Chapter 123.1: Thrity-Three Heads; The Shock Brought by Dao Shi'er! (I)

Compared to the tangled thoughts churning through the minds of Qingxuan Squad, Lu Changsheng's mind was utterly clear.

He harbored only a single intention—to exterminate the squad before him. Of course, any northern barbarian squad that crossed his path would meet the same end, without exception!

CLANG!

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Lu Changsheng drew his saber. A full year had passed since he last did so, yet there was no trace of stiffness or hesitation. The motion felt natural. A blood-colored saber light tore through the air. The Third Transformation of the Divine Dragon erupted almost by instinct. Under amplification of the transformation and his martial techniques, his strength swelled beyond four thousand cauldrons.

Such power was nothing short of terrifying, and it descended upon a member of the Qingxuan Squad.

Splat!

He was instantly split into two. A Divine Strength martial artist ranked ninety-third was actually cut into two halves with a single saber strike. From a distance, it appeared as though he had offered no resistance at all.

"How was that even possible?!"

The remaining four martial artists reacted at once, yet they were still too slow to save their companion. Worse still, the moment Lu Changsheng completed his strike, the saber light divided into four. Within the void and behind the cascading waterfall, a tidal wave loomed and crashed on them—the Wave Intent!

"Kill!"

Lu Changsheng held nothing back. Upon unleashing the Wave Intent, each saber strike flowed without pause, one following after another, each stronger than the last. Even divided into four, the power remained overwhelming. Had they been Thousand Cauldrons Stage experts ranked within the top fifty, they would have been able to put up some resistance.

However, they were martial artists ranked in the eighties to nineties.

Splat!

Lu Changsheng's four arcs of saber light descended together. The four Divine Strength martial artists barely managed to put up any defense before their blood qi was cleaved apart and their bodies sliced by the saber light.

They were all dead, and a single strike was all it took! It didn't even take half a breath. In the proverbial blink of an eye, the Qingxuan Squad was wiped out entirely.

They weren't weak and were quite formidable; Lu Changsheng hadn't grown much stronger than before. Over the past year, his strength had increased by only forty cauldrons, and his Intent had scarcely advanced.

However, his state of mind had improved drastically. This was his greatest change. He now had the confidence to face anyone without fear. By slaughtering the Qingxuan Squad, he obtained a staggering five thousand minor merits. With five thousand more, he would be able to obtain a Divine Strength-level pill.

I'll continue!

Lu Changsheng selected his next target. He placed the five severed heads into the massive bundle he had prepared in advance, and then his figure flickered as he rushed forward.

For an entire day, he moved through the battlefield without restraint, relentlessly hunting down the northern barbarian squads.

Every encounter ended quickly. Aside from the first clash with the Qingxuan Squad, he did not encounter another team with rankers, but it did not matter. In a single day, he hunted down seven squads and slew thirty-three Divine Strength martial artists.

The number was shocking, and he had accomplished that in just one day.

"That should be nearly ten thousand minor merits."

Lu Changsheng watched as the sky darkened. He did not press on as there was no need to rush. He believed that in a few days, Tian Xin would certainly learn that he had returned to the battlefield. Before that happened, he would first collect a bit of "interest" from the northern barbarians.

Whoosh.

Lu Changsheng carried the massive bundle and returned to Beiling City. As he walked through the streets, many martial artists noticed him. The massive bundle on his back drew countless gazes.

"Is that Dao Shi'er?"

"He went to the battlefield early in the morning and has just returned. Looks like he has quite a few heads."

"The bundle is soaked red, and blood is still dripping from it. Could it really be filled with heads?"

"What a huge bundle. Just how many heads are inside of it?"

"I guess at least twenty or thirty or maybe even more."

The martial artists were visibly shaken. Dozens of heads? How was that even possible? Many of these people had just arrived at the battlefield and were unaware of Dao Shi'er's fearsome reputation. Still, many of them were curious, so they followed behind Lu Changsheng toward the Martial Pavilion.

They wanted to see for themselves what kind of results he had achieved upon returning to the battlefield after a year of hiatus.

Lu Changsheng paid no heed to their discussions. He simply carried the bundle and walked step by step toward the Martial Pavilion.

Outside the Martial Pavilion, many martial artists had already gathered. When they saw Dao Shi'er approaching with a massive bloody bundle, they instantly knew what was inside it. The crowd parted and made way for him.

Lu Changsheng walked straight into the Martial Pavilion. There were martial artists stationed inside to receive visitors. Upon seeing Dao Shi'er, the Martial Pavilion martial artists' eyes lit up slightly.

In truth, only those working within the Martial Pavilion truly understood how terrifying Dao Shi'er had once been. In one or two months, he slew more Divine Strength martial artists than many could manage in a decade. Hence, the Martial Pavilion always treated him with exceptional respect.

"Mr. Dao."

The martial artist hurried forward and took the bundle from Lu Changsheng's hands. The moment he lifted it slightly, he immediately felt an overwhelming weight. Lu Changsheng released his grip and left the bundle in the person's care.

"Count it and be quick."

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Dao."

The Martial Pavilion martial artist carefully opened the bundle.

The moment the bundle was opened, and the severed heads came into view, the Martial Pavilion erupted into an uproar. Many of the martial artists present were stunned, especially those who had been following Dao Shi'er and had come along to see for themselves.

"So many?"

"Some of them look familiar. Isn't that Jiang Wu, ranked ninety-third on the Divine Strength Rankings?!"

"Didn't he form a squad called the Qingxuan Squad?"

"Oh shit, look! All five members of the Qingxuan Squad are in the bundle. Dao Shi'er wiped them out in one go!"

"What? Even the Qingxuan Squad was destroyed? That is a squad made up of martial artists ranked within the top one hundred, but Dao Shi'er killed them on his own?"

"I thought it was rumored that Dao Shi'er is the weakest in the Barbarian Slaying Squad and is only good for his senses? How did he wipe out the Qingxuan Squad all by himself?"

The main hall of the Martial Pavilion was thrown into turmoil. Many martial artists were utterly shocked. Since when had the Da Yu Dynasty produced such a powerful expert? He was so powerful, yet he was absent from the rankings.

Within the Da Yu Dynasty, only one person had ever been said to possess such strength, and it was Song Wuqing. Yet even Song Wuqing had never slaughtered a squad like the Qingxuan Squad all by himself. Just as the murmurs were becoming even louder, the Martial Pavilion martial artists finished their count.

The Martial Pavilion martial artist drew a deep breath before speaking, his voice steady but charged with excitement. "Thirty-three heads in total... for a total of 10,300 minor merits!"

This feat sounded like a myth. Even Song Wuqing had never done anything like it, yet Dao Shi'er had done it!

"He's back! Dao Shi'er is truly back!"

"

Hahaha

, do y'all not know Dao Shi'er's past feats? Even before the Barbarian Slaying Squad, Dao Shi'er kills several Divine Strength martial artists every day. Have you all truly forgotten? You guys only remember Song Wuqing, but when it comes to the number of Divine Strength martial artists slain, even Song Wuqing cannot compare to Dao Shi'er."

"Wow... 10,300 minor merits in a single day. That's absurd! How did he do that?"

Shock, confusion, envy, and many other expressions appeared on the faces of the martial artists nearby. Of course, the majority of them were excited. This could only mean one thing—Dao Shi'er had returned. The man who once struck terror into the northern barbarians' hearts was back on the battlefield.

Even now, Dao Shi'er still carried the highest bounty on their side.

"I'd like to exchange for a Divine Strength Realm Pill!"