16: This is an implication

"Seventh Elder, I'll have to trouble you to make a trip to Black Blood Mountain City."

"As for the matter of sealing off the news, I'll leave that to Elder Su to handle."

"Seal it off gradually until it is completely hidden away."

"Whether it is matters concerning Zhang Yizhi or people related to him, no further discussion is permitted."

"We respectfully obey the Eighth Elder's decree."

It was evident that after this incident, the Eight Great Elders had begun to regard Elder Su, who reported the news, with great importance, showing a trend of wanting to promote him into the Sect's inner circle.

Elder Su was naturally overjoyed.

Thus, after receiving the detailed account of that day's battle, he made a bold decision.

He decided to slightly embellish Zhang Yizhi's battle achievements; only then would the other party's combat power seem unparalleled, and only then would his own contribution seem immense.

"Elder, are we really going to spread this kind of news?"

A Cloud Heaven Sect Disciple had a look of suspicion on his face, seemingly unable to understand.

"Hmph, this Elder is merely slightly embellishing it. Do you understand 'embellishing'? Just go and do it immediately."

"Enhancing our Sect's prestige and crushing the prestige of outside Sects, do you understand?"

The Disciple suddenly realized and then nodded heavily.

"Replying to Elder, this Disciple understands."

As a result, while passing on the news, he also couldn't help but embellish it a little... Several days passed quickly. Although the Cloud Heaven Sect had urgently sealed off the information, there were simply too many witnesses that day.

In addition, the Soul Explosion Beads of Black Blood Mountain City were far too unique; eventually, some news—true or false—still made its way back to Black Blood Mountain City.

"No matter who he is, the majesty of my Black Blood Mountain City cannot be violated!"

That day, Black Blood Mountain City issued the famous Butcher Order: anyone who slays this person named Zhang Yizhi will be rewarded with three Mysterious Tier Cultivation Techniques and five thousand Spirit Stones.

Of course, this Butcher Order was also limited to Foundation Establishment Realm Great Cultivators and below; Golden Core Realm Cultivators were not allowed to participate.

For a time, the issuance of the Butcher Order by Black Blood Mountain City caused no small stir, causing Zhang Yizhi's name to smoothly land on the desks of various major powers.

Once the Butcher Order is out, it is a fight to the death.

However, what most people didn't know was that initially, this Butcher Order did not restrict Cultivators above the Golden Core Realm from taking action.

But ever since a certain Cloud Heaven Sect Elder stepped into Black Blood Mountain City with a single sword, the restrictions were quickly modified.

"Slaying a half-step Golden Core at the fourth level of Qi Refining? Good, good, good! This young master finally has an opponent."

At the Ten Thousand Demon Gate, a wicked youth in black laughed loudly, leaping up and transforming into a massive Yao Beast with wings that blotted out the sun.

His true form was actually a Dragon Flame Saint Peng, possessing a Sovereign-level Yao Beast Bloodline within his body.

Within the Star Arrival Sect, at a lake where the world's spiritual energy was exceptionally dense.

A girl of peerless beauty and ethereal Aura sat cross-legged on a giant rock. Her skin was fair, her appearance unrivaled, and a small yellow flower was worn on her forehead.

"Slaying a half-step Golden Core Realm Cultivator with a cultivation of the fourth level of the Qi Refining Realm?"

While reading the battle report, the girl could not help but clench her delicate fists.

If the intelligence is true...

Then such talent, if placed in our Jizi Prefecture, would likely make him a successor of many immortal orthodoxies. I didn't expect this tiny Donglin Prefecture could also give birth to such a Prodigy?

Since the intelligence came from the Cloud Heaven Sect, its credibility should still be extremely high.

This intelligence is perhaps true.

The girl's beautiful eyes were like water, but the lake within her heart was already surging with great waves.

In fact, her true identity was not as simple as it appeared on the surface; she was an existence from beyond Donglin Prefecture, having come here for a certain reason.

"Zhang Yizhi, as long as I defeat you, I will surely be able to awaken a Fearless Dao Heart."

Suddenly, the True Essence around the girl vibrated, and a surging Battle Intent and an unmatched Concept pierced straight into the clouds.

At the same time, at the Seven Emperor Sword Sect, all Disciples could not help but bow their heads in respect when passing by a certain palace.

A Sword Intent so terrifying it was suffocating was hidden within the palace. Even a single fraction of it leaking out made the entire younger generation of the Seven Emperor Sword Sect dare not harbor the slightest bit of covetousness.

"The battle report says... he actually has five types of Sword Intent! He must be my lifelong rival!"

Boom!!!

The palace gates swung open, and a sword strike slashed out. The Sword Qi was sharp and pierced through the heavens and earth, cutting through the layers of clouds in the sky.

"A formidable foe!"

This was the evaluation from the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens of the eight great sects; they had already begun to regard this person named Zhang Yizhi as their number one arch-enemy.

"What? Just entering the first level of Qi Refining and chatting and laughing with a Golden Core Cultivator?"

"What?! Killing a Golden Core with a Mortal body?"

...Within Donglin Prefecture, the rumors grew more and more intense.

"Achoo."

"Achoo."

"Achoo."

...On a wilderness road, Zhang Yizhi rubbed his nose, his expression somewhat puzzled.

Why had he been sneezing constantly these past few days? Could it be that some random people were thinking about him again?

Heavens, I, Zhang Yizhi, haven't done anything.

However, over these ten-odd days, there were also things to be thankful for.

Since he signed that deed of sale, Qin Dong's Aura had significantly improved. After Qin Zixuan's nursing, he had mostly recovered.

"Thank the Heavens for saving my kind and simple Brother Qin—ah, no, it should be Big Brother!"

Zhang Yizhi spoke thus, silently grateful in his heart that the heavens had opened their eyes.

During a break in the journey, Qin Dong and Qin Zixuan got off the carriage one after another. Taking advantage of the rest time, Zhang Yizhi finally had time to examine the star resonance rock he had purchased at the auction that day.

Five eyeball-sized rocks landed in his hand, looking quite ordinary.

But Qin Dong, standing aside, did not think so. An Outstanding Grade Prodigy naturally has their own strange encounters and blessings.

"Sigh, it's all my fault. If I hadn't stepped up to buy these things, how could it have invited crisis and caused Brother Qin to be innocently injured?"

Zhang Yizhi threw them in anger, and the five star resonance rocks slammed heavily onto the ground.

"Brother, this is not your fault. In the cultivation world, fists do the talking. Being trash is the original sin; if you're weak, just practice more."

"Yes, Little Brother Zhang, the priority now is not regret, but to enter the Cloud Heaven Sect as soon as possible to improve your strength."

Qin Dong and Qin Zixuan comforted him one after another. Hearing their words, Zhang Yizhi felt a bit better in his heart.

Only, why did he feel like Big Brother Qin's words had a hidden meaning?

Immediately, he looked at Qin Dong and said,

"Brother Qin, to tell you the truth, the reason I bid for this item that day was because I felt a strange Aura."

"It seemed like something was calling to me, and that Aura came from within these five star resonance rocks."

"It was a very strong feeling; I couldn't even control myself."

Is it coming?

Qin Dong's eyebrows twitched. He had known long ago that such an Outstanding Grade Prodigy would naturally have their own miraculous opportunities.

He just didn't know if this fellow Zhang Yizhi would have the dumb luck to open up a great treasure.

Soon, Zhang Yizhi drew his belted sword and circulated his True Essence to slash at one of the star resonance rocks on the ground.

With a bang, sparks flew as the rock was sliced open, but there was nothing.

Following that, three more sword strikes were delivered, yet still nothing was gained.

Finally, the last star resonance rock was also heavily split open, and this time, there was something.

An ancient coin popped out. The material of the coin was exceptionally hard, actually causing a notch to break off the Medium Grade Mortal-tier weapon in Zhang Yizhi's hand.

Zhang Yizhi stepped forward cautiously and picked up the coin. On the coin, several large characters were clearly written:

Ferryman Lord's Pure Head Coin.

"What does this mean?"

"I don't know. This is probably a kind of hint."

Just as the three were still pondering the specific use of this coin, three feathered arrows carrying powerful True Essence strength were shot from the shadows.

The hidden arrows were cold; the killing intent was suddenly caught by Qin Dong.

Qin Dong suddenly kicked Zhang Yizhi away, then grabbed Qin Zixuan's waist and retreated five inches, easily dodging the cold arrows.

"Who's there!"

Zhang Yizhi rolled ten meters on the ground before stopping his body. Qin Dong and the other's clothes were slightly soiled.

The three quickly looked into the distance, only to see figures constantly emerging from the forest. In just a short moment, ten figures had already rushed out.

Leading them was a youth holding a short bow, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.

Qin Dong's True Essence swept out, seeing that they were at least at the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm or above. They must certainly be pursuers sent by Black Blood Mountain City.

The Young Man with the Short Bow had a gloomy expression. Even a Great Cultivator would have fallen for those three arrows just now if they were unguarded. He didn't expect the opponent to resolve it so easily.

However, his gaze only showed surprise for a moment before he quickly concentrated all his attention on the youth holding the ancient coin, a look of greed flowing in his eyes.

"Go, kill them quickly!"

The Young Man with the Short Bow fired several feathered arrows in succession, each arrow possessing power comparable to the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm.

"Zhang Yizhi! We'll take your head."

"Ah? Again?"

Zhang Yizhi was exasperated. This was already the third wave of enemies. How vengeful was that guy called Blood Fiend Young Master?

Without waiting to think further, he put away the coin and steeled himself to meet the challenge.

Brother Qin is injured; I must protect Brother Qin and Sister Zixuan's safety.

It must be said that as an Outstanding Grade Prodigy, Zhang Yizhi indeed had some skill.

He swept his sword into the crowd. Upon the first encounter, he instantly forced several enemies back, his Sword Qi crisscrossing and his Aura like a rainbow.

"Hmph, you think you can take my, Zhang Yizhi's, head? In your dreams!"

Zhang Yizhi snorted coldly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes.

However, the Young Man with the Short Bow was not intimidated by his Aura. Instead, he gave a cold laugh: "Posturing!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Young Man with the Short Bow fired another arrow.

This arrow's speed was even faster and its power even fiercer, heading straight for Zhang Yizhi's throat.