Martial Cultivator

Roughly speaking, no matter how much those cultivators from the foreign lands disliked Chen Chao, right now, they all had to admit that this young Lord Warden Commander was already one of the foremost powerhouses of the human race in this era.

Therefore, when there was an opportunity to witness this young martial artist make a move, it was unlikely that many would choose to look away.

The monk Xuankong chose not to leave this place, in truth, because he also wished to see just how remarkable this young martial artist truly was.

But in the very next instant, even this honest monk who had spent countless years in meditation was somewhat stunned.

That young Lord Warden Commander suddenly charged forward frenziedly. The long saber at his waist did not leave its sheath, but his entire body shot forth like an arrow released from the bowstring, crashing straight ahead. On that side, demonic qi surged like waves, blotting out the sky, yet in the instant this young martial artist swept past, the demonic qi scattered, as though a violent gale had easily torn it apart. But when the monk Xuankong looked closely, it was more like someone had forcefully and unreasonably ripped the demonic qi open with brute strength.

The terrifying demonic qi dispersed, and that youthful figure vanished into it, only to immediately smash a fist into the chest of the great demon that had hastily rushed over.

A muffled groan came from that direction. What shocked the monk Xuankong even more was that the demon race, always proud of their unmatched physiques, was at this moment blasted flying backward by the fist of the young Lord Warden Commander, sent hurtling hundreds of feet. Its legs sank deep into the ground, dragging out two long trenches.

Yet the young martial artist did not stop. While continuing his relentless advance, he left behind countless dense fist shadows along a straight line, as though from this moment onward, heaven and earth were filled with several Chen Chaos.

The monk Xuankong was dumbstruck. Though he had never trained in fist techniques in his life, he could clearly sense the circulation of qi among those fist intents; tidy and orderly.

Putting other matters aside, on the path of cultivation, breaking through realms might involve enlightenment or sudden comprehension, but the accumulation of fist intent relied only on bitter, painstaking effort.

The martial artist before him was not even thirty years old, yet already possessed such a pure and refined fist intent. How much effort and hardship had gone into this need not be said.

Rare.

Far too rare.

Ordinary young men found it difficult to calm down long enough to endure the tedium of long years of fist training, let alone one who had attained high office so early, a martial artist at the pinnacle of power.

A frog that has never seen beyond the well's mouth believes the sky is only that small circle, entirely visible at a glance. But those who have witnessed the vastness of heaven and earth will always feel that the world is too immense, that in this lifetime it is impossible to see it all.

Yet one who already possesses the world, why would he bother to lower his gaze and waste effort watching a colony of ants move their home?

The difficult thing was to maintain one's original aspiration.

The monk Xuankong's thoughts drifted, pondering these matters. But over there Chen Chao's fists fell like rain, not giving that great demon who had rushed over the slightest chance to catch his breath.

The latter lifted his head and cast a complicated glance at the young martial artist before him. The demonic qi he had just managed to gather had yet to surge forth from his body's apertures before it was shattered by the fist of the young martial artist in front of him.

That great demon suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, and before Chen Chao's fist could land on his body, he shot out like an arrow leaving the bowstring. A long spear materialized in his hand, and he swung it down heavily, like a bolt of black lightning.

Such a grand and formidable strike, whoever saw it would likely retreat to avoid its edge. But Chen Chao did not retreat even half a step. Instead, he advanced boldly.

At the same time, he threw a punch out.

Only a loud bang was heard as Chen Chao's fist smashed into the black long spear condensed by the great demon. When the two collided, a terrifying aura instantly spread from their sides, shaking the surrounding flying snow into chaos. That long spear, virtually the strongest technique of the great demon's entire life, now vibrated with a constant hum.

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Chasing me all the way, did you really think that once you caught up, you could kill me with ease?"

After fighting countless battles and facing countless great demons along the way, although Chen Chao had not been injured, to say he was not tired would certainly be false.

That great demon had wagered that Chen Chao was already an arrow at the end of its flight, and only then dared to pursue him alone. Otherwise, even if given a hundredfold courage, he would never have dared to strike at this young martial artist who had already slain no small number of great demons in the desolate north.

Looking at the Great Liang over the past two hundred years, one could hardly find anyone who had slain more great demons in so short a time than Chen Chao.

Chen Chao smashed his fist onto that black long spear once more, causing it to hum violently. At the same time, he reached out along the shaft of the spear, and with a palm struck the chest of the great demon.

The great demon's expression suddenly turned incomparably tense. That palm appeared ordinary, but as his opponent, how could the great demon not know what terrifying aura it contained at this moment?

"Cough..."

A mouthful of blood spurted out. Chen Chao seized the long spear in passing, then drove its tip heavily into the chest of the great demon before him. With a hard thrust, before the great demon had any chance to respond, he was sent flying, his life or death uncertain.

The monk Xuankong witnessed this entire scene, unable to utter a word.

But at that very moment, a surge of demonic qi suddenly arose not far in front of him. The monk Xuankong brought his hands together in a Buddhist salute, his reaction swift. A pure white lotus flower appeared before him, blocking that demonic qi.

But the lotus and the demonic qi opposed one another for only a brief instant before that pure white lotus was enveloped by the mass of demonic qi, its petals falling away one by one.

Blood also spilled from the corner of monk Xuankong's mouth at the same time.

Although monk Xuankong's reputation in the world was not well-known, that was only because he had always been cultivating bitterly within the monastery. It did not mean that he was as easy to bully as his appearance suggested. Among the world's Nepenthe cultivators, was there truly anyone easy to bully?

But it was clear that the existence who never showed his face was an insurmountable mountain to monk Xuankong.

"Retreat!"

Chen Chao's voice suddenly sounded out in monk Xuankong's ear. Without time to think, he instinctively retreated backward, in the blink of an eye already spanning several dozen feet.

Within the wind and snow, a slender flying sword flickered in and out of sight. At this moment, it pierced through the snowstorm, relentlessly chasing after the monk.

The flying sword's speed far surpassed this monk Xuankong's retreat. At this rate, being pierced through the body by a single sword was no more than a matter of an instant.

What monk Xuankong could not understand was, exactly which sword immortal sought his life?

He had spent more than half his lifetime in Deercry Monastery, never making enemies with others. By all reasoning, it was impossible for him to have any enemies in this world.

In that split second, monk Xuankong could no longer remain calm. Aside from silently circulating the qi in his meridians, spreading a layer of Buddhist radiance around his body to protect himself, he also pondered what mistakes he might have made all these years.

That flying sword continued to advance and was just about to pierce through monk Xuankong's chest.

But at that very moment, a figure clad in black appeared before monk Xuankong. The young martial artist, who until now had not drawn his saber, was at this moment compelled to do so. He unsheathed Cloud Mud and slashed down.

A metallic clang rang out, followed by a dazzling light.

The flying sword's momentum was halted. It staggered, nearly tumbling into the swirling snow.

Chen Chao stood upright, Cloud Mud in hand, and said somewhat helplessly, "Do you really have to make me lose face in front of them?"

Before his words had even finished, within the snowstorm, the silhouette of a woman slowly emerged.

"You were never my equal to begin with. That you cannot protect him is only natural. What talk of losing face?"

The woman spoke slowly, her voice devoid of emotion. With a wave of her hand, the slender flying sword returned to her grasp.

The sword was named Autumn Beyond the Tower. But at this moment, the wind and snow filled the heavens.

Chen Chao gave a bitter smile as he looked at monk Xuankong. "I told you earlier to leave, Master. Now even if you want to, you might not be able to anymore."

Monk Xuankong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and asked curiously, "Who is the one who has come? Even Lord Warden Commander has no confidence? This destitute monk can also take action."

Chen Chao said, "Even if this official faces her, I have no certainty of victory. If she insists on killing Master, this official truly has no confidence to preserve Master's life from her hands."

After saying this, Chen Chao added, "Right, that crazy bitch is called Autumn, the princess of the demon race."

Monk Xuankong was startled, then fell silent. The name of the demon race princess was one he knew, only he had not expected to see her here.

Chen Chao waved his hand and asked, "Crazy woman, since the one you want to kill is me, how about letting this Master leave?"

Autumn's pair of snow-white eyes held no emotion. "Do you think you have the qualifications to negotiate any terms with me?"

Chen Chao clicked his tongue and said, "It's only been a short while since we last met, and you've already grown this damn arrogant?"

Autumn remained unmoved, only narrowing her eyes at Chen Chao and saying, "How about this, if you kowtow a few times to me, I won't trouble him."

Chen Chao let out an 'oh,' then laughed. "Do you know how many people I've knelt to in my life? Do you think you have that qualification?"

Autumn did not reply, only glanced around.

Within the wind and snow, several figures were faintly visible, their auras terrifying.

Without a doubt, these were all great demons.

Chen Chao widened his eyes in disbelief and asked, "You tigress, since when did you become this shameless?"

Autumn said calmly, "They are only here to watch me kill you."

Chen Chao gave an 'oh,' then laughed. "I see, you're still lacking confidence, afraid that if you die by my hands, they'll finish me off?"

Autumn did not speak. Although there was no killing intent in her eyes at this moment, it was very clear that this was exactly the arrangement.

Chen Chao laughed and nodded. One at the end of Nepenthe, together with these great demons, indeed, they were taking him seriously.

"You have become less pedantic, but do you really think that after I kill you, I won't be able to kill them?"

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes, his hand on the saber tightening.

Autumn said nothing, only looked at Chen Chao.

His actions in the desolate north had already destined that the demon race must keep him here, not allowing him to leave.

Chen Chao stroked the saber hilt, then glanced at the blade. Only then did he raise his head, smiling as he said, "Encirclement? I have only one saber, but do you have two lives?"