On the Path to the Great Dao

“If this person's Golden Core hadn't shattered, I'm afraid we would be in grave danger.” A chill ran down Li Tianqing's spine.

Zhao Yanliang was the youngest of the Yan generation in the Zhao family, only a few years older than the Eldest Young Master Zhao Ziyu. His cultivation was much lower than Zhao Yanlong and the others.

He used his Golden Core to fix the black iron pellet, thus suffering heavy damage. His death could be said to be incredibly unjust.

Experts of the Golden Core Realm like him had already begun to refine the Golden Core, using its power to temper the physical body and refine away impurities.

A Golden Core Realm physical body would be incredibly powerful, no longer as fragile as the four realms of the Qi Refinement Stage.

There were also Golden Core Realm cultivators who deliberately practiced body cultivation techniques to enhance their close-combat strength. For example, for cultivators of the Li family in Quanzhou, upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, the family would provide eight body refining methods for them to choose from.

Although the Zhao family of Xinxiang did not have as deep a foundation as the Li family, they should have similar methods.

The power Zhao Yanliang's body could explode with was definitely not inferior to Chen Shi!

The main reason he had his skull cracked by Chen Shi was that his Golden Core was shattered, causing heavy injury. When facing Chen Shi, his physical strength was difficult to exert, leading to his death.

If he hadn't been injured, even without the Golden Core, in close combat, it was unknown who would have died. Chen Shi and Li Tianqing continued to charge forward. Chen Shi had thrown all the pellets in his crate, so he grabbed them from Li Tianqing's basket, repeatedly throwing them, blasting the Zhao family descendants and Zhao family Brocade Guards ahead off their feet.

The Zhao family descendants and Brocade Guards only regretted their parents hadn't birthed them with two extra legs. They weren't running fast enough.

As for fighting back against Chen Shi, or even killing him, they only thought about it; putting it into action was absolutely something they dared not do.

As long as they dared to stop, they would be blown to pieces!

Those two behind were not children, but Asuras, fiends, demons!

“Whoosh—”

An invisible jade wheel flew over, slicing off a person's head.

Li Tianqing's heart hammered, unsure if it was excitement or nausea. This was his first time killing a person.

The Zhao descendants and Brocade Guards fled Qianyang Mountain in panic. Out of over a hundred people, only six or seven remained. The others were either blown to death, fell off cliffs, killed by Six Yin Jade Wheels, caught by Chen Shi, or split up to flee, barging into the deep mountains and losing their way.

However, Qianyang Mountain was vast and sparsely populated with many dangers. The vast majority of those who fled into the deep mountains would not come out alive.

The survivors rushed out of Qianyang Mountain and arrived at the provincial post road, running wildly towards the provincial capital.

A Brocade Guards carried Zhao Yanlong. That Brocade Guards ran for his life, seeing fewer and fewer people around him, terrified.

Fortunately, the two killing gods, Chen Shi and Li Tianqing, hadn't pursued them.

At this moment, the porcelainization on Zhao Yanlong's body surface had begun to disintegrate, and his body gradually grew larger, like a two or three-year-old child. It was strenuous for the Brocade Guards to carry him on a long-distance run.

“Put me down first.” Zhao Yanlong said.

He was now half-porcelain and half-flesh. The cracks bumped onto his legs also turned into two long, narrow wounds, starting to bleed and produce pain.

But this was a good thing.

It meant his body was starting to return to normal.

And he felt true qi flowing in his body. The Divine Embryo he couldn't sense before also gradually regained sensation, even faintly establishing a connection with his Primordial Spirit.

His cultivation was not as good as Li Jindou. When Li Jindou entered the kiln factory, his Primordial Spirit was not porcelainized, but Zhao Yanlong's Primordial Spirit was, and the connection with his Spirit was broken, not knowing where it had fallen.

But now his connection was getting stronger.

These changes made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Although he didn't know why the Demonic Domain suddenly collapsed, it allowed him to start recovering from the porcelain state.

He circulated his true qi and took a step. Although his legs and feet hurt, his speed was not slower than the Brocade Guards carrying him.

Running with them were four other people. Two were Zhao family descendants, and the other two were Brocade Guards. Zhao Yanlong didn't see his sixth brother Zhao Yanchu and second daughter Zhao Minrou, so he asked: “Duofu, where are your Sixth Uncle and Second Miss?”

Zhao Duofu was born of a mistress. The so-called mistress's son was worse than a chicken; his status in the Zhao family was not much higher than servants. Hearing this, he didn't dare call him father, saying: “Master, Sixth Uncle and Second Miss were blown to death.”

Zhao Yanlong was stunned. Grief came from within, and he couldn't help crying loudly: “If I don't exterminate Chen Shi's entire family, I swear I am not a human!”

They were still over a hundred kilometers from the provincial capital, but the Armored Horse Talismans wouldn't last. The efficacy of the talismans of the three Brocade Guards began to decay, and their speed gradually slowed.

Seeing this, Zhao Duofu hurriedly said: “Master, their Armored Horse Talismans are failing. Wait for them!”

Zhao Yanlong's expression wavered. He snorted and said, “Duofu, have you heard such a story? It says two brothers met a tiger outside...”

Before the story finished, Zhao Duofu exclaimed: “Master, Master! Look quickly!”

He pointed ahead. Zhao Yanlong looked and saw Xinxiang Province's flags fluttering in the wind. One was the Xinxiang Harbor flag, an azure blue flag embroidered with thunder patterns bursting on four sides, and several triangular flags embroidered with the character 'Zhao'.

“It's the Governor's camp!”

Zhao Yanlong's spirit lifted, and he laughed: “The Governor is right ahead! We are saved!”

Governor Zhao Tianbao was the head of the Zhao family, controlling the four Zhao prefectures. He was a man of means and resourcefulness. The Zhao family's flourishing population and growing power over these years were also due to him.

Zhao Tianbao's cultivation realm was unfathomable. Some said he had reached the third realm of Spirit Refining, or even the fourth realm, but it couldn't be verified.

Zhao Duofu laughed: “Could it be that Governor Master executed the Evil Bodhisattva and saved the common people?”

Zhao Yanlong said: “Most likely so.”

Screams erupted from behind. The two looked back and saw Chen Shi and Li Tianqing had caught up from somewhere and killed the three Brocade Guards who had fallen behind.

And the other Zhao family descendant, because he ran slowly, was killed by a sudden jade wheel.

“Go quickly!”

Zhao Yanlong and Zhao Duofu ran with all their might. Ahead, the Governor's camp was getting closer.

Zhao Yanlong sensed his Primordial Spirit lightening. He immediately sensed and summoned it. Sure enough, his Primordial Spirit broke through the air from Qianyang Mountain. Although most of it was still in the process of porcelainization, its speed was still extremely fast, chasing towards this side.

“Duofu, you indeed have much fortune (Duofu); you are my lucky star!”

Zhao Yanlong laughed loudly, saying, “A mother's status depends on her son. Returning alive this time, you will be my Shu son. I'll bring your mother into the manor and give her the status of a concubine!” Zhao Duofu was both surprised and delighted. He was the son of a mistress, equivalent to an illegitimate child, not recognized by the Zhao family and without any status. Now becoming a Shu son, and his mother promoted to concubine, his status would increase greatly. He would inevitably rise steadily in the Zhao family, achieving success just around the corner!

Chen Shi and Li Tianqing killed the four stragglers and continued the chase. The two chased from the mountains to here, sweating profusely and physically exhausted, but their spirits were vigorous to the extreme.

Li Tianqing saw the Xinxiang Harbor flag in the distance and startled, hurriedly saying: “Little Ten, we can't chase anymore! The Xinxiang Governor should be in the main camp under the flag ahead!”

Chen Shi hesitated, his speed slowing down a few degrees. “Xinxiang Governor, is he also from the Zhao family?”

Li Tianqing said: “That's right. Xinxiang Governor Zhao Tianbao, his cultivation realm is probably similar to my grandfather, unfathomable! We can't chase forward anymore!”

Chen Shi gritted his teeth and said, “Give me all the remaining pellets. You go back first!”

He took off the book crate, snatched the basket from Li Tianqing's back, stomped heavily on the ground, activated the Armored Horse Talisman, and rushed towards Zhao Yanlong with even more astonishing speed!

As his footsteps landed, the straw sandals on his feet were burst open by his expanding feet. With the next step, he was running barefoot!

Qi and blood surged through Chen Shi, making his body taller and stronger. In the blink of an eye, he grew more than half a foot taller. His qi and blood filled to the extreme, causing his hair to start growing slowly!

His stride lengthened, his speed increased. One step spanned six or seven meters; even a galloping steed would be left in the dust!

His arms also lengthened significantly, his palms thicker and larger. Qi and blood agitated, muscles and fascia swelled, causing thick blood vessels to surface on his arms.

He saw nothing but Zhao Yanlong running for his life!

Strike while he's weak!

Chen Shi understood this principle deeply.

If he didn't kill Zhao Yanlong now, once Zhao Yanlong reached the main camp and returned to the Zhao family, he would have to wait an unknown amount of time to find such a suitable opportunity again!

A life for a life; debts paid in coin.

This was the rule of the countryside, not the Great Ming laws bound by rules and regulations.

This Demonic Transformation was caused by Zhao Yanlong's greed, killing an unknown number of people. Then he must pay with his life for these dead and this disaster!

In the Governor's camp, Zhao Tianbao and the strong experts of the three departments of Xinxiang Province looked out, showing expressions of uncertainty. The overlapping and expansion of the two Demonic Domains just now startled them all. They didn't expect this Demonic Domain to collapse and disintegrate on its own.

Although the Demonic Domain dissipated, they still dared not trespass into it to investigate.

While they discussed, someone shouted: “My Lord, my Lord! The Master of Xuanying Manor is still alive!”

Zhao Tianbao was surprised and delighted, hurriedly walking out of the main tent: “Yanlong is still alive? Where?”

The other strong experts of the three departments hurriedly followed him out. Sure enough, they saw two people running towards them. One was of short stature, no more than two feet tall, yet his stride was astonishing. It looked exactly like Zhao Yanlong.

However, there were many porcelainized places on Zhao Yanlong's body, and his cultivation was greatly damaged. He should have been porcelainized and hadn't recovered.

While running, Zhao Yanlong's body was still enlarging, and the porcelain on his body was gradually fading, transforming into a flesh and blood body.

Zhao Tianbao laughed loudly: “Yanlong led my Zhao clan sons into the mountain to execute the demon. I thought he and all the disciples of Xuanying Manor were buried in the demon's mouth. I didn't expect him to actually succeed and return victorious!”

Everyone understood and praised the bravery of the Master of Xuanying Manor one after another, saying: “If the Cabinet knows, they will surely reward the Master of Xuanying Manor. We also have glory on our faces!”

Behind Zhao Yanlong and another Zhao family descendant, there was another person running wildly. He was about six feet tall, with huge strides and even faster speed, charging forward like a berserk exotic beast, the Great Desolation Barbaric Bull. When his footsteps landed, they cracked the incredibly hard stone slabs of the provincial road, sending crushed stones flying.

That person had a childish face, delicate features, red lips and white teeth. His clothes were not very glamorous but quite decent.

But such explosive power made Governor Zhao Tianbao and a group of provincial dignitaries look sideways.

“The Zhao family has added another Qilin son.”

Provincial Administration Commissioner Ding Heyun praised, “This child is young, only in his teens, yet has such amazing speed. He will surely become a great vessel in the future, limitless!”

Everyone nodded.

This was not flattery, but the strength and momentum shown by that youth were indeed amazing. In their shoes, they wouldn't have such powerful skills at the same age.

Governor Zhao Tianbao laughed, modestly saying: “Just a little doll, worth such praise? I'm worried about hurting Zhongyong!”

Although he said so, he secretly noted Chen Shi's appearance, thinking: “This child must be cultivated with care!”

Divine light rose in the rear, a patch of mist. Everyone looked closely, only to see a porcelainized Primordial Spirit flying over, extremely fast!

It was Zhao Yanlong's Primordial Spirit.

However, that Primordial Spirit was still in a porcelainized state on the surface, half-porcelain half-spirit, power mixed and impure.

The running youth whipped the basket off his back, grabbed a pitch-black ball-shaped object the size of a head from it, then threw that basket into the air, smashing towards Zhao Yanlong's Primordial Spirit which was launching a surprise attack!

The black ball in the youth's hand also flew out, arriving later but hitting first, striking the basket in the air.

“Boom!”

Six or seven black iron pellets exploded. It was as if a thick thunderball exploded in the sky. Firelight shot in all directions, fire clouds expanded outward. The charging Zhao Yanlong's Primordial Spirit was affected by the shockwave. The porcelainized parts on its body shattered immediately, riddled with holes in an instant!

The fire cloud swallowed his Primordial Spirit!

This unforeseen event caught everyone in the main camp off guard, simply too late to rescue.

Under the firelight, the youth caught Zhao Yanlong. Zhao Yanlong's body had now grown to about three feet, still like a child's body. Although there was still heavy porcelainization on his body, after years of tempering his physical body, he was far superior to ordinary people. He dodged sideways, avoiding the fist blasted by Chen Shi, and kicked out, aiming straight for Chen Shi's groin!

Chen Shi caught the leg and smashed down with his elbow. Zhao Yanlong's knee was shattered, the fascia at the connection of the calf and thigh severed, bending downwards.

He wouldn't have been so fragile originally, to have his right leg smashed by a Divine Embryo Realm youth, but at this moment, most of his body was composed of porcelain, shattering upon touch.

Chen Shi smashed down with his elbow, advanced, swung his elbow tip upwards, hitting his solar plexus, breaking several ribs. Immediately, his hands swung with a whoosh, slapping heavily on his ears.

Zhao Yanlong's porcelainized eardrums shattered completely. Muddled, his head was clamped by Chen Shi, and he was hit by knees in succession on the solar plexus. The porcelainized parts on his body shattered with crackling sounds!

Among his five viscera, many organs were porcelainized. At this moment, broken porcelain shards pierced his internal organs!

Beside him, Zhao Duofu moved to rescue him. Chen Shi dropped Zhao Yanlong, slid sideways to his side, his right palm heel already pushing on his chin, pressing his head, lifting his body and smashing him down backward!

“Thud!”

A dull thud echoed. The blue stone slab cracked; brain matter and blood plasma flowed.

Chen Shi pressed his left hand on the ground and swept his right leg back. Zhao Yanlong's legs snapped and broke, falling backward.

Chen Shi turned sideways and smashed his elbow, hitting squarely on his throat. Blood mixed with broken porcelain shards flowed from his mouth.

Zhao Yanlong was dead.

Chen Shi exhaled a breath of turbid air, stood up and looked towards the Governor's camp, meeting Governor Zhao Tianbao's gaze, then turned and left.

(End of this chapter)