The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

Shuo Province, Cyan Forest Valley.

Cyan Forest Valley was a perilous region in Shuo Province, perennially shrouded in mist. Fierce Beasts lurked within, giving it a strange and sinister air. It was said that nine out of ten adventurers who entered would never return.

But today, a guest arrived at the outskirts of Cyan Forest Valley.

He was a young man of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in white robes with a longsword at his waist. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips, lending him a dashing air.

"Young man, Cyan Forest Valley is no place to be trifled with. It’s dangerous in there. You’d best be on your way," said an old man carrying an herb basket on his back.

He had been gathering herbs outside the valley for years and had seen many people curiously enter Cyan Forest Valley—some were Martial Artists who boasted of their great strength, others were seasoned Mercenaries...

But without exception, not a single one of them had ever walked out alive.

This young man before him was so fair-skinned and clean-cut. ’Wouldn’t he just be walking to his death if he went in?’

Hearing this, the young man turned and smiled faintly. "Don’t worry, Sir."

With those words, he slowly walked into Cyan Forest Valley. Seeing this, the old man sighed, feeling helpless in the face of the young man’s recklessness.

As Qin Ya slowly walked into Cyan Forest Valley, the swirling mist around him seemed provoked, surging toward him like a great beast intent on devouring him whole.

Yet Qin Ya’s expression remained impassive. A True Essence Qi Shield materialized from within him, pushing the surrounding mist away. Suddenly, a flicker of perception crossed his face, and the corners of his lips curled upward.

Less than a hundred zhang ahead and to his right, two figures were slowly approaching.

The two figures, clad in blood-red robes and holding weapons, perched atop a large tree. They stared at Qin Ya in the distance, a mocking glint flashing in their eyes.

"Heh, fancy meeting a little lamb out here on patrol."

"I can’t believe someone actually dared to come into Cyan Forest Valley."

"And a young lad at that. What a rare sight."

"How about we make a little wager?"

"A wager on what?" "On who’s faster—who can take his head first!"

One of the Blood-Robed Men, holding a dagger, let out a sinister laugh. The other one’s lips curled into an excited grin, eager for the challenge.

"Alright, then. Let’s see who’s best."

SWOOSH! The moment the words left his mouth, the two figures blurred into motion, crossing several dozen zhang in the blink of an eye. The cold glint of their blades flashed as they aimed straight for Qin Ya’s neck. The Blood-Robed Man with the dagger was slightly faster, arriving before Qin Ya a step ahead. A bloodthirsty glint filled his eyes, as if he could already picture the gory aftermath!

The dagger swept across Qin Ya’s neck, but the Blood-Robed Man’s expression changed drastically. He hadn’t felt the blade touch flesh. Confused, he felt a sudden cold sensation on his own throat. He reached up, touched his neck, and his hand came away with an alarming streak of crimson. An instant later, a fountain of blood erupted from the gash!!

The pupils of the remaining Blood-Robed Man contracted violently. He immediately halted his advance, spun around, and fled at full speed. Suddenly, an immense force struck him from behind, sending him flying uncontrollably. He slammed into a large tree nearby. CRACK! The Blood-Robed Man’s sternum shattered as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The Blood-Robed Man took out an Elixir, but just as he was about to consume it, WHOOSH! A white-robed figure suddenly appeared before him. It was the very same young man he had tried to kill. His eyes widened in horror, his face contorted in fear. "Who are you?" he stammered.

Qin Ya stared coldly at the Blood-Robed Man, who was lying on the ground like a half-dead dog. "You have two choices," he said impassively. "Life or death. It’s up to you."

"Who are you?" the Blood-Robed Man repeated.

"You don’t need to know. Take me to your stronghold in Cyan Forest Valley."

"Since you know this is a Blood Nether Association stronghold, you should also know that we have a Half-Step King and more than ten Golden Killers here. You’re..."

CRACK...

Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his right shoulder. Qin Ya had stomped on it, crushing the bone. "Don’t waste my time with nonsense!!" Qin Ya’s voice was cold.

"Okay, okay! I’ll take you!"

A venomous look flickered in the Blood-Robed Man’s eyes. ’Take him there? With so many masters at the stronghold, he’s dead for sure the moment he arrives!’

’Hmph. Just some brash idiot who doesn’t understand how terrifying the Blood Nether Association truly is.’

Led by the killer, Qin Ya soon arrived at the Blood Nether Association’s stronghold within Cyan Forest Valley. Dozens of pavilions stood before them, with assassins coming and going.

Just then, the killer Qin Ya had been holding hostage suddenly bolted, shouting, "Everyone, this man is here to cause trouble for the Blood Nether Association! Quick..."

Before he could finish, a long spear pierced through his chest.

Seeing this, the other assassins immediately tensed and went on high alert.

"Who is this person, daring to cause a scene here?"

"Hmph. He’d better take a look at where he is."

"He’s just a young punk. Kill him!"

Qin Ya looked at the crowd of Blood Nether Association Killers, a slight smile on his lips. He suddenly produced a Ghost Face Mask and put it on. In that instant, his figure vanished without a trace.

"Huh? He’s gone."

"Where is he? Dammit, my Divine Thought can’t sense him!"

"This is bad! Everyone, group together! Watch out for a sneak attack!"

PFFT! A spray of blood blossomed in the air as one of the killers suddenly dropped dead.

PFFT, PFFT, PFFT...

One after another, before they could even react, the killers were struck down. Some were pierced through the chest by a long spear, others had their heads smashed to pulp, and some were sliced in two!

It was bloody, brutal—a veritable feast of slaughter!

"Dammit, where is he?"

"So Fast, so Fast! And I can’t sense his presence at all."

"Damn it all! Everyone, fall back!"

The killers’ faces paled. How could they fight an enemy they couldn’t even see? Despite being hardened by countless battles, they couldn’t suppress the chill that crept into their hearts. It was like a frigid winter wind, sweeping through their bodies and making them tremble.

At that moment, more than a dozen figures suddenly appeared on the battlefield. A powerful aura erupted from them, sweeping out for hundreds of zhang. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in the area grew turbulent, coalescing into massive, hundred-zhang-tall Dharma Aspects. Their tyrannical presence made the very air grow heavy!

"It’s the Golden Killers!"

"Every Golden Killer is at the Celestial Human Realm! This time, for sure, they’ll be able to find that kid, drag him out, and give him death by a thousand cuts."

"The dignity of the Blood Nether Association will not be so easily offended!"

However, the expressions on the faces of the dozen or so Celestial Humans were incredibly grim. Just like everyone else, they couldn’t find any trace of Qin Ya! ’Dammit, what kind of technique is this kid using to evade our Divine Thought?!’

They condensed their Dharma Aspects, cloaking themselves tightly within them, not daring to let their guard down for an instant. But at that moment, a long spear tore through the air, aimed straight at one of the Celestial Human’s heads. A mysterious energy pulsed from the spear, allowing it to instantly pierce through the Dharma Aspect and stab directly into the Celestial Human’s skull!

"Die!"

"Go to hell!"

The dozen-plus Celestial Humans immediately attacked, simultaneously blasting the spot where their comrade had just been, attempting to kill Qin Ya in a single, concerted strike. The Energy Shock left the surrounding area in utter ruins!

When the smoke cleared, everyone looked at the massive crater that had been blasted into the ground, a hint of relief in their eyes. ’Anyone caught in that blast would surely be dead.’

But before they could even begin to cheer, another Celestial Human was instantly and brutally killed!