I Grind to Martial Saint

Martial Artists possessed terrifyingly resilient physiques. Abnormal People, on the other hand, cultivated their Divine Souls. They had a wide array of techniques, but their bodies were much weaker than a Martial Artist’s.

But Dharma Artifacts were a different story.

Abnormal People’s Dharma Artifacts were crafted from the hardest materials and refined using special methods, making them incredibly powerful.

This man had Weapons but chose not to use them, instead opting to meet the attack head-on with his fist.

In the eyes of the red-browed man, this was no different from courting death.

BOOM!

But the instant Han Yuan’s fist landed on the Brass Spirit Circle...

A bright yellow light violently exploded!

Countless metal shards flew in every direction!

The Brass Spirit Circle had been utterly shattered by a single Iron Fist from Han Yuan!

With the Dharma Artifact he had refined with his own lifeblood now destroyed, the Sick Ghost suffered a massive backlash and violently coughed up a spray of blood!

Han Yuan grinned. Pushing off with his feet, he leaped into the air and, in the same motion, unleashed a Piercing Kill Kick!

THUD!

Before the Sick Ghost could react, the kick slammed into his chest. A terrifying force surged into his body, pulverizing his organs. His frame was sent flying like a broken doll.

The moment Han Yuan landed...

Huang Xian’Er cried out, ”Watch out!”

She saw the red-browed man brandish his crimson saber, which streaked toward Han Yuan like a flash of rainbow light.

The air distorted in its path.

Han Yuan drew the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber from his back and spun, meeting the attack with a slash of his own.

CLANG!

The crimson saber was sent flying by the impact with the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber!

”Fire Python Bite!”

But the red-browed man had secretly been forming a Seal Technique. He suddenly spat out a jet of fire.

The flames morphed into a thick python over ten meters long, its great maw opening wide as if to swallow Han Yuan whole.

RUMBLE!

A vicious flash of saber light flared, seeming to tear everything in its path to shreds as it sliced the fire python apart!

When the red-browed man saw this, fear flickered in his eyes. He turned to run.

But then, a young, fair face filled his vision—its eyes brimming with brutal tyranny.

’When did he get behind me...?’

A look of despair crossed the red-browed man’s face.

SQUELCH!

The next moment, the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber cleaved him in two.

The two halves of his corpse fell to the ground. The coppery stench of blood filled the air, so thick that not even the rain could wash it away.

”Thank goodness you’re here.”

Huang Xian’Er said, her heart still pounding with fear.

”It’s a good thing Zhai Mu let me know.”

”How did you two end up in a place like this?”

Han Yuan wiped the blade of his Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber.

”It was your good brother, of course.”

”He insisted on finding this ruined Daoist Temple. The moment he came inside, he sat down on a meditation cushion and hasn’t reacted to anything since.”

Huang Xian’Er griped.

”Zhang Cang brought you here?”

Han Yuan looked at her, his expression a mixture of shock and suspicion.

”Yes. Zhang Cang had a nightmare...”

Huang Xian’Er quickly explained what had happened.

”A nightmare... the Wind and Thunder Daoist Temple...”

”Are you sure he hasn’t been possessed by an Evil Spirit?”

Han Yuan couldn’t help but ask again.

”That’s what I thought at first, too.”

”But I tested it with the White Spirit Jade Pendant... There was no reaction.”

Huang Xian’Er said, shaking her head.

”How bizarre.”

Han Yuan glanced at Zhang Cang inside the main hall, a flicker in his eyes.

He then began to loot the three corpses.

They were Three Souls Abnormal People, after all. They were bound to have some treasures on them.

Soon, he had found some silver notes, a few Cultivation Techniques for Abnormal People, and an assortment of other strange items.

After taking a look, Huang Xian’Er said softly, ”Those are probably materials Abnormal People use to perform Magic Techniques. They’re useless to you.”

”Who cares? I’ll take them back for now. I can always sell them to Old Yan.”

Han Yuan tore a piece of cloth from one of the corpses and wrapped everything up in it.

After that, he and Huang Xian’Er waited under the eaves outside the Daoist Temple’s main hall.

Han Yuan had a feeling Zhang Cang’s situation was more like he was receiving some kind of inheritance.

If he were to interrupt, he might ruin a fateful opportunity for him.

DRUM DRUM DRUM~~~

The downpour continued unabated.

”This Daoist Temple... it disappeared over a hundred years ago.”

”We asked the nearby villagers... and they all said there are no ruins of a Daoist Temple in the Thunderstruck Forest.”

”But the moment Zhang Cang came here... he found the Wind and Thunder Temple.”

”Maybe this Wind and Thunder Temple was waiting for Zhang Cang.”

Huang Xian’Er said quietly.

”It’s possible.”

”He’s a good person... maybe this is his reward.”

Han Yuan nodded.

Afterwards, a few more Abnormal People showed up.

But upon seeing the corpses on the ground and Han Yuan standing there, they all retreated in a panic.

「In the blink of an eye, night fell.」

The downpour showed no sign of letting up.

”If this keeps up... the dikes around Cangshui County Town won’t hold, will they?”

Huang Xian’Er said worriedly, gazing out at the storm.

In recent days, she had heard many rumors that the dikes were on the verge of breaking.

If they broke, the river would flood Cangshui County Town, spelling another great disaster for the common folk.

”Prefect Wen just came to see me today.”

”The dikes can probably only hold for another three days.”

”They’ve already started organizing the evacuation to higher ground today.”

Han Yuan said quietly.

”I suppose that’s all that can be done.”

”Saving their lives is the most important thing.”

Huang Xian’Er nodded.

In the face of a natural disaster like this, it seemed that no amount of personal strength could change a thing.

”No!”

”There is another way!”

Inside the main hall, Zhang Cang’s eyes suddenly flew open!

”Huh?”

”What’s with you? You open your eyes and immediately start spouting nonsense?” Huang Xian’Er glanced back at Zhang Cang and shook her head helplessly.

”No... I’m perfectly clear-headed! I know what’s happening.”

”This downpour in Cangshui County Town... it isn’t a natural disaster. It’s man-made!”

Zhang Cang stood up. He walked into the depths of the main hall, appeared to grab a few things and tuck them into his clothes, then emerged.

Looking at Zhang Cang now, Han Yuan felt that the man’s entire demeanor had changed.

”What do you mean?” Huang Xian’Er asked.

”Come on... I’ll take you somewhere.”

Zhang Cang didn’t explain. Ignoring the poor visibility and dim surroundings, he charged straight out into the heavy rain.

”See? I was right.”

”He really does seem like he’s Fallen into Demon.”

”I have no idea what’s going through his head.”

Huang Xian’Er griped.

”Let’s follow him for now.”

Han Yuan said thoughtfully.

The two of them also braved the downpour, following after Zhang Cang.

After they were a dozen meters from the Daoist Temple, some impulse made Han Yuan glance back, only to find nothing but empty space behind them.

The Wind and Thunder Temple had vanished without a trace.

’This is so bizarre!’

Han Yuan’s brow furrowed.

He suspected Zhang Cang might know something.

They pressed on through the rainy night.

As if he had night vision, Zhang Cang moved with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, he had left the Thunderstruck Forest and veered to the left.

About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he came to a sudden halt.

Han Yuan and Huang Xian’Er quickly caught up and stood beside him.

”So it’s true... the village really exists.”

”Sanshui Village...”

Zhang Cang muttered to himself.

Han Yuan narrowed his eyes and looked.

Before them lay a collection of dark, dilapidated buildings.

It appeared to be a village that had been abandoned long ago.

”Sanshui Village?”

”Zhang Cang... how did you know this place was called Sanshui Village?”

Han Yuan asked.

”I have... some new memories.”

”The downpour these last few days... it’s because of this village.”

Zhang Cang murmured.