Zhou Leng looked at Xue Chengsong and said, "Send the Body Refining Stage to follow us."

"All right."

"Let's go!" Zhou Leng took a step forward, and the other two, along with Rao Mingxian, rushed out together.

Xue Chengsong sent eight people from the Body Refining Stage to follow, then sent someone to find Xue Tongming to inform about the matter of the left hand of the Headless God.

If they could really seize it...

Xue Chengsong's eyes were blazing with excitement.

Zhou Leng and the three others charged out the gate, pursuing that person.

Five Vitality Stage Martial Artists rushed out diagonally ahead.

The two sides met briefly, unfamiliar faces all around.

The leading person said while running, "We are from the Wanli Exploration Company, accompanying the Third Young Master Zhao of the Zhao Family, Zhao Tong. We hope you all will give us some leeway and not interfere."

Zhou Leng turned his head to look at Rao Mingxian and the other two.

Rao Mingxian's eyes showed panic, while the other two Vitality Stage people, who were middle-aged, just smiled coldly.

One person shouted, "If the Third Young Master Zhao were here personally, we would turn around and leave. But he's not here, so how do we know if you're genuine or fake? Wanli is formidable, but in matters like these, those who see are also entitled."

The opposing person then said, "Then how about this: let's agree that neither side will act until the person is caught or the treasure obtained, to avoid falling into a trap. Once we have it, we'll determine the winner, how about it?"

Rao Mingxian and the three looked at Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng shouted as he ran, "Alright."

The five Vitality Stage people looked at Zhou Leng in surprise, not expecting the leader to be so young.

Rao Mingxian whispered, "You all know the background of Wanli, right?"

"After all, it's one of the Dragon Country's Top Ten exploration companies."

"It's said that behind it are descendants of the pioneers of the Martial Arts Civilization, but there are many companies like this. Besides, this is Shuizhou Demon City, and strong dragons don't overpower local snakes."

Rao Mingxian said, "We still need to be careful. If something really happens, we'll all be in trouble. And with so many people watching, there's no way to handle it."

Zhou Leng and the other two frowned.

Rao Mingxian's worries were quite reasonable.

If it were an ordinary force, even if stronger than Xue's, with an Innate or even Grandmaster background, as long as it wasn't from Rucheng, anyone could be dealt with.

But dealing with Wanli and the Zhao Clan is completely different.

The four people suddenly felt uncomfortable and restricted everywhere.

In contrast, those five people not far away showed no change in expression, confident.

Zhou Leng estimated his leg injury; it wouldn't be a problem short-term.

Thus he whispered, "I'll speed up the pursuit, you all be prepared, beware of their ambush."

"Alright." The two nodded together.

Rao Mingxian then said, "Can your leg injury manage?"

"No problem."

"Then it's all up to you," Rao Mingxian said.

Zhou Leng slowly took a deep breath, circulated True Qi, and executed the Flying Crane Technique.

With a loud bang, he cracked the ground, like an arrow, leaving everyone else behind, rushing forward.

"This speed..."

Everyone from both sides widened their eyes, understanding Zhou Leng's strength instantly.

The five individuals on the opposite side watched Zhou Leng's diminishing figure, furrowing their brows.

Wanli may be strong, but can't overshadow everything.

Three minutes later, Zhou Leng was within 100 meters of the person, getting closer.

Zhou Leng shouted, "My friend, you can't escape. We have no grudge against each other, why not leave the treasure behind?"

"Defeat me, and I will concede!" The man's answer was crisp.

"Alright!"

Zhou Leng accelerated again, and soon caught up with the person, striking out with a palm.

The person swung their fist in defense.

With a crack, the person's right arm broke, and blood spewed as they flew backward, crashing heavily against a tree, the bundle in their hand flung out.

Zhou Leng turned and grabbed the bundle, looking at the person.

The person leaned against the tree, right arm limp and resting on the ground, wiping blood from the corner of their mouth with their left hand, stared at Zhou Leng and said, "You are a master, I can't compete. Until next time!"

With a clean turn, the person ran off briskly.

Zhou Leng held the black bundle, shaking it lightly.

A heavy thumping sound came from inside.

The bundle contained a redwood box, over half a meter long.

Zhou Leng recalled the situation that day, when the person ran out from the mine, the size of the item in their arms, matched.

By now, the pursuers were close.

Zhou Leng carried the black bundle and walked towards Rao Mingxian and the others.

Upon regrouping, the five people stopped, eyes fixed intensely.

The person who spoke earlier cupped his fists, saying, "I am Gu Hongyun, the manager of Wanli's branch company. Under the orders of the Third Young Master Zhao, we are here to seek the treasure. Could you show consideration for the Third Young Master Zhao and let this treasure go?"

Zhou Leng said, "Alright, what price are you offering?"

Gu Hongyun was stunned.

A Vitality Stage Martial Artist behind Zhou Leng said, "Don't want to pay a penny, just trying to take the Headless God with nothing but words, anyone ignorant might think the entire Dragon Country belongs to the Third Young Master Zhao."

"Draw the line, and cut the nonsense, we are martial artists, let fists speak," another Vitality Stage Martial Artist said.

Gu Hongyun looked at Zhou Leng and remained silent.

Experts know at a glance, with Zhou Leng's speed earlier, it was clear he was unmatched.

Body, True Qi, and Lightweight Skills, all exceptionally strong.

Even a weaker newly Innate individual wouldn't be much quicker than just now.

Zhou Leng carried the bundle, walking back, saying, "If nothing, we're leaving. But if we fight... be prepared."

Zhou Leng's tone was calm, causing the hearts of the five people to tremble.

Gu Hongyun glanced at Zhou Leng, squinted his eyes then regained composure, smiling, "Easy, easy. This young brother is strong, we naturally can't compete. But aren't you curious to open it up and see if it's real inside?"

"Hmm?" Zhou Leng paused momentarily, could such a treasure be fake?

A Vitality Stage Martial Artist behind him whispered, "It might be fake, happened quite a few times."

"Really fake?" Zhou Leng hadn't heard of it.

"There is. Last time at our mining site, it was later discovered to be fake."

Zhou Leng tore open the package and looked at the redwood box, which was locked.

With one slap, he shattered it and pried open the lid, revealing a piece of round wood.

Everyone fell silent.

Gu Hongyun smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Looks like we're unlucky, farewell. Oh, by the way, young brother, your skills are remarkable. Staying in a small place like Rucheng is too much of an injustice. If you're interested in joining Wanli, feel free to contact me, Wanli warmly welcomes you."

As he spoke, Gu Hongyun flicked his right hand, sending out a business card.

Zhou Leng caught it casually, put away the business card, and looked at the item in the box.

A piece of pine wood as thick as an arm.

With his left hand holding the pine wood, Zhou Leng used his right fingernail to slash down from the top of the pine wood, leaving a clear mark.

With both hands like iron clamps, he applied force to both sides, hearing a series of light snaps, splitting the pine wood into two.

Everyone's eyebrows twitched.

Zhou Leng didn't use true Qi, he split the wood with bare hands.

The Vitality Stage could achieve this, but not so easily, more like breaking a biscuit.

Gu Hongyun and his five companions felt relieved, thankful they hadn't acted rashly.

Inside the wood, there was nothing.

Zhou Leng casually tossed it aside and walked away.

The five started to run, and the distance between them increased.

Zhou Leng asked, "Why would someone fake it? Is it to create chaos, or to hide the real Headless God?"

"Not sure. Some say it's the Demon Worship Sect's trick to disturb Shuizhou Demon City."

"But indeed, some have seen the left hand of the Headless God, with their own eyes, and not just once."

"The one who created the fake likely already has the Headless God and is using the fake to deceive everyone."

"The key is, before opening it, no one can tell the real from the fake."

Zhou Leng said, "Why has this thing caused such a fuss for so long?"

"The Headless God is a remnant body of a demigod, containing great power. Once it enters the Shuizhou base, it would surely be detected, yet there's no news. So, everyone deduces that it's still in Shuizhou Demon City, but who holds it is uncertain."

"Isn't it able to be refined?"

"Only those at the Innate level can refine it, and the person who has it likely isn't Innate."

Rao Mingxian said, "Perhaps the real Headless God is buried somewhere, waiting for its master to reach Innate, then to refine it."

"Likely..."

Zhou Leng said, "It seems this treasure is not destined for us."

"Yeah, but that's normal. After all, such things are too precious, even Grandmasters seldom possess it."

Zhou Leng asked, "How strong is the Headless God exactly?"

Rao Mingxian shook his head.

A Vitality Stage martial artist said, "Having the Innate Realm or not is roughly equivalent to three small levels, which is one small realm."

"The difference between the Early Stage of Body Refining and the Early Vitality Stage?"

"Yes."

"Very strong indeed," Zhou Leng marveled.

"Of course, excluding Starry Sky Weaponry, the Headless God is humanity's only Martial Treasure, and it's a demigod's remnant body."

"Ordinary weapons can't compare to Martial Treasures and Starry Sky Weaponry."

"Starry Sky Weaponry... alas, even rarer, and even if there are, they are fragmented."

Everyone slowly walked back, though outwardly calm, their internal regret was hard to suppress.

Back at the mining site, Xue Chengsong quickly came out to greet them, asking, "How did it go?"

The four shook their heads in unison.

Zhou Leng said, "Fake."

"What a shame... but it's normal, this thing is useless even if not taken by an Innate."

They chatted for a while, then Zhou Leng and Rao Mingxian got into a car, returning to the Shuizhou base.

Zhou Leng first went alone to the Martial Arts Brigade, reported safe, then took out the items obtained from Chang Luan and his son.

A Magic Spirit Bag, some miscellaneous items, and some pills and pill vouchers.

Leopard Tendon Pills, 32 pieces, each worth 200,000, but market price often reaches 250,000.

Strengthening Body Pills, 74 pieces, each worth 200,000.

Replenishing Essence Pills, 32 pieces, each worth 100,000.

Various intermediate miscellaneous pills costing around 100,000 each, 24 pieces.

Blood Replenishing Pills, Qi Nourishing Pills, etc., valued at 10,000 each, 207 pieces.

Like Great Nourishing Pills, hundreds-thousand level pills, over 300 portions.

Meat Herbal Cuisine Voucher, 20 vouchers worth 100 servings each.

A Magic Spirit Bag, valued at eight million.

Star Conch, 72 pieces.

Additionally, at least half the future revenue from three mining sites.

Plus the gains from having previously killed a Demon, totaling ten million.

In just a few days, the harvest is unimaginable.

Zhou Leng took out a Replenishing Essence Pill from the Magic Spirit Bag, holding it in his hand, watching it quietly.

This small pill carries the anticipation of his dozen years.

Countless dreams have been about this.

Many families have quarreled and despaired over it.

Now, not only has he consumed enough Hundred Pills, but there's also a surplus.

Zhou Leng sold the unwanted items and the Magic Spirit Bag to the Martial Arts Brigade and returned to Rucheng with Rao Mingxian.

Due to obvious injuries, Zhou Leng only reported safe to Wang Boxiong and Deng Zhijue before entering the Fierce Beast world.

He took the pills, simmered and drank the Tiger-striped Bamboo, and slept in Mammoth Lake.

After some unknown time, Zhou Leng opened his eyes.

Being on the lake's bottom, he felt no suffocation.

The Vitality Stage body, akin to humanity's Innate body, can already breathe freely underwater.

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