Chapter 91: Ambush

After clearing the green forest bandit stronghold on Qipan Road, Xiong Zhigang and his group began urgent preparations.

Chu Danqing seized a moment of free time to find a spot and open the treasure chest.

【You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent Rank), obtained: Skill Book (Melee Basics), Skill Book (Fire Cloud Art), Skill Book (Fire Cloud Palm), Skill Book (Fire Cloud Step), Xiao Huan Treasure Pill, Paradise Points ×2900, Paradise Points ×2900】

【Skill Book: Melee Basics】

【Type: Basic Skill】

【Quality: None】

【Effect: Upon use, gains the skill Melee Basics, increases melee damage and enhances proficiency in melee techniques】

——

【Skill Book: Fire Cloud Art】

【Type: Inherited Skill】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Effect: Upon use, gains the inheritance of Fire Cloud Art, replaces energy value with internal energy value and enhances Fire Cloud series skills】

——

【Skill Book: Fire Cloud Palm】

【Type: Active/Passive Skill】

【Quality: Common】

【Effect: Upon use, gains the skill Fire Cloud Palm; different techniques yield varying power and effects; if the inherited skill Fire Cloud Art is possessed, quality upgrades to Excellent Rank】

——

【Skill Book: Fire Cloud Step】

【Type: Active/Passive Skill】

【Quality: Common】

【Effect: Upon use, gains the skill Fire Cloud Step; different techniques yield varying power and effects; if the inherited skill Fire Cloud Art is possessed, quality upgrades to Excellent Rank】

——

【Xiao Huan Treasure Pill】

【Type: Consumable】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Effect 1: Restores 5% of life value within 10 minutes】

【Effect 2: After life restoration, accumulates 100 points of medicinal power within the body; when refined, advances progress of inherited skills】

Chu Danqing stored everything in his storage space; selling the trio as a set fetched higher value, so he kept the Xiao Huan Treasure Pill for personal use.

The recovery effect was secondary; the 100 points of medicinal power were the key.

Too bad it wasn’t the Five Elements Qi—its effect wasn’t as potent as the Five Qi Pill for Chu Danqing.

The greatest gain was Melee Basics; he immediately called over Da Bao, planning to let him learn it.

Selling it would merely convert it into resources to strengthen himself; letting Da Bao learn it bypassed the middle step and strengthened him directly.

But the reality was he couldn’t learn it.

Two reasons: first, Da Bao was a summoned entity, not an independent individual, and could not acquire basic skills.

Second, Da Bao’s intelligence was insufficient.

Not his mental attribute—his intelligence.

This left Chu Danqing helpless; he could only temporarily store it, deciding later whether to sell or keep it.

If he learned it himself? That would be pure waste.

He specialized in summoning; he didn’t have enough resources to cultivate another basic skill.

If it were Ranged Basics, he might consider it; Melee Basics was out of the question.

With his finances, he couldn’t afford to covet every skill he saw.

“Just this one Melee Basics could trade me an entire set of summoning enhancement skills.”

“They’d still have to compensate me with Paradise Points to make it worth it,” Chu Danqing muttered.

He had checked the Apostles Square—basic skills were practically priceless on the market.

Whenever one was sold, it sparked a minor uproar, and the transaction was usually completed within ten minutes.

Especially Melee Basics—demand was even higher.

Only because Chu Danqing benefited from a side quest’s bonus did the treasure chest finally settle, combining all the green forest bandits’ chests along Qipan Road into this single one.

Otherwise, killing Fire Cloud Tiger Cheng Chun would have granted only Fire Cloud Art and Paradise Points.

“What’s wrong? Why suddenly call Da Bao over?” Zhao Mingqian leaned in curiously.

Da Bao had been helping them set up, but Chu Danqing called him away, delaying them nearly ten minutes—he came to check.

“Just a small matter, already handled,” Chu Danqing said, then asked: “How’s the setup going?”

“All set. Just waiting for these pests to walk into our trap,” Zhao Mingqian replied.

The two then headed to the site, where Xiong Zhigang was speaking with Wang Zhao.

As they drew closer, Chu Danqing overheard they were discussing the green forest.

“How long until they arrive?” Chu Danqing asked.

“Unclear, but at least another hour,” Wang Zhao replied honestly: “We’ve prepared in advance, but these methods won’t stop them.”

“I cleared Qipan Road not because I feared them being intercepted, but to keep our movements discreet.”

“If they can traffic military equipment, they’re all highly skilled martial artists.”

“With their numbers and superior gear, even if Master Chu summons a Jiao Tiger, victory is unlikely.”

Wang Zhao didn’t believe in their chances.

“That’s true, but we don’t need to annihilate them—capturing their leader is enough,” Chu Danqing said, knowing Wang Zhao spoke truthfully.

After all, this was a C-rank difficulty.

This wasn’t like clearing Qipan Road, where they could pick them off one by one.

Chu Danqing might even have to spend resources to summon Guo Ming for help.

He didn’t need him to be strong—just one-tenth the power of Lu Yin would suffice.

After all, only a month had passed; he couldn’t expect Guo Ming to have grown much stronger.

“That doesn’t make sense—can’t even you handle this, Master Chu?” Zhao Mingqian had inexplicable faith in Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing himself had no such confidence.

“I’m no immortal—just a wandering sorcerer,” Chu Danqing thought Zhao Mingqian mistook him for someone who could do everything.

“Little Chu, many people,” Da Bao suddenly spoke up: “They’re coming this way.”

At this, everyone’s expression shifted slightly—hadn’t they said the earliest arrival was an hour from now? Why were they early?

“Take your positions and ambush—now!” Xiong Zhigang acted decisively, ordering everyone into place.

Once stationed, Chu Danqing saw a group of riders escorting a convoy slowly approaching.

The cart wheels had carved a deep, long groove into the ground, indicating the cargo was extremely heavy.

Each escort wore a saber at their waist; upon closer inspection, armor could be seen beneath their clothing.

Swords weren’t unusual—but armor was.

“Stable stance, calloused tiger mouths, light footsteps,” Zhao Mingqian whispered beside him: “The leaders are all as formidable as Fire Cloud Tiger Cheng Chun.”

“Even my master couldn’t stand against them if they attacked together.”

“Only the sect master’s senior brother has a seventy percent chance of victory.”

Green forest bands and sects simply couldn’t match those trained by the court.

The court possessed the entire realm—its martial arts and resources were inexhaustible; if it couldn’t overcome these forces, it would have been overthrown long ago.

“They use military organization, but their bearing isn’t that of soldiers,” Xiong Zhigang added: “They’re likely under the Qiutan Party.”

Skilled martial artists, disciplined troops, organized units—capturing them would be extremely difficult.

(End of Chapter)