The Ferocious Cult Members, The Art of Combat

"Can we continue tracking?"

"Hall Master, in places with too much human activity, this technique is affected and cannot pinpoint the target accurately."

A group of merchants dressed as Demon Summoning Cult disciples had already infiltrated Greenwood City.

Luo Yexian wanted his subordinates to continue using their secret technique to trace the flow of the Power of the Masses, but the gaunt middle-aged man shook his head, indicating it was beyond their capability.

At best, they could only confirm that the entity absorbing the Power of the Masses was somewhere within Greenwood City.

"Hall Master, why don’t we turn Greenwood City upside down and force that thief who stole the Power of the Masses to reveal himself?"

A bucktoothed priest snorted coldly, his face full of murderous intent.

"Are you a Sky Patrol Guard?"

"Hall Master, my loyalty to our Divine Cult is unwavering, as clear as the sun and moon! You know me!"

"Then why are you shouting so loudly? Acting like a Sky Patrol Guard? We’re the Demon Cult, the Demon Cult!"

"Turning Greenwood City upside down? The tens of thousands of soldiers in the Greenwood Garrison would be the ones flipping you into the sky!"

Luo Yexian’s eyelids twitched slightly. He had a clear understanding of his identity.

This was why he had risen to become a hall master and a trusted confidant of the Holy Son.

And it had absolutely nothing to do with being the Holy Son’s relative.

The bucktoothed priest shrank his neck, thinking to himself that the Hall Master’s voice wasn’t exactly quiet either.

The Demon Summoning Cult disciples, upon hearing this, recalled the terror of the Greenwood defenders during the siege—ferocious as wolves and tigers—and the fear instilled by the two prodigies ranked in the top five of the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Back then, even with a hundred thousand troops, numerous high-tier disaster beasts, and the Imperial Preceptor overseeing the battle, they hadn’t managed to take Greenwood City.

Now, they clearly lacked the ability to stir up trouble here.

Hmm!

The Hall Master truly was steady and reliable. No wonder the Holy Son entrusted him with such tasks.

The gaunt middle-aged priest asked, "Hall Master, what should we do next?"

"Nothing."

"......?"

"Since we can’t pinpoint the target’s location, we’ll settle in the city and observe quietly."

Luo Yexian narrowed his eyes and said slowly,

"Sooner or later, the target will leave Greenwood City. When that happens, we’ll naturally find this so-called Heavenly Venerable Immortal. No need to startle the snake."

The disciples, upon hearing this, found Luo Yexian’s reasoning sound.

After some discussion, they decided to find an inn and settle down in Greenwood City.

As they walked, they suddenly caught a familiar aroma.

Looking ahead, they saw a bustling restaurant, packed with people even late at night. A large wooden sign stood at the entrance:

"Little Li’s Overlord BBQ—Same Secret Recipe!"

"Hall Master, isn’t this the barbecue that made so many of our brothers drool last time?"

"Let’s stay here!"

"I’ve been dying to know what this barbecue tastes like... I mean, we should investigate so we won’t be fooled again... slurp..."

Luo Yexian’s expression shifted, and he gritted his teeth with a cold snort.

"Hmph, little barbecue... today, I’m going to eat you to death."

The group of demonic cultivators charged menacingly toward the barbecue stall in front of the restaurant.

But as soon as they pushed through the crowd, before they could even order—

"Hey, why are you cutting in line? What kind of people are you? No manners at all."

"So uncivilized, these folks."

"One person cutting is bad enough, but a whole group? Have you no decency? I have to work tomorrow morning!"

The martial artists and commoners who had been cut off pointed fingers and scolded the demonic cultivators.

Luo Yexian clenched his jaw. He, the infamous Hall Master of the Hundred Beasts, ranked 79th on the Earth Ranking, had to wait in line for barbecue?

He took a deep breath.

"Fine! We’ll! Wait!"

This was purely for the sake of the cult’s grand plan—a temporary humiliation!

The group of demonic cultivators then stormed off to the back of the line.

......

Inside a private room in the restaurant.

Most of the cake remained uneaten. Ying Bing stored it in a container made of ice and placed it in a dimensional storage artifact. Next time, it would likely be an ice cream cake.

Shang Qinqing had returned to the Green Phoenix Clan’s territory. Originally, she had planned to follow Li Mo and Ying Bing all the way back, hoping to witness their romantic interactions.

But then she reconsidered—Shang Wu might intercept them midway. The chances of them running into each other weren’t high, but they weren’t zero either.

Meanwhile, Li Mo stayed in the private room with Ying Bing, the Phoenix Heaven Empress, discussing the art of combat.

Well...

"Discussing" might not be the right word.

It was more like Teacher Ice Block giving a one-sided lecture. Li Mo even felt the same way he had when he’d sought her guidance in swordsmanship.

Despite her ethereal, fairy-like beauty, Ying Bing was no delicate flower.

Her mastery in combat was likely on par with Shang Wu’s, though their styles differed.

Of course, if the fight had to be fair—no talking, no underhanded tricks—Ying Bing was stronger.

Shang Wu embodied the philosophy of "all warfare is based on deception."

Ying Bing, however, turned combat into an art form.

And she was a far better teacher.

The night deepened.

In the quiet private room, the soft voice of the Frost Fairy mingled with the gentle glow of the night pearl, casting their silhouettes onto the window screen.

Though it was supposed to be resting time, Li Mo’s eyes shone with excitement and fighting spirit.

"I understand everything now. I’ll try it out in my dreams later."

Earlier, he had mentioned possessing a treasure that allowed him to project opponents into his dreams.

"Then I’ll cultivate as well. If you have more questions, just ask."

"Don’t worry. That little Golden Crow? I’ll crush it tonight!"

Li Mo was brimming with the Phoenix Heaven Empress’s combat artistry.

"Then go, Heavenly Venerable Immortal."

Ying Bing’s delicate brows lowered slightly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

He probably thought he had learned a lot, but in truth, there was still much more for him to grasp.

Combat instinct wasn’t something one could develop overnight.

It required countless life-and-death trials.

......

Inside the World Seed.

"Combat is an art."

"Do you understand everything I just explained?"

The Heavenly Venerable’s tone was calm and composed, exuding confidence. Though if a certain ice block were here, she might find it familiar...

"I understand, Teacher... You’re even more thorough than I imagined."

Behind her blindfold, Jiang Chulong’s eyes sparkled.

Since waking up yesterday, she had been analyzing her battles, but her insights paled in comparison to her teacher’s.

As expected of her teacher.

Soon, the Heavenly Venerable’s lesson concluded.

Princess Jiang dove into intense, hands-on training. It was clear she was a quick learner—her performance today was noticeably better than yesterday’s.

From being completely crushed at first, she had begun finding opportunities to counterattack.

"Is this what Ice Block meant by the rhythm and flow of combat?"

"If you’re weaker, you’re forced into the opponent’s rhythm, becoming more and more suppressed."

"My goal now is to first familiarize myself with the Golden Crow projection’s rhythm, then gradually establish my own, until I can drag it into mine."

Li Mo had a feeling.

Tonight, he might make significant progress.