Chapter 94: Chaotic Miasma Valley
Su Yan restrained his aura, and Bai Yun also roasted the rabbit and handed it to him.
“Seven Blades Martial Arts School wouldn’t go all out against our martial arts school for no reason. Even if we had conflicts in the past, they wouldn’t act without sufficient benefit. There’s something off here.”
Bai Yun keenly sensed something was wrong and reminded Su Yan while eating.
“As long as the benefit is great enough, it’s fine. They originally had little chance of seizing the guarding rights of Miasma Valley. Instead of searching the mountains, they’re ambushing us simply to stop us from doing something.”
Bai Yun furrowed her delicate eyebrows and immediately associated it with today’s events: “The conflict between Little Mountain Association and Hundred Herbs Hall?”
Su Yan nodded slightly and voiced his guess: “If Little Mountain Association wants to deal with Hundred Herbs Hall, they must cut off our chance to help. Having Seven Blades Martial Arts School hold us back is perfect for them. If they can wipe us all out, even better.”
“Hmph, wolfish ambitions.”
Bai Yun snorted coldly and looked at Su Yan as she asked: “The people from Seven Blades Martial Arts School are already dead. What are your plans?”
“Who said the people from Seven Blades Martial Arts School are dead?”
Bai Yun was stunned. Su Yan smiled and asked: “Senior Sister, do you know how to use a saber?”
She seemed to be seeing Su Yan for the first time and roughly guessed what he wanted to do.
She nodded and replied: “A little.”
“That’s enough.”
Early the next morning, the two changed into the attire of Seven Blades Martial Arts School, covered their faces, picked up the sabers of Yin Ruguang and Zhong Han, and entered the forest.
Hundred Herbs Hall was in trouble, so they naturally had to help. They understood the principle of “when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.”
But as they searched along the way, the two were not idle.
Whenever they encountered people searching for spirit herbs, they attacked without a word.
Though they didn’t kill them, their strikes were ruthless, knocking people out, and they took all the medicinal herbs obtained.
Whether guards or apprentices from Tian Feng Weapon Shop, or people from Li Family, Wang Family, or Eight Directions Trading Company, there were at most five at a time.
None of them could withstand a single move from Bai Yun and Su Yan.
The two coordinated seamlessly, equivalent to two Spirit Nurturing Realm Martial Artists launching a sneak attack.
With a sudden strike, they could immediately crush the enemies. The remaining ones trying to flee would often be knocked down as well.
In this way, after exploring the forest for two days, whether it was people from Tian Feng Weapon Shop, Eight Directions Trading Company, Lin Family, Li Family, or others, all had been robbed by the two.
They struck suddenly without a word, knocking people down and looting everything clean.
In an instant, Miasma Valley gradually became chaotic. Some were convinced it was Seven Blades Martial Arts School causing trouble.
Others thought it was someone falsely using Seven Blades Martial Arts School’s name.
As a result, Miasma Valley became even more chaotic.
Su Yan and Bai Yun had already approached the depths of Miasma Valley. The trees gradually thinned, and shrubs, weeds, and vast marshes covered the entire area.
This marshland gathered spiritual energy, but it was also where the fiercest feral beasts lurked.
Shortly after the two entered, they were ambushed by a first-order perfection Marsh Water Crocodile.
The Marsh Water Crocodile was over six meters long, like a ferocious guardian. Its blood basin mouth bit down, its sharp teeth seeming ready to tear a person apart.
Bai Yun swiftly dodged to the side, clenched her fist to condense momentum. The White Ape Phantom behind her seemed to solidify somewhat, and Fierce Ape Suppresses the Sea landed on the Marsh Water Crocodile’s head.
This strike completely halted its charge.
“Junior Brother.”
Without needing Bai Yun’s reminder, Su Yan shot two Blood Qi Arrows carrying powerful aura like rainbows.
They passed by Bai Yun’s side and directly embedded into the Marsh Water Crocodile’s body, piercing its head.
The massive body crashed down into the water.
Bai Yun held a sharp dagger and cut open the soft flesh under the Marsh Water Crocodile’s jaw and throat, retrieving a round pearl the size of half a palm from within.
“The Alligator Pearl of the Marsh Water Crocodile contains qi and blood, which can nourish the internal organs.”
Su Yan took the Alligator Pearl and felt the qi and blood and demonic essence belonging to the Marsh Water Crocodile within it as he held it. The two powers stirred, eager to enter his body.
Bai Yun peeled off the Marsh Water Crocodile’s skin, planning to make a set of armor after leaving.
They had just finished dealing with it when many birds suddenly took flight in the forest, and sounds of fighting came from one end of the forest mist.
The two exchanged a glance and hurried over quickly.
“Gu Changfeng, your Little Mountain Association has gone mad to dare attack us.”
Zhong Yuan, a Spirit Nurturing Realm Martial Artist from Tian Feng Weapon Shop, held a short hammer, his eyes bulging with rage.
Behind him were two Tian Feng Weapon Shop apprentices whose arms had been broken.
“Hand over what you’ve found and tell me the whereabouts of Hundred Herbs Hall and Golden Ape Martial Arts School. I’ll spare your lives.”
Gu Changfeng’s eyebrows drooped low, and beneath his wrinkled eyelids were a pair of crimson, cold eyes.
He didn’t take the Zhong Yuan in front of him seriously at all, as if speaking to an insignificant nobody.
“Hmph, heaven high earth thick.”
Zhong Yuan swung the short hammer in his hand, unleashing Cape Hammer technique toward Gu Changfeng.
Gu Changfeng’s thick-backed Tiger Head Saber directly chopped down. With a loud clang, the heavy short hammer was knocked flying instead.
Zhong Yuan’s pupils contracted sharply, his body springing back like a coil to create distance.
Gu Changfeng’s cold saber gleamed like the moon, slashing toward him, aiming straight for Zhong Yuan’s chest.
Rip—the clothes tore, and even the inner armor inside was ripped open.
‘How did this old man become so strong!’
Zhong Yuan swung his fist to block, but Gu Changfeng flicked his arm, blocking the fist technique. His right hand’s thick-backed Tiger Head Saber came down from above.
Zhong Yuan had no room to dodge. From shoulder to chest below, a bloody gash was sliced open.
Blood sprayed out, and Gu Changfeng followed with a punch, sending Zhong Yuan flying.
“Spirit Nurturing Realm, hmph.”
He placed the saber across Zhong Yuan’s neck, the blade cutting into his flesh.
“Speak.”
Zhong Yuan’s heart sank. This old man Gu Changfeng, who had lost his son, must have gone mad.
Not only was he hunting down Hundred Herbs Hall’s people, but he showed no mercy to disciples from other families either.
Just from what he knew, several Tian Feng Weapon Shop disciples had already died.
In the hunt, life and death were disregarded, but everyone should have an unspoken understanding.
To antagonize all forces like this—wasn’t that madness?
“East side, Colored Maple Forest in Miasma Valley. Song Qi ran that way.”
Zhong Yuan didn’t want to tangle with this madman and told Gu Changfeng what he knew.
He had only wanted to do a favor for Hundred Herbs Hall, but it ended up like this.
If he got out, he would make Little Mountain Association pay dearly.
Pfft.
Gu Changfeng slashed down. Zhong Yuan looked at him in disbelief, feeling a chill on his neck as hot blood gushed out. He could only whimper, unable to speak.
“Song Qi!”
Gu Changfeng gnashed his teeth, his gaze icily cold.
Song Qi was not just an old enemy but the root of everything. Without Song Qi, how would that bastard have provoked Gu Hong.
Song Qi must die, and Su Yan must die too!
……
In the Colored Maple Forest, Song Qi clutched the large gash on his arm to stem the constantly flowing blood.
By now, no other Hundred Herbs Hall members were with him. Little Mountain Association’s surprise attack had completely scattered Hundred Herbs Hall’s people.
“That old man Gu Changfeng actually used forbidden medicine. Beyond Spirit Nurturing, half-accomplished beast spirit… I need to find a way to escape.”
Song Qi had clashed with Gu Changfeng before. If he hadn’t known the old man well and noticed something off in time, that saber strike would have taken his head.
Defeated in one strike, he had escaped only thanks to his subordinates blocking with their lives.
A series of explosions sounded, making Song Qi’s expression change slightly.
“Golden Ape Martial Arts School… This signal—trouble or rallying?”
He was uncertain, his gaze sharpening as he made a decision.
“Regardless of their situation, with Little Mountain Association like this, I should inform them. Hopefully, we can escape.”
Deep in the Colored Maple Forest, a Fierce Wolf Phantom constantly collided with a White Ape Phantom.
A sallow-faced man’s saber flowed endlessly like water, continuously assaulting the sturdy man in front of him.
Mo Feng’s face was stern, Li Jinshan’s expression steady. After dozens of exchanges, neither could gain the upper hand.
“Li Jinshan, surrender and I’ll spare your life.”
Mo Feng threatened as over a dozen Little Mountain Association disciples charged in to fight.
Golden Ape Martial Arts School disciples and Hundred Herbs Hall disciples were now entangled with them.
Amid flashing saber and sword lights, carelessness meant a bloody gash and a figure falling.
Li Jinshan grew anxious and unleashed Fierce Ape Splits the Mountain straight at Mo Feng’s head.
Mo Feng was startled and raised his saber to block the attack.
“Withdraw outside the valley.”
Seizing the chance, Li Jinshan turned, channeling his beast spirit phantom’s aura into his fist power, and punched out.
Two Blood Moving Realm Martial Artists besieging Golden Ape Martial Arts School had their bones shattered instantly by this Fierce Ape Lifts the Sky punch.
Mo Feng’s expression changed urgently, and he rushed forward with his saber.
Li Jinshan’s spine was like a dragon, his aura rising. He spun around with a powerful chopping hand, full of Mountain Splitting force.
Clang.
A pair of iron fists bent the sharp steel saber outright, and a kick sent the fellow Spirit Nurturing Realm Mo Feng flying.
“I’ll cover the rear!”
Li Jinshan stood firm like a golden horse straddling the road, blocking Little Mountain Association members trying to intercept the injured Golden Ape Martial Arts School and Hundred Herbs Hall disciples.
His punches were heavy and forceful, his arms honed like thousand-jin iron rods, immensely fierce.
Even when Mo Feng came to block, he couldn’t do anything to him for the moment.
As the senior disciple of Golden Ape Martial Arts School, his strength had long reached Spirit Nurturing Great Accomplishment. Below True Intent, he was the expert.
At that moment, a sound came from the shrubbery. Song Qi’s figure flew out backward, his mouth full of blood, his face pale as paper.
“Thud thud thud.”
Gu Changfeng held his saber in one hand and swung it, bisecting two fleeing Hundred Herbs Hall and Golden Ape Martial Arts School disciples.
Blood sprayed out, dyeing the shrubs red.
“Brother Li, be careful. That Gu Changfeng used forbidden medicine. He’s not an ordinary Spirit Nurturing Realm.”
Song Qi endured the pain and immediately warned.
“Shut up!”
Gu Changfeng swung his saber. Li Jinshan’s expression changed as he leaped to block, crossing his arms in Fierce Ape Suppresses the Sea to resist.
In just one clash, his long-tempered arms felt a tremendous force numbing his muscles, and his body staggered back two steps under the power.
Li Jinshan looked up sharply at Gu Changfeng. Such strong strength—this old guy was going all out.
In just one exchange, Li Jinshan knew Gu Changfeng’s power surpassed his own.
Sure enough, as Gu Changfeng’s eyes grew even more crimson.
The Black Wolf Phantom behind him solidified further, strands of true essence rising continuously from his body, as if draining the old man’s decrepit frame.
The wolf shadow solidified. Gu Changfeng looked up, fixing Li Jinshan with savage eyes like a wild wolf.
“Today, you’ll all accompany my son in death.”
He slashed down, Wolf Shadow Assault charging forth, snapping countless shrubs.
Li Jinshan roared, channeling full true essence and unleashing a barrage of punches.
Each attack deflected the force, clashing with the wolf shadow.
Both at Spirit Nurturing Realm, the so-called beast spirit phantoms were mere condensations of artistic conception.
Yet Gu Changfeng was turning illusion into reality.
The several-meter giant wolf’s strike sent Li Jinshan flying, blood spewing from his mouth.
Half-step True Intent Realm was extremely difficult even for Li Jinshan to handle.
Gu Changfeng pressed the attack, and Li Jinshan continuously dodged.
Seeing Li Jinshan suppressed like this, Mo Feng sneered and joined the assault.
His saber light grew more insidious, swifter, harder to defend against.
The remaining disciples had no chance to flee and were entangled again.
In an instant, casualties mounted.
These were already Hundred Herbs Hall disciples who had fled here being hunted.
Now almost all wounded, they struggled even more to resist.
Song Qi dragged his heavily injured body, weaker than even Blood Moving Realm. Wanting to help block Mo Feng, he couldn’t even parry a single saber.
Casualties worsened, and Golden Ape Martial Arts School disciples suffered heavy losses.
“Senior Brother, hurry and go!”
Golden Ape Martial Arts School disciples shouted loudly. It was no longer something Li Jinshan alone could handle.
Yet Li Jinshan’s heart sank like the bottom of a valley.
With Gu Changfeng’s strength, even escaping wouldn’t be easy for him.
‘If Junior Sister were here.’
If Bai Yun were here, he would have support and at least they could both escape.
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh.”
Suddenly, piercing sounds came from the forest mist. Several Blood Qi Arrows pierced the miasma, shooting into Little Mountain Association martial artists’ bodies.
These arrows were extremely sharp, piercing their chests in one shot.
In one exchange, four or five died.
“Sneak attack!”
Someone had just shouted when the next moment they were pierced through the heart by an arrow.
The Blood Qi Arrows flowed like endless meteors, penetrating the entire battlefield.
Gu Changfeng was furious—someone dared ruin his plans.
He moved to swing his saber and intercept the Blood Qi Arrows.
However, as he moved, a chilling sensation suddenly arose.
This was the feeling of being targeted. If he moved, he would be the next target.
Even at half-step True Intent, his body was still mortal Spirit Nurturing flesh. He hesitated momentarily.
Seeing this, Li Jinshan pressed the attack, actually forcing Gu Changfeng back slightly.
In the woods, Bai Yun’s face was grave, sweat beading on her forehead. Her entire White Ape Phantom and qi and blood focused into one arrow.
She had only this one arrow’s worth of ability, and only this could restrain the maddened Gu Changfeng.
Su Yan was utterly calm, eyes icy cold. He unleashed over half the arrows from his quiver in one go, felling half the remaining Little Mountain Association martial artists on the spot.
The others, wary of the arrows’ power, saw a gap open in their encirclement.
He shouted loudly: “Go, scatter into the forest. They can’t chase everyone. Senior Brother and I will cover the rear.”
Li Jinshan showed astonishment.
Junior Brother, how did he get here?!
He was stunned and suspicious. Su Yan had already noticed Song Qi was there too.
“Dian Jing, take Steward Song and go.”
Prompted by Su Yan, the disciples dared not be burdens and scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing into the forest separately.
Seeing this archery and hearing Su Yan’s voice, Gu Changfeng’s eyes instantly turned blood-red.
“Good, good, good! So it’s you, little thief. Time to accompany my son in death!”
On the day Gu Hong died, Gu Family’s large courtyard was full of arrows.
