83: Chapter 83 The Battle of Xuzhou and Bengbu

A man behind him reminded him, "Senior Brother, be careful of the guarding Yao Beast."

"I know."

The sinister-looking youth waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings, and quickly locked onto the Red Velvet Beast.

"An underage Red Velvet Beast."

"It's equivalent to Qi Refining Level 6. The three of us are enough."

He drew a pitch-black short blade from his waist, with a faint blood-red light swirling on the blade.

The other two also drew their weapons, and the three of them fanned out, quietly surrounding the Red Velvet Beast.

When they were three zhang away from the Red Velvet Beast, that ball of pink fur suddenly moved.

The Red Velvet Beast suddenly opened its eyes, a pair of blood-red pupils staring fixedly at the three, letting out a low roar!

"Do it!"

The sinister-looking youth shouted, and the three of them lunged forward simultaneously!

The battle erupted instantly.

The sinister-looking youth's blade technique was fierce, each strike carrying a cold Evil Qi, clearly a Cultivation Technique of the Blood Fiend Sect.

The other two coordinated tacitly, one restraining from the side and the other ambushing from the rear.

Although the Red Velvet Beast was alone, it had thick skin and flesh, and astonishing strength.

It roared while swinging its sharp claws, each strike carrying a whistling wind, forcing the three to retreat repeatedly.

However, the three had the advantage in numbers, and their coordination became increasingly tacit.

The sinister-looking youth, spotting a flaw, slashed heavily at the Red Velvet Beast's hind leg!

The Red Velvet Beast let out a miserable shriek, and blood splattered!

Its movements slowed down significantly.

After a few more strikes, the Red Velvet Beast finally could not hold on, crashing to the ground, twitching a few times, and then becoming silent.

"Hoo—"

The sinister-looking youth let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and looked at the golden-veined grass, his eyes filled with greed.

"Finally obtained."

He strode towards the golden-veined grass, reaching out to pick it.

Just as he bent down, a figure suddenly rushed out from the forest!

It was not Li Changsheng.

It was from another direction.

It was a youth dressed in green, at Qi Refining Level 6, with a handsome face, holding a long sword, the sword light fierce, aimed directly at the sinister-looking youth's back!

"You dog thieves of the Blood Fiend Sect, do you deserve to take this Spiritual Plant?!"

The sinister-looking youth was shocked and hurriedly turned to block, but was shaken back several steps by that sword!

"People from the Jinyang Sect!"

He roared angrily.

"This was discovered by my Blood Fiend Sect first!"

"You discovered it first?"

The green-clad youth sneered.

"Heaven and earth Spiritual Plants belong to those with virtue. Do you of the Blood Fiend Sect even deserve to speak of 'virtue'?"

The two instantly began fighting!

The green-clad youth's sword technique was exquisite, clearly from a prestigious Sect, each strike upright and righteous, full of imposing aura.

The sinister-looking youth's blade technique was sinister and ruthless, but their cultivation levels were comparable, and for a moment, he was actually suppressed.

The other two Blood Fiend Sect Disciples wanted to step forward to help, but were blocked by two other Disciples from the Jinyang Sect who had appeared from nowhere.

For a time, the open space was filled with flashing blades and swords, and the sounds of killing shook the sky!

Li Changsheng hid behind a large tree, watching clearly.

The Jinyang Sect and the Blood Fiend Sect were blinded by blood for the sake of this golden-veined grass.

He did not move.

He just watched quietly.

"When the snipe and the clam struggle, the fisherman benefits."

He had understood this saying since he was young.

The battle lasted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The green-clad youth of the Jinyang Sect was more skilled, finally seizing a flaw and piercing the sinister-looking youth's shoulder with his sword!

The sinister-looking youth shrieked, his short blade slipping from his hand, and he stumbled back.

"Retreat!"

He ordered through gritted teeth.

The three Blood Fiend Sect Disciples broke through desperately, fleeing into the forest, and soon disappeared.

The green-clad youth of the Jinyang Sect did not pursue, merely glancing coldly at the direction they fled, then turned and walked to the golden-veined grass.

He bent down, carefully digging up the golden-veined grass by the roots, placed it into a jade box, and stored it in his Storage Pouch.

Then, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"Friend, you've watched for so long, why not come out and meet?"

Li Changsheng felt a shiver in his heart.

Was he discovered?

He did not move.

"Don't hide anymore."

The green-clad youth laughed.

"When the Blood Fiend Sect people made their move, your breathing became chaotic for an instant. Although it was very short, I heard it."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then walked out from behind the tree.

The green-clad youth sized him up, his gaze landing on the green steel sword at his waist, then looking at the grey robe on him.

"From the Qinglan Sword Sect?"

Li Changsheng nodded.

The green-clad youth smiled, his smile bright and hearty, like a different person from when he was fighting the Blood Fiend Sect earlier.

"Jinyang Sect, Lin Jingyun."

He cupped his hands.

"Thanks to you, brother, for allowing me to have that golden-veined grass just now."

Li Changsheng frowned slightly.

"I did not intervene."

"But you did not strike while we were both injured and exhausted,"

Lin Jingyun said seriously.

"That is already very rare. If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't have been able to resist."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then also cupped his hands.

"Qinglan Sword Sect, Li Changsheng."

Lin Jingyun nodded, and suddenly said, "Brother Li, this Secret Realm is full of dangers, and traveling alone is too risky. Why not travel together?"

"I have two Junior Brothers here, both at Qi Refining Level 5. If we join forces, we can look out for each other if we encounter anything."

Li Changsheng looked at the two behind him.

Those two Jinyang Sect Disciples were both at Qi Refining Level 5, with simple faces, and did not look like treacherous people.

But he did not agree immediately.

"I appreciate your kindness, Brother Lin," he said, weighing his words.

"However, I have some fellow villagers who are also in the Secret Realm, and I want to find them first."

Lin Jingyun did not force him, nodding and saying, "Understood. Then take care, Brother Li."

"If we meet again in the future, we can cooperate."

He paused, took out a Jade Slip from his bosom, and handed it to Li Changsheng.

"This is the Jinyang Sect's contact talisman; if you encounter danger, you can crush it."

"Jinyang Sect Disciples within a hundred miles will sense it and will definitely help if they can."

Li Changsheng took the Jade Slip, feeling somewhat conflicted.

Is this goodwill, or an attempt to win him over?

Regardless, he would accept it for now.

"Thank you, Brother Lin."

Lin Jingyun smiled, took his two Junior Brothers, and turned to disappear into the forest.

Li Changsheng stood in place, watching their departing figures, silent for a long time.

Jinyang Sect.

Blood Fiend Sect.

And the Loose Cultivators and other Sect Disciples hiding in the shadows.

The waters in this Secret Realm were deeper than he had imagined.

He turned and continued to walk deeper into the forest.

Not long after walking, he suddenly heard a faint sound of flowing water ahead.

He followed the sound and soon saw a clear stream winding down from the mountains.

The stream was crystal clear, and he could see smooth pebbles on the bottom, with a few silver fish swimming by occasionally.

Li Changsheng squatted down and cupped the stream water to take a sip.

It was sweet and refreshing, carrying a faint Spiritual Qi.

Good water.

Just as he was about to stand up, he suddenly saw something glowing under a rock by the stream.

He walked over and flipped the rock.

It was a palm-sized stone, pale gold all over, with a warm texture, faintly radiating Spiritual light.

A Spirit Stone?

No, it was purer than a Spirit Stone.

A word suddenly flashed through his mind.

Spirit Stone Marrow.

The stuff of legends.

The core essence of a Spirit Stone mine.

A piece the size of a fingernail contained the Spiritual Qi of tens of thousands of Spirit Stones; it was a treasure that even Golden Core Stage experts would covet.

And this piece was the size of a palm.

Li Changsheng's breathing suddenly became rapid.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and quickly stored the piece of Spirit Stone Marrow into the Storage Pouch in his bosom.

Just then, he suddenly sensed it.

Someone was approaching.

Not one person, but several.

And the direction was exactly here.

He quickly stood up.

Using the cover of the sound of the flowing water, he ran upstream along the stream.