Chapter 118: Slaying a Grand Master with a Single Palm Strike

Chapter 118: Slaying a Grand Master with a Single Palm Strike

Upon entering the Inner Domain, Xu Yan maintained a low profile. Although he had gained a general understanding of the region from Xie Lingfeng and his junior disciple sister, Su Lingxiu, it was still just a rough idea of the vast landscape that lay ahead.

Just as reading about a place in a book differs greatly from actually experiencing it firsthand, Xu Yan soon realized that his knowledge of the Inner Domain was merely a glimpse of its true complexity.

His first concern was his lack of financial resources. All he could think about was how to earn enough spirit crystals to purchase the spirit medicines he needed.

Regardless of the intentions of the people in the carriage, whether they harbored ill will or not, Xu Yan remained unfazed.

While he had not yet achieved invincibility in the Inner Domain, he was confident that defeating most Grand Master warriors would be a breeze.

Among this group of people, the strongest was merely a Grand Master warrior who was significantly injured and posed no real threat.

As long as he was offered a sufficient amount of spirit crystals, Xu Yan would be more than happy to deal with any potential schemes, as it would only result in a profitable gain for him.

"I am fulfilling my late mother's dying wish by bringing her body back to our hometown for burial," the young woman, Du Yu'ying, explained. "However, we encountered some unforeseen circumstances, and the journey back has been fraught with dangers. Seeing that you possess considerable strength, I would like to propose a deal and hire you to escort us. What do you say?"

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow, now understanding the situation. Even with a Grand Master escort, they still felt unsafe, indicating that the enemy they faced was exceptionally powerful.

"As I've just arrived in the Inner Domain, I'm not familiar with the area or the local martial arts world," Xu Yan replied. "The factions that your junior disciple sister mentioned are all well-known and influential.

"Moreover, the Inner Domain is filled with numerous sects and powers, and even within the borders of the Great Yue Nation, there are countless forces vying for control, not to mention what lies beyond.

"Escorting you back isn't a problem, but as for your enemies, we'll fight if we can win, and flee if we can't. As for getting entangled in your affairs, there's no need to worry too much. At most, we can just claim that we're acting on Master Xie's orders."

After some contemplation, Xu Yan made his decision.

"Escorting you isn't an issue, but let's discuss the price..."

Assuming that the young woman came from a notable background, Xu Yan expected her to be able to offer a substantial amount of spirit crystals. A smile formed on his face as he anticipated a generous sum.

"How about a hundred spirit crystals?" Du Yu'ying offered.

Xu Yan immediately dropped his smile and turned away arrogantly, his eyes filled with contempt. "Are you trying to dismiss me with such a pittance?"

"Wait, young master," Du Yu'ying quickly added. "I meant a hundred spirit crystals per day."

A hundred spirit crystals per day? Xu Yan's eyes lit up slightly, and he considered the offer more appealing. "How many days will it take for you to reach your destination?"

Xu Yan didn't immediately agree, concerned that a short journey would devalue his worth.

"The road is treacherous, and it's difficult to estimate the time required," Du Yu'ying replied.

"A thousand spirit crystals as a starting price, plus a hundred spirit crystals per day. If you agree to this, I'll accept the job," Xu Yan proposed after some thought.

"Agreed!" Du Yu'ying readily accepted.

Xu Yan scratched his head, wondering if he had set the price too low, as she had agreed so readily.

"Here's a horse for you, young master," Du Yu'ying instructed.

"Yes, miss!" One of the escorts led a horse forward.

Xu Yan mounted the horse and rode alongside the carriage. "Where are the spirit crystals? I must receive the initial payment of a thousand crystals first."

"Here you go!"

Cui'er lifted the carriage curtain and handed him a thin, silver card, roughly three inches long. The words "Tianbao Pavilion" were embossed on the card, with "one thousand" written in the bottom left corner. On the back of the card was a small, diamond-shaped imprint.

"This is a spirit ticket with a value of one thousand crystals," Cui'er explained, aware that Xu Yan might be unfamiliar with it. "You can use it to purchase items or exchange it for spirit crystals at any Tianbao Pavilion branch."

Xu Yan examined the card, marveling at its unique properties. It was harder than paper yet flexible enough to be folded without leaving any creases. "These spirit tickets don't seem difficult to make. Isn't Tianbao Pavilion worried about counterfeiting?"

"Hah!" Cui'er laughed. "Only Tianbao Pavilion has access to the materials used for the spirit tickets, and they have hidden anti-counterfeiting measures in place. Who would dare to forge them? Counterfeiting spirit tickets would be akin to declaring war on Tianbao Pavilion. No one would be foolish enough to do that."

Xu Yan nodded and tucked away the spirit ticket. He rode his horse alongside the carriage as they left the city.

"The horses in the Inner Domain are stronger and faster than those in the borderlands," Xu Yan thought to himself. "They also have greater endurance. Perhaps it's because they're raised in a land infused with spiritual energy."

After leaving Tieshan County, the group picked up their pace, heading eastward.

Xu Yan didn't bother to ask about their destination; he was content with receiving his payment. It was just an escort mission, after all.

Inside the carriage, Du Yu'ying sat in silence.

Her maid, Cui'er, held a sword and sat by her side, looking hesitant and unsure.

"Miss, why did you hire someone of unknown origin for protection? He's so young and probably has, at most, a third-rate cultivation. How useful could he be if we encounter a powerful enemy?" Cui'er finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

Du Yu'ying remained silent for a while before answering, "He may seem inexperienced, but he exudes a certain confidence. A fifth-rate warrior simply vanished at his hands. His strength shouldn't be underestimated.

"It's just a gamble, and at most, we'll spend some spirit crystals."

Cui'er fell silent, realizing the perilous nature of their journey home.

Xu Yan, feeling bored as he rode alongside the carriage, attempted to strike up a conversation with the escorts. However, he found them to be stern and vigilant, with not a single smile on their faces. They seemed more like dead men walking than potential companions for a chat.

"What kind of people are these escorts?" Xu Yan wondered to himself. "They're like death warriors!"

A hundred miles away from Tieshan County, the group traveled along a narrow road surrounded by dense forests. The escorts rode their horses, forming a protective barrier around the carriage. Their weapons were drawn, and they were prepared to face any potential ambush.

Surprisingly, they passed through the forest without encountering any attacks.

Xu Yan furrowed his brows and asked, "Miss, who exactly are you? Even Grand Master warriors are after you?"

Du Yu'ying's face paled as she heard this.

"What do you mean, young master?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Was there another Grand Master warrior on their trail?

"There's a Grand Master warrior waiting up ahead," Xu Yan said, lifting his chin slightly and pointing forward.

The group came to an abrupt halt. Outside the forest, a figure stood with his feet hovering three feet above the ground. His hair, a vivid crimson, billowed in the wind.

In his hand, he held a scarlet broadsword that emanated a vicious aura.

Even from a distance, a faint scent of blood wafted toward them, as if the warrior had slain countless victims, soaking himself in their blood.

"Cough, cough..."

A middle-aged man emerged from one of the carriages, his face pale and his injuries still fresh.

"A Grand Master of the Demon Sect?!" Yan Kuan's face grew grim as he spoke. "Miss, I'll try to hold him off. You must leave at once!"

Du Yu'ying stepped out of the carriage, her bright eyes fixed on Xu Yan. "Young master, can you deal with this enemy?"

The Magic Sect must hold a grudge against me!

Both Xue Wuxin and this unknown Magic Sect expert had nearly killed his junior disciple brother.

Therefore, whenever he encountered these Magic Sect Grand Masters, Xu Yan made sure to kill them if possible.

However, Xu Yan did not forget about his other objective—earning spirit crystals.

Upon hearing this, Du Yu'ying's eyes lit up, and her voice trembled with excitement as she said, "If you kill him, I'll give you a thousand spirit crystals!"

"Is a Grand Master only worth a thousand spirit crystals?"

Xu Yan was slightly disappointed.

Du Yu'ying's lips twitched at the corner, and her tone implied that she didn't think much of Grand Masters.

"Young Master, a thousand spirit crystals is a considerable amount. After all, you agreed to escort me, and that person is a Grand Master who should have quite a few spirit crystals on him," Du Yu'ying reminded him.

Xu Yan's eyes lit up as he reasoned, "If I kill him, everything he has will be mine, right?"

"That makes sense. I'll go take care of him then," Xu Yan said as he urged his horse forward, approaching the situation with nonchalant ease.

Du Yu'ying and her companions watched anxiously, while Yan Kuan's expression grew even more solemn.

"Miss, we should still prepare for the worst. I'll try to hold him off, so you must be ready to flee at any moment," Yan Kuan said gravely.

In his opinion, Xu Yan was merely an inexperienced youth who didn't understand the true power of a Grand Master warrior.

"He's young and talented, but it seems that success has gone to his head, causing him to underestimate even Grand Masters!" Yan Kuan sighed.

If he hadn't been injured, he would never have let that young man go to his death.

However, his own injuries were severe, and the young man's sacrifice was necessary to ensure Miss Du's safety.

Xu Yan rode forward, observing the Magic Sect Grand Master who stood in the air with an increasingly formidable aura. He asked, "Let me ask you something. Do you know Xue Wuxin?"

"Hmm?"

The Magic Sect Grand Master lifted his head, revealing blood-red eyes, and coldly demanded, "Do you know where Xue Wuxin is? Speak, boy!"

"You want to meet Xue Wuxin? Then let me send you to him," Xu Yan said, grinning. "As a member of the Magic Sect, killing and stealing treasures must be common for you. You should have quite a lot of spirit crystals, right?"

"You're asking for death!"

The Magic Sect Grand Master flew into a rage. This boy dared to treat him with such contempt, regarding him as mere prey. Did he not know that insulting a Grand Master would bring about his own demise?

Boom!

A bloody light in the shape of a knife burst forth, and the might of a Grand Master was revealed.

Du Yu'ying and her companions' expressions changed drastically.

Yan Kuan's face turned grim as he exclaimed, "He's a mid-stage Grand Master!"

Even in his prime, it would have been difficult for Yan Kuan to withstand that attack.

After all, he was only a beginner-stage Grand Master.

He wondered what that young man had said to enrage a Grand Master so!

Xu Yan lifted his hand and struck out with a palm. A golden dragon surged forth, its might astonishing as it effortlessly obliterated the knife light.

The dragon swooped down, its tail whipping out and slamming into the Magic Sect Grand Master's head, causing it to explode.

Thud!

The Magic Sect Grand Master fell.

Yan Kuan stared, his hands trembling slightly.

Dead?

The Magic Sect Grand Master was dead?

And what was that golden dragon technique? It was too fierce and overpowering, its might too shocking!

Gudong!

Was that young man a Grand Master warrior?

To be a Grand Master at such a young age, and so early in his journey...

Yan Kuan struggled to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Du Yu'ying's mouth hung slightly agape. Although she had her suspicions, she never imagined that he was indeed a Grand Master at such a young age.

What was even more terrifying was his formidable strength. That golden dragon strike had instantly killed a mid-stage Grand Master!

Could he be a Grand Master at the peak of perfection?

The usually expressionless escorts were now utterly shocked.

"M-Miss, this..."

Cui'er was overjoyed, feeling as if she had stumbled upon a treasure.

Xu Yan dismounted and searched the Magic Sect Grand Master's body, finding a bag containing a few spirit crystals and several spirit tickets.

He was delighted and examined the spirit tickets.

However, his delight quickly turned to disappointment as he grumbled, "And you call yourself a Magic Sect Grand Master? How embarrassing! With only a few hundred spirit crystals, you're a disgrace to the Magic Sect! You deserved to die!"

He had assumed that as a Grand Master warrior and a member of the Magic Sect, this person would have accumulated a vast fortune through killing and stealing treasures.

He never expected to find only five hundred spirit crystals' worth of spirit tickets!

Xu Yan waved his hand, and his true qi surged, reducing the corpse to ashes. Only by ensuring that there was nothing left of his opponent did he feel secure.

He had taken his master's teachings to heart.

Xu Yan picked up the scarlet broadsword the Magic Sect Grand Master had been holding, thinking that he could probably sell it for a good price.

He rode back to Du Yu'ying and asked, "I've taken care of him. Where are my spirit crystals?"

He held out his palm, expecting his payment.

"Thank you, Young Master," Du Yu'ying said, her heart filled with excitement. Having such a powerful Grand Master protecting them, she was confident that they would return home safely.

Cui'er took out a spirit ticket and placed it in Xu Yan's hand.

Xu Yan happily kept it, pleased that earning spirit crystals was not as difficult as he had imagined.

Yan Kuan bowed respectfully and said, "My name is Yan Kuan. I haven't had the pleasure of asking your name..."

Xu Yan waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just a nameless soldier."

Yan Kuan's lips twitched, and he returned to the carriage.

As Du Yu'ying turned to do the same, Xu Yan suddenly remembered something. Holding up the Magic Sect Grand Master's sword, he asked, "Do you want this sword? Make an offer."

"A thousand spirit crystals," Du Yu'ying said, nodding.

Cui'er took out another spirit ticket and handed it to Xu Yan.

Xu Yan was thrilled. Finally, he was no longer penniless, and he could now afford to buy spirit medicine.

The group continued on their journey.

That evening, they rested in the mountains.

In the middle of the night, the oppressive might of another Grand Master suddenly appeared.

"Young Master, a thousand spirit crystals!" Du Yu'ying offered without hesitation.

"No problem!" Xu Yan exclaimed, thrilled at the prospect of earning another thousand spirit crystals. However, he was also puzzled. Weren't Grand Masters supposed to be among the most powerful warriors in the Inner Domain? Why were they appearing one after the other?

"Get down here!"

Roar!

The golden dragon roared and soared into the sky, its might even more awe-inspiring than before.

"Not good!"

The approaching Magic Sect Grand Master's face fell, and he hastily struck out.

Bang!

Xu Yan's palm struck, killing another Grand Master. He happily searched the body, reducing the corpse to ashes to ensure there was no chance of survival.

"Why are these Magic Sect Grand Masters so poor?" Xu Yan asked, his face filled with confusion.

Members of the Magic Sect frequently killed and stole treasures. They should be wealthy, so why were they all so poor?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end