Liang Cheng’s hoarse cry tore through the air, traveling for miles. Nearby, the auras of every expert flared as they cast their gazes in this direction.
’Who would dare risk universal condemnation to provoke a True Disciple of the Martial Arts Academy? Do they have no fear of those lunatics from the Academy going berserk?’
Almost at the exact moment Liang Cheng’s cry rang out—
"BOOM—!"
From the direction of the Martial Arts Academy, an immense and terrifying aura, as vast as the sea, shot into the sky!
In that instant, all Martial Artists at the True Qi Realm and above felt their hearts sink, as if they were being crushed by an invisible, giant mountain!
A True Essence Realm expert!
And it was the supreme pressure of someone at the True Essence Late Stage Realm, or perhaps even higher!
The pitch-black figure was about to pursue Liang Cheng and finish him with a single, fatal blow. But at that moment, sensing the aura locking onto him, his movement abruptly froze.
A flicker of calculation passed through the eyes behind his mask.
Then, in just a breath’s time, he made a decision.
Given three more breaths, he could have caught up to the heavily injured Liang Cheng and delivered the final blow.
But now, it was too late.
If he attacked, he would be completely exposed before the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy. At that point, whether he could escape unscathed was another matter entirely.
Even if he could get away, endless trouble would follow.
Besides, Xu Jinjiang was already dead. ’In that case, this lead involving the Xu Family should be cut.’
’I must retreat.’
The mysterious man was decisive. His figure floated backward like a phantom. With a wave of his sleeve, a surge of black True Essence swept across the ground, completely corroding and dissolving Xu Jinjiang’s corpse.
He then merged into the shadows and vanished without a trace.
From decision to retreat, it took no more than a single breath.
The entire street fell silent once more.
Only the staggering figure of Liang Cheng and the fresh blood he had just shed remained.
From the direction of the Martial Arts Academy, several powerful auras were rapidly approaching. Dean Bai Hong had already appeared before Liang Cheng, his expression grim.
Liang Cheng gritted his teeth as his vision swam with black spots. Excruciating pain shot from his back. Fortunately, his Golden Armor had not been completely shattered, and his internal organs were unharmed.
Compared to his encounter with the Flipping River Flood Dragon, this was merely a light injury.
The moment he saw Bai Hong appear, he immediately closed his eyes and collapsed.
’If not now, when would be a better time to feign unconsciousness?’
The moment he fell, he felt himself being caught securely. A gentle stream of True Essence flowed into his body, soothing his injuries.
Right after, Lü Bingchen and Yan Song appeared, along with several Martial Arts Academy Stewards.
"Liang Cheng!"
Lü Bingchen’s expression changed drastically. Bai Hong handed Liang Cheng to him. "Take Liang Cheng back to the Martial Arts Academy. I’m going to see just which True Essence Realm expert dared to make a move."
The next moment, Bai Hong disappeared around the street corner, following the faint, residual aura.
Lü Bingchen and Yan Song wore grim expressions.
"Let’s go. Take Liang Cheng back first. We’ll have Elder Huang take a look at him."
「Martial Arts Academy, Rear Courtyard.」
Liang Cheng lay on a soft couch, his face pale and his eyes tightly shut. Elder Huang’s withered fingers rested on his wrist, his brow occasionally furrowing and then relaxing.
Lü Bingchen and Yan Song stood to the side, their expressions so grim you could practically wring water from them.
Outside the pavilion, a dozen or so Martial Arts Academy Masters, who rarely made an appearance, stood in silent formation. Their interwoven auras created a net of killing intent, causing the temperature in the rear courtyard to plummet.
"Alright, what are you all doing standing around here? Go on, do what you need to do. Shoo, shoo."
"Elder Huang, how is Liang Cheng?" Lü Bingchen asked in a low voice.
"He won’t die. Now go do what you’re supposed to do. Stop loitering around here, you’re getting on my nerves."
Lü Bingchen took a deep breath. "Rest assured, Elder Huang. We know what to do. We’ll leave Liang Cheng in your care."
"Everyone, let’s go."
Yan Song and the others nodded in unison and then left together.
Once they were a good distance away, Elder Huang slapped Liang Cheng on the shoulder. "Alright, stop pretending. You had this old man playing along with your little act."
The next moment, Liang Cheng opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I knew I couldn’t fool you, Elder Huang."
"Alright now. You’re quite something, kid. Taking a blow from a True Essence Realm expert and coming out with no organ damage, only slight harm to your Meridians... Not only are your Hard Skills impressive, but your foundation is solid. If it were anyone else, even the aftershock of a palm strike from a True Essence Realm expert would have destroyed their internal organs."
He glanced at Liang Cheng again. "Besides, your Qi Blood is absurdly vigorous, and your recovery speed is more than three times faster than an ordinary True Qi Realm Martial Artist’s. And you still had the bright idea to fake being unconscious."
"This way, won’t those Masters from the Martial Arts Academy turn Lin Wu City upside down for you?"
Liang Cheng chuckled sheepishly. "I’m a bit slow, I suppose. I’ve always believed you have to rely on yourself, so I’m always a little guarded with people.
This time, a True Essence Realm expert attacked. Since the Martial Arts Academy is so protective of its own, I can’t just fight alone anymore. I have to give my seniors a chance to flex their muscles."
"Alright, you cunning kid. Now, tell me what happened. Why would a True Essence Realm expert attack you?"
Without hesitating, Liang Cheng explained the situation.
"That old bastard Xu Jinjiang is as useless as ever. But the True Essence Realm expert behind him is likely no ordinary person. It’s a good thing you acted so decisively, otherwise it would have been truly dangerous."
"It was just a fluke. Please keep this a secret for me, Elder Huang. And let me hide out here for a few days."
"You want to get those old geezers at the Martial Arts Academy all worked up, so they’ll unleash their fury for you. You really are a petty one, kid."
Liang Cheng was unfazed by the comment. "Xu Jinjiang targeted me multiple times. That being the case, there’s no need for the Xu Family to exist anymore. It’s pointless to guard against a thief day in and day out."
"Fine, but this old man doesn’t work for free. About this treatment fee..."
"Add another thirty percent."
"Deal."
...
「Mingxin Pavilion.」
The doors to the pavilion opened silently. A figure in a blue robe stepped inside. It was none other than Dean Bai Hong.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were as deep as a Cold Pool. He looked at Lü Bingchen, Yan Song, and the others, and calmly spoke three words.
"I lost them."
Lü Bingchen and the others’ expressions changed.
The fact that they could evade the Dean’s pursuit meant the opponent was not to be underestimated. It made them feel a sliver of relief that Liang Cheng had even managed to return alive.
Bai Hong continued,
"The opponent was very cautious. They changed their aura several times and finally vanished in the western slums. The place is a chaotic mess, and the jumble of auras makes tracking impossible."
Lü Bingchen took a deep breath. "Dean, we must get justice for Liang Cheng over this."
"Indeed."
"A True Essence Realm expert, inside Lin Wu City, ambushing and attempting to kill our Academy’s True Inheritor... This is a slap in the face to the Martial Arts Academy, and it’s a test of our bottom line."
He paused, then said slowly, "In three hundred years, this is only the second time someone has dared to do this."
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Song’s eyes. "Dean..."
"Let’s not be hasty. We’ll wait for Liang Cheng to wake up. When the time comes..."
Bai Hong raised his hand. "When the time comes, no matter who it is, they will suffer the wrath of our Martial Arts Academy. We will wipe out their entire clan and seize all they own. We will let Lin Wu City know the meaning of a Martial Arts Academy True Inheritor, and that the strong are forbidden from preying on the weak!"
"The Dean is wise!"
Killing intent blazed in everyone’s eyes.
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