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"It’s impossible. As far as I know, Nine Section Free Fighting is one of the four fundamental Martial Arts of Kaiyang Sect. How could it possess such great power?" Zhao Ruixue saw Wang Yi take out such an exquisite jade pendant. With her knowledge, she recognized it as a Mingyu without needing to examine it closely. Just as she was about to inquire further, she heard Wang Yi say this and immediately asked in shock. Everyone knew that Nine Section Free Fighting was a first-grade Martial Art; although each level up would add another fist shadow, its power would always remain at the first-grade level. However, the Martial Arts that Wang Yi displayed exceeded that by far!
"That’s just the way it is," Wang Yi replied calmly. He also had some speculations about Kaiyang Sect's Martial Arts but needed further confirmation.
"This..." Li Da felt that Wang Yi was lying after hearing this, especially since he had taken out that exquisite jade pendant, and he said angrily.
Zhao Ruixue interrupted, "Li Da, be quiet."
"Yes," Li Da replied, realizing he had to stop speaking because of his sister's words.
"Wang Yi, I see you are different from others. I suspect your family must have fallen from grace," Zhao Ruixue said with a smile, her autumn-like eyes sparkling like lively spirits in the fiery glow, tilting her delicate chin as she awaited Wang Yi's answer.
"I’m an orphan; I don’t even know who my parents are," Wang Yi laughed lightly.
"Ah, I’m sorry," Zhao Ruixue's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she quickly said, the flames casting a beautiful glow on her lovely features.
"It’s nothing," Wang Yi waved his hand dismissively but planned in his heart to return to the village after the competition to see if he could find any information about his origins. After all, the purpose of "Wang Yi" in life was to use Kaiyang Sect's influence to search for his biological father. Since he occupied "Wang Yi's" body now, he would help "Wang Yi" fulfill that goal!
Wang Yi's response left the intelligent and beautiful Zhao Ruixue momentarily speechless. Her bright eyes fell on the flames, lost in thought. A hint of fatigue flashed deep within her gaze but was soon overwhelmed by an inexplicable yet resolute strength that replaced it with determination.
"Zhao Ruixue, you are from a prominent family; why did you only bring these people?" Wang Yi asked. He thought Zhao Ruixue must be from a powerful family but wondered why she only brought such limited strength and even involved him.
"Do you think I want this?" A hint of bitterness surfaced on Zhao Ruixue's flushed face from the firelight, her troubled expression evoking sympathy from those who saw it.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Wang Yi asked.
"Child, that's not something you should be asking," Li Da said sternly from the corner of the fire pit where he had been silent.
"Li Da, go gather some firewood," Zhao Ruixue said with a slight frown before her expression blossomed like a flower ready to bloom, radiating beauty.
"Sister, this child..." Li Da protested reluctantly.
"Alright, I believe in Wang Yi," Zhao Ruixue said seriously, raising her stunningly beautiful face to look at Wang Yi.
Looking at Zhao Ruixue's cheeks flushed red by the flames, Wang Yi couldn't help but smile bitterly. Seeing Li Da's threatening gaze, he shrugged casually. Li Da grunted and left the area, standing like a javelin under a large tree more than ten meters away, thinking to himself, "Sister is too burdened; if only the master were still here."
Zhao Ruixue withdrew her weary gaze, her originally dignified posture suddenly weakened. The firmness in her brows disappeared, and exhaustion washed over her delicate face. She extended her hands and gently rubbed her forehead, lost in thought.
At this moment, there was no trace of her previous toughness!
"Perhaps this is her true self!" Wang Yi thought to himself as he watched Zhao Ruixue let go of her dignified demeanor.
"Do you know about the Yunlong Chamber of Commerce?" Zhao Ruixue whispered with her head lowered.
"Yunlong Chamber of Commerce? Is it the one from Xiangzhou City?" Wang Yi asked. However, what followed from Zhao Ruixue left him astonished.
It turned out that Zhao Ruixue's father had passed away due to illness. Before dying, he insisted on passing the position of clan leader to her against all opposition. However, the elders of the clan disagreed because handing such a large family business to a woman would only lead to further decline. Yet, due to her father's authority, they ultimately compromised by requiring her to fulfill one condition: within three years, she must double the profits of the Yunlong Chamber of Commerce, or she would automatically relinquish her position as President of the chamber.
This seemingly simple requirement was incredibly difficult to achieve. The Yunlong Chamber of Commerce was the leading chamber in Xiangzhou Prefecture. To double its profits would require expanding the clan's industries into other prefectures. Originally, with Zhao Ruixue's authority, expanding the chamber's operations wouldn't be hard. However, since her father's death, those who relied on him had distanced themselves from Zhao Ruixue, seeking self-preservation.
The clan members knew that once they sided with her, they would be opposing the elders; the elders were powerful and influential, and no one dared to confront them. This left Zhao Ruixue with very little power to control. Not only was it challenging to expand the chamber's profits, but even maintaining the benefits established during her father's lifetime had become exceedingly difficult.
The elders' covert sabotage made things arduous for Zhao Ruixue. Within less than three months of taking office as President, the chamber had already incurred losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of gold taels. Some clan members had proposed removing Zhao Ruixue from her position as President, which only added to her woes. She knew this was instigated by the Second Elder. However, with limited support and clan members who outwardly complied but secretly opposed her, she found herself handling everything personally. Managing significant affairs for the chamber felt like walking on thin ice; she had to be extremely cautious.
In a month, the Yunlong Chamber of Commerce would hold a large auction event that occurred every five years. At that time, forces from various prefectures in the Song Kingdom would send representatives to participate. This was an excellent opportunity for her to establish authority and also a chance to dissuade the elders from their intentions. Thus, upon learning that there were Fire Spirit Fruits in the Iron Curtain Mountains, Zhao Ruixue decided to personally lead her trusted subordinates to gather them.
"Sometimes I feel that living is just too exhausting!" Under the flames, Zhao Ruixue's fair cheeks were flushed bright red, resembling cherries that made one salivate.
"Does anyone else know about your entry into the Iron Curtain Mountains?" Wang Yi frowned and asked. The Fire Spirit Fruit was a type of earth-grade spirit fruit that took a hundred years to mature; warriors would definitely flock to it. Given the strength of Zhao Ruixue's subordinates, obtaining it wouldn't be easy.
Upon hearing this, the feminine demeanor that had shown earlier returned to a cold expression for Zhao Ruixue. Her graceful figure sat upright solemnly as she replied, "No."
"Not at all?" Wang Yi looked intently at Zhao Ruixue, disbelief evident in his gaze. He thought, "Then how does she know there are Fire Spirit Fruits in the Iron Curtain Mountains?"
"Hmph, I know you don't believe me, but I won't tell you how I found out about the Fire Spirit Fruits here." Zhao Ruixue's stunning face resembled the deep forest at night, shrouded in a layer of coldness that made one hesitant to approach.
Wang Yi was about to say something when he saw Zhao Ruixue gracefully adjusting her dress and slowly rising. The cold wind rustled through the surrounding branches, releasing a fragrant aroma. At that moment, she looked like a fairy descended from the heavens.
Zhao Ruixue lightly moved towards a tent. The night was deep, and a cold mist began to fall. Her slender figure seemed to walk through the clouds and fog, and her enchanting voice drifted through the thin mist once more, "Alright, it's getting late; you should rest early!" Her voice was charming, muffled by the cold wind and mingled with the thin mist, as if it had traveled from a dream to Wang Yi's ears.
Wang Yi was taken aback, not expecting Zhao Ruixue's demeanor to change so quickly. He soon relaxed, only surprised that she considered him, a stranger, as someone to confide in.
"Hmph, you better behave yourself. If I find out you have any improper thoughts about my sister, I won't let you off easily." Li Da approached angrily as Zhao Ruixue walked away.
Wang Yi smiled faintly and glanced at Li Da before stepping into the tent, leaving Li Da standing alone by the fire.
The roaring flames gradually weakened in the cold mist, flickering uncertainly in the chilly wind. The sound of crackling wood faded into nothingness.
Wang Yi looked at the fiery red tree before him and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the Fire Spirit Fruit?"
At that moment, they were in a mountain valley where the Fire Spirit Tree stood tall with lush branches and leaves. The blood-red leaves were heart-stopping but not very tall—only about three meters high. Among the dense foliage hung bright red fruits that looked like flames.
"We can't waste any time; Li Da, take your people and pick the Fire Spirit Fruits!" Zhao Ruixue said eagerly without hesitation. Seeing her subordinates' eager expressions, she added, "After we return, each of you will receive a reward of one hundred taels." She understood how attractive the Fire Spirit Fruits were to martial artists; everyone knew that greed could lead to danger.
"Understood." Li Da replied and led his subordinates to harvest the Fire Spirit Fruits.
"Don't you think this is a bit risky?" Wang Yi casually asked. Their journey had been smooth sailing, as easy as walking through their own backyard. Why was Zhao Ruixue being so cautious?
"I’m just being careful," Zhao Ruixue replied with a slight frown, her eyes flashing with uncertainty.
A piercing scream shattered the tranquility that should have been present here.
Wang Yi turned towards the sound and saw a man clutching his neck with both hands, bright red blood gushing out continuously. After a moment, the man fell to the ground, frothing at the mouth, lifeless.
Ah, ah, ah!
Before the cries could fade, several more men clutched their necks and collapsed.
"Retreat, it's Fire Spirit Snake." A streak of fire shot towards Li Da like lightning. With a loud crack, Blade Qi sliced through the air, splitting the fire line in two as it fell to the ground, revealing two severed abnormal snakes stained with blood on the grass.
The remaining dozen or so men were thrown into chaos by this sudden scene, stumbling backward in panic. However, two of them were unable to escape in time and fell to the ground.
At that moment, a hissing sound suddenly echoed from within the dense Fire Spirit Tree, sharp and grating to the ears. The next instant, countless red poisonous snakes hung from the branches.
Each Fire Serpent was only as thick as a thumb, flicking its forked tongue, with blood-red eyes wide open and cold Venomous Fangs glistening in the breeze, sending chills down one’s spine.
A level intermediate demon beast, Fire Spirit Snake.
"Realgar." Li Da, a warrior of the Eighth Layer, immediately scolded his panicked subordinates who had lost their composure. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly; how had the Zhao Family fallen to such a state? But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and calmed himself down. He took out a yellow bottle from his waist and waved his hand, sending a large cloud of yellow gas sweeping towards the Fire Spirit Tree like a spring tide.
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