CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: MURDER AND PLUNDER BRING A GOLDEN BELT

The hidden weapon technique combined with the talisman, the fireball released by the talisman was fast, precise, and ruthless, reaching the three of them in an instant, leaving little room for evasion.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fireballs from different directions exploded simultaneously, causing the nearby temperature to rise sharply. Even though the three of them tried to dodge at full speed, they couldn’t escape the explosion range.

One cultivator, short and stout, was blasted with his face bloodied and flesh blurred, screamed horribly as he was thrown off, hitting the ground motionless, apparently killed on the spot.

The other two didn’t fare much better. Under the explosive scorching force, their hair and upper garment were blasted to pieces, their heads buzzing, and their eyes burned by the flames, making them unable to see for a moment.

The Golden Light Talisman on Shen Wang’s body played its role, blocking the blast of fire, and he quickly sped through the raging flames, pressing out a palm.

Blood-Transforming Palm!

With a low, muffled sound, a tremendously sinister force invaded the body of the frail man wearing a blue cloth shirt.

This palm wasn’t forceful; the latter didn’t fly away. All the palm force invaded his meridians and internal organs, instantly destroying many vital points, especially the heart.

Puff!

A mouthful of blood was spat out by Shen Wang, blood filled with shredded bits of flesh. The man in blue stared with widened blood-soaked eyes, unwillingly and angrily forming a hand seal.

A short blade glimmered coldly and wobbled towards Shen Wang, only to be bounced off by the Golden Light Shield, causing no damage at all.

Shen Wang didn’t even glance at the man, knowing he was struck by the Blood-Transforming Palm, with all his major organs and vital blood vessels shattered, he couldn’t live.

He turned and moved sideways, chasing the last person.

This was a yellow-robed old man who had already turned and fled upon noticing his two companions’ plight.

Steam was rising from his body, his face scorched black; he fled with closed eyes, trembling as he took out a defensive rune with his charred hand, trying to activate it.

Puchi!

A cold gleam penetrated his head, transforming in the splattering blood into a scarlet flying sword.

The yellow-robed old man’s body leaned forward, weakly falling onto the ground, dying on the spot.

Shen Wang appeared next to him, muttering, "I didn’t expect the hidden weapon combined with talismans would be so formidable. Using martial arts for close combat kills and using flying swords for distant attacks, these guys couldn’t even use magic or magical artifacts, otherwise, it’d take more effort."

His face was excited; his murderous capability just now truly surprised him.

The former self wouldn’t be a match for his current self at this moment!

It seems learning more skills indeed pays off, killing the enemy so swiftly.

"All skills I’ve learned are killing techniques, hence achieving such effects."

Shen Wang looked around to ensure there were no others ambushing him besides these three.

Luckily, his speed was swift, dodging the undercover ambush, forcing the three ambushers to call out and even chase and attack him.

As for why these people ambushed him, it’s not perplexing; being alone while traveling makes one the best target for murder and robbery.

Especially near such large market areas, malintended people often lurk, intending to murder and plunder resources.

Of course, doing this requires being prepared to be killed as well.

He quickly searched the three bodies, pulling off three low-grade storage pouches, a few talismans that were taken out but not yet used, a short blade, a nailed object swirling with black energy, and a dark green vine magical artifact.

Even without checking the contents of the storage pouch, just these three magical artifacts were worth several hundred spirit stones.

Shen Wang grinned, "Indeed, murder and robbery pay well, much more so than repair work and rescues ever would."

His hard work making talismans for a day couldn’t compare to the quick bounty he just made; no wonder some take the risky path of murder and robbery.

He wasn’t in a hurry to inspect the storage pouch contents, kicking the bodies together and throwing a fireball at them before turning to leave.

The flames crackled loudly, the high temperature quickly reducing the three bodies to ash, emitting a strange smell.

Not long later.

Swoosh!

Some figures appeared in the distance, seeing the three charred remains and their faces changed drastically.

"The Black Water Stream Trio actually failed!"

"Such quick action, by the time we noticed and arrived, the bodies were already burned this badly."

"What now? They’re dead, and we’re missing some stone talismans; how are we supposed to get into that place?"

The group discussed, involuntarily looking at the burly man among them.

This burly man was exceptionally tall, an entire ten feet, his skeletal muscles shining with a dark glow as if made of metal, his eyes like torches, staring in the direction Shen Wang left.

"They’re dead, then we find someone else. Chase him, make whoever killed them join us!"

Boom!

With a stomp, the ground beneath his feet sank, making a muffled sound, and he shot out like a cannonball, pursuing Shen Wang with a noise piercing the air.

The others exchanged glances and followed quickly.

Shen Wang soon heard noises from behind, distinguishing by sound, he frowned, "Is there more? Quite a number, seven of them! There are seven people!"

He couldn’t help but take a breath, taking out all the talismans from his body in advance, especially several high-level fireball talismans.

If he can’t win later, using talismans to cover his escape should work.

"Hey kid ahead, stop right away, we have something to ask you."

A deafening voice came from the head of the shadowy figures, like rolling thunder, shocking his mind.

Shen Wang was startled, knowing just from the voice that this guy’s power was profound and his strength was not simple at all.

Never mind the six more behind him; he absolutely couldn’t deal with them like before; escaping was now his only plan.

Swoosh!

Amid the sound of wind cutting, someone was using sword flight to charge ahead to intercept Shen Wang.

His face hardened, taking out two Light Body Talismans, activating and sticking them on his body, lightening his entire body suddenly.

All his spiritual power infused into his legs, his speed burst directly, instantly becoming a shadow flashing through the forest, quickly distancing himself and disappearing from the pursuers’ sight within a few breaths.

"..."

The crowd was stupefied, the running burly man stopped, cursing, "I never said I was gonna kill you, what are you running so fast for?"

"Big brother, he probably misunderstood,"

The man with a keen face by his side said helplessly, "Maybe he thought we were all chasing to kill him."

"He runs too fast, can’t catch up."

Sword light descended from the sky, it was a cultivator using sword flight, finding himself unable to catch up with the opponent even using sword flight.

"Is this guy a mouse or what, running so fast just with legs."

The red-clad woman among them cursed.

"This guy is likely dual cultivating magic and martial arts, skilled in lightweight body technique, and supported by talismans; it’s normal not to be able to catch up."

Another man in gray shook his feather fan-like artifact, voicing his observation.

The leading burly man waved, "Stop chasing, the more we chase, the faster he runs. Just wait until he stops, then locate him using stone talismans and visit directly."

"I agree with big brother, this man’s strength isn’t simple, even though he seems only at mid-stage Qi cultivation, an average late-stage cultivator might not be his match."

The black-clad man, who hadn’t spoken before, with eyes sharp like a falcon, nodded, his gaze tinged with caution.

"Let Ms. Xia visit by then, and approach him amicably."

The leading burly man thought for a moment, "That place must be explored as soon as possible, we can’t let outsiders discover it, or we might not even get the scraps."