Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

At the foot of Wuliang Mountain, Jianhu Lake boasts beautiful scenery and is secluded and tranquil.

Undisturbed, Gao Yuan immersed himself in martial arts training, practicing swordsmanship, meditation, and the Northern Darkness Technique every day. Two more days passed in the blink of an eye.

Because of the jade pendant, he could meditate instantly, and his Lingbo Weibu technique was improving, so his efficiency was much higher than before.

Unbeknownst to them, their meridians had made another breakthrough, and their major energy storage points had risen once again.

However, he had not fully comprehended the remaining few moves of the nineteen moves of the Heavenly Mirror Wind Control Technique, and the sword technique and the flow of qi could not be perfectly coordinated.

Although he could bring out some of the essentials, the way he used the sword light stiffly always looked awkward.

This situation arises for two reasons: first, he has never been exposed to swordsmanship and has little knowledge of it; second, he still has doubts about reading and understanding Taoist classics and his theoretical foundation is not solid.

"Spring brings forth life, summer fosters growth, autumn harvests, and winter brings rest; this is the natural order of heaven and earth. This harvest is already quite bountiful; to ask for more would be undesirable."

After glancing at the nearly empty rations left, Gao Yuan felt a strong urge to leave.

"If we delay for five days and don't go back soon, Sikong Xuan will probably think he's run away."

Gao Yuan was decisive; once he had a thought, he couldn't stay still for even a moment.

"go back!"

Without hesitation, they immediately began packing their belongings.

He was relaxed and had no clutter. He moved the stone table, dug a hole to bury the silk scroll, and then moved it back to the table to cover it up.

"Brother Duan! Since you don't want to learn martial arts anyway, I'll grant your wish!"

Looking at the sword left behind by Wu Yazi on the stone bed, Gao Yuan's lips twitched slightly.

Wu Yazi was too extravagant, inlaying the sword with various gemstones. It was certainly high-class, but it was also inexplicably 'eye-catching'.

He wasn't afraid of being robbed, but it was still troublesome to have someone eyeing him every day.

So he took an oilcloth, wrapped it around his neck to ensure that the shine wouldn't leak out, then strapped it to his back, climbed the stone steps, and went straight back the way he came.

Back on shore, he took a deep breath and immediately used the Lingbo Weibu technique to move swiftly. The wind whistled, and the wild grass and trees swept past him.

In just one hour, we arrived at Shanren Ferry, which was more than half the time it had taken five days.

After traveling another fifteen li, we retrieved the large yellow horse that had been entrusted to a farmer in Liyuan Village.

"Thank you for looking after the horses, sir. It's delayed you by two days. Please check the remaining horses yourself."

"Hehe, this old man has been waiting for several days, wondering if something had happened to you, young master. Amitabha! May the Bodhisattva protect you! May you return safely, young master."

After accepting the money, the old man smiled so broadly that most of his wrinkles disappeared.

"Thank you for your concern, sir!"

Gao Yuan paid the money, then rode off out of the village.

After traveling about fifty li, they saw a roadside inn. The inn was next to a big tree, and there was a teapot in a thatched hut under the tree, with boiling water bubbling on the stove.

Gao Yuan hadn't eaten anything in the morning, and his stomach felt tight, so he thought he'd have a bowl of tea and some bean rice.

So he tied up the horse and sat down.

The people resting at the roadside inn couldn't help but glance at him a few times because of his handsome appearance. Gao Yuan didn't care, put his sword on the corner of the table, and ordered tea, vegetables, and rice to eat.

Before I could finish my bowl of rice, there was a loud "bang".

A large, fierce man smashed a corner off a wooden table next door.

"Whoosh!"

Another cup full of tea flew out and landed squarely on the shoulder of the man who had struck.

The man who had just struck out scoffed, "A mere child's play!"

The innkeeper, fearing they would damage the shop's property, was about to reprimand them when he saw the man pick up a corner of a wooden table from the ground, grab it in his palm, and squeeze it hard with a cold smile.

A moment later, he opened his palm and flicked it slightly, actually throwing out a handful of wood chips.

Such skill immediately widened the eyes of many people present.

The innkeeper swallowed his words, remaining timid and silent.

Gao Yuan shook his head and continued eating.

Grudges and resentments are commonplace; some pursue wealth and status, while others seek high positions and generous salaries.

Those who roam the martial arts world naturally seek to determine the level of their martial arts skills.

In the martial arts world, there are too many people who disagree with each other and harbor resentment. Take, for example, the feud between Penglai and Qingcheng. Didn't it all start from a friendly exchange of skills?

Those with a broad mind will laugh it off even if they lose, admitting they are not skilled enough, and continue chatting happily.

If you encounter someone narrow-minded, well, it goes without saying that you'll become enemies from then on.

The martial artist who had been humiliated was naturally indignant and was about to speak when he was immediately drawn to the sounds of fighting.

"Kill!~"

The sounds of fighting grew clearer, and several tables of guests, sensing the danger, immediately paid their bills and left.

Only five or six people remained in the inn. Apart from Gao Yuan, who was eating, the rest were all self-proclaimed martial arts masters who considered themselves highly skilled and daring, including the two men who had just competed.

They saw it from afar.

About a dozen bandits wielding knives, guns, swords, and clubs were chasing an old woman in her forties and a little girl of about ten years old.

"Are you crazy?"

The man who threw the teacup slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "In broad daylight, you bully women and children! This is utterly lawless!"

"Stop committing murder!" With someone taking the lead, chivalrous people stepped forward to block the bandits.

The burly man stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Friends, why are you making things difficult for them? I am a martial arts master from the He Family Manor. How about you give me some face?"

"Mind your own business, her master killed our second-in-command."

One of the bandits, a burly man wielding a knife, pointed the blade at the little girl huddled in the old woman's arms.

"That wretched woman is surrounded by us. The two little fish have escaped the net; let's catch them all now to appease my second brother's spirit in heaven!"

"You're talking nonsense! He clearly started by speaking disrespectfully to his master, and he deserves it!"

The little girl was indignant.

"Stop talking nonsense, or I'll chop you up too."

"Gentlemen, please show some leniency and do not let the women and children suffer as a result."

The bandit leader, shrouded in a large robe, roared, "Kill!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the two groups immediately began fighting.

The old woman tried to pull the little girl away to escape, but she twisted her ankle and couldn't move at all.

Gao Yuan had a mouthful of rice in his mouth, but before he could swallow it, there was a "thud".

The little girl bit her lip and helped the old woman sit down on the wooden chair at the table where he was sitting, her eyes misty.

Gao Yuan, with a piece of green vegetable in his mouth, suddenly looked up and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a beauty!"

What she saw before her was like a piece of fresh jade shining brightly, like snow piled on flowering trees. Her face was exceptionally beautiful, and the paleness that appeared due to nervousness made her skin look even more delicate.

Seeing Gao Yuan peeking and then noticing him hiding in the shop and refusing to help, the little girl looked away with disdain.

Her eyes were misty, yet held a hint of stubbornness and fierceness: "Grandma Liang, we can't abandon Master. If we die, we die together!"

"Young lady, going back will only be a burden to Madam. If you stay, she can't do anything. As long as we leave, Madam will find a way to escape. Don't worry!"

"But......"

After a brief exchange, before the words were even finished, a scream of "Ah!" was heard.

Among the martial arts masters of Hejiazhuang, one of the Jianghu friends who was holding a long knife fell down, his blood splattering on the ground, and some people were so frightened that their faces turned pale.

He had a huge gash running from his face to his chest, and his death was extremely gruesome.

The leader of the bandits had a ferocious look on his face. He licked the blood off his knife with his tongue and glanced menacingly at the crowd out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing that the remaining three were becoming increasingly demoralized.

The burly martial arts master suddenly roared, "We who learn martial arts must intervene in injustices we see; what is there to fear in death?"

"Anyone without eggs, just leave!"

His shout at that moment actually boosted everyone's morale.

"They're tired of living!"

As soon as he finished speaking, four or five fierce-looking bandits rushed out and surrounded him.

at this time.

One of the bandits charged towards Gao Yuan and his group.

"Why!"

Just as the little girl was in despair, she suddenly heard a soft sigh from the other side.

Gao Yuan was engrossed in his meal, and the angle was tilted, making it impossible to see the whole picture. Now that he looked up, the little girl was looking at him again.

Their eyes reflected each other, one with clear, intelligent eyes, the other with bright, sparkling eyes.

Take a closer look at her face.

The young man had a handsome face, a high nose bridge, and a heroic air about him, giving him a complex charm that blended scholarly refinement with chivalry.

She had lived in a secluded valley with her master since childhood and had rarely seen men, let alone a young man with such a handsome appearance.

In an instant, a pair of eyes widened in shock, and the person forgot to run for their life.

Seeing the bandits approach, the boy did not stand up.

He took a sip of tea, his sleeves fluttered rapidly, and the teacup in his hand, leaving a blur, shot out like an arrow, smashing into the man's chest with his powerful palm strike!

Inside the roadside inn, the bandit's figure coughed up blood and flew backward!

At this moment, only the martial arts master from Hejiazhuang and the man who threw the cup remained on the dirt road.

The other men who had also intervened to help were all hacked to death.

Suddenly, something strange happened in front of the shop, and everyone stopped what they were doing and looked inside.

"You brat, kill him!"

Seeing that Gao Yuan was meddling in other people's business, the leader shouted and two more knife-wielding bandits rushed up.

Gao Yuan slammed his hand on the table, and the sword, vibrating from his internal energy, soared into the air before his eyes.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

He struck the sword with his palm, unleashing his inner energy. With a "rip," the oilcloth covering the sword scattered in all directions.

next moment.

Under the watchful eyes of martial arts practitioners and bandits, a long sword inlaid with dazzling gems and as smooth as water gleamed with a cold, sharp light in the sunlight.

He moved.

His body moved like a phantom, and his speed was like a whirlwind.

In an instant!

On the dirt road in front of the shop, everyone's eyes were drawn to the sword's gleam, then to their cheeks, and then to their eyebrows!

The bandit leader reacted with lightning speed, drawing his gun to block, but...

The Nineteen Forms of Heavenly Mirror Wind Riding, Flowing Clouds Without Intention!

Like a gentle breeze caressing my face, my vision blurred, and several sword shadows appeared before me, like silver flowers in bud, their light flowing endlessly.

He can't tell the difference, he can't tell the difference!

"Uh~~!"

In the blink of an eye, the three people who rushed in front of Gao Yuan and were not far from him all made the same movements in unison.

All five of them covered their necks!

The wind stopped.

The boy's flowing sideburns fell gently down, his spotless hair standing out starkly against the surrounding crimson and fiery red, making him both eerie and alluring.

"Bang bang bang!~"

Five muffled thuds followed, and all the men collapsed to the ground, dead.

The remaining six bandits, the martial arts master from He Family Village, the Jianghu people, and the innkeeper all showed expressions of horror and amazement.

The horror lies in the fact that each strike is a "one-hit kill," while the amazement comes from the youth's elegant and graceful movements, which seem more like a light dance than a fight.

"A ghost!"

"The third leader is dead! Run!"

......