Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 144 - 106: Water Technique

An agonizing pain threatened to tear his arms apart. His Protective Geng Metal True Qi trembled, and a sweet, metallic taste filled his throat as he forced back a mouthful of blood.

A look of utter disbelief finally appeared in Zhao Kang’s eyes.

’They were both at the Early-stage Embrace Pill Power of Cultivation. How could Chen Qing possess such tyrannical Power?’

In a matter of moments, their joint attack had been shattered. Wang Hai’s Weapon was knocked from his grasp, and Zhao Kang, having taken the blow head-on, was grievously wounded.

Both were seasoned veterans. After only a few exchanges, they understood just how terrifying Chen Qing was. To continue fighting would mean courting death.

Any will to fight had vanished from their hearts.

"Split up!"

Wang Hai roared, all semblance of a master’s composure gone.

His corpulent body erupted with astonishing speed. Frantically pouring Gui Water True Qi into his legs, he shot backward several dozen feet like a startled, fleshy catfish. At the same time, he flicked his left hand, and several Water Arrows—condensed Gui Water True Qi that radiated a bone-chilling cold—shot out. Their targets weren’t Chen Qing, but the ground and the air between them!

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

The Water Arrows exploded, instantly turning into a thick cloud of vapor.

The mist billowed out, not only obscuring vision but also carrying a chill that could freeze the qi and blood in one’s body, making it feel like wading through an icy swamp.

Clearly, Wang Hai intended to use this move to hinder Chen Qing’s pursuit.

A few more Water Arrows shot toward Chen Qing’s face, intended to force him to either dodge or parry.

Ignoring the searing pain in his organs and his internal injuries, Zhao Kang also poured Geng Metal True Qi into his legs. He yanked his feet from the mud with a great squelch of filth and bolted in the opposite direction from Wang Hai, plunging headfirst into the dense, dark depths of the reed marsh in a desperate flight for his life.

He even scooped up a handful of mud and flung it behind him without looking, not to cause injury, but simply to obscure Chen Qing’s line of sight.

In that instant, both men displayed the ruthless decisiveness of old Jianghu veterans, fleeing in opposite directions with the sole hope that one of them might survive.

"Trying to run?"

Chen Qing’s gaze was glacial, his killing intent as sharp as a blade.

The mist from the Gui Water True Qi billowed toward him, and an instantaneous chill washed over him.

He took a deep breath. The Cyan Wood True Qi in his body surged, its vibrant life force flaring like a furnace within him. It forcibly expelled most of the invading chill; though his movements were slightly sluggish, the effect was minimal.

Facing the incoming Water Arrows, Chen Qing simply flicked the tip of his spear, shattering them with precision.

His gaze instantly locked onto Wang Hai, who was fleeing toward the flats. ’This one is treacherous and cunning. He’s the greater threat and must be eliminated first.’

Without a second glance at Zhao Kang escaping into the depths of the reeds, Chen Qing dropped into a low stance and then exploded off his feet.

BOOM!

The hard-packed earth beneath his feet shattered, sending shards of rock flying!

Like a powerful arrow loosed from a bowstring, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the night, Chen Qing shot forward with unstoppable momentum, blasting right through the watery mist.

Wang Hai fled for his life, his portly frame moving with a speed that defied his size. He pushed his Gui Water True Qi to its absolute limit, executing his Wave-Treading Technique flawlessly. With each step, he sought to gain maximum propulsion from the minimum contact area, kicking up sheets of mud.

He heard the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps and the sharp snapping of reeds behind him, and his soul nearly left his body in terror.

He leaped into the air, his corpulent body mustering one final burst of strength in an attempt to dive into the densest patch of reeds.

However, in the very instant he launched himself upward...

SWOOSH—!

A piercing whistle tore through the air!

While in hot pursuit, Chen Qing’s left hand blurred to his waist. Three Money Darts, their edges honed to an incredible sharpness, shot out in a triangular pattern, slicing through the air with a vicious hum.

They weren’t aimed at Wang Hai’s vitals, but at the three spots where he was about to land.

Floating Light and Shadow Hand! Scattered Stars!

Chen Qing’s Hidden Weapon Technique had already reached the Great Success Realm. It was so fast it left behind mere afterimages, and in the dead of night, it was virtually impossible to defend against.

PFFT!

Reacting on pure instinct, Wang Hai dodged two of the cold glints, but the final Money Dart struck him squarely in the back.

The impact caused his steps to falter.

A cold light flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes. Using his forward momentum, he stomped on a reed root as thick as a bowl, shattering it and launching himself into the air.

Mid-air, his torso bent backward like a greatbow being drawn, storing immense power. Surging Cyan Wood True Qi poured into the Cold Chiyi Treasure Spear in his hands.

Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear! Meteor Fall!

The man empowered the Spear Momentum, and the spear magnified the man’s might!

Like a hawk diving from the sky, Chen Qing descended upon Wang Hai from above and behind, carrying the terrifying might of a falling meteor.

The tip of the spear tore through the air, emitting a shriek sharp enough to pierce eardrums.

Before the spear even arrived, the terrifying pressure of its descent had already locked Wang Hai in place, causing the mud beneath his feet to blast outward.

Wang Hai looked up in horror, only to see the image of a spear tip rapidly expanding in his vision. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

BOOM!!!!

Carrying unparalleled kinetic energy and Penetration Power, the Cold Chiyi Spear’s tip was unstoppable. It tore through flesh and muscle, directly piercing Wang Hai’s chest.

CRACK! SQUELCH—!

The sickening sound of shattering bone echoed through the marsh.

"Argh—!"

Wang Hai let out a short, wretched scream. His corpulent body, like a frog pinned to the ground, arched violently upward before slamming back down. After a few twitches, he went still, all signs of life extinguished.

The Cold Chiyi Spear, embedded in Wang Hai’s corpse, was still vibrating.

Chen Qing turned, his face devoid of expression, and looked in the direction Zhao Kang had fled.

"How could this be..."

Zhao Kang heard the terrifying sound of the impact behind him, followed by Wang Hai’s scream cutting off abruptly.

He was utterly terrified. He had just plunged into the icy, muddy water, hoping to swim submerged or hide his body among the duckweed and water grasses.

Chen Qing wrenched his spear free. Its tip came away with a spray of blood and shredded flesh as Wang Hai’s fat corpse slumped into the muddy tangle of reed roots.

His icy killing intent instantly locked onto the other man.

Zhao Kang was just diving into a shallow pool of water!