139: Chapter 139 Attack on the Return Journey: Helicopter Strike, Daring Escape

The Eve of the Secret Realm Return: A Warning of the Coming Storm

On the eve of the Taiji Secret Realm opening, Chen Wu's team returned from the Origin Pool to the temporary residence for traditional martial arts—'Rouyun Courtyard' at the foot of Taiji Villa.

The night was deep; the wind from the Taihang Mountains carried damp, cold mist, making the bamboo forest outside the courtyard rustle.

Moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled shadows on the stone path; besides the freshness of the mountains and forests, the air faintly held a pungent scent of metal and gunpowder.

"Something's not right. The surrounding Qi Energy is a bit chaotic."

Chen Wu suddenly stopped; his Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique trembled slightly within his body.

His Four Symbols Qi Energy spread out like radar, capturing abnormal Qi Energy fluctuations three kilometers away—not natural terrestrial Qi Energy, but 'Steel Qi Energy' accompanied by mechanical roaring, mixed with faint traces of 'Spirit-Devouring Energy', completely consistent with the characteristics of the overseas imitation organization that had previously attacked the Ancient Road.

Lin Mo's tactical tablet instantly popped up a 'High-Risk Warning', and the red dots on the screen flashed rapidly: "The Technical Department has detected three unidentified helicopters approaching from the northeast. Altitude 500 meters, speed 180 km/h. The cabins are equipped with suspected 'Qi Energy Machine Guns', and there are 12 ground personnel carrying 'Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Bullets' setting up a perimeter outside the courtyard. The target must be to intercept us from going to the Secret Realm!"

The global live broadcast's 'Night Infrared View' switched synchronously; the audience clearly saw the flight path of the helicopters and the deployment route of the ground personnel.

The barrage instantly shifted from 'Looking forward to the Secret Realm' to 'Tense Warning': "The imitation organization is too crazy! They are actually using helicopters!" "Teacher Chen, hurry and hide!" "Captain Lu, get ready for defense!"

Lu Feng's security team immediately entered combat state: Two members quickly set up 'Qi Energy Defense Shields' at the courtyard gate—made of three layers of Dragon Pulse cloth, capable of withstanding ordinary bullets and low-level Qi Energy attacks.

Li Meng led the team to the back of the courtyard, burying 'Qi Energy Sensor Mines' in the bamboo forest—once triggered, they would release light brown Xingji Energy to temporarily restrict enemy movement.

Lu Feng held the 'Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Gun', standing beside Chen Wu, Xingji Energy circulating in the gun body, ready to deal with aerial threats at any time.

"They must be trying to snatch the ancient manuals and the Secret Realm key before we enter the Secret Realm."

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan arrived with three Taiji guards, Innate Soft Energy spreading around him, his Taiji Sword glowing with a faint green light.

"Our villa's 'Qi Energy Warning Formation' just captured their communications, saying they want to 'capture Chen Wu alive and seize the clues to the fusion jade'. It seems they have long plotted for the supreme treasure of the Secret Realm."

He also reminded them that the Qi Energy machine guns mounted on the helicopters fired bullets wrapped in Spirit-Devouring Energy; ordinary defense shields could only withstand three attacks, so they must find an opportunity to counterattack as soon as possible.

The Flower Girl hid under the eaves of the courtyard, clutching the inheritance grass; the eight-colored petals suddenly stood up towards the helicopters, dewdrops rolling violently on the leaves, glowing with a faint red light—this was a 'Danger Warning' signal.

"Elder Zhou said that the inheritance grass can perceive 'malicious Qi Energy'," the little girl's voice was tense but still clear.

"The petals turning red means their Qi Energy hides very strong killing intent, and..."

Before she could finish, a piercing roar suddenly came from the night sky in the distance; the searchlights of the three helicopters pierced the darkness, pointing directly at Rouyun Courtyard.

Helicopter Strafing: The Ultimate Test of Qi Energy Defense

"Rat-tat-tat—" The first helicopter opened fire first; bullets wrapped in Spirit-Devouring Energy struck the courtyard gate like a rainstorm.

The light black bullet marks drew harsh piercing sounds through the air, hitting the Qi Energy Defense Shield and making a loud "Bang, bang, bang" sound.

The Dragon Pulse cloth on the defense shield glowed with a faint golden light, but after the third attack, small cracks appeared; the light black Spirit-Devouring Energy seeped in along the cracks, causing the defense efficiency of the shield to plummet from 80% to 50%.

"The defense shield won't last long!" the member setting up the shield shouted, his arms trembling slightly from the recoil.

"Their bullets carry Spirit-Devouring Energy, which is corroding the Qi Energy of the defense shield!"

The second helicopter took the opportunity to adjust its angle, its searchlight locking onto Chen Wu's position; the muzzle of the Qi Energy machine gun turned—light black bullets shot toward Chen Wu, 20% faster than before, even dyeing the airflow in the air light black.

"Mr. Chen, be careful!"

Lu Feng's Xingji Energy suddenly erupted; the Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Gun fired light brown Qi Energy bullets toward the trajectory of the bullets, colliding with the Spirit-Devouring bullets in the air.

Both exploded simultaneously, causing a sky full of black and brown Qi Energy fragments.

Chen Wu took the opportunity to activate the Fusion Energy Technique; the Four Symbols Qi Energy formed a 'Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Shield' in front of him, interwoven with light gold and light green—hard energy as the bone, soft energy as the skin; Yang energy dispelled the Spirit-Devouring Energy, while Yin energy guided the airflow.

When the remaining few bullets struck, the shield automatically adjusted its shape, wrapping and unloading the force like flowing water, finally letting them fall gently to the ground; the Spirit-Devouring Energy on the bullets had been completely dispelled by the Yang energy.

The slow-motion footage of the global live broadcast showed that when Chen Wu's Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Shield was defending, his Internal Energy circulation had no stagnation at all; the four Qi Energies of hard, soft, Yin, and Yang adjusted in real-time according to the bullet's trajectory.

Each unloading of force was precise to the millimeter, and the Qi Energy consumption was only 5%, far lower than the expected 15%.

The barrage instantly flooded with "So cool!", "The defense of Late Stage Brute Force is too stable!", "The Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Technique is really powerful!"

The Technical Department's 'Defense Efficiency Analysis' popped up on the screen: The defense efficiency of the Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Shield against Spirit-Devouring bullets reached 98%, and the Qi Energy consumption rate was only 3%, far exceeding the 60% defense efficiency and 20% consumption rate of ordinary Late Stage Brute Force Martial Artists.

Seeing that the ground attack was ineffective, the third helicopter suddenly lowered its altitude; the cabin door opened, and two men in black holding 'Qi Energy Rocket Launchers' fired at the roof of the courtyard—the light black rockets were wrapped in rich Spirit-Devouring Energy, leaving a long black trail in the air.

If it hit the roof, the entire Qi Energy defense Formation of the courtyard would collapse.

"Use the 'Leaning Energy' of the Taiji Thirteen Forms to counterattack!"

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan shouted; his Innate Soft Energy and Chen Wu's Fusion Energy Technique erupted simultaneously; both pushed out toward the direction of the rocket at the same time—the light green Taiji Leaning Energy and the light gold Xingji Leaning Energy merged in the air, forming a huge Qi Energy palm, gently supporting the rocket, and then guiding it to explode in the direction of the open space in the distance.

The black Qi Energy shockwave kicked up half a meter of dust in the open space, causing no casualties.

"Their firepower is too strong. We cannot defend passively!"

Chen Wu's gaze swept over the helicopters in the air, his Late Stage Brute Force Internal Energy surging within his body.

"Lu Feng, take the team to protect everyone and retreat to the Qi Energy bunker at the back mountain; Sect Head Yang, please trouble you and the Taiji guards to contain the ground enemies; I will go to shoot down the helicopters. They must not be allowed to interfere with the Secret Realm exploration!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Qi Energy pellet at his Dantian suddenly accelerated its rotation; the Four Symbols Qi Energy condensed in his palm, forming a 'Qi Energy Spiral Sphere' interwoven with light gold and light green—this was a new application of the Fusion Energy Technique, compressing hard energy into the core, wrapping soft energy on the outside, accelerating rotation with Yang energy, and stabilizing the trajectory with Yin energy.

Its power was three times stronger than an ordinary Xingji Collapse.

Aerial Counterattack: The Qi Energy Suppression of Late Stage Brute Force

Chen Wu stepped on the 'Xingji Steps' and rushed out of the courtyard quickly; his Late Stage Brute Force Internal Energy increased his speed by 50%, moving through the bamboo forest like an afterimage.

The pilot of the first helicopter discovered his trail and immediately adjusted the muzzle; the Qi Energy machine gun fired again, and light black bullets shot toward his feet, trying to restrict his movement—but Chen Wu did not dodge or evade.

The Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Technique unfolded under his feet; the hard energy made him jump two meters high instantly, and the soft energy guided the airflow to support his body.

He turned gently in the air, avoiding all bullets, and simultaneously threw the Qi Energy Spiral Sphere in his palm toward the helicopter's propeller.

"Bang—" The Spiral Sphere hit the propeller; the light golden hard energy instantly destroyed the blades, and the light green soft energy spread along the blades, interfering with the helicopter's Qi Energy System; the light black Spirit-Devouring Energy dissipated rapidly under the action of the Yang energy.

The helicopter lost its balance and shook violently in the air; the pilot tried to make an emergency landing, but before landing, Chen Wu added a 'Xingji Leaning'—the light golden Qi Energy hit the cabin like a heavy hammer, shattering the helicopter's cockpit; the pilot was safely ejected and then subdued by the arriving Taiji guards.

Seeing their companion shot down, the second helicopter immediately gained altitude, trying to escape—but Chen Wu would not give it a chance.

He took a deep breath, and the Four Symbols Qi Energy at his Dantian condensed again; this time it was the Fusion ultimate move of 'Taiji Thirteen Forms + Xingji Fist'—'Yin-Yang Hard-Soft Cannon': compressing Yang energy and hard energy into the cannon core, forming the cannon barrel with Yin energy and soft energy, and guiding the direction with the Qi Energy hub.

The light gold and light green Qi Energy formed a half-meter-large Qi Energy cannon in his palm, which he fired toward the tail rotor of the helicopter.

"Boom!" The Qi Energy cannon hit the tail fin. The pale golden Brute Force instantly tore through the metal, and the pale green soft energy seeped in, destroying the helicopter's control System.

The helicopter lost control, spinning as it plummeted. The men in black in the cabin panicked, but were gently caught by Chen Wu using soft energy, avoiding casualties.

"We only defend, we do not kill," Chen Wu's voice was firm. "traditional martial arts is an art of protection, not a tool for slaughter."

In the global live stream chat, viewers applauded this "benevolence": "Teacher Chen is not only powerful, but also kind-hearted!" "This is what traditional martial arts should look like!"

The third helicopter, seeing the situation was dire, gave up the attack and turned to flee toward the northeast. The men in black in the cabin did not forget to fire two "Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Bombs" at the ground, attempting to hinder the pursuit.

But Chen Wu was prepared. The "Fixed Energy" of the Taiji Thirteen Forms unfolded on the ground. The pale green Qi Energy formed a stable Qi Energy field. The Qi Energy Bombs landed on the field and were instantly frozen, then slowly fell to the ground. The pale black Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy was completely suppressed by the Fixed Energy, causing no damage.

"Want to run?" Chen Wu's Xingji Step unfolded again, faster than before. His Late Stage Brute Force Internal Energy allowed him to glide briefly in the air. He condensed the final Qi Energy spiral ball in his hand and threw it toward the helicopter's engine.

The engine instantly cut out, and the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a distant valley. As the men in black tried to abandon the machine and flee, they were surrounded by Lu Feng's team and the Taiji guards, and all were subdued.

This aerial counterattack took only 8 minutes. Two helicopters were shot down, and one was forced to land. 12 ground-based men in black were all subdued, and they confiscated 3 Qi Energy machine guns, 2 Qi Energy rocket launchers, 50 Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Bombs, and a "Secret Realm Raid Plan" — which detailed their plan to bury "Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Mines" at the Secret Realm entrance, attempting to detonate them after Chen Wu entered the Secret Realm to stop him from obtaining the fusion jade.

"It's fortunate we discovered this in advance, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable." Lu Feng inspected the confiscated equipment, his brows furrowed. "This equipment is more advanced than last time, indicating they have stronger forces supporting them behind the scenes. We must be more careful after entering the Secret Realm."

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan added: "I will have Taiji Villa strengthen security at the Secret Realm entrance and send guards to clear the surrounding Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy traps to ensure your safety."

Ground Suppression: The Tacit Understanding of Teamwork

Just as Chen Wu shot down the helicopter, in the bamboo forest behind the villa, Li Meng, leading the security team and Taiji guards, was suppressing the remaining ground-based men in black.

These men in black carried "Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Shields," which could withstand ordinary Qi Energy attacks, and could release pale black Qi Energy mist to interfere with vision and Qi Energy perception. Li Meng's Baji Energy hit the shield, but was actually rebounded by the pale black Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy, making his arm slightly numb.

"Use the 'Qi Energy Mist-Breaking Bomb'!" Li Meng shouted, and the team immediately threw the specially made Mist-Breaking Bombs — the pale brown Xingyi Energy exploded in the mist, dispersing the Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy mist and revealing the positions of the men in black.

The Taiji guards seized the opportunity to attack. Innate soft energy wrapped around the shields like flowing water, restricting their movement; the security team used "Qi Energy Grappling Hooks" to hook the gaps in the shields, pulling hard to create cracks in the shields; Li Meng seized the opportunity, condensed Baji Energy into his fist, and slammed it hard toward the cracks — with a "Bang," the shields shattered on impact. The men in black lost their defense and were gently subdued by the Taiji guards' soft energy.

The "Ground View" of the global live stream showed the entire suppression process took only 5 minutes. 12 men in black were all subdued, with no casualties.

Lin Mo's tablet updated the "Battle Results Statistics" in real-time: confiscated 12 Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy Shields, 20 Qi Energy daggers, and 15 communicators. Cracked communication content revealed that these men in black were from the "Overseas Spirit-Devouring Organization," the superior force to the previously imitated organization, specializing in "traditional martial arts resource plundering," having attacked 10 traditional martial arts sect Secret Realm entrances globally, with the goal of seizing each sect's supreme treasures for "artificial Qi Energy warrior" experiments.

"How detestable! To think they want to use traditional martial arts treasures for such things!" The Flower Girl held the inheritance grass, its eight-colored petals turning slightly red with anger. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, purifying the Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy on the confiscated Qi Energy daggers — the pale black Qi Energy touched the petals and instantly turned into harmless Qi Energy particles, proving that the inheritance grass had a restraining effect on Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy.

"Elder Zhou said, 'Spirit-Devouring Energy is the natural enemy of traditional martial arts, but it fears Qi Energy that contains vitality,'" the little girl dripped "Vitality Dew" onto the petals. Seven-colored light spread along the ground, purifying all the remaining Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy in the bamboo forest. "The vitality Qi Energy of the inheritance grass can completely neutralize Spirit-Devouring Energy. We can use it to make 'Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion' to take into the Secret Realm!"

Lin Mo immediately contacted the Technical Department to arrange the emergency production of the "Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion": "Mix the inheritance grass dew with Vitality Dew, add a small amount of Taiji Origin Qi Energy, and make it into a portable spray. It can form a 30-minute Anti-Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy layer on the skin," his fingers flew across the keyboard. "The Technical Department has started emergency production; it will be delivered to the villa within 1 hour, ensuring we are fully equipped before entering the Secret Realm."

In the global live stream chat, viewers applauded the team's collaboration. "Watcher of Huangtu Slope," Old Zhao, commented: "Captain Lu's team has such tacit understanding! Li Meng's Baji Energy is truly amazing!"

Amir from Egypt sent an "Overseas Support Message": "The Pyramid Qi Energy Security Team I contacted has already deployed around the Spirit-Devouring Organization's overseas strongholds and will cooperate with the Special Incident Response Department!"

Technical Department data showed that the global live stream of this raid surpassed 96 billion viewers. The support sent by viewers through the "Qi Energy Blessing" function was converted into 100,000 points of weak vitality Qi Energy, which, after being absorbed by the inheritance grass, increased the efficiency of purifying Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy by 20%, providing assistance for the subsequent production of the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion.

Post-Crisis Preparations: The Final Line of Defense for Secret Realm Exploration

After the raid ended, the lights of Rouyun Villa lit up again. Chen Wu's team and Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan's Taiji guards were deploying the "Final Line of Defense for Secret Realm Exploration."

Lu Feng's security team handed the confiscated Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy equipment to the Technical Department for "Qi Energy Analysis," attempting to find a way to crack it; Su Qing adjusted the "Secret Realm Emergency Plan" for the global live stream, adding a "Spirit-Devouring Energy Early Warning" channel to monitor the fluctuations of Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy inside the Secret Realm in real-time; Lin Mo distributed the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion to everyone, ensuring they could replenish the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy layer at any time after entering the Secret Realm.

Chen Wu, in the villa's courtyard, tested the effectiveness of the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion using the Fusion Energy Technique — he sprayed the potion on his arm, and the pale green vitality Qi Energy formed a thin layer on his skin. Then he lightly swiped with a confiscated Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy dagger. The pale black Qi Energy touched the film and was instantly purified; his arm was completely unharmed.

"The effect is very good," Chen Wu nodded in satisfaction. "After entering the Secret Realm, we will replenish the potion every 30 minutes, while using the inheritance grass petals to monitor Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy in real-time to ensure safety."

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan handed the blueprint for the "Taiji Spirit-Devouring Defense Formation" to Lu Feng: "This is my villa's ancestral defense Formation. It can form a pale green Qi Energy barrier at the Secret Realm entrance to withstand Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy attacks." He pointed to the eye of the Formation on the blueprint. "It requires three Taiji Origin Beads as the eyes. I have already had the guards send them. After you enter the Secret Realm, the guards will set up the Formation at the entrance to prevent sneak attacks from the remaining forces of the Spirit-Devouring Organization."

The Flower Girl plucked 10 petals from the inheritance grass and distributed them to Chen Wu and the security team: "Each petal can sense Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy within 100 meters. If it turns red, there is danger; if it turns green, it is safe." She lightly tapped the petals with her fingertips. "The petals can also release vitality Qi Energy in critical moments to temporarily suppress Spirit-Devouring Energy, buying you time to counterattack."

The final scene of the global live stream lingered on the scene of Chen Wu's team checking their equipment — Chen Wu held the ancient manual of the "Taiji Thirteen Forms," at his waist hung the Secret Realm key and the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion, and the Qi Energy Dan in his Dantian was rotating steadily; Lu Feng and his team checked the Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Guns and defensive shields; Lin Mo's tablet displayed the Qi Energy data inside the Secret Realm; the Flower Girl's inheritance grass bloomed in the pot, its eight-colored petals glowing with a faint green light.

The chat finally scrolled with a neatly aligned line of text: "Helicopter raid narrowly broken, team collaboration resolves the crisis; Anti-Spirit-Devouring Energy well prepared, waiting for your return from the Secret Realm exploration!"

This message was lit up simultaneously by 99 billion viewers, like a river of light intertwined with pale green and pale gold, illuminating the courtyard of Rouyun Villa.

Chen Wu knew that although this raid was thrilling, it had made the team's collaboration more tacit and their preparations more thorough; after entering the Taiji Secret Realm, although they would still encounter unknown dangers, with the Late Stage Brute Force Fusion Energy Technique, the Anti-Spirit-Devouring Potion, the early warning from the inheritance grass, and the support of traditional martial arts practitioners globally, he had the confidence to find the Taiji Xingji fusion jade and complete the mission of traditional martial arts Fusion — the gate of the Secret Realm had slowly opened before his eyes, and a more exciting adventure was about to begin.