After cleaning up the scene, Zhaang Ye cautiously made his way forward, the Thick-Backed Saber on his back. He grew more and more alarmed as he traveled. In just a few short miles, he had unexpectedly run into three or four different groups of people. They were all dressed in tight-fitting combat attire and were clearly part of the same group as the three men he had killed earlier. They were on high alert, meticulously searching the area. Despite Zhaang Ye's extreme caution, he was almost discovered several times.
'This can't go on!' Zhaang Ye thought, a murderous glint in his eyes. 'These people are experienced searchers; their net is wide but tight. The longer I wait, the greater the chance of being discovered. If I want to get out of this forest and back to Three Rivers Town, it looks like I'll have to kill my way out!' His body moved like a phantom as he closed in on one of the search parties…
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Atop a small hill, a middle-aged man in a red robe stood as still as a stone statue, a single saber strapped to his back.
The red-robed middle-aged man's name was Zhou Dayuan. He was the Third Elder of the Cyan Mulberry City's Zhou Family, in charge of the family's external affairs. This time, he had brought a group of the family's experts with the sole purpose of finding a Blade Tip left behind by an Ancient Great Power.
This Blade Tip from an Ancient Great Power had first appeared at a crude trading post, where it was purchased by a Martial Weight Eighth Layer Martial Artist. The moment Zhou Dayuan received the report from his subordinates, he sensed that the Blade Tip was extraordinary. He immediately gathered the family's experts to hunt down the Martial Weight Eighth Layer master.
That Martial Weight Eighth Layer expert was no simple character. Although Zhou Dayuan's own strength was a cut above, and he had numerous subordinates assisting him, the man still managed to escape several times. Furthermore, he had killed more than thirty of the Zhou Family's experts.
Although the price of the pursuit was steep, Zhou Dayuan felt not a shred of regret.
Based on the intelligence he had gathered, Zhou Dayuan already knew the Blade Tip's function. It turned out that this fragment left behind by an Ancient Great Power contained a sliver of that being's spirit and will. The spirit and will of an Ancient Great Power often contained their insights into the Martial Dao. Ancient Great Powers were beings who could soar through the skies and reshape the earth, their Martial Dao cultivation having reached an inconceivable level. If he could obtain their Martial Dao insights, the entire family would benefit endlessly. And he, Zhou Dayuan, could use it to easily break through his current cultivation, become a Martial Arts Ninth Layer Heaven expert, and one of the foremost masters in Cyan Mulberry City.
Zhou Dayuan was only in his seventies. If he could become a Martial Arts Ninth Layer Martial Artist, it would mean that within his lifetime, he would have a chance to advance to the Peak of Martial Arts Ninth Layer and attempt to reach the legendary True Dao Realm.
The True Dao! A Realm that granted a lifespan of two or three hundred years, where one could shatter mountains and split stone with a mere wave of the hand! The mere thought of such a legendary state made Zhou Dayuan tremble with excitement.
'To advance to the True Dao, I must have this Blade Tip! I will kill any man and slay any god who stands in my way!'
A Martial Arts Fourth Layer Martial Artist sped over. Zhou Dayuan returned to his senses and saw that the newcomer was his second disciple, Zhou Xingwu.
Zhou Dayuan said slowly, "Any news?"
Zhou Xingwu said respectfully, "Master, there is still no sign of the target. However, we lost three small teams in a forest, which we suspect is connected to our target. We are now conducting an all-out search and pursuit."
Zhou Dayuan said slowly, "What weapon was used to kill the three teams?"
A strange expression appeared on Zhou Xingwu's face. "The three squads, nine men in total, were all sliced in two. The killer's cultivation isn't high, estimated to be around the Late-stage Second Layer of Martial Arts. But judging from his methods, he has likely mastered some kind of incredibly powerful Saber Technique. He is extremely vicious in combat; several of our men were hacked into multiple pieces. I estimate his true strength is comparable to a Martial Artist at the Peak of Martial Arts Second Layer. Killing other Martial Arts Second Layer Martial Artists is effortless for him."
"In the Martial Arts Ninth Layer, each layer is a whole new world. Generally speaking, killing someone of a higher realm is extremely difficult. This person is only at the Martial Arts Second Layer, yet he was able to kill our men one after another. He should not be underestimated."
After listening, Zhou Dayuan pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems we'll need someone at the Martial Arts Third Layer to deal with this person who's suddenly appeared. There are many adventurers in this hundred-mile radius, and we need our people to keep them suppressed, so we can't spare anyone. How about this: inform your Fourth Junior Brother. Have him go to that forest and kill this opponent as quickly as possible."
Zhou Xingwu was taken aback. "Master, although Fourth Junior Brother has the strength of the Third Layer Heaven, he is only twelve years old and lacks experience. Is it really appropriate to have him deal with such a vicious person?"
The Fourth Junior Brother that Zhou Xingwu spoke of was Zhou Dayuan's only son, Zhou Yutao. Zhou Yutao was the Zhou Family's publicly acknowledged genius. Despite his young age, his strength was formidable, and he had long since stepped into the Martial Arts Third Layer. Zhou Xingwu would have been happy if it were any other Martial Arts Third Layer expert. The problem was, this was Zhou Dayuan's only son. If anything happened to him while he was out on a mission, the consequences would be severe.
Hearing Zhou Xingwu's question, Zhou Dayuan replied with a blank expression, "There's nothing inappropriate about it. Even the finest seedling must endure wind and frost to grow strong. Although Tao'er is exceptionally talented, he has never been truly tested, and his temperament has become somewhat unstable. By having him act this time, I hope that in the process of killing a strong enemy, he can also temper his own disposition to be more stable. It will lay a good foundation for his advancement to the Fourth Heaven."
Seeing his master's resolve, Zhou Xingwu had no choice but to nod. "Master's words are wise. I will go and inform Fourth Junior Brother at once. Fourth Junior Brother is a renowned genius throughout Cyan Mulberry City. He succeeded in Introducing Qi into the Body at the age of five, became a Second Heaven Martial Artist at eight, and was already a young expert of the Third Layer Heaven at eleven. Now, with a cultivation at the Early Stage of Martial Arts Third Layer, both his Soft Wave Sword and Wave Riding Step have reached the Minor Achievement Realm. His strength is outstanding among the Younger Generation. There will be absolutely no problem with him dealing with someone from the Second Layer Heaven of Martial Arts."
Zhou Dayuan nodded slightly and added, "That Martial Weight Eighth Layer expert has been hounded by us to the end of his rope. He can't even handle an ordinary Martial Artist now. Tell the search parties they must move faster! Our large-scale operation has already attracted the attention of other powers. If we can't find that Blade Tip within a day, we'll lose the initiative. We might even end up leaving empty-handed."
Zhou Xingwu nodded slightly. With a push of his feet, his figure took flight like a great bird, soaring away.