17: Chapter 17: Thunder Cloud Mountains, Instant Kill of the Assassin

Jiang Xuan hugged his chest with his left hand, and the porcelain bottle in his right hand 'danced' up and down, looking at the surrounding people with a playful expression. He had only exchanged for one Gathering Qi Pill in the System Mall; it wasn't worth using too many limit points for the treasures of a group of Nascent Spirit Realm cultivators.

The bottle in his hand was, of course, empty. However, he believed he wouldn't lose, and these people would definitely gamble with him. This was the greed of human nature.

It was just that he had too few limit points; otherwise, he would directly exchange for treasures in the System Mall to enhance his Bloodline.

As expected, seeing that Jiang Xuan still had a full bottle of Gathering Qi Pills in his hand, they went crazy, shouting loudly, "I want to gamble with you! I want to gamble too!"

"Hahaha, in this day and age, there are really people rushing to give away money. I'm in too."

"Whose foolish boy is this? Even if he has capital, he shouldn't play like this. Never mind, I'm going too!"

In an instant, the scene immediately dissolved into chaos. Jiang Xuan walked to the registration desk and shouted, "Those who want to gamble, line up here to register."

...After a long while, Jiang Xuan looked at the list in his hand, smiling and nodding. There were about a hundred people, which was close to his expectation. Most people were just watching the excitement.

"Then, Senior Brothers, let's set a time. Three days from now. Three days later, I will hand over the mission here. By then, whether it's a win or a loss will be clear at a glance." With that, he turned and left.

Seeing Jiang Xuan leave, the scene slowly returned to calm. Those who had gambled were all beaming with joy, as if they had already won, fantasizing about breaking through after obtaining the Medicinal Pill.

In short, no one was optimistic about Jiang Xuan. In less than half a day, the news of this incident spread throughout the entire Outer Courtyard. People who liked to watch the excitement all expressed that they would definitely go to see if a miracle would happen three days later.

Behind the crowd, several sneaky students stared intently at Jiang Xuan until he left the academy gate. One of them whispered, "Go, inform the higher-ups that Jiang Xuan has left the academy."

"Understood!"

The Thundercloud Mountains, which traversed the entire Great Li Dynasty, were overrun with Yao Beasts. Legend had it that deep within the mountain range, there were even Yao Kings. Only Great Yao of the King-Sealing Realm were qualified to be crowned Yao Kings.

In the outer regions, most of the Yao Beasts were within the Qi Sea Realm. Therefore, people of the Human Race often came to the mountain range for adventure, some to gain experience, and some to hunt and sell Yao Beasts. One should know that the entire body of a Yao Beast was a treasure, especially its inner core.

Among the missions Jiang Xuan accepted, there was one to obtain a fire-attributed Qi Sea Realm Yao Beast inner core.

On the outskirts of the mountain range, Jiang Xuan looked at the dense forest before him. Dozens of meters tall towering trees reached into the clouds. The white mist in the forest, mixed with the roars of Yao Beasts, made it appear dark and eerie.

"This is an enhanced version of the primeval forest," Jiang Xuan exclaimed softly, then plunged into it.

In the forest, a group of black-clad masked men quickly moved through the trees. Suddenly, the leader raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

"Strange, why can't I sense his aura anymore."

"Could he have been discovered and hidden?"

"Possibly. Split up and search. That kid is alone; he can't escape. Once you find a trace, immediately send a signal."

"Yes."

Just as they were about to split up, a cold voice came from behind them, "Are you looking for me?"

The several men were startled, frightened by the sudden voice. They hurriedly looked behind them, only to see Jiang Xuan standing on a thick tree branch, looking at them coldly.

"You discovered us long ago?" The leader recovered from his surprise and asked.

"Just a few Qi Sea Realm cultivators. I noticed you all from the moment you entered the Thundercloud Mountains," Jiang Xuan said disdainfully.

"Hmph, what big words you speak. You are also in the Qi Sea Realm. How dare you speak so arrogantly when facing seven of us alone? You truly don't know your place!" one of the short-tempered men couldn't help but curse.

The leader raised his hand to stop him, "Jiang Xuan, since you've discovered us, then we'll deal with you here. It will also save us time. Don't blame us; blame yourself for offending someone you shouldn't have. Attack!"

As their words fell, seven Qi Sea Realm auras erupted, and then each of them unleashed their Martial Skills, charging towards Jiang Xuan.

Feeling the power of the seven Martial Skills, Jiang Xuan slowly raised his right hand, his eyes indifferent. He formed a hand seal, and a cold voice echoed in all directions, "Wind Thunder Sword Art!"

Immediately, a treasure sword imbued with lightning formed in front of Jiang Xuan, emitting 'zzt zzt zzt' sounds.

"Go!" Following Jiang Xuan's command, the sword body, drawing upon the power of wind and thunder, shot towards the men like lightning. "Boom!" Under the violent impact, the Martial Skills launched by the men instantly disintegrated.

The sword's power remained undiminished, continuing to charge towards the men. The men were terrified, no longer caring about their mission, and turned to flee. However, how could they escape the speed of the sword?

In the blink of an eye, "Puff..." several men were instantly cut down on the spot, black smoke still rising from their bodies. Only the leader remained, kneeling on the ground.

He tried to struggle to his feet and continue fleeing, but his body wouldn't obey. Just as he stood up a little, he suddenly fell to the ground again, spitting out a large mouthful of blood, collapsing like a dead dog.

Jiang Xuan walked up to him, looking down into his eyes. Suddenly, Jiang Xuan's pupils changed, "Soul-Devouring Great Art."

The man instantly lost his vitality, as if he had lost his Soul.

After a long while, Jiang Xuan's eyes returned to normal, while the leader lay on the ground, his eyes hollow, dead beyond dead.

"As expected, it's the Guo Family and that Teacher Wu from the Inner Courtyard." Just now, from the leader's Sea of Consciousness, he had probed to find out who wanted to kill him. As he expected, the only forces he had grudges with were those few.

Moreover, Jiang Xuan looked at the men on the ground, "Quite a large undertaking, aren't they? They are all among the top hundred on the Inner Courtyard's ranking list, and the leader is even ranked in the twenties."

Putting away their Storage Rings, Jiang Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, "Guo Family, and that old man surnamed Wu, wash your necks and wait for me."

In the Inner Courtyard, at Wu Tiangang's residence, looking at Wu Qingqing lying on the bed with white cloth wrapped around her eyes, a trace of heartache flashed in Wu Tiangang's eyes.

"Qingqing, Grandpa will definitely avenge you. Don't worry, I've already sent people to find eyes that match yours. As long as there's news, Grandpa will personally dig them out for you."

Then, he walked out of the room and stood quietly outside the courtyard. After a while, Wu Tiangang suddenly spoke to the air, "Have you sent people to kill Jiang Xuan?"

"Yes, Kong Ling, who is in the twenties on the Inner Courtyard's ranking list, and the rest are also in the top hundred. A total of seven people. Jiang Xuan is sure to die."

"Hmph, to die like this is too easy for him. Remember, this matter must never be known to outsiders, otherwise, neither you nor I will escape death." Recalling the Dean's terrifying strength, Wu Tiangang shivered.

In the Thundercloud Mountains, Jiang Xuan made an incision on each of the men's wrists. Blood flowed from the wounds, staining the ground crimson.

Jiang Xuan returned to the tree branch and closed his eyes to rest. Suddenly, the ground beneath him began to shake. Pebbles jumped chaotically on the ground, and the shaking made the leaves rustle.

Jiang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes and looked forward. He murmured with a smile, "They're here."