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nChapter 20

nTranslator:

nLordbluefire

nEditor:

nLordbluefire

nXia Qilin laughed. “I’m also looking forward to cousin’s display of the Zhao Clan’s great art, the Cloudleap Steps.”

nThe Zhao Clan that Zhao Churan belonged to had passed down a very outstanding movement-type martial skill.

n“Haha, I hope that my poor performance won’t be ridiculed by Cousin Qilin.” Zhao Churan pursed her lips and smiled.

n“We’re here. There are often strong gales in the Ghostwail Forest throughout the year. Thus, this place is very suitable for you to practice your movement-type martial skill,” Xia Qilin said.

nHearing that it was the two of them, Xia Qingchen couldn’t be bothered to show himself. He turned and headed deeper into the Ghostwail Forest.

nTen days later.

nZhao Churan’s elegant foot tapped on the ground, and she advanced agilely, moving for about ten feet in one leap.

nClap clap——

nXia Qilin was full of admiration and said, “Cousin’s movement-type martial skill is really brilliant, to be able to travel ten feet with one step. This is a speed that only experts at the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage can achieve.”

n“It’s cousin’s turn now. Let me see how your cultivation of the Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum has been.” Zhao Churan’s gaze was filled with anticipation.

nXia Qilin chuckled and said, “Cousin, have a good look!”

nXia Qilin gathered all the inner force in his body to his ten fingers, striking out toward the old tree as thick as a human’s waist.

nPffft pffft——

nAfter nine consecutive stifled sounds, nine one-inch deep marks were left on the old tree.

nZhao Churan gasped, “Oh my god! This is the inner force release that only those at the medium constellation stage can achieve! The Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum is too amazing!”

nThe inner force of someone at the minor constellation stage couldn’t leave the surface of their body.

nIt was something that only those at the medium constellation stage and above could achieve.

nHowever, the Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum helped martial practitioners at the minor constellation stage to be able to release their inner force, despite this being something that only those at the medium constellation stage and above could perform. It was truly astonishing.

nXia Qilin drew back his stance, his eyes also filled with elation. The prowess of this martial skill was far greater than what he had imagined it to be.

n“It’s a pity that this book isn’t complete and there’s only one-quarter of it here. I’ve only learned the first form—Nine Plum Blossoms Bloomed. There are still three more parts to it. I believe that their prowess would be greater as they go on!” Xia Qilin couldn’t help but feel great pity.

nZhao Churan consoled him, “Cousin, with just this move alone, you are unmatchable amongst those at the minor constellation stage.”

nThat was true!

nXia Qilin’s gaze was filled with pride, and he shouted in a loud voice, “I, Xia Qilin, will reach the very top one day, becoming the strongest person in the Lone Cloud City.”

n“I believe in you, Cousin!” Zhao Churan looked at Xia Qilin, with an additional hint of yearning in her gaze.

nOnly a cousin like him was worth her respect.

nAs for the other cousin… Sigh, he wasn’t even worth mentioning!

nMoreover, he had fallen and become friends with people from the triads, living a muddled life.

n…

nIn the depths of the Ghostwail Forest.

nXia Qingchen stood on an empty stretch of land, performing the complete set of a martial skill with each move in succession.

n“First form, Nine Plum Blossoms Bloomed!”

n“Second form, Windsnow Flow!”

n“Third form, Guest from Heavens!”

n“Fourth form, Fallen Plum Departure!”

nXia Qingchen slowly drew back his stance, looking at the mess he created around him. Then, he mumbled to himself, “The prowess is still acceptable. It can work as a supplementary martial skill. The Four-Forms Ancient Scroll is more suitable as a primary martial skill.”

nAmidst the mess, there was an old log that was broken and charred.

nSeven days ago, he had successfully cultivated the first scroll of the Four-Forms Ancient Scroll, Fire Phoenix Illuminates the Sky, and had broken the old tree with a single kick.

nIf a person had been standing in front of him, they’d definitely have died unless their cultivation had reached the eight radiance-level of the minor constellation stage.

nIn comparison to the damage caused by the Four-Forms Ancient Scroll, the Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum could only create an area of mess, and the prowess was extremely limited.

n“It should be about time for the martial pavilion’s competition. It’s time to head back!” After devoting hard work in his training for half a month, Xia Qingchen had gained a lot from all three martial skills.

nThe number of opened minor meridians in his body had also reached 50.

nTogether with the five major meridians, his inner force was extremely strong. It was even slightly stronger than people at the sixth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage.

nWith a tap of his foot, he performed the Cloudlight Nature Sound, rapidly darting through the forest at a great speed of 20 feet per step.

nIt didn’t take long before he reached the borders of the Ghostwail Forest.

nHe coincidentally chanced upon Zhao Churan and Xia Qilin, who were heading back to the city together.

nXia Qingchen frowned slightly, planning to avoid them. He wasn’t willing to come face-to-face with them.

nHowever, he suddenly stopped in his footsteps, looking toward the borders of the Ghostwail Forest.

nThere were three people wearing red cloth masks, and they were sneakily approaching Xia Qilin and Zhao Churan. They suddenly made a move when they were within three zhang away from the two of them.

n“We’ve finally gotten our hands on someone a little bit more worthy!” The three masked men jumped out, each of them holding a dagger, charging out with great killing auras.

nXia Qilin was given a great scare. He couldn’t understand whom he had offended.

n“Cousin, be careful. They are… the bandits on the Yun Canal!” Zhao Churan’s beautiful face couldn’t help but turn pale.

nSome time ago, Yun Canal had been disturbed by bandits, causing the merchants’ ships to halt for half a month.

nTherefore, she had some understanding of these bandits.

nShe knew the three of them were bandits the moment she saw their red cloth masks.

nBandits?

nXia Qilin’s heart sank.

nHe had long since heard of how terrifying Yun Canal’s bandits were!

nHalf a month ago, they had assaulted a city along the coast, killing countless people and seizing many women, causing great bloodshed.

nHe hadn’t expected them to come to the Lone Cloud City.

nMoreover, he had encountered them!

nAlthough he was afraid, with the bandits here, he could only take them on head-on!

nXia Qilin demonstrated his cultivation base that was at the eighth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage. He also prepared to use the Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum he had just learned.

nHowever, the despairing thing was that the three men emitted inner forces that were close to that of a silvery-white color.

nThat was a sign of people at the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage!

n“Brothers, I’ll leave the guy to the two of you. I’ll handle the girl!” The bandit in the middle assessed Zhao Churan’s beautiful face and great figure with an evil gaze.

n“F*ck, you’ll get the advantage first!”

nThe three bandits came to an agreement, and two of them pounced toward Xia Qilin.

nThe other one headed for Zhao Churan, like a hungry tiger pouncing at a sheep.

nXia Qilin gritted his teeth. There was no way he could concurrently take on two evil-doers who didn’t care for their lives and were stronger than him.

nSwoosh——

nWith a tap, he turned to run and dart into the depths of the Ghostwail Forest.

nZhao Churan had been left behind.

nHe had no intention of protecting her.

nZhao Churan bit her red lips and performed her movement-type martial skill in a bid to escape.

nIt could allow her to travel ten feet with a single step. Thus, by right, she should have a higher chance of escaping compared to Xia Qilin.

nHowever, her reaction was a bit slower.

nShe had just attempted to take two steps when one of the bandits threw out the dagger in his hand, striking her shoulder.

nThe intense pain caused Zhao Churan to lose her balance and fell to the ground.

nBefore she could get back up, the bandit came over quickly, twisting her arm and smiled evilly, saying, “Lass, you’ve successfully perked my interest. Let me dote on you!”

nZhao Churan put up an intense struggle, but it was useless. Instead, it intensified the bandit’s desire to subjugate her.

nThe guy’s breathing quickened, and he was just about to make his move when… a gust of strong gale blew.

nThe bandit noticed that something was amiss. He had just looked up when his vision turned black.

nA long leg lashed out harshly on his head.

nA tremendous force, together with scorching heat, threw him away to the side.

n“Ahhh!” The bandit cried out agonizingly. His head had become a bloody mess, with many parts scalded.

nThankfully, his cultivation had reached the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage. Otherwise, with his head taking a Fire Phoenix Illuminates the Sky, he’d have died on the spot with his head exploding.

nTaken by great astonishment, the other two bandits quickly charged over with overwhelming killing aura. “You’re courting death!”

nThe person who had attacked was naturally Xia Qingchen.

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