C19 Encounter

At the foot of the Drakenfell Mountains, the small town strictly prohibits any fighting or violent incidents. However, in the mountains themselves, it's a different story. Here, people die every day, and killing someone is as common as slaughtering a chicken. Generally, no one seeks revenge for such acts. If you're killed here, it's just considered bad luck or a lack of skill.

"Xiao Tian, Qin Wudi, we meet again."

Upon spotting Xiao Tian and Qin Wudi, Yang Dong, accompanied by a woman in red, quickly approached them. With a half-smile, he watched Xiao Tian, who was carefully digging up a Purifying Herb.

Hearing Yang Dong's words, Xiao Tian frowned at him briefly before continuing his task. He meticulously extracted the herb, ensuring not to damage its roots, as the Purifying Herb is quite delicate. Uprooting it with care significantly enhances its value compared to ordinary harvesting methods.

"What do you want?" Xiao Tian glanced at Yang Dong and then ignored him. However, Qin Wudi couldn't be so dismissive. Upon noticing Yang Dong, his pupils instinctively narrowed, and he watched Yang Dong warily. He spoke in a low, guarded tone, his hands clenching into fists, his body coiled like a spring, ready to unleash his strength at any moment.

Although Qin Wudi usually seemed a bit naive and clueless in front of Xiao Tian, he was far from an actual fool and was quite sharp. The arrival of Yang Dong immediately set off alarm bells for Qin Wudi, sensing danger.

"This guy's up to no good," he thought.

"Xiao Tian, I'm giving you one more chance. Sell me the Sky-Breaking Axe you acquired. If you do, I'll still pay you ten thousand gold banknotes, letting you make a tidy profit," Yang Dong said, looking down at Xiao Tian without acknowledging Qin Wudi.

"Get lost," Xiao Tian replied with an impatient and cold voice.

"You're asking for it," Yang Dong's expression darkened as he warned, "Xiao Tian, you'd better not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. This is the Drakenfell Mountains, a dangerous trial ground where many warriors die daily. With your skills, taking you down would be easy. If you want to leave the Drakenfell Mountains in one piece, you'd better cooperate and speak nicely."

"Cut the crap. If you want the Sky-Breaking Axe, come and get it yourself. Otherwise, just get lost. I have no interest in talking to cowards," Xiao Tian said without even turning around.

"You've got a death wish, Xiao Tian. You're doomed. Even if Xiao Xinyu from Doombrows wants to protect you, she can't appear here in the Drakenfell Mountains to save you."

Given your current situation, there's only one thing you can do: hand over the Sky-Breaking Axe to me. That's the only way I might let you go, allowing you to continue your pitiful existence," Yang Dong shouted, his eyes fixed on Xiao Tian with murderous intent, ready to pounce and finish him off at any moment.

"Get lost," Xiao Tian's cold voice cut through the air.

"You... damn it!" Yang Dong snarled through clenched teeth. Any fear he had because of Xiao Tian's sister, Xinyu, vanished with Xiao Tian's defiant attitude. Enraged, he barked an order to the woman in red beside him, "Xiaocui, kill him for me."

"Yes, sir," the woman in red responded without hesitation. In a flash, she darted toward Xiao Tian, moving with the speed of a seasoned warrior. As she closed in, her right hand formed a palm strike aimed directly at Xiao Tian's chest, clearly intending to take him out with one blow.

"Boom!"

Before her strike could land on Xiao Tian, a thunderous sound erupted. Qin Wudi suddenly stepped in front of Xiao Tian, launching a punch that collided with the woman's palm. The impact sent her flying backward like a cannonball.

"Whoosh!"

As she was sent flying backward, a mouthful of blood she couldn't hold back sprayed from the woman in red's mouth, and her arm was broken in the process. Her face was full of disbelief. At the same time, Yang Dong's eyes widened in shock.

"How is this possible!"

Yang Dong found it hard to believe what he was seeing. Although his maid, Xiaocui, couldn't compare to him in strength, she had reached the level of a one-star warrior. And this Qin Wudi in front of him—Yang Dong knew him well. He was the infamous wastrel of the Doombrows, always stuck at the level of a one-star Initiate.

Yet, this very moment, Qin Wudi had defeated his maid, who was at the one-star warrior level. It was almost enough to blind him with disbelief.

In his shock, Yang Dong scrutinized Qin Wudi more closely. Only then did he realize something was off. Qin Wudi's strength was no longer that of a one-star Initiate but had reached the level of a nine-star Initiate.

This...

Yang Dong was stunned.

If it were anyone else with the strength of a nine-star Initiate, Yang Dong wouldn't be surprised at all. But Qin Wudi? He was the well-known wastrel of the Doombrows. Not long ago, Yang Dong had heard that this guy was still at the one-star Initiate level. How could he have reached nine-star Initiate strength in such a short time?

Previously, Qin Wudi hadn't shown his strength, so Yang Dong didn't notice it. But now, after Qin Wudi unleashed his power and sent Xiaocui flying, Yang Dong could clearly see Qin Wudi's true capabilities.

"Who would've thought that someone like you, a wastrel for ages, could actually make such progress? You've reached the nine-star Initiate level, and with just one punch, you sent my one-star warrior maid flying. Given your situation, it shouldn't have been easy for you to advance. You must have stumbled upon some incredible fortune or adventure.

Good, very good, excellent!

I thought finding the Sky-Breaking Axe was already a stroke of luck for me, Yang Dong, but now it seems there's even more to gain.

Qin Wudi, kneel before me and hand over your newfound fortune," Yang Dong exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation.