Chapter 282: Confidence

Early the next morning.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

One hundred Jingwu Academy disciples had already gathered at the gate, where numerous horses were tethered nearby.

Among the disciples, most were at the level of Innate Seven Meridians or above, but there were also a few, like Luo Qing, at around the Innate Four Meridians level.

Normally, disciples at their level wouldn’t have the chance to join such an expedition, so they were all visibly excited to be given this opportunity.

Aside from the Jingwu Academy disciples, another man stood off to the side, cutting a conspicuous figure.

The disciples were all clad in the standard-issue uniform of Jingwu Academy, each one brimming with youthful energy and vigor.

This man, however, wore a simple, coarse-cloth robe of sky blue. He was burly and powerfully built, standing nearly nine feet tall, and looked like a crane among chickens next to the crowd of students.

The Jingwu Academy disciples were laden with all manner of weapons—swords, sabers, and shields—along with baggage of all sizes, looking as though they’d never been on a long journey before.

This man, however, was empty-handed, carrying nothing at all, not even a weapon. His sharp eyes were half-lidded, and though he appeared indolent, he emanated an intangible aura that completely overshadowed the academy students!

The disciples present had all entered the best Martial Arts Academy in the Wu Dynasty; they were truly the favored children of Heaven in the dynasty.

Yet standing beside this man, they were clearly outshone.

“Is that the Black Hand Yama from Jing State, Lu Bai?”

“That’s him. I heard he has hundreds of lives on his hands. The aura of someone who’s seen real bloodshed is definitely different.”

Many students whispered among themselves, their gazes occasionally darting toward Lu Bai.

One student snorted coldly and said, “That’s all just hearsay and distorted rumors. Senior Brother Yang told me the people he killed were just gang grunts with no real fighting ability.”

“But I heard a True Master Golden Core fell at his hands.”

“It was a sneak attack!”

Yang Feng spoke up from the side. “I asked my father. He told me himself.”

“If Lord Yang himself said it, then there’s no room for doubt.”

“Lord Yang is in the Demon-slaying Bureau, so his information is naturally much better than ours.”

A few of the academy disciples smiled sycophantically.

Luo Qing’s brow furrowed slightly as she listened to the gossip.

She had witnessed Lu Bai’s methods firsthand.

Now, hearing him being belittled like this, she couldn’t help but feel displeased and glanced subconsciously at Lu Bai.

Lu Bai’s expression was serene; he didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.

Luo Qing thought to herself, ‘Xiaolu is a bit younger than I am, yet his temperament and composure are so much more mature. That’s right… why should he care what other people think? Just let them talk.’

Just then, the academy’s main gate opened, and Dean Jiang Tao walked out.

“Greetings, Dean.”

The disciples clasped their hands in salute.

Jingwu Academy had several deans; Jiang Tao was just one of them.

“Is everyone here?”

Jiang Tao asked in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“We’re all here.”

Yang Feng answered quickly.

“Move out!”

Jiang Tao declared with a wave of his hand.

The disciples untied their reins and vaulted onto their horses.

Lu Bai, having bought a horse at the market, joined the procession heading out of the capital.

The Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground was located four hundred li east of the Capital City. On horseback, the journey would take about half a day.

The training expedition to the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground involved not only hunting Demon Beasts but also spending a night within its borders.

Compared to the daytime, many ferocious beasts and Demon Beasts were only active at night.

Nighttime in the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground was far more dangerous, posing an even greater test for the disciples!

Luo Qing rode alongside Lu Bai, filling him in on the details of the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground.

Once they were outside the city, Lu Bai focused most of his Heart and Spirit on his surroundings and on Jiang Tao.

With the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion fast approaching, the Wu Dynasty Capital City was teeming with powerful experts. It was right under the Emperor’s nose, making it an inconvenient place for anyone seeking revenge on him to make a move.

Luring him away from the Capital City would, of course, be far more convenient.

Therefore, once he left the capital, the danger could erupt at any moment; it wouldn’t necessarily wait until they reached the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground.

‘An ambush? An assassination? Or will Jiang Tao make a move himself?’

Marquis Jingzhong had been building his power in the Wu Dynasty for years; he was bound to have some death-sworn loyalists at his disposal.

For now, Lu Bai couldn’t guess what form the attack might take.

The reason he dared to accompany Luo Qing, despite knowing the danger, was precisely because his opponents did not know his true strength.

Under such circumstances, their judgments and decisions were bound to be flawed.

Thus, Lu Bai initially deduced that to ensure success, the expert sent to deal with him would likely be at the Golden Core Realm.

After all, to deal with a mere Innate Martial Artist, a True Master Martial Dao was already more than enough.

Even in the worst-case scenario, if a Nascent Soul Realm expert were to attack, Lu Bai was confident he could grab Luo Qing and escape at a moment’s notice.

Even before condensing his Blood Qi Golden Core, he could use his “Feathered Ascension to Immortality” Body Technique to spread his wings, and not even a True Master Martial Dao could catch him.

Now that he had cultivated to the Mid Stage of the Golden Core Realm, he was already capable of flight. With the added boost from “Feathered Ascension to Immortality,” not even a Nascent Soul True Monarch could stop him from leaving!

This was the source of his confidence.

“Where is your Cyan Cloud Sword?”

Not long after they had left the city, Luo Qing couldn’t help but ask.

Lu Bai smiled. “It’s on me.”

Surprise flashed in Luo Qing’s eyes. Her gaze swept over him, but she couldn’t spot anywhere he could have hidden the Cyan Cloud Sword.

However, since Lu Bai had said it, she believed him.

The group traveled east all morning, finally arriving at the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground sometime after noon.

As far as the eye could see, there were endless mountains and ravines, with swaying trees filling the landscape with a sea of verdant green.

From deep within the forest, the occasional roar of a ferocious beast could be heard.

Upon arriving at the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground, many of the previously excited academy disciples sobered up, their hearts filling with unease.

The Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground was overrun with ferocious beasts and occupied by Demon Beasts; it was nothing like being back at Jingwu Academy.

When fighting a Demon Beast, injury was a minor concern.

One moment of carelessness could cost them their lives!

Past records showed that it was not uncommon for Jingwu Academy disciples to lose their lives in the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground.

They were the Demon Beasts’ prey.

In the eyes of the Demon Beasts, wasn’t this group of humans, with their vigorous Blood Qi, also just prey—a first-rate meal?

“Dismount and tether the horses here,”

Jiang Tao ordered.

If these ordinary horses were to enter the mountains with them, they would likely spook at the first sign of trouble and flee, causing chaos and confusion.

Jiang Tao’s voice was grave. “Follow me into the mountains. Remember, once we’re inside, be cautious and observe your surroundings carefully. Danger could be hiding right under your nose.”

Everyone voiced their assent.

The disciples’ Heart and Spirit settled somewhat at the sight of Jiang Tao.

After all, with a True Master Martial Dao leading them, Dean Jiang would be there to handle any real danger they encountered.

Moreover, the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground was roughly divided into three zones, occupied by Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three Demon Beasts, respectively.

The boundaries between these territories were clearly defined.

Generally speaking, Tier Three Demon Beasts did not cross those boundaries.

As long as the group remained in the areas of the Tier One and Tier Two Demon Beasts, they could most likely handle any danger they encountered by working together.

Lu Bai looked up at the deep, boundless mountain forest where mist churned like waves. A faint breeze drifted by, seeming to carry with it the subtle scent of blood.

‘A good place to kill someone and bury the body,’ Lu Bai thought, his eyes narrowing.