Yan Zhen rushed toward Chu Lingguang at an astonishing speed.

Like that young Turkic warrior, his physical speed could match a warhorse. A long trail of dust streamed behind him, and his Qi Sea produced a deafening roar. He was like a beast unleashed, rapidly distancing himself from the group under the stunned gazes of Du Wushuang and Du Juan.

’What a kid,’ Wei Tu thought with admiration. ’It’s no wonder my brother took him on as a Direct Disciple.’

His older brother, Wei Yongguang, was the Commander of the Imperial Guard of the Imperial City. A man of immense power and status, few within the city walls could match his strength. He was a legend to the entire Wei Family, so it was only natural that the disciple he taught would be extraordinary.

’Someone’s actually chasing me. Who is that guy? He’s terrifying.’

Chu Lingguang sensed the commotion behind him and glanced back. He saw a young man, a year or two his senior, bearing down on him like a wild animal. He was so fast that even Little Red Horse couldn’t quite keep up.

A faint, bloody light emanated from the young man’s body—a sign of Physical Body Communication.

Chu Lingguang had taken the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid, undergoing a full-body Washing Marrow that granted him a Pure True Body. This allowed him to perceive many subtle energies. And yet, the sheer pressure from the physical aura of the young man behind him was enough to make him feel like he was suffocating.

After all, he was at the Minor Achievement of the Qi Sea Realm, had activated a five-layer Dharma Aspect, and awakened the power of the Divine Image. He had even recently reached Great Success in his Mental Realm. In combat, his mind remained as still as water; he wasn’t one to be easily intimidated by an opponent’s presence alone.

But while this young man couldn’t outright terrify Chu Lingguang, he made one thing crystal clear: Chu Lingguang was no match for him. If he got caught, he’d likely be cut down in less than a dozen exchanges.

The sense of danger radiating from the young man was far greater than that of Bamo or the Scorpion Python—stronger, even, than both of them combined.

Chu Lingguang was no stranger to powerful individuals.

Whether it was Yan Chengdu, Chen Jin, Emperor Yue Xuan, or the trio of Xia Tianzhong, Long Xin, and Xu Kanghui, he considered all of them first-rate prodigies.

But compared to the young man pursuing him now, Chu Lingguang felt that even Xia Tianzhong would be utterly eclipsed. There was simply no comparison between them.

He had no idea how he had provoked this young man.

Seeing his pursuer closing the distance with murderous intent, Chu Lingguang could only urge Little Red Horse on, sticking close to the Hundred Thousand Mountains as he raced toward the national border.

"Lin Guang!"

Guo Wei tried to break through the flank. His Spear Technique was impenetrable; even Hamu didn’t dare to approach him directly, instead using his men for cover while launching occasional sneak attacks.

Over two hundred men were trying to pin him down, but he managed to tear an opening in their ranks and fight his way to the edge of the fray. It was then that he saw the relentless young man chasing Chu Lingguang.

The young man’s aura was overwhelming. His running speed was comparable to that of the Turkic Warhorses, and the bloody light shimmering around his body was a clear sign he was on the verge of breaking through the Qi Sea Realm.

He was much stronger than both Zamuhai and Hamu.

If that young man caught up to Chu Lingguang, he would be struck dead with a single palm in just a few exchanges.

Seeing that Chu Lingguang would be caught within a few more breaths, Guo Wei acted in desperation. He snatched a Long Spear thrusting toward him, poured all his Qi Power into it, and hurled it at the pursuing young man.

ROAR!

The Qi Sea White Tiger roared, and the Long Spear flew as if thrown by the great beast itself. Faster and more ferocious than an arrow loosed from a bow, it looked powerful enough to skewer a dozen soldiers at once.

CRACK!

But the act of throwing the spear left an opening in Guo Wei’s defense. Hamu seized the opportunity, smashing his own spear into the center of Guo Wei’s back.

WHOOSH!

The Long Spear left his hand, flying in a strange arc with unerring speed and accuracy as it screamed toward the young man.

Guo Wei took the full force of Hamu’s spear on his back.

Hamu’s Long Spear snapped on impact. A sweet taste rose in Guo Wei’s throat, and he nearly tumbled from his saddle. At that critical moment, two soldiers flanked him, thrusting their long spears at his horse’s belly.

Losing his mount would make charging his way out much more difficult.

However, at that crucial instant, Guo Wei clamped his thighs together, blocking both spears. He activated his six-layer Dharma Aspect, and Qi Phase Scale Armor appeared on his body, along with the Divine Image Small Vortex.

The Small Vortex caught the two spears while the Qi Phase Scale Armor deflected their tips, preventing Red Boy from being injured. With a sweep of his own Long Spear, Guo Wei tore the two closing soldiers to shreds with its gleaming aura.

But the temptation of victory was too great.

Seeing that Guo Wei had taken a blow from Hamu and appeared to be seriously injured, the warriors of the Aika Tribe surged with confidence. The moment he killed the two soldiers, a dozen more rushed forward, eager to run him through.

Guo Wei’s expression was savage. His Long Spear became a blur of afterimages, creating a defensive perimeter. The dozen Turkic Warriors failed to break through; instead, he pierced each of their throats with a single, precise thrust.

But at that critical moment, a terrifying spear afterimage broke through his Spear Technique’s defense and stabbed into his shoulder.

The attacker was none other than Hamu.

His previous blow had damaged Guo Wei’s internal organs, almost causing him to spit up a mouthful of blood. To the others, Guo Wei’s Spear Technique seemed as formidable as ever, but Hamu could see the cracks beginning to form.

It was the perfect time to strike an enemy while he was wounded.

Hamu found his opening and once again thrust his spear toward Guo Wei’s chest.

However, a peculiar ripple of energy had emanated from Guo Wei’s body. Hamu found his Long Spear moving against his will, veering away from Guo Wei’s heart. He had to use all his strength just to force the spearhead to pierce Guo Wei’s shoulder instead.

Furthermore, thanks to the resistance from the Divine Image Small Vortex and the Qi Phase Scale Armor, Hamu found his spearhead quickly became clamped tight by Guo Wei’s very flesh and blood. Then, Guo Wei grabbed the spearhead with his bare hand and shot him a sinister grin.