Ambush on the Way

"In just two hours, Lu Ze completed the cultivation of the Dragon Scale Steps?!"

In the Law Enforcement Hall, Elder Long's expression was solemn, and his face filled with astonishment as he looked at the law enforcement disciple kneeling before him.

The entire Law Enforcement Hall was shrouded in his formidable pressure. The hall trembled violently, like a small boat in a storm, but fortunately, there were protective formations in the hall, preventing it from being washed away.

Hearing that Lu Ze had mastered the Dragon Scale Steps in just two hours, his heart could no longer remain calm, causing his breath to leak out.

The Dragon Scale Steps at perfection was comparable to an Earth-Grade martial technique. It not only allowed one to traverse the air and significantly increased speed but also improved physical fitness.

However, even Elder Long took three days to master it. Yet Lu Ze, the widely known outer disciple waste, succeeded in just two hours. It was simply unbelievable!

It was hard to imagine how extraordinary Lu Ze had become, and he couldn't figure out why such a genius had been hiding his true abilities for so long.

"Supreme Elder, it's true! We all witnessed it with our own eyes!" The disciple reporting the incident was sweating profusely due to Elder Long's overwhelming pressure. He nervously spoke, not daring to meet Elder Long's gaze.

It wasn't strange that Elder Long couldn't believe it. Even for the disciple, who had seen it with his own eyes, was reluctant to believe it.

In his many years in the Qiantian Sect, it was the first time he encountered such a freak as Lu Ze. Everyone had regarded Lu Ze as a waste, but now, he managed to master the Dragon Scale Steps in such a short time.

How could Lu Ze, the one considered a waste, achieve such an incredible feat in just two hours?

Elder Long couldn't fathom it.

"Enough, get up."

After a while, Elder Long finally calmed down, retracted his powerful aura, and looked at the law enforcement disciple, asking, "Where is Lu Ze now?"

Feeling like he was saved from a dire situation, the law enforcement disciple quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "He should be returning from the Magic Beast Forest. There are still several law enforcement disciples watching over him. I specifically came back to report this matter to you!"

Elder Long nodded, "Good, continue to keep an eye on him. Report to me about his every move. And remember, apart from me, you are not allowed to inform anyone else about these matters. If others find out and try to kill him, protect him even at the cost of your life. Do you understand?"

Elder Long's expression was serious, and his voice was stern.

"I understand. Please rest assured, Elder!"

Upon hearing Elder Long's words, the law enforcement disciple's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Lu Ze had gained Elder Long's favor and that soon, he would soar high.

"Go!"

Elder Long nodded, signaling the law enforcement disciple to leave.

"Okay!"

After the law enforcement disciple left, Elder Long fell into contemplation. He was increasingly curious about Lu Ze. Was Lu Ze's rise due to his innate talent, or did he receive help from someone else?

"Never mind. When Xue Chenyi comes out, everything will be clear. It's pointless to think about it now."

After pondering for a while, Elder Long shook his head, closed the door, and returned to the cultivation state.

As dusk fell, the Magic Beast Forest was covered in the glow of the evening sun. Lu Ze and the newly acquainted Qi Ming returned to the Qiantian Sect together.

"Senior Brother, hurry up! It's getting dark by the time we return to the sect!"

Qi Ming and Lu Ze initially ran side by side, but soon Qi Ming sprinted ahead, calling out to Lu Ze.

This scene surprised Lu Ze.

The distance from the Magic Beast Forest to the Qiantian Sect was over a hundred miles, and even a cultivator at the Primary Stage of the Innate Realm would take an hour to cover it. With Lu Ze's increased cultivation and mastery of the Dragon Scale Steps, he could return to the sect in just two-quarters of an hour. However, he intentionally restrained his speed due to concerns about Qi Ming's lower cultivation level.

But now, seeing Qi Ming run ahead of him, Lu Ze was genuinely shocked. Although he wasn't running at full speed, he used three-fifths of his strength, which should have surpassed Qi Ming's capabilities.

How did this guy manage to run ahead of him?

"Your speed is so fast. Did you cultivate some advanced body technique?" Lu Ze caught up with Qi Ming and curiously asked.

Qi Ming smirked and pointed to the seemingly ordinary boots on his feet, saying, "These are spirit boots crafted by my third grandfather. With just a little bit of spiritual energy, they can burst out at incredible speed. I've even outrun a fifth-level magical beast with them!"

Hearing this, Lu Ze couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. A fifth-level magical beast had strength comparable to a True Profound Realm expert, and due to the robust physique of magical beasts, the speed Qi Ming burst out with would surpass ordinary True Profound Realm cultivators.

Qi Ming being able to outrun a fifth-level magical beast implied that with those boots, he could easily surpass a True Profound Realm expert. Lu Ze suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He had worked hard to master the Dragon Scale Steps, yet he couldn't confidently claim that he could outrun a True Profound Realm expert.

Qi Ming, this inexperienced guy, achieved it so effortlessly with a pair of boots. Indeed, some people were born with silver spoons.

"Senior Brother, how about a race to see who gets back to the sect first?"

Suddenly, Qi Ming challenged Lu Ze with an invitation.

"Sure, but you..."

Lu Ze smiled and was about to agree when he suddenly sensed danger. He quickly pounced towards Qi Ming.

"Whoosh!"

Two sharp arrows with a piercing whistle came through the air, narrowly passing over Lu Ze and Qi Ming's heads.

If Lu Ze hadn't reacted swiftly, they might have been killed instantly.

"What's going on?"

Qi Ming, pushed down by Lu Ze, rolled on the ground for a few circles before stopping. He then stared pale-faced at the two arrows embedded in a tree ten meters behind him.

Being sheltered in the Qiantian Sect since childhood, he had never encountered such an ambush. The previous life-threatening crisis still haunted him.

"Whoever you are, show yourself! Sneak attacks with hidden arrows, are you a man or not?"

Lu Ze remained calm, angrily stood up, and shouted in the direction where the attack originated. Shortly after, a group of black-clothed individuals emerged menacingly from the dense forest about dozens of meters away.

"Hmph, didn't expect you to react so quickly, dodging my arrows!" A thin man holding a bow and arrows with eyes resembling those of a hawk sneered at Lu Ze.

"Are you mercenaries from the Magic Beast Forest? Why are you trying to kill us?" Despite having no identifiable markings on their attire, Lu Ze recognized their identity through the bloodthirsty aura they exuded.

"Hehe, why? Dead people have no right to ask questions!" A middle-aged man with a sinister scar wielding a steel knife in the crowd cruelly laughed.

"Attack!" Following the order from the scar-faced man, over a dozen mercenaries in black clothes rushed towards Lu Ze.

"Qi Ming, quick! Hide!" Seeing this, Lu Ze's eyes turned cold. He quickly instructed Qi Ming and swiftly darted out.

Activating the Dragon Scale Steps, a low dragon roar echoed through the heavens and the earth. The sudden change caught many of the approaching assailants off guard, causing them to slow down in surprise.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lu Ze met the attackers head-on. With the Dragon Scale Steps in full force, the earth trembled as if thunder roared in anger.

The unexpected turn of events made many of the charging mercenaries involuntarily slow down, their faces showing shock.

Seizing the moment, Lu Ze took the initiative and delivered a powerful punch. A dull sound resonated as his forceful fist struck one of the black-clothed individuals.

Despite the man's formidable cultivation at the Eighth Stage of the True Profound Realm and his experience battling magical beasts, Lu Ze's terrifying punch sent him flying. He spat blood and his bones shattered, meeting a swift demise.

Without pause, Lu Ze's figure flickered, appearing in front of other black-clothed individuals in an instant.

Another punch was thrown, carrying a force that seemed capable of shattering gold and cracking stones, resulting in the death of several more assailants.

After achieving mastery in the Dragon Scale Steps, Lu Ze surpassed practitioners of the same realm in both speed and strength. The formidable mercenaries, who were known for their strength, now seemed like lambs before him, utterly defenseless.

"Damn it! Wasn't it said that this kid's strength was only at the Seventh Stage of the Postnatal Realm? Why is he so powerful?" The scar-faced middle-aged man stared at the scene, completely dumbfounded. Lu Ze's displayed strength far exceeded his expectations.

The dozen or so subordinates under the scar-faced man, who were supposed to be formidable, seemed to be incapable of resisting even for a moment against Lu Ze.

This level of strength completely contradicted the information he had received about Lu Ze's abilities.