Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Jiang Shu turned and walked away.

His muscles and bones popped, and he flew like a swallow, rushing toward the county town.

「Pingling County.」

「The inner city.」

It had been only a few months since he had left, but upon his return, his state of mind had completely changed.

Compared to the county seat of Yongning County, the inner city of Pingling County was much smaller. The Government Officials at the entrance to the inner city were all listlessly standing around, clearly bored. The commoners entering the inner city from the outer city all had sallow complexions and thin frames, looking nothing like the people in the county seat, who all practiced martial arts. In the inner city, martial arts schools were already in decline. The area was desolate, with few martial arts practitioners in sight.

At the county government's notice board, Jiang Shu even saw his own portrait placed alongside several notorious bandits. However, the images were so blurred that no one had bothered to replace them.

The once arrogant Yao Family had, over this period, become like a tiger with its claws and teeth removed. Its younger generation had perished, and the backbone of its forces had all fled. Though they still carried a semblance of power, they could no longer suppress other major households. The territories they had seized were gradually being lost.

The setting sun slowly sank behind the mountains, casting a rouge-like glow of twilight in the distance. As an autumn breeze blew, the world gradually fell into dusk. A dark eagle soared through the pitch-black sky, disappearing into the clouds.

In the inner city, merchants hastily packed up and went home. Within an hour, the streets and alleys were nearly deserted. Only the distant gambling den and Skylark Square remained brightly lit. The shouts of gamblers and sounds of light laughter all resounded in Jiang Shu's ears.

During this time, he had not rested for a single day. Even while escorting the Wan Jingxing family across Heishan County, he had also shuttled between the Two Realms. In the Xuanxing Xia Country, within a Heaven and Earth Secret Realm rich in various rare metals, he had reached the entry-level of the White Tiger True Strength. Of the "Four Symbols Internal Energy," he had now only yet to reach the entry-level of the Xuanwu True Force. And he already had a plan for the Cultivation site for this True Force.

The Azure Dragon is the leader of the Four Symbols for good reason. The Vermilion Bird True Strength grants explosive power, causing qi and blood to surge. The White Tiger True Strength is for slaughter, enhancing battle strength. They might seem strong, but they still can't compare to the profundity of the Azure Dragon True Strength. The Azure Dragon True Strength refines the internal organs, enhancing the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind. For instance, with my current Azure Dragon True Strength originating from the liver and circulating to my ears, I can even hear ants fighting.

This all-around enhancement of vision, smell, and hearing is actually an indirect increase in combat strength. If I were to encounter the Fog Python now, its mist would be completely ineffective against me.

Jiang Shu mused.

Unbeknownst to him, his strength had reached such a level. When he had left here in the past, he was still in the Bone Forging Realm. Even if he had encountered Yao Zhengxing, the Family Head of the Yao Family, he would only have dared to flee, not fight, fearing that a prolonged engagement would attract County Magistrate Nie from the county government. But now, he actually wanted to see just what level of strength Yao Zhengxing truly possessed, and how much combat power County Magistrate Nie had. Favors are to be repaid, and grudges, naturally, must also be avenged!

He walked directly to the Yao Family's grand courtyard. Inside the red-lacquered gate, lanterns shone brightly, hung high. Like a civet cat, he scaled the wall into the courtyard.

Jiang Shu strode leisurely. Any maids or servants he encountered were knocked unconscious with a hand chop. The last time he visited the Yao Family, he had observed its layout from the guest house, so he quickly located the room of Yao Zhengxing, the Family Head.

Clearly, his arrival this time was quite timely. Inside the room, two figures were seated. Yao Zhengxing's voice, though not loud, clearly reached Jiang Shu's ears.

"Wenhan, these are the last two bottles of Leopard Strength Tiger Bone Elixirs that I, your Eldest Uncle, have treasured. After consuming these two bottles of Elixirs, with your Talent, you will definitely be able to reach the Bone Forging Realm. At that time, I will send you away from our Pingling County. Our Pingling County is too small, surrounded by mountains, and many things are inaccessible to you."

"You might spend your whole life stuck in the Bone Forging Realm without seeing a path forward. But it's different in the county seat. There, there are more advanced Cultivation Techniques, and even more miraculous Elixirs than the Blood Strengthening Elixir, Blood Purifying Elixir, and Leopard Strength Tiger Bone Elixir."

"At first, I thought that after becoming kin with County Magistrate Nie, with his support, our Yao Family could definitely rise to power. We could quickly become the strongest major household in the county, gathering the resources of the whole county for your Cultivation."

"As long as one of us has the opportunity to reach the Refining Internal Realm, our Yao Family could have a chance to return to the main branch. But now it seems impossible. Those dogs are pressing us hard. The business at our family's restaurant and shops has been dwindling over the past few months."

"That old scoundrel! After getting what he wanted, he washed his hands of us, caring only for his Cultivation! If he were willing to lend a hand, or even just say a few words on our behalf, how could our Yao Family have fallen to such a state?"

"Therefore, Wenhan, remember this: relying on patrons is unreliable, for even mountains can collapse. It's better to rely on yourself than on others. After reaching the Bone Forging Realm, you must be cautious when you go to the main branch in the county seat. Curry favor where you can; as long as you can safely advance to the Refining Internal Realm, all these troubles will cease to be troubles!"

"Even with limited Talent, in a place like the county seat, you can at the very least quickly reach the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm. When you return then, the position of Family Head will be yours."

"With two individuals at the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm, our Yao Family can stand tall once more."

Yao Zhengxing's voice carried an unmistakable weariness as he spoke earnestly to Yao Wenhan. The Yao Family's situation was worsening daily. Besieged by numerous major households, all he could do was protect the last of their family assets.

"Eldest Uncle, I understand. I will Cultivate diligently and seek revenge for Third Uncle, Eldest Brother, and the others."

"That sentiment is enough. That cur must have also escaped to the county seat. To advance his Cultivation further, he would have to go there. Wenhan, once you're in the county seat, use some silver notes to hire people to find that scoundrel. We must find him."

"Request the main family's Jade Token retainers to act, and thoroughly annihilate him!"

"Turn him into a human swine! Bring him to Pingling County!"

"I want to hang him high at the county town gates, so everyone entering can see the fate of this scoundrel!"

"BANG!"

Yao Zhengxing grew increasingly furious as he spoke. He slammed his palm on the table, and it instantly shattered, sending wood chips flying everywhere. His tone was filled with hatred. If it weren't for that cur Jiang Shu, how could their Yao Family have ended up like this! What was even more infuriating was that this cur had no living relatives! The master he followed was also an extremely formidable figure within the Bone Forging Realm in the entire county town. Even Yao Zhengxing himself doubted he could gain the upper hand against that master in a fight. If not for this, he would have long since purged everyone associated with Jiang Shu!

"Eldest Uncle, please rest well. I will return and Cultivate some more."

Yao Wenhan spoke respectfully, tucking the two bottles of Elixirs into his robes, then turned towards the door. However, just then, at the doorway stood a young man he had never seen before, yet who seemed startlingly familiar.

"No need to rush off," the youth said, his voice clear and distinct. "I will see you off."

With a swift movement, he grabbed Yao Wenhan's neck and twisted.

At that moment, Yao Wenhan finally remembered who the young man was. But it was already too late. The crisp snap from his neck was the last sound he ever heard as his body collapsed powerlessly to the ground.

"Jiang Shu! How dare you!"

Yao Zhengxing, who had been seated, abruptly shot to his feet. Watching Yao Wenhan fall, his heart felt as if it were being tightly squeezed. Another genius of the Yao Family, gone! And again, it was Jiang Shu! Anger blazed within him like fire.

His Black Panther Brute Force Technique flared to life. He stomped fiercely on the ground, his body surging forward explosively. Both fists clenched, he struck towards Jiang Shu with all his might! This time, he was determined to tear this scoundrel apart.

Break his arms! Chop off his legs! Gouge out his eyes! Sever his ears! Flay his skin! Rip out his tendons!

"What are you yelling about?" Jiang Shu snorted lightly. "It's your turn now, old dog."

Facing Yao Zhengxing's supposedly powerful attack, Jiang Shu remained utterly unfazed, stepping forward. For a battle of this level, he didn't even deign to draw his alloy battle blade. He simply thrust out a palm. The Vermilion Bird True Strength and White Tiger True Strength converged and blasted out.

BANG!