Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

Upon witnessing this scene, Old Wang was terrified and turned to flee.

He ran fast, but the poisonous insects were even faster, especially the smiling insects and the powerful insects, which caught up with him in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the swarm of insects engulfed everyone.

Old Li and Old Wang stood back to back, unleashing a flurry of palm strikes, their powerful energy sending swarms of poisonous insects crashing down.

But as soon as one batch dies, ten more immediately surge forward, endlessly.

They can't be killed all the time, nor can they be completely eradicated.

They tried to escape using their movement techniques, but the powerful insects blocked their path, making it impossible for them to move an inch.

Seeing this, Old Wang knew he was doomed.

His face was filled with terror, and he cried out in anguish, "Chu Hong, I was wrong! Spare me! Spare me!"

"I surrender, and I'm willing to tell you everything."

Chu Hong stood outside the swarm of insects, his hands behind his back.

His face was calm, but his eyes were like ice, and he gently shook his head:

"How could you be wrong?"

He raised his hand and waved it, and in an instant, those ferocious insects that had reached the Transformation Realm suddenly pounced on him.

The numerous smiling insects also cooperated perfectly, seizing the opportunity to slip in and bite the two of them.

"No!!! Ah!!!"

The two screams abruptly stopped.

The entire process took less than twenty breaths, and everyone was devoured by the poisonous insects, even the soil on the ground was shaved off.

The laughing bugs made a "squeaking" sound again, and the swarm of bugs slowly retreated, leaving only a spotless ground.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

The smiling insect circled Chu Hong twice before retreating back into Black Dragon Abyss and disappearing from sight.

On the cliff, Xiao Cui stood frozen in place.

She stared at the figure standing at the valley entrance, her heart trembling, forgetting even to breathe.

Chu Hong slowly turned around, looked at the cliff, and spoke softly:

"Sister Cui, come down, it's over!"

The scene from before was still vivid in her mind. Xiao Cui's legs went weak, and it took her a long time to finally stand in front of Chu Hong.

Her eyes held a complex expression, a mixture of awe and doubt, and her voice trembled:

"Young Master Chu...those poisonous insects..."

Chu Hong waved his hand dismissively: "I helped them once by chance."

He didn't explain much, but simply patted the wooden box behind him and said softly:

"We have successfully obtained the Purple Cloud Grass. Sister Cui, let's go back. Miss Gu must be getting impatient."

Perhaps the mission was accomplished and there were no pursuers behind them.

The return journey was much easier.

Xiao Cui was eager to return home, and she and Chu Hong sped off like the wind.

In just a day and a half, the outline of Yunxi County was back in sight.

"Young Master Chu..."

The backyard of Baiyao Pavilion.

Gu Jin held the jade box in both hands, her body trembling slightly.

The purple herb brought tears to her usually aloof eyes.

She suppressed her heaving chest, stood up, and bowed deeply to Chu Hong.

This gesture was extremely solemn.

"I have no way to repay such kindness. In the future, if Young Master Chu ever needs my help, I, Gu Jin, will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Admittedly, this is just a transaction.

However, after several days of contact, the two became deeply involved, and their relationship could no longer be explained by mere transactions.

Moreover, this purple cloud grass can save her life and allow her to rise again.

For her, this was an immense favor.

No amount of gratitude is too much.

Chu Hong hurriedly stepped forward and helped Gu Jin up, saying, "Miss Gu, there's no need for that. This is not something I did alone."

"Without your medicine, planning and preparation, and without Xiao Cui's guidance, I would not have been able to go to Black Dragon Abyss, let alone obtain the spiritual herbs."

"Given our relationship, discussing this would be too formal."

Gu Jin raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, she asked Chu Hong about his plans.

The two talked for a long time before Chu Hong bid farewell and left.

Go home.

His parents had already rushed back from the pharmacy, specially preparing a sumptuous meal for Chu Hong.

At the dinner table, the two elderly people kept putting food into his bowl.

The food in Chu Hong's bowl was piled up like a small mountain, but it warmed his heart.

He lowered his head and ate his rice, not disturbing the tranquility.

He could clearly sense that beneath the two elderly people's gratified smiles lay a great deal of reluctance.

The mother's eyes were slightly red, and she tried to speak several times, but was interrupted by the father each time.

After the meal.

Chu Jianghe sat in the courtyard, puffing on his cigarette, a look of sorrow on his face.

He knew very well that Chu Hong's current strength and knowledge were far beyond his comprehension.

When children grow up and travel far away, these elderly people can't stop them; they can only let them fly.

Chu Hong sat down next to Chu Jianghe.

"Father, I'm leaving."

"Yes, Father knows."

Chu Jianghe didn't lecture Chu Hong; he simply patted him on the shoulder.

"No matter what you're doing out there, if you get tired, come home."

"Our family will never go hungry without you."

Chu Hong felt a lump in his throat, and a sour feeling welled up in his heart.

"Father, I understand!"

About half an hour later, Song Yue arrived.

She carried three neatly folded pieces of clothing and walked quickly to Chu Hong.

Her eyes darted away slightly, and she shoved the clothes into Chu Hong's arms.

"Chu Hong, have a safe journey."

Before she finished speaking, she had already turned and jogged away, her skirt fluttering in the wind.

They remained as decisive and efficient as any江湖儿女 (people of the martial arts world).

But the emotions contained within are extraordinary.

Chu Hong held the slightly fragrant clothes, watched her departing figure, and sighed softly.

Chu Jianghe remained silent upon witnessing this scene.

-----------------

a few days later.

The official road ends.

A colossal city, stretching across the land and displaying a myriad of magnificent sights, suddenly came into Chu Hong's view.

The city wall is tens of feet high and is built entirely of lapis lazuli, which is as hard as steel. On the city tower, black flags fly everywhere and flutter in the wind.

Each battlement was guarded by a strong, upright soldier.

Even in peacetime, there is no relaxation whatsoever.

Several city gates opened simultaneously, and pedestrians and merchants stretched for miles, queuing to enter the city.

This is the city of Qinglong Prefecture.

The core area of ​​the entire Azure Dragon Prefecture.

"Brother Chu!"

Behind him, Zhou Mingrui, dressed in a smart outfit, looked spirited and pointed at the giant city in front of him, his eyes gleaming with a burning light.

"How about that! Isn't it amazing? This is the place martial artists should come to!"

The day after retrieving the Purple Cloud Grass, Chu Hong packed his bags and set off.

They happened to discover that Zhou Mingrui was also setting off at the same time, so the two of them went together.

Only after asking did they discover that Zhou Mingrui had actually already broken through to the Transformation Realm, but wanted to consolidate his strength further.

That's why it took some time.

Unlike Chu Hong's choice, he came to Qinglong Mansion this time to enter the Great Yuan Sect for cultivation.

It is said that the Great Yuan Sect values ​​him highly and will make him an inner disciple as soon as he enters the sect.

If they perform well, they will be promoted to a true disciple in no time.

It can be described as a meteoric rise.

Chu Hong nodded; he was indeed shocked by this great city.

Not only this large city, but also what the two saw and heard after entering the prefectural city also broadened his horizons.

The owner of this humble roadside inn is a martial artist with internal strength.

Those tea stall waiters were at least Ming Jin level.

Passersby were often seen with swords at their waists or knives and bows on their backs.

It is nothing like the "barren" Yunxi County.

Even Yunxi, who was at the pinnacle of martial arts, was frequently seen here.

Disciples of prominent families, members of aristocratic clans, members of the city's martial arts guards, and martial arts masters...

Strong individuals abound, and geniuses are as numerous as clouds.

Even a random stone thrown down could hit several martial artists.

"As expected of the capital city!"

Gazing at this colossal city, Chu Hong felt a surge of boundless pride.

The two slowly entered the city with the flow of people.

At the city gate, the soldiers' armor gleamed, their auras were solemn, and each one was a powerful martial artist.

As soon as I stepped into the city, I was hit by a cacophony of noise.

The city is filled with towering buildings, their eaves and corners overlapping each other. Shops line the wide streets, and the streets are bustling with people and vehicles.

The sounds of hawking, shouting, and laughter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere that seemed to shake the very heavens.

"Quickly, quickly! Wang Qing, ranked 358th on the Human Ranking, is challenging Zheng He, ranked 234th, again! Everyone hurry to the Blood Battle Arena!"