GULP!

A piece of Demon Beast Flesh the size of a bird’s egg slid down his throat and into his stomach, dissolving rapidly in the corrosive gastric juices.

The Demon Beast’s Essence transformed into a surging hot current that flooded his entire body.

Five Peaks True Form Force!

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, silently circulating his Cultivation Technique to guide his Inner Qi and quickly digest the hot current flooding into his body.

His Inner Qi increased at a visible rate.

The Five Elements Internal Qi was like a giant millstone that ground down everything. As the Essence flowed into it, it was instantly crushed and absorbed.

In turn, the bolstered Inner Qi nourished his spirit and Physical Body.

CRACKLE...

As his Thirteen Body Refinement technique grew more profound, Zhu Ju’s body was also undergoing subtle changes.

His frame grew sturdier, his Skin and Flesh tightened, and his bones became like jade...

His body was gradually approaching the theoretical, perfect state of a Body Forging Hard Skill.

Once he reached the Realm of the Water and Fire Immortal Robe, his Physical Body alone would be strong enough to contend with an Innate Qi Refiner.

"Brother Zhu!"

Wan Shuai’s voice came from outside.

"Brewing medicine again?"

"Yes."

His Cultivation interrupted, a look of helplessness surfaced on Zhu Ju’s face. He slowly opened his eyes and responded to the figure outside:

"This Corpse Qi is more stubborn than I imagined. It seems I’ll need a few more days to purge it completely."

"Is that so?" Outside the door, Wan Shuai looked doubtful. "That shouldn’t be the case. Is there a problem with your medicinal formula, Brother Zhu? If not, I can prepare a batch for you."

So many days had passed. Even if the Corpse Qi had penetrated deeply due to insufficient Cultivation, if the medicine was correct, it should have been purged by now.

’Why...’

’He’s brewing medicine in this room every day, it’s like he’s opened an apothecary.’

He had no idea that Zhu Ju wasn’t brewing medicine to purge Corpse Qi, but to dispel Evil Qi and consume Demon Beast Flesh, never stopping for a moment.

"There’s no need," Zhu Ju said.

"There’s not much Corpse Qi left. I wouldn’t want to trouble Brother Wan. Besides... I’m afraid the apothecary doesn’t have enough herbs."

"Right!" Wan Shuai gave a wry smile.

"I’d forgotten. With the city under lockdown, herbs are in short supply. It’s not easy to gather enough ingredients."

"Brother Zhu!"

"These past few days, people have seen Black Tiger Wu Chun at night. I’m afraid his injuries have already healed."

"Oh?" Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

"What a coincidence. My own injuries are no longer a major issue."

"That’s good." Wan Shuai nodded.

"I’ve already notified the seniors from San Fen Hall. If that Black Tiger Wu Chun doesn’t show up, fine. But if he dares to come..."

"We’ll make sure he never leaves!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Wan." Zhu Ju clasped his hands in thanks.

"And thank you to the seniors for their trouble as well."

*

*

*

Night fell.

A six-man patrol team moved along the street.

The major families of the county had pooled their people and resources to form patrol teams, which had been patrolling the city for over a month now, yet they had seen no results.

Not only had they failed to capture Black Tiger Wu Chun, but the joint blockade of the city gates by San Fen Hall and the Celestial Yu Gang had led to growing chaos and an increasing number of murders within the city.

The six men looked exhausted, swaying as they walked.

"When will these days ever end?" one of them spoke up.

"I’d almost rather run into that Black Tiger Wu Chun right now. Whether we kill him or capture him, at least it would be some kind of resolution, right?"

"Because of this one man, the whole of Leping County is short on food and supplies, and rife with unrest. This is no way to live."

"Shut up!" the burly man in the lead said, his expression grim.

"Black Tiger Wu Chun alone could never cause such a huge disturbance. Something else must be fanning the flames."

"And another thing..."

"You should be grateful we haven’t run into that Black Tiger. Otherwise, you wouldn’t live to see another sunrise."

"That’s right!" a cold voice rang out.

"You should be grateful."

"But unfortunately..."

"It’s too late!"

A dark figure descended from the sky, enveloping the six patrolmen.

"Black Tiger Wu Chun!"

"Quick, send the signal!"

"AHH!"

A bloodcurdling scream shattered the tranquility. The tip of the long spear in Wu Chun’s hand glinted coldly as he flung one of the men high into the air.

FWOOSH...

His projected Inner Qi surged like a tidal wave. The moment their sabers and swords touched it, they were sent flying.

Even with superior numbers, they couldn’t overcome the massive gap in strength.

’It’s over!’

Despair washed over their faces.

SQUELCH!

SQUELCH! SQUELCH!

The sound of the spear piercing through bodies rang out repeatedly. By the time a nearby patrol arrived, all that remained were six cold corpses.

...

Kill!

Kill!

Kill!

Black Tiger Wu Chun’s eyes were bloodshot and his face was savage. A torrential killing intent, almost tangible, raged in his mind.

’Zhu Ju!’

’I will avenge Huaijing!’

He knew full well that there was a problem with the Silent Extinction Path of Evil Death—once you started its Cultivation, there was no turning back.

But as long as he could avenge his son, Wu Chun didn’t care.

’His only son was dead. What else was there to live for?’

After beginning his Cultivation of the Silent Extinction Path of Evil Death, killing people increased his Cultivation. During this period, he had killed wantonly, and his Cultivation had already taken another great leap forward.

He had reached the Realm of Qi Circulation.

But the killing intent in his heart had also grown stronger and stronger, to the point of being uncontrollable. Not that he needed to control it.

Tonight, he was here to kill!

SWOOSH!

His figure, swift as lightning, cut silently through the night sky like a goshawk surveying its territory.

The moment it spotted its prey, the hawk would bare its talons, diving toward its target like a sharp arrow.

BOOM!

Roof tiles shattered, and dust rained down.

The figure of Black Tiger Wu Chun, long spear in hand, crashed through the roof. With a flick of his spear, he thrust straight toward the bed on the side of the room.

Die!

BOOM!

The Inner Qi of the Qi Circulation Realm gathered with the force of a river and burst forth from the spear’s tip. The large bed was torn to shreds, sending wood splinters and cotton flying.

However, the feeling of a successful strike did not bring Wu Chun any joy. Instead, his brow furrowed as he looked toward a corner of the room.

"How fortunate."

Zhu Ju, sitting cross-legged in the corner, showed a hint of surprise on his face and shook his head.

"How fortunate that I chose not to rest on the bed. Otherwise... I’m afraid I would have been in serious trouble today."

He had not expected Black Tiger Wu Chun to be a master at the Qi Circulation Realm.

’No!’

’The old Wu Chun was definitely not this strong, or he wouldn’t have been so thoroughly suppressed by the Sunx and Zhou Families.’

’So his breakthrough was recent?’

’And he came looking for me right after breaking through. He couldn’t wait even for a moment.’

"Zhu Ju!"

Wu Chun snapped back to his senses and roared, charging forward with his spear.

"Give me back my son’s life!"

"So that man was your son?" Zhu Ju said with dawning understanding.

"He came seeking his own death; you can’t blame me for that. But there’s no point in saying any of this now."

The incoming spear transformed into a thousand silver snakes, writhing through the air. The sharp, Powerful Qi was terrifying.

Fire Tree Silver Flower!

Facing the onslaught, Zhu Ju did not retreat but advanced. His Palm Technique shifted, and countless palm phantoms met the spear.

His bare palms collided with the long spear.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of metal striking metal rang out. Zhu Ju’s breath hitched, and he was forced to stomp the ground and retreat violently.

Though he had been consuming Demon Beast Flesh day and night, and his Cultivation had progressed rapidly, he had still not reached the Realm of Qi Circulation.

He was just one step away.

The key was,

Black Tiger Wu Chun’s spear technique was all advance and no retreat, all offense and no defense. Every strike was aimed at injuring the enemy, with no thought for self-preservation.

’How was he supposed to fight a battle like this?’

BOOM!

In that brief moment, the door and window were shattered by a powerful force, and several figures holding weapons rushed in.

It was Wan Shuai and three others, who had heard the commotion inside and come to help.

"Be careful!"

Zhu Ju shouted in a low voice.

"Black Tiger Wu Chun’s Cultivation is already at the Qi Circulation Realm."

"What?"

Wan Shuai and the others were shocked.

But in the center of the room, Powerful Qi surged. A terrifying pressure erupted without restraint, and the figures all retreated violently.

Their retreat was as pathetic as their arrival had been imposing.

"Good!"

Amidst the chaos, a sharp streak of Sword Qi tore through the bedlam, heading straight for Black Tiger Wu Chun.

"As expected of a Demonic Method. To be able to create such a master so quickly is truly extraordinary."

"Take this sword!"

It was the Elder of San Fen Hall, Sword Hero Xiao Gongdu!

Black Tiger Wu Chun had decades of experience in countless life-or-death battles. Relying on this experience, he quickly retracted his spear to defend, raising its tip by six inches.

CLINK...

The sound of the collision rang out.

Although Wu Chun’s Inner Qi Cultivation had also reached the Qi Circulation Realm, it was far from being as pure as that of the newcomer, who had decades of arduous Cultivation behind him.

Moreover, the opponent’s Sword Qi was infused with a sharp Sword Intent.

From that single clash, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. A mouthful of blood rushed up his throat, and his body shot backward, crashing through a wall as he fled outside.

"After him!"

Xiao Gongdu said coldly.

"He’s been hit by my Meridian-Shattering Sword Qi. His five organs are already damaged. The more he circulates his Inner Qi, the worse his injuries will become."

"We cannot let him escape tonight!"

"Yes, sir."

The others acknowledged and leaped up, chasing in the direction Black Tiger Wu Chun had fled.

Zhu Ju, who was not skilled in Body Techniques, separated from the group. He watched the direction Black Tiger Wu Chun had fled, his brow gradually furrowing.

’The Zhou Family?’

’That’s not the right direction, is it?’

Just as he vaulted over a wall and was about to dash forward, something suddenly landed in front of him.

It then exploded abruptly.

BANG!

A thick fog expanded at an astonishing speed, obscuring the vision and perception of any outsiders.

"Nephew Zhu." Jing Feng’s figure emerged slowly from the mist, a faint smile on his face as he spoke.

"Do you still remember me?"