C9 He Broke out of the Encirclement

The night stretched on, cold winds cutting through the air, as the mountain loomed like a dark beast sprawled across the vast land. The dense trees resembled the beast's fur, gently shivering in the breeze.

High up in one of these massive trees, Luo Tongtian, like a wounded animal, quietly tended to his injuries. Despite being severely wounded and surrounded, he showed no hint of despair. In fact, a strange excitement flickered across his face.

For a long time, Luo Tongtian had been considered a failure in his practice, unable to make any breakthroughs. But ever since a mysterious light appeared within him, everything changed. Thousands of energy channels in his body were suddenly cleared, catapulting his strength to the peak of the second level.

He then absorbed the energy of a fifth-level warrior, successfully advancing to the third level. More importantly, his body, tempered by this energy, became as hard as iron, impervious to blades and bullets, with a defense comparable to the finest armor.

Earlier, a powerful strike from a sixth-level warrior had been formidable. Though its force was halved after slicing through a boulder and a shield, it still packed a punch. Yet, when it struck Luo Tongtian, it only sent him flying, leaving a wound that barely penetrated his skin. The blade's intent that invaded his body was swallowed by the mysterious light within him, now as calm as a quiet lake.

In a series of unexpected events, he, having just advanced to the third level of body refinement, astonishingly managed to escape an attack from a Sixth Level Hercules. This outcome was truly shocking.

The effect of activating the Vein Seal to enhance his body was remarkably significant, greatly boosting Luo Tongtian's offensive and defensive capabilities. However, the energy required was immense.

Earlier, he had risked his life to escape from the cave, depleting all the energy in his body, leaving him extremely weak. Fortunately, he still had a dozen spare Origin Energy Pills with him. He tossed the pale blue pills into his mouth, seizing the moment to recover his strength.

Although Luo Tongtian didn't understand what the light and shadow within his body represented, he knew it could drastically change his current state of cultivation and transform his bleak life. This thought filled him with unprecedented confidence.

Despite being surrounded by formidable enemies, his expression remained resolute. He was determined to report the crucial information he had obtained to his adoptive father, even if it meant risking his life, to prevent falling into the trap set by that old fox, the guard of Yang Lin City.

Time slowly passed, and under the effect of the Origin Energy Pills, Luo Tongtian's strength gradually returned. Just as he was about to take action, a search team of six entered the area where he was hiding.

The leader of this search team was a Fourth Level Hercules, and all five of his subordinates were Third Level Hercules. The strength of even a random search team like this showed just how determined the enemy was to eliminate him.

However, after his recent advancement, Luo Tongtian no longer regarded them as a threat. He lay flat against the branch, using the cover of night to conceal himself, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.

"That kid was injured by the commander's blade intent. He can't have gone far, so stay sharp and search thoroughly," the captain ordered his five team members, then walked over to the large tree where Luo Tongtian was hiding. He glanced around before moving to the other side of the tree, where he began to relieve himself.

A shadow, silent and swift like a viper, slid down from the tree behind him. The captain sensed something and spun around, his hidden blade ready, but what met him was a hand charged with magical power.

The hand deftly bypassed his blade and pressed against his head at a cunning angle. A fierce suction enveloped his body, draining his energy rapidly. His body began to wither, leaving him powerless to move or resist, unable even to cry out.

Since advancing to the Third Level Body Refinement stage, Luo Tongtian's muscles and veins had perfectly integrated, granting him formidable offensive and defensive capabilities.

After taking a moment to rest, he adjusted his fighting state to its peak. His heart pounded like thunder, his strength was immense, and he moved with lightning speed. His techniques were so unpredictable that even a Fourth Level Hercules couldn't escape his stealthy attacks.

A few moments later, the squad leader collapsed, utterly exhausted and lifeless. With the leader's immense energy now his, Luo Tongtian's veins felt more connected, his muscles more solid, and a surge of power began to fortify his bones, pushing him toward the level of a Fourth Level Hercules.

The squad leader's prolonged absence finally aroused the suspicion of his five subordinates. They cautiously approached the large tree in a circular formation. As they stepped into the shade, a burst of golden light erupted, accompanied by a deafening thunderclap.

The first three were sent flying by a powerful punch, and a flash of a sword followed, swiftly decapitating two of them. As a cold wind blew, Luo Tongtian emerged from the shadows beneath the tree.

"This is just too much. Could it be that the city guard's sword is defective?" Luo Tongtian muttered, surprised to find only half of the sword remaining in his hand from the force of his strike.

In a single encounter, all five enemies were dead, proving that Luo Tongtian's combat abilities had undergone a dramatic transformation.

The situation was critical, and he couldn't afford to linger. After quickly collecting the space bags from the five individuals, he swiftly left the scene. Along the way, he avoided enemies whenever possible, and when he couldn't, he launched silent surprise attacks. With his rapid breakthrough strategy, he quickly reached the southern exit of the mountain.

Time was of the essence for both sides! If Luo Tongtian could escape the mountain before the enemy completed their encirclement, he would be temporarily safe. Otherwise, if the enemy set up their trap first, his chances of escape would significantly diminish.

Seeing the road five miles away, Luo Tongtian knew that once he reached it, he would be out of the enemy's search range. Without hesitation, he dashed toward it.

"Stop that guy, don't let him get away!"

Suddenly, the thunderous sound of hooves filled the air as two groups of a hundred riders each closed in from his left and right. The fierce pounding of hooves and the overwhelming sense of danger made Luo Tongtian's heart skip a beat.

Despite his newfound confidence and combat prowess, which surpassed that of a Fourth Level Hercules and even rivaled a Fifth Level Hercules, he was unprepared for the direct charge of two hundred riders. However, with no other choice, he steeled himself and charged forward.

After his strength was amplified by the Vein Seal, a force surged from him like a tidal wave. His powerful fists crackled with thunder. As the two sides were about to clash, Luo Tongtian's fists swung repeatedly, unleashing a series of deafening thunderclaps. The horses, startled by the noise, stumbled and fell in a chaotic mess.

Seizing the moment when the enemy cavalry lost their chance to charge, he pushed forward with all his might to break through. Archers hidden among the cavalry took aim at him, but he deflected their arrows with his longsword and charged ahead, landing blows that sent them flying, bones cracking audibly.

At that moment, Luo Tongtian was like a fearsome war machine, his arms, legs, and entire body becoming weapons of attack. He punched, smashed, collided, and charged with abandon, like a tiger among sheep, his power unstoppable and his fighting spirit soaring.

He struck down over a dozen enemies, carving a bloody path through the formidable foes. Faced with his fearless bravery and rising battle aura, the once-spirited cavalry finally retreated. Luo Tongtian wasn't about to miss this golden opportunity; he used the last of his strength to escape the confines of the mountain.

The process seemed lengthy, but in reality, from the moment Luo Tongtian saw through the enemy's plan, escaped from the clutches of a Sixth Level Hercules, and swiftly broke through enemy lines to flee the mountain, all of this happened within just four hours.

The originally well-organized and strategically sound blockade was breached by Luo Tongtian's fearless and rapid charge. This created an opening, allowing him, like a small fish, to find a chance to escape.