Chapter 57: Ambush on the Way

In the mainland, there were indeed hidden experts. These individuals were unwilling to act easily, as the repercussions of their involvement would be far too great.

To Xuan Jingtai, the "power behind Chu Fengmian" naturally belonged to the category of a hidden expert—someone unwilling to step forward and expose their identity.

This was precisely why Chu Fengmian had sought him out for help.

"Who is it? Someone from the Lin Estate?" Xuan Jingtai inquired.

He had already learned the details of Chu Fengmian's grievances with the Lin Estate throughout the day, including Chu Fengmian's slaying of the Fourth and Fifth Elders, the crippling of the Law Enforcement Elder's cultivation, and his eventual escape after battling the Master of the Lin Estate.

When he heard that Chu Fengmian had actually fought the Master of the Lin Estate to a standstill, Xuan Jingtai was genuinely shocked.

The Master of the Lin Estate was at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm, while Chu Fengmian was only at the first level.

To confront someone eight full realms above oneself without falling into a disadvantage was something Xuan Jingtai had never heard of or witnessed in all his experience.

"No, it is someone from Wusheng Academy," Chu Fengmian said, shaking his head. "A Hall Master from Wusheng Academy."

"A Hall Master of Wusheng Academy?"

This caught Xuan Jingtai off guard. He hadn't expected Chu Fengmian to have such an entanglement with Wusheng Academy.

However, given his own status, he did not fear Wusheng Academy. At most, it was a major power within the Wusheng Kingdom, but compared to his backing, the Heavenly Sword Sect, it was as different as clouds from mud.

Even if he killed a Hall Master of Wusheng Academy, the academy would never dare to retaliate against him. After all, Xuan Jingtai represented the Heavenly Sword Sect—a true behemoth.

To be safe, Xuan Jingtai asked again.

"Which Hall Master is it?"

Within Wusheng Academy, the Hall Masters of certain powerful halls possessed strength that was not inferior to his own; some were even stronger. He wasn't certain he could kill them even if asked.

"The Hall Master of the Wuyan Hall," Chu Fengmian replied.

"Wuyan Hall? Just a mediocre, lower-tier hall. A little brat in the Divine Sea Realm is no problem," Xuan Jingtai said with a sudden laugh after recalling who the Hall Master was.

A Divine Sea Realm martial artist was no stronger than an ant in his eyes. Eliminating such a person would be effortless.

"When do you need me to act? I cannot make a move inside Wusheng Academy, but if he leaves the academy, he is as good as dead," Xuan Jingtai said confidently. With his strength, dealing with a Divine Sea Realm martial artist was easy.

The matter wasn't difficult to handle, aside from the slight complication of being inside the academy. After all, Xuan Jingtai couldn't exactly swagger into Wusheng Academy to assassinate the Hall Master of Wuyan Hall.

"The Hall Master of Wuyan Hall is currently just outside the academy," Chu Fengmian said with a smile. "Why don't you, Manager Xuan, accompany me on a trip?"

"Very well." Xuan Jingtai nodded, glancing at Chu Fengmian.

The two figures quickly left Wanqi Pavilion and raced toward the west of Linwu City.

Once a martial artist reached the Body Tempering Realm, their running speed was much faster than many horses; thus, it was more efficient to run on foot. Especially since although Chu Fengmian's realm was low, his spiritual energy was nearly inexhaustible, allowing him to sprint at maximum speed indefinitely.

Along the way, Xuan Jingtai kept observing Chu Fengmian. He had assumed that at such a speed, Chu Fengmian would eventually need to rest. However, the spiritual energy within Chu Fengmian seemed so vast that no matter how much he consumed, he showed no signs of depletion. This left Xuan Jingtai feeling repeatedly astonished.

"We're here."

After an hour, the two had run hundreds of miles and came to a halt before a canyon.

This canyon was the mandatory pass for the thirteen cities surrounding Linwu City. Linwu City itself was situated within a great mountain range; to leave, one had to traverse this canyon. Similarly, any outsider wishing to enter had to pass through this single canyon. It was the vital artery for travel to and from the thirteen cities in the southwest.

"Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon," Chu Fengmian thought to himself as he watched the crowds passing below.

In the Desolate Mountains, Chu Fengmian had clashed with Ding Hao, the Young Hall Master of Wuyan Hall, and had even slain all of Ding Hao's servants. Chu Fengmian had originally intended to pull the weeds by the roots, but Ding Hao possessed a protective jade talisman, leaving Chu Fengmian with no choice but to let him go.

Ding Hao was now a mortal enemy of Chu Fengmian, and he had learned of Chu Fengmian's sword techniques and movement methods. Given Ding Hao's vengeful nature, he would undoubtedly return to seek revenge and bring men to seize Chu Fengmian's techniques.

Given the power of the Wuyan Hall, it wouldn't be difficult for them to uncover Chu Fengmian's identity within a few days. Since Chu Fengmian had not used a disguise and had recently gained some notoriety in the thirteen southwest cities due to his sudden rise, finding him would be no task.

As Chu Fengmian was thinking, the sound of galloping hooves rang out.

In the distance, more than ten black steeds came charging forward. These were no ordinary horses; instead of hair, they were covered in scales.

Black-Scaled Horses.

It was said that these horses carried the bloodline of the ancient exotic beast, the Golden-Scaled Beast, which gave them their armored scales and incredible endurance. The speed of a Black-Scaled Horse was comparable to that of a Divine Sea Realm martial artist, which was why major powers chose to breed them. A single Black-Scaled Horse was worth at least one hundred thousand Bone-Tempering Pills—a luxury not every major power could afford.

In the case of the Lin Estate, only the Master of the Estate possessed a Black-Scaled Horse as a mount.

This group was entirely mounted on Black-Scaled Horses. The leader's mount was twice the size of the others—a Horse King. A Black-Scaled Horse King was worth a million Bone-Tempering Pills; only someone with the wealth of the Wuyan Hall Hall Master could afford such a creature.

"They're here," Chu Fengmian thought with a cold sneer.

"Father, the sword techniques and movement methods that boy possessed were high-grade. I fear they are far more exquisite than those in the Library Pavilion."

Chu Fengmian overheard Ding Hao, the Young Hall Master, speaking to a middle-aged man beside him. The man was elegantly dressed, possessed a commanding presence, and maintained a cold expression—the unmistakable look of someone accustomed to high status.

"Hao'er, your training trip to the Desolate Mountains yielded quite a significant windfall. For a youth to be that terrifying, his techniques must have come from a great encounter," the middle-aged man said coldly. His words were filled with greed, mirroring the expression on Ding Hao's face. "If we can kill him and take his techniques, the influence of our Wuyan Hall within Wusheng Academy can be greatly expanded."