45: Sixth Rank Attack

Wu Wenwu’s long sword was like a rainbow, striking directly at Wang Meng; his grandfather attacked Zhao Tiereng; his grandmother, along with her three daughters-in-law, formed a sword array, completely surrounding Qian Santong.

Meanwhile, Wu Wenbin and Wu Zhang, holding long spears and broadswords, slowly walked towards Sun Wu and Li Kui.

“Just you country bumpkin Martial Artists?” Wang Meng sneered, drawing his great sword. “Today, I’m going to bathe this place in blood…”

His words stopped abruptly—a huge Golden Tiger with golden stripes slowly emerged from the forest, its amber tiger eyes glinting with human-like Killing Intent.

Even more terrifying was the aura emanating from this fierce tiger, which made even him, a Peak Seven-Rank, feel a sense of dread!

The battle erupted instantly. Wu Jiulong’s pipe transformed into a sky full of light and shadows, each strike carrying the force of wind and thunder.

Zhao Tiereng could barely parry at first, but the more he fought, the more alarmed he became—this old man’s Moves were unadorned, yet each was deadly, clearly the work of a veteran who had experienced countless life-and-death struggles!

The Wu Family had a numerical advantage and stronger individual strength, so they deliberately held back, treating this struggle as an opportunity to hone their combat experience.

“Ah!” A scream came, as Qian Santong was stabbed in the shoulder by his grandmother’s sword, and blood immediately stained half his body.

This Middle Stage Seven-Rank Martial Artist was both shocked and enraged; he had never imagined that a few country women could possess such strength!

The battle gradually became clear. The Wu Family fought with increasing vigor, while the Martial Artists of Tiandu Martial Hall began to panic.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Wang Meng suddenly pulled out a crimson Medicinal Pill from his 懷 and swallowed it. In an instant, his muscles bulged, and his aura surged!

“Berserk Pill?” Wu Jiulong’s eyes narrowed. “Everyone, be careful!”

Wang Meng, after taking the Medicinal Pill, was like a madman, his great sword whipping up gusts of wind with each swing. Wu Wenwu, caught off guard, was swept by Sword Qi on his left arm, and blood immediately gushed out.

Just at this critical moment, a golden light flashed!

The Golden Tiger pounced on Wang Meng like lightning, its tiger claws clashing with the great sword, producing a metallic clang like metal striking metal.

Wang Meng was shaken back three steps by the immense force, his tiger mouth split open, his face full of horror: “Six-Rank?!”

Seeing the time was right, Wu Guohua let out a long roar: “Form the array!” The Wu Family immediately changed their formation, segmenting and surrounding the five enemies.

This was a brutal battle of sharpening. The Wu Family Martial Artists took turns fighting, unleashing everything they had learned. Whenever someone ran out of stamina, another immediately took their place.

The Martial Artists of Tiandu Martial Hall grew increasingly desperate as they fought, realizing they were like fish on a chopping board, being used as live targets by the Wu Family to hone their Martial Skill!

As the sun set, the battle finally drew to a close. Wang Meng was covered in blood, his great sword long since broken in two.

He knelt on the ground, staring incredulously at the old man before him: “You…who exactly are you people…?”

Wu Jiulong did not answer. His pipe lightly tapped, ending the life of this Peak Seven-Rank Martial Artist.

On the other side, Wu Wenbin’s long spear pierced Li Kui’s throat, while Wu Zhang’s saber severed Sun Wu’s neck.

When the last enemy fell, although the Wu Family members were all wounded, their eyes gleamed with excitement.

This battle allowed them to truly experience the feeling of life-and-death combat, and their practical experience surged.

Wu Guohua put away his long spear and looked towards Qinghe Prefecture. He knew that this victory was only the beginning, and Liu Shijie would never let it go.

But at this moment, there was no fear in the young man’s heart, only a burning Battle Intent.

“Clean up the battlefield,” Wu Jiulong said in a deep voice. “Bring back all their weapons. The standard weapons of Tiandu Martial Hall are perfect for the children to practice with.”

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched the shadows of the crowd, as if foretelling an even greater storm to come.

But at this moment, Wu Family Village was no longer a weakling to be slaughtered. This battle not only tested their strength but also tempered the sharpness of the entire Family!

In the nineteenth year of Great Liang Dezheng, the early spring rain came fast and furious, large raindrops smashing onto the bluestone slabs of Qinghe Prefecture City, splashing up murky water flowers.

Inside the Liu Residence study, the teacup in Liu Shijie’s hand shattered with a “crack,” hot tea mixed with blood dripping from between his fingers.

“It’s been half a month…” He stared intently at the pouring rain outside the window, his voice hoarse like sandpaper rubbing. “Wang Meng and the others haven’t returned, not one of them…”

Zhao Tieshan, standing beside him, had a solemn expression, his fingers unconsciously caressing the wrapped rope on his sword hilt: “Senior Brother, that Wu Family is probably not simple. Should we send someone to investigate first…?”

“No need!” Liu Shijie suddenly turned, his eyes bloodshot. “I will personally go to Tiandu Martial Hall to ask Revered Master to act!”

He grabbed the white long sword from the table. The seven gems inlaid on the scabbard gleamed with a cold light in the candlelight.

Through the rain, a black steed shot out of the Liu Residence like an arrow from a bowstring. Liu Shijie on horseback was drenched, but completely oblivious.

In his mind, Wang Meng’s confident smile before he left, and the gaze of that Wu Family youth, kept flashing.

Five days later, Tiandu Martial Hall in Zhanghe County.

“What?!” A furious roar shook the hall’s beams, making them creak. Hall Revered Master Nangong Ren slammed his hand down, shattering the tea table beside him, sending wood splinters flying.

“Five Disciples lost in a country village?!”

Liu Shijie knelt on one knee, his forehead pressed to the ground: “Revered Master, please understand, that Wu Family must be strange. Senior Brother Wang and the others…”

“Enough!” Nangong Ren flicked his sleeve, turning to look at a middle-aged man behind him. “Ah Hua, take three Seven-Rank Disciples and go. I want to see what kind of Dragon’s Den or Tiger’s Lair can swallow my Tiandu Martial Hall’s people!”

The man called “Ah Hua” was about forty years old, his face chiseled and resolute, his eyes gleaming with sharp light as they opened and closed.

A completely black long saber hung at his waist, with six golden threads wrapped around its scabbard—this was the mark of a Six-Rank Martial Master.

“Big Brother, rest assured.” Nangong Hua’s voice was terrifyingly calm. “I will leave that village with not a blade of grass.”

The next morning, a team full of Killing Intent departed Tiandu Martial Hall. Leading them was Nangong Hua, riding a snow-white steed, his muscles bulging under his black combat attire.

Behind him, three Seven-Rank Disciples each held their weapons, their eyes filled with disdain. Liu Shijie followed at the very end, the scar on his face looking particularly hideous in the morning light.

At the same time, three hundred li away, Wu Family Village was bathed in the golden morning sun. Wu Guohua sat cross-legged in the center of the medicinal field, the Tian Que Divine Spear laid across his lap.

His eyes were slightly closed, and a faint mist lingered around his body—a sign that his Qi and blood were so dense they had materialized.

Suddenly, the Golden Tiger darted out from the forest, low growling and rubbing its head against his arm.

“What’s wrong?” The young man opened his eyes, only to see the Golden Tiger’s fur standing on end, its amber tiger eyes full of vigilance.

In the distance, Wu Jiulong hurried over, holding an opened secret letter in his hand: “Guohua, an urgent report from the Zhou Family! Liu Shijie has enlisted the help of a Six-Rank Martial Master from Tiandu Martial Hall, and they are heading our way!”

Wu Guohua stood up abruptly, his long spear drawing a dazzling arc in the sunlight: “Finally, a decent opponent has arrived.”