14: Bandit Squad

When everything settled, Luo Yan, drenched in fragrant sweat, collapsed softly into the brocade quilt.

She looked at Yao Delong, who was still old but full of vigor, with a hazy and complex gaze.

Her cultivation... had actually increased by a tiny, almost imperceptible amount during that storm-like “exchange”?

Although minuscule, the feeling was incredibly clear! How... how was this possible? She wasn't Cultivating a Dual Cultivation Technique!

This old man... was becoming increasingly mysterious! A deep sense of fascination and curiosity quietly began to grow within her.

Yao Delong, on the other hand, contentedly put on his clothes, looking at the 15 points of fresh yin-yang value and the even more refined and abundant primordial yang Qi within his body.

He left the back hall of the Myriad Medicine Pavilion feeling refreshed.

He didn't return directly to his peak but walked briskly towards the “Old Tie Artifact Refining Workshop” in the corner of the market.

“Brother Iron Hammer!”

“Hahaha! Old Yao! A rare visitor! Did you bring the new storybook?”

Old Iron Hammer's thunderous voice immediately rang out, and his burly figure came forward to greet him.

“Of course! The freshly released sequel to Journey to the West: The Great Havoc in Heaven!”

Yao Delong smiled and tossed over a Jade Slip recording the story's synopsis.

“Hahaha! Good! Good! That's very generous!” Old Iron Hammer was overjoyed, taking the Jade Slip with his huge hands and tucking it into his In my arms like a treasure.

“Brother Hammer, help me pick out a suitable piece of armor again. I need something with strong defense, a Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact will do,” Yao Delong said.

Old Iron Hammer didn't say another word and led Yao Delong into the back storeroom.

After selecting for a moment among a pile of armors and shields shimmering with treasure light, he pulled out a black inner armor with a metallic luster and a simple, ancient style.

“Profound Iron Crocodile Scale Armor! A Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact! It's forged from the back scales of an adult Iron Armored Crocodile and Profound Iron Essence through Fusion.

It's light and tough; attacks from the Qi Refining Stage can basically be withstood head-on, and Foundation Establishment Stage attacks can have most of their force dissipated!

It's just a bit ugly in appearance, but it's definitely a top-tier item among Medium Grade Spiritual Artifacts!” Old Iron Hammer patted his chest and guaranteed.

Yao Delong took the heavy inner armor; it was cold and heavy to the touch. Defense was exactly what he needed most right now!

Without another word, he directly pulled out a pouch containing 1500 Low-Grade Spirit Stones and shoved it into Old Iron Hammer's hand.

“Eh? Old Yao! You... you gave too much! We're brothers, 1000 is enough!” Old Iron Hammer quickly declined.

“Take it!” Yao Delong waved his hand dismissively, “I'll still be relying on your blacksmith shop, Brother!”

Old Iron Hammer looked at the heavy pouch of Spirit Stones in his hand, then at Yao Delong's unrefusable expression,

A warm current surged in his heart: “Good! Good brother! Come to my place anytime in the future, just say what you want!”

Bidding farewell to the profusely grateful Old Iron Hammer, Yao Delong put the heavy Profound Iron Crocodile Scale Armor into his Storage Ring.

Just as he walked out of the market area, a paper kite shimmering with faint blue spiritual light flapped its wings and landed precisely on his shoulder.

The paper kite unfolded, revealing a line of delicate small characters:

“Martial Uncle Yao: The Desolate Earth Village mission squad members are all assembled. Please gather at the Mountain Gate Archway tomorrow at Maoshi three quarters (5:45 AM).

Initiator: Liu Rumei.”

At the Mountain Gate Archway, the morning sun was just beginning to peek through.

Last night, Yao Delong had a peaceful sleep, then got up and changed into a faded old Daoist robe.

Yesterday, he was so focused on buying protective armor that he forgot to buy a weapon!

He had no choice but to put the rusty longsword leaning outside his door into his Storage Ring and, with slightly faltering steps, hurried to the meeting point.

From a distance, he saw two figures already waiting there.

The leader was a woman, tall and straight, wearing the Heavenly Sword Peak's characteristic green tight-fitting attire, with an ancient longsword on her back.

She had a beautiful Face with heroic brows, and she was precisely the temporary squad leader for this mission, Liu Rumei, who was at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Beside her stood another female Disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak, slightly younger, with a round Face and lively eyes, at the eighth level of Qi Refining, named Bai Xiaoqiao.

Seeing Yao Delong arrive, both nodded slightly in greeting: “Martial Uncle Yao.”

Their attitude could be considered respectful, as his age and seniority were evident.

Not long after, a plump figure came running, panting like an ox.

It was a chubby boy, wearing the yellowish-brown Disciple uniform of Tuyao Peak, with a fleshy Face, at the eighth level of Qi Refining, named Tang Er.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave everyone a simple, honest smile: “Senior Sister Liu, Junior Sister Bai, Martial Uncle Yao... I'm not late, am I?”

The last to arrive was a tall, muscular young man, wearing the crimson short jacket of Huoyan Peak,

His aura was quite fierce, and his cultivation had surprisingly reached Qi Refining Perfection!

It was Meng Hu from Huoyan Peak. As soon as he arrived, his gaze swept over everyone like two brooms,

When he saw the aged, hunched, and weak-auraed Yao Delong, his thick eyebrows instantly furrowed into a knot,

His Face openly displayed strong disdain and contempt.

“Hmph!” He sneered, his voice loud and grating,

“Junior Sister Liu, is this the helper you found? An old cripple with one foot in the grave? Taking him to exterminate bandits?

I think he's going to deliver his head to those horse bandits! Don't expect this daddy to collect his corpse then, how unlucky!”

He crossed his arms, his chin raised high, and his eyes squinted at Yao Delong, full of provocation.

Yao Delong, however, was a step ahead, calmly glancing at Fierce Tiger with his cloudy eyes,

His face showed no expression, as if he hadn't heard the harsh mockery.

Ding!

【Target: Liu Rumei】

【Age: 20】

【Cultivation: Ninth Level Qi Refining】

【Spiritual Power Affinity: 8 (Extraordinary Talent)】

【Affection: 40 (Respect)】

His attitude of ignoring him made Meng Hu even more furious than if he had cursed back! Meng Hu's Face darkened, and the fierce glint in his eyes grew stronger.

Liu Rumei frowned slightly, “Enough, Senior Brother Meng Hu!”

Liu Rumei's cold voice rang out, carrying an undeniable authority,

“Martial Uncle Yao is at least a strong cultivator at Qi Refining Perfection, and his age certainly means rich combat experience!”

“Hmph! At his age, even with Qi Refining Perfection cultivation, it would be good if he could exert half of his strength!”

Meng Hu finished speaking and turned his body to the side, giving Liu Rumei some Face.

Liu Rumei, with a flick of her fair hand, a stream of light flew out from her Storage Pouch, expanding with the wind,

Transforming into a green spirit boat about three zhang long, hovering before everyone.

Fierce Tiger leaped easily, being the first to board the spirit boat. Liu Rumei, Bai Xiaoqiao, and Tang Er followed closely.

Yao Delong's steps were slow, and he was the last to board the boat. Fierce Tiger watched his slow movements, let out another cold snort, and turned his face away.

The spirit boat cut through the sky, speeding towards the northwest.

Half a day later, the spirit boat arrived at a desolate and barren hilly area.

Below was a dilapidated small village, with broken earthen walls and sparse cooking smoke; it was Desolate Earth Village, which had suffered from horse bandits.

After everyone descended from the spirit boat and revealed their identity as Yin Yang Sect Disciples, they were immediately met with the villagers' cries and embraces.

From a few elders, they quickly learned the detailed situation of the horse bandits: about twenty or so people,

They were entrenched in a dangerous canyon called “Vulture Valley,” twenty li west of the village.

The bandit leader's surname was Sun, nicknamed “Savage Mountain Blade,” and he had a cultivation of Qi Refining eighth level, extremely fierce.

Under him were several minor leaders at Qi Refining fifth and sixth levels.

“Vulture Valley has a dangerous terrain, easy to defend but difficult to attack...” Liu Rumei pondered for a moment,

“We should proceed cautiously, first investigate the situation, then decide on a strategy.”

“Investigate my ass! Investigate!” Meng Hu roared, interrupting her, his Face full of impatience.

“A bunch of rabble, the strongest is only at Qi Refining eighth level. Here, besides that old cripple...”

He glanced at Yao Delong, his tone full of contempt.

“...who isn't at Qi Refining eighth or ninth level? Just charge in and kill them all! Dawdling is a waste of time!”