Chapter 44 - 43: Encounter on the Road

Chapter 44: Chapter 43: Encounter on the Road

After mastering the complete Secret Medicine formula himself, Xu Guang finally realized the massive profits Master Zhao made from taking in disciples.

Take the Returning Mountain Skill, for example. Its Skin Polishing Secret Medicine consisted entirely of common ingredients available in any pharmacy. The Golden Willow Skill was likely the same, yielding nearly a hundredfold in profit.

The Bone Forging Secret Medicine was slightly more troublesome, requiring He Shouwu that was over fifty years old, but it still raked in a substantial sum.

Clearly, Zhao Fu’s primary source of income came from his low-level disciples.

For dozens of portions of ingredients, Xu Guang spent a total of twenty-six taels and three maces of silver. As for the He Shouwu, he searched through four pharmacies before finally purchasing it for seventy taels of silver at a shop belonging to the Cheng Family.

This single shopping trip nearly exhausted all the windfall he had acquired last time. Had it not been for his fruitful spoils in the mountains a few days prior, he would likely have had to seek out unowned wealth once more.

Carrying the medicinal herbs in a woven bamboo bag, Xu Guang made his way home.

To his immense surprise, as he passed by an alley, he saw large red lanterns hanging high. Ceremonial music filled the air outside, and a giant piece of red cloth was pasted on the wall at the alley’s entrance, featuring a large paper-cut character for "Double Happiness."

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.

It was actually... Susu?

Han Juan and Susu had always been close. If Han Juan was getting married, Susu would definitely attend. So... was this the home of Han Juan’s new husband?

A strange expression appeared on Xu Guang’s face. Scanning the surroundings, he had to admit that Han Juan’s natural assets were quite impressive.

The Outer City was divided into different districts, and some areas were exclusively inhabited by the wealthy. The Cheng Family’s pharmacy sold premium goods, so naturally, it was located in an affluent neighborhood.

Knowing that the two women didn’t have the best attitude toward him, Xu Guang naturally had no intention of greeting them. Adjusting the bamboo basket in his hand, he prepared to leave. However, just as he was about to walk out of the area, a figure stepped out from a corner ahead, blocking his path.

"You people from the Immortal Institute are truly bold, actually daring to set foot in the territory of the Cheng Institute."

The man spoke in a gloomy tone, carrying an inexplicable coldness that chilled Xu Guang.

Xu Guang’s pupils shrank slightly. The person standing opposite him was none other than Pang Hong, the star disciple Cheng Shan had previously brought to challenge the Immortal Institute!

A half-smile played on his face. With a hint of mockery in his eyes, he stared unblinkingly at Xu Guang, standing squarely in front of him to completely block his way.

"You’re Elder Cheng’s disciple? May I ask why you’re stopping me?" Xu Guang found it rather strange. Why would this Pang Hong block his way? He didn’t think they had ever spoken before.

Pang Hong let out a cold sneer. "Do you know what my master sacrificed his entire life to defeat Zhao Fu? And do you know what I have sacrificed?"

He smiled fiercely, recalling the bitter suffering he had endured all these years.

Xu Guang was left speechless. He thought, "What does your sacrifice have to do with me? Why are you blocking my way?"

"Where is Jiang Wu?"

Xu Guang shook his head. "I don’t know. I’ve never met my senior martial brother since joining the institute."

Xu Guang had heard tales about this eldest senior martial brother before. Rumor had it that he had reached the Realm of Great Bone Forging Perfection seven years ago. Afterward, he trained bitterly in Feiyun City for three years. Failing to find an opportunity for Refining Viscera, he left to travel. In the early years, he would return once annually, but eventually, his journeys took him further away. All in all, it had been two years since his last return.

Naturally, Xu Guang had never met him. He wasn’t lying.

Pang Hong suddenly shouted fiercely, "You’re lying! How could Jiang Wu not be by Zhao Fu’s side?

"Forget it, I won’t waste any more words on you. Initially, we just used that woman’s marriage to lure your eldest senior martial brother here. To think none of you would show up! Fortunately, I ran into you. Consider yourself unlucky. Once I kill you, Zhao Fu will definitely summon Jiang Wu back!"

Xu Guang narrowed his eyes and was just about to speak.

Suddenly, a surge of black qi erupted around Pang Hong’s body. It was true, tangible qi.

He thought, "How is this possible!?"

A Refining Viscera Power Master could only cultivate Visceral Force. To project Power outside the body required reaching an even higher stage. How could Pang Hong possibly do it?

Xu Guang’s figure shot backward in retreat.

However, Pang Hong was brimming with black qi. An incredibly bizarre black mist surfaced on his face, and snake-like scales sprouted between his brows. Even his eyes transformed into serpentine vertical slits.

"You are just collateral damage, so I will show mercy and let you die at the hands of an Abnormal wielding Bloodline Power!"

The moment his words fell, he leaped forward, launching a straightforward Thrusting Punch right at Xu Guang’s chest.

This was the most bizarre punch in his mysterious Cultivation Technique. Paired with the Bloodline Power he had specifically awakened for it, he believed it was enough to shatter Xu Guang’s sternum in a single blow.

He took the initiative to strike, his fist instantly blurring into a black line that emitted a howling gust through the air.

BANG!

Xu Guang reacted with godly speed, forcefully raising his arm. The moment he did, he gathered the Power of Stone Skin, causing specks of black spots to emerge on his flesh. He rigidly parried Pang Hong’s punch away with his elbow.

"You!"

A towering inferno of rage ignited in Xu Guang’s heart, comparable to the fury he felt when Father Xu suffered an unprovoked disaster back then. Just to force Jiang Wu out, this man wanted to murder him!

He could sense that Pang Hong’s Cultivation Technique was not the Thunderbolt Skill practiced by Cheng Shan, but something far more eerie. Had he not sensed something amiss and triggered his Bloodline Power, this punch would have crippled his arm even if he managed to block it.

[Pang Hong (Human), Combat Power: Bone Forging Realm Heroic Level]

He thought, "Heroic Level Combat Power... Truly arrogant."

Xu Guang retreated several steps. Pang Hong revealed a look of astonishment before bloodthirstily licking his lips. He sneered, "An Abnormal! You’ve actually awakened Bloodline Power as well! What an... unexpected delight!

"If I kill someone like you, Old Zhao will surely be in agony! He will definitely call Jiang Wu back!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he charged at Xu Guang. His fists echoed like rumbling thunder, yet they differed from Cheng Shan’s Thunderbolt Fist. Every punch shifted directions multiple times mid-air, always hurtling toward Xu Guang from the most bizarre and tricky angles.

Xu Guang forcibly met every strike with his own fists and elbows. His inner fury reached its absolute peak, and he was just about to unleash his full strength to kill Pang Hong on the spot.

But right at that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps suddenly came from the distance.

Xu Guang suppressed the thought of revealing his true strength in broad daylight, but Pang Hong pressed him tighter and tighter. He had to continuously increase his displayed Combat Power. The black spots on his hands grew denser. Unrestrained and unapologetic, the two brawled right on the main street, trading flesh-pounding blows without holding back.

"Senior Martial Brother Pang Hong, that’s enough!"

"How can it be enough if you don’t die!"

Xu Guang hesitated no longer. He had to admit that Pang Hong’s Heroic Level Combat Power was the real deal. In fact, due to his profound mastery of Technique, when relying solely on the Stone Skin Bloodline, Pang Hong’s strength was faintly above his own.

In just a few exchanges, he took several hits, with one punch narrowly missing his face.

Xu Guang suffered a minor disadvantage, but Pang Hong wasn’t having an easy time either. The Cultivation Technique he practiced wasn’t suited for drawn-out battles; it merely provided an overwhelmingly powerful burst of strength.

Staring at Xu Guang’s seemingly calm face—which in his eyes was merely a facade—Pang Hong felt boundless malice welling up in his heart.

He refused to accept it. Why should Xu Guang be able to match the Bloodline Power he had acquired at such a heavy price? He had practiced an Evil Skill for three years just to reach the Peak of Bone Forging, yet Xu Guang achieved it in less than a year!

He thought, "Xu Guang must die today!"

What was originally an attempt to lure Jiang Wu out had now morphed into pure jealousy and resentment! However, out of the corner of his eye, Xu Guang had already spotted the newcomers. He swiftly retreated, disengaging from the fight.

At the same time, the group stepped forward to stand protectively in front of Xu Guang. It was Xu Sanduo, Zhao Yong, and the various senior martial brothers of the Immortal Institute!

Pang Hong’s expression was vicious, his face shrouded in black qi. He glared coldly at the crowd, feeling as thoroughly disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.

He had intended to kill Xu Guang to force Jiang Wu out, all to build renown for Cheng Shan. He never expected that, in the end, he wouldn’t even be able to kill Xu Guang, and instead became a stepping stone for him!

He thought, "Fortunately, those people... probably didn’t witness the fight. As long as I kill Xu Guang, everything... everything can still be salvaged. I will remain the Invincible genius towering above all the Martial Arts Academies in Feiyun City!"

"You want to stop me!?"

To Xu Guang’s surprise, the person standing at the very front was none other than Senior Sister Susu, the one who had always looked down on him the most.

Standing at the forefront with a furious expression, Susu shouted, "Junior Martial Brother Pang Hong, you promised us! After Junior Martial Brother Bai Ran married Han Juan, you wouldn’t come looking for trouble with us!"

Pang Hong stood his ground, his face dark and cold. Since Xu Sanduo and the others were here, it meant even more people would soon arrive.

The city’s strict crackdown had just ended recently, making this a sensitive place. He didn’t want to commit murder in broad daylight, nor was he confident he could slaughter everyone present.

His gaze pierced through the crowd, locking dead onto Xu Guang. "You have good luck. I hope your luck always stays this good!"

Xu Guang’s expression remained flat. He reached up to touch his chest, where his thin shirt had been torn open, leaving a long, trailing claw mark across his flesh. His Stone Skin hadn’t completely blocked Pang Hong’s attack.

How long had it been since he was injured after reaching Skin Grinding Mastery and awakening his Stone Skin?

As Xu Guang pondered this, he placed his palm over the seeping blood, causing it to slowly turn a translucent color, resembling sweat.

He narrowed his eyes, the aura surrounding him undergoing a subtle shift.

Pang Hong’s strength was truly formidable, but Xu Guang had also discovered the man’s weakness—he lacked endurance, and there was something peculiar about his Bloodline Power.

He thought, "If we were outside the city with no one around... Forget it. There’s no need to go outside the city. It’s just as easy to kill a man in the dead of night when no one is around."

He decided he would beat Pang Hong to death tonight!