Chapter 116: A Fortuitous Encounter at the Qingyun Martial Academy

Watching the panicked crowd scramble to flee, the Crimson Blood Ape King and its troop of monkey offspring rushed into the forest, vying to get in first.

At this moment, Li Mu chose not to chase after them.

As for the reason?

It's simply because the Crimson Blood Ape King, being just a first‑rank Demon General without the bloodline of a Demon King, fails to pique Li Mu's interest enough at his current stage to hunt it.

Moreover, Fuhu Mountain is high and densely forested, giving the Crimson Blood Ape King, a jungle‑type demon beast, a natural home‑field advantage.

The key.

With the Crimson Blood Ape King having hundreds of monkey offspring, even if Li Mu were truly determined to kill it!

That would inevitably waste an unknown amount of effort for nothing.

Such a case, where the effort is huge but the gain is limited, clearly a thankless endeavor.

Li Mu, of course, had little interest.

Thinking this, Li Mu reached out inch by inch to pull the long swords lodged under his left and right ribs, then casually tossed them onto the ground.

The terrifying wound that was still bleeding profusely stopped as the two swords were withdrawn, simultaneously triggering the causal‑rule ability of the Heavenly Dao Treasure Scroll.

In an instant, Li Mu's wounds ceased bleeding; within a brief moment, those two injuries, which would leave even an immortal half‑crippled for an ordinary cultivator, were healed.

For Li Mu, it was a trivial matter to restore to full health.

At the same time, Li Mu's mind shifted, bringing up the System panel to check the unread messages since earlier.

【Ding!】

【System has detected the host using Samadhi True Fire, gaining Tenfold Heavenly Dao Blessing!】

【Congratulations, host, you have obtained Tenfold Harvest!】

【Level Up!】

【Congratulations, host, Samadhi True Fire successfully upgraded to lv: 18】

【Ding!】

【The host used Samadhi True Fire to cleanse a Second‑tier Concentration Realm cultivator; the System will credit the host fifty percent of the opponent's current realm!】

【Realm Up!】

【Congratulations, host, cultivation has advanced to Fourth‑Grade Concentration Realm!】

"Sss!"

"Samadhi True Fire upgraded to lv: 18!"

"Cultivation realm also advanced to Fourth‑Grade Concentration Realm!"

"Hahaha..."

"Awesome!"

"This is going to make me thrilled to the heavens!"

Since Li Mu discovered that by severely wounding an enemy, he could both weaken their condition and use Samadhi True Fire to directly refine them!

From then on, Li Mu felt as if he had opened the gate to a new world; thereafter, things became unstoppable.

"Alright!"

"I've already claimed all the System rewards on my end."

"Now, it's time to head to the Scorpion Beauty's location."

"Don't let it delay the main business; I might not even get a chance to sip a mouthful of soup, let alone sit at the table to eat."

Having made up his mind.

Li Mu's feet flashed with a violet‑black electric arc, and he instantly turned into a bolt of lightning, vanishing from the spot as if teleporting, and began soaring toward the depths of Fuhu Mountain.

Now, Li Mu's cultivation has successfully broken through to Fourth‑Grade Concentration Realm, officially advancing toward the great attainment stage of the Concentration Realm.

At this stage, Li Mu feels as if boundless energy courses through his entire body, especially with the aid of the Heavenly Dao Treasure Scroll.

Even fatigue, a negative condition, is transferred by the System to those sacrificial proxies on the first page.

Meanwhile, during his run, Li Mu also activated the second gate of the Reverse Opening of the Eight Gates Scripture: the Rest Gate!

This further elevated Li Mu's self‑control to a level unimaginable to ordinary people.

If I were to describe it in one phrase, it is truly still as a maiden, swift as a leaping rabbit!

A thunderous sprint across ten thousand miles, racing onward!

In no more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Mu had already drawn infinitely close to Fuhu Mountain's true core area.

The lake at the summit of Fuhu Mountain lay just before his eyes.

However, what surprised Li Mu was

He wasn't sure whether he was getting ever closer to the lake at the foot of Fuhu Mountain.

Consequently, Li Mu could clearly feel the surrounding trees becoming sparser, and even the soil beneath his feet grew noticeably more moist.

As the trees thinned, Li Mu saw blocks of blue stone standing among them.

At a rough glance, they were roughly two zhang tall.

This place is called Dragon Tiger Pool!

In terms of sheer danger, this place is far less perilous than the battlefield where Li Mu previously fought to the death with Song Haolin and others.

But the underlying reason is the great demon that dwells in this Dragon Tiger Pool!

Thus, within a hundred‑mile radius around Dragon Tiger Pool, the area is essentially the great demon's domain!

Therefore, ordinary Demon Generals have no right to approach.

Of course, lacking the right to approach doesn't mean there aren't any beasts around Dragon Tiger Pool.

Among them are daring great demons who, seeking the Scorpion Beauty, boldly venture into the vicinity of Dragon Tiger Pool.

Thus, normally you won't encounter any other beasts in Dragon Tiger Pool besides that great demon.

But if you encounter it, it will inevitably be a bitter battle.

Therefore, one should have the most basic vigilance, and Li Mu does have it.

As long as one goes deep into the Dragon Tiger Pool, one can reach the territory guarded by that great demon.

If there is a chance to fetch a chestnut from the fire, Li Mu would of course be willing to be the one who steals the peach.

One step, three glances back.

Li Mu finally cut through thorns Slash brambles and arrived near the Dragon Tiger Pool island.

He had just let out a sigh of relief, wiped the hot sweat seeping from his forehead, and intended to casually find a secluded spot to rest.

Just then, battle cries and the sounds of fighting suddenly came from ahead.

In that instant, Li Mu's attention was drawn.

"Wretched beast!"

"Hurry up and meet death!"

"Roar, roar, roar!"

Suddenly, a woman's shrill shout echoed from an open space ahead.

Along with it, the beast's screech and roar shook the surrounding forest, causing the trees to tremble and the birds and beasts to scatter.

Li Mu stroked his chin, thinking to himself, "I've been walking along a narrow path, so I shouldn't encounter those wandering heroes and lone cultivators."

"Moreover, even if I did meet them, there would be no reason to be tangled with these beasts here."

"Shouldn't I quickly break free and rush to the interior of the Dragon Tiger Pool?"

He pondered briefly.

Li Mu then decided to walk over and see what was happening.

When Li Mu skirted around the neatly arranged blue stones before him, he saw the ground beneath his feet becoming increasingly damp, and the land ahead subtly trending toward a swampy mire.

Just as Li Mu was puzzled,

Li Mu looked up.

He saw, about a thousand meters away, a girl dressed in a violet long skirt.

The girl wielded a three‑foot green blade, fiercely battling a massive black‑rock bear!

The violet‑skirted girl was delicate and pretty, exuding a jade‑like charm that gave an indescribable sense of friendliness.

At the same time,

The girl's cultivation was immensely strong; the three‑foot green blade in her hand transformed into countless golden lotuses, which continuously blossomed, emitting endless flashes of golden light.

It was terrifying and unsettling!

Although at first glance, considering size and aura, the violet‑skirted girl held no advantage over the black‑rock bear.

It seemed the bear could simply swipe its paw and flatten the girl like a meat patty.

Yet despite that, the actual battle swung entirely in the girl's favor.

The black‑rock bear had no defense against her; after barely a dozen rounds, she seized the moment, thrust a sword, and pierced the bear's throat.

Fresh blood spurted!

The bear let out a dying wail and then crashed to the ground!

Li Mu's brows twitched slightly, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.

At least from the recent fight, the girl's cultivation seemed comparable to that of Song Haolin, whom he had just killed.

Even if she hasn't reached the Eighth Grade Concentrated Spirit Peak, she must at least have a well‑developed Concentration Realm.

Of course, the girl's true‑origin cultivation wasn't what shocked Li Mu the most.

What truly amazed Li Mu was that this young woman's sword technique had also reached the second tier: the Rhinoceros Realm!

A sword thrust.

Immediately, fifty or sixty sharp sword rays followed!

This girl, despite her youth, possessed such extraordinary cultivation and skill.

One can imagine her background and lineage are equally remarkable.

Only unknown is which sect of Qingzhou she comes from.

Or perhaps...

She might be the daughter of a prominent clan?

While he was pondering the origin,

He suddenly saw the violet‑skirted girl draw her sword toward the blue stone where Li Mu was hiding, her delicate voice scolding, "Who is there?"

"Who is hiding and showing themselves there?"

"Come out quickly!"

Obviously.

Despite her youth, the girl's experience in the martial world was truly extensive!

Li Mu hadn't even had time to act before she discovered him.

Li Mu scratched his nose, his face slightly embarrassed, and shuffled out from behind the blue stone.

"Miss Hero, no misunderstanding!"

"I just heard the fierce battle erupt here and thought someone was in danger."

"So I decided to come over and check the situation first."

"See if there's anything I can help with!"

Hearing this,

The girl's tightly furrowed brows relaxed again; she sheathed her long sword, took two brisk steps, and sized Li Mu up from head to toe.

Because Li Mu did not intend to conceal his aura when he arrived, the purple‑skirted girl could at a glance see through his true cultivation—it was only Fourth-Grade Concentration Realm.

Although reaching such a realm at Li Mu's age truly makes him one of the world's rare geniuses, it posed no threat to her.

More importantly,

the purple‑skirted girl also sensed a kind of affinity from Li Mu.

Moreover, Li Mu's looks were indeed striking—handsome, graceful, with a temperament ethereal as a fairy.

So, purely in terms of appearance, Li Mu truly made it hard for anyone to feel any repulsion.

Even when Li Mu gave his trademark harmless smile toward the purple‑skirted girl, it made her cheeks flush and her heart seem to skip a beat.

Only,

all of this lasted only a moment on the purple‑skirted girl's face.

The next second, the blush faded, a polite smile appeared, and she extended her hand to Li Mu to introduce herself.

"Hello!"

"I am Wang Ziya."

"I am an Inner Disciple of the Qingyun Martial Academy!"

"My purpose in coming is to seek a Heavenly Treasure."

Wang Ziya introduced herself to Li Mu in a very open manner.

"Oh?"

"A person from the Qingyun Martial Academy!"

"It seems that within this Qingzhou region, besides the Ziyang Sect, the younger generation of other factions also produces many talents."

Li Mu's expression did not change, and he spoke calmly without humility or arrogance.

"I am Li Mu!"

"Ziyang Sect, disciple of Longtan Feng."

"My purpose in coming is for the soon‑to‑be born Scorpion Beauty."

As soon as the words fell,

Wang Ziya's pretty face involuntarily showed a hint of surprise, and she asked, "What?"

"You mean…"

"You also came to this Dragon Tiger Pool because of that Scorpion Beauty, right?"

Li Mu was startled for a moment and asked,

"From what you said, the Heavenly Treasure you just mentioned can't be that Scorpion Beauty, can it?"

Regarding that,

Wang Ziya also excitedly nodded repeatedly in agreement.

But before Wang Ziya could say anything else, a lazy male voice suddenly came from behind the purple‑skirted girl, saying,

"I see your cultivation is only Fourth-Grade Concentration Realm, yet you still dare to wade into the Scorpion Beauty's murky waters?"

"Setting aside for now the terrifying aspect of guarding the Scorpion Beauty's beast,"

"I'm afraid the martial heroes and lone cultivators who have gathered here because of the Scorpion Beauty would be enough to give you a proper beating!"