Early morning on Mount Pingding, Meng Hao had been hawking his wares here for over half a month. Coupled with Lu Hong's tyranny over the past few days, the cultivators had become fewer and fewer, especially sparse in the early morning, with only about two or three people sitting cross-legged.
Almost instantly, as Meng Hao approached, those people immediately opened their eyes to look. Each person remained silent but sighed inwardly, secretly wondering when things would return to how they were last month.
But very quickly, those few people were stunned. They saw that Meng Hao clearly didn't go up the mountain peak, but instead sat down cross-legged beside it, his eyes closed and unmoving.
This unusual behavior immediately surprised those few people. They glanced at each other, then, as if thinking of something, each showed a hint of schadenfreude.
Time gradually passed. As the sun rose higher, people slowly increased, but not unexpectedly. Almost all cultivators who entered this area had their eyes drawn to Meng Hao's unusual actions.
"Could it be that Senior Brother Lu's words yesterday scared Meng Hao, making him afraid to sell his wares here anymore?"
"That must be it. Senior Brother Lu is the foremost among the low-level disciples. How could this Meng Hao not be afraid? If he wants him to scram, he definitely has to scram."
"I can't believe that guy is also a coward who clings to life and fears death. He only knows how to bully us low-level cultivators. Now, let's see how arrogant he can be. Does he think that if he doesn't sell his wares, Senior Brother Lu will let him off?"
Some people were just like this: if they intensely feared someone, even if that person forcefully seized things, they wouldn't harbor resentment. But if they didn't approve of someone, even if the transaction was peaceful, they would still be filled with endless resentment.
Lu Hong had built his influence for a long time, always acting ruthlessly, to the point of forced buying and selling. Although everyone was helpless, they could endure it, some even feeling that Senior Brother Lu had become gentle.
As for Meng Hao, he hadn't been on the mountain long and wasn't strong-willed or arrogant. Therefore, even with peaceful transactions, everyone harbored deep resentment towards him.
These words fell into Meng Hao's ears, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, meditating outside the public trading area. It wasn't that he didn't want to go in, but his cultivation had reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and he could no longer enter the public trading area.
As everyone was discussing, a person walked up to the foot of Mount Pingding. This person wore a green robe, appeared to be over thirty years old, with an imposing demeanor, hands clasped behind his back, slowly approaching. It was Lu Hong.
Almost the instant this person appeared, Meng Hao's eyes suddenly opened, revealing a glint of light. At the same time, his body stood up, and before everyone's eyes, he patted his storage bag. Immediately, a small white sword appeared, its sword light several *zhang* long, its chilling aura pressing down on people. Meng Hao took swift steps forward, and the sword light accompanied him, stabbing directly towards Lu Hong.
This scene fell into the eyes of everyone around, immediately stirring up a buzzing sound. At this moment, how could they not see that Meng Hao today was not afraid? How could they not understand that this Meng Hao... today intended to seek out Lu Hong, the foremost low-level disciple, and cause trouble.
"This... this is a fight with Lu Hong!"
"They were bound to fight sooner or later. Meng Hao injured Cao Yang, and Lu Hong seized Meng Hao's business. This battle is unavoidable. It's just that I didn't expect this Meng Hao to actually dare to make a move. He's somewhat overestimating himself."
"Senior Brother Lu has been at the third level of Qi Condensation for many years. In this battle, Meng Hao is sure to lose."
Almost in the blink of an eye, Meng Hao stood up. Lu Hong's eyes also lit up as he secretly thought, *I had originally planned to kill this Meng Hao today if he showed up again. If he dares to take the initiative to seek death, then I shall grant him his wish.* He let out a cold snort and, instead of retreating, advanced. Under everyone's watchful eyes, his figure transformed into a streak of rainbow light, charging straight towards Meng Hao. He swung his right hand, and immediately, a purple-gold flying sword flew out from his storage bag.
The moment this flying sword appeared, an ear-piercing sword cry immediately rang out. In a short span of time, the purple-gold light spread out ten *zhang*.
"—It's Senior Brother Lu's Violet Sun Sword!"
"—That's the Violet Sun Sword! I heard Senior Brother Lu earned it as a unique reward from the sect for some unknown meritorious deed back then. It's incredibly sharp."
The two people, one on the mountain and one at its base, were now rapidly rushing towards each other.
A resounding boom echoed. Lu Hong's expression changed, fresh blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he staggered back a few steps. When he looked at Meng Hao, his face was filled with shock.
"—Fourth layer of Qi Condensation!"
Meng Hao's expression was grim. He had just entered the fourth layer of Qi Condensation and hadn't yet consolidated his cultivation, so he couldn't unleash the true power of the fourth layer.
The strike just now seemed simple, but in reality, it contained immense danger. A flying sword in front of him already had cracks, clearly not as powerful as his opponent's magic treasure. He was almost injured by that sword.
Although Meng Hao didn't have much experience fighting others, for more than half a year, he had often gone to the desolate mountains to hunt beasts, making his reactions extremely quick. Furthermore, he had witnessed quite a few battles on Mount Pingding these past few days. At this moment, the instant Lu Hong retreated, Meng Hao took a step forward, slapped his storage bag with his right hand, and instantly, another flying sword flew out. Joining the cracked flying sword, the two flying swords transformed into two streaks of sword light, stabbing straight towards Lu Hong.
At the same time, his left hand formed hand seals, and he pressed forward. The surrounding fire energy suddenly condensed, and three steps behind Meng Hao, a Fire Serpent, as thick as an arm and about half a *zhang* long, suddenly appeared. This Fire Serpent was agile; after appearing, it let out a roar and lunged towards Lu Hong.
Lu Hong's face turned pale again. He didn't have time to wipe the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth and hastily retreated. A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. He secretly thought, *This Meng Hao must have just entered the fourth layer as well. I still have powerful magic treasures, so the outcome of today's battle is not yet decided. If I can eliminate this person, it will immediately establish my prestige. He has Senior Sister Xu backing him, but don't I have a backer too?*
Thinking of this, a murderous glint flashed in Lu Hong's eyes. He formed hand seals with his right hand, and immediately, a Water Orb appeared in his hand, within which brilliant light shimmered. He swung his arm and threw it. While still in mid-air, the Water Orb immediately exploded, transforming into countless rain arrows that shot straight towards the Fire Serpent.
At the same time, relying on his powerful magic treasure, he formed hand seals and pointed forward. His Violet Sun Sword immediately flew out, and a clanging sound of slashing echoed. Meng Hao's two flying swords shattered completely the moment they collided with the Violet Sun Sword, allowing the Violet Sun Sword and the rain arrows to directly clash with the Fire Serpent.
A thunderous explosion rang out, stirring up clouds of dust. The Fire Serpent vanished, and the rain arrows dispersed into mist.