Free Web NovelChapter 55: Chapter 55: Swaying in the Storm, Peak of Neutralizing Force
"Sir, what exactly should we do?" Yang Bo asked, breaking the silence as he looked at Fang Xing.
"Strengthen the patrols. Watch for suspicious individuals. Evil Cult members may be trying to infiltrate Qingshan."
Fang Xing said plainly.
Evil Cult members!
A chill ran down their spines at Fang Xing’s words, and they immediately became more alert.
Fang Xing scanned the men. "Report any unusual circumstances to me immediately. Understand?"
The four men nodded.
"You’re dismissed. Get back to your duties," Fang Xing said with a wave of his hand.
The men immediately rose and left the General Guard Room.
Watching them leave, Fang Xing sat back in the Grandmaster’s Chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
’White Lotus Rebel Army...’
Gazing outside, Fang Xing was lost in thought.
Ever since he’d learned the news, a faint sense of anticipation had been growing within him.
’If I play this right, it could be the perfect opportunity to break through the Profound Gate.’
’Opportunities like this don’t come often.’
’Once I reach the Peak of Neutralizing Force, my Cultivation speed is bound to slow down. If I can use the slaughter from the rebel army to harvest Enhancement Points, I could not only speed things up but also have a chance to step into the Extraordinary ranks of the Martial Dao.’
’I’ll have to wait and see. For now, the priority is to raise my Cultivation to the Peak of Neutralizing Force.’
The thought flashed through Fang Xing’s mind, calming the turmoil within him.
’No matter what, increasing my strength is what’s most important.’
’Once I reach the Peak of Neutralizing Force, with my Martial Arts, I’ll have no problem dealing with anyone who hasn’t surpassed the Neutralizing Force Realm.’
’Even if I have to face those rebel army Generals, I’ll be able to protect myself even if I can’t win.’
With that, Fang Xing immediately left the General Guard Room.
’No matter what the future holds, sufficient strength is the only true way to face any crisis.’
’Plans never keep up with change.’
...
Leaving the County Yamen, Fang Xing headed to a pharmacy in East City to purchase some medicinal herbs and Elixirs.
’I have over a thousand Enhancement Points left. At my current pace, I should be able to break through to the Peak of Neutralizing Force within the month.’
’It would be best to break through before the White Lotus Rebel Army arrives.’
After purchasing the herbs and Elixirs, Fang Xing went straight home.
’Everything’s been arranged. I don’t need to get involved personally; I just have to wait for news.’
’Now, it’s time for an all-out sprint!’
...
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
「A month passed in a flash.」
For all the powers in Qingshan County, this past month had felt like the calm before a storm.
The source of this tension was the news that the White Lotus Rebel Army would soon attack Qingshan County.
The spread of this news sent shockwaves through the entire city.
Everyone, from the Qingshan Five Giants down to the humble street vendors, grew tense.
The once-bustling streets and alleys had now grown desolate.
Although there was still no sign of the White Lotus Rebel Army, the panic they inspired grew with each passing day.
The news reached not only those within the city walls but also some of the powerful clans living outside them.
Some local magnates had even begun secretly moving their assets.
Faced with the spreading rumors, the Government Office remained silent.
The officials made no move to deny the news of the White Lotus Rebel Army’s impending arrival.
This lack of denial only served to heighten the panic throughout the city.
For a time, an oppressive atmosphere, like the calm before a great storm, settled over all of Qingshan County.
---
「Early morning. Linxi Courtyard.」
Inside a room, Fang Xing sat cross-legged on his bed, a potent Power circulating All Around him.
Within him, a Power of Primordial Unity raged and roared. The "great dragon" of his spine bulged, and a series of noises echoed from his body.
A series of CRACKLES and POPS, like beans being stir-fried, rang out.
The Power surged through his body, coursing through the meridians All Around him like a flood from a broken dam, washing over his sinews, bones, and flesh.
RUMBLE— freeweɓnøvel.com
Suddenly, a thunderous peal echoed from within Fang Xing’s body. The Power circling All Around him surged, and an immense pressure swept out, blanketing the entire room.
The room seemed suppressed by his might, the very air freezing in place.
His bones hummed and his muscles vibrated. The vital energy and blood within him condensed, emitting a faint, sanguine glow.
His vital energy rose like a column of wolf smoke!
A powerful aura billowed out as the Power in his body circulated rapidly All Around, spreading to every limb and fiber of his being.
"WHOOSH—!"
His eyes snapped open. After exhaling a puff of turbid air, Fang Xing shot to his feet.
"The Peak of Neutralizing Force! I’ve finally made it!"
Fang Xing was deeply satisfied as he felt the immense Power coursing through his body.
This past month’s sprint had not been for nothing.
After consuming a large number of Treasure Elixirs using his Enhancement Points, he had finally broken through this Profound Gate.
Peak of Neutralizing Force!
His internal Primordial Power had skyrocketed. Compared to when he was in the Late Stage of Neutralizing Force, his Power was now at least five times greater.
Cultivating the Longevity Technique made his Power as vast and pure as Innate Primordial Chaos.
If his Power in the Late Stage of Neutralizing Force was a river, his Power now was a raging torrent.
In a battle of attrition, he could outlast any other martial artist at the Peak of Neutralizing Force.
This was one of the Longevity Technique’s advantages!
Pure and immense!
He was now confident he could clash head-on even if he had to face all of the Qingshan Five Giants at once.
Combined with his Red Fire Divine Skill, he was even confident he could kill a Martial Artist at the Peak of Neutralizing Force.
Although his Red Fire Divine Skill was still in the Initial Dao Realm, his Martial Arts Mastery of the technique had improved dramatically over the past month.
His heaven-sent Comprehension had allowed him to completely master the first killing blow of the Red Fire Divine Skill in just one month.
His Red Fire Divine Palm had also reached a Refined and Masterful level.
The Initial Blue Flame could now unleash astonishing power. Paired with the pure Power from his Longevity Technique, he was ninety percent certain he could kill a Peak Neutralizing Force Martial Artist in a direct confrontation.
He could even hold his own against two such opponents without being at a disadvantage.
’I finally broke through before they arrived. I wonder how much longer until the White Lotus Rebel Army gets here...’
The thought crossed Fang Xing’s mind as he gazed out of his house.
This past month, besides focusing all his energy on Cultivation, he had also been keeping an eye on the situation outside.
Especially regarding the White Lotus Rebel Army.
He knew all about the turmoil brewing in Qingshan County.
The truth couldn’t be contained forever.
Although no news had leaked for the first half of the month, as time went on, word of the White Lotus Rebel Army’s impending siege began to spread like wildfire.
It was impossible to stop the rumors.
People weren’t stupid.
Over the past month, the number of traveling merchants in Qingshan County had dropped by more than half.
While patrolling the city, the Constables under his command had already caught several Evil Cult members.
They were all low-level cultists, however, and he couldn’t get any particularly useful information out of them.
The only certainty was that the White Lotus Rebel Army would indeed attack the city.
He figured it would be within the next few days.
The exact time, however, was still unknown.
Xu Qingshan was responsible for scouting outside the city.
He had passed on a few messages.
Traces of the White Lotus Rebel Army had already been spotted in Qingshan County, but it was still unknown when this force would launch its attack.
Nevertheless, the Government Office had made preparations.
They had strengthened the forces garrisoning the city gates.
They had also stockpiled kerosene, Black Gunpowder, and other such materials on the city walls.
In addition to the Government Office’s own preparations, the Qingshan Five Giants had also contributed a portion of these supplies.
The fall of Qingshan City was the last thing the Qingshan Five Giants wanted.
After all, the Qingshan Five Giants were deeply entrenched in Qingshan County; they couldn’t just pack up and leave like some of the countryside gentry.
Although they had secretly moved some of their assets, their main interests were still in Qingshan.
If they truly couldn’t hold the city, their only option would be to flee.
For now, at least, the situation remained stable.
County Magistrate Zhang Chen had also communicated orders to the Qingshan Five Giants.
Each of the Five Giants’ factions had to dispatch over a hundred men to cooperate with the Government Office’s operations.
The Five Giants did not refuse, each sending over a hundred of their guards.
They were all able-bodied men.
A portion of them were even Martial Artists who had reached the Bright Force realm.
Including the Defense Army’s forces, Qingshan County could currently muster a fighting force of roughly two thousand men.
That number might seem substantial for defending a city, but no one knew what the reality of the situation would be.
After all, the true numbers of the White Lotus Rebel Army were still unconfirmed.
Furthermore, the rebel army had numerous Martial Dao Masters among their ranks.
Their collective strength was not to be underestimated.
