58: Two people with malicious intent, four punches

At this moment, a servant suddenly reported, “Steward Huang, a letter has arrived from a subordinate city.”

“Good, bring it to me.”

Huang Bin took the letter from the Disciple and, after reading it, frowned even deeper.

Seeing this, Lu Jiu couldn't help but ask, “What's wrong, Brother Bin? Did something happen in the subordinate city?”

Huang Bin didn't answer but threw the letter directly. “See for yourself.”

Lu Jiu picked up the letter, quickly scanned it, and said in surprise, “The Sun Family of Luoxiao City was wiped out? What was the strength of that Family?”

“Luoxiao City is the lowest-level city within the Sect's territory. The strongest Family there should only be at the Condensing Core level.”

“So, the Cultivator who acted must be at least in the Condensing Core Realm.”

“That's right, and the incident also occurred in Luoxiao City, which is Lin Yuan's hometown. Could the killer be...”

At this point, their eyes met, and they simultaneously deduced, “Lin Yuan!?”

“Impossible!”

Huang Bin immediately denied, “No matter how powerful he is, he's just a junior in the Opening Meridian Realm. How could he kill a Condensing Core expert? There must be someone else.”

Lu Jiu, however, shook his head. “Brother Bin, you truly underestimate him. After all, he is an Outer Sect champion-level figure; he will inevitably have some trump cards. It's not impossible for him to kill a Condensing Core expert.”

Huang Bin narrowed his eyes. “Brother Lu, why are you so certain? Do you know his trump card?”

Lu Jiu sighed. Originally, he didn't want to mention the meteor, but since Lin Yuan could even kill a Condensing Core Cultivator, he knew he wouldn't be his opponent with his own cultivation. In the current situation, only with Huang Bin's help could there be a chance to seize the Opportunity.

“It's like this, Brother Bin...”

With his words, Huang Bin finally understood the truth.

“Meteor... Opportunity...”

He murmured softly, then suddenly adopted a solemn expression. “Brother Lu, if what you say is true, this matter is no small thing. Are you sure this is true?”

“Absolutely true!”

Lu Jiu nodded heavily, saying seriously, “Brother Bin, I believe you know the purpose of my revealing this. This child was able to Breakthrough from an ant at Body Tempering fifth level to Opening Meridian within a few days, and even won the Outer Sect Competition. The power of that Opportunity must be extremely terrifying. If we two can obtain it, our cultivation will surely soar, and even Breakthrough to the distant Core Formation Realm will be just around the corner!”

Core Formation Realm!

Upon hearing this, Huang Bin's eyes suddenly lit up, and his heart began to pound.

He had been stuck at Qi Gathering third level for decades, constantly searching for rare medicinal herbs to Breakthrough, but to no avail.

Without external interference, his talent for this lifetime should have been exhausted, with no further possibility of cultivation advancement.

And now, with such a great Opportunity before him, how could he not be tempted?

Seeing the other party's interest, Lu Jiu struck while the iron was hot, “Brother Bin, I can promise you that if we truly seize the Opportunity from him, I will only take a small portion, enough to help me Breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Realm. The rest of the large share will be yours, which will at least help you Condensing Core, and possibly even build a Dao Platform, stepping into that extraordinary Realm.”

Huang Bin had to admit that the other party's words were indeed very tempting, but as a Cultivator with considerable experience, he quickly calmed down and whispered, “Brother Lu, if I can Condensing Core, it will already be a great blessing. I won't hope for building a Dao Platform or anything like that.”

Lu Jiu immediately rejoiced, “So, you've agreed?”

Huang Bin's gaze was deep, and he lightly tapped the table with his finger. “Lin Yuan's strength is still unknown to us. Since he can kill a Condensing Core Cultivator, he might be able to contend with a Qi Gathering expert. Moreover, he was first in the Outer Sect Competition, and the Sect values him highly. If such an excellent Disciple dies within Cloud Ripple Sect territory, we will be investigated sooner or later.”

Lu Jiu smiled calmly and reassured him, “Brother Bin, you worry too much. No matter how powerful that kid's Opportunity is, it cannot raise his cultivation by two major Realms. With you acting, it will surely be a piece of cake. As for the Sect's investigation, do we still need to stay here after obtaining such an Opportunity? Anyway, neither of us has Family, so when the time comes, we can escape beyond the borders. Won't we be free as fish in the sea and birds in the sky?”

Huang Bin had already considered the other party's words. After only a moment's thought, he made a decision: “Alright, this time we'll go for a big one. If we win, we'll have boundless freedom; if we lose, we'll be utterly annihilated.”

Lu Jiu beamed with joy, “Haha, don't worry, Brother Bin, with you here, we will never lose.”

...

Luoxiao City.

Deng Residence.

Lin Yuan was practicing his fists in the courtyard, completely unaware that he had been targeted by two villains.

“Bang bang bang bang!”

As he threw a punch, four meridian sounds rang out. A willow tree in the distance was struck, instantly breaking into two. The thick trunk and dense branches of its upper half crashed to the ground.

“I've finally achieved four echoes with Tongbei Fist!”

Lin Yuan showed excitement and transmitted, “According to the Martial Skill description, four echoes are comparable to a Profound Rank Low-grade Martial Skill. With my Divine Vein's assistance, it should be equivalent to an Earth Rank Martial Skill, right?”

Ao Ling霜 denied, “No, the gap between Earth Rank Martial Skill and Profound Rank Martial Skill is enormous. Even a Profound Rank Advanced-grade Martial Skill has several times less power compared to an Earth Rank Low-grade Martial Skill. So, the Tongbei Fist you're currently performing can at most be considered Profound Rank Advanced-grade. You need to train it to at least six echoes to reach the threshold of Earth Rank.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan couldn't help but sigh, “Earth Rank Martial Skill is so powerful. No wonder even Young Misses from prominent Families like Liu Yuyan haven't cultivated it.”

“Wow! He can break a willow tree from so far away. Brother is truly amazing!”

“Husband's strength is growing. I'm afraid among peers, few can be your opponent, right?”

The two Young Misses beside him, seeing this, opened their rosy little mouths and exclaimed in admiration.

It was evident that their complexions were much better than before, like fresh flowers just beginning to bloom, appearing even more radiant and captivating after days of being nurtured by the man.

Lin Yuan turned and smiled, “There are always others stronger, and the world is vast. Although I am only dominant in the Outer Sect, there must be many Prodigies in the Inner Sect. Their talents are certainly no less than mine.”

Deng Fuxi raised her small fist and said, “I believe with Husband's talent, even if you enter the Inner Sect, you will still be among the top.”

During this time, she learned from him that Lin Yuan was not an Inner Sect Disciple and had no background. He had only obtained a certain Opportunity, which allowed him to win the Outer Sect Competition and also gain the favor of the Liu Family.

Although the truth was somewhat different from what she had imagined, she was not disappointed. With Lin Yuan's talent, even without backing, he could at least advance to the Core Formation Realm in the future. Such a peerless talent, she was clearly punching above her weight, wasn't she?