C23 Little Test of Strength

Choo Guang's two henchmen lunged at Qiao Gao, their energy surging with a chilling intent to kill.

Suddenly!!!

One of them quickly fired a shot, while the other closed in on Qiao Gao, thrusting a sword.

The longsword gleamed with a sharp, blue energy!

Qiao Gao glanced at the two, feeling a shiver of seriousness. Their coordination was impressive, and what surprised him most was that both seemed to possess the strength of warriors with a Four-vein Connection!

Though Qiao Gao had already achieved a Three-vein Connection, with each vein being of the highest rank, he knew better than to underestimate his opponents. Even a lion uses its full strength against a rabbit, and he had no intention of slipping up.

"One-vein Connection!" Qiao Gao murmured.

Immediately, a powerful surge of energy erupted from him like a volcanic explosion.

Choo Guang felt the sudden wave of energy and was taken aback, exclaiming in disbelief, "Is this... a Heaven Rank Essence Vein?"

Choo Guang's eyes widened in shock. In all his years of looting and killing, the highest rank he had encountered was the Earth Rank Essence Vein, and even that was rare. Most were of the Human Rank!

Now, faced with a young man who had unlocked a Heaven Rank Essence Vein, Choo Guang was nearly scared into retreat!

Awakening a Heaven Rank Essence Vein is a mark of true genius, a feat usually seen in the most prestigious families.

"This is a real mess. That conniving Zoe set us up!" Choo Guang thought darkly. "Anyone who can afford the Azure Dragon Cultivation Room isn't someone you can just push around."

Choo Guang, a leader in the Hidden Dragon Gang, had seen his share of violence and betrayal. After a brief moment of shock, he quickly shouted a warning to his henchmen lunging at Qiao Gao, "Watch out!"

Unfortunately, Choo Guang's warning came too late.

If Qiao Gao had been just another student from Flowing Cloud Academy with a Three-vein Connection, he might have panicked facing such seasoned robbers. But Qiao Gao had absorbed the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch. Though the Monarch was more renowned for alchemy, his combat experience far surpassed these local bandits.

Instead of retreating, Qiao Gao charged forward, his feet pounding the ground and kicking up clouds of dust. The sheer force was comparable to a typical Three-vein warrior.

His eyes were sharp and focused, and there was a hint of excitement on his determined face. Yes, excitement—not fear, not hesitation, but pure thrill!

For years, Qiao Gao had felt stifled, and he was done with it. With the Monarch's memories now a part of him, he also inherited a fierce love for battle!

"Attack!"

Qiao Gao let out a cold snort, casually reaching out with a hand that glimmered with a bronze hue. Astonishingly, he caught the incoming arrow barehanded. Before the shock could register with Monkey, Qiao Gao flicked his wrist, sending the arrow hurtling back with even greater speed, tearing through the air toward the Hidden Dragon Gang's Monkey.

Thud!!!

The arrow pierced through Monkey's head with such force that he was killed instantly.

"Monkey!!!"

"You'll pay for this!"

Another henchman, enraged by his companion's death, charged at Qiao Gao with murderous intent.

"Too weak!"

Qiao Gao remarked coldly, his hand darting out like a rising dragon, moving with frightening speed to collide with the henchman's sword.

Clang!!

The sword shattered into pieces, leaving the henchman in disbelief.

"Dragon Confining Hand!"

Qiao Gao didn't stop there. He executed the Dragon Confining Hand again, the move slicing through the air with a fierce sound, clamping down on the henchman's neck before giving a sharp twist.

Crack.

The henchman's neck snapped, and he dropped lifelessly to the ground...