Chapter 55

As Hu Gao walked out of the ancestral hall with a carefree stride, the Ninth Elder, Hu Yuanjin, whose eyes were usually murky, suddenly emitted a startling gleam. His face, which had previously looked like that of a middle-aged uncle, twisted.

After a terrifying wriggle, the Ninth Elder's face, as if shedding a layer of skin, instantly became young. "Elder Hu Haisheng, it seems our plan has to be moved up again."

The Internal Affairs Elder, Hu Haisheng, also put down his pen, rubbed his slightly sore eyes, and twisted his neck from side to side. "I am destined to be busy, unlike you of the Liqing lineage. I will go see the High Priest now."

After saying this, Hu Haisheng stood up and walked to a dark corner of the temporary shelter. He seemed to turn a mechanism, and the ground instantly opened a crack wide enough for a person to descend. He disappeared into it.

...

The Longjia Mountains, once known as a forbidden zone on the Totem Continent, have existed for ten thousand years, spanning half of the eastern continent and almost cutting the entire Borneo Peninsula into two parts.

The first unified empire of the post-civilization era, the Lonyue Empire, founded by Yao, the creator of the cultivation system, began here and gradually conquered the entire continent. The establishment of the later major empires also mostly originated from the eastern continent, hence the saying that human conquests always proceed westward.

However, with the extreme prosperity of human warriors during the Tiancan Empire, the mysterious forbidden zone of the Longjia Mountains was thoroughly unveiled by the various powerful figures who came. The footprints of adventurers covered the entire mountain range, and countless rare beasts and treasures flowed continuously from here to various parts of the continent.

Time passed, and the Longjia Mountains, though still a paradise for adventurers, could only be considered a last song at sunset compared to its former glory.

After leaving the southern gate of Ningcheng, Hu Gao walked alone on the Longyan Path, carrying the excited Five-clawed Golden Dragon, heading towards the Longjia Mountains.

The Longyan Path is the shortest route from Ningcheng to the southern Longjia Mountains. This path runs along the mountain, with slopes on both sides covered with broken stones, weeds, and shrubs, making it the best place for ambushes.

Although the ancestors of Ningcheng built this path to promote the city's development, with the increase in violent attacks, fewer people used it, and it eventually fell into disuse. Adventurers would rather die in the mouths of beasts than fall under the blades of bandits.

Hu Gao, with an excited face, was unaware of these facts. He asked the guards for directions when he left the city and hurriedly left, leaving no time for anyone to warn him.

During this period, Hu Gao had encountered consecutive setbacks in his cultivation. Now, he could finally venture out and implement his plan, which naturally made him a bit excited.

The Five-clawed Golden Dragon, Xiao Wu, perched on the back of Hu Gao's neck, his small claws tightly gripping Hu Gao's collar, leaving small holes with his hard nails, showing even more excitement than Hu Gao.

"Boss, you're finally out to train! I can absorb demon cores again."

"Yes!" Hu Gao sighed. These days could be described as dancing on the edge of a knife. From the first lie he told to confirming his identity as the Hu Clan's successor, various difficulties and troubles came one after another. Without mentioning the distant ones, just the bet with Hu Wushuang had given him a headache.

At the time, lacking strength, Hu Gao adopted a delaying tactic with Miss Wushuang. However, three months was too short, and the trip to the Longjia Mountains became his best choice. On one hand, it was to enhance his own strength, and on the other, to boost Xiao Wu's strength, which was crucial as his trump card.

"For the next two days, we will stay in the outskirts of the Longjia Mountains. I will first perfectly integrate my yuan force and physical strength, reaching a tenfold proficiency, and refine the [Nine Swords of Dugu]. Then I will accompany you to hunt demon beasts!" Hu Gao explained his plan.

Xiao Wu nodded, indicating his satisfaction with the plan. This guy always treated cultivation like a meal, feeling sad if he didn't cultivate for a day. This greatly changed Hu Gao's impression of dragons, as in the novels he had read, dragons, as divine beasts, were often portrayed as lazy.

"Wait, there are people ambushing ahead!" Xiao Wu suddenly called out. "I sense people hiding on the slope ahead, motionless for some time. They are probably targeting us!"

Hu Gao's heart skipped a beat, thinking that what he feared had come. However, his steps did not slow down as he asked Xiao Wu, "How many people? What are their strengths?"

"There are four people, all at the Seventh Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm!"

Four people at the Seventh Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm...

Hu Gao pondered. If it were one or two, he could handle them, but four was a bit uncertain.

"Xiao Wu, what is your strength? Can you deal with the Seventh Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm?"

This was not a challenge in the academy but an ambush by four people who would not fight him one-on-one. He had to rely on Xiao Wu, or he would have to run away now.

"Seventh Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm, no problem!" The Five-clawed Golden Dragon immediately guaranteed, continuing, "Back at Tushan, I could have dug out the inner cores and made roasted meat from late-stage first-rank demon beasts if I hadn't shown mercy!"

Hu Gao thought about it, and it made sense. As a divine beast, the Five-clawed Golden Dragon naturally had corresponding strength among demon beasts, even in its juvenile stage. Its strong dragon body, extreme speed, and small size made it difficult for enemies to capture.

When Xiao Wu was at the early first-rank stage, he could already hunt mid-stage first-rank demon beasts. Now, having absorbed many demon cores and advanced to the mid-stage, dealing with Seventh Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm warriors, who were weaker than late-stage first-rank demon beasts, was not difficult.

However, with four people, they needed to act quickly to avoid injury...

"Xiao Wu, quickly take out one of them, and the remaining three will be easier to handle. I want to see who is targeting me!" Hu Gao made his decision and continued walking forward without changing his pace.

If all else failed, he could summon the Bloodlight Snake Totem to deal with one of them. Once the snake appeared, blood would surely be shed. With three against four in an ambush, he had a good chance of winning.

Speaking of which, when Hu Gao left Ningcheng, Guo Dewen, upon receiving the news, used the pretext of training and brought two clan warriors out of Ningcheng to ambush Hu Gao on the Longyan Path. To ensure the plan went smoothly, Guo Dewen also called an adventurer friend.

This "friend" was someone Guo Dewen met during his training, a professional bandit who had even robbed him before but was later subdued and became a loyal follower.

From a distance, Guo Dewen and his group saw Hu Gao walking alone on the mountain path, moving slowly as if enjoying the scenery. They were pleased to arrive at the ambush site ahead of him and had some time to rest.

However, now, Hu Gao was still walking slowly, and the vengeful young master of the Guo family couldn't help but curse the Hu Clan's successor in his heart:

"Damn you! You still have the nerve to sightsee! What a presumptuous guy, thinking you're invincible just because you have some skills! Humph! Today, I'll make you die in the wilderness!"

Guo Dewen's strategy was simple: have the other three launch a barrage of arrows first, then charge down the slope to surround and catch Hu Gao off guard.

Finally, Hu Gao entered the pre-set ambush area, and Guo Dewen signaled the other three, similarly dressed in black and masked, to prepare for the attack.

"Fire!"

As the command was given, Guo Dewen no longer hid his presence, his aura exposed, and his speed suddenly increased. He shot out like an arrow, drawing a dust dragon on the slope, holding a long spear and charging towards Hu Gao.

"Little brat! You provoked the young master of the Hu family, prepare to die!"

Unfortunately, just as Guo Dewen's roar ended, a惨叫 suddenly sounded from behind him.

Guo Dewen's heart skipped a beat. He recognized the scream as belonging to his friend. During the attack, he saw the bandit deliberately lag behind, falling behind the other three.

Guo Dewen didn't have time to comment on this behavior. He had known the bandit for some time and understood his nature. They usually preserved themselves and only went all out for sufficient immediate benefits.

Guo Dewen believed that the Hu Clan's successor, who had fallen into the trap, would provide enough benefits to make the bandit go all out. He would get the Shadowless Sword back and avoid a lot of trouble.

But what was this sudden scream?

Guo Dewen quickly glanced back and saw a golden shadow about a foot long circling the bandit's neck, causing a gush of blood.

What was that?!

Guo Dewen was startled, his steps becoming disordered, and his momentum slowed, which saved his life.

"Guo Cheng, stop that golden shadow! Guo Hai, help me kill Hu Gao!" Guo Dewen immediately ordered, following the guard in front and continuing to charge towards Hu Gao.

Hu Gao had already drawn the Shadowless Sword and charged up the slope to attack the leading black-clad figure.

The Shadowless Sword emitted a sword light, deflecting Guo Hai's fish-belly saber. Taking advantage of his shorter stature, he dodged the opponent's shadow and slashed across his abdomen, leaving a fatal wound. Guo Hai, losing control, groaned and rolled down the slope.

Guo Dewen, witnessing everything, didn't have time to be surprised or angry when another scream sounded from behind him.

This time, without turning around, Guo Dewen could imagine the scene of Guo Cheng's neck spurting blood.

Hu Gao didn't immediately charge at Guo Dewen but instead veered off to the side, stopping on the slope and watching Guo Dewen with a rich expression on his face, smiling:

"Hey, isn't that our young master Guo Dewen? Do you know these bandits?"

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