Chapter 96: Slaying the Mid‑Stage Blood‑Exchange!

The next few days.

The news that the two blood‑exchange Yuhunshi of the heretical sect were slain by a mysterious strongman instantly spread throughout Changping County.

Among countless martial artists, it caused a huge stir.

Everyone suspected that a hidden strongman within the DemonSubduingOffice was responsible.

Moreover, the three FuduDianZhu of the DemonSubduingOffice gave no clarification, which made the many martial artists in the city even more convinced.

A group of martial artists were rather agitated; those two blood‑exchange Yuhunshi had been rampaging outside the city, extremely arrogant, and this time were finally slain by a strongman from the authorities.

……

Outside the city.

Inside a grand hall deep underground.

A group of men in black knelt before a woman in a red robe, their faces full of reverence.

"Your Majesty, this person must be the foundation of the DemonSubduingOffice; the younger generation could not have cultivated the protective body technique to such a level."

"Indeed, since the authorities are already breaking the rules, we need not abide by the 'understanding'…"

The men in black each began to speak.

Everyone had already received the news of the two Yuhunshi's deaths.

"Let the sect's strongmen act."

The woman in the red robe spoke, her tone icy.

……

In the days that followed.

Lu Zhangsheng still stayed at home, quietly cultivating, and would occasionally go out of the city to patrol.

When he encountered ordinary heretical sect members, he would strike them down outright.

Even if the Wenxiang Sect's blood‑exchange strongmen mobilized, they could not catch up with him.

At the same time, since he had slain the two Yuhunshi.

The conflict between the Wenxiang Sect and the authorities grew increasingly fierce.

Many blood‑exchange realm strongmen were dispatched frequently, something rarely seen before.

The DemonSubduingOffice and the authorities also began to respond, sending out a large number of veteran strongmen.

Both sides clashed fiercely outside the city, and the smell of gunpowder grew ever stronger.

Such days passed in the blink of an eye for half a month.

During these days, the Exotic Beast Clone dug furiously in the mountains, and the Source Energy Points became abundant again.

Open the panel.

Source Energy Points: 1250.

The plus sign behind the skill lit up again.

He no longer hesitated and immediately began the upgrade.

A thought flickered, and he tapped the plus sign after "Profound Primordial Slash".

With the Source Energy Points decreasing by eight hundred.

"Hum…"

A subtle wave descended again into the depths of his mind, as if a top‑tier strongman were constantly training.

"After six years of arduous cultivation, Profound Primordial Slash has finally reached a state of transcendent mastery."

As the Prompt Sound rang in his mind, the upgrade concluded.

Lu Zhangsheng drew the Pig Slaughter Knife, hurried into the courtyard, and began testing the breakthrough sword technique.

He instantly drew the knife and slashed forward; the sharp cold light streaked through the void, its momentum quite impressive.

As his body moved across the courtyard, the entire space filled with blade light, like snowflakes.

Moments later, Lu Zhangsheng sheathed his knife, stood, and slowly exhaled a puff of foul breath.

Having elevated the sword technique to transcendent mastery, his attack power increased by roughly thirty percent, and with the secret method fully activated, his strength would further amplify.

Then Lu Zhangsheng put away his weapon and walked toward the bedroom.

……

The next day, at dawn.

Early that morning, after Lu Zhangsheng finished breakfast and was practicing martial arts in the courtyard, he heard faint footsteps from outside.

He turned his head to look.

He saw Tong Yuhua with a slight smile, walking slowly toward him.

"Lu Xunyou practices martial arts at home every day; he seems quite at ease."

Tong Yuhua laughed and made a teasing remark.

The two had completed many missions together, and their friendship had deepened considerably.

"Tong Xunyou, why do you have time to come to me today?"

Lu Zhangsheng gave a faint smile.

She often patrolled outside the city, diligently accumulating merit points, and rarely had time to seek him out.

"Alas… the clashes between the two sides have become more intense, and even many Bone‑forging Strongmen have fallen."

Tong Yuhua let out a soft sigh.

"Today, Lord Qin also has business for the two of us."

She stated her purpose directly.

Lu Zhangsheng nodded slightly, then walked together with her toward the Zhen Yao Si Office.

While weaving through the crowds on both sides, Lu Zhangsheng guessed that today Qin had summoned the two of them likely for a large‑scale mission.

They had almost not undertaken any group deployments in the past few months.

Now the cultists outside the city are becoming more rampant, so their mission is most likely related to this.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the great hall of the DemonSubduingOffice.

As soon as they stepped into the hall, they saw Qin Ruobing seated upright on a chair, who got straight to the point: "I have gathered you today mainly because there is a large mission."

"The DemonSubduingOffice will dispatch some strong individuals to cooperate with you in destroying the hidden base of the Wenxiang Sect…"

"You, the Patrol Envoys, happen to form a team, to carry out this operation together, and must strike those cultists hard."

After speaking, she placed two Order Tokens on the desk.

Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua exchanged a glance, and understood immediately.

Given that those blood‑changing cultists are roaming outside the city, the DemonSubduingOffice could no longer sit idle and finally sent its own resources.

This also signaled that the clash between the two sides escalated once more.

"Your abilities are average; if you encounter stronger opponents, don't overreach—survival is paramount."

Qin Ruobing gave a faint smile.

She only had two promising disciples under her, so naturally she didn't want the two of them to fall.

As for the mission, completing it would of course be best.

"We obey your command."

The two of them clasped their hands in a bow, then took the Order Tokens and walked toward the hall's exit.

As soon as they stepped out of the hall, Tong Yuhua laughed and said, "Chen Zhanpeng and the other are blood‑changing strongmen, and the two under Master Xiao are also aristocratic youths; you and I still need to watch each other's backs…"

"That is natural."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly and did not reject the woman's goodwill.

He also understood the implication behind her words.

Among the six Patrol Envoys, only the two of us belong to the ordinary rank.

During the mission, if any danger arises, the others are likely only thinking about how to protect themselves.

Tong Yuhua has always been clever, so she would naturally make plans in advance.

In Tong Yuhua's view, although the two of them are mediocre, their survival odds increase greatly when they cooperate.

Afterward, the two of them set off separately.

…………

The next day, at dawn.

Beside a dense forest outside the city.

Six figures stood on the clearing, namely Lu Zhangsheng, Zhu Houyu, and the other four Patrol Envoys.

"Now that the six of us have gathered, the mission is likely quite arduous; to prevent failure, no one may act independently."

Zhu Houyu scanned the crowd with his gaze.

He regarded himself as the leader.

Beside him, Chen Zhanpeng wore a rather grim expression.

Since Zhu Houyu rose forcefully, he has been kept down by him.

Zhu Houyu has endured in silence for years, and is truly too cunning.

Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua, however, wore calm expressions, as if it had nothing to do with them.

They offered no opinion on who should be the captain.

And so, Zhu Houyu, without contest, became the leader of this mission.

The group rushed swiftly toward the forest ahead.

After marching onward, two days later.

Xiao Wangzhuang.

In a dense forest on the outskirts.

Lu Zhangsheng and his party leaned against a large tree, quietly watching the village ahead.

According to the intelligence, this place is highly likely to be a cult base.

Several hours earlier, the few had already arrived here.

After deliberation, they planned to commence action again at night.

Time passed slowly.

The night fell.

Lu Zhangsheng's group activated their body technique, dashing swiftly toward the village ahead.

After several leaps and bounds, they arrived at an open area within the village.

Then, the party spread out in all directions to explore.

Lu Zhangsheng chose a spot on the eastern side and began searching room by room.

"Creak…"

As he pushed open each door, oddly enough, he found no sign of anyone.

"Could it be that they received word and hid in advance?"

Lu Zhangsheng felt rather puzzled.

Then, he began a rapid sweep of the entire eastern sector.

After a moment, still nothing was found.

Lu Zhangsheng had no choice but to sprint toward the center of the village.

Soon, the six gathered again at the manor's center.

"This place is rather strange; I haven't found anyone here."

Chen Zhanpeng's expression turned cold.

The others were in much the same condition.

"Then only the central hall remains."

Zhu Houyu stared silently ahead.

Then the group immediately headed toward the central hall.

At that moment, an anomaly erupted.

Wham— a large crowd of black‑clad men burst out of the central hall, standing before Lu Zhangsheng and the others.

The two leaders wore green robes, their faces grim.

Their bodies exuded murderous aura like rolling smoke, radiating a powerful pressure.

"They are two blood‑transformation elites."

Tong Yuhua's expression hardened, her body taut.

She sensed an extreme threat emanating from the two.

Moreover, a group of Bone‑forging Warriors surrounded them; this stronghold's strength was not weak.

She glanced at Lu Zhangsheng, as if her eyes said to flee immediately if the situation changed.

Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua exchanged a look, instantly forming a plan.

For Lu Zhangsheng, he also did not intend to reveal his strength before the crowd.

When his own power could not yet decide the battle's outcome, it was unwise to show it too early.

Moreover, he suspected the place was not that simple; the opponents seemed to be deliberately waiting for them, which was rather odd.

"Exterminate these cultists and destroy this stronghold."

Zhu Houyu's face was full of murderous intent, his tone icy.

Their team's strength was not inferior to the enemy's; at least two of them possessed fully developed Bone‑forging power.

"Kill."

A group rushed forward to slay the cultists ahead.

Powerful auras intertwined, brimming with pressure.

"Kill."

A fat and a thin blood‑transformation cultist each issued the attack order.

A multitude of black‑clad men charged at Lu Zhangsheng and the others.

Boom—

Both sides collided violently, fierce energy sweeping all directions, the ground's bricks cracking apart.

Dust and smoke billowed everywhere, a scene of devastation.

The two cult elites faced Zhu Houyu directly.

Four fought fiercely at the battlefield's center, their movements astonishing.

Their strengths were comparable, making it hard to determine a winner for a time.

The other Patrol Envoys each confronted three cultists.

Among Lu Zhangsheng's three opponents, two were late‑stage Bone‑forging, one early‑stage.

He swung his sword while observing the surroundings.

Seeing the ZhenYaosi and others not at a disadvantage, his doubts deepened.

The opponents were clearly prepared; Lu Zhangsheng strongly suspected the local authority had been infiltrated.

Otherwise it wouldn't be such a coincidence.

Bang—

A group fought to the death on the open ground.

After half a stick of incense.

Boom—

A powerful aura rushed from afar, tightening everyone's hearts.

Lu Zhangsheng and his companions turned their heads.

They saw an elderly man with a pigeon‑shaped face sprint toward the battlefield.

"It's the cult Guardian Jiang Yunqi, a mid‑stage blood‑transformation elite!"

Zhu Houyu's pupils contracted at the sight.

Their group of Patrol Envoys could not match him.

He had roamed Changping County for decades, his reputation already foul.

"Retreat."

Chen Zhanpeng unleashed a full‑force slash, pushing his opponent aside, then sprinted swiftly to the side.

Zhu Houyu followed closely; the two activated secret techniques, their speed rivaling some mid‑stage blood‑transformation elites.

The remaining Patrol Envoys each gave their all, breaking out toward all directions.

Tong Yuhua was not slower; the instant Jiang Yunqi appeared, she fled rapidly toward the northeast.

Lu Zhangsheng also charged swiftly toward the northwest, at great speed.

At that moment, a wail rang out.

XiaoTiansi's subordinate Patrol Envoy was beheaded by Jiang Yunqi in a single stroke, blood gushing out in a tragic scene.

Then, Jiang Yunqi again went to kill another Patrol Envoy.

Not long after, he again arrived beside another Patrol Envoy and slashed with a blade.

A cold flash flickered past.

"Ah……"

Another Patrol Envoy under XiaoTiansi instantly died.

With mid-stage Blood Exchange, killing two Bone-forging Warriors was effortless.

From Jiang Yunqi's appearance to the fall of the two Patrol Envoys, it took only a breath, and even several other Patrol Envoys had no time to react.

After killing two, Jiang Yunqi turned his gaze forward.

He pushed off with his feet and shot forward.

His target was actually the direction of Lu Zhangsheng.

After the two Blood Exchange Patrol Envoys activated their secret technique, their speed was extreme; he could not catch up for a while.

The existence whose speed was second only to those two instead sparked a hint of interest in Jiang Yunqi.

The surrounding cultists also chased off in all directions.

The battlefield quickly became empty.

He pursued all the way.

Half an hour later.

Lu Zhangsheng stopped deep in a forest.

After a long pursuit, he had already drifted far from that manor.

Moreover, he knew that Jiang Yunqi had been following him all along.

With his speed, shaking off the opponent was easy.

However, he decided to slay Jiang Yunqi here.

This place is deserted; killing him would leave no witnesses.

Furthermore, this person gave him no strong sense of threat; he was likely only at the early stage of mid Blood Exchange.

A moment later.

Jiang Yunqi landed before Lu Zhangsheng, his face grim and cold.

"Why aren't you running? Your speed is strange, actually surpassing many Blood Exchange experts."

"Kill."

Lu Zhangsheng couldn't be bothered with talk, directly activated his secret technique and rushed forward to attack.

His vital energy and blood surged wildly, forming a transparent protective energy that tightly enveloped him.

After a few flickering steps, he reached the opponent and slashed with a blade.

A sharp cold gleam flashed in the void, its momentum quite astonishing.

Under the superposition of the secret technique and the superb swordsmanship, his attack power had already reached mid Blood Exchange.

"It's you! The mysterious expert who killed Zuo Jiliang!"

Seeing this, Jiang Yunqi's face showed surprise.

He had no time to think, likewise drew his blade and slashed forward.

"Boom—boom—boom——"

Violent qi energy rampaged through the forest, rolling up layers of fallen leaves.

In that single strike—

Lu Zhangsheng stood as stable as Mount Tai, silently stationed in the clearing, his expression utterly calm.

In contrast, Jiang Yunqi retreated several meters, each step leaving small pits in the ground.

Obviously, he had discharged the force deep into the earth.

"What tremendous strength—are you at mid Blood Exchange?"

Jiang Yunqi's eyes were filled with utmost gravity.

That blow just now, he had already exerted his full strength, yet he still found himself at a disadvantage.

This made his heart feel as if a towering wave were surging.

"Kill."

The reply to Jiang Yunqi was only a single cold word.

Lu Zhangsheng again rushed forward to kill.

He pushed off with his feet, swift as a bolt of lightning.

After a few maneuvers, he reached the opponent and slashed with his blade.

Jiang Yunqi hurriedly gritted his teeth and went to meet him.

"Boom—boom—boom——"

The two sides engaged in a bloody melee in the forest.

Violent qi waves swept in all directions; dust and smoke billowed in the woods, leaving utter chaos.

Jiang Yunqi directly activated his essence-blood secret technique, only then gradually stabilizing.

However, his heart grew increasingly anxious.

His essence-blood cannot be endless; full-force eruption can only sustain for a moment.

He wanted to flee, but his speed was far inferior to the opponent's, and a hint of despair appeared on his face.

An hour later.

In the moment he struck, his declining momentum fully showed, even worse than before.

His speed was even slower by a great margin.

It was clearly a side effect of excessive Jing blood consumption.

"Don't kill me, I have an earth‑shattering secret…"

He immediately begged for mercy, his face full of terror.

If this continued, he would eventually be exhausted to death; under the pressure of impending death, his mindset collapsed outright.

"Die."

Lu Zhangsheng seized the opportunity and slashed with a single sword stroke.

He had no interest at all in this person's secret, and it was hard to discern its truth, so it was better to cut him down in one go.

"Whaa…"

In Jiang Yunqi's desperate gaze, a cold flash instantly sliced through the man's neck, a torrent of bright blood gushed out, staining a small patch of grass around them red.

Lu Zhangsheng stepped forward, dealt with the corpse, and then sprinted swiftly ahead.

After this battle, he also understood his own combat power.

With the secret method infinitely triggered, he was stronger than a typical mid‑stage blood‑transformation cultivator.

But if the opponent were an experienced mid‑stage blood‑transformation, he would also find it hard to slay.

However, once he breaks through the blood‑transformation, his strength will surely surge by a great margin.

(End of chapter)