Chapter 27
Harvesting Competition
In the blink of an eye, the two were already lying on the ground. Duan Xuan, using the Wolf Skin Stake Technique, exuded a wildness.
Its eyes were eerie green, and its claws were sharp and bloodshot.
On this hillside where the sun sets, it truly resembles a wolf king returning with a thirst for blood.
However, he managed to suppress his screams.
Even though it doesn't utter a sound, it's as if something is missing from its soul.
Xiao Rong would never have imagined that Duan Xuan was a hunter by trade, and that he was already a Ming Jin martial artist, whose keenness and observation skills far surpassed those of ordinary martial artists.
He had already noticed the unusual activity in the vicinity.
The reason why Xiao Rong and his men did not notice when he had circled around to the back was because...
That was the effect of Duan Xuan's practice of the Azure Wolf Concealment Hunt over the past few days.
Although the Cold Wolf Concealing Step cannot hide a martial artist's aura, it can make the martial artist's muscles contract and their steps become light, thus achieving the goal of approaching the enemy silently.
"This technique is indeed useful, but it won't work against a master of internal strength."
They are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in aura, so external skills like the Hidden Wolf Hunt can only have a negligible effect on them.
It seems I'll have to develop a special technique to conceal my presence.
Only by combining the two can one truly kill without leaving a trace!
Gazing at the two corpses, Duan Xuan's heart remained as still as a mirror, without a single ripple.
If this despicable person is not eliminated, he will surely take advantage of his family's power and the reputation of his martial arts school to bully his aunt, Duan Xin.
Duan Xuan could not tolerate this happening.
Soon, Duan Xuan took all the valuables from the two of them.
They tore off their faces and buried them on either side of the dirt road, then disposed of all traces.
Even the most resourceful person cannot find this place.
……
The next day, after practicing his boxing, Duan Xuan went to Renhetang Medicinal Herbs Garden as usual.
However, when I arrived at the herb garden early in the morning, it was surprisingly lively.
The once deserted herb garden was now filled with a dozen or so people.
Before anyone could even look inside, Zhou Wei greeted Duan Xuan with a smile at the door: "Brother Duan, come on in! We've been waiting for you."
"Me?" Duan Xuan asked curiously. Zhou Wei nodded and led him inside. It was about four hundred steps from the entrance to the large platform in the herb garden.
At this moment, people standing around, some eyeing the herbs with longing, others discussing their medicinal effects, chatted and laughed in a jumbled mess.
Upon seeing Zhou Wei, they all bowed and greeted him politely.
Zhou Wei only gave a few perfunctory replies, focusing all his attention on his conversation with Duan Xuan.
"Who is this kid? I've never seen him before?"
"This must be a new person on temporary assignment. The previous two new faces both died, so this third one must be the same."
"I understand the reasoning, but why is Old Zhou so polite to him, and never chat and laugh with us, the worshippers?"
Look, look, Old Zhou's face is practically covered in flowers.
Almost everyone noticed the young man following behind Zhou Wei, and their words and expressions were a mixture of displeasure, resentment, and doubt.
However, when everyone saw Young Master Ren Yun greet Duan Xuan warmly, their emotions exploded like bombs.
"No, Old Master Zhou spoke to him so kindly, why is the young master so enthusiastic as well?"
"Could this person be a distant relative of the Ren family?"
"This kid has an ordinary appearance and the skin of a peasant. How could he possibly be a member of the Ren family?"
"It's alright. Since we've all come to the herb garden for the Qi and Blood Grass, we can all go up and experience his skills later, right?"
"Go easy on him, this kid's skinny, he probably can't take a few punches. Besides, we should give the young master some face!"
"Hahaha, I know, I know, I know how to keep my distance."
But I'll definitely let this kid know that the Qi and Blood Grass isn't so easy to take away.
……
"Brother Duan, you've arrived. Today is the annual harvest festival of Renhetang. The original medicinal herb garden has been destroyed, leaving only this last one."
"But I have nothing to worry about. Meeting you is more worthwhile than anything else!" Ren Yun said, leaning on his cane.
"However, this harvesting competition is not about who picks the most, but about who wins by force."
Don't worry, these people are all servants of the Ren family. With the young master here, they won't fight to the death. Most of them will just stop when they've made a move.
The winner of three rounds will be ranked first and receive a Qi and Blood Pill.
And so on.
Zhou Wei patted Duan Xuan's lower back and said with a smile, "Brother Duan Xuan, don't treat yourself like an outsider."
Since my Ren family has already sponsored you, you are now a member of my Ren family.
Would you be interested in showing off your skills?
Duan Xuan didn't rush to agree. As his thoughts raced, he glanced at everyone present and found no experts in internal energy.
On second thought, winning or losing doesn't matter; the greatest gain is learning something from sparring with these Ren family martial artists.
As for the Qi and Blood Grass, he didn't think much of it, believing he could definitely get it; the real purpose was to spar.
Soon the "harvesting party" began.
There were a total of twenty-two Ren family martial artists present, but only seven participated in the competition.
The others, who thought they couldn't win, just wanted the free Qi and Blood Grass as a safety net.
"It's the same every year, every term, and it will be the same until I'm old." Disappointment flashed in Zhou Wei's eyes.
These people were all taught by him. Putting aside their cultivation level, even with the help of herbs, they couldn't reach the eighth level of internal strength.
Moreover, with the decline of Renhetang, it has long lost the powerful aura it once possessed.
The remaining few people only brought Zhou Wei and Ren Yun some small comfort.
Soon, a simple fighting arena was set up, and two disciples took the lead.
The techniques used are all from Zhou Wei's "Turtle Spirit Breath Control Skill".
Just from his name, Duan Xuan could tell that Old Zhou was a very cautious person who was good at defense, not offense.
However, the fourth character of the name caught Duan Xuan's attention.
"A turtle that avoids evil spirits can live for a thousand years."
It can survive for decades without eating or drinking.
Could this exercise also have the effects of restoring health and prolonging life?
Since this technique was not to be passed on outside Renhe Hall, Duan Xuan did not feel comfortable asking about it.
While they were thinking, the two exchanged names and began their contest.
"Although Ren Yu is not a member of the Ren family, his grandfather was given the surname Ren by my father, so he can be considered half a member of the Ren family in terms of both sentiment and reason."
This kid is one of the most outstanding Ming Jin martial artists of the current generation in my Ren family.
When those masters of internal strength were absent, he single-handedly ensured the safety of Renhetang.
He has also mastered the Turtle Spirit Control Qi Technique to a certain extent, enabling him to both attack and defend.
"He is also the most promising new generation to advance to the Dark Force realm!" Ren Yun briefly explained to Duan Xuan.
Duan Xuan nodded slightly, watching Ren Yu's battle intently.
As the saying goes, even the strongest have differences. Although Ren Yu and that elder practiced the same techniques and were at the same level, Ren Yu had his own understanding of the art.
His steps became slightly more numerous and somewhat cumbersome, but instead, his speed of movement far exceeded that of offerings.
Just as the deity lunged forward and blocked, completing his powerful punch and unleashing it, Ren Yu seized upon his fatal weakness.
While a heavy punch deals double the damage, it is far slower than a light punch.
Instantly, the Turtle Spirit Qi Control Technique quickened its breathing, completely abandoning the slow and sluggish defense.
Transform it into powerful force to propel your arm.
With a whoosh, it stabbed out hard.
"Hiss!" Ren Yu's powerful finger was just a hair's breadth away from severing the right arm of the worshipper.
Everyone gasped in astonishment; Ren Yu had mastered the Turtle Spirit Qi Control Technique to perfection.
That's too strong. Renhetang's veteran masters of internal strength are not coming out.
Ren Yu is probably unmatched...
Its eyes were eerie green, and its claws were sharp and bloodshot.
On this hillside where the sun sets, it truly resembles a wolf king returning with a thirst for blood.
However, he managed to suppress his screams.
Even though it doesn't utter a sound, it's as if something is missing from its soul.
Xiao Rong would never have imagined that Duan Xuan was a hunter by trade, and that he was already a Ming Jin martial artist, whose keenness and observation skills far surpassed those of ordinary martial artists.
He had already noticed the unusual activity in the vicinity.
The reason why Xiao Rong and his men did not notice when he had circled around to the back was because...
That was the effect of Duan Xuan's practice of the Azure Wolf Concealment Hunt over the past few days.
Although the Cold Wolf Concealing Step cannot hide a martial artist's aura, it can make the martial artist's muscles contract and their steps become light, thus achieving the goal of approaching the enemy silently.
"This technique is indeed useful, but it won't work against a master of internal strength."
They are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in aura, so external skills like the Hidden Wolf Hunt can only have a negligible effect on them.
It seems I'll have to develop a special technique to conceal my presence.
Only by combining the two can one truly kill without leaving a trace!
Gazing at the two corpses, Duan Xuan's heart remained as still as a mirror, without a single ripple.
If this despicable person is not eliminated, he will surely take advantage of his family's power and the reputation of his martial arts school to bully his aunt, Duan Xin.
Duan Xuan could not tolerate this happening.
Soon, Duan Xuan took all the valuables from the two of them.
They tore off their faces and buried them on either side of the dirt road, then disposed of all traces.
Even the most resourceful person cannot find this place.
……
The next day, after practicing his boxing, Duan Xuan went to Renhetang Medicinal Herbs Garden as usual.
However, when I arrived at the herb garden early in the morning, it was surprisingly lively.
The once deserted herb garden was now filled with a dozen or so people.
Before anyone could even look inside, Zhou Wei greeted Duan Xuan with a smile at the door: "Brother Duan, come on in! We've been waiting for you."
"Me?" Duan Xuan asked curiously. Zhou Wei nodded and led him inside. It was about four hundred steps from the entrance to the large platform in the herb garden.
At this moment, people standing around, some eyeing the herbs with longing, others discussing their medicinal effects, chatted and laughed in a jumbled mess.
Upon seeing Zhou Wei, they all bowed and greeted him politely.
Zhou Wei only gave a few perfunctory replies, focusing all his attention on his conversation with Duan Xuan.
"Who is this kid? I've never seen him before?"
"This must be a new person on temporary assignment. The previous two new faces both died, so this third one must be the same."
"I understand the reasoning, but why is Old Zhou so polite to him, and never chat and laugh with us, the worshippers?"
Look, look, Old Zhou's face is practically covered in flowers.
Almost everyone noticed the young man following behind Zhou Wei, and their words and expressions were a mixture of displeasure, resentment, and doubt.
However, when everyone saw Young Master Ren Yun greet Duan Xuan warmly, their emotions exploded like bombs.
"No, Old Master Zhou spoke to him so kindly, why is the young master so enthusiastic as well?"
"Could this person be a distant relative of the Ren family?"
"This kid has an ordinary appearance and the skin of a peasant. How could he possibly be a member of the Ren family?"
"It's alright. Since we've all come to the herb garden for the Qi and Blood Grass, we can all go up and experience his skills later, right?"
"Go easy on him, this kid's skinny, he probably can't take a few punches. Besides, we should give the young master some face!"
"Hahaha, I know, I know, I know how to keep my distance."
But I'll definitely let this kid know that the Qi and Blood Grass isn't so easy to take away.
……
"Brother Duan, you've arrived. Today is the annual harvest festival of Renhetang. The original medicinal herb garden has been destroyed, leaving only this last one."
"But I have nothing to worry about. Meeting you is more worthwhile than anything else!" Ren Yun said, leaning on his cane.
"However, this harvesting competition is not about who picks the most, but about who wins by force."
Don't worry, these people are all servants of the Ren family. With the young master here, they won't fight to the death. Most of them will just stop when they've made a move.
The winner of three rounds will be ranked first and receive a Qi and Blood Pill.
And so on.
Zhou Wei patted Duan Xuan's lower back and said with a smile, "Brother Duan Xuan, don't treat yourself like an outsider."
Since my Ren family has already sponsored you, you are now a member of my Ren family.
Would you be interested in showing off your skills?
Duan Xuan didn't rush to agree. As his thoughts raced, he glanced at everyone present and found no experts in internal energy.
On second thought, winning or losing doesn't matter; the greatest gain is learning something from sparring with these Ren family martial artists.
As for the Qi and Blood Grass, he didn't think much of it, believing he could definitely get it; the real purpose was to spar.
Soon the "harvesting party" began.
There were a total of twenty-two Ren family martial artists present, but only seven participated in the competition.
The others, who thought they couldn't win, just wanted the free Qi and Blood Grass as a safety net.
"It's the same every year, every term, and it will be the same until I'm old." Disappointment flashed in Zhou Wei's eyes.
These people were all taught by him. Putting aside their cultivation level, even with the help of herbs, they couldn't reach the eighth level of internal strength.
Moreover, with the decline of Renhetang, it has long lost the powerful aura it once possessed.
The remaining few people only brought Zhou Wei and Ren Yun some small comfort.
Soon, a simple fighting arena was set up, and two disciples took the lead.
The techniques used are all from Zhou Wei's "Turtle Spirit Breath Control Skill".
Just from his name, Duan Xuan could tell that Old Zhou was a very cautious person who was good at defense, not offense.
However, the fourth character of the name caught Duan Xuan's attention.
"A turtle that avoids evil spirits can live for a thousand years."
It can survive for decades without eating or drinking.
Could this exercise also have the effects of restoring health and prolonging life?
Since this technique was not to be passed on outside Renhe Hall, Duan Xuan did not feel comfortable asking about it.
While they were thinking, the two exchanged names and began their contest.
"Although Ren Yu is not a member of the Ren family, his grandfather was given the surname Ren by my father, so he can be considered half a member of the Ren family in terms of both sentiment and reason."
This kid is one of the most outstanding Ming Jin martial artists of the current generation in my Ren family.
When those masters of internal strength were absent, he single-handedly ensured the safety of Renhetang.
He has also mastered the Turtle Spirit Control Qi Technique to a certain extent, enabling him to both attack and defend.
"He is also the most promising new generation to advance to the Dark Force realm!" Ren Yun briefly explained to Duan Xuan.
Duan Xuan nodded slightly, watching Ren Yu's battle intently.
As the saying goes, even the strongest have differences. Although Ren Yu and that elder practiced the same techniques and were at the same level, Ren Yu had his own understanding of the art.
His steps became slightly more numerous and somewhat cumbersome, but instead, his speed of movement far exceeded that of offerings.
Just as the deity lunged forward and blocked, completing his powerful punch and unleashing it, Ren Yu seized upon his fatal weakness.
While a heavy punch deals double the damage, it is far slower than a light punch.
Instantly, the Turtle Spirit Qi Control Technique quickened its breathing, completely abandoning the slow and sluggish defense.
Transform it into powerful force to propel your arm.
With a whoosh, it stabbed out hard.
"Hiss!" Ren Yu's powerful finger was just a hair's breadth away from severing the right arm of the worshipper.
Everyone gasped in astonishment; Ren Yu had mastered the Turtle Spirit Qi Control Technique to perfection.
That's too strong. Renhetang's veteran masters of internal strength are not coming out.
Ren Yu is probably unmatched...