Chapter5:Black Dragon Gang

Deep within the Shenfeng Mountain Range, in an unnamed grand canyon.

At this moment, there was a ripple in the air, and a beam of light streaked across the sky.

The light fell onto a green stone atop a mountain peak, revealing the figure of a person.

Walking in the air!

If anyone had witnessed this scene, they would have been utterly astonished.

For a warrior to fly without any external aid, they must have at least reached the level of the Xuanwu Realm.

And in the Xuanwu Realm, even a single thought could plunge a place like Canglan City into eternal chaos.

Even in the turbulent state of Yangzhou, such a person could shake the ground with just a footstep.

This was a woman, with well-shaped eyebrows, a straight nose, and bright, pearly teeth. She wore a black outfit that accentuated her fine figure, making her skin appear as fair as snow, extraordinarily beautiful.

Shortly after the black-clad beauty arrived, the sound of more figures breaking through the air followed.

Three individuals wearing silver cloaks and masks hurried over and respectfully greeted the woman.

"Lord Palace Master!"

The black-clad woman glanced at them and asked, "Have you found him?"

"Reporting to Lord Luo, we failed. After the Nine Dragons Daoist escaped to this place, he seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving no trace."

Upon hearing this, the black-clad woman nodded and calmly said, "No matter, the mountain range is sealed. We will find him eventually, it's just a matter of time."

"Continue the search..." She instructed after a brief pause.

"Yes, Lord Palace Master."

Following her orders, the three silver-cloaked figures dispersed.

The black-clad woman also prepared to leave.

However, just as she took a step, she seemed to sense something and stopped.

She turned to look at a seemingly empty spot in the canyon, a cold smile appearing on her lips. "The most dangerous place is the safest place. Nine Dragons Daoist, you're quite clever, hiding here all along, almost deceiving me..."

"But hiding right under my nose must be nerve-wracking, isn't it? Why not reveal yourself and end this suffering?"

"Buzz..."

At that moment, the seemingly empty space she was watching finally rippled.

An old man in a golden robe appeared out of thin air.

His eyes filled with resentment, he said coldly, "I, the Nine Dragons Daoist, excel at the art of hiding in the void. Yet I couldn't escape your relentless pursuit. Your insight is indeed extraordinary, Lord Luo..."

The black-clad woman smiled and shook her head. "Nine Dragons Daoist, you should be called the Void Ghost Thief. Ten years ago, you infiltrated my Dao Cang Academy under a false identity and stole the Kalan Martial Sutra from the library. Am I wrong?"

"You're right. But there's one thing I don't understand. Ten years ago, you were treated so unjustly at Dao Cang Academy that you were disheartened and chose to retreat from the world. Why are you now working so hard for Dao Cang Academy?"

The woman replied, "I no longer involve myself in power struggles. But I grew up in Dao Cang Academy, where my mentor taught me. I cannot forget that kindness... The Kalan Martial Sutra is one of the three supreme mind techniques of Dao Cang Academy, crucial to its foundation. Stealing it undermines the very core of the academy."

"How could I face my mentor if I didn't retrieve it?"

"Sigh..."

The Nine Dragons Daoist sighed in resignation. "Since that's the case, I admit defeat. Lord Luo, if I hand over the Kalan Martial Sutra, will you spare my life?"

After a moment of contemplation, the woman replied, "Hand over the sutra and sever an arm, and I will spare your life. Otherwise, you will die without a grave."

"Alright." After a long hesitation, the Nine Dragons Daoist made his decision. With a wave of his hand, an ancient book flew out from his sleeve.

The black-clad woman caught it with a graceful motion and looked down.

It was indeed the Kalan Martial Sutra.

But before she could fully smile, she sensed a sudden danger.

The Nine Dragons Daoist had stepped forward, quickly closing in.

"Ha ha ha, Luo Rou... You and Feng Feiyang were once the prodigies of Dao Cang Academy, but I have roamed the world for decades. Today, let's see how you, a junior, can kill me!"

"Boom!"

Before he finished speaking, the Nine Dragons Daoist punched out, the force of which seemed to seal off all escape routes for the black-clad woman.

He had pretended to return the sutra to make her lower her guard, then launched a fierce attack.

"Stubborn fool..."

Seeing this, the woman named Luo Rou frowned slightly but remained calm.

"Whoosh—"

In the next moment, she raised her hand, unleashing a vast, starry sea of palm force.

"Boom!"

In the astonished eyes of the Nine Dragons Daoist, the palm force enveloped him instantly.

"This... this is impossible!" he roared in anger and unwillingness.

After being struck, the Nine Dragons Daoist realized the insurmountable gap between their powers.

He couldn't even withstand a single move from her!

In the next moment, his body, along with the surrounding space, shattered and vanished without a trace.

Her earlier words were not in vain; she truly left no trace of his existence.

After eliminating the Nine Dragons Daoist, the black-clad woman did not leave. She sent out a message and waited for the silver-cloaked guards to return.

Meanwhile, not far from the grand canyon...

Lin Che harvested a third-grade spirit herb after slaying a giant serpent beast.

This was the tenth beast he had killed since entering the Shenfeng Mountain Range, and the fifteenth spirit herb he had collected.

Without hesitation, Lin Che consumed the herb.

Boom!

Pure energy exploded within him, and his aura surged.

In just a moment, he had completely absorbed the herb's violent spiritual energy.

"Qi Gathering Stage Seven!"

Feeling his current state, Lin Che's eyes were filled with joy.

In just ten days since entering the Shenfeng Mountain Range, he had progressed from Qi Gathering Stage Five to Stage Seven. If this news spread, it would astonish many.

"At this rate, I'll soon be able to leave Canglan City!"

Even a year ago, when he was known as the greatest young talent in Canglan City, he never had such confidence.

At this moment, the Celestial Maiden sighed. "Is your goal only to leave Canglan City? Can't you set a more ambitious target?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Che replied, "Then I'll leave Yangzhou!"

"More ambitious..."

"Then... I'll become renowned in Cangfeng! Yes, I'll become the strongest in Cangfeng Kingdom!" Lin Che declared firmly.

The Celestial Maiden felt defeated and exclaimed, "With me personally guiding you, you only aim to be the strongest in a small country? Are you trying to infuriate me? Bragging doesn't cost anything, aim higher!"

Spurred by her words, Lin Che's heart surged with determination. He gritted his teeth and declared, "I, Lin Che, swear to become the ruler of the universe, to tread upon the eight desolations and six directions, to sweep through all realms... Demons, gods, buddhas, immortals, all will kneel before me, and those who praise my true name will gain eternal life!"

In his impassioned vow, the Celestial Maiden fell silent.

Frowning, Lin Che asked, "Senior Celestial Maiden, is this goal still not ambitious enough?"

"It's enough... Actually, I like this goal too. Just don't be so overly ambitious in the future..." she muttered softly.

Lin Che: "..."

After a moment, Lin Che couldn't help but ask, "Senior Celestial Maiden, after interacting with you for a year, I find you always ridicule me. Do we have a grudge?"

"I have no grudge against you, but maybe with your parents."

"Huh?" Lin Che was puzzled. "Why?"

"I was imprisoned in this space to accompany your growth. Who else but your parents could do that?" The Celestial Maiden bit her lip, speaking with some resentment.

The mysterious woman was imprisoned in the inheritance jade by his parents? How could that be?

Although Lin Che didn't know her exact level, he knew she was extremely powerful, not of this world.

For his parents to imprison her, could they be that powerful?

"Senior Celestial Maiden, have you met my parents? Can you tell me where they are and why they abandoned me in Canglan City?" Lin Che asked.

"I don't know... My memory seems to have been forcibly erased. When I woke up, I was already in this ancient jade." The Celestial Maiden snorted, making Lin Che nervous.

If she had a grudge against his parents, was it not dangerous for him to follow her?

"Don't worry, I won't harm you. Your life is linked to this jade's internal space. If you die, I cease to exist. And only you can break the jade's restriction." She explained, noticing his concern.

"I can free you?"

"Not now, but if you grow stronger, you can."

"So that's why..." Lin Che finally understood why she was teaching him and felt reassured.

At least, until she could leave the jade, she wouldn't harm him.

Thud, thud, thud...

Just then, the ground shook where Lin Che was.

He looked ahead and saw a group of men on beasts speeding by.

"Black Dragon Gang!"

Recognizing their attire, Lin Che knew who they were.

The Black Dragon Gang was a bandit group known for their crimes near Canglan City, terrifying its residents.

"Why are they here?"

Curious, Lin Che concealed himself and followed them.