Free Web NovelChapter 26: Chapter 26: Slaying Neutralizing Force
"Neutralizing Force!"
Fang Xing’s pupils constricted. He had made his judgment in that split-second exchange.
He had been lying in wait, and a jackpot had fallen right into his lap—something far beyond his expectations.
Looking at the one-armed, white-bearded monk before him, Fang Xing immediately thought of the Abbot mentioned in the intelligence reports.
SPURT...
His attack having missed its mark, the Beard Monk coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He was already critically injured, and with a blade run through his torso, the very act of mobilizing his Power caused his aura to plummet precipitously.
’A perfect chance!’
Fang Xing quickly snapped out of it. He lunged forward in a single bound, unleashing his Demon Suppressing Power as he threw a punch as fast as lightning.
Against a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist at their peak, he would have fled without a second thought. But now, with his opponent fatally wounded, this was an incredibly rare opportunity.
Killing a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist would certainly yield far more Enhancement Points than defeating a Bright Force Martial Artist.
The air compressed, his Fist Force striking like a dragon!
This punch was blindingly fast.
"You damned brat!"
The Beard Monk’s face was deathly pale. Sensing the danger, he immediately mobilized his Power to counter.
BOOM!!!
A dull thud rang out as Fang Xing’s figure was sent flying backward.
He was pushed back ten feet before he could stop himself.
His insides churned, and just that brief collision had thrown his vital energies into turmoil.
Even as a spent force, the power of a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist was still terrifying.
SWOOSH—!
Suppressing the roiling energy within him, Fang Xing activated Gale Step and swiftly closed in again.
Although Fang Xing had been injured in the exchange, the Beard Monk’s wounds were far more severe.
Blood gushed from his wounds, unstoppable.
His strength had plummeted to an all-time low.
’At this point, all I have to do is keep him tied down and seize an opportunity. I can definitely kill him.’
His figure darted and weaved as he pushed Gale Step, a Body Technique Martial Arts, to its absolute limit.
Combined with his Demon Suppression Skill, it took only a few breaths for the Beard Monk to reach his breaking point.
CRACK—!
Seizing his chance, he struck out decisively with a Demon Suppression Palm. With the sound of breaking bone, the Beard Monk’s body was sent flying.
The impact even dislodged the large blade impaled in his body. He crashed into a large tree nearby, snapping the man-thick trunk before slumping to the ground, barely breathing.
WHOOSH—
Dashing forward, Fang Xing gave him no chance to recover, landing a heavy punch on the Beard Monk’s back.
CRUNCH—!
The Demon Suppressing Power permeated his body, shattering bones and pulverizing his internal organs.
Splat...
With a final spray of blood, the Beard Monk’s life force dissipated completely. A crimson wisp rose from the body and flowed into Fang Xing.
"Phew..."
Only after seeing the crimson wisp enter his body did Fang Xing finally let out a breath of relief, subconsciously wiping the sweat from his forehead.
’I killed a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist!’
Even though the man had been grievously wounded, it was still an incredibly dangerous fight for him.
If he hadn’t cultivated the Gale Step Body Technique Martial Arts, he would have paid a terrible price, even if his initial ambush had succeeded.
A Body Technique Martial Arts might only be a supplementary skill, but in a life-or-death battle, it allowed him to maneuver with ease.
This battle was both thrilling and perilous!
Like walking a tightrope over a cliff!
’A Neutralizing Force Martial Artist should be worth a good amount of Enhancement Points...’ Calming himself, Fang Xing quickly summoned the crimson panel to check.
Name: Fang Xing
Cultivation: Dark Force
Enhancement Level: One-Star (22%)
Enhancement Points: 354
"Three hundred points!!!"
Staring at the crimson panel, Fang Xing’s eye twitched as a flush crept up his face.
Three hundred points!
He had gained a full three hundred Enhancement Points from killing a single Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.
This was a massive profit!
His heart couldn’t help but pound as he looked at the number of Enhancement Points.
With this many Enhancement Points, he could rapidly increase his strength.
He calmed himself and closed the crimson panel, but his heart still thrummed with a trace of excitement.
’I’m rich...’
’Sure enough, hunting Evil Cultivators is the fastest way to get ahead!’
He felt an urge to go on a killing spree.
But he managed to restrain himself.
SWOOSH—!
Just then, a phantom-like figure flickered into existence before Fang Xing.
He was startled and immediately took a step back, but he relaxed once he saw who it was.
It was Shen Ye!
"He’s dead..."
Shen Ye’s pupils contracted slightly as he looked down at the white-bearded monk’s corpse.
His gaze inevitably shifted to Fang Xing.
Although he had been the one to grievously wound the man, he was still a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist. Shen Ye hadn’t expected Fang Xing to be able to finish him off, let alone so quickly.
"Lord Shen." Fang Xing cupped his hands in a salute to Shen Ye.
Shen Ye snapped back to reality and looked at him, a hint of admiration on his face. "Well done. I never thought this Cult Leader would fall by your hand. You’ve performed a great service."
Hearing this, Fang Xing remained composed. "You flatter me, Lord Shen. It was only because you wounded this fiend so severely. Otherwise, I would have been unable to kill him."
At these words, the smile on Shen Ye’s face grew wider. He patted Fang Xing’s shoulder. "Well said. Rest assured, I won’t forget your contribution when this is all over."
Fang Xing just smiled and said nothing.
’Whether I’m rewarded or not isn’t important.’
’What’s important is that I gained a huge amount of Enhancement Points this time.’
’This batch of Enhancement Points is a massive infusion of powerful resources.’
"My lord, is everything finished inside?" Fang Xing asked, glancing toward Lingyuan Temple.
Shen Ye nodded. "Yes, it’s over. This leader was the last of them."
"Was there any trouble at the front entrance?" Fang Xing asked.
"All quiet. Just a few small fry, but they’ve all been taken care of," Shen Ye replied.
Fang Xing nodded.
Shen Ye glanced at the white-bearded man’s corpse on the ground, then scanned the surroundings before turning back to Fang Xing. "You stand guard here. I’ll go have someone notify the County Yamen."
"Alright."
Fang Xing nodded, and Shen Ye departed swiftly.
As he watched Shen Ye disappear into the night, Fang Xing’s gaze fell upon the corpse of the white-bearded monk. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
He crouched down and searched the body, finding a money pouch.
Opening the pouch, he found it filled with gold leaves.
There were a dozen or so taels’ worth of gold leaves inside.
Fang Xing didn’t hesitate to pocket the money.
After another quick search to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, he stood up.
...
The men from the County Yamen arrived quickly.
The entire Lingyuan Temple was cordoned off. The Cult Leader’s body was taken away, while the others were buried on-site.
The mission had been perilous, but ultimately successful.
For Fang Xing, the rewards were undoubtedly the greatest.
The money was secondary; the main prize was the three hundred fifty Enhancement Points he had obtained.
For him, that was the real jackpot. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
He wasn’t responsible for the follow-up. Fang Xing, Shen Ye, and a few Constables returned to the County Town.
Fang Xing went straight home, washed up, and went to bed.
The County Yamen’s high-profile operation immediately drew the attention of many factions within the city.
However, the specific details remained unknown.
After all, news of such a recent event hadn’t had time to spread so quickly.
—
The night passed quickly.
「The next morning」Fang Xing woke up early.
After washing up and eating breakfast, Fang Xing didn’t rush out. Instead, he went into his room and took out the Martial Arts Manual for Gale Step.
"One hundred and fifty points..."
Sitting on his bed, he looked at the crimson prompt in his vision and took a deep breath.
Before, he would have had to think it over carefully, but now, he didn’t hesitate at all.
While a Body Technique Martial Arts was a supportive skill, its importance in a life-or-death battle was self-evident.
If it weren’t for his reliance on Gale Step during last night’s fight, he would likely be either dead or severely injured right now.
With a single thought, a crimson wisp instantly wrapped around the manual.
A moment later, everything returned to normal.
[A common martial art (Gale Step) has been successfully enhanced. You have obtained a Superior Martial Arts (Wind God Step).]
As the crimson text appeared in his vision, Fang Xing’s eyes lit up.
