Chapter 22: The Arrogant Youth

"What exquisite movement techniques and swordsmanship. This person's strength is actually sufficient to contend with a pack of Bloodthirsty Magic Wolves at the fifth level of the Bone Tempering Realm. These movement techniques and swordsmanship are, at the very least, Earth-grade."

The young man's eyes lit up as he watched Chu Fengmian fighting the Bloodthirsty Magic Wolves, and a hint of greed soon surfaced in his gaze.

The young man spoke to a middle-aged man beside him.

"Dugu, go and capture this kid in a moment."

"Young Master, the Hall Master instructed that it is best not to cause trouble during this trip. This..."

The middle-aged man named Dugu said hesitantly.

"Cause trouble? Looking at the kid, he doesn't seem to belong to any major power. At this age, he's only at the fifth level of the Bone Tempering Realm; he's likely just a kid from some remote place who stumbled upon some fortuitous encounter to learn such movement techniques and swordsmanship."

The young man spoke with greed in his voice.

"Such movement techniques and swordsmanship are extremely rare even within the Academy. If I can obtain them and present them to my father, it would be a great achievement."

"It would be a waste to let such movement techniques and swordsmanship fall into the hands of someone from such a remote place."

"Yes."

After hearing the young man's words, Dugu glanced at Chu Fengmian's figure a few more times. Indeed, Chu Fengmian did not appear to be a member of any major power, so he nodded and gradually approached.

On the other side, the dozen or so Bloodthirsty Magic Wolves had all been slain by Chu Fengmian.

Without exception, they had all been cut in half at the waist.

"The pelts of these Bloodthirsty Magic Wolves are also quite valuable. What a pity."

Chu Fengmian sighed inwardly as he looked at the corpses scattered on the ground. The pelts of these wolves were highly sought after by disciples of great families and could be sold for a good price outside.

However, Chu Fengmian had no intention of collecting the pelts right now; they were too cumbersome. He simply walked from one to another, digging out the demon cores of the Bloodthirsty Magic Wolves and storing them in his belt.

"Someone is coming?"

At the moment he dug out the last demon core, Chu Fengmian's eyes suddenly turned cold.

He had already heard the footsteps of someone approaching, and the footsteps were extremely heavy.

"Eighth level of the Bone Tempering Realm..."

In an instant, Chu Fengmian judged the strength of the newcomer.

An eighth-level Bone Tempering Realm expert was not uncommon in these remote Desolate Mountains, and judging by the person's manner, they were coming straight for him.

This caused Chu Fengmian's body to tense up instantly, ready to strike at any moment.

In these Desolate Mountains, the dangers were not limited to demonic beasts; martial artists were equally dangerous.

Killing for treasure was not uncommon among martial artists, especially in such desolate, uninhabited lands, where it happened frequently. Chu Fengmian had to remain vigilant.

"Kid, my Young Master wants you to come with us."

Dugu arrived in front of Chu Fengmian in just a few steps and spoke abruptly.

Rather than sounding like a negotiation, the words sounded more like a command, as if a superior were ordering a subordinate.

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Chu Fengmian's brow furrowed.

Chu Fengmian had originally intended to ask Dugu about his purpose, but seeing him now, it was clear that the man came with ill intentions.

Chu Fengmian glanced at Dugu and spoke calmly.

"Who is your Young Master? I don't believe I know him."

"We are from the Wuyan Hall of the Wusheng Academy. My Young Master is the Young Hall Master of the Wuyan Hall. Now, come quickly."

Dugu said coldly, his voice carrying an unmistakable pride when mentioning the Wusheng Academy.

People from the Wusheng Academy.

Hearing this name caused a jolt of surprise in Chu Fengmian's heart.

The Wusheng Academy was one of the largest powers in the Wusheng Kingdom, established personally by the Wusheng Royal Family, with countless subordinate halls under its command.

Any disciple of the Wusheng Academy could be considered a genius of their generation. Although the Lin Estate where Chu Fengmian resided was dominant in Linwu City, they would still treat any disciple of the Wusheng Academy with respect.

He hadn't expected to encounter someone from the Wusheng Academy in these remote Desolate Mountains.

However, Chu Fengmian had no intention of obeying Dugu's overbearing command.

If he had been asked politely, Chu Fengmian might have considered it, but he was no servant to be ordered around so arrogantly.

"This Chu does not know any Young Hall Master of the Wusheng Academy, nor does he intend to meet him. Please leave," Chu Fengmian said coldly.

In his past life, even if people from the Seven Great Sects had come, Chu Fengmian would not have given them face. Now, for a mere Young Hall Master of a small Wusheng Academy to order him around, Chu Fengmian would not grant him any respect.

"What?!"

Dugu had not expected his words to be rejected.

One had to realize that the Wusheng Academy was a supreme existence in the Wusheng Kingdom. He had already announced his affiliation; in his mind, Chu Fengmian should have followed him to see the Young Hall Master with a face full of respect.

He never expected to be rejected outright by Chu Fengmian.

More importantly, Chu Fengmian had turned around and was actually intending to leave.

"Kid, stay!"

Dugu roared.

If he allowed a little brat at the fifth level of the Bone Tempering Realm like Chu Fengmian to walk away right in front of him, Dugu would lose all face within the Wusheng Academy for being unable to handle such a trivial matter.

With a furious shout, Dugu moved his feet, his figure instantly lunging toward Chu Fengmian's shoulder, intending to force him to stay.

"Since you refuse the polite way and insist on the hard way, don't blame me if you suffer some physical pain!"

This strike contained spiritual energy. Once he gripped Chu Fengmian's shoulder, he feared he would crush it outright.

"Ridiculous! If I wish to leave, no one can stop me!"

Chu Fengmian let out a cold snort.

He had long known that Dugu came with ill intent. He had seen Dugu's group observing him from a distance earlier; they were clearly eyeing his Phantom Movement Technique and Infinite Sword Dance.

If he didn't leave now, he would be walking straight into a tiger's den.

With a sudden movement, he transformed into a blur. Dugu's grasp caught nothing but an afterimage.

Meanwhile, Chu Fengmian's true body was already sprinting toward the depths of the Desolate Mountains.

"Don't let the kid escape! Catch him!"

Seeing his strike miss, Dugu snapped out of it and shouted loudly. The eight remaining middle-aged men nearby moved simultaneously.

Numerous figures began to converge to intercept Chu Fengmian.

"Eight eighth-level Bone Tempering Realm martial artists!"

Chu Fengmian scanned the area, calculating inwardly.

If there were only one eighth-level martial artist, Chu Fengmian could fight using his Phantom Movement Technique combined with the Infinite Sword Dance. But if eight of them joined forces, his only option was to flee.

Martial artists were much harder to deal with than demonic beasts, especially since the cultivation techniques of these eight men were of a high grade—superior even to the Spirit Wind Manual, the best low-grade Earth-tier technique in the Lin Estate. They would be extremely difficult to handle.