In the next week, Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran, aside from their daily activities, spent almost every day in their room cultivating, absorbing the residue of medicine in the wooden barrel. The two individuals respectively consolidated their realms as a 1 Star Dou Master and a 9 Star Dou Practitioner.
During this period, they hired someone to deliver a message to Hei Yan City, informing Ge Ye about the progress of their closed-door cultivation. They received his affirmative response. According to reason, Ge Ye should have rushed to Wu Tan City immediately to act as their protector. However, since leaving Xiao Family, Ge Ye seemed to have developed a considerable psychological shadow on this city, using excuses to adamantly refuse to come over.
However, whether Ge Ye comes or not doesn't matter because, at Ya Fei's request, Gu Ni occasionally shows up around the inn where the two are staying, creating a good deterrent effect on the Jia Lie family.
All of this is within Yun Tianming's Soul Perception, and he silently appreciates Ya Fei's kindness.
"It's time for us to leave."
The auras of Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran have greatly improved compared to a week ago, especially the former. After breaking through to Dou Master, his Dou Qi has more than doubled!
Exiting the inn, Yun Tianming walks straight towards an old man who has had numerous cups of tea at a tea stall.
"Master Gu Ni, thank you for everything."
"Oh? The young man has a good perception."
A hint of surprise flashes in Gu Ni's eyes, then he waves his hand and responds, "It's all thanks to that girl Ya Fei who asked me. If you want to express your gratitude, go find her."
"A small token may not express enough gratitude. Please convey my regards to Sister Ya Fei on my behalf, Master Gu Ni."
Empty words of thanks lack sincerity. Yun Tianming moves his finger, taking out three spiritually rich medicinal herbs from the Spatial Ring and handing them to Gu Ni.
"Healing Fruits? And three of them?"
Gu Ni widens his eyes. These are the main ingredients for refining the Third Grade Pill: Vitality Elixir. Judging by the rich energy emanating from the herbs, the quality is top-notch!
While the Vitality Elixir doesn't enhance one's strength, it has the effect of prolonging life. Especially for the elderly Gu Ni, it's a precious treasure like a timely rain in a drought.
"Young Master Yun is generous. I will surely remember this favor."
Gu Ni accepts the medicinal herbs, expressing sincere gratitude to Yun Tianming. "By the way, are you leaving Wu Tan City today? Let me escort you!"
Although the Miteer family has always maintained a neutral stance, under sufficient incentives, positions can change.
"No need, Master Gu Ni. If you follow us, those timid rats won't dare to show their heads."
Yun Tianming politely declines the offer. He's still waiting for Jia Lie Bi's package of experience to be delivered!
"Timid rats?"
Gu Ni first pauses, then can't help but shake his head with a wry smile. "It seems these past few days, I've been overly concerned."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran head towards the gates of Wu Tan City.
Jia Lie clan members, who have been monitoring them in secret, immediately report to Jia Lie Bi.
"Very well! After squatting for so many days, he finally decided to come out? That damned brat!"
Jia Lie Bi clenches his teeth, rising from his seat.
"Wait, Clan Chief, about Master Gu Ni..."
"Don't worry! My subordinates have reported that the old man Gu Ni has already returned to the Auction House. It seems the Miteer family is maintaining a neutral stance. Ya Fei's influence can only protect within Wu Tan City; outside the city, it won't be effective!"
After some reasonable speculation, Jia Lie Bi believed he had insight into the truth. Immediately, he led a small team of clan members towards the outskirts of Wu Tan City.
-------------
Wu Tan City is adjacent to the Magic Beast Mountains. Once outside the city, there are towering mountains on three sides, and only one official road leads to Hei Yan City. It is an ideal location for an ambush.
"The rats are showing their heads. Are you ready for battle, Yanran?"
Yun Tianming's Soul Perception probes, capturing Jia Lie Bi and others lying in ambush on both sides of the road within a few kilometers. There are a total of six people.
"I am ready!"
Nalan Yanran tightens the sword at her waist, determination evident on her youthful face. During their time in the Misty Cloud Sect, she and Yun Tianming often sparred with each other, but it was more of a controlled exchange and not a true combat experience.
"Get ready to take action!"
!
The Jia Lie clan members lying in ambush on both sides of the road fixated their sinister gazes on the two individuals passing through the middle of the road, like venomous snakes staring intently.
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh~"
The first to charge out were four masked youths, each pair flanking Yun Tianming and Nalan Yanran.
"Two 7 Star Dou Practitioners and two 9 Star Dou Practitioners. Who do they think they're underestimating?"
Yun Tianming smirks at the corner of his mouth. Both his hands move simultaneously, forming two sharp wooden spikes in the palms of his hands.
"Green Wood Thorn!"
A Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique!
He instantly kills the two 9 Star Dou Practitioners who initiated the ambush by piercing through their chests.
"Wind Spirit Fractal Sword!"
Another Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique!
Nalan Yanran's long sword releases two streams of energy sword qi, slashing towards the two 7 Star Dou Practitioners simultaneously.
"Ahhhh!"
The two masked youths each have an arm severed, falling to the ground and emitting painful screams.
Yun Tianming decisively shoots out two wooden spikes, completing the finishing blows.
"!!!"
Watching the ground covered in blood with four lifeless bodies, Nalan Yanran's petite face turns pale, and the hand holding the sword trembles incessantly. For a fifteen-year-old young lady, raised in comfort since childhood, such a bloody scene is a bit too overwhelming!
"Calm down, Yanran."
"This is the most real side of the Dou Qi Continent."
Yun Tianming reaches out and grabs her cold little hand, stopping her trembling. In reality, for him, this is the first time in his two lives that he has truly taken someone's life. He feels fear and discomfort as well, but the powerful Soul Power allows Yun Tianming to overcome the physiological fear in a very short time!
From the surprise attack to the counterattack, the process takes only a few seconds.
"What?!"
Jia Lie Bi, with a dark expression, stands up, his gaze fixed on the four bodies lying in a pool of blood. In his heart, he can't help but feel a pang of pain. These four were outstanding young elites of the Jia Lie family's younger generation, and they were easily killed like this?
"The intelligence is incorrect, Clan Chief!"
"Weren't we expecting one 7 Star Dou Practitioner and one 9 Star Dou Practitioner?"
The other person is Tang Si, the steward of the Jia Lie family, who speaks with a helpless tone.
In order to suppress the opponents, they sent double the personnel of the same level for the ambush. How did they get easily killed?
"The Qi Method and Dou Techniques they practice are both Black Rank or above!"
In the midst of anger, Jia Lie Bi's eyes reveal a strong greed.
As long as he kills the two individuals in front of him, won't their Qi Method and Dou Techniques become his possessions?
"I feel that the origins of these two is probably not simple. Due to time constraints, we haven't been able to investigate their true origin yet."
Tang Si says with a serious expression. Based on the information collected so far, it is confirmed that these two individuals come from the Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire, but it's still unclear which faction they belong to.
"Tsk! At this point, arguing about these things is meaningless! Since the moment we decided to take action, we have become sworn enemies to the death!"
"You brat! Hand over the Wind Whirl Mantra, and this old man might spare your lives!"
Jia Lie Bi, wielding a large knife, charges back with a murderous aura.
"Yanran, the one on the left is a 4 Star Dou Master; try to delay him as much as possible."
Yun Tianming takes out the Mountain-crushing Staff from the Spatial Ring and confronts Jia Lie Bi head-on.
"Senior Tianming, Yanran won't fall too far behind you!"
Nalan Yanran grits her teeth, unsheathing her sword and taking the initiative to attack Tang Si.
****
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