Section 5: One Step Behind
By Gu Zhenren, February 9, 2013
Chu Yun first used the Colorless Rainbow Demon to stealthily enter Stone Hammer City.
Then, they split into two groups: one, led by Xiao Xiaoxian, would provoke and attract attention; the other would locate the Gem Secret Passage and seize control of it.
Now, they had occupied the Gem Secret Passage and gained control of the situation.
Chu Yun and Erlang Tian Jun then appeared one after another.
“How dare you threaten us of the Barren Dragon Association!” Huang Wu gritted his teeth, his face contorted in ferocity.
“Drunken Snow Fox Lord, aren’t you going too far? To come to the Barren Dragon Association’s important stronghold and threaten us in public, you are truly too aggressive.” Seeing Erlang Tian Jun and Chu Yun appear, Li Longdi Jun could no longer hold back. He desperately wanted to compromise, but the matter had already become public knowledge, leaving him with no way out.
He spoke these words, then stared intently at Chu Yun and Erlang Tian Jun, signaling with his eyes, showing his willingness to “sit down and negotiate.”
“Too far?” Chu Yun touched his chin and sneered, no longer concealing his power, releasing his spiritual pressure.
Boom!
An invisible hurricane instantly swept out.
His spiritual pressure, more powerful than anyone else’s, filled the heavens and earth, suppressing all directions.
The strong walls of Stone Hammer City seemed to groan under the pressure.
The gazes of the people on him were filled with deep fear.
At this moment, Chu Yun’s figure seemed to grow immensely, forcing them to look up to him.
Feeling this spiritual pressure, Huang Wu was rendered speechless. His mouth hung open, his pupils shrunken to pinpoints, and he looked at Chu Yun as if he were a monster.
Li Longdi Jun’s face turned ashen.
If Erlang Tian Jun’s spiritual pressure was like the bright moon, then Chu Yun’s was like the rising sun, illuminating rivers and ages.
He was like a fierce tiger entering a wolf pack; with a single roar, the mountains fell silent, and all life ceased!
Silence descended upon Stone Hammer City like death.
After a long pause, someone finally managed to squeeze out a sentence from their throat: “Marquis-level spiritual pressure…”
This sentence swept through everyone’s hearts like a hurricane.
That’s right, Marquis-level spiritual pressure!
Chu Yun had become a Marquis-level expert!
Their surging fighting spirit and boiling blood were instantly extinguished under this terrifying fact, as if suppressed by an ice river.
After the shock, fear quickly filled their hearts. Their fighting will plummeted to its lowest point, and no one dared to look directly at Chu Yun’s figure suspended in mid-air.
Marquis level was second only to King level. In super-first-rate forces, only the leader typically possessed such cultivation.
“What do you want?” Li Longdi Jun’s face was ashen. He decided to lay everything bare and speak directly.
He had surrendered.
Their side’s strength was utterly insignificant compared to the opposition.
There was suppression between spiritual pressures. This was true for demonic beasts, and it was also true for monster tamers. Although Jun level and Marquis level were only one level apart, the actual difference was worlds apart. The Greedy Wolf King, relying solely on his King-level spiritual pressure during enlightenment, had nearly caused Chu Yun and his three companions to fail their assassination attempt. This was a testament to its power.
To fight Chu Yun, at least five peak Jun-level experts would be needed.
“I’ve already said what I wanted to say. I don’t fear you spreading this word. Since you dared to rob, you should have the awareness of being robbed. The Barren Dragon Association is a prestigious super-first-rate force; I don’t think their magnanimity is so narrow?” Chu Yun continued to smile faintly.
He had no intention of killing the two Jun-level experts before him. While he didn’t fear the Barren Dragon Association, provoking them in Great Wilderness Country would be troublesome.
Killing the Greedy Wolf King had already caused a significant drain on his luck. If he were to fight again and be entangled by enemies, drawing the attention of a Marquis-level expert like the Barren Dragon Association’s leader, he might not gain any advantage.
As the saying goes, a strong dragon doesn’t bully a local snake.
After all, the opposite party was a super-first-rate force.
“Very well, all these stored goods are yours. Losing to you, Chu Yun, is not a disgrace,” Li Longdi Jun, being very pragmatic, immediately agreed.
“Damn it, losing these stored resources is equivalent to leaving me with an empty city. The blow to my plans is too heavy.” Huang Wu clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his arms. But the situation was beyond his control; he could only forcefully endure it.
Stone Hammer City was an important stronghold of the Barren Dragon Association, and Li Longdi Jun had managed it for over a decade, accumulating vast resources and immense stored goods, which secretly surprised Chu Yun and his three companions.
Under Xiao Xiaoxian’s Clairvoyant Eye, all the stores in Stone Hammer City, both overt and hidden, were revealed. Vast quantities of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, standard demon soldiers, and cases upon cases of pills were packed into top-grade Immortal Pouches.
Witnessing this scene firsthand, all the Barren Dragon Association members in the city gritted their teeth in hatred and indignation.
“A wise man submits to circumstances. Li Longdi Jun, you are a person who understands right from wrong. This matter ends here.
Of course, if your Barren Dragon Association wishes for revenge in the future, you can come to the Archipelago to settle the score. I, Chu Yun, will be waiting,” Chu Yun declared as he left, ensuring everyone in the city could hear him.
There were no angry roars.
Stone Hammer City was enveloped in silence.
A heavy sense of oppression weighed on everyone’s hearts.
“Settle the score?” Watching Chu Yun and his three companions disappear into the Gem Secret Passage, Li Longdi Jun shook his head and gave a wry smile.
How old was Chu Yun now, to already be a Marquis-level expert? How could the Barren Dragon Association possibly seek revenge?
This was no longer something that could be described with the word “genius.”
He was practically a monster!
In the history of Xingzhou, there weren’t many such monsters. Those who grew up invariably became Kings.
Even if this matter were reported to the Barren Dragon Association’s leader, the outcome would likely be an inconclusive one.
“Alas, Huang Wu, I’ll leave this city to you. Work hard. Although the stored resources are gone, you can temporarily borrow a batch from the association to tide you over. After a few years of management, things will improve.”
Looking at the ashen-faced Huang Wu, who had bitten his lip, a flicker of pity flashed in Li Longdi Jun’s eyes.
Huang Wu could certainly be considered a genius. But compared to Chu Yun and Erlang Tian Jun, he paled in comparison.
Comparing oneself to others could drive one mad.
Huang Wu trembled all over, his emotions of anger, unwillingness, and humiliation surging like a volcanic eruption, assaulting his nerves.
He nearly ground his teeth to dust and almost lost control of himself.
His journey had been smooth sailing; even when facing setbacks, he could turn misfortune into good fortune, turn defeat into victory, and find blessings in disaster. But today, he had suffered a significant loss.
Not just in terms of material possessions, but also in terms of prestige.
If he had known this would happen, he would have been better off staying confined within the city.
Chu Yun’s raid had completely drained Stone Hammer City’s reserves, forcing him to spend at least two more years accumulating new resources.
“Chu Yun, I, Huang Wu, will remember today’s humiliation!” He gritted his teeth until his gums bled, his eyes bloodshot, roaring in anger in his heart.
Just then, a figure flew rapidly from a distance.
“City Lord of Nine Nether City, Marquis Wu Chang!” Li Longdi Jun exclaimed in surprise. Upon recognizing the approaching person, he immediately bowed from afar.
“Li Longdi Jun, no need for such formality. This Marquis needs to borrow your Gem Secret Passage to travel. Hmm, what is going on here?” Marquis Wu Chang, upon entering Stone Hammer City, immediately sensed something was amiss. The atmosphere in the city was peculiar, many treasury doors were open, and the scene was chaotic and messy.
“Alas, the younger generation is formidable,” Li Longdi Jun sighed helplessly. The Barren Dragon Association and Nine Nether City had always been close. Besides, this matter couldn’t be hidden, so he explained it to Marquis Wu Chang.
“What? Chu Yun has actually advanced to Marquis level!” Upon hearing this, Marquis Wu Chang’s eyes flashed with cold light, and killing intent surged. He lamented, “What a pity. If you could have held them off for even a moment, I could have killed the Barren Dragon Association’s leader and then used the Gem Secret Passage to get reinforcements. Would I still fear these juniors?”
“Pfft!” The moment Marquis Wu Chang finished speaking, Huang Wu could no longer bear the twists of fate and spat out a mouthful of blood. He immediately fainted.
Still in mid-air, he fell towards the ground like a torn sack.
“Huang Wu!” Li Longdi Jun quickly lunged to help.
“This young man was actually angered to the point of spitting blood? His mental fortitude is this poor?” Marquis Wu Chang shook his head, somewhat disdainfully.
“However, Chu Yun has also become a Marquis-level expert. His advancement is too rapid. In time, he might become too difficult to control.” Upon learning of Chu Yun’s advancement to Marquis level, Marquis Wu Chang also felt a sense of pressure.
“I must hurry back and inform that person!” The thought of that person stationed in Nine Nether City calmed Marquis Wu Chang’s heart.
With nothing else of interest here, he entered the Gem Secret Passage.
Half a month later, Chu Yun, along with Jin Bihan and Xiao Xiaoxian, returned to the Archipelago. As for Erlang Tian Jun, they had parted ways en route.
Shu Family Island immediately became abuzz with activity.
“You braggart, you’ve finally decided to come back?” Shu Tianhao laughed heartily, patting Chu Yun on the shoulder. “It’s good that you’re back.”
“Young Master, what refining materials have you brought me this time?” Master Yu Ya asked, rubbing his hands as he squeezed forward.
He quickly cried out in surprise because Chu Yun handed him a King Lotus of Overlord Fire.
“Young Master, you actually managed to bring the Dunhuang Princess back! Hua Ying, I am utterly impressed!” Not just Hua Ying, but also the Three Old Generals, Yan Que, and others came to tease them.
Jin Bihan’s face turned red at their words. She gritted her teeth and adopted the demeanor of a princess: “Actually, this isn’t our first meeting.”
Everyone was astonished.
Chu Yun then explained her disguise as a man.
“So Shi Jiaming was Jin Bihan, and Jin Bihan was Shi Jiaming!” Everyone’s jaws dropped.
Yan Que, Hua Ying, and Ning Yiyi were too shocked to speak. Come to think of it, they had been classmates with Jin Bihan.
The Three Old Generals looked at Jin Bihan with gratitude. During the difficult times when the Shu Family Island faced sea battles with various forces, Shi Jiaming had contributed greatly.
“So she’s one of us,” Shu Tianhao nodded, smiling gently. Then, he said to the Dunhuang Princess with a double meaning, “Welcome home.”
That evening, Shu Family Island hosted a grand welcoming banquet for the safe return of Chu Yun and Jin Bihan.
Song and dance filled the air, creating an atmosphere of prosperity and peace.
Chu Yun recounted his adventures in detail to everyone. They listened with rapt attention, exclaiming in admiration, gasping in surprise.
Of course, Chu Yun omitted certain details. He did not mention killing the Greedy Wolf King.
This was something the four of them had agreed upon on the way back.
The Greedy Wolf King was not an isolated individual; his powerful backing would attract a lot of trouble if exposed.
Naturally, Chu Yun did not conceal his own Marquis-level strength.
It had already been exposed in Stone Hammer City, so there was no need to hide it.
“Chu Yun, my son, you’ve become a Marquis-level expert? Did I hear you correctly, foster father?” Shu Tianhao was somewhat overwhelmed upon first hearing Chu Yun’s words. Let alone the others.
To prove it, Chu Yun unleashed his spiritual pressure on the spot.
The Marquis-level spiritual pressure was tangible and undeniable.
“Good, good, good.” Shu Tianhao’s eyes welled up with tears; he was genuinely proud of Chu Yun’s achievements.
“Everyone, the Young Master already possesses Marquis-level strength, and he is on good terms with the Wine King and Ten Thousand Poisons Queen. Furthermore, we have the Dunhuang Country as an ally. Everything is in place.
Regarding the proposal I made at the previous meeting, what do you all think?” Yan Que suddenly stood up, his expression filled with excitement.
Everyone was taken aback, then cheered up, and began to murmur amongst themselves.
“Dad, what suggestion did Yan Que make?”
“Oh, it’s about officially establishing a nation after the unification of the Archipelago.”
(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to, vote for recommendation, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation, support the author, support genuine reading.) [This text is provided by 【·Black Lotus]
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
Wolf cubs eat vegetarian from birth. The wolf parents rack their brains to train the cubs to hunt. Finally, one day, the wolf parents proudly watch their son chase a rabbit. The wolf cub catches the rabbit, his fierce expression reveals, and he viciously says: “Kid! Hand over the carrot!”
