C23 A Small Test of Strength

Choo Guang's henchmen lunged at Qiao Gao in rapid succession, their Origin Energy pulsing with a chilling intent to kill.

Suddenly!

Monkey swiftly unleashed a strike, while the other henchman closed in on Qiao Gao, thrusting his sword forward.

The long sword shimmered with a verdant glow of Origin Energy, its edge razor-sharp!

Qiao Gao cast a glance at the duo and steeled himself for the confrontation.

Their teamwork was seamless. To Qiao Gao's astonishment, based on the robustness of their Origin Energy, both were martial artists with a Four-vein Connection!

Qiao Gao himself had achieved a Three-vein Connection, with each vein surpassing the caliber of Heaven Rank Essence Veins. Still, he knew better than to underestimate his opponents – he wasn't about to be capsized in a gutter.

"One-vein Connection!" Qiao Gao whispered under his breath.

A surge of formidable Origin Energy burst forth, erupting like a volcano.

Choo Guang instantly sensed the unexpected fluctuation of Origin Energy, his surprise rendering him speechless. "Is this... a Heaven Rank Essence Vein?" he uttered in disbelief.

His eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, Choo Guang's face was a mask of incredulity. Throughout his years of murder and plunder, the highest grade of Essence Vein he'd encountered was Earth Rank, and even those were rare. The vast majority were merely Human Rank!

Now, here stood a youngster who had unlocked a Heaven Rank Essence Vein, nearly scaring Choo Guang into flight.

Only the prodigies from major families could awaken a Heaven Rank Essence Vein, and they were not to be trifled with.

"I've really hit an iron wall this time. That wretch Zhou Qing has set me up!" Choo Guang brooded darkly. "Anyone who can afford the Azure Dragon Cultivation Room is no easy prey."

As a hall master within the Hidden Dragon Gang, Choo Guang was no stranger to violence and treachery. Recovering quickly from his initial shock, he bellowed a warning to his henchmen charging at Qiao Gao, "Watch out!"

Alas, Choo Guang's caution came just a tad too late.

An ordinary student from the Flowing Cloud Academy with a mere Three-vein Connection would have been thrown into disarray facing the likes of Monkey and his partner, two bandits whose teamwork was seamless.

But Qiao Gao was no ordinary student. He had assimilated the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch. Although the Pill Monarch was primarily an alchemist, his combat experience far outstripped that of any Four-vein Bandit in these backwaters.

Qiao Gao chose to advance rather than retreat. With a powerful stomp, he kicked up a cloud of dust, his strength rivaling that of a typical Three-vein Connection warrior.

His gaze was electric, his resolute face breaking into a slight grin of excitement. This was not fear, nor was it timidity—it was pure thrill! For years, Qiao Gao had been living in frustration, and he was done with it. His mind now harbored not only the Pill Monarch's memories but also his combative spirit.

"Kill!"

With a cold snort, Qiao Gao's hand moved with the ease of a shadow, shimmering with a flash of bronze brilliance.

Incredibly, he caught the incoming arrow barehanded. Before Monkey could even register his shock, Qiao Gao flung the arrow back. It sliced through the air even faster, hurtling towards the Hidden Dragon Gang's Monkey!

Puchi!

The arrow drilled through Monkey's skull, the immense force killing him instantly.

"Monkey!"

"You bastard, I'll take your life!"

The other henchman, his face twisted in rage at the sight of his fallen comrade, with killing intent surging like a tempest, lunged at Qiao Gao with his sword.

"Too weak!"

Qiao Gao's voice was cool and detached as his hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, swift as an ascending azure dragon, and struck the henchman's longsword.

Clang!

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

"Dragon Confining Hand!"

Without pause, Qiao Gao executed the Dragon Confining Hand once more, the fierce sound of the wind accompanying his grip around the henchman's neck, followed by a forceful twist.

A sickening snap echoed.

The henchman's neck twisted at an odd angle, and he expired right there and then.