Chapter 157: Chapter 115: Know the Tiger Is There, Yet Walk Toward the Tiger Mountain (Part 3)

This person seems not to be fond of speaking. Just as the sword was drawn, the sudden cold and sharp Qi Mechanism from his body made Chen Ping realize that this person is not weak at all.

His Innate Martial Intent was not concealed.

Perhaps he was too proud to hide it, intentionally revealing a hint...

Or perhaps he had just broken through not long ago and couldn’t fully conceal his aura.

However, since he had noticed it, pretending not to know would be pointless.

"There’s no rush to drink; let’s find another day to drink to our hearts’ content.

I’m heading to Xingqing Prefecture to seek a mentor and cannot afford to delay even for a moment."

Chen Ping politely declined Xiongba’s invitation, chuckling, "Brother Xiong must have also noticed that I am on the path of Qi Blood Body Refining. It’s challenging, and finding a good Cultivation Technique is not easy."

His Inner Qi Cultivation was lacking, completely overshadowed by his Qi Blood Cultivation.

Moreover, whether one’s Qi and Blood are strong, and how resilient their muscles and bones are, can be seen from the outside.

One can hide the fluctuation of Qi and Blood and conceal their level of strength, but not the essence of a strong and dragon-like Qi and Blood.

Those with insight only need a glance to see it...

So Chen Ping never intended to deceive Xiongba’s eyes and simply stated it outright to show sincerity.

Also, to give himself a good reason for venturing into the Jianghu.

Wherever he goes, traces are left behind.

Everything he does has a purpose.

This was the persona Chen Ping established, setting the groundwork for his future actions.

So as not to be associated with the identity of Tian Qi.

"You’re thinking of apprenticing under Han Wushang of the Primordial Sect, right? In Xingqing Prefecture, the most renowned for Qi and Blood training is Han Wushang of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall. Learning his Primordial Golden Body Technique offers the best prospects...

However, Brother Chen, if you intend to go to the Primordial Martial Arts Hall, please think it over."

Xiongba, whose background was unknown, seemed to have a deep understanding of the world’s powers and Jianghu figures.

Just from a few words, he could guess where Chen Ping intended to go...

One could only say that despite his rough appearance and seemingly rash demeanor...

Anyone who took him as a mere brute would be truly blind and naïve.

"What do you mean by that?"

Chen Ping humbly sought advice.

Xiongba did not hide his intentions and genuinely seemed keen to make friends, telling everything without reservation: "A few days ago, I heard that Gao Yue from the Changfeng Martial Arts Hall slew the Copper Armor Corpse causing havoc in Wangqiu County from the Corpse King Sect...

By the way, Brother Chen, you may not know that the Copper Armor Corpse has a saying: non-innate cannot defeat it.

The fact that Hall Master Gao Yue could slay it with a single sword stroke speaks volumes about his ability.

Having mentioned Gao Yue, we must talk about Han Wushang of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall...

Although the Primordial Sect is named among the Four Daoist Sects, it has been in decline. The rivalry between the Seven Stars Faction and the Primordial Faction has not ceased, from the mountains to the plains.

It is now February, precisely the time for their sword duel...

During this specific time each year, the martial arts halls of Changfeng and Primordial in Xingqing Prefecture engage in fierce battles, leaving no moment of peace.

Brother Chen, to join the Primordial Martial Arts Hall at this time, is truly..."

Here, Xiongba couldn’t help but shake his head. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He seemed to have little hope for Chen Ping’s decision.

"Thank you, Brother Xiong, for the information. I have made up my mind. Since I have committed to this cultivation path, regardless of whether the sect I join is thriving or declining, there is no reason to change."

Though Chen Ping felt slightly anxious inside...

His expression remained unchanged. After sincerely thanking Xiongba for the reminder, his horse sped up, and by 1:45 PM, the caravan reached Xingqing Prefecture City.

After receiving the employment silver taels, they did not linger like sentimental children; they just exchanged farewells and parted ways.

As Chen Ping inquired about the route, he headed directly for the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

His pace quickened, darting through streets and alleys, no longer overly concealing his abilities.

Except he did not use the Seven Stars Step and Swallow Returning Butterfly Dance Technique; he was almost running...

Because the Little Cyan Bird, which had flown into the city before him, had already conveyed the scene it had seen at the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

At this moment, blades and swords were flashing, both sides facing each other, filled with murderous intent as the duel began.

Looking at the attire, it seemed that disciples of the Changkong Martial Arts Hall and the Primordial Martial Arts Hall were fighting fiercely...

In the dueling ground, both sides seemed to have blood-shot eyes, with blood splattering from their bodies.

In the center of the martial field, as the two engaged in heated combat, the elders of both sides remained stern and silent.

Watching quietly, surprisingly, no one called to halt the match.

Han Xiaoru was still wearing that familiar sword shirt, holding a large sword, twisting her wrist and ankle as if warming up.

Her delicate and beautiful face had rarely shown such killing intent.

She seemed even tenser than the day she fought desperately with the Straw Hat Man.

’She should be up soon... This duel might be more important than I imagined.’

The reason for Chen Ping’s anxiousness wasn’t the duel itself, but the fact that with the keen eyes of the Little Cyan Bird, he had seen the surroundings of the large courtyard of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

There were people in various costumes acting inconspicuously.

Some held knives and swords, while others hid bows and crossbows, occasionally glancing stealthily in the direction of the martial hall.

Looking head-on, nothing seemed out of place.

But from a high vantage point, it was evident... that the strangely adorned, robust men in groups of three or five had quietly surrounded a large circle.

Encircling the Primordial Martial Arts Hall in the center.

This is?

"It’s an ambush!"

With just a glance, Chen Ping understood.

Xiongba was not wrong at all in his previous words.

Perhaps he knew something but couldn’t divulge the details, only offering subtle reminders.

In such a situation, Chen Ping knows that the best option is to withdraw immediately, not to get involved in this mess.

But recalling that night in the Youx Mountain Ghost Cry Forest, when he was besieged, and Han Xiaoru courageously helped with her mother, risking their lives...

Walking away from this, he really couldn’t bring himself to do it.

"Moreover, I haven’t secured the follow-up Cultivation Technique for the Primordial Golden Body yet."

"At worst, I’ll abandon the identity of Chen Ping. With countless surnames, which one cannot gain fame?"

With this thought, Chen Ping took a deep breath and, under various inexplicable gazes, quickly stepped into the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

...