Inside the inn.
Jin Bu Huan wielded his flawless divine weapon, his heart racing with excitent.
After all these years of searching, countless sacrifices, even seeking out Elder Si for divination, he had finally completed this divine weapon.
This was his lifeline!
With this weapon, his strength beca unmatched among his siblings, solidifying his position as the heir, making it impossible for anyone to challenge him.
Or so he thought...
Wait, hadn't Green Mountain recently produced another eighth-rank golden qi?
His two elder brothers were still at Green Mountain.
Was this what Li Qi ant by 'trouble'? The on of 'yin and yang separation, division of dualities'?
If he didn't handle this, and one of his brothers obtained the other eighth-rank divine weapon, wouldn't they have the ans to challenge him again?
He wasn't afraid of either alone, but if they joined forces, each holding an eighth-rank divine weapon...
Troubleso.
But it also confird that Li Qi's words made sense.
After settling things here, he would return to Green Mountain.
Moreover, Li Qi seed less deserving of death now.
Hmm... let him off this ti. Making a friend might not be bad, though caution and vigilance were still necessary.
After all, Li Qi was still using the thod of 'using the heart as a drumhead and blood qi as the mallet, resonating sounds to disturb thoughts', hiding his surface thoughts to prevent others from hearing his inner voice.
Thinking about these matters, Jin Bu Huan smiled at Li Qi, "Brother Li, you said you wanted to spar. I won't hold back, we'll aim not to kill but no other restrictions!"
He then turned to Elder Si, "Elder Si, please ensure neither of us loses control and damages our relationship."
"Of course," Elder Si nodded in agreent.
Li Qi also bowed, "Let's begin. Perhaps Brother Jin can help advance further?"
"Haha, hope so. Co, please!"
As Jin Bu Huan spoke, he extended a hand and lightly tapped the long sword.
A sharp 'ding' echoed, causing Li Qi's heart to skip a beat!
Though it was a long sword, it emitted the sound of ten gongs and flutes, drying up the blood and shaking the soul, leaving Li Qi montarily dazed.
Li Qi imdiately stirred his blood qi, roaring loudly to shake off the daze.
However, countless blades appeared before him, slashing towards him!
Countless blades swirled left and right, swift like a storm.
Li Qi sank his qi into his dantian, rging heaven and earth qi within him, roaring loudly!
Earth qi rose, heaven qi descended, yin and yang intermingling, heaven and earth colliding, thunder resounding.
Li Qi used his human microcosm to rge lung qi, expelling a thunderous roar.
The thunderous qi shattered the wave of blades.
But then, the sound waves changed again!
The sword transford into a percussion instrunt, emitting different sound waves from its blade and body, containing countless bursts of golden qi, shredding the ground and furniture into splinters.
Jin Bu Huan stood in place, continuing to tap the sword.
However, Li Qi saw a completely different scene.
Before him, the sound waves boiled like stars being cooked, the fire of consciousness flickering wildly amidst storms.
Everything seed like lightning flashing, sparks flying, forcing one to look away, like a cliff being split by a thunder axe, plumting into an abyss, terrifying to behold.
Before Li Qi could react, countless candles lit up, flas reflecting, starlight shimring, chaotic and disorienting, deafening and mute.
Though he heard countless sounds, it was as if he heard nothing.
His mind blurred, his spirit faltering.
Yet, despite temporarily losing reaction, he managed to muster his qi once more, using Carp Flow Intent to forcefully break through the obstruction!
Jin Bu Huan was surprised, "Hmm? You recovered from that? Such firm willpower, ordinary ninth-rank cultivators would have fainted by now."
But it didn't matter.
Once broken through, the opponent was rely a spent force.
He tapped the sword lightly again.
However, with a buzzing sound, Jin Bu Huan noticed the sound wavering, unable to form coherent patterns.
What happened?
Why was his technique interrupted?
Before he could react, Li Qi rushed towards him.
So fast!
The thought barely ford when the fist was already in front of him.
His protective golden aura shattered piece by piece, stars bursting before his eyes.
Li Qi's punch hit him squarely, dizzying him instantly!
Ninth-rank martial arts weren't fancy.
It was sheer strength, speed, pushing physical refinent to the extre.
All martial techniques focused on how to increase power and perfect its execution.
At the sa rank, no Dao lineage could compete in close combat without suffering losses.
Jin Bu Huan never expected Li Qi to possess martial cultivation, and at such a high level!
He barely steadied himself, raising the blade again.
But before he could stand firm, Li Qi was already upon him, delivering another punch.
This ti, he flew out the door, blood mixed with saliva trailing behind him, crashing into the ground outside, shattering stone tiles.
He was knocked back ten steps.
Perfectly asured.
Within ten steps, Li Qi knew he was faster.
Like a roaring storm, Li Qi surged forward, a bolt of lightning striking his opponent!
His eyes fierce, every muscle vibrating precisely, releasing explosive power.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom!
Three punches precisely bypassed Jin Bu Huan's protective aura, delivering raw power into his body.
Witchcraft gave Li Qi precise vision, clear knowledge, and so control over qi.
Martial arts provided unparalleled close-combat abilities.
Most importantly, the progress bar granted him unparalleled timing.
Each ti Jin Bu Huan tried to regroup, Li Qi would perfectly interrupt him, punching him down repeatedly!
With each thunderous roar, Li Qi moved so fast that air friction caused loud noises.
Each punch landed solidly, yet Jin Bu Huan showed no visible injuries.
After all, he was a divine son.
Jin Bu Huan wasn't human.
"Enough!" Jin Bu Huan roared after taking over a dozen punches!
He slamd his body, revealing his true form—a tiger-headed humanoid creature roaring, even the golden qi around him echoing the roar!
Golden light flashed around him, restrained by powerful energy, activating to near explosion.
Visible heatwaves surrounded him, glowing brightly like liquid gold, radiating brilliance.
Wave after wave of energy rippled outward, forming concentric circles spreading across the ground.
Like stones thrown into calm water, creating ripples, then more stones, stirring the once tranquil surface into chaos!
Li Qi was pushed back by these ripples.
But he planted his feet firmly, connecting with earth qi, leveraging the balance and stability of martial arts, combined with earth qi to resist the sudden force.
Still, he was pushed back five zhang.
Stone tiles beneath his feet were gouged out, leaving long marks.
Li Qi barely steadied himself, sensing a chill across his neck.
"I concede, Brother Jin is truly formidable." Li Qi bowed, retracting his stance.
Jin Bu Huan waved his hand.
The long sword returned to his grasp like a streak of light.
"Brother Li is also impressive. Without my extraordinary bloodline and weapon advantage, I might not have won." Jin Bu Huan replied with a smile.
Now, he looked nothing like a refined gentleman, resembling his father—a tiger-headed humanoid with protruding fangs, fierce eyes, exuding noble and deadly golden qi.
Yet, his manner remained courteous.
"This battle benefited greatly. No need to see off, I need to reflect deeply." Li Qi hurriedly said, entering the inn and slamming the door shut.
He ignored the ss outside.
Streets littered with overturned carts and scattered treasure chests, damaged from their battle.
Jin Bu Huan paid no attention, waving his fan, "Let's go!"
Walking away, he glanced back at the closed door.
This test... Li Qi seed like a mindless brute, or perhaps his earlier behavior was just pretense?
During their conversation, he appeared very calculating, yet acted differently at tis.
Was it an act? Or just carelessness?
Even if it was an act, Li Qi helped complete the golden qi and inford him about the yin-yang golden qi.
For now, abandon killing intent. After all, Li Qi cooperated fully, achieving his goal of obtaining the golden qi.
Future actions could wait.
The imdiate priority was his two brothers at Green Mountain, who posed real threats to his position.
As for passing travelers... whether enemies or friends, none threatened his inheritance. His current display of power was far from sufficient to harm him.
Moreover, his background... was it real?
Today's battle revealed that Li Qi practiced both witchcraft and martial arts...
What kind of faction would pass down such strange practices?
Jin Bu Huan rembered that witchcraft and martial arts could coexist initially, but later, martial qi's aggressiveness would manifest, trying to consu all foreign qi.
Martial path valued purity, refining all qi into personal qi, rejecting any oddities.
This contradicted witchcraft's approach of accommodating various elents within oneself.
Simultaneously practicing both was inherently contradictory.
Did he really have a background?
Perhaps he was just a lucky rogue?
Regardless, returning to Green Mountain was urgent.
"Elder Si, summon the wind, we're heading back to Green Mountain to verify the yin-yang golden qi theory," Jin Bu Huan said.
Elder Si frowned, "Young Master, going to Green Mountain ans we won't return until tomorrow. Leaving the city unattended..."
"Just a day, what could happen? But ignoring this, my incompetent brothers pose greater threats."
"No ti to waste, let's go."
---
After witnessing Jin Bu Huan leave, Li Qi's smile faded.
He walked to the backyard, facing Piaoxu and others.
Piaoxu looked worried, rushing to him anxiously, "Master, how did things go?"
"Details later. Where's Qiyao ? I need her," Li Qi asked.
Qiyao ran over, standing on her hind legs, staring at Li Qi, squeaking.
"Qiyao, I have a task for you. Others might be watched, but you're still a wild beast, more discreet. It's dangerous, are you willing?" Li Qi asked.
Qiyao looked puzzled, glancing between Li Qi and her sister, thinking, then squeaked and nodded.
"Yan Yu Lou, Lu Mansion on West Street, Li Hu Xiang Market, Yang He Spring Dragon Fountain, Plum Blossom Study, Feng Gate Jun Zhi Pavilion—visit these places and deliver a ssage, asking them to co to the inn within an hour."
Li Qi called out, "Miss Shen, help draw a concealnt talisman while I write the letters."
Piaoxu frowned, realizing Li Qi's intentions.
Involving Qiyao concerned her.
She stepped forward, "Master, I can transform into a smaller form. Qiyao is young; she might jeopardize your plans. Let do it."
Li Qi looked at her, "You're already a demon, with demonic aura... you might be discovered and killed."
"I know so techniques too, just like Qiyao, each has strengths and weaknesses," Piaoxu quickly responded.
Seeing her determination, Li Qi didn't stop her, "Alright, thank you. I'll reward you afterwards."
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