Progress

Perhaps due to the limitations of his physical strength and cultivation level, Lan Si encountered a bottleneck in the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique, ultimately reaching only thirty-six continuous strikes before he had to stop and recharge his strength. 

Tang San, possibly due to the Mysterious Heaven technique and his cultivation, fared even worse, managing a maximum of thirty strikes.

More than five years had passed, and the twelve-year-old Lan Si no longer looked as tender as before. His previously fair and delicate face had matured, becoming handsome and dashing. 

The long years of rigorous training had given him a well-built physique. Although he wasn't bulky, and even appeared somewhat slender, his lean body concealed powerful muscles under his fitted outfit.

Now, his soul power had overtaken that of Tang San and Xiao Wu, reaching level thirty. He was just one soul ring away from advancing to the Soul Elder rank.

Speaking of soul power, one has to mention his soul rings.

He obtained his second soul ring at the age of eight from a rare Shadow Beast that had cultivated for over 900 years in the spirit beast world.

This granted Lan Si the second soul skill "Green Lotus Clone." Unlike Zhu Zhuqing's fourth soul skill, Hell Shadow Doppelganger, which created short-lived attacking clones, this skill allowed the splitting of his Martial Soul. With each additional soul ring, Lan Si could summon a number of lotus flowers equal to the square of the soul ring count.

So, originally, when Lan Si could only summon a single lotus flower at a time, he now, with two soul rings, could summon four lotus flowers to attack his enemies. He could also use these split lotuses to perform soul skills, somewhat similar to Tang San's second soul skill, Parasitic.

With three soul rings, he could summon nine lotus flowers; with four soul rings, sixteen lotus flowers; with five soul rings, twenty-five; and so on. At nine rings, he could summon up to eighty-one lotus flowers, a power not to be underestimated.

Shortly after absorbing this soul ring, both Lan Si's Sacred Universe Technique and Five Thunder Heart Technique simultaneously broke through to the third level, significantly boosting his close-combat capabilities.

The power system in the world of "A Portrait Of Jianghu: Bad Guys" ranges from low to high, divided into Minor Star Level, Mid Star Level, Major Star Level, Minor Sky Level, Mid Sky Level, Major Sky Level, Minor Astral Level, Mid Astral Level, Major Astral Level, and Yuan Tiangang (PS: Just a joke, the last four are made up; the original story didn't introduce them, but Yuan Tiangang's 300 years of cultivation does represent a certain level.)

The Minor Sky Level and Mid Sky Level are a watershed. Upon reaching the Mid Sky Level, not only does one's strength, speed, and dynamic vision receive a tremendous boost, but one also gains the preliminary ability to teleport. At the Major Sky Level, one's speed and strength are greatly enhanced, teleportation becomes effortless, and one can even release internal energy to attack enemies from a distance.

Yuan Tiangang is another story. With every movement, he can teleport so quickly that even afterimages can't keep up. Otherwise, in his previous life, with Lan Si's Major Sky Level abilities, he wouldn't have been so easily defeated by the Unorthodox Faction Chief.

The Five Thunder Heart Technique or the Sacred Universe Technique grants Major Sky Level power upon reaching the fifth level, and Mid Sky Level power upon reaching the fourth level.

In other words, if Lan Si can advance one more level, he can gain the preliminary ability to teleport using either of the techniques.

"This is really endless," Lan Si muttered impatiently as the sounds of battle grew closer. He set down the roasted rabbit and leaped into the trees, speeding towards the source of the commotion. In a few flickers, he had vanished.

Moments later, Lan Si arrived at the site of Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing's fight.

"My dear sister, won't you surrender? You've got nowhere left to run." Zhu Zhuyun crossed her arms, a teasing smile on her alluring face.

"Never," Zhu Zhuqing clutched her wounded right shoulder, blood dripping down her arm. Behind her lay a pit filled with sharp stakes and two red-eyed beasts snarling ferociously.

Zhu Zhuyun showed no surprise at her defiance, maintaining her faint smile. Her head lowered, hair obscuring her eyes in shadow. "In that case, I will have to send you to your death."

With those words, Zhu Zhuyun's figure flashed, appearing before Zhu Zhuqing with a claw attack that slashed through the air, leaving a bloodstained mark.

It was Zhu Zhuqing's blood.

Though she was on guard, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't avoid the attack due to her injuries and weaker strength. She was sent flying into the pit.

Watching Zhu Zhuqing fall, a hint of reluctance flashed in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold determination as she remembered the Star Luo family's rules.

Turning around to leave, she suddenly sensed something was off. A crisp male voice sounded behind her, "Hey, big sister, I've been listening for a while. Isn't she your own sister? What grudge could be so deep that you must strike so ruthlessly?"

Zhu Zhuyun paused and turned around sharply. Instead of seeing Zhu Zhuqing in the pit, she saw her in the arms of a black-haired youth wearing a mask. He was holding her in a princess carry, standing at the edge of the pit.

"Oh, little brother, are you trying to play the hero?" Zhu Zhuyun's face broke into a dangerously seductive smile. Her right hand moved behind her back, where her sharp cat claws gleamed coldly in the moonlight as she slowly approached Lan Si.

Lan Si didn't reply. He gently set Zhu Zhuqing down, his right hand supporting her shoulder while his left hand reached behind him. With a flash from his storage soul tool, three Jinxing Stingers appeared in his grip.

As Zhu Zhuyun approached, his wrist flicked, launching the three stingers simultaneously. Then, he took out a fourth one, throwing it a beat slower.

Knowing full well that Lan Si dared to rescue someone from a Soul Ancestor, Zhu Zhuyun had her guard up. She performed a backflip to dodge the first three stingers, then caught the fourth one as she landed. A mocking smirk appeared on her lips as she looked at the small iron needle. "Little brother, is this all you have? This little iron toy won't save you or her."

"Is that so?" Lan Si's lips curved into a faint smile.

"What?" Zhu Zhuyun's pupils contracted as she glanced at the stinger in her hand. She saw the tip slowly opening, revealing a black needle inside. She couldn't dodge in time, and the needle left a long cut on her face.

A sharp, excruciating pain spread from the wound, and Zhu Zhuyun screamed, falling to the ground and clutching her face.

"Ah!"

"Miss, what's wrong?" ×2

Hearing Zhu Zhuyun's scream, the last two shadowy figures hiding in the dark rushed out. The violin soul master supported Zhu Zhuyun, while the bow martial soul master stood in front of them with his soul power bow drawn.

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