Chapter 128: Only One Returned?

【Six Harmonies Great Spear Art: Initial Glimpse (0%), characteristics presented as: Rigid Strength Level 1, Robustness Level 1, Living Spear Level 1】

【Living Spear: For every level increased, the spear technique's parry ability, hit rate, and speed will each increase by 30%】

The functions of these first two characteristics are clear at a glance; they are both used to increase attributes.

Every time it is leveled up, it can increase attribute values by 8 points.

As for the subsequent Living Spear characteristic, it cleverly integrates the three characteristics of Weapon Preparation, Sure-Kill, and Rapid Speed together.

If it is raised to the Consummation realm, it can bring about a 1.5-fold comprehensive improvement effect.

"This characteristic looks quite good," Lu Yu pondered to himself.

He stared at the skill bar and invested another point of Experience Value, seeing the proficiency immediately rise by one-tenth.

Immediately following, he consumed nine more points of Experience Value; at this time, besides clearly feeling that his Constitution and Strength attributes had increased, he did not perceive any other special changes.

"It seems no new characteristic was unlocked this time," Lu Yu muttered to himself.

At this moment, the status of the Six Harmonies Great Spear Art is displayed as

【Six Harmonies Great Spear Art: Minor Accomplishment (0%), characteristics: Rigid Strength Level 2, Robustness Level 2, Living Spear Level 2】.

He took a look at the Experience Value and found that about 140 points remained.

This time, Lu Yu resolutely consumed 20 points of Experience Value; in an instant, a strange feeling surged into his heart like a tide.

【Six Harmonies Great Spear Art: Entering the Hall (0%), characteristics: Rigid Strength Level 3, Robustness Level 3, Living Spear Level 3, Benshan Level 1】

【Benshan: Active skill. After activating this skill, a small portion of Blood Qi Power will be consumed, thereby increasing the spear technique's power by onefold. Furthermore, for every level increased, the consumption of Blood Qi Power will decrease by one-tenth】

"It's actually a skill that consumes Blood Qi Power?" Lu Yu could not help but be slightly startled.

The last skill that required consuming Blood Qi Power was the Consecutive Phantom Arrows from the Phantom Arrow Technique, and now another one has appeared in the Six Harmonies Great Spear Art.

However, judging from the description of this skill, its improvement effect seems even more significant, directly doubling the power of the spear technique.

Moreover, as the skill level gradually increases, the Blood Qi consumption will also continue to decrease.

Currently, the proficiency has only reached Entering the Hall, and there is still room for two more levels of improvement.

Lu Yu did not hesitate in the slightest and continued to add points. He consumed another 30 points of Experience Value, and the Six Harmonies Great Spear Art successfully reached the Great Success realm.

However, to Lu Yu's surprise, no new characteristic was unlocked this time.

"Could it be because the effect of the Benshan skill is too powerful?" Lu Yu speculated to himself.

A thought involuntarily popped into his mind: could it be that after reaching Consummation, no new characteristics will be unlocked either?

No, no, no, that situation absolutely will not happen! Lu Yu hurriedly drove this thought out of his mind.

He took another look at the Experience Value; 70 points remained, so maxing out the Six Harmonies Great Spear Art should not be a problem.

After Lu Yu invested one more point of Experience Value, the proficiency rose by 2%. His eyes were filled with intense anticipation, and he immediately dumped all the remaining Experience Value in.

【Six Harmonies Great Spear Art: Consummation (Cannot be improved), characteristics: Rigid Strength Level 5, Robustness Level 5, Living Spear Level 5, Benshan Level 3, Spear Settles the Universe Level 1】

【Spear Settles the Universe: Active skill. Requires a one-time consumption of a large amount of Blood Qi Power to unleash a fatal blow. After unleashing this skill, the hit rate and power will be additionally increased by two times, meaning the hit rate becomes three times the original, and the power also increases by three times based on the original foundation. For every level increased, the hit rate and power will be additionally increased by one more time】

"Hiss, this skill..."

After reading the skill introduction, Lu Yu sighed in secret, feeling that this skill was indeed worthy of being called a sure-kill technique to decide the outcome.

The hit rate is additionally increased by two times, and when combined with the previous bonus from the Living Spear characteristic, it can almost be said to be a guaranteed hit.

And the power is directly increased to three times the original.

Of course, the price of using this skill is also quite high, requiring the consumption of a large amount of Blood Qi Power.

Although it would not make one directly fall into a weakened state, it should be impossible to use other skills that consume Blood Qi Power afterward.

However, this skill is indeed worthy of the four words "Spear Settles the Universe".

After pondering for a moment, Lu Yu decided to use it as his own sure-kill technique.

Although the consumption is huge, it must be used at critical moments.

Moreover, he can strengthen his body at any time, so there is no need to worry too much about falling into a predicament of weakness.

"Let's just leave it at that, get some sleep, and set off early tomorrow morning." Lu Yu stretched, stood up, and walked slowly toward the bed.

The next morning, just as the sky began to glimmer with light, the entrance to Li Family Fort was already bustling with people.

Many people had faces as pale as paper and were staring blankly outside, looking like lifeless walking corpses.

"All of you, perk up! Whoever dares to doze off here, once Brother Li Meng and the others return, you'll have a hard time!" Several men shuttled back and forth through the crowd, one of them shouting at the top of his lungs.

Hearing this, the crowd hurriedly tried to perk up, fearing they would be caught in the act.

They had been required to stand here all night, waiting for Zhao Laosan and the others to return.

But anyone with a brain knew that the wilderness at night was simply the domain of Fierce Beasts; even if Zhao Laosan and the others were safe and sound, it was absolutely impossible for them to return at night.

Yet Li Meng insisted that they wait here.

Just as the sky was barely bright, he impatiently took a few people into the wilderness to search for the tracks of Li Laosan and the others.

As for the reason he did not let others go out to help search, it was actually very simple: Li Meng was worried they would take the opportunity to slip away, so he specifically arranged for a few people to monitor the crowd here.

"Big Brother." Liu Tianyao tilted his head slightly, looked at Liu Tianhong beside him, and then pointed his finger toward the direction of the main gate.

With Li Meng and the others away, this was undoubtedly an excellent time to leave.

After all, if Li Laosan and the others met with misfortune, Li Meng would definitely take his anger out on them once he returned.

Even if Li Laosan and the others were safe, their situation would not necessarily be any better.

Liu Tianhong's eyes flickered slightly, but when he noticed the two people standing at the gate and the two people on the Watchtower all clutching bows and arrows, he still shook his head helplessly.

Even if they rushed out regardless of everything, they would definitely be caught up to. At that time, unarmed as they were, they would undoubtedly become living targets.

"What are you whispering about?" Fan Ze noticed the movement here, turned his head to look, and discovered it was Liu Tianhong and the others; a meaningful smile immediately appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Yo, so it's you guys?" He said while pacing toward them.

"What, you people from Lu Family Stockade, are you trying to pull some tricks while Brother Li Meng and the others are away, preparing to rebel?" As soon as Fan Ze finished speaking, hundreds of gazes from around them were cast over in unison.

"Brother Fan, what are you saying?" Liu Tianhong hurriedly put on a fawning smile and said, "How could we possibly have the guts?"

"Is that so? But why do I feel like he looks quite unconvinced?" Fan Ze said, his gaze falling upon Liu Tianyao.

"Tianyao!" Liu Tianhong felt a tightening in his chest and hurriedly kicked Liu Tianyao under his breath. He knew clearly that the guy in front of them was the one who had come to cause trouble for his wife yesterday.

But what could they do now? If they dared to act rashly, those guards would definitely not sit by and watch.

Liu Tianyao withdrew his gaze, full of unwillingness, but the next second, he was struck solidly across the face with a slap.

"Damn it, I see you're still quite unconvinced, huh?" Fan Ze finished cursing and immediately followed up with a kick.

Liu Tianyao staggered instantly and fell to the ground.

He propped himself up with his hands, flames of anger burning in his eyes as he glared fiercely at the other party, truly wishing he could strike out immediately and finish this guy off.

"Still unconvinced?" Fan Ze sneered, looking disdainful.

"It really seems like it."

"I remember they are from the Lu Family Stockade, right?"

"That's right, they are from the Lu Family Stockade. They didn't listen, so they were sent by Lao San to repair the wall. I reckon they're harboring resentment inside." The others laughed gloatingly on the sidelines, watching this scene.

"Brother Fan, Brother Fan," Liu Tianhong hurriedly grabbed Fan Ze from behind and begged bitterly, "Tianyao is ignorant; please be the bigger person and don't lower yourself to his level."

"Get lost!" Fan Ze impatiently kicked Liu Tianhong away, preparing to give Liu Tianyao another good lesson.

Just at this moment, a shout suddenly came from the Watchtower: "Someone is coming back!"

In an instant, everyone was as if injected with a stimulant, their Spirit suddenly lifted.

"Is it Brother Li Meng and the others? Did they find Lao San and the others?"

"That's great, they're finally back."

"Can we go back and rest now?" The people in front crowded toward the entrance, vying to look outside.

Conversely, Liu Tianyao and the others' faces instantly turned as white as paper, cold sweat pouring down their backs.

If Fan Ze were to mention a word of this in front of Li Meng later, the fate of the few of them would be unimaginable.

Given Fan Ze's temperament, he was absolutely capable of kicking them while they were down.

"It seems there is only one person." The voice from the Watchtower carried a hint of doubt, letting out a soft sound of surprise.

"What, only one person?" Everyone looked at each other, their hearts full of confusion.

How could there only be one person? Li Meng, Li Qiang, and several others went out together; logically, they should have returned together, right?

Could it be Li Laosan and the others? But the number doesn't match up either?

"Li Liang, what exactly is going on?" Fan Ze shouted anxiously, "Who exactly is coming back?"

"I... I don't recognize him." The person on the Watchtower shook their head while guessing, "He looks like a young man; he should be someone brought along by Lao San, right?"

"Someone brought by Lao San?" Hearing this, everyone was shocked, feeling as if their heads were buzzing like a boiling pot.

Only one person returned from those brought by Li Laosan? Everyone knew exactly what this meant.

Fan Ze and the others were also scared pale upon hearing this.

Brother Li Meng and the others were already worried about Lao San having an accident, so they went out to search before dawn.

As a result, did something really happen? If Brother Li Meng comes back and learns this news, wouldn't he be absolutely furious?

"Brother Fan, what should we do?" someone asked with a mournful face.

He could already imagine the scene of Li Meng flying into a rage upon returning and learning the bad news.

"What else can we do?" Fan Ze looked outside, his heart also feeling uneasy, "This matter has nothing to do with us. Since someone is back, once he enters, we'll just ask him what exactly happened."

Several people nodded one after another; that's right, once Li Meng returns, let this person who came back explain it himself.

Time ticked away in a tense atmosphere, and everyone stared outside with strained expressions.

"He's here," said the person on the Watchtower.

A figure appeared at the entrance; it was a young man holding a long spear and carrying a bow and arrows on his back.

Seeing this scene, Liu Tianhong and the others all had their mouths wide open in shock, yet they couldn't make a single sound.

This, this, this... how could it be Lu Yu? How could he appear here? Could it be that they hadn't slept all night and were hallucinating?

Liu Tianyao rubbed his eyes hard several times and looked again, only for his gaze to collide exactly with Lu Yu's.

In an instant, he felt his brain go "Boom" and turn completely blank.

It really was Lu Yu!

"What happened? Why are you the only one back? Where are Lao San and the others?" Fan Ze frowned and walked up to ask.

"I don't know?" Lu Yu replied with a blank expression.

He really didn't quite understand what the situation was here at Li Family Fort.

He had seen the gate wide open from far away, so he had just walked right in.

Fortunately, he spotted Liu Tianhong and the others at a glance; seeing that they were all safe and sound was truly great news.

"You don't know?" Fan Ze widened his eyes, his expression as if to say, "You're joking with me, right?"

"Weren't you out hunting with Lao San and the others?"

"No." Lu Yu shook his head.

"Then what are you here for?" Fan Ze and the others were all stunned, looking completely bewildered.

"I'm here to pick someone up," Lu Yu said calmly.