In the woodland.

“…”

Zhang Rongfang thought he was about to be able to eat.

But then…..

He just knew…

With Old Yue’s cunning calculations, it was impossible there was only Ding Chong following him. Even if that Brother Ding Chong was a deeply hidden Grandmaster, it would be the same.

Now it seems, his guess was correct.

“Don’t be afraid. I am Ding Rui, Ding Chong’s younger brother, and I am here to protect you.” Ding Rui turned back and said to Zhang Rongfang seriously.

“…Thank you, Brother Ding Rui.” Zhang Rongfang had emotions in his heart, but he also knew they were here for his good, so he had to thank them on the surface.

“This little Daoist looks so arrogant… you all, go at him!” Kongming on the opposite side began to shout.

The two evil monks behind him exchanged a subtle glance, quickly stepped forward, and swiftly used the Extreme State.

Although the two disdained Kongming’s impetuous personality, they had to act when necessary, being sons of Buddha.

In the West Sect True Buddha Temple, there are quite a few Extreme States, among them are the Dharma Aspect Shura, which primarily enhances strength and defense.

And Yaksha, which primarily enhances speed and explosive attacks.

These two are the Extreme States most favored by experts from the West Sect True Buddha Temple.

At this moment, both men’s skin turned dark, and silver lines swiftly emerged.

With two muffled bangs, the earth and stones exploded.

Two figures rushed swiftly towards Ding Rui.

Clang!!

Ding Rui crossed one arm in front, drawing a weird and mystical trajectory with his arm.

These trajectories seemed casual but were able to disperse the huge power from the two evil monks to other directions around them.

With each gust of wind being directed by Ding Rui, the force of the two evil monks’ strikes quickly diminished.

After the force was unloaded, only a small portion of it struck the target point.

The two were shocked in their hearts, and once again erupted in a second Extreme State.

Their bodies rapidly swelled, becoming larger, with blood vessels and veins bulging on the surface of their skin as if they might explode at any moment.

Indeed, many among the Three Emptiness of Worshiping Gods could use the second Extreme State, but generally, few would employ it.

Because even if worshiping gods, the burden of stacking two Extreme States is too great, and given their physical condition, sustaining it for a minute would already be amazing.

Just like in the battle at Wanghai Temple, when Zhang Rongfang faced Kongxiang, although Kongxiang also stacked Extreme States, he was ultimately exhausted to death.

“Take this!” The two appeared to be ordinary followers behind Kongming, but when they actually fought, their power was incredibly strong.

At this moment, one from the left and one from the right, attacked Ding Rui with a storm of moves.

The Limit-Breaking Skills were used in a frenzy without care, paired with the Extreme State.

Great force constantly collided with Ding Rui’s arm, stirring up gusts of whitish-gray wind.

But….

To no avail.

Ding Rui’s single hand almost formed an afterimage, precisely intercepting all of the two men’s moves.

Even facing two, he still maintained an absolute upper hand.

“Be cautious, this is my Great Dao’s ultimate technique.”

Suddenly, the other hand that had been idle raised sharply, two fingers together like a sharp spike, pointing forward.

“Mystic Stabilization!”

Puff!!

This finger, like the Sea-Calming Needle, instantly stabilized the violent assault of the two.

This move precisely pierced their Jianjing acupuncture points.

“You counterattack before your opponent! Are you a Grandmaster!!?” The two evil monks realized too late, but it was already too late.

Tremendous force instantly pierced through their flesh, penetrating through to form a bloody hole out their backs.

Along with the finger force, there was also a wave-like oscillating power, quickly unloading all strength from the two’s bodies, causing their legs to weaken, almost unable to stand.

“By the light.” Ding Rui whispered, rapidly striking their chests with two palms.

Silently, the two stood motionless, their eyes quickly dimming into lifelessness.

With two thuds, they fell to the ground, completely losing consciousness.

At this moment, Kongming on the other side had long since fled far away, and only from a distant sliver of his back, could a hint of robe color be seen.

Ding Rui sighed and shook his head, turning back to glance at Zhang Rongfang standing there.

“Junior brother, no need to worry. I’ll handle these two. After all, they are experts from the Western Sect and must be dealt with properly.”

“Alright then… should I continue on my journey or wait for you to return?” Zhang Rongfang hesitated.

“Keep going. Just follow the riverbank ahead, and you can quickly leave this place. After that, proceed according to the map. Go ahead, no need to fear.” Ding Rui replied warmly.

“Alright.” Zhang Rongfang sighed inwardly, yet still gratefully clasping his hands to thank him.

Ding Rui nodded, then turned and swiftly leaped away, lifting the two evil monks’ bodies and quickly departing into the distance.

Clearly, he intended to thoroughly resolve these two Spiritual Veins.

Zhang Rongfang stood, ensuring there was indeed no one around, then also turned and swiftly headed in the direction pointed out by Ding Rui.

Inexplicably, he found himself in the situation of journeying alone….

This subtle feeling… is quite indescribable.

Leaving the edge of the town, over the next three days.

Zhang Rongfang paused and walked at intervals, constantly checking and correcting his progress.

By the fourth day, his carried dry rations and Fasting Pills were consumed, and he started hunting and roasting, slowing his pace a bit.

Yet, as he continued rushing at full speed with External Medicine Super Grade, he gradually began to see signs of human habitation near the riverbank.

Traveling from the Great Capital to the Ze Province required crossing three regions.

The first was the Quanwu Mountain Range, which was the area Zhang Rongfang was currently traversing.

The second was the Dongling Mountain Range.

The third was Lichun Lake.

This was the fastest direct route and the shortest in terms of time. It was a path only martial arts masters could take.

For horse-drawn carriages, it would be much slower, needing to proceed step by step following the official road.

Zhang Rongfang crossed the Quanwu Mountain Range and entered the territory of the Dongling Mountain Range.

The Dongling Mountain Range was filled with fog, toxic insects everywhere, and the woodland covered the sky, making it perpetually dim even during daytime, quite troublesome.

To avoid possible disorientation, he bought some dry food and seasonings in a village at the mountain’s foot, changed boots, and took a slight detour along the mountain range’s edge.

At first, everything was calm, but they were about to pass through the Dongling Mountain Range.

Finally, something happened again….

A vast expanse of white mist soaked the twisted dark green forest.

This was Dongling Mountain.

In the morning, even without entering the mountain forest, while walking on the outskirts, one could smell a faint, irritating odor.

Looking carefully through the sunlight.

On the mountain path, Zhang Rongfang could vaguely see some tiny, dust-like things, floating and drifting in the air.

“Spores? Or fluff from certain plants?”

Holding his breath, he quickened his pace, not wanting to linger here.

At this moment, he was moving along a winding path between two forests.

The woods on both sides were deep and filled with white mist, the sun was shining overhead, yet there was no warmth at all.

The temperature here was much colder compared to the riverside before.

Cold and damp.

With every step, the ground beneath his feet seeped with moisture, like a waterlogged rag.

The entire path was covered in moss and damp black mud.

Zhang Rongfang quickened his pace, seeing yet another bend and downward slope ahead.

Suddenly, he stopped, a glint of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

“Friend, since you’re here, come out openly, why hide and cover up, lowering yourself unnecessarily.”

His voice traveled forward, far ahead.

Clap clap clap….

Suddenly, a clear applause sound slowly drifted over.

At the end of the path by the bend, two black-clad figures slowly walked out.

Both were dressed in black tight outfits, with face-covering scarves, only revealing their eyes, even their hands were covered with blackened metal gloves.

These two carried long swords on their backs, the sheathless blades were also black.

“An esteemed Daoist from the Great Dao Teaching, truly has some foundation, seems not just the ordinary External Medicine as the rumors say. Detecting us from such a distance, quite impressive.”

The black-clad figure walking slightly ahead spoke slowly.

The voice, surprisingly, was a female tone.

“What are your intentions, friends or foes? Please clarify.” Zhang Rongfang’s expression did not change, though his heart stirred slightly.

Not for any other reason, just because the breeze also carried the faint scent of blood and flesh from them.

The scent on these two was stronger than that of the Kongming Buddhist child before.

At such a place, at such a time….

Zhang Rongfang’s heart began to sense a need.

Where there is need, there is motivation.

With motivation, more patience and friendliness could breed.

For excellent ingredients, he was always generous in giving them time to fully activate their Qi and Blood.

Understanding every dish’s material, essence, texture, to better savor its taste….

Zhang Rongfang quietly took a deep breath, waiting for their response.

“As for our intention, there really isn’t one, just happened to be wandering down the mountain leisurely, and then chanced upon a fine fat sheep passing through. We were intending to rest for a few days, but when luck strikes, it’s unstoppable.”

The leading woman responded with a smile.

“Not afraid to let you know our origin. I make no changes in my name nor surname, Chen Yunru of the Dongling Sword Sect.”

“Dongling Sword Sect?” Not the Western Sect? Zhang Rongfang was momentarily disoriented, but quickly responded.

To intercept him so precisely, if not the Western Sect, then they must be related.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be such a coincidence.

But it mattered not, the Western Sect had too many disorganized forces pledging allegiance.

Although their clothing somewhat blocked him from clearly seeing the Qi and blood flow.

But what top experts could emerge in such a deep mountain forest?

As long as he was cautious, acted fast, struck suddenly, he could further improve the degree of blood and flesh completion.

Previously completed over seventy percent, a violet-red tumor had grown on his back, Zhang Rongfang was quite curious about it.

If it reached one hundred, what reactions would occur in his body?

Due to the effect of this secondary talent, being even more formidable than anticipated.

He was filled with curiosity about its final fully developed form.

“Alright, since you know our name, you might as well bind your arms and surrender, to avoid suffering flesh pains.” Chen Yunru said with a light laugh.

Obviously, capturing an ordinary External Medicine Daoist was an easy task for them.

Of course, this Daoist was quite slippery, the challenge wasn’t so much capturing him, as it was finding him in the first place.

They had dispersed a large number of people, searching and casting nets everywhere, yet did not expect to encounter him at their own doorstep.

Truly, when luck strikes, stopping it is impossible.

“Sorry, giving up isn’t my usual style….” Zhang Rongfang said seriously, bending his body, arms posed in the starting form of the Mountain-shaped Talisman from the Great Dao Teaching martial arts.

“Regardless, if you wish to act, then come!”

This time, he planned to lure them to a hidden spot before striking, avoiding…

Swoosh!!!

In an instant, a sharp whooshing sound flew towards them.

The shadow flashed, a circular weapon shadow fiercely collided with Chen Yunru from the side.

In a split second, Chen Yunru drew her sword, performing three consecutive thrusts.

Ting ting ting!

Following the crisp sounds, the shadow was pinned by the sword, its speed reduced, hovering momentarily in midair, revealing its substance before dropping to the ground.

Surprisingly, it was the Wish Wheel from Ding Rui before!

“In the depths where clouds obscure, the sword rings unreached. Truly a move of the Chao Yun Sword, Dongling Sword Sect worthy of staking a claim in the forest with blades as their banner.”

A figure suddenly leaped and bounded several times among the tree branches, flipping and lightly landing in front of Zhang Rongfang.

“Junior brother, don’t be afraid, with your senior brother here, I will not let anyone hurt you.”

Ding Rui slightly tilted his head, revealing a gentle, handsome flawless smile.

“…” Zhang Rongfang’s smile instantly froze within.

It’s you again!?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep