Dual Transmigration: American Prison, Surviving to a Fantasy Development Stage

The dense forest behind Fuhu Mountain.

Many ancient trees were torn to shreds by the crisscrossing sword energy, and fallen leaves and broken branches danced wildly in the air.

Two figures moved as fast as cheetahs, swiftly darting through the dense forest, accompanied by the sounds of clashing weapons.

Gu Yu's movements were as agile as a breeze in the forest. Every move and turn defied common sense, and she was always able to calmly avoid Yang Laowu's short blade thrusts.

The azure longsword Autumn Water in his hand vibrated with a buzzing sound, and every thrust made Yang Laowu flustered.

"Sizzle!"

Another flash of blue light appeared.

Yang Laowu tried his best to turn to the side, but his left arm was still cut open by the sword, leaving a three-inch-long gash that gushed out blood.

His already blood-stained gray clothes were mostly soaked through, and the entire sleeve hung down heavily.

This is the sixth sword wound.

The excruciating pain caused a glint of ferocity to flash in Yang Laowu's cloudy old eyes, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent.

He wielded the poisoned short blade with increasing speed and ruthlessness, targeting Gu Yu's lower body and flanks.

Having finally found the White Jade Token, I still can't bear to part with it.

What cast a shadow over Yang Laowu's heart even more was the archer who never showed up.

Where exactly is that bastard who shot the sneak attack hiding?

With each sword strike he received, he had to spare three-tenths of his attention to his surroundings.

The slightest breeze, the startled flight of birds, or even the passage of wild animals would cause his muscles to tense instantly.

The shadow of death from the arrow that killed Tuoba Ku earlier clung to him like a bone-deep affliction.

The arrow was at least as powerful as one shot from a three-stone hard bow, comparable to the power of a master who had acquired his skills, and the angle was so cunning and vicious.

This unknown threat is more agonizing than direct combat.

In fact, Yang Laowu wasn't the only one who felt this was a thorn in his side.

Although Gu Yu's swordplay became increasingly fierce, the vigilance in her beautiful eyes never wavered.

She was also distracted, trying to perceive her surroundings.

That swift arrow that killed Tuoba Ku seemed to have done her a great favor, but it also exposed an extremely dangerous variable.

A mysterious master archer with unparalleled skill, lurking in the shadows.

This person's motives are unclear; is he a friend or an enemy?

Is it for the white jade token, or is there another motive?

If she were to be hit by that arrow at a crucial moment, she would also die.

In this strange atmosphere of mutual killing and mutual wariness of a third party, the two fought even more fiercely.

Gu Yu could sense that Yang Laowu was at his last gasp.

His breathing became erratic, his internal energy circulation became uneven, and his face gradually turned pale—signs of exhaustion from prolonged fighting and excessive blood loss.

"It's time."

She silently recited the command in her heart, and the sword technique of Autumn Water Sword suddenly changed.

The sword moves, which were originally as dense as rain, suddenly turned into a feint, deliberately creating an opening.

Yang Laowu was not fooled. Instead, he took the opportunity to leap backward and create distance.

He could clearly feel that his internal energy was almost completely depleted, and waves of dizziness from blood loss were hitting him.

"Both are at the peak of the Acquired Realm, yet the difference is so vast?"

A surge of absurd grief and indignation welled up in Yang Laowu's heart.

He had cultivated himself diligently for over fifty years and considered himself a prominent figure in Liangzhou.

However, in front of this young woman, he was completely suppressed in terms of the purity of his cultivation technique, the speed of his true energy recovery, and his swordsmanship.

What level of cultivation technique does this woman practice?

If they continue fighting, they will surely die.

He'll be worn down and tortured to death by this woman.

Anger and resentment burned like poisonous fire in his internal organs, but an even stronger will to survive instantly overwhelmed everything.

Even the most precious treasures require a certain lifespan to enjoy.

We must evacuate!

In a flash, Yang Laowu made a decision.

He mustered his inner energy and poured it into the short blade in his only usable left hand, then hurled it fiercely towards Gu Yu.

The short blade flew from his hand with a sharp, piercing whistling sound, its speed astonishing.

Gu Yu parried with his sword, knocking the flying blade away with a clang.

In that instant of parrying, Yang Laowu did not hesitate, and with all his might, he turned and fled.

Yang Laowu didn't even dare to run in a straight line. Instead, he used the trees for cover and, like a frightened old ape, darted into the depths of the dense forest. After a few leaps, he disappeared behind the thick shadows of the trees.

Seeing this, Gu Yu stood with his sword in hand and did not pursue.

A hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

He then slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, scanning every shadow and every swaying leaf around him.

She was waiting, waiting for the hidden archer to slip up.

The rustling sound of the wind blowing through the treetops.

They waited for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, but the expected cold arrow did not appear, and there was no unusual movement around them.

"They're not here for the White Jade Token? Or... do they have other motives?"

Gu Yu frowned slightly, her doubts deepening.

However, this place is not a good place to stay for long.

She took one last deep look in the direction where Yang Laowu had disappeared, then turned and used her lightness skill to rush towards Fuhu Mountain Stronghold.

When Gu Yu returned to the open space in front of Fuhu Mountain Stronghold, the battle was already over, leaving behind only a shocking scene of devastation.

The dilapidated gate of the stronghold was crooked and riddled with arrows. Dozens of corpses lay scattered about, all of them bandits from Fuhu Mountain.

At a glance, of the original forty-odd people in the mountain stronghold, less than ten were still standing, and all of them were injured and looked dejected.

Zhao Erniu leaned on the almost bent iron rod, barely managing to stand.

He had seven or eight new wounds on his upper body, the deepest one being on his abdomen. Although it was hastily bandaged, blood was still seeping out.

Seeing Gu Yu return, he struggled to straighten his back, and the brothers who could still move gathered around him, looking at this mysterious leader with complicated expressions.

Gu Yu's gaze swept over the corpse on the ground, a faint ripple flashing in her cold eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She walked up to the crowd, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"This place has been exposed. Although the officers and soldiers have retreated, the news will spread soon."

We can't stay at Mount Fuhu any longer.

Upon hearing this, the color drained from everyone's faces.

Most of them were refugees who couldn't survive or convicts who had committed crimes and were finally able to find a place to stay on this mountain. They thought they could live a life of luxury with Gu Yu, but they never expected that the mountain stronghold would almost be wiped out.

Zhao Erniu's throat bobbed as he hissed, "Boss, we'll follow you."

"Yes, follow the boss." Several men who weren't seriously injured hurriedly echoed.

Although Gu Yu was indifferent, he taught them martial arts and gave them a way to survive.

Gu Yu shook her head, her tone leaving no room for negotiation: "I won't take you with me."

Seeing the momentary dimming in everyone's eyes, she paused and continued, "The news of the White Jade Token has spread. Next to come to us will no longer be ordinary soldiers, but truly ruthless figures from the martial arts world."

Real outlaws, even some forces you've never even heard of.

"Stay here, or come with me, and there's only one outcome—death."

Her gaze slowly swept over each face, and she said again, "And they will likely suffer all sorts of torment that is worse than death before they die."

A hissing sound came from someone gasping for air.

The phrase "worse than death" still sent chills down their spines, and fear involuntarily showed in their eyes.

"I'm teaching you basic skills so you can have food to eat, not so you can be buried with me."

Gu Yu's tone softened slightly, "If you master what I teach you, you may not become rich and powerful, but it will be enough for you to settle down and make a living elsewhere, and you will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your lives."

She looked at Zhao Erniu: "Zhao Erniu, come in with me."

Give them all the remaining silver and grain in the mountain stronghold as a resettlement allowance.

Remember, scatter and go your separate ways, each find your own way to survive, live under assumed names, and try to live a good life.

With tears welling in his eyes, Zhao Erniu clasped his hands tightly and said, "Yes, Chief."

He understood that this was the boss giving them their last chance to survive.

Gu Yu said no more and turned to walk towards the only relatively intact gathering hall in the mountain stronghold.

.....