Junior Leopard had completely fallen into a passive situation.
This was a common problem faced by everyone whose level was below Level Seven when dueling with an expert who had cultivated Gang Qi. They were unable to break through the protective Gang Qi of those experts. Hence, they were helpless under the crazy attacks of these experts.
An expert who had cultivated Gang Qi, whether in the cultivation of Internal Qi or in the toughness of the body, could not be compared with a person below Level Seven. Even in an extremely fair battle, a Bone-Forging Realm expert was unable to stand more than 5 moves with a Tendon-Changing Realm expert. What's more, when the opponent used Gang Qi to protect themselves, they could just attack without thinking about defense. On the other hand one had to keep defending, if not, he would definitely be beaten to a pulp. Junior Leopard was able to rely on his Emerald Pearl sword to survive 10 moves. That in its self was quite amazing.
"Lad, your tenaciousness is beyond my expectations. Your strength is among the best in experts of Level Six. What a pity that you don't know the real facts!"
The grey-cloaked old man was able to feel that Junior Leopard was slowly crumbling under the pressure of his attacks. It was only a matter of time before he won.
Thinking of all the benefits he could get from Junior Leopard, he became involuntarily excited. Besides the extremely powerful celestial device, there was also the Poison-absorbing Green Bead. With that bead, he needed not spend so much time bootlicking the Yuan Family and could instead make use of their resources. He only needed to undertake a retreat in a seclusive place and make use of the Poison-absorbing Green Bead's magical properties to increase his own strength. He believed that in 20 years he would be able to break through to Level Eight. Once he broke through to that level, he would then be one of the select few experts in this world. His status would also rise a hundred times more.
The upper 3 levels.
Level Seven, Level Eight and Level Nine.
The difference among the levels was akin to the Skin-Toughening Realm breaking into the Bone-Forging Realm, or the Bone-Forging Realm breaking through to the Tendon-Changing Realm.
The difference between each level was the same.
In the 3 lower levels and the 3 middle levels, it was possible for two different levels to rival each other. However, when it reached the upper 3 levels, there was no possibility for one level to be on par with another level.
The gap between Level Seven and Level Eight was even greater than that between Level Six and Level Seven. Not to mention the gap between Level Eight and Nine.
That was also the reason why in kidnapping the bride, once Snake King revealed his Level Nine cultivation, the Mingyi School had no choice but to swallow their pride.
Originally, this old man's greatest wish was to enter into the Tendon-Changing Realm. However, once he reached Level Seven, his thoughts changed.
By just looking at him he looked very old by. However, he knew clearly that he still had sufficient time to enter into Level Eight.
That was why he accepted the invitation of the Yuan Family and made Yuan Xiuwen his disciple, becoming the only Level Seven expert in South Yuezhou State, Goldenrim Commandery. The reason why he did so was to make use of the Yuezhou's overlord to collect his own resources for his future use.
Things had been going on smoothly. The Yuan Family was indeed Yuezhou's first family. They answered every request made by this Level Seven expert.
However, it was because of this that his hopes of advancing to a higher level became gradually dim.
He realized that the higher his cultivation went, the further away he was from Level Eight.
Ever since advancing into Level Seven 10 years ago, he had deeply understood that if he hadn't any lucky chance, it was just a beautiful dream to enter into Level Eight.
Yet right now, the lucky chance was right in front of him.
That celestial device was able to raise his own fighting strength, however, that Poison-absorbing Green Bead was the key to his advancing to Level Eight, or even to Level Nine possibly.
Faced with such a lucky chance, how could he not be excited?
Now that success was imminent, he really didn't see how Junior Leopard would be able to turn the table. In his excitement, he no longer thought Junior Leopard a nuisance. That is why he said what he said.
The Emerald-Green Pearl flashed a dazzling whitish moonlight. It tightly guarded his whole body. Junior Leopard didn't say anything, however, his gaze was deadly fixed on that old man.
Observing his expression and hearing his tone, Junior Leopard who seemed to have expended all his energy suddenly smiled.
This smile was so devious and strange. Even if he had complete confidence, the old man's heart still felt a chill.
In an instant, Junior Leopard's Qi force changed into something demonically strange.
The old man who was crazily attacking felt that there was a weird pulling force in Junior Leopard's surroundings.
Centering on him, this centrifugal force enshrouded a 30-foot surrounding area.
Following the appearance of the suction force, it became more difficult for his attacks to land on Junior Leopard.
The suction force was just like a black hole, absorbing everything within a 30-foot radius, including the worm corpses that were as numerous as dust.
The intense battle between two of them scattered the bug corpses within the room. The room was permeated with these bug corpses. Now, under the influence of Junior Leopard's black hole, these bugs that were like dust began to follow a pattern and slowly whirl towards Junior Leopard.
"Spirit?!"
The old man was a Level Seven expert. After being surprised initially, he immediately understood what he just met.
It is Spirit!
"You actually comprehended Spirit!"
The old man said surprisingly. Junior Leopard didn't reply. The speed of the Emerald Green sword in his hands became much faster and it went straight to the old man.
"This is not sword intent. This is fist intent. You actually didn't specialize in sword?!"
Feeling the fist intent exude from Junior Leopard, the old man had already categorized him as a monster and a demonic person.
A Level Six expert who had comprehended fist intent was actually using a sword to duel with a Level Seven expert. What was he actually thinking?
The old man didn't know of Junior Leopard's thoughts. However, he no longer dared to belittle his opponent. The attacks which had slowed down became intense again. He disregarded the sword that Junior Leopard pierced at him. Even if Junior Leopard had already comprehended fist intent, he didn't believe that his opponent's short sword was able to easily break through his own Gang Qi. Most importantly, the speed of his long whip was not slower than that of Junior Leopard. He had absolute confidence in killing Junior Leopard before his sword could reach him.
He miscalculated.
The Emerald Pearl sword was emitting a strange green light and violently pierced through his Gang Qi. It easily broke through his Gang Qi and stabbed onto his left shoulder.
That happened when he discovered that the situation was not favorable and evaded it quickly. If not, that sword would've pierced through his chest.
The old man's eyes stared fiercely at Junior Leopard. He forcefully endured the pain and retreated. The reason why he retreated was not that he was injured, but because he couldn't believe the situation he was facing.
Junior Leopard's sword actually pierced through his body before his whip could land on Junior Leopard.
The bug corpses that were attracted to the gravitational field caused by Junior Leopard's fist intent was going towards Junior Leopard at a faster speed. At the same time his long whip was also attracted to the suction force. The speed was also getting faster to his surprise.
Especially within 1 foot near Junior Leopard, the speed crazily increased.
The whip was flying and it seemed as though it would hit Junior Leopard to a pulp. However, this short distance of only 1 foot seemed like an endless journey.
The scene he was looking at was the complete opposite of reality. At this moment, he didn't believe the truth that was in front of him. After a few breaths, the Emerald Pearl sword in Junior Leopard's hands had already attacked him numerous times. Apart from being struck when he was caught off guard, he evaded the rest of the attacks.
However, his whip hadn't yet struck Junior Leopard's body.
The distance of 1 foot was as wide as the distance between heaven and earth!
What was even worse was that he couldn't retrieve his whip anymore. Upon realizing that something wasn't right, he wanted to retrieve his own whip. He naturally tugged at it, felt it then, and it also slowly shrank back following his trajectory. However, a problem surfaced; it seemed as if his whip had extended endlessly. After tugging at it a few times, he didn't completely retrieve it.
"Why is there such a weird fist intent in this world?!"
After trying for a few times, he couldn't retrieve his whip. He also couldn't land a hit on Junior Leopard. Under Junior Leopard's attacks, he could only think of retreating.
Retreat!
How could he not retreat?
Although the Poison-absorbing Green Bead was good, he still needed his life if he was to enjoy it. He had met countless enemies in his life and experienced countless battles. However, it was his first time meeting an enemy like Junior Leopard.
His cultivation was obviously at Level Six, however, the cards he had up his sleeves were endless. He actually forced a Level Seven expert to be on the defensive. The most important thing was that his fist intent was demonic. Under such a situation, he decided to retreat temporarily. It was a wise decision.
Once he had decided, he no longer hesitated. He released his hands and let go of the whip. He no longer cared about it and retreated like a lightning flash.
There were his considerations in choosing to retreat now. His retreating right now didn't mean that he gave up on the Poison-absorbing Green Bead. On the contrary, he wanted to have a better chance to obtain it.
He was an extremely cautious person. After exchanging blows with Junior Leopard for so long, he already understood that he had completely underestimated his strength. From the start he let Junior Leopard gain the advantage by killing 2 Level Six experts with one blow. That was his greatest mistake.
If those 2 Level Six experts were still around, he wouldn't fall into such a situation. Now that two people on his side had died and one was scared stiff, the only fighting strength was himself. He had also fallen into a bitter fight. Facing the unfathomable fist intent and the fist methods which Junior Leopard hadn't revealed, if he decided to clash head-on, even if he won he would have to pay a huge price for it. In the end, he was paving the way for someone else. Instead of letting things develop this way, he might as well retreat now and wait for an opportunity. Anyway, he had a celestial device on his hands. With the value of this device, the opponent wouldn't let go of it easily. He would think of ways to get back this celestial device. At that time, the timing and location wouldn't be chosen by Junior Leopard. Just like today, Junior Leopard made use of the terrain to kill the 2 Level Six experts in a flash. Next time, he could use a terrain that was advantageous to himself.
In Yuezhou's Governors Mansion, apart from him who was at Level Seven, there were 6 other Level Six experts. Now that two had died, there were still 4 left. Making use of the terrain, and adding 4 Level Six experts had caused the celestial device to lose half of its strength. Even if Junior Leopard possessed a weird fist intent, he had the confidence to subdue him.
After all, until then he hadn't held any precaution towards the fist intent displayed by Junior Leopard. However, he wouldn't make the same mistake the next time around.
As a Level Seven expert, if he couldn't even accomplish this, then he wasn't worthy of being a Level Seven expert.
Hence, he began to retreat.
Junior Leopard obviously wouldn't let him retreat so easily.
He also understood the old man's selfish calculations. Furthermore, everything was going on well in his plan. How could he let the opponent escape when things were going in his favor?
Even the opponent's retreat was within his calculations.
Under the Black Hole Fist Intent, it wasn't easy to retreat.
It was only the opponent's decisiveness that was out of Junior Leopard's expectations. He actually threw aside his weapon and only focused on retreating.
"You no longer have any path for retreating!" Junior Leopard coldly smiled. His body squirmed forward and shot towards the old man like an arrow leaving a strung bow.
"It is just a Genuine Weapon. Do you really think it could break my Gang Qi!"
When the old man saw Junior Leopard rushing over, his face had a trace of anger. Just now he was caught off guard and he let Junior Leopard pierce through his Gang Qi and injure his shoulder. This led him to believe that Junior Leopard was holding a Secondary Heavenly Weapon. However, after clashing with the Emerald Pearl sword a few more times, he gradually calmed down. This was not a Secondary Heavenly Weapon at all.
The first time he got injured was because he wasn't mentally prepared. Furthermore, Junior Leopard's sword contained an extremely hot and destructive energy. That was why the Gang Qi broke apart.
In the ensuing attacks, the destructive heat disappeared, causing the old man to speculate.
"Perhaps he could only release that kind of terrifying hot attack a few times only?"
This kind of thinking, of course, could be right. Junior Leopard was a Level Six expert. Even if he had extremely surprised him in the course of the battle, a Level Six expert was after all just a Level Six expert. Even if he had a method to break through the Gang Qi, it was impossible for him to use it continuously. If not, the difference between Level Six and Seven wouldn't be so big.
Now Junior Leopard came rushing forward. He then began to be cautious again. Maybe Junior Leopard would use that destructive hot attack again. Subconsciously, he began to circulate his own Gang Qi to fend off Junior Leopard's sword. Now that he was prepared, he vaguely looked forward to seeing whether Junior Leopard's sword would be able to pierce through his Gang Qi or not.
Seeing the approaching Gang Qi become dense with a gray colour, Junior Leopard's eyes flashed a hint of mockery.
His right hand holding onto the sword released it and he actually threw the Emerald Pearl sword away.
The old man's eyes violently shrunk. His pupils shrank to the size of a needle. An endless fear permeated through his whole body.
"Oh shit!"
Junior Leopard's sword left his hand and was rushing towards his Gang Qi. It was deflected off with no doubt by the Gang Qi, not dealing any damage at all to it.
After his short sword left, Junior Leopard flipped his hands. His both palms slammed forward. At the same time, the green light enlarged in front of his chest. However it was covered by his black cloak, thus the old man was unable to see clearly the situation.
Both his palms violently clashed with the Gang Qi. He had nowhere to run to.
"Pu---!" A dull sound was heard. The palms collided with the Gang Qi. Both of their bodies became still. At the same time, Junior Leopard's fist intent disappeared. The bugs on the corpses lost control and started flying everywhere. The whole house was once again enshrouded in a haze.
Within this haze, a green light lit up and then faded. Junior Leopard's palms were forcefully pressed onto the Gang Qi. He felt as if both of his hands had been stabbed by thousands of needles. The corner of his mouth twitched and he yelped. However, he didn't take his hands away.
The vibrating ripples that were dense like jade poured out from his palms. At the same time both of his hands, beginning from the elbows, began to spurt out blood from every pore. A thin cloud of blood was wrapped around both of his hands.
The green ripples led the gray colour Gang Qi, and within just a moment, the gray Gang Qi followed the green ripples and started vibrating. This vibration quickly affected the old man's whole body.
The old man's facial expression stiffened. His eyes flashed a surprised expression. His body violently trembled, and his mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to shout something out. However, he didn't manage it in the end.
Infinite Trembling Contemplation!
The old man's body vibrated with the cyan ripples and was trembling at a high speed as if he was standing on a vibrating wooden board. However, this did not last for too long.
In a breath's moment, the Gang Qi collapsed under the vibration. The old man's body was also smashed into pieces. A dense blood fog splattered in all directions and cleansed the air of the bugs from the corpses. The interior of the room became cleaner. In the crispness, there was a dense bloody scent permeating the air.
Using the Infinite Trembling Contemplation to kill the old man in one strike, Junior Leopard wasn't well either. Both of his hands were trembling. Even though the entire secret skill's circulation was completed in the Dragon Chimera skull External Elixir, it still had to be transmitted through his palms and released. Just the last step alone caused both of his hands to suffer serious injuries.
However, it was worth the price as he had just killed a Level Seven expert.
It was indeed worth it.
"My estimations are not wrong. This Infinite Trembling Contemplation can scatter Gang Qi. It can even make use of the Gang Qi to connect to the opponent's body and kill him as a result!" Junior Leopard looked at the pile of flesh in front of him and he smiled. Using the tip of his foot, he kicked a black box with his real force. Hence, when the box was flying up it shattered to pieces. The 42 Demon Devil Needles that were confiscated by the old man were once again under Junior Leopard's control.
"Don't kill me. I beg you, don't kill me. I will give you whatever you want. I can give you anything!" Junior Leopard's gaze turned to Ruan Xiuwen as he regained control of the needles. Ruan Xiuwen then woke up from the shock and began crying out loud.
The old man's death dealt him an extremely big blow. A Level Seven expert died so easily without an intact corpse in the hands of this strange black-cloaked man.
Yes, his corpse was non-existent!
This made him think of Gao Yulou. At this time, he was able to confirm that this black-cloaked man akin to a devil was the same person Xiao who kidnapped the bride at Qinlingjun City.
That time, he also caused a Level Seven expert to die without remains.
"Stop shouting anymore. If I want to kill you, it is pointless to shout!" Junior Leopard slowly walked to the front of Ruan Xiuwen.
Ruan Xiuwen's face had quite a lot of the old man's blood splattered on it. He didn't wipe it off. In other words, he hadn't realized it at all. He cautiously looked at Junior Leopard who was walking towards him. With every step that Junior Leopard took, he would retreat a step.
He retreated till he was at the door. His leg stepped on empty air and he fell backward and landed with his buttocks on the floor.
"Please, please, no, don't come over. Don't come over!"
Even if he was already planted on the floor, he still used both of his hands to support the back. Both his legs were kicking on the floor for retreating.
"Once you move again, I will kill you!"
Junior Leopard spoke softly as he walked towards him. His speed was neither slow nor fast.
Ruan Xiuwen's movements stopped. He didn't dare to move. He sat on the floor and looked at Junior Leopard with an imploring look on his face.
"Don't be afraid. I don't want to kill you, but you must cooperate with me!"
"Yes yes yes, I will!" Ruan Xiuwen hurriedly nodded.
As Junior Leopard looked at his surroundings, his brows slightly furrowed. At this moment the inn was empty, however, there was still a little presence within the inn's surroundings. Their cultivation was not bad, at least at Level Four or Five. Even though the old man had scared a few people off, there were still those who wanted to fish some benefits and hid around here.
"I have something to ask you, however it is not suitable to ask here!" In between words, Junior Leopard lifted Ruan Xiuwen's collar and then his body up. At the same time, his right hand transmitted a fiery pain, which caused him to breathe in cool air.
"This Infinite Trembling Contemplation really causes great damage to bodies. No wonder it is a secret skill. Its power is great, however, no one is able to fully unleash it!" Junior Leopard said to himself. He raised his hand and lifted Ruan Xiuwen up. He circulated the Floating Geese Body Movement and ran out of the inn.
Those experts waiting outside ready to jump on an opportunity hadn't reacted in time and they just saw a person dragging a half-dead person out. His speed flabbergasted them.
They hid in the dark and didn't give a chase because almost all of them clearly saw what the people looked like.
What they saw was that the person being dragged was Young Master Ruan Xiuwen. This Young Master was being dragged in midair and no one from the inn was giving chase. What did that represent?
It meant that the mysterious person who caused such a ruckus in the inn had already defeated the four men including Elder Yun, the Level Seven expert. He forcefully abducted Ruan Xiuwen, but what happened to the other three? That was what they were most concerned about.
About thirty minutes after Junior Leopard brought Ruan Xiuwen away, numerous figures rushed into the inn. In an instant, shocked cries erupted. Following that, the soldiers from the Garrison Mansion also rushed over. After 1 hour, the entire Goldenrim Commandery entered into an emergency state. As for all of these, it seemed to have no connection to Junior Leopard.
At a place about 300 feet away from Flyingcrane Restaurant, an old man who was opening a small store gazed at Flyingcrane Restaurant with a doubtful expression.
"What is this lad doing? he, however, caused such a ruckus, but I got off easy!"
His fingers lightly tapped on the small store that he was carrying on his shoulder. On his thumb, there was a ring that had a golden chicken engraved on it and was flashing a mesmerizing golden light under the bright sun.