9: Chapter 9: Can you withstand this punch, the culmination of twenty years of training?

In the valley.

Xu Tai stared forward with wide eyes.

The corners of his mouth twitched frantically.

It was late autumn, and winter was approaching.

Not to mention the cold weather, the mountains were even windier.

The autumn wind felt exceptionally bleak.

Yet, a shirtless man had suddenly appeared.

Dammit, and he was barefoot too.

"Isn't he cold!?"

"Don't his feet hurt!?"

Xu Tai complained frantically in his mind.

Ji Yebai looked at the man before him and remained silent for a moment.

Logically speaking.

He shouldn't interfere in other people's business.

His experiences in the deep mountains during his previous life had long since formed his habit of not meddling.

But.

Who could blame him for things being different this time!

Ji Yebai sighed softly.

His gaze landed on the plant in Xu Tai's left hand, and he couldn't look away.

spirit gathering grass.

He hadn't expected to actually see spirit gathering grass.

There were many types of spiritual items in the world.

But there was one type that was definitely a top-tier spiritual plant.

"spirit gathering grass!"

Ji Yebai looked at the remaining two leaves with some regret. "Sigh, what a waste of such a treasure!"

spirit gathering grass, as the name suggested, could gather Spiritual Qi.

A person's martial arts Cultivation was linked to Spiritual Qi.

The higher the level of the Martial Artist, the greater their demand for Spiritual Qi.

Therefore.

A good spiritual mountain or blessed land was exceptionally important.

But.

Similarly.

There weren't many places with high concentrations of Spiritual Qi.

They were generally occupied by major powers.

Consequently, a spirit gathering grass that could gather Spiritual Qi naturally became extremely important.

And now.

This thing was even more important for Ji Yebai.

Although Spiritual Qi recovery had begun in this great mountain.

After all, it was just a leak from a small Spiritual Vein; the actual level of Spiritual Qi was very thin.

Cultivating here would yield half the result with twice the effort.

If he had such a spirit gathering grass by his side, it would be the opposite—twice the result with half the effort.

Ji Yebai's bone structure and Aptitude were poor, so he desperately needed this kind of Spiritual Plant.

Xu Tai watched this scene, his eyes narrowing slightly.

His expression grew even more unsightly.

Judging by how Ji Yebai was staring at the Spiritual Plant in his hand, the newcomer likely harbored ill intentions.

However...

Xu Tai's eyes narrowed into a slit as a cruel smile appeared on his face.

"Who are you?! Do you want my Spiritual Plant too!?"

After saying that, he even held up the spirit gathering grass in his hand.

However, before Ji Yebai could speak.

Wang Yue, who was behind him, was already furious.

"Arrogant!!!"

"You shameless beast, how dare you speak so boastfully!"

"That is clearly something belonging to my Songhe Sect. Since when did it become yours!!!"

At this moment, Wang Yue looked as if he wanted to devour someone, glaring at Xu Tai with gritted teeth.

As for Wang Yue's words, Xu Tai merely curled his lip in disdain. "The item is in my hands, so it's mine!"

After saying that.

Xu Tai looked at Ji Yebai.

"It's not impossible for you to have this Spiritual Plant, as long as you do one thing for me, I will hand it over with both hands immediately!!!"

Xu Tai's thoughts spun rapidly as his eyes remained fixed on Ji Yebai.

Ji Yebai looked at Xu Tai with some surprise.

After a moment of silence, Ji Yebai spoke calmly:

"What is it!?"

Xu Tai raised an eyebrow and said with a cruel smile, "Naturally, it's to help me kill these people behind me. As long as you help me kill them, I will hand over the Spiritual Plant with both hands immediately. I am a man of my word!!!"

Although Xu Tai looked very arrogant.

Only he knew just how nervous he really was.

Although he didn't know how high Ji Yebai's martial arts were.

Just looking at the power of the pebble he had thrown earlier, he knew that strength was incredibly terrifying.

Xu Tai prided himself on his years of unremitting training.

Taking off his clothes would reveal a torso full of muscle.

But even so.

He wouldn't dare say he could throw a pebble with that much force.

Moreover, it was from fifty meters away.

Furthermore.

He was currently covered in blood and holding a long saber.

If Ji Yebai were an ordinary person, he should have been scared into hiding long ago.

Where would he get the courage to stand in front of him?

A jungle valley, far from civilization!

It could be described as a lawless land.

At this moment, in this setting.

To still be able to stand calmly before him made Xu Tai feel threatened.

While thoughts churned in Xu Tai's mind, Ji Yebai's eyes remained calm as he shook his head slightly and stepped forward twice.

"That condition is too much. Killing people—I do not agree!"

Swish!!!

Xu Tai instantly retreated five meters, raising his long saber with a stiff expression as if facing a great enemy. "Stop! If you take one more step forward, I will immediately chop this Spiritual Plant to pieces!"

As he spoke, he placed the long saber against the spirit gathering grass.

He and Ji Yebai were still separated by over ten meters. At this distance, Xu Tai was quite confident he wouldn't be instantly captured.

Even if Usain Bolt wanted to cross these dozen or so meters, it would take two or three seconds.

And in that time, he could definitely mince the Spiritual Plant.

Ji Yebai frowned slightly at this scene.

Was he really this vigilant!?

"Killing is impossible!"

Ji Yebai glanced at Wang Yue and said casually, "I have no grievance with him, so it's impossible for me to kill him!"

"Besides, we are in a society ruled by law now. Killing leads to prison!"

"..."

Xu Tai fell silent for a while.

What he said made a lot of sense; he even knew it was a society ruled by law.

But would you really abide by the law!?

The atmosphere fell into a silence.

It was even somewhat oppressive.

Of course.

All the pressure was on Xu Tai.

It gave him the urge to turn and flee.

But an inexplicable sense of crisis kept haunting his mind.

I can't turn around!

I can't run!

I'll die!

I'll die!

This sense of crisis made his scalp tingle.

"Then... I'll change the condition!!!"

Xu Tai took a deep breath, not daring to relax in the slightest, but he couldn't help but find a way out.

"Go on!"

Ji Yebai signaled Xu Tai to continue.

As soon as these words were spoken.

Xu Tai let out a small sigh of relief.

As long as we can talk, it's fine!

He immediately pointed at Wang Yue and said, "Block the people behind me, and I will give you the Spiritual Plant!!!"

"This is my final condition!"

Xu Tai looked at Ji Yebai warily. "If you don't agree to this either...!"

Ji Yebai glanced at Wang Yue and nodded faintly. "Fine! But you have to give me the item first. I don't want to have to hunt you down afterward!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

A look of struggle immediately appeared on Xu Tai's face.

The Spiritual Plant in his hand was now his life-saving straw.

Handing over the Spiritual Plant first was no different from gambling his life on Ji Yebai keeping his word;

But if he didn't hand it over...

Xu Tai glanced at Ji Yebai's expression; he couldn't quite read him.

After thinking it over repeatedly.

"Fine, I'll give it to you. You block them!"

Gritting his teeth, Xu Tai spoke in a low voice.

"Sir, he cannot be trusted. A villain who killed his own fellow disciples cannot be trusted at all!"

Wang Yue, behind them, was getting anxious.

The deal between the two was being reached right under his nose, which made him somewhat angry.

But Ji Yebai's gaze swept over him intentionally or otherwise, putting him under immense pressure.

He didn't quite dare to move.

One must realize.

Being able to use a pebble to shatter tree bark and embed it deeply within indicated that the person before him either possessed innate Divine Power or had Internal Strength.

In the past, he wasn't very clear about the power of Internal Strength, having only seen descriptions in ancient books.

But ever since he saw his own Sect Head use a Crane Peck to directly gouge a large hole in a tree trunk as thick as a bowl, he knew that the strength of an Internal Strength Martial Artist far exceeded his imagination.

In a world where technology was the truth, breaking bricks and stones was already very impressive, but gouging through a tree trunk with five fingers was beyond common sense.

But the person before him...

To be honest, Wang Yue didn't dare to gamble.

And on this side.

"I'm coming!"

Xu Tai said in a muffled voice, then warily watched Ji Yebai as he walked forward slowly.

Ji Yebai looked at Xu Tai calmly.

Now that his sense of Qi was overflowing, combined with the techniques and experience of a Third-rate Martial Artist from his previous life, it was impossible for him to fail unexpectedly.

That calm gaze put Xu Tai under great pressure.

The dozen or so meters took a full minute to walk before he arrived in front of Ji Yebai.

And as he entered within three meters of Ji Yebai, Xu Tai's entire body tensed up.

The long saber in his right hand was in a state where it could be swung at any moment.

Right now, he was like a spring; at the slightest disturbance, he would strike directly.

But Ji Yebai's figure remained motionless.

It wasn't until Xu Tai's figure crossed his and was about to pass that Ji Yebai said, "Now, can you give me the item!"

"Fine!"

Xu Tai knew he was at the mercy of others now, so he quite readily tossed the flowerpot over.

The moment he tossed it, he hurried forward. "I hope you keep your promise!"

"In such matters, I am still a man of my word!"

Ji Yebai caught the spirit gathering grass and said casually while examining it.

By now, the spirit gathering grass was already somewhat withered.

Only two of the five leaves remained.

This made Ji Yebai feel exceptionally pained.

In his previous life, he had only seen spiritual items of this level in drawings. Adding his two lives together, this was the first time he was so close to spirit gathering grass.

In his previous life, those who could possess spirit gathering grass were all overlords who controlled a region or world-renowned powers.

How could a Third-rate Martial Artist like him ever possess such a treasure.

Holding a treasure of this level, Ji Yebai couldn't help but feel a bit excited.

Even his posture relaxed ever so slightly.

And just as this tiny change occurred.

Xu Tai, who had already passed Ji Yebai, suddenly had his eyes light up.

His whole being was instantly excited.

"A good opportunity!!!"

For the sake of this Spiritual Plant, he could even lay hands on his own fellow disciples; how could he give it up so easily?

He was waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity.

And now.

He had found it.

The next moment.

Boom!!!

Xu Tai turned around violently, the long saber in his hand carrying his entire body's immense strength as it slashed out fiercely.

For a moment, the air was sliced with a shrill sound.

"At such a close distance, even my Master wouldn't be able to react!!!"

"Die for me!!!"

Xu Tai smiled cruelly and pounced forward.

The three-meter distance was crossed in a flash under his explosive power.

He approached Ji Yebai in an instant.

As the saber slashed down, a look of triumph appeared in his expression.

No matter how high your strength is, as long as I seize the opportunity, I can still hack you to death!!!

However, the idea was good.

The moment the saber was about to hit Ji Yebai, his face suddenly changed.

"Impossible!!!"

Xu Tai's eyes nearly split from strain.

His blade had been dodged!

At such a close distance, it was actually dodged!!!

How was this possible!?

Xu Tai's expression shifted drastically; without time for thought, he threw the long saber directly at Ji Yebai, using it as a hidden weapon to hinder him while he himself retreated violently without hesitation.

The long saber pierced through the air, heading straight for Ji Yebai, who had come to a stop five meters away.

Having just steadied himself, Ji Yebai paused slightly, stopping his chase to helplessly dodge the incoming saber.

He had still been a bit too overconfident.

In his previous life, he was only a Third-rate Martial Artist; suddenly holding a top-tier spiritual plant like spirit gathering grass, his mindset had inevitably faltered.

Furthermore, Xu Tai's compliance had made him relax his guard slightly.

Fortunately, his sense of Qi was abundant.

Under his explosive power, he instantly pulled away and dodged the saber.

And Xu Tai's experience was also very rich.

Failing with one move, he immediately fled to a distance.

He even threw the saber as a hidden weapon to hinder Ji Yebai.

This series of actions forced even Ji Yebai to praise him.

This Xu Tai really knew how to seize opportunities and was very decisive.

But...

"Sigh, wouldn't it have been better to just keep your word..."

Ji Yebai sighed softly, looking regretful.

Then, with a spring from his knees, he charged forward in an instant.

Wang Yue, behind them, watched this scene dumbfounded.

Events had unfolded extremely rapidly.

The deal was completed, and especially when Xu Tai threw the Spiritual Plant, his heart was in his throat, fearing Ji Yebai would be harmed due to arrogance, and also fearing Ji Yebai would kill Xu Tai to snatch the plant;

He hadn't expected them to part peacefully.

Just as Wang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, he became nervous again.

Parting peacefully meant Ji Yebai would intercept them.

Xu Tai would escape with his life.

He had no confidence in facing Ji Yebai.

And just as this thought occurred to him.

He saw Xu Tai suddenly turn back, his saber slicing through the sky.

In an instant, Wang Yue's heart leaped into his throat.

Just as he was about to shout, he saw Ji Yebai vanish instantly, launching himself five meters away with a speed exceeding that of a normal human.

Then, the scene of Xu Tai's saber missing and being turned into a hidden weapon to block the pursuit was each more brilliant than the last.

Wang Yue's entire mind was drawn along with it.

His scalp tingled.

He placed himself into that scenario.

Whether it was Ji Yebai or Xu Tai, he wouldn't be able to handle either.

And the scene he saw next left him completely stunned.

Ji Yebai suddenly charged forward like a sharp arrow being shot, his speed terrifyingly fast, blocking Xu Tai in an instant.

Lightness Skill!?

...

"You shouldn't have struck!!!"

A voice filled with regret sounded in Xu Tai's ear.

Then a figure rushed to the front with a swish.

Boom!!!

Xu Tai's hair stood on end as he stopped his body instantly.

His shoes were worn through from the friction.

He looked at Ji Yebai before him in disbelief.

"You... how could you be so fast!?"

Xu Tai looked at Ji Yebai as if seeing a ghost.

He had just charged forward at least thirty meters in an instant.

While Ji Yebai was blocked by the saber; even if it was only for a split second, he should have started slower than himself.

Running at full speed, as long as he pulled away, no one should have been able to catch him in a short time.

But.

What was going on!?

How could he have caught up and gotten in front of me!?

"Impossible!"

"How could you be so fast!?"

Xu Tai's expression was distorted, filled with disbelief.

His whole mind was in chaos.

"Sigh...!"

"How good would it have been if you just left? I'm such a man of my word..."

"Whether you betray your sect or kill your friends, I only wanted the spirit gathering grass!"

Ji Yebai looked at Xu Tai, his tone full of helplessness. "But why did you have to attack me!?"

"If it weren't for the fact that my strength is decent, I'm afraid I would have fallen for your trick!"

Ji Yebai's face was full of helplessness.

In a short time, he had mobilized the sense of Qi in his body three times.

Throwing the stone, dodging the long saber, and chasing Xu Tai.

Even with his sense of Qi being abundant, doing it three times in a row was quite a strain.

The consumption of his sense of Qi was already over half.

This situation truly made Ji Yebai somewhat annoyed.

He wasted no more words and struck directly.

Boom!!!

Ji Yebai threw a punch.

The entire air vibrated from it.

No one could experience what Xu Tai was feeling at this moment.

The immense wind from the punch rushed at his face, the pressure making it difficult for him to breathe.

He wanted to block.

And he did.

But the next moment.

A massive, surging force directly blew apart his arms and hammered into his chest.

With a crack.

Xu Tai's back suddenly bulged.

The immense force smashed his chest into a concave shape.

"I... I..."

Xu Tai looked at his chest blankly, unable to say a single word, and collapsed with a thud.

His anger was appeased.

Ji Yebai stopped looking at Xu Tai, turned his head to give the terrified Wang Yue a deep look, and then turned to leave.

Mobilizing the sense of Qi throughout his body, this punch was no less than the twenty years of effort of Great Hero Huo; at this stage, no one could withstand it.

As for Wang Yue.

He only dared to approach slowly after seeing Ji Yebai leave.