C20 Meeting the Silverbeards Again!

Although the Book Spirit claimed to be quite content, Ho Liao's inner drive was ignited, and he secretly set an ambitious goal for himself to master the highest level of the Clear Source Technique.

As the master and apprentice chatted happily while walking out of the valley, Ho Liao noticed the bodies of insects, birds, and animals around them. He realized they were the result of his master's laughter, and he was secretly amazed by his master's prowess. This only fueled his desire to become stronger and faster, knowing that without such strength, he would struggle to find his place in the world of cultivation.

Before he knew it, they reached the main road outside the valley. The Book Spirit returned to the book at Ho Liao's waist, leaving him alone by the roadside. Feeling cheerful, Ho Liao decided to walk forward without worrying about direction or destination. As his pace quickened, the silhouette of a small town emerged under the dim evening light.

Ho Liao felt a surge of joy, thinking he could finally find something delicious to eat and truly indulge himself.

By the time he entered the town, the sky was beginning to lighten. A breakfast shop had already opened for business. Despite being in a small town, the shop was quite spacious with two levels and looked very clean.

Ho Liao stepped inside, and a waiter promptly greeted him. He ordered a few dishes and then closed his eyes slightly to rest.

Just then, he heard a young woman's voice from upstairs: "Sister, where on earth did that scoundrel escape to? We've been searching with no luck. If the sect finds out we failed like this, all four of us will face severe punishment!"

"We took down Zhao Bu, shouldn't that count for something? Can't it balance out our mistakes?" one young woman asked.

"Sister Yun, you're missing the point. The order doesn't care about Zhao Bu; it's the Golden Seal they're after!" another young woman retorted.

"Enough! Until we find that scoundrel and the Golden Seal, anyone who brings this up will face severe consequences!" Zhang Qu's authoritative voice commanded.

It was clear Zhang Qu implied that unless the Golden Seal was found, they were to keep silent about encountering Zhao Bu. The others understood and fell into silence.

Ho Liao was taken aback, thinking to himself how unfortunate it was to run into the Silverbeards in this small town. It was bound to cause trouble.

As he got up to leave, the waiter arrived with the breakfast Ho Liao had ordered, announcing, "Steamed buns, fried dough with green peppers, and a big bowl of soy milk. Enjoy your meal!"

Ho Liao couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile, hoping not to draw Zhang Qu and her group's attention. But the world has a funny way of working; what you fear often comes true. Hearing someone had come for breakfast, Zhang Qu and her group looked downstairs, locking eyes with Ho Liao just as he stood up.

"You fool!" Zhang Qu shouted angrily. "You walked right into our hands, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

As soon as the shopkeepers realized a fight was about to break out, they quickly retreated to a safe distance. They were already wary of cultivators, and the prospect of a battle only heightened their fear.

"Hey, you're a young lady, yet you speak so crudely. Aren't you ashamed?" Ho Liao questioned.

"Get lost, you annoying pest! Tell me where the Golden Thread Seal is, and I'll make it quick for you. Otherwise, you'll get to experience all eighteen of my tortures!" the female cultivator who had previously threatened Ho Liao warned again.

"If I say I don't know anything about the Golden Thread Seal, you won't believe me. Looks like we'll have to settle this with a fight. But since we have no real grudge, how about this: let's make a bet. You send out your strongest, and I'll take them on one-on-one. If they beat me, I'll be at your mercy. But if you lose, you stop bothering me. How does that sound?" Ho Liao suggested, hoping to avoid a group attack and prevent future trouble.

Zhang Qu and her companions exchanged glances, but the female cultivator who had threatened Ho Liao said, "Senior Sister, why bother with a bet? Let's just kill him outright and be done with it!"

"You vicious woman!" Ho Liao snapped. "There's nothing more dangerous than a woman's heart. I fully understand that now! Aren't you from Silverbeards, a respected sect? Can't you handle a one-on-one challenge with a lone cultivator like me?"

"Don't try to provoke me; I'm not falling for it!" the woman snapped.

"Alright, alright!" Ho Liao chuckled coldly. "No wonder people join groups; it helps to have backup in a fight!"

"Fine, you don't need to provoke me any further. I accept your terms. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Zhang Qu retorted.

"Great, let's take this outside!" Ho Liao's heart leaped with excitement, though he kept his expression neutral.

They moved to the street in front of the shop, where Zhang Qu and her companions lined up. Despite being masked, the woman who had threatened Ho Liao couldn't hide her displeasure, clearly unhappy with Zhang Qu's decision.

Zhang Qu stepped forward and declared, "If you can beat me, I'll never bother you again!"

"Not just you, but none of your group can come after me either!" Ho Liao added.

Book Spirit felt a surge of pride, thinking, "My student is impressive—not only exceptionally talented but also wise beyond her years. She's a real find!"

"Alright, I agree!" Zhang Qu replied without hesitation, confident in her abilities.

Ho Liao glanced at the three women behind Zhang Qu. Two nodded quickly, while the disgruntled one stomped her foot before reluctantly agreeing.

Ho Liao smiled slightly and asked, "Shall we begin, friend?"

Zhang Qu nodded slightly. Instantly, a long sword appeared in her hand, its blade glowing with a green light. She pointed the sword at Ho Liao, and a beam of energy shot out, aimed directly at his face.

Ho Liao remained calm, watching the energy beam approach. In a flash, he released a burst of sword energy, accompanied by a sonic boom, which collided with the beam, shattering it into nothingness. The sword energy, undeterred, sped towards Zhang Qu. Startled, she dodged desperately, barely avoiding the attack, but it grazed her right shoulder, causing blood to gush out like a fountain.

The sword energy continued with undiminished force, striking a massive stone lion statue in front of a distant house. With a thunderous explosion, the statue was obliterated, leaving not a single fragment behind.

Zhang Qu and her companions were left speechless, their confidence and courage to continue the fight utterly shattered by the sheer power of the attack.

Zhang Qu took out a healing pill and swallowed it, taking a deep breath before asking, "Who are you, really? Are you just a wandering cultivator?"

"That's right, I'm Ho Liao, a wandering cultivator, with no ties to Zhao Bu," Ho Liao replied, revealing his true identity while clarifying his lack of association.