by D cat
"Hiss..."
When he looked at the torsoless head, Lu Gong was so shocked that even his breathing became rugged.
The head belonged to the sixth in line heir of the mighty Ye family.
An identity like that was one of the most prestigious identities one could dream of in Red Maple City.
Just being the personal guard of the sixth young master of the Ye family was an honor.
However, at this moment, the high and mighty sixth young master of the Ye family had his head chopped off like a fish on the chopping board.
"Lord... Young Lord... Please, spare me..."
Lu Gong raised his head in fear, tears flooding out of his eyes.
Actually, Lu Gong wasn't all that weak. He was powerful enough to duke it out with Su Lang; he wouldn't win, but he would at least be able to run away. However, the fear and anxiety took root so deep in his head that he lost his will to resist.
"You know who I am, and your family is still in the Ye family's hands."
Su Lang said coldly, "Do you think I'll be able to trust you?"
Lu Gong's body shook, and he fell to the ground with tears streaming down his face.
"Swoosh!"
The blade light flashed, and Lu Gong's head dropped to the ground.
Su Lang yanked the sword back, splattering the blood staining his blade on the ground, and placed it back in the sheath.
Now, it was time to collect the loot.
The box contained a total of 1,265 gold coins.
After collecting gold coins from Ye Liang, Lu Gong, Black Serpent, and the other members of the Broken Axe Hunting Group, the total reached an astonishing 4,232 gold coins.
"Hehehe, not bad! Not bad, at all!"
Looking at his four-digit gold coin balance, Su Lang revealed a satisfied smile.
He changed back into his original clothes and quietly left the Golden Fruit Building, which was now full of dead people.
As for his clones, he had a different plan for them. Su Lang decided to send them to the E-class Vicious Beast territory for hunting.
After returning to the hotel, Su Lang immediately took out the six cultivation techniques he got from Ye Liang and Lu Gong.
All of them were beginner cultivation techniques.
Three of them were for body tempering, two for weapon cultivation, and one for attribute cultivation.
What surprised Su Lang was that this attribute cultivation technique was also a lightning attribute cultivation technique.
Moreover, its name was similar to the Thunder Filament Art. It was called the True Lightning Technique.
"I wonder if these two techniques are related?"
Su Lang impatiently flipped open the True Lightning Technique and began reading.
After roughly flipping through the book, Su Lang immediately switched his primary technique from Thunder Filament to the True Lightning Technique.
"Ding! Primary cultivation technique changed to True Lightning Technique."
At the same time, the True Lightning Technique appeared in the hazy martial artist's hands.
One could see two bolts of lightning slowly appearing beneath his feet.
Su Lang stared at the hazy martial artist and waited.
About ten minutes later.
"Ding! Your mastery in True Lightning Technique has reached the Entry level."
Since Su Lang already had some mastery in the lightning attribute, it didn't take long to comprehend the True Lightning Technique and reach the Entry level.
"This is actually a movement technique that improves one's agility!"
"Moreover, it's a top-tier skill like the Thunder Filament one."
Su Lang's eyes lit up, and he was excited beyond control.
The Thunder Filament Art and the True Lightning Technique came from the same source. They complimented each other; together, they brought out an extended boost.
While cultivating one, he was also unwittingly cultivating the other. It wasn't a simple 1+1=2 scenario; instead, it was a 1+1=3 scenario! (E/N:- Quick Mafs)
"Let's try!"
With a single thought from Su Lang, the spiritual energy in his body began circulating like a vortex. Soon, his feet were covered in dark purple lightning.
In the next second, Su Lang took a light step forward and rushed out like an arrow. He almost hit the wall.
"Wah, what a terrifying skill!"
Su Lang gasped in surprise. He felt that his speed was at least twice as fast as before!
Immediately after, he pulled out the Tang Blades, and thick streaks of lightning, originating from his palms, began coiling around it; he felt extraordinary right now.
He could feel that these lightning streaks were way denser and stronger than before.
"Awesome!"
Su Lang revealed a bright smile and then turned his attention back to the other five cultivation techniques.
"Turtle Aura Body Tempering Technique, Immovable Body Lock Technique, Rain Stepping Technique, Floating Willow Sword Technique, and Shadow Flower Slashing Sword.
CHAPTER 45 - HIS COMBAT STRENGTH SOARED CRAZILY
"Three Body Tempering techniques, two weapon skills..."
Su Lang chuckled, "I wonder how much my combat strength will rise if I cultivate all five skills to the Entry level."
Next, Su Lang gave all the techniques to the hazy martial artist for practicing; soon, he would be at the Entry level in all of them.
After applying the once-click feature to the Thunder Filament Art, Su Lang called out the property panel.
Name: Su Lang
Race : Human
Qualification Level: Turbid Body
Realm Level: Initial Martial Mortal
[Attack Level]: Advanced Martial Mortal+
[Defense Level]: Intermediate Martial Mortal
[Movement Level]: Advanced Martial Mortal
[Endurance Level]: Intermediate Martial Mortal
[Skill Mastery]: Infinite Heart Sutra, True Lightning Technique (Beginner, Beginner), Thunder Filament Art (Beginner, Basic);
Shadow Flower Slashing Sword (Beginner, Initial), Ghost Moon Saber Technique (Beginner, Beginner), White Feather Footwork (Beginner, Beginner);
Rain Stepping Steps (Beginner, Beginner); Immovable Body Lock Technique (Beginner, Beginner), Floating Willow Sword Technique (Beginner, Beginner), Turtle Breath Body Tempering Technique (Beginner, Beginner), Origin Bodybuilding Technique (Beginner, Beginner).
[Activated System Functions]: One-click cultivation (Level 3), One-click martial arts (Level 3), Clone Dispatch Function (Level 2)
"My attack is at Advanced Martial Mortal+ level? Hehe!"
Su Lang could not help but laugh excitedly, "And my movement level is at the Advanced Martial Mortal realm too."
With such combat strength, I can fight someone two levels ahead of me. Doesn't that mean I can fight an Advance Martial Mortal while being a mere Initial Martial Mortal? Awesome!"
However, as soon as the excitation died down, Su Lang encountered a problem.
As his combat strength was increasing rapidly, his cultivation skills could no longer catch up to it. In short, mere Entry level comprehension wasn't cutting it for him.
"I have to advance my cultivation techniques to the Initial stage."
Su Lang thought for a while and asked, "System, how long before Thunder Filament Art could advance to the Initial stage?"
"Host, the Thunder Filament Art will take 46 hours to reach the Initial stage."
"46 hours? If I cultivate, won't I be an Intermediate Martial Mortal by then?"
Su Lang thought, "For starters, cultivation is the essence behind everything. It the origin and end of everything, so it's far more important than techniques. If I'm gonna waste my time anyway, why don't I waste it by cultivating?"
After thinking to this point, he decided to upgrade the cultivation function of the system.
"But to upgrade this function, I need more gold coins..."
Being once again reminded of how
extravagant the system was, Su Lang couldn't help but feel poor.
He had just earned nearly 5,000 golden coins, yet he still needed double that to upgrade the system function.
While Su Lang was lost in his own world, two people walked over the corridor while talking.
One of them said mysteriously, "Did you hear? The Golden Fruit Building was massacred!"
"What? A massacre occurred in the Golden Fruit Building? Who dares to commit murder in the city?"
"Aren't they afraid of the law enforcers of the Alliance? Moreover, the Golden Fruit Building is linked to the Broken Axe Hunting Group, yet they dared to commit murder there."
"You don't know this, but the Ye family is also linked to the Broken Axe Hunting Group. Whoever committed this massacre will be in a lot of trouble now."
The second person said with shock written all over his face.
The first passerby mysteriously continued, "Hehe, I'm about to tell you something really crazy."
"Do you know that besides the people from the Broken Axe Hunting Group, the sixth young master of Ye family and his servants also died in the Golden Fruit Building?"
"What did you say!"
"The sixth young master of the Ye Family was also killed in the massacre?"
The other man couldn't help but applaud and say, "He is trying to form a deadly enmity with the Ye family! Freakin' badass!"
The first passerby laughed and asked, "Is what you said previously really true? Did someone really destroy a Ye family stronghold? I bet the massacre here and the destruction there was done by the same party."
"You know what, I think that it's good that those bastards died. Those bastards from the Ye family and the Broken Axe Hunting Group should have gone to hell long ago."
"Shh, lower your voice. If anybody from the Ye family heard us, it would be our end. But, I have to agree with you; it really is satisfying."
The duo talked on happily without ever realizing that the protagonist of their story was listening in from the adjacent room.
Su Lang smiled faintly. "It seems like I have accomplished a good deed by exterminating the Broken Axe Hunting Group."
However, what they said next, surprised him.
"He is a hero. Unfortunately, the Ye family and the League of Martial Cultivators have joined hands to investigate this matter."
"I heard they mobilized a lot of cultivators proficient in tracking and scouting; they have even found some clues."
"If the one responsible is still in the city, escape will become nigh impossible for them."
The second passerby said, "We can only pray for their safe retreat. Hey, let's not talk about this anymore. Anyway, why haven't those two we asked to come here last time, still not here?"
"I don't know. Maybe they are on their way or something."
"..."
CHAPTER 46 - FIERCE BEARD'S EYES WERE WIDE OPEN
The voices outside gradually faded away. By now, Su Lang had also calmed down.
After that, he left the hotel and walked towards the main entrance of the Red Maple City.
Su Lang had the combat strength of an Advance Martial Mortal, and he also had two clones with the same level of strength. Yet, he made the rational decision of leaving the city.
Since everyone was looking for the cause inside the city, he decided to move the cause outside the city.
Due to the severity of the matter, the entire city was under martial law.
Citizens, who wanted to leave the city, had to wait in long lines. Destruction of the Ye family's stronghold and the massacre in the Golden Fruit building became the only thing they talked about.
Su Lang observed the inspection proceedings from the shadows. He discovered that every passerby was interrogated multiple times and had to go through an identity check; only then were they allowed to leave.
"Going there just like this is a bit risky."
Su Lang rolled his eyes in annoyance and sent an order to a clone. As a precaution, he had left a clone on standby near the Golden Fruit Building.
He ordered the clone to run around the corner and look the most suspicious he could. It should pretend like it was avoiding pursuit and let every person in the vicinity see him.
"There should be some good news in a while."
Su Lang curled the corner of his mouth, found a shady place, and decided to rest his eyes there.
As he expected, news about the Golden Fruit Building killer being exposed spread like wildfire.
Soon, even the City Hall staff found about the suspicious-looking individual.
Now, everyone thought that the killer had been found. Then they saw that the inspection process was still as strict and slow as ever, so they began voicing their dissatisfaction.
"Aiya! Hasn't the killer been exposed? So, why are they still inspecting us like criminals?"
"That's right. How can a Body Tempering cultivator like me even cause a massacre?"
"Please, hurry up. I have to take this medicine to my injured wife outside."
... ""
Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, so they rallied together and asked for a shorter inspection.
The League of Martial Cultivators' personal discussed it for a while and allowed cultivators of or below the Initial Martial Mortal realm to leave.
Hence, Su Lang successfully left the city.
He had the strength of an Advanced MartialMortal, but his aura was akin to that of an Initial Martial Mortal.
"Hehe, the sky is high, and the birds can fly. The sea is wide, and the fish can swim."
Su Lang walked on the narrow path outside the city while humming a merry tune. The corner of his lips raised when he heard the system notification he got due to his other clone hunting outside the city.
"Ding! You have obtained Silver Shadow Jackal's Fangs x4, Silver Shadow Jackal Fur x1, Silver Shadow Jackal Claws x4, Silver Shadow Jackal Flesh x6..."
"Ding! You have obtained..."
"Ah, yes. Silver Shadow Jackal materials!"
Su Lang's eyebrows danced in pleasure as he thought about the beast his clone hunted. "Silver Shadow Jackal is a Martial Mortal realm beast. A single beast like that is worth five gold coins on average. Awesome, this is just awesome!"
...
At this time, in the study room of the Ye family mansion.
"Who is it!?"
"How dare they destroy my stronghold and then kill my grandson?"
Ye Feizhang, head of the Ye family, was furious right now. His face was cold as ice, and his eyes welled with anger.
It had been a long time since someone in the Red Mape City dared to offend and publicly humiliate the Ye family.
In just two days, someone had targeted their family twice. From right under their nose, someone was able to destroy their stronghold and kill the grandson of the family head.
If this wasn't a blatant provocation, then what was?
"Father, I've already sealed off the ports and the city gates!"
"If that killer is still in the city, I will definitely catch him and make him regret even coming into this world!"
Ye Xiangming's eyes were wide as saucers, and he was surrounded with killing intent.
Ye Xiangming was the one who felt the most pain and anger here. After all, Ye Liang was his son. His thirst for vengeance right now was second to none.
The pain of losing his son almost drove him mad.
"Within three days, I want this man here, kneeling, repenting for his crimes."
Ye Feizhang waved his hand coldly and turned around to leave.
Immediately after, Ye Xiangming took a deep breath and walked out of the study room.
Eight people were standing in the courtyard outside the study. There were six high-level Body Tempering cultivators and two Martial Mortals.
Ye Tian, who had chased Su Lang's clone back at the stronghold, was among them.
"The Patriarch ordered that he wants that bastard here in three days!"
To maintain his demea
nor, Ye Xiangming tried hard to suppress his anger. "How are the things on your side."
"The League of Martial Cultivators has sent out a large number of cultivators."
"The Yu family gave us their support and said that they will keep an eye out for the killer."
"Also, we have issued a high reward on any news regarding the killer. So, almost everyone in the city is our spy!"
Ye Tian stepped forward and said, "Under our inescapable net, the killer won't be able to escape. The dignity of our Ye family will definitely be preserved!"
"Very good!"
Ye Xiangming's face revealed a trace of unconcealable ferociousness. "Once I catch him, I'll torture him till he begs for death."
CHAPTER 47 - YO HO I KNOW YOU!
Su Lang was in quite a jovial mood as he walked on the narrow path outside the city.
Although he couldn't see the turmoil and anger he had caused for the Ye family, he could very much imagine it.
"A little appetizer; I hope you guys like it!"
Su Lang curled his lips and took out a map. "Now, it's time for the main course."
He had avenged himself by killing the one responsible for putting a hit on him, but he had yet to avenge his parents.
Those arrogant and despotic people from the Ye family thought that other human lives were beneath them. They murdered his parents, yet they roamed the world happy and unfettered; it wasn't something Ye Lang could tolerate.
Now that Su Lang had destroyed a Ye family stronghold and killed Ye Liang, the hatred they had for each other would only die down for the one remaining survivor.
Even if Su Lang stopped right now and didn't cause them any more problems, the Ye family would still target him.
In a situation like this, taking the initiative was the best option.
"It's gonna be you—E-grade stronghold of the Gold Flame Leopard."
Soon, Su Lang decided on the next Ye family stronghold and sent a clone to investigate the situation first.
Right at this moment, a group of people walked over from afar.
Su Lang took a closer look. Unexpectedly, they were a familiar bunch.
A pigtailed man was walking among the group. And who could this pigtail guy be, if not Yang Shi?
When Su Lang saw Yang Shi, Yang Shi, too, caught sight of him.