Chapter 159: Night Entry into Little Blue Garment Ridge (3)

At this moment, Xiangzi’s vision formed a clear triangle.

Deputy Master Chen and the snake demon fought fiercely beside the forward base;

Liu Yi led several inner sect disciples, charging madly toward Cold Water Pool amid the chaos.

In the dense forest, a pack of wolf demons that had restrained their qi and blood watched with predatory intent.

Only Xiangzi, high in the treetops, took in the entire chaotic scene.

A bead of cold sweat seeped from Xiangzi’s forehead.

If he let Liu Yi and the others charge ahead, they would fall straight into the wolf demons’ ambush.

What to do?

He was merely at the ninth-rank minor accomplishment realm, capable at most of stalling a ninth-rank peak demon beast—but this White Wolf King was clearly eighth rank.

Suddenly, Xiangzi’s heart stirred—if he couldn’t handle the Wolf King, dealing with a few unranked wolf pups should still be well within his grasp.

With that thought, Xiangzi moved again, shuttling through the treetops like a ghost…

Releasing not a trace of qi-blood fluctuation, even the wolf demons with the keenest sense of smell dismissed him as a mere wild monkey, paying him no heed.

Xiangzi drew out several pebbles—coated with fire-type five-colored mineral powder, glowing faintly red in the night.

After arriving in Nanyuan, Xiangzi had resumed his habit of carrying various mineral powders on him.

But tonight, to avoid drawing attention, he had deliberately left behind the rattan box—that box held quite a bit of mineral powder.

Still, what he had should suffice.

Without activating his qi and blood, relying solely on his formidable physique, he twisted his wrist, sending the pebbles whistling through the air, smashing into the wolf demons on the pack’s outskirts.

A soft sizzle sounded.

One wolf demon’s neck was pierced clean through… it let out a wail and collapsed to the ground.

The other wolf demons struck by the pebbles not only felt the pain, but the fire-type mineral powder clinging to them burned like wildfire.

Under the Heavenly Dao of the Five Elements’ restraints, how could these wild, barbaric demon beasts endure it…

In the thick darkness,

Piercing howls shattered the silence.

—

Hearing the wolf demons’ sudden howls, Liu Yi and the others’ minds reeled.

Before long, a majestic white wolf, leading countless demon wolves, appeared in their hazy vision.

Countless dim golden vertical pupils sent a chill through their hearts.

Far off, Chen Xiong, battling the snake demon, had naturally been keeping an eye on his junior brothers. Seeing this, his expression turned horrified, and caught off guard, he was swept across the chest by the snake’s tail, sent flying.

In an instant, everyone from Baolin Martial Hall was plunged into crisis.

Even the decisive Liu Yi hesitated not a moment. He let out a long roar, surging his qi and blood to the extreme,

His wrist shook the long blade, booming through the air as his figure left trails of afterimages in the thick night—

His eighth-rank great accomplishment qi and blood concealed no longer, Liu Yi charged alone at the wolf demons!

“I’ll hold off these beasts!”

“Take Junior Brother Tang to Cold Water Pool and find the Fire Lotus Grass. Hurry!”

—

Yet the White Wolf King’s vertical pupils clearly held a trace of gloom, its gaze lingering on a certain spot—though it detected no qi-blood fluctuation, the scent in the air told it that this wild monkey had ruined its plan.

Unfortunately… it had no time to ponder.

A brilliant blade gleam, wrapped in terrifying qi force, bloomed before its eyes.

Bright Force cultivated to its peak could adhere to weapons, making them indestructible—especially those infused with mineral veins, which conducted qi force even better.

Clearly, Liu Yi, the renowned inner sect prodigy, had mastered this profound Bright Force.

In that moment, even the demons’ momentum seemed to falter.

But Xiangzi knew in his heart… Liu Yi’s imposing display clearly meant he no longer cared about the mineral powder invading his surging qi and blood.

Seeing this, the inner sect disciples’ expressions grew somber, their steps quickening as they protected Senior Brother Tang from Hundred Herbs Garden, heading toward the pool.

They understood—this was Senior Brother Liu risking his life to buy them a sliver of hope.

—

In this world, martial artists feared demon beasts in mining areas not because combat was difficult.

Martial artists wielded qi force and weapons; at the same rank, facing a single demon beast held little terror.

But in mining areas… it was vastly different.

First, the five-colored minerals suppressed qi and blood,

Only high-rank martial artists at the sixth-rank Qi-Locking Realm, by deliberately closing their pores and locking their qi-blood mechanism, could ignore the mineral dust.

Of course, the most critical issue was injury.

If wounded severely, the mineral dust would enter the limbs and bones through the skin-membrane wounds. If delayed too long, once it invaded the dantian, even immortals couldn’t save them.

Previously, Liu Tang had endured just one night in the mining area, yet his martial foundation was greatly damaged. Even Lin Junqing was helpless and had to seek treatment in Shen City.

Thus, martial artists’ skin-grinding and bone-tempering were so vital.

Fearing injury in the mining area, even someone as strong as Four Seas Courtyard’s Deputy Master Chen Xiong fought with restraint.

At this moment, though Liu Yi faced a demon beast newly entered into eighth rank, surrounded by a wolf pack, how could he avoid injury?

And once deeply encircled by the demons, how could he escape?

Clearly, Liu Yi… was fighting for his life.

—

The White Wolf King was exceedingly cunning. Seeing Liu Yi charge, it merely let out a soft howl.

From behind it surged dozens more ranked wolf demons, splitting into two flanks to encircle Liu Yi.

Clearly, it didn’t want to engage personally, tangling with an eighth-rank great accomplishment martial artist desperate for his life, but planned to wear him down.

Yet the situation on the field didn’t unfold as it expected.

From the treetops above, countless small pebbles rained down, each striking a wolf demon and eliciting howls.

Though these ranked wolf demons could withstand the pebbles’ force, the torment from the fire-type mineral powder was bone-deep agony.

In the end, they were untamed beasts… Even with the White Wolf King’s repeated howls of intimidation, driven by instinct to seek benefit and avoid harm, the wolf demons’ encircling rhythm fell into disarray.

Especially with Xiangzi overlooking from above, seeing the situation clearly, his pebbles coated in fire-type mineral powder flew precisely at key points where the wolves were about to close in.

Liu Yi, fighting desperately, heard the whistling sounds… followed by waves of wolf howls.

Though his vision was blurred and he couldn’t see what happened, as a battle-hardened veteran, how could he not guess someone was aiding him in secret?

He didn’t know the hidden person’s intentions… but for now, this was his only chance.

Surging his dantian qi and blood to the limit, blade gleam rising once more…

Liu Yi’s form shot like an arrow from a bow, straight at the White Wolf King—in this chaos, delaying even a moment might make escape impossible.

The only way now was to “capture the king to capture the thieves.”

It had to be said… Liu Yi’s valor and disposition were peerless. Even deep in the wolf demons’ encirclement, he showed no fear, grasping the sole path to break the deadlock in an instant.

An eighth-rank great accomplishment martial artist charging desperately, the White Wolf King’s vertical pupils narrowed, clearly showing fear—but for some unknown reason, it advanced instead of retreating, raising its head in a long howl and meeting him head-on.

Xiangzi, watching, felt a chill in his heart—he had spent much time on the outskirts of Great Blue Garment Ridge these days, dealing with wolf demons plenty.

Wolf demons were sly by nature, adept at seeking advantage and avoiding harm. Though they appeared numerous and strong, killing just a few would scatter them like birds and beasts.

When had he ever seen them fight to the death like tonight?

Still… his earlier barrage of stones had resolved Liu Yi’s crisis.

Now that he was facing off against the Wolf King, there were no worries from behind.

After all, by pack habits, when leaders clashed, the wolves had no right to interfere.

Of course, with man and demon now locked in battle, Xiangzi had no place to join in—eighth-rank combat made his pebble tricks seem childish.

Moreover, an eighth-rank demon beast’s skin and membrane might not even fear that fire-type mineral powder.

Xiangzi exhaled deeply—he had finally preserved this teetering situation.

If this team, personally led by Four Seas Courtyard’s deputy master, met with mishap, it would truly cripple Baolin Martial Hall, leaving them no foundation to stand in Little Blue Garment Ridge.

With that in mind, Xiangzi turned his gaze to the other inner sect senior brothers

And couldn’t help but gape.

Brothers, you’re running to the wrong spot!

You’ve gone astray, you know?—

Going astray—this couldn’t be blamed on those inner sect disciples.

After all, the route relied entirely on that senior brother from Hundred Herbs Courtyard’s memory. In this pitch-black expanse, with qi and blood suppressed by mineral dust, and lacking Xiangzi’s freakish vision, it was naturally hard to find the right direction.

Especially with the howls of battle from both sides, it further rattled the Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple in the middle, who hadn’t seen combat in ages.

Letting out a long sigh, Xiangzi pulled on his hooded cloak and vanished in a flicker.

In the rustling of leaves, his figure moved like a ghost toward Cold Water Pool.

Leaping high through the treetops was naturally faster,

And before long, he landed by the pool’s edge.

In the thick night, the pool’s depths were unknown,

White mist steamed from the surface, a bone-chilling cold piercing through—even his body struggled to bear it.

Xiangzi furrowed his brows: Why does this pool water seem more draining than the mineral dust?

But he had no time to ponder, quickly bending down to harvest the six stalks of Fire Lotus Grass.

As the roots snapped, the pitch-black petals suddenly turned fiery red…

Held in his palm, they emitted a faint warmth.

It was thanks to Baolin Martial Hall’s group drawing away the demon beasts that Xiangzi could obtain them so smoothly.

Tucking the Fire Lotus Grass into his bosom, Xiangzi stamped his foot, his figure vanishing into the dense forest.

—

The pool’s chill was intense, mingled with mineral powder, making it even more stifling to the senses.

Even the inner sect disciples, all at eighth-rank cultivation, felt breathless.

“Senior Brother Tang… where exactly is this Fire Lotus Grass?” One inner sect disciple slashed down a lone wolf demon, asking anxiously.

The Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple looked panicked, stammering, “I… I remember correctly… it’s right by the pool’s edge.”

“The pool’s boundary stretches hundreds of zhang… Senior Brother Tang, with Master Chen and Senior Brother Liu both deeply encircled, if we can’t get the Fire Lotus Grass, won’t all our efforts be in vain!”

Hearing this, the Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple grew even more flustered.

Suddenly,

The silent Third Miss Li tensed, her long blade unsheathing with a clang.

In the distance of their vision, beside a large tree, a shadowy figure in a hooded black cloak stood vaguely.

The person wore a hood, and at this distance, in the mining area’s night, they couldn’t make out the appearance at all.

They could only vaguely see the tall stature, yet now hunched over.

An unidentified black-cloaked figure suddenly appearing, friend or foe unknown,

The Baolin disciples’ expressions shifted, secretly gripping their weapons.

But immediately, their minds jolted—this person… had no qi-blood fluctuation at all!

A mortal?

How could a mortal wander alone deep in this eerie mining area at night? Was some insomniac old man out for a stroll in Little Blue Garment Ridge?

Wouldn’t that be the height of absurdity?

The Baolin disciples exchanged glances, an absurd thought rising in their minds—could this be a sixth-rank Qi-Locking Realm expert?

Thinking this, they found it even more unbelievable.

In the vast Forty-Nine City, how many sixth-ranks were there?

After all, in Baolin Martial Hall, aside from the fifth-rank Pulse Condensation Realm old hall master, only the courtyard masters and a few master uncles from the back mountain were sixth rank.

As their thoughts raced, they heard a slightly aged voice: “Heh, you Baolin Martial Hall juniors, scurrying like headless flies—are you trying to throw your lives away here?”

Such arrogance!

Appearing and boldly calling the inner sect disciples juniors?

Yet oddly… in this thick night, Third Miss Li and the other inner sect disciples’ faces were grave, with no intent to retort.

Amid the clamor of battling demons, this spot was eerily quiet.

But no one noticed,

The black-cloaked figure standing with hands behind his back—his fingers were actually trembling slightly, his feet lightly planted at an imperceptible angle—

Seemingly hunched, but actually a stance ready to sprint at any moment.

With his [Rickshaw Puller] profession’s innate skill, even an eighth-rank Muscle-Strengthening Realm couldn’t catch him.

No reaction?

Indeed, he had intimidated them.

The black-cloaked figure relaxed inwardly, suddenly exuding an indescribable air of a superior: “If this old man guesses right… you’re here for this, aren’t you?”

With that, several stalks of Fire Lotus Grass appeared in his hand.

—

Finally, someone broke the silence!

The Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple exclaimed, “Fire Lotus Grass—there’s so much Fire Lotus Grass!”

Everyone was startled.

Third Miss Li stepped forward, speaking warmly: “Since Senior has ties to our Baolin Martial Hall… might you part with this Fire Lotus Grass? The situation is urgent tonight; please forgive us juniors for our abruptness.”

“Fine… a few mere stalks of Fire Lotus Grass—what’s the big deal? If you juniors don’t hurry to support that kid surrounded by wolf demons, he won’t hold out much longer.”

“Just now, this old man saw the kid had good disposition and lent a hand, but this old man has pressing matters and no time to linger here.”

These enigmatic words left the Baolin Martial Hall disciples stunned.

They had seen the situation with Senior Brother Liu Yi earlier—clearly about to be encircled by demon beasts, yet somehow carving a path to survival.

It was because this black-cloaked figure had acted?

Even the usually composed Third Miss Li didn’t know how to respond—the current situation was far too bizarre.

Who this person was, no one knew.

But someone who could brazenly appear deep in Little Blue Garment Ridge in the dead of night—how could they be ordinary?

Especially with his words showing intimate knowledge of their actions.

How did he know… they were here for Fire Lotus Grass?

It was truly chilling to ponder.

Most crucially—this black-cloaked figure had absolutely no qi-blood fluctuation…

Could he really be a sixth-rank Qi-Locking Realm expert?

Suddenly, the eerie black-cloaked figure addressed the Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple: “Baolin Martial Hall junior—how many stalks of this Fire Lotus Grass do you need?”

The Hundred Herbs Courtyard disciple paused, then cupped his hands: “S-Senior, one stalk is enough.”

The black-cloaked figure scoffed, flicking his wrist to toss over two: “Here’s an extra one for you.”

As his words fell, the black-cloaked figure hunched over and strode away.

In the darkness, without a hint of qi-blood fluctuation, his form sped like the wind.

This black-cloaked figure was naturally Xiangzi.

Under the [Rickshaw Puller] talent’s enhancement, relying on his eerie eyes, as long as no demon beasts blocked him, this rugged and perilous Little Blue Garment Ridge was no different from his own backyard.

Seeing this, everyone’s hearts jolted, secretly sighing—relying solely on flesh and blood to traverse the mining depths as if on flat ground; truly an expert!

Fortunately, they hadn’t drawn blades earlier; offending such a figure would likely cost them their lives.

Watching the black-cloaked figure fade into the distance, Third Miss Li’s expression grew solemn as she called out: “Dare I ask Senior’s esteemed name? For this great favor, Baolin Martial Hall will surely repay it.”

Xiangzi’s figure paused, letting out a wry chuckle.

Then, a strange smile tugged at his face.

“This old man’s name is better left unsaid… If you wish to know, go ask Lin Junqing.”

With that, Xiangzi’s figure vanished into the dense forest.

The Baolin inner sect disciples exchanged glances.

Lin Junqing?

Suddenly… Third Miss Li’s heart jolted—knowing Senior Brother Lin—could it be that eccentric old man?

Lin Junqing had been renowned in his prime; when Third Miss Li and Liu Tang were outer sect disciples, they had revered this senior brother like a god.

And everyone in Baolin Martial Hall knew

Senior Brother Lin’s exceptional martial skills all stemmed from a profound internal boxing art.

Rumors said… this boxing wasn’t Baolin Martial Hall’s foundation technique, but one personally taught to Senior Brother Lin by an old man he met outside Forty-Nine City in his youth.

From the Li family, Third Miss Li naturally knew more about Forty-Nine City’s bloody past.

Senior Brother Lin’s enlightening mentor was a figure who had nearly upended the structure of Forty-Nine City’s three major martial halls.

Even the arena battle that caused Senior Brother Lin to fall two realms seemed tied to this old man in inexplicable ways.

Could this suddenly appearing black-cloaked figure tonight be Senior Brother Lin’s mentor?

Otherwise, why would this senior show such goodwill toward Baolin Martial Hall?