Chapter 55: The Cunning Little Thief

  Looking at Hu Gao's carefree departure from the ancestral hall, the originally dull eyes of Jiu Changhai suddenly burst out with an astonishing light, and his face, which had looked a bit like that of a middle-aged uncle, twisted in surprise.

  After the most terrifying struggle, the face of the Ninth Elder suddenly shed a layer of skin and became younger in an instant. "Hai Sheng Lao, it seems that our plan can't be delayed again."

  Nei Wu Chang Lao Hu Hai Sheng also put down the pen in his hand, rubbed his somewhat sore eyes, and twisted his neck a few times to the left and right. "I'm an old laborer by nature, can't compare with you young people from the Li Qing sect. I'll go see Festival Officer now."

  Hu Haisheng finished speaking, stood up and walked to a dark corner of the temporary settlement point. It seemed like he had turned some kind of mechanism, and instantly, a fissure opened on the ground that could accommodate one person going down. He disappeared into it.

  ……

  The Dragon's Spine mountain range on the continent of Totem was once a place known as the Forbidden Zone, this mysterious mountain range has existed since ancient times, spanning half of the Eastern Continent, almost cutting the entire island of Borneo into two parts from the middle.

  The first unified empire in the post-historic civilization, the Hengyue Empire founded by Yao, the creator of the cultivation system, started from here and gradually conquered the entire continent. Even later, the establishment of several major empires mostly originated from the Eastern Continent, hence the saying that human conquest is always a journey to the west.

  However, with the extreme prosperity of human warriors in the Tiancan Empire, the Dragon Armor Mountain Range, a mysterious and forbidden area, was thoroughly torn open by the strong who came from all directions. The veil that covered it was lifted, and the footprints of adventurers filled the entire mountain range. Countless precious beasts and treasures flowed out of here like mercury, constantly being transported to various parts of the mainland.

  Time flies, and the light is fleeting. The Dragon's Spine Mountains are still a paradise for adventurers, but compared to their former glory, they can only be considered as the last sigh of a dying ember.

  After leaving the south gate of Ning City, Hu Gao walked alone on the Longwang Trail, carrying the excited Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, heading in the direction of the Dragon Scales Mountain Range.

  Longwang Xiaodao is the nearest road from Ning City to the southern Longjia Mountain Range. This path was formed along the mountain, with slopes on both sides, and the slope above was covered with gravel, weeds, and shrubs, making it the best place for bandits to ambush.

  Although the ancestors of Ning City built this road with the intention of stimulating the development of Ning City, as violent attacks increased over time, fewer and fewer people took this road, and it eventually fell into disuse. Adventurers who ventured out would rather die in the jaws of beasts than fall under the butcher's knife.

  With an excited look on his face, Hu Gao didn't know any of this. When he left the city, he asked a guard for directions and hastily set off, not even giving others a chance to remind him.

  At this time, Hu Gao had been experiencing setbacks in his cultivation one after another. Now that he could finally come out and take a look at the outside world, put his plans into action, he naturally felt some small excitement.

  The little five-clawed golden dragon was half-coiled around the back of Hu Gao's neck, its small claws tightly wrapped around his collar, and its hard fingernails dug out small holes on top, making it seem even more excited than Hu Gao.

  "Boss, you've finally come out to gain experience! I can absorb the demon pellets again."

  "Indeed!" Hu Gao couldn't help but feel emotional... These days have been like dancing on the tip of a knife, from the first lie he told to confirming his identity as the successor of the Hu tribe. All sorts of difficulties and troubles kept coming one after another. Not to mention distant ones, just the bet with Hu Wushuang alone had given him a headache.

  At first, Hu Gao didn't have the strength, so he adopted a delaying tactic against Wu Song's sister. However, three months was indeed a bit too short, and the Dragon Ape Mountain Range became his best choice for now. On one hand, it was to enhance his own strength, on the other hand, it was to enhance the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon's, as his trump card, Xiao Wu's strength was crucial.

  "For the next two days, we'll stay outside the Longjia Mountain Range. I need to perfectly merge my yuan power with my physical strength and reach a 100% proficiency level. Also, I need to perfect the [Dugu Nine Swords]. After that, I'll accompany you in hunting those demonic beasts!" Hu Gao said, revealing his plan.

  Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction with this plan. This guy always treated cultivation as his daily bread, and if he didn't cultivate for a day, he would feel extremely sad. This was a huge change to Hu Gao's impression of Long, who had previously seemed like an extremely lazy dragon in the books he had read.

  "Wait, there's someone lying in ambush ahead!" Xiao Wu suddenly shouted, "I sense that there are people hiding on the mountain slope ahead, they've been motionless for a while now, and it seems like they're after us!"

  Hu Gao's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself that it was indeed true that what one thinks about comes true. However, his footsteps did not slow down as he asked Xiao Wu, "How many people are on the other side? What kind of strength do they have?"

  "There were four people, all of whom possessed seventh-tier Congying Realm strength!"

  Four Shadow Realm Seventh Stage...

  Hu Gao hesitated in his heart. If it were one or two Shadow Seventh Stage cultivators, he could handle them, but four was a different story altogether.

  "Xiao Wu, how's your strength? Can you handle the Seventh Stage of the Condensed Shadow Realm?"

  This isn't a challenge in the academy, but an attack by four people who won't fight one-on-one. We have to rely on Xiao Wu, otherwise we can only run away now.

  "Condensed Shadow Realm is only at the 7th stage, of course I can handle it!" The Golden Dragon with five claws immediately made a guarantee and continued: "In the past, in Tu Shan, even a late-stage first-level demon beast would have had its internal elixir dug out and been roasted if not for this dragon's mercy!"

  Hú Gāo thought for a moment, and indeed, as the divine beast Wu Zhi Jin Long, it naturally had the strength to match its status among the demon beasts. Even in its juvenile form, it possessed a robust dragon body and extreme speed, with its small size becoming an advantage that made it difficult for enemies to capture.

  At the beginning, Xiao Wu was already able to hunt and kill mid-stage first-class demonic beasts when he was only at the initial stage of the first class. Now that Xiao Wu has absorbed a large number of demonic pellets and advanced to the middle stage, dealing with a seventh-class Wudang master like Jingying who is weaker than a late-stage first-class demonic beast shouldn't be difficult.

  It's just that there are four of them, so I need to end this quickly or else I'll get hurt...

  "Xiao Wu, once you take out one enemy at top speed, the remaining three won't be so difficult to deal with. I'll see who dares to mess with me!" Hu Gao immediately made up his mind and continued walking forward without changing his pace.

  If all else fails, he can summon the Bloodlight Serpent Totem to deal with one person. Once this snake appears, there will be bloodshed, and a 3-on-4 sneak attack will give him a great advantage.

  As Hu Gao was leaving Ning City, Guo De Yun received the news and used his experience as an excuse to leave Ning City with two clan warriors to ambush Hu Gao on Dragon's Spine Path. To ensure things went smoothly, Guo De Yun even called upon a adventurer friend.

  This "friend" was someone Guo Deyun knew from his past experiences, a Rourou who specialized in making money by cutting corners. He had even robbed Guo Deyun before, but later was subdued by him and became a loyal follower.

  In the distance, Guo De Yun and his group saw Hu Gao walking alone on the mountain path. Thanking this ignorant young man, they took their time to enjoy the scenery as they hurried along, arriving at the ambush point with a margin of rest time to spare.

  But now, Hu Gao is still walking slowly in his field of vision. Guo's young master, who was eager to report and revenge, couldn't help but scold the successor of the Hu family:

  "You're a despicable old man! A street urchin who's only good at causing trouble! You still have the nerve to go sightseeing? You really are an arrogant fool, thinking you're invincible just because you have some abilities! Hmph! Today, I'll make sure you end up dead in this wilderness!"

  Kwok De Yun's strategy was quite simple, all he needed to do was let the other three fire a round of arrows first, then he would lead his men in a direct charge, surround Hu Gao and kill him before he could react.

  After much difficulty, Hu Gao finally entered the pre-set ambush route. Guo De Yun waved his hand to signal the other three companions who were also dressed in black and masked, preparing to attack.

  "Fire!"

  The sound fell, Guo De Yun no longer hid his figure, and his whole body's aura was also exposed. His speed suddenly soared, like an arrow flying off the string, drawing a dust dragon on the mountain slope. Holding a long spear in hand, he charged at Hu Gao.

  "You insignificant thing! You dare to provoke Young Master Hu, you're going to die!"

  Unfortunately, Guo Deyun's roar had just fallen when a miserable cry suddenly rang out behind him.

  Kuo Te-yun's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the voice as belonging to his friend. During the attack, Kuo Te-yun had seen that Land Rover deliberately slow down by a line, falling behind the three of them.

  For this approach, Guo Deyun didn't have time to say anything. He had known such people for some time and also understood Land Rover. They usually kept a low profile and only when there were sufficient immediate benefits would they go crazy enough.

  Guo Deyun believed that this descendant of the Hu family, who had fallen into a trap, was brought by Range Rover with sufficient benefits, and when the time came, he would take back the Wuying Sword, which would be enough to avoid a lot of trouble.

  But what's with this sudden scream?

  Kuo Te-yun hastily turned his head and caught a glimpse of a golden shadow, about the length of a foot, passing over the tiger's neck, followed by a large patch of blood.

  What is that?!

  Guo Deyun was shocked in his heart, his feet stumbled, and his body slowed down, which saved his life.

  "Guo Cheng intercepts and obtains the Golden Shadow, Guo Hai and I will kill Hu Gao!" Guo Deyun immediately ordered, following the vanguard guards to continue charging towards Hu Gao.

  Hugao had already drawn his Shadowless Sword and was charging up the mountain slope towards the black-clad man in the lead.

  Wuying Jian splits out the sword light, opens Guo Hai's fish belly knife, borrows the help of his shorter stature, and when he dodges the opponent's shadow, the sword blade cuts open the opponent's abdomen, leaving a fatal wound. Out-of-control Guo Hai let out a groan, and rolled down the mountain slope.

  Guo Deyun, who had witnessed everything, didn't even have time to feel shocked or angry before another blood-curdling scream erupted behind him.

  This time without turning back, Guo Deyun could also imagine the scene of fresh blood spraying on Guo Cheng's neck.

  Hu Gao didn't rush towards Guo De Yun immediately, but instead veered off to the side and stopped on the mountain slope, watching with great interest the rich expressions on Guo De Yun's face, and laughed:

  "Hey, isn't this our young master Guo De Yun? I wonder if you know these fugitive guests who have cut off their queues?"