Chapter 1 Between the Continuous Rain and Mist

Amidst the continuous rain and mist, An Qisheng strode through.

As he ran, the blood within his body surged, his inner force roiled, and his劲力 (jingli - internal force) intertwined, causing his whole body to vibrate. Not a single raindrop could get close, as if an invisible barrier existed an inch around him.

Reaching a green rock cliff, An Qisheng stopped.

With a stomp of his foot, he soared into the air, tapping several times on the stone wall with his toes. He landed atop the ten-丈 (zhang - approximately 3.3 meters) cliff, and with a flick of his fingers, smashed the stone wall.

*Zheng*

In a long ringing sound, a twelve-尺 (chi - approximately 0.33 meters) long spear burst through the wall.

*嗡 (weng)*

With a shake of the spear, surging gangqi (罡氣 - stellar energy) spewed out, scattering raindrops in all directions.

An Qisheng surveyed his surroundings in the rain, his gaze reflecting the boundless阴雨 (yinyu - gloomy rain). Within the layers of rain, glimmered strands of 'qi'.

In one particular area, the various qi converged, faintly carrying the intent of war and killing. Its color was crimson, like a raging fire soaring into the sky amidst the heavy rain.

"That is... Tianyu Peak?"

An Qisheng's gaze flickered. Gripping the twelve-尺 spear, he stepped into the rain.

During his journey, besides entering his dreams to spend several days learning Huangfu's entry-level Wan Yun Wang Qi Shu (万运望气术 - Myriad Fates Qi Observation Technique), he had spent the remaining time recuperating.

Now, with a thought, his heart felt like a volcano that had been accumulating for countless years, about to erupt.

.......

In the heavy rain, the mountain forest was becoming increasingly shrouded in mist. Even though it was approaching noon, visibility was extremely low.

The already towering Tianyu Peak resembled a mythical immortal mountain, completely enveloped in heavy mist.

However, everyone possessed martial arts skills, so even such harsh weather conditions did not hinder their progress.

After a day of waiting, a group of over a thousand people marched in a mighty wave towards Tianyu Peak.

"Tianyu Peak is here. Everyone, remember to be careful and cautious."

Amidst the downpour, Zhao Changlin's voice remained clear, echoing in everyone's ears:

"Although the devil is only one person, if he is hidden nearby and launches a surprise attack, some casualties are inevitable."

The martial artists did not possess Zhao Changlin's skill and were afraid that making loud noises would attract the devil's attention, so they could only become even more cautious and vigilant.

Tianyu Peak was the tallest peak on the outer edge of the Huayan Mountain Range and was naturally occupied by bandits. Over the centuries, the bandits on this peak had changed countless times.

However, as they journeyed, they only saw corpses everywhere, and the pungent stench of blood that the heavy rain could not wash away.

Clearly, this group of bandits had been completely annihilated.

The martial artists naturally did not care about the life or death of a group of bandits. As they walked, they did not forget to search for any sign of the enemy around them.

Unexpectedly, even when they were about to reach the summit, they had not seen a single person.

"Senior Brother Zhao, something seems wrong..."

Lan Da's expression shifted slightly, as if he sensed something.

"Has Mr. Lan Da discovered something?"

Zhao Changlin paused slightly, his expression solemn.

The Baiyue Great Art of Baiyue Manor was best at sensing the world, and its perception of the outside world was extremely profound, especially its sense of danger, which was second only to the Dafeng Qintian Supervisor.

"I haven't discovered anything, but I just feel like something is wrong..."

Lan Da shook his head slightly:

"In short, be careful."

"Of course."

Zhao Changlin nodded slightly. His body suddenly accelerated, and with a few leaps in the heavy rain, he had already reached the summit ahead of everyone else.

His vision suddenly widened.

The heavy rain and mist could not obscure Zhao Changlin's vision.

The summit of Tianyu Peak was very flat. Although it was also full of strange rocks, it was flatter than the mountain path.

At this moment, on the summit of Tianyu Peak, a person stood with his hands behind his back on a recumbent ox-shaped stone. In front of him, a twelve-尺 long spear vibrated incessantly.

"An Qisheng!"

Zhao Changlin's heart trembled, followed by disbelief.

This devil was actually waiting for them on this Tianyu Peak, which could be described as a desperate place, and without any intention of setting an ambush?

It should be known that Tianyu Peak got its name because its ten-thousand-丈 high peak had only one path to the top.

The surrounding area was full of real ten-thousand-丈 cliffs!

Even a congenital expert who had achieved great success in qi channels would never be able to leap across this ten-thousand-丈 high cliff without preparation. If one were caught off guard and seriously injured, wanting to jump off the cliff would be a dead end!

"Jishen Sect, Zhao Changlin..."

In a loud voice that the rain could not cover, the mysterious man standing on the boulder smiled faintly:

"Now that you've come, my trip wasn't in vain..."

What does that mean?

As Zhao Changlin's heart stirred, lightning suddenly flashed overhead, illuminating the dim rain.

Then, along with the thunder, was the sound of extremely violent airflow whistling.

*轰隆 (honglong)!*

Amidst the rolling thunder, countless spear shadows rose into the air, and as the surging and澎湃 (pengbai - exuberant) true qi (真气 - true energy) fluctuated, the heavy rain within a radius of several tens of丈 suddenly shifted. Countless raindrops were blown by the airflow like hidden weapons, shooting in all directions!

On the summit, who knows how much mud and rocks were splashed up.

*铮铮铮 (zheng zheng zheng)~~~*

Under the cover of countless spear shadows like a net, Zhao Changlin took a step forward, and a streak of cold light flashed across his waist, striking horizontally for several tens of丈 like a shooting star. Wherever it passed, the air seemed to be torn apart.

The sword qi (剑气 - sword energy) was fierce, and the sword light was strong!

Zhao Changlin, as one of the most famous geniuses of the previous generation of Jishen Sect, had only achieved qi channels for fifteen years, but he had a record of fighting evenly with veteran congenital experts!

With this sword strike, the clear and激昂 (ji'ang - stirring) sound of the sword could not be covered even by the rolling thunder in the sky.

And even more dazzling was his sword light.

The sword resembled a游龙 (youlong - swimming dragon) soaring. Wherever the sword edge passed, which even the sound of the sword could not keep up with, the raindrops were completely shattered.

*锵锵锵 (qiang qiang qiang)~~~*

Countless spear shadows fell like a net, and as the游龙 (youlong - swimming dragon)-like sword light moved horizontally and vertically, it destroyed countless spear shadows.

Lan Da, who was one step behind, saw the two of them fighting horizontally and vertically on the summit as soon as he reached the top. In an instant, he did not know how many times they had collided.

"Great success in qi channels? How is that possible!"

Lan Da was shocked beyond measure.

According to what Zhao Yanyan and Dongmen Ruo said, two months ago, that devil could not even defeat Ming Tang, and was at most only at the True Qi realm. Now, he had actually achieved great success in qi channels?

Moreover, seeing how the long spear was激荡 (jidang - surging) between, it even faintly suppressed Zhao Changlin!

The first thought that flashed through his mind was that it was impossible!

It should be known that the achievement of qi channels required countless meridians in the body to be纵横交织 (zonghengjiaozhi - crisscross) to run true qi.

Even if the Soul夺灵 (duo ling - seizing) demonic technique could absorb countless inner forces, what about true qi? In just two months, no one could build a complete qi channel in their body!

*轰 (hong)!*

The airflow spread, and metal collided.

Zhao Changlin somersaulted and retreated several tens of丈, reaching the end of the mountain road. The long sword in his palm嗡鸣 (wengming - vibrated):

"You are Tuoba Chongguang!!!"

"What?"

"Tuoba Chongguang?!"

"Tuoba Chongguang, one of the Six Fan School's Six Famous Arresters?"

Lan Da, as well as Mo Fengtao, Dongmen Ruo, Zhao Yanyan and others who had just stepped onto the summit behind him, all changed their expressions.

One Tuoba Chongguang was not enough to make everyone change their expressions, but the meaning of him impersonating a devil and屠戮 (tulu - slaughtering) martial artists made everyone present feel chills all over their bodies.

"Jishen Sword Technique is quite interesting."

In the rain, Tuoba Chongguang's hood had been torn apart by the sword light, revealing his original face.

His facial features were extremely ordinary, only his eyes seemed to have flames burning in them. The thick rain seemed to be penetrated by his gaze.

The martial artists who were swept by him all felt chills all over their bodies.

"Tuoba Chongguang! How dare you屠戮 (tulu - slaughter) martial artists?!"

Lan Da shouted loudly, shaking the summit.

"After all, the long spear is not my forte."

Tuoba Chongguang casually dropped the long spear and stepped lightly.

*轰 (hong)!*

As the boulder shattered, a long-handled broadsword that was nine-尺 long had already been gripped in his palm.

*嗡 (weng)~*

The saber light swept across the rain like a练 (lian - bolt of white silk), and Tuoba Chongguang said indifferently:

"Now that I have appeared here, you don't know what my purpose is?"

"You!"

Lan Da was about to speak when he suddenly turned his head. Behind the thick rain and mist, a large number of screams suddenly sounded.

"The Six Fan School! People from the Six Fan School!"

"Hero Zhao! People from the Six Fan School!"

"Xue Chaoyang! It's Xue Chaoyang!"

Amidst the screams, the stench of blood rose into the sky from the mountain road.

The faces of a group of martial artists changed, and they all fled towards the summit.

"Not good, this is the Six Fan School's trap!"

Zhao Changlin's heart trembled wildly before he realized.

They had defined the enemy incorrectly from the beginning!

The enemy they had originally thought of was just An Qisheng, just one person. Even if he had cultivated qi channels, what traps could one person set up?

But if it was replaced by the Six Fan School, it all made sense.

However, he could not have imagined that Xue Chaoyang and Tuoba Chongguang actually wanted to kill all the martial artists in this Huayan Mountain Range!

He wanted to take action, but how could he have time amidst the surging crowd.

He could only watch helplessly as a group of martial artists were driven to the summit like sheep.

Looking up again, Xue Chaoyang, carrying a saber, was already standing at the end of the only mountain road leading down the mountain.

Behind him, countless silent Six Fan School constables, as firm as iron, had completely blocked the path down the mountain.

For a time, the offense and defense had switched places!

All the martial artists changed their expressions, and the沸腾 (feiteng - seething) clamor almost broke through the sky!

"Xue Chaoyang, Tuoba Chongguang! What do you want to do?"

Lan Da's heart sank to the bottom. Only now did he realize what his warning was.

But it was too late.

"Now that things have come to this, you are still asking such a ridiculous question. However, if you want to know, I will tell you!"

Blood dripped from Xue Chaoyang's Mo Dao (墨刀 - Ink Saber), and in the rain, his face became even more冷冽 (linglie - stern):

"What I want is for all of you to die here!"

"Wishful thinking!"

Zhao Changlin took a step forward, his killing intent炙热 (zhire - burning):

"Today, I will definitely kill you!"

"Is that so?"

A strange smile suddenly appeared on Xue Chaoyang's face.

"Hmm?!"

Lan Da's heart skipped a beat.

Endless killing intent suddenly came from behind!

*砰 (peng)!*

Like fireworks blooming!

Countless湛蓝 (zhanlan - deep blue) and森寒 (senhan - ghastly cold) silver needles scattered in the air in an instant. In an instant, with a force a thousand times more猛烈 (menglie - fierce) than the heavy rain, they enveloped Lan Da and Zhao Changlin!

*嗤嗤嗤嗤 (chi chi chi chi)~~~*

The air was pierced in an instant!

Under the great change in their expressions, Lan Da and Zhao Changlin only felt that countless silver needles had actually pierced through their true qi barriers!

*铮铮铮铮 (zheng zheng zheng zheng)~~~*

The saber light and sword qi instantly grew stronger.

Amidst countless collisions, Zhao Yanyan's extremely凄厉 (qili - miserable) voice sounded:

"Dongmen Ruo?!!!"

*砰 (peng)!*

Two figures shot out, plunging into the continuous rain and mist.

It was actually Dongmen Ruo and Mo Fengtao!

"Dongmen Ruo!"

Zhao Yanyan raised her twin sabers and was about to chase after them like a madman.

Lan Da flipped his arm and stopped Zhao Yanyan:

"Yanyan!"

The madness in Zhao Yanyan's heart suddenly dissipated, because Lan Da's voice had become hoarse, like iron rubbing against stone!

She turned her head to look, and Lan Da's and Zhao Changlin's faces had already turned湛蓝 (zhanlan - deep blue), and their lips were purple!

In this unexpected attack, even though the two reacted extremely quickly, they were still hit!

Especially Zhao Changlin, he never thought that the junior apprentice he was protecting behind him would attack him with such viciousness!

"Very good! Very good! Very good!"

Zhao Changlin's eyes suddenly faded, and he stared at Dongmen Ruo, who was struggling in pain beside Xue Chaoyang, and said "very good" three times in a row.

"Senior Brother Dongmen!"

A group of Jishen Sect and Baiyue Manor disciples were also stunned. For a time, they stood there傻 (sha - foolishly).

Then, like a boiling cauldron, all the Jishen Sect and Baiyue Manor disciples cursed like crazy.

If Zhao Changlin hadn't been standing in front of them, they would have rushed forward to kill him!

Even so, if glances could kill, Dongmen Ruo would have died a thousand times over!

Not only the martial artists, but even the Six Fan School constables, and even Tuoba Chongguang, looked at the two of them with unkind eyes.

"Dongmen Ruo, Mo Fengtao, you have done well."

Xue Chaoyang smiled faintly and said:

"I won't go back on my promise! Step back first."

"Yes."

Dongmen Ruo and Mo Fengtao took two steps back with complex expressions, lowered their heads, and dared not look at their former companions.

"Xue Chaoyang, you are very capable, very capable."

Zhao Changlin sat cross-legged on the ground, his face惨然 (canran - ghastly).

"Why! Why did you betray us?!"

Zhao Yanyan's body trembled, her face full of pain.

Dongmen Ruo lowered his head even deeper, his face full of pain, and did not dare to answer.

"Little girl, let me teach you a lesson!"

Xue Chaoyang smiled lightly and replied:

"Not everyone is flawless and滴水不漏 (dishuibulu - impeccable). If you don't speak, someone else will speak. If you don't do it, someone else will do it."

"For example, this Dongmen Ruo, he is afraid of death, he is actually afraid of death! Hahaha!"

At this point, Xue Chaoyang couldn't help laughing loudly, laughing until tears came out.

Dongmen Ruo's body trembled, and his thoughts were like poisonous snakes biting at his heart.

Yes, he was afraid of death. After suffering countless tortures, his thoughts collapsed. Driven by the desire to survive, he finally couldn't help but reveal everything.

Not only about An Qisheng, but even the secrets and martial arts of the Jishen Sect were revealed to the Six Fan School.

He had no room to retreat.

"呸 (pei)! Coward, scum! A beast who is greedy for life and afraid of death!"

"Dongmen Ruo! I will be the first to kill you even if I become a ghost!"

"Dongmen Ruo, you deserve to die!"

On the summit, thousands of martial artists were群情汹涌 (qunqingxiongyong - seething with indignation), and for a time, they had a tragic aura.

"You are the same!"

The laughter stopped abruptly, and Xue Chaoyang reached out to catch the raindrops that were about to fall, and said悠然 (youran - leisurely):

"Anyone present, whoever hands over a head can live.

Otherwise, all will die!"

In the淅淅沥沥 (xixilili - pattering) drizzle, the huge Tianyu Peak was instantly silent.

"You court dogs, if you want to kill us, just come at us!"

After a moment of silence, there were even more surging roars of anger.

However, with Xue Chaoyang's words, all the martial artists present could not help but raise their vigilance in their hearts and subconsciously distanced themselves from their companions.

The momentum of common hatred was崩解 (bengjie - collapse) in an instant.

"Enough! If we suspect each other, we will all die here today!"

Lan Da forced himself to open his mouth and shouted in a low voice, struggling to stand up, and looked at Xue Chaoyang:

"We have fallen today, but there is no wall that doesn't leak wind. Once this matter is leaked out, you, and even the entire Six Fan School, will all be buried with us!"

"Is that so?"

Xue Chaoyang took a step forward, his tone calm, as if reciting a file:

"In the Dafeng Dynasty's one hundred and ninety-seventh year, on June twenty-first, Jishen Sect's Zhao Changlin, Baiyue Manor's Mr. Lan Da, along with thousands of martial artists, died in the Huayan Mountain Range..."

"The perpetrator, the Blood Demon An Qisheng!"

The summit was instantly silent, and everyone's faces were extremely ugly, and they thought of the many actions of the Six Fan School in recent days.

This matter may really be buried forever.

Even the last hope of revenge was broken, and a group of martial artists were all心神摇曳 (xinshenyaoye - wavering), and some even showed凶光 (xiongguang - fierce light) looking at their companions.

Just when the summit was silent, a cold shout came from the foot of the mountain:

"You are farting!!!"

These three words were not very宏大 (hongda - grand), but they cracked through metal and stone, but they suppressed the last余波 (yubo - aftershock) of the rain and clearly echoed on the summit.

"Who?"

Xue Chaoyang and Tuoba Chongguang both changed their expressions.

As everyone looked as far as they could, they saw a figure approaching from afar amidst the rain and mist that had not yet dissipated.

Wherever it passed, the clouds and mist dissipated, the wind stopped, and the rain ceased, like the sun patrolling!