Chapter 76

Drunk and tired, Xiao Ming stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing secrets that his mother had given him.

Longjiaofeng Peak is 1,888 meters high, and the Seven Radiant Martial Academy is located about 300 to 400 meters up. There is still a long stretch of mountain road ahead.

The mountain road is rugged and difficult for ordinary people, but for Chen Zong, it is manageable. He applied the subtle intricacies of the Wind-Stepping technique to his ordinary steps, making his movements light and agile. When he encountered high places, he leaped up as if walking on flat ground.

The mountain breeze brought a coolness, and the vast sky and wide horizon stirred his heart with a sense of grandeur.

There are several famous spots on Longjiaofeng Peak, such as the Sea-Viewing Cliff, which overlooks not the sea but a sea of clouds; the Moon-Viewing Rock, a massive stone from which the moon appears more beautiful than usual; and the Dragon-Coiling Summit, the highest point of Longjiaofeng Peak, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

The den of the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves is not far from the Sea-Viewing Cliff. When Chen Zong reached the Sea-Viewing Cliff, he paused for a moment. One side is a mountain wall covered with lush vegetation, with a small cave-like indentation that could serve as a temporary shelter during storms. The other side is a sheer cliff, below which lies a vast sea of clouds, a sight that brings a sense of tranquility and peace.

Unable to resist, Chen Zong let out a long, sword-like howl, and began to dance with his sword.

The sword light flashed, and the sword shadows crisscrossed. As he practiced various sword techniques, he felt his mind become clear and his thoughts more focused.

"Indeed, this is a good place to practice swordsmanship," Chen Zong thought. "Perhaps in the future, I can come here to practice."

He turned and left the Sea-Viewing Cliff, heading towards the den of the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves.

The savage aura of the beast was faint at first but became clearer and more intense as Chen Zong approached. The sounds of beast roars grew louder and more chaotic.

"The den of the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves is here," Chen Zong thought, his steps becoming even lighter.

Through the dense trees, he saw a small valley ahead, with scattered rocks and numerous caves. The Scorpion-Tailed Wolves, about a meter long with black fur and a scorpion-like tail that curved upwards and forward, longer than their bodies, looked like black wolves with scorpion tails.

The Scorpion-Tailed Wolf is a first-class superior beast, combining the ferocity and cunning of wolves with the venomous tail. A single sting can paralyze and swell a Ninth Layer Blood Qi Realm warrior, making them slow and eventually turning them into prey.

"One, two, three..." Chen Zong scanned the area and saw twenty-six Scorpion-Tailed Wolves scattered outside the caves. He took note of the surrounding terrain to plan his next move.

His strength was considerable, but he could not afford to be surrounded by the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves, as that would be dangerous.

He realized that the punishment from Bai Yushan was malicious. One day, he would challenge him, but for now, he needed to focus on how to hunt ten Scorpion-Tailed Wolves and obtain their tails.

After surveying the terrain and recalling the layout of the Sea-Viewing Cliff, Chen Zong made up his mind.

He picked up a stone, aimed at the nearest Scorpion-Tailed Wolf, and threw it with all his might. The stone shot out like an arrow, striking the wolf's head and causing it to howl in rage. It immediately turned to face Chen Zong and charged.

"Die!" Chen Zong did not dodge. He drew his sword, and the sword light flashed like lightning, piercing the wolf's throat. He then slashed and severed the tail, sheathed his sword, grabbed the tail, and quickly retreated, as the other Scorpion-Tailed Wolves roared and charged, a terrifying sight.

He retreated quickly, using the terrain to his advantage, keeping a distance from the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves.

However, the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves were more familiar with the terrain and quickly closed in on Chen Zong. Suddenly, one leaped from a rock, pouncing on him with sharp claws, fangs, and a venomous tail, forming three attacks in an instant. The stench of the wolf's breath made Chen Zong feel uncomfortable.

He held his breath and swung his sword.

The sword light was dazzling, and the sound was deafening, blinding the Scorpion-Tailed Wolf and making its ears ring.

In the next moment, a sharp sword light pierced the wolf's throat, and Chen Zong deftly severed the tail, catching it in his left hand, all in one fluid motion.

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

Chen Zong engaged in a chase with the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves.

Despite some deviations from his plan, he managed to retreat to the Sea-Viewing Cliff without much trouble. He placed the three tails he had obtained in a safe spot and leaned against a cave-like indentation in the mountain wall, ensuring he would not be attacked from all sides, only from the front.

About a dozen Scorpion-Tailed Wolves formed a fan-shaped encirclement, their front paws on the ground, like a drawn bow, their fangs bared, and their green eyes filled with cruelty.

Chen Zong's face was cold, his eyes bright and deep, as he observed the movements of the wolves.

Suddenly, the dozen Scorpion-Tailed Wolves charged, pouncing in three waves, coordinating their attacks.

Lightning Sword Technique!

The sword light flashed like lightning, and his left hand struck out, a dragon's roar echoing around him.

Perfect Realm Lesser Dragon Subduing Hand!

With the strength of four thousand pounds, Chen Zong unleashed the Perfect Realm Lesser Dragon Subduing Hand, a powerful and fearsome technique capable of shattering stone and splitting boulders. The Scorpion-Tailed Wolves, though not weak, could not withstand the attack and were sent flying, spitting blood and unable to rise.

Using the terrain and his foundational sword techniques and the Lesser Dragon Subduing Hand, Chen Zong defeated the dozen Scorpion-Tailed Wolves, their bodies lying scattered, their green-tinged blood flowing, and the stench of death filling the air.

He cut off all the tails, a total of sixteen, and tied them with vines.

Ten to be turned in, the remaining six could be sold for money.

Clapping sounds echoed, and Chen Zong's gaze swept sharply.

"I thought you would die from the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves' stings, but you are unharmed. Your strength is indeed impressive," a man stepped onto the Sea-Viewing Cliff, a mocking smile on his face. "Unfortunately, you are too uncooperative. Hand over the ranking token from the Boiling Blood Pool, and I will go easy on you."

"Are you from the Bai family? Did Bai Yushan or Bai Yulou send you?" Chen Zong raised an eyebrow, his smile half-mocking.

"Ridiculous, how dare you call the name of the eldest brother directly," Bai Zhongping immediately became angry, his Blood Qi surging. He took a step forward, drew his sword, and swung it, creating multiple afterimages before thrusting it rapidly at Chen Zong.

At the Eighth Layer Blood Qi Realm, with his Blood Qi circulating, his arm strength could reach eight thousand pounds, and his speed far exceeded that of a Sixth Layer Blood Qi Realm warrior.

As soon as Bai Zhongping moved, Chen Zong saw the opportunity and immediately retreated. His steps, though seemingly chaotic, were orderly, allowing him to avoid Bai Zhongping's thrust. He crouched low, and his precious iron sword thrust upward at Bai Zhongping's abdomen.

The thrust immediately turned into a downward slash, and Chen Zong dodged again, changing his thrust into a stab, aiming for Bai Zhongping's heart, then into a slash, targeting his throat, and finally into a point, aiming for his left shoulder's collarbone, and lastly into a slash, aiming for his ear.

One sword, five transformations, as swift as lightning, each strike sharp and cold, spreading a chill throughout the body.

Bai Zhongping immediately burst with Blood Qi and retreated, the tip of the sword almost grazing his earlobe. A moment's delay, and his entire ear might have been cut off.

"You can perform one sword, five transformations!" Bai Zhongping looked at Chen Zong from a distance, his eyes filled with shock.

It was said that if one could master the technique of one sword, nine transformations, it would bring about wondrous changes, but it was unclear how, as very few people could achieve it.

Even the most skilled disciple of the Sword Radiance Hall, Bai Yushan, could only perform one sword, three transformations, and barely manage one sword, four transformations.

Engaging in close combat with someone who could perform one sword, five transformations using ordinary sword techniques was undoubtedly unwise unless one's strength or speed far exceeded the opponent's.

Although his arm strength of eight thousand pounds and speed gave him a clear advantage, he could not help but feel that the opponent's sword was incredibly powerful, possibly on par with a Seventh Layer Blood Qi Realm warrior.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Zhongping accelerated the circulation of his Blood Qi, and his long sword shimmered, as if tiny stars were appearing around him.

This was the first level of the Bai family's Intermediate Rank Starlight Sword Technique, reaching the Perfect Realm.

"Scattered Starlight!"

Bai Zhongping let out a low cry and thrust his sword, transforming it into a dozen points of starlight that shot towards Chen Zong's body like flying stars.

"Brilliant Starlight!"

For added safety, Bai Zhongping burst with Blood Qi again, unleashing the second level of the Starlight Sword Technique, reaching the Great Success Realm.

The dozen points of starlight expanded, becoming even more brilliant and blinding, making it impossible for Chen Zong to look directly at them. A strong sense of danger overwhelmed him, and his heart raced.

He used the Wind-Stepping technique to retreat rapidly, each step covering three meters. He kicked the corpses of the Scorpion-Tailed Wolves towards the dozen points of starlight.

The corpses were pierced and torn apart, blood and flesh flying, a gruesome sight.

After piercing and shredding the corpses of seven or eight Scorpion-Tailed Wolves, the dozen points of starlight dimmed. Chen Zong thrust his sword, the light and speed of the sword shattering the starlight. He kicked up the bundled tails and threw them at Bai Zhongping. His sword flickered, transforming into a solitary star descending upon the world, standing alone.

Bai Zhongping dodged the tails and was momentarily distracted. The sword had already approached him unnoticed. He was startled and swung his sword to defend. The sword transformed five times, forcing Bai Zhongping to retreat. Just as he was about to burst with Blood Qi again, a blinding light appeared before his eyes, as if he had been stabbed by a needle, causing intense pain.

Under the intense light, shadows spread and intertwined, creating a confusing interplay of light and shadow, making it difficult to distinguish reality from illusion.

With the full strength of his body and Blood Qi, Chen Zong unleashed the Heaven's Light and Cloud Shadow Sword without mercy.

Amidst the intense light and deep shadows, a sword silently and soundlessly struck.

Bai Zhongping let out a loud cry and swung his sword.

The light and shadow vanished, and the front of Bai Zhongping's shirt was cut open, revealing a silver-threaded inner armor. Blood seeped from the cut, and his strength rapidly drained.

Chen Zong's face was pale, and he swayed, his left arm, protected by a heavy iron guard, cut open, blood seeping out.

He raised his sword to strike again but felt weak.

"Third Young Master... will not forgive you..." Bai Zhongping's mouth dripped with blood as he fell backward, his heart cut open, beyond saving.

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