Chapter 106: Dao Shi'er Strikes Fear Into All

During Lu Changsheng's stay at the Heavenly Maiden Sect, he spent his time wisely.

With Yun Haitang's permission, he was allowed to study and practice nearly every martial technique below the Divine Strength Realm that the sect possessed. The only condition was that he was not allowed to pass these techniques on to others.

As he browsed through the sect's collection, Lu Changsheng realized that he had already practiced many of them. At this point, there were fewer than a hundred martial techniques unfamiliar to him.

Compared to the Four Seas Gang, the Heavenly Maiden Sect possessed far fewer martial techniques. Of course, this was hardly surprising since the sect had never relied on martial strength. Its focus had always been on building connections and relationships.

Lu Changsheng took the martial techniques unknown to him and practiced them one by one. He easily mastered the second and the third-tier techniques, bringing them to Perfection instantly.

Fourth-tier techniques and above demanded a little more effort, but even then, with his terrifying Perception of over a thousand points, they would reach Perfection in three to four days.

Lu Changsheng spent a few days practicing martial techniques. When he was finished, he summoned his Status Panel to check the changes.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 1420 (Praised by All)

[Skills]

Blood Qi Sword Crafting Secret Technique: Sword Crafting, 10 months and 26 days

Starry Sky Waterfall Intent: Progress 1%

Wave Intent: Progress 20%

Celestial Treasure-Refinement Secret Technique: Second Layer

Ninefold Carp-Dragon Ascension: Fourth Stage

1420! My Perception has gone from 1090 to 1420 in just a few days!

The speed of Lu Changsheng's growth was frightening. Even so, he understood perfectly well that this only became possible because his Perception had surpassed one thousand points and underwent a fundamental transformation.

Each time his Perception underwent a fundamental transformation, the change was nothing short of terrifying. When Lu Changsheng's Perception was still below one thousand points, it remained within the limits of what could be considered normal.

Once it crossed that threshold, however, it stepped beyond all familiar rules. This fundamental transformation in Perception that allowed him to bring one martial technique after another to Perfection in an instant was simply inhuman.

Technique mastery was a process governed by time and repetition. Even with exceptional Perception, most martial artists could not bring the most basic sword or saber techniques to Perfection in an instant. When his Perception surpassed one thousand points, however, ordinary logic no longer applied to him.

***

Following Lu Changsheng's words, the Heavenly Maiden Sect investigated the location of the Alum Core Ore. Living up to its reputation as one of the forces with the widest network of connections, its disciples managed to uncover information about the Alum Core Ore in just a few short days.

Yun Haitang quickly brought the information they had to Lu Changsheng. "Brother Dao, we know who has the Alum Core Ore."

"Who is it?" Lu Changsheng asked.

"It appears to be in the hands of a rogue cultivator named Ning Donghe," Yun Haitang replied. "He is said to be at the Hundred Cauldrons Stage and specializes in movement and stealth techniques. Unfortunately for him, his whereabouts have already been exposed. Apart from the Heavenly Maiden Sect, the three major gangs and two major sects have all dispatched their experts to deal with him. "

Due to Lu Changsheng's alliance with them, the Heavenly Maiden Sect had chosen not to participate in the struggle over the Alum Core Ore.

The sect's official stance was to do nothing but gather intelligence, as the Heavenly Maiden Sect had deliberately spread the news that "Dao Shi'er" was determined to obtain the Alum Core Ore.

Many had viewed it as the sect also stepping into the matter. After all, throughout history, the Dao Guardians of each Heavenly Maiden had always been closely tied to the sect.

"Is that so?" Lu Changsheng frowned slightly. "None of them are willing to give up the Alum Core Ore?"

"Yes. They seemed... unafraid of you, Brother Dao."

"That's fine. Fame has to be carved out through killing anyway."

Dao Shi'er's reputation in Zhanhai City simply could not be compared to Zhuang Shisan's reputation in Nanyang City. It had not reached the point where a single declaration from him could end the conflict.

If this were Nanyang City, no one would dare take Zhuang Shisan's words lightly.

Lu Changsheng rose to his feet, clearly preparing to leave the Heavenly Maiden Sect.

"Brother Dao, is there anything else you need that the Heavenly Maiden Sect can assist you with?" Yun Haitang asked.

"No," Lu Changsheng replied. "It's better for the Heavenly Maiden Sect to stay out of this. My saber and I alone are enough."

Without looking back, Lu Changsheng descended the mountain step by step.

***

Night had not yet fully fallen over Zhanhai City, but the streets were already dead silent. There was no curfew, but for the past several days, no ordinary citizen dared to remain outside after dusk.

The slaughter among the jianghu had grown too wild, too bloody. Once darkness arrived, the city no longer belonged to common folk.

Ning Donghe stood in the street and looked toward the Shangyuan Daoist Court in the distance. A flicker of longing surfaced in his eyes. Just a few more steps, and he would make it. Unfortunately, he still ended up getting discovered.

Divine Strength martial artists, figures who were rarely seen and usually spoken of with reverence, appeared one after another as if they were commonplace. They quickly surrounded Ning Donghe from all sides.

"

Hehe

, Ning Donghe, your disguise and stealth techniques won't save you now," an old woman said with a shrill laugh. She was hunched over, her head covered in silver hair. "You're already at the gates of the Shangyuan Daoist Court. What's the point of still wearing that disguise?"

Ning Donghe snorted. Then, with a single motion, he wiped the disguise from his face, revealing his true appearance.

"To set up a formation like this, you must think highly of me," he said coldly as he looked around. "Three major gangs and two major sects. All the experts are here, aren't they?"

His gaze swept across the area. "And I see there are still people hiding in the dark, waiting to fish in troubled waters."

In the surrounding corners, more martial artists stood concealed. A single piece of Alum Core Ore had stirred the greed of countless people.

"So where is Dao Shi'er?" Ning Donghe sneered. "The Heavenly Maiden Sect's Dao Shi'er claimed that he's determined to obtain the Alum Core Ore at all costs. Why hasn't he shown himself? Is he planning to wait out the fight to reap the rewards?"

Ning Donghe had clearly heard the news that the Heavenly Maiden Sect had spread. In fact, every martial artist present had heard Dao Shi'er's bold declaration that he was determined to claim the Alum Core Ore.

"Dao Shi'er?" a martial artist remarked, scoffing. "After having the Heavenly Maiden Sect spread the word, he hasn't shown himself even once."

"Whether Dao Shi'er is here or not makes no difference," another said coldly. "Ning Donghe, do you really think you can still deliver the Alum Core Ore to the Shangyuan Daoist Court?"

"Hand over the Alum Core Ore," a third voice demanded. "Otherwise, you will die here today."

Ning Donghe could feel countless hostile gazes locking onto him, leaving no room to retreat. He let out a laugh.

"

Hehe.

If you want the Alum Core Ore," Ning Donghe said slowly, his eyes gleaming, "try and take it from me."

There was no chance he would surrender it without a fight. He had exhausted every trick at his disposal just to obtain the Alum Core Ore. To hand it over now was something he simply could not accept.

Whoosh!

The next instant, Ning Donghe's figure blurred, and then he vanished, turning into a streak of black shadow that shot toward the Shangyuan Daoist Court. His reputation in movement and stealth was no exaggeration.

"So you truly want to die!"

A furious shout thundered through the street.

A burly man holding an enormous broadsword leaped into the air. The blade was as wide as a door. It seemed unsharpened, but it carried terrifying weight. From above, he brought it crashing down.

Boom!

The street shook as the broadsword smashed into the ground, leaving behind a massive crater.

"

Ack!

" Ning Donghe was blasted away. He rolled several times across the stone pavement before finally coming to a stop, coughing up a mouthful of blood. He barely survived the blow.

"Chen Lei, a broadswordsman from the Heavy Sword Sect!"

Ning Donghe glared at Chen Lei. He was well aware of Chen Lei's strength, but as a Hundred Cauldrons expert himself, he could not believe that he couldn't withstand even a single strike from Chen Lei.

The surrounding Divine Strength martial artists also could not believe what they had just witnessed. Everyone present stood at the Hundred Cauldrons Stage.

Some carried greater reputations, others lesser ones, but reputation in the jianghu was often exaggerated. Since they shared the same stage, there was no reason to believe one was truly inferior to another.

Without an actual clash, no one would willingly accept being weaker.

However, the instant Chen Lei struck and grievously injured Ning Donghe with a single blow, many of those who had been eager to act hesitated.

"Live or die. Choose for yourself," Chen Lei said coldly, his hand tightening around the broadsword.

Unwilling to accept this outcome, Ning Donghe swept his gaze across the crowd and sneered. "You all came this far. Don't tell me you're just here to watch?"

A chill flickered through Chen Lei's eyes as his grip tightened further. A sharp, murderous aura erupted from him, pressing down on Ning Donghe. "It seems that you truly do not cherish your life."

Ning Donghe's heart sank. He could tell Chen Lei was serious. After their brief exchange, he had a clear grasp of the man's strength. If Chen Lei truly intended to kill him, it would take no more than three moves.

"

Hahaha

. Chen Lei, you win," Ning Donghe said, his laughter strained. "The Heavy Sword Sect can claim victory today."

He reached into his robe, pulled out the Alum Core Ore, and hurled it behind him without hesitation.

Thud!

The Alum Core Ore struck the ground with a heavy thud and rolled several steps away.

At that moment, all eyes snapped toward it. No one paid Ning Donghe any further attention. Desire stirred across the crowd. Even with Chen Lei of the Heavy Sword Sect standing there, he could not suppress the greed that now surged among them.

Before anyone could make a move, the sound of footsteps echoed through the silent street. The figure approached the Alum Core Ore on the ground and stopped just a few inches away.

"Better to arrive at the right moment than too early," a voice said lightly. "Looks like my timing is perfect."

The figure glanced at the ore on the ground and bent down to pick it up. Then he quickly slipped it into his robe.

"Who are you?" Chen Lei barked, his gaze sharpening instantly. "How dare you take what belongs to the Alum Core Ore belongs to the Heavy Sword Sect."

He lifted his head and fixed his eyes on the man not far away.

This man was dressed in black, with a saber hanging at his side. His presence carried a cold warning, as if it told others to keep their distance. However, Chen Lei did not recognize him. In fact, many of the Divine Strength martial artists present found him unfamiliar.

Eventually, a few martial artists recognized the figure.

"Isn't that Dao Shi'er?"

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"It's the Dao Guardian of the current Heavenly Maiden Sect!"

"The Dao Shi'er who killed the Thousand-Hand Daoist?"

"Not just the Thousand-Hand Daoist. Liu Tieta also died at his hand. That man is dangerous."

Very few people in Zhanhai City had ever seen Dao Shi'er in person. Still, his deeds at the Heavenly Maiden Sect were undeniable. Slaying the Thousand-Hand Daoist. Killing Liu Tieta. Each achievement carried real weight, and his reputation had spread quickly as a result.

Before he appeared, ridicule and bravado meant little. People of the jianghu were fond of boasting, each claiming to stand just beneath the heavens themselves.

Now that Dao Shi'er stood before them, not a single person dared to look at him lightly.

Chu Qingshan, Hall Master of Saber Hall, was visibly shaken.

"It's him," he said in a low voice. "Chief, that is Dao Shi'er. The one who killed Chen Shan."

Standing beside him, the Chief of the Four Seas Gang narrowed his eyes, but he said nothing.

Even Lu Changsheng felt a flicker of surprise at this turn of events. He did not know whether to call his luck good or bad. He had just arrived, yet the Alum Core Ore had ended up right at his feet. Since it was already there, Lu Changsheng picked it up calmly with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

For an ordinary martial artist, or even a Hundred Cauldrons expert, obtaining the Alum Core Ore at this moment would hardly be a blessing. Too many eyes were fixed on it with undisguised greed. Trying to carry it safely into the Shangyuan Daoist Court would be nothing short of a nightmare.

However, Lu Changsheng did not care. He had already decided to take the Alum Core Ore away with him.

"Dao Shi'er," Chen Lei said coldly, his expression darkening. "Put down the Alum Core Ore, or die."

Lu Changsheng looked at him calmly. "Since you recognize me, you should also remember the words I once spoke—If anyone wishes to compete for the ore, they will taste my blade."

His hand rested lightly on the saber at his side. "And since this is what you want, I will grant your wish."

Schwing!

Lu Changsheng drew his saber and swung it. A blood-colored saber light burst forth and tore through the air, flying toward Chen Lei several

zhang

away.

The martial artists present let out a gasp. No one had expected Dao Shi'er to act so decisively.

Chen Lei had the Heavy Sword Sect backing him, and his aggressive nature ensured that no one present dared to take him lightly. Moreover, he had already proven his strength by striking Ning Donghe down with a single blow.

However, Dao Shi'er ignored all of it. He attacked Chen Lei without any fear, and that courage alone surpassed most Divine Strength martial artists. There was no hesitation, no testing, no retreat. He acted purely according to his own will.

"Another fool looking to die!" Chen Lei roared.

Blood qi surged through him as he raised the massive broadsword in both hands and swung it down with full force. A towering sword light erupted from the blade. It was heavy and oppressive; it carried terrifying momentum as it flew toward Lu Changsheng's blood-colored saber light.

Bang!

The two lights collided violently, and Chen Lei's expression froze. His sword light instantly shattered, crushed apart by Dao Shi'er's blood-colored saber light. Fragments of broken light scattered in all directions, but the blood-colored saber light did not slow in the slightest.

It pressed straight through and descended from above.

At that moment, Chen Lei vaguely sensed a monstrous tide surging toward him. The roar of crashing waves filled his ears, and it grew louder and louder until it drowned out all other sounds.

"No—"

At the boundary between life and death, horror finally surged through him, but it was already too late. He was engulfed by the blood-colored saber light.