Meng Hao’s expression changed. In that moment of crisis, he didn’t hesitate to slap his storage bag. Instantly, two flying swords circled his body, then descended beneath his feet. In that flash, his body shot forward over ten *zhang*, only then stumbling to a halt. This allowed Meng Hao to completely evade the Fire Serpent behind him and widen the distance. An angry roar echoed across the sky.
This method was Meng Hao’s own invention, but it couldn’t last long, only a few seconds. Yet, even this was enough for him to gain an advantage no less significant than that of the two fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators in this desolate mountain range.
“If I were at the fifth level of Qi Condensation right now, with Wind Movement Art, I could fly on my flying swords for much longer. Leaving these people behind would be incredibly satisfying. It’s a pity this isn’t true flight…” Meng Hao thought to himself, his desire to reach the fifth level of Qi Condensation growing even stronger. From start to finish, he didn’t look back, but continued to rush forward as if flying. This wasn’t aimless. In fact, ever since the Spirit Severing Pill fell into the fat man’s hands, Meng Hao’s mind had been working non-stop.
He chose the desolate mountains because the place Meng Hao wanted to go was Black Mountain, which was home to demonic beasts within this very wilderness. Meng Hao thought it over and over. His only advantage was the copper mirror. With it, no matter how dangerous the desolate mountains were, or how many roaring fierce beasts there were that terrified Meng Hao, if he entered Black Mountain with the others, his chances of survival would certainly be much higher than theirs.
“If these people follow me into Black Mountain, they’ll be forcing my hand to kill.” A ruthless glint flashed in Meng Hao’s eyes. Having spent over a year in the Reliance Sect, Meng Hao was no longer the weak scholar he once was. Although his appearance hadn’t changed much, only growing a little taller and his skin darker, his heart was now filled with decisiveness.
Especially the matter concerning Wang Tengfei had taught Meng Hao that he himself was his greatest reliance. Only by becoming strong himself was the true path. In this Cultivation World, where the strong preyed on the weak, one had to act with even greater caution and decisiveness.
Behind him, the relentless pursuit continued, flying swords glinting with light. Not long after, the two fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators behind Meng Hao caught up. Both of them had killing intent in their eyes. The attack they had been so confident in earlier had been evaded by Meng Hao using a special method. For outer sect overlords like them, this was a true humiliation, a slight they felt keenly, especially since only Wang Tengfei and Han Zong were truly their superiors.
Both of them attacking simultaneously, yet allowing Meng Hao to escape, was something they found unbearable. Their desire to kill Meng Hao intensified. As for Meng Hao’s method of stepping on flying swords, they paid it no mind. Such a technique might be useful at the fourth level of cultivation, but at their level, it wouldn’t significantly increase their speed and would only waste spiritual energy. Seeing Meng Hao do this, they sneered inwardly, thinking that he would soon exhaust his spiritual power.
“Let’s see how you escape this time!”
The two exchanged glances. One of them suddenly leaped up, his body like a giant bird in mid-air. He swung his right hand, and immediately two massive Fire Serpents shot straight towards Meng Hao.
The other followed closely behind Meng Hao. One above, one below, they formed a cage, intending to trap Meng Hao.
“Still refusing to die?!” Grinning ferociously, killing intent permeated the air.
Meng Hao's expression remained largely unchanged. He let out a cold snort; if he dared to snatch the Limitless Spirit Pill, he naturally had something to be confident about. At this moment, he waved his hand, slapped his storage pouch, and with a flick, six flying swords shot out in a flash. Their intertwined sword light whistled through the air.
"Explode!"
At the same time, Meng Hao gritted his teeth through the pain and let out a low roar. Instantly, a thunderous explosion echoed throughout the desolate mountains. Even the cultivators who were in pursuit heard it, each one startled, yet unaware of what had caused such a blast.
As the thunderous explosion roared, fresh blood spilled from the corner of Meng Hao's mouth. But in that instant, he shot away like a bolt of lightning. Behind him, the shockwave spread, and the Fire Serpent disintegrated with a rumble. The fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivator's face changed drastically; he was forced to retreat to the ground, his face ashen, filled with disbelief.
"Damn it, this guy is unexpectedly ruthless, detonating all six flying swords at once!"
"No wonder he runs a general store; just how many flying swords does he actually have?!"
The two were shocked, but at this moment, they didn't hesitate, activating their Wind Movement Art at maximum speed to give chase. They naturally wouldn't be scared off by Meng Hao's actions, secretly concluding that he probably didn't have many flying swords left. After all, even if he ran a general store in the low-level public area, he couldn't possibly possess so many magical treasures.
"If we pursue him now, he's sure to die!"
The two shot forward at an incredibly fast speed, leaping into a desolate mountain ahead. It wasn't until several tens of seconds later that the fourth-level Qi Condensation disciples caught up. Among them was Shangguan Song, who was with Wang Tengfei; his cultivation was at the peak of the fourth level. At this moment, his face was grim, secretly astonished by Meng Hao's speed, but he continued the pursuit.
Time slowly passed, and half an hour quickly went by. Meng Hao continued to flee without stopping, always maintaining a certain distance. Several times when he encountered danger, he would detonate a flying sword from his storage pouch to escape.
This sight made the two fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators behind him gape in astonishment, secretly lamenting their misfortune. They had never imagined Meng Hao would have so many flying swords; by now, he had already shattered nearly twenty of them.
And as he flew atop a flying sword, his speed remained undiminished.
"Damn it, no matter how many flying swords he has, they must be finite. I don't believe he can still take out more. What's more, even with flying swords, fleeing so quickly and deploying them like that must consume a huge amount of spiritual power!"
"That's right, his cultivation is only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation; he can't possibly have as profound a foundation as us. Plus, flying on a sword like that, such expenditure is enough to exhaust him to death!"
As these two fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators pursued, they also encouraged each other. But no sooner had they spoken than they looked at Meng Hao ahead, and a wicked thought suddenly flashed through their minds.
They saw with their own eyes Meng Hao, while running, take out another storage pouch, pull out a few spirit pills, and quickly swallow them. His movements were incredibly practiced, even making it seem as if he had countless pills in his pouch.
And in reality, that was exactly the case. For the next two hours, the two were horrified to discover that not only did Meng Hao have many flying swords, but he also had so many spirit pills that it utterly shocked them.
"Does running a general store really earn you this much?"
This was the only thought in their minds at this moment. But as fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators, how could they not have elixirs? Though their hearts ached at the cost, having chased him this far, how could they bear to give up? So they each took out and consumed an elixir, then continued their pursuit, their desire to kill Meng Hao now reaching its peak intensity.
By the third hour, a dark, ink-black mountain appeared before Meng Hao. This mountain, hidden amidst the desolate wilderness, exuded an intense chill, its sinister aura permeating all directions.
Seeing this Black Mountain, a sharp glint flashed in Meng Hao's eyes. He had expended a great deal of energy on this journey, his heart aching with every flying sword and demon core, each representing precious spirit stones. But at this moment, he couldn't afford to think much; without hesitation, he immediately leaped into the Black Mountain.
The two fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivators immediately followed, entering the Black Mountain one after Meng Hao.
Not long after, more cultivators arrived in succession. They were startled upon seeing the Black Mountain, but without much thought, they too entered.