Chapter 63

" Wang Yue, you are indeed a genius, but geniuses often have short lives." The Wolf God said to Wang Yue, "You are more terrifying than Liu Qing, with even greater potential. Given time, just ten years, you would become a Grand Master. Unfortunately, not everyone has the good fortune Liu Qing has. You are a Song warrior, and even if you hadn't killed tens of thousands of our Liao soldiers, I would not let you go today!"

When the Wolf God saw Wang Yue, he had thoughts of recruiting him, but quickly extinguished them.

Wang Yue is a Song warrior and cannot serve the Liao. Even if he agreed to join the Liao to save his life today, he might turn against us in the future.

Wang Yue is different from Li Jian. Li Jian has a deep-seated grudge against the Song, and the Wolf God has saved his life. Therefore, Li Jian cannot return to the Song. More importantly, Li Jian's potential is limited; becoming a half-step Grand Master is his highest achievement. He has no hope of reaching the Grand Master realm in his lifetime. That's why the Wolf God is at ease with Li Jian.

Li Xuan sneered, "Wolf God, you are right. If this boy were to live, he would be another Liu Qing in the future. Today, he must die!"

"I have no hobbies, but I enjoy killing genius warriors," Li Xuan said to Wang Yue. "I have seen many geniuses, and many have died at my hands. I have killed at least eighty Song geniuses, if not a hundred. If these warriors hadn't died, some might have become Grand Masters. Boy, I'll give you a chance to strike first, but I won't hold back."

The Wolf God took a few steps back. He only wanted Wang Yue dead, and it didn't matter whether he or Li Xuan did the deed. Since Li Xuan wanted to act, he would let him have the opportunity.

Wang Yue closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Li Xuan sneered, "What, too scared to strike? Are you closing your eyes to wait for death?"

Wang Yue adjusted his emotions, calming his mind.

"Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well fight to the death. If I can break through to the Grand Master realm in battle, there might be a glimmer of hope for survival," Wang Yue thought to himself.

The situation had already occurred, and fear would only make things worse, possibly leading to a quicker death.

Wang Yue's eyes flashed with determination, and the energy in his body flowed, producing a thunderous sound.

"Very well, since you are willing to teach me, I am grateful," Wang Yue said coldly. "Although I know I am no match for you, dying at the hands of a Grand Master like you would be a worthy end."

"Fight!"

Wang Yue's voice echoed like thunder, and the ground within a kilometer trembled.

"Boom!"

Wang Yue's innate energy and blood qi erupted, sending boulders flying.

A gale of wind enveloped Wang Yue, making him look like a divine being descending upon the world.

Wang Yue's muscles and bones swelled, his body growing by a full circle, and his height increased from 1.8 meters to 2 meters.

This transformation startled both the Wolf God and Li Xuan.

"Good boy, no wonder you defeated Yelü Qiyun and the others. You are indeed formidable," the Wolf God exclaimed.

Li Xuan's eyes flashed with surprise. Wang Yue hadn't yet become a Grand Master, but his aura was already on par with one.

"Very well, let's see how strong you are!" A sword beam appeared in Li Qi's hand, incredibly sharp.

"Bang."

Wang Yue charged at Li Xuan like a cannonball.

Since Li Xuan had let Wang Yue strike first, Wang Yue wouldn't hesitate in this life-or-death moment.

Li Xuan slowly raised his hand, and the sword beam blocked Wang Yue's punch.

Wang Yue's face changed. His punch was easily sliced through like tofu, and the sword beam directly injured his body.

"Spurt!"

The sword beam pierced his arm, causing Wang Yue excruciating pain.

Li Xuan struck Wang Yue's chest with a palm.

"Bang."

Wang Yue was sent flying, crashing through boulders and trees, stopping only a hundred meters away.

"Ah..."

Wang Yue spat out a mouthful of blood.

Li Xuan's sword and palm had severely injured Wang Yue.

"Too fast!"

Wang Yue was shocked. "His speed is too fast, so fast that I can't even see his movements. It's as if my reactions are delayed. What should I do?"

Wang Yue's mental power, which usually gave him an edge, was disrupted by Li Xuan's mental energy.

Wang Yue was invincible among Master warriors, and his mental power was on par with a Grand Master's. Without this advantage, and with inferior strength and speed, he had no hope of winning.

Li Xuan, seeing that Wang Yue was only severely injured and not dead, was surprised. "Good boy, you are quite resilient. You survived my half-strength palm strike? Now I'm interested in your martial arts. Your internal boxing can strengthen the body to this extent, which is impressive. Hand over the complete internal boxing manual, and I'll give you a quick death."

Wang Yue's internal boxing was not a secret. The Wolf God and Li Xuan even had the methods for Mingjing and Anjing. With their means and intelligence, obtaining Wang Yue's public internal boxing techniques would not be difficult.

Wang Yue's body was strong, and his blood qi was abundant. Even with severe injuries, he could regulate his blood qi to temporarily suppress the damage.

This was the magic of internal boxing.

Wang Yue sneered, "Dream on if you think I'll give you my internal boxing techniques! I'm not afraid of death, so why would I fear your other methods? I, Wang Yue, swear that if I survive today, I will kill you in the future!"

Li Xuan coldly snorted, "Nice thoughts, but you won't have the chance! Internal boxing is interesting, but it's just a body-strengthening technique, similar to the Shaolin Temple's Indestructible Body. As a Grand Master, no martial arts are useful to me. Internal boxing, I don't need. Die!"

This time, Li Xuan used full strength.

A Grand Master's half-strength strike is nearly ten thousand pounds, and a full-strength strike exceeds twenty thousand pounds. Such a powerful force, combined with a magical martial arts technique, can slay gods and demons.

Wang Yue despaired, "This time, I'm really going to die!"

Just as Wang Yue closed his eyes to await death, a sword beam shot from the void, blocking Li Xuan.

This sword beam was like a meteor from the sky, cutting through the air.

Wang Yue couldn't describe the sword beam, but he felt its grand and righteous presence. Wherever the sword beam passed, all evil and demons retreated.

The sword beam's majesty deeply impressed Wang Yue.

"Who is it?" Wang Yue wondered.

"Clang!"

Wang Yue heard a sword ring.

"Boom!"

Li Xuan was forced back, retreating to the Wolf God's side, eyeing the distance warily. Blood trickled from his right hand. Although Li Xuan had blocked the sword beam, he was injured.

A green figure appeared beside Wang Yue. The green light faded, revealing a young man in a green robe.

"Liu Qing!" Li Xuan exclaimed in shock.

The Wolf God's pupils contracted. "Liu Qing, I didn't expect you to be here. You arrived just in time."

The Wolf God glanced at Wang Yue. With Liu Qing present, it was impossible to kill Wang Yue.

Liu Qing smiled, "Yes, just in time. If I had been a moment later, Li Xuan would have succeeded. Wang Yue is a talent of the Song, and he will surely become a Grand Master. Dying at the hands of an old man like you would be a great loss for the Song."

Wang Yue stood up, walking behind Liu Qing, and said gratefully, "Wang Yue thanks you, Lord Liu, for saving my life."

Wang Yue had no particular fondness for Song officials, but he greatly admired Liu Qing. The Song government could still function, largely due to Liu Qing's Six Fans Gate. Without it, the country might have fallen long ago.

The Six Fans Gate was a sharp sword over the heads of corrupt officials, making them at least think twice.

Liu Qing nodded, "Wang Yue, you are impressive. Achieving such martial arts at under thirty is unprecedented. The Six Fans Gate needs talents like you. Join us, and you will have a place to showcase your abilities."

Wang Yue smiled bitterly, "Lord Liu, I'll consider it. Can we talk about it later? I'm severely injured right now."

Liu Qing understood Wang Yue's refusal and said politely, "Fine, I'll wait for your response."

The Wolf God and Li Xuan looked at Liu Qing with apprehension. Liu Qing was the best swordsman and the fastest in the world. Even if they combined forces, they might not be his match.

While they could match Liu Qing, they couldn't stop him from leaving.

Liu Qing looked at the Wolf God and smiled, "Wolf God, why are you with Li Xuan? Are you plotting against the Song again? This is the first time you've left Blood Wolf Valley in decades."

The Wolf God smiled, "Don't think I'm so sinister. Just because I'm in Xixia doesn't mean I'm plotting against the Song. Li Xuan's birthday is coming up, and I'm here to wish him well. Why not join us? We can have a good gathering. Of course, you don't need to bring a gift; just show up."

Li Xuan's eyes turned cold, "Yes, Liu Qing, I would welcome you at my birthday."

Liu Qing shook his head slightly, "I almost forgot. Li Xuan, you are 140 years old this year. If I have the chance, I'll come, but I wonder if your banquet can accommodate me. Wolf God, Li Xuan, you are truly old! Ha, we'll meet again..."

Liu Qing wrapped Wang Yue in his true essence and disappeared in a flash of sword light.

Li Xuan, having lost face, not only failed to kill Wang Yue but also suffered Liu Qing's sarcasm. His pride was wounded.

"Wolf God, we should have fought Liu Qing just now. Even if we couldn't injure him, we could have killed Wang Yue," Li Xuan said calmly, but the Wolf God knew his killing intent was about to erupt.

The Wolf God said, "Liu Qing is the fastest in the world. No one can stop him, even with Wang Yue. In a year, we will have a decisive battle with Liu Qing. If he avoids the fight, we will invade the Song with a million Liao troops!"

...

Liu Qing carried Wang Yue for two hours, finally reaching Song territory.

"Alright, boy, you're safe now," Liu Qing said.

Wang Yue quickly sat down to meditate. His injuries were severe, and if not for his strong body and abundant blood qi, he would have died long ago.

Even a Master warrior couldn't withstand a Grand Master's half-strength strike, and Wang Yue, despite being an invincible Master, was no exception.

(Thank you to "Summer Coast" and "Starry Sky Under the Dome" for your support! Please don't send any more催更票 (urge update tickets). It makes me feel conflicted and painful. I'm just an amateur writer and a slow typist, and 3,000 words a day is my limit. Thank you all for your support.)