South Gate District.


    “Yuanhe Mountain’s branch is rumored to have numerous experts, and since the demonic disaster, they’ve gathered even more rogue cultivators… If they all attack at once, it could be quite troublesome.”


    After all, a cultivator’s magical energy is finite.


    Nevertheless, Fang Xi was determined to tackle this tough challenge.


    “To dismantle Yuanhe Mountain, I must first clip its wings…”


    Fang Xi’s n was straightforward.


    Every day, Yuanhe Mountain’s cultivators ventured out to gather resources, so he could simply lurk nearby, killing as many as emerged.


    With ckstone City riddled with dangers, Yuanhe Mountain might not notice his presence initially!


    By the time they realized something was amiss, it would likely be toote. Positioned near Yuanhe Mountain’s encampment, Fang Xi soon spotted a group emerging.


    Leading them was a strikinglyposed woman.


    “A woman? Could she be Chunyu, one of the three top figures in this city?” Fang Xi’s eyes lit up. “Perfect target!”


    He had no qualms about killing women; after all, the more beautiful and talented, the greater the threat! Beauty and talent often led to unpredictable variables, which were detested by those who sought safety above all else.


    To Fang Xi, the more beautiful and talented an enemy was, the more deserving of death! Beauty and talent often led to unpredictable oues, and those who scrounge for survival detest unpredictability above all else.


    Fang Xi’s footsteps were incredibly light, akin to a graceful cat, as he effortlessly followed them.


    Surprisingly, instead of infiltrating the Inner City border, the group split up covertly and surrounded arge abandoned mansion.


    Draped in a white dress like a floating cloud, Chunyu gently glided inside.


    Bang!


    Momentster, a loud explosion resonated from within the mansion!


    A coarse voice roared angrily, “Yuanhe Mountain’s bitch, just because I refused to submit, you dare to surround and kill me?!”


    This was none other than Zhang Junming himself.


    His muscles bulged massively, making him suddenly taller by a head, resembling a colossal spirit deity as he charged at Chunyu, shouting, “Take this punch!”


    With fingers thicker than turnips clenched together, his fist became like a giant pestle, unleashed with astonishing power!


    “Cloud Whale Art indeed lives up to its reputation as top-tier among third-rate techniques, nearly rivaling some second-rate martial arts!”


    However, Chunyu’s body seemed as light as paper, effortlessly unaffected by the force. With the gust from Zhang Junming’s punch, she gently floated backward, her cherry-red lips parting slightly.


    “Cloud Whale Art!”


    In ancient times, elephants were revered for their immense strength onnd. Yet, within the oceans, whales possessed even greater might surpassing that of elephants!


    Legend has it that during antiquity, there existed colossal beasts known as ‘Cloud Whales,’ which treated the sky itself as their ocean, soaring amidst the clouds like titanic leviathans.


    Inspired by these creatures, the ancestors of the Zhang family created the “Cloud Whale Art,” renowned for its unparalleled defense and tremendous power!


    Having mastered the Cloud Whale Art, Zhang Junming had virtually no equals among dojo masters in ckstone City! He could even rival true disciples of major sects!


    “Pity… but it’s still just a second-rate martial art!” Chunyu’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, genuinely expressing sympathy for Zhang Junming. Her jade-like finger pointed forward, “Rushing Thunder Finger!”


    This was a secret technique of Yuanhe Mountain, specifically designed to counter various external hard功夫 styles!


    <em>Pffft, pffft!</em>


    Several tiny blood holes appeared on Zhang Junming’s body.


    His face turned pale as he halted his charge. “Why?”


    He merely declined recruitment; why would they send assassins after him?


    Yuanhe Mountain had never been known for such ruthless tactics of forcing allegiance or facing annihtion!


    “I’m not entirely sure, but Linghu-shishu gave the direct order. My apologies!” Chunyu’s eyes remained unwavering as she floated forward like a drifting cloud, poised to break Zhang Junming’s limbs.


    However, at that moment, a peculiar smile appeared on Zhang Junming’s face. “You fell for it!”


    Instantly, his muscles began rippling fluidly, and with remarkable speed, he squeezed the bleeding wounds shut, allowing them to heal… regaining fullbat capability!


    This was a secret technique from the Cloud Whale Art—Cloud Whale Muscle Control!


    Once mastered, it allowed him to manipte his muscles, shifting the vulnerable points and weaknesses of the Cloud Whale Art!


    It is well-known that external martial arts, like hard qi techniques, always have areas where true force cannot fully prate,monly referred to as ‘vulnerable spots’.


    As a member of a major sect, Chunyu possessed exceptional insight and had precisely targeted these vulnerable spots to exploit Zhang Junming’s defenses!


    In reality, Zhang Junming hadn’t been struck in a fatal weak point; instead, he feigned vulnerability to seize an opportunity to counterattack!


    “Get down on your knees!”


    Taking a deep breath, his chest expanded like a bellows, and he raised one palm high before striking downward with divine might, reminiscent of a celestial’s seal crashing upon earth!


    <em>Boom!</em>


    Realizing toote that something was amiss, Chunyu could not retreat. She hastily lifted both hands, forming a lotus-like seal to barely withstand the impact.


    With a thunderous noise, Chunyu flew backward, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.


    “Haha… Sect disciples aren’t so impressive after all. Come at me again!” Zhang Junming, resembling a demonic lord incarnate, took bold strides forward, each step cracking the stone pavement beneath him.


    His fighting spirit soared to its peak, confident of imminent victory.


    Suddenly, startled cries of children echoed from within the mansion.


    It was Xiao Yun, Gouzi, and the others!


    Zhang Junming’s expression darkened furiously. “You… despicable!”


    Having taken pity on the childrenst time, he had brought them under his care. He never anticipated that Yuanhe Mountain would target them, clearly exploiting them as his weakness.


    Composing himself swiftly, Zhang Junming dered, “They’re just strays; I’ll deal with you first and foremost!”


    After years navigating the jianghu, he knew better than to sumb easily to threats.


    Surrendering now would be the ultimate joke, potentially endangering both the hostages and himself!


    Only a fool would choose such a path!


    However, his momentary hesitation allowed Chunyu precious time to recover.


    The woman’s face was pale, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Beyond her icy demeanor, she now exuded an aura of vulnerability that evoked sympathy.


    “Secret Technique - Seven Needle Acupoint Strike!”


    Chunyu swiftly inserted seven thin needles into herself, not only stabilizing her injuries rapidly but also causing her true force to surge dramatically!


    Apart from superior cultivation techniques, sect disciples held another significant advantage over ordinary cultivators: ess to umted skills and experiences passed down by their predecessors!


    At its pinnacle, this generational knowledge culminated in unique secret techniques, enabling cultivators to unleash power beyond their inherent limits!


    “White Lotus Seal Technique!”


    In the next instant, Chunyu formed intricate hand seals with her ten pristine, agile fingers, resembling a white lotus gently blossoming amidst mes. With graceful precision, she directed the seal towards Zhang Junming’s chest!


    Bang!


    Another deafening sound echoed.


    Zhang Junming felt as if struck by a heavy hammer on his chest, flying backward and copsing onto the ground, unable to rise for quite some time.


    “Cough… You’ve won,” he managed, bitterness creeping into the corners of his lips as he nced at his chest. “Your target is me; I hope you’ll spare those who are uninvolved…”


    Chunyu slowly extracted the seven silver needles from her acupoints, about to speak when her expression suddenly shifted.


    More screams emerged from within the mansion.


    “Big Brother!”


    Gouzi rushed out, supporting Xiao Yun, and helped prop up Zhang Junming while shouting, “Several viins entered the courtyard just now, but this young man here killed them all…”


    Zhang Junming finally noticed another figure slowly emerging from the doorway—it was Fang Xi!


    “You? Fang Xi from Baiyun Dojo?” Chunyu recognized the young man, her feelings unexpectedly mixed.


    Initially, when Fang Xi sought to join Yuanhe Mountain, it was Chunyu who assessed his aptitude, deeming it ordinary at best. Consequently, Linghu Yang had rejected him.


    Later, she heard that he joined a dojo instead and rapidly achieved the three transformations of blood and qi—an impressive feat.


    This left a deep impression on Chunyu.


    Now, upon seeing him today, it seemed as though Fang Xi had made yet another breakthrough in martial arts?


    ‘If only we had epted him back then…’ Chunyu felt a pang of regret, but her expression remained unchanged. Coolly, she asked, “Fang Xi, by representing Baiyun Dojo against Yuanhe Mountain, have you dered yourself our enemy?”


    “You don’t need to intimidate me with Yuanhe Mountain’s name!” Fang Xi scoffed, stepping forward three paces. “My presence here signifies the end for all nearby Yuanhe Mountain disciples… Now, it’s your turn!”


    When he began speaking, he was still beside Zhang Junming, but by the final word, he stood directly in front of Chunyu.


    With a casual lift of his right hand, Fang Xi struck down as if swatting a fly.


    Crackling sounds erupted from within his body, akin to popping beans, as his palm descended.


    Chunyu’s expression shifted wildly. “Resonance of tendons and bones? True force prating marrow? Impossible…”


    She swiftly formed a lotus seal with her hands, causing lotuses to bloom beneath her feet as she retreated.


    However, no matter how fast she moved, Fang Xi remained directly in front of her, leaving Chunyu helpless as his palm descended towards her!


    Crack!


    The strike sent her flying, shattering multiple ribs mid-air. She ultimately crashed heavily into a wall and slowly slid down like a toppled painting.


    “Too weak, truly too weak.”


    “Is this all the strength of Yuanhe Mountain’s true disciple?” Fang Xi shook his head, unaware that his true force and blood qi levels already made him seem monstrous to other true force cultivators.


    Meanwhile…


    Zhang Junming’s lips twitched, barely suppressing a string of curses: ‘Damn it… if I hadn’t taken half her life first, would you have had such an easy victory?’


    Unfortunately, he dared not voice these thoughts aloud.


    Fang Xi was indeed fearsome!


    Even at Zhang Junming’s peak condition, hecked confidence against such terrifying reserves of true force.


    “You…” Blood trickled from Chunyu’s lips as she struggled to speak further.


    But Fang Xi had no interest in sparing her any sympathy; with a swift hand strike, he rendered her unconscious. Then, he turned his gaze towards Zhang Junming.


    “What do you n to do to our boss?” Gouzi and Xiao Yun immediately stepped forward, shielding Zhang Junming.


    “Nothing much…” Fang Xi waved his hand dismissively. “Zhang brother, considering how Yuanhe Mountain treated you, have you thought about seeking revenge?”


    “Revenge?” Zhang Junming studied Fang Xi intently. “Are you trying to recruit me? Very well… I owe you my life, so I’ll help you this once!”


    He too had long harbored resentment against Yuanhe Mountain.


    “Excellent!” Fang Xi nodded, lifting Chunyu effortlessly and departing.


    His extraordinary lightness technique made carrying the nearly hundred-pound Chunyu seem effortless. In a sh, he found a secluded courtyard devoid of people.


    Entering a random room, he tossed Chunyu onto the bed. Observing her disheveled hair and pallid face, he smiled contemtively, rubbing his fingers…