I Grind to Martial Saint

”Gasp... Director Han can actually fight on par with a Gang Essence Realm Martial Artist?”

”But it looks like he’s on the losing end.”

”Let’s keep watching. At least there’s still some hope.”

The crowd watching at the docks was utterly horrified.

They originally thought that once Xu Chang got serious, Han Yuan wouldn’t be able to block more than a few moves.

But now, it seemed there wasn’t much of a gap in their strength.

Xu Chang seemed unwilling to be dragged down like this by Han Yuan.

He furiously channeled the Gang Essence in his body, swung his longsword, and moved with ghostly speed, transforming into a bloody streak as he lunged forward.

A sudden chill ran down Han Yuan’s spine. He could only barely dodge the vital point, and the sword pierced his shoulder.

But he just grinned, his left hand shooting out, wreathed in Great Demon Qi, as he viciously clawed at Xu Chang’s head.

Xu Chang tried to pull his sword free and dodge, only to find it clamped tight by Han Yuan’s tough muscles. For a moment, he couldn’t pull it out.

He reacted instantly, jerking his head to the left to avoid Han Yuan’s demonic claw.

THUD!

But Han Yuan’s right leg had already silently sprung into action, delivering a whip kick with lightning speed!

This time, Xu Chang failed to react. The kick landed viciously on his abdomen, and he was sent flying, feeling as if his organs were about to shatter.

As Xu Chang was about to hit the ground, terrified of Han Yuan’s pursuit, he jabbed his sword into the earth. Using the leverage, he flipped backward through the air and landed on his feet.

But Han Yuan had already appeared behind Xu Chang like a phantom.

In fact, even the crowd watching from the docks couldn’t see clearly. They only saw Han Yuan vanish from his spot like a black shadow and reappear behind Xu Chang.

This was Han Yuan using Star Shifting.

Showing no mercy, he brought down a Shattering Wind Slash directly at Xu Chang’s head.

Xu Chang felt the air stir behind him, and his heart leaped in alarm.

Without any hesitation, he pushed off the ground, narrowly dodging Han Yuan’s Shattering Wind Slash!

He twisted in mid-air and suddenly thrust his sword at Han Yuan.

”Blood Shadow Net Kill!”

The next moment, seven or eight strange, blood-red figures suddenly appeared before Han Yuan’s eyes.

He could only watch as these strange, blood-red figures swung their swords in the air, rushing toward him at incredible speed.

In an instant, bloody light filled the sky.

The crimson Sword Qi seemed to weave together into a blood-red net, threatening to dice Han Yuan into countless pieces.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Han Yuan swung his Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber, able only to protect his vital points.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The crimson Sword Qi, empowered by Gang Essence, continuously tore bloody gashes across his arms, legs, and torso, leaving him dripping with blood.

Xu Chang intended to use this move to finish Han Yuan off for good!

But in the next moment, he felt an extremely terrifying and tyrannical aura rise from Han Yuan.

Han Yuan’s entire body began to expand wildly as a surge of black Demonic Qi erupted from him!

The great net of blood-red Sword Qi was instantly shattered by the Demonic Qi.

The seven or eight strange, blood-red figures in the air were also caught in the wave of Demonic Qi and abruptly dissipated.

Xu Chang’s figure reappeared in the distance, his eyes fixed on Han Yuan in horror.

The current Han Yuan was over two meters tall. His muscles were grotesquely bunched together, and his body seethed with pitch-black Demonic Qi, exuding an overwhelming pressure.

”Not bad... to think you could force me to use my full power.”

Han Yuan gave Xu Chang a slight smile.

”You...”

Xu Chang felt his throat go dry.

The next moment, Han Yuan stomped his feet.

BOOM!!

The entire dock trembled.

He transformed into a massive black shadow and charged ferociously at Xu Chang.

Xu Chang gripped his longsword tightly, but his body leaped backward.

Just as he thought he had dodged the attack, the vicious gleam of a saber blade filled his vision.

Xu Chang hastily met it with his sword.

The instant the saber and sword clashed, an incredibly terrifying wave of Qi Power crashed down on him!

There was no technique.

It was pure Qi Power, and it violently shattered the Gang Essence on Xu Chang’s blade!

BANG!

Xu Chang was forced back several steps.

Each step left a deep footprint in the ground.

He felt as if his sword arm was about to shatter, and blood began to seep out from it.

”Take another one of my strikes!”

Han Yuan charged forward with a savage grin. He performed a short leap, using the downward momentum to make the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber’s power even more terrifying!

Eight Extremes·Mountain Shattering Slash!

Xu Chang was enveloped by the shadow of death.

Yet, his gaze was calmer than ever before.

He let out a low roar, gripped his longsword with both hands, and thrust it straight forward.

A streak of scarlet sword light flared into existence.

BOOM!

The onlookers heard only a tremendous roar.

A huge cloud of dust rose from where Han Yuan and Xu Chang had clashed, completely obscuring the situation.

When the dust began to settle, they could finally see that only a single figure remained standing.

Everyone strained their eyes, trying to make out who it was.

A moment later, a burly, powerful figure came into view.

SQUELCH.

Han Yuan pulled the longsword from his own chest.

A large amount of blood gushed out.

But Han Yuan paid it no mind.

The sword wound hadn’t reached his vital organs; to him, it was just a minor injury.

Xu Chang’s corpse had been cleaved in two.

’Trying to take me down with you... You were a long way off.’

After a glance at Xu Chang’s body, Han Yuan turned and left.

After a few flickers of movement, he disappeared from the docks.

”Who would have thought? Even Xu Chang of the Gang Essence Realm was no match for Director Han!”

”That kind of strength is just too terrifying.”

”I’m ruined... I bet a heavy stake on Xu Chang.”

”Serves you right.”

As the great battle concluded, some rejoiced while others mourned.

The Government Office, the Huang Family, the Lu Family, and the Observatory, all factions on Han Yuan’s side, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, many people who had bet on Xu Chang were bankrupted.

When Priest Dong of the Wangling Sect learned of this, he was deeply disappointed.

The news of Han Yuan’s victory over Xu Chang spread rapidly throughout Cangshui County Town, and his fame reached a new peak.

...

「In the blink of an eye, more than two months had passed.」

Thunderstruck Forest, Wind and Thunder Temple.

Han Yuan, Zhang Cang, and Huang Xian’Er were eating a meal together.

The food today was particularly lavish, specially ordered from the Drunken Immortal Tower.

”Zhang Cang... are you really sure about this?”

Han Yuan asked softly.

”Yes... During my time at the Wind and Thunder Temple, I’ve heard that the Outer Provinces are not only in the chaos of war but are also plagued by numerous Evil Spirits, causing the common people to suffer terribly.”

”I’m not the only one in Cangshui County Town with medical skills. Even if I leave, it won’t be a problem.”

”Besides, I’ve learned a few things now. Perhaps it’s time I went out and traveled, following my master’s example from back then, to exterminate Evil Spirits.”

Zhang Cang said seriously.

”If you want to exterminate Evil Spirits, isn’t there a simple way?”

”You could just join my Observatory and become a Demon Exterminator, couldn’t you?”

Han Yuan said softly.

”It’s not the same... With you watching over things, even if Evil Spirits cause trouble in Cangshui County, they won’t be able to stir up any major waves.”

”But the world outside is different...”

Zhang Cang explained.

”If you leave... what will happen to the Wind and Thunder Temple?”

Han Yuan couldn’t help but ask.

”Don’t worry, I’ve recruited a few Daoist Children these past few days. They’ll maintain the Daoist Temple.”

It was clear that Zhang Cang had thought of everything.

”Alright then.”

”Are you going with him too?”

Han Yuan looked at Huang Xian’Er.

”I’m sick of staying in Cangshui County Town.”

”I want to go out and see some different scenery.”

Huang Xian’Er said with a smile.