Running away at full speed.
Fang Ping and Qin Fengqing were running for their lives.
After sprinting for more than ten li, only the Rank-5 powerhouse remained hot on their heels. They had already outrun the Rank-4 martial artists.
“Kid, you run really fast!”
Qin Fengqing was slightly out of breath. After running a long distance, he was getting exhausted as his five Celestial Bridges had not been stabilized yet; his recovery speed somewhat lacking.
Right now, both of them stopped conversing in the Catacombs language.
As they ran, their Vitality Force diffused and drifted out. Unless their Rank-5 pursuer was an idiot, he would have realized that they were human martial artists long ago.
“Enough nonsense. Should we kill?”
Fang Ping ignored him. ‘You, kid, are not slow yourself.’
“Kill!”
Qin Fengqing gave a clear response.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately turned around, waved his saber and slashed!
Hum!
A humming sound traveled a great distance in the darkness.
It was as if Qin Fengqing’s saber had split the night open, appearing instantly at the waist of the powerhouse who was mid-air.
Fang Ping was not slow himself, the glaive that he had been carrying behind his back was already drawn and swept sideways. Together, the two of them assaulted the other party from both sides at the same time.
In the dark, the middle-aged powerhouse chaser wore a bone-chilling look, a hint of contempt flashed across his eyes.
With one Midair Step, the middle-aged powerhouse disappeared in an instant, revealing himself in front of Qin Fengqing’s face.
Qin Fengqing was not taken aback. He was already prepared. In the next second, Qin Fengqing took a step back, standing next to Fang Ping. Without drawing his saber back, he slashed across the middle.
Bang!
The middle-aged powerhouse’s fists moved in unison, a punch on each side, neutralizing the attacks launched from both humans. Both sabers were repelled from the attack.
Qin Fengqing and Fang Ping’s eyes lit up!
“Either an Early-stage or Middle-stage Rank-5 martial artist!”
Both of them had made their judgments in a split second. The other party’s ability was not powerful beyond reasonable limits. Their first attacks were just tests to gauge the enemy’s ability.
Qin Fengqing’s eyes were sharp. He growled, “As usual!”
What he meant by ‘as usual’ was Fang Ping unleashing limitless big moves while he finished off with a seckill.
“Are you sure you can do it?”
“I’ve only perfected one skill!”
Qin Fengqing replied bluntly. He might not be very good with protracted battles, but his high-ranked Combat Techniques were all for that one move!
After launching his trump card, there was no turning back!
If the enemy survived it, he would die, end of story.
This was also the reason why he must drag someone along when he went for missions now. His partner could buy him some time while he recovered.
Fang Ping heard him and asked no more.
Manic Explosion’s seven consecutive slashes were employed instantly, piercing through the horizon.
In front of him, the Rank-5 powerhouse’s expression changed slightly. Letting out a soft humph, he threw out a heavy blow, landing his fist on the side of the glaive’s blade. The glaive let out a series of quivering noises.
Without hesitation, the man drove off Fang Ping’s seven consecutive slashes with a punch. With feather-light steps, he appeared in front of Fang Ping.
A moment later, his enormous fist flung toward Fang Ping’s head.
Before his punch even landed, the energy waves resonating from it nearly tore Fang Ping’s brain apart.
“High-ranked Combat Technique!”
With a low grunt, Fang Ping threw a punch with his left hand. Before their fists smashed into each other, a booming sound was already heard.
“Someone else is coming. Quickly!”
Qin Fengqing had taken a few steps back now and had yet to make a move. He saw what happened and bellowed a warning.
Fang Ping let out a dull grunt. He waved his glaive with his right hand, not to launch an attack, but to sheath it into the scabbard behind him.
The guandao was massive. It did not come with a sheath either. For convenience, however, Fang Ping still found someone to custom-make a scabbard, created using Catacombs’ creatures’ skin. When needed, he could carry the glaive on his back.
After stashing his glaive away, Fang Ping’s eyes were cold and fierce. In the next moment, he pounced on his adversary like a tiger.
Both fists were a shade of crimson. He alternated between fists at blinding speed, striking more than ten punches in a row.
As a Rank-5 powerhouse, the middle-aged powerhouse had already figured out that both their abilities were not too powerful; they were definitely not Rank-5s. It was only natural for him to attack without reservation.
He had to split his attention to be on guard against the opportunistic Qin Fengqing, at the same time swinging his fist to counter Fang Ping’s attack. He planned to finish Fang Ping off as soon as possible.
Bang!
A series of metal-clanging crashes were heard. Fang Ping was sent flying, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth.
Just as the middle-ranked powerhouse was about to give chase, Fang Ping levitated off the ground, turning back again. He let out a low roar, shouted furiously and waved his fists once more.
Bang, bang, bang...
In a matter of seconds, Fang Ping was flung out from the exchange again.
Qin Fengqing was itching to make a move. He held his changdao horizontally and had been waiting for an opening. Just as the middle-aged powerhouse was plotting to kill one and move on to the other, Fang Ping launched another counterattack.
This time, Fang Ping unleashed all his trump cards at once!
His Mentality condensed suddenly, turning into invisible needles, piercing toward the other party’s brain.
Blood shot out of his mouth, forming a blood arrow, aiming for his enemy’s eyes.
Clearly, the middle-aged powerhouse did not expect this intruder to have mastered so many Secret Techniques. Whether it was Mentality or Blood Arrow Method, they were considered a form of Secret Technique to him.
Once Mentality intimidation was ejected, the other party quivered—a movement so faint it was almost unnoticeable.
At this moment, the blood arrow spurted toward him.
The Mentality of a Rank-5 powerhouse was not weak either. Although he was rendered immobile for a moment, he still had enough energy to disintegrate the blood arrow.
As he raised his hand to counter the blood arrow, Fang Ping attacked.
Bang!
This time, Fang Ping employed Maha Punch. He did not master High-ranked Combat Techniques very well. Fang Ping had no intention of carrying out a one-move deadly kill either. Instead, he threw his rapid and vicious punches tirelessly, enveloping the other party’s entire body with his punches. It was as if there was no opening at all.
The other party dispersed the blood arrow in one move. Then, as he was about to launch a counterattack, Fang Ping ejected his Mentality again, buzzing his brain.
“You have a death wish! (The Catacombs language)”
The middle-aged powerhouse let out a savage roar. With a thriving force, powerful energy waves were released all throughout his body, dispersing Fang Ping’s Mentality attack by tremoring it.
At this moment, however, Fang Ping’s fists had also landed on different areas of the other party’s body, forcing him a few steps back.
Even so, the middle-aged man was a Rank-5 powerhouse. His physical body had been honed to the limit, and his vital organs were also honed completely. Only a portion of his internal organs was not honed. Although he was repelled from the attack, no major injuries were sustained.
After being forced back, the man went to lunge forward for a counterblow, but the Mentality that had been dispersed earlier again became an invisible needle and pierced through his skull!
For a moment, the other party was in a daze.
Had he encountered a commander powerhouse?
If not, how could this be!
In that split moment of hesitation, Qin Fengqing’s eyes sparkled bright enough to light up the night sky. He had been waiting for an opening.
“Don’t stop with the intimidation!”
Qin Fengqing shouted quickly. Then, the changdao released an outburst of blinding blood-tinted light, glowing up the darkness!
Fang Ping made no reply. There was no time for that anyway.
His Mentality attacked the other party unceasingly. The blood in his mouth spurted out like nobody’s business, forming blood arrows, piercing toward the other party’s skull.
As for himself, he did not stand idle and watch on just because it was Qin Fengqing’s turn to launch an attack.
Instead, he bolted forward, waving both fists and attacked the other party viciously, eliminating all chances of him escaping!
“Die!”
The middle-aged powerhouse had also sensed danger. He let out a mad roar, going all out. It was like his fist had pierced through the void. A punch landed on Fang Ping.
Bang!
Fang Ping was sent flying. The skin surface of his right fist split open, blood spilling all over the place.
The cracking of his skin continued expanding. The crack spread further, expanding all the way up to his upper arm before the power lost momentum.
High-ranked Combat Techniques. The stringing of powers. If the attack earlier had struck his chest, it would also expand inward, all the way to the internal organs.
However, Fang Ping’s Vitality was strong and replenished continuously. The other party’s power was merely enough to crack his right arm, before losing momentum toward the end, and dispersed by the Vitality Force that was constantly being replenished.
Fang Ping had yet to hit the ground when Qin Fengqing’s saber had already landed.
The middle-ranked martial artist was about to pull back when Fang Ping’s Mentality intimidation triggered again, impeding his steps slightly.
In a split second, Qin Fengqing’s blade deviated, slicing through the other party’s neck!
Click!
An almost inaudible cutting sound was heard. The changdao did not seem to have any effect. The other party remained in a retreating position, taking a few steps back, though his speed had gradually slowed down.
Qin Fengqing made no attempts to chase after him. He landed on the ground, bolted toward Fang Ping without turning back to take a look.
The middle-aged powerhouse did not run after him. A vacant look flashed across his eyes.
Moments later, countless blood streams gushed out from his neck.
The head that was still intact earlier had been cannonballed outward from the jet force of the blood springs, landing on the ground.
...
Qin Fengqing panted violently while Fang Ping repeatedly healed the wounds on his right arm with the Vitality Force. Letting out a cold humph, he said, “Next time when we work together, you buy us time, I’ll unleash outbursts!”
He was always the one to unleash outbursts, so he was also the one who was always injured.
Even though his physique had attained the stage of a Peak Rank-4 martial artist, Fang Ping was still slightly lacking when he faced a Rank-5 powerhouse head-on.
Nevertheless, he did not hone his vital organs. In a moment of carelessness, his internal organs could be easily shattered by a Rank-5 powerhouse.
Qin Fengqing panted. “You... you can... kill him in one move?”
“If I didn’t hold him off, you think you could kill him?”
Qin Fengqing’s saber moved at the speed of light, even the force was powerful. Though without Fang Ping, he would not get the opportunity to unleash the move at all.
“If I didn’t kill him, you think you can take him on yourself?”
“If I didn’t take him on, how are you supposed to kill him?”
“If I didn’t kill him, you’ll be dead.”
“I run faster than him, my endurance is stronger than his. You will die before I will!”
“...”
Qin Fengqing shot him a glance. Motherf*cker. The guy was already dead, what was the use to fight over this now?
He was still thinking when Fang Ping said, “His heart is mine.”
“Motherf*cker!”
Qin Fengqing cursed. So this was his game?
“It’s yours...”
Qin Fengqing was agreeable this time. Then, he said, “The ones behind are all yours. Quickly, buy me time!”
He had been straightforward because the Rank-4 martial artists had closed in on them.
Right now, under full outburst, one move could almost deplete a huge portion of his Vitality. He was fully exhausted both physically and mentally.
If Fang Ping did not make a move, he could only make a run for it and even had to be worried about getting caught up.
Fang Ping darted a look at his mangled right arm and could not help but curse. If this was someone else, this right arm would have been crippled beyond saving.
This bastard Qin Fengqing, other than that one move he threw earlier that did the trick, he was entirely a useless piece of trash.
“You’re always taking advantage of me whenever we share the profits. I saved your ass, so your saber is mine!”
Fang Ping did not care whether he agreed to it or not. He calculated 50 million for that saber. It would be his one day!
Qin Fengqing gripped his saber subconsciously. ‘D*mn it. I did not even plan to get anything out of this kid, yet he was already eyeing on my one and only valuable treasure?’
Fang Ping had charged forward. He clenched his left fist, letting out a low roar. The blood-tinted light on his fist looked like it was blazing.
There were altogether four Rank-4 martial artists, ranging from Early-stage to Upper-stage, closing in on them.
Compared to Fang Ping, these guys had only cultivated Middle-ranked Combat Techniques. Their physique and Vitality were no match for Fang Ping. To Fang Ping, paired with his Mentality intimidation, the fight was a piece of cake. In less than 30 seconds, he had finished off all four of them on the spot.
“Weakling!”
Fang Ping smashed the brain of the last person with a punch, spat out a mouthful of blood foam in contempt, saying, “You’re weaker than flat-chested Ling[1]!”
Some of Qin Fengqing’s energy had replenished. Whilst searching around the corpse of the Rank-5 powerhouse, he asked, “Who’s Brother Ling?”
“Ling Yiyi.”
“Huh?”
Qin Fengqing was confused. Fang Ping ignored him and started collecting the booty.
...
In less than a minute.
All the seized goods were set out in front of both of them.
“3 D-class weapons, less than 30 catty.”
“5 energy hearts. 4 Rank-4s and 1 Rank-5.”
Their eyes met. Then, they looked extremely speechless. This was everything—nothing else!
Qin Fengqing spoke in a low voice, “They’ve just woken up at night. I’m sure that they’ve left their things in that big ceremonial hall.”
Fang Ping nodded slightly. Then, he stuffed everything into his own burlap sack matter-of-factly.
Qin Fengqing saw what he did and spoke through gritted teeth, “That’s too much!”
“I killed all the Rank-4s, and we agreed that the Rank-5 heart is mine. Isn’t everything mine?”
Qin Fengqing was irritated. “Whatever the case, you still have to give some of it to me. I was expecting that Rank-5 to have something on him, at least!”
He had not expected it either. The other party did not carry anything with him at all.
In the end, both of them had exerted all that energy the whole day, killed the other party, all for nothing.
Fang Ping thought for a while, tossing to him the five medals in front, saying, “This is for you. You can sell this for money. Also, the Rank-5 medal is definitely worth a lot.”
The Catacombs martial artists might not carry other items with them, but they would most certainly wear their medals.
In the Catacombs, this represented identity, status, honor and everything else.
Martial artists would most certainly wear their medals.
“I @#%...”
Qin Fengqing cursed. So this trinket would be the only thing I was getting?
Actually, the medals were rather useful. One could exchange them at the Military Department and collect Military points, while many collectors desired them.
However, when compared to an actual profit, they were just worthless trinkets.
Qin Fengqing gritted his teeth. “Give me a few Rank-4 hearts, at least. Otherwise, we’ll split up!”
“Let’s split up then.”
Fang Ping looked completely unaffected by it. Qin Fengqing let out a humph and, saying no more, he strode off.
Similarly, Fang Ping said no more and strode off.
Both of them moved in the same direction.
Qin Fengqing walked a few steps, exclaiming suddenly, “Don’t follow me!”
“You’re the one following me!”
As he said that, Fang Ping continued in a whisper, “Aren’t you worried that there might be Rank-6 powerhouses in there?”
The direction where both of them were headed was the valley earlier.
The herbs had not been fully collected yet. None of the Rank-4 and 5 martial artists carried any cultivation goods with them. No doubt, plenty of good stuff was left in the big ceremonial hall.
It was obvious that both of them wanted to split up so they could hog all the goods alone.
While walking, Qin Fengqing said, “My guess is that there aren’t any.”
“My guess is there are.”
“Don’t go then.”
“I’ll protect you.”
“There’s no need for that!”
“...”
Both of them stopped in their tracks. Looking depressed, Qin Fengqing said helplessly, “Together, then.”
“Alright.”
Fang Ping chuckled and said, “My guess is that there aren’t any Rank-6 in there as well. Otherwise, I think they will come after us. After all, the alarm system has been damaged. If we put ourselves in their shoes, unable to judge whether the enemy is strong or weak, with a Rank-6 around, would they just sit around doing nothing?
“If it was MCMAU, powerhouses will naturally move together if someone breaks into the southern area. If Rank-6 and 7 powerhouses are around, yet a Rank-5 is sent to make the kill, it just doesn’t make sense.”
Qin Fengqing mumbled, “Perhaps it’s a Rank-7. Rank-7s are more arrogant. We’re only some puny thieves. It’s understandable if a Rank-7 did not come after us.”
Earlier, one said there was, while the other said there was not. Right now, it was the other way around instead.
However, both of them thought nothing of it. They did not care whether there was or was not. They only cared about the benefits.
Besides, Wolf Head Mountain was not considered a very wealthy area. The richness of energy was not too high either. Both of them were aware that Rank-7 powerhouses would not reside here.
If that was the case, the Rank-5 who was chasing after them earlier might be the strongest one present.
If they were really unlucky and encountered a Rank-6, then they would just run.
Right now, even under their joint forces, they still would not be able to take down a Rank-6. That was for sure.
Even killing a Peak Rank-5 martial artist was almost impossible. They had to make sure that they would not get killed themselves.
That person earlier was either an Early-stage or Middle-stage Rank-5. He was most certainly not an Upper-stage. Otherwise, Fang Ping would not be able to resist him that effortlessly.
[1] In Chinese, it was a pun that sounded like ‘Brother Ling’