. They watched, intoxicated, their eyes full of admiration.
Because this youth was none other than a legend of the Sub-demon Race, the only genius from Wanxing City to pass the domain city assessment three years ago.
Four-armed Blade Demon Fred.
Now, back in Wanxing City visiting home, he was willing to personally teach blade techniques to these martial artists preparing for the genius training camp. That was something members of other races could only dream of.
Just as Fred finished instructing, his smart watch chimed with a notification.
“Two thousand energy crystals, suspected Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level, first-class genius. This really is a big job.” Fred smiled as he read it. “A pity about this first-class genius. If he could enter a domain city, he would surely perform remarkably.”
“A bounty from Red Moon Merchant Guild?” Beside him stood a woman with golden hair, two long silver-gray horns on her forehead, a devilish figure, and beauty surpassing even Ye Qinglu. She frowned slightly. “Do not forget the teacher sent us here this time not to play.”
“Relax. It is just a Bone Forging Realm Intermediate Level. I will be back soon and will not delay the teacher’s business.” Fred smiled and walked toward the rooftop landing pad.
