Chapter 17: The Struggle
Chapter 17: The Struggle
200,000 taels of silver.
Gu Qingfeng let out a long breath.
The price of a mid-rank martial art was far more expensive than he had imagined.
At that moment, the auction house staff brought over all the items Gu Qingfeng had won, and he promptly paid the corresponding amount.
"Let's head back!"
As they exited the Cloud Pavilion, Gu Qingfeng saw other martial artists rushing about with anxious expressions. A mysterious smile played on his face as he spoke to Gu Yang.
Back at the Gu family estate, Gu Qingfeng handed over all the resources he had won at the auction to Gu Yang.
"With these resources, your breakthrough to the perfected Skin Tempering stage should be much easier."
"I will not disappoint you, Father!" Gu Yang said solemnly.
With 10,000 taels of silver worth of resources, it would be shameful if he couldn't break through to the perfected Skin Tempering stage.
Half an hour later, Meng Peng returned.
"How did the investigation go?"
"Reporting to the head of the family, we have confirmed that the person who obtained the Solar Palm technique is Yun Tianxing, the head of the Heavenly Cloud Sect!" Meng Peng said in a low voice.
Heavenly Cloud Sect.
Hearing the name of this sect, Gu Qingfeng remained calm. The Heavenly Cloud Sect was known to have several Blood Tempering martial artists, and its strength was rumored to be second only to the Qin family and the Iron Bone Gang.
In reality, any force capable of bidding 200,000 taels for the Solar Palm technique was bound to be formidable. No one could casually come up with such a sum.
Therefore, Gu Qingfeng was not surprised when he heard Meng Peng's report.
"Where are the Heavenly Cloud Sect members now?"
"Since the auction ended, they immediately left. By now, they must have already left White Stone City. However, many people are secretly tailing them. Their journey will not be smooth," Meng Peng said gravely.
Gu Qingfeng's expression was calm. "A top-tier mid-rank martial art that can lead directly to the perfected Blood Tempering stage is naturally something all major forces would covet. Moreover, the Qin family and the Iron Bone Gang would not be happy to see another Blood Tempering master emerge in White Stone City."
"Do you also have your eyes on the Solar Palm technique, Head of the Family?"
"Who wouldn't want a top-tier mid-rank martial art? If the Heavenly Cloud Sect can obtain the Solar Palm technique, why can't the Gu family? Let's go. They might already be engaged in battle outside the city. If we arrive too late, others might get their hands on it!"
Gu Qingfeng walked away with his hands behind his back, and Meng Peng hurriedly followed.
---
Outside White Stone City, the slaughter began.
Just as Gu Qingfeng had predicted, the Heavenly Cloud Sect members were ambushed not far from the city by various forces. Their goal was simple: to seize the Solar Palm technique.
However, the Heavenly Cloud Sect was not without its own strong members. The sect leader Yun Tianxing and two elders, all Blood Tempering martial artists, were with them. Many of those who attempted to ambush and seize the Solar Palm technique were killed on the spot.
When Gu Qingfeng and Meng Peng arrived outside the city, they found the area littered with corpses. Dozens of figures were engaged in fierce combat, all for the sake of the Solar Palm technique.
"The two major forces are indeed here!"
Meng Peng watched the battle with a look of shock. The two major forces he referred to were the Qin family and the Iron Bone Gang.
Gu Qingfeng also observed the battle. Despite everyone being masked, he could identify them by their martial arts styles.
The number of Blood Tempering martial artists ambushing the Heavenly Cloud Sect was overwhelming. Even with the Heavenly Cloud Sect's strength, they were unable to hold their ground.
In no time, two mid-stage Blood Refinement Elders of the Heavenly Cloud Sect were slain, brutally cut down by the overwhelming force of numerous powerful enemies.
Witnessing this, Yun Tianxing’s eyes burned with rage, his chest swelling with a surge of murderous intent. Yet, he had no way to avenge them.
Realizing he couldn’t escape, he threw out the brocade box containing the Sunlit Palm, bellowing, "The Sunlit Palm is right here! Take it if you can!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Tianxing retreated explosively.
The previously battling crowd paused, then without a second thought, they all lunged toward the brocade box.
Yun Tianxing seized this opportunity to leave the battlefield. He had already suffered severe injuries from the overwhelming attack, and staying would only lead to his death.
“The Sunlit Palm, this is mine!”
A masked elder’s voice was hoarse, his body trembling with blood qi. A long sword gleamed with a terrifying, icy light, forcing everyone back.
Just as he was about to grab the box, a powerful figure broke through the sword light, his fists colliding with the long sword, producing a resounding clang.
“Want the Sunlit Palm? Ask me first if I agree!”
“Hmph—”
Chaos erupted.
Blood Refinement martial artists from all sides continued to slaughter each other. Gu Qingfeng and Meng Peng remained hidden, observing the situation from the shadows.
Soon enough, more Blood Refinement martial artists fell, and some were severely injured and forced to retreat.
Only two major forces remained, still vying for the Sunlit Palm.
“It’s time!”
Gu Qingfeng’s eyes narrowed. The remaining six Blood Refinement martial artists from the two major forces were heavily drained. The longer this dragged on, the more unpredictable the situation would become.
Thus, Gu Qingfeng decided to act.
He tore off a piece of cloth to cover his face, leaving only his eyes exposed. He instructed Meng Peng to hide and not show himself, then struck.
“Boom—”
Like a giant bird, Gu Qingfeng swooped out of the shadows, his hand reaching for the brocade box. Seeing someone making a move, the two major forces instinctively joined forces and attacked him.
“Hmph, thinking to reap the benefits? Not so fast!”
A Blood Refinement martial artist from the Qin family sneered, his long sword slicing through the air. He seemed to already see Gu Qingfeng’s body being pierced by his blade.
However, before the sword could reach him, Gu Qingfeng unleashed a powerful punch. The impact of his fist, which was as formidable as a divine weapon, shattered the sword upon contact.
Then, with a thunderous roar, Gu Qingfeng’s arms shook the heavens, his immense strength deflecting all incoming attacks.
The combined attacks of the six Blood Refinement martial artists were formidable enough to shatter mountains and split rocks. Even with Gu Qingfeng’s Iron Body Technique pushed to its limits, he felt his blood qi raging within him.
However, compared to Gu Qingfeng, the other six were even more shocked.
None of them had expected that, despite their combined efforts, they couldn’t even inflict a serious injury on him, let alone kill him.
The sheer power of the newcomer filled them with a profound sense of threat.
But before they could fully process their shock, Gu Qingfeng’s formidable blood qi erupted, surging like a rolling smoke into the sky. His fists, moving with the force of heaven, struck out. In the stunned gaze of everyone, he sent one of the Blood Refinement martial artists flying.
(End of Chapter)
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