C23 The Storm Was about to Arrive

Chu Yangxiang departed from the Chu Family, strolling leisurely toward the west as if he were browsing through a marketplace.

The western path led to Hyphosis Mountain.

Located ten miles to the northwest of Zhenhai City and stretching a hundred miles to the west, Hyphosis Mountain stood proudly on the eastern shore of the Xuanwu Mainland. With its proximity to the East Sea, the mountain enjoyed plentiful rainfall and was blanketed with lush vegetation. It was home to an abundance of birds, insects, snakes, and low-level Demonic Beasts.

In Zhenhai City, many Martial Cultivators formed groups to forage for herbs and to hunt Demonic Beasts and wild animals in the expansive mountains.

Chu Yangxiang was intent on venturing to Hyphosis Mountain to gather herbs and pursue Demonic Beasts for three main reasons.

First, he sought to strengthen himself. The previous day's battle had been incredibly beneficial, and he had taken the Heaven-martial Godly Tortoise's advice to heart. He understood that only through life-and-death battles could he rapidly enhance his strength. The journey to becoming a formidable force was akin to a seed growing into a majestic tree; without weathering any storms, it would never reach its full potential.

Second, the resources provided by the Chu Family were insufficient. Although the family held him in high regard and supplied him with resources that would be ample for an average Martial Cultivator, Chu Yangxiang practiced the Martial God Heavenly Technique, which required resources several times greater, sometimes even more than tenfold, than what was typical. Consequently, the Chu Family's support was merely a drop in the bucket. He could ascend the mountain himself to gather herbs and hunt Demonic Beasts, thereby acquiring Demonic Beast Cores and Beast Blood.

Beast Blood was not a commodity one could simply purchase. To others, it was a toxic and harmful substance with no beneficial use, potentially even inducing demonic transformation. Who would trade in such a perilous item? Hence, the blood of high-level Demonic Beasts was something he needed to procure on his own.

Third, the Heaven-martial Godly Tortoise had imparted that opportunities would arise only when he ventured out into the world. Many of the Divine Continent's legends were born deep within the mountains.

The extraordinary tales of numerous masters on the Xuanwu Mainland often unfolded in the wilderness. They stumbled upon serendipitous encounters that propelled their cultivation forward by leaps and bounds. Ultimately, they ascended to become the legends of their era.

Chu Yangxiang arrived at Hyphosis Mountain for three specific reasons.

Unbeknownst to him, his swift ascent had left Chu Yuexing on pins and needles. Determined to eliminate the threat, Chu Yuexing reached out to the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, offering a hefty sum to have Chu Yangxiang assassinated.

The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group possessed a portrait of Chu Yangxiang and had operatives tasked with surveilling the perimeter of the Chu Family Courtyard.

No sooner had Chu Yangxiang stepped out of the Courtyard than the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group was informed of his departure.

Situated five miles to the north of Zhenhai City, the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group's headquarters lay midway between Hyphosis Mountain and the city.

Their compound spanned over 20 acres, encircled by imposing black stone walls two meters high and a yard thick, exuding an air of impenetrable strength.

The main entrance of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group faced the thoroughfare, its grandeur accentuated by a massive stone lion. Sixteen Profound Warriors stood guard at the gates.

Within the high walls, five individuals convened in the north-facing meeting hall.

At the center sat a gaunt man in his forties, his piercing eyes betraying a deadly intent. Clearly, he was a formidable man with a penchant for killing.

This was Black Panther, the preeminent leader of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group.

Clutching two ornate letters, Black Panther wore an inscrutable smile as he addressed his colleagues with a cunning grin, "Fellow commanders, Chu Yuexing from the Chu Family of Zhenhai City proposes a transaction. This is his handwriting. I'm uncertain whether we should engage in this deal."

One of Black Panther's subordinates, a middle-aged man with a prominent red scar on his left cheek, was known as Lian Ji Commander. His real name had long been forgotten due to the distinctive mark.

Lian Ji Commander, a towering and formidable figure, inquired, "Leader, what's the nature of this deal?"

His question revealed a lack of strategic thinking, marking him as somewhat of a brute without much foresight.

The Chu Family wields considerable power, and no one in Zhenhai City dares to cross them. While their offer is alluring, we must be wary of potential deceit."

Should the Chu Family discover that their prodigy has been slain by us, it would result in a feud so deep that reconciliation would be impossible. They would certainly retaliate with a ruthless purge of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group.

Chu Yuexing has considered this, and so has Black Panther.

"What if we simply decline this mission?" inquired the individual seated at the back, bearing a strong resemblance to Black Panther. He was Black Panther's eldest son, known as Bao Lie.

"That's not an option," Black Panther responded, shaking his head. If we were to offend the Chu Family's Second Young Master, life in Zhenhai City would become more difficult than reaching the heavens. For Chu Yuexing, annihilating the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group would be effortless.

In essence, this situation is a calamity from which it seems impossible to extricate ourselves.

Black Panther heaved a deep sigh, "Rest assured, I've already devised an exit strategy. Should any issue befall our Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, we can ensure Chu Yuexing's downfall."

A carrier pigeon arrived, and Black Panther swiftly captured it, retrieving the attached message. It read: Chu Yangxiang is heading to Hyphosis Mountain!

A gleam sparked in Black Panther's eyes as he addressed the four individuals below him, "The target is en route from the west gate to Hyphosis Mountain. Who will lead our forces to fulfill the task?"

Lian Ji Commander and Bao Lie rose to their feet. "Commander, we'll take on the mission."

Black Panther regarded Lian Ji Commander and his son with a nod. Intelligence from the Chu Family indicated that Chu Yangxiang could defeat a Profound Warrior Five-star. Lian Ji Commander was a Profound Master Two-star, and my son was on the cusp of becoming a Profound Warrior Nine-star. With over twenty of our brothers in tow, success is virtually guaranteed.

Despite this, Black Panther repeatedly cautioned Lian Ji Commander until he felt reassured.

Little did he know, this day would mark the final farewell between him and his son.

With a gentle release, Black Panther sent a white carrier pigeon soaring into the sky.

Chu Yuexing was seated in his courtyard when a white carrier pigeon glided in, the sound of its wings beating against the air reaching him. He removed the letter attached to the bird and read: "The target has been sighted and action has been taken. Rest assured. Additionally, I have instructed the Third Commander to deposit the message at the Pill Hall of the Pill Cauldron Divine Sect for your review."

As Chu Yuexing perused the letter, his expression shifted through a range of emotions. Initially, elation washed over him; Chu Yangxiang had at last left the family home and was now under the watchful eye of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group. Should Black Panther strike, Chu Yangxiang's fate would be sealed.

With Chu Yangxiang gone, no one in the Chu Family could challenge Chu Yuexing's dominance. For years, he had wielded control over the family's finances and held considerable influence. Within a year, the Patriarch would surely perish, and he would rightfully claim the coveted seat of power.

At that point, Zhenhai City would be his for the taking.

However, his thoughts soon turned to the message stored at the Pill Hall of the Pill Cauldron Divine Sect. Black Panther's readiness for a do-or-die confrontation implied that if their clandestine deal were exposed, Chu Yuexing's own downfall would be inevitable. His intricate scheme to kill three birds with one stone might fail after all.

After mulling it over with narrowed eyes, he chuckled. "So, you want the Third Commander to safeguard the intelligence? Black Panther, you've miscalculated."

He released another carrier pigeon, this one destined for the far-off Xuanwu County, with a simple command inscribed: "Ensure the interception of the Third Commander of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group."

Chu Yuexing's smile took on a malevolent edge as he murmured, "Black Panther, you dare challenge me? This letter will render your efforts futile."

While Chu Yuexing had penned a letter, Chu Qingyong had stumbled upon one. Opening it discreetly, he discovered it was a missive left by Chu Yangxiang. It read: "I am heading to Hyphosis Mountain for some training. Rest assured, I will return in time for the Family Competition."

Upon receiving the letter, Chu Qingyong called out urgently.

"Notify the Fifth Elder to lead his men to Hyphosis Mountain for Chu Yangxiang's rescue."

While others might be oblivious to the Chu Family's internal strife and external threats, he was acutely aware of them.

He had been poisoned and, to this day, lacked an antidote. If Chu Yangxiang were to leave, how could the family member who poisoned him possibly let him go? The Tong Family had developed a deep-seated enmity with him. How could their mutual animosity ever cease?

Chu Yangxiang was still too inexperienced. Venturing out now would paint a target on his back. Chu Qingyong feared the unforeseen, with Chu Yangxiang's safety weighing heavily on his mind.

Without delay, the Fifth Elder, accompanied by five Profound Warriors, made all necessary preparations and set out for Hyphosis Mountain.

Seen from a distance, Hyphosis Mountain resembled a colossal Martial Tortoise sprawled upon the earth, likely inspiring its name.

At the mountain's base, a gaunt man clad in grey blocked Chu Yangxiang's way. With a slight smile, he posed a chilling question, "Chu Yangxiang, I've been sent to find you. How would you prefer to meet your end?"

His smile failed to mask a palpable lust for murder. Chu Yangxiang sensed that this man had emerged from a veritable sea of blood and mountains of corpses.

Yet Chu Yangxiang remained unflustered. Ever since the man began tailing him outside the Chu Family Courtyard, the Heaven-martial Godly Tortoise had informed him that an Eight-star Profound Warrior was on his trail.

An Eight-star Profound Warrior was precisely the kind of adversary Chu Yangxiang was equipped to handle.