Gou Zai Xianwu Chaos World, Physical Sainthood

Within a fighting circle measuring two zhang in diameter.

A low shout followed.

The halberd shaft in Lu Cheng's hand snapped in two with a "crack".

A powerful force, still lingering, surged rapidly upwards along the shaft of the halberd.

It instantly passed Lu Cheng's wrist and rushed straight to his shoulder and back.

Lu Cheng was struck dumb, his bones trembling as if whipped.

A sudden onset of tingling, numbness, and pain.

He could no longer hold onto the remaining half of the halberd shaft, and it fell to the ground with a "thud".

Before Lu Cheng could react, a gray shadow flashed past him.

Feng Qi appeared in front of Lu Cheng and said calmly to Lin Wanxiong:

"Senior Lin, isn't it a bit unreasonable to attack a junior?"

As he spoke, he reached out and patted Lu Cheng on the shoulder.

Lu Cheng felt a gentle force spread from his shoulder to his whole body in an instant, completely dispelling the destructive force.

Lin Wanxiong first stared intently at Lu Cheng for a couple of seconds, and seeing that Lu Cheng was indeed alright, he confirmed his suspicions.

Feng Qi is indeed in the mid-stage of Body Refinement!

He sighed inwardly and uttered a faint apology:

"In the heat of the moment, I forgot to use my full strength. I hope Chief Escort Feng won't take offense."

He reached into his robes, pulled out a porcelain bottle, and poured out two pills the size of soybeans.

One pill was stuffed into Yang Xiong's mouth, and another was flicked at Feng Qi:

"The Lesser Rejuvenation Pill is remarkably effective in treating both internal and external injuries. This child suffered a shock from the force of my attack, causing his muscles and bones to tremble. Using this pill will prevent any hidden injuries from developing."

That old man is truly shameless!

Lu Cheng cursed inwardly.

This was the umpteenth time he had cursed the people of the Lin Family Martial Arts School.

He said it was just a moment of panic, but nobody would believe him.

A dignified mid-stage Body Refinement martial artist, how could he forget about strength when blocking a mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator?

If Feng Qi hadn't arrived in time, or if he hadn't noticed anything amiss, Lu Cheng would have suffered a great loss!

However, it must be said that this so-called Lesser Rejuvenation Pill is really good. Once it enters the stomach, it dissolves like a warm spring, instantly merging into the limbs and bones, nourishing Lu Cheng's muscles, bones and meridians.

It was much more comfortable than the force Feng Qi had used earlier.

Lesser Rejuvenating Pill?

It's a good thing, actually.

Why isn't this item included in Shen Yi's betting odds?

Lu Cheng looked at Lin Wanxiong, wondering if he could get some more from him.

That old man was holding a whole bottle in his hand.

Lu Cheng glanced at the pills in Lin Wanxiong's hand, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lin Wanxiong staring intently at him.

"Truly a 'great man of his generation,' indeed remarkable, what a pity."

"If I could give you a year, I'm afraid Shen Yi would wake up crying from her dreams."

a year?

The old man is looking down on people.

Thinking this, Lu Cheng suddenly felt a little regretful.

It would be great if the Lin Family Martial Arts School also joined the competition.

Even if it's only half of what Shen Yi asked for, it would be good.

Feng Qi shook his head slightly:

"Senior Lin is joking. The soldiers of Zhenwu Camp are highly skilled. The three centurions have already reached the peak of their internal energy cultivation, and their martial arts are all different. The outcome of the competition is probably a foregone conclusion."

Lin Wanxiong remained silent for a while, then suddenly pointed to the hall on the north side of the training ground and said:

"It has been a long time since I last caught up with the three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts). I wonder if the three of you have time today to host a banquet for you in the hall of Changfeng Escort Agency?"

Lu Chengfei glanced quickly at Lin Wanxiong, wondering what the old man was up to.

Feng Qi actually turned his head and glanced at Feng Ji and Feng Zhan first.

After exchanging glances, the three nodded.

"It's not right for a senior to host a banquet. Please come in."

Lin Wanxiong laughed heartily and walked ahead.

As he walked, he instructed the disciples of the Lin Family Martial Arts School to go back first.

With a loud bang, the figures of Feng Qi and his companions were also cut off.

Lu Cheng withdrew his gaze, his mind racing with thoughts.

Lin Wanxiong's "It's a pity" seems to be referring to his own deficiency of vital energy and blood.

But Lu Cheng's intuition told him that this wasn't entirely the case.

The sudden suggestion to reminisce with Feng Qi and the other two was particularly abrupt.

Lu Cheng had a vague feeling that this old man probably had ulterior motives.

"Could it be that they're planning to start a fight?"

"Lu Cheng, what are you muttering about?" The chubby boy waved his hand in front of his eyes. "These... these people, I knew they had no credibility."

The prize of fifty doses of the Blood-Activating Powder from the Lin family martial arts school was not brought along.

This infuriated the chubby boy, but he dared not curse anymore.

"It's nothing." Lu Cheng shook his head, looked away, and picked up the broken half of the halberd shaft that Lin Wanxiong had shaken off.

The break in the halberd shaft was extremely smooth, but spiral patterns appeared from the break.

It extends all the way to the base of the halberd shaft.

This was not a simple break caused by force, but rather by a twisting and constricting technique after the force was applied.

A martial artist in the mid-stage of Body Refinement has an unbelievable level of control over their internal energy.

Lu Cheng picked up the broken half of the halberd head and examined it, only to find that both the broken edge and the shaft were perfectly smooth.

Lu Cheng gasped.

He cursed inwardly.

That old bastard, he was definitely doing it on purpose!

There was absolutely no sign of any force being transmitted from Yang Xiong's severed half!

Lu Cheng gently stroked the cracks on the halberd shaft with his fingertips, feeling not a trace of fear, but rather a surge of excitement.

Is this the strength of a Body Refinement Realm martial artist?

"Lu Cheng, is your hand alright?" Liu Wan'er noticed the blood seeping from the web of Lu Cheng's right hand.

Lin Wanxiong's force had just struck the shaft of the halberd, cracking Lu Cheng's tiger's mouth.

Lu Cheng shook his head dismissively:

"It's nothing serious, just a superficial injury."

"Let's bandage it up," Liu Wan'er said, taking a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and handing it over.

Lu Cheng initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the bandages still wrapped around her arm, he ultimately did not decline.

While they were arguing, they suddenly froze.

He picked up the halberd shaft again and examined it closely.

After reading it, he smiled.

The so-called "patterns" are actually the result of the force not being fully contained and spreading out.

So this is what they call the mid-stage of body refinement.

……

Inside the main hall of Changfeng Escort Agency.

Lin Wanxiong and Feng Qi sat facing each other.

Fruits and tea were placed in front of the four people. As soon as Lin Wanxiong sat down, he started eating without any hesitation.

After eating until the juices were flowing freely and the area in front of him was piled high with fruit peels, he finally picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

After casually wiping his mouth, he finally spoke:

"Three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts), the halberd technique that Lu Cheng used today is indeed profound. In my opinion, it is at most on the same level as the Seven Strikes of the Black Eagle."

"With these two martial arts skills, surviving in two months shouldn't be difficult, but winning the competition might be a bit challenging, right?"

Feng Qi remained expressionless.

Feng Ji picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, and smiled:

"Senior Lin, please speak frankly."

Lin Wanxiong laughed heartily, pointed to the door and said:

"Although the fight was started because of Lu Cheng, everyone knows that's just an excuse."

"Besides, with that kid's strength, those good-for-nothings at the Vermilion Bird Martial Arts School can't do anything to him."

"Therefore, the main impact of winning or losing falls on the Zhenwu Camp."

"The Lin Family Martial Arts School is willing to provide personnel to help reclaim the spot. What do the three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) think?"

really.

Feng Qi and the other two didn't need to look at each other to know what the other two were thinking.

Before Feng Qi could speak, Feng Ji spoke first:

"Senior Lin, the competition is limited to martial artists who have reached the Refinement Realm. The three centurions of the Zhenwu Camp have already reached the limit of the Refinement Realm. It is said that each of them has mastered a mid-grade martial art."

"I know that your martial arts school's young master, Lin Yuan, is quite strong. He might be able to defeat one of them, but what if he faces three..."

Feng Ji didn't continue, but his meaning was already clear.

Lin Wanxiong didn't mind at all; on the contrary, he nodded in agreement.

"That's right, Lin Yuan is indeed as Feng Er Biao Tou said, but I never said he would fight three matches by himself."

Feng Jidao:

"What does Senior Lin mean?"

Given Lu Cheng's strength, even Feng Qi and the other two didn't believe he could win.

The initial goal was simply to save my life.

Even if Lin Yuan won one game, could he possibly win another one while exhausted?

Lin Wanxiong shook his head, but before he could speak, a refined voice came from outside the hall:

"What if we add Chen Heng from my Chen family to that list?"

Feng Qi and the other two's expressions changed; they were completely unaware that someone had appeared outside the door.

Feng Qi said in a deep voice:

"Has Third Master Chen Chongxin arrived?"

The main hall door was pushed open with a "whoosh".

A middle-aged scholar in his forties appeared outside the door.

After the door was fully opened, the newcomer bowed and greeted Feng Qi and the other two:

"I, Chen, have come uninvited. I hope the three chief镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) will not take offense."

The newcomer was fair-skinned and beardless, dressed in a blue robe, with a bluish-white jade pendant hanging from his waist.

Both his appearance and demeanor were quite refined.

He doesn't look like a martial arts practitioner; he looks more like a schoolteacher.

It was Chen Chongxin, the third son of the Chen family, a late-stage Body Refinement martial artist.

The Chen family's Wind-Piercing Leaf Palm is also a mid-grade martial art of the human level.

It is also very famous in Yangcheng.

Feng Qi and the other two stood up and returned the greeting to Chen Chongxin.

"You flatter me, Third Master Chen. Your presence is an honor to Changfeng Escort Agency. Please come in, Third Master Chen."

Chen Chongxin smiled and stepped into the house. Feng Zhan came out of the hall, beckoned a disciple, and instructed him to clear the table and serve fruit and tea again.

After everything was cleaned up, the five people sat down again.

Chen Chongxin spoke first:

"What do you three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) think of Senior Lin's suggestion?"

"Chen Heng is now the strongest among the younger generation of my Chen family. He has been at the peak of the Qi Refining stage for a year, and he is just one step away from entering the Body Refining stage, just like Lin Yuan."

"The Wind-Piercing Leaf Palm technique has been mastered to a minor level. Combined with the Xuan Yang Golden Silk Hand, a family heirloom of the Chen family, dealing with the hundred generals of the Zhenwu Camp will be no problem at all."

"Lin Yuan alone, Chen Heng alone, won two out of three matches. With Lu Cheng's strength, even if he can't beat one of them, he can still exhaust a lot of their strength."

"Although the martial arts skills of the Zhenwu Battalion are not bad, they are all about battle formation and fighting, and they are not good at one-on-one combat."

"At that time, Lu Cheng will go first to exhaust one person's strength, and then Lin Yuan will take over to exhaust the second person until he is exhausted. Finally, Chen Heng can win the victory in one fell swoop."

Feng Qi stared intently at Chen Chongxin, his tone completely calm:

"Does Master Chen mean, an alliance?"

Chen Chongxin nodded:

"That's right, with the three of us working together, our chances of winning are quite high."

Feng Qidao:

"Indeed, if we could get the help of Young Master Lin and Young Master Chen, we might be able to defeat Zhenwu Camp."

"In that case, what do Master Chen and Senior Lin need Changfeng Escort Agency to do?"

Chen Chongxin smiled and exchanged a glance with Lin Wanxiong, then said:

"If we win the competition, neither of our two families will take a single penny of the silver or pills; we only need those three spots in the Dongyang Sect."

Feng Qi and the other two's expressions changed.

The three of them already knew that Chen Chongxin and Lin Wanxiong were definitely after the quota for the Dongyang Sect.

But we still didn't expect them to be so greedy as to take all three of them.

Feng Qi shook his head:

"Master Chen is joking. There are three matches and three spots. If you win, each family should have one."

Chen Chongxin also shook his head:

"What the head镖师 says is incorrect. Of the three matches, only my Chen family and the Lin family were able to win two of them, and the prize money was also won by our two families."

"Besides, doing so would inevitably offend Shen Yi, so it wouldn't be unreasonable for us to take all three spots."

"No room for negotiation?"

"There's no room for negotiation."

"..."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, Feng Qi sighed:

"In that case, I appreciate Mr. Chen's kind offer."

Chen Chongxin frowned, put down his teacup, and looked at Feng Qidao:

"Has the head镖师 (chief镖师, a term referring to a powerful镖师, or镖头, meaning someone who is skilled in镖局, abbreviated as '镖局') refused?"

"It's not a refusal." Feng Qi shook his head, his tone calm. "It's just that I feel it's better for Changfeng Escort Agency to handle its own affairs."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chongxin's gaze sharpened, and his tone became unpredictable:

"Master镖头, those two prizes combined are quite valuable. If used properly, they could make Changfeng镖局 (Changfeng Escort Agency) the fifth largest power in Yangcheng."

"Of course, neither of our two families will force Changfeng Escort Agency, but I think Shen Yi would be happy to see the prize money increase as well."

"It wouldn't be difficult for my Chen and Lin families to find someone capable of wearing down a hundred generals of the Zhenwu Camp."

Feng Qi's expression remained unchanged, and he said nothing more. Instead, he reached out and picked up the teacup in front of him.

Upon seeing this, Chen Chongxin and Lin Wanxiong snorted coldly and stood up together.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"Since the three镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) have made their decisions, we two will not say any more and take our leave."

Feng Qi and the other two rose to see them off:

"Take care, Master Chen and Senior Lin."

As the two reached the door, Chen Chongxin suddenly stopped.

Turning back, he said with a half-smile:

"Chief镖头, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Feng Qidao:

"Brother Chen, please speak."

"That Lu Cheng is indeed a promising talent, but..." Chen Chongxin paused, his tone meaningful, "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled. It's not easy for Changfeng Escort Agency to find such a promising talent. If Brother Feng insists on going his own way, I'm afraid..."

"If the three of you change your minds, you can contact us at any time."

Before he could finish speaking, he turned and chased after Lin Wanxiong.

Watching the two figures disappear, Feng Zhan let out a sigh of relief and muttered under his breath:

"Shameless".

Feng Ji took a deep breath:

"So what? These two are clearly threatening Lu Cheng. If he doesn't agree, they might kill him."

"Although the few from the Vermilion Bird Martial Arts School aren't that great, if Lu Chengruo gets worn down by Chen Heng and Lin Yuan, he's probably in grave danger."

"But Shen Yi made Lu Cheng sign a life-or-death contract."

Feng Qi remained silent for a few moments, then said:

"Call Lu Cheng over."

……

After hearing the three people recount the story, Lu Cheng fell silent.

Feng Ji looked at him, his gaze deep:

"What I mean is, I want to hear your thoughts. After all, you'll be the one competing in two months."

"If we agree to the Chen and Lin families' request, we will lose the quota, but we can get a huge amount of pills."

Lu Cheng didn't rush to answer, but lowered his head and pondered for a moment before raising his head, his gaze calm:

"My opinion is the same as the head镖师's."

"Oh?" Feng Ji raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Lu Cheng said slowly:

"I'm afraid, but does allying with them mean I won't die?"

"What I signed is a life-or-death contract, meaning that only one of my opponents can survive."

"As far as I know, the only ones those seventeen families can boast of are Zhang Rensheng and Zhou Ziwang's sons."

"No matter which one of them I kill, I will face the mad revenge of the body-refining martial artists."

"If we lose the quota for the Dongyang Sect, we will die at their hands sooner or later."

"If that's the case, what's there to talk about?"

"Besides, given Shen Yi's temperament, if we win the competition ourselves, he can't really say anything."

"But if the Chen and Lin families are brought in, and they win, Shen Yi will definitely vent his anger on Changfeng Escort Agency."

"Therefore, if we ally with them and lose, I will die; if we win, not only will I die, but the Changfeng Escort Agency will also suffer. So what's the point?"

"Instead of doing that, I'd rather do it myself."

"Do it yourself?" Feng Ji was taken aback. "Are you confident you can do it?"

Lu Cheng shook his head: "Not now."

As he spoke, he looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the roof to see the hazy gray sky:

"But that doesn't mean it won't happen in two months."

"I have only been a disciple for half a month, yet I have already reached the middle stage of Qi Refining. Give me another two months, and I may very well reach the peak of Qi Refining."

"They want to bleed us dry, so they should be prepared to be retaliated against."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ji's eyes gleamed.

Feng Zhan reached out and patted Lu Cheng, laughing heartily:

"Good lad, well said, 'It's not impossible!'"

Even Feng Qi, who had maintained a dignified demeanor, couldn't help but smile and nod.

"Your halberd technique is quite good. If you can master it, and combine it with the Seven Strikes of the Black Eagle, you might be able to win."