Li Yan heard the words and looked into the distance.

He saw the incoming figure was exceptionally tall, even taller than Sha Lifei, with bulging muscles, a dirty Daoist robe, and many burnt holes.

The most striking feature was the man's hair.

The person had a head full of dark red hair, casually tied with a hairband, hanging disheveled.

This hair color was rarely seen, as if dyed by filthy blood.

His facial features were deep-set, seemingly with a hint of foreign ancestry.

Upon seeing this, Li Yan secretly raised his guard.

He had already guessed who this person was...

But they were only a hundred meters apart, yet he hadn't noticed the other's approach, indicating only two possibilities:

One, the person's Dao was highly advanced, using a secret technique.

Two, he carried the National Sacrificial Divine Artifact on him.

As expected, Ling Yunzi smiled and introduced, "Young Hero Li, this is Master Fire Monk, who came personally upon hearing of your arrival…"

"Don't make it sound so pleasant!"

Before finishing the sentence, the Fire Monk strode forward, looking Li Yan up and down with sharp eagle eyes, saying in a deep voice, "I've been waiting on the mountain for a long time; why are you only now arriving?"

Wasn't it because Qingcheng Mountain was a bit chaotic before...

Li Yan thought to himself, but his face showed a hint of apology as he said, "I was held up by some matters on the way; I've been wanting to visit you for a long time."

"Hmm."

The Fire Monk seemed not to care for pleasantries at all and said coldly, "I'm only here to ask you one thing, who forged your blade?"

So that was the reason.

Hearing this, Li Yan felt a chill in his heart.

His Duan Chen Blade was forged by a reclusive master on Hua Mountain.

Though he still didn't know the person's name, in Ezhou, Master Lu from Zezhou Prefecture had seen his blade and praised it, saying the technique was beyond his own.

The master had hidden his name, perhaps with good reason.

Thinking of this, Li Yan shook his head and said, "Sorry, I promised someone not to disclose this."

"Hmph!"

The Fire Monk's eyes overflowed with killing intent, "Don't give me that; I know people like you all too well. You just won't let go of the rabbit without seeing the eagle. Tell me, what do you want in exchange?"

"Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure, or a Magic Artifact?"

As he spoke, he stepped forward again.

As soon as he approached, Li Yan sensed something unusual.

The other's towering build exuded the fierce aura of a wild beast, and he seemed to cultivate a Magic Method that made his whole aura carry an intense heat, like an enormous furnace.

It's Astral Force!

Li Yan's back muscles immediately tensed.

He had already begun to understand Astral Force.

After Embrace Pill, one's will and physical strength unite, movements imbued with Fist Intent, capable of invoking Astral Bane Energy to attack.

Unafraid of ordinary spells, it is tremendously destructive.

Unexpectedly, this Artifact Refining master was also a Martial Arts expert.

Li Yan took two steps back, his eyes also turning cold; the Soul Hook primed to launch at any moment, he said in a deep voice, "I can't say, is I can't say. I respect you as a senior, so don't play this game with me!"

"Gentlemen, please..."

Nearby, Ling Yunzi, watching with a headache, hurriedly interjected.

Li Yan was a distinguished guest personally arranged by the Master.

The Fire Monk was an Artifact Refining master, highly respected on the mountain.

Why did a disagreement escalate so quickly?

If either got hurt, it would cause him no end of trouble.

Yet, the Fire Monk paid him no attention but kept his eyes fixed on Li Yan. After a long silence, he finally said, "Alright, I suppose you're a sound man."

"I just want to know, is he... still alive?"

As he spoke, he withdrew his imposing aura, with a touch of expectation.

Li Yan squinted his eyes and nodded slightly.

"That's good."

The Fire Monk breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and said, "Come with me, let's see your treasure sword; others, don't follow."

This behavior was utterly baffling.

Li Yan pondered briefly, shook his head slightly at Wang Daoxuan to indicate not to worry, and then swiftly followed.

Hearing his footsteps, the Fire Monk suddenly accelerated.

The man walked with Four-direction Steps, the wide sleeves of his ragged Daoist robe dancing, snow splashing underfoot; it looked like ordinary walking, but the speed was astonishing.

Li Yan squinted his eyes, and Hidden Energy erupted from his feet as well.

One ahead of the other, the two quickly vanished from everyone's sight.

The Fire Monk seemed to be deliberately testing Li Yan.

Every time Li Yan closed the distance, the Fire Monk would accelerate again, force erupting from his feet, accompanied by thudding sounds; snow splattered, and even surrounding icicles shattered.

This was purely physical strength.

That the opponent could achieve this was no surprise to Li Yan.

The Fire Monk was inherently extremely strong, having reached Astral Force. Were he to erupt, even Wu Ba would likely have to submit.

But a contest of movement skills involves more than just force.

The opponent relied purely on brute force, and a massive physique.

Li Yan's figure was nimble, enabling him to gradually close the distance.

"Hahaha... interesting!"

Ahead, the Fire Monk laughed heartily, suddenly forming a spell seal, his footwork began to change; a fierce wind howled around him as he suddenly soared into the air.

The man leapt and bounded as if completely weightless, agilely deviating from the mountain path, dashing over cliffs covered in snow and ice.

It felt very much like an agile, spiritual deer.

The Riding Skill!

Upon seeing it, Li Yan's pupils shrank instantly.

Qingcheng Mountain's most famous technique was undoubtedly the Riding Skill, rumored to have been left by Ancient Immortals such as Guang Chengzi and Ning Fengzi.

Not only was it the Land Flying Technique, but also a Sword Immortal Skill.

According to legends, there are three types: Dragon Qiao, Tiger Qiao, and Deer Qiao.

Before coming, Li Yan had inquired about this specifically.

It is said that Dragon Qiao refines the body into Qi, aligns with the Way, giving birth to clouds at one's feet. Practitioners of Qiao, disciples of the Way, wishing to tour the Cave Heaven Blessed Land, were unafraid of any demon, spirit monster or evil being daring to approach...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.