Volume Two: Travels in Qi Chapter 75: Wu Hong Steps In to Save the Day

The members of the Li family and the Whale Sand Gang exuded a menacing aura, as if intent on tearing the Yun family to pieces. The Void Returning cultivator stood alone, aloof and proud. He neither spoke nor moved; his very presence was a threat, as he disdained to strike at a group of mere ants.

Zhang Heng watched coldly, then suddenly raised his voice, “Void Returning realm, is it? If you have one, so do I.”

At that moment, his spiritual energy surged forth, enveloping the entire Yun family estate. Everyone present was stunned, for this terrifying aura was unmistakably that of a second-stage Void Returning cultivator.

What? The entire crowd was thrown into shock—another Void Returning expert, and one so young! Though none wished to believe it, the spirit pressure Zhang Heng released was undeniably of the second stage.

Everyone was dumbfounded, even the Void Returning cultivator’s pupils contracted sharply. He had spent over a century in arduous cultivation to barely reach the Void Returning realm. How could this young man, not only so youthful but with even greater cultivation, possibly exist?

What—Young Master Zhang is actually at the second stage of Void Returning? Yun Yanjou, though shocked, did not doubt it. Among those present, she alone knew Zhang Heng was a second-stage alchemist.

Compared to being a twenty-year-old second-stage alchemist, being a twenty-year-old Void Returning cultivator didn’t seem so far-fetched.

Zhang Heng did not speak further. He merely swept a cold gaze over the Li family and Whale Sand Gang, finally resting his eyes on the Void Returning cultivator.

“I’ll say it once more: all of you, get out! I can let this go, but if you refuse, today I will unleash a massacre.” Zhang Heng clenched his fists, his words heavy with threat.

“Young friend, the Yun family lost cargo belonging to my Li family. I’m only here to reclaim what’s mine. Even if you have great strength, you should be reasonable,” Li Hongyi protested bitterly.

“Reason?” Zhang Heng laughed coldly. “Li Hongyi, you’ve lived decades, yet you still don’t understand this world’s rules? Might makes right. Today, I am stronger than all of you, so I make the rules here.”

“You—” Li Hongyi was reluctant to accept it, but he had sensed that fierce spiritual pressure several times and could not deny it was Void Returning. He was always steady-minded, and already considered retreat.

The Yun family’s mood shifted from despair to hope. This young Void Returning cultivator stood on their side, and his cultivation surpassed even the hidden Void Returning expert cloaked in black.

Few could bring themselves to believe it—such a young Void Returning cultivator—but all were forced to accept it. Anything else could be faked, but not the level of spiritual energy.

None were more unsettled than Yun Feng. He had staked everything today, certain of victory, only for the unexpected to occur. If they failed, others could walk away, but he could not. Yun Xiaotian would never let him go, and neither Li Hongyi, Viper, nor that Void Returning expert surnamed Yi would care for his fate.

He could not lose—he absolutely could not.

Though he did not understand how Zhang Heng could imitate the spiritual pressure of a second-stage Void Returning cultivator, Yun Feng remained convinced Zhang Heng was no true expert.

Steeling himself, Yun Feng strode forward and met Zhang Heng’s gaze. “Boy! I’ve never heard of a twenty-year-old Void Returning cultivator. If you’re going to pretend, at least make it believable.”

Zhang Heng replied indifferently, “Just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

A twenty-year-old Void Returning cultivator was indeed inconceivable to these people. But Zhang Heng knew that the Sword Sage’s disciple, Yan Xueqing, was likely younger than twenty and already at the third stage of Void Returning.

Yun Feng turned to face the Li family and announced loudly, “Patriarch Li, Boss Viper, Uncle Yi—when we were transporting cargo that day, this man was lying unconscious in the sand. Had we not passed by, he would have died. How could a true Void Returning expert collapse in the desert? He’s definitely no true expert.”

“He’s extraordinarily odd. When I first met him, I sensed no spiritual fluctuations. I am certain he possesses a treasure that can mask his aura.”

At these words, doubt began to sway the crowd. They had planned this for so long; how could they accept failure at the hands of some unknown youth?

Moreover, this man was barely twenty—how could he truly be a Void Returning cultivator?

So Yun Feng’s reasoning sounded plausible.

“If you say he’s not strong, then Brother Yun, why don’t you test him for us?” Viper said casually.

Immediately, the others voiced their agreement.

Yun Feng’s face turned ashen, but he dared not defy Viper. He was merely a minor cultivator at the Clear Spirit stage; if he resisted, Viper would destroy him even before Yun Xiaotian could act.

He hardened his resolve, gathered all his spiritual power, and lunged at Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng had expected this. These were all old hands, not gullible novices—they would not be so easily intimidated.

As Yun Feng attacked, Zhang Heng flickered aside and shouted loudly, “It’s true—I am not a Void Returning cultivator.”

At this, Viper, Li Hongyi, and the Void Returning expert all flew into a rage. They were all local powers, yet had been cowed by a youngster. If word got out, how could they show their faces again? Today, Zhang Heng had to die.

“Young Master Zhang, come back!” Hearing Zhang Heng admit he was not a Void Returning cultivator, Yun Yanjou panicked.

Yun Xiaotian immediately flashed before Zhang Heng, blocking him. Zhang Heng was not of the Yun family and should not suffer this calamity, and Zhang Heng had rendered him great service. Even if it meant his death, Yun Xiaotian would protect him.

At this moment, Zhang Heng continued, “Though I am not of the Void Returning realm, I do know a Void Returning expert. As it happens, he is quite interested in today’s events and would like to observe.”

At this, those about to strike paused.

Without further ado, Zhang Heng shouted toward the sky, “Today, my abilities fall short. Elder Wu, would you kindly show yourself and mediate?”

A hearty laugh rang out. “No need for such formality, Zhang Heng! After this matter is settled, just refine a few hundred Clear Mind Pills for this old man.” An elder flew in, landing at Zhang Heng’s side—it was Wu Hong, the fourth-stage alchemist of the Pill Pavilion.

The higher the grade of elixirs, the more spiritual energy required to refine them. Thus, alchemists often cultivated as well. Wu Hong was a seasoned fourth-stage alchemist, as well as a first-stage Void Returning cultivator. He only needed an opportunity to advance to fifth-stage alchemist. Moreover, the Pill Pavilion’s special position meant that his intervention should resolve this situation.

Seeing Wu Hong, everyone was stunned; they all recognized this proud fourth-stage alchemist.

A fourth-stage alchemist had come to Shayan City. As local “big shots,” they could hardly restrain their excitement and all wished for an audience.

But a fourth-stage alchemist was not someone just anyone could meet.

Though few had seen Wu Hong in person, they had all inquired about his appearance, lest they inadvertently offend the proud master.

Seeing their reactions, Zhang Heng smiled inwardly. It seemed the matter was resolved.