Chapter 134: First Battle Against an Elixir Formation Martial Artist

On the edge of Tingyang Commandery, within a dilapidated county town.

Two Daoist Priests, appearing somewhat hurried, drew the attention of those around them.

Pure Yang Daoist's eyes already brimmed with anger, yet he forcibly suppressed his temper, transmitting a voice to the woman in the long robe in the distance: "My Lord Xiao, was this correct?"

Xiao Qiangwei's face showed a hint of chill: "He escaped again."

For a full ten days, that aura had circled back and forth, leading several people through nearly the entire Tingyang Commandery.

At its farthest, it was about four or five hundred li away; at its closest, it was even right nearby somewhere.

But as soon as they sensed even a slight movement, the other party immediately fled, and the few of them could only manage to barely keep up despite using all their strength.

Xiao Qiangwei even felt that the main reason they hadn't lost him was that Yan Xingkong would stop each time and wait for a while.

This was simply a mockery!

She turned and walked toward Shen Yi, speaking in a low voice: "I misjudged, wasting so much of your time."

She had thought that thief king knew his limits, that his games would have a boundary, after all, his Lady's life was still held in the hands of the Regional Commander.

Who would have expected him to be so arrogant this time; even if he could escape, could his Pingsha Valley escape too!

"It has nothing to do with you."

Shen Yi shook his head, his emotions remaining relatively calm.

Even if this yielded nothing, at least it had broadened his understanding; within the same realm, the speed of movement could actually have such a gap.

The two Daoist Priests walked back, not venting their resentment on the people of the imperial court; first, they dared not, and second, this Lord Shen's recent performance had truly surprised them.

They had originally thought the other party would be a drag, but who would have expected this young man to be no slower than their group of Elixir Formation Realm martial artists, and even still have strength to spare.

"This humble Daoist suggests Zhen Mo Si surround Pingsha Valley, cut down his disciples and followers, seize his Carefree Riding Wind Art, and see where this thief head can flee!" Pure Yang Daoist clenched his fist in anger.

As fellow Jianghu forces, Bai Yun Temple seemed not at all afraid of having this fire burn onto their own bodies.

Xiao Qiangwei glanced at him, estimating that only this group of cow-noses could keep Zhen Mo Si finding no faults for so many years.

"Do not speak those useless words." Qingjing Daoist frowned slightly, feeling a bit of a headache as he said: "Going further means completely leaving the twelve commanderies of Qingzhou; this humble Daoist now truly suspects Yan Xingkong is colluding with demons and monsters, wanting to lure us out."

Otherwise, there is no way to explain the other party's actions these past few days.

"What is there to fear? Lord Shen may rest in this city for now; wait until we go out and subdue this thief head." Pure Yang Daoist appeared full of confidence, yet his words still hid a fraction of worry; otherwise, he would not have wanted Shen Yi to stay behind.

Once outside Qingzhou, even though they were all famous experts, they had no guarantee they could protect the other party.

Going out on normal days was one thing, but now this was clearly being led out step by step, making the danger even greater.

The two Daoist Priests fell silent, waiting for the woman to give the order.

Xiao Qiangwei turned to look at Shen Yi instead, not speaking to interfere with the other party's judgment.

Seeing this, Qingjing Daoist then recalled the words the other party had spoken earlier, saying Lord Shen was in charge; it turned out he was not just brushing them off, but truly letting this young man control the whole situation.

A slight surprise arose in his heart; could it be that besides being skilled in travel, the other party actually possessed other abilities?

Shen Yi pondered for a moment: "If we reach outside Qingzhou and he still refuses to stop, can we then surround Pingsha Valley?"

Seeing that the young man not only showed no disappointment but instead had a hint of excitement flash in his eyes, Xiao Qiangwei was somewhat surprised and smiled lightly: "Why are you interested in such matters? Did you also go to Qingfeng Mountain last time?"

Immediately, she nodded with certainty: "This time he has played too recklessly."

Let alone kneeling for a night outside the Regional Commander's residence; even if he knelt until his legs broke, it would not be an excuse to lead demon hunters into the territory of demons and monsters.

"One last chase."

Shen Yi stepped forward toward the county town's exit; now, besides the Sky Vault Treasure Bow and the Two Truths of Yin and Yang, he had also taken an interest in the thief king's Carefree Riding Wind Art.

Of course, his own strength was limited.

If it really did not work out, then he would have to give up.

Seven hundred li outside Tingyang Commandery, having completely left the scope of Qingzhou.

The towering mountain range before them was jagged and fearsome, like a giant beast crouching; it seemed calm, yet made the two Daoist Priests increasingly uneasy.

Such vast territory, yet not a shred of demonic qi.

This was an extremely rare situation.

There was only one situation that could make a crowd of demons and monsters avoid a place: they knew there was an existence in this place they could not offend.

Xiao Qiangwei divided the aura in her hand into four strands, unsure whether to feel relieved or solemn: "He has stopped moving... surround him from all four sides, try not to disturb other things."

"I will travel with Lord Shen." Pure Yang Daoist took one of the strands.

"No need." Shen Yi also took the aura; according to Xiao Qiangwei's judgment, seven hundred li was already the limit of the safe range; going deeper in made it easy to be unable to extricate oneself.

Since this was the last chance, naturally one must ensure no single mistake or omission.

The two Daoist Priests exchanged a glance but did not speak further; being in such a dangerous place, even the two of them felt a bit nervous, with no mood to dissuade the other party's recklessness.

The few of them quickly distributed the routes and surrounded the direction indicated by the aura.

"..."

Traveling alone through the dense forest.

Although Shen Yi's expression was solemn, his body and movements actually appeared much more relaxed than before.

Just like inside Black Stone Pool, truly stepping into this mountain forest, the divine ability belonging to the Mountain Lord within the Nine Transformations of Immortals and Demons fully manifested.

Even without releasing any aura, whether it was the rugged mountain path beneath his feet or the forest blocking out the sky and sun around him.

They were no obstacles to him; instead, they felt incredibly familiar.

Even his senses became increasingly clear; every blade of grass and tree nearby seemed to have come alive.

Suddenly, Shen Yi stopped his steps, looking quietly toward the front.

In the dead silence of the thorn bush, after a long while, a long sigh finally sounded.

Immediately following, a tall figure slowly walked out.

The man's hair was disheveled, carrying a slight drunkenness; his eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, appearing utterly decadent.

He licked his cracked lips, gave Shen Yi a casual glance, and said in a hoarse voice, "If I remember correctly, what Yan stole was You Longtao's Heaven-Bowing Sun-Splitting Bow, not the leftovers from his Demon-Suppressing General's Manor. And he sends someone like you to investigate?"

Having said that, the man scratched his head in frustration: "Enough, this has nothing to do with a demon-hunter at your level of cultivation. I'm here to kill demons, not feed them."

He waved his hand dismissively: "Get lost, get lost."

Before the words faded, a shadow suddenly appeared in the man's line of sight. Immediately after, a swift and vicious knee strike slammed into his stomach, followed by a palm strike that sealed the major meridian in his right leg.

Yan Xingkong felt a tearing pain, his eyes suddenly widening, as blood mixed with the smell of alcohol sprayed from his mouth.

Instinctively, he burst forth with the thick, powerful aura of the Elixir Formation Realm, and only by exerting all his strength managed to pull three feet of distance apart.

Using that brief distance, his body swept up like a raging gale, vanishing from the spot in an instant.

"..."

The moment Shen Yi's long saber cleared its sheath, he found nothing before him but empty air.

He speechlessly pressed the blade back in. He had intended to seize the man first and question him, but he truly hadn't expected... that someone with one leg could run so fast?

(End of Chapter)