CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 52: DEMON BEAST

"What did you say? Disciples of the Cloud Mirror Sect are trapped in the Extreme North Wilderness, is this information reliable? Do you know which disciples are trapped?"

In a single stride, Wang Junze stepped to the table next to him and asked in a deep voice.

"Who are you? Just because you ask, I have to tell you?"

The few drinkers in conversation were taken aback, and the one who had just spoken immediately replied indignantly.

Buzz!

In an instant, the Dragon Roar Sword was unsheathed, and a sharp Sword Qi burst forth. Wang Junze’s eyes revealed a faint killing intent as he coldly said, "My name is Wang Junze. Now, can you answer my question?"

"Wang Junze? Are you that Sword Path Genius from the Wang Family?!"

Under the pressure of the Sword Qi, the faces of the few people changed dramatically. They instantly recalled Wang Junze’s identity and hastily explained, "Young Master Wang, we only heard about it too. However, this news is quickly spreading throughout Jubei City, so it should be true. We heard Elder Han Ying is leading the group, but... as for which disciples are trapped, we really don’t know!"

Han Ying!

Wang Junze remembered that Elder Han Ying was his sister’s master, making the possibility of his sister accompanying the group even greater.

"Where is it?"

"I heard it’s just to the north, out of the city and keep going north, about over a hundred miles away."

Forcibly suppressing the anxiety in his heart, Wang Junze sheathed his sword, exhaled deeply, and then cupped his hands, "Apologies, my reaction was a bit excessive, thank you for informing me!"

After saying this, Wang Junze immediately turned and left.

One must know, Luo Qingxuan had said that all sects and families needed to cooperate to go out of the city to explore the relic locations. It was no surprise that the Cloud Mirror Sect sent people to seek clues, but if they encountered a deserter attack, it would certainly be dangerous.

Wang Junze didn’t care about the life or death of other Cloud Mirror Sect disciples, but his sister Xin’er was in the Cloud Mirror Sect!

For Wang Junze, this sister was now the only family member he truly cared about. Upon hearing such news, how could he remain indifferent?

Leaving the Moon Viewing Tower, Wang Junze immediately headed straight for the inn where Su Yuwei was staying.

However, when Wang Junze arrived, he found that not only was Su Yuwei nowhere to be found, but even Lu Qing wasn’t at the inn.

"No time left..."

With a hardened resolve, Wang Junze immediately turned and left the inn, mounted his horse, and headed straight out of the city.

At this time, seeking out Luo Qingxuan was also an option, but instinctively Wang Junze seemed to trust Su Yuwei more than Luo Qingxuan, and he wasn’t confident about persuading Luo Qingxuan for help. Plus, going back and forth would waste too much time.

Going out of the city alone was naturally dangerous, but now Wang Junze couldn’t care less.

Moreover, having mastered the first two moves of the Chess Swordsmanship, along with the Rain Sword Intent, Wang Junze was confident he had some self-defense capabilities.

After leaving the city, Wang Junze practically galloped his horse non-stop.

A distance of over a hundred miles was indeed quite far, especially in the Extreme North Wilderness where danger could be encountered at any time, and the speed couldn’t be too fast.

After about thirty miles out of the city, Wang Junze formally stepped into the Extreme North Wilderness.

In fact, this was the first time Wang Junze had entered the Extreme North Wilderness. At dusk, the sky was gradually darkening, casting a faint twilight over the land, which appeared particularly desolate with almost no vegetation around.

For most people, the Extreme North Wilderness is forbidden because there are not only deserter but also demon beasts. Even the lowest tier of demon beasts is as strong as a meridian-opening martial artist, far beyond what ordinary people can handle.

Of course, this was just the edge of the Extreme North Wilderness, so powerful demon beasts were rare.

Continuing forward for about ten more miles, Wang Junze heard the roars of a demon beast.

Such roars naturally didn’t scare Wang Junze, but they immediately terrified his horse, which refused to move forward at all.

There was no choice; demon beasts naturally imposed pressure on other animals. Unless specially trained warhorses were used, they couldn’t venture deep into the Extreme North Wilderness. Wang Junze’s horse was just an ordinary one he had taken from Wang Xin, and couldn’t withstand the demon beasts’ intimidation.

"Awooo!"

A moment later, the demon beast that had just roared caught the scent and approached.

From afar, Wang Junze noticed it was a blue wolf demon. Judging from its aura, it was almost close to a normal person in the Condensing Realm, and it was extremely fast, covering several meters in a few breaths, directly attacking Wang Junze.

At this time, it’s truly a test of a martial artist’s strength and courage. If someone is timid, they can’t display their true abilities under such an attack. Even if they’re stronger than the demon beast, they might be killed!

This was actually Wang Junze’s first time facing a demon beast, but after years of practicing swordsmanship, wielding a sword had long become instinctive.

In this critical moment, Wang Junze didn’t even have time to think about sword techniques. Instinctively, he slashed with his sword, and with a burst of True Qi from his body, this slash was even faster than the wolf demon.

"Pfft!"

In an instant confrontation, the sword edge cut into the pouncing wolf demon’s body. However, this slash was ultimately too hasty and didn’t strike a vital point, only leaving a shallow wound on the wolf demon.

It was only then that Wang Junze truly realized the terror of demon beasts!

Their instinctive reaction speed was incredibly fast, far more ferocious and terrifying than fighting against humans. Moreover, demon beasts had more robust physical bodies. Unless a vital point is struck, even if they’re hit, it’s hard to cause lethal damage.

Furthermore, after being injured, the wolf demon’s ferocity was even more aroused, without the slightest pause. Its body twisted upon landing, attacking again with even greater speed.

However, with the experience of the earlier exchange, Wang Junze finally calmed down.

With a slight flick of his sword, he naturally performed the first move of the Chess Swordsmanship, Initiate the Game!

In an instant, Wang Junze entered a special state of Sword Holding Stance, with his perception enhanced severalfold. As the wolf demon leaped, he accurately judged its movements, and his sword struck down in response, aiming this time directly at the wolf demon’s neck.

Place the Piece!

The second sword was unleashed in succession, swift as lightning.

Once he performed the Chess Swordsmanship, Wang Junze truly unleashed his strength. The wolf demon didn’t even have a chance to evade and was struck by a sword!

"Pfft!"

In an instant, the sword edge pierced flesh, and the huge wolf head was severed with a single stroke, blood gushing out as it instantly met its demise.

Looking at the wolf carcass before him, Wang Junze couldn’t help but feel a slight chill in his heart.

This was merely an ordinary wolf demon and already so troublesome. If he continued deeper, the demon beasts would only grow stronger, not to mention the deserters. Entering the Extreme North Wilderness with Condensing Realm strength was indeed far more dangerous than imagined.

But, thinking of Xin’er, no matter how dangerous it was, Wang Junze couldn’t possibly retreat.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Junze glanced at the terrified paralyzed horse and shook his head slightly, deciding to abandon the horse and continue north on his own.

Fortunately, he had already reached the Condensing Realm, so with the movement of True Qi, he wasn’t too slow.

In just over an hour, Wang Junze encountered three more demon beast attacks, but the strengths of these demon beasts were mostly similar to that of the wolf demon. With prior experience, it wasn’t difficult to slay them.

Silently calculating the distance, assuming the information provided was accurate, the location where the Cloud Mirror Sect disciples were trapped should be only twenty to thirty miles away now.

However, the sky had completely darkened by now, and he could only proceed by moonlight and starlight. Furthermore, after nightfall, the temperature in the Extreme North Wilderness dropped sharply. Even with Wang Junze’s cultivation in the Condensing Realm, he could keenly feel a bone-chilling cold.

Yet, almost simultaneously, Wang Junze suddenly vaguely saw what seemed to be a firelight ahead...