C40 Ma Chao

"Where do you think you're going?"

Just then, a thunderous palm force descended from the heavens, unleashing a terrifying burst of energy that swept through everything, shattering all in its wake.

"Run fast!"

Zhuang Xing's face went ashen with shock. Clenching his teeth, he instantly picked up speed, dashing forward in an attempt to dodge the dreadful onslaught.

The explosive force detonated, sending a horrifying blast that whipped up monstrous airwaves, ruthlessly engulfing everything around.

Zhuang Xing let out a pained scream as he was blasted into the air and crashed to the ground. The attack power was immense. Had he not been quick enough to evade the epicenter, his injuries could have been far worse.

Ignoring the pain racking his body, Zhuang Xing didn't waste a second; he scrambled to his feet and took off running. Fortunately, the strike hadn't hit any vital spots, so the damage wasn't too severe.

Shortly after, Bao Houdi and his men descended. They surveyed the devastated trees around them, seething with rage.

"Damn, he's slipped away again."

Zhuang Xing proved to be more slippery than an eel; despite the lengthy pursuit, they had yet to catch him.

An elder scanned the area and proposed, "Sect Master, perhaps we should split up to search. If anyone finds anything, we'll signal the others immediately."

Bao Houdi furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. Dividing their efforts would indeed increase the likelihood of finding Zhuang Xing.

"Ma Chao, take five people and search to the east. Zhang Ji, you take another five to the south. The rest will come with me to the north. And remember, if you spot Zhuang Xing, signal the rest of us at once."

As for the west, that was their ascent route, and Zhuang Xing would certainly not head that way; they would have caught him by now if he had.

"Yes, Sect Master."

Hidden within a dense thicket, Zhuang Xing ripped open his shirt to reveal a ghastly wound from which blood gushed, the severe pain nearly unbearable.

"If you ever fall into my hands, I'll make you wish for death that won't come."

Wincing from the agony, Zhuang Xing retrieved some top-quality healing ointment from his Storage Ring and applied it to his wound. Bao Houdi's recent blow had been ferociously powerful. If not for Zhuang Xing's swift evasion, he might be facing more than just an injury right now.

Zhuang Xing tore off a strip of white cloth and meticulously bandaged his wound. After administering some rudimentary first aid, he began to contemplate his next move.

There was no question that the Celestial Eagle Gang wouldn't let him off the hook. In a battle that had taken place three days prior, he had slain Bao Guangsha, the gang's most distinguished disciple. The Celestial Eagle Gang and Bao Houdi harbored a deep-seated hatred for him. If he were to fall into their clutches, his fate would be grim.

"Elder, where on earth could Zhuang Xing be hiding? We've been searching for ages and still come up empty-handed."

Out of the blue, Zhuang Xing heard voices. His heart skipped a beat, and he sensed trouble. The voices indicated that these were members of the Celestial Eagle Gang.

Zhuang Xing carefully parted the foliage and peered through the opening. He saw an elderly man, likely in his late fifties or sixties, leading a group of five in a thorough search. This squad was under the command of Ma Chao.

"Is Bao Houdi not around?"

Zhuang Xing scanned the area but saw no sign of Bao Houdi. Where could he have gone?

"The absence of that old bastard works in my favor. Now, they'll get a taste of what I'm capable of."

Among the Celestial Eagle Gang, Bao Houdi was the only one Zhuang Xing truly feared. As a bona fide Spirit Sea Stage Expert, the gap between their levels of cultivation was vast. He stood no chance against Bao Houdi, but the rest were mere fodder, easily dispatched.

"Who's there?"

Suddenly, Ma Chao's voice boomed as he spotted something amiss.

Zhuang Xing stepped out from the underbrush.

"I'm curious to see where you think you can run off to now."

Upon recognizing Zhuang Xing, Ma Chao burst into laughter.

A cold sneer crossed Zhuang Xing's mind.

"Little rat, this time I'll see where you can flee to. You're done for."

Ma Chao wasted no time, launching an immediate assault. Zhuang Xing was notoriously slippery, and Ma Chao couldn't afford to let him slip away again. Otherwise, it would be exceedingly difficult to track him down.

With a thunderous cry, Ma Chao charged forward.

As Ma Chao launched his attack, Zhuang Xing charged out with ferocity. An immense force burst forth, the terrifying energy creating powerful gusts that shattered the surrounding leaves into dust in mere moments.

Zhuang Xing was forced to step back. Ma Chao, a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Eight Heaven expert, was not to be taken lightly.

"Chaos Shocking Spear."

The Chaos Shocking Spear materialized in his hand, and in this critical moment, Zhuang Xing wielded his Spirit Treasure.

"Spirit Treasure."

Ma Chao was taken aback. Such a weapon was no ordinary armament; it was exceedingly valuable and rare. Only the elite disciples and core members of major families could possess such treasures. Zhuang Xing's possession of it suggested he might be the scion of a significant power.

Considering Zhuang Xing's features and youth, Ma Chao suspected he could indeed be a core disciple of a notable family or faction.

But what did it matter if Zhuang Xing was indeed a core member of some influential family or power? The Celestial Eagle Gang, as one of the four great forces in Azure Sun City, wielded immense strength. No other power would dare to confront them.

"Kid, don't think you can disdain the world with just a fancy spear."

Ma Chao charged at Zhuang Xing, his palm force targeting him with unrelenting might.

Zhuang Xing's face tensed. The power of a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Eight Heaven expert was formidable; he couldn't afford to be negligent.

"Chaos Shocking Spear."

Gripping the Chaos Shocking Spear tightly, Zhuang Xing surged forward. With a force capable of pulverizing all in its path, he advanced on Ma Chao.

Ma Chao extended his left hand, undaunted by the spear's lethal edge, and made a grab for the Chaos Shocking Spear.