Chapter 149: From the Heavens! One Punch Explodes!

Three days later.

Outside Baiyun County, near a fertile field close to an irrigation canal.

Qin Ruobing stood with a group on the ridge, watching the vast withered seedlings, a gloomy expression on their face.

Around them were many ragged farmers, tears filling their eyes.

Food is their lifeline.

Now that spring planting is delayed, they cannot pay taxes, and their entire families will starve to death.

To them, this is a bolt from the blue.

"When did these strange events begin?"

Qin Ruobing's tone was icy.

These seedlings could not have died without cause; someone must be behind this.

They only need to root out the mastermind, then find a way to save the crops.

"Your Excellency, a few months ago signs appeared; the water in the canal had taken on a strange hue, but I did not pay attention…"

An elderly farmer, hunched and trembling, answered.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ruobing immediately led the group toward the canal ahead.

Tong Yuhua, Wen Zhiyuan and others followed closely, with a contingent of Xuanjia Army at their side.

Soon.

The group arrived near the small canal.

The soil along the canal's edge was a dark red, rather eerie.

Qin Ruobing and the others immediately dug into the earth, revealing similarly dark‑red mud inside.

When pressed in the hand, it felt icy.

It was also extremely dry, clearly not ordinary soil.

"Someone has tampered with the water."

Qin Ruobing's face turned grim.

The group instantly concluded that only a large organization could carry out such a massive malicious act.

It also has an unending, ambiguous relationship with the court.

According to their speculation, it must be linked to the Tianyao Gate.

One must realize that after these fertile fields are ruined, it is unknown when they can recover.

If delayed for three to five years, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The entire court would fall into turmoil, countless commoners would starve and become displaced.

Thinking of this, Qin Ruobing and the others felt an endless chill rise within them.

"Those people are downright mad; we will immediately return to report to Lord Lu."

Wen Zhiyuan's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

This matter has exceeded the few of them' capacity; the stakes are too high, so they can only request Lord Lu to act.

Just as the group prepared to leave, an anomaly erupted.

"Whoosh…"

From the distant jungle, a horde of black figures burst out, brandishing weapons, faces radiating murderous aura.

They charged at Qin Ruobing and the others with fierce momentum.

At the front was a young man in a crimson robe, holding a knife in his right hand, his aura as deep as an abyss.

"Not good, it's a strongman from the Tianyao Gate; indeed they are behind this."

Tong Yuhua and the others wore tense expressions.

The crimson‑robed demon, by aura alone, could not be resisted by the few.

"Everyone, flee quickly; this is Xue Gang, a prodigy of the Tianyao Gate, we are no match…"

Qin Ruobing's eyes were full of anxiety.

They did not expect the opponent to be lying in wait for them here.

"Kill these court hounds swiftly, leave those two women behind; I will handle them personally, ha ha ha…"

Xue Gang's face radiated murderous aura, a hint of lewd glint in his eyes.

As a fully realized prodigy, he had almost no chance of failure against these government warriors.

Except for the Heavenly Pride of Qingning Residence, he feared no one.

Mid‑sentence.

Numerous Tianyao Gate strongmen pursued Qin Ruobing and the others.

Soon both sides clashed in close combat, fighting fiercely.

"Ah…"

In an instant, many of the Xuanjia Army suffered casualties.

Xue Gang continued to slaughter the government warriors on the field; his overwhelming aura left no one able to stand against him.

Before long, a large group of demons surrounded Qin Ruobing and the others.

Their faces filled with murderous intent, staring at the crowd.

As if watching the dead.

A glimmer of despair appeared in Tong Yuhua and the others' eyes.

It seems these demons were prepared long ago; perhaps the entire Great Zhou is already under their scheme.

They were momentarily caught in the massive net the opponents had set.

Look for a chance to break through the encirclement and go ask Hall Master Lu Zhangsheng to take action.

Qin Ruobing gritted her teeth, preparing to fight desperately.

With her strength, after burning her essence blood she could hold Xue Gang for a moment.

Letting Tong Yuhua and the others go back to fetch reinforcements is the best plan.

Otherwise, nobody here will be able to leave.

"Hehehe... I have never tasted the flavor of a clan lady; kneel and surrender to me, and I might consider sparing your life."

Xue Gang stood with his hands behind his back, full of arrogance.

Given his status, sparing his life is already a great favor.

Tong Yuhua and the others heard this and their faces filled with anger.

If they fell into the enemy's hands, it would be worse than death.

"Inspector Qin, let's fight them."

Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, a hint of resolve appearing in their eyes.

Seeing the crowd dare to defy his face, Xue Gang's eyes burst with killing intent.

Just as he was about to act and launch a deadly strike against the government martial artists, a sudden change occurred.

"Boom—boom—boom..."

A white figure suddenly fell from high altitude, like a great sun descending to the world.

The sheer might of that aura made everyone's chests tighten, making it hard to breathe.

Everyone involuntarily looked up.

Only saw a handsome young man slowly drifting down, the strong wind flapping his robes, making a cracking sound.

"It's Lord Lu Zhangsheng."

Tong Yuhua and the others' faces filled with joy.

Now they finally had rescue; unexpectedly they could find life in a desperate situation.

Qin Ruobing also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the other side arrived in time.

"Oh no, it's Lu Zhangsheng."

Seeing the arrival, Xue Gang's pupils constricted, his face full of apprehension.

Becoming a Heavenly Pride is no ordinary feat.

He knows this better than anyone, having attempted to break through several times without success.

"Bang—bang—"

He instantly took out a signal flare and shot it into the sky, where a huge multicolored fireworks burst in the void.

Thereafter, he turned and ran without looking back, his speed like a thunderclap.

He vanished from the field ridges in just a few breaths.

Facing such a strong opponent, Xue Gang had no thought of fighting and simply fled.

The many Tianyao Gate disciples around also scattered like birds and beasts.

A group of government strongmen all gave chase, their momentum surging.

Lu Zhangsheng flew through the air, like a shot of adrenaline; this way of appearing was no different from that of an innate expert.

It left everyone in awe.

Only a true Heavenly Pride can achieve flight through the air in the Embryonic Transformation realm.

"Want to run?"

Lu Zhangsheng gave a cold smile.

Only saw his body flash, and he shot out like lightning.

He walked through the void, a few flickers, and arrived behind Xue Gang.

Immediately he threw a forward punch.

"Boom—boom—"

Wave after wave of sonic booms came from the void, the momentum extremely fierce.

Seeing this, Xue Gang's face flushed red, as if he had suffered great humiliation.

He knew Lu Zhangsheng wielded a sword, but using fists now showed he completely disregarded him.

"You think one punch can defeat me? Dream on!"

His distress signal had already been sent; as long as he held on a moment, the Heavenly Pride from the sect would come.

Thinking this, Xue Gang roared, fully unleashing his essence blood, and slashed forward with his blade.

Strands of blood-slaying qi coiled in the void, as if countless evil spirits were howling.

"I will sever your hand."

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng so arrogantly not dodging or avoiding, directly facing his blade, it was practically courting death.

He couldn't help but feel delighted.

But before he could react, the fist shadow, like a setting sun, slammed hard into his chest.

"Bang—"

With a tremendous bang, blood mist sprayed across the sky.

Xue Gang's entire body was blown to bits, leaving no residue.

One punch, and this Tianyao Gate genius died.

Lu Zhangsheng slowly landed on the ground, his expression calm, as if he had stepped on an ant.

This punch was already his full-force strike, eighty percent killing intent true meaning plus a perfected physique; besides a true Heavenly Pride, few could withstand it.

All of this happened in an instant.

From Lu Zhangsheng's entrance to Xue Gang being blasted apart.

Only then did the people on the field react.

Everyone stared at Lu Zhangsheng with shocked faces.

The newly promoted Heavenly Pride showed his strength to many for the first time.

A group of Tianyao Gate disciples were terrified, trembling in fear.

Their hearts had already lost all fighting spirit.

Even if ten thousand of them came, this power would be useless; they could only be slaughtered.

It is simply beyond what the crowd can resist.

Lu Zhangsheng ignored the riffraff and let Qin Ruobing lead a team to chase the opponent.

At this moment, Wen Zhiyuan came over with a few others.

He then reported the abnormality he discovered to Lu Zhangsheng.

"Your Excellency, I suspect the opponent began moving months ago,"

Wen Zhiyuan and the others clasped their hands, eyes full of awe.

The scene just now, where Lu Zhangsheng, with thunderous force, slashed Xue Gang, left the crowd stunned for a long time.

Lu Zhangsheng crouched and picked up a small clod of earth.

Just as the other side said, the soil had undergone some undesirable change.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

These demons truly deserve death.

They actually committed such a mad, heartless act.

"I will report this to the Grand Master, and I will record your merits..."

Lu Zhangsheng rose with a faint smile.

"Thank you, sir."

Wen Zhiyuan and the others wore excited expressions.

Just as the crowd prepared to leave, a series of howls suddenly came from the far end of the jungle ahead.

Lu Zhangsheng looked up.

A blood‑red figure swooped toward the crowd at speed, waves of blood‑fury soaring to the sky; before it arrived, a massive pressure surged, making Wen Zhiyuan and the others gasp for breath.

In an instant.

The man arrived on a ridge of a field, revealing a young man with a grim, fierce face.

He held a long sword, his aura immensely heavy.

"It is the Heavenly Pride Mu Qiu Hui of the Tianyao Gate,"

Wen Zhiyuan and the others wore solemn expressions.

He has roamed Qingning Prefecture for over a decade, slaying many government martial artists.

Even many prodigies have fallen by his hand; he is a figure the government deeply despises.

The officials' gazes at Lu Zhangsheng carried a hint of worry.

As a newly promoted Heavenly Pride, whether Lu Zhangsheng can withstand him remains uncertain.

Mu Qiu Hui's notorious reputation is indeed overwhelming.

It leaves everyone without confidence.

Lu Zhangsheng crossed his arms and quietly watched the newcomer.

The opponent's aura is only slightly weaker than Ye Yiyang's; his strength is great, not a weak one among Heavenly Pride ranks.

"You killed Xue Gang?"

Mu Qiu Hui's face brimmed with murderous aura, his tone lofty.

He rushed here as soon as he received the signal, but still arrived a step too late.

This instantly sparked a killing intent in him; he wanted to grind the person before him into powder.

"Do you really think a promoted Heavenly Pride can match me? Today, watch how I cut you down,"

Only the blood of a Heavenly Pride can forge his fame.

As he spoke, he thrust a sword forward, swift as lightning.

The fierce sword light flashed at the tip, as if to pierce the void, its momentum ferocious beyond compare.

"Lu Zhangsheng is bound to be defeated,"

Some nearby Tianyao Gate disciples wore confident smiles.

As a Heavenly Pride of the sect, Mu Qiu Hui has been promoted for several years; he is far beyond what this newcomer can match.

Numerous government martial artists around, seeing this might, showed startled fear.

Everyone felt as if a mountain pressed on their hearts.

Lu Zhangsheng's expression remained calm as he slashed forward with a single stroke.

"Hoo…"

Brilliant blade light surged along the sword, and a series of howls rose in the air, like a mountain's summit, heading toward Mu Qiu Hui.

"Boom—Boom—Boom..."

In an instant, their weapons clashed, a fierce gale sweeping all directions.

The ground was cut by force into streaks, dust and smoke billowed, a scene of ruin.

With a single strike.

Lu Zhangsheng stood firmly in place, his expression always calm as water.

In contrast, Mu Qiuhui retreated several meters backward, his footsteps leaving small pits where they landed.

"This is impossible!"

Mu Qiuhui's face was full of shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The hand holding the sword also trembled uncontrollably.

Streams of fierce energy continued to madly invade his body, making him quite uncomfortable.

His all-out strike actually left him at an absolute disadvantage, making his heart feel as if a towering wave had been stirred up.

His earlier confidence had completely vanished.

"So strong."

The surrounding people stared wide-eyed, their faces full of shock as they looked at Lu Zhangsheng.

They never expected that Lu Zhangsheng could firmly suppress this veteran Heavenly Pride.

A group of Tianyao Gate disciples were all terrified.

Wen Zhiyuan and many other government martial artists all showed delighted faces, their hearts instantly relieved.

"Kill."

At that moment, with everyone's thoughts varied, Lu Zhangsheng again raised his blade and charged forward, his momentum like a rainbow.

His surrounding vigor suddenly burst forth, pure white vigor covering his entire body, his whole person flying in midair.

In an instant, he arrived before Mu Qiuhui and swung his blade to cut.

The same all-out strike, plus killing intent, seemed as if countless evil spirits were howling in the void.

Mu Qiuhui's eyes were extremely solemn as he raised his sword to meet him.

He frantically circulated his qi and blood, elevating to the ultimate realm.

A surge of essence and energy shot straight up to the heavens.

"Whoosh..."

After arriving before Lu Zhangsheng, he likewise thrust out a sword.

With this sword, he erupted with twelve percent of his strength, his spirit, energy, and mind exploding fully, daring not to hold back even a bit.

"Boom boom boom..."

Another fierce collision sent Mu Qiuhui flying back another ten or so meters.

His face flushed with anger, he steadied his stance and charged forward again.

Next, the two engaged in a bloody fight high in the air, fierce energy forming gusts that swept in all directions.

The gusts stung the cheeks of those downwind.

A group of people stared, faces full of shock, at the two fighting; this momentum was already no different from that of an innate expert.

Indeed, a Heavenly Pride-level clash was terrifying to the extreme.

Time slowly passed.

The two continued their bloody battle without cease, the situation gradually entering a white-hot stage.

Lu Zhangsheng relied on his profound foundation to firmly keep Mu Qiuhui at a disadvantage; no matter how he erupted, he could never turn the tide.

"Ah..."

Mu Qiuhui roared repeatedly, his wielded long sword becoming ever more fierce.

He desperately blocked the endless blade lights all around, like a small boat in a storm.

Lu Zhangsheng's long blade in hand grew ever more overbearing, blade lights intertwining to form an ocean of blade energy that tightly surrounded his opponent in the center.

Gradually.

Mu Qiuhui was already finding it somewhat difficult to resist.

Traces of fear appeared in his eyes.

He realized that if they continued to fight forcibly, he would be defeated.

He had to admit that he was no match for Lu Zhangsheng.

This made him somewhat unable to accept it.

At that moment, Mu Qiuhui's essence and blood suddenly burst forth; with a sword he swept away the surrounding blade lights, then turned and fled backward, swift as a startled swan.

"You think you can run?"

Lu Zhangsheng gave a cold smile, directly employing his lightness skill to pursue.

His speed was so fast that afterimages trailed in the void.

"Hall Master Lu's divine might."

Wen Zhiyuan and the others were overjoyed.

Cheers rose straight to the heavens.

Even they never expected that Lu Zhangsheng possessed the strength to slay Mu Qiuhui.

The two were no longer on the same level.

(End of chapter)