Chapter Eight: Liao Hongda

"Where to next?"

Shi Qi and Bai Qiu hovered above the clouds, riding the Wind Riding technique. Bai Qiu pulled out a map, studied it for a moment, then said, "The nearest big city is Cloud Prefecture. Let's head there for some fun."

The two soared toward Cloud Prefecture.

Suddenly, a flying sword sped toward them from ahead. Shi Qi reacted instantly, drawing the Jade Cloud Umbrella from his back, ready to intercept.

"Wait..." Bai Qiu stopped him, quickly forming a hand seal and summoning the flying sword into his hand.

Bai Qiu frowned. "It's my Baixiao Sect's rescue sword."

"Rescue sword?"

"Exactly. Each Baixiao Sect member is given a flying sword—not powerful, but incredibly fast. In moments of life and death, it's summoned to seek help at top speed. There's no time to lose, Brother Shi, I'll go ahead..."

With that, Bai Qiu tapped the sword several times, tossed it forward, and it flew off in a specific direction. He then summoned his own life-bound flying sword from his spatial pouch and leapt onto it, chasing after the rescue sword.

Shi Qi channeled his true energy, riding the Wind Riding technique in pursuit. Watching Bai Qiu disappear into the distance, Shi Qi sighed, "One day, I'll try riding a flying sword myself."

In the blink of an eye, Bai Qiu followed the sect flying sword to a mountain valley, shrouded in mist and lush peaks, obscuring all vision.

"Divine Eye—open!" Bai Qiu formed a seal, swiped his fingers across his eyes, and a light shone in his gaze. He peered into the mist, seeing a clear scene before him.

He dared not delay. Bai Qiu plunged into the fog, and soon heard the sounds of battle below. He hurriedly flew deeper.

There, a burly man stood, clutching a young man in white. The burly man hurled the youth against a cliff. The youth dropped to the ground, silent and unmoving.

"Swift!" Bai Qiu slapped a speed talisman onto himself, his sword leaping from his sleeve as he charged the burly man from behind.

The burly man heard the rushing wind behind him, instinctively turned, and saw a flash of azure as Bai Qiu's sword stabbed straight for his back.

"Ha!"

The burly man neither dodged nor flinched. He let out a booming cry, channeled his true energy, and his entire body radiated an earthen yellow glow.

"Clang!"

Bai Qiu's sword struck the man's back, but didn't penetrate even half an inch. The sound was that of metal striking metal.

Bai Qiu was startled. Using the rebound force, he leapt into the air, somersaulted twice, and landed beside the fallen youth in white.

---

Bai Qiu crouched, gripping his sword tightly, eyes fixed on the burly man. With his left hand, he lifted the youth in white.

The youth's white robes were half stained red. Feeling someone support him, he slowly opened his eyes. Once his vision cleared, a flash of light appeared in his gaze. He spoke haltingly, "Young... Master..."

Hearing the youth speak, Bai Qiu looked down, frowning. "Senior Brother Wang Feng, how did this happen?"

"Young Master, I... I was passing through and inadvertently entered this mist. I discovered a treasure's light blazing here—clearly, some rare artifact was about to emerge. But before I could reach it, this fellow ambushed me from behind. I fought back with all I had but couldn't match him. In desperation, I summoned my life-bound flying sword for help."

"I understand. Focus on healing. Leave the rest to me."

Bai Qiu patted Wang Feng, then stood with sword in hand, facing the burly man.

The man stood over two meters tall, broad and powerful, wearing only a black beast-hide vest, exposing his earthen-hued muscles.

The earlier strike hadn't fazed Bai Qiu, but now, observing the man closely, his brows furrowed.

"Body Refining Technique... Are you from Tyrant Sovereign City?"

"You've got a sharp eye," the burly man replied, his voice booming like a bell. "I never change my name—I'm Liao Hongda of Tyrant Sovereign City!"

"The third-ranked on the Young Top Ten Masters list—so it's him," Bai Qiu thought.

"My Baixiao Sect has no quarrel with Tyrant Sovereign City. Why attack my fellow?"

Liao Hongda replied, "Heavenly treasures belong to those who can claim them. Your friend lacked the strength, so I took it."

Bai Qiu countered, "True, treasures belong to the capable. But you could have spoken plainly; my senior brother knew he was outmatched and wouldn't have forced a conflict. Yet you ambushed him and gravely wounded him—hardly justifiable."

Liao Hongda scratched his head. "I don't care about your rules. Our Tyrant Sovereign City acts decisively—we do as we wish, not like you righteous types with your hypocrisy."

Bai Qiu's eyes chilled. "Then there's nothing wrong if I cut you down here today!"

Liao Hongda burst out laughing. "If you can, then you've got the skill!"

He clashed his fists before his chest, eager for battle.

Bai Qiu dared not be careless—the opponent was third on the Young Top Ten Masters list.

"Swish, swish..."

Bai Qiu pulled a talisman box from his spatial pouch, placed it on the ground, formed a hand seal, and with a crisp "snap," the sword box opened. The White Tiger talisman burst forth.

This time, the talisman didn't envelop Bai Qiu but instead formed a massive white tiger in midair.

---

"Talisman Gate's Hidden Arts?"

Liao Hongda was no fool; seeing the talisman technique, he immediately recognized it as a Baixiao family secret.

"Baixiao family—so which of the Four Talented is here?"

Bai Qiu replied, "I never change my name or hide my identity—Bai Qiu."

Liao Hongda relaxed. "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—so you're the third son. If your eldest brother were here, that would be troublesome. You? Still a bit green."

Bai Qiu retorted angrily, "Then let our skills decide!"

He channeled his true energy, forcing a drop of essence blood onto his right fingertip. With his left, he drew another talisman box from his pouch and set it on the ground.

"Talisman Gate Hidden Arts—Vermilion Bird!"

With a loud shout, Bai Qiu dropped the essence blood onto the talisman box, which instantly flared with red light and began to tremble.

"Boom!"

The box opened with a spell, and sheets of red talisman paper flew out, swirling in the air. In an instant, they formed the shape of a Vermilion Bird.

The Four Ancient Divine Beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise.

Azure Dragon and White Tiger command the four directions; Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise harmonize yin and yang.

Bai Qiu stood at the center, the fierce White Tiger to his left, the proud Vermilion Bird to his right.

His body trembled slightly. With his cultivation level, forcibly controlling two talisman boxes and two divine beast talismans at once was extremely taxing.

Liao Hongda knew well the power of Talisman Gate's Hidden Arts. He too let out a booming shout, and his true energy surged, muscles swelling, the earthen glow growing brighter, his beast-hide vest disintegrating into dust.

"Hahahahaha, come on!"

Liao Hongda laughed wildly, his fists sweeping with fierce wind as he charged Bai Qiu.

The White Tiger and Vermilion Bird talismans roared in response, charging at Liao Hongda...