Swordholder

Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief. With this Manchu-registered token, he would be able to avoid a lot of trouble on his return journey.

------

Meanwhile, Chen Yuan and Chen Zhaoning learned that the Wang family mansion was located in the northern suburbs of the city, and immediately set off there at a fast pace.

"Although there are no true Dharma Body Realm experts in this town-level region, the enemy must have a large number of people. Even if they are all at the Spirit Aperture Realm, the two of us probably wouldn't be able to contend with them..."

As they sped along, Chen Zhaoning turned to Chen Yuan beside her and spoke in a deep voice.

Chen Yuan looked around and saw that the streets along the way were becoming increasingly deserted, so he knew that his destination must be very remote.

"We need to find some weapons with greater explosive power."

Chen Yuan muttered to himself, reaching up to touch the iron spikes at his waist.

"What?"

Chen Zhaoning did not hear what he said.

Suddenly, a bamboo forest came into view.

"May I borrow your knife?"

Chen Yuan stopped in front of the bamboo grove and suddenly spoke.

Without hesitation, Chen Zhaoning immediately handed over his sword.

Chen Yuan swung his knife and chopped down bamboo stalks, then sharpened the tips of the bamboo to a sharp point.

"What are you doing?"

Chen Zhaoning was filled with doubt.

"There is a move in the Dragon Binding and Fighting Technique called Tendon-Severing Claw."

As Chen Yuan worked, he casually recited the incantation for the Tendon-Severing Claw.

"Claws pierce the tendons and veins, and qi flows through the Xuanhuang Gang."

"His body was left with no intact bones, and his mangled remains fell into the cold river."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoning's gaze sharpened, but still not understanding what the other party was trying to do, she couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"

"I have reached the Great Perfection of the Spiritual Aperture Realm, and am close to touching the threshold of the Dharma Body Realm. My physical strength far surpasses that of ordinary people."

I can try to transform this close-combat technique into a ranged attack, using the momentum to unleash massive destructive power.

As Chen Yuan trimmed the bamboo poles, he explained slowly.

Chen Zhaoning: "???"

She could hardly imagine what terrifying combat power a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Aperture Realm could unleash.

The more spiritual apertures one has, the faster one's cultivation speed will be, and the more abundant the spiritual power one can store will be.

For an ordinary cultivator to open a hundred spiritual apertures is already considered a prodigy.

But Chen Yuan has a total of 361 spiritual apertures... Thinking of this, Chen Zhaoning took a deep breath, her heart filled with anticipation.

Before long, Chen Yuan gathered more than a dozen bamboo poles, each over a meter long, wrapped them in his tattered cotton-padded coat, tied them together, and carried them on his back.

"I wonder how my number of spiritual apertures compares to others in this region? It should be considered acceptable, right?"

After getting ready, Chen Yuan looked at Chen Zhaoning, who was in a daze, and asked curiously.

"Well……"

Chen Zhaoning let out another long sigh, momentarily at a loss for words.

She felt like cursing.

It's more than just qualified.

He's an absolute prodigy!

You've only cultivated for about a year, yet you've already opened all the spiritual apertures in your body!

So what is the point of me spending ten years in arduous cultivation to barely open ninety spiritual apertures?

Is it waste?

Or are they even worse than trash?

At this moment, Chen Zhaoning felt her worldview collapse and was filled with doubt about life.

But then she thought of Chen Yuan's special ability to devour other people's demonic spirits and purify their evil spirits, and she gradually felt relieved.

Others painstakingly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and even expend elixirs to purify the impure energy.

To open a spiritual aperture in a month is already considered a top-tier prodigy.

The person in front of me is a complete freak!

It cannot be judged by common sense at all.

"It's...it's alright."

Chen Zhaoning forced a stiff smile. "Just keep trying."

"Okay, it seems I really need to work harder. I've been a bit lazy lately."

Chen Yuan muttered to himself, his gaze suddenly hardening, "I'm going to wipe out these natives!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his expression hardened, and he strode forward quickly, carrying the bamboo pole on his back.

Chen Zhaoning: "..."

--------

The official road leading to the Wang family mansion was lined with lush, verdant trees.

Under the gloomy, dim light, the entire forest exuded a sinister and eerie atmosphere.

A convoy of cars drove slowly along the road, seemingly unfazed by the eerie atmosphere of the forest, proceeding leisurely along the way.

This is the motorcade of Wang Cheng, the young master of the Wang family.

Although the Wang family was only a small clan, they were already one of the most prominent families in remote and impoverished areas like Wuqiao Town and Shangang Town.

Moreover, Wang Defa, the head of the Wang family, also serves as the garrison commander of Shangang Town.

His younger brother, Wang Deqian, held the power to guard Wuqiao Town.

Another member of the clan, Wang Feng, serves as the head of the law enforcement department of Wuqiao Town.

Wuqiao Town and Shangang Town are both under the jurisdiction of Huaishan County.

The Wang family also had powerful backers in Huaishan County, namely a director of the Wuxiang Sect.

The head of the Wuxiang Gate in the county town held a highly respected position, and even the county governor had to show him respect and bow to him.

……

"Ugh, what a dreadful place, there's absolutely no fun in it."

At the very front of the convoy was a luxurious carriage.

A richly dressed, voluptuous young woman sighed softly as she spoke.

This plump young woman was none other than Wang Cheng's mother, Liu Qing.

Several pretty maids stood beside her.

One of them smiled and advised, "Madam, why don't we go to Huaishan County or Tianshan Prefecture for a short stay?"

That place is far more bustling and lively than here; you, young master, will have a wonderful time.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qing looked at the boy galloping wildly on horseback in the distance, playing happily, her eyes filled with doting affection.

"That's true. We'll set off for Huai Shan County in a couple of days to visit Feng'er's maternal grandfather first, and then recruit some strong men to accompany us."

"Now that the world has changed so drastically and the world is in chaos, only with the protection of a powerful figure can one travel to Tianshan County with peace of mind."

Liu Qing said gently.

Da da da……

The sound of horses' hooves approached rapidly. In the distance, Wang Cheng, riding a tall black horse, rode with great spirits towards the caravan.

He was followed by a dozen guards. As Wang Cheng approached, their auras surged and spiritual energy lingered around them, indicating that they were all cultivators.

The group walked side by side, displaying impressive momentum.

Suddenly, Liu Qing caught a glimpse of a young girl being held horizontally in Wang Cheng's arms.

"Hmm? Where did Feng'er kidnap this little girl from?"

Liu Qing spoke calmly.

"Heh, it's this girl's good fortune to be chosen by the young master, yet she dares to struggle so recklessly?"

A maid glanced at the little girl sideways, her tone tinged with displeasure.

"That's true. Take him back to your residence and give him a good talking-to, but don't kill him."

Liu Qing narrowed her eyes slightly and gave the order in a cold tone.

"Yes, madam."

The maid's lips curled into a sinister smile, a hint of cruelty flashing in her eyes.

Liu Qing looked at Wang Cheng, who had ridden his horse to the carriage, and smiled kindly, "Feng'er, what makes you so happy?"

"Mother, I've found an exceptionally cute little girl!"

It's truly rare to find such beautiful and charming people in such a remote mountain town.

Wang Cheng, his face beaming with excitement, grabbed the little girl's hair and lifted her up with a vengeance.

His words were full of excitement, as if he had acquired a new and fun toy.

At this moment, he lifted the person up, specifically to show him to his mother.

"Come here, let Mom see your face. Hehe, you're so cute, you're almost as cute as my kitten."

As Wang Cheng spoke, he forcibly turned the little girl's head, pinched her cheeks, and turned her towards Liu Qing.

This poor little girl is Nuomi.

"Waaaah... You bad guy, you're such a bad guy!"

My older brother and sister will never let you get away with this, waaaaaah...

Her hair was being pulled tightly, and Nuomi's eyes turned red with pain. She burst into tears, large tears rolling down her cheeks.

Liu Qing examined Nuomi closely for a moment, then smiled faintly and said, "She does look very cute, but she's a bit too young."

"Mom, I like younger ones; they're innocent and fun."

Wang Cheng smiled with an innocent and naive expression.

He has always enjoyed playing with exquisite and lovely things until he destroys or damages them.

From childhood to adulthood, all his beloved dolls were eventually torn to pieces by him.

This twisted and perverse pleasure made him incredibly addicted and excited.

He looked no more than fourteen or fifteen years old, but his mind was already completely devoid of any moral boundaries.

In his eyes, humiliating slaves and oppressing the common people was no different from harming livestock.

In his mind, slaves had no human rights, and the common people at the bottom of society were at the mercy of others.

Liu Qing looked at her son with eyes full of doting affection.

This is her precious darling; she cherishes it so much that she's afraid it will break if she holds it in her hands or melt if she keeps it in her mouth.

No matter what he did, she indulged and spoiled him.

She nodded slightly and said softly, "Alright, as long as you like it."

"hey-hey!"

Wang Cheng became increasingly pleased with himself after acquiring the toy he wanted.

Noticing that the little girl in his arms was struggling more and more, he raised his hand and slapped Nuomi's round face hard, making her cheeks turn red instantly.

"Still crying? If you dare to cry again, I'll gouge out your eyes!"

Hehe, your eyes are so beautiful, like black gemstones. If I were to squeeze them and pop them, would juice splatter out?

Wang Cheng leaned close to Nuomi's ear and whispered a sinister grin.

His expression gradually became distorted and ferocious.