Ice and Fire Grass is a sixth-level spiritual medicine that can elevate a True Dao Realm martial artist’s cultivation by one layer, with no side effects. In the entire Bianyuan Kingdom, it is considered a treasured item.
Generally speaking, spiritual medicines like Ice and Fire Grass aren’t scarce for a faction like the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. However, over the years, Xu Nian and Zhi Buyou have found a large quantity of cultivation-enhancing spiritual medicines for their descendants to consume.
The refining of spiritual medicine naturally produces resistance, making subsequent consumption less effective. Therefore, the spiritual medicines Taihang Mountain Stronghold can find to enhance cultivation are no longer effective for the two.
This time, Zhi Buyou allowed the demonic organization to hide in Bianyuan Kingdom for the sake of Ice and Fire Grass. His purpose was none other than helping Zhi Hua break through and surpass Xu Long.
However, the cost is putting the entire Taihang Mountain Stronghold in jeopardy. How could Solitary Wolf not be furious?
After Solitary Wolf finished explaining the intricacies, Iron Tiger’s eyes were already red. He slammed the long table before him, shattering it with a single palm.
He cursed angrily, "How can Big Brother do this?! He is completely unworthy of being the Great Village Chief!"
Solitary Wolf remained silent, even though he thought the same in his heart, but he would not say it out loud.
Back then, the five of them ventured into the martial world together and founded the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. They developed from a bandit group to their current scale, which was not easy.
"Second Brother, Taihang Mountain Stronghold belongs to the five of us. Big Brother’s actions are too excessive. I must go talk to him!"
As he spoke, Iron Tiger’s chest heaved continuously, shouting that he wanted to seek justice from Zhi Buyou.
"Even if you go now, it’s in vain. The Ice and Fire Grass has already been refined by Zhi Hua. Don’t you understand yet why Big Brother didn’t tell you about the Ice and Fire Grass?"
Xu Nian lowered his gaze. With Zhi Buyou’s actions, a thought slowly emerged in his mind.
If things continue this way, Xu Long will surely be suppressed by Zhi Hua. If nothing unexpected happens, the next Great Village Chief will be Zhi Hua, turning Taihang Mountain Stronghold from a shared property into Zhi Buyou’s personal possession.
Rather than allowing that, it’s better to directly join forces with Snow Peak and eliminate Zhi Buyou together.
However, although Xu Nian had such thoughts, he still did not speak them out loud. He was waiting for a moment, a suitable moment.
"What should we do then?"
Solitary Wolf had regained his usual aloofness, like a ferocious wolf lurking in the darkness, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy at any moment.
Xu Nian only said one word. The more selfish Zhi Buyou was, the more the situation would favor him. He was waiting for the moment when Taihang Mountain Stronghold erupted.
Wang Qi’s efficiency was still very high. Within just two days, he found a copy of the "Eagle Claw Technique." The reason he was able to find the martial technique so quickly was twofold.
One, the grade of the martial technique itself was not high, making it not too rare. Two, Snow Peak’s power was now very strong, firmly controlling seven lower-tier countries.
"Sir, this is ’Eagle Claw Technique’."
Wang Qi presented the "Eagle Claw Technique" with both hands gently.
"Besides you, who else knows I’m looking for the ’Eagle Claw Technique’?"
Chu Ming asked calmly, picking up the "Eagle Claw Technique" with his right hand and gently flipping through it.
"The ’Eagle Claw Technique’ is not a profound martial technique. For others, it might take decades to cultivate it to the Transformation Realm, but for him, it would probably take less than a month to reach that realm."
"I bought the ’Eagle Claw Technique’ at the auction. I was wearing a black hat at the time, so no one knew it was me who bought it."
Chu Ming waved his hand and said indifferently. Regarding Wang Qi’s secrecy measures, he was quite reassured.
In the Ten Kingdoms, the daily flow of people was too large. Many outside trade teams entered the Ten Kingdoms to buy and sell goods, so no one would associate this matter with him.
Wang Qi respectfully withdrew.
After Wang Qi left, Chu Ming looked at the "Eagle Claw Technique" in his hand and murmured: "Success or failure lies in this move!"
The Eagle Claw Technique consisted of only one move. However, just this one move was not easy to execute, as it involved many factors.
The quintessential characteristics were speed, accuracy, and ferocity.
Reaching the extreme speed rendered one invincible. Only with accuracy could a claw strike shatter a martial artist. Ruthlessness was the true trait of the Eagle Claw Technique. Cultivating it to the Transformation Realm, a single claw could leave a bloody hole in a martial artist.
In Chu Ming’s mind, he repeatedly visualized the Eagle Claw Technique. Everything about it flew through his mind like a myriad of auroras.
Chu Ming’s right hand curved into a claw and swiftly struck out. The air in front of him was crushed violently, turning into white mist that dispersed around him.
Time flew by. In three days, Chu Ming had cultivated the Eagle Claw Technique to the Minor Success Realm.
In ten days, he had cultivated the Eagle Claw Technique to the Great Success Realm.
Chu Ming had underestimated his comprehension. As his cultivation improved, his comprehension also improved every moment. In just twenty days, he had cultivated the Eagle Claw Technique to the Transformation Realm.
In the secret room, a white figure leaped continuously, casting numerous afterimages in the air, accompanied by whistling sounds. If anyone observed carefully, they would find white streaks of sharpness bursting from Chu Ming’s fingertips, tearing the air in front of him apart. Even a Guiyuan Realm expert would have a bloody hole pierced through them.
Chu Ming’s figure halted instantly. At this moment, his mastery of the Eagle Claw Technique had reached the Transformation Realm, a feat achieved in just twenty days, comparable to others’ decades.
Silently, Chu Ming left Snow Peak on a Sky Hawk without anyone noticing his movements.
This operation, Chu Ming did not inform anyone. To avoid being recognized, he took out the Night Traveling Clothes and a black hat from his Storage Ring and put them on.
After half a day, Chu Ming arrived at Bianyuan Kingdom. He did not enter the kingdom’s border directly but first released Sky Hawk into the sky before proceeding alone into Bianyuan Kingdom.
This time, his destination was the Taihang Mountain Stronghold.
If his plan succeeded, he would be able to force Xu Nian to join the Snow Peak alliance, thoroughly dismantling Taihang Mountain Stronghold from within.
Two more hours later, Chu Ming entered the Taihang Mountain Stronghold as if nothing had happened. It was just dusk. His actions were planned for deep into the night, so he first checked into an inn to wait for nightfall.
At this moment, the prefect’s mansion was full of people. The grand hall was filled with songs and dances, exuding a festive atmosphere. The singing girls twisted their waists, their gazes as tender as water, full of charm.
"May Father be blessed like the Eastern Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains!"
A handsome young man held a palm-sized Jade Buddha, flattering a man in his fifties sitting at the head seat.