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Chapter 143: Chapter 143 Then I’ll Go!
"Shocking Split Spear!"
"Azure Cloud Breaking Kick!"
"Primordial Whale Fall!"
Four Sixth Layer of Transcendence Realm bandits surrounded Guo Qing, each unleashing their ultimate techniques, intending to take her down with a combined strike!
Faced with the encirclement, Guo Qing remained calm. She stepped back with one foot to evade the attacks of the first two bandits, then immediately charged forward, blasting a ferocious punch toward the two behind her!
Boom!
The attacks of all three collided, and the forceful shockwave stripped away a layer of the grassy plain.
The two bandits staggered backward, blood trickling from their mouths.
"This damn woman is tough! Use everything you’ve got!"
The large, ugly man scowled darkly and gave the order. The four bandits lunged at Guo Qing again.
Just then—
"Senior Sister, I’ll help you."
A crisp voice, like the sing-song of a yellow oriole, cut through the chaos.
Ji Rou’s figure flashed into the fray, her soft sword humming in hand as she instantly thrust thirteen strikes toward the ugly man and another bandit!
What incredible speed!
Luo Cheng’s eyes lit up at the sight.
It was clear that Ji Rou had cultivated the Fast Sword technique. Being able to execute thirteen strikes in an instant was evidence her Sword Dao Realm had undoubtedly reached the Sword Heart Level!
"Damn it!"
Focused entirely on capturing Guo Qing, the ugly man suddenly sensed danger. Turning his head, he saw the sharp gleam of multiple sword flashes heading straight for him!
The bone-chilling coldness made the scalp on one side of his head go numb!
"Break for me!"
Gritting his teeth, the ugly man abandoned his target, bulging his arm muscles as he swung his staff in a sweeping arc.
Crack!
The sword light shattered, but with the ugly man’s defenses wide open, he was sent flying a dozen meters back by a devastating punch from Guo Qing, blood gushing from his mouth and nose.
Thud!
The bandit standing beside the ugly man was a beat too slow to react and was directly sliced apart by the sword light, his limbs flying through the air as he died instantly!
"Kill!"
Seizing the opportunity, Ling Xuan shouted an order, and the Ling Family guards unsheathed their blades, unleashing a deadly wave of attacks.
"It’s over..."
Seeing the tides turn, Luo Cheng relaxed a bit.
Once the four bandit leaders were dealt with, the remaining bandits posed no real threat.
This battle made it clear how vast the gap in combat prowess was between ordinary martial artists and sect disciples of the same realm.
Whether in terms of talent or the martial arts and cultivation techniques they practiced, the disparity was simply too great.
"Damn it all! We’re retreating!"
Seeing the situation crumble, the ugly man suppressed his raging anger and immediately ordered a retreat.
"Think you can just leave? Not so easy!"
Guo Qing had no intention of letting them escape. Teaming up with Ji Rou, she pursued relentlessly.
Within just a few exchanges, the other two minor bandit leaders spilled their blood on the battlefield.
Trembling with fear, the ugly man fled for his life, but he couldn’t outrun Guo Qing and Ji Rou. He was quickly caught.
Boom!
After holding out for merely four or five exchanges, the ugly man’s head was shattered by a punch from Guo Qing!
With the ugly man’s violent demise, the rest of the bandits scattered like frightened birds. The Ling Family’s guards pursued and cut them down mercilessly.
In the end, out of the forty or fifty bandits, fewer than ten managed to escape.
With the battle concluded, everyone began scavenging the battlefield.
Guo Qing and Ji Rou looted the corpses of the four bandit leaders, both coming away with significant spoils and cheerful spirits.
At this moment, Luo Cheng dismounted from the carriage.
These four bandit leaders were all formidable Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm martial artists, brimming with powerful Essence Qi.
Luo Cheng contemplated whether he could absorb their Martial Souls quickly before the Essence Qi dissipated.
Approaching Guo Qing and Ji Rou, Luo Cheng turned his gaze to the serene-looking Ji Rou and smiled, "Miss Ji, your swordsmanship is exquisite. It seems your Sword Dao Realm has already reached the Sword Heart Level."
Hearing the compliment, Ji Rou blushed slightly and nodded.
"I’ve only just comprehended the Sword Heart Level, barely scratching the surface. I’m nothing compared to you, Mr. Luo."
As a sword cultivator, Ji Rou had already noticed during Luo Cheng’s earlier clash with the Fierce Cloud Sect disciples that his Sword Dao Realm was extraordinary—most likely exceeding the Sword Heart Level!
She just wasn’t sure if he had reached Low-level Sword Heart or Middle-level Sword Heart.
Guo Qing said, "Luo Cheng, the road ahead will be treacherous. We’ll need your strength when the time comes."
The four Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm martial artists had been manageable for her and Ji Rou.
But if there were more, the situation could become exceedingly dangerous.
Luo Cheng nodded. "Don’t worry, leave it to me."
At this moment, Ling Xuan walked over. Hearing Luo Cheng’s words, she scoffed mockingly:
"Leave it to you? Just like before, sitting idly in the carriage? I really doubt you can help with anything."
Luo Cheng glanced at Ling Xuan and said, "When it’s time to act, I will act." 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
At this, Ling Xuan couldn’t suppress her simmering anger anymore. She sneered coldly and interrupted:
"Ha! ’When it’s time to act, I will act’? That sounds so poetic! What, are Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm martial artists beneath you?"
Luo Cheng looked at the corpses of the bandit leaders on the ground, then nodded slightly. "Indeed, they are."
"You!"
Ling Xuan opened her mouth, nearly choking in frustration.
Guo Qing quickly intervened, "Miss Ling, don’t blame Luo Cheng. It was our agreement—Ji Rou and I would handle the minor troubles."
"Guo Qing, why are you defending someone like him..."
Ling Xuan shook her head, glanced at Luo Cheng, and sneered, "Fifth Layer Transcendence Realm, yet spouting arrogance. Even Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm martial artists mean nothing to you? Do you think you’re invincible at the Transcendence Realm? Careful, don’t bite your tongue with all that hot air!"
She had only doubted him before, but now she was convinced Luo Cheng was all talk with no real strength to back it up.
Luo Cheng gave Ling Xuan a sidelong glance and said, "My task is ensuring the caravan safely reaches Linguan City. How I choose to act is my business."
Ling Xuan took a deep breath. "I’m not interested in pointless arguments! I’ll put it simply—if you continue acting this way, I’ll have to ask you to leave the caravan!"
Luo Cheng raised an eyebrow and nodded. "If that’s the case, then I’ll withdraw."
Luo Cheng had taken on the caravan escort mission on a whim. The rewards he had already earned along the way were substantial enough. Why endure Ling Xuan’s attitude for a mere 1.8 million taels?
Besides, he wanted to end the argument quickly.
If the corpses’ Essence Qi dissipated completely, that would be a significant loss.
"So it’s your decision to quit. Don’t worry, we won’t shortchange you. Here’s 200,000 taels for the hard work you’ve done accompanying the caravan so far."
Ling Xuan, who had long disliked Luo Cheng, immediately agreed, even feeling a bit delighted.
Since Luo Cheng had voluntarily withdrawn, there was no need to worry about offending the Xuanyuan Sect.
"No need."
Luo Cheng shook his head, leading his blue-maned horse to the side.
Guo Qing frowned. "Miss Ling, you shouldn’t have done that. It truly wasn’t Luo Cheng’s fault..."
Ling Xuan replied calmly, "He offered to leave; it wasn’t my doing. Besides, keeping him in the caravan wouldn’t have helped. Don’t worry, as long as we make it to Linguan City safely, I’ll ensure his reward is paid to you."
"The reward isn’t the issue..."
Guo Qing shook her head.
But she knew the matter was settled. Sighing, she glanced at Luo Cheng and said:
"Let’s hope there won’t be any danger ahead!"
