C38 The Matter of the Captain Was Ruined

Chu Yangxiang finished packing his belongings and swiftly scaled the cliff to reach At The Top Of Xuanwu. The morning sun shone brightly, casting a vibrant glow over the landscape. Standing atop the head of the colossal Martial Tortoise, Chu Yangxiang gazed eastward and was moved to let out a powerful roar that reverberated through the ravines and valleys.

The thunderous sound of the Red-furred Demonic Wolves' charge echoed between the verdant peaks of Hyphosis Mountain. The Swallow Sky Halberd glinted with black light as it faced the onslaught of twenty fearless Red-furred Demonic Wolves.

The Crazy Dragon Out Of Water technique made the river's surge seem even more formidable, its power awe-inspiring. In the instant the Big Halberd was wielded, a faint blackness materialized in the air before Chu Yangxiang, its speed reaching the pinnacle of swiftness. The halberd pierced through a Red-furred Demonic Wolf, vaporizing its blood and qi into steam, which Chu Yangxiang promptly collected into the Nine Horns Xuanwu Cauldron.

The Slay Star-moon technique crashed down from the heavens, whipping up dust and sand into a whirlwind. Two Red-furred Demonic Wolves had their spines shattered by Chu Yangxiang's forceful strike.

Chu Yangxiang, like a supreme Demonic God, harvested lives with ease as he rampaged through the pack of Demonic Wolves, employing the same staff technique he had used in battle against the Demonic God himself.

Within moments, over half of the twenty Demonic Wolves lay slain. The Little Gold Tortoise, concealed within his attire, watched the scene with its round eyes brimming with satisfaction, as if to say, "Yes, this pleases me."

On his journey, Chu Yangxiang continued to hunt. With the assistance of the Little Gold Tortoise and his mastery of Heavenly Martial Arts, he searched for medicinal herbs. His path led him toward Zhenhai City, located southeast of Hyphosis Mountain.

After months of rigorous training, Chu Yangxiang had grown significantly taller, his presence now imbued with an aura of boundless ferocity. Emerging from the lush forest at twilight, he beheld the smooth, well-trodden path at the mountain's base and was overwhelmed with a flood of emotions.

When he first arrived, he held the rank of a Three-star Martial Warrior and Three-star Profound Warrior, capable of holding his own against a Six-star Profound Warrior. Since then, he has slain over twenty members of the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, seizing their resources. Moreover, he has hunted numerous Demonic Beasts, utilizing their blood, medicinal concoctions, and Profound Crystals to further his cultivation. With the acquisition of the Xuanwu God Pearl and the activation of the Nine Horns Xuanwu Cauldron, his martial prowess has undergone a transformation. His mind has expanded, his aptitude has improved, and he has mastered the Heaven Smashing Bash and Profound God Heaven Skill, advancing to a Five-star Profound Warrior.

Now, he can compete with an average Three-star or Four-star Martial Master. No longer is he the insignificant figure once easily oppressed by Luo Yufei; he has risen to become one of the formidable masters within Zhenhai City. The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group must face the consequences of their actions.

The Black Panther Profound Warrior Group endured a catastrophic defeat at Hyphosis Mountain. Initially, Luo Yufei, Bao Lie, and Lian Ji, the Second Commander, led twenty elite warriors deep into Hyphosis Mountain, only to be completely wiped out by Chu Yangxiang's forces. Subsequently, Black Panther mobilized a large force to At the Top of Xuanwu in pursuit of Chu Yangxiang. However, the Demonic Beasts went into a frenzy, and a savage onslaught by countless beasts resulted in the demise of over one hundred and fifty warriors from the Profound Warrior Group.

Now, barely more than a hundred and twenty Profound Warriors remain in the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group, their strength diminished to less than a third of what it once was. The group has plummeted from the second most powerful faction in Zhenhai City to the very bottom. Black Panther's eyes are red with rage, his teeth clenched in fury, and his narrow gaze brims with resentment. He harbors a deep-seated hatred for Chu Yangxiang and Chu Yuexing, as well as the entire Chu Family.

Had Chu Yuexing not sent his men to ambush Chu Yangxiang, why would he have dispatched people to Hyphosis Mountain? How could his son have possibly died? How could nearly two hundred of the Profound Warrior Group's bravest brothers vanish without a trace?

The trap set by Chu Yuexing had brought tragedy upon the Profound Warrior Group.

If the Chu Family weren't such a significant enterprise, Black Panther would have already charged off to find Chu Yuexing and tear him to shreds.

But he dared not, nor could he afford to act on such impulses. If he did, the Black Panther Profound Warrior Group would face total annihilation.

He couldn't just let this slide. He had already extended an invitation to the Tong Family, offering his allegiance. His sole desire was to seek vengeance for his child.

He refused to believe that the Tong Family couldn't handle them. He yearned for the downfall of the Chu Family. He would slay all the Chu Family's men and sell off all their women.

A grimace of savagery twisted Black Panther's features.

His moniker, Black Panther, was well-earned due to his merciless and cunning nature.

Chu Yangxiang's demise was imperative.

The Profound Warrior Group had traversed Hyphosis Mountain and reached At The Top Of Xuanwu without ever facing such devastating losses.

What on earth had Chu Yangxiang done to incite such a violent uprising of the Demonic Beasts at At The Top Of Xuanwu?

It would be ideal if Chu Yangxiang were indeed dead. But if Chu Yangxiang were to emerge, he was determined to kill him.

He had stationed Zhang Yang at the western entrance to Hyphosis Mountain and Liang Bo at the northern entrance.

At the slightest hint of news, they were to send a message via carrier pigeon.

Amidst the lamplight, Black Panther gazed out at the murky sky.

Against the dim backdrop, four Profound Warriors stood guard.

Their eyes briefly met the illuminated tent, where sixteen of their brothers were feasting and drinking merrily.

"We can only stand guard and fight with strength if we're well-fed and quenched," one remarked.

"That's true," agreed another.

"If we die, we'll never have the chance to eat or drink again," someone pointed out.

The clinking of large bowls echoed in the air.

Inside the main tent, they were indulging in wine. Not far from them, Zhang Yang was also drinking, secluded in a smaller tent.

The fragrance within the small tent was intoxicating. The Third Commander had invited Xiao Hongcui from the Emerald House in Zhenhai City.

The interior of the small tent was spotless.

Zhang Yang lifted his wine glass, his gaze lingering on Xiao Hongcui's beautiful cheeks as he chuckled, "Xiao Hongcui, I'm smitten with you. Join me for a drink, won't you?"

Xiao Hongcui's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. Having had two cups of wine, her beauty seemed to glow even brighter. "To be favored by you is all I could wish for in this life. I'd love to share a drink with you."

The Third Commander wrapped an arm around Xiao Hongcui's waist.

The four guards on duty could hear the low, suggestive moans amidst the raucous drinking, their imaginations running wild.

"They're enjoying themselves, while we're stuck here on watch."

"We've been camped out here for two months waiting for the target, who probably won't even show. Hundreds of us went up to At The Top Of Xuanwu, and we were all left behind. It's even less likely for that little Three-star Martial Cultivator to make it out."

"I think it's because the leader's son died, and with no place to vent his anger, he's doing this deliberately. I absolutely don't buy that a young Profound Warrior Three-star could wipe out The Second Commander's group."

"Exactly. If I ever meet him, I could take him down with one hand. There's no need for all this fuss."

Suddenly, a flash of cold steel swept across their throats, and four barely audible gasps were followed by the gush of blood from their necks.

Only in their final moments did they see the determined face and the slightly slender figure, his dagger dripping with fresh blood.

They realized too late that Chu Yangxiang was not as frail as the legends suggested. Their intelligence had failed them.

They tried to speak, but as blood spurted from their throats, no words came out.

Their eyes wide, they died.

Chu Yangxiang carefully arranged their bodies, then stealthily made his way toward the Third Commander's tent.

A tremor-inducing sound emanated from the tent, the kind that would elicit a physiological response from any normal man who heard it.

Chu Yangxiang's dagger glinted with a chilling light as he lunged at the Third Commander, Zhang Yang. Sensing danger, Zhang Yang rolled off the bed just in time, but his dagger found its mark in Xiao Hongcui's throat instead.

Without a scream, Xiao Hongcui clutched the dagger and yanked it, blood spraying from the wound. Her body convulsed, rolling off the bed before she hit the floor, lifeless.

Zhang Yang, unconcerned with clothing, unleashed the Profound Qi within him. His body became enveloped in wood grain patterns, and he grew in stature, his height increasing by about ten percent as he prepared to strike.

Launching his Wood Shield Fist, it hurtled towards Chu Yangxiang like a meteor. The air cracked with a crisp sound, reminiscent of tearing silk, as his fist cleaved through it, the force of the blow bearing down on Chu Yangxiang with incredible speed.

"Chu Yangxiang, you're going to die," Zhang Yang bellowed.

Chu Yangxiang took note of the wood grain patterns on Zhang Yang's body, recognizing the Profound Power coat that was characteristic of a Profound Master, designed to offer protection and enhance strength.

From the looks of the Profound Power Outer Robe, Chu Yangxiang surmised that Zhang Yang was likely a Two-star Martial Cultivator of the Profound Master Two-star level.

Recently, Chu Yangxiang had been relentlessly pursued by Lian Ji and had avoided engaging with a Profound Warrior Two-star. Profound Masters had their specialties, and even wielding the Swallow Sky Halberd with abandon, he doubted he could penetrate Lian Ji's Profound Warrior Two-star outer robe.

Today, Chu Yangxiang was determined to gauge the true capabilities of a Profound Warrior Two-star.

With a surge of icy battle intent, Chu Yangxiang bellowed, "Old Xiong, crash into the tree!" His fist met Zhang Yang's in a thunderous collision.

Zhang Yang's heart leapt with joy. Chu Yangxiang's meridians were filled with Profound Power, indicating he was at the Profound Warrior Five-star level. Despite the green tortoiseshell patterns adorning his body, they were certainly no match for the Profound Master Outer Robe's protective effects.

The gap between their levels of cultivation was insurmountable.

Chu Yangxiang was merely a Profound Warrior Five-star, and to confront Zhang Yang's attack head-on was tantamount to suicide.

"Chu Yangxiang, prepare to die."

Zhang Yang unleashed his Qi Force with a punch aimed at Chu Yangxiang.

Their collision sent both men stumbling back five large steps, tearing two gaping holes in the small tent.

The Profound Warrior sipping his wine was taken aback by the noise. "The Third Commander is incredibly strong."

They observed the Third Commander, who was unclothed, his body adorned with wood grain patterns. Some onlookers instinctively thought that the Third Commander was employing the Wood Shield Technique even while working.

They noticed a young man radiating intense killing intent. His killing intent was so palpable it had solidified, a manifestation typically seen in those who have repeatedly faced death.

The Third Commander watched Chu Yangxiang with a cool gaze. The punch Chu Yangxiang had delivered had left him deeply shaken. It was clear why the commander had been so intent on pursuing this young man, convinced he was the Ferocious Beast responsible for Bao Lie's death. Now, it appeared he indeed possessed the prowess to slay Bao Lie and Lian Ji.

How could this be? He had only trained with the Chu Family for two or three months, and at Hyphosis Mountain for a similar period. What sort of miracle was this?

What cultivation technique had he been practicing?

With such an astounding rate of progress, if he were allowed to continue developing, he would surely become the bane of the entire Black Panther Profound Warrior Group.

"Brothers, there's no need for you to lift a finger. Just encircle him, and I will execute him."

Sixteen individuals dispersed and encircled Chu Yangxiang.

Zhang Yang, with a sinister tone and licking his lips, declared, "Kid, even if you're a prodigy, this will be your final resting place."