Splitting the Heave

“That pack of beasts was probably used to draw our attention as they make their leave…” Shang Bo stared at the retreating beast tide from the peak of the mountain.

There were several large factions contained in the beast tide, and every one of them was led by a rank four rare beast.

“Do these animals actually know the art of war?” Liu Qinglan frowned slightly. She didn’t believe that the beasts were intelligent enough to send out a squad to occupy the members of the Tongyou Peak while they made their retreat.

“They’re a lot smarter than we think…” Shang Bo muttered.

“They might have left because of the thinning heaven and earth qi around our Tongyou Peak, or they might have sensed that our protection formation has finally recovered. Seeing as there was no chance of doing anything else, they chose to retreat. After all, they’re afraid that we might rush into the beast tide and start killing to our heart's content now that the protection formation is fully restored.” Shang Lubing analyzed. Shang Bo and Ji Wenlong nodded slightly, acknowledging his deduction.

From the look of it, the relationship between Shang Lubing and the other three became a lot more friendly than when he just revealed his identity.

“So… What are your thoughts? Should we head out there and hunt them down?” Liu Qinglan might be the one to call the shots on the Tongyou Peak because of the rule laid down by the institution, but her cultivation was the weakest among the four Martial Extermination Realm cultivators. In terms of seniority and experience, she was also ranked dead last. 

However, her question was met with silence. The three of them would still adhere to the rules of the institution. They could give her their analysis of the situation, but they wouldn’t make a decision on her behalf.

Shang Bo eventually broke the silence. “It’s incredibly hard to kill Rare Beasts at the fourth rank. Moreover, all of them control a huge army of beasts. Our Tongyou Peak will need to pay a huge price if we wish to hunt one of the packs down. If we fail to kill the rank four beast in a short amount of time, they might call for reinforcements from other factions, stalling our attempt and increasing the number of casualties.” 

Liu Qinglan sighed softly, “Looks like we lucked out when we killed the giant snake…” 

Ji Wenlong’s sneer rang in their ears suddenly. “Heh… I’m more interested in the situation on the Four Spiritual Peak!” 

“Chief Ji, even if they react slowly, there are still several Martial Extermination Realm cultivators holding down the fort. The Four Spiritual Heaven Locking Formation is still active… It won’t be easy for them to be attacked. If the beasts really go crazy and attack them, the Azure Spiritual World will definitely send down their reinforcements!” Liu Qinglan muttered.

Shang Bo heard the conversation and he knew that Ji Wenlong was referring to something else. “Chief Ji, are you walking about… The Coral Forest?” 

A deep chuckle left Ji Wenlong’s lips. “Let’s see how deep the relationship between the Evil Remnants and the Four Spiritual Peak is…” 

A frown formed on Shang Lubing’s face. “Wouldn’t it be a little too hasty for us to move now?” 

“No… Since Brother Kou isn’t able to show his face right now, we are unable to bring over any more experts from the institution. The Four Spiritual Peak might be able to call upon more reinforcements from the Azure Spiritual World, and when they come, things might get worse. This is the best time for us to strike!” Shang Bo sighed.

Shang Lubing didn’t seem too convinced, and he continued, “Shouldn’t we wait for him to…” 

“Haven’t you discovered what has happened? The distance between our Tongyou Peak and the Four Spiritual Peak became even closer!” Ji Wenlong interrupted him before he could complete his sentence.

The faces of Shang Lubing and Liu Qinglan changed as soon as he spoke.

“...” 

…

“I heard that your nephew is searching for a sword art for cultivators at the Martial Extremity Realm?” Mu Jianyin’s sudden question caused Shang Xi to stare at her in stunned silence for a moment.

“How did you find out?” Shang Xi frowned.

It was true that Shang Xia asked his aunt to keep a look out for suitable sword arts. However, she hadn’t even started to ask around when Mu Jianyin mentioned it to her!

Search bit.ly/3iBfjkV for the original.

A chuckle left Mu Jianyin’s lips. “I heard it from Instructor Liu… He practiced the Triple Mystery Polarity Art and if our estimations are right, he should be looking for a sword art to complement his void and reality qi training.”

“What about it? Are you planning to impart your Nine Peach Blossom Sword Art?” 

“Hah... I obtained it from the Scripture Depository. Without permission from the institution, I won’t dare to teach it to anyone else. After so many years of working for the Outreach Division, I ran into several fortunes out there. I obtained an inheritance that had the Cloud Drizzle Sword Art. I tried to practice it along with my Nine Peach Blossom Sword Art but failed miserably. It requires a specific type of martial intent, and I don’t think the brat in my family will be able to learn the sword art.”

Shang Xi turned to Mu Jianyin and sighed, “Alright. What do you want in exchange.” 

“About my niece…” 

“Nope.” Shang Xi interrupted her before she could finish. “The two of them can make their own decisions on matters regarding their relationship. You shouldn’t think of butting into their business. Change your condition.” 

A flash of annoyance flashed across Mu Jianyin’s face, but she sighed in exasperation, “My niece is currently trapped in the Coral Forest! I hope that you can help me out when the time comes!” 

“Oh…” Shang Xi raised an eyebrow slightly. “Who would have thought that she would go along with them? It’s no wonder you came over to the battlefield between the two worlds… I thought that our institution was running out of experts to be recalling you people of the Outreach Division…” 

A snort left Mu Jianyin’s lips. “Qingyu’s talent surpasses even mine. She’s extremely important to my Mu Clan! We’re placing all our hope on her!” 

Shang Xi giggled softly in response. “Hehe, do you really think that I don’t know what’s going on in your mind? When she put on the show of breaking off the engagement in the city, you definitely had something to do with it. I bet your niece considered Shang Xia in her schemes. Don’t tell me your plan was to drag him into your Mu Family…” 

Mu Jianyin’s expression didn’t change in the slightest as she continued, “If the two of them really managed to get together, our Mu Clan will be able to grow stronger with the Shang Clan standing behind us. It doesn’t matter if he enters my Mu Clan or if my niece enters your Shang Clan…” 

“Heh. Instead of finding a strong clan to support me, I'd much rather become the pillar that supports my family!” Shang Xi growled.

An unnatural laugh escaped Mu Jianyin’s lips, but she didn’t seem to be laughing at what Shang Xi said. Instead, she seemed to be laughing at herself.

“What are you going on about?” Shang Xi frowned.

Shaking her head, Mu Jianyin snapped back to reality and tossed over a manual. “This is the Cloud Drizzle Sword Art I told you about. I added some things I comprehended when practicing the sword art. You can pass it to your nephew. Remember our deal. You have to help me save my niece.”

After she spoke, she turned to leave. 

“What if she doesn’t need me to save her? Or what if she already ran into trouble?!” Shang Xi couldn’t help but ask.

“Well too bad. Take it as compensation for the grace the kid’s father showed me.” Mu Jianyin said while walking away. 

A cold snort left Shang Xi’s lips. “It’s easy for you to say! Do you think a single sword manual is enough compensation for his life?!”

…

“What?! Only twenty silver essence for a rank two beast?! It’s too little!” Shang Xia frowned as he spoke to the disciple from the Warehouse Division.

“Outer disciple, is this your first time here?” 

Shang Xia stared at him in shock before nodding slightly. 

The disciple smiled and explained, “No wonder you’re shocked. Killing beasts in the special region maintained by the Tongyou Peak is meant for you to get used to your strength and for you to practice your techniques against real living enemies. Obtaining the bodies of the beasts is just a little extra fortune you get.” 

Shang Xia muttered, “But you can’t pay me a third of its worth!” 

Snorting in his face, the disciple of the Warehouse Division continued, “Do you think the use of the protection formation is free? We need to maintain the protection formation too! Moreover, there were Martial Intent Realm cultivators out there to ensure your safety, right? Have you heard of anyone dying when killing beasts within the confines of the protection formation? We need to pay those Martial Intent Realm cultivators too! Do you want to get the full amount for the beasts you killed? Go out of our Tongyou Peak and hunt the beasts yourself!” 

“Oh… I didn’t think so much about it…” Shang Xia chuckled. He wasn’t someone who refused to listen to logic. He might have gained a lot of credit back during the battle, but it was true that he received a ton of help from Gu Yi and the others. He killed six rank two beasts on his own, but with their help, he managed to gain credit for killing ten of them.

“Ten?!” The disciple of the Warehouse Division stared at Shang Xia in shock. He didn’t quite believe his eyes when Shang Xia tossed his battle records out.

Too bad the record was made by a Martial Intent Realm disciple at the scene of the battle. He had to believe it even if he didn’t want to.

Seeing as Shang Xia wasn’t planning to explain himself, the disciple quickly followed up, “Would you like silver essence or rare ingredients?” 

“Exchange everything for the equivalent amount of rank two talisman paper…” Shang Xia said after thinking about it.

Once again, the jaws of the disciple dropped. He turned around to bring out a stack of rank two talisman paper and counted them one by one. “Ten silver essence per talisman paper of the second rank. Here. Twenty sheets of rank two talisman paper!” 

“It’s so expensive!” The corners of Shang Xia’s lips twitched and he kept the talisman paper before turning to leave.

The moment he left the Warehouse Division, he saw Shang Xi walking towards him.

“Heh. Here. A sword art for cultivators at the Martial Extremity Realm. It’s useful for cultivators comprehending the qi of void and reality, just like you asked.” Shang Xi tossed a book towards him before adding, “There are several tips regarding void and reality qi. Take a look at them.” 

Shang Xia grabbed the book and a massive smile appeared on his face. Looking at the title ‘Cloud Drizzle Sword Art’, he exclaimed, “Wow! Where did you find it?” 

Shang Xi chuckled softly. “You don’t need to care about that… Just practice hard.”