The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 583 Ambush in the Dense Forest, Unexpected Gain (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

In the dense forest, several people were engaged in a fierce battle.

On one side were three tall, burly, and fierce-looking men, their bodies radiating the aura of the mid-stage of the Profound Light Realm. They wielded weapons and launched a series of attacks.

The other group consisted of a middle-aged man and woman, though they appeared young, looking several years older than the average young person. Both exuded the cultivation level of the Middle Profound Light Realm, but their aura was far more powerful than the three combined, especially the man, who had reached the Perfection of the Middle Profound Light Realm.

The two sides clashed fiercely, and in the midst of the exchange of blows, trees fell and a surge of energy was created.

Although the middle-aged man and woman possessed powerful auras and had a superior cultivation level, they were clearly less experienced in combat than their opponents. Coupled with their numerical disadvantage, they quickly found themselves in a desperate situation after repeated battles.

"Minmei, I'll hold them off, you run!"

The middle-aged man fought bravely against his enemy, suffering multiple wounds on his body and hands, and his strength began to wane.

"Brother Ji!" The woman burst into tears, her face filled with sorrow.

"My beauty, don't be in a hurry. After we kill him, we'll take good care of you."

"Tsk tsk tsk, she may be a bit older, but her skin is so supple and smooth. I imagine she must taste amazing!"

"."

The attackers continued to make taunts and use psychological tactics to tip the scales of victory.

Although the three of them outnumbered the other two, their opponents' cultivation levels were not to be underestimated. If they rashly launched a direct assault, they would likely suffer considerable losses, and one of their brothers might even be lost.

As they attacked, they deliberately targeted the woman, tearing her clothes and revealing her snow-white skin.

Hiss!

A curved blade slashed past, and although the woman managed to parry in time, her clothes were still torn at the side, revealing a large expanse of her cleavage.

"My beauty, don't be in a hurry, wait for your brother to cherish you!"

"Hehehe, such fair skin."

"Keep going! Keep going! Kill the men first, then capture the women alive!"

The group of men unleashed a flurry of moves, laughing wildly.

"Take your life!"

The middle-aged man's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He wielded a long spear, sweeping it across the area as he attacked the three men.

"Minmei, run!"

"We've been waiting for you!" A sinister smile flashed across the faces of the group, and they all turned their blades around to attack the man.

Under normal circumstances, the man, being of higher cultivation level, would not necessarily escape unscathed from the attack of several people, but he would certainly not lose his life.

But at this moment, he was desperate to save his wife, so he swept his spear forward without hesitation, wanting to get her out of trouble, without holding back at all.

Right now, the other side suddenly turned their guns on him and launched a deadly attack, leaving him no time to react.

"Brother Ji! Be careful!" the woman cried out in terror.

But obviously, it was too late.

A series of rapid clanging sounds rang out as the man swept his spear across the enemy lines, breaking through the encirclement. However, he was now disheveled, pale-faced, and had seven or eight more wounds on his body, from which blood was gushing out. He had clearly suffered a severe injury.

"Brother Ji!" the woman cried out in anguish.

"Run!" The man's face was covered in blood. Seeing the men charging towards him, he went to meet them without hesitation.

"Kill the men first!" Having worked together for many years, the group naturally understood each other's plans.

Of the two, the man posed the greatest threat. Their earlier attack on the woman was a calculated move to force the enemy to defend themselves. The scheme was deliberately orchestrated to cripple the man with minimal losses.

Once the man is dead, the remaining woman is no threat.

"kill!"

Amidst the roar, true energy flowed, revealing its sharp edge.

Seeing the charging man, the woman did not flee; her eyes were filled with determination. Wielding twin blades, she charged forward like a moth to a flame.

"Brother Ji! I'll go with you!"

Just as the group clashed again, a powerful aura suddenly erupted in the distance, like the roar of a raging bear, spreading outwards. An axe flew from afar, heading straight for the leader of the three.

"What!?" the leader exclaimed in surprise.

As the axe drew ever closer, he felt his movements were incredibly slow.

"No!"

His pupils were wide open, and his face showed despair.

puff!

The axe seemed to contain immense force, directly cleaving through his protective aura and splitting his skull open like chopping wood.

Bang!
With a loud crash, the axe cleaved down, and the tall, strong man fell heavily to the ground, his blood pooling on the floor.

"Big brother!"

The remaining two gasped in surprise, their faces filled with terror.

"Advanced Profound Light Realm! Run!"

Having faced life and death countless times, the two reacted extremely quickly, controlling their fear, and split into two groups, fleeing into the distance.

"Now that you're here, do you think you can just leave?" A powerful voice rang out, leaping and swirling like a bear as it chased after one of the figures.

Although this man was burly, he was surprisingly fast. In just a few breaths, he caught up with one of them.

Pong!
He struck down with his palm, and the man's head exploded like a watermelon.

However, this delay allowed the other person to run a very long distance.

Bang!
The man landed heavily, gazing into the distance, without giving chase. Instead, he walked to the side, picked up his axe, approached the two men, and bowed respectfully.

Are you two alright?

The woman helped the man up and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life, senior."

"No need for formalities, it was just a favor." The man with the axe laughed heartily.

"Thank you, senior. If it weren't for your rescue today, my wife and I would probably have perished here." The man looked weak, but he mustered his strength to say.

"No need for that. As fellow travelers, we should help each other out." The axe-wielding man was nine feet tall and exuded a heroic air. "Your words need not be repeated. My surname is Wen, and we are both at the Profound Light Realm. Just call me Brother Wen!"

"Thank you, Brother Wen." The couple bowed in unison.

“Gentlemen, this scoundrel is too arrogant. This is not a place to linger. I see that this gentleman is quite badly injured. If you two don’t mind, we can travel together,” the axe-wielding man invited with a smile.

The couple exchanged a glance, their expressions delighted, and they couldn't help but say, "Then we'll have to trouble you, Brother Wen. We will remember your kindness and generosity."

"It's nothing, just a trivial matter," the axe-wielding man waved his hand dismissively.

"Let's not delay any longer, let's set off."

"Yes." The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing a sense of relief in each other's eyes.

In the dense forest, ancient trees reach for the sky, their branches and leaves flourishing.

"The Mysterious Light is Perfected."

Chen Ping'an stood atop an ancient tree, gazing into the distance.

Sensing the fluctuations of battle, he shifted his form and flew over. However, the two sides were still far apart, and it took Chen Ping'an a little while to arrive.

Just as he was about to make his move, he sensed the axe-wielding man's presence. Calculating the situation, he determined the timing was perfect and refrained from attacking.

Strictly speaking, the middle-aged couple were quite skilled. If they had been more cunning and ruthless, even though the other side had the numerical advantage, it wouldn't have been so easy for them to defeat them.

Unfortunately, although both of them were highly skilled, their overall combat abilities were unremarkable. Furthermore, they lacked combat experience and were easily provoked, falling into their opponents' traps.

On the other hand, the strongest of the other three was not as good as the woman, but he was cunning and ruthless. The three of them worked together in perfect harmony and launched a series of attacks, which made it difficult for the two to defend themselves.

Furthermore, without interference from others, the three of them could easily kill the two one by one with minimal cost. Even capturing one of them alive would probably not be difficult.

If the man dies, given the woman's abilities, she would likely fall into enemy hands quickly under the combined attack of three men.

True martial arts battles are never decided by martial arts realm. While martial arts realm can influence strength, it is not the whole picture and can only be used as one part of the reference for strength.

Such situations are more likely to occur at lower cultivation levels. For example, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi and Blood, if they possess superior martial arts techniques and are aided by a powerful artifact, even if they cannot fully utilize its extraordinary abilities, they could probably defeat an Inner Qi cultivator who is not skilled in combat simply by relying on their offensive capabilities and the artifact.

For example, if one has a suitable and compatible divine skill, a matching treasure, and corresponding wonderful techniques, and is experienced in combat, there is a great chance that one can defeat a mediocre beginner in the Profound Light Realm!

Weapons, martial arts techniques, secret arts, skills.
These are all factors that influence the strength of martial arts practitioners.

However, as one's martial arts level improves, this phenomenon will become increasingly rare and difficult to achieve.

First, as cultivation levels increase, the gap in raw power between individuals will widen significantly. Second, the external means to bridge the gap between higher cultivation levels are not ordinary; they will only become increasingly rare and scarce.

Thirdly, even those who achieve high-level cultivation, despite having poor combat skills, will have a minimum standard. Over many years, they may even accumulate numerous secret techniques and protective treasures. Given this disparity, attempting to fight someone of a higher level is virtually impossible.

Even someone as strong as Chen Ping'an, who felt his combat skills were perfect and his fighting talent was amazing, could only say that he was invincible among his peers because he lacked external protective items.

This is all on the premise that the other party does not have any powerful treasures protecting them.

If someone like the Heavenly Luo Saintess possessed a protective treasure, he wouldn't dare say he could definitely defeat her.

However, given his current situation, with eight spirit runes inscribed on his body, in terms of raw strength, he is no less than some martial arts grandmasters who have broken through to the third level of the realm.

If he were to go all out and disregard the consequences, based on his experience from the previous battle with the Heavenly Luo Saintess, his combat strength would be enough to rank him among the Grandmasters of the Wind and Cloud!
However, strictly speaking, his ranking should still be relatively low on the list of top masters.

As for exactly where he'll be ranked, that will only be known after he's faced off one-on-one with the top-ranked grandmasters on the leaderboard.

However, based on his previous experience fighting the Heavenly Luo Saintess, Chen Ping'an still didn't want to engage in such a life-or-death battle unless absolutely necessary. Firstly, the outcome was unpredictable and extremely dangerous; secondly, why do something meaningless?

Others encounter bottlenecks and struggle to break through them even after half a century or a full century. But he makes progress every single day.

Given this situation, why fight to the death with others if there is no necessary benefit?

In a few months or a year, I will be able to crush you, so why should I be entangled with you now?

In a few years, I could destroy you with a single finger, so why should I risk my life against you now?

Your path is blocked, and your future is uncertain, while my path is wide open and glittering. In this game of power, we are not evenly matched.

With the scales tipped, even a fool knows which option to choose!

but
Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed, and a thought flashed through his mind, disappearing in an instant.

In this world, there are always things that disregard personal gain and are done at any cost. If he were to encounter such a situation, he would act decisively without hesitation!
"I wonder how Er Ya is doing. Once I've finished what I'm doing, I'll hold her coming-of-age ceremony!"

As Chen Ping'an pondered, the others below also finished their exchange. The woman helped the man up and followed the man with the axe, leaving with him.

"The Thunder Mountain Range is indeed in utter chaos. We've encountered such a thing before even reaching the black market."

Although this ambush wasn't intended to kill Chen Ping'an, encountering him along the way could be considered fate.

"Never mind!" Chen Ping'an sighed, and with a flash, he disappeared from the spot. "Gentlemen, it's more than half a day's journey to the nearest black market from here. I think it's getting late, so why don't we find a place to rest for a while?"

Seeing the middle-aged man's pale and bloodless face, the man with the axe offered a suggestion at the opportune moment.

"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Wen." The man's lips trembled slightly, and his condition was far from good.

He was badly injured in the fierce battle just now. Although he took some emergency medicine, it only barely stabilized his condition. Now, after traveling for a long time, his injuries are showing signs of worsening.

The woman standing to the side naturally had no objections.

In fact, even if the man with the axe hadn't spoken, she would have wanted to speak up for her husband and ask him to stop and rest for a while.

"Brother Ji, hang in there, things will get better," the woman said softly, holding the man's hand.

"Yes." The man nodded heavily. "Those who survive a great calamity are bound to have good fortune. With Brother Wen's help this time, the journey will surely be smooth."

The couple comforted each other, and led by the man with the axe, they soon arrived at the foot of a mountain wall.

"Brother Wen, where is this place?" The man's face was pale as he looked around.

The surrounding terrain was treacherous, and by any measure, it did not seem like a suitable place to settle down.

“Brother Zhang, do not worry. There is a cave here that I discovered some years ago. It’s a perfect place to rest.”

"I see," the man nodded.

Sure enough, the man with the axe pushed aside a rock, revealing a cave large enough for a person to pass through.

"This is it." The man with the axe pointed to the cave and took the lead, walking inside.

"Brother Ji, let me carry you on my back." The woman glanced at the man and, seeing that his expression was growing paler, immediately said.

The man wanted to help, but his injuries were too severe, and he was indeed struggling to keep going. Seeing that Minmei's condition had improved somewhat, and considering that the cave was too narrow for the two of them to pass through, he let her continue.

The cave was quite deep, and the two followed the man with the axe deeper inside. After many twists and turns, they discovered a completely different world within the cave. A spacious area appeared before them.

"Brother Wen, I never expected there to be such a hidden world inside this cave." The man's lips were pale as he looked around.

Although the cave was enclosed, it was not dark, as it was illuminated by bright pearls all around. In the very center of the space was a pool of water. Beside the pool was a stone bed. On one side of the stone bed, there appeared to be some miscellaneous items.

and many more!

Miscellaneous items?

The man's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively sensed something was wrong.

"I got it?"

The axe-wielding man, with his keen senses, noticed the subtle change in the man's face. The magnanimous expression on his face seemed to have been forcibly flattened by a hand.

"Ah, Brother Wen, what are you thinking about?" The man was sweating profusely, but he forced himself to speak.

"Brother Ji!" The woman's expression tightened, and she also sensed that something was wrong.

"What are you thinking about?" The axe-wielding man's lips curled down, his smile vanishing completely. His eyes narrowed, flashing with a ruthless glint. "Of course, it's about killing you!"

"Run!" the man shouted.

The woman reacted quickly, carrying the man on her back and running towards the cave.

The man with the axe wore a mocking expression. His palm, as large as a prayer mat, slapped forward from a distance. The woman sensed something was wrong and tried to dodge, but it was too late.

Bang!
The two of them crashed heavily to the ground.

puff!
The man could no longer stabilize his injuries and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Brother Ji!" the woman cried out in anguish, trying to carry her husband on her back and continue running away, but it was too late.

Bang!
With a heavy slap, the woman fell to the ground, her body limp and unable to get up.

"You've gotten this far? Still trying to run away?"

The axe-wielding man stood blocking the cave entrance, watching the two people who had collapsed in despair.

"Why?" The man's voice was hoarse, his face showing deep confusion.

If they wanted to kill them, why would they bother to save them?

Even if they were to offer assistance, why wait until now?
"Why?" The man with the axe asked, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
He slowly lowered his head, his face contorted with madness, his grin stretching to his ears, revealing gleaming white teeth. The axe-wielding man was now devoid of his former bravado; his face was sinister, sending chills down one's spine.

"Of course I'll use you guys as practice!"

Whoosh!
The axe-wielding man sprang up, the axe in his hand glowing with a scarlet blood-red hue.

The two looked on in despair, staring helplessly at the crimson before them.

If they were at their peak, the two of them working together might have been able to block a single blow from the axe-wielding man.

But right now.
We are powerless!

Both of them were pale, and their past experiences flashed through their minds like a fleeting glimpse.

They were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little, until their marriage and wedding night.
And so, my life has passed.

"Minmei!"

"Brother Ji!"

"May we walk together again in the next life."

Swish!
The crimson light shone brightly, but the expected axe strike did not come down. Instead, it remained suspended in mid-air, gradually dimming until it dissipated.

Bang!
A heavy thud was heard.

They opened their eyes.

Seeing the once arrogant axe-wielding man lying helplessly on the ground, his body pierced by a wound, blood gushing out continuously.

"This is..." the two murmured in disbelief, staring ahead.

"Grandmaster!" The two men were shocked as they looked at the man in blue robes who had suddenly appeared not far away.

"Ho ho."

The axe-wielding man's body trembled unconsciously; he breathed heavily, his entire being etched with despair.

With his last ounce of strength, he turned his head with difficulty and saw a figure in a green robe standing not far away.

"when!?"

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why? Hehe."

The man with the axe trembled.

He was of low talent, but rose from humble beginnings through a series of fortuitous encounters, cultivating his skills step by step to where he is now, a potential grandmaster! But why?
That's it!

"what?"

A light exclamation was heard.

next moment!
A flash of green light, and the axe-wielding man fell to the ground.

buzz~
The blue light trembled, and the sword rang out with a clang.

A glint of light flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes, and the sword's cry vanished. He sheathed his sword and stood there, looking at the lifeless axe-wielding man before him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Although he hadn't used his full strength in his attack, it was just a casual strike, yet it was still something that a mere high-level Xuan Guang cultivator couldn't withstand. The axe-wielding man was severely injured by his attack, but surprisingly, he wasn't completely dead yet, which surprised him somewhat.

Normally, under his sword strike, cultivators below the Grandmaster level would have no chance of survival. Losing consciousness the instant the sword light pierced their bodies would be the norm.

This man with the axe.
"Minmei!" The middle-aged man moved his body with difficulty and leaned towards his wife who was standing beside him.

The situation on the field suddenly changed; the man with the axe died, and a grandmaster appeared!
Today's ordeal.
"Brother Ji." The woman reached out and grasped the man's hand tightly. Their fingers intertwined, they looked into each other's eyes, ready to face death.

Chen Ping'an glanced around and looked at the two of them.

"The thief has been killed! Why aren't you leaving?"

The two were startled for a moment, then quickly understood and were overjoyed.

"Thank you, senior."

The woman's injuries were slightly better, and she struggled to help her husband up.

The man was pale and listless. He managed to take out a few pills from his pocket and swallow them.

"Thank you, senior, for saving your life!"

Chen Ping'an stood with his sword in hand, saying nothing.

The two dared not linger, and supporting each other, they quickly left the place.

Only after they emerged from the cave did the two feel a sense of relief at having survived a disaster.

hum~
With a gentle lift of his hand, Chen Ping'an sent the treasure pouch at the axe-wielding man's waist and the scattered axe-wielding weapons flying toward him.

This axe-wielding weapon, with its thick and heavy blade, is a remarkably fine artifact. In terms of value, it surpasses even ordinary fine artifacts.

"Perfected Profound Light Realm"

Chen Ping'an looked on with a searching expression, his spiritual senses drawing him around the corpse of the man with the axe.

In less than half a breath, Chen Ping'an discovered the subtlety of the matter.

The axe-wielding man possessed an exceptionally resilient physique, far surpassing that of ordinary Xuan Guang Realm cultivators. In terms of physique alone, this axe-wielding man's physical strength was comparable to that of a Dragon Tiger Ranking expert who had mastered the Body Tempering Technique.

"Strange." Chen Ping'an's face showed a hint of thought.

Judging from the moves just now, this axe-wielding man didn't seem to have any external martial arts techniques. So why?
Possessing such a powerful physique!
Chen Ping'an's eyes flashed, and his spiritual sense probed into the treasure pouch he had just acquired.

The bag contained many items, but most were miscellaneous things. There were few truly valuable items, only about a hundred Yuan Crystals and a few bottles of pills.

With Chen Ping'an's current perspective, he naturally wouldn't take it seriously.

The treasure pouch is not large, unlike the Thousand-Mechanism Bag.

Chen Ping'an had a flash of inspiration and quickly checked all the items in the treasure bag.

"found it!"

hum~
With a flash of green light, a book made of animal hide appeared in Chen Ping'an's hand.

The book was dark blue with blood-red patterns, crisscrossing like ancient characters. Lifting the animal skin cover revealed several large characters written on it.

"Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique!"

Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them.

(End of this chapter)