Chapter 45

With a powerful strike, he sent the man flying, and before Zhuang Wudao was a wide-open space. He suddenly accelerated and took a large step forward. His figure flashed, easily evading the surrounding sweeping blade shadows. Amidst the clanging of iron armor, he moved straight toward the direction where Feng San and Hu Li were located.

His steps were like a plow moving through the earth, and when he planted his feet, it was as if they were rooted to the ground, each step covering half a丈 (zhang, an ancient Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.3 meters). In an instant, he left the dozens of spear-wielding armored soldiers far behind.

A sudden surge of confidence arose in his heart. Although the Iron Knife Society had many people, those who could face him directly were at most a dozen or twenty. Could it be that today, he could truly kill Feng San with his own hands?

Ahead were the forty archers. Seeing Zhuang Wudao break through the formation, they all appeared somewhat panicked. However, they were well-trained and, while quickly moving aside, did not forget to draw their bows. Arrows flew out, but their force was somewhat weak. However, due to the close distance, the threat was even greater.

Zhuang Wudao paid no attention. Unless the arrows were aimed at his eyes or vital areas, he would reach out to deflect them; otherwise, he ignored them all. The iron arrows continuously struck his body with a "ding ding dang dang" sound.

Was the Bull Demon Yuan Ba's body so extraordinary? Even without the double-layered armor, these iron arrows could not penetrate his Yuan Magnetic Force Barrier. At this moment, unless a thousand arrows were fired simultaneously or a cultivator at the first level of Qi Condensation used a spirit weapon longbow, he would not be concerned.

His steps were as swift as the wind, and in no time, Zhuang Wudao was before another wall of people from the Iron Knife Society. In front of him, twenty extremely muscular men stepped out from the crowd.

Unlike the spear-wielding armored soldiers, who had varying levels of strength, these twenty men were all at least in the late Blood Cultivation stage. Five of them had even reached the Bone Marrow Cultivation stage. They all wore double-layered armor and held large shields as tall as a person.

The one at the front was over eight feet tall, half a head taller than Feng San! His face was full of thick muscles, his eyes like wheels, and he sneered at Zhuang Wudao.

"Truly, he has cultivated a powerful external martial art, and it's not a low-grade one! This guy is probably wearing a spirit weapon armor. Feng San, your arrows are useless; this person is likely invulnerable to blades and swords—"

At the same time, behind the thick wall of people from the Iron Knife Society, Hu Li was on tiptoe, looking ahead.

"His fist technique was also impressive, swift and powerful like thunder and lightning, but it doesn't seem to be the Dragon Subduing or Tiger Taming style. It looks like the Six Harmonies Xingyi?"

Hu Li frowned, deeply puzzled. Was this really the third-rate Six Harmonies Xingyi that was rumored to exist in the world? He hadn't seen it wrong, but why did it have such power? In Zhuang Wudao's hands, it was different.

"Regardless of what fist technique he uses, those who cultivate external martial arts are always stronger. In the Northern Army, I've seen the strongest Bone Marrow Cultivation external martial artist. Even under the combined attack of a hundred people, he only lasted half an hour before his strength was exhausted and he was killed."

Feng San was uninterested in this and, after a cold laugh, asked casually, "When will your people from the Thunder Dragon Gang arrive?"

Hu Li understood that Feng San had developed some wariness toward Zhuang Wudao. Initially, he thought this would be an easy capture, but after the fight began, he realized the opponent was a fierce tiger or a lion.

Even if certain death was inevitable today, he would ensure that the hunter was left with severe injuries before dying.

The situation was indeed difficult. Even with the Iron Knife Society's control of Yuxiong Street, they only had a hundred sets of iron armor.

Apart from the armored soldiers facing Zhuang Wudao, the rest only held broadswords and were no match for him.

Since the fight began, Zhuang Wudao had not been injured, and he had easily withstood the fireball spells. On the contrary, their side had already lost over a dozen people.

Given this momentum, it was no wonder Feng San was unwilling to let his Qi Condensation cultivators act rashly, to avoid unnecessary losses. Hu Li felt the same way and dared not let the Qi Condensation cultivators engage recklessly.

In any case, they would use their underlings to exhaust Zhuang Wudao's strength first. In this city, the only thing not lacking was people who wanted a full meal.

"Here they come."

Hu Li glanced at the street corner and saw a group of muscular men, each holding a large knife and wearing shiny iron armor, emerging from the alley. They were the Thunder Dragon Gang's hidden forces nearby. There were two hundred of them, all at the Blood Cultivation stage. Fifteen of their leaders had reached the Bone Marrow Cultivation stage, making them the most elite group in the Thunder Dragon Gang.

"By the way, after you handle this matter today, do you still plan to continue leading the Iron Knife Society? Aren't you afraid that the Bei Tang family will take out their anger on you and leave you dead in the street? If I were you, I would escape from Yuecheng today and sail east. The deaths of your people are not worth mourning."

Feng San was initially angry, but after a moment, he fell into deep thought and then nodded. "You're right, but too many deaths will demoralize the troops. I know what to do, but I hope Bei Tang's young master keeps his word."

Hu Li laughed heartily. "The Bei Tang family's reputation is not to be questioned in this regard. If they were not trustworthy, who in Yuecheng would still work for them?"

He then praised, "Speaking of which, your gang members are indeed well-trained. Although they cannot yet follow orders perfectly, few forces in Yuecheng can match you."

Especially the twenty men at the front of the wall, their aura was different. They were on par with the elite soldiers in the army, which secretly alarmed him.

Feng San, however, looked regretful and helpless. "A ragtag group! I've taken over the Iron Knife Society for too short a time."

It was precisely because the spear formation was disorganized that Zhuang Wudao could easily break through. If he had a few more months, it would not have been like this. With a hundred armored soldiers, he could have swept the surrounding area! Unfortunately, this business did not allow him to refuse, and the Bei Tang family had offered a tempting reward.

"Still, it's quite impressive!"

Hu Li's admiration was evident. Feng San was indeed a talent, and it was a pity. He then saw the head of a man standing out among the crowd.

"Is that Jiang Yuan? I heard he's been making waves recently, causing a stir in the northern part of the city. His Elephant Power Fist is unmatched by anyone in the Bone Marrow Cultivation stage in the northern city."

"Exactly! He has practiced that fist technique for twenty-seven years and has finally achieved some success."

Feng San sneered. The Elephant Power Fist was said to be one of the top external martial arts. Once cultivated to the first level, the strength could surpass those who practiced other external martial arts by nearly double! It was known for its immense power.

Especially in a group battle, where nimble movements were not possible, it could fully demonstrate its strength. Wearing double-layered iron armor and holding a large shield, Jiang Yuan's Elephant Power Fist would surely suppress Zhuang Wudao.

"This guy has already defeated over a dozen of my men; it's time to crush his spirit!"

Before the wall of people, Zhuang Wudao could also feel the intimidating gaze of the muscular man, filled with provocation. The armored soldiers on the sides were also moving, surrounding and pressing in from both sides.

However, at this moment, Zhuang Wudao's mind was unconsciously influenced by the boxing intent and momentum he had generated.

His mind was empty, focused only on the formation before him. He could faintly feel that his boxing technique had become much smoother in just this short moment.

The Six Harmonies Xingyi should be like this, advancing fearlessly, breaking through a thousand enemies with a single punch!

"Good! No fist is a fist, no intent is intent; in the absence of intent, the true intent is revealed. You have grasped the essence! Although you have not yet entered the door of Six Harmonies Xingyi, after this battle, you can prepare to enter the Qi Condensation stage."

Yun'er's voice sounded in Zhuang Wudao's ear, but he did not hear it, completely unaware.

When he took another step forward, the muscular man sneered, "Get back! Remember, I am Jiang Yuan, the one who will kill you today!"

He directly held the fine iron shield and swung it forward. The wind roared like a tiger, and although it was just a shield, it had the momentum of a city-destroying hammer.

Zhuang Wudao's expression remained unchanged. Without hesitation, he struck out with his palm.

Great Tombstone Strike, Inch Power!

The surrounding armored soldiers all looked at him with disbelief and ridicule. Jiang Yuan's strength was already extraordinary, and after cultivating the Elephant Power Fist, his strength was almost unimaginable. He had once pulled the tails of two five-zhang (about 16.5 meters) elephants, and they could not move.

Facing him head-on and competing in strength was simply courting death!

Zhuang Wudao, however, was completely unaware and still used the Great Tombstone Strike, striking the iron shield. Instantly, a loud boom echoed, and dust rose around them.

***

When Bei Tang Wan'er and Bei Tang Qin hurriedly entered the back garden of their family's residence, they saw Bei Tang Cangjue sitting in a stone pavilion, drinking tea and listening intently to something.

Bei Tang Wan'er was immediately furious. "Uncle, the Gu Yue family has already made a move against Zhuang Wudao, and you are still here drinking tea and enjoying the scenery?"

Although Bei Tang Cangjue had not been involved in family affairs for the past decade, Bei Tang Wan'er did not believe that he was unaware of the incident on Yuxiong Street.

"Nothing to do, and no progress in cultivation. What else can I do?"

Bei Tang Cangjue looked relaxed and pointed to his ear. "Wan'er, listen carefully! The loud strings sound like heavy rain, and the soft strings whisper like private conversation. This piece, 'Yang A,' played by this person, is truly like a spring breeze and snow, almost like celestial music!"

Bei Tang Wan'er was taken aback. When she calmed down, she could faintly hear the sound of string instruments from a distance. Indeed, the melody was beautiful and enchanting.

But then she became even more angry. "Uncle, you are so leisurely. Are you going to ignore the important matters just to listen to this music?"

At this moment, the only one in the Bei Tang family who could quickly reach the scene was Bei Tang Cangjue, who possessed a flying spirit weapon.

Bei Tang Cangjue, however, shook his head helplessly. "It's not that I don't care, but I can't do anything. Do you know who is playing the music?"

Bei Tang Wan'er was very intelligent and quickly understood.

"Is it the head of the Gu Yue family, Gu Yue Tianfang?"

Legend had it that besides his high cultivation, his strength had also reached the eleventh level of Qi Condensation. Although Bei Tang Cangjue was known as the second strongest in Yuecheng, it was because of the Bei Tang family's wealth and power that he was flattered.

In the city, there were at least two people whose strength was on par with Bei Tang Cangjue, and one of them was Gu Yue Tianfang from the Gu Yue family!