Fentu Kuangge slowly nodded. Having grown up in the Fentu Kuang family, it was nearly impossible for such an incident to occur. Even a Dianmai Warrior would be hesitant to easily offend the Fentu family. After all, the core of the entire Zhence Dynasty was comprised of ordinary people.
“No need to go back,” Duan Feng Bu’er lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag under the gaze of the other two. “If you were Lei Wei, after pulling those stunts, and with no protective force nearby, what would you do?” This chapter was manually uploaded by a member of Shushuwang—Book Portal. “After setting everything up, I’d leave first.” Qian Jin realized with a sudden clarity, “Yes. I was only considering my own perspective. He sent out two guards, leaving himself with no protection. That in itself is extremely unsafe. If the guards failed, the party under attack would definitely go looking for him! Returning to his own family’s stronghold would be much safer. So you’re saying…”
Duan Feng Bu’er exhaled smoke through his nose. “It’s too late. At first, I just thought he was a profligate young master, but I didn’t expect this person to be so ruthless. We even saved him, and yet…” Qian Jin shook his head gently. “Wait, thinking back, if his two guards had turned to fight, the most likely outcome would have been the horse bandits retreating…” If that were truly the case…”
“Those horse bandits were clearly putting on a show for him!” Duan Feng Bu’er tossed the spent cigarette butt, crushing it under his heel, suddenly invigorated. “No wonder he claimed to be looking for the Great Sword Horse Bandit Group! That kid plays with women with real style! Even hiring people to act alongside him.”
“In that case…” Qian Jin sighed. “Let’s go find the mountain bandits.”
Exiting the woods, Qian Jin mounted his horse, his mind still racing, repeatedly contemplating his future journey to Yongliu. If he encountered Lei Wei again, the best means of self-preservation was strength—the kind of power that would deter his opponent from casually making a move.
“I must! I must break through to the next level immediately!”
Qian Jin took a deep breath. He might not be the only one going to Yongliu; Luo Qingqing absolutely had to stay by his side. Otherwise, if anything happened to her, how could he face Fatty Luo Lin when he returned to Starfall?
Once he broke through the strength of the Nine Battles of Demon Subjugation, not only would his Dou Qi cross a massive threshold, but his Wind and Cloud Golden Body would also become stronger. Perhaps he could even achieve a new breakthrough in realm, and the techniques he had learned could also exert greater power.
Only with sufficiently formidable strength could one protect their kin. Who was the most renowned powerhouse beyond the frontier? Different people would have different answers to such a question.
In this unique region unclaimed by either the Demon Race or the Zhence Dynasty, a figure of renown would emerge every so often.
If one were to ask who possessed the greatest recent momentum beyond the frontier, the answer would be nearly unanimous: Fabredis.
Qian Jin had underestimated the reputation Fabredis had forged in the wilderness these past few days. He had expected to perhaps capture several bandit groups before having a chance to find news of Fabredis’s whereabouts. He hadn't anticipated capturing bandits from three different horse bandit groups, only to receive the exact same answer every time. shushuw.cn, excitement follows…
Fabredis was likely operating near Clear Spring Mountain beyond the frontier. It wasn't a massive range, merely a small mountain slightly larger than a hill, named for the clear spring within it.
The bandit groups were unwilling to engage in much conflict with Fabredis. A city guardian inherently possessed some strength, not to mention he was accompanied by warriors from the Yongliu Warrior Guild. Attacking Fabredis was tantamount to declaring war on the Yongliu Guild, turning the matter into a confrontation between forces.
Most importantly, according to intelligence exchanged among the bandit groups, the Dark Division members newly arrived from the Lucifer Dynasty were also converging on Clear Spring Mountain. If these two forces clashed, and he was caught in the vicinity, he risked offending either the Torrent War Fortress or the Demon Race’s Dark Division.
Without sufficient profit, the bandit groups would not antagonize any established power. Provided the rewards were high enough, it wouldn't be strange for them to even join one side as temporary regular troops to assist in battle.
“Clear Spring Mountain is just ahead.” Duan Feng Bu’er pointed his whip towards the verdant slopes ahead. Qian Jin spurred his warhorse and charged toward Clear Spring Mountain first. He had been riding frequently lately; although his horsemanship wasn't excellent, he understood the technique of balancing momentum over uneven ground.
The closer he got to Clear Spring Mountain, the more Qian Jin felt something was amiss. A faint, powerful killing intent faintly emanated from the mountain, intertwined and concealed.
“Qian Jin,” Duan Feng Bu’er urged his horse forward and spoke softly. “There seems to be a problem up there.”
Rumble! Midway up Clear Spring Mountain, a faint plume of yellow dust and smoke shot into the sky. Qian Jin’s eyes widened slightly as he saw two pine trees slowly topple within the forest.
“Someone is fighting,” Qian Jin rode to the base of the mountain, dismounted, reached into his Dou Realm, pulled out the Moon-Shooting Bow, notched an arrow, and crouched low, running quickly up the slope. “Let’s take a look.”
The three exchanged glances, suppressed their Dou Qi, and quickly followed behind Qian Jin up the mountain. The closer they got to the halfway point, the clearer they could hear the sounds of metal clashing and trees snapping.
Even from a distance, the oppressive Dou Qi made Qian Jin’s back feel cold. This level of strength could never belong to a Dark Division Two-Star. Compared to the Dark Division Two-Stars he fought within the Demon Race territory, the two sides clashing on the mountain were vastly superior.
Another piercing metallic clang echoed. Qian Jin suddenly stopped, staring at the battlefield a hundred meters ahead, daring not to step forward another inch…
Instinct—the training honed by the Four Seasons Valley and the Boundless World—provided him with an innate judgment of danger. If he moved any closer, he would undoubtedly be discovered by those fighting or those observing the battle.
From afar, Qian Jin clearly made out one of the two figures engaged in combat: Fabredis, the guardian of Oakland, whom he hadn't seen for days. His Tianlu Dou Soldier was in hand, his Dou Qi surging like tidal waves, visibly steaming around his body. His long hair whipped around as his Dou Qi erupted, his formidable aura threatening to envelop the entire Clear Spring Mountain.
Qian Jin’s gaze shifted to Fabredis’s opponent. His eyebrow twitched almost uncontrollably—a Dark Division member! Five Stars! A Dark Division Five-Star!
Clad in black dark soft armor, he held a club that was hard to define as either a pillar or a heavy rod. His massive, thick body exuded terrifying power. The steaming Dou Qi was like an oppressive weight of iron; simply standing there imposed boundless pressure. A Bloodline Demon Warrior! A Dianmai Demon Warrior with the Giant Troll Bloodline! Qian Jin quietly observed the Giant Troll Bloodline Demon Warrior he was seeing for the second time; this one was stronger than Nila from before! This wasn't just double or triple the strength. If this Demon Warrior had been leading the assault that day, rescuing Chekefulit would have been impossible. “Human, you are much stronger than I imagined,” the Giant Troll Bloodline Demon Warrior stood tall, chest out. “No wonder you could kill my Dark Division members. That wasn't your full strength just now, was it? Show me everything you have, and I will grant you an honorable warrior’s death.”
“Bloodline Demon Warrior?” A trace of disgust flashed in Fabredis’s eyes. “I detest bloodline warriors the most. Bloodline Demon Warriors!”
“Show me all your strength,” the Giant Troll Warrior suddenly clenched his fists, his skin undergoing another keratinous change, and his Dou Qi began to surge again. “Aaaah… The power of the Fourth Level Bloodline! Awaken!” In an instant! Qian Jin clearly felt an astonishing qualitative change in the Dou Qi surrounding the Giant Troll Bloodline Demon Warrior! That Dou Qi no longer seemed like mere energy; it seemed to possess life, as if it had come alive!
“Arrogant Bloodline Demon Warrior, cast aside your needless pride! Dou Soul is not a power exclusive to your families who possess bloodline strength!” Fabredis gently caressed the edge of his sword, speaking casually. “But we ordinary warriors, who lack inherited bloodline power, must understand what Dou Soul is to truly possess it…”
Fabredis’s eyes snapped open, a sharp light flashing like lightning through the forest. The wisps of white Dou Qi covering him rapidly transformed, all turning red, as if flames were erupting from within, leaping outside his body. “Dou Soul!”
Dou Soul? Qian Jin heard this strange name for the first time, frowning as he looked at the Dou Qi around Fabredis. Did this Dou Qi really come alive? What exactly was Dou Soul? He noticed that while the quantity of Dou Qi hadn't increased drastically during the transformation, the overall power had completely changed! Qian Jin frowned deeply in thought. The academy never taught anything about the progression of warrior strength realms, and even the biographical notes of powerful figures in his family rarely mentioned them.
“Attribute Dou Qi?” The Giant Troll Bloodline Warrior’s large eyes rolled. “Indeed, you have also mastered Dou Soul! And yours is a fire-type Dou Soul! However, in the face of powerhouses like us who possess bloodline strength, ordinary warriors will forever remain a pathetic group. Allow me, Nivelen, to shatter your impure fire-type Dou Soul with my Giant Troll Dou Soul and send you back to the stars.”
Dou Soul? What exactly was Dou Soul? Why did the quantity of Dou Qi not increase significantly during that recent change, yet the entire power became completely different? Qian Jin knitted his brows, contemplating heavily. The academy never taught anything about the progression of warrior strength realms, and even the biographical notes of powerful figures in his family rarely mentioned them.
“Fire Wolf, roar!” The Tianlu in Fabredis’s hand glowed with a foot-long crimson light. The green grass beneath his feet immediately withered as if scorched by intense heat. His body transformed into a streak of crimson light, moving first! The ground he stamped upon erupted with a force that blasted damp soil and withered grass into the air.
“Giant Troll! Awaken!” The Dou Qi inside Nivelen surged upward, as if it was truly forming a legendary Giant Troll from the energy itself. The enormous pressure forced the Dark Division members behind him to retreat repeatedly.
Opportunity! Qian Jin’s Demonic Subjugation Nine Battles Dou Qi erupted at full power! At this moment, it wasn't a method of gradually increasing Dou Qi; it was a pure, full-power burst! There was no time for gradual augmentation—any surge in Dou Qi would immediately be detected!
The Dou Qi from his one hundred and eight Dou Acupoints spun furiously at a speed of three thousand eight hundred rotations per minute, pouring entirely into his arms. The Moon-Shooting Bow instantly transformed into a full moon; the Dou Qi flooded the entire bow, its light growing intensely, as if he weren't holding a bow, but an actual moon in his hands.
Nock, draw, lock, release! The four steps were completed in an instant. The tip of the Moon-Shooting Arrow rapidly intensified its cold glare, spinning rapidly as it left the bowstring. It shot out almost skimming the grass, tearing and severing the green blades in its wake. Where the arrow flew, it left behind a trailing line of green, like a green snake skimming the earth.
“Divine Archer Family?”
Nivelen’s scalp prickled, his heart pounding. This arrow came too suddenly! This arrow came too fiercely! The moment the arrow left the bow, it was already upon him! A hundred meters was nothing for an archer!
But how had someone closed that hundred-meter distance? Nivelen couldn't comprehend it. The instant the archer unleashed his Dou Qi, it was only the Demonic Subjugation Nine Battles. He should have been easily spotted at a distance of about a hundred meters. Why wasn't he detected? Only archers from the Zhence Dynasty’s Divine Archer Family could possess such stealth capabilities! But this archer seemed too young?
Nivelen didn't have much time to think. The arrow hurtled toward his ankle! The icy sharp tip radiated endless killing intent. Even with a protective Dou Soul, one wouldn't dare easily withstand this shot! That was the tip of a Dou Soldier! Unless he possessed Dou Soldier-grade armor around his ankle, it would surely be pierced!
In a flash of lightning, Nivelen lifted his right foot, rolling his left ankle and using the ground to propel his body forward. He swung his iron club upward to parry Qian Jin’s arrow while simultaneously blocking Fabredis’s Tianlu. Several Dark Division members noticed Qian Jin at the same moment and immediately drew their swords, rushing towards him!
“Awaken the power of the Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline!” Duan Feng Bu’er thrust his Bu’er Spear outward, flashing to stand in front of Qian Jin, while Fentu Kuangge stood to his other side, his Horse-Slaying Blade in hand.
Qian Jin watched Nivelen’s reaction and coldly sneered, “Seeking death!”
Skimming the ground, the arrow suddenly curved upward seventy-five degrees, aiming for Nivelen’s armpit. “This is—!” Nivelen was greatly alarmed, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks. He roared inwardly, Arrow Change! The Divine Archer Family’s Arrow Change? How old is he? Whoosh, whoosh, whirrrr… Qian Jin’s hand moved swiftly, unleashing three successive arrows, each one targeting Nivelen’s vital points!
Before he could evade the Arrow Change, three more followed! Nivelen twisted his body with his left foot again, his focus immediately divided. Fabredis’s sword… had reached his sternum!
Thwack! The long sword pierced his flesh! A massive bloody hole burst open on Nivelen’s back, spewing out countless fragments of shredded meat. His enormous eyeball stared resentfully at Fabredis, his rough hand gripping the Tianlu sword’s edge, blood flowing constantly from his palm.
“I am not convinced…” Nivelen slowly fell backward. “Human warriors, I did not die by your hand… I died at the hands of an archer… Otherwise…”
Nivelen’s body collapsed heavily onto the ground, his large eyes wide open for a long time, filled with unwillingness and rage.
“Otherwise, you would still die,” Fabredis pulled back his sword and sheathed it, saying flatly. “You only cultivated Dou Soul, but you never reached Dou Soul Possession. How could you possibly defeat me?”
Bang, bang, bang… The sound of the Moon-Shooting Bow’s string vibrating echoed again in the air. The Dark Division Demon Warriors, seeing the volley of arrows, quickly dodged backward. This moment of evasion allowed the Torrent Ten Battles to catch up.
Fabredis looked at Qian Jin, slightly startled, the arrogance on his face replaced by a smile. “Kid, you made me look hard for you.” “No retreat! Kill them all!” A Demon Warrior in the Dark Division suddenly shouted. Nearly ten Dark Division members offered no resistance to the Torrent Ten Battles, immediately retreating toward the unobstructed side. “Trying to leave?” Qian Jin notched an arrow onto his bow, aiming at a Dark Division One-Star. Dark Division members were the private secret troops of the Demon Imperial Family; every single Demon Head was extremely valuable, and many people never got to see a Dark Division member in their lifetime. How could they let one escape today? The Dark Division One-Star turned and deflected the arrow with his longsword; his arm instantly went numb from the shock! The power of the arrow was too immense! Even the blade of his sword cracked!
The Torrent Ten Battles rushed forward. The eyes beneath the Dark Division One-Star’s black mask flashed with vicious ruthlessness as he suddenly clasped his palms together!
The charging bodies of the Torrent Ten Battles instantly halted, forcing them to rapidly retreat backward. They heard the Demon Warrior shout angrily, “Explode!”
Boom! The Demon Warrior’s body instantly detonated, unleashing a massive wave of force that created a considerable gust of wind. The area where he stood, within a three-meter radius, was utterly scorched, turning into barren earth.
Qian Jin gasped, chilled. That was truly astonishing explosive power! He hadn't expected the Dark Division to possess this specialized technique of dying alongside the enemy! If the ten warriors hadn't retreated quickly enough, they would have been killed or severely wounded, and even if they recovered, they might not return to their peak strength.
“The Dark Division’s Self-Destruct Rune,” Chekefulit stated calmly. “This is a special rune artifact created by the Runesmiths under the Demon Emperor. Because the materials are rare, it cannot be mass-produced.”
“Indeed,” Qian Jin said, looking at the destructive blast radius. “If this thing could be mass-produced, the Zhence Dynasty would probably have been destroyed.”
“The Zhence Dynasty’s Black Dragon Guards…” Chekefulit spoke more words in that moment than he had in the past twenty-plus days of acquaintance. “I hear they have something similar, but it’s called a Dragon Blast Pellet.”
“Kid! You made me search for you,” Fabredis punched Qian Jin in the chest. “You dared to take on such a dangerous mission.”
Qian Jin rubbed his chest, still aching from Fabredis’s blow, and smiled. “Aren’t I still alive?”
“It’s a good thing you’re still alive!” Fabredis hooked his arm around Qian Jin’s neck. “I wouldn’t go into the Demon Territory lightly, yet you went…”
Qian Jin offered a wry smile, allowing Fabredis, this elder powerhouse, to vent his feelings. “However, those few shots you just made were beautiful.” Fabredis clicked his tongue in approval. “Honestly, I doubt any archer from the Divine Archer Bloodline Family who hasn't awakened their bloodline could match your archery.”
Qian Jin pulled his head free from Fabredis’s arm. “What about those who have awakened their bloodline?”
“What, you want to compete against archers who have awakened the Divine Archer Bloodline?” Fabredis looked at Qian Jin.
“Don’t you want to compare yourself against Bloodline Warriors?” Qian Jin looked steadily at Fabredis.
“No wonder I took a liking to you,” Fabredis slapped Qian Jin hard on the back, making his bones creak audibly. “It turns out I see a shadow in you very similar to myself when I was young. Or perhaps, I see a shadow in you that I didn't even possess in my youth. But remember this…”