Chapter 71

It took more than twenty days for Luo Xiu to lead Lu Mengyao through the Guanlei Mountain Range and enter the Douhai County.

Between Yunlong County and Douhai County lies the vast and perilous Guanlei Mountain Range, which is almost impossible for any Qi Sea Realm martial artist to cross.

Even if one were to detour around the outer regions of the Guanlei Mountain Range, there are often Level 3 demonic beasts appearing, and occasionally, Level 4 demonic beasts that can rival Spirit Refinement Martial Ancestors.

Luo Xiu relied on his life perception ability to detect the strong demonic beasts in advance, allowing him to avoid most of the dangers.

During this period of over half a month, Luo Xiu also slew many Level 2 demonic beasts and some ordinary Level 3 demonic beasts, accumulating a large amount of materials from the demonic beasts in his storage ring.

Zuoxing City, located near the Guanlei Mountain Range, is a place where many martial artists who venture out for training come and go.

Martial artists who take risks and train in the Guanlei Mountain Range often sell and trade various treasures they obtain in Zuoxing City, exchanging them for various cultivation resources they need.

At the entrance of Zuoxing City, two young people, a man and a woman, arrived. The man wore a tight black martial uniform, carried a battle sword on his back, had a chiseled face, bright black eyes, and a calm expression.

The woman was beautiful, with a delicate appearance and eyes as clear as autumn water, carrying a faint sadness.

These two young people who arrived in Zuoxing City were none other than Luo Xiu and Lu Mengyao.

The cost to enter the city was one low-grade Essence Stone, which was not much for any Qi Sea Realm martial artist.

Zuoxing City was very prosperous, though its area was not as large as Yunlong County, the atmosphere filled with martial arts and a sense of solemnity far exceeded the quiet and peaceful Yunlong County.

According to Luo Xiu's knowledge, the Heavenly Martial Kingdom had thirteen counties and eight prefectures. Among the thirteen counties, Yunlong County ranked twelfth, far less prosperous than Douhai County, which ranked seventh!

Compared to the situation in Yunlong County where the Free and Easy Sect dominated, the forces in Douhai County were much more complex and intertwined.

"Detailed information about the Guanlei Mountain Range..."

Upon entering the city, one could hear people selling various maps and treasure information, some of which were true and some false, but almost everything was related to the Guanlei Mountain Range.

Additionally, there were introductions to the major forces in Douhai County and Zuoxing City, as well as simplified maps.

Maps were undoubtedly precious items. For many martial artists who trained in the Guanlei Mountain Range, a simplified map was invaluable. Luo Xiu owned one because he obtained it from the Hunter's Guild.

The more vast and dangerous the region, the more difficult it was to create a map. In the Hunter's Guild, only internal talented members had the authority to obtain simplified map information for certain areas.

The price of a simplified distribution map of Zuoxing City was two low-grade Essence Stones. After entering the city, Luo Xiu bought one. According to the map, Luo Xiu did not head to the Hunter's Guild but instead took Lu Mengyao to the Lei Wu Sect's base first.

The Lei Wu Sect was a major force in Douhai County and naturally had a base in a prosperous place like Zuoxing City.

However, before Luo Xiu and Lu Mengyao could reach the Lei Wu Sect's base, a young man in a fiery red robe appeared in front of them, blocking their path.

This red-robed youth had a rebellious expression on his face, and behind him stood two subordinates holding knives.

"Are you two new to Zuoxing City?" the red-robed youth asked, but his eyes were fixed on Lu Mengyao.

Luo Xiu frowned. He could sense that this red-robed youth had come with ill intentions, but he had just arrived in Zuoxing City and did not want to cause trouble.

However, before Luo Xiu could speak, the red-robed youth's gaze fell on him, and he said coolly, "The woman by your side is quite good. She will follow me from now on."

Luo Xiu's face changed. He did not expect this red-robed youth to be so audacious. From his rebellious and arrogant demeanor, it was clear that he was an important figure in some major force in Zuoxing City, completely disregarding others.

He glanced at Lu Mengyao, who was shaking her head in panic, clearly afraid and worried about encountering such an incident upon arriving in Douhai County.

Lu Mengyao stood behind Luo Xiu, tightly gripping the hem of his clothes. She knew that the only person she could rely on, being alone and helpless, was Luo Xiu.

The red-robed youth frowned, "In Zuoxing City, no one dares to refuse me, Yan Qiu."

As he spoke, the two subordinates behind him emitted a solemn and killing aura.

Luo Xiu suppressed his anger. He knew that in this world, strength was the ultimate language. The other party did not take him, a mere Qi Sea Realm martial artist, seriously.

However, this red-robed youth was so arrogant and aggressive.

For Luo Xiu, the cultivation of this red-robed youth was not a concern, merely Qi Sea Sixth Level. However, the two subordinates behind him were not ordinary, both being First Rank Innate martial artists.

"Ha ha, this woman is quite beautiful, no wonder you, Yan Qiu, have your eye on her."

At this moment, a laugh echoed, and a girl in a green dress appeared, followed by an old man with a white beard.

This green-dressed girl was not old but already at the Qi Sea Seventh Level. The old man behind her had an even higher cultivation, reaching the Fourth Rank Innate Realm.

"Miss Duan, are you trying to ruin my good deed again?" the red-robed youth, Yan Qiu, said coldly.

The green-dressed girl, surnamed Duan, snorted, "Who are you, Yan Qiu? Everyone in Zuoxing City, from the elderly to the young, knows about you. I heard you cultivated the Yin-Stealing Technique, and in just over half a month, you have already defiled over a dozen girls. Otherwise, with your half-baked talent, how could you reach Qi Sea Sixth Level?"

Hearing the green-dressed girl's words, the red-robed youth, Yan Qiu, flew into a rage, and the two immediately started arguing on the street.

From their argument, Luo Xiu could see that this red-robed youth, Yan Qiu, seemed to be somewhat wary of the green-dressed girl, surnamed Duan.

The Yin-Stealing Technique, which Luo Xiu had heard of, was an evil technique for replenishing yang by stealing yin, a high-level technique of the Sixth Rank. It did not require much cultivation talent; as long as one stole enough yin, one's cultivation could rapidly increase.

Luo Xiu also noticed that there were no onlookers on the nearby streets. Even if someone cast a curious glance, they would quickly leave, not daring to get close.

This indicated that the identities of these two people in Zuoxing City were quite extraordinary.

"Miss Duan Hong'er, I have set my sights on this woman today. Don't think that just because your Duan family has the support of the Lei Wu Sect, you can look down on my Yan family in Zuoxing City," Yan Qiu said, pointing at Lu Mengyao behind Luo Xiu.

Duan family? Lei Wu Sect?

Hearing Yan Qiu's words, Luo Xiu immediately recalled one of the reasons for coming to Douhai County, which was to send Lu Mengyao to the Lei Wu Sect.

According to his knowledge, Lu Feichen left a token to Lu Mengyao before his death. With this token, she could join the Lei Wu Sect.

Lu Mengyao, being intelligent, naturally thought of this and quickly took out a token with the Lei Wu emblem.

"Lei Wu token?"

Seeing the token in Lu Mengyao's hand, both Duan Hong'er and Yan Qiu exclaimed in surprise.

From their expressions, it was clear that this Lei Wu token was not ordinary.

"Miss, where did you get this token?" Duan Hong'er asked, her eyes fixed on the token in Lu Mengyao's hand.

"It was left to me by my father," Lu Mengyao said truthfully.

"Can you transfer this token to me? Name your price," Duan Hong'er said.

Hearing Duan Hong'er's words, Luo Xiu immediately knew that the Lei Wu token must be very significant.

Without needing to be told, Lu Mengyao also understood this. Moreover, this token was left to her by her father, so she could not transfer it to a stranger.

"Sorry, I can't give you something left by my father," Lu Mengyao refused.

"Ha ha, Lei Wu token, I want it!"

Yan Qiu suddenly laughed, his eyes fixed on the Lei Wu token in Lu Mengyao's hand.

"Songshan Duo, seize the Lei Wu token for me. I want the token, and I want the woman too!" Yan Qiu ordered.

"Yes!"

One of the subordinates behind Yan Qiu responded and instantly reached for the Lei Wu token in Lu Mengyao's hand.

"Miss, should I take the token for you?" the old man behind Duan Hong'er whispered.

Duan Hong'er's eyes flickered. She knew that holding the Lei Wu token could directly make one a core disciple of the Lei Wu Sect. Although the Duan family had some influence in Zuoxing City, they were only equivalent to an outer sect affiliate of the Lei Wu Sect.

"Clang!"

Luo Xiu also acted instantly, his Dark Shadow Sword creating a black sword light.

The Songshan Duo drew their knives, and with a clang, the blades and sword clashed, sparks flying.

Luo Xiu used the force to retreat, pulling Lu Mengyao and turning to run towards the nearest city gate.

He knew that going to the Hunter's Guild was the best choice, as no one would dare to act there. However, the current location was too far from the guild.

Luo Xiu was not concerned about the Songshan Duo, who were both First Rank Innate, but he was wary of the Fourth Rank Innate old man behind Duan Hong'er.

The street was immediately in chaos as the two sides fought, and the pedestrians quickly moved to the side, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

"Lao Liu," Duan Hong'er signaled to the old man with a white beard beside her.

Lao Liu nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

Yan Qiu naturally noticed this and a cold smile appeared on his lips. Although the Songshan Duo were both First Rank Innate, they were skilled in joint attacks and were invincible below the mid-Innate stage.

On the streets of Zuoxing City, Luo Xiu pulled Lu Mengyao and ran at full speed, with the Songshan Duo in hot pursuit. The distance between them was getting closer and closer.

Because he had to carry Lu Mengyao, Luo Xiu could not fully unleash his speed.

"Guards, stop the two in front!"

The Songshan Duo shouted to the guards at the city gate from a distance.

The city gate guards, recognizing these two Yan family retainers, drew their weapons and blocked the entrance.

At the same time, two others began to close the city gate. Once the gate was closed, they would be like fish in a barrel, with no way to escape.

The crowd at the city gate also became chaotic, and everyone moved to the side, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

Luo Xiu remained expressionless, while Lu Mengyao was worried.

Suddenly, Luo Xiu pulled Lu Mengyao's hand and lifted her, carrying her on his back.

The softness of her chest pressed against Luo Xiu's back, making Lu Mengyao wince in pain. Then she felt a rush of wind in her ears.

Luo Xiu unleashed his full speed, leaving a series of eight afterimages as he rushed towards the city gate.