Chapter 479 - 13: Strength

Five Tigers Gate-Crashing Saber!

This was a very common Saber Technique, often taught in martial arts halls as an introductory course.

But if one reached the Mastery Realm, its power was still extraordinary.

Just like now. The large, saber-wielding man charged forward, his momentum like a Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain. His long saber whistled through the air as he chopped and slashed.

The heavy long saber transitioned from a chop to a sweeping slice, moving with an ethereal lightness. The ferocious Sword Momentum even carried a strange, artistic flair.

"Not bad!"

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise on his face.

It was rare to see an inconspicuous roadside robber who had cultivated his Saber Technique to the point of having an artistic flair.

Among the Zhu Mansion’s guards, he would have been one of the very best.

’A pity!’

’Such a fine man, so why become a thief?’

Shaking his head gently, his figure flickered and he closed the distance.

The long saber, sharp sword, and Hidden Weapons formed an intersecting web. It seemed impenetrable, but in his eyes, it was riddled with openings.

With a single dodge, he broke through their encirclement with deceptive ease.

His body, which appeared slender compared to the three robbers, swayed gently, and an earth-shattering, mountain-uprooting power erupted from him.

The will of the Giant Spirit!

Power!

Power!

Power!

Beneath his mask, Zhu Ju’s eyes were profound. His body seemed to suddenly grow by ten feet, like a Giant Spirit god striding across the land, leveling everything in its path.

Mountain-Bearing!

He bent his elbows as if shouldering a great cauldron, carrying an immense, unstoppable force.

Mountain-Pushing!

He thrust his fists forward as if to topple a mountain, his Strength rolling onward like a millstone.

CLANG—

The saber-wielding man’s expression changed drastically. With no time to think, he quickly retracted his saber to defend, holding the blade horizontally before him.

A collision rang out.

A faint golden light appeared on Zhu Ju’s fists, which crashed against the long saber with the sound of striking metal.

The large man felt an irresistible Giant Power wash over him. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and stumbled backward.

"Big Brother!"

The Swordsman at his side cried out in alarm. He spun like a top, thrusting his sword toward Zhu Ju’s waist.

He was clearly aiming for a vital point, forcing Zhu Ju to defend.

BANG!

Zhu Ju turned to the side and pressed down with one hand.

Earth-Shattering!

Thunder-Collapse!

The downward Fist Force sent shockwaves blasting in all directions. The longsword let out a mournful cry and was sent flying from the man’s grasp.

Sea-Twisting!

City-Destroying!

Zhu Ju’s spirit was like a Giant Spirit, his body like a great mountain. His every move seemed slow, yet contained immense Giant Power.

This terrifying power crushed everything. A mere graze would injure, a direct hit meant death. The two men, who were still trying to struggle, trembled before they were both sent flying backward.

They were all Ninth Grade cultivators—one at the upper stage and one at the middle stage. Yet, facing Zhu Ju, who had just entered the Ninth Grade, they were utterly powerless to fight back.

"AAH!"

The last man’s eyes went wide. With a furious roar, he shook his cloak, and dozens of Hidden Weapons shot out like a Blooming Flower Rain, blanketing Zhu Ju.

Meanwhile, he himself rolled into the darkness and fled into the distance.

’My two brothers were no match for him,’ he thought. ’All my skills are with Hidden Weapons. I’d stand even less of a chance up close.’

He had only taken two steps when a sharp whistling sound came from behind him, and his expression changed.

’Not good!’

His figure flickered as he tried to exert his strength and dodge.

But it was no use...

PFFT!

A Flying Saber, imbued with Giant Power, pierced straight through his skull and embedded itself in the wall, trailing blood.

THUD!

The body hit the ground.

"Huu..." Zhu Ju let out a long, turbid breath and slowly retracted his Fist Intent. He glanced at the three corpses on the ground and nodded.

’My Cultivation is at the entry level of the Ninth Grade, but my strength is on par with the Eighth Grade,’ he mused. ’To truly crush me, one would probably need to be at the Seventh Grade.’

"Huh?"

He found a wooden token on one of the bodies and examined it closely, his expression turning grim and uncertain.

"Sanhe Gang!"

"They’re disciples of the Sanhe Gang?"

The Sanhe Gang was a new power that had emerged in Taiyuan Prefecture in recent years, constantly challenging the Qingyi Gang’s position.

It was said their Gang Leader was a Sixth Grade master and had powerful backing.

*

*

*

「Zhu Mansion」

「Quiet Chamber」

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, silently circulating the Dragon Elephant Force. The Qi Blood in his body churned like a torrential river.

「A short while later.」

He slowly opened his eyes, a look of regret on his face.

’It’s true that Demon Blood Flesh contains a large amount of Essence and can nourish the Physical Body with long-term consumption,’ he thought. ’Unfortunately, it’s not very useful to me.’

Zhu Ju possessed the Venerable Immortal Bone, which constantly increased the Essence in his body. Although the amount was small, its advantage was that it was a continuous, unending supply with no side effects.

Demon Blood Flesh was far from comparable.

For the effects to surpass those of the Venerable Immortal Bone, he would need to consume at least Tier Four Demon Blood Flesh.

Or...

...refine something as precious as a Demon’s Inner Core.

Shaking his head, he raised his voice slightly.

"Shuang’er!"

"Young Master."

Not far away, Shuang’er stopped her Cultivation Technique and opened her beautiful eyes.

Zhu Ju asked,

"How is your Cultivation of the technique Senior Jingyun passed on to you?"

"I’m currently practicing the Ninefold Force, the Cloud-Ascending Step, and the Cicada Wing Saber. I feel..." Shuang’er tilted her head.

"...that it’s not too difficult."

At least, it wasn’t as hard as Lu Qianqian had said.

But saying something like that to Lu Qianqian’s face would be too demoralizing, so she only said it in front of Zhu Ju.

"Daoist Jingyun studied under the Zhenwu Temple, which is one of the world’s top factions." Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

"If you can enter the Zhenwu Temple, not only the Zhu Family, but the entire Taiyuan Prefecture would be proud of you."

"Uh..." Shuang’er scratched her head.

"You’re joking, Young Master."

"The Zhenwu Temple may be divided into an Inner Sect and an Outer Sect, but even Outer Sect Disciples need to be at the Sixth Grade of Cultivation or higher..."

"I could never hope to achieve that in my lifetime."

Among the world’s top factions, the Zhenwu Temple didn’t have the fewest disciples, but their numbers were among the lowest.

But every single one of their disciples was a renowned and formidable figure.

"You still have to try," Zhu Ju said with a calm smile, handing her the pouch beside him.

"Take this. Have Senior Jingyun tell you how to use it."

"Demon Blood Flesh?" Shuang’er’s heart leaped, and she looked at Zhu Ju with a shy and confused expression.

"Isn’t this something you need, Young Master?"

"You need it more than I do," Zhu Ju said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Take it."

...

"Demon Blood Flesh?"

Looking at the frozen flesh before her, Lu Qianqian couldn’t help but swallow, muttering under her breath,

"He’s surprisingly generous."

"Indeed," Daoist Jingyun said with a sigh of emotion.

"This Demon Blood Flesh isn’t cheap. It must be worth at least a thousand taels of silver. What a grand gesture."

She was a renunciate. Although her Cultivation and strength were considerable, she didn’t have many silver coins on her, so it was impossible for her to provide her disciples with extra resources.

"Ah!" Shuang’er exclaimed in shock.

"It’s that expensive? Then I’ll return it!"

"There’s no need," Daoist Jingyun said, shaking her head.

"Shuang’er, don’t underestimate yourself. In time, when your Cultivation is accomplished, you can repay him then."

"You urgently need to solidify your foundation right now. This Demon Blood Flesh has come at the perfect time to compensate for the disadvantage of your advanced age."

"Hmm..."

After a moment of thought, she spoke slowly,

"I have a Method for refining Demon Blood Flesh called the Devouring Essence Skill. It can help you refine it faster."

"Oh!" Shuang’er’s eyes lit up.

"Can I give it to the Young Master?"

"..." Daoist Jingyun froze for a moment before sighing with a hint of resignation.

"You may."

After Shuang’er had left, Lu Qianqian pressed her lips together and said,

"Junior Sister can only think about Zhu Ju."

"Shuang’er grew up with Zhu Ju and has had almost no contact with the outside world. She still has a pure, innocent heart, so it’s impossible for her to sever those feelings all at once," Daoist Jingyun said, slowly closing her eyes.

"Once she has seen the world and met some truly heaven-blessed prodigies, she will naturally understand how naive she once was."

"By the way,"

"Many people have been coming and going from the Zhu Mansion today. What is Young Master Zhu busy with?"

"He has called his younger brothers and sisters to the mansion, and has even settled the Second and Third Madams in the rear courtyard," Lu Qianqian said.

"He said he wants to have a gathering with his siblings."

"Oh?" Daoist Jingyun’s brow twitched.

"The experts from the Qingyi Gang and the Court are out suppressing bandits, and the city has been rather chaotic recently. It seems Young Master Zhu has sensed something."

"Hmm..."

"When Shuang’er returns, we will leave the city and go back to Baiyun Temple."

"Yes," Lu Qianqian acknowledged.