Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Entering the Core
At the entrance to Lie Mountain Valley, on the viewing platform.
Suddenly, in the center of the platform, a point of light on the edge of the Spiritual Mirror Map flared. Its color shifted from white to a faint gold.
Although the change was subtle, those present were all keen-eyed individuals and noticed it almost instantly.
"Oh?"
The blue-robed elder from the Cyan Mist Martial Academy raised an eyebrow and set down his teacup. The City Lord’s envoy, Shen Wenyuan, also glanced over, a look of interest on his face.
Wu Zhenshan, the Treasurer of the Martial Preparation Hall, narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
"The Spiritual Mirror Map shows that the first Lie Mountain Iron Order has been claimed," announced Yue Shan, the Army Commander presiding over the Spring Hunt, his voice deep. "The location is on the eastern side of the Central Domain, in the Stone Forest area."
"The Stone Forest? There’s a Tier Three Peak Stone Demon guarding that place. How did someone get it so quickly?"
"Could it be Yun Jinghong? The Young Master of the Feiyun Martial Arts Hall is a true Transformation Force cultivator, so he has the best chance of dealing with the Stone Demon."
"Not necessarily. Yun Jinghong is proud and ambitious. If he were going for an Iron Order, he’d likely go to the core area. As for the one in the Stone Forest, some other expert probably got lucky and snatched it up."
"Anything’s possible, but claiming an Iron Order this early is certainly unexpected. It seems there are quite a few promising candidates this time..."
Speculation ran wild, with most theories centering on the few geniuses who were already famous.
Wu Zhenshan suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Commander Yue, what are the casualties in the hunting ground so far?"
Yue Shan glanced at him and gestured with his hand. An adjutant at his side immediately stepped forward, holding a register, and reported in a clear voice:
"As of 3:00 PM today, the Spring Hunt has been underway for seven days."
"Thirty-seven Vitality Orders have been crushed in the hunting grounds. All individuals have been safely rescued and are not in life-threatening condition."
"The confirmed death toll is forty-nine. Most were due to encounters with powerful Demon Beasts, while a smaller portion resulted from conflicts between Martial Artists."
The adjutant’s voice was steady, but the numbers he announced cast a somber mood over the platform.
Forty-nine lives lost and thirty-seven participants withdrawn—and it was only the seventh day.
Considering the total number of participants was just over 232, the casualty rate was already approaching forty percent.
It was the highest rate in recent years, but everyone present knew why. After all, a direct recommendation to the Martial Arts Academy was on the line. Who wouldn’t fight for that?
The blue-robed elder from the Martial Arts Academy stroked his beard and smiled. "In the struggle of the Martial Dao, casualties are inevitable. Only those who distinguish themselves through blood and fire are truly promising material. Now that the first Iron Order has appeared, the real show is about to begin."
Shen Wenyuan agreed with a smile, "Elder Chen is right."
The path of the Martial Dao had always been this way!
...
「Meanwhile.」
After leaving the Stone Forest, Liang Cheng kept moving. The Lie Mountain Iron Order tucked inside his robes felt heavy, its icy touch seeping through the fabric.
’With this order in hand, plus the Demon Beasts and Spirit Grass I’ve already gathered, a top-three finish in the Spring Hunt is practically in the bag.’
’From now on, I just need to play it safe and steady.’
To be safe, he stuck to secluded paths, avoiding any junctions where an ambush might be waiting. After about an hour of walking, he faintly heard the clang of weapons and shouts from up ahead.
Liang Cheng frowned, not wanting to get involved. He was about to change direction, but the next moment, he heard a familiar voice and stopped in his tracks.
Ahead, a patch of the forest was in disarray. Zhao Yuan was leaning against an ancient tree, his left arm hanging limp and his blue robes mostly soaked through with blood.
In front of him, Wu Xiao was closing in, flanked by two other disciples from the Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall.
"Senior Brother Zhao, why bother struggling?"
Wu Xiao gave a cold, sinister smile, the sword in his hand glowing with a faint blue light. "Hand over the Red Blood Ginseng, and I’ll give you a chance to crush your Vitality Order and leave. It’s not worth losing your life over a single Spirit Grass."
Zhao Yuan spat a mouthful of blood, his gaze vicious. "Wu Xiao, is this all you’re good for? Preying on the injured?"
"Stubborn fool. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance," Wu Xiao sneered, gesturing to his men. "Get him! Cripple his right hand!"
The two disciples lunged from both sides. Zhao Yuan gritted his teeth and tried to parry, but his stance was already failing, and he was about to be overwhelmed by a flash of blades.
A figure in blue suddenly cut into the fray!
THUD! THUD!
Two muffled thuds rang out almost simultaneously. The two Zhen Nan disciples, as if struck by sledgehammers, had their chests cave in. They were sent flying backward into a tree, dying on impact.
Liang Cheng stood with his fist drawn back, shielding Zhao Yuan. Wu Xiao’s pupils contracted, and his expression instantly turned foul. "Liang Cheng?!"
"Senior Brother Wu. Fancy meeting you here," Liang Cheng said calmly.
Wu Xiao’s eye twitched. He glared at Liang Cheng, then glanced at the fresh blood and dust on his clothes and sneered. "Looks like you just came from a fight. I’m not one to prey on the injured. Farewell."
He actually began to back away, keeping his short sword held defensively across his chest. However, his right hand was just about to secretly crush a sachet when Liang Cheng instantly sensed something was wrong.
He threw a punch, and Wu Xiao was forced to stop what he was doing and block with his sword.
CLANG!
The sword shattered!
Before Wu Xiao could react, the punch slammed into his chest. It caved in instantly, and he was sent flying, spraying a mouthful of blood.
He was dead before he hit the ground. Liang Cheng quickly looted the three bodies, and only then did he turn to Zhao Yuan.
Zhao Yuan had slid to the ground, his back against the tree trunk. His face was as pale as a sheet, and he looked on with some surprise at Liang Cheng’s practiced movements.
When Liang Cheng looked over, he pulled a Jade Box from his robes and tossed it over, saying with a bitter smile, "The Red Blood Ginseng. Take it. I owe you my life."
Liang Cheng caught the Jade Box and opened it for a look. The ginseng root was as red as blood, with a faint radiance flowing along its veins. It was indeed an Upper Grade Spirit Medicine for replenishing Qi Blood.
He closed the lid and tossed it back to Zhao Yuan.
"Keep it to treat your wounds."
Zhao Yuan was stunned.
Liang Cheng knelt and examined his left arm. The shoulder was dislocated and the tendons were damaged, but the bone wasn’t completely shattered.
He placed both hands on Zhao Yuan’s shoulder and, with a swift push and pull, set the bone.
CLICK.
The joint popped back into place.
Zhao Yuan let out a muffled grunt, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, but the tension in his face eased slightly.
"Thanks."
He said in a low voice, then hesitated for a moment before pulling the Vitality Order from his robes and clutching it in his palm. "I can’t go on like this. But before I crush this Token, there’s something I have to tell you."
Liang Cheng looked at him, puzzled.
Zhao Yuan lowered his voice, speaking rapidly. "The day before yesterday, I ran into our Eldest Senior Brother. About forty li to the southwest, he discovered a Cold Jade Flood Dragon.
They say that wherever you find a Cold Jade Flood Dragon, an Ice Heart Bone Tempering Orchid is sure to grow nearby. That thing works wonders for breaking through the Transformation Force Pass. He chased the Cold Jade Flood Dragon into the core region of the hunting ground."
He gasped for breath before continuing, "Actually, Eldest Senior Brother left this Red Blood Ginseng for me. He said if he didn’t return in five days, you and I were to look after Master and protect our Martial Arts Hall."
Hearing this, Liang Cheng’s gaze hardened.
He stood up. ’Zhou Hu has always been good to me.’ "After you crush the Token, how long will it take for a Hunting Ground Steward to arrive?"
Zhao Yuan paused. "A Quarter Hour at most."
"Good. Go back and tell Master I’m going to the core region to find Eldest Senior Brother. I will bring him back safely."
"Liang Cheng!" Zhao Yuan cried out urgently. "That place is too dangerous! You don’t have to go—"
Before he could finish, Liang Cheng had already helped him to a safer spot. He then turned and sped away to the southwest, disappearing into the dense forest shadows in just a few bounds.
Zhao Yuan’s fingers turned white from how tightly he was clenching his fist. He finally gave a bitter smile. ’Not only is my Cultivation lagging behind, but I’ve lost so much of my will to compete.’
He clenched his fist, crushing the Vitality Order.
SNAP!
The Vitality Order shattered on cue. A faint red light rose from the Token, shot through the treetops, and bloomed into a cloud of light high in the sky.
He looked up in the direction Liang Cheng had disappeared and muttered to himself:
"Good luck, Junior Brother Liang."
...
