Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 257: Chapter 199: Slaughtering in All Directions, Sweeping Through a Thousand Troops

The bandits practiced a motley collection of Cultivation Techniques, and their aptitudes were all over the place. While they had some combat prowess, their foundations were leagues behind those of Sect disciples.

In the months since his breakthrough, Xie Yuan’s Blood Qi had progressed considerably. His combined practice of the Golden Bell Shield, a body-nourishing art, and Sword Qi—a blend of internal and external techniques—had elevated him beyond what an ordinary Qi Blood First Transformation Realm bandit could challenge.

Watching the bandits who had been surging up the dune suddenly halt, then turn and charge toward him, Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself:

’This effective? Looks like Lu the Third has been quite generous to me.’

As the large group of bandits drew closer, Xie Yuan picked up a long saber, his figure blurred, and he vanished from the spot.

Atop the sand dune.

The four surrounded Sword Sect disciples stood back-to-back in a defensive formation, valiantly fending off the bandits before them.

The Sword Sect had taught them a basic Sword Array. Led by Huang Zifeng, they drew on their deep foundations in their respective Cultivation Techniques. For a time, they were unstoppable, carving a bloody path through the encircling bandits, who were mostly at the External Training level.

Lin Zhen and the other two had grown rapidly over the past few days. From being initially awkward even when facing a single bandit of the same realm, they now moved with ease within the battle formation. This was a product of the immense pressure of their environment. Even when blood and gore splattered across the delicate Lin Zhen’s face, she had no time to react, only to swing her sword again and again.

However, while the bandits couldn’t get the better of them for the moment, their numbers were simply overwhelming.

After the disciples repelled a few waves, the remaining bandits grew fearful and didn’t dare to advance, but they continued to surround them under the shouts of their leader.

The bandits became slippery, striking once before retreating. They refused to clash head-on, but they also wouldn’t let the disciples leave.

Vastly outnumbered, the four disciples had no good options. They didn’t dare break formation in the middle of the crowd, so they could only inch their way slowly outward.

But there was still a large contingent of bandits at the bottom of the dune, including many experts. If they waited for that group to surround them, what chance of survival would they have?

Just as they were gritting their teeth and desperately trying to think of a countermeasure, they suddenly heard a shrill cry from below:

"Xie Yuan! Xie Yuan is here!"

Hearing this, the four disciples froze, and a stir went through the surrounding bandits.

’To us, capturing Xie Yuan means a meteoric rise! It’s much safer and more rewarding to go catch that Fourth Training Xie Yuan than to fight these few Gods of Slaughter to the death!’

’But that’s just a fantasy. The credit will go to the bosses down there. We’re just stuck up here on guard duty, waiting to die.’

Lin Zhen, swinging her sword without pause, couldn’t help but steal a glance downwards. Sure enough, she saw a familiar figure at the bottom of the dune, dodging and weaving through the crowd of bandits!

"It’s... it’s Master Xie!"

Lin Zhen gasped, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

The other three also glanced down. Pei Yu didn’t know Xie Yuan personally, having only heard his name, but the other two recognized the man below at once. It was indeed Xie Yuan.

"It really is Master Xie!"

Lin Cheng shouted excitedly.

Huang Zifeng, however, muttered to himself:

’So it really is him...’

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Xie Yuan’s name had become famous throughout Yunzhou, but he had also vanished without a trace. To think he would reappear here!

Lin Zhen’s gaze was fixed on Xie Yuan’s figure, and her own sword strikes grew sluggish.

Seeing the bandits charge relentlessly toward Xie Yuan, a look of worry crossed her face.

"So many enemies are surrounding Master Xie... What do we do?"

Lin Cheng glanced at the sparse encirclement below, then at the bandits packed three layers deep around the four of them, and was momentarily speechless.

The number of External Training bandits was easily ten times that of those in the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, so the enemies attacking Xie Yuan were far fewer than those surrounding them.

But Lin Cheng felt Xie Yuan was in greater danger, simply because most of the enemies below were at the Qi Blood First Transformation!

’Forget being completely surrounded like us—how could he possibly withstand the combined attack of just two or three experts from the Metamorphosis Realm! After all, Master Xie came from a humble background. Although his talent is astonishing and it looks like he has also broken through to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm, he doesn’t practice the profound Cultivation Techniques of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect like we do. Maybe he could dominate everyone at the External Training stage on talent alone, but the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm is full of experts. At this level, the gap in talent narrows while the gap in cultivation techniques widens. It’s not so simple anymore. As for the rumors about Master Xie fighting a Grandmaster... I’ve read the classics. Rumors die with the wise, and I’m not about to believe something so obviously fabricated. Forget a Grandmaster—the First Transformation bandits right below are about to overwhelm him! Master Xie is done for!’

Huang Zifeng also watched Xie Yuan, his expression complex.

’He actually reached the Qi Blood First Transformation too.’

But then his brow furrowed. ’Why did Xie Yuan charge right into the thick of them? Even if he’s reached the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm, the most he can handle is one or two—no, three—bandits of the same level, and that’s pushing it! I’ve fought these bandits. Their raw power is one thing, but their experience and viciousness are first-rate. Even I couldn’t guarantee a win against three of them teaming up. If more than three came at me, my first instinct would be to retreat. But there are way more than ten people surrounding Xie Yuan. A quick glance shows a dozen or so, with more constantly swarming in from behind!’

Huang Zifeng’s brow furrowed deeply. ’Where did Lu the Third get so many subordinates in the Metamorphosis Realm? Don’t tell me he sent every last one of them. Did he abandon Oasis City?’

Huang Zifeng felt a flicker of doubt. He casually cut down a bandit who rushed at him and then looked down again.

With no time to think it over, he watched Xie Yuan fall into the encirclement, and his heart sank a little.

’This Xie Yuan is probably done for... Such a rare genius Martial Artist from among the common folk... and I haven’t even had the chance to defeat him with my own hands. A pity, truly a pity...’

Lin Zhen bit her lip and said on impulse:

"I’m going down to save him!"

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