Chapter 229: Southland Old Friend

It wasn't just Yuwen Tuozhen who was shocked.

When Qi Xiao and Shi Shishi saw Li Weiyi, like a god descending from heaven, strike down the formidable young Southern Realm expert from the rooftop after a flurry of sword shadows, the shock they felt was beyond words.

Shi Shishi exclaimed, "Brother Weiyi, have you and Yang Qingxi been practicing some secret dual cultivation method these past few days? Otherwise, how could your cultivation and combat strength have advanced to this extent?"

"This is definitely at the Inheritor level... Is this an achievement of the Fifth Sea Realm, Fifth Stage?" Qi Xiao began to doubt if his martial path over the past twenty years had been the right one.

It should be noted that both Qi Xiao and Yuwen Tuozhen possessed pure immortal bodies, having opened nine springs in the Gushing Spring Realm and all their trace meridians were silver. In the Five Seas Realm, their Seventh Sea was already fully cultivated.

They stood at the absolute peak below the Dao Seed Realm, without any weaknesses.

Only individuals at the Inheritor level could swiftly defeat them within a dozen moves.

Inheritor-level cultivators were stronger than them because they had opened over a hundred trace meridians in the Gushing Spring Realm, developing some golden meridians. In the Five Seas Realm, each of their Qi Seas was also more expansive.

They were comprehensively superior.

Li Weiyi said, "How many Inheritors can there be? Yuwen Tuozhen was already injured, so his combat strength was severely diminished. Let's finish this quickly and send Young City Lord Yuwen on his way."

The Far West Ashlands region was immensely powerful, teeming with experts.

Given the opportunity, Li Weiyi naturally intended to dismantle its forces, clip its wings, and weaken Luan Sheng Lin You.

In front of Yin Twenty-Four and the others, he consistently maintained the persona of a Shenyin, and naturally, he had to act as a Shenyin should.

While the cultivation gap with Luan Sheng Lin You was vast and he couldn't deal with him yet, he still needed to kill a few Seventh Sea martial cultivators from the Far West Ashlands. Bringing their heads back and placing them on the sacrificial platter would be far more convincing than offering a few fruits, and hold greater commemorative significance.

"Send me on my way? What price are you prepared to pay?"

Under the eaves, Yuwen Tuozhen's long purple hair was disheveled, and his eyes, sharp and cold as blades, fixed on Li Weiyi, who had landed back on the ground opposite him.

Guided by his spiritual energy, the blood flowing from his wounds transformed into tendrils of bloody mist, surging into the twelve-foot-long Grudge Soul Halberd in his hand.

The iridescent white crescent moon mark on his brow, signifying his membership in the Night Clan royal family, gradually turned blood-red.

Qi Xiao, being well-informed, shouted, "Watch out! That's a blood-forged artifact with sealed spirits inside!"

Li Weiyi's legs moved like a drawn bowstring, propelling him forward with such speed that the air crackled.

A direct stab with his sword!

The dragon shadow emerging from the Yellow Dragon Sword coiled around his arm and the blade.

Yuwen Tuozhen's five senses were amplified to their limit. He held his battle halberd level, lowered his stance, and infused the fifteen-foot-long crescent battle intent above his head into the weapon in his hand.

"Bang!"

He thrust his halberd, striking the tip of the Yellow Dragon Sword with precision.

The flagstones of the street shattered for dozens of meters, cracking loudly.

Yuwen Tuozhen's strength was naturally inferior to Li Weiyi's, and he was forced to retreat sharply. However, within the Grudge Soul Halberd in his hand, scriptures and ghostly mist surged outwards like waves in all directions.

Six powerful departed spirits burst forth from the halberd's tip. Each was massive, taller than a house, and bore a blood-red crescent mark on its brow.

The Six Blood Moon Phantoms formed a battle array, intercepting Li Weiyi.

After a direct clash with Li Weiyi, Yuwen Tuozhen's injuries worsened. He rapidly fled along the shadowed area beneath the eaves, soaring into a darker alleyway.

He was keenly aware that even with the assistance of the six departed spirits, he would be no match for the three of them.

"Don't mind me, don't let him escape," Li Weiyi commanded softly.

Qi Xiao employed his movement technique, pursuing Yuwen Tuozhen on the rooftops above, leaping and flashing. At that moment, he understood why Yuwen Tuozhen was ranked second among the Southern Realm's elite while he was only third!

The six departed spirits sealed within the Grudge Soul Halberd alone could significantly boost his combat strength.

This war treasure was several times more expensive than an ordinary first-grade hundred-character scripture artifact.

Yuwen Tuozhen charged to the end of the alleyway, suddenly grew alert, and instantly halted his steps.

He saw Shi Shishi flash out, unleashing his renowned ultimate technique, "Fist of Heavenward Impact."

A punch shot out straight ahead.

The fist shone like a star, causing the air within several yards to vibrate.

This was Shi Shishi's explosive offensive boxing technique, specifically designed to counter pure immortal body martial cultivators of the same realm!

Yuwen Tuozhen had no time to thrust his Grudge Soul Halberd, so he could only raise it vertically like a pillar to defend.

"Clang!"

The fist collided with the halberd shaft, emitting a ringing metallic sound.

Hundreds of scriptures flew from the fist, striking Yuwen Tuozhen.

Only then did Yuwen Tuozhen realize that Shi Shishi wore a lotus-shaped knuckle guard on his finger. The scriptures shot out from the knuckle guard, piercing through his protective spiritual energy and sending him flying backward.

Qi Xiao dropped from the rooftop, raising his saber and slashing.

On the street, Li Weiyi executed the 'Clear Void Cicada Chasing Steps,' his body lifting off the ground. He performed six steps in mid-air, leaving behind six afterimages of Li Weiyi, each executing a different sword move. Then, without looking back, he pursued them into the alley.

Behind him, the six powerful departed spirits, struck by the Yellow Dragon Sword, ignited at the point of impact, and the flames spread throughout their bodies.

Moments later, they burned into six clouds of fiery red smoke.

The six afterimages of Li Weiyi also vanished.

Charging through the alley, Li Weiyi looked up and saw a familiar figure on the rooftop, keeping pace with him. It was the Immortal Emissary from Du'e Temple whom he had met twice before.

"It's her again?"

Li Weiyi furrowed his brow.

A moment later, he arrived at the battlefield.

Under the combined assault of the three, Yuwen Tuozhen's plea for mercy failed. Qi Xiao severed his neck with a single strike, and his head rolled several yards away. Li Weiyi picked up the bloody head and placed it into a storage pouch.

"Quick, find the invitation."

Qi Xiao and Shi Shishi quickly knelt down, rummaging through the corpse's clothes.

Li Weiyi turned around, looking at the Du'e Temple Immortal Emissary who stood atop a high point, also clad in a Daoist robe. After a thought, he transformed into a wisp of green smoke, flying to her side to glance at the book in her hand, curious about what she was writing.

He was instantly dumbfounded!

She was recording: "Lunar New Year's Eve, 12th day, night, Li Weiyi of Lizhou, combat strength ascended to Inheritor level, slew Yuwen Tuozhen."

"Even an Immortal Emissary shouldn't make arbitrary notes. Yuwen Tuozhen was injured; my combat strength hasn't reached the Inheritor level. Also, it was Qi Xiao who killed Yuwen Tuozhen. Qi Xiao of the Qi family from Lizhou."

Li Weiyi clearly understood that in Qizhou Prefecture City, fraught with peril, one needed not only strong fighting spirit to face all difficulties and challenges but also self-awareness. One must never overestimate oneself; it was best to... slightly underestimate oneself.

The Immortal Emissary did not record Qi Xiao's achievement.

She put down her pen, closed the book, and then, with a flash, vanished from Li Weiyi's sight.

Her speed was too fast for the naked eye to follow.

Li Weiyi returned to the ground, sighing deeply.

Qi Xiao and Shi Shishi had already found a Dragon Seed Ticket and two Dragon Bone Tickets on Yuwen Tuozhen and were discussing how to divide them.

"Brother Weiyi, what's wrong?" Shi Shishi asked curiously.

"I feel like that Immortal Emissary from Du'e Temple is trying to elevate me only to set me up for failure."

Li Weiyi recounted what had just happened to them.

Qi Xiao laughed heartily, "While I was the one who chopped off Yuwen Tuozhen's head, you contributed the most. I think what she recorded isn't wrong. Besides, your strength is definitely at the Inheritor level. Perhaps a bit tenuous, but certainly a step above me and Yuwen Tuozhen!"

"Brother Weiyi, the ultimate technique you used to kill Hua Yuzi is now being spoken of as legendary. When that move is unleashed, even ordinary Inheritors can't withstand it," Shi Shishi said.

Li Weiyi replied, "Which Inheritor doesn't have their own ultimate technique?"

"Don't overthink it. Perhaps Du'e Temple is preparing to name you a 'Latent Dragon.' Let's first discuss how to divide the tickets," Qi Xiao said.

"You two divide them."

Li Weiyi removed Yuwen Tuozhen's spatial pouch, picked up the Grudge Soul Halberd, and then went to retrieve the Dragon Scale Halberd he had thrown earlier.

A first-grade hundred-character scripture artifact!

Each was worth tens of thousands of Gushing Spring Coins, a significant sum.

The reason he didn't want the Dragon Seed Ticket and Dragon Bone Tickets for now was that he planned to return to Zhuoyuan tonight and hide for three days. Once the seven Phoenix-winged Moth Emperors grew to seven inches, he would then practice another battle intent, allowing him to unleash 150% of his combat strength in a single peak move.

On the last day, he would then seek targets and seize Dragon Seed Tickets and Dragon Bone Tickets. If there was an opportunity to acquire an Elixir of Immortality Ticket, that would be even better.

Carrying tickets now would mean being tracked no matter where he went, making it impossible to sleep soundly.

Li Weiyi placed both halberds into his spatial pouch and quickly returned.

The two had finished dividing the tickets.

Qi Xiao took one Dragon Seed Ticket, and Shi Shishi took one Dragon Bone Ticket.

The second Dragon Bone Ticket was temporarily held by Qi Xiao, to be given to Li Weiyi later if he needed it.

"No need for many thanks," Qi Xiao said, beaming. "After the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, I must immediately break through to the Dao Seed Realm. Once I enter the Dao Seed Realm, I will ensure you two are properly arranged for, with the best food, drink, and lodging. You both must come to the Dao Seed Feast!"

Shi Shishi, having acquired a Dragon Bone Ticket, now coveted a Dragon Seed Ticket, thinking, "With the combined strength of the three of us, we could even overpower an Inheritor if we encounter one. Shall we seize a few more tickets?"

Li Weiyi shook his head, "I have a strange feeling tonight, a sense of unease. Let's not stay in the East City any longer; let's head back to the South City first."

"Not good... We've been here too long; people are converging on us!"

Qi Xiao opened his invitation, revealing on the map that Dragon Seed Tickets and Dragon Bone Tickets were moving towards their location.

"Go!"

Qi Xiao led the way.

Li Weiyi and Shi Shishi followed closely, constantly adjusting their direction, traversing alleys and leaping over walls, attempting to break through the encirclement.

However, they were intercepted by a small riverbank, several yards wide.

"Ding-ding!"

Kudì stood on the opposite side of the river, twirling her tin staff. The large and small rings on it jingled pleasantly.

Countless scriptures emerged from her white monk's robe, giving her a serene and tranquil aura that blended with the darkness.

"Roar!"

A tiger's roar resounded, creating a powerful gust of wind.

Mièdì, accompanied by his fifteen-foot-long golden tiger battle intent, emerged from the riverside forest to the trio's right. He chuckled deeply, "What a small world. I thought these were Dragon Seed and Dragon Bone Tickets from Dragon Gate, but it turns out to be three old acquaintances from the Southern Realm."

"Amitābha!"

The one-armed Dàodì, forming a Buddhist hand seal, appeared on the surface of the river to their left. Spiritual energy transformed into a misty bridge beneath his feet, allowing him to stand upon it.

Li Weiyi sensed something and turned around.

He saw Jídì, ranked second among the Four Noble Truths of Coffin Mountain, standing on the rooftop of a building dozens of yards away. He was a rare pure immortal body, his flesh and blood appearing as if cast from gold, exuding explosive power.

He was also ranked second among the Southern Realm's elite, his combat strength no less than Yuwen Tuozhen's.

Li Weiyi's gaze searched again; he still felt the Du'e Temple Immortal Emissary was nearby, but he couldn't see her figure and didn't know where she was hiding.

Qi Xiao transmitted a message to the two: "The Four Noble Truths of Coffin Mountain are all here. We definitely can't win, but as long as we stay together, they'll have difficulty doing much. Which direction should we break through?"

"How can we know we can't win without even fighting?" Shi Shishi retorted. "Inheritors against Inheritors, pure immortal bodies against pure immortal bodies. I'll just take a slight disadvantage and face the mutated humans as a mortal."

Qi Xiao wanted to strangle him; Jídì and Dàodì were both pure immortal bodies.

If he could really take on two opponents, how could he be ranked only third among the Southern Realm's elite?

Li Weiyi certainly wished to eradicate the Four Noble Truths of Coffin Mountain, Luan Sheng Lin You's pawns, but he was acutely aware of the disparity in their strength. He calmly stated, "Stop messing around. Let's break through from the left and jointly eliminate the one-armed Dàodì... Here they come..."

Before he could finish speaking.

Kudì, standing on the opposite riverbank, leaped. Her lithe body, like an arrow released from a bow, arrived before them, exuding an intense mental pressure.

"Quickly break through! I'll hold her off."

Li Weiyi formed a hand seal with his left hand, circulating his spiritual energy.

A nine-foot-tall divine shadow of battle intent rose behind him. Then, a powerful, bright beam of light shot forth from his fingertip.

"Ding-ding!"

The head of the tin staff was pagoda-shaped, and the twelve large and small rings on it clanged violently.

Kudì swung it out, directly clashing with the 'Guanyin Consecrating Finger.'

The tin staff emitted a dazzling silver light, shattering the finger's force. The energy poured downwards, causing the riverbed to explode with a roar.

Nearby trees snapped and fell.

Li Weiyi retreated two steps, changing his finger seal to a palm print, transforming two fingers into five. Spiritual energy surged within him as he struck out a massive golden divine seal towards the sky, resisting the tin staff that was descending towards his head.

"Boom!"

He retreated again.

He left several deep footprints on the riverbank, his spiritual and vital energy churning within him.