Taixu Secret Realm, Hundred Treasures Mountain.
This was the medicinal garden of the Taixu Sect, where all kinds of herbs could be found everywhere.
Each one had been growing for over a hundred years. Even thousand-year spirit herbs, rarely seen in the outside world, were not uncommon here.
As a result, this area became a hotbed of conflict among major powers.
Fierce battles over a single thousand-year herb were a common sight.
Behind the mountain of Hundred Treasures Peak, more than ten disciples from various Holy Lands were chasing a man and a woman.
The man was broad and round. Even wrapped in a black robe, his chubby figure was impossible to conceal.
The woman was as beautiful as a flower, though now she looked rather disheveled.
"Young Master Wang, there's no path ahead!"
As soon as she spoke, several bald monks blocked their way.
The dozen cultivators chasing them quickly surrounded the pair, giving them no chance to escape.
"Miss Nangong, stand behind me. With me here, you'll be absolutely safe," said the man in the black robe, his voice unusually firm.
Without hesitation, the woman stepped behind him.
This duo was none other than Wang Baole and Nangong Yu.
Wang Baole had arrived at Hundred Treasures Mountain relying on his keen senses. By chance, he encountered Nangong Yu fighting several people and stepped in to rescue her. After revealing his identity, the two teamed up to search for treasures.
Thanks to his sharp nose and knack for sensing supplements, Wang Baole quickly discovered a thousand-year spirit herb—the Dragon Blood Fruit.
The Dragon Blood Fruit grew from the Dragon Blood Grass, which bloomed every five hundred years and bore fruit after a thousand.
The fruit contained the power of dragon blood. A cultivator who consumed one would not only gain a significant boost in power but also temper their body.
The moment the two harvested nine Dragon Blood Fruits, they were targeted by members of other factions.
"Hmph!"
A disciple from the Blood God Sect snorted coldly. "Boy, you're on the verge of death and still trying to play the hero? Have you looked at yourself? You think you're worthy of this beauty?"
A disciple from Nine Nether Holy Land added, "Blood Fiend, I thought you never cared for women. Since when are you interested in a young girl?"
Blood Fiend laughed. "I still don't care for women. But this one looks untouched and comes from a distinguished background. Using her blood for cultivation will yield twice the result with half the effort."
Those around frowned slightly at his words. Though the Blood God Sect bore the name of a Holy Land, it was actually a demonic sect.
If not for their greed over the Dragon Blood Fruit, none of them would be caught dead working alongside someone from the Blood God Sect—it would be far too disgraceful.
"Amitabha."
A young monk clad in red robes chanted calmly. "Benefactor, if you hand over the Dragon Blood Fruit, I, Monk Puyuan, can guarantee safe passage for you and the young lady beside you."
As a disciple of Great Thunderclap Temple, he naturally had no interest in aiding evildoers. His sole reason for being here was the Dragon Blood Fruit, not killing people.
Upon hearing this, Blood Fiend narrowed his eyes and stared at Monk Puyuan coldly. "Monk Puyuan, don't think I'll fear you just because you're one of the four prodigies of Great Thunderclap Temple. That girl is mine today!"
As he finished speaking, a terrifying aura surged from his body, enveloping him in a blood-red light. Just standing there, he looked like a demonic god, striking fear into all who looked upon him.
Wang Baole, however, wasn't frightened in the slightest. Instead, he smiled at Puyuan and said cheerfully, "Thanks for your kind offer, Master. Since you're a polite cultivator, I suggest you leave quickly. Otherwise, when I make a move, you'll be in big trouble."
His words stunned the entire crowd.
Even Nangong Yu behind him looked at Wang Baole in disbelief.
'Did Young Master Wang hit his head or something?'
He was clearly just a Dao Foundation cultivator. Both Blood Fiend and Monk Puyuan were True Fate Realm prodigies—how could he dare say something like that?
"Hahahaha…"
Blood Fiend suddenly burst into loud laughter and turned to Puyuan. "Little monk, did you hear that? This kid not only doesn't appreciate your kindness, but also looks down on you. If I were you, I'd beat him into the ground right now."
Monk Puyuan frowned slightly. He usually disliked violence, but today, this young man had thoroughly provoked him.
"Amitabha. Since the benefactor refuses to repent, don't blame this monk for being discourteous."
As he spoke, golden Buddhist light flared from his body. A powerful pressure immediately descended upon Wang Baole and Nangong Yu.
Wang Baole remained calm and composed as he stood there, though no one had noticed the jade pendant in his left hand.
"Sigh… Monk, I thought you were a decent person. I didn't expect you to try and rob me too."
He looked around at everyone present and asked, "Do you all know why I was running earlier?"
"You brat, isn't that obvious? You were scared of us!" Blood Fiend said with disdain, thinking this guy was clueless. After all, how many people in the secret realm would dare face this many powerful opponents alone?
"No. I was just afraid of accidentally harming my fellow disciples. But now that no one else is around, I can strike freely."
As Wang Baole spoke, he slowly raised his hand.
"Pfft… Hahahaha…" Blood Fiend burst out laughing. "I really don't know how you've survived in the Taixu Secret Realm this long. Everyone, attack! Whoever grabs the Dragon Blood Fruit gets to keep it!"
But before he finished speaking, Wang Baole shouted, "Master, assist me! Slash!!!"
Clang!
A sword qi tens of meters long burst out from the sword jade, slashing toward Blood Fiend and his group.
Blood Fiend's mocking smile froze instantly. Within that sword strike was the true essence of sword dao—something even his master had only barely comprehended.
Run!
Everyone's first instinct upon seeing that strike was to flee using escape techniques.
But they were horrified to realize that, even before the sword fell, they already felt there was nowhere to run.
All eyes widened as they watched the sword come down.
Boom!
With a single slash, the once noisy mountainside fell deathly silent.
The dozen cultivators who had been chasing Wang Baole and Nangong Yu were instantly wiped out.
At the front, Blood Fiend was obliterated without a trace—completely annihilated.
Monk Puyuan and the others who witnessed it were frozen in shock. One by one, they stood like statues, drenched in cold sweat, staring at the massive chasm left behind by the terrifying sword qi.
Even Nangong Yu's small mouth formed an "O" shape. No wonder Young Master Wang had been so confident—he had such a powerful treasure in hand.
Wang Baole didn't rush forward to loot the bodies. Instead, he turned toward the stunned monks.
He smiled slightly. "Monk, you spared me earlier, so I'll spare you too. Just leave behind your storage rings and pouches, and you're free to go. Fair enough?"
Puyuan finally snapped out of his shock. He wanted to refuse, but when he saw the sword jade in Wang Baole's hand, he held himself back.
Though he had a sect treasure that could temporarily save his life, he didn't dare gamble on how many more strikes that sword jade could release.
"This humble monk concedes defeat."
With that, Puyuan respectfully removed his storage ring and placed it on the ground.
The two monks behind him followed suit, setting down their storage pouches before leaving together.
Wang Baole quickly gathered the spoils—after all, that sword from his master had come at a cost, and nothing should go to waste.
Once he was done, Nangong Yu finally came back to her senses. "Young Master Wang, you're amazing! Where should we go next?"
Wang Baole grinned. "I'm not amazing. It's just that my master is stronger than their masters. Next, let's explore the mountain. I can already smell something delicious…"
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