Chapter 61

After Hu Gao revealed his false identity, the two harbored their own ulterior motives and silently moved forward, not speaking for a moment.

Qi Hong approached Hu Gao with such enthusiasm, of course, not out of any good-heartedness. There were few adventurers who had not dealt with the major families in Ningcheng, and these families were considered local powers in the outer regions of the Longjia Mountains. Moreover, although a lower-grade Earth-class treasure sword was tempting, the mutated totem warrior was not easy to handle, and three Body Realm cultivators were certainly beyond his control.

Qi Hong harbored ill intentions, and Hu Gao also had his own thoughts.

Not long after they started walking together, Hu Gao realized that Qi Hong was not a good person. Each time he seemed to glance back casually, it was filled with deep meaning. Hu Gao noticed that after each glance at his expression, Qi Hong's eyes would fall on a specific place on his body, such as the bundle on his back, the Shadowless Sword at his waist, or the place where he kept his belongings.

This kind of scrutinizing, like a detective, was clearly looking for weaknesses or something Qi Hong wanted, something to bring him down.

Upon further reflection, the relationship between Qi Hong and the black-bearded man who had robbed him was also abnormal.

The black-bearded man's robbery could be explained as being unconventional. His quick escape after a few words could be attributed to his frequent dealings with the "Demon-Exorcising Castle," understanding the organization, and knowing that his Sixth Stage Shadow Formation Realm strength was no match for Qi Hong's Eighth Stage. Escaping immediately was the wisest choice.

However, Qi Hong's appearance was too coincidental. He was not patrolling the mountain but had been waiting in one place, like a rabbit waiting for a hare.

Hu Gao's perception ability was not reserved for peeping at beauties. He had long sensed Qi Hong's presence. Initially, he thought Qi Hong was an accomplice to the black-bearded man, but he did not expect him to appear as a mountain patrol inspector. Upon closer consideration, he might indeed be an accomplice.

Hu Gao followed Qi Hong, originally intending to see what tricks he would play, but unexpectedly obtained information about the Flame Valley and the Black Fire Lotus. It was like he had intended to urinate but ended up with a beautiful woman instead!

Half a day earlier, Guo Deyun had mentioned being robbed by a Land Rover. Hu Gao, about to enter the Longjia Mountains, asked for detailed information. He learned that the Land Rovers in the Longjia Mountains were not just simple robbers but used various schemes, so he remained cautious.

Noticing the strange behavior of the black-bearded man and Qi Hong, Hu Gao recalled Guo Deyun's warning and, combining it with his past life experience, immediately understood the trick of the police catching the thief.

This was the advantage of being a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "time traveler" or "穿越者" in English, but in this context, it means someone who has experienced two lives). The experience of two lives often sparks insights, illuminating hidden plots. Or, perhaps, this was another hidden golden finger!

Now, Hu Gao was thinking about how to deal with Qi Hong. An Eighth Stage Shadow Formation Realm cultivator, one rank higher than Guo Deyun, and a seasoned veteran of the Longjia Mountains, a cautious mistake could lead to disaster.

If he failed to subdue the tiger, he might end up being choked by the snake!

Should he let Qi Hong go, or take the opportunity to rob him? That was the question!

Soon, while Qi Hong was still hesitating about whether to let this fat sheep go, Hu Gao had already made up his mind to skin this Land Rover!

The Shadowless Sword struck silently, aiming for the gap on Qi Hong's back.

Two meters, Hu Gao's attack was instantaneous!

Qi Hong was indeed formidable! Already highly alert, he became even more focused and reacted instantly.

Before the sword tip touched his back, Qi Hong lunged forward, dodging the attack. As his body tilted, he forcibly twisted his torso, and the fish-belly saber at his waist, glowing red, slashed upward, the white fish belly colliding with the green and red kingfisher, startling it into a sharp cry.

The ambush was deflected, but Qi Hong was surprised to find that he had not completely blocked Hu Gao's attack.

The clear Shadowless Sword split a beam of light, slicing toward Qi Hong's face.

What!

Qi Hong's pupils dilated. The reaction and determination honed from multiple escapes from beast attacks made him forcefully turn the fish mouth, using the fish-belly saber to block the beam of light.

A powerful force sent Qi Hong sprawling into the mountain mud. Ignoring his狼狈 (狼狈 means "狼狈" in Chinese, which can be translated as "embarrassment" or "狼狈" in English, but in this context, it means "awkwardness" or "disarray"), he immediately rolled to his feet, raising the fish-belly saber and angrily staring at Hu Gao, who had ambushed him.

Hu Gao deliberately did not continue his attack. Adventurers like Qi Hong were like wolves; if pushed too hard, they would not just bite like rabbits but would become even more dangerous. Instead, fear and respect would turn their wolf nature into dog nature, making them easier to handle.

"Little brother, what do you mean by this? Is this how you repay my kindness!"

"You can consider that as farting." Hu Gao held his sword, his focused mind not allowing him to show any expression. "Your intentions are clear to both of us. Now it's my turn to rob you."

"You..."

Anger and shame made Qi Hong speechless. "What a reckless and ignorant brat!"

"No, this is called confidence. After that first strike, it has become even more confident!" Hu Gao seized the opportunity, a smile playing on his lips. "Now I give you a fair chance to fight, and then let me rob you!"

"You should be the one saying that, brat!" Although somewhat angry, Qi Hong did not appear nervous or afraid, but rather relieved.

In his view, Hu Gao was not very old. Even if he came from a major family, and the Fifth Stage Shadow Formation Realm was a lie, he could be at most a Seventh Stage cultivator, a full rank lower than himself. If he did not know Hu Gao's true strength, there might be some uncertainty, but now that he knew, there was no need to worry. As a seasoned warrior who had spent a long time in the Longjia Mountains, dealing with a young man with little combat experience was not difficult.

More importantly, by challenging him this way, the three Body Realm cultivators hiding in the shadows would not attack him. They did not immediately attack the black-bearded man, which was a good proof. Although the black-bearded man was at the peak of the Sixth Stage Shadow Formation Realm, not much different from this young man, any Seventh Stage Shadow Formation Realm cultivator could see that the black-bearded man was not an ordinary Sixth Stage. He had innate strength, capable of dealing with Eighth Stage Shadow Formation Realm cultivators.

Qi Hong did not believe that this young brat could defeat the stubborn bull, and thus did not believe that Hu Gao could defeat him.

As long as he did not use lethal force in the fight, he believed the three Body Realm cultivators would not make things difficult for him. At worst, he would lose some possessions, but his life would be safe. He had not attacked this young man and had treated him warmly.

"Do you think you are my match?"

Qi Hong's fighting spirit burned intensely. He wanted to show the three hidden cultivators that a young brat from a major family was not enough to deal with a wandering cultivator like him.

"Only a fight will tell."

Hu Gao's eyes flickered with fighting spirit...

Qi Hong, a warrior who often walked the line between life and death, was truly a seasoned fighter. Someone like Guo Deyun, who had long been in a sheltered environment, had not truly experienced the trials of life and death.

Robbery was the goal, but training was also essential.

This battle must produce real combat experience.

"Watch the sword!"

Hu Gao took the initiative, the Shadowless Sword splitting a beam of light as the first move.

He did not abandon the Shadowless Sword to use his skilled martial arts, not because he thought this would be enough to deal with the powerful Qi Hong, but to train his sword skills.

Having practiced for a short time and touched a sword for the first time, he could split a beam of light, which was something to be proud of. However, Hu Gao knew that he was not very proficient with the sword, at least not as much as with his fists.

This was not arrogance. Hu Gao believed that Qi Hong was a man who valued his life, otherwise he would not have cautiously probed him earlier. During the fight, Qi Hong would use deadly moves but not truly lethal ones, to save face with the three "elders" behind him, increasing his chances of survival.

Hu Gao wanted this effect. As long as he could break the deadly moves before they truly threatened his life, he would gain training. Otherwise, challenging an Eighth Stage Shadow Formation Realm cultivator would be pure suicide.

The two engaged in battle, their swords and sabers clashing, the red light of the fish and the bird colliding.

At first, Qi Hong held back, but gradually, he found that this young man could always break his deadly moves, and his contempt diminished, making his attacks even more ruthless!

Hu Gao continued to use the Shadowless Sword, incorporating the insights he had gained over the past half day. He could see the weaknesses in Qi Hong's movements, and having practiced the "Nine Swords of Dugu" on Guo Deyun, it was now time to practice the "Sword Breaking" technique.

Hu Gao's ambition was not small. Transitioning from boxing to swordsmanship was just the first step. With his photographic memory and rapid mastery of techniques, he aimed to be proficient in all eighteen weapons, to do justice to his "golden finger."

Moreover, transitioning from boxing to swordsmanship would also enhance his understanding of martial arts, making his techniques more thorough and beneficial for integrating his physical and spiritual energy.

As the number of exchanges increased, Hu Gao gradually felt the strain.

He realized he could no longer continue training his sword skills. Otherwise, he would only be defending and unable to attack, disrupting his routine and losing the insights he had gained.

Additionally, he needed to subdue Qi Hong to make his robbery legitimate, not to show him any favor.

It was time to use a deadly move.

Again, using the Bloodlight Snake ability, as Qi Hong's wrist softened, Hu Gao knocked the fish-belly saber away, the sword tip pointing at Qi Hong's face.

Qi Hong used his left hand to wield the saber, and his right hand, unaffected, struck the Shadowless Sword.

"Retreat!"

Hu Gao felt the Shadowless Sword vibrate, numbing his tiger's mouth. Although he was physically strong, his sword skills had not reached the "Iron Lock" level, and his fingers could not tightly grip the hilt. This was the first time he encountered someone who could shake his sword loose.

Caught off guard and lacking experience, he tried to use a claw technique to hold the hilt but was too late, and the Shadowless Sword flew out of his hand.