Volume 1, Chapter 15: Fierce Battle

In the dark forest, the sound of a woman's scream echoed, followed by the raucous cheers of men.

To the onlookers, the arrows seemed to have already reached Xiahou, making it impossible for him to dodge.

Xiahou, not known for his speed, indeed couldn't evade the arrows just inches from his body. But why should he?

Muscles bulged on Xiahou's body like hills, and a thick, solid yellow glow emerged faintly from beneath his skin. "Get lost!" he shouted. The arrows struck Xiahou but shattered upon impact. Yi Feng'an's arrows couldn't even scratch Xiahou's skin. The tremendous force from both directions crushed the arrows, including their specially crafted purple-silver sand tips, into powder.

Yi Feng'an shouted in disbelief, "How is this possible? Purple-silver sand is meant to pierce through all sorcery. How did you block my arrows?"

Unwilling to accept this, Yi Feng'an fired another seventeen arrows, which merged into a single blue streak aimed at Xiahou.

But the result was unchanged. Xiahou stood as steadfast as a mountain. The seventeen powerful arrows broke upon hitting him, none able to penetrate his body. Xiahou laughed heartily, "Your bow has a pull of only five to six hundred pounds. Your sorcery is more about speed than strength. You Eastern Yi people probably specialize in wind-elemental power, right? These weak arrows, do you really think they can harm me?"

Yi Feng'an's sorcery was at level seven, and combined with the Eastern Yi people's remarkable archery, he could easily kill even a top-tier level nine expert with a single shot. But against Xiahou, a monster who had tempered his muscles, bones, and skin since his past life, his arrows were ineffective. Xiahou's body was truly invincible, and only someone with vastly superior sorcery could defeat him.

Drawing an arrow and placing it on the bowstring, Xiahou effortlessly pulled the thousands-pound bow, declaring, "Yi Feng'an, no matter your tricks, I'll overpower you with brute strength. Try taking one of my arrows!" A yellow glow flashed from his forehead and transferred onto the arrow.

With a sound like a mountain collapsing and a golden bell shattering, Xiahou released the arrow. The black ebony shaft bent like a crescent moon before straightening and flying forward.

Xiahou's arrow wasn't exceptionally fast but carried immense momentum. The yellow glow on the arrow shaft made it seem like a falling meteor. Silent and swift, it reached the pressure-frozen Yi Feng'an.

Yi Feng'an was thrown backward as if struck by a battering ram. His bones cracked loudly, and his chest caved in. Blood and flesh spewed from his mouth as he fell into a lake ten yards away.

Xing Tian Dafeng suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha! Xiangliu Old Six, is this the best you can do? An Eastern Yi archer who can't even break a hair on my brother Chi Hu? Is this the legendary archery of the Eastern Yi that can supposedly shoot down golden crows?"

On the terrace of the neighboring building, Xiangliu Rou, eyes flashing green with fury, glared at Xiahou and roared, "Xing Tian Dafeng, I have a swordsman from the far western wilderness. That brute named Chi Hu Violent Dragon, do you dare to fight him?" He didn't even glance at the struggling Yi Feng'an in the lake, revealing his cruel nature. Behind him, a man in a blood-red bodysuit and a black cloak leapt forward.

Blond hair, white skin, blue eyes—this man looked exactly like a pure-blooded Westerner from Xiahou's past life, causing Xiahou to pause for a moment.

The swordsman drew a four-foot-long, finger-width rapier and elegantly traced a complex pattern in the air. He spoke fluently, "Warrior from the Central Plains, I, Billy from the Rhine territory of the Western Seas, challenge you to a fair duel." Raising his head, he added loudly, "If your last amazing arrow has exhausted your strength, I can wait for you to recover."

Xiahou laughed. Even the so-called barbarians of the far west adhered to a code of chivalry. How amusing. Handing his bow and quiver to a Black Yan soldier behind him, Xiahou replied, "No need to rest. My strength is still sufficient. But I use sorcery in battle, and if you are just an ordinary person, it wouldn't be honorable to fight you."

Billy shook his head, "No, no, no, dear Chi Hu. You misunderstand. I also possess a mystical power, which, though not as strong as your sorcery, greatly enhances my combat abilities." His body twisted, creating multiple afterimages, and his rapier carved dozens of dazzling sword lights in the air, extending a chilling aura.

Billy smiled smugly, "See? Even your high-level sorcerer-warriors would struggle against my sword."

Xing Tian Dafeng cursed under his breath, "Xiangliu Old Six has recruited Western barbarian swordsmen. If this continues, competing with them will become even harder."

Xing Tian Panyin added, "Big brother, we can't just sit and wait for warriors like Chi Hu to fall into our laps. We need to actively recruit experts. The King's decree calls for new soldiers next month. We should find skilled individuals among the recruits."

Xing Tian Aolong nodded, "Yes, our Xing Tian family is known for its martial prowess. If our warriors can't match Xiangliu's, it would be shameful."

Having made their plan, the three brothers watched the duel between Xiahou and Billy. They were shocked to see silver sword lights filling the field. Billy spun like a top, creating a storm of sword lights that obscured Xiahou.

Xing Tian Dafeng's face darkened, and he reached for his sword, ready to intervene.

Xiahou caught the fierce glint in Xing Tian Dafeng's eyes and nodded to himself. Suddenly, he shouted, "Billy, are you trying to tickle me?"

The steel sword in his hand, like an awakened angry tiger, emitted a deafening roar, cutting through the silver sword light. The yellow glow twisted in the air like a falling comet, heading straight for Billy's chest.

Billy screamed in terror. Transparent ripples emerged from his forehead as he attempted to block with his rapier, creating layers of intricate light nets. But his defenses were like a spider web against a stone pillar. Xiahou's sword tore through the silver lights, heading directly for Billy. Trembling, Billy's wrist nearly dislocated from Xiahou's immense strength, and he was engulfed by the overwhelming sword force, unable to escape.

With a dull thud, Xiahou stopped his sword three inches from Billy's chest. He didn't want to kill this blue-eyed stranger because his presence gave Xiahou a nostalgic feeling. The air around the sword emitted a powerful gust, throwing Billy several steps back.

Billy, grateful and covered in dust, nodded at Xiahou before retreating to Xiangliu Rou's terrace.

Lazy applause and exaggerated screams echoed from the surrounding buildings. Some promiscuous women even shouted, "That barbarian, let me keep you company tonight! No charge! Your body is so strong."

Ignoring the vulgar comments, Xiahou raised his sword and pointed it at Xiangliu Rou. "Lord Xiangliu, who else do you have?"

Xiangliu Rou's face darkened, his eyes flashing green. He was about to step forward when Xing Tian Dafeng laughed, "Xiangliu Old Six, if you step in, I'll have to join you. Your family is famous for handling snakes, claiming to be as long-lived as serpents. Let's see if I can chop off your head and if you'll still be alive without it."

Xing Tian Pan added, "Big brother, don't bully Xiangliu Old Six. We all live in Anyi, we see each other often. If he wants to fight, I'll play with him."

Xing Tian Aolong roared, "Stop talking nonsense, Xiangliu Rou. Don't you have other skilled fighters? The ones who injured several of my Black Yan Army leaders? Why aren't they stepping up?" He laughed, "Let my brother Chi Hu see what other formidable fighters your family has."

Xiangliu Rou's face turned purple with rage. A young man with a high crown, disheveled hair, and a green-tinged face, draped in a black feather cloak, stepped forward. "Interesting, very interesting. Who doesn't know the Black Yan Army is full of talent?"

Laughing to himself, the young man threw a money pouch in front of Xiahou. "Inside are ten Jade Bear coins. Xing Tian, I challenge you. If your man wins, take the pouch. If not, you owe me five Jade coins."

Xing Tian Dafeng's face froze, and Xing Tian Pan and Xing Tian Aolong also fell silent. Suddenly, the man laughed arrogantly, "Heavens above, look at this! The three biggest brothers of the Xing Tian family can't come up with five Jade coins? That's just fifty thousand Copper Bear coins, and you can't even gather that? It's making me, Shen Gongkun, speechless!"

Xiahou smiled wryly as he overheard Xing Tian Pan cursing quietly, "Aolong, if you hadn't insisted on buying that Jade Fire dagger, we wouldn't be short of five Jade coins now."

Xing Tian Dafeng's face was stern, but his lips moved silently, "This is so embarrassing. Damn Shen Gongkun, I'll break his legs when I get the chance. Everyone knows the Xing Tian family is strict with its younger generation. I have to gamble with the soldiers in the Black Yan Army to get some spending money."

Feigning great surprise, Shen Gongkun looked at the three Xing Tian brothers with exaggerated shock and laughed mockingly with Xiangliu Rou, "Heavens above, can it be true? The first family of Anyi, the Xing Tian clan's fourth, third, and seventh sons, can't come up with five Jade coins? Truly, the Xing Tian family is..."

A cold voice, as frosty as ice shards, cut through the air, "What about the Xing Tian family? Shen Gongkun, have you forgotten the three strikes I dealt you?"

Shen Gongkun's face paled, the greenish tinge on his face almost glowing a foot outward. He trembled violently, "Xing Tian Xuanzhi, you cursed thing."

A young man with white hair, eyebrows, and lips, with skin as translucent as ice, approached with a group of fierce-looking men in white iron armor. Xiahou noticed that as the young man passed, nearby streams formed a thin layer of ice, melting slowly after he moved on.

Xing Tian Xuanzhi nodded to Xing Tian Dafeng and stood beside him, retrieving a white silk pouch from his waist. "Shen Gong, I have thirty Jade coins. Put up sixty, and we'll bet."

Shen Gongkun's face changed, and he fell silent. Xiangliu Rou shouted, "Ridiculous! Xing Tian Xuanzhi, the annual allowance for your family is only ten gold coins. The rest of your expenses come from military pay. How did you get thirty Jade coins? Did you embezzle military funds?"

Shen Gongkun's face brightened, and he sneered, "Commander Xing Tian Xuanzhi, embezzling military funds is punishable by death in your clan."

Xing Tian Xuanzhi snorted coldly, his body radiating intense cold. He spoke chillingly, "Wouldn't you be thrilled if I were beheaded? Enough talk, send someone out." He paused, then added coldly, "Shen Gongkun, I warn you. If you send those forbidden high priests, don't blame us brothers for stepping in ourselves."

Shen Gongkun's eyes darted around, contemplating the pouch of coins on the ground. Xiahou understood his hesitation. Based on the prices from the wilderness to Anyi, ten Jade coins were equivalent to a hundred thousand Copper Bear coins, a substantial sum. Betting sixty Jade coins would be a massive risk, even for someone as wealthy as Shen Gongkun.

In a nearby pavilion, someone stood up and said, "Shen Gong, Xiangliu, why such a big bet? And you, Xing Tian Xuanzhi, where did you get this sudden windfall? Just bet five Jade coins and be done with it."

The young man with a golden-bone, jade-handled folding fan continued, "But let me make it clear, Shen Gong, you can't send a high priest. If you damage anything in Fenyinze, beware that Heiming Sen might come after you."

Heiming Sen, supported by four maidens, finally emerged and weakly said, "The old rule stands. Damage anything, and you pay ten times the market price. I'm fair, no matter who you are. If you kill one of my girls, you owe me ten replacements." He then passionately kissed one of the maidens, making loud smacking noises.

Shen Gongkun snorted, looking at Xing Tian Xuanzhi tossing the pouch in his hand, then shouted, "Huojin Bao, go teach that barbarian a lesson."

A shrill, unpleasant laugh filled the air, making those without sorcery cover their ears. A hulking man dragging an iron rod as thick as a bowl performed hundreds of somersaults in the air before slamming the rod into the ground, causing half of Fenyinze to shake. In the dust and smoke, he emerged—a creature taller than Xiahou by two heads, covered in golden-red fur, with a leopard's head and a half-body chainmail armor.

Xiahou stumbled back in shock. "What is this creature? Man or monster? Is this some kind of beastman from Western legends?"

The creature's green eyes gleamed menacingly. "Human, your strength is great, but you can't compare to me, Huojin Bao. You should kill yourself."

Xiahou was speechless. This leopard-man was advising him to commit suicide before the fight? The leopard-man continued arrogantly, "It's better if you kill yourself. If I strike, I'll turn you into mush. If you kill yourself, you'll save face and I'll save energy. It's a win-win, don't you agree?" He spoke so seriously that his logic seemed flawless.

Xing Tian Xuanzhi's face steamed with cold vapor as he shouted, "Shen Gongkun, you're using a demon as your fighter?"

Shen Gongkun laughed triumphantly, "Xing Tian Xuanzhi, he's not just a fighter; he's my slave. I saved him from a mature Pixiu, and he swore loyalty to me."

A mature Pixiu? Xiahou's thoughts raced. "Shen Gongkun, I'm changing fighters. After two battles, facing this leopard would be unfair."

Shen Gongkun abruptly stopped laughing, "Who will you send? Is there anyone under Xing Tian Dafeng stronger than you?"

Xiahou sneered and returned to Xing Tian Dafeng's terrace. "Bai, go play with that leopard. Bai? Are you drinking again?" Seeing Bai lying on the ground, hugging two wine jars, Xiahou furiously grabbed Bai and threw him into the arena. "Play well, or you'll go hungry for three days!" Xiahou's tone was stern.

Bai shivered, instantly sober. Hunger was unbearable. His eyes flashed red as he looked for the threat that made Xiahou resort to such a threat. Seeing the arrogant Huojin Bao, Bai drooled.

Huojin Bao was twirling his thousand-pound iron rod, showing off his strength, when a white blur appeared—a Pixiu, over seven feet tall, eyes glowing red. Huojin Bao, sensing the threat from this almost mature Pixiu, knew he was in trouble.

Pixiu and Huojin Bao were natural enemies. For a Pixiu, Huojin Bao's brain was a delicacy. A fight between them meant life or death. Even a mature Huojin Bao could barely escape a Pixiu. If the Pixiu was also mature, a hundred Huojin Bao wouldn't stand a chance, unless the Huojin Bao had a thousand years of cultivation more than the Pixiu.

Shen Gongkun's laugh turned into a choke, "A Pixiu? Chi Hu Violent Dragon, you're sending a Pixiu?"

Xiahou retorted, "Why not? If you send a person, I'll fight. But since you sent a demon, I'll match you with a Pixiu. And your Huojin Bao is already a mature demon; my Pixiu isn't yet."

Xing Tian Xuanzhiand his brothers laughed heartily, "Shen Gongkun, are you betting or not? If not, crawl around Fenyinze three times, and we'll forget the ten Jade coins."

Shen Gongkun fumed, "Bet! Why not? Huojin Bao, kill that Pixiu! It's not even mature. What are you afraid of?"

Huojin Bao's muscles twitched with fear, but under Shen Gongkun's urging, he roared and swung his iron rod at Bai.

The scene mirrored Billy and Xiahou's duel. Bai, giggling maniacally, floated around Huojin Bao, his white form a misty blur. Huojin Bao, clumsy on the ground, swung his rod in vain as Bai jabbed and pinched him, testing his weak spots.

But Bai's strength was incomparable. Even Xiahou couldn't match Bai's power. Bai's claws were sharper than the finest swords. Pixiu were kings of the forest, the fiercest beasts. And Bai was on the verge of becoming a mature demon.

Huojin Bao, covered in hundreds of cuts, panicked and threw his rod, which transformed into a giant horned snake, lunging at Bai.

Xiahou shuddered at the familiar magic wave. Unlike sorcery, this was magic. Someone, or something, was using magic in this world. He opened his mouth to stop Bai, but it was too late. Seeing the snake, Bai, enraged at the breach of one-on-one combat rules, darted like the wind. His claws extended a foot, slashing at Huojin Bao's head.

With a wet squelch, Bai's claws pierced Huojin Bao's skull. Bai eagerly sucked the brain, relishing the taste.

Xiahou felt a pang in his heart and sighed softly, "It's too late now."

Meanwhile, Xing Tian Dafeng and his brothers erupted in cheers. Not only had they saved face, but they also won ten Jade coins from Shen Gongkun—a significant prize.

With a dull thud, Huojin Bao's dantian split open, and a black inner core the size of a bowl shot out, spinning a few times before trying to escape. But Bai, with a swift motion, intercepted it. He sniffed the core curiously, puzzled about how such a thing could emerge from Huojin Bao's body. Yet, its scent was irresistibly enticing. Following his beastly instincts, Bai opened his mouth and swallowed the core.

After three intense battles, Xing Tian Dafeng and his brothers emerged with a great victory. Xiangliu Rou, Shen Gongkun, and their allies turned pale with anger and stormed off. Soon, the cries of women echoed from their pavilions, drawing curious glances from everyone around.

The young man who had mediated the bet between Xing Tian Xuanzhi and Shen Gongkun approached, smiling and swaying gracefully. He looked at Xiahou and laughed, "Xing Tian Dafeng, may I join your celebration?"

Xing Tian Dafeng's eyebrows twitched slightly before he laughed as well, "Li Tianhou, how could I refuse your kind offer? But since you're here, today's expenses..."

Black Ming Sen, who had somehow sprawled out on a cushion, weakly protested, "Don't even think about it. You just won ten Jade coins, and you'll leave half here if you want to get away. Someone, bring two hundred girls over and drain their money bags dry."

Countless beautiful women cheered and rushed in, turning the small pavilion into a pink paradise, free of any restrictions. Even Bai found himself surrounded by several charming ladies. Xiahou, inwardly groaning, struggled to contain his desire, using his internal energy to suppress the rising heat.

"Oh heavens, so this world is indeed filled with countless beauties, not just the homely women of my clan. But I must keep my virginity to cultivate the Xuanwu True Technique. Save me!"