Chapter 20

Translator:

Lordbluefire

Editor:

Lordbluefire

Xia Qilin laughed. “I’m also looking forward to cousin’s display of the Zhao Clan’s great art, the [Cloudleap Steps].”

The Zhao Clan that Zhao Churan belonged to had passed down a very outstanding movement-type martial skill.

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“Haha, I hope that my poor performance won’t be ridiculed by Cousin Qilin.” Zhao Churan pursed her lips and smiled.

“We’re here. There are often strong gales in the Ghostwail Forest throughout the year. Thus, this place is very suitable for you to practice your movement-type martial skill,” Xia Qilin said.

Hearing that it was the two of them, Xia Qingchen couldn’t be bothered to show himself. He turned and headed deeper into the Ghostwail Forest.

Ten days later.

Zhao Churan’s elegant foot tapped on the ground, and she advanced agilely, moving for about ten feet in one leap.

Clap clap——

Xia Qilin was full of admiration and said, “Cousin’s movement-type martial skill is really brilliant, to be able to travel ten feet with one step. This is a speed that only experts at the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage can achieve.”

“It’s cousin’s turn now. Let me see how your cultivation of the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] has been.” Zhao Churan’s gaze was filled with anticipation.

Xia Qilin chuckled and said, “Cousin, have a good look!”

Xia Qilin gathered all the inner force in his body to his ten fingers, striking out toward the old tree as thick as a human’s waist.

Pffft pffft——

After nine consecutive stifled sounds, nine one-inch deep marks were left on the old tree.

Zhao Churan gasped, “Oh my god! This is the inner force release that only those at the medium constellation stage can achieve! The [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] is too amazing!”

The inner force of someone at the minor constellation stage couldn’t leave the surface of their body.

It was something that only those at the medium constellation stage and above could achieve.

However, the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] helped martial practitioners at the minor constellation stage to be able to release their inner force, despite this being something that only those at the medium constellation stage and above could perform. It was truly astonishing.

Xia Qilin drew back his stance, his eyes also filled with elation. The prowess of this martial skill was far greater than what he had imagined it to be.

“It’s a pity that this book isn’t complete and there’s only one-quarter of it here. I’ve only learned the first form—Nine Plum Blossoms Bloomed. There are still three more parts to it. I believe that their prowess would be greater as they go on!” Xia Qilin couldn’t help but feel great pity.

Zhao Churan consoled him, “Cousin, with just this move alone, you are unmatchable amongst those at the minor constellation stage.”

That was true!

Xia Qilin’s gaze was filled with pride, and he shouted in a loud voice, “I, Xia Qilin, will reach the very top one day, becoming the strongest person in the Lone Cloud City.”

“I believe in you, Cousin!” Zhao Churan looked at Xia Qilin, with an additional hint of yearning in her gaze.

Only a cousin like him was worth her respect.

As for the other cousin… Sigh, he wasn’t even worth mentioning!

Moreover, he had fallen and become friends with people from the triads, living a muddled life.

…

In the depths of the Ghostwail Forest.

Xia Qingchen stood on an empty stretch of land, performing the complete set of a martial skill with each move in succession.

“First form, Nine Plum Blossoms Bloomed!”

“Second form, Windsnow Flow!”

“Third form, Guest from Heavens!”

“Fourth form, Fallen Plum Departure!”

Xia Qingchen slowly drew back his stance, looking at the mess he created around him. Then, he mumbled to himself, “The prowess is still acceptable. It can work as a supplementary martial skill. The [Four-Forms Ancient Scroll] is more suitable as a primary martial skill.”

Amidst the mess, there was an old log that was broken and charred.

Seven days ago, he had successfully cultivated the first scroll of the [Four-Forms Ancient Scroll], Fire Phoenix Illuminates the Sky, and had broken the old tree with a single kick.

If a person had been standing in front of him, they’d definitely have died unless their cultivation had reached the eight radiance-level of the minor constellation stage.

In comparison to the damage caused by the [Four-Forms Ancient Scroll], the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] could only create an area of mess, and the prowess was extremely limited.

“It should be about time for the martial pavilion’s competition. It’s time to head back!” After devoting hard work in his training for half a month, Xia Qingchen had gained a lot from all three martial skills.

The number of opened minor meridians in his body had also reached 50.

Together with the five major meridians, his inner force was extremely strong. It was even slightly stronger than people at the sixth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage.

With a tap of his foot, he performed the [Cloudlight Nature Sound], rapidly darting through the forest at a great speed of 20 feet per step.

It didn’t take long before he reached the borders of the Ghostwail Forest.

He coincidentally chanced upon Zhao Churan and Xia Qilin, who were heading back to the city together.

Xia Qingchen frowned slightly, planning to avoid them. He wasn’t willing to come face-to-face with them.

However, he suddenly stopped in his footsteps, looking toward the borders of the Ghostwail Forest.

There were three people wearing red cloth masks, and they were sneakily approaching Xia Qilin and Zhao Churan. They suddenly made a move when they were within three zhang away from the two of them.

“We’ve finally gotten our hands on someone a little bit more worthy!” The three masked men jumped out, each of them holding a dagger, charging out with great killing auras.

Xia Qilin was given a great scare. He couldn’t understand whom he had offended.

“Cousin, be careful. They are… the bandits on the Yun Canal!” Zhao Churan’s beautiful face couldn’t help but turn pale.

Some time ago, Yun Canal had been disturbed by bandits, causing the merchants’ ships to halt for half a month.

Therefore, she had some understanding of these bandits.

She knew the three of them were bandits the moment she saw their red cloth masks.

Bandits?

Xia Qilin’s heart sank.

He had long since heard of how terrifying Yun Canal’s bandits were!

Half a month ago, they had assaulted a city along the coast, killing countless people and seizing many women, causing great bloodshed.

He hadn’t expected them to come to the Lone Cloud City.

Moreover, he had encountered them!

Although he was afraid, with the bandits here, he could only take them on head-on!

Xia Qilin demonstrated his cultivation base that was at the eighth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage. He also prepared to use the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] he had just learned.

However, the despairing thing was that the three men emitted inner forces that were close to that of a silvery-white color.

That was a sign of people at the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage!

“Brothers, I’ll leave the guy to the two of you. I’ll handle the girl!” The bandit in the middle assessed Zhao Churan’s beautiful face and great figure with an evil gaze.

“F*ck, you’ll get the advantage first!”

The three bandits came to an agreement, and two of them pounced toward Xia Qilin.

The other one headed for Zhao Churan, like a hungry tiger pouncing at a sheep.

Xia Qilin gritted his teeth. There was no way he could concurrently take on two evil-doers who didn’t care for their lives and were stronger than him.

Swoosh——

With a tap, he turned to run and dart into the depths of the Ghostwail Forest.

Zhao Churan had been left behind.

He had no intention of protecting her.

Zhao Churan bit her red lips and performed her movement-type martial skill in a bid to escape.

It could allow her to travel ten feet with a single step. Thus, by right, she should have a higher chance of escaping compared to Xia Qilin.

However, her reaction was a bit slower.

She had just attempted to take two steps when one of the bandits threw out the dagger in his hand, striking her shoulder.

The intense pain caused Zhao Churan to lose her balance and fell to the ground.

Before she could get back up, the bandit came over quickly, twisting her arm and smiled evilly, saying, “Lass, you’ve successfully perked my interest. Let me dote on you!”

Zhao Churan put up an intense struggle, but it was useless. Instead, it intensified the bandit’s desire to subjugate her.

The guy’s breathing quickened, and he was just about to make his move when… a gust of strong gale blew.

The bandit noticed that something was amiss. He had just looked up when his vision turned black.

A long leg lashed out harshly on his head.

A tremendous force, together with scorching heat, threw him away to the side.

“Ahhh!” The bandit cried out agonizingly. His head had become a bloody mess, with many parts scalded.

Thankfully, his cultivation had reached the ninth radiance-level of the minor constellation stage. Otherwise, with his head taking a Fire Phoenix Illuminates the Sky, he’d have died on the spot with his head exploding.

Taken by great astonishment, the other two bandits quickly charged over with overwhelming killing aura. “You’re courting death!”

The person who had attacked was naturally Xia Qingchen.