Chapter 177: Encirclement and Slaughter |
"They're here! Such fast speed!"
Shen Xiuyong pulled hard on the reins. Treading Snow reared up on its hind legs, releasing a neigh.
Under the full sprint of a True Aura expert, their speed over short distances indeed exceeded ordinary fine horses.
"Junior nephew, you go first!"
Shen Xiuyong made a decisive decision and sharply turned his horse around, "I'll meet this Yu He! Though I've just entered True Aura, it won't be so easy for him to stop me! That old fellow Qiao Hongyun should arrive soon. We two have our ways of rendezvous!"
Chen Qing's heart warmed. This was the first time someone had stood up to cover his retreat.
He deeply knew now wasn't the time for false modesty. If he stayed, not only couldn't he help, but he might even become a burden to Shen Xiuyong.
He nodded heavily and cupped his fists, "Master Uncle Shen, you must be careful! Take care!"
"You go first! If you encounter Earth Origin Sect people, show no mercy."
Shen Xiuyong waved his hand sharply, his gaze like torches, already locking onto the figure wrapped in earth-yellow True Aura rapidly approaching at the end of the forest path.
Chen Qing hesitated no longer and charged forward with all his might.
Almost simultaneously as Chen Qing's figure disappeared into the forest shade ahead, Yu He's form descended like a meteor, thunderously landing in the center of the main road, blocking Shen Xiuyong's path.
Powerful momentum forced surrounding trees to rustle loudly. The ground trembled slightly.
Shen Xiuyong's Lihuo True Aura quietly circulated throughout his body. The air rippled with waves of scorching heat, offsetting that heavy pressure from the opponent.
His expression was cold as he looked at Yu He ahead with his thick aura, saying indifferently, "Elder Yu pursuing my nephew and me so urgently, what do you intend? Could it be that in Lin'an Prefecture territory, Earth Origin Sect now has the final say, and even passing through requires inspection?"
Yu He's form came to a halt. He glanced in the direction Chen Qing had disappeared, "Elder Shen speaks too seriously. Yu has no ill intentions. It's just that at the auction earlier, seeing your esteemed nephew's exceptional bearing reminded me of some old matters. I have some unresolved doubts in my heart and wish to invite young friend Chen Qing to my Earth Origin Sect as a guest, to drink some clear tea and chat casually. Why must Elder Shen be so nervous?"
"Invite my nephew for tea?"
Shen Xiuyong sneered, his face full of mockery, "Elder Yu's way of inviting people is truly unique, comparable to highway robbers. My nephew has never met you. What old matters are there to discuss? What doubts require such a grand mobilization to 'invite'? I think this tea is better left undrunk!"
The smile on Yu He's face gradually disappeared. His tone also became heavier, "Shen Xiuyong, this old one extends a courteous invitation, giving your Five Terraces Sect face. This is Lin'an Prefecture! Chen Qing is deeply involved in an old case from Yunlin Prefecture, possibly even connected to my Earth Origin Sect's Elder Shi Long's death and the mystery of the Demon Sect's Netherworld Twin Guards' disappearance! This old one must get to the bottom of it! Don't obstruct me, or else..."
"Or else what?"
Shen Xiuyong yielded not an inch. The Lihuo True Aura throughout his body circulated even faster. His qi locked firmly onto the opponent, but secretly he was buying every precious moment for Chen Qing to escape.
Seeing his complete lack of retreat, the last trace of patience in Yu He's eyes finally ran out.
"Since you insist on protecting him, don't blame this old one for being merciless!"
Before his words finished, Yu He's form suddenly sank. The earth-yellow radiance around his body blazed brightly. A heavy momentum like mountains thunderously pressed down!
He crossed his palms, bringing muffled sounds of tearing air, pushing toward Shen Xiuyong through the air.
Vast Earth element force condensed into a massive palm print, overwhelming and all-encompassing, as if to crush and pulverize all obstacles ahead!
"Well come!"
Shen Xiuyong had long been prepared.
He knew the purpose of delay had been achieved. His form soared like a great roc, avoiding that fierce and domineering palm wind.
The long saber at his waist rang out from its sheath. The blade instantly turned crimson red. Scorching Lihuo True Aura explosively erupted, meeting the attack!
Calamity Flame Rending Heaven Blade!
Shen Xiuyong held nothing back. His very first move was his ultimate technique!
The crimson blade aura swelled against the wind, transforming into a blazing flame ribbon several zhang long. Carrying the scorching heat to burn all eight wastelands and the resolute momentum to rend the heavens, it boldly cleaved toward Yu He!
Before the blade arrived, that scorching and sharp intent had already scorched and ignited surrounding vegetation!
Boom—!!!
Crimson and earth-yellow two-colored True Aura viciously collided, producing a deafening, earth-shaking explosion!
Violent qi waves spread madly in all directions like a tsunami. The main road's surface cracked inch by inch. Surrounding trees were uprooted or severed at the waist. Flames and dust soared skyward!
The blazing flame blade aura madly eroded and tore at the Bedrock palm print, producing piercing sizzling sounds.
Yu He's form shook violently. The ground beneath his feet thunderously collapsed over a foot. But the Bedrock True Aura circulating around his body actually withstood this violent blade strike. Only his complexion paled slightly for an instant.
Shen Xiuyong borrowed the collision force to drift back over ten zhang, landing lightly. Holding his blade upright, the crimson blade body still hummed ceaselessly, flames swirling around it.
He was secretly alarmed: This old fellow's defense truly lives up to its reputation. The Bedrock Heart Method is indeed solid beyond compare!
Yu He was also shaken in his heart: This Shen Xiuyong broke through to True Aura not long ago, yet his Lihuo True Aura is so pure and violent.
After one strike, superiority wasn't determined, but battle intent had been thoroughly ignited.
"Shen Xiuyong! This old one broke through to True Aura over seventeen years ago. How can you be this old one's match?!"
Yu He roared angrily. Earth-yellow True Aura surged once again with even heavier momentum.
"Cut the nonsense! If you want to pursue my nephew, first pass through this barrier!"
Shen Xiuyong swung his long blade. Blazing flames rose again. His gaze was sharp as a blade.
The two locked eyes. Killing intent pervaded. The next moment, their forms collided together again!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At the forest edge, the rumbling sounds of True Aura collisions continued unabated. Blazing flames and Bedrock power fiercely clashed, transforming large swaths of forest land into scorched earth and ruins.
At this moment, Chen Qing had already rushed several li away. He looked back at the True Aura radiance soaring skyward in the distance and the faint rumbling, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Yu He... this grudge was thoroughly formed!
However, just as he charged out of a low slope, four figures suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
The leader was tall and robust—precisely Earth Origin Sect's Lu Da!
The three people beside him were also dressed as Earth Origin Sect elite disciples. Each had temples bulging high, steady and solid auras, sharp gazes. All were late-stage embracing elixir experts. One person's aura was especially vast, clearly already at embracing elixir perfection!
"Brother Chen, why such haste?"
Lu Da's voice was like a great bell. He squeezed out a trace of smile on his face, "My family's Elder Yu has invited you. He wishes to invite Junior Brother Chen to move to Earth Origin Sect, drink some hot tea, and chat about old matters."
Chen Qing pulled hard on the reins. The yellow piebald horse reared up, releasing a neigh.
He sat upright on the horse's back, his gaze sweeping over the four before him, sneering coldly in his heart.
Drink tea?
More like a Hongmen Feast!
Once he stepped into Earth Origin Sect, exposing the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl matter would be the least of his worries. At that time, with others as the knife and cutting board while he was the fish and meat, life and death would all be controlled by others.
Now as long as he returned to the Five Terraces Sect, the Five Terraces Sect higher-ups would naturally uphold justice.
"Drink tea?"
The corner of Chen Qing's mouth hooked into a cold arc, "I have no friendship with Elder Yu, and even less with Earth Origin Sect. We mind our own business. I'm afraid I can't afford this tea."
The smile on Lu Da's face instantly vanished, replaced by gloom, "Chen Qing, when an elder invites you, it's giving you face. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Regarding Blackwater Dock matters, you know very well in your heart! Today whether you go or not, you... must go!"
"What if I don't go?" Chen Qing's voice was flat yet carried bone-piercing coldness.
"Then don't blame us for being impolite!" Lu Da roared explosively and exchanged glances with the other three.
In an instant, the four's auras explosively erupted!
Lu Da crossed his palms. Earth-yellow true qi surged out in vast waves, heavy as mountains, launching the first attack!
He also cultivated Earth Origin Sect's orthodox heart method. Though not reaching Yu He's True Aura level, his power was fierce and violent. One palm strike carried crushing momentum.
The other three simultaneously attacked with extremely coordinated cooperation.
The embracing elixir perfection expert wielded a pair of steel short halberds. The halberd wind howled as they thrust straight at Chen Qing's left and right ribs from cunning and vicious angles!
Of the other two late-stage embracing elixir experts, one drew his blade to sweep horizontally at the horse's legs, while the other leaped into the air, his fist seal smashing down toward Chen Qing's crown like a meteor!
The four's combined assault sealed off all Chen Qing's evasion routes. Their killing intent was overwhelming. Clearly they had gone for the kill. Even if they couldn't bring him back, they would slay Chen Qing on the spot!
After all, Chen Qing wasn't some nobody. They didn't dare carelessly hold back.
Chen Qing's eyes burst with cold radiance. The killing intent in his chest could no longer be suppressed!
Facing attacks from four sides, he actually neither dodged nor evaded. His form soared like a hawk, not only avoiding the moves attacking his mount but also commanding the high ground and seizing the initiative!
"Roar!"
A low, dignified tiger-elephant sound burst forth from within his body. His skin took on a faint bronze luster. His blood and qi burned like a furnace!
The Eight Extremes Vajra Body instantly activated!
Simultaneously, Qingmu true qi surged into the Coiling Cloud Spear!
Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear! Mountain Breaking Territory Division!
In mid-air, Chen Qing twisted his waist and exerted force. The Coiling Cloud Spear produced a terrifying roar of tearing air, transforming into an incomparably violent black arc of light. With irresistible momentum, it swept horizontally toward all sides!
This spear contained the terrifying brute force of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body and the vast true qi from penetrating eleven primary meridians. It was fierce and domineering to the extreme!
Boom! Crack!
First to bear the brunt was the person who had leaped up to smash his fist. His fist seal collided dominantly with the spear shaft, but like an egg hitting stone, his fist bones instantly shattered. With a miserable scream, the entire person was swept away by that indescribable tremendous force, blood spurting wildly. He crashed heavily into a large tree, breaking it, before collapsing limp.
The Earth Origin Sect expert whose blade swept at the horse's legs was even more terrified out of his wits. Before his blade edge could touch the horse's legs, that terrifying spear wind had already pressed down on him. He could only desperately return his blade to block!
Clang—!
A deafening metallic clash exploded!
That disciple only felt an irresistible tremendous force transmit along the blade body. His tiger's mouth instantly ruptured with blood flowing freely. The long blade flew from his hands. His entire person was like suffering a heavy hammer strike. His chest bones collapsed. Flying back several zhang, after landing there was no more sound.
In a flash, Chen Qing landed. His movements didn't pause at all!
Lu Da's giant palm and that perfection expert's twin halberds had already attacked right before him!
Mountain Collapse Piercing Rainbow!
Chen Qing's Coiling Cloud Spear shot out like a venomous dragon from its den, neither deviating nor slanting, thrusting straight at Lu Da's palm!
The highly concentrated green radiance at the spear tip contained sharpness that could penetrate everything!
Lu Da's expression changed drastically. He only felt the force from the opponent's spear tip was incomparably refined, actually making his heavy palm power feel like it had nowhere to apply force. Even more, there was an incomparably sharp force wanting to penetrate through his palm!
He hurriedly circulated all his true qi. His palm momentum changed from striking to pressing, attempting to forcefully deflect the spear tip with thick true qi.
But just as spear and palm were about to make contact, Chen Qing's wrist imperceptibly trembled!
The Coiling Cloud Spear's tip actually traced a subtle arc like a living creature, avoiding Lu Da's point of greatest force with extreme cleverness, brushing past his palm edge to thrust swiftly inward!
"Puchi!"
Though the spear tip didn't directly pierce the palm center, that sharp spear radiance had already torn through Lu Da's protective true qi, ripping open a bone-deep bloody groove on his arm!
Lu Da grunted in pain and stumbled backward.
At this moment, those twin halberds had already stabbed to Chen Qing's ribs!
Chen Qing seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. Without even looking, his arm gripping the spear tail suddenly swung backward!
The long spear was like a heavy hammer carrying fierce wind, striking with perfect precision toward the halberd wielder's face!
This change of move was both fast and vicious, entirely from battle instincts honed through countless trials!
The halberd wielder was shocked and alarmed. If he didn't defend, even if both halberds could stab Chen Qing, he himself would have his head exploded by the spear!
He could only forcefully retract both halberds, crossing them to block before him!
Clang!
Another massive sound!
The spear butt smashed at the crossed halberds' intersection, sparks flying!
The halberd wielder only felt his arms in agony as if about to split. His blood and qi churned. He retreated seven or eight steps with "thud thud thud" sounds. With each step back, the bluestone beneath his feet shattered. His face flushed red. His eyes were full of shock.
He was at embracing elixir perfection! Yet in a direct clash he was forced back by one spear strike?!
Chen Qing pressed his advantage relentlessly. His form followed Lu Da like a ghost. The Coiling Cloud Spear transformed into a sky full of spear shadows, completely enveloping Lu Da!
The Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear technique fully deployed. Sometimes like mountains pressing down, incomparably heavy; sometimes like险峰奇袭, crafty and devious!
Lu Da's arm was injured. His true qi circulation was sluggish. He could only barely support himself, beaten with no ability to fight back, dangers arising everywhere!
That halberd wielder forcefully suppressed his blood and qi, roaring as he charged again. Twin halberds danced, attempting to combine attacks with Lu Da.
"Hum hum!"
Chen Qing once again produced tiger-elephant sounds, but targeting that halberd wielder!
Sound waves rippled like water, shaking his spirit into a daze!
Just in that instant of his distraction, Chen Qing suddenly abandoned Lu Da. The Coiling Cloud Spear was like a venomous snake darting from darkness, a turning horse spear, fast as lightning, thrusting straight at his heart!
This spear gathered all of Chen Qing's killing intent and power. Silent and soundless, yet fast beyond the limits of visual capture!
The halberd wielder only had time to release a desperate howl.
Puchi!
The Coiling Cloud Spear precisely penetrated his heart, the spear tip emerging from his back!
Chen Qing twisted his wrist. The spear body shook. Violent force instantly pulverized his five viscera and six bowels!
The spirit in the halberd wielder's eyes instantly dimmed. His corpse was flung aside by the long spear.
In a flash, of the four Earth Origin Sect experts, only the injured Lu Da remained!
Lu Da looked at Chen Qing like a killing god. His eyes were finally replaced by boundless terror. He turned to flee.
They never imagined Chen Qing would be so fierce and violent!
Four joining hands, in an instant three were dead!
"Want to leave now? Too late!"
Chen Qing's tone was icy. He took one step forward. The Coiling Cloud Spear followed like a shadow. A simple straight thrust, yet containing the pressure of 'momentum'!
Lu Da sensed the deadly killing intent attacking from behind. He desperately dodged to the side.
However, the spear tip was like a maggot clinging to bone, slightly deflecting.
Puh!
Blood flowers splattered! The Coiling Cloud Spear directly penetrated Lu Da's neck!
Lu Da's massive body suddenly stiffened. Both hands futilely grasped the spear shaft. His eyes were full of disbelief and immense terror toward death. Then he heavily fell to the ground, twitched twice, and made no more sound.
On the main road, silence was instantly restored. Only four gradually cooling corpses remained.
The yellow piebald horse had long since disappeared without a trace.
Chen Qing stood with spear upright. Blood from the spear tip slowly dripped. He turned his head to look toward a large tree not far away.
Miao Zhiheng slowly emerged from behind the large tree, forcefully squeezing out a trace of composed smile on his face. His palms involuntarily trembled slightly.
He deliberately slowed his steps, his voice trying to remain steady:
"Brother Chen truly has good skills! My Golden Sand Fortress and Earth Origin Sect have long-standing grievances. These thieves always act domineeringly. What they're best at is bullying the few with the many. I deeply detest their behavior... Brother Chen's actions today are truly satisfying!"
As he spoke, he secretly observed Chen Qing's expression, his steps quietly retreating half a step.
Miao Zhiheng's heart had long been in tremendous turmoil.
He had just arrived and originally wanted to act as opportunity arose.
If Earth Origin Sect gained the upper hand he would take the chance to show goodwill and join hands. If Chen Qing was outmatched he would kick him when down and seize treasures. He absolutely never expected to witness the final scene of Chen Qing slaughtering all four Earth Origin Sect experts!
Such strength far exceeded his expectations!
He had just wanted to withdraw and leave but had already missed the good opportunity.
In an instant, Miao Zhiheng's thoughts raced. He decided to put on an act.
Chen Qing's expression was dark as water. He coldly asked, "What are you doing here?"
Miao Zhiheng's expression tightened. He hurriedly squeezed out a smile, feigning composure to explain, "The auction just dispersed. I happened to be passing by..."
Chen Qing didn't speak. His form suddenly blurred!
Executing the Startling Swan Escaping Shadow Formula, he approached like a ghost. The Coiling Cloud Spear emitted a low hum, transforming into a black lightning bolt tearing through night, thrusting straight at Miao Zhiheng's heart!
Its ferocity far exceeded when dealing with the Earth Origin Sect people earlier!
The peculiarly curved saber at Miao Zhiheng's waist rang out from its sheath with a "clang." The blade body instantly burst with dazzling dark gold radiance!
The Golden Fiend Soul Rending Blade technique fully deployed!
The Mystic Origin true qi throughout his body surged forth without any reservation. Blade light was like a waterfall, not a single ray, but instantly dividing into dozens of fine, sharp, interwoven blade qi like a net, like a madly rotating blade wheel, dominantly meeting Chen Qing's life-taking spear!
Golden Fiend Soul Rending! Thousand Threads!
This was his ultimate secret technique!
Where the blade net passed, the air produced hissing sounds of being cut. The ground was carved with countless deep marks by scattered blade qi.
"Clang clang clang clang—!"
The spear tip and blade net madly collided, erupting in continuous, extremely piercing metallic clashing!
Sparks scattered like a rainstorm!
Miao Zhiheng only felt his arms violently shaking. The force transmitted from Chen Qing's spear was heavy as mountains yet sharp as thunder, shaking his blood and qi churning. He actually retreated repeatedly, each step trampling deep pits in the ground.
"Impossible!"
Miao Zhiheng suddenly bit through the tip of his tongue. A mouthful of essence blood sprayed onto the curved blade. The blade body's humming sound instantly became shrill and piercing. An even more evil and violent aura explosively erupted!
"Screech—!"
Soul-Startling Howl erupted again! But this time it wasn't formless and substanceless. Instead it was accompanied by visible dark gold sound waves, like ripples madly impacting toward Chen Qing!
Simultaneously his blade momentum changed again. The man followed the blade. The curved blade traced an extremely bizarre dark arc, silently slashing toward Chen Qing's neck!
Golden Fiend Soul Rending! Netherworld Severance!
This move combined sound attack to intimidate the spirit. It was his true desperate move with tremendous power, but the burden on himself was also extremely heavy!
Chen Qing's gaze concentrated. He circulated the Eight Extremes Vajra Body to its current limit. Blood and qi throughout his body roared like tigers and elephants, forcefully withstanding those sound waves.
The Coiling Cloud Spear rotated. The spear body was like a black dragon's tail, intercepting that trace of dark blade light with perfect precision!
Clang—!!!
A deafening explosion erupted again!
Miao Zhiheng only felt an irresistible tremendous force transmit through the blade body. His tiger's mouth completely ruptured with blood flowing freely. The curved blade nearly flew from his hands!
He borrowed force to leap backward urgently. The true qi within his body was in disorder. His complexion instantly became pale as paper.
Flee! Must flee!
This person cannot be directly engaged!
Once the thought arose, Miao Zhiheng had no fighting spirit whatsoever. His form suddenly shot backward. Simultaneously he waved his hand to throw out several black pellets emitting a foul stench—Golden Sand Fortress's secret poison fiend thunders!
Bang bang bang!
Poisonous fog instantly spread, obscuring vision. Highly corrosive toxic gas sizzled.
Miao Zhiheng took the opportunity to pour all his remaining true qi into his legs, executing lightness techniques, desperately fleeing toward the deep forest!
However, just as he rushed out of the poison fog range, his vision blurred. Chen Qing's figure actually appeared to his side-front like a maggot clinging to bone!
Chen Qing's left hand shot out fast as lightning. Between his five fingers he somehow held several needles fine as ox hair, flashing with deep blue starlight—Nine Luminary Starlight Needles!
Floating Light Passing Shadow Hand!
The technique was mysterious. The speed reached the extreme. Only a flash of deep blue starlight!
Miao Zhiheng only felt several major acupoints throughout his body suddenly go numb and painful, as if pierced by extreme cold ice needles!
The wildly running true qi instantly collapsed. The speed he had just raised suddenly plummeted!
Extreme terror flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth but couldn't produce any sound.
Chen Qing's gaze was icy. The Coiling Cloud Spear in his hand didn't pause at all, silently penetrating his throat.
Miao Zhiheng's body stiffened. The spirit in his eyes rapidly dimmed, ultimately freezing.
"Passing by?"
Chen Qing flicked his wrist, flinging the corpse from the spear tip. He coldly gazed at Miao Zhiheng's corpse on the ground, "Then you also must die!"
Miao Zhiheng just happened to be "passing by" this place?
Where in the world was such coincidence!
The auction was at its climax. The Azure Depths Twin Radiance attracted all sides to compete enthusiastically. If he hadn't had schemes from the start, how could he coincidentally appear on this desolate roadway?
He must have followed. Discovering the situation was wrong, he immediately changed his story.
Chen Qing's movements were swift as wind. He bent down to quickly search those several corpses still retaining warmth.
Bank notes, pills, scattered gold leaves... all were collected into his chest.
As for those weapons and inner armor stained with obvious sect markings, he didn't take a single piece.
These things were like hot potatoes. Keeping them on his person was troublesome baggage.
He took out a small bottle of special corpse-dissolving powder, carefully pouring it on the several corpses.
Pungent white smoke rose accompanied by "hiss hiss" sounds. Flesh and bones rapidly dissolved. Even blood traces on the ground dissolved together. In just a short moment, only a few patches of slightly darker scorched earth remained at the scene.
Having done all this, Chen Qing's form expanded. Like a wisp of green smoke he swept into the roadside dense forest, racing swiftly toward Yunlin Prefecture.