https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-132-Departing-from-Baiyun-Temple/12941070/
Chapter 133: First Encounter with a Condensation Core Warrior
Chapter 133: First Encounter with a Condensation Core Warrior
On the outskirts of Tingyang Prefecture, within a dilapidated county town.
Two Daoists hurriedly approached, drawing the attention of those around them.
Elder Chunyang's eyes were filled with anger, but he managed to suppress his temper and transmitted his voice to the woman in the distance, "Elder Xiao, is this the right one this time?"
Xiao Qiangwei's face turned slightly cold, "He escaped again."
For a full ten days, that aura had been leading them around in circles, taking them through almost the entire Tingyang Prefecture.
The farthest distance was around four to five hundred li, and the closest was even right next to them at times.
But as soon as they sensed the slightest movement, the target would immediately flee, and no matter how hard they tried, they could only barely keep up without losing him.
Xiao Qiangwei even felt that the reason they didn't lose him most of the time was because Yan Xingkong would stop and wait for a while each time.
This was simply a mockery! She turned to Shen Yi and spoke softly, "It was my mistake in judgment, wasting so much of your time."
She had thought that the bandit king had a plan, and even if he was playing games, there would be a limit, after all, his wife's life was still in the hands of the Commander.
But this time, he was so arrogant; even if he could escape, could his Flat Sand Valley escape too!
"It's not your fault."
Shen Yi shook his head, his emotions relatively calm.
Even if they gained nothing from this, at least they had broadened their knowledge; within the same cultivation realm, there could be such a gap in speed.
The two Daoists returned, not daring to vent their frustration on the court officials. One reason was that they didn't dare, and the other was that Shen Yi's recent performance had surprised them.
They had thought he would be a burden, but this young man was not even slower than them, a group of Condensation Core Realm warriors, and he still had strength to spare.
"I suggest the Demon-Slaying Bureau surround Flat Sand Valley, kill his disciples, and seize the Freedom Wind Technique. Let's see where this bandit leader will escape to!" Elder Chunyang said angrily, clenching his fists.
As fellow forces in the Jianghu, the White Cloud Temple seemed unafraid of bringing trouble to themselves.
Xiao Qiangwei glanced at him and estimated that only these bull-headed men could have avoided the Demon-Slaying Bureau's scrutiny for so many years.
"Don't say useless things," Elder Jingqing frowned slightly, feeling a headache coming on, "If we go any further, we'll be completely out of the Twelve Prefectures of Qingzhou. I really suspect that Yan Xingkong is colluding with demons and wants to lead us out."
Otherwise, there was no other explanation for the target's actions these past few days.
"What's there to be afraid of? Elder Shen, you can rest in this city for now. Wait for us to go out and bring down this bandit leader," Elder Chunyang spoke with confidence, but his words still carried a hint of worry. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted Shen Yi to stay.
Once they were outside Qingzhou, even if they were all renowned experts, they couldn't guarantee the target's safety.
It would be fine if they went out on their own, but now it was clear that they were being led out step by step, making the situation even more dangerous.
The two Daoists calmed down and waited for the woman to give the order.
Xiao Qiangwei turned to look at Shen Yi, not interrupting his judgment.
Seeing this, Elder Jingqing recalled the words Shen Yi had spoken earlier, saying that Elder Shen was in charge, and it wasn't just a perfunctory response; this young man was truly controlling the overall situation.
He was slightly surprised, wondering if, besides being skilled in traveling, the young man had other abilities.
Shen Yi pondered for a moment, "If we go beyond Qingzhou and he still refuses to stop, can we then surround Flat Sand Valley?"
Seeing that the young man was not disappointed and even had a hint of excitement in his eyes, Xiao Qiangwei smiled lightly, "Why are you interested in such matters? Did you also go to Qingfeng Mountain last time?"
Then, she nodded with certainty, "This time, he has gone too far.
"Not even kneeling outside the Commander's Mansion for a night, or even if your legs were to break from kneeling, is a valid excuse to lure demon hunters into the demons' territory."
"One last pursuit."
Shen Yi strode towards the area outside the county town. Currently, aside from the Heaven Dome Bow and the Two-Element True Intent, he had also taken an interest in the Peach Blossom Valley Outlaw King's Freedom Wind Technique.
Of course, his strength was limited.
If it truly didn't work out, he could only give up.
...
Seven hundred li outside Tingyang Prefecture, they had completely left the Qingzhou region.
The towering mountain range ahead was rugged and menacing, like a colossal beast crawling, appearing calm but making the two Daoists increasingly uneasy.
In such a vast territory, not a trace of demonic aura could be detected.
This was an extremely rare situation.
Only one scenario could cause a gathering of demons to retreat, and that was the presence of an entity they dared not offend.
Xiao Qiangwei divided her aura into four strands, unsure whether to feel relieved or tense. "He hasn't moved... Surround him from all sides, and try not to disturb anything else."
"I'll go with Shen Daoren," Elder Pure Yang said, taking one of the strands.
"No need," Shen Yi also took a strand of aura. Based on Xiao Qiangwei's judgment, seven hundred li was the limit of the safe range. Going any deeper would make it difficult to extricate themselves.
Since this was their last chance, they naturally had to ensure no mistakes.
The two Daoists exchanged a glance but didn't say more. Even in such a dangerous place, they felt a bit tense, and neither had the mood to dissuade the other's stubbornness.
They quickly assigned routes and surrounded the area where the aura was detected.
...
Shen Yi moved through the dense forest alone.
Although his expression was solemn, his movements seemed even more relaxed than before.
Just like in the Blackstone Pool, as he truly stepped into this mountain forest, the abilities of the Mountain Lord from the Immortal Demon Nine Transformations were fully unleashed.
Despite not releasing his aura, whether it was the rugged mountain path beneath his feet or the surrounding trees blocking out the sky, none of it hindered him. Instead, he felt an intimate connection.
Even his senses became sharper, and every blade of grass and tree seemed to come to life.
Suddenly, Shen Yi halted and quietly looked ahead.
After a long silence in the dead-still thorn bushes, a long sigh finally sounded.
Following that, a tall and straight figure slowly emerged.
The man's hair was disheveled, with a slight drunkenness, and his eyes were bloodshot, making him appear utterly desolate.
He licked his chapped lips, glanced casually at Shen Yi, and spoke in a hoarse voice, "If I remember correctly, Yan stole Marshal You's Heaven-Dome Sunbreak Bow, not the leftovers from his Demon-Suppressing General Manor. Did he send a weakling like you to investigate?"
After speaking, the man rubbed his head in pain, "Fine, it's got nothing to do with a demon hunter like you. I'm here to kill demons, not feed them."
He dismissively waved his hand, "Scram, scram."
Before he finished speaking, a black shadow suddenly appeared in the man's vision, followed by a swift and fierce knee strike to his stomach, immediately sealing the major artery in his right leg.
Yan Xingkong felt a tearing pain and his eyes widened. The blood mixed with alcohol sprayed from his mouth.
Instinctively, he unleashed the robust aura of the Core Formation Realm, struggling with all his might to create a three-foot distance.
Using this short distance, his body moved like a raging wind, and in an instant, he disappeared from his original spot.
...
Shen Yi had just drawn his long blade from its sheath when he realized there was nothing in front of him.
He put the blade back, intending to capture the man first for questioning, but he never expected... that even with a broken leg, he could run so fast?
(End of Chapter)
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