Chapter 46: The Three Extremes Ghost Butcher, the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital
Shi Hao looked at her, his mind racing, “You led the Ghost Extreme Sect here, didn’t you?”
The girl looked at him with amusement, “Why do you say that?”
Shi Hao said, “Although the matter of the God-Sealing Stones is no longer a secret, not everyone knows about it, and even those who do haven’t had much time to react. But you were undoubtedly one of the first to know.”
“You recognized that I’m not from the Black Lotus Realm, which means you’re familiar with the demonic sects. You couldn’t steal the God-Sealing Stones on your own, but such a valuable prize would definitely attract the Ghost Extreme Sect.”
“You said that whatever plan you had has been ruined by us. You must have set a trap along the Ghost Extreme Sect’s escape route, intending to steal the stones.
“But our escape route is different from theirs, so your plan didn’t work.”
The girl clapped her hands, “Impressive! You figured that out so quickly. I’m even more curious about your identity now!”
He Ling’s voice came from outside, “Someone’s chasing us!”
Shi Hao and the girl opened the carriage door, climbed onto the roof, and looked back.
An Yingzhao beast was rapidly approaching, carrying a man with messy hair, who appeared to be in his fifties.
The masked girl said, “That’s Li Ximing, the ‘Three Extremes Ghost Butcher’ of the Ghost Extreme Sect. He’s a fifth-rank expert, and I heard he’s recently become even stronger. I don’t know if he’s reached the fourth rank yet.
“And that Yingzhao he’s riding is called Night Kirin. It’s much faster than ordinary Yingzhao. I’m no match for him. You’re on your own.”
With that, she leaped from the carriage and disappeared into the darkness.
She had appeared mysteriously and left just as quickly. Shi Hao knew she wasn’t affiliated with the barbarian court, the Chongxian Sect, or the Ghost Extreme Sect.
Beyond that, he knew nothing about her and could only set the matter aside for now.
He looked at the approaching pursuer, his expression grim.
Dark Thunder had chosen Wu Liang to drive the carriage because his Floating Sinking ability allowed him to easily overcome obstacles, making escape through the mountains easier.
He even had the carriage jump over a deep ravine.
This made pursuit difficult, even for cavalry.
The reason the man in grey had been able to catch up was because of his supernatural ability.
The powers granted by divine crystals varied greatly, and not all were equally useful.
But the Heavenly Speed Star was undoubtedly one of the most practical.
Although Li Ximing, the “Three Extremes Ghost Butcher” chasing them now, was far stronger than the previous demonic cultivator, he didn’t possess such a powerful movement technique.
However, his Yingzhao mount, like a prized steed, was exceptionally fast.
Even with Wu Liang’s Floating Sinking ability, they were still being caught.
“We can’t escape like this!” He Ling’s face paled.
Shi Hao’s mind raced. He wasn’t confident in his ability to face a fifth-rank expert.
Martial artist ranks were divided into nine levels, with the first three considered high-rank, the next three mid-rank, and the last three low-rank.
He was still low-rank. Even with the techniques taught by the Holy Jade Immortal and Su Mei, he would struggle against a sixth-rank opponent.
Li Ximing was even stronger. If he caught them, Shi Hao, Wu Liang, and He Ling would be dead.
Shi Hao looked at the surrounding mountains.
At this time, just before dawn, it should be the darkest part of the night. However, tonight was a full moon, and although the moon had passed its zenith, its light still illuminated the land.
The faint moonlight, like a layer of frost, covered the grass.
Shi Hao suddenly pointed, “Head into the forest.”
Wu Liang, although confused, had no other options. He pulled the reins, and the carriage entered the trees.
Shi Hao said, “Jump!” He climbed into the carriage and emerged moments later, carrying one of the God-Sealing Stones.
Wu Liang and He Ling exchanged glances. Shi Hao shouted, “Get off!”
His commanding tone brooked no argument. They jumped from the carriage.
A dark object landed beside them. They quickly picked it up. It was another God-Sealing Stone. By then, the carriage had already left the forest.
They hid among the trees, waiting, and heard the flapping of wings above.
The sound followed the carriage, gradually fading into the distance. They emerged from their hiding place, carrying the God-Sealing Stones, and hurried away.
Shi Hao drove the carriage through the wilderness.
If he could escape, that would be best.
If not, he had to at least ensure Dark Thunder obtained one of the God-Sealing Stones.
He had observed that beyond the dark forest was a relatively flat, open area.
He whipped the horses, urging them forward.
Looking back, he saw the Yingzhao beast closing in.
Just as it was about to catch up, Shi Hao flicked his fingers, sending two bursts of burning energy towards the horses’ hindquarters.
The horses whinnied in pain, their speed increasing.
Shi Hao then leaped from the carriage and ran.
The man with the messy hair, riding the Yingzhao, looked at him, momentarily hesitant. But he quickly decided to pursue the carriage instead of the fleeing young man.
Shi Hao ran for several li, looking back to see the Yingzhao following the carriage, the distance between them increasing. He turned and entered the forest.
The horses, driven by pain, had gained some distance, but they couldn’t maintain their speed, and the road ahead became rough and uneven. Finally, they reached a steep slope and tumbled down, the carriage crashing, the horses screaming.
The two remaining God-Sealing Stones rolled from the wreckage.
Li Ximing landed his Yingzhao and looked at the shattered carriage and the two stones, snorting.
The Yingzhao stepped forward.
Suddenly, it stopped. Li Ximing turned towards the darkness.
A middle-aged man in Daoist robes, holding a sword, emerged from the trees.
Li Ximing sneered, “Perfected One of the Mystic Capital! What a coincidence!”
It was Luo Yichen, the “Perfected One of the Mystic Capital,” one of the Twelve Perfected Ones of the Chongxian Sect!
The Twelve Perfected Ones each had their own specialties, some excelling in alchemy, others in crafting, and others in scripture.
Because of their diverse skills, their martial arts abilities varied. However, the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital was a formidable fifth-rank expert.
“You demonic villain! Attacking imperial soldiers and stealing cargo! What is the meaning of this?!” the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital roared.
Li Ximing sneered, dismounted his Yingzhao, and said, “As expected of the Chongxian Sect’s ‘Perfected Ones,’ all so self-righteous, speaking noble words while committing vile deeds. Very well, let me experience your ‘Mystic Delusion Technique’ firsthand. I hope you don’t disappoint me!”
They faced each other, their killing intent filling the air…
Shi Hao looked back and saw a flash of movement and a surge of energy in the distance.
Booming sounds echoed, the earth trembling.
Experts fighting? He thought quickly. Undoubtedly, Li Ximing, the “Three Extremes Ghost Butcher,” had encountered a powerful opponent.
He turned and continued running, suppressing his curiosity.
Daybreak arrived, and Shi Hao rested in the forest.
He undid the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique and discarded the short blade.
As he walked, he circulated the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique and the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art within him.
The Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique required movement, the true energy swirling around him like pearls.
The Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art created a vortex of energy in his dantian.
These two completely different techniques now maintained a delicate balance within him.
Whether he was moving or still, they circulated continuously, restraining and complementing each other.
He could feel his power steadily increasing.
He wasn’t far from Civilian Martial Ridge now.
The bustling battlefield from last night was now silent.
Shi Hao continued running, his back to the ridge. The surrounding terrain was rugged, with towering cliffs, jagged peaks, deep ravines, and ancient trees.
After running for a while, he heard singing.
The voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole’s. He emerged from the forest and saw a river winding down from a mountain, flowing past him.
The surrounding mountains and trees were reflected in the water. A young woman stood on a bamboo raft on the river.
She wasn’t beautiful, even somewhat… plain. Her nose was slightly large, her mouth a little crooked, and a small but noticeable bump on her forehead detracted from her features.
She wore a simple blue cotton dress with light red floral patterns.
But her singing was incredibly beautiful, her voice sweet and captivating.
Shi Hao had never heard such a beautiful voice. It seemed to bring the quiet wilderness to life.
The morning breeze rustling through the leaves, the chirping of birds, the fragrance of flowers, the flowing river – they all became her accompaniment.
Shi Hao stood on the riverbank and called out, “Miss, can I board your raft?”
The girl in blue stopped singing and looked at him, her slightly crooked mouth straightening as she smiled, “Where are you going, sir?”
Shi Hao said, “Anywhere with people.”
The bamboo raft, swift as an arrow, glided across the water and stopped before him…
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