Another Breakthrough

At the east gate of the commandery seat, two heads—their faces still frozen in horror—were hung high. Swaying from time to time in the gusting wind, they made for a truly gruesome sight. Any martial artist passing through the east gate had only to look up to see the severed heads of those two peak Fourth Rank martial artists, a spectacle that struck deep dread into their hearts. Even experts of such caliber had been slain with ease. Unless one was a Grandmaster, one had best not dare act with reckless abandon inside the city. Because of this, order in East City stabilized considerably almost overnight. Xia Hong, the Battalion Commander garrisoning East City, even rushed over to Baoqing Ward to thank Huang Tian personally, declaring that he had done him an enormous favor. Yet everything had its pros and cons. While slaying two Fourth Rank martial artists had intimidated many unruly, arrogant fighters, it also drew even more eyes to Huang Tian—or rather, many had already been watching him, and now their curiosity only deepened. In a secluded courtyard in East City, Pei Guan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. After listening to his subordinate's latest intelligence regarding Funing County and the suspected divine armament, he muttered under his breath: "Not a single trace of the Juntian Ocean-Subduing Ruler can be found. Could this truly be another farce? "The Holy Cult originally dispatched me to investigate or eliminate Huang Tian. Yet upon arriving at the commandery seat, before I could even begin probing the secrets he conceals, news of a Void Realm divine armament's descent swept through Qin Province, so I held off on making a move. "Now, after parties from every faction have scoured the commandery for days without uncovering anything, could the emergence of the divine armament have been false news all along? Or perhaps its armament master has already fled Kunyun?" He paced slowly, sinking into thought. "I will wait another half month. If there is still no word of the Juntian Ocean-Subduing Ruler after half a month, I shall strike and capture Huang Tian!" A fierce intuition told him that an immense secret lay hidden upon Huang Tian. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain how his progress was so swift and his comprehension so shockingly high. "Even if I fail to seize the Void Realm divine armament, killing or capturing him alive would still be no small merit. Besides, whatever fortune he possesses might also benefit a Third Rank Grandmaster like me..." Indeed, he was none other than the Third Rank Grandmaster dispatched some time ago by the Demonic Cult's Qin Province branch to investigate Huang Tian in the Kunyun commandery seat! However, the matter of the Void Realm divine armament had absorbed his attention, and with Yu Jingcheng keeping close watch, he had simply found no suitable opening to make a move against Huang Tian. "No rush, no rush. Another half month..." *** In the blink of an eye, several more days passed. Over the past few days, order in East City—especially in Baoqing Ward—had settled substantially. Very few martial artists dared to stir up trouble in the streets, and even when fights broke out, combatants kept their clashes contained, not daring to harm innocent civilians. With them refraining from causing trouble, the petty officials and runners of the various government offices in East City no longer had to run themselves ragged day and night. Huang Tian also found himself with far more free time to cultivate in peace. On this day, in the rear courtyard of Qinghui Garden. With a calm expression, Huang Tian retrieved the final slice of Spirit Jade Ganoderma—radiating a refreshing, soul-soothing fragrance—from a jade box. Swallowing it down, he sank into his stance and began working through the Cloud Dragon Stance. The gentle yet pure medicinal potency of the Spirit Jade Ganoderma began to unravel, strand by strand. Soaked in this gentle medicinal potency, the vitality circulating steadily through his body surged with vibrant new vigor, accelerating rapidly. Gurgle, gurgle— Like a thawed mountain brook bursting through melting ice, it rushed forward, joyful and vigorous. A faint, tingling warmth spread through his four limbs and entire skeleton. It was the sensation of his vitality, augmented by the medicinal power, smoothly nourishing every inch of his meridians, muscles, and bones. "Inhale... Exhale..." As his internal vitality surged and true qi swelled toward a critical threshold, Huang Tian's chest rose and fell in slow cadence—three inhalations, one exhalation. Drawn by the aura within him that verged on perfection and sought a breakthrough, the spiritual qi of heaven and earth swiftly converged toward him. The moment the turbulent spiritual qi entered his body, the gentle yet potent medicinal strength of the Spirit Jade Ganoderma harmonized it, blending it with his galloping vitality. It swiftly transformed into pure true qi, merging into the ever-surging, expanding river of true qi within. Pop— The sound of a bottleneck shattering rang in his mind. In an instant, the surging vitality and true qi within him seemed to find a vastly wider realm, the speed of their circulation through his heavenly circuits abruptly leaping to a whole new level! Huang Tian slowly opened his eyes. A brilliant gleam flashed in his pupils before receding inward. "Martial Fifth Rank... I have finally broken through!" Feeling the surging power in his body, he immediately performed a set of the Five Elements Dispersion Hand to acclimate to the physical changes, then stood quietly in place, lost in thought. "As I am now, facing a Second Rank Grandmaster, I should not fall behind. Of course, having never fought one, there remains a slight uncertainty, but I can definitely crush a Third Rank Grandmaster!" He could finally go seek vengeance against the Feihong Sect! "However, before that, I should head outside the city to retrieve the Precious Elephant Sacred Fetus Pill buried by Thousand Faces Old Ghost, and conveniently take care of that Demonic Cult Grandmaster lurking in the shadows..." Stepping out of the rear courtyard, he summoned a burly servant and ordered him to lead over a fine steed. Mounting the horse, he rode out toward the eastern gate at an unhurried, brazen pace. The wandering martial artists he encountered along the way instinctively steered clear, terrified that he might find fault with them. Yet when they saw him heading straight out of the city, all were taken aback. "Is he leaving the city?!" "How utterly foolish! With the Juntian Ocean-Subduing Ruler and the fortunes he might be harboring, undercurrents have been churning throughout the city. While he stays in the city and inside Baoqing Ward, he has Yu Jingcheng and others watching over him, along with a vast troop of strongmen guards to ensure his safety. But once he leaves the city, all bets are off." "Perhaps he believes his strength is great enough that he has few rivals beneath the Grandmaster realm, so he fears nothing." "Few rivals beneath Grandmaster? Hah! No matter how grand you make it sound, he is still not a Grandmaster!" "What strikes me as odd is why he's suddenly heading out. Is he going to Funing County? But even if he is, he shouldn't be traveling alone—how could he not have a single subordinate by his side?" "..." The martial artists buzzed with discussion. Some were stirred by curiosity; others, their eyes darting with calculation, trailed Huang Tian from a distance, while still others wore strange expressions and hurried off toward secluded corners of the city. "What? You say he suddenly left the city?!" In the secluded courtyard, Pei Guan was filled with shock and doubt. His subordinate replied, "Indeed. He rode alone on a single mount, heading straight outside the east gate without bringing a single attendant. It is unknown what business he has or where he is bound." Pei Guan waved his hand, dismissing the subordinate, his brow heavily furrowed. "Why leave the city at such a critical juncture? Does he not know how many eyes are fixed on him? Is there some compelling necessity forcing him out, or... is he trying to lure someone out?" Using oneself as bait to lure the snake from its hole—such speculations flashed through his mind. Yet after turning it over again and again, he ultimately rose to his feet. "Whatever the reason, since he dares leave the city, this is my golden opportunity to strike. Even if he serves as bait, I can swallow the bait and still depart at my leisure!" Grandmasters could fly through the sky and burrow through the earth; they had little fear of being besieged by armies, nor did they need to worry about being trapped in a dead end. Within the commandery seat, the official Grandmasters at present numbered only Yu Jingcheng of the Martial Restraint Guard, a Third Rank Divine Constable of the Six Doors, a Third Rank Divine General of the Black Armor Army, and three Third Rank Grandmasters sent as reinforcements from the provincial capital. Two of those three had not stayed long in the commandery seat before heading straight to Funing County to search for the divine armament, leaving only Yu Jingcheng and three other Grandmasters—four in total—currently in the city. Pei Guan reasoned that even if all four acted against him at once, he could still escape by paying a small price. As for whether a Second Rank Grandmaster might be lurking in secret, he had no worries on that score. According to intelligence relayed by the Holy Cult, most of the dozen-plus court-affiliated Second Rank Grandmasters in Qin Province had rushed off to Yong Province, and the scant few remaining had to stay behind to guard key regions. At present, only one had arrived in Kunyun Commandery, and that person was currently in Funing County searching for the divine armament. In a few more days, another one or two Second Rank Grandmasters might arrive, but that was for later! Right now, it was impossible for a Second Rank Grandmaster to suddenly pop up in the commandery seat! In that case, what did he have to fear? Whoosh, whoosh— With a single leap, he cleared the courtyard. Rather than taking to the sky, he sped along secluded paths like a phantom, dashing toward the outskirts outside the east gate. If Pei Guan could receive word of Huang Tian leaving the city, Yu Jingcheng naturally received it as well. His expression instantly changed, and he asked the reporting petty official, "Did Huang Tian tell anyone why he was leaving the city?" "It seems not." "Strange. Why would he leave the city at a time like this...? No matter. Whatever the reason, this old man must make the trip!" Walking out of the Martial Restraint Guard government office, he leaped into midair with a resounding boom, rocketing straight toward the outskirts like a bolt of thunder. The immense commotion alarmed countless onlookers—a display he had staged deliberately, naturally intending to intimidate anyone lurking in the dark. Looking down from above, one would see Huang Tian riding alone out through the east gate toward the dense forest outside the city, Pei Guan and a throng of martial artists hot on his heels, and Yu Jingcheng sweeping in from the distance. Upon hearing the news, Zhou Miaosu, Xiao Qing, Granny Weng, and the others were equally astonished and set out together toward the city outskirts. Everyone converged toward the lands outside the east gate like tributaries flowing into a single river. Meanwhile, the instigator behind it all, Huang Tian, dismounted and stepped into the dense woods. Guided by his memories, he located an enormous tree with a trunk that would take three people to encircle. After looking around the base of the massive tree, he stepped forward and tapped his foot lightly. Force surged, instantly splitting the earthen ground as an ordinary wooden box burst from the dirt, flying upward. Catching the wooden box with his left hand, he exhaled a breath that stirred a gale, blowing all the dirt clean from the box's surface. Opening it, he found a thick stack of silver banknotes, several porcelain vials, and a warm, lustrous jade bottle. He opened the jade bottle, and an extremely faint fragrance drifted into his nostrils. Looking closely, he saw a pristine white, perfectly round medicinal pill. "The Precious Elephant Sacred Fetus Pill!" Consuming it could increase a Fourth Rank martial artist's chances of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm! It had always been a treasured reserve of the imperial court and major sects, never lightly bestowed except to those who had rendered great merits and earned deep trust. Though Huang Tian believed he might not necessarily need the Precious Elephant Sacred Fetus Pill for his breakthrough, increasing his odds for added certainty was still a good thing. Closing the jade bottle, he uncapped the other porcelain vials. They were all various pills that aided middle three ranks martial artists in condensing true qi, worth a considerable fortune. After swiftly inventorying Thousand Faces Old Ghost's worldly possessions, Huang Tian smiled, his mood thoroughly lifted. "Spoils sorted. Now, let's see if any fish have taken the bait..." Carrying the wooden box out of the forest, he returned to his mount, placed the box into a saddlebag, and tied it fast. Then he stood in place, gazing back at the broad avenue he had traversed. With his eyesight, he could clearly see hundreds of martial artists bearing sabers and swords pouring out through the city gates in the distance, with the Demonic Cult Grandmaster Pei Guan concealed amidst the surging crowd. Pei Guan moved with astonishing speed, his gaze vigilantly sweeping the surroundings as he sensed the intensity of the vitality radiating from the diverse martial artists around him. 'Not a single Grandmaster!' Feeling far more at ease, he hesitated no longer. Pointing his toes, he surged forward like an artillery shell, kicking up howling gales as he burst through the crowd and soared dozens of zhang into the sky. Several martial artists were knocked to the ground by the fierce wind. Just as they were about to shout curses, they abruptly choked as if seized by the throat, staring dumbfounded at Pei Guan in the sky. "A Grandmaster expert!" "Who is that? He doesn't look like Yu Jingcheng or the others, nor does he seem to be a Grandmaster from the Five Great Sects. Could he have come from another commandery?" "The moment Huang Tian leaves the city, an unknown Grandmaster appears. Heh, we're in for quite a show today." "This Grandmaster looks utterly fierce—he clearly comes with hostile intent." "..." Even as they spoke, another sonic blast tore through the air. The crowd looked back to see a streak of azure lightning rolling across the sky from within the city. "It's Grandmaster Yu Jingcheng!" "He must have come for Huang Tian as well!" "Could we be fortunate enough to witness a clash between two Grandmasters today?!" "Quick, quick! Hurry up and follow them!" "..." Many martial artists sprinted forward in excitement. Yet while eager to watch the spectacle, none wished to throw their lives away. Even as they sped up, they maintained a cautious distance from Pei Guan in the air, terrified of being caught in the crossfire of any clash between Grandmasters that might break out. Hovering high in the air, the powerful winds whipped Pei Guan's long hair wildly about. His gaze was sharp as a sword as he swept it across the four quarters. Finally, far in the distance outside the woods, he spotted a figure in a red robe standing before a horse, looking up at him. 'Found him!' Overjoyed, he was about to cross the sky when a shout rolled toward him from behind like thunder: "Which Grandmaster friend visits our commandery seat? Come back to the government office with this old man so I may properly entertain you!" It was none other than Yu Jingcheng flying in pursuit! Pei Guan had no desire to pay him any heed, but across the sky, Yu Jingcheng had already unsheathed his limpid, water-like precious sword! Clang! The sound of the sword unsheathing rang through heaven and earth. The sword's tip tapped frantically, blooming like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, shivering hundreds, thousands of times in midair to peck out a sky full of frigid stars. Every single cold star was a wisp of bone-chilling, biting sword qi condensed to the utmost! The sword qi tore through the void, descending like a vast, silvery-white net that completely enveloped Pei Guan. "Old bastard, you seek death!!" Pei Guan roared in fury. The long saber on his back snapped out of its sheath into his grip. Its blade was a dark crimson, and with a diagonal slash toward the overwhelming net of sword light, it unleashed a shrill, wailing screech like the weeping of ghosts. A crescent-shaped crimson blade astral qi cleaved through layers of air, parting the atmosphere like surging river waters as it met the chilling net of sword light. Boom!! The two collided, unleashing a savage astral wind that shot skyward, punching clean through the dense cloud layer above as sonic booms detonated one after another. Seizing this opening, Pei Guan tapped his toes against empty air. With a loud pop trailing a long shockwave, he whipped up a spiraling tempest and shot directly toward Huang Tian, who looked as if he had been frightened senseless. "Halt!!" Another streak of azure sword light, supple as a soaring dragon, pierced the sky and slashed out an azure sword curtain, forcing Pei Guan to a sudden halt. His face darkened as he thought to himself, 'I came a little too late after all. With this old dog Yu Jingcheng in the way, it will be difficult to capture or kill Huang Tian...' The thought of temporary retreat crossed his mind. The days ahead were long; there was no need to rush. However... 'One strike! If I cannot kill him with one strike, I will pull back...' He let out a long howl. Crimson true qi erupted from him, and his boiling vitality soared toward the heavens. Gripping his saber with both hands, he twisted his torso. "Cleave!!" With a thunderous roar, a colossal crimson blade astral qi, condensed to the absolute limit, fell like a meteor plummeting from beyond the heavens. Cleaving through rolling air currents and tearing the sky asunder, it slashed straight down toward Huang Tian!