Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

At the site of the flying boat crash, dust filled the air, and Helmsman Chus mask shattered, revealing his true identity as City Governor Li, no longer bothering to maintain his transformation technique.

His left arm was bleeding and dangling uselessly, clearly disabled.

Meng Jingzhou landed, dissatisfied with the outcome, If only we had another flying boat.

Helmsman Chu took a deep breath, about to make some cursory remarks, when he suddenly started coughing violently, blood creeping into the corners of his eyes, This smoke is poisonous!

He quickly held his breath, furious inside. True to form for natural-born demonic cultivators and a heaven-sent demonic child working together: first, they trapped him with a Spirit-Sealing Formation, then attacked him with a flying boat, loaded with explosives used for mining. After the explosion, even the smoke contained poison.

You two are really something, one trick after another!

Initially, Helmsman Chu doubted whether Lu Yang was an undercover agent sent by the righteous path, destroying the Life-draining Array only because it harmed others for personal gain, maybe the sect leader was mistaken. Now, seeing this elaborate setup, he wouldnt believe Lu Yang was an undercover agent even if he claimed to be!

The crash of the flying boat destroyed the Spirit-Sealing Formation, allowing Helmsman Chu to regain his spiritual power. However, he had to divert some of it to suppress the poison that had infiltrated his body.

Under normal circumstances, he could expel the poison in a few moments, but now, Lu Yang and his companion gave him no such time.

Meng Jingzhou, his body turning bronze as if a tiger descending the mountain, roared through the forest.

Shake the Heavens Six Forms!

This was the secret technique of the third elder, of which Meng Jingzhou had only learned the basics.

With his blood and energy surging, his fists unleashed one after another with explosive force, creating a thunderous impact aimed directly at Helmsman Chus face.

Despite his injuries, Helmsman Chu, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, blocked Meng Jingzhous punches with just one hand.

Lu Yang, like an assassin with his Qingfeng sword, silently appeared behind Helmsman Chu. With lightning-fast reflexes, Helmsman Chu kicked backwards, sending Lu Yang flying again.

Barbarian Bone caught Lu Yang and spun around, hurling him back into the fray.

Lu Yang, transformed into a sharp sword, pierced the air with his Qingfeng sword aimed at Helmsman Chus neck!

Helmsman Chu deflected Meng Jingzhou with a palm, spun around, and used his elbow and knee to trap the sharp Qingfeng sword!

Activating a trace of ancient barbarian bloodline, Barbarian Bones physique expanded, his muscles and tendons bulging with power, charging like a wild elephant with overwhelming force!

Helmsman Chu smirked, thinking, how could they overpower a late-stage Golden Core cultivator like him?

Just as Barbarian Bone collided with Helmsman Chu, he flipped his palm, throwing several sharp bamboo sticks aimed at Helmsman Chus eyes.

Helmsman Chu closed his eyes and turned his head to dodge the bamboo sticks.

Another set of bamboo sticks appeared behind him. Hearing them, Helmsman Chu activated his Golden Core, forming a golden film over his body to block the stealthy bamboo sticks.

He turned to see the bamboo sticks werent thrown by anyone but were launched automatically by a formation.

It was Lan Tings newly developed automatic skewering formation at its maximum output.

Lu Yang had Lan Ting assist from the shadows, applying both psychological and physical pressure on Helmsman Chu.

You all will die! Helmsman Chu took out a bright red flag from his storage ring, soaked in blood and exuding malevolence. The temperature around dropped as the flag appeared, and Lu Yang and his companions faintly heard ghostly wails.

Cant you use some proper weapons? Always with these creepy things! Lu Yang spat out a mouthful of blood, his swordplay fluid as a diving dragon, using a technique to move underground swiftly, suddenly emerging from beneath Helmsman Chu!

Helmsman Chu stepped back, the flag clashing with the sword, emitting a metallic clang. Lu Yang danced with his sword, fast and slow, extraordinarily agile.

Shake the Heavens Six Forms reemerged, with Meng Jingzhou coming to support, his punches thunderous, nearly destabilizing Helmsman Chu with several hits on the flagpole.

Large trees fell from the sky, and Barbarian Bone roared, smashing a massive log at Helmsman Chu!

Fire Dragon Talisman! A light reprimand came from the forest, and Lan Ting, using blood as ink, quickly drew a talisman.

A red fire dragon, with bared fangs and claws, scorched the air, diluting the eerie atmosphere brought by the bright red flag.

Theres a fourth person! Helmsman Chu glared, gritting his teeth. Lu Yang, that traitor, really came well-prepared.

Stabilize the Waves! Helmsman Chu gripped the flagpole tightly and slammed it into the ground, shouting loudly. The sound wave and air wave rolled out, knocking down the three attackers and dispersing the fire dragon!

Helmsman Chu went mad, his eyes bloodshot. If it werent for the initial blow from the flying boat, and the need to divert spiritual power to suppress the severe poison, he wouldnt have been so passive!

He leaped up, aiming the flagpole at Barbarian Bone, who was lying on the ground. Barbarian Bone tried to dodge, but it was too late; he only managed to move half his body before the flagpole pierced through his shoulder blade.

Barbarian Bones teeth bled, but he didnt cry out in pain!

The ancient barbarians feared neither pain nor death!

Helmsman Chu, relentless, attempted to stomp on Barbarian Bones head to crush it. Meng Jingzhou took the opportunity to throw a magical weapon and shouted angrily. The weapon exploded, knocking Helmsman Chu off balance and into the air. Barbarian Bone, pinned to the ground by the pole, was unharmed.

Meng Jingzhou had many treasures at hand, but their grades were too high for either driving or self-destructing them to be feasible.

Helmsman Chu kicked a boulder, rebounding towards Meng Jingzhou while pulling out the flag, aiming to sweep him off his feet.

The Qingfeng sword appeared precisely in front of Helmsman Chu, deflecting the flag, as Lu Yang once again engaged Helmsman Chu in combat.

Lu Yang demonstrated his mastery of spells, becoming smaller every time Helmsman Chu was about to hit him, infuriating Helmsman Chu.

Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone regrouped for another attack, while Lan Ting simultaneously drew talismans with both hands, summoning water and fire dragons that intertwined and lunged at Helmsman Chu.

Helmsman Chu could no longer tolerate this humiliation. PLan Ting the flagpole into the ground, the flag fluttered like waves in the sea, emitting sounds of ghostly howls and wolf cries from the flag, disorienting everyones mind.

Ghostly Chaos!

The ghostly sounds had an indescribable magic, freezing the four in place, feeling as if ghosts entangled their bodies, rendering them immobile.

Meng Jingzhou tensed, trying to shout to everyone that it was an illusion, but he couldnt move or speak.

Helmsman Chu laughed loudly, using his trump card reluctantly, as it seemed to cheapen his abilities. Pushed to the edge by the four, he didnt care to hide his ace anymore, determined to kill them all to regain his dignity!

Break.

The Qingfeng sword fell from the sky, swift as lightning. Before Helmsman Chu could react, it pierced through his head.

Helmsman Chu looked at Lu Yang in disbelief. He saw Lu Yangs eyes clear, his mouth curved in a mocking smile, completely unaffected by the illusion!

How can you still move how is this possible Helmsman Chu fell backward, blood flowing from his seven orifices.

Lu Yang aimed another sword at the dantian, pulverizing Helmsman Chus Golden Core, ensuring his death. Lu Yang had no interest in explaining to a dead man that this was a technique he created under the guidance of Eldest Senior Sister, Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, which could uphold ones true heart and discern the essence of things.

Still in the early stages of cultivation, he couldnt discern the essence of things yet, but being unaffected by illusions and dreams cast by higher-level cultivators was within his capabilities.

The inspector, delayed by miscellaneous tasks, was coming from the neighboring county. Just over the mountain ridge of Song Mountain, standing on the outskirts of the battlefield, he saw Lu Yang stab Helmsman Chu to death.

He recalled Helmsman Chus words, I have a surprise for you, The newly recruited Lu Yang is a rare talent, bound to shine during the Spring Harvest Festival.

Is this the surprise Helmsman Chu mentioned?

In his hundred years of life, the inspector had never encountered such a surprise.

(End of the chapter)