"What happened in Misty Veil Peaks? The Five Suns Sect's strength is inferior to the Thunder Blade Sect's. Why would they dare to attack you?" Leo asked after leading Viktor, Felix, and the others to a safe location.

  "The story is long, probably starting with the Martial Arts Conference in Nordgard County about half a year ago. I heard that the envoy of the Black Iron Order disappeared while pursuing an enemy and never returned. The person behind the Black Iron Order was furious, reprimanding all the sects that had already entered Nordgard County. They mobilized all martial world forces to search for suspicious individuals but found nothing. Then, two months ago, including the Four Seas Gang, even the strongest Iron Palm Sect, were successively subjected to a bloody purge. Rumors say it's the immortal behind the Black Iron Order manipulating the situation. Now it's our Thunder Blade Sect's turn."

  "The Thunder Blade Sect had thousands of disciples. Most were tragically killed in the joint attacks by the Five Suns Sect, Seven Poisons Sect, and several other factions. I fought desperately to lead these people out of the encirclement. If it weren't for your assistance, sir, even we might not have survived. But it's just a matter of time before we're caught; right now, the entire martial world is hunting us.

  Viktor's face showed deep despair. The Thunder Blade Sect's bloodshed and the rumored cultivator behind the Black Iron Order were like an insurmountable mountain, pressing down on their chests, making it hard to breathe.

  Arthur Draper actually vented his anger on these secular martial artists. How despicable. The Thunder Blade Sect alone had thousands of disciples. This bloody purge probably involves over a hundred thousand people dying in this chaotic slaughter.

  "This matter will be resolved. But your situation is very dangerous. Hide in the deep mountains for a while. Felix, come with me for a moment." Leo didn't have much else to say at this point. He spoke to Felix and walked alone to the side.

  "Brother Felix!" The young woman in white nervously pulled at Felix's sleeve.

  "It's fine. If that person had malicious intent, we'd already be head and body separated," Felix patted the young woman's hand, clutched his wound, and quickly followed Leo.

  "Might I ask, senior, what instructions you have for me?" Once they reached a secluded spot, the black-robed man ahead stopped. Felix, enduring his injuries, bowed respectfully.

  "Brother Felix calling me 'senior' is something I can't accept." Leo removed the disguise from his face and turned around.

  "L-Leo? Is that really you? I thought you were eaten by wild beasts in the back mountains. Where have you been for over two years?" Felix first showed an expression of disbelief, then his face lit up with wild joy.

  "A lot happened in between; it's hard to explain in a few words. I'll be leaving Arn soon. Take this bottle of healing medicine; it's quite effective. I don't know if I'll have a chance to return. Use it sparingly; once it's gone, it's gone."

  Leo took a bottle of healing medicine from his storage pouch and tossed it to Felix. He had used this medicine before; it could heal injuries caused by spells very quickly. Presumably, it would be even more effective on secular martial artists' blade and sword wounds. This trip to Moonwatch Immortal City—he truly wasn't confident about returning. But no matter how treacherous the path of cultivation, he would continue to walk it with determination.

  "What? Where are you going? With your current skills, is there really someone who could threaten you?" Felix asked, completely puzzled. He had personally witnessed the one-eyed man who had wounded his master being killed by Leo in a single move. Such strength exceeded his imagination. Felix couldn't imagine anyone capable of killing Leo now. Leo had only been missing for a little over two years, yet he had become so incredibly powerful.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "Legendary martial artists aren't the limit for humans. The person hidden behind the Black Iron Order far surpasses them," Leo shook his head.

  Felix's eyes widened in shock. "You... you mean... cultivators?"

  "You should know this but absolutely must not speak of it. Otherwise, it will bring disaster upon you," Leo warned.

  "Brother Felix!" After a while, Viktor, the young woman in white, and the others, worried about Felix, came looking for him. Seeing him, they breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Where did that expert who saved us go?" Viktor couldn't help but ask.

  "He had other matters and has already left," Felix sighed, praying in his heart that Leo would return someday. Though Leo's skills were already unimaginably high to him, Felix could still sense Leo's helplessness from his expression. Perhaps the conflicts among cultivators were even more brutal.

  "Master, he left this healing medicine. It's very effective. Let me apply it for you to try."

  Felix pulled Viktor aside again and applied a small amount of the ointment to Viktor's wound. Where the milky-yellow ointment was applied, the wound originally caused by a sword slash began to heal at a visible rate.

  An explosive force seeped from the ointment into his body. After successive fierce battles, Viktor was already physically and mentally exhausted. But after applying the ointment, his body was filled with even greater strength.

  Viktor couldn't help but let out a long, comfortable sigh. Afterwards, he stared at Felix in utter astonishment. "What... what kind of medicine is this? Its effects are so miraculous!"

  "I don't know either. That senior gave it to me," Felix replied, having promised Leo to keep it secret, even from his master.

  Viktor let out a long sigh. "To think there really is healing medicine in this world that can bring the dead back to life and regenerate flesh and bone. Let's go. That expert was right. This isn't a safe place to stay. We need to find a more concealed location to hide from this great calamity in the martial world."

  "The remnants of the Thunder Blade Sect are over there! Kill them!"

  "Stop! How dare you run! Just wait till I kill you! "

  "Scum of the Black Horse Gang! You'll all die today!"

  At this moment, the entire Misty Veil Peaks County was in chaos. Gangs from nearby counties had come to seize territory. With the Thunder Blade Sect collapsed, Misty Veil Peaks was left vacant. The bloody fights among martial artists were so intense that even the several thousand government troops stationed in the county town didn't dare get involved, fearing they'd be caught up in it.

  Many gang members or local ruffians took advantage of the unprecedented chaos to loot homes, burn, kill, and rape. Leo rode swiftly through Misty Veil Peaks County Town. Encountering such people, he killed them directly with a single sword strike. Along the way, he ended up killing no less than two hundred people.

  Boom! A massive fireball flew out, obliterating most of the thugs in an entire courtyard. The remaining dozen or so, their bodies on fire, couldn't extinguish the flames no matter how hard they tried. They screamed and rolled on the ground, eventually burning to death.

  Immediately after, a vine emerged from the ground, strangling several evil-doing martial artists to death on the spot.

  "Monsters! There are monsters!"

  Unquenchable strange fire and suddenly appearing, man-eating plant demons instantly plunged the county town into panic.

  Leo removed the disguise from his face. "Listen, holder of the Black Iron Order! Go back and tell Arthur Draper: I killed Wynn Draper. If you have the guts, come find me in Moonwatch City! Yah!"

  Leo shouted fiercely, and together with Vesper, they urged their horses into a gallop, charging out of the city. All this chaos in the martial world started because of Wynn Draper alone. But Arthur Draper was a Qi Refining Level Four cultivator. On the surface, he was only two levels higher, but Level Four was already mid-stage Qi Refining, possessing a qualitative advantage over early-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Moreover, Wynn Draper alone had several spirit talismans. Arthur Draper, as the clan head, likely had even more magical treasures. In a fight against such a person, Leo didn't feel the slightest bit confident.

  "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Was it worth it for a few secular mortals?" Vesper was startled by Leo's actions. After leaving the city, she said with a stern face. Throughout their journey, though young, Leo had always acted cautiously. She couldn't understand why he would act so foolishly this time, practically pushing both of them into a fiery pit.

  "I have my reasons for doing this. Whether we travel together or part ways is up to you," Leo said, his face showing neither sorrow nor joy, revealing no expression.

  "I originally intended to go to Moonwatch City with you. But you've brought trouble upon yourself. I've met Arthur Draper once; he's unfathomable. The power of a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator isn't something the two of us can withstand. I can't take such risks with you. Farewell." Vesper's face flickered with uncertainty. After weighing the pros and cons, she quickly made her decision. She pulled on her horse's reins, urging it to gallop towards the other side of the official road. In moments, she was just a small black dot disappearing in the distance.

  This is just as well. Knowing the direction to Moonwatch City, I can go there myself. As for the specific route, I should be able to ask once I reach the Nors Kingdom. Vesper knew he had Essence Energy Pills, which were undoubtedly significant wealth for early-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Leo had never fully trusted Vesper. Separating now would save him future worries.

  Leo abandoned his horse, turned back, and blended into the chaotic crowds. He slipped into a civilian house, changed into an ordinary merchant's green long gown, took the homeowner's donkey cart, and left some broken silver behind.

  A short while later, a young man in his twenties, looking honest and somewhat simple, with a trace of panic on his face, drove a donkey cart like a refugee, mingling with other crowds fleeing the martial conflicts, heading westward.