Chapter Thirty: Battling the Half-Step Fusion Realm

Seeing this, a flicker of visible joy crossed the old man’s eyes, accompanied by a deeply hidden murderous intent.

"No!" Huo Qing’s gaze was sharp and cold. With lightning speed, he snatched the Universe Bag away.

Boom!

A bloody, murderous aura erupted from the old man. He stared fixedly at Huo Qing, his voice chillingly cold: "What, are you unwilling to comply?"

The sudden pressure caused Gu Shiya and the other two to tremble, their expressions turning to one of terror. The pressure of a Half-Step Integration Realm expert left them unable to muster even a shred of strength.

"Huo Qing..." Gu Shiya gritted her teeth.

Huo Qing said in a low voice, "We cannot give it to them..."

He knew clearly that if they showed even the slightest weakness, these people would slaughter them without hesitation. He did not fear for himself, but Gu Shiya and the others would surely die.

As these words fell, the atmosphere froze. The murderous intent on the old man’s face receded slightly, replaced by a mocking tone: "I truly didn't expect that a mere Earth Spirit Realm cultivator like you would be the one calling the shots. However, do you think that because you used some special means to kill the Rock-Armored Bear King, you are qualified to challenge me?!"

As the words left his lips, the old man’s lean figure lunged forward, charging straight at Huo Qing!

Huo Qing’s pupils constricted. He immediately blocked with a punch, but the terrifying force of the wind still sent him reeling.

Bang!

Huo Qing slammed into a massive boulder, the blood in his body surging violently.

"Boy, they will soon pay the price for your poor decision!"

The old man, agile as a hawk, moved with a twisted, violent air, charging toward Huo Qing once more.

The remaining black-robed men set their sights on Gu Shiya and her two companions. The grim, bloodthirsty aura that seemed to crawl out of a mountain of corpses turned the trio’s faces deathly pale.

"Quick, activate the defensive spiritual treasures!"

The three shouted in alarm, and three barriers materialized before them in an instant. A terrifying barrage of spiritual attacks landed upon them, creating violent ripples.

Seeing this, the black-robed men merely sneered, saying nothing as they unleashed a frenzy of attacks. The barriers began to tremble incessantly.

The three were filled with fear; at this rate, their defensive barriers clearly would not last long. Once the barriers shattered, nothing but total destruction awaited them.

"We can only rely on Huo Qing now..."

The three smiled bitterly in despair. They never imagined that in this mission, they would end up being the greatest burdens.

Yet, as for Huo Qing, his opponent was a genuine Half-Step Integration Realm powerhouse—a level of existence even more formidable than the Rock-Armored Bear King!

Could Huo Qing truly handle him?

Bang!

Once more, fist met palm. Huo Qing’s entire body shook, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as he was sent flying back like a cannonball.

Whoosh!

As Huo Qing flew backward, the old man surged forward. His skin-and-bone hand, shaped like an eagle’s claw, pierced the void and left a trail of afterimages, grabbing toward Huo Qing’s chest again.

Snap!

Unable to evade, Huo Qing was struck, three bloody gouges appearing on his chest. Blood welled up instantly, a shocking sight.

In this moment of crisis, Huo Qing drew his psychic sword and slashed down fiercely.

However, the old man easily deflected the attack and delivered a kick, heavy as a mountain, crashing into Huo Qing’s chest with the force to split the earth.

"Pfft!"

This time, a flush of color finally rose to Huo Qing’s face. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying horizontally like a broken sack of gore.

"Heaven and earth hold a wild wanderer, sword in hand, traversing the nine provinces. Not for empty fame, but only for the ending of strife. Though you harbor grand ambitions, your coming and going are not free. Men call me foolish, unaware of the sorrow in my heart. Only this drink in my cup can ease my eternal woes. After drinking, I look to the sky and sigh, laughing at you as you stand guard in vain. The setting sun returns to the west, not like the water flowing to the east. Renouncing the dust and the world, I shall roam free forever."

On this day, a song drifted into the village from afar. A man sang as he walked, moving at a leisurely pace.

The villagers watched from a distance. The man was broad-faced with large ears, a sturdy build, and wore a bear-skin cloak. Slung across his back were a heavy bow and a quiver, and he carried a seven-foot spear on his shoulder, from which a large gourd hung. His demeanor was incredibly carefree.

Seeing he was tall and rugged, armed with both spear and bow, the villagers dared not approach to speak to him.

The man encountered a youth and stopped him, asking, "Little brother, may I ask what this mountain is called?" Seeing the man’s smile and non-threatening tone, the youth replied, "This is Wolf Howl Mountain, part of the Mang Mountain territory." The man nodded and asked again, "Is it true there are wolves here?"

Upon hearing the word "wolf," the youth’s hair stood on end. Yet, seeing that the stranger not only showed no fear but remained full of smiles, he said, "Big brother, one look and I know you’re from out of town. You don't know, but although this place is called 'Wolf Howl Mountain,' there were no wolves before. Ever since the great drought began, a massive pack of wolves appeared from nowhere, causing chaos every night. The village can barely hold on."

The man smiled slightly, patted the youth on the shoulder, and said, "Rest assured. I am a hunter. I have traveled north and south for over a decade; there is no prey in this world I cannot catch."

The youth waved his hands repeatedly. "Sigh, you don't understand. There are hundreds of wolves on that mountain. Even the old hunters in the village have been terrified out of their wits, let alone an outsider like you."

The man smiled faintly: "Do not fear, I have..."