121-130

Silence. A deathly silence seemed to freeze the air, making everyone feel a bone-chilling shiver as their nervous gazes fell on Tang Zhiming's body floating on the water.

Someone finally reacted, "G-Go down and take a look."

A few people plunged into the water and dragged Tang Zhiming to the side of the swimming pool.

"Young Master Tang!"

"Young Master Tang!"

They shouted a few times, but he didn't respond at all.

The water surface returned to tranquilness under the gradually setting twilight, with the occasional ripples swaying on the surface.

Fallen tree leaves swirled gently at the poolside.

"H-He's dead…"

Although they had already realized it, everyone felt their heart thump faster after confirming it and felt stifled.

Tang Zhiming was dead!!!

Everyone gazed towards Jiang Xiu, feeling this person was too ruthless. He had drowned a person to death just because that person had pushed his woman into the water. They wondered whether he knew the identity of the person who died.

Cheng Lingsu was also left dazed. You are the one who humiliated me, and you're also the one who acted when I got humiliated. You are God, you are also the Devil. Just what do you want to do?

Jiang Xiu wore the same indifferent expression as always as if what happened was completely unrelated to him.

"Go change. We're leaving!"

Cheng Lingsu finally came back to her sense. She rushed towards the dressing room with a pale face and quickly changed again without taking a shower.

"You looked better in the swimsuit."

Jiang Xiu commented playfully.

"Are we going to let them leave like this?"

"Are you planning to stop him? Didn't you witness his ruthlessness? Young Master Tang had just teased his woman and got drowned to death in return. Let's report it to the police, okay?"

"This matter is too huge."

Ninghai City's No. 1 Young Master got killed. There was no doubt that Secretary Tang would go insane after learning about this. This was his only son!

Young Master Song said, "Xiaojun, who's that person? Let's report it to the police immediately."

"We can't let him escape."

Wu Xiaojun was utterly stupefied as he spoke while stuttering, "I-I'm not familiar with him and met him for the first time today like you. I only know he's called Jiang Xiu and that he came from Jiang City."

Cheng Lingsu's thoughts were a mess as she followed behind Jiang Xiu, "Why? You were the one who forced me to change into a swimsuit and let those people tease me, but why did you kill Young Master Tang when he humiliated me?"

"Tell me. Didn't you hate me? Weren't you hoping to ruin me?"

Jiang Xiu stopped walking and gazed at Cheng Lingsu. Her hair was still wet and face pale, but it couldn't hide her ethereal beauty. Her startled appearance like that of a little deer indeed provoked the tenderness of a man. "What do you think?"

Cheng Lingsu asked in return, "You are quite conflicted, right? You want to forgive me but aren't able to do it."

"That's why you torment me but don't allow others to persecute me."

Jiang Xiu didn't reply. He had to admit that Cheng Lingsu's words were partially correct, but that's just a part.

"You're too impulsive. It would've been fine if you just taught him a lesson."

"You shouldn't have killed him!"

"Hoh?"

Cheng Lingsu continued, "You're quite amazing now and powerful. Everyone calls you Mr. Jiang, but the Tang family isn't that easy to provoke. It's different from the Wang family. The Wang family is just an ancient family and has a base on martial arts, and you were able to triumph over them because you're good at it. In fact, the Wang family has neither background nor a patron, but the Tang family is different. They are a family with roots in officialdom. They will use the laws to handle you."

"So?" Jiang Xiu questioned.

"You are fearless, and they won't be able to do anything to you, but have you thought about Uncle and Aunt? They only have one son. If something happens to you, what will they do?"

Jiang Xiu laughed then continued to walk forwards, thinking that she would never understand what kind of existence he was.

Laws were created by the power holders to restrict those under them.

"Jiang Xiu…"

Cheng Lingsu chased after him with a scowl on her beautiful face. She wanted to say more but stopped as Jiang Xiu didn't seem like he was interested in listening to her.

…

Tang Zhengping was a 50-year-old man with a pudgy figure. He wore a smile across his face while having a meal at a hotel with others right now. All of them were singing praises for him, "Though it isn't decided whether you'll get a party position, it's set that you'll obtain the Deputy Governor seat."

"Getting a party position is just a matter of time with the Tang family as a patron."

"Let's congratulate Secretary Tang in advance for the promotion, we ought to call him Deputy Governor Tang now."

Tang Zhengping raised his wine glass, feeling pleased and was about to drink it when he received a call, "Hello!"

Secretary Tang, we have bad news. Young Master Tang was killed by someone in Song family's villa…" The one who spoke on the other end of the call was a 40-year-old man. He was the leader of Ninghai's police force, Ling Dongcheng, and had personally set out as this case involved Secretary Tang's only son. He was standing beside the dead body right now. Officers were going through the place and noting down observations.

"What?"

The wine glass in his cup fell to the ground and broke into pieces, wine spilling all over the floor. Tang Zhengping stood up, his face going pale.

"He was drowned to death."

Tang Zhengping felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground, feeling a heart-wrenching pain, "Zhiming, you fool. How can you act so foolish? You should've known what's your status. How could you argue with those common people?"

His son was gone now.

"Secretary Tang, take care of your body."

Tang Zhengping felt as if he had grown older. Fury overcame him, "Who was it? Which bastard dared to move against my son?"

"A person from Jiang City, it's a 20-year-old man called Jiang Xiu."

"Catch him!"

"Yes, we have already blocked all the major roads. We shall arrest the murdered as soon as we have him in sight." Ling Dongcheng paused for a moment, "We've already sent people to watch his parents in Jiang City."

They surmised that he would contact the people at home before fleeing.

…

"Excuse me, is this Jiang Xiu's home?"

Two police officers arrived at the fruit store. From their hurried expressions, it could be made out that they had rushed over here. Lin Yueling and Jiang Yi were both here and were discussing Jiang Xiu's future studies. They decided that they wouldn't allow Jiang Xiu to go to the Imperial Capital and would persist on it even if he disagreed.

"Yes, did something happen, Officer?" Lin Yueling asked, feeling astonished. Anyone would have a bad premonition of the police dropped in at their home.

Jiang Yi also feared the police as he had spent time in jail.

"Who are you to Jiang Xiu?"

"We are his parents." Lin Yueling replied.

The officer's expression changed after hearing this, "Your son has broken the law and committed a murder. You are to come to Ninghai with us and assist us in the investigation."

"WHAT?!" Lin Yueling and Jiang Yi both shouted in alarm.

"That's impossible. My son's quite well-behaved and is also the topper of the college entrance exam. How could he kill someone?" Lin Yueling rushed to explain with a pale face."

"We have facts and more than 20 witnesses who were on the scene. They all witnessed him commit the murder. I request you to come with us."

Jiang Yi, who was silent until now finally spoke, "Why would my son kill someone without any reason?"

"His female companion was pushed into the swimming pool by someone, so he drowned the perpetrator to death cruelly."

"Aaah?"

Lin Yueling's body froze, almost losing strength. She wasn't ready to believe this, but after the officer mentioned the female companion, she guessed that it must have been Susu. She felt that her son lost control due to Susu getting insulted.

Tears flowed down her cheeks. She had only one son.

She felt as if she was reliving the moment from a decade ago.

The police officer continued, "Your son is indeed too daring. Do you know who he killed? It's the only son of the Ninghai City's Secretary Tang, Young Master Tang Zhiming."

"What?! Tang Zhengping's son?"

The husband and wife asked simultaneously. They realized that this matter isn't so simple.

"Does our son… know about the matter?" Lin Yueling asked.

"Did he want to take revenge for me?" Jiang Yi pondered.

"Foolish son!"

Lin Yueling cried bitterly in Jiang Yi's embrace, "Jiang Yi, what should we do now? We have to think of some means to save Little Xiu. He's our only son."

Jiang Yi made a grace face. "We can't do anything like this. Otherwise, let me make a call."

Lin Yueling raised her head, "Are you going to make a call to Jiang family?"

Pain flashed through Jiang Yi's eyes as he avoided Lin Yueling's gaze, "What else can we do? We only have one son. Should I let him go to prison like me?"

"But you…"

"I'm fine!" Jiang Yi replied.

Lin Yueling loved her son and also loved Jiang Yi, so she didn't wish for Jiang Yi to be insulted. "Shall I call then?"

He was in prison 12 years ago so he couldn't prevent her from going to the Imperial Capital and let her suffer through humiliation. This time, he wasn't going to let Lin Yueling do such a thing.

He went to the side and called the number he had almost forgotten.

His hand trembled when the call got connected, "Hello, is it you, Second Brother? It's me, Jiang Yi."

The other side didn't reply for a moment. A man's voice came through after a while, "You haven't called in a long time."

"It's indeed been a long time."

"I believed you won't call again."

"Mhm!"

"Is Old Man there? I want to talk to him."

"The Old Man told us to never pick up your call. What do you need? Telling me is also the same."

Jiang Yi ruminated for a moment while the muscles on his cheeks shuddered. He hadn't expected the Old Man to be so heartless. Jiang Yi would have hung the call usually, but he couldn't do that today. Jiang Xiu's future would end if he did that. "Second Brother, I want you to save my son…"

Jiang Yi felt like all this strength was leaving him as he said this.

"What happened to your son?"

"He killed a person. He's a good child. He murdered Tang Zhengping's son to take revenge for me. I-I don't want him to go to prison…"

"You went to prison, and now your son is also going to go to prison. These raw facts are proof that you made a big mistake by leaving the family back then."

Blood flowed from the corners of Jiang Yi's mouth as he clenched his teeth hard, "Yes, it was my mistake. Second Brother, I'm requesting you. Please save my son. I only have one son."

The man on the other end sighed, "Sigh. You would have never acted like that then if you knew this would happen."

Jiang Xiu remained silent, but his body trembled.

"Alright. I'll look for a chance to speak to the Old Man…"

The other end hung the call after saying this.

The only thing audible was the ice-cold beeping sound.

Lin Yueling, who was standing nearby noticed Jiang Yi's expression. She felt quite uneasy. It was a desperate situation, but Jiang Yi didn't even get an opportunity to talk to with the Old Man.

She still held a little hope, "How did it go?"

"The Old Man didn't receive my call. My Second Brother said he'll find a chance to speak with the Old Man about this matter. After all, Jiang Xiu is his own grandson so he won't ignore this matter."

He felt his heart bleed when he said this. Back then, he hadn't even saved his own son and let Jiang Yi rot in prison.

The officer outside urged them, "Are you ready? We have to go immediately."

"Yes. Let's go!"

The couple boarded the police car helplessly. Lin Yueling question the police officer at this moment, "Officer, can I ask you where my son is right now?"

"You are asking us when we want to ask you that. Take note of your cell phone and keep it charged. It's possible your son might call you while fleeing."

"Fleeing?"

Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling couldn't believe their ears.

The people inside the police department of Ninghai City were almost quarreling when they arrived there. They were planning to capture Jiang Xiu, but the matter was too strange. It was as if Jiang Xiu had disappeared mysteriously."

Two officers interrogated the couple and asked all kinds of things about Jiang Xiu but no matter which aspect they looked at, Jiang Xiu was a regular, kind child. He was also the provincial topper of the college entrance exam.

The interrogation room's door was opened by Tang Zhengping as he made his way there. His eyes behind the spectacles were bloody red. He felt dispirited. Back then, he had schemed to send Jiang Yi to prison and destroyed his family, giving them endless pain, but that pain couldn't be compared to the pain he felt right now after losing his son.

"Jiang Yi!"

He suddenly dashed ahead and grabbed Jiang Yi's collar, raising him up to the air as the fury overcame him, making him lose his temper and behave in a manner unsuitable as a Secretary, "Where is your son?! Where is he?!"

"I don't know!" Jiang Yi replied.

This man before him was the one who had destroyed him 12 years ago. Everything had changed from then on. He believed he had already separated himself from that circle, but it seemed like he hadn't.

"Calm down!"

"Secretary Tang, calm down a bit!"

A few officers pulled them apart.

"Jiang Yi, you think your son can escape after killing my son?"

"He won't be able to. Entire Ninghai City has been blocked off. He can't escape even if he grows wings."

"I'll make your son pay with his life."

Lin Yueling screamed at him, "Your son was the one who teased Susu first. Little Xiu only wanted to defend his fiancee. It's manslaughter at most and isn't a crime big enough to sentence death."

Looking at the circumstances of the case, it was indeed this way. There were many witnesses there as well.

"Your son must be dreaming if he thinks of living after killing Zhiming!" Tang Zhengping gritted his teeth, "I'll use all the power of my Tang family to make sure he's dead."

Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling's faces turned pale.

"What should we do?" Lin Yueling asked Jiang Yi with worry.

"I'll call them again, okay?"

They had come to provide assistance for the investigation, so their freedom wasn't restricted. Jiang Yi went to the side and called the number again.

"Hello, Second Brother? It's me."

"Didn't I tell you not to worry? You know the Old Man's character. I'll find a suitable timing to mention it to him."

Jiang Yi was naturally worried as there was no time to lose.

"Tang Zhengping is the Secretary here, and the case has also happened here… It doesn't look well, Second Brother. I'm begging you, save my son."

"Isn't he your nephew?"

"Didn't you already leave the Jiang family and sever the relationship?"

"Why are you trying to use family ties now?"

Jiang Yi said, "It was my mistake back then, Second Brother. I'm begging you, please save Little Xiu…"

Jiang Yi had never lowered his head in his entire life, not even when he got imprisoned, but today, he had even begged.

"I can't believe how low the former high-spirited Third Young Master Jiang has fallen."

"We are brothers. I'll talk with the Old Man about it, but if it doesn't work, it'll all depend on your son's luck."

Jiang Yi rushed to thank him, "Thank you, Second Brother."

He bowed down like a slave, but his words came from the bottom of his heart. He could only bow down in front of fate.

And right now, Jiang Xiu was utterly oblivious to all this and ate dinner together with Cheng Lingsu. After that, he used her phone to call Wang Xintong and arrange a hotel for him. His phone had stopped working when he went into the pool, and since they hadn't used their ID, the police couldn't find them. After checking into the hotel, he began cultivating.

As Cheng Lingsu didn't have a charger, her cell phone also ran out of charge. Perhaps because she hasn't slept properly in the past few days, she fell into a deep sleep after getting scared by today's events.

The police department of Ninghai City had blocked all the roads and busied themselves the entire night in vain.

Early morning on the next day.

Jiang Xiu was roused up from his sleep by a call. He picked it up and to his surprise, it was a call form, Secretary Gu, "Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Jiang!"

"It's fine. It was about time for this Deity to wake up." Jiang Xiu asked, "Did Secretary Gu call so early for some reason?"

"Yes. My elder brother wishes to meet Mr. Jiang?"

"Meet this Deity?"

Jiang Xiu muttered to himself, "This Deity is a little busy so it won't be possible to do it in the short term."

"I heard from Lady Wang Xintong that you were at Ninghai City. My elder brother is also over there. He's trying to search for a place called Bodhi Gene within the mountain regions of Ninghai City so you can meet each other."

"Bodhi Gene?"

Secretary Gu had told his elder brother about the matter of Jiang Xiu stopping a bullet and about Ming Lun's case, but his elder brother felt skeptical about it. He agreed to meet Jiang Xiu, but before he did that, he wishes to first find the location of Bodhi Gene.

Jiang Xiu asked in passing, "Were you able to find Bodhi Gene's location in the end?"

"Mr. Jiang must have heard about the martial arts circle's Demigod Ranking. Bodhi Gene is an organization established by a man called Li Bodhi before the nation was founded. Bodhi Gene had resisted many invaders during that turbulent era and racked up many achievements. They disappeared after Japan retreated."

"Li Bodhi?"

Jiang Xiu felt that this name sounded familiar. He recalled that Ming Lun had mentioned this name and even seemed to give importance to this man so he guessed that Li Bodhi must be a little strong.

"Yes, Li Bodhi from the Demigod Ranking. Only, this matter is a century old. It's unknown whether he's alive, but his Bodhi Gene should still exist."

"This name's quite strange," Jiang Xiu commented.

"Indeed. It's to convey becoming Buddha through Bodhi. He's on the Demigod Ranking and uses such a name to deify his presence. The strength of Bodhi Gene is solid though as they have proved themselves through several bloody battles." Gu Dezhi explained.

"It's better if he's strong." Jiang Xiu commented.

"So where is it located?"

"It should be in the mountain called Xiping Mountain to the east of Ninghai City. The exact position is unclear to us. Elder brother paid a high price and utilized a lot of military power to find this trail."

Bodhi Gene had associated with the military before, and the late Old Father Gu had friendly relations with them. After all, it was an era enveloped in the flames of war, and they were resisting the enemies together.

"Secretary Gu's brother wishes to enter the mountain to find Bodhi Gene?"

Gu Dezhi felt Jiang Xiu's tone was a bit peculiar and a little unhappy. He too was helpless as his elder brother had his own thoughts. As the Gu family was planning to invite talents, they naturally had to consider the degree of seriousness. His elder brother trusted Bodhi Gene more than Jiang Xiu.

"This plan was already set into motion 3 months ago." Secretary Gu explained.

"Mhm. Anything else?"

Since ancient times, Monarchs have bestowed talents with positions, but this kind of action was naught but an insult to the genuine experts due to their pride. Let alone, someone as arrogant as Jiang Xiu.

"No. I'll have to trouble Mr. Jiang to wait at Ninghai City for my elder brother."

"Fine."

Gu Dezhi shook his head after hearing the beep sound on the other end of the call. He had advised his elder brother that he must not offend Mr. Jiang, but his brother got angry and berated that the Gu family was looking for talents, not show-offs. If they couldn't suppress the person, how would they make use of that person?

After witnessing Jiang Xiu's methods, Gu Dezhi was sure that Jiang Xiu was a ruthless person. They could at most form an alliance as there was no way Jiang Xiu would work for the Gu family. Hoping to make him work for their family was just a pipe dream.

Cheng Lingsu had also woken up when Jiang Xiu ended the call. She washed her face then went to Jiang Xiu's room. Her face looked better today, ruddy as a tomato after having proper food and sleep. "I was too tired yesterday and dozed off so I couldn't call my parents."

"What's our plan today…"

"No plans for today. We're going to wait for someone!"

"Wait?"

Cheng Lingsu felt this was quite odd. She believed Jiang Xiu would do something today. At the minimum, she expected that he would respond to the Tang family, but he acted completely carefree. She wished to know about his intention, "Who are we waiting for?"

"A person who dares to make this Deity wait?"

"Okay…"

Jiang Xiu received a call during noon from an unknown number. The person spoke with quite a heavy voice, "Excuse me, is this Mr. Jiang? Senior has already reached Ninghai City. We are currently at the former residence of Mr. Xu Zhirong. Could you come over here?"

"Alright!"

Jiang Xiu was ready to give face.

But not to this big shot from the military but instead to Secretary Gu.

"I'm going out to meet someone."

"Do I need to go with you?"

"No need!"

Xu Zhirong was a famous calligrapher from Ninghai City. He had passed away long ago, and the natives had decorated his former residence to commemorate him. The high officials liked to live there whenever they came to Ninghai.

Jiang Xiu went out and took a taxi.

The situation at Xu Zhirong's former residence was unusual today. Guards stood over the doorway, and though these people were donned in civilian clothes, they stood there with an imposing aura. One look was enough to discern that they were soldiers.

From a distance, Jiang Xiu saw a party of people speak to the guard, "We are Pinghai province's Luo Yin Sect. We've come to visit senior official."

"We spoke by phone before."

"Old Father Luo?" The guard asked.

One of the men cupped his fists, "It's this humble person!" This man appeared over 60 and a fat body, but on the contrary, his body movements revealed that he was a martial artist.

"Please go inside!"

Jiang Xiu watched all this in silence. It appeared that this senior official had come to Ninghai City to meet not only Jiang Xiu. Ninghai was close to Xiping Mountain, and this seemed to be the reason he had made these people come here.

"Who are you?"

The guard sized Jiang Xiu up when he went over there.

"Jiang Luoxia."

"The invite list indeed has such a name. You are Mr. Jiang?"

Jiang Xiu, "What? Do I not look like it?"

"I wasn't expecting you to be so young. Please go inside."

After Jiang Xiu went inside, the guard shook his head, feeling quite resentful. "He's so young and dares to come here to apply to our army division. Does he think our army division is a place to fatten himself to death?"

The other guard asked him, "Old Zhou, this youngster is younger than me. Is he going to lead us?"

Old Zhou explained, "I heard that senior official is looking for a drill master for us this time."

"That's even more unreasonable."

"In martial arts, talent is the most important, but it takes time to even cultivate to the inner breath stage. He would at most around 10 sets of boxing moves." Old Zhou continued.

"I fear he still hasn't even cultivated Inner Strength."

"I heard that this Mr. Jiang has some reputation at Jiangnan. They say he had killed Wang family's Demigod."

"Him? A Demigod? Stop kidding me!"

Old Zhou also laughed, "There are many masters among the ordinary folk. They brag about each other and cheat all those who aren't privy to the details. If he thinks he can trick us, he's only inviting humiliation to himself."

…

After going into the corridor, Jiang Xiu saw an open land at a distance. Many people were gathered there, and it seemed that some of them were dueling.

A gray-haired robust old man stood among them in an upright posture, surrounded by guards left and right. It was clear that he was an important person.

"Luo Yin Sect's Old Father Luo has arrived."

"Jiang Luoxia, Mr. Jiang has arrived."

The old man turned around after hearing this. He wore a solemn face, had thick eyebrows and big eyes, seeming full of vitality. 5 people had come from Luo Yin Sect. They gave their salutations after seeing the old man.

"Senior Official Gu."

This person was Gu Dekang. He laughed in return, "Thank you for taking the trouble to rush over here from Pinghai, Old Father Luo."

"No problem at all."

Jiang Xiu walked in calmly at this point yet stopped 10 m away, with no intentions of greeting Gu Dekang. Gu Dekang frowned upon seeing this arrogance, feeling that Jiang Xiu should've felt obliged to acknowledge him as he was the host. He signaled to the guard beside him with his eyes. The guard went over towards Jiang Xiu.

"You are Mr. Jiang, right?"

"Yes, it's this Deity!"

"This humble person is Azure Luan Sect's, Yan Zhen. Senior Official has invited many guests today, so please forgive us."

"Please! This is Senior Official…"

The reason Gu Dekang hadn't gone to welcome Jiang Luoxia was that he didn't believe Jiang Luoxia wasn't qualified, so he sent someone else to greet him. He felt that this would make Jiang Luoxia lose as he hadn't gone to welcome him personally.

"I've been looking to meet you for a long time, Mr. Jiang."

Gu Dekang sized up this eccentric youth. He had heard Jiang Xiu was quite young but wasn't expecting him to be so young. He appeared to around 20, 18 to be exact.

He was nothing more than a child in his eyes.

He sighed mentally.

"Many guests have come today. Luckily, everyone is from the martial arts circle. How about we deepen our friendship through martial arts? I can also witness Mr. Jiang's skills."

"You wish to see this Deity's skills?"

"This Deity will definitely kill the opponent, you sure you want to see?"

Gu Dekang was dazed then laughed heartily yet he was feeling quite unhappy. He said to Yan Zhen, "Mr. Jiang jokes pretty well."

"This Deity isn't joking!" Jiang Xiu replied.

Gu Dekang could make out that Jiang Xiu didn't like him, but he too held disdain in his heart. Only those Sovereigns who had cultivated to the peak dared to call themselves a Deity. He felt that Jiang Xiu was too arrogant.

It was no problem for a youth to have pride but a person has to act according to the situation. Acting this arrogant in front a high military official like him meant that this person was too ignorant and had no sense of propriety.

He didn't like Jiang Xiu!

A nearby guard also felt unwell, "Motherfucker! Shut your trap. You dare to act so rampant in front of Senior Official?"

"Yeah! He says he'll kill if he duels. Hah! I think he hasn't even seen blood yet."

"This guy isn't some wealthy family's kid who has come here to leech off our division, right?"

These guards were all first class experts from the division, and though they had lost in the Army Division Competition, they were stronger than the others at home field and acted bossy.

"Good!"

Someone shouted as a man fell to the ground.

"Master Guo, Eight-Arms Fist from Yongnan wins."

Gu Dekang was looking at the match too. He gave loud applause after seeing the result.

"Master Guo is really skilled. My army really needs talents like you. I wish to invite Master Guo to take up the position of the drill master for my division."

Master Guo was exalted at this, "Many thanks, Senior Official. I'll teach all I know to the soldiers."

"From the strength Master Guo has revealed, it seems like you've already reached the Grandmaster (Supreme) stage, may I ask if it is indeed so?"

"It's already been 8 years since I reach the Supreme Stage."

Everyone made a commotion.

They weren't expecting he was a Supreme Stage Grandmaster.

Gu Dekang was jubilant, "Good. Very good… My division has gained another valiant leader. We can surely do better next year with Master Guo helping us."

The guards were excited too. They had lost terribly last time. They were ranked 2nd from the back now.

"May I ask how old Master Guo is?"

"43!"

Everyone was shocked yet again.

Since he had reached the Supreme stage 8 years ago, it meant he had done it when he was 35 years old. It could even be said that he could reach the Demigod stage in the future.

"Good… indeed good…"

Gu Dekang praised again. He felt like he had picked up a treasure. "Yan Zhen, your age, and strength are similar to Master Guo. Take care of Master Guo."

Yang Zhen cupped his fists towards Master Guo.

The counterpart cupped his fists in return. The atmosphere was entirely harmonious.

Gu Dekang spoke to Jiang Xiu at this moment, "Since Mr. Jiang has come, how about you duel once or twice? We can see who among you both are better."

Generally speaking, the climax was left to the last. Luo Yin Sect's Old Father Luo still hadn't come out yet. In other words, Gu Dekang placed Jiang Xiu at a lower position.

The glint in Jiang Xiu's gaze went colder.

"I'll do it!"

"No, I'll do it."

The guards fought over the chance to oppress Jiang Xiu.

"Xiaowu!"

Gu Dekang chose one of them. A hunky tall youth walked out excitedly while cracking his knuckles. He appeared over 20 years old and was at the peak of Inner Strength stage. He was a first-class talent in the division.

"Please teach me, Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Xiu replied in a cold tone, "Senior Official, do you really want this Deity to paint this elegant gathering in blood?"

The noise stopped.

"What do you mean, Mr. Jiang?" Gu Dekang asked.

Jiang Xiu replied, "This Deity already said that this Deity will kill the opponent."

"Senior Official still wants this Deity to duel?"

Gu Dekang's expression turned sour.

"This guy's too arrogant."

"Truly audacious."

Gu Dekang gazed at Jiang Xiu who was provoking him and commanded in a cold voice, "Xiaowu, entertain Mr. Jiang well."

"Yes, Senior Official!"

Xiaowu revealed a fierce look on his face. In the army, the meaning of 'entertaining someone well' wasn't to act lenient, but rather the converse. He'll have to deal with him harshly to appease the Senior Official's anger.

"Brat, don't act too fucking arrogant. This Daddy has gone through intense, deadly battles in Africa and Southwest Asia, and do you know where you were at that time? In your undies."

Jiang Xiu raised his brows, "It seems like you really want to force this Deity to act. Never mind it. It's not like I'm the one losing my life."

These words were equal to sentencing death. Gu Dekang's face became gloomier.

"Xiaowu, why haven't you started yet?!" Captain Yan Zhen berated.

"Whoosh!"

His punch cut past the wind, issuing a whizzing sound. Xiaowu answered back and then flexed his muscles, pouring strength into those steel-like giant arms.

According to the data of the army, the force behind his punch was equal to 301 kilos.

He could blast away 5 people holding protecting pads with only a single punch.

"Such a tyrannical punch."

Master Guo and Old Father Luo were also moved.

"His strength has almost reached the peak of Inner Strength."

"He isn't even that old!"

The other guards revealed a proud expression after seeing Xiaowu's punch. He was the most promising young successor in their division and had high talent. The Senior Official also liked him and planned to cultivate him. There was no doubt he would become a prominent person after a few decades.

The reason they hadn't dropped to the last position in the competition was because of Xiaowu. He had carried them up by winning all the way only to lose in the end.

"It seems like Xiaowu's strength has risen again compared to before. It should be way more than 300 kilos of force now."

Ever since Xiaowu had lost in the competition, he had cultivated more assiduously.

"That brat will suffer." Everyone revealed a look of schadenfreude. They believed that Xiaowu's punch could kill Jiang Xiu from the blow even if he used less strength.

"He's dead meat!"

A smile floated on Gu Dekang's face, but it froze in the next moment.

Jiang Xiu casually raised his hand and grabbed that punch with ease in his palm. His grip was as firm as a robot's, making it unable for the fist to move forwards.

"What?!"

Everyone's faces went pale as they felt a bad premonition.

This punch, with force equal to the average weight of five adult men, was so lightly blocked. An ear-piercing sound of bones getting crushed made its way into everyone's ears, making their hair stand on end.

"Ka-cha!"

Xiaowu's arm dangled at a bizarre angle as he howled tragically.

The bones were broken!

Xiaowu knelt down due to the pain.

"STOP!"

Gu Dekang shouted with worry. Xiaowu was their division's important cultivation target. If he received massive injuries, it would affect his future cultivation.

"This Deity already said that life would be lost if I act."

Everyone thought that he was trying to act cool before, but after seeing him block that punch so lightly and break Xiaowu's arm, not even letting a soldier king like him retaliate against Jiang Xiu, they finally understood how scary he was.

It was possible he would kill.

Jiang Xiu smiled coldly, "This Deity wasn't joking with you."

Ka-cha!

Xiaowu's other arm was broken as well.

Ka-cha!

His legs were broken too.

The area resounded with Xiaowu's mournful screams. Everyone felt a cold chill in their hearts, their pupils shrinking in fear when they looked at Jiang Xiu.

Xiaowu's face twisted in pain, veins popping out on his forehead and neck while he breathed with great difficulty.

"You're too foolish. Your life is yours. A man must only sacrifice his life for his desire." Jiang Xiu said to Xiaowu, "Look, you're about to get killed yet your senior official hasn't even pled for leniency."

Xiaowu went into a daze as if he had forgotten all pain.

"Hah!"

Jiang Xiu released his hand. The others finally reacted and hurried to check Xiaowu's injury. "Xiaowu, Xiaowu… Doctor, hurry over here."

Gu Dekang's face turned ugly, flames almost spouting out of his eyes, "Y-You…"

Xiaowu had already lost the power to resist when his hands were broken yet Jiang Xiu had broken his feet as well. This was to leave it as an example to Gu Dekang.

This example was too ruthless.

He finally understood why his little brother had told him not to offend Jiang Xiu.

Even if Xiaowu's limbs recover, he would never get back to the same level as before.

Jiang Xiu looked towards Gu Dekang, "Senior Official, does this humble person's strength fall into your eyes now?"

Gu Dekang shuddered all over yet didn't say anything. Jiang Xiu continued to speak, "I heard that Senior Official's division ranked 2nd from the back in the army competition?"

Jiang Xiu targeted his sore spot. Gu Dekang's face took blow due to this. He retorted gloomily, "So what?"

"Yes. Maybe, the ranking will be the last next year."

"Humph!"

Gu Dekang fumed with anger, "My division will recruit many heroes into the army this year. Though we can't rank in the top three, we'll at least rank in the middle."

Jiang Xiu shook his head, "It'll be difficult for you to recruit people."

"Why?"

"Because you aren't worthy of it!"

"What did you say?!"

Gu Dekang got furious. The personal guard behind him couldn't endure it any longer. These words had evoked their rage.

"Audacious!"

"Savage."

"Brat, you're really daring!"

Jiang Xiu's indifferent gaze swept past them, "A person like you isn't worthy of letting someone sacrifice their life for you."

"This Deity shall cripple anyone who dares to join your division."

Gu Dekang's face went sour. He was left with no face at all, being bullied so openly.

"What did you say?"

The guards got ready to attack Jiang Xiu.

A murderous killing intent filled Gu Dekang's eyes, "Mr. Jiang, do you plan to become my division's enemy?"

With his hands behind him, Jiang Xiu asked in return, "So what if I am?"

The coldness in Gu Dekang's gaze became denser. He surmised that Jiang Xiu possessed enough strength as he had so lightly blocked Xiaowu's punch. He was a young talent but too arrogant and considered everyone beneath him. Even if Gu Dekang wanted to use a person, he would be troubled as this kind of person with no sense of propriety would rush towards doom sooner or later, meeting with a violent death in the end.

Master Guo, who got recruited into the division just a moment ago, walked out with jazz. He cupped his fists, "This humble person is Eight-Arms Fist, Guo You. Pardon me for asking sir to let me experience your skills."

"This kid is too brash. Master Guo will surely entertain him well."

"It would be best if all his limbs are broken."

"Revenge must be taken for Xiaowu."

The people from Luo Yin Sect also whispered at a distance. One of the middle-aged men among them said, "This Mr. Jiang is too brash. He actually provoked Senior Offical and became hostile to him publically."

"I guess he won't leaving from here today."

"That's the consequence of his actions."

Old Father Luo also commented, "Martial artists were like this before. Since the host has invited them, they shouldn't be insulted lest it'll lead to them pulling out the sword. This is the style of genuine martial artists. They aren't moved by money or kill people for chump change. People from your generation can't understand this."

Were it not for his descendants, he too wouldn't have bowed towards an official.

"Who will win then?"

"That's hard to say, Master Guo should be the stronger…"

"Hah!"

Master Guo stamped the floor with his right foot, resulting in the stone bricks under his foot to rupture. The fragments flew to all sides as dust rose up. He dashed out right after that.

The fragments cut the branches of trees to the side as well as broke the window glasses.

The momentum was a hundredfold greater than Xiaowu's.

"Eight-Arms Fist!"

He moved to the side and arched his back, taking advantage of his extended arm, pressuring it downwards. At this moment, it seemed as if his arm was a blade chopping down, even cutting the air apart as it fell.

The guards were all stunned by this. Especially the guard who fought with him before. It seemed that Master Guo hadn't used all his strength in their fight to give some face to him.

"A true expert!"

Old Father Luo commented, "This person's Eight-Arms Fist has already reached the Supreme stage. The bones in his arms must be as hard as iron. That brat will surely suffer."

The wind hissed as the punch fell!

Guo You was quite confident in his punch. It was quite tricky even for a Supreme stage Grandmaster to block this punch. It was an ancient fist style which utilized the inner essence to strengthen the outer body. The Qi and Blood in his body surged over like crazy seave waves. He believed that even a Demigod wouldn't dare to receive this punch.

This punch was the rest of 40 years of arduous cultivation.

"You lose!"

Jiang Xiu merely smiled faintly towards Guo You who was approaching with high momentum. He stood there with his hands behind him, appearing as if he was terrified. As the fist was about to hit Jiang Xiu's forehead, he suddenly reached out and blocked it with ease.

Smack!

Jiang Xiu's palm gripped Guo You's fist rigidly.

"Kacha!"

Just like Xiaowu's, Guo You's arm was twisted and broken. A mournful scream resounded in the entire area as Guo You fell to the ground, kneeling down in pain.

"What the…"

The entire place went silent.

An Inner Strength expert was done in, and so was a Supreme stage Grandmaster. Both didn't seem to have any difference to him.

"How is this possible?"

Everyone was extremely shocked.

Jiang Xiu said indifferently, "Do you remember this Deity's words? Are you going to enter the division now?"

Cold sweat poured down Guo You's forehead, "I-I won't!"

Jiang Xiu released his hand.

Guo You's face twitched due to the pain, but he clenched his teeth, "I'll never agree to enter it in my entire lifetime. Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for your instruction."

He supported his right hand with his left and departed with a sorry figure, not even giving Gu Dekang a glance.

He thanked the heavens in his heart that Jiang Xiu hadn't broken all his limbs.

"Senior Official, you have anything else to say?"

Gu Dekang's face got flushed with anger. He hadn't received such humiliation even when his division came up 2nd from back in the army competition.

The guards didn't say a thing as well. This was no matter to joke about. Even a Supreme stage Grandmaster had suffered a defeat, they weren't on the same level."

"You think you're amazing just because you've defeated Master Guo?"

"Old Father Luo, if you defeat this person, I'll bestow a Colonel rank to you."

The others made a commotion after hearing this.

They had strived in the army for many years yet this position was something unattainable to them. It was their lifetime goal, but this Old Father had so easily obtained a chance to receive it.

"Senior Official, do you truly mean that?"

"The army never goes back on its words."

"Alright!"

He had come along this time to meet Gu Dekang so he could seek riches and honour for his descendants. These were the most important in the current era, so he didn't find it reasonable to refuse this offer.

"Mr. Jiang's really skilled. This humble person is Luo Yin Sect's Luo Yihao."

"I ask for sir's instruction!"

Jiang Xiu looked at him insipidly, "You want this Deity to break your left hand or the right?"

"Brat, you're acting too arrogant!"

"Father, let him experience our Luo Yin Sect's, Heavenly Luo Arcana Fist."

The Luo Yin Sect was called the Hell Sect before, they used to believe in a religion. At the time when the Republic of China was flourishing, the core of the sect had left for overseas during the time of political unrest, leaving only a branch behind which slowly devolved into the current Luo Yin Sect. Only, according to the stories, the Hell Sect possessed many mysterious spells involving the supernatural.

One of them was called the Dreamlink. The person using it would fight in a dreaming state. It was quite a mysterious skill. To sum it up, the person would know how the opponent attacks beforehand. The Luo Yin Sect had lost the essence of its heritage, so they changed the name of the fist style to Heavenly Luo Arcana Fist.

It was due to the Hell Sect's reputation that Gu Dekang held Old Father Luo with importance.

Old Father Luo's movement wasn't ordinary. He seemed to have disappeared and only his afterimage as visible as he attacked Jiang Xiu.

He shifted left and right in a strange manner.

"Hmm?"

Jiang Xiu could notice the traces of Lin Zhenbei's skill which he used against Chu Tiannan. This technique was similar to that.

The others cried out in alarm as they could only see the afterimages.

"Good…" Gu Dekang shouted excitedly.

He had finally witnessed a real expert's skill.

"With such a speed, it would be difficult to for someone to even take a shot at him."

"With such an expert, there's no need to fear not winning the army competition next year as well as handling this impudent brat."

It was no longer a hopeless dream.

This skill was just inhuman.

"Senior Official!" Yan Zhen was also excited. This was almost reaching the Demigod stage, the peak of mortal martial arts.

This was too exciting!

"Who don't you accept defeat? Mr. Jiang, you can't even lock onto my location…"

All the afterimages dashed towards Jiang Xiu as he said this.

He had finally made his move!

"Hahaha…"

The afterimages all stopped as Jiang Xiu caught Old Father Luo's hands.

"Impossible!"

All the people from the Luo family, as well as the rest of them, were utterly shocked.

This felt too fraudulent to them as the youth had caught the arms of every opponent!!

"Kacha!"

Both the arms were snapped. Jiang Xiu's indifferent voice, "This Deity asked you to choose the left hand or the right one, but since you didn't pick one, I broke both of them."

Gu Dekang's face changed colors as his body shuddered.

Old Father Luo screamed miserably. The pain from his hands being broken was quite large. His body quivered, fear and pain evident in his eyes.

Old Father Luo clearly understood his own level. He had already reached the so-called Arcana stage which leads to the Demigod stage. It was a stage most people were unaware of, and even Supreme stage Grandmaster's were nothing but kids in front of him. Yet he was so defeated in a blink by the youth before him.

He wondered what level the youth had reached. The peak of the Arcana stage or the legendary Demigod stage?

His eyes grew wide open when he came to this conclusion.

Jiang Xiu's apathetic voice fell into his years, "This Deity asks you whether you'll enter or not?"

He shook his head in a rush, "No, I won't enter this division ever."

Jiang Xiu let him go.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for your instruction…"

Old Father Luo left the place while being supported by his children.

"Senior Official, what will you do now?" Jiang Xiu asked.

"You…"

Gu Dekang's face changed colors again. He absolutely wasn't expecting Jiang Xiu to be so strong. Even an extraordinary expert like Old Father Luo couldn't match him.

He felt that his younger brother was indeed telling the truth. Jiang Xiu's cultivation level was enough for the army to give importance to him. Plus, he was still young, and his accomplishments in the future would be limitless, with only the sky as his limit. This could have been the honor of the Gu family, but his stubbornness had thrown it all away into the ditch and even provoked such an enemy.

It was too late for Gu Dekang to feel regret for offending him now.

"This Deity already said you aren't worthy."

All the guards hung their heads down.

"You're indeed too audacious!"

"Do you plan to cripple each expert my army division recruits?"

"This Deity always keeps my word."

"Good! Very good!"

"I'm going to leave for Xiping Mountain now to discuss some matters with the people from Bodhi Gene. If everything goes well, Li Bodhi's descendants will enter my division. I'll see what you'll do then."

He revealed a look of ridicule in his eyes.

Though Gu Dekang felt regretful that Jiang Xiu had forced these talents to leave, resulting in him losing a lot of face, his true trump card and hope was the Bodhi Gene.

"So what if they are from Bodhi Gene?"

Gu Dekang's face became gloomier, "Yan Zhen, pass down the order. We'll be setting off early."

"Yes, Senior Official."

The party set off quite quickly, and to avoid the embarrassment of interacting with Jiang Xiu, they arranged a separate vehicle for him.

Bodhi Gene was located deep in the Xiping Mountains.

It consisted of numerous mountains as well as a forest. No one lived there, and rumors were that a few people went in during wartime to avoid the fires of war.

They journeyed to the west of Ninghai City, then entered the mountain range. After going a few kilometers in, they reached a county town. After passing the county, the place ahead consisted of only mountain villages.

They couldn't travel on a vehicle here, so they had to go on foot in the mountains. This was undoubtedly a difficulty for them. The guards didn't find it troublesome, but Gu Dekang had aged, so it was challenging for him to trek.

As for Jiang Xiu… The Immortal Martial Continent was filled with mountain ranges so he had a lot of experience in trekking mountains. He was more familiar with the hills than the cities. He had conquered a mountain range spanning thousands of miles when he had first joined the Heaven Treading Sect. That was the Heaven Treading Mountain Range, the place where his sect was located. He had turned the place upside down to gather spirit herbs.

Yan Zhen took out a map and laid it down on the table to study the mountain paths, "Senior Official, it's best to find a dependable local guide or else it'll be quite hard for us."

Gu Dekang nodded, "Mhm."

"Before when I had gone to Inner Mongolia, and I would've lost my way in the prairie if not for the locals leading the way as it's almost impossible to find the way out. Locals are much more competent at this as they are familiar with the place. It's best to invite a guide who is experienced in trekking in the mountains. It would be great if he could lead us to Bodhi Gene's location."

Yan Zhen nodded and went to look for a guide among the people in the mountain village. "Villager…" They called out to a local girl wearing an exotic dress, "Little girl, please excuse my rudeness but have you heard of a place called Bodhi Gene inside the mountains?"

The girl shook her head, "I don't know. I'll try asking Grandpa, okay?"

"Grandpa…"

It was an old man sitting on a stone step smoking tobacco. A stone house was located right past the stone step.

"These visitors are saying that they are trying to find a place called Bodhi Gene."

The old man shook his head, "Bodhi Gene? Are they trying to Buddha?"

"I have never heard about this Bodhi whatever but I know there's a place called the Immortal's Residence in the mountain. They say Immortals live there and many people often go into the mountains to find them to seek medicine and fortune…"

Yan Zhen and his comrades looked at each other. They had also heard about this before coming here. According to the rumors, people seeking to cure incurable diseases, or those seeking to make headway in martial arts, as well as those seeking immortality have tried to enter the mountain to look for Bodhi Gene. That's why they speculated that this Immortal's Residence might be the place where Bodhi Gene was located.

"This Immortal's Residence, how far is it?"

"It's quite far. You'll have to make an arduous trip."

Yan Zhen looked at the sun then said, "Village man, can you lead us there? We will pay you. Are 1000 bucks enough?"

The old man took a puff from the tobacco pipe out then stood up and slapped his butt to dust it off, "I can, but there's no need to give money."

The mountain villagers were really cordial.

"Please accept the money, we can't trouble you this like this."

At a distant place, Jiang Xiu sipped tea calmly at a snack store.

Gu Dekang became more furious due to his leisurely manners. Just wait till we reach Bodhi Gene. You'll be scared dumb then.

Bodhi Gene and Li Bodhi were already being deified by the populace and were almost akin to Gods.

Ordinary people naturally couldn't fight against the Gods.

"Senior Official, we've found a guide. We shall set out after resting for a moment…"

At this side, they were about to enter deep into the mountains to seek Bodhi Gene, while at Ninghai City, a police officer rushed into the police department excitedly, "Chief, Jiang Xiu has appeared. He was spotted nearby to Mr. Xu Zhirong's former residence."

Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling's expressions changed immediately. They had spent the night yesterday the police department's guest house and were came to the police department in the morning again. They were anxious about their son and waiting here for news. They hoped that their son could escape successfully.

Ling Dongcheng stood up, "Is the news reliable?"

"A resident nearby to Mr. Xu Zhirong's place offered the information. According to that person's description, there's a 90% chance it's Jiang Xiu."

Ling Dongcheng picked up the cap from the table, "Dispatch units over there immediately…"

The entire police department went into a frenzy.

Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling became anxious, "Officer, can you take us along with you?"

"Don't make trouble. You'll only hinder our work."

Jiang Yi said, "Officer, can't you take us along? If something happens, that child would surely listen to our words."

Lin Dongcheng pondered over it for a moment, "Bring them along."

Police cars left the police department one after one. They had never set out with such an arsenal to catch just a single person. After Tang Zhengping received the news, he ordered his driver to leave for the place as well. He wished to see his son's murderer brought to justice.

In the end, they were a step late. By the time the police arrived at Mr. Xu Rongzhi's place, Jiang Xiu had already left, but the police hadn't given up. They queried about the direction Jiang Xiu fled to and were on hot pursuit.

"He escaped to Xiping Mountain."

"Looks like he's planning to take the long route through the mountains and escape past the country borders."

"Chase after him! Don't let him cross the borders." Tang Zhengping commanded.

A dozen police cars rushed towards Xiping Mountain.

But they never caught tracks of Jiang Xiu along the route. Tang Zhengping could only stare blankly. He bellowed Jiang Yi, "Spill it! Where did your son escape to?"

Jiang Yi pushed him away, "How will I know?!"

"This is a conspiracy! You're his accomplices!"

Tang Zhengping pointed towards the couple in anger, "Arrest both of them for me!"

"Secretary Tang, this doesn't conform with the rules." Lin Dongcheng reminded him.

"Bullshit rules. This Daddy's words are the rules. Just do what I say, and we shall see whether that bastard appears or not."

Though this old villager was short and thin, he was quick on his feet and walked faster than Gu Dekang. He had to rest for a moment before continuing to walk. A few of the guards carried him on their backs in turns to save time.

"Since you don't even know where Bodhi Gene is located, how are you so sure they will promise to help you?" Jiang Xiu was anxious this trip would be in vain if they couldn't find the place.

Gu Dekang replied, "Of course I'm sure. Before Bodhi Gene retreated into seclusion, they had interacted with my Gu family and given us a medal. They told us to go find them if we encounter trouble in the future and that Bodhi Gene would definitely help us."

"So it was like that."

"But it looks like even you aren't sure whether Bodhi Gene is in the mountain."

"There's no doubt in it. I have prepared for 3 months before deciding to use that medal and gathered a lot of data to make sure that they are on this mountain."

"What? Are you afraid now?"

One of the guards mocked him.

The Bodhi Gene had racked splendid achievements in that era, making the invaders run on their tails. Li Bodhi had awed everyone with his powers and left behind several legends.

He didn't believe that an immature youth like Jiang Xiu could compare with a personage who was already deified a hundred years ago.

"Humph…"

Idiot!

The party continued along the path and unexpectedly encountered people inside the mountain. The other side was a group consisting of a man and two women.

Meeting someone on the road would've been normal, but this was the depths of the mountains and inside the forest. It wasn't a place people could feel safe, so their reactions were naturally unusual. Everyone stood on guard. Gu Dekang naturally wasn't afraid as he had his subordinates to handle any trouble, but the other party became nervous.

The other side communicated with each other silently. Jiang Xiu noticed that the man's condition was strange, so the two women were taking care of him. One woman looked around 40 while the other around 20. It appeared they were a family.

That woman asked, "May I ask if you are also trying to find the Immortal's Residence?"

"Indeed." Gu Dekang replied.

The woman's expression morphed, "That's really a coincidence."

Gu Dekang revealed a smile. He could feel the nervousness of the other party, "Since our destination is the same, how about we travel together?"

"Don't worry. We are proper persons."

Gu Dekang possessed an extraordinary bearing and didn't have a scummy nature, plus all the guards wore solemn expressions on their faces, so they didn't appear like evil people.

The woman replied, "Alright then. We shall accompany you."

"Why are you trying to find the Immortal's Residence?" Gu Dekang asked her.

"To cure my husband's illness."

According to the legend, Immortals lived in the Immortal's Residence, that their exceptional medical expertise and could even cure incurable diseases. This was the reason many people entered this mountain to look for a cure.

Hope is a very frightening thing. If someone tells a cancer patient that he will heal if he eats human flesh, he would definitely do that. Such was human nature.

"It looks like it's hard for your husband to walk!"

The man walked with quite a difficulty. The girl was making a great to support him from the side. She had long hair and resembled her mother, having outstanding looks.

"Yes. His body's condition is bad."

Gu Dekang ordered, "Yan Zhen, arrange a person to carry him!"

"Yes, sir!"

A guard came out to carry him.

"Thank you very much…"

A glint flashed through Jiang Xiu's eyes, making him smack his mouth. That man wore a baseball cap as well as a mask. His body was entirely covered on such a hot day, and Jiang Xiu noticed that his face was little blackened, seemingly appearing like scales were covering it.

He narrowed his eyes and gazed at him.

"Indeed…"

He could see faintly black energy rise from the man's body through his vision. The man was neither ill or poisoned but instead experiencing a transformation. This was the symptom of divinity cultivation deviation.

Jiang Xiu felt this was strange. The man showed no signs of cultivating divinity and was merely an ordinary person. The mother-daughter pair were also average.

"This is strange."

After interacting a bit, they too could make out that Gu Dekang wasn't an ordinary person, so they also revealed their identity. They were the Xie family of Pinghai province. The man was called Xie Sanxian and appeared to carry the presence of someone owning 100 million.

According to what they said, he caught this illness last year, and it had worsened very quickly, making him vomit blood indiscriminately. After getting an inspection at the hospital, the result showed that several organs had failed, but they couldn't figure out the cause. Today, he couldn't even eat food and found it difficult to move.

Their daughter acted quite bright, standing silently at the side, seeming very worried about her father's illness.

"Perhaps Mr. Xie's condition isn't an illness." Jiang Xiu commented.

The family looked towards Jiang Xiu who had finally spoken after all this while but said nothing. One of the guards retorted, "Stop pretending you know shit. You'll only waste their time." That tone was quite impolite.

That family felt this was indeed strange. It seemed like Jiang Xiu wasn't welcomed there.

The woman asked, "This is?"

Gu Dekang didn't know how to introduce him, so he just made stuff up, "He's with us. I recommend you to not act recklessly. We can't make any mistake with such a case."

"You're already looking for a magical elixir in the mountains, what delay are you talking about?" Jiang Xiu asked in return.

Though these words were harsh, they were also correct.

"That's…"

"Mr. Xie, if you don't mind it, can you take off your mask? Maybe I can help you."

The woman and the girl looked at each other. They were worried. Xie Sanxian also shook his head. He hadn't said anything right from the beginning.

"We won't be trouble this Mister."

The guards heckled when they saw Jiang Xiu was rejected.

The woman explained, "It's isn't that we don't trust this little brother but my husband's illness is quite strange. We are anxious that you might get infected. Anyways, we have already reached near the Immortal's Residence."

If it were an infectious disease, the mother-daughter pair would've been infected already. These words were just to evade Jiang Xiu. But since she had explained it, he could only back down.

He thought, You're worried his appearance would make the others call him a monster, right?

The old man spoke up at this moment, "Many people arrive here to seek elixirs from the Immortal's Residence but only a few are able to obtain it from the Immortals."

The woman asked with interest, "

"Old man, are Immortals really there in this mountain?"

The old man replied, "They exist. The reason it's called Immortal's Residence is that people have met Immortals there to say that it was the place Immortals reside in. It's said that those Immortals can control fire and water, turn stone into gold as well as bring rain and thunder…"

"How can we ask for the Immortals to grant us medicine then?"

"That's…"

"I'm not sure. But the Immortals desire neither money nor any worldly objects. Maybe they'll help if you ask sincerely? Right! The Immortal's Residence recruits little kids if they have Immortal karma."

Though Bodhi Gene had gone into seclusion, they were, after all, living in the modern society. They can't cut themselves off completely and need someone to communicate with the outer world. Children are required for this. Whenever there was a need to talk to the outside world, they would use them.

And since they were in touch with the outside world, it was possible money would work.

"Maybe they'll accept money." Jiang Xiu commented.

The woman and the girl looked at him. The woman was somewhat on guard against him as he had raised a request to inspect her husband and was now recommending to use money to settle it. She felt this person was scheming something, "Immortals live secluded from the secular world so they wouldn't look upon materialistic things like money."

Jiang Xiu smiled and spoke no more.

Even on the Immortal Martial Continent which was filled with Gods and Immortals, they bowed down in front of wealth.

The path ahead became increasingly rocky, and vipers appeared from time to time along with miasmic gases. Fortunately, the old man was there to act as a guide, so they were just spooked out yet continued to travel.

They had reached a naturally formed valley by the time the moon had come into view behind the clouds. The valley seemed isolated from the world and looked quite magnificent from a distance.

"That's the Immortal's Residence."

Gu Dekang furrowed his brows, "There's nothing here."

It only made sense that a house was required for someone to live.

"Maybe it's hidden by a formation or something?"

Jiang Xiu shook his head. These people were deifying Bodhi Gene too much. It was a simple thing to hide a house in this thick jungle. Also, he had already noticed someone practicing inside the valley.

Gu Dekang got down from his guard's back and gazed at the valley ahead with a heated gaze, "This should be the right place. The people from Bodhi Gene must have used a formation to hide."

Yan Zhen asked, "Old Gu, shall we go in?"

After all, he was the leader of an army division, so his identity had to be kept secret. That's why the guards and Yan Zhen called him Old Gu.

"Naturally!" Gu Dekang replied.

He planned to go alone from here on. It wouldn't look sincere if he arrived at Bodhi Gene along with a group of guards. When people seek Bodhisattva, they personally go up the hill along with offerings, else it won't work at all. Gu Dekang also felt the same. He treated Bodhi Gene the same as the deities.

The woman and the girl got excited too, "We're finally here."

When they entered the valley's entrance, a party of people made their way there at rapid speed. Their shadows blitzed across the valley as they quickly reached the valley entrance.

"Who are you?"

The woman explained impatiently, "W-We have come to seek medical treatment. I request Immortals to save my husband, his illness is quite grave."

That man looked at these people as if they were the last hope to save his life. He gathered all his strength to hurry over there but slipped down, almost falling down in the grass.

"Father!"

The girl rushed to support him.

The people who had come weren't that old. Though they had a modern crew cut, they wore strange white robes which had a bizarre flower stitched on the left side. The lapel fluttered in the wind, giving off an immortal-like feel. One of them frowned, "You have come here to seek medicine?"

"I beg you, please save my father…"

"You came at a wrong time. Today isn't the open medical treatment day. Return and come again in September after 3 years."

Her father would already be dead by then.

"Immortal, I beg you…"

The man said, "I said it's not possible. There's no margin to consult here. Stop crying and go back lest you provoke the Immortal's ire."

The entire household cried buckets, but they didn't dare to make a commotion again. If the Immortals got angry, their whole family would suffer.

"Hah!" Jiang Xiu snorted.

"Who are you? You dare to act so wantonly here?" The valley was entirely silent, so they heard Jiang Xiu quite clearly. This was a snort full of disdain which made their faces turn ice-cold.

Jiang Xiu replied in a cold tone, "You're just a few gatekeepers, and you dare to call yourselves Immortals. All of you really have a thick face."

"You…"

Their faces turned ugly. They wished to get angry but couldn't as it was true that they were just gatekeepers.

To the side, Gu Dekang was drenched in cold sweat. He realized Jiang Xiu planned to offend the people from Bodhi Gene and worsen his relationship with them. They wouldn't agree to enter his division then and help him win the competition.

He felt this was a really bold and despicable move.

"Who are you? You dare to talk such rubbish here?"

Gu Dekang rushed to explain, "Immortal, please ignore him. He has come here to make trouble. Can I trouble you to announce that the Gu family from the secular world has come to pay a visit?"

The front part made them feel better as they could ignore the words of someone who was intentionally creating trouble but the latter part about announcing made it appear as if they were really gatekeepers.

Their faces turned sour, "Leave from here. The Immortals don't have time for you. Return to whence you came."

Gu Dekang replied, "My Gu family has old ties with Bodhi Gene. This humble person is Jingmen army region's commander, Gu Dekang. I request you to inform the Immortals. They'll surely agree to meet us."

He handed over the medal.

Xie Sanxian's family stared with blank expressions. Especially that man and woman, they were utterly shocked. They had speculated about Old Gu's identity on the way but weren't expecting he was such a high official.

The expressions of those people changed after they saw the medal.

"So it was an old friend, please enter…"

Gu Dekang took the medal back and entered inside. Xie Sanxian's family felt as if they had found a lifeboat while drowning. The woman requested fervently, "Old Gu, can you please say something to them and make them treat my husband?"

Gu Dekang didn't reply and entered inside directly. This medal was the sign of Bodhi Gene owing their Gu family a favor so there was no way he would use it for a stranger.

The woman was unwilling to give up and decided to go up but was blocked by Gu Dekang's guards.

"Old Gu, Old Gu…"

The woman and the girl screamed as till their throats went sour yet Gu Dekang acted as if he didn't hear them.

That man's life or death was unrelated to him.

"Gu Dekang…"

A voice addressed him by his name directly. Gu Dekang furrowed his brows immediately. He knew only Jiang Xiu would dare to call him by his name.

"Audacious!"

Now that Gu Dekang had the Bodhi Gene backing him, he had regained his confidence.

"Humph! Do you remember this Deity's words?"

"What words?"

"This Deity said that blood will flow when this Deity acts. Did you think this Deity was joking?"

"What do you mean?"

Boom!

He raised his hand up suddenly. In this split second, it seemed as if space-time had frozen. A strange energy pulse similar to a sword light made its way towards the man from Bodhi Gene who had spoken a moment ago.

Slash!

The man didn't even get a chance to scream before he split into two halves, blood splashing on the surrounding rocks as well as the grass.

Everyone cried out in alarm!

They couldn't believe their eyes. Jiang Xiu had sliced a man into two through the void, but they were more shocked by the fact that he had done it here at the lmmortal's Residence, the place where Bodhi Gene was located.

He had killed a person of Bodhi Gene.

"You can't even withstand a single blow. It's as easy as killing chickens to kill you all, and you dare to call yourselves Immortals… useless trash."

Gu Dekang was startled. By the time he reacted, he didn't show anger but rather happiness, "Jiang Luoxia, you're dead now that you've killed a person of Bodhi Gene."

He watched as Jiang Xiu took a step forward and spoke in a melodious voice, "Descend, the nine mythical arts, cleanse the heavens, a thousand years of karma, an artless heart yet romantic…"

The voice seemed to come from antiquity, giving off a boundless as well as timeless feel. It resounded in the entire valley with grandiose then through the whole mountain, the final note causing the air to tremble, making those who heard it feel dizzy.

"Bodhi Gene, Jiang City's Jiang Louxia is here to pay a visit yet you haven't come to welcome."

He had entered the valley by the time he finished speaking.

The disciples at the entrance wished to stop him but didn't move an inch as they were already sliced before they could, dying tragically.

Gu Dekang was left dumbstruck due to the fear.

"This is…"

He couldn't believe it. Jiang Xiu hadn't crippled a person this time but instead killed. He slaughtered them like chickens and looking at his appearance, it seemed as if this was just the appetizer.

All the people sleeping in the entire Immortal's Residence were roused up. The sounds of bells rang inside the valley, causing people to rush out in a hurry.

"What happened?"

"I don't know!"

A disciple rushed to inform, "There's bad news. Exalt Bodhi, someone is killing his way inside and has killed many disciples."

"What?!"

That man wore a white robe resembling the ones landowners wore in the early 19th century,

"Send a group to deal with him!"

An ominous glint flashed through his eyes. He never expected someone would come to create trouble at Bodhi Gene.

Gu Dekang stood behind Jiang Xiu and watched as people rushed out of the valley. They were burnt to ashes by flames, or sliced into two halves by a sword light, or blasted away to their deaths by a single punch. Tides of people rushed out yet they were cut down all the same as if they were nothing but grass. None could match him, and in the wink of an eye, he had already killed over 20 people.

Gu Dekang shivered all over as a cold chill passed over him. He couldn't express what he was feeling in words. There was no difference between him and a person holding a machine gun firing at a crowd.

Gu Dekang's guards were left speechless. The scene had toppled their entire worldview.

Xie Sanxian, his wife, and his daughter were utterly blown away, trembling all over from the shock to their mind. What is he? Human? God? Devil?

They felt like they were witnessing the descent of an extraordinaire on the human world.

What he had done wasn't humanly possible.

In a blink, he had massacred a bunch of people, all lying dead at his feet. He had already reached the centre of the valley. The people from Bodhi Gene didn't dare to attack him anymore and circled around him, encircling him inside.

An old man rushed out, admonishing with ire, "Jiang Luoxia, you dare to enter my Bodhi Gene and kill the Bodhi disciples?"

"So what? It's not like your Bodhi Gene is some forbidden grounds which this Deity can't enter. As for your Bodhi disciples, just because they are a notch above others doesn't mean they won't get slaughtered."

"So what if this Deity entered and killed?"

The old man was just about to flare up when a voice came from behind, "Senior Bodhi must not act rudely towards a Demigod…" The man wearing the olden landowner clothing walked out.

He cupped his fists towards Jiang Xiu, "Demigod Jiang, you are a majestic Demigod, what brings you over to my Bodhi Gene?"

"D-Demigod?"

Gu Dekang and his guards were thunder-struck.

"H-He's really a Demigod?"

Up until this point, Gu Dekang believed Jiang Xiu couldn't be a Demigod. Jiang Xiu was just a youth who wasn't even 20 yet when compared to someone like Li Bodhi. That's the reason Gu Dekang thought Jiang Xiu wasn't a Demigod.

However…

Someone from Bodhi Gene had confirmed that Jiang Xiu is a Demigod, and the extraordinary strength he revealed as he slaughtered his way in was proof of that.

Jiang Xiu pointed towards Gu Dekang, "Why don't you ask him?"

"Who are you?"

Gu Dekang's face turned ugly. He felt extremely nervous, but after considering it a bit, he came to the conclusion that though Jiang Xiu had killed the disciples to prevent Bodhi Gene from helping his army division, it could be said that he was partially to blame for it as he killed people in the end. Bodhi Gene would deal with him to settle this debt. Gu Dekang calmed down after figuring this out. "I am Jingmen military district's Gu Dekang. My family had old ties with Bodhi Gene and received a medal as a present in the past…"

He handed over the medal to the man who then checked it over.

"Bodhi Gene promised my Gu family that if we encounter trouble in the future, we could use this medal to ask for the help of Bodhi Gene. I made a trip this time to ask Bodhi Gene to send some talents to my division to revive my Gu family's influence. Due to a quarrel between Jiang Luoxia and me, he started stopping people from entering my division."

"That's why… He started killing people after I arrived here."

He spoke the truth without even mixing even the tiniest bit of lies nor did he slander Jiang Xiu.

The man ruminated over it while holding the medal then placed in inside his robes, "The medal is real, and so is the promise. As my ancestor's promised you, we shall help you."

Gu Dekang was jubilant.

The man turned to Jiang Xiu, "Jiang Luoxia, my Bodhi Gene has received the Gu family's medal. Bodhi Gene gives its salutations for you to succeed in cultivating to the Demigod stage. Can you leave now?"

The surrounding disciples whispered when these words were said. They couldn't understand why he was being let go so easily when he had killed so many of their fellow disciples.

"However, you must remember that you aren't allowed to trouble the Gu family again."

Gu Dekang thought that this brat was let go too easy. He wasn't expecting Bodhi Gene to Jiang Xiu leave just like that.

"Hahahaha…"

Jiang Xiu started laughing all of a sudden, "What do you that this Deity for? You think this Deity was kidding? If your Bodhi Gene dares to honour the promise set through the medal, then this Deity will make sure that your Bodhi Gene… disappears from this world."

The man's expression turned ice-cold, "Jiang Luoxia, don't act unreasonable. I'm letting you off only because you have succeeded in cultivating to the Demigod stage, you…"

"You piece of craps dare to say such nonsense as letting this Deity off? Ignorant. Tell Li Bodhi to come out, this Deity will slaughter a Demigod today!"

"You're courting death!"

"You dare baffle the Ancestor?!"

The white-robed old man immediately made a hand seal, shooting a water jet towards Jiang Xiu.

"Palsy tricks!"

A water manifestation spell used in tandem with the assistance of cold air to create a jet. Judging from the cold vapours exuding from it, it was safe to say that the temperature was quite low. The spell's condensation degree was not bad but it was miles away from the Wang Ancestor's skills.

"Seventh Order, Water, Backwards…"

Jiang Xiu reached out with his palm while chanting a spell. It seemed as if he was pulling the incoming water jet. It trembled then turned backwards mid-air, returning at a 10x speed.

The water jet penetrated through the old man's throat before he could even react. His eyes grew wide open as he grabbed his throat, blood leaking through his fingers as he collapsed to the ground.

"Void Reflection Art?"

The expressions of the Bodhi disciples changed.

This was a high-level spell which couldn't be performed unless a person reaches a higher realm. Only a few among them could achieve this with great difficulty, and to use it perfectly, the strength of the user should be 10 to 100 times the target's strength to crush the opponent.

The one who had used the spell just now was an ordinary Senior Bodhi, and there were many people stronger than him in Bodhi Gene, yet none could dare to say they could crush him so one-sidedly.

"Such strength!"

They merely heard that the Demigod realm wasn't ordinary and today, they had finally seen it personally.

"Let's attack him together!"

They roared in fury, but under that anger laid fear. The opponent was too strong so they would only die if they attacked along so they had to rely on the superiority of their numbers to kill him.

They immediately surrounded Jiang Xiu, attacking him with water balls, wind blades, even hidden weapons as well as arrows.

Boom!

"Kill him!"

"Kill him!"

The entire view was filled with explosions with Jiang Xiu at the centre.

"Humph!"

At the moment they attacked, Jiang Xiu jumped up a bit, rising towards the sky. He pointed towards the void and drew a glyph. The golden particles had already formed the glyph by the time he landed on the ground.

The golden glyph suddenly exploded in the sky then rushed into Jiang Xiu's body. His body flickered with a golden rippling light as soon as all the particles entered his body.

"Golden Glyph - Storm Walk!"

Boom!

The attacks fell on his body yet passed through while creating ripples similar to that of light waves.

"How is this possible?"

The disciple's eyes almost popped out in shock.

"What kind of spell is this?!"

They had never heard of something like this!

One of the Bodhi disciples nearby to him rushed towards Jiang Xiu by leaping from a rock, shooting ahead like a bird with a sword in hand, jabbing it towards Jiang Xiu's head in the next moment.

Jiang Xiu didn't avoid it, letting the sword go through his throat, but the attacker was shocked because it didn't seem like his sword had jabbed into the throat as there was no obstruction.

"What the…"

He couldn't comprehend it…

Jiang Xiu raised his hand slowly and drew a line on his forehead.

Bang!

The man exploded with a bang. There was neither blood nor flesh flying around as his body had exploded into golden particles.

"T-This is…"

The disciples were alarmed.

"What spell is this?!"

The disciples were extremely shocked. Gu Dekang and his guards were left dumbstruck long ago as they watched the battle from a distance.

Is he still human?

Gu Dekang was at a loss right now. He held disdain towards Jiang Xiu before, believing he was mediocre and arrogant. Even if he could recruit Jiang Xiu into the Gu family, it'd be quite difficult to control him. However, after witnessing the current scene where Bodhi Gene was nothing but little kids oblivious of death, he felt his entire world collapse.

Gu family could have received him before.

But now…

He made a complicated expression, filled with shock, perplexment as well as fear… all of it reminding him of his brother's words. Big Brother, Mr. Jiang must be treated the same as a Commander, you must not offend him.

The various spells devasted the area, all of them passing through his body, falling far away behind him. No matter how powerful or bizarre the spell, none could damage him. He was the same as an image yet real as he killed the disciples with each wave of his hand.

The people witnessing Jiang Xiu's methods had already acknowledged that he was far above those from Bodhi Gene.

They were filled with awe!

Whether it be Grandmasters or Shamans or Innate Skill Holders, they were nothing but a child in front of Jiang Xiu. The spells, sword energy, and arrows attacking him were the same as children's toys to him.

"How is this possible?"

"Let's concentrate our power in a single attack!"

A dozen cultivators stood in a line and operated their inner breath to send all the energy to the person at the front.

"Multiwave Fist!"

The man at the front stamped on the ground with force, causing it to rupture. His inner breath rushed outside, making his clothes buff up as punched out with a torrential strength similar to a river's flow.

The incorporeal energy pulse took the shape of an ocean wave, one wave superimposing on the other to form a multitude of waves.

Boom!

The rock floor ahead of him exploded just from the energy leaking from the waves.

"A superb skill!"

Gu Dekang and his guards exclaimed.

This fist style was really fantastic. Affecting the outer world using inner strength was a strenuous task, and it was even more difficult to create multiple waves by superimposing them. The power of the attack had increased tenfold due to this.

A fist style which could allow one's strength to multiply by several times was no doubt a first class one and a style like this which could increment it by 10 times could be considered an ultimate technique. The no. of fist styles which could achieve this in this world could be counted on one's fingers, and they were all ancient fist styles. Those styles which could multiply the strength to a hundredfold only existed in legends and were considered Divine Fist styles.

Yan Zhen believed that if Bodhi Gene could give this fist style to the army, it would increase their strength by several times. Achieving the third position in the competition next year would no longer be a dream.

"Humph!"

The energy wave was nothing but a stream of air to Jiang Xiu. Only through immortal arts could this airwave be sublimated to possess genuine power. This was the massive divide between martial arts and immortal arts.

If it was just something of this degree…

"Whoo!"

Jiang Xiu drew in a breath then exhaled it out. The air he exhaled was denser than the air outside, possessing an incredible fierceness.

In the next moment, a hissing sound thorned into everyone's eardrums. The air he exhaled turned into a gale from a breeze, making everyone scream in alarm. The gale engulfed the entire place, lifting up the earth, crushing the rocks into little pieces. The multiple airwave pulses couldn't withstand it, disappearing into it. It was the same as an electric fan's wind against a cyclone's wind. The outcome is pretty evident. The electric fan would be blown away.

The disciples were alarmed facing the gale. Those at the front were blown away, crying out mournfully in the sky. It was a pity that their yells were submerged by the howling wind.

They dropped down after flying 20 m high, becoming pieces of flesh and bones. Some collided with the valley walls and ended up mutilated.

"We aren't dreaming, right?"

"So terrible!"

"This man is too frightening."

The ordinary disciples shivered in fear. The joint attack from the elite among them had ended up in such a result, so they were terrified.

"Boom!"

A few of the shamans joined hands to create a fireball 3 m in diameter above Jiang Xiu. It was full of spiritual energy and seethed with a high temperature.

It fell down just like an atom bomb.

"Burn him!"

Since the spells were useless, they planned to burn him down by using a fireball. They believed that they could burn him to death.

"Just a useless skill!"

Jiang Xiu shook his head lightly. Although they had created a fireball, the spiritual energy inside was too weak in strength, and the temperature was no better than that of an ordinary flame.

He raised his hand towards the sky.

"What?"

They saw him withstand the fireball with just his palm. They were left dumbstruck by this scene, but the truly terrifying scene had just begun.

An attractive force appeared at his palm all of a sudden, making the fireball disappear into it without a trace.

"Fudge!"

"This is…"

The shamans of Bodhi Gene were left speechless. This was too inconceivable for them to digest. They couldn't believe a skill could allow someone to suck in a fireball into their body.

The man wearing the olden landowner clothing was utterly stupefied as well.

He too couldn't accept what he was seeing.

Jiang Xiu brought his hand towards his mouth and muttered in an incomprehensible language. It was clear from the notes that it was something frightening.

Bzzzttt!

The sound of a fire spark was audible in everyone's ears, and they also felt the air warm up. Their faces were drenched in sweat as they watched Jiang Xiu nervously.

"It's so warm!"

"I feel like I'm getting roasted."

They felt that the heat was coming from above, so they raised their heads to take a look, almost dying from the fear when they did so.

Several fireballs were covering the entire sky. There were more than 20 of them, and they floated above them. All of them screamed, but it was already too late.

Booommm!

The fireballs fell down one after another mercilessly.

"Save me!"

"Aaaaahhhhh!"

The fireballs wrecked havoc on earth, making it look like hell had descended to the mortal world. They were either crushed to death or burnt to death.

"Jiang Luoxia, you dare to act so ruthlessly?"

The eyes of the man wearing the olden landowner clothing were red with bitter hatred. The top elite martial arts experts, as well as shamans of Bodhi Gene, had died within a short frame of time. The losses were disastrous.

Bodhi Gene hadn't suffered such losses even when they had participated in the war back then.

"Did you think this Deity was kidding?"

"This Deity will put each one in place if they dare to enter his army division."

Gu Dekang's mood was completely different when he heard these words once again. He finally felt afraid, the alarm in his heart growing at a rapid pace, resulting in his face turning ashen. Fury filled his eyes as he quivered all over.

No one could have imagined that Jiang Luoxia was so strong that even Bodhi Gene was nothing but a stray dog in front of him.

He felt that it was ridiculous that he couldn't recognize a Demigod who was right in front of him.

If it weren't for him acting rude towards Jiang Xiu, ignoring his younger brother's words due to his obstinacy, and treated Jiang Xiu with the utmost respect, everything would have been different. It was possible that even the 2nd or 1st rank could be obtained in the competition with his help. The Gu family could have preserved its honour and glory.

"Why don't you tell Li Bodhi to come out?"

Jiang Xiu stood there with unmatched mettle.

"You aren't qualified to handle this Deity…"

The man's cheeks twitched with anger. He had dressed in a yellow vest with a hexagonal hat on his head, appearing similar to those people from the 19th-century regime.

"Bring the God's Children out."

All those who heard it were alarmed, "Senior Bodhi!"

"Listen to my words. Go quickly!"

"God's Children? What's that?" Jiang Xiu asked curiously.

"You'll understand soon." The man didn't answer Jiang Xiu's question. Soon after that, a primordial beast-like roar resounded across the valley, followed by the sound of metal striking metal as if a cage was being opened.

A few figures leapt down from the cliff, jumping through a distance of 10 m. They quickly made their way towards the place where Jiang Xiu was.

A total of 6 of them had arrived.

These people were donned in black hooded clothing. Their appearance wasn't visible outside nor did they release any kind of energy. Their quiet breathing made the other people feel goosebumps.

Jiang Xiu was also astonished after seeing these people. From this point of view, he saw awful black energy shrouding their bodies. This was the energy from Divinity Cultivation and quite a ruthless one.

"These are?"

The man explained, "They are God's Children who possess Divine power."

"Did you think my Bodhi Gene is the same as those sects and organisations outside? That we are easy to bully?"

"Jiang Luoxia, you'll pay the price for your actions today."