Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Turbulent Undercurrents! Time to Strike

After leaving the Gang Leader’s main hall, Chen Xuan couldn’t wait to look through the secret manual in his hands.

’An unexpected bonus!’

This was something he had never expected.

However, his brow quickly furrowed.

’Does the Gang Leader suspect me or not?’

’If he suspected me, he wouldn’t have given me a secret manual. But if he didn’t, why test me again and again? Sigh... I’m still too weak.’

He sighed internally.

If he were stronger, he would have the courage to defy anyone who suspected him.

Suddenly, Chen Xuan sensed something and turned his head.

Not far outside the courtyard stood a figure, hands clasped behind his back, looking quietly in his direction with an elegant air.

It was Zuo Qiuyun.

Chen Xuan smirked, gave him no mind at all, and simply walked away.

’As if I’d give you the time of day.’

’Others might not know what you’re really like, Zuo Qiuyun, but I do.’

’Neither of the Protectors are good people. Who knows how many times they’ve plotted against me behind my back. If I get the chance, I’ll crush them both...’

Ruthless thoughts surged through Chen Xuan’s mind.

"..."

Zuo Qiuyun said nothing, watching Chen Xuan’s figure from a distance.

He had also received a secret report about the incident at the docks.

He never would have thought that in just a few days, Chen Xuan could grow to such an extent.

’If I had known about his talent sooner, would I still have chosen to give up on him?’

At this thought, Zuo Qiuyun once again fell silent.

’Soon. In a little more time, I can break through to the Transforming Force Ninth Layer. When that happens...’

His gaze suddenly turned dark and profound, and he turned and left.

...

Inside the carriage.

Chen Xuan checked his retribution points again. With 1200 points remaining, he didn’t hesitate to start spending them.

’Retribution points, upgrade the Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist!’

[Ding! You have consumed 1200 retribution points to begin upgrading the Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist. As you have already reached the Transforming Force Third Layer and mastered the various secrets and methods of Transforming Force, this session did not consume too many of your retribution points.]

[You feel as if your arms have become two giant, mountain-cleaving axes. Every swing tears through the air with a piercing shriek. Under the tempering of this incomparably ferocious force, your muscles, bones, and skin undergo another astonishing transformation. Parts of your body that were previously untrained are now all strengthened...]

[With almost no effort, you have raised the Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist to the same level as the Vajra Sun Art.]

[Cultivation session complete!]

BOOM!

A roar immediately came from within his body. His muscles, bones, meridians, and blood vessels once again underwent a series of invisible changes, as if he had cultivated for countless years in an instant.

Even his arm muscles, fists, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius muscles had grown quite a bit larger.

Waves of powerful force surged within his body.

He looked at his status panel again.

’My cultivation level didn’t increase; it’s still the Transforming Force Third Layer. But my strength... it seems to have grown quite a bit again.’

Chen Xuan pondered.

The Martial Arts of this world, aside from those of the True Qi Realm, almost all focused on cultivating the physical body.

Even Martial Arts of the same grade would have different effects due to their different focuses.

So, generally speaking, the more Martial Arts one practiced, the stronger their body would be forged.

But he had Innate Divine Strength. For every additional Martial Art he cultivated, the gains he received were far greater than a normal person’s.

’With two Martial Arts mastered, combined with my Innate Divine Strength and Bronze Skin and Iron Bones... I wonder how much power one punch can unleash. I should find a deserted mountain and test it out when I get back.’

A glint flashed in Chen Xuan’s eyes as he looked at his own palms.

Ever since reaching the Transforming Force Third Layer, he had never used his full strength.

Even when dueling the Gang Leader, he had only used his raw physical strength.

Name: Chen Xuan

Heart Method: None

Martial Arts: Vajra Sun Art (Third Layer), Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist (Third Layer), Blast Palm (Perfection · One-Palm Soul-Sever), Black Evil Palm (Perfection), Thunderbolt Step (Perfection)

Cultivation: Transforming Force Third Layer

Talents: Innate Divine Strength, Bronze Skin and Iron Bones (A new talent can be unlocked with each new level of fame. Current Fame: Minorly Famous)

Retribution Points: 0 (Can be used to upgrade Martial Arts)

...

...

Time flew by, and soon a whole day had passed.

The entire dock was bustling with activity. Jia Gui organized a group of men to rebuild it, and a large number of laborers and gang members were rushing about.

But what they didn’t know was that an invisible flood was silently closing in around them.

At dusk.

The sun’s rays slanted down.

Headquarters of the Thirteen Golden Dragons Fort.

The Bai family’s Elder Bai Shihong, his face grim, sat on his chair, his eyes still fixed on the two mangled corpses of the Bai family’s young geniuses before him. His fists were clenched, and waves of piercing pain shot through his heart.

Qianli...

Ling’Er...

These were both peerless geniuses of their Bai family.

They were originally supposed to follow him out to see the world.

But now they had ended up like this.

’When I get back, how will I explain this to the Patriarch? How will I face their parents?’

’The Patriarch repeatedly warned me to ensure their safety before we left...’

At this thought, Bai Shihong’s heart filled with a rage so intense he almost wanted to roar at the heavens.

He had been waiting an entire day for the results of the Thirteen Golden Dragons Fort’s investigation.

Finally, Yue Kaishan rushed in again with a complex expression on his face. He cupped his fists and said, "Elder Bai, we still haven’t found out who did it. We only know that Bai Qianli’s body was discovered in an area three to four li from Clearwater Docks. Also, I found out something else. At Clearwater Docks, Chen Xuan killed Fan Tao and Tie Niu, the men I sent. He’s suspected of having the strength of the Dark Force Ninth Layer."

"Suspected?"

Bai Shihong’s voice was indifferent.

"Yes. Fan Tao had been at the Dark Force Ninth Layer for several years. Since he could kill Fan Tao, could he have also killed Bai Qianli..."

Yue Kaishan said tentatively.

"Understood."

Bai Shihong was almost numb.

Let alone Chen Xuan just being a suspected Dark Force Ninth Layer, even if he really was at the Dark Force Ninth Layer, there was absolutely no way he could be Qianli’s opponent.

Qianli had undergone all sorts of medicinal baths since childhood and had consumed various precious pills.

At the Dark Force Ninth Layer, he was long since unrivaled among his peers!

The only one who could kill him must be at the Transforming Force realm!

Bai Shihong’s eyes, filled with hatred, suddenly looked at Yue Kaishan and said, "Yue Kaishan, didn’t you want to make a move on the Red Sand Gang? Tonight will be the night. Have you contacted everyone you need to?"

He hated the Red Sand Gang to the bone.

Regardless of whether that Chen Xuan did it or not, the blame was being placed on the Red Sand Gang.

If it weren’t for dealing with the Red Sand Gang, Qianli and Ling’Er would never have come here.

Now that Qianli and Ling’Er were dead, what reason did the Red Sand Gang have to exist?

Naturally, they all had to be killed!

Not a single one left!

"Everyone has been contacted. Aside from the Giant Whale Gang’s Leader Lu Zhentian, there is also the Black Water Gang’s Leader, the Poisonous Snake Sect’s Leader, and several notorious lone bandits and figures from the Blacklist."

Yue Kaishan said.

"Bring them in."

Bai Shihong’s voice was indifferent.

"Yes, Elder Bai!"

Yue Kaishan responded respectfully and immediately withdrew.

Before long, he returned to the main hall with more than ten figures in tow.

These dozen or so figures were indeed all extraordinary.

Some were burly with fierce auras and bronze skin, some had large, thick knuckles and fingers, and one was a woman, wearing a faint smile.

They were all leaders of famous nearby powers!

Others were fugitives wanted by the imperial court—ruthless killers with vicious methods.

"Greetings, Elder Bai!"

The group of people cupped their fists in salute.

Bai Shihong’s gaze was ice-cold. It fell upon them, sweeping over them one by one. Instantly, everyone’s body tensed, their skin prickling with pain. They had a strange illusion, as if dozens of silver needles had been instantly stuck into their bodies. It made their hair stand on end.

This shocked them greatly.

’Could he have already cultivated Gang Energy?’

"Tonight, I will move against the Red Sand Gang. I will personally execute their leader, Hong Wentong. The rest I leave to you. Do not let a single one escape."

Bai Shihong’s voice was frigid as he said, "As for Clearwater Docks, which caused the death of my nephew and niece..."

"Elder Bai, you can leave them to us!"

Suddenly, a woman in a pink dress’s eyes flashed, and she cupped her fists and said, "I guarantee we won’t leave a single person alive. We can even bring that Chen Xuan directly to you for interrogation!"

Beside her stood four other burly men, their eyes burning as they looked at Bai Shihong.

They were notorious wanted criminals in the martial world, known as the West Mountain Swarm. Every one of them was a Transforming Force master, and they had always maintained close ties with the Thirteen Golden Dragons Fort.

If they could successfully curry favor with the powerful Bai family this time, perhaps they would no longer have to live as fugitives.

"Fine. However, I don’t like your dress. Go change into something black."

Bai Shihong stared at her indifferently.

"Yes, Elder Bai!"

The woman said immediately.

’An important member of his family died,’ she thought. ’Wearing a pink dress right now is indeed inappropriate.’

"Then wait for nightfall. As soon as it’s dark, we move!"

Bai Shihong waved his hand and said coldly.

"Yes!"

The group, seething with killing intent, roared in unison.

The entire hall seemed to grow dim.