“Ha, so there really is an old master here. Today, I’ll kill him too,” Zheng Xiaoyang sneered, launching a palm strike toward the source of the voice.
“Such audacity!” A cold shout rang out, followed by an old man appearing outside the secret chamber. Facing Zheng Xiaoyang’s giant palm, he threw a punch.
Boom!
A earth-shaking roar erupted. Zheng Xiaoyang’s expression shifted as he coldly eyed the old man. “So, you’ve got some skill, old man. No wonder you’re so arrogant. But today, I’ll kill you.”
In that moment, Zheng Xiaoyang’s pride as a Zheng family member surged. He hadn’t expected a small border town like Kunyang to hide such an expert. No wonder Du Sect didn’t take them seriously—they had the strength to back it up. But so what? Today, he’d kill whoever he wanted, and no one could stop him.
“You’re the one who deserves death,” the old man retorted. He was none other than Du Wu, Du Wen’s younger brother and Du Sect’s Old Master. His eyes glinted with cold killing intent as he glared at Zheng Xiaoyang.
The Blood Refining Grand Formation was nearing completion, and he wouldn’t allow anyone to disrupt it. Zheng Xiaoyang’s strength posed a threat—if not eliminated, how could the formation proceed? He had to die.
“Be careful, Old Master. He’s Zheng Xiaoyang from the Zhongyuan Province Zheng family, known as Third Master Zheng. He’s highly skilled,” Li Feng interjected from the side. “Wild Leopard sir is already dealing with the other Zheng family members. This Zheng Xiaoyang is tough—only you can handle him.”
“So arrogant because he’s from the Zhongyuan Province Zheng family,” Du Wu said, his eyes narrowing with icy killing intent.
“Hmph, knowing I’m from the Zheng family, you still don’t surrender?” Zheng Xiaoyang sneered.
“Zheng family? You deserve death,” Du Wu said, his aura coalescing as a cyan glow emanated from his palms.
Du Wu held no fondness for these aristocratic heirs. After the Ge family incident years ago, he’d always wanted to eradicate them. Moreover, Zheng Xiaoyang was here to sabotage his Blood Refining Grand Formation. For either reason, he had to die.
“Hmph, you’re the one who’s dead,” Zheng Xiaoyang replied, though a trace of caution flickered in his eyes. This old man’s strength matched his own—killing him wouldn’t be easy.
Still…
Clenching his fists, Zheng Xiaoyang’s breathing intensified, his dantian’s true qi surging rapidly, his clothes billowing without wind.
Li Feng watched from the side, his expression grave, sweat beading on his forehead.
The clash of two powerhouses created an oppressive aura that felt nearly unbearable, though not as overwhelming as Du Wen’s pressure, it was close.
These were two peak Acquired Realm martial artists.
In that moment, Li Feng felt fortunate. Neither was someone he could handle, especially Du Wu. With his current peak Acquired Realm strength, if Du Wu activated the Blood Refining Grand Formation and refined Kunyang Town, he might break through to the Innate Realm, making him nearly impossible to kill.
The best outcome was for both to injure each other, allowing Li Feng to reap the benefits.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Du Wu said, the cyan glow in his palms intensifying. With a roar, he stomped the ground, his palms whistling as they struck at Zheng Xiaoyang. The air shrieked as if pierced, his speed lightning-fast.
Whoosh!
His palms, sharp as blades, aimed for Zheng Xiaoyang’s chest with a howling force.
Li Feng’s eyes narrowed. Du Wu’s palm strike was unbelievably fast, more than twice his own speed. He could only catch a blurry afterimage. If he faced such an attack, he’d likely be killed before reacting.
Was this the gap between the fourth level of Qi Refining and the peak of Acquired Realm?
Li Feng didn’t want to admit it, but he had to. The peak Acquired Realm’s strength was astonishingly formidable.
In that instant, a sense of urgency and crisis gripped him. He’d been proud of breaking through two realms in the Shiwan Mountains, but now, facing stronger martial artists, his current strength was lacking. He needed to advance quickly.
Li Feng focused on Zheng Xiaoyang, eager to gauge his strength. If Zheng Xiaoyang couldn’t hold his own, it would spell trouble—Li Feng would have to face Du Wu alone.
Crackle!
Facing Du Wu’s attack, Zheng Xiaoyang showed no weakness. A gust of air formed around him, bending nearby trees, while silver light swirled around his body.
“The Zhongyuan Province Zheng family lives up to its first-rate reputation. You’ve got some skill, but it’s useless against me. Today, I swear to kill you,” Du Wu sneered, unfazed. His palms danced, slicing through the air with lightning speed, their sharp whistles aimed at Zheng Xiaoyang.
“Green Nether Palm!”
Du Wu’s palms reached Zheng Xiaoyang, carrying a cyan, ghostly aura.
Boom!
Before the Green Nether Palm fully unleashed, the back mountain seemed to quake, as if space itself might collapse.
Zheng Xiaoyang sneered, standing firm. As the Green Nether Palm neared, he threw a punch, its force shaking the air with unstoppable momentum, as if it could pierce space itself.
Boom!
Their fist and palm collided with a deafening crash, dust flying everywhere. Both figures were sent reeling, and Li Feng was blown back by the powerful shockwave.
Du Wu and Zheng Xiaoyang parted instantly.
Du Wu took three steps back, Zheng Xiaoyang five.
In that exchange, Du Wu gauged Zheng Xiaoyang’s strength, his expression growing serious.
Their strengths were nearly equal, both at the peak of Acquired Realm. Killing him wouldn’t be easy, but…
Having assessed Zheng Xiaoyang, a cold smile curved Du Wu’s lips.
That strike was merely a test—he hadn’t used his full power. Killing Zheng Xiaoyang was challenging but not impossible.
With that thought, Du Wu sneered and lunged again, his Green Nether Palm striking with its eerie cyan aura.
Zheng Xiaoyang didn’t dare slacken. Du Wu’s strength was unexpectedly formidable, demanding caution.
“Ha!”
With a shout, his fists roared like dragons, their shadows blocking Du Wu’s Green Nether Palm completely.
Boom, boom, boom!
Their figures flickered rapidly, each clash bending trees around them. Equally matched, neither could overpower the other for now.
Li Feng watched, his eyes glinting with a plan. His gaze fell on Du Wu’s cultivation chamber.
The chamber wasn’t just for cultivation—it housed the Blood Refining Grand Formation’s core. To destroy the formation, he needed to enter and find it.
Once the core was destroyed, it wouldn’t matter who won between Du Wu and Zheng Xiaoyang. If they injured each other, he could kill them both. If not, he could escape if he couldn’t win.
With this in mind, Li Feng cautiously edged toward the cave entrance. Though Du Wu and Zheng Xiaoyang were fighting, he couldn’t afford carelessness. If Du Wu noticed his intent, he’d be finished.
Using his spiritual sense to monitor the two, Li Feng approached the cave. Fortunately, it wasn’t far, and he soon reached the entrance.
Glancing at the fighters, Li Feng slipped inside with a flash.
