Chapter 60 - 59: Onward to... Blood Refining

Wei River’s surface was far too broad. Being a freshwater river, whenever the scorching sun shone upon it, a layer of mist always blanketed the water, making it look like a fairyland. Through the dense fog, several large ships could be seen sailing across the water. On the deck of one of these large ships stood dozens of armored soldiers.

Xu Guang stood beneath the mast, looking at the soldiers on the deck with a probing gaze.

Forming the Three Guards into an army was no simple matter. Rumor had it that in the army, a formation of ten men could condense their Combat Power, amplifying it tenfold. Ten soldiers with Skin Grinding Mastery in a battle formation could forcibly grind a Martial Artist at Bone Forging Perfection to death. He didn’t know if it was true or not. The training methods of the Feiyun Guard were highly classified, and he had never witnessed them. Now, being in such close contact with these soldiers, he couldn’t help but feel curious.

"Brother Xu, what do you think of our Feiyun Guard elites?" Behind Xu Guang, a man clad in armor asked with a hint of pride.

Xu Guang praised, "Their military prestige is exceptionally grand, comparable to fierce tigers."

"Hahaha, well said, Brother Xu. Lord City Guardian once praised that the Feiyun Guard is a guard of fierce tigers!" The man speaking was Zhao Yue, a subordinate of Marshal Nie Yu who had previously tried to recruit Xu Guang, so he was quite friendly toward him.

Right at that moment, a discordant voice rang out. A young man wearing Silver Armor walked over from afar, speaking with a touch of disdain. "So this is the highly renowned Jade-faced Silver Spear? He indeed looks somewhat like a pretty boy, but I wonder how skilled he actually is."

Wherever there are people, there is the Martial World. Xu Guang never believed he had to be appreciated by everyone. He was just a minor figure. That so-called title was nothing more than a nickname given by a few busybodies in the Three Guards Department. He had experienced being targeted many times before, although such incidents had decreased significantly as he completed more and more missions for the department.

"Xu is just Xu. I have never acknowledged this ’Jade-faced Silver Spear’ title," Xu Guang replied, neither haughty nor humble.

The newcomer sneered, "To think the famous Jade-faced Silver Spear is just a cowardly rat."

"Whether I have courage or not is none of your concern," Xu Guang retorted firmly but calmly.

"You!" The young man in Silver Armor reached to draw the sword at his waist.

"Enough!" Zhao Yue suddenly shouted, glaring fixedly at the young man. "Centurion Li, Brother Xu is a friend of our Marshal Nie!"

Seeing the Marshal being mentioned, the young man in Silver Armor slowly lowered his hand.

"Brother Xu, this man works for Marshal Fang."

Marshal Fang? Fang Yuanshan, Marshal Nie’s rumored husband? Thinking of Nie Yu’s appearance, Xu Guang looked slightly moved, wondering if someone was actually getting jealous over Nie Yu.

Xu Guang nodded expressionlessly. "The Feiyun Guard is full of talent, accepting all kinds of people."

Zhao Yue was momentarily speechless, having understood the underlying meaning in Xu Guang’s words. "There are always a few troublemakers in the army, but as Brother Xu may know, the bigger the troublemaker, the stronger they are."

Xu Guang was about to speak when he heard someone shouting from the bow, "We’ve arrived at the East Shore!"

"Brother Xu, let’s disembark."

Hearing Zhao Yue’s words, Xu Guang was just about to follow him to the camp when he suddenly noticed the commotion in the distant Lin Zi, spotting several familiar silhouettes. His expression shifted slightly.

"Brother Zhao, wait a moment. Xu will be right back." He abruptly jumped down from the ship. The Long Spear that had been on his back appeared in his grasp at some unknown point. Even while bearing over three hundred catties of Armor, he still moved as swiftly as if he were flying.

Zhao Yue and the young man in Silver Armor watched this scene with some surprise.

The young man couldn’t help but say, "A peasant is always a peasant! The people he knows are all peasants too."

Zhao Yue couldn’t help but frown.

On the other side, Xu Guang had already dashed out. The Long Spear in his hand flashed with a silver light. The four-meter Long Spear felt as light as nothing in his grip, exuding a sense of effortless grace with every swing. He rushed over to help, and Xu Sanduo’s group immediately noticed him.

Xu Sanduo looked excited. "Little Junior Brother!"

A Big Spear had some drawbacks in the Lin Zi. Because it was too long, it was difficult to swing freely amidst the dense Lin Zi. However, Xu Guang’s strength was too immense, and the Big Spear was forged from hundred-refined steel. With a single swing, both trees and Mountain Bandits were sent flying backward. Upon closer inspection, one would find that the spearhead of Xu Guang’s Big Spear was different from ordinary spearheads; it was more like a saber, one capable of hacking and slashing.

Xu Guang killed people very quickly and cleanly, just like how he used to gut fish at the town’s fish stall in the past. His heart was icy cold. In just the blink of an eye, the nearly thirty bandits surrounding them lost their courage.

This youth was inhuman!

The momentum of the Big Spear swinging was comparable to a heavy hammer. Whenever it swept across someone, they would either lose half their body or be smashed into minced meat. Anyone who was hit would almost certainly die. It was far too terrifying.

Xu Guang looked at the leading bandit, an expert in the Great Bone Forging Perfection Realm, whose Combat Power had also reached the Elite Level. The bandit looked at Xu Guang with a solemn expression, horror evident in his eyes.

"Retreat!"

But...

Xu Guang supported the tail of the spear with one hand. The Long Spear vibrated violently, and the air seemed to stand still for a split second. With his other hand, he suddenly grabbed near the spearhead and pushed down forcefully. The Big Spear let out a low, buzzing hum that sounded like a Buddhist chant as he bent it into a slight arc.

This scene shocked almost everyone present.

In the distance, Zhao Yue widened his eyes abruptly, staring fixedly at Xu Guang, his eyes filled with shock. The Silver Armored Man noticed that Zhao Yue had stopped in his tracks, and as he turned around, he also witnessed that shocking scene.

A Big Spear made of hundred-refined steel was being bent by brute force? What kind of unimaginable strength was this? Could it be that the pale-faced youth had awakened a Bloodline Power related to Divine Power?

Xu Sanduo, Zhao Yong, and the others were already shocked speechless.

Turning a deaf ear to everything, a slightly ferocious smile surfaced on Xu Guang’s lips.

Then...

He let go!

BANG!

The Big Spear acted like a bow. The youth had been holding the spear with both hands, and upon suddenly releasing it, the silver Big Spear transformed into a streak of white silk. It tore through the air, whistling endlessly as it vanished from its spot. It flew out with sheer force, accompanied by a terrifying sonic boom echoing in the air. The speed was so fast that it practically snapped massive trees in half. Then, under the incredulous gazes of countless people, it ruthlessly smashed into the fleeing bandit.

In an instant, a mist of blood erupted, sending bodies flying in complete chaos. Where the Big Spear landed, the surrounding air currents surged like a raging tide, quickly crashing outward and launching dust into the air. A few bandits who were lucky enough not to be hit by the Big Spear were violently flipped over by the blast wave.

Xu Guang stood there motionlessly, his gaze unfathomable, seemingly reminiscing the feeling. This sort of method was fine for intimidating others, but in a battle between evenly matched opponents, it seemed somewhat foolish.

Among the many Weapons and Martial Techniques, he had a special fondness for the Big Spear, and his Cultivation speed with it was also the fastest, almost surpassing the Golden Willow Step that he had specially cultivated for escaping. Of course, he was famous for using the spear, but when killing Mountain Bandits these past few days, he mostly used his saber or his fists. After all, standing out a little was a good thing, but standing out too much would not be great.

"M—My Lord, your spear." A Mercenary in the Bone Forging Realm stood timidly beside Xu Guang, holding up Xu Guang’s Big Spear with both hands as he spoke respectfully.

Xu Guang reached out, lifting the Big Spear with one hand. "Thank you."

Xu Sanduo laughed heartily. "Let me introduce him to you brothers. This is the renowned Jade-faced Silver Spear of Feiyun City, my own brother from another mother, Xu Guang, Xu Erlang!"

Listening to Xu Sanduo’s introduction, Xu Guang couldn’t help but let his face twitch. However, he had to admit Xu Sanduo’s charismatic charm. In just this short period of time, the surrounding Mercenaries all seemed to submit to him. Unlike him, who had joined the Mercenaries for over half a year and didn’t even have a single trustworthy subordinate.

"Senior Brother Xu, why didn’t you call for backup?" Xu Guang was a bit curious. He could tell that Xu Sanduo and the others were clearly at a disadvantage just now, and this place was only a few hundred meters away from the camp. Why didn’t they go to the camp to ask for help?

Hearing this, a trace of indignation appeared on Xu Sanduo’s face. "There’s a son of a bitch Centurion inside who looks down on us brothers; he just wanted to send us to our deaths."

Xu Guang narrowed his eyes but did not say anything else.

"Forget it, there’s no use telling you anyway. With you joining us, we will be safe." Xu Sanduo was incredibly impressed by Xu Guang’s Combat Power. They were both in Bone Forging, so why was he so outstanding?

"Brother Xu, your demeanor is captivating. That spear strike just now was truly the work of a god!" Zhao Yue’s voice rang out, and walking alongside him was that youth in Silver Armor.

Xu Guang was a bit surprised, but he could understand. After all, the military revered martial prowess. Since he had displayed his strength, he deserved to be respected. Even if they looked down on him, they still had to show superficial respect. This was the rule.

With Zhao Yue and the others present, the Mercenaries naturally followed them into the camp.

"What? Brother Xu, you want to go out on patrol?" Zhao Yue had a look of astonishment.

Xu Guang nodded. "Xu is also a Mercenary. Both of my senior brothers are standing guard outside, so naturally, I must also fulfill my duties as a Mercenary."

Zhao Yue glanced at the gloomy-faced camp leader, assuming that Xu Guang had some grievances about Xu Sanduo and the others standing guard outside. Not in a position to say much, he simply nodded.

The young man in Silver Armor watched Xu Guang’s departing back and muttered, "Posturing." Immediately after, he suddenly looked up at Zhao Yue. "Brother Zhao, tell me the truth. What exactly are Marshal Nie’s intentions?"

Facing him, Zhao Yue appeared fully confident. "How would I know what Marshal Nie is thinking? If you want to know, Marshal Nie is coming over in a few days. You can just ask her yourself."

Having obtained a reasonable excuse to leave, Xu Guang stood outside the tent and looked at the lush Lin Zi in the distance, a glint of burning fervor flashing in his eyes. He would take advantage of this opportunity to collect as much Essence Blood as possible.

Feiyun City had established thirteen camps on the river’s East Shore, with about a hundred people in each camp. The Three Guards each dispatched a Marshal to manage them. Currently, the Marshal of the Feiyun Guard on the East Shore was named Liu Feng, a Refining Viscera Strange Man with profound Cultivation.

Xu Guang did not go to pay his respects to the man. Instead, he immediately discussed matters with Xu Sanduo and the others, claiming that he had decided to act alone outside to spy on the movements of the Yellow Heaven Sect. Although Xu Sanduo was worried, he had no reason to refuse. After all, even with so many of them, they were probably no match for Xu Guang alone. Touched, he simply believed that Xu Guang was doing all of this for their sake.

Xu Guang didn’t have the time to guess what Xu Sanduo was thinking. He quickly walked out and found a cave. He unequipped his Long Spear and, after a moment of thought, also took off his Armor. These items were far too conspicuous, so it was better not to bring them. He found a spot and carefully hid his belongings.

Looking at the dense forest before him, a sense of vast freedom—like a fish leaping through the boundless ocean—suddenly washed over him.

On this trip...

Blood Refining!

How much Essence Blood could he condense from the corpses left behind by the small-scale clashes over the past few days?