Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 458 - 456: A Relentless Pursuit

"The famous ’Azure Blood Demon Saber’ Xuekui from the Blood Demon Sect actually appeared here..."

Looking at the three figures fleeing into the distance, Yang Wanyi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

She was on her way from Dayang City to Green Wood Peak when she chanced upon Xuekui and his group. As a disciple of Linglong Hall, she recognized their identities at a glance and stopped to observe.

Biting her red lip, Yang Wanyi looked down at the blade marks on the ground. When her gaze fell upon Blood Cloud’s corpse and the distinct cuts, her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

These blade marks... they’re Luo Feng’s! Could he have killed Blood Cloud?

From Xuekui and the others’ conversation just now, it sounded like they mentioned Luo Feng’s name. That means they must be seeking revenge against Luo Feng.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile touched Yang Wanyi’s rosy lips. She rubbed her smooth forehead with a helpless sigh.

He really is a troublemaker. Destroying the Duanmu Family wasn’t enough for him; he even dared to kill members of the Blood Saber Guards.

Pursing her lips, the image of a young man flitted through Yang Wanyi’s mind. She exhaled softly and smiled brightly. The Azure Blood Demon Saber is no simple character. Let’s see how you handle this one...

As she spoke, Yang Wanyi lightly tapped her foot on the ground. Red clouds rose beneath her, forming a scarlet streak that shot off in the direction where Xuekui and the others had disappeared.

「...」

After leaving Blood Origin City, Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan rode relentlessly, only stopping when their horses needed rest.

Five days later, the two of them appeared near Qingfeng Town.

Luo Feng slowed his horse, moving with the flow of people. He said to Bing Ruolan, "Ruolan, I need to make a stop in Qingfeng Town. You should head back to the academy first."

"Do you need my help?" Bing Ruolan asked.

Luo Feng shook his head. "You’ve just had a breakthrough; this is a critical time for your cultivation. Don’t miss this opportunity."

Over the past few days, during their spare moments, both had continued their cultivation and made progress.

Luo Feng’s Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist had advanced to the third level, while Bing Ruolan’s progress was even more significant; a day ago, she had successfully reached the peak of the Eightfold Hell Realm.

Bing Ruolan gently bit her red lip. A part of her very much wanted to go with Luo Feng, but she also knew this period was crucial for her cultivation.

Finally, Bing Ruolan nodded. "Alright. The Twelve Golden Palaces trial is in just over a month; don’t miss the date..."

Luo Feng reached out and stroked Bing Ruolan’s short hair, smiling. "Don’t worry, I’ll remember."

Bing Ruolan tilted her head, her pretty face blushing slightly at Luo Feng’s affectionate gesture. She said softly, "Then I’ll be going. You take care of yourself."

With that, Bing Ruolan tugged the reins, and her black-maned horse sped away, leaving a cloud of dust.

Luo Feng watched Bing Ruolan depart, the smile gradually fading from his face.

Ever since encountering Blood Cloud, an ill premonition had been nagging him. The Blood Saber Demon General probably wouldn’t let him off so easily, which was why he had sent Bing Ruolan away first.

Shaking his head, Luo Feng pushed thoughts of the Blood Demon Sect aside and headed towards Qingfeng Town.

News of the events at Green Wood Peak didn’t seem to have reached here yet. Qingfeng Town was as prosperous as ever. Outside the Medicine Ding Store, a long queue of martial artists had formed, eager to buy elixirs.

"Young Master Luo Feng, it’s good to see you."

"Young Master Luo Feng, please, go ahead."

Seeing Luo Feng approach, those in line immediately made way, their expressions respectful.

Luo Feng’s resounding victory over Lin Ao, the Young Master of Clear Origin Mansion, had caused a sensation in Qingfeng Town. Many who had witnessed that intense duel still felt a lingering thrill and deeply admired Luo Feng’s strength.

"Thank you."

Luo Feng, pressed for time, offered a brief word of thanks and walked directly into the Medicine Ding Store.

Shopkeeper Lan Congfeng of the Medicine Ding Store was standing behind the counter. Seeing Luo Feng, he immediately came forward with a smile. "Luo Feng, the stir you’ve caused this time is quite something! To think you actually went to Green Wood Peak alone. I was quite shocked when I heard the news."

Luo Feng touched his nose. "You already knew?"

"I just heard about it through the Merchant Union; the news only just arrived."

Lan Congfeng had initially harbored some suspicion, but seeing Luo Feng confirm it, he couldn’t help but sigh.

The grand Duanmu Family, one of the Six Great Families, had actually been destroyed by a single young man.

"Let’s put that aside for now. Shopkeeper Lan, where is Elder Zhuang?" Luo Feng asked.

"He arrived here just a few days ago; he’s in the inner courtyard. Do you need him for something?"

"Yes." Luo Feng nodded.

"I’ll go get him." Lan Congfeng turned and walked towards the inner room.

A short while later, Elder Zhuang emerged, following Lan Congfeng.

Elder Zhuang, his eyes as sharp as a torch, took one look at Luo Feng and exclaimed in surprise, "Luo Feng, you’ve made a breakthrough?"

"Yes, and it’s largely thanks to the Blood Spirit Pill that Elder Zhuang refined," Luo Feng replied humbly with a smile.

Elder Zhuang sighed internally. He had met many promising young talents, but those like Luo Feng—calm and composed, neither arrogant nor impetuous—were few and far between.

"You look travel-worn. What brings you to me in such a hurry?" Elder Zhuang asked.

"Elder Zhuang, please take a look at this first."

Luo Feng took out the formula for the Qingling Pill, handed it to Elder Zhuang, and explained his purpose.

Elder Zhuang took the formula, a keen light flashing in his eyes, his expression one of excitement:

"The Qingling Pill formula! I’ve long heard that the Duanmu Family possessed this formula. I never expected to see it today!"

He glanced at the formula only once before quickly looking away.

As an Alchemist, he understood the immense value of pill formulas. A formula for a Grade Five elixir could easily cause numerous Alchemists to fight to the death for it, potentially even triggering widespread bloodshed.

"Elder Zhuang, can this Qingling Pill counteract Blood Yin Poison?" Luo Feng asked, watching Elder Zhuang.

Elder Zhuang pondered for a moment, then said, "It can. However, Blood Yin Poison is no ordinary poison. It slowly corrodes a person’s vital essence and blood. The longer one is poisoned, the more dangerous the detoxification."

Luo Feng’s brow furrowed slightly. Yang Dingtian had been poisoned for over two months; it couldn’t be delayed any longer. "How quickly can the pill be refined?"

"Refining the pill only takes three days."

Elder Zhuang looked up at Luo Feng and gave a bitter smile. "Don’t get too excited yet. Although refining the pill doesn’t take long, gathering the ingredients is extremely troublesome. Especially the Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit, which serves as the medicinal catalyst, is an exceptionally rare spiritual medicine."

Luo Feng looked at Lan Congfeng. "Shopkeeper Lan, do you have any Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit here?"

Lan Congfeng shook his head. "That kind of spiritual medicine is only available at the Merchant Union headquarters."

Luo Feng’s heart sank. "How long will the round trip take?"

"A month and a half at the very least."

"A month and a half is too long."

Luo Feng shook his head. There was only a little over a month left before the Twelve Golden Palaces trial. Besides, even if he could wait, Yang Dingtian might not be able to hold on that long.

"There is another way," Elder Zhuang suddenly interjected.

"What way?"

Elder Zhuang took out a map and pointed to a marked location on it.

"This is Qingluan Canyon. A few years ago, someone discovered Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit here. Qingluan Canyon is rich in Mu Yuan Qi, making it very suitable for Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit to grow. Perhaps you might find some there."

Luo Feng quickly stood up. "Elder Zhuang, tell me the characteristics of the Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit, and I’ll go look for it."

Elder Zhuang described the characteristics of the Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit to Luo Feng and then solemnly warned, "Qingluan Canyon is deep within the Red Chain Mountain Range, where demon beasts roam. You must be extremely careful. If it proves too dangerous, give up. Don’t be reckless; your life is most important."

"Yes, I understand my limits."

"I’ll also immediately send someone to the Merchant Union headquarters to retrieve the Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit," Lan Congfeng said.

"Thank you."

Luo Feng nodded. This trip to Qingluan Canyon might not necessarily yield the Mu Yuan Spirit Fruit; it was best to have a backup plan.

"Then I’ll take my leave."

Luo Feng decided to depart immediately. After excusing himself, he turned and left the Medicine Ding Store.

"Elder Zhuang, you shouldn’t have told Luo Feng about this. Qingluan Canyon is fraught with danger. Although his strength has improved rapidly, for him to go to such a perilous place alone is too risky," Lan Congfeng said with a frown, watching Luo Feng leave.

Elder Zhuang gave a bitter smile. "He’s in such a hurry; even if I hadn’t said anything, he would have found out eventually. Don’t worry. Since Luo Feng was capable of wreaking havoc on Green Wood Peak, his strength is already beyond our imagination. Even if he encounters danger, he should have the ability to protect himself."

Lan Congfeng knew Elder Zhuang was right and nodded. "Yes. I hope everything goes smoothly for him."

Leaving the Medicine Ding Store, Luo Feng channeled his Yuan Qi, pushing his Teng Dragon’s Step to its limit as he hurried towards the Red Chain Mountain Range.

Now in the late stage of the Heavenly Court Realm, Luo Feng’s speed with the Teng Dragon’s Step had increased yet again. He could cover nearly three hundred meters with each step. In mid-air, he resembled a large bird gliding, his speed like lightning.

Half a day later, Luo Feng entered the Red Chain Mountain Range, still maintaining full speed as he ventured deeper. Any low-level demon beasts that were blind enough to block his path were instantly obliterated by a single punch.

By evening, Luo Feng had reached the depths of the Red Chain Mountain Range.

The trees in the vicinity grew increasingly dense, their canopies blocking out the sky and sun. Terrifying beast roars echoed one after another, seemingly without end, creating a chilling and horrifying atmosphere.

WHOOSH!

Suddenly—a sharp, piercing sound of rushing wind broke the silence. A black shadow shot out without warning from the tree canopy, opening its blood-red maw as it lunged for Luo Feng in mid-air. A fetid stench assaulted him.

"Vile beast!"

Luo Feng shouted coldly, throwing a punch that collided with the black shadow.

BANG!

With a muffled thud, Luo Feng used the impact to land on a nearby tree trunk, while the black shadow recoiled.

Such astounding strength!

Luo Feng shook his slightly numb arm and looked up to see his attacker.

Coiled around a giant tree ten meters away was a massive black python.

This python was as large as a door panel and thirty to forty meters long. Coiled up, it resembled a mass of black cloud. Its scales, each larger than a washbasin, were a glossy black. In the darkness, its vertical pupils emitted a cold, eerie glow.

"A peak Grade Four Demon Beast, the Black Cloud Black Head Python!"

Luo Feng recognized the demon beast. His eyebrows arched, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and he drew his Rage Flame Knife. It seems I won’t be able to pass through here easily.

The Black Cloud Black Head Python’s strength was equivalent to a Martial Artist at the peak of the Heavenly Court Realm. Due to the powerful physique of demon beasts, it was even more formidable.

"Skyfall Thunder!"

Before the beast could make a move, Luo Feng attacked first. His Rage Flame Knife split the night, unleashing an astonishing blade light.

Enraged, the Black Cloud Black Head Python roared. Its massive tail shot out like a released bowstring, fiercely striking the blade light.

BOOM!

Amidst the deafening sound, a violent shockwave spread in all directions. Nearby trees exploded, and the blade light shattered. The two were evenly matched.

This beast is strong. Even stronger than Duanmuya!

Luo Feng’s heart tightened. Just then, a sharp hiss sounded again as the Black Cloud Black Head Python’s tail, carrying its momentum, whipped towards Luo Feng.

BOOM!

A fierce wind erupted. The python’s tail shattered Luo Feng’s figure, which slowly faded—it was merely an afterimage.