24: Chapter 24 Qi Gathering Level 5

In the blink of an eye, he made a decision!

Just as one of the lackeys' machetes was about to strike the back of the youth's neck,

"Whoosh!"

A cold light shot out from behind the rock!

It was a short blade thrown by Ye Tian!

"Clang!"

The short blade precisely knocked the machete off course, saving the youth's life!

"Who is it?!" The lackeys were both shocked and furious, all looking toward the direction of the rock.

Ye Tian slowly walked out from behind the rock, his gaze sweeping coldly over the group. There were seven of them in total. The one with the highest cultivation was the leader who had thrown the flying axe, at the Qi Gathering Stage 4 Late Stage, while the rest were mostly between the third and fourth levels.

"Brat, are you looking for death? How dare you meddle in the affairs of our Black Cloud Stronghold!" The leader stared fiercely at Ye Tian.

The youth in gray took the opportunity to scramble and crawl behind Ye Tian, panting heavily, his eyes filled with gratitude and lingering fear.

Ye Tian did not turn his head, only saying indifferently, "Leave the item behind, and I will protect the person."

"Hahaha!" The leader seemed to have heard a huge joke. "Just based on you? A brat whose fur hasn't even fully grown? Brothers, attack! Chop this brat up along with him!"

The seven lackeys howled and pounced forward, the flashing blades instantly enveloping Ye Tian!

Ye Tian's eyes turned sharp. The powerful strength of his Body Refining third level erupted, and instead of retreating, he advanced!

He instantly activated the second force of the Overlapping Wave Fist!

The shadows of his fists were like waves, striking first despite starting later!

The two lackeys charging at the front only felt an irresistible, tremendous force strike them. Their chests pained severely, and they spat blood as they flew backward!

Ye Tian's figure wove through the crowd, every strike ruthless and precise!

He avoided the strong and struck the weak, focusing on vital points. The resilient Physical Body brought about by Body Refining allowed him to withstand some non-fatal attacks, while the explosive power of the Overlapping Wave Fist gave him the combat power to crush those of the same rank in a short time!

Screams rang out one after another!

In the blink of an eye, three more were beaten to the ground, losing their combat capability!

The leader's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected this kid who suddenly popped up to be so troublesome! "Attack together, use the combined attack technique!"

Hearing this, the remaining three lackeys immediately changed their formation. Their auras were faintly connected, and their blade techniques became dense and ruthless, trapping Ye Tian in the middle.

Ye Tian immediately felt his pressure increase greatly!

This combined attack technique was clearly well-trained, with tacit cooperation, making it difficult for him to break through for a moment.

Just then, the gray-clad youth behind him flashed a look of determination. He suddenly shoved the crimson flame ganoderma from his embrace into Ye Tian's hand, while simultaneously whispering, "Go quickly! I will hold them off!"

After speaking, not waiting for Ye Tian to react, he actually took the initiative to rush toward the leader. He had a poisoned dagger in his hand, his Moves tricky and ruthless—a completely desperate fighting style!

"Little bastard!" The leader was shocked and furious, forced to distract himself to deal with him.

Ye Tian gripped the warm crimson flame ganoderma in his hand, looking at the youth's back, his heart warming.

He no longer hesitated, stuffing the crimson flame ganoderma into his embrace. The chaos bead heated up slightly, seeming to react to it.

"Kill!" Ye Tian let out a low roar. He unleashed the full power of the Overlapping Wave Fist, taking advantage of the gap where the leader was entangled by the youth, and violently charged toward the three lackeys who were in formation!

"Boom!"

His fist force poured out like a mountain torrent!

The three lackeys' combined attack formation was instantly broken by force!

Two were heavily injured and fainted on the spot, while one was sent flying away!

Ye Tian did not let up after gaining the advantage. With a turn of his body, he pounced toward the leader!

The leader was being forced into a flustered state by the youth's desperate fighting style. Seeing Ye Tian attacking, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, and it was too late to escape!

"Bang!"

Ye Tian smashed a fist hard into his back!

The leader let out a miserable scream and collapsed to the ground, blood spraying wildly. It was clear he would not survive.

The battle ended unexpectedly quickly.

The lackeys of the Black Cloud Stronghold lay scattered across the ground. Only the gray-clad youth remained, leaning on his dagger, panting heavily, with several new wounds on his body.

Ye Tian walked in front of him and handed the crimson flame ganoderma back to him: "Your item."

The youth was stunned for a moment, looking at Ye Tian with complex eyes. He shook his head, his voice hoarse: "You saved me, this is for you."

"Without you, I wouldn't have been able to keep it anyway."

Ye Tian looked into his eyes and did not decline.

He was indeed in urgent need of this item right now. "Many thanks. What is your name? Why were you being hunted by them?"

The youth gave a bitter smile: "My name is Atu, I am an herb gatherer from the town outside the mountains. I discovered this crimson flame ganoderma on a cliff, but I didn't expect to be targeted by people from the Black Cloud Stronghold."

Ye Tian nodded, not asking further.

Everyone has their own secrets.

"It's not safe here. The people from the Black Cloud Stronghold will come looking soon. We must leave quickly," Ye Tian said in a low voice.

Atu nodded hurriedly.

The two quickly cleaned up the scene, wiped away traces, and then sped toward the deeper parts of the mountain range, in the direction of a hidden cave that Atu knew.

Ye Tian felt the scorching energy radiating from the crimson flame ganoderma in his embrace, and a surge of hope rose in his heart.

With it, the hope of breaking through to the Qi Gathering Fifth Level had greatly increased!

Ye Tian and Atu rested for several days in a hidden cave deep in the mountain range.

During this time, Ye Tian utilized the majestic fire elemental energy of the crimson flame ganoderma, combined with the refining of the chaos bead, and successfully broke through to the Qi Gathering Realm Fifth Level!

His Physical Body also improved further under the nourishment of the Body Refining Cultivation Technique and the chaos bead, and his strength surged.

After Atu's injuries improved, he bid farewell to Ye Tian, as he still needed to return to take care of his sick family.

Before parting, he told Ye Tian a piece of news.

The Black Cloud Stronghold seemed to be searching for something deep in the mountain range, making quite a commotion, and he warned Ye Tian to be careful.

Ye Tian thanked Atu, his vigilance growing even stronger.

He did not linger and immediately set off to return to the Ye family.

The goal of this trip had been achieved; he must return as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

Relying on his Qi Gathering Fifth Level cultivation, he sneaked back into the residence silently, and no one noticed.

However, just as he returned to the vicinity of his small courtyard, he sensed that the atmosphere was wrong.

Outside the courtyard were several Law Enforcement Team members with unkind expressions. His mother was blocked inside the courtyard, her face pale, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"What is going on?" Ye Tian's heart sank, and he stepped forward quickly.

"Ye Tian!" The leading Law Enforcement Team member saw him, froze for a moment, then sneered, "You actually dare to come back? The Clan Chief has ordered to take you down, you traitor who disobeyed orders and left without permission!"

Several Law Enforcement Team members immediately surrounded him, their auras locking onto Ye Tian.

"Tian'er!" his mother exclaimed.

Ye Tian's eyes were cold, and he stood still: "Why would I not dare to come back? Disobeying orders? Do you have evidence?"

The Law Enforcement Team member felt the significantly stronger aura on Ye Tian's body, his expression changing slightly, but he remained tough: "Your disappearance for many days is evidence! Steward Ye Hua has investigated and found that you left the clan without permission, surely to collude with outsiders and plot something! Take him!"

"Collude with outsiders? Plot something?" Ye Tian sneered, "Steward Ye Hua? What evidence does he have? Just based on his word?"

"Insolent! You still dare to argue!" The Law Enforcement Team member was angry from embarrassment and was about to take action.

"Stop!"

A cold shout came.

He saw the Second Elder Ye Wenshan walking over quickly with two attendants, looking displeased.

"Second Elder!" The Law Enforcement Team members hurriedly saluted.

"What is going on? Why are you making a scene here?" The Second Elder's gaze swept over Ye Tian, a flash of imperceptible surprise in his eyes, before looking at the Law Enforcement Team members.

"Reporting to the Second Elder, Steward Ye Hua ordered us to come and arrest Ye Tian for leaving the clan without permission!"

"Arrest?" The Second Elder frowned, "The Clan Chief only ordered me to investigate the matter of Ye Tian's disappearance. When did he order an arrest? Has Steward Ye Hua overstepped his authority?!"

The Law Enforcement Team member turned pale, stammering, "This... Steward Ye Hua said..."

"Said what?" The Second Elder's tone turned cold, "Since when is it the turn of a steward to give orders in the Ye family? All of you, retreat!"

The Law Enforcement Team members looked at each other, not daring to disobey the Second Elder, and had to retreat resentfully.

The Second Elder then looked at Ye Tian, his gaze deep: "Ye Tian, come with me."