The Terrifying Path of Immortal Cultivation

A layer of red light adheres to the hundred-fold forged steel knife, as if it were a divine weapon capable of cutting iron like mud.

The seemingly invincible monster, with a single swing of the knife, had its leg chopped off.

The flash of the blade was fleeting.

With one leg severed, the monster immediately lost its balance, falling forward and wildly waving its claws.

Li Qing's eyes lit up, seizing the opportunity to strike.

He leaped from the ground and pounced towards the fallen monster.

A slash aimed at its waist.

Squelch.

The sharp blade flashed.

The monster was severed into two pieces at the waist.

But it wasn't over yet. Suddenly, the monster's hands pushed against the ground, lunging towards Li Qing.

Facing the oncoming claws and the grotesque, contorted face, a chill ran down Li Qing's spine.

The descending blade turned upwards, simultaneously executing a backflip. The monster lunged out from above him.

As the upper half of the monster landed, it was already split in half from the center.

The monster's body continued to wriggle, resembling a worm, sending shivers down onlookers' spines.

Wang Kuohai and the attendants all retreated with fearful expressions.

Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief. At least, the monster was temporarily no longer a threat.

His gaze turned to Wang Kuohai. "Use fire."

Wang Kuohai immediately snapped back to attention and ordered the surviving attendants, "Quick, use fire to burn it."

The attendants hurriedly approached the bonfire, each grabbing a burning stick and advancing towards the monster.

They thrust the burning ends directly onto the monster's body, igniting its clothes instantly.

Some attendants gathered dry branches from the surroundings and threw them at the monster.

Soon, three flames rose, and the monster struggled and contorted within the flames, losing its ability to move and only being burned continuously.

In the blink of an eye, the monster in the flames completely ceased to move.

Wang Kuohai, with a complex expression, said, "It seems like we've killed a bandit."

Li Qing nodded, having also noticed the clothes on the body.

Clearly, it was what the bandits they encountered today were wearing.

"I've traveled the rivers and lakes for decades, and this is the first time I've encountered such a bizarre thing."

"Encountering two extraordinary events in a day."

"It seems I didn't check the almanac before leaving home. I should do so next time."

With this episode of the night over, half an hour later, the bodies had been reduced to ashes.

Li Qing, holding the hundred-fold forged steel knife, was rummaging through the bonfire.

He wanted to find the kind of bead left behind by the dead monster in the ashes.

After a search, he found nothing of the sort.

"It seems not every kind of monster leaves behind such a thing."

Wang Kuohai, standing aside, seemed to sense something and asked in a low voice, "Mr. Qin, are we staying here tonight?"

Li Qing's gaze fell on the attendants beside him, who were clearing the bodies of their companions.

Unfortunately, two attendants had been attacked this time.

Shaking his head slightly, he said, "Let's hurry on our way."

"It seems very unsettled recently, with these monsters and demons appearing. It seems like some kind of omen."

Through his conversation with Wang Kuohai, Li Qing felt that the encounters on this journey were definitely not normal.

Right now, he just wanted to reach Jade City quickly and rest well.

Upon hearing Li Qing's words, Wang Kuohai's face showed a sudden shock, and he immediately said with a solemn expression, "Understood."

...

Clack clack clack

Boom boom boom

The sound of the carriage echoed from a distance, and a cloud of dust rose as the convoy carrying the banner of the Tianxia Escort Bureau arrived in Jade City after a whole day and night of travel.

The city gate was about to close, and there were hardly any people coming in or out.

But there were many refugees sitting or lying around the city gate.

Their eyes flickered with hope, as if they wanted to enter the city. But at the same time, fear filled their eyes, and they didn't dare to approach the city gate.

Fully armed city guards stood guard, resembling grim reapers.

The arrival of the convoy caught the attention of the city guards.

They stopped the carriage and began checking everyone's identities.

The members of the escort bureau had all come from the city and each had their own identity guide.

Seeing this situation, Li Qing frowned.

He had come from Azure Stone County without carrying an identity guide, and the current situation might make it difficult for him to enter.

Wang Kuohai seemed to have noticed something and said in a low voice, "Sir, don't worry, leave it to me."

At this point, the city gate guards had arrived at the carriage and saw Li Qing inside.

In a stern voice, they demanded, "Where is your identity guide?"

Wang Kuohai, with a smile on his face, said, "Sir, the identity guide is here, take a look."

As he spoke, he discreetly handed over a certain amount of silver, at least one or two taels.

The city guard took the silver without a word and turned to the others.

"Let them through!"

The city guards quickly dispersed, and the convoy entered Jade City smoothly.

In the evening, Jade City was brightly lit.

As the county city of the Yellow Dragon Region, it was the political and transportation center of the entire Yellow Dragon Region.

With a population of up to 500,000, every industry was very developed.

Wang Kuohai and Li Qing sat in a carriage, and Wang Kuohai said, "Mr. Qin, do you have a place to go in Jade City? If not, you might as well stay temporarily at our Tianxia Escort Bureau. I have plenty of people there and can arrange your daily life properly."

Upon hearing Wang Kuohai's invitation, Li Qing thought for a moment and said, "This might not be appropriate."

Wang Kuohai quickly said seriously, "Mr. Qin has saved us three times along the way, which is a great favor. In the world of rivers and lakes, it's all about gratitude, grievances, and enmity. If there's a favor, it should be repaid; if there's enmity, it should be avenged. A temporary stay is nothing. If Mr. Qin is willing, you can stay for a lifetime, and I, Wang Kuohai, will not say otherwise."

At this moment, Wang Kuohai's sincere expression made it difficult for Li Qing to refuse.

"Being new to Jade City and unfamiliar with the place, coupled with the incident in Azure Stone County, I'm not sure what to do. Staying at the Tianxia Escort Bureau might not be a bad idea. If I want to inquire about something, there shouldn't be a problem with finding Wang Kuohai."

With a decision in mind, Li Qing looked at Wang Kuohai and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble you for a few days."

Wang Kuohai beamed, "Haha, Mr. Qin's visit is an honor for our Tianxia Escort Bureau."

...

About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived outside a grand courtyard with a high gate.

Li Qing got off the carriage and saw a large gate with a plaque bearing the four gilded characters of the Tianxia Escort Bureau.

At this moment, the gate of the bureau was open, and a group of burly attendants stood on either side of the gate.

Many people were coming out from inside.

Wang Kuohai gestured to Li Qing, "Mr. Qin, please!"

Li Qing smiled faintly, "After you!"