Chapter 67

(Extending New Year's greetings in advance)

"The Wang family is really stupid, actually planning to sneak into Black Bee Mountain at night."

"Never mind, just focus on our target."

"Take action while they are sleeping."

Two dark figures hid not far from the family members, blending into the night, making them impossible to detect.

...

"Will Wang Shenglei, sneaking into Black Bee Mountain at night, arrive at the Seven Radiant Martial Academy before us?" Chen Zhi asked somewhat nervously.

"There is a possibility," Chen Zong nodded, but he was not anxious. It would be futile, and if the bet were just an individual, he could take a chance, but it was impossible to sneak into Black Bee Mountain at night with the other four people. One misstep could lead to a fatal danger.

Which is more important, human life or money? Chen Zong was very clear about this.

"Don't worry, Black Bee Mountain at night is very dangerous. Not only are there swarms of black bees, but other beasts also roam around. The danger is more than ten times greater than during the day. Wang Shenglei and his group may not be able to pass through easily," Chen Wenzhe said. Chen Zhong and Chen Kaiyue nodded without offering any comments.

In fact, they were not willing to sneak into Black Bee Mountain at night either.

Chen Zong got up and walked to one side to practice sword techniques. Seeing Chen Zong's efforts, Chen Zhong and the other four also got up to practice foundational martial arts.

"This Chen Zong is really hardworking."

"We can't be outdone."

Immediately, everyone started practicing.

After practicing sword techniques for three hours, Chen Zong stopped to rest.

The black iron block to open the stone room in the mountain wall was placed in a hidden pocket on the left side of his chest. The reward of 50,000 white jade coins for first place was in the form of five 10,000 coin bills, which were kept close to his body along with the *Little Sword Canon*. The admission certificate to the Seven Radiant Martial Academy was also placed in the hidden pocket. The silver-threaded inner armor was worn under his martial attire to protect his body.

The White Cauldron Order from the Peak Heaven Pavilion was also placed in a hidden pocket, but on the right side of his chest. Each arm was equipped with 150-pound heavy iron guards. Additionally, he carried a bundle containing dry rations, jade coins, and some energy and beast blood pills. A bamboo water bottle was hung at his waist.

Leaning against a relatively clean stone in a comfortable position, Chen Zong closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, but his mind was recalling the content of the Blood Ignition Technique.

The Blood Ignition Technique was the forbidden technique Wang Shenglei used in their final confrontation.

A forbidden technique, by definition, is a secret technique that cannot be used casually and is prohibited. Once used, it will inevitably have severe side effects.

Previously, Chen Zong did not even know that such a forbidden technique existed. His low birth and low cultivation level meant he had not reached a high enough level to know about it.

However, after seeing Wang Shenglei use it, he asked the elders upon returning to the clan hall, and the elders did not hide it from him.

The Blood Ignition Technique is a relatively widespread forbidden technique, known by the three major noble families, the five major clans, and other forces. However, it can only be used with minimal side effects when one's cultivation reaches the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, as at this level, a small Blood Qi cycle is formed, which can eliminate side effects to a certain extent. As long as it is not overused, it will not damage the foundation.

Using the Blood Ignition Technique below the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm will instantly consume all of one's Blood Qi, leaving the person weak and powerless. If the duration is slightly longer, it may damage the Blood Qi, and in severe cases, lead to the decline of Blood Qi and the loss of cultivation.

"Could it be that Father's injury was not that simple?" Thinking of the severe consequences of the Blood Ignition Technique, Chen Zong suddenly opened his eyes, and this thought popped into his mind.

The decline of Blood Qi and the loss of cultivation are clearly the same as the consequences of overusing the Blood Ignition Technique.

"It must be so," Chen Zong closed his eyes again. "Father is a Chen family martial artist and has reached the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm, so it is normal for him to practice the Blood Ignition Technique."

According to the elders, every clan member who reaches the seventh level of the Blood Qi Realm can practice the Blood Ignition Technique. It cannot be used normally, only in the most critical moments, when life is on the line. After all, if one is about to lose their life, they won't care about the side effects. Living means there is hope.

"The Blood Ignition Technique works by instantly colliding one's Blood Qi, causing it to burst into high temperatures and burn, thus generating a more powerful force. It can increase one's strength by a thousand pounds. So, with my fifth level of the Blood Qi Realm, using the Blood Ignition Technique would make my strength comparable to that of a typical sixth-level Blood Qi Realm practitioner. Once I use the Heavenly Light and Cloud Shadow Sword, the power will be even more formidable," Chen Zong thought to himself.

After learning about the Blood Ignition Technique from the elders last night, Chen Zong requested that they teach it to him.

He would not use it normally, but if he encountered some insurmountable danger, it might save his life.

The night grew deeper, and the young men gradually fell into a deep sleep. They needed to rest well to climb Black Bee Mountain the next day.

However, someone had to keep watch. The five members of the Chen family, as previously agreed, would take turns, with Chen Zhi keeping watch for the first hour, then rotating until dawn.

A cloud drifted over from somewhere, blocking the waning moon, making the world even darker. Only the campfires stood out, their flames flickering in the wind, with sparks flying.

The wind blew, bringing a chill, but as martial artists and Blood Qi practitioners, they were not afraid of the cold.

Chen Zhi looked around, seeing no movement, and sat down. He thought that with so many clan members around, all keeping watch, he did not need to be so focused.

In fact, many people had this thought, just casually looking around. Under normal circumstances, no fierce beasts would dare approach them, and as for bandits, they had long been eliminated after repeated cleanups over the years.

It could be said that the main dangers on the journey from Fengwu City to the Seven Radiant Martial Academy were in Black Bee Mountain, White Sudden River, and the Galloping Horse Plain.

Time slowly passed. When the first group of watchmen's hour was almost up and it was time to rotate, two dark figures silently approached Chen Zhi from the side, slowly getting closer to the Chen family members, heading towards Chen Zong.

As the dark figures approached Chen Zong, they raised their hands, aiming at his chest, and struck with great force.

At the same time, Chen Zong's eyes opened, a strong sense of danger making his hair stand on end, giving him a chill. Without hesitation or time to think, he immediately rolled to the side, drew his sword, and the sharp sword light shone in the eyes of the two dark figures, forcing them to close their eyes and quickly retreat.

"Who?"

"What's happening?"

"What's going on?"

Immediately, someone was awakened, noticing the two dark figures, and shouted out.

Seeing their assassination attempt exposed, the two dark figures did not flee. They attacked again without a word, flanking Chen Zong from both sides, their movements extremely fast and fierce, emitting a powerful aura.

Just now, to assassinate Chen Zong, they had not used their Blood Qi. Now that their cover was blown, they no longer needed to hide.

"Level eight of the Blood Qi Realm!" Chen Zong's face changed drastically. The Blood Qi fluctuation was clearly much stronger than the seventh level but not as strong as the ninth level.

He had no idea why two level eight Blood Qi Realm black-clothed figures would suddenly appear, and their target was clearly him.

"Kill!"

Tang Junluo and others attacked, not knowing that the black-clothed figures' target was Chen Zong.

"Scram!"

A hoarse, agitated voice filled the air. The black-clothed figures attacked, their palm winds roaring like a hurricane, forcing the approaching people to retreat.

Level eight of the Blood Qi Realm is the Great Blood Qi Cycle. With the movement of Blood Qi, their arm strength can reach at least 8,000 pounds, which is very frightening. Every move they make carries immense power. The highest level among the group was only the sixth level of the Blood Qi Realm, with a strength of about 4,000 pounds, a significant difference.

As the black-clothed figures passed, everyone was sent flying, but no one died.

The terrifying pressure swept over, locking onto Chen Zong's body, making his scalp tingle, his Blood Qi seeming to stagnate and solidify, making it difficult to move. Under the two terrifying and icy killing intents, he almost fainted.

"Stay awake, I must stay awake." Chen Zong clenched his teeth, forcing himself to remain conscious. He used the True Sword Heaven-Defying Technique to the fullest, moving his Blood Qi like an old ox pulling a cart. Taking advantage of the others' attacks, he quickly retreated.

A level eight Blood Qi Realm enemy was too powerful, especially two of them.

Retreat, retreat, retreat!

The farther away he got, the faster his Blood Qi moved, and his speed increased. He used the Wind Step technique.

One step, two steps, three steps, four steps!

In an instant, he retreated twelve meters.

Seeing their target suddenly retreat by over ten meters, the two black-clothed figures seemed to unleash even greater power, directly forcing back the people who were attacking them, clearing a path, and chasing after Chen Zong.

"Level eight of the Blood Qi Realm is powerful and fast. I have no choice but to enter Black Bee Mountain," Chen Zong thought, without hesitation, using the Wind Step technique again, quickly heading towards Black Bee Mountain.

In a crisis, he had to take a chance.

"Damn, he's entering Black Bee Mountain."

"Quick, chase him."

The two black-clothed figures whispered to each other, also using a stepping technique, their bodies light as if carried by the wind, quickly chasing after Chen Zong.

While taking out and eating a beast blood pill, Chen Zong used the Wind Step technique. At this moment, he did not care about the consumption of his Blood Qi; escaping was the priority.

The night in Black Bee Mountain was eerily quiet, and as soon as he entered, he was out of the range of the campfire light. The waning moon was obscured by clouds, making it pitch black. Even a level nine Blood Qi Realm martial artist could only vaguely see the figures nearby in such conditions.

Chen Zong's vision was no worse than that of a level nine Blood Qi Realm martial artist, as he had undergone the mysterious sword tip's meridian cleansing, enhancing his senses far beyond those of ordinary people.

Charge, charge, charge!

The beast blood pill dissolved, gradually restoring his consumed Blood Qi. Chen Zong used the Wind Step technique again, taking four steps, not in a straight line but zigzagging left and right. Using his superior vision, he found rocks and other obstacles to hide behind, disrupting the vision of the two black-clothed figures chasing him, making it easier to escape.

The sudden appearance of the black-clothed figures, the sudden attack, and their sudden departure were too sudden, leaving most people still in shock.

Chen Zhong and the others were all sent flying, though their injuries were not severe, they could not get up immediately. They could only watch helplessly as Chen Zong, pursued by the two black-clothed figures, disappeared into Black Bee Mountain, his fate uncertain.

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