Chapter 397

Chapter 397: Chapter 396 Qinling Mountain Range has always been shrouded in mystery. Even now, the nation dares not explore it lightly, and ordinary people may never know of it in their lifetimes. However, the state is aware of these matters. Among China’s great mysterious restricted areas, some Ancient Martial Sects that have hidden from the world still exist. Generally, they do not interfere with the outside world, and "hidden from the world" does not mean they do not appear at all, but rather they do not involve themselves in matters of states or individuals. Their actions and lives are free, and the government dares not easily interfere, maintaining a delicate balance.

Night had fallen, and the bright moon hung high. Four figures moved stealthily through the woods, each carrying a sword on their back, dressed in ancient attire but sporting modern hairstyles. These four individuals performed feats akin to flying from roof to roof, with just a light tap of their feet carrying them over a large tree and blinking to the area around a large mountain not far from the Ancient Tomb Sect. These four were highly skilled, having achieved the level of effortlessness in their Lightweight Skill.

The man in the lead was tall, standing at about one meter eighty, and was notably burly. The longsword on his back could be called a sword, or even a broadsword, very thick and wide. From these two aspects, it could be seen that this leader was at least very strong. The swords of the Ancient Martial Sects, unlike those sold in modern society, are all made from fine steel and are additionally enhanced by Inner Strength. A sword weighing over a hundred pounds is quite ordinary, and ordinary people cannot even lift it, let alone use it. The broad longsword on the back of the leader, by estimation, must weigh at least a hundred and fifty pounds, no small feat to lift without significant brute strength, unless one wields powerful Inner Strength.

Swish, swish, swish,...

The four figures all stopped at the foot of the mountain not far from the Ancient Tomb Sect because, in front of them, three corpses appeared. These were the three men from the Sword Control Sect, Chen Hui and his companions, who had intended to kill Ye Tianchen unjustly but were instead killed by Ye Tianchen.

The leader looked at Chen Hui’s body, frowned, and did not speak. Instead, he gestured with his right hand, and the three people behind him each squatted down to begin examining the bodies of Chen Hui and his companions. After a moment, the three examining the bodies all stood up.

"Elder Brother, Second Brother was killed by a single palm strike. The power of the palm was so strong, it even broke Second Brother’s fine steel sword!"

"The other two brothers were beheaded with a single sword strike. We found a sword mark nearby, very powerful!"

The muscular leader was stunned for a moment and felt a bit surprised. Chen Hui’s strength was at the Early Stage Martial King level. He shouldn’t have been killed so easily; at least he should have had the ability to defend himself. Even if he was no match for his enemy, Chen Hui’s nature would have led him to seek a way to escape. Furthermore, Chen Hui was quite perceptive, his cultivation at the Early Stage Martial King level but nearly capable of exhibiting the power of a Mid-stage Martial King. Even if he had intervened, he wouldn’t have been completely confident that he could kill Chen Hui with one palm strike. It seemed that the enemy who had killed Chen Hui and the other two was very strong, making it uncertain if pursuing them would put his own group in danger.

"I checked around. The guy who killed Second Brother and the other two brothers has a cultivation level at least at the Late-stage Martial King level, or even Basic-level Martial Venerate. He is very formidable, and from the techniques used, it doesn’t seem like Tian Boguang’s doing. Besides, with Tian Boguang’s Mid Martial Venerate level cultivation, his famous skill is the Fast Sword Skill, a quick blade that dominates the world. He hardly ever uses sword or fist to kill because he doesn’t find it satisfying," the leading man said after a moment of thought.

"Who would dare to offend our Sword Control Sect and kill Second Brother and the other two brothers? We must investigate this matter thoroughly..."

"Exactly, if Master finds out, he will definitely be furious. Just recently, our junior sister was harassed by that lecher Tian Boguang, and now our fellow disciples have been killed. Master will definitely not let this matter rest!"

The leading man nodded, looked around, and was also somewhat worried. After much thought, he actually wasn’t like the other brothers thought of him; a headstrong person without tact. His actions and the straightforward character displayed were worlds apart, something the average person wouldn’t know unless they were those few special brothers who supported him as the next Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect; they knew he had always kept much hidden.

This time, Tian Boguang’s harassment of the junior female disciple not only enraged the Sword Control Sect, but it also became known throughout the Ancient Martial World. Other sects were also aware and were waiting to see the Sword Control Sect become a laughingstock, waiting to see how they would handle the matter. It was known that Tian Boguang had harassed the daughter of the Sect Leader of the Sword Control Sect, which was essentially a blatant disregard for the entire sect, a provocation against the dignity of the entire Sword Control Sect. He almost succeeded, causing the Sword Control Sect to lose face entirely; they became the butt of jokes among other sects. Therefore, the Sect Leader issued a kill order, decreeing that Tian Boguang must be killed no matter where he fled to, even to the ends of the earth.

If speaking solely of cultivation, Tian Boguang’s level was at the mid-level Martial Venerate stage, slightly weaker than some Sect Leaders of the Ancient Martial Sects, especially those from historically established sects like the Sword Control Sect. Tian Boguang’s free-spirited nature and his fondness for women allowed him to master the Fast Sword Skill, which meant his opponents might have their heads severed before even seeing him strike. If it were only for his mid-level Martial Venerate cultivation, he might not have survived to this day, as the Sect Leaders of some Ancient Martial Sects, having deeper cultivation than Tian Boguang’s, could potentially catch up with and kill him. However, Tian Boguang possessed an exceptional skill, the unrivaled "Divine Movement Skill" which he had acquired from a secret book by chance. In this secret book was recorded a unique lightweight skill called "Divine Movement," allowing him to move at incredible speeds. Once mastered, he could sit still as a bell or move fast as the wind, making it extremely difficult for anyone seeking revenge to catch him. Essentially, by the time you arrived, he would have already fled hundreds of miles away. How could you possibly catch up?

The Divine Movement Skill, as legend has it, was passed down by Dai Zong, one of the 108 heroes of Mount Liang before his death. Dai Zong, also known as "Divine Feet Dai," inexplicably learned such a lightweight skill from a Taoist he met in his youth. By strapping two weights to each of his calves, he could travel four hundred miles in a single day; with four weights, he could cover eight hundred. He was also nicknamed, "Flying Legs."

Tian Boguang had inadvertently acquired this Divine Movement Skill. Each time he faced assassination by a master, he would use the Divine Movement Skill to flee, vanishing in the blink of an eye like the wind, always elusive. Ordinary masters truly couldn’t catch him. Besides, real grandmasters and top-notch experts either focused on advancing their cultivation or delved into the art of eternal life. To lower themselves to personally hunt down a degenerate was somewhat beneath them.

"I and my second junior brother were ordered to kill Tian Boguang. Master clearly stated that I was in charge, but the second junior brother disregarded my command and acted on his own. If he gets killed, it’s not my fault," said the leading muscular man with an upright demeanor. "Tian Boguang’s harassment of our junior sister has offended our entire Sword Control Sect. It doesn’t matter if he knows the Divine Movement Skill, even the Flying Sky and Earth Escape Skill wouldn’t do. So not only will I kill Tian Boguang, but I will also avenge the three people who died because of him!"

"Exactly, the one who killed the second senior brother has a strength of, at most, early-stage Martial Venerate, and Tian Boguang’s cultivation is just mid-level Martial Venerate. However, our eldest senior brother’s strength has been at mid-level Martial Venerate for many years and is even on the verge of advancing to late-stage Martial Venerate. He is definitely not inferior to Tian Boguang. This time, we must kill Tian Boguang and avenge the second senior brother to earn the master’s favor and gain the Sword Energy Skill!"

"Shall we continue the pursuit now?" someone asked.

"Don’t rush, let me think it over!"

Whoosh!

As soon as the leading man finished speaking, he leapt up energetically. Although his body was robust and he carried a large, thick sword on his back, his movement was as light as a swallow. It was clear his cultivation was profound. Being only about forty years old and having reached the mid late-stage Martial Venerate strength, he was indeed considered a prodigy among the Ancient Martial Sects. It is known that many people spend a lifetime practicing Ancient Martial Arts just to reach the Martial Spirit Realm, which is only the initial level of strength in ancient martial rankings. To break through to a higher level requires passing through three minor stages —early, mid, and late. Each breakthrough markedly increases strength. Simply put, a Martial Spirit wanting to fight a Martial King is nothing but a fool’s dream; a Martial King can kill you with a single palm strike. Of course, not everyone can reach a level to fight beyond their rank like Ye Tianchen, battling against stronger opponents than themselves.

Many masters are stuck in one realm for their entire lives, unable to breakthrough. Thus, reaching a higher realm of power is extremely difficult, possibly taking ten, twenty, or thirty years... perhaps even a lifetime. Whether they are Superpower Users or practitioners of Ancient Martial Arts, the challenges increase as they progress; there are heavenly thunder penalties, not just myths, nor the so-called Crossing Tribulation. When someone’s cultivation reaches a defiant level against the heavens, the universe reacts and creates obstacles. The further one advances, the more they rely on a moment of "enlightenment." An old saying goes, ’Ten years of arduous study is less valuable than a moment of sudden enlightenment.’

When the leading man flew down from the tip of the tall tree, his eyes were filled with fierceness. This was also a rare opportunity for him—if he managed to kill Tian Boguang and avenged Chen Hui and the three others, his prestige within the Sword Control Sect would greatly increase, virtually securing the position of Sect Leader for himself.

"I, Xiao Yuan, have never missed a target, and this time will be no different!" The leading man stated with a hint of a cruel smile on his lips. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)