My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Qiao Zhi arrived at noon, alone.

When Qiao Zhi saw Yang Wei, she said she was there to pass on her mother’s greetings. Yang Wei was overjoyed. He hadn’t seen her in years, and in the blink of an eye, his daughter was already so grown up.

He thought his daughter’s change in attitude was thanks to Liang Cheng and felt all the more gratified. He immediately sent Zhou Hu to fetch Liang Cheng.

When Liang Cheng arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, Yang Wei couldn’t stop smiling. He even became a little chatty. "You young people should visit each other more often."

Qiao Zhi immediately seized the opportunity, smiling. "Senior Brother Liang’s fame is soaring these days. It would be the Qiao Family’s honor to associate with you."

Liang Cheng got straight to the point. "Miss Qiao, just say what you have to say."

Seeing this, Qiao Zhi laid her cards on the table. The Qiao Family was about to be demoted from the Commerce Association’s B-class. She wanted to borrow the prestige of Liang Cheng’s status as a Celestial Dormitory disciple of the Martial Arts Academy to back the Qiao Family. It wouldn’t be impossible for them to return to A Class by the end of next year.

Hearing this, Yang Wei’s expression changed, and he shot to his feet. "Liang Cheng is my disciple, not a bargaining chip for the Qiao Family to control!"

"For Senior Brother, it would be a trivial matter..."

"Shut up!" Yang Wei grew even angrier. "He was already risking his life in this Martial Arts Academy competition. You want to borrow his influence? On what grounds?"

Qiao Zhi wanted to argue further, but Yang Wei had already waved to Zhou Hu. "Show her out!"

She couldn’t help but glare at Yang Wei, then glance at Liang Cheng. The latter had remained calm from start to finish, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Qiao Zhi could only grit her teeth and leave in frustration.

At this, Yang Wei slumped into his seat, finally looking like an old man. "Liang Cheng, it is I, your master, who has wronged you."

"Master, there’s no need to blame yourself," Liang Cheng said. "If the time is right, I can lend them a hand. After the Lantern Festival, I must return to Lin Wu City with Landlord Chen."

"Sigh..."

The Lantern Festival was as lively as ever. Liang Cheng spent it with his mother and his master. That night, he finished packing all his luggage.

"Cheng’Er, you can leave without worry. Don’t be concerned about me."

"Mother, take care."

「Day sixteen of the first month. Early morning.」

Chen Bainian’s merchant ship departed from the Linhai Town docks.

Liang Cheng stood alone at the stern, watching the gradually receding coastline, watching his mother’s figure grow smaller and smaller, remaining silent.

He had to return to the Martial Arts Academy now. Linhai Town had none of the resources needed for the Copper Armor Realm. For the past two days, he could only practice the Broken Wave Technique and Wandering Dragon Step.

[First Layer of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (2301/2500)]

[Stone Armor Skill (Copper Armor): Beginner Level (1/500)]

[Wandering Dragon Step: Great Success (180/3000)]

「Noon. The ship arrived at Three Bays.」

The waterway here was narrow, flanked by jagged reefs. It was the only route to Lin Wu City and a historical hotbed for water pirates.

Liang Cheng suddenly felt something was off and placed his hand on his saber’s hilt.

’It’s too quiet.’

There wasn’t even the cry of a seabird.

"Stop the ship!" he barked.

The helmsman instinctively turned the rudder, and the ship had just begun to slow down when the water ahead suddenly exploded with a BOOM! Then, ships appeared from behind the reefs!

"Sea Bandits!"

"It’s the Black Tide! Run! Quickly!"

Panic spread throughout the merchant fleet in an instant. Liang Cheng suddenly roared, "Calm down! Don’t panic! I’m here, what is there to be afraid of!?"

Instantly, it was as if Chen Bainian’s fleet had found its backbone. The crew slowly calmed down and, under Chen Bainian’s command, braced for battle.

By now, the Sea Bandits had begun to board the ship, their movements agile. Without a moment’s hesitation, Liang Cheng’s saber moved like a bolt of white silk, unleashing Sweeping Thousand Soldiers.

For a moment, the Sea Bandits were actually unable to get on board, and the fleet’s morale soared.

"We can hold them off."

"Kill!"

But just then, a black-robed figure burst from the water, treading upon the waves as if they were solid ground. A long, slender sword in his hand thrust straight for the ship’s bow!

The Sword Qi had not yet arrived, but a sharp killing intent already enveloped the entire vessel. Several guards on deck felt as if they’d been plunged into an icy abyss, their movements slowing by half a beat.

’True Qi Emission!’

’A True Qi Realm expert!’

Liang Cheng’s pupils shrank. He surged forward and delivered a Horizontal Slash!

’I can’t let him strike first!’

Liang Cheng was a bit nervous himself. This was a True Qi Realm expert, the strongest enemy he had faced since he’d transmigrated.

DANG!!

The saber and sword collided, and a wave of qi exploded outwards.

Liang Cheng felt a cold, sharp True Qi penetrate through his saber. The muscles and bones of his Copper Armor Realm body shuddered violently, the web of his thumb split open, and blood spurted out.

He stumbled back three steps, the deck beneath his feet cracking with a CRACK.

The black-robed man, however, let out a soft "Hmm?" as he landed on the bow.

"To take one of my strikes and not die... no wonder the Xu Family wants you dead. If you’re allowed to keep growing, you’re almost certain to reach the True Qi Realm."

Liang Cheng spat out a mouthful of blood, leveling his Zhenxian Saber. "The Black Tide Leader, Flipping River Flood Dragon? A mighty True Qi Realm expert like yourself also takes orders from the Xu Family?"

"A dead man has no need for answers."

The moment the words fell, the sword was already before Liang Cheng.

The flash of the sword was like a viper striking, aiming straight for Liang Cheng’s throat. The three-foot-long cyan Sword Aura, condensed like a needle, cut through the air without a sound.

Liang Cheng retreated explosively. Even though his Hard Skills had reached the Copper Armor Realm, he didn’t dare test the edge of a True Qi Realm expert. He executed his Wandering Dragon Step at full power, his figure flashing across the deck three times.

But the tip of the sword stuck to him like a shadow, always remaining three inches from his throat.

’There’s no more room to retreat!’

With a roar, Liang Cheng’s Copper Armor Realm Qi Blood erupted. His skin took on a bronze luster as he swung his Zhenxian Saber in an upward slash, deciding to use offense as his defense!

DANG!

Saber and sword met once more.

This time, the bones in Liang Cheng’s entire right arm let out a GRINDING sound. The web of his thumb tore completely, and he nearly lost his grip on the Zhenxian Saber.

The Cold Yin True Qi pierced his body, rampaging through his Meridians. He couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"That was the second strike."

A hint of admiration actually appeared in Flipping River Flood Dragon’s eyes as he slowly raised his sword.

A deep blue light flared from the sword’s blade. The temperature of the surrounding air plummeted, and a layer of white frost formed on the deck. This strike already contained sixty percent of his True Qi; even a Martial Artist of the same realm wouldn’t dare to block it head-on.

Liang Cheng tightened his grip on his saber. His eyes were shot with blood as he circulated his Copper Armor Realm Hard Skill at full power, his Wandering Dragon Step poised and ready.

The Sword Aura descended like a collapsing glacier.

He brought his saber up to block. A sharp DANG! rang out as he precisely parried the sword’s edge. But the True Qi pierced his body like needles. As if hit by a battering ram, he was sent flying three meters, slamming onto the deck. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and he coughed up blood.

The killing intent in Flipping River Flood Dragon’s eyes intensified. ’I can’t give him time to grow.’ He finally understood why the Xu Family had paid such a high price to have him carry out this assassination.

"The third strike!"

Flipping River Flood Dragon didn’t hesitate in the slightest. Liang Cheng was already pushing himself up with his saber. In the instant before Flipping River Flood Dragon could strike, Liang Cheng made his decision.

’I can’t block it.’

’If I do, I’ll die!’

In a flash, he stomped his foot hard and shot backward toward the ship’s rail. At the same time, he grabbed a barrel of flammable oil with his left hand and hurled it at Flipping River Flood Dragon.

Flipping River Flood Dragon’s Sword Aura shattered the wooden barrel, splashing oil everywhere. In that same instant, Liang Cheng had already leaped over the rail and was plummeting toward the sea!

"Trying to escape?"

Flipping River Flood Dragon sneered at the sight. A Sword Qi rainbow shot out, chasing straight for the center of Liang Cheng’s back. In mid-air, Liang Cheng gritted his teeth, twisted his body, and used his Zhenxian Saber to shield his vitals.

SPURT!

The Sword Qi pierced through the saber’s defense and struck him squarely in the back. The bronze luster of his Copper Armor flashed wildly before dimming. As if struck by a heavy hammer, Liang Cheng sprayed a mouthful of blood and plunged into the sea.

Flipping River Flood Dragon took a step forward, about to give chase, when the ship suddenly tilted violently. Chen Bainian had actually lit the powder magazine.

"Madman!"

Flipping River Flood Dragon cursed angrily and had no choice but to leap into the air. At almost the same moment, the merchant ship exploded with a deafening roar. Flames shot to the sky, and shrapnel flew in every direction.

He tapped his feet in mid-air several times before landing on a piece of driftwood, his gaze sweeping across the sea’s surface.

Blood stained the water, but there was no sign of anyone.

"He was hit by my Profound Yin Sword Qi. Even if he escaped, he won’t live for more than a day," Flipping River Flood Dragon snorted coldly. "Clean up. Leave no one alive!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Leave no one alive!"

Instantly, the sounds of slaughter filled the air, and the sea turned red. By the time the killing stopped, not a single member of the merchant fleet could be seen.

The members of the Black Tide departed with their loot, returning fully loaded.

The sea gradually grew calm. Aside from the scent of blood attracting schools of fish, there was no other activity.

About fifteen minutes later, bubbles suddenly rose from beneath a piece of a ship’s plank.

Liang Cheng’s face was ashen. He struggled to climb onto the piece of driftwood. The wound on his back was so deep the bone was visible, and the Cold Yin True Qi was wreaking havoc inside him, freezing his Meridians wherever it passed.

He tore off the hem of his clothes, hastily poured out some Golden Sore Medicine to bandage the wound, then pulled a Qi Blood Pill from his robes and swallowed it. As the Medicinal Power spread, he managed to suppress the cold energy.

He looked up to the north. Lin Wu City was still dozens of miles away.

Then he climbed onto Sanwan Reef Island, preparing to hide and heal for the time being.

The sea route was no longer safe. ’I need to recover first before thinking about anything else.’

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