58-4th Rank? I Can Fight This.

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"Who's there?"

Today, three unexpected visitors suddenly appeared in the heavily guarded rebel army camp.

At the center was an old man, over fifty years old, his sun-darkened face etched with the weathered marks of time. Deep, crisscrossing wrinkles furrowed his forehead like ravines, and a wispy, half-white beard jutted slightly forward from his chin. Yet his eyes sparkled with sharp light, revealing a shrewd and capable nature, tempered with a dignified air.

Flanking him were a young man and woman, both appearing no older than eighteen or nineteen, in the prime of their youth.

The young man on the left had a jade-like face and a broad forehead, clad in a gleaming silver brocade robe, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a long sword in hand.

The young woman on the right boasted delicate features, dressed in an apricot-red, waist-cinched gown. Her skin was snowy white, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, though her expression was icy, exuding a heroic and spirited aura.

The young man swept his gaze over the ragtag rebel army with disdain. "This bunch of rabble actually forced my second uncle to send a family courier for help? It's like an old lady climbing a height—can't manage without support!"

Despite his refined and dashing demeanor, his words made the old man and young woman beside him frown instantly.

Both shared the same thought: *Such a fine person—why'd he have to open his mouth?* 

As he spoke, a large group of rebel soldiers closed in. Though they seemed numerous and imposing, the three showed no trace of fear or concern.

The young man stepped forward, raising his voice. "Where's Guo Yanhuai? Tell him to come face me!"

"Insolent! How dare you shout the general's name? Men, seize them!"

At a commander's order, a squad of rebels swarmed forward.

"Now this is interesting."

A faint smile curved the young man's lips. Facing the oncoming soldiers, he didn't unsheathe his sword. Instead, he twirled it—scabbard and all—in a flourish.

With a step, he flowed into the crowd like a breeze, tapping with his scabbard. The strikes seemed light, but they carried immense force—those hit were either crippled or killed.

The commander's face tightened at the sight, recognizing a master's presence. He quickly ordered a subordinate to report this.

"Enough playing—focus on the task."

The woman spoke up, unsheathing her sword and stepping lightly forward.

With a sweep of her blade, a red glint flashed across the sword light. The shields of four rebel soldiers in front of her split in two, deep gashes carved into their chests. They dropped dead on the spot.

"Middle-tier martial artist! Sound the drums—this is trouble!"

*Boom, boom, boom!* 

The war drums thundered, and the entire rebel camp sprang into action, countless footsteps echoing from all directions.

The old man, who'd remained still until now, finally moved. With a light tap of his foot, he soared into the air, tracing an arc like a bird and descending toward the camp's heart.

The young man and woman didn't hesitate, cutting through the rebels and following close behind.

Moments later, the trio arrived before a grand tent, where Guo Yanhuai emerged with his commanders to confront them.

Guo Yanhuai's face darkened as he eyed the three intruders. For them to reach his command tent despite his army's protection was a blatant slap in the face.

"Bold!" Guo Yanhuai roared, his expression stormy as water about to drip. "Take them down!"

As he bellowed, his qi and blood surged, a wave of heat radiating from him, raising the surrounding temperature slightly.

The old man sized Guo Yanhuai up, frowning slightly. "Qi and blood released outward, divine strength self-formed—he's at Fourth Rank Divine Strength Realm. Half a year ago, you were only Seventh Rank Bone-Forging Realm. How could you leap three ranks in just six months?"

"What? Master Yin, Guo Yanhuai's at Fourth Rank Divine Strength Realm? How's that possible?"

Mei Weixuan's face twisted in disbelief, as if he'd heard a fairy tale.

Guo Yanhuai grinned ferociously, his voice icy. "I, Guo Yanhuai, am a son of destiny—beyond the comprehension of you common fools. Fourth Rank is nothing; even First Rank is within my grasp. I bear the mandate of heaven and will rule the world. I see you're noble scions—lead your families to submit to me, and I'll grant you the honor of aiding my rise. As for you," he nodded at the woman, "with some beauty, I'll offer you the rank of noble consort."

"Heh, a bat with chicken feathers stuck on—what kind of bird do you think you are? Rule the world? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself—who gave you that courage?"

Mei Weixuan spat back at Guo Yanhuai's offer.

Master Yin, however, furrowed his brow. "Qi and blood scattered, not condensed, eyes tinged with red, demeanor crazed—have you consumed something?"

Guo Yanhuai ignored Master Yin, already fuming from Mei Weixuan's taunts, his rage boiling over.

"Insolent! Die!"

With a furious shout, Guo Yanhuai leaped forward, swinging a fist at Mei Weixuan.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!* 

Mei Weixuan felt the air around him compress violently, forming a brief vacuum. A massive fist grew larger in his vision, aiming to smash his skull in one blow.

The power of that punch—brutal and fierce.

At the critical moment, Mei Weixuan revealed his skill. His qi and blood erupted, and he raised his longsword to block.

*Bang!* 

A piercing explosion rang out as fist met steel, producing a grating screech.

Mei Weixuan was sent flying, his legs carving a long trench in the ground. He skidded over ten meters before stopping.

"Cough, cough."

Mei Weixuan coughed lightly, wiping blood from his mouth and chuckling dryly.

"Indeed Fourth Rank Divine Strength Realm, but something's off—far weaker than a true Fourth Rank. Like a poorly refined pill, impure and muddled. I can fight this."

As he spoke, he finally drew his longsword. Faint patterns shimmered on its silver-white blade, glinting coldly in the sunlight.

He stomped the ground, taking ten steps in an instant, the earth beneath him bursting outward in all directions.

Swift as the wind, fierce as an arrow.

The air buzzed with a strange hum as he tore through it, the onlookers feeling their cheeks sting as if sliced by the gusts.

"Split Light."

His sword light cleaved the void, his qi and blood pulsing, as if it could sever anything in the world.

Guo Yanhuai seemed unfazed, his expression growing more unhinged, the red glow in his eyes intensifying.

With a light step, he dodged the strike like a white crane, then broke through the wind, clawing at Mei Weixuan's temple.

That grab could turn even raw iron into mush.

Mei Weixuan showed no panic, instead flashing a grin.

"Crane Shakes Its Feathers."

His right arm swayed like a dancing crane, the longsword slashing horizontally toward Guo Yanhuai's waist.

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