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Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Luo Cheng is Still Alive!?
Hmm?
Hearing Luo Cheng’s words, Jiang Xinglie’s eyes instantly narrowed, and an intense, sharp aura emanated from his body.
Even a fool could discern the sarcasm in his tone!
"A mere cultivation at the Fifth Layer of the Transcendence Realm, yet your arrogance knows no bounds!"
Jiang Xinglie sneered coldly, staring at Luo Cheng, shaking his head in disdain: "Unfortunately, you are not even qualified to face me on equal footing. Junior Sister Xu, go entertain him."
"Hehe, alright!"
A crisp laugh rang out.
One of the four people, a charming young girl, stepped forward.
Though the girl’s figure was graceful and delicate, every movement she made exuded a swift and commanding presence. Looking at Luo Cheng, she smiled and said:
"I’m at the Sixth Layer Realm of the Transcendence Realm, so I do have an advantage in cultivation. How about this: If you can withstand three of my strikes, I’ll spare you today."
Luo Cheng shook his head and responded indifferently, "No need for three strikes. One strike is enough. Make your move!"
The charming girl raised her eyebrows, thinking Luo Cheng had admitted defeat and could only withstand one strike from her. She smiled and said:
"Fine, then I shall use just one strike!"
In her mind, one strike would suffice to humble Luo Cheng thoroughly and restore justice for her junior brother!
The charming young girl was just about to make her move.
Suddenly.
SCREECH!
A piercing cry echoed from the sky.
"Huh? That’s the Fierce Fire Bird of the Fierce Cloud Sect! A high-ranking elder of the Fierce Cloud Sect must be arriving!"
As someone exclaimed, the others immediately looked toward Luoyan River.
At that moment, the mist above Luoyan River appeared to be ignited, turning into a blazing red glow.
A gigantic bird flew rapidly, skimming the water’s surface!
The bird’s entire body was covered in crimson-gold feathers, its form magnificent and imposing. Its wingspan stretched to nearly a hundred meters. From a distance, it resembled a raging inferno blazing fiercely—none other than the Demon Beast mount, the Fierce Fire Bird, bred by the Fierce Cloud Sect!
Wherever the Fierce Fire Bird passed, clouds and mist evaporated, and the river’s surface churned violently, leaving behind a deep gash nearly a hundred meters wide!
Barely visible on the bird’s back stood several figures. Leading them was a man with prominent cheekbones, sloping shoulders, and predatory eyes, adorned in a Purple Gold Robe with golden trims at the cuffs that represented the Fierce Cloud Sect!
WHOOSH!
The Fierce Fire Bird swept past the river’s waters, heading straight for the center of Linjiang City.
"Elder Sun and the others have arrived!"
The charming girl retracted her gaze and spoke to Jiang Xinglie, "We should head over quickly! Ever since Wu Ming was crippled, Elder Sun has been in a foul mood. We’d best not upset him further."
"Alright."
Jiang Xinglie nodded, casting a cold glance at Luo Cheng before saying in an icy tone:
"Count yourself lucky this time. Remember, don’t be too ostentatious, or you won’t even know how you died! Consider this a favor. Take care of yourself! Let’s go!"
Leaving those harsh words behind, Jiang Xinglie led his group away quickly.
Upon seeing this, Wang Zhao and the rest let out a long sigh of relief, their palms soaked with cold sweat.
The other side was capable of defeating half-step Tongxuan martial artists!
Had a fight really broken out, they wouldn’t have known how to handle it.
"Senior Brother... Huh, are you alright?"
Wang Zhao was about to speak to Luo Cheng when he noticed Luo Cheng’s face had turned ashen, veins bulging on his forehead, seemingly ready to explode at any moment. Startled, he exclaimed.
WHOOSH!
"It’s nothing..."
Luo Cheng exhaled deeply and unclenched his tightly balled fists, although his gaze remained icy.
Even from afar, Luo Cheng had recognized at a glance the first two figures standing atop the Fierce Fire Bird—Sun Yingyang and Sun Chuanwu, father and son!
At that moment, a surge of intense hatred and rage nearly consumed him!
However, what little reason remained kept Luo Cheng’s impulses in check.
Wang Zhao, oblivious to Luo Cheng’s thoughts, expressed gratitude, saying, "Senior Brother, thank you for stepping in earlier to save me."
Wang Zhao was well aware that if Luo Cheng hadn’t shown up in time, he would’ve been seriously injured and humiliated in front of everyone.
Luo Cheng shook his head and said calmly:
"It was a trifling matter. We’re of the same sect; standing united against adversaries is expected."
"Senior Brother, you’re absolutely right! The look on those Fierce Cloud Sect disciples’ faces just now was priceless! Let’s see if they dare underestimate us Xuanyuan Sect disciples again!"
"Senior Brother, please have a seat..."
In high spirits, Wang Zhao invited Luo Cheng to sit, but he was quickly pulled aside by a fellow Xuanyuan Sect disciple who whispered a few words to him.
"What? He’s *that* Luo Cheng!"
Learning of Luo Cheng’s identity, Wang Zhao’s expression changed drastically, freezing him in place.
With his keen senses, Luo Cheng overheard their conversation clearly and immediately understood what had happened. He said:
"You all go ahead and eat. I must return to the sect. Farewell!" 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Luo Cheng turned and descended the tavern steps.
Wang Zhao wanted to say something as he watched Luo Cheng’s departing back.
A nearby Xuanyuan Sect disciple advised him:
"Senior Brother Wang, I know you’re grateful to Luo Cheng. But offending the Crown Prince Hall and still having a death match with Yan Qi ahead, associating with him will only bring endless trouble..."
"Indeed! The Crown Prince Hall’s people have no regard for reason."
"Shh! Junior Brother Yan, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
The group silenced themselves, trembling with fear.
Wang Zhao said nothing, merely sipping his wine in frustration.
Luo Cheng left the tavern and rode his Flame Jade Lion straight out of Linjiang City.
The damp, chilly river breeze gradually cleared his mind.
Thinking of Sun Yingyang and his son, Luo Cheng let out a heavy breath and gazed at the ceaselessly flowing river, muttering to himself:
"I’m still far too weak..."
During this time, Luo Cheng had grown somewhat complacent with his progress.
But the moment he saw Sun Yingyang and Sun Chuanwu, all his confidence evaporated.
With his current strength, he was still far beneath Sun Chuanwu, one of the top ten Outer Sect disciples of the Fierce Cloud Sect!
Compared to Sun Yingyang, the disparity was even more insurmountable!
"I must work harder!"
Determination flashed in Luo Cheng’s eyes as he tugged on the reins. The Flame Jade Lion immediately transformed into a gust of wind, speeding into the distance.
Half a day later, Luo Cheng returned to the sect.
After leaving the Flame Jade Lion in care, Luo Cheng headed straight to the mission hall, intending to turn in his task and begin secluded cultivation to break through into the Golden Body Realm!
"Huh, look! Isn’t that Luo Cheng, the one challenging Yan Qi to a death match?"
"It really is him! Word had it he took on two Two-star top missions and wouldn’t come back alive. But here he is, alive and well!"
"Could he have completed those Two-star top missions on his own?"
"Impossible! Those tasks are extraordinarily challenging! At least a team of Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm martial artists working together might have a chance. Him being at the Fifth Layer—and possessing a Wasted Martial Soul, no less—there’s no way he completed the missions! He likely deemed them too difficult and gave up halfway."
"Yes, that must be it."
"Come on, let’s take a look!"
Because of his death match with Yan Qi, Luo Cheng had become a prominent figure in the Outer Sect. As soon as he appeared, he drew immediate attention from the crowd.
Luo Cheng paid no heed to becoming the center of attention and went straight into the mission hall, heading to the second Jade Wall.
"Here it is!"
Finding the task plaque for hunting down the Lin Clan’s Twin Heroes, Luo Cheng took it directly.
"Another Two-star top mission! What’s going on?"
"The Lin Clan’s Twin Heroes! Both are top-notch martial artists at the Sixth Layer of the Transcendence Realm!"
Seeing Luo Cheng take on the task plaque for the Lin Clan’s Twin Heroes, the crowd was astonished, breaking into fervent discussion.
The commotion caught the attention of more people, and the crowd around Luo Cheng grew larger and larger.
Suddenly, a shout emerged from the throng:
"Luo Cheng! You’re still alive?!"
Luo Cheng turned at the sound and saw a pale-faced youth.
Luo Cheng remembered him; this youth had previously tried to prevent him from accepting the task of eradicating the Linguan City bandits.
He claimed Luo Cheng was overestimating himself by taking on a Two-star top mission, setting himself up for death!
Not interested in engaging, Luo Cheng turned and headed for the mission counter to carry out his task exchange.
