Chen Jiuyang let out a cold laugh. "Then if you have the guts, come and take it."
The Three-Patterned Purple Clear Flow Divine Pill was an extremely rare and valuable elixir, with immense effects and no market price.
How could anyone not be tempted to intercept it when it was refined by such a young man as Chen Jiuyang?
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Very well, it makes no difference if we kill you and take the pill."
The hoarse voice of the grey-robed elder at the Half-Step Heavenly Realm spoke, "Everyone, make your move. We'll divide the spoils afterward."
Although the Three-Patterned Purple Clear Flow Divine Pill cost a hundred million per pill, you couldn't buy it even with money. It was like special issue cigarettes from military districts; a pack cost tens of yuan, but could ordinary people get their hands on them?
"Boom!"
Chen Jiuyang's Yan Sheng Blade suddenly appeared in his hand, and he instantly slashed at the group of Half-Step Heavenly Realm cultivators.
"This is! The Yan Sheng Blade! You are the Qian King!"
"Not good! It's the Qian King! Run!"
Most people didn't know Chen Jiuyang's profile picture because he was the Qian King, and his information was necessarily kept confidential. However, the Yan Sheng Blade was a name that thundered through the martial arts world, known to all.
"Can you escape?"
Chen Jiuyang unleashed a blade strike.
"Screech—"
The group of Half-Step Heavenly Realm martial artists were instantly bisected by the blade, and blood splattered everywhere.
After ascending to the Heavenly Realm, those at the Half-Step Heavenly Realm were no match for Chen Jiuyang's single strike.
The ground was littered with corpses, not a single survivor.
Chen Jiuyang flicked his finger, and the soil on the ground exploded, burying the corpses.
At this moment, a shadowy figure floated before Chen Jiuyang, and a ethereal voice echoed, "A first meeting, Mortal King. I bring greetings from the Resentful Nightmare Town."
Chen Jiuyang frowned, looking at the shadowy figure. "What business does Resentful Nightmare Town have with me? Did I kill some beast, and you've come to seek revenge?"
"That is not the case," the shadowy figure from Resentful Nightmare Town replied. "You brought down spiritual rain, nourishing Resentful Nightmare Town and causing us to reawaken from our slumber. Resentful Nightmare Town owes you a favor."
"Oh?" Chen Jiuyang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then what is it you seek from me?"
"Does the Mortal King wish to make a transaction with Resentful Nightmare Town? We can fulfill any of your requests," the shadowy figure from Resentful Nightmare Town stated.
"Such bold words," Chen Jiuyang narrowed his eyes. "Unfortunately, I have no desires."
"Hehehe... You will eventually come to Resentful Nightmare Town to seek a transaction with us," the shadowy figure from Resentful Nightmare Town said. "A friendly piece of advice: proceed with caution. Calamity is imminent. Mortal King, the day we meet again is not far off."
After saying this, the shadowy figure from Resentful Nightmare Town vanished without a trace.
Chen Jiuyang frowned, his gaze turning cold. "Playing mysterious."
"All schemes and tricks are illusions in the face of absolute power."
Chen Jiuyang slowly sheathed his blade and walked away into the distance.
...
Cao Qingqing and Bai Shujuan completed their mission at the Six Gates and received their rewards.
Cao Qingqing happily returned home.
Their family was a prominent local clan in Dongshan Province. Due to their substantial wealth, they frequently interacted with the Duke of Dongyue's mansion.
However, without true martial arts techniques, they were merely fat pigs in the eyes of others, ready to be slaughtered at any moment.
Even with the closest of relationships with the Duke of Dongyue's mansion, they couldn't entirely avoid certain troubles.
"Grandmother, I've obtained a martial arts technique. With this, you can keep your promise, and my marriage will be my own decision!" Cao Qingqing said to an old woman with white hair.
The old woman with white hair looked at her with a benevolent smile and said, "Qingqing, it's too late. I have already betrothed you to the young master of the Duke of Dongyue's mansion, Zhang Hao."
Cao Qingqing's face turned pale. She quickly asked, "Grandmother, isn't Zhang Hao pursuing Bai Shujuan? Why would you betroth me to him?"
"Oh," the old woman with white hair replied. "Bai Shujuan is from a collateral branch of an immortal family and can be Zhang Hao's principal wife. Qingqing, you can be Zhang Hao's concubine."
Cao Qingqing was on the verge of tears. "Grandmother, how can you go back on your word?"
"Alas," the old woman with white hair sighed. "Qingqing, for the sake of the greater picture and to preserve the Cao family's prosperity, I can only sacrifice you."
"Although that Zhang Hao is a bit of a dissolute scoundrel, he doesn't practice martial arts. If you marry him as a concubine, you won't be wronged. From now on, our Cao family can completely rely on the Duke of Dongyue's mansion."
"Grandmother, I don't want this! I don't want this!" Cao Qingqing burst into tears.
At that moment, Zhang Hao walked out from the side and looked at Cao Qingqing. "Cao Qingqing, marry me as your concubine, and you won't lack fine clothes and delicious food."
"You scoundrel! I'd rather die than marry you!" Cao Qingqing wiped away her tears, cursed Zhang Hao, and ran out.
The old woman with white hair said to Zhang Hao with a benevolent smile, "Hao'er, even though Qingqing is betrothed to you, I will not interfere with the rest. You can handle it yourself. Pick an auspicious day and get married."
"Heh, it's easily done," Zhang Hao said with a lecherous expression.
Immediately, Zhang Hao instructed his guards, who were clad in martial robes, "Go and capture Cao Qingqing for me. I'm going to consummate the marriage today and add to the population of my Duke of Dongyue's mansion!"
"Yes, Young Master," a Grandmaster of the Earth Realm respectfully replied, and then led his men in pursuit of Cao Qingqing.
Zhang Hao's elder brother, Zhang Jun, had become crippled. The Duke of Dongyue was advanced in age and had placed all his hopes and connections on Zhang Jun. However, with Zhang Jun crippled, all his previous plans had come to naught.
Thus, Zhang Hao had taken his brother's place as the Young Master of the Duke of Dongyue's mansion. Even though he was a cripple and didn't practice martial arts, he was the only one left in the Duke of Dongyue's mansion who could continue the lineage.
Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; Zhang Hao's status skyrocketed overnight.
Cao Qingqing's grandmother had set her sights on Zhang Hao. After paying a considerable price, she found an audience with the Duke of Dongyue and sought to marry Cao Qingqing to Zhang Hao.
Even though they were a merchant family, Cao Qingqing had grown up under the Duke of Dongyue's watchful eye. He knew her background and that she was of pure character. She was suitable in all respects to be Zhang Hao's concubine.
Zhang Hao was a cripple, so he couldn't marry someone of too high a status. Otherwise, after the Duke of Dongyue passed away, Zhang Hao wouldn't know how he would be played to death.
And so, the scene unfolded as it did today.
...
Chen Jiuyang was dining somewhere, savoring the local delicacies.
After advancing to the third layer of the Earth Realm, martial artists could significantly reduce their food intake, absorbing the vital energy of heaven and earth, which was better than eating. It was somewhat similar to the辟谷 (Bigu - abstinence from grains) practiced during the Foundation Establishment stage of immortal cultivation. However, as he was still of mortal flesh, even with reduced intake, he still needed to eat well.
While Chen Jiuyang was eating, the sound of a speeding car suddenly reached his ears.
"Bang—"
The car crashed into the restaurant where Chen Jiuyang was dining.
Upon clearly seeing the figure emerging from the jeep, Chen Jiuyang couldn't help but sigh, "How small is this place that I've run into you again."