Kill and Seize, the Woman in Red Comes Knocking!
"You're courting death, brat!"
The thin man's expression changed drastically.
Zhang Lingxiao's movements were simply too fast. Despite being at the Sixth Heaven of the Qi Wu Realm himself, the thin man hadn't even had time to react.
Worse still—this brat dared to make a move right under his nose!
Unforgivable!
The thin man reached for his waist, attempting to draw the long sword hanging there and stab Zhang Lingxiao.
"You're the one looking for death!"
Zhang Lingxiao roared. He grabbed the thin man's wrist mid-draw, twisted it forward, then slammed his other fist straight into the man's chest.
He hadn't learned any Martial Skills yet—this blow relied purely on brute force.
But after devouring Blood Qi, Zhang Lingxiao's physical body had been strengthened to a terrifying degree. That punch struck like a falling iron hammer.
Bang!
The thin man was sent flying.
He crashed directly into the burly bearded man, who had just struggled to his feet, and the two slammed into the ground in a tangled heap.
Thud!
Zhang Lingxiao strode forward and stomped down on both of them, pinning them firmly so they couldn't rise.
Then he bent down, lifted the long sword he had seized, and pressed its cold edge against the thin man's throat.
"You wouldn't dare!"
The burly bearded man struggled and shouted fiercely,
"We are honored guests of the Li Family of Qingyun Town! If you dare harm us, you'll be challenging the entire Li Family!"
"Li Family?"
Zhang Lingxiao raised an eyebrow.
"That's right!" The bearded man sneered.
"The very Li Family you're thinking of—the number one family in Qingyun Town! If you know what's good for you, surrender obediently. This master might spare your life if he's in a good mood!"
Zhang Lingxiao almost laughed.
Qingyun Town had three great families—the Ma Family ranked first, followed by the Zhang Family, with the Li Family firmly at the bottom, maintaining a fragile three-way balance.
Since when did the Li Family become number one?
Ridiculous.
Zhang Lingxiao snorted coldly and thrust the sword downward without hesitation.
Pfft!
The blade pierced cleanly through the bearded man's throat.
Blood sprayed.
Zhang Lingxiao then turned the sword toward the thin man.
The thin man tried to struggle, but Zhang Lingxiao's strength crushed him completely, leaving him unable to move.
"Wait! I know you!"
Just as Zhang Lingxiao was about to strike, the thin man shouted in panic.
Zhang Lingxiao paused.
"You know me?"
The thin man nodded frantically.
"Yes! Yes!"
Zhang Lingxiao smiled faintly.
"Then tell me—who am I?"
The thin man swallowed hard.
"You're… you're a traitor of the Zhang Family. The Zhang Family has issued a search for you!"
Zhang Lingxiao's expression darkened slightly.
So his uncle truly intended to kill him.
Then he laughed.
"Thanks for the reminder."
"I'll send you on your way."
Pfft!
The sword flashed, severing the man's throat in a single clean stroke.
After wiping the blade, Zhang Lingxiao immediately circulated the Devouring Heaven Demon Art.
In an instant, two streams of dense Blood Qi surged into his body.
Both men had been Mid-stage Qi Wu Realm Martial Artists, their Blood Qi abundant—but even combined, it still couldn't compare to that of a Second-Order Azure Moon Wolf.
His cultivation didn't advance another Heaven.
"As my realm rises, the effect really is diminishing," Zhang Lingxiao sighed.
What he didn't realize was that his meridians—refined by devouring Blood Qi—were already several times wider than those of ordinary Martial Artists. Each breakthrough now required far more Spiritual Qi.
That was also why, despite being at the same Sixth Heaven, his Spiritual Qi far exceeded the thin man's, allowing him to crush them effortlessly.
"Tsk. Poor fellows."
Zhang Lingxiao searched their Storage Pouches, clicking his tongue.
"With this little wealth, they still dared to call themselves honored guests of the Li Family. It's not even as much as my yearly pocket money."
Each pouch contained only two or three Low-Grade Spirit Stones and a single unidentified herb.
The Spirit Stones were few, but the herb was valuable.
Herbs contained Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Qi, though mixed with impurities and unsuitable for direct consumption. They could be refined through Alchemy or sold in the city for a decent price.
Zhang Lingxiao chose the latter.
Alchemy was a profound Dao—far more difficult than martial cultivation—and not something he could dabble in.
He stored the spoils away and, gripping the long sword, continued deeper into the middle and outer regions of the Demon Beast Forest, carefully controlling his pace.
Suddenly—
A bone-chilling killing intent surged from behind.
Zhang Lingxiao reacted instantly, rolling to the side.
Whoosh!
A long sword glowing with a crimson radiance sliced past his shoulder and stabbed deep into the ground where he had been standing.
Had he been even a breath slower, he would've been skewered like the two fools earlier.
"Hm? Such sharp instincts."
A soft, enchanting female voice sounded behind him.
The crimson sword trembled, pulled itself free, and flew back into the woman's grasp.
"Who is it?!"
Zhang Lingxiao spun around—and froze.
Standing before him was the red-clothed woman.
The same woman with whom he had shared that unforgettable night.
"…You."
A chill ran down Zhang Lingxiao's spine. He hadn't expected her to awaken so soon—much less track him down.
The red-clothed woman walked toward him slowly, crimson sword in hand, her gaze icy.
"You pervert," she said coldly.
"You took my purity—and still dared to say we'd meet again."
"Now that we have, where do you think you're running?"
Zhang Lingxiao sighed.
"Heroine, what's done is done. There's no point dwelling on it."
"Of course, I don't want to die. I still have things I must accomplish."
"If you're willing to forgive me, I will take responsibility."
"I can cultivate now."
"And this silver ring—I will return it to you."
He raised his wrist, revealing the silver ring.
The woman snorted.
"What smooth words."
"How could an ant of the Qi Wu Realm possibly take responsibility for me?"
Zhang Lingxiao replied calmly,
"I won't stay in the Qi Wu Realm forever."
Her brows lifted slightly.
"Bold—and sincere."
"Very well. You owe me a life."
"This Venerable One will spare you for now."
"As for the silver ring—since it has acknowledged you, it belongs to you."
"We will meet again."
"Cultivate properly. I will come for you."
With that, she stepped into the air.
Her figure lifted effortlessly—walking upon empty space.
Only Tianwu Realm experts could do such a thing.
She was a Tianwu Realm powerhouse—an existence on par with the Human Emperor of Tianhuo Country.
Zhang Lingxiao stood there, stunned.
He—a mere mortal—had actually shared a night with a Tianwu Realm expert.
His life…
Had truly been worth living.
"Wait—!!"
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