CHAPTER 1862: CHAPTER 1855: ENCOUNTERING OBSTRUCTION AGAIN

After Feng rejoined the group, Luo’er had no more worries. The Advance Team proceeded south along the planned route, passing through Qi State and Jiangzhou, with Hua State as their final destination.

After a brief rest in Hua State, the Advance Team would head towards Fengyu to enter West Outer Heaven, awaiting rescue from headquarters.

However, it was clear that the Wu Dynasty had no intention of allowing them to leave. Not long after they left Yin State and entered Qi State, a new interception force blocked their way.

On the main road to Qishi Mansion in Qi State, the path was filled with troops blocking their way. These were not troops sent by the Imperial Court, but the local military of Qi State, specifically the Nine Thousand Battalion of the Anxiang family.

Like the other major families in the states, the Anxiang family, as a prominent family in Qi State, had consolidated private soldiers from other small factions to form an army of tens of thousands under their own command.

This time, the Nine Thousand Battalion blocking the Advance Team numbered over ten thousand, a sea of heads densely packed as far as the eye could see.

There had been debates between Luo’er and other team members on whether they should act discreetly. Luo’er believed that since they were strong enough, there was no need to be discreet and they could take the main road to expedite the journey.

However, the issue was obvious: they were easily ambushed, just like now, blocked by over ten thousand men on the road.

Despite this, Luo’er remained calm. He didn’t have his team members come forward this time, instead stepping out of the carriage himself. Walking towards the opposition with open arms, he loudly asked, "What is everyone here planning to do?"

"His Majesty earnestly requests the National Teacher to return to the capital, and we hope you won’t disappoint His Majesty’s goodwill," responded the armored Knight on a tall horse courteously.

"Haven’t I already said," Luo’er couldn’t help but smile wryly, "that I had already bid farewell to His Majesty before leaving Shengjing, with His Majesty’s approval. Why does it feel like you think I’m deliberately running away?"

"Amidst domestic turmoil, refugees are rising up, committing treason and robbery. It would be prudent for you to return to the capital so we can ensure your safety," the Knight replied solemnly.

"No need, we can protect ourselves without troubling you," responded Luo’er.

"The National Teacher shouldn’t refuse a good offer," the Knight’s expression suddenly turned cold.

"If I don’t return, what are you planning to do to me?"

Facing the tense atmosphere, Luo’er instead revealed a slight smile.

"Then don’t blame us for being impolite," said the Knight.

"How impolite? Or do you think you can defeat me?"

Luo’er’s smile carried a hint of sarcasm and coldness.

"There are fifteen thousand here. Do you think you can fight off this many cultivators with your own power?" the Knight threatened.

"Just a rabble," Luo’er said dismissively, "Does the Manor Lord not know that I possess the power of the Nascent Soul Realm?"

"So what!"

"It seems the Manor Lord is fully prepared,"

said Luo’er, with the smile on his face gradually fading, turning into a stern countenance.

The opponent’s confidence clearly indicated having a secret weapon. To counter someone of the Nascent Soul Realm, it could only be another Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

"You are not official troops!" After a moment of silence, Luo’er suddenly spoke.

"I am Anxiang Yu, commanded by His Majesty to request the National Teacher to return to the capital," the Knight said with a nod.

"The Anxiang family, so it’s like that..."

Luo’er sighed, having been mentally prepared before stepping into Qi State, only to find his premonition quickly realized.

"I see, you plan to take me as a tribute to His Majesty. If you capture me, it would indeed be a great achievement, but only if you have the capability,"

"I am aware that as a Nascent Soul Realm expert, I cannot contend against you. However, within the same realm, it is difficult to distinguish victory. Now that I lead ten thousand soldiers, while you are tied up in battle, the others may not stand a chance against us."

"So, you have found a way to deal with me?"

"Exactly!"

As Anxiang Yu spoke, he abruptly raised a hand.

With his gesture, the magical energy in the air began to stir rapidly. This phenomenon indicated that someone was gathering magical energy.

Sure enough, within three seconds, the image of a giant gradually emerged above the crowd. This figure, entirely composed of high-density magical energy, glowed all over like a divine warrior.

Luo’er looked up at the giant, eyes widening with a look of shock.

Of course, he wasn’t afraid, but intrigued. If nothing unexpected happened, this would be the first Demigod the Advance Team encountered in the East Continent. His appearance indicated that even without relying on the Ancestors’ Divine Machines, people of the East Continent could achieve the effects of a Demigod through cultivation.

"I didn’t expect this... such power could be reached solely through individual effort. The cultivation system of the East Continent truly surpasses the magical system of the Western Continent,"

Luo’er murmured in awe, squinting at the giant.

Seeing Luo’er so stunned, Anxiang Yu’s face lit up with confidence, smugly declaring, "Now that the National Teacher chooses to compromise, there is still room for reconciliation."

"A mere Nascent Soul, nothing more,"

Luo’er said dismissively, retracting his gaze with a disdainful smile. Before Anxiang Yu could reply, he again raised his head, looked at Anxiang Yu with a smile, and said: "In that case, let me show you my power as well."

"Manor Lord enjoys this, huh..."

As Luo’er spoke, he raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Following the snap, magical energy swiftly gathered, and a figure of a goddess over twenty meters tall appeared behind him, standing face to face with the giant behind Anxiang Yu.

"Or do you prefer this?"

Luo’er said, lowering his right hand and raising his left, then snapped his fingers crisply.

At his command, Liseya’s figure, resembling a Flying Head Monster with only a head and floating hair, appeared by Luo’er’s side and circled around him.

"Two, two Nascent Souls... no, no, why don’t you..."

Anxiang Yu was evidently terrified, his voice becoming stammered.

Because the powers Luo’er displayed far exceeded his imagination.

According to his understanding, when a Nascent Soul leaves its shell, the cultivator loses control over their body. This meant if Luo’er were indeed a Nascent Soul Realm expert, then after his Nascent Soul left, he wouldn’t even be able to stand, let alone talk.

But Luo’er’s performance defied his expectations. Not only could Luo’er speak, but he also possessed two Nascent Souls. This string of new revelations threw Anxiang Yu off balance, leaving him bewildered.

Unless Luo’er wasn’t actually a Nascent Soul Realm expert, and someone else held that power, but that thought was even more frightening.

For Luo’er to summon two Nascent Souls could imply that he might have even more, or that his entire team was made up of Nascent Souls. With so many powerful beings under Luo’er’s command, his strength was unimaginable.

He had thought that presenting their ancestral patriarch would force Luo’er to yield, but unexpectedly, they had met their match; the National Teacher’s powers clearly exceeded his imagination.

"So, do you want to keep persuading me to return to the capital or clear the way?" Luo’er tilted his head, again showing a tranquil demeanor, "By the way, I don’t like to kill, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dare. If you’re smart, let us pass."

In that moment, Anxiang Yu began to have second thoughts, knowing well that if Luo’er indeed commanded two Nascent Soul Realm experts, even ten thousand soldiers plus their ancestral patriarch couldn’t capture the envoy.

Regarding understanding of Demigods, those from the East Continent and the Advance Team’s knowledge were almost the same; they all knew Demigods had long transcended the constraints of physical form, no longer relying on a mortal body. Even with countless troops, falling before a Demigod was only a matter of time.

Though he was beginning to have doubts, Anxiang Yu’s ancestral patriarch thought otherwise.

While Anxiang Yu was still pondering, the glowing giant transformed into a ball of light, charging at the goddess without hesitation.

"Ancestor, please refrain!"

Anxiang Yu nearly cried out, having seemingly forgotten that he had no authority to command his own ancestral patriarch when he brought him out to coerce Luo’er.