C7 Shattering Bolt

"Fire the Shattering Bolts!"

Yang Rui remained composed as Wang Liang charged toward him. He stepped back and, with a commanding wave of his hand, issued the order.

Instantly, the twenty prepared guards of the Yang family advanced, lifting their Shattering Bolts and taking aim at Wang Liang before pulling the triggers.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The air was filled with the crisp sound of the bolts slicing through it as twenty sharp projectiles shot towards Wang Liang like lightning, seemingly intent on turning him into a porcupine.

"Shatter them!"

Wang Liang's face contorted with urgency as he faced the volley. He let out a roar and swung his sharp longsword, its blade empowered by his internal energy, slicing through the incoming bolts.

Without waiting for further orders from Yang Rui, the guards continued to unleash a barrage of bolts from their Shattering Bolts at Wang Liang.

The Shattering Bolt, a creation of the Ember Empire, was designed specifically to combat warriors. It boasted armor-piercing capabilities, able to penetrate the bodies of first-rate warriors, and featured a rapid-fire mechanism that could unleash ten bolts in quick succession, creating a dense barrage that left enemies with no place to hide.

The Yang family, as the dominant force in Oakenbreak, annually contributed substantial profits to Brittlecoast. Leveraging their special connections within the town, they had secured twenty Shattering Bolts at a considerable expense through exclusive channels.

Yet, even a small squad equipped with these Shattering Bolts could take down a first-rate warrior in a surprise attack, to say nothing of a second-rate warrior like Wang Liang.

A relentless storm of bolts descended upon Wang Liang, each one sharp and piercing, creating a dense rain of arrows that enveloped him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sharp clang of metal on metal rang out as Wang Liang's longsword deflected bolt after bolt. But the relentless tide of projectiles overwhelmed him, piercing his inner armor and leaving him riddled like a porcupine, dead on the spot.

"Run for your lives!"

"The vice captain is dead! Everyone, run!"

"The vice captain has fallen! Follow me, let's avenge our vice captain!"

Upon hearing of Wang Liang's demise, the faces of nearly a hundred bandits from the Blackrock Marauders turned pale with shock. The majority fled the blackstone mine in haste, while a handful, brandishing their weapons, charged at Yang Rui, seeking vengeance for their fallen leader.

"Tyrant's Halberd Technique!" Yang Rui's eyes gleamed with ferocity as he confronted the oncoming bandits. Channeling the surging power within him, he swung the Celestial Pike, proactively engaging the attackers.

Amidst a chorus of agonized screams, Yang Rui's Celestial Pike cleaved through the bandits rushing toward him, drenching the ground in blood as they met their end.

"Kill them all!" Having dispatched the dozen bandits, Yang Rui, with the bloodstained Celestial Pike in hand, pointed toward the fleeing bandits and bellowed the command. He then led the charge in pursuit.

At Yang Rui's command, the Yang family guards—save for the two protecting Yang Ann—echoed his battle cry with fervor and followed in hot pursuit of the bandits.

An hour later, all but a few bandits had been slain, their bodies lying cold and lifeless.

Subsequently, Yang Rui instructed Zhao Kun and Zhou Qin to lead the Yang family guards in cleaning up the battlefield and gathering the spoils of war. Meanwhile, he, along with two guards and Yang Ann, made their way back to Oakenbreak.

Upon Yang Rui's return to Oakenbreak, Sun Yuqi, the patriarch of the Sun family from Brittlecoast, was promptly informed of the Blackrock Marauders' total defeat. With a look of astonishment, he immediately dispatched his men to locate Wang Xu, the bandits' chief, intending to employ the first-rate warrior to eliminate Yang Rui.

"Hai Bo, find the best doctor for Yang Ann's treatment. Spare no expense on any needed medicinal herbs," Yang Rui commanded as he dismounted and approached Yang Hai, who was awaiting his arrival. He gestured towards the weakened Yang Ann, emphasizing the urgency of his care.

"Young Master, rest assured, I will find the best physician for Yang Ann!"

Upon seeing Yang Rui return safely, Yang Hai's eyes lit up with excitement as he quickly responded with assurance.

After receiving Yang Hai's affirmative response, Yang Rui entrusted the follow-up matters to him and went back to the bathhouse to continue his medicinal bath training.

During his training, Yang Rui not only practiced the Tyrant's Halberd Technique and other martial skills but also mastered the art of throwing darts, giving him the capability for long-range attacks.

The Ninefold Body Forging Spell focused on enhancing physical strength. Should he encounter an enemy adept at long-range combat, Yang Rui would be at a disadvantage without a means to retaliate. Hence, he took up dart mastery, equipping himself with the ability to eliminate foes who relied on such tactics.

Time flew by swiftly, and before he knew it, a week had passed.

Throughout the week, Oakenbreak Town remained tranquil, with no disturbances, allowing Yang Rui to peacefully proceed with his medicinal bath training. He successfully advanced the Ninefold Body Forging Spell to the seventh level, doubling his physical strength to an astounding 6,400 kilograms, surpassing even the strength of a first-rate warrior.

However, a first-rate warrior possessed not only immense physical strength but also internal force, which could be projected outward to execute moves like the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, harming an opponent from a distance. In terms of overall strength, Yang Rui knew he was not yet on par with such warriors.

Deep within the Sun estate in Rogueforest, a middle-aged man clad in a black combat suit, exuding a fierce aura, stared at Sun Yuqi with a menacing look. "Mr. Sun, you'd better provide me with a satisfactory explanation, or this day next year will mark your anniversary," he said icily.

The man was Wang Xu, the leader of the Blackrock Marauders. He had not anticipated that his band would be utterly decimated while he was away attending to personal matters. Struggling to come to terms with the loss, he confronted Sun Yuqi, the instigator of the debacle.

Unfazed by Wang Xu's threatening demeanor, Sun Yuqi replied calmly, "Mr. Wang, I deeply regret the unfortunate fate that befell your group. I apologize for not delivering accurate intelligence, leading to your group's demise. To atone for my oversight, please accept this treasure map of the Lord of the Blazing Sun as compensation."

While they were talking, Sun Yuqi pulled an ancient piece of beast skin from a desk drawer and handed it to Wang Xu.

"The treasure map of the Lord of the Blazing Sun!"

Wang Xu's face registered shock as he took the beast skin and examined it closely.

"Mr. Sun, why is this treasure map just a fragment? It seems to be only one-tenth of the whole map!"

Wang Xu pocketed the beast skin and stared at Sun Yuqi with a fierce look, demanding an explanation.

"Mr. Wang, the Lord of the Blazing Sun was not only the founding emperor of the Ember Empire but also a formidable cultivator. The value of his treasure map is beyond question. If this map were complete, rather than a mere fragment, do you think I would simply hand it over to you as an apology?" Sun Yuqi replied evenly.

"Mr. Sun, I'll accept your apology. We can leave the past in the past, but please be discreet and don't let word of the treasure map spread," Wang Xu said, tucking the beast skin away carefully and giving Sun Yuqi a frosty look.

"Rest assured, Mr. Wang, I'm tight-lipped. However, Yang Rui, the man responsible for the downfall of the Blackrock Marauders, doesn't deserve to walk this earth," Sun Yuqi declared.

"Mr. Sun, have no worries. Yang Rui won't survive the night," Wang Xu stated, his face grim with intent, before rising to his feet and departing.

"Yang Rui, I highly doubt you can dodge the blade of a first-rate warrior," Sun Yuqi muttered to himself with an icy tone.