Chapter 77: Flight Impossible

Entering the Jade Fluid realm, the human body becomes as rich and fragrant as a divine medicine.

Only after perfecting the realm can one internalize one’s radiance and return to simplicity.

Yet at this moment, Shen Yi’s eyes flashed with sharp light; he stepped forward and, with a single breath, stood before the dense forest.

His internal organs glowed, his blood, infused with golden radiance, churned ceaselessly within.

The thick aura he had long suppressed finally spread rapidly in all directions—his Jade Fluid realm’s perfected cultivation began to reveal its might!

Clang—

Amidst the piercing cry of swords!

Many captains awoke, tumbling out of their tents, swords already gripped tight in hand.

The first thing they saw was the endless sword aura.

“Still dare to come closer?!”

“If you want to live, get out of my way!”

The sword cultivator roared, his voice shattering metal and stone; boundless sword aura tightly enveloped the slender figure.

Like the claws of a ferocious beast, slowly closing in!

“Rebels from Qingfeng Mountain have risen!”

Under such overwhelming force, Wang Meng emptied his lungs and unleashed a deafening roar.

Hoping to carry the message to the low hill beyond the forest.

In a flash, he instinctively searched for another figure, his heart filled with dread yet still holding a sliver of relief.

Fortunately, Deputy General Hong had sent two Jade Fluid cultivators.

The Qingfeng Mountain bandits had truly chosen this place to break out!

Although the sword aura surged fiercely, with two of them working together, they might still hold out until the deputies arrived.

Soon, Dai Bing’s sword-wielding figure came into view among the captains.

Her palm trembled slightly as she raised her blade—not to defend, but to aim it squarely at the young man in dark robes.

This move left the captains stunned, their hearts sinking instantly: “...”

All were seasoned veterans; seeing this, no further guesswork was needed.

They gritted their teeth and charged toward the woman with their swords!

Boom!

The sword aura, gathering and solidifying from afar, converged upon the three-foot blade—and the instant it thrust forward, it exploded violently, a furious gale raging, swirling dust into thick clouds.

Everyone instinctively raised their arms to shield their eyes.

A loud voice rang out through the forest.

“Sister, don’t hesitate—act now!”

Dai Bing clenched her teeth, staring ahead; her grip on the sword steadied.

Her eyes, bloodshot, turned sharply to the captains: “Get out of my way! We’re comrades—don’t force me!”

In her brother’s voice, she heard a hint of panic.

He was a famed cultivator, rarely showing such unusual emotion in battle, let alone against a green young captain.

She had only come to guard—had no intention of harming anyone, only to scare off Shen Yi.

Who knew he was so stubborn—and had actually blocked her brother...

If she hesitated any longer, they wouldn’t escape today!

Thinking this, she lunged forward, sword aura of the same aura surging along her blade—though slightly weaker.

Ahead, the dust scattered.

Shen Yi gripped his saber’s hilt, drawing it upward from below; the black, straight Yidi saber had not yet fully cleared its sheath when its blade intercepted the thrusting three-foot sword.

He lowered his gaze to the man before him and calmly continued drawing his saber.

When the tip emerged.

Shen Yi flipped his wrist; under overwhelming force, the man’s sword bent into an absurd arc, emitting a mournful cry.

Sweat beaded on the Qingfeng Mountain steward’s forehead; his previously indifferent face now held disbelief.

The shock traveling up the hilt nearly tore the sword from his grasp.

Such terrifying strength—it was as if the man before him was not a Town Suppressing Corps captain, but a human demon!

Crack—

The iron-forged sword held only three breaths before it cracked with countless fissures, shattering into tiny shards that pierced deep into the steward’s body.

The black blade, sweeping upward, tore through flesh and muscle, carving a deep gash from his right hip to his left shoulder.

Before the steward could cry out, the youth seized his collar and hurled him violently backward.

“Brother!”

Dai Bing, rushing forward with sword raised, looked up to see the figure flying toward her; her face twisted with panic, she forcibly retracted her power, stumbling unsteadily.

Before she could steady herself, her brother crashed into her.

Instinctively, she reached to catch him—her palm touched his body, and her expression turned to horror.

Boom! Boom!

Vast force surged through her brother’s body; she had no time to react—she was struck as if by a falling mountain, her slender frame flung backward.

Her five viscera churned and crushed, as if about to burst!

Dai Bing, clutching her brother, smashed through several giant trees before finally landing, spitting a mouthful of crimson blood, barely escaping death.

Under this terrifying force, her years of sword training, her Jade Fluid early-stage cultivation, seemed pitifully weak—like a mantis trying to stop a cart.

Dai Bing struggled to breathe, her face pale with fear, her hand weakly reaching toward the fallen sword beside her.

Just as her fingers neared the hilt, a heavy boot slowly pressed down on her wrist.

In searing pain, she gasped and looked up.

There, the young man loomed above, his eyes bright yet utterly emotionless, casually pressing his saber’s tip against her throat.

Dai Bing’s hand was mere inches from the sword hilt—as if one final effort could seize it.

Yet her eyes slowly filled with despair: “...”

She had no doubt—if she dared cling to the thought of drawing the sword, the dark-gleaming blade would pierce her throat without hesitation.

How could a mere two-stripe captain be so terrifyingly strong that no one dared resist?

The Qingfeng Mountain steward, barely breathing, slowly placed his hand on her arm; his fingers weak, yet clear in intent.

He grinned, his teeth stained crimson, and croaked: “Thank you, Captain, for sparing our lives.”

“...”

Shen Yi glanced at him and casually slapped his face with the flat of his blade.

Too much nonsense.

When he struck, he appeared fierce—but had left a path to escape.

Anyone with Jade Fluid cultivation, shaken by fear, could have retreated ten paces and avoided it.

The cost? Watching the two flee.

Letting them go was out of the question.

Killing them wasn’t necessary either.

Whether they lived or died was none of his concern—just as they hadn’t considered what punishment he’d face if he let them escape.

Shen Yi sheathed his saber and kicked aside the sword: “Bind them both and take them to Deputy Hong.”

The captains stared at the ruined forest—giant trees leaning and collapsed—and were too stunned to react.

They didn’t even understand what had happened.

One moment, sword aura exploded; the next, Lord Shen had knocked the two down in seconds... These weren’t ordinary men—they were two Jade Fluid experts.

The men swallowed hard, their mouths dry.

They now trusted Deputy Hong’s earlier words a little more; though they didn’t know if Qingzhou had any Shen family power, or whether he could really make Zhao Kanglin’s grandfather kneel and call him father, at least one thing was undeniable—he was not someone to be trifled with.

Wang Meng recalled how, just days ago, the man had politely asked him questions—now he shuddered all over.

Such ruthless force? He certainly wasn’t as easygoing as he seemed.

They rummaged through their tents for special hemp ropes; though they thought it unnecessary—two men barely clinging to life—lest they strangle them, they still bound the pair tightly together.

(End of Chapter)