176: Chapter 176 Who dares to be so insolent in front of him?

"Xinghe, follow him and keep an eye out," Wuyazi commanded in a deep voice. "If Yuyan suffers any mishap, don't bother coming back."

"Disciple obeys!" Su Xinghe's expression turned grim, and he immediately gave chase.

Li Hanyi nodded silently.

This old man truly doted on Junior Sister Yuyan.

"Father, rest assured. Yuyan's strength far surpasses ordinary people." Although Li Qingluo was worried, she recalled that even Murong Bo had been chased away in a sorry state by a mere woman; how strong could Ding Chunqiu possibly be?

...

On Leigu Mountain.

"Star Constellation Old Immortal, your Divine Ability is boundless!"

A group of Star Constellation Sect Disciples shouted at the top of their lungs.

Zhao Min stood among the crowd, her gaze slightly lowered, deep in thought.

"This person is worth trying to win over."

Lu Zhangke and He Biweng exchanged a glance, both seeing apprehension in the other's eyes.

Ding Chunqiu's martial arts were no less than theirs. If he were to be subdued by the Imperial Court, their status might be threatened in the future.

Zhao Min nodded lightly, offering no comment.

On the Beggars Gang's side.

You Tanzhi stared intently at Ding Chunqiu, his eyes icy.

Behind him, the little girl in purple spoke timidly:

"You must kill him for me... He always wants to refine me into a poison puppet. I'm so scared..."

A'Zi's voice trembled, her face full of fright.

"Don't be afraid. I will definitely protect you completely." You Tanzhi turned back and patted his chest heavily.

In any other story, You Tanzhi's life experiences would have made him a figure blessed by destiny.

His father and uncle were both prominent Estate Masters in the Jianghu, yet because they were obsessed with executing the infamous Qiao Feng to establish their own prestige, both ended up perishing.

He, who luckily escaped death, stumbled upon a young maiden in the wilderness, obtained a rare treasure like the Divine Wood King Cauldron, and cultivated a set of bizarre Poison Skills.

Even more incredibly, through a fortunate coincidence, he actually grasped the profound mysteries of the 'Yi Jin Jing'.

In a short span, he leaped from an unknown nobody to a top expert in the Martial Forest.

Such an encounter was clearly the fate reserved for a protagonist.

It was a pity that his mind was slow-witted, allowing A'Zi to manipulate him completely, leaving him with no power to resist.

Ding Chunqiu gently fanned himself, looking calm and composed. His head was full of silver hair, but his face was as smooth and delicate as an infant's, appearing from a distance like a truly enlightened Master.

However, the surrounding Martial Forest figures all knew clearly that this man was ruthless, merciless, and a mass murderer. They quickly retreated several paces, forcefully clearing a wide path.

"Master, your might is too overwhelming! These Central Plains rats don't even dare to look you directly in the eye!" The Star Constellation Sect's eldest Disciple, Zhaixingzi, quickly flattered him.

"That is natural. My cultivation reaches the heavens; how could mortals possibly look upon me directly?" Ding Chunqiu smiled proudly.

"What Master says is absolutely right!" Zhaixingzi bowed and scraped, his face full of obsequiousness.

Before the words could fully settle, a piercing scream was heard, and a figure shot through the air, heading straight for Ding Chunqiu's face.

Looking closely at the attire, it was actually one of his own Disciples.

Ding Chunqiu frowned, and anger immediately surged—how dare someone be presumptuous in front of him?

Just as he was about to leap up and use his Qi Dissolving Great Move to refine the incoming person into a poison corpse and throw him back, his nose suddenly caught a whiff of a rotten stench.

His expression changed drastically: "Corpse Rot Skill?!"

His figure flashed away rapidly.

The figure crashed heavily onto his sedan chair, splashing corrosive fluid everywhere. A few drops landed on several nearby Star Constellation followers.

In moments, their faces turned black, they foamed at the mouth, and collapsed dead.

"Which petty thief dares to steal and learn my immortal's supreme technique?!"

The response was several more flying, rotting corpses.

Ding Chunqiu was burning with rage. He casually grabbed a few Disciples, spat out palm force, and instantly unleashed the Corpse Rot Palm.

In the blink of an eye, the flesh of those people ulcerated, turning them into moving corpse puppets, which were then violently flung forward.

With several dull thuds, the corpses collided in the air, poison juice flying everywhere. The Star Constellation members cried out in alarm and scattered in panic.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the figure of the iron-headed youth finally became visible.

"Who are you?"

"Who I am is unimportant. I have come today to take your life and clean up the sect!" the iron-headed youth shouted coldly.

Not far away, the Beggars Gang members frowned as they observed the new Gang Leader, growing increasingly dissatisfied.

This person acted absurdly and without any method, being toyed with by a little girl. How could he possess any of the dignity a Gang Leader should have? If this continued, the century-old foundation would surely be ruined.

However, the elders who caused trouble at Apricot Grove and outside Shaoshi Mountain had already been completely purged by Qiao Feng.

Those remaining were mostly peace-loving people who did not wish to stir up trouble.

Despite their worries, no one dared to step forward to take charge of the situation.

In an instant, You Tanzhi and Ding Chunqiu engaged in direct combat.

Both were Masters of poison techniques; wherever their palm winds landed, a foul stench filled the air.

Even the Qi Dissolving Great Move was difficult for You Tanzhi to counter effectively.

After a few exchanges, they fought to a standstill.

"What a brat! He can actually contend with me to this extent!" Ding Chunqiu retracted both palms, his expression grave.

The more he fought, the more alarmed he became.

Not only was the opponent's poison skill profound, but the True Qi within his body was also vast and boundless. What was even more alarming was that he seemed utterly unconcerned by the toxins, as if he possessed an innate resistance to poison.

An opponent like this was truly troublesome.

"Stop fighting! Stop it quickly!" A figure suddenly charged into the fray, waving his arm and shouting.

"Yu'er, come back!" A low shout sounded from the side. Duan Zhengchun swiftly moved out and pulled Duan Yu behind him.

"Please, both of you, continue," Duan Zhengchun said with a cupped-hand salute.

However, despite his words, neither of them attacked again.

They both knew clearly—they could not defeat this opponent in a short time.

If they were to fight to the death, it would likely take over a hundred exchanges.

The Four Great Evils... no, now only two remained, also rushed over from the distance to gather at Leigu Mountain with other Jianghu figures.

Su Xinghe was known as the 'Eloquent Scholar.' Although his martial arts were not top-tier, he was versed in zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, divination, and astrology. His eight Disciples were also quite famous in the Jianghu, especially the divine physician Xue Muhua, who was most respected. Thus, quite a number of people had gathered for this summons.

Just as everyone was wondering why their Master had not yet appeared, a fissure suddenly split open in the stone wall, and three figures walked out slowly.

Ding Chunqiu's gaze turned cold, his pupils contracting.

"Hmph, I was wondering where that old immortal was hiding. It turns out my Senior Brother used a mechanical Formation to conceal his presence!" He sneered and lunged toward the stone wall.

Seeing his posture, others immediately understood: a major secret was about to be revealed.

The old ghost? Who was it?

A clear sword cry pierced the sky, and two cold beams shot toward Ding Chunqiu like meteors.

Ding Chunqiu, who was about to lunge at the stone wall, had his expression change drastically. He stamped his toes sharply, spun his body backward, and narrowly avoided the crisscrossing, fierce twin swords.

As the sword tips grazed past him, another series of silver lights flashed.

Sword Qi crisscrossed, the edge sharp and intimidating.

Ding Chunqiu could only dodge repeatedly, having no power to fight back.

The chilling killing intent emanating from the Flying Swords made him clearly understand—he absolutely could not withstand a direct block.

"It's her!"

When everyone saw Wang Yuyan standing still, lightly resting a hand on her sword case, those who had seen her before Shaolin Temple immediately felt their hearts clench.

They subconsciously looked around, searching for Su Rui's figure.

After looking around and finding no trace, they finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

By now, they somewhat understood the inside story.

It turned out that the great disaster brought upon by Murong Longcheng and Murong Bo was entirely because of this maiden.

But no one expected that not only was that unfathomable Master powerful, but even the peerlessly beautiful woman rumored to have suffered endless grievances previously possessed such astonishing means.

A series of sword-drawing sounds rang out one after another.

In the blink of an eye, all twelve Flying Swords soared into the air.

Each sword seemed wielded by a Master, using different Moves, all attacking the same target.

In just a moment, Ding Chunqiu's flowing white robes were shredded into pieces of scrap cloth, the corners stained crimson with blood, strikingly conspicuous...

Even several strands of his hair were cut off.

If he hadn't retracted his head in time, half of his head would likely have been gone.

The more Ding Chunqiu fought, the more alarmed he became.

He truly could not figure out when he had provoked such a young powerhouse.

If he wanted to counterattack, he had to close the distance.

But at the moment, just defending with all his might had exhausted all his focus.

As the thought arose, the intention to retreat surfaced.

Su Xinghe, watching from the sidelines, was dumbfounded.

His own cultivation was inferior to Ding Chunqiu's. Seeing how pathetic Ding Chunqiu looked under Wang Yuyan's assault, he knew that if it were him, he probably wouldn't last three exchanges.

Thinking that this young maiden was his Master's granddaughter, only eighteen years old, Su Xinghe couldn't help but sigh, feeling as if decades of his life had been wasted.

No wonder his Master said his Aptitude was mediocre back then.

This kind of talent was truly a rare prodigy encountered once in a century.

"It's the Fairy Sister!"

Duan Yu's eyes were entranced, then he suddenly froze: "Why... are there two?"

Duan Zhengchun's face darkened upon hearing this, and he immediately reached out to cover his son's mouth.

"You saw the person behind you as well. A slight mistake could lead to the downfall of our kingdom!" he warned in a low voice.

Dali built its legacy on martial arts, and the country had many experts.

But recalling the scene at Shaolin Temple, Duan Zhengchun knew that if that mysterious figure truly decided to act, Dali stood no chance.

Facing such an unpredictable powerhouse, the best choice was to stay far away and never get involved!

Even more so, never become an enemy.

"Father, there really are only two!"

Duan Yu's eyes were vacant as he gently pushed his father's hand away.

Dao Baifeng suddenly drew her saber.

"Li Qingluo!"

Duan Zhengchun trembled all over and turned his head sharply—just in time to see Li Qingluo walking over slowly.

He trembled again.

And when Li Qingluo saw Duan Zhengchun, she was also slightly stunned.

But looking at the middle-aged man before her, her mind conjured up the image of Su Rui, still dashing and charming.

In an instant, she felt the person before her was utterly unremarkable.

Those sweet words from the past now seemed nauseating upon reflection.

Sensing the gaze Duan Zhengchun cast upon her, she turned her face away, her gaze landing on Wang Yuyan.

Looking at the similar features between mother and daughter, Duan Zhengchun finally understood why Duan Yu had said that.

Although their appearances were different, that certain aura was exactly the same.

Could it be... this is Qingluo's daughter?

Dao Baifeng's eyes widened in fury, staring fixedly at Li Qingluo.

But the other party never spared them another glance.

Yet, just now, she clearly saw Li Qingluo glance in this direction.

At that very moment—

"Little lass, I will remember today's humiliation. May the green mountains remain, we shall meet again!"

With a cold snort, Ding Chunqiu rapidly retreated, fleeing down the mountain like a phantom.

The Star Constellation Disciples scattered like birds and beasts, leaving their banners strewn across the ground, utterly miserable.

"Trying to run?"

The corner of Wang Yuyan's lips curled up, and with a final light snort.

The sword case trembled slightly, and the Vermilion Bird Sword shot into the sky. A flame-like crimson light pierced through the heavens, instantly impaling Ding Chunqiu's chest.

The entire scene fell silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Who was Ding Chunqiu? A Great Grandmaster, considered a top expert in the Jianghu.