Chapter 61

Chapter 4: The Great Hero Enters the Wasteland

Many people gathered at the commotion. Those who followed Zheng Yanxin and Wei Jimiaohua all had mastered lightness skills. They finally managed to catch a glimpse of the two experts' movements.

Zheng Yanxin didn't care. He focused all his attention on rescuing Xian Yuan Chang, completely absorbed in his task. It was the first time he felt so elated as the Upper Dantian glowed with a fiery light.

Only when they reached the pavilion did he have a moment to catch his breath.

"I heard it was blue..."

Wei Jimiaohua spoke, her lips parting. She was surprised by the changed Jingma Qinggang technique and the refined elegance Zheng Yanxin displayed, which he hadn't shown when he faced the Sword Sect on Zhongnan Mountain.

It had been less than half a year. In her eyes, the phrase "to look at someone with new eyes" (刮目相對) seemed inadequate to describe his growth.

One's abilities can only grow to a certain extent without being noticed.

"Indeed, it wasn't the white warrior in the blue robe. You have now become a complete blue warrior, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Zheng Yanxin took a step forward and replied.

Wei Jimiaohua sighed inwardly. Thanks to the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, she knew about Zheng Yanxin's short lifespan.

'Like a flame.'

His rate of achievement was unprecedented. Even if his life was cut short, it was still remarkable. He walked a different path of time.

She had heard stories about a young hero who had humbled the experts of the demonic path in distant Xinjiang.

He didn't seem to use sorcery like the rumors suggested.

She decided not to be surprised anymore. She had long understood the vastness of the world and earned the title of Sword Dragon.

She had overcome the heart demons she gained from Zheng Yanxin. There was no envy or distrust in her.

Wei Jimiaohua looked at Zheng Yanxin, who stood beside her, with a transparent gaze.

"I'm hearing this good news only now."

Her face, with a faint smile, was beautiful. She continued, walking alongside Zheng Yanxin.

"It's a pity we can't celebrate properly due to the unfavorable time and circumstances. Let's have a drink with Xian Yuan Chang."

"Thank you."

Zheng Yanxin expressed his gratitude calmly. It was encouraging. Xian Yuan Chang must be alive.

They stood in front of the pavilion.

Zheng Yanxin clenched his fist and chanted the incantation of the Shihua Wujiguan. He sensed many presences inside.

There might be innocent people still alive. Despite his seemingly carefree demeanor, he only intended to break the main gate.

'No.'

He frowned. The qi waves he felt on his skin were peculiar.

It felt like a cold tension, as if something was holding its breath. Blood seemed to be seeping out.

It was different from before. Wei Jimiaohua, standing beside him, also seemed to sense the unease.

Her lips slightly parted, and Zheng Yanxin felt the Upper Dantian premonition dissipate.

Boom!

There was no time to hesitate. He planted his stance.

The explosive force of the Shihua Wujiguan's Jing wave surged from his feet.

The accumulated power of the foot technique condensed in his fist as he extended his arm.

Bang!

A strong wind, swept up by the Jing wave, erupted. The sensation of the wood touching his fist was instantly pushed away.

Zheng Yanxin and Wei Jimiaohua's eyes widened as they quickly entered through the shattered debris.

"What!"

"What is this!"

There were two groups of people, startled.

They seemed to be divided into factions, each wary of the other. The blood demons with fiery red hair were closer to Zheng Yanxin.

Those who appeared to be captives were hiding on the opposite side.

For some reason, they were free and facing off against the Blood Flame Sect.

Xian Yuan Chang was at the forefront.

His skin was withered, and his face was twisted in a way she had never seen before. A corpse with blood-red hair and a bit of black hair lay at his feet.

It was the Blood Demon Sword, likely the branch leader of this Blood Flame Sect.

Xian Yuan Chang held a dagger, seemingly taken from the demons.

The grip in his reverse hand looked quite familiar. The blade was soaked in blood.

It seemed he had mutilated the corpse at his feet.

'He overexerted himself.'

Zheng Yanxin knew immediately.

The Blood Flame Sect demons were a heretical sect that stole inner energy. They wouldn't have shattered his Dantian.

Thanks to this, Xian Yuan Chang could have forced open his acupoints and retaliated.

However, it wasn't an easy feat.

To tear apart the inner energy of another who had sealed his meridians on the spot? If he had knowledge of internal cultivation, anyone would think he was crazy.

He must have suffered severe internal injuries. It might be irreparable.

Even after killing the Blood Demon Sword, he couldn't handle several Blood Flame Sect members.

'They must have been a threat to each other.'

He could guess how long they had been in a standoff. The civilians behind Xian Yuan Chang were repeatedly huddling and spreading their legs.

"There's a great hero here too."

Someone said. The martial artists who followed Zheng Yanxin and Wei Jimiaohua were peering in. There were dozens of them. The Blood Flame Sect members were frozen, unable to even open their mouths.

"Hmm?"

How engrossed were they in their standoff? Even after Zheng Yanxin broke the door, Xian Yuan Chang only now seemed to regain his senses.

He met Zheng Yanxin's eyes.

"Eh...?"

The expression of fierce hatred towards the Blood Flame Sect demons suddenly changed. His face became blank and dazed.

"What, what are you doing here so quickly?"

Xian Yuan Chang's first words.

* * *

All the Blood Flame Sect branches in Xuzhou were swept away.

As dawn broke, the term "Great Hero Enters the Wasteland" (入荒大俠) began to spread.

It was a nickname praising Xian Yuan Chang.

Dozens of martial artists in Xuzhou witnessed him protecting the civilians with his mangled body.

His powerful martial arts were different from Zheng Yanxin's.

While many called Zheng Yanxin the Hero of Ruhuang City, Xian Yuan Chang was honored as a hero for his righteousness, not his martial prowess.

"The destruction of the Blood Flame Sect is a great achievement in Ruhuang City, isn't it? The imperial court has declared it a heretical sect."

Wei Jimiaohua said, sitting with Zheng Yanxin in a guesthouse.

She smiled slightly.

"Since there are many witnesses to the achievements you've made, this incident will be fully recorded. I can also testify."

"Thank you."

Zheng Yanxin replied briefly. He wasn't in a good mood.

Xian Yuan Chang's internal injuries were severe. He fainted after seeing Zheng Yanxin and giving a slight smile last night.

When Zheng Yanxin examined his pulse and internal state, he couldn't help but groan.

His entire meridian system was severely damaged.

'He might not be able to practice martial arts anymore.'

Wei Jimiaohua, carefully observing his expression, spoke.

"Zheng Xiaoxia, it seems you have a reason to be very concerned about your sect's achievements, is that right?"

"......Yes."

Zheng Yanxin answered slowly. He could tell her this much.

Though they hadn't been close friends for long, he had felt the deep character of the Sword Dragon.

It was already known to many in the main family, including Maguangyi.

One couldn't completely hide the obsession with achievements, even if one concealed their constitution.

"While establishing achievements in Ruhuang City, there might be a way to restore Xian Yuan Chang's body."

Wei Jimiaohua said. At the same time, Zheng Yanxin's upper body leaned towards her.

Wei Jimiaohua didn't avoid it and spoke.

"Our sect has been at war with the Sword Sect for a long time. There were many disciples like Xian Yuan Chang who suffered severe internal injuries. They might not be able to use martial arts after a month, but if there were high-quality elixirs, the situation would be different."

"Elixirs..."

"The Longfeng Assembly has been in turmoil, and the Nangong Family and the Blood Flame Sect are in a major conflict. It's almost a war. The Nangong Family is the closest major sect to Xuzhou, in the same region."

Wei Jimiaohua's eyes sparkled with wisdom. The Sword Dragon's martial world experience was unfolding.

Her breath, reaching Zheng Yanxin's nose, carried hope.

"Show them a favor. The Nangong Family is a righteous martial family among the Eight Great Families. They will certainly repay the favor. There is only one issue."

She said.

"Whether you have the martial prowess to do so."

"......"

One shows righteousness through martial prowess and receives another's righteousness in return. Wei Jimiaohua spoke of the essence of the martial world.

'They are in conflict with the Nangong Family? The Blood Flame Sect must be pouring in significant resources.'

Eliminating the demons was Zheng Yanxin's personal achievement. Now, there was an additional goal.

To earn a favor from the Nangong Family and receive an elixir? It was a very difficult task. However, there was no other way.

The next destination for Maguangyi, the Hero of Ruhuang City, was Huizhou.

"Obtaining an elixir