C18

There were five experts at Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven, three at Mortality Transcending Level Six Heaven, and one Martial Dao Great Master at Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven. Such a formidable lineup was considered the pinnacle of Martial Sun City's combat power. Yet, they were all slain in a single stroke. The Qin family's military might had been nearly halved. Qin Hu was furious.

The shock wasn't confined to the Qin family. When Qiao Guang received the news, he too was shaken and struggled to regain his composure for a long time.

"How did all the Qin family's experts die?" Qiao Guang inquired.

"The information has been verified. Qin Zhiri is indeed dead, and his body was found in a ruined temple outside the city," a middle-aged man at Qiao Guang's side reported, his brow furrowed.

Qiao Guang's expression darkened. The alliance between the Qiao and Qin families had been carefully orchestrated, yet unforeseen incidents continued to arise.

And it was all because of Qiao Mao.

Initially, the Qin family's attempts to persecute Qiao Shuang had failed, and their subsequent efforts to eliminate Qiao Mao were equally unsuccessful. These events were causing Qiao Guang considerable distress.

With a slight hardening of his gaze, Qiao Guang spoke in a deep tone, "Regardless, we must ensure our smooth entry into the clan. Otherwise, if that esteemed person holds us accountable, we're all doomed."

"Father, rest assured. I will dispatch someone immediately to track down Qiao Mao and pursue him," the middle-aged man declared, his eyes gleaming with a ruthless intent.

At this point, the entire Qiao family, save for a few, was under control. The only unpredictable factor was Qiao Mao, who had been adrift outside for several days.

Qiao Guang nodded, then closed his eyes, choosing to remain silent. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, accompanied by several guards, set out to hunt down Qiao Mao.

Elsewhere, the Zhang family's estate was filled with the robust laughter of Zhang Tianbei. "I knew I wasn't wrong about that young man. Qin Hu and Qiao Guang must be beside themselves with worry."

A guard chimed in, "Indeed. After hearing the Qin family's cries, we arrived just in time to witness Qiao Mao clashing with Qin Zhiri. In less than ten moves, Qin Zhiri was utterly vanquished. His final moments were filled with utter despair."

Another guard remarked, "I bet Qin Zhiri deeply regrets his existence now. A respected Martial Dao Great Master, defeated by someone at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven. His life was truly wasted."

The two guards were brimming with excitement, having witnessed the most spectacular battle of their lives for the very first time.

Standing beside Zhang Tianbei was a strikingly handsome young man, his only son, Zhang Yu. With a furrowed brow, Zhang Yu commanded, "Recount the events of that day for me."

"At once, Young Master," the two martial artists complied, detailing once more how Qiao Mao hunted down Qin Zhiri and his companions.

After hearing the account, Zhang Yu remarked, "Father, you mentioned that Qiao Mao's strength was at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven when he departed, yet he managed to slay a Martial Dao Great Master of Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven. He must possess an earth-shattering secret. Should we investigate him?"

Zhang Tianbei's brow creased in thought. The enigma of how Qiao Mao had managed to defeat Qin Zhiri was beyond him. The gap between a warrior of Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven and one of Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven was immense; it should have been impossible for the former to vanquish the latter. Yet, Qiao Mao had achieved the impossible.

"Binn, heed my words: never provoke this man, or our Zhang family will face utter ruin," Zhang Tianbei advised gravely, drawing in a deep breath.

Despite suspecting that Qiao Mao harbored incredible secrets, Zhang Tianbei resolved to avoid provoking him, evidently regarding Qiao Mao with great trepidation.

"We must not only refrain from provoking him, but we must also honor our prior commitment to protect Qiao Shen and the others to the best of our ability. Lead the two elders and ensure their safety in secret. Should any harm befall a member of the Qiao family, the responsibility will be yours," Zhang Tianbei instructed.

Zhang Yu was taken aback. Martial Sun City boasted fewer than ten Martial Dao Great Masters, and the Zhang family, excluding Zhang Tianbei, had only two. Now, Zhang Tianbei was prepared to dispatch them all to safeguard Qiao Shen and his group.

Nonetheless, Zhang Yu did not waver. He promptly departed, taking his subordinates to Qiao Shen's estate.

Qiao Mao had anticipated the state of affairs in Martial Sun City, but with Qiao Shen critically poisoned, the situation was dire. Thus, Qiao Mao had no choice but to set aside other concerns.

Fortunately, Fire Cloud Valley was nestled within Space Shattering Mountain. Qiao Mao could reach it within a day, pick the Blood Lotus, and refine the Blood Lotus Pill to heal Qiao Shen.

Yet Qiao Mao was aware that the peril of this journey might surpass his previous endeavors, such as rescuing Zhen Gui or defeating Qin Zhiri. The danger stemmed from an adult Fire Rock Python residing beneath the valley's magma, a creature of immense strength, surpassing even that of Qin Zhiri.

With no alternative, Qiao Mao was resolute in obtaining the Blood Lotus; without it, Qiao Shen's death was certain. The thought of the potent Black Jade Purple Yin Poison coursing through Qiao Shen's veins filled Qiao Mao with a seething rage. He pushed his speed to its limits, racing toward Fire Cloud Valley.

Half a day later, Qiao Mao reached a mountain hollow and was greeted by jets of scorching magma erupting skyward before cascading back to earth. "What's the Fire Rock Python up to?" he wondered aloud.

Qiao Mao knew the python to be volatile yet typically tranquil. It wouldn't stir such commotion unless provoked. "It looks like someone got here first, riled up the Fire Rock Python, and caused this uproar," he deduced.

Without hesitation, Qiao Mao braved the fiery magma showers and charged into the heart of Fire Cloud Valley. If someone had dared to provoke the python, it meant they had found the Blood Lotus and sought to claim it, sparking the conflict.

Despite racking his brain, Qiao Mao couldn't identify the interloper. In his past life, he had stumbled upon the Blood Lotus by chance, and no one else was privy to its existence. "Some things have changed since my rebirth," Qiao Mao reflected, "but no one besides me will take this Blood Lotus."

The thought of someone else seizing the Blood Lotus was tantamount to signing Qiao Shen's death warrant. Qiao Mao wouldn't stand by and watch his demise.

Descending into Fire Cloud Valley, Qiao Mao was met with chaos. The landscape was awash with flowing magma, painting the earth a deep crimson, reminiscent of boiling blood.

Just then, a voice reached Qiao Mao from up ahead. It was the sound of two middle-aged men, probably in their thirties, both at the Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven, desperately fleeing from a Fire Rock Python.

"You're all useless," a young man nearby berated them furiously. "I've given you so many treasures, and yet you can't even take down a single beast."

"Since when did Martial Sun City have two Martial Dao Great Masters?" Qiao Mao observed the men, taken aback and somewhat puzzled. But upon recognizing the voice of the youth, he blurted out in disbelief, "That's actually Qiao Ping!"