Chapter 85: News Of Insect Feral Beasts
Lu Ling was extremely furious, already guessing who the person in the dark was.
He gathered his aura, grabbed the blade nearby, and slashed the Blood Qi Arrow apart.
Don’t underestimate Su Yan for only being in the Blood Moving Realm, but this archery skill of his had already reached a quite terrifying level.
Arrows condensed with Qi and Blood—even though Lu Ling could quickly block them, the strength on them still shook his arm numb.
His heart was shocked and suspicious: exactly which Spirit Nurturing Realm martial artist was taking action?
He, Lu Ling, was indeed in the Spirit Nurturing Realm, but not Vajra indestructible—if struck by such a terrifying arrow, he would likely be injured too.
The two clashed across the air, with Su Yan continuously firing Blood Qi Arrows, and the White Bone Poison Centipede, Fierce Ape, and Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon condensed from Blood Qi constantly shooting out along with the arrows.
At this time, he was both fighting and using actual combat to hone his archery.
Boom
Lu Ling dodged two arrows with his movement technique; the two arrows directly struck the stone pillar, booming loudly as the stone pillar supporting the corridor was shot right through.
Lu Ling was furious in his heart: this couldn’t go on—he wanted to see who was causing trouble.
While breaking the arrows on one side, he tried to rush toward where Su Yan was.
Seeing his movements, Su Yan smiled, took out two long arrows soaked in pine oil from the Insect Realm Space, lit them and fired, and fired several Blood Qi Arrows in succession.
Not good!
Lu Ling realized what Su Yan wanted to do and tried to intercept the fire arrows.
But as soon as he moved, he was blocked by the Blood Qi Arrows, and could only defend himself first.
Firelight instantly rose and began to spread.
Su Yan fired seven or eight arrows in a row, the piercing sounds especially loud, piercingly harsh in the night.
“Fire! Master Gu’s house is on fire!”
Someone panicked and ran, finally spotting this black-clothed man.
Lu Ling nearly bit his teeth to pieces; with a large number of servants rushing over, he could only quickly shake off the entanglement and flip away.
“I want to see, with such a commotion in the Gu residence, who that old dog Gu Changfeng will suspect?”
If only one person had acted, they would definitely pick the soft persimmon to pinch first—Su Yan, who had the most suspicion.
But now, a Spirit Nurturing Realm martial artist clashing with a hidden martial artist, plus traces of Monkey Fist, the one who should be in trouble was no longer him.
The next morning, when Su Yan got up for morning practice, he saw Lu Ling with a gloomy face.
Yesterday, he not only failed to succeed, but during the fight with Su Yan, because he didn’t dare to act at first, he was instead injured a bit by the Blood Qi Arrows—though not serious, how could he be in a good mood.
“Senior Brother Lu”
Seeing Lu Ling, Su Yan went forward with a smile and greeted him.
Lu Ling inwardly hated: this kid stepping in dog shit luck.
But on the surface, he still smiled warmly and said, “Junior Brother, I heard yesterday someone was looking for trouble with you—do you need Senior Brother’s help?”
“This… this isn’t too good, those are Little Mountain Association people?”
Su Yan pretended to be troubled, retreating to advance, instead cornering Lu Ling.
He originally wanted to establish the persona of caring for his junior brother—now that the words were said, could he take them back?
Lu Ling said resolutely, “So what about the Little Mountain Association? Can they bully us?”
Passing disciples all looked sideways; Su Yan, ‘relieved’: “Then many thanks to Senior Brother for helping to mediate.”
The two parted; Lu Ling felt increasingly frustrated and could only watch Su Yan leave.
‘Let’s see how that Gu Changfeng deals with you.’
——
“Gang Leader! My son can’t die in vain!”
Gu Changfeng’s hair turned white overnight, his complexion haggard, hair withered, a pair of eyes bloodshot with blood threads, kneeling before a big man.
This big man was nearly 1.89 meters tall, like an iron pagoda, face chiseled like with an axe, high nose bridge, distinct contours, a pair of eyes like a hawk or falcon, aura fierce.
Liang Ying remained unmoved, his big hand unhurriedly picking up the teacup beside him, taking a sip, his voice steady and cold: “Your son was stupid and fell into someone else’s trap. Old Gu, you’ve seen bloodshed your whole life—can’t you see it?”
“I only have one son.”
Gu Changfeng’s eyes were downcast, his aura turning cold, like an old wolf.
“The one who set the trap must die; the matter arose because of that bastard, he must accompany him in death. Hong’er was stupid, but they dared to act like this, slapping the Little Mountain Association in the face. Old Man, I offer my life to beg the Gang Leader for help.”
“Hmph”
Liang Ying let out a cold snort, a powerful aura instantly pressing down on Gu Changfeng, making his body creak as if a flickering candle about to topple.
Gu Changfeng spat out a mouthful of blood but gritted his teeth and straightened his back.
The one who acted had Spirit Nurturing Realm strength; he knew it must be some family’s elite disciple, even a true disciple from the Golden Ape Martial Arts School.
Even though he had been in the Spirit Nurturing Realm longer, he might not suppress the other, let alone their status.
Without the Little Mountain Association acting, he couldn’t touch the other.
Thus, he gambled his life here—even if dying, he had to beg the great Gang Leader for help.
Gu Changfeng gritted his teeth and persisted; Liang Ying slightly raised his eyes, his gaze full of cold indifference.
“I’ll give you a chance.”
Liang Ying tossed a bottle of black pills in front of Gu Changfeng.
“Second-order Mid-grade pill Blood Fiend Pill, burns away bones and blood to raise cultivation—though it won’t let you break through, boosting you half a realm above Spirit Nurturing Realm is no problem.”
Gu Changfeng’s body shook; he picked up the pill and gripped it tightly.
“However, after the medicinal effect fades, it gradually declines, and bone and blood decay a few days later. At your age, you’ll die.”
Liang Ying remained coldly indifferent, calmly saying: “Since you want revenge, act in the Miasma Valley five days from now—whoever dies there can’t blame others.”
Gu Changfeng kowtowed heavily, his forehead splitting open with a big bloody gash, word by word: “Gu Changfeng thanks the Gang Leader; I will surely clear obstacles for the Little Mountain Association.”
Gu Changfeng returned to Yun Cang Town to collect his son’s corpse, without any big funeral or actions, like the calm before a storm.
That usually eccentric and dangerous old dog now seemed like a quiet wolf, lurking and probing for any clues.
Everyone knew this old thing was holding back to prepare for revenge, and it would absolutely be earth-shattering.
In this situation, even Yin Ruguang and Lu Ling couldn’t guide things further.
After all, their own hands weren’t clean.
Su Yan, however, was carefree—whether Gu Changfeng or Lu Ling, they had already shown their cards.
Even if Spirit Nurturing Realm, so what? Could they just kill Su Yan outright?
Though he was only Blood Moving Realm, he had more than one helper.
On the contrary, Su Yan was now thinking about how to kill a Spirit Nurturing Realm martial artist.
“Blood Moving Realm beginner stage nearly full, Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique also about to reach Great Accomplishment—just short some Poison Dragon Powder; if advancing further, and raising the Red Armored Mad Scorpion to Growth Stage, I should be able to fight a Spirit Nurturing Realm, and Second-order Insect Master…”
Su Yan tempered his several cultivation manuals in the Golden Ape Martial Arts School: Golden Ape True Skill, Golden Ape Jade Body Skill, Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique, and Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique.
After visualizing the White Ape Diagram, his comprehension of artistic conception and True Intent could be said to have opened a new world.
Even not yet in Spirit Nurturing Realm, that artistic conception added to combat and integrated into cultivation doubled or more the effect of ordinary practice.
He consulted Bai Changlin; Bai Changlin held nothing back for this disciple, passing on experience and martial skills.
Thus, his mastery of these four cultivation manuals continuously improved, especially the Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique which was already near Great Accomplishment—now just needing an opportunity.
“A Yan”
Su Yan had just finished cultivating when he saw Bai Changlin walking over.
“Master”
Bai Changlin nodded, then said: “Today, go back to Golden Ape Village and make preparations; wait for the Miasma Valley to open five days from now.”
Su Yan’s eyes lifted slightly; he naturally knew this news, but didn’t know much about the Miasma Valley.
“Master, I have a question: in past years’ hunts, was it always such a fight to the death?”
Bai Changlin nodded: “Do you think hunting is just competing for momentary spirit herbs?”
Su Yan was stunned: “There’s more?”
Bai Changlin knew his disciple’s background and didn’t blame him, patiently explaining: “Hunting feral beasts, competing for spirit herbs—various forces not only settle grudges inside, but also fight for control.”
“Control?”
“Correct.”
Bai Changlin nodded: “Do you think who handles the sealing in these places?”
Su Yan’s expression shifted, as if thinking of something.
“Whichever family wins seals that place for five years. Nominally sealing, but as long as not plundering massively inside, instead opening up a few spots to plant spirit herbs and raise feral beasts—the profit there is huge.”
This was something everyone tacitly allowed; during sealing, the depths naturally couldn’t be entered, but peripheral areas were yours to dominate.
These places were originally spiritual energy gathering spots, otherwise they wouldn’t be fought over by all sides.
In such places, cultivating spirit herbs far surpassed others—one year could match several elsewhere.
Take the Miasma Valley: miasma pervading, perfect for growing purple yin flowers, and purple yin flowers are one of the main ingredients for Hundred Grass Pills—this stuff sells for plenty of silver even in the county city or upper sects.
Miasma Valley, Ancient Forest Mountain, Nine Revolutions Peak are all such places.
“Martial artists compete; dare not compete, and you’ll be overtaken. I know your talent—if not going to Miasma Valley, you can still enter Spirit Nurturing Realm, but if not going, you might miss this upper sect recruitment.”
Bai Changlin implied something; Su Yan listened attentively: “Master, did you receive some news?”
Bai Changlin glanced at his disciple and chuckled: “You’re sharp. This time the overseer is Blood Face Tiger Xiang Ge, steward under Hundred Tiger Peak—even if only a slim chance, entering Hundred Tiger Peak is a road to the heavens.”
Beast King Sect, as a hegemon of South Ridge Prefecture, suppressing the feral beasts of Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, naturally had various factions inside.
This was due to the Beast Spirit True Intent martial arts path—different True Intent categories aiding different martial skills and cultivation manuals, naturally forming factions, each a lineage.
Hundred Tiger Peak with tiger as main True Intent was already a strong lineage; even a slim chance was enough to make people go all out.
Bai Changlin spoke earnestly: “I’m your master only by luck; you’re shackled and could only meet us, but I know myself—your talent should be higher, True Intent shouldn’t be hard for you; as for becoming a Dan Qiao Realm expert, only up to heaven’s will. If there’s a chance, look after your senior sister a bit.”
He was a clear-headed man; otherwise, he couldn’t have carved out a base in Yun Cang Town on his own.
“Disciple understands.”
Su Yan didn’t decline or be modest, instead frankly promising; Bai Changlin’s words were truly for his sake.
Su Yan packed his things and headed straight to the Desolate Mountains.
‘As Master said, if Hundred Tiger Peak is truly strong, this fight will be desperate. Though I have the Fierce Insect Cauldron as backup, can’t guarantee no one does something stupid. Need more preparations.’
He also had plans in mind: before Beast King Sect people arrived, Poison Dragon Golden Body Technique, Golden Ape Jade Body Skill, and Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique all to Great Accomplishment.
With such a physique, he could enhance his self-preservation ability.
As for attack methods, that depended on his insect taming.
Beast King Sect was more important to him than other upper sects.
Contracted Beast control—if having this method as cover, using insect taming would have more pretext. Though not deploying all, occasionally one added as a means wouldn’t raise suspicion.
He went straight to Tiger God Temple City and found a guesthouse to stay.
At night, masking his face, he headed straight to the Black Market.
Su Yan came to find Lu Ba; before leaving the Desolate Mountains, he had asked him to inquire about insect-type feral beast news.
Now so much time had passed; with Eight Directions Trading Company’s ability, there should be news.
Strolling the Black Market, he spotted Lu Ba’s figure—still cloaked in a black robe, but so recognizable.
He walked up; Lu Ba also noticed him.
“Haven’t seen you for a while, Brother Feng.”
“Did you find the news I wanted?”
Lu Ba chuckled and nodded: “Found it, but not convenient to talk here—come with me?”
Su Yan nodded and went with Lu Ba to their outpost.
Pushing the door in, Lu Ba closed it, lit the lamp, then said: “News found, but we’re just middlemen—the exact location isn’t with us. Middleman fee, three hundred taels of silver.”
He was straightforward.
Su Yan frowned: “Such a price, Eight Directions Trading Company needs to give a reason.”
“Insect named Blood Locust, at least Late First Order strength—that’s one. Second and most important: this insect is extraordinary, related to a livelihood; if detained properly, it can be a precious medicine.”
“Speak plainly.”
“Can refine blood as a supplement.”
Su Yan didn’t quite believe this, or rather, Lu Ba was still a businessman—this was only half said.
Detained properly, but also had to be able to feed the Blood Locust—not every feral beast could be caught and raised.
Clearly, Eight Directions Trading Company didn’t have that ability, or they’d have done it themselves.
“Three hundred taels of silver—where’s the one who knows this news?”
Lu Ba grinned broadly: “Prepared long ago—that guy wants one thousand taels of silver, but has the info; I’ll take you to him.”
Su Yan tossed out small gold ingots, settling the middleman fee.
Lu Ba led Su Yan out, around to a private house, knocked on the door; after a while, rustling sounds came.
Lamplight shone from the opened door crack; a hunched man opened it.
By the dim light, Su Yan’s eyes swept over; under the mask, surprise appeared—it’s him?
The man he had seen a month ago, the stall owner selling Blood-Strengthening Powder.
His stall’s Blood-Strengthening Powder did have somewhat special ingredients, slightly stronger effect.
So the root was here.
