Chapter 41

In the Blood Mountain Range, before a canyon.

"Four fellow cultivators, please stop for a moment. This Bloodshed Canyon harbors a group of over a hundred ferocious beasts. If we form a team to hunt them, we can evenly distribute the ferocious beast cores we obtain. What do you think?" A gaunt middle-aged man, leading a group of over a dozen cultivators, suggested with a bow.

"Sorry, we have other matters to attend to," Du Qingxi said coldly, showing no intention of stopping.

"Ha, miss, don't refuse so quickly. What could be more important than making money? With our strength, hunting those ferocious beasts is a piece of cake. I see that each of you four is extraordinary. Join us, and you'll definitely earn a substantial reward," the gaunt middle-aged man continued to persuade them.

Chen Xi looked at the group of cultivators surrounding them and felt a twinge of pity in his heart.

Du Qingxi said no more. Dressed in white, Endmu Ze stepped forward with a smile and said, "Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that you've chosen the wrong target for your robbery."

"Spit! What nonsense, you refuse the easy way and choose the hard way!" The gaunt middle-aged man's face changed, and he immediately sneered, snapping his fingers. The cultivators surrounding them suddenly became fierce, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

"I'll give you one last chance. Hand over all the ferocious beast cores you have and scram. Oh, and leave that girl behind; she'll be just right for me to vent my frustrations." The gaunt middle-aged man laughed strangely, issuing his final ultimatum.

"How dare you insult Qingxi, you're asking for death!"

Seeing the gaunt middle-aged man eyeing Du Qingxi, Endmu Ze's face turned cold, and a colorful long sword appeared in his hand.

Buzz!

The spirit aura of the Seven Stars Flowing Rainbow Sword was overwhelming, trembling slightly in Endmu Ze's hand, as if eager to drink the blood of his enemies.

In an instant, Endmu Ze's demeanor changed. The smile on his lips turned into a cold arc, and he seemed like a sharp sword just drawn from its sheath, charging forward!

"Attack! Everyone, let's kill this kid first!"

Feeling the change in Endmu Ze's aura, the gaunt middle-aged man's pupils contracted, realizing he had met his match. Without hesitation, he roared, brandishing his twin blades, and a wave of blade energy surged toward Endmu Ze.

"Kill!"

The other cultivators also drew their weapons and surrounded Endmu Ze.

Facing this situation, Du Qingxi remained calm, Song Lin was still groggy from sleep, and Chen Xi looked at the bandits with pity.

Are these little guys a team? Are they sending one person to die? The gaunt middle-aged man glanced at Du Qingxi and her companions, who were standing by, and was slightly taken aback.

"Yao Guang!"

Just as the gaunt middle-aged man was momentarily distracted, a low chant suddenly sounded in his ear. When he came to his senses, he saw countless sharp sword lights enveloping him, and a wave of ferocious aura rushed toward him.

Clang, clang, clang...

A series of metallic breaking sounds suddenly rang out. All the weapons in the hands of the surrounding cultivators snapped at the root.

Is this guy's sword a rank-entering magical treasure?

The gaunt middle-aged man and the surrounding cultivators were all shocked, and then a wave of endless fear and coldness spread through their bodies. So young, and possessing a rank-entering magical treasure, could he be a core disciple from a major sect or a prominent family?

"Die!"

Endmu Ze glanced at the group of 'stunned ducks' with disdain, and with a slight movement of his wrist, he instantly thrust out over a dozen sword lights, which shot out like bolts.

Plop, plop, plop...

A series of blood splatters flew out. The gaunt middle-aged man and his companions hadn't even figured out Endmu Ze's identity when they felt a pain in their chests, and a bloody hole appeared in their hearts. They opened their eyes wide and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Your cultivation is so low, yet you try to rob people. It's truly laughable." Endmu Ze shook his head disdainfully, turned around gracefully, and said indifferently, "Someone, clean up the battlefield."

Chen Xi quickly stepped forward and skillfully began collecting the ferocious beast cores from the cultivators' bodies.

Since entering the Blood Mountain Range, they had encountered groups of blind-eyed cultivators trying to rob them. These cultivators came up with various excuses, all for the purpose of seizing the ferocious beast cores from the four of them.

Faced with this situation, Lord Endmu naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Of course, the main reason was to show his graceful demeanor and formidable strength in front of Du Qingxi. He took on all the enemies himself, not letting Chen Xi and the others lift a finger. Single-handedly, he defeated all the enemies with the family's high-grade martial technique, the "Big Dipper Sword Canon," and the rank-entering magical treasure, the Seven Stars Flowing Rainbow Sword, easily gaining a significant reputation.

As for the extremely powerful characters, they hadn't encountered any, which was quite fortunate.

Lord Endmu was not interested in profiting from the dead, so he left the cleanup to Chen Xi. For the sake of the ferocious beast cores and the mystic ferocious aura within them, Chen Xi had no reason to refuse. After several cleanups, his skills in looting the dead became even more proficient...

"This canyon is called Bloodshed. There's a simple city behind it where we can rest. We need to hurry and get there. Otherwise, when night falls, the ferocious beasts hidden in the dark will come out, ravaging every inch of this land. Even with high cultivation, one can be overwhelmed by the sea of ferocious beasts, which is extremely terrifying."

Du Qingxi looked at the jade map in her hand. After Chen Xi finished cleaning up the battlefield, she didn't linger and immediately headed deeper into the canyon.

"Is there a city here?" Chen Xi couldn't help but ask on the way.

"Yes, the Southern Barbarian Nether Region has a history of nearly ten thousand years. To survive the terrifying nights in the Blood Mountain Range, many cultivators gathered together a thousand years ago to build defensive camps. Over time, these camps were repaired, reinforced, and expanded, forming the cities we see today."

"I see."

Chen Xi nodded. Hunting ferocious beasts would inevitably consume true essence. Since the Southern Barbarian Nether Region was devoid of spirit energy and filled with ferocious aura, replenishing true essence required carrying spirit stones and elixirs, as well as a safe environment and time to absorb and refine them. The appearance of cities undoubtedly solved this problem well.

The journey was silent, and soon Chen Xi and the others crossed a canyon stretching for a thousand miles, arriving at a vast plain.

On the way, Chen Xi and his companions encountered some other cultivators. However, as soon as they met, the other cultivators quickly fled, like startled birds, their eyes filled with intense vigilance and caution.

"The cultivators who can reach here have undoubtedly experienced numerous ambushes and fierce battles. Their strength is undoubtedly formidable. Judging by their direction, they are also heading to the city... With so many cultivators gathering, it's uncertain whether there will be any killings when they arrive..."

Chen Xi silently pondered, but his pace didn't slow down. Under Du Qingxi's lead, they ran for nearly an hour and finally saw the outline of a city in the distance.

"This is the first city in the Blood Mountain Range, Bloodshed City. According to my calculations, there are at least five thousand cultivators gathered there. These cultivators come from different places, a mix of good and bad. Once we enter, we must be cautious."

Looking at the ancient and weathered city, Du Qingxi's pace slowed slightly, and her cold voice reached Chen Xi and the others.

Chen Xi nodded slightly. Where there are people, there is conflict. Everyone is after the ferocious beast cores, and once a conflict erupts, it will be a fight to the death.

However, Chen Xi was not afraid of anything. With his current strength, he could escape even from a Purple Mansion cultivator, let alone in the Southern Barbarian Nether Region, where the highest cultivation is only at the innate realm.

Soon, the four of them arrived at Bloodshed City.

Unlike cities in the outside world, Bloodshed City, despite its name, was about the size of a village, with a sturdy wall nearly a hundred meters high surrounding it. There was only one heavy iron gate in the center for entry and exit.

However, the city gate was now congested. It seemed that a dispute had occurred, drawing many cultivators to stop and watch.

"What are you doing, Li Huai? Trying to kill and silence us?"

An angry voice came from the crowd, and Chen Xi was taken aback. Li Huai? This guy is also here in Bloodshed City...

Stepping forward and taking a closer look, Chen Xi indeed spotted Li Huai. Across from Li Huai, he saw three familiar faces—Lu Shaocong, Qu Cheng, and Duan Ying from the Red Leaf Academy.

At that moment, the three were all angry, but their eyes were filled with fear when they looked at Li Huai.

It made sense. When Chen Xi first met them, they were only at the innate realm. In just three months, even if they had advanced to the innate realm, they were no match for Li Huai, who had already reached the Purple Mansion realm.

"Hmph, have you forgotten what happened three months ago? You not only ruined a major affair of the Li family but also caused us to lose a valuable treasure. Do you think I'll let you go?" Li Huai said coldly.

"Ruining the Li family's major affair? Could you be referring to when I forced back the Li family's steward Wu at Spirit Peak Lake and rescued the 'tribute' they wanted to sacrifice? At that time, I arranged for Lu Shaocong, Qu Cheng, and Duan Ying to escort the people meant as 'tribute' to safety. I guess they were discovered by the Li family after entering Pine Smoke City..."

A flash of insight struck Chen Xi, and he finally understood what was happening. A surge of anger rose in his heart. This matter was caused by him, yet it had led to Lu Shaocong, Qu Cheng, and Duan Ying being implicated. The Li family's methods were truly despicable and vile!

"Since you have nothing to say..."

Just as Chen Xi was thinking, Li Huai suddenly stepped forward, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword, and a sharp aura surged from his body.

"Then die!"

With a roar, Li Huai drew his sword and charged forward. The sword tip whistled with a cold, sharp edge, suddenly transforming into a mist of clear light, like countless green, fresh pine needles, piercing through the air and enveloping Lu Shaocong, Qu Cheng, and Duan Ying.

True essence condensed, the sword light was as fine as needles. Li Huai's sword technique had clearly reached the 'micro-knowledge' realm. With just a light thrust, the scene was vast and the rules strict, instantly sealing off all the escape routes for Lu Shaocong and the others.

Lu Shaocong, Qu Cheng, and Duan Ying clearly didn't expect Li Huai to be so ruthless and decisive, attacking without warning. They were caught off guard, staring blankly at the sword lights raining down from the sky, forgetting to dodge...

Is this how we die?

At the moment of life and death, the same thought flashed through their minds.