Chapter 210 - 179: Why So Weak?

Chapter 210: Chapter 179: Why So Weak?

In fact, he wasn’t much stronger than Li Changsheng had been at the Twelfth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

If Li Changsheng’s Spiritual Power was a surging river, this Patrol Guard Captain’s was a mere creek—and a trickling one at that. The difference between them was like heaven and earth.

Li Changsheng’s undisguised look of contempt made Captain Tao’s face flush red. He subconsciously unleashed a burst of Spiritual Power.

’And *this* is a Vein Condensation Realm Cultivator?’

Sensing the man’s overflowing Spiritual Power, Li Changsheng sneered and channeled his own into the Golden Needle hidden in his sleeve. The next instant, an incomparably sharp aura flooded the pavilion.

Everyone present, aside from Jin Fang, felt a simultaneous jolt of terror, as if a sharp blade were hanging over their necks. Their life and death were no longer their own to decide.

Captain Tao’s body went rigid. The Spiritual Power flowing from him came to a screeching halt, and he didn’t dare make the slightest move.

His terrified gaze fixed on the sleeve of the young man’s robe. The piercing aura was a fatal threat.

Just then, Jin Fang’s figure flashed to Li Changsheng’s side. He placed a hand on his shoulder, shook his head, and smiled. "Junior Brother, don’t get angry. He’s just trash, not worth your time."

"Heh..."

Li Changsheng let out a cold snort and retracted his Spiritual Power.

He knew, of course, that it wasn’t worth it. He hadn’t actually intended to attack, merely to intimidate this pushover and show him who was in charge.

Seeing him retract his Spiritual Power, Jin Fang smiled. His gaze shifted to Captain Tao, and he asked playfully, "So, how do you want to settle this? Will you negotiate with us, or should I have Steward Lan negotiate with you? Or maybe... an Elder?"

Captain Tao naturally understood what Jin Fang meant by "negotiate."

"I..."

Captain Tao’s face went pale. He didn’t think the two would dare to actually attack, but their mocking, half-smiling gazes made his skin crawl.

After a long hesitation.

With a face flushed red, Captain Tao mumbled, "I’ll... compensate you."

A short while later.

Two beams of Escape Light shot up from the Independent Practitioner Marketplace and quickly vanished from sight.

Soon after.

A burst of Spiritual Power erupted, and a deafening roar echoed from the pavilion. "Useless piece of trash! You have nothing! Get the hell out!"

BAM!

A figure was sent flying backward out of the building, spraying crimson blood as he crashed hard onto the ground. He rolled several times before landing facedown, motionless.

The commotion drew many Loose Cultivators from the marketplace to watch. They didn’t dare approach the pavilion, however, choosing to point from a distance at the Patrol Guard cultivator on the ground while chattering excitedly with those around them.

It was a rare spectacle, especially since the victim was one of the very Patrol Guards they all feared. The crowd’s spirits were high as they buzzed with excited discussion.

「In the crowd.」

Xu Li was also among those watching the spectacle. Beside him, a beautiful woman with slightly foxy, alluring eyes was engaged in an aimless chat with him.

He didn’t seem to mind her indifference, his enthusiasm undiminished.

Finally, the woman seemed to grow impatient. She shot him a look, and with a sway of her graceful hips, she walked away from the crowd.

Xu Li immediately followed her. They crossed several streets and soon arrived before a rather spacious two-story pavilion.

Over a dozen bright red lanterns, each as large as a carriage wheel, hung from the pavilion’s eaves.

The woman gently pushed the door open, then turned to look at Xu Li, who had followed her. "Are you coming in?" she asked lightly.

"This..."

Xu Li’s eyes lit up with surprise. He rubbed his hands together and grinned. "Nongyue Fairy, I... is this appropriate?"

The woman gave him a speechless look, pointed to the bright red lanterns, and then turned and walked slowly through the door.

Xu Li didn’t understand her meaning. He glanced at the bright red lanterns, offered a few loud words of praise, then looked at the half-open door. After straightening his clothes, he strode in with his head held high.

Shortly after he entered, a man with tightly-packed features walked up to the door. He looked at the row of bright red lanterns under the eaves, chuckled, and muttered, "Big and round," before stepping inside.

「Spirit Field Hall.」

Jin Fang and Li Changsheng split the three thousand Spirit Stones they’d acquired from Captain Tao, then fell into idle conversation.

An hour later.

Both men simultaneously sensed immense Spiritual Power fluctuations from outside the hall and rose to their feet.

Moments later.

Lan Cai Shen, Tan Hu, Ma Rong, and the others strode in. Upon seeing Li Changsheng, their eyes all showed surprise.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers," Li Changsheng said with a chuckle, cupping his fists in salute.

The men took their seats one by one.

Lan Cai Shen looked at Li Changsheng and smiled. "Junior Brother, is there something you needed?"

Li Changsheng looked at the others in the hall, pondered for a moment, then asked them about special traits and how to advance his cultivation in the future.

After he had finished.

Everyone in the hall exchanged glances.

Lan Cai Shen cleared his throat and said apologetically, "My fault, I wasn’t thorough. I completely forgot about this." He then took out a jade slip and handed it to Li Changsheng. "This details how to cultivate in the Vein Condensation Realm. You’ll understand as soon as you read it, Junior Brother."

At the same time, Tan Hu also offered a jade slip, grinning. "This contains some of my personal cultivation insights and experience with breaking through bottlenecks. Take a look for yourself, Junior Brother, but don’t show it to anyone else."

A look of delight appeared on Li Changsheng’s face. He quickly stored them away, then stood and thanked them both.

"Thank you, Senior Brothers."

Lan Cai Shen and Tan Hu waved it off, and the group began to discuss their recent journey.

Through their conversation, he learned that the number of demon beasts north of the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land had recently surged severalfold.

Fearing some unforeseen disaster, Elder Qing had ventured deep into the Wanzhong Mountains Range to investigate. It turned out that two demons, far surpassing the Dao Foundation Realm, had been fighting, forcing the other demon beasts to flee and migrate.

Because the Ring Mountain Spiritual Land was remote and isolated by mountains, it only saw an increase in demon beasts, with no real risk of a beast tide forming.

Lan Cai Shen and the others had been out clearing the demon lairs hidden around the Spiritual Land.

Now understanding the situation, Li Changsheng grew eager to leave. He bid farewell to the others and left the Spirit Field Hall.

He didn’t even summon Xiaohua to ride, simply transforming into an Escape Light and departing.

The others watched him go.

Jin Fang thought for a moment, then recounted everything that had happened in their absence.

As he slowly explained, the expressions on the others’ faces grew grim.

It wasn’t because of Li Changsheng, but because the Patrol Guard was overstepping its bounds and encroaching on their territory.

"Alright, let’s..."

Lan Cai Shen frowned. Just as he was about to speak, a beam of Escape Light shot toward them from the horizon.

A few breaths later.

THUD! A heavy body crashed down before them.

The spiritual light faded, revealing Luo Fang. Without a glance at Captain Tao, who lay like a dead pig at his feet, he spoke softly to the group. "My apologies. My subordinate was ignorant and overstepped his bounds."

Lan Cai Shen’s eyes narrowed. "It’s a trivial matter," he said faintly. "Steward Luo is being too courteous."

Tan Hu and the others remained silent, their faces cold.

Luo Fang’s gaze swept over them, and he asked in confusion, "Is Steward Li not here?"

Lan Cai Shen shook his head. "Our Junior Brother has already left. If Steward Luo has something to say, you can say it to me."

"Oh, it’s nothing," Luo Fang said, shaking his head. He then jutted his chin toward Captain Tao at his feet. "Do you want to have a go at him?"

At that moment, Captain Tao was bleeding from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. His aura was feeble, and his eyes filled with terror at Luo Fang’s words.

But with his Spiritual Power and body sealed, he couldn’t resist or even make a sound.

Lan Cai Shen refused without a second thought. "He is Steward Luo’s subordinate. It’s best you take him back and discipline him yourself."

"You’re sure?"

Luo Fang asked once more, then shook his head with feigned regret and waved a hand, releasing the seal on Captain Tao.

"Thank you, Lord Steward! Thank you, Lord Steward! Thank..."

As soon as Captain Tao could move, he ignored the blood on his face and immediately fell to his knees, kowtowing to Luo Fang, Lan Cai Shen, and the others.

"Since that’s the case, we’ll consider this matter settled. I have other business to attend to, so I’ll be leaving."

Luo Fang smiled and nodded to the group. Then, with a dazzling burst of spiritual light, he grabbed Captain Tao and shot up into the sky.

As they watched the Escape Light disappear.

The expressions on everyone’s faces were grim.

Lan Cai Shen withdrew his gaze and shook his head. "It’s all trivial, in the end. Let it be." With that, he turned and returned to the Spirit Field Hall.

"Yes."

The others nodded in agreement and then went their separate ways.

「Ten Thousand Serpent Lake Island, central courtyard on the mountain peak.」

Li Changsheng sat in a chair, a jade slip held against his brow.