Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 444: Chapter 199: Adversaries (Part 2)

The benefits, both internally and externally, were immense.

He Yuzhou’s gaze remained fixed on the horizon as he said slowly, "We’ve done all we can. The rest is up to their own destinies."

...

Hooves thundered as clouds of dust billowed in their wake.

Thirteen magnificent Bi Yuncong steeds galloped along the main road, a cyan gale sweeping past mountains and rivers.

The party of over ten people from the Wutai Sect and the Xuanjia Sect had now been on the road for five days.

The five days of travel had left them weary and dust-covered.

The experienced Elder Sang Yanping arranged their itinerary with a perfect balance of haste and rest, ensuring they made good time while also allowing the disciples to rest and practice their Cultivation.

Along the way, Elder Sang often pointed out landmarks and explained the various regional factions to the disciples.

Chu Jinyun was more attentive, keeping an eye on the disciples’ conditions and occasionally exchanging a few quiet words with Nie Shanshan and the other female disciples.

Shen Xiuyong usually rode at the head of the party, scouting the path ahead.

Chen Qing, meanwhile, seized every available moment to silently circulate his Cultivation Technique. After all, with his [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Fate Plate, he naturally wouldn’t slack off.

Seeing Chen Qing’s diligence, Nie Shanshan and Yan Yaoyang dared not show the slightest bit of complacency.

Li Wang had never traveled far from home before. He was curious about everything along the way and frequently asked Elder Sang questions.p>

Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui of the Xuanjia Sect were more reserved, only exchanging occasional glances.

On this day, the party arrived at Fengye County. Though it wasn’t yet late autumn, patches of red could already be seen dotting the green mountain slopes outside the town walls.

Sang Yanping observed the scenery and said, "Fengye County is in a very unique location. It sits at the junction of three prefectures, making it a crucial transportation hub."

Chu Jinyun’s tone softened, and she said with a touch of nostalgia, "If you wait until the ninth or tenth month, when the autumn frost falls, the mountains are covered in red maple leaves. The endless forests are dyed crimson, blazing like fire under the setting sun. It’s a truly magnificent view."

Hearing this, Nie Shanshan’s cool gaze drifted to the distant mountains, imagining the sea of crimson leaves.

Chen Qing also looked over. The county town wasn’t large, but it was quite peaceful. Nestled against the mountains and by the water, with smoke curling up from chimneys, it was indeed a good place to stop and rest.

Just then, from a bend in the road ahead, a strange, dull sound echoed—unlike the beat of hooves—accompanied by the screech of grinding metal.

Everyone immediately looked over, their senses on high alert.

Dozens of figures appeared. They were not riding horses, but were instead mounted on Mechanical Beasts resembling giant wolves and cheetahs!

These Mechanical Beasts were constructed entirely from a type of dark, dull metal. Though their movements were slightly stiff, they were steady and powerful, causing the ground to tremble faintly with each step.

The riders atop them all wore matching dark blue Martial Attire, with intricate patterns embroidered on the collars and cuffs.

"It’s the Puppet Sect!" Chu Jinyun said in a low voice.

"The Puppet Sect!?"

’The Puppet Sect!?’ Chen Qing thought, his eyes quickly scanning the other party.

Elder Sang’s explanations from the past few days immediately surfaced in his mind. This Sect specialized in mechanical Puppets, its methods were uncanny, and it had little interaction with the Wutai Sect.

Their party immediately came to a halt.

The other party had clearly noticed them as well. An elderly man at the lead, mounted on a particularly imposing Puppet Beast, separated from the group and rode forward.

He was smiling as he cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "Are you our friends from the Wutai Sect? I am Fang Hongtao, an Elder of the Puppet Sect."

Sang Yanping took a deep breath, urged his horse forward, and returned the salute. "We are indeed. I am Sang Yanping of the Wutai Sect, passing through with my disciples. A pleasure to meet you."

"A pleasure to meet you, as well!"

Fang Hongtao’s smile grew wider, though his eyes seemed to casually sweep over the disciples behind Sang Yanping. He praised, "The Wutai Sect is truly brimming with talent. The younger generation is indeed formidable!"

"You flatter us, Elder Fang. Your esteemed Sect is also full of brilliant talents."

Sang Yanping offered a modest smile as his gaze swept over the Puppet Sect’s group.

Chen Qing was sizing them up as well. He saw that most of the Puppet Sect disciples were followed by two or three Puppets!

Combined with the Puppet Beasts they rode, the dark, dense assembly was indeed a frightening sight.

The two sides briefly introduced their disciples.

Chen Qing noted that the Puppet Sect had seven disciples traveling to Celestial Treasure City this time. Their leader was named Duan Shan. His aura was calm and profound, with Gang Qi faintly circulating around his body. He was by no means a new entrant to the Astral Force realm, and his strength could not be underestimated.

Fang Hongtao smiled. "Elder Sang, it’s still quite a ways to Celestial Treasure City. Why don’t our two Sects travel together? We could look out for one another."

Sang Yanping considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement. "What Elder Fang says is true. That would be excellent."

He reasoned internally that on such a long journey, another ally was far better than another enemy, especially since the Puppet Sect was not weak. Furthermore, their Puppet Technique might have surprising uses in certain situations.

Fang Hongtao’s smile widened at the agreement. He pointed toward Fengye County ahead and said, "Excellent! Fengye County is just up ahead. Why don’t we rest in the town for a bit and set off together tomorrow? What do you think?"

Sang Yanping smiled. "That suits me just fine."

After five days of continuous travel, the disciples really did need to rest and recuperate.

And so, the two parties merged into one and headed toward Fengye County.

The three Elders—Sang Yanping, Chu Jinyun, and Fang Hongtao—conversed at the front of the column.

Meanwhile, the disciples of the two Sects naturally fell in behind them.

The disciples from both the Wutai Sect and the Xuanjia Sect were filled with curiosity about the Puppet Sect’s bizarre techniques.

Unable to restrain himself, Li Wang looked at Duan Shan and asked, "Senior Brother Duan, how strong are your Sect’s Puppets, exactly?"

A smile touched Duan Shan’s lips. He patted a particularly tall Blade Puppet standing beside him and said, "Take this ’Iron Guard’ of mine, for example. It’s forged from Hundred-refined Iron mixed with Profound Steel, and its core is powered by a Secret Technique of my Puppet Sect. When fully activated, it is utterly fearless, excels at both offense and defense, and is strong enough to rival an Early-stage Astral Force master."