Jiangning

　　As if he was a gust of wind, Teng Qingshan slipped out of the mountain, and quickly entered the big tent.

　　It was the morning, and quite a number of warriors had gone into the mountain. Furthermore, Teng Qingshan had run very quickly, slipping straight into the tent from the mountain, thus not many people had noticed him. Only the servants at the base of the Gui Yuan Sect noticed a figure entering Lieutenant Teng’s large tent right in front of their eyes.

　　“Who goes there.” One of the servants immediately called out.

　　“It’s me.” Teng Qingshan’s voice responded.

　　“Ahh, My Lord, you’re back so early.” The servant didn’t dare to disrupt further.

　　“Get me a big tub of water, I want to take a bath!” Teng Qingshan’s voice reached out.

　　“Yes!”

　　In the large tent, Teng Qingshan took off his battered outer clothes and started to carefully observe the black armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast. Once the armored scales were laid out, Teng Qingshan noticed some things. “Hmm, these spikes!” Teng Qingshan realised that the armored scales, once laid out, should be about the size of Red Scaled Beast’s body.

　　It was only missing the armored scales on its head and neck area, which should’ve been torn.

　　Teng Qingshan could imagine the moment of the Red Scaled Beast’s transformation, when it ruptured its old layer of armored scales and climbed out of them.

　　“These scales are so closely packed together, with one on top of another, but it should be pretty easy to tear them off from the inside.” Teng Qingshan took a look at the internal layer. The internal layer was actually a layer of thick skin. While the thick skin was tough, a flying dagger infused with internal strength should sufficient to cut it off, and the scales on top would naturally fall apart once this was done. “However, these spikes are quite useless, so it’s better for one to remove them.”

　　Teng Qingshan split the armored scales into three big pieces, cutting it from the inside with a flying dagger.

　　He then removed all the spikes that were on the back of the armored scales.

　　“These spikes are really heavy.” Teng Qingshan held on to one of the black spikes, which had originally been on the back of the Red Scaled Beast. Teng Qingshan had thought that it was small, but when he held it closer to take a look, “To think that it’s actually half a metre long, and its base is as thick as a fist. This spike alone has a weight of a hundred Jin!” Teng Qingshan started to pluck out the sharp spikes one by one.

　　There were a total of eighty-one spikes!

　　“Most of the armored scales’ weight belongs to these spikes.” Teng Qingshan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The weight of these eighty-one short spikes added up to over eight thousand Jin.

　　The thin layers of armored scales only added up to a weight of over two thousand Jin!

　　“The material of these spikes are unusual, they should be treasures as well.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself.

　　……

　　At noon, Guan Lu led a big group of men back to the base.

　　“My lords, you’re back.” The servants welcomed them back warmly.

　　“Mmm, is Lieutenant Teng back?” Guan Lu enquired cooly.

　　“Lieutenant returned shortly after he headed out this morning.” The servant quickly replied. Guan Lu frowned as she looked towards the tent that Teng Qingshan was in. “How dare he skirt his duty!”

　　“Commander Guan!” Teng Qingshan suddenly came out from the tent. “Please come over here for a while.”

　　“Hmm?” Guan Lu was baffled but still headed into Teng Qingshan’s tent. She took a brief look around the tent before staring at Teng Qingshan. “What’s the matter? Is it to explain why you came back so early in the morning?” Teng Qingshan had put on new outer clothes at this point, and the wounds on his arms were hidden.

　　Teng Qingshan pointed to the table not far away. “Look over there!”

　　Guan Lu paid more attention and looked where he was pointing. She hadn’t paid much heed earlier, but after taking a closer look, she saw three carefully stacked piles of greyish white items on the table in the corner. And under the table, there were a pile of spikes on the floor.

　　“What are these? They’re quite heavy, and should have a weight of at least seven to eight hundred Jin.” Guan Lu was baffled as she walked over and flipped through the items.

　　Hua!

　　The black armored scales were flipped over and landed on the floor, revealing the side with the black scales.

　　“This is……” Guan Lu stared with her eyes wide open.

　　“This is the black armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast! One side is the scales, while the other side is a thick layer of greyish white skin! I’ve split this into three big pieces, each slightly over two zhang in length, and one zhang in width!” Teng Qingshan said. He’d done a brief calculation in his mind. The three pieces in total were about fifty square metres.

　　Guan Lu turned to look at Teng Qingshan in shock. “You, you……”

　　“The pile under the table are the spikes of the Red Scaled Beast. They’re really something, each of them weighing over a hundred Jin. There are a total of eighty-one of them!” Teng Qingshan replied.

　　Guan Lu took a deep breath before she asked, “Where did you get the armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast from?”

　　“Of course I stole it from the nest of the Red Scaled Beast.” Teng Qingshan replied helplessly. “You may not be aware, but the Red Scaled Beast has transformed, and had turned crimson red all over — it was insanely strong. If it wasn’t that I was quick in my escape, and that I slipped into a short passageway, I would’ve been killed by that Red Scaled Beast.”

　　Guan Lu stared at him and hollered, “You’re really risking your life. Are you hurt?” She carefully looked at Teng Qingshan’s body.

　　“I was just scratched by the tail of the Red Scaled Beast. It’s just a superficial wound.” Teng Qingshan replied.

　　“Quick, let me take a look.” Guan Lu quickly said.

　　“It’s nothing. Do I look like I’m hurt?” Teng Qingshan tried to change the topic. “Now that we’ve gotten our hands on the armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast, I think that we better hurry and pack up, and head back to Jiangning!”

　　Teng Qingshan and his company took advantage of the fact that there weren’t many people around in the morning, as the forty odd number of people rushed towards Hua City. The spikes and armored scales weren’t considered too heavy. Furthermore, they had a lot of men, as well as chariots. It was easy for them to bring them along to Hua City. After staying in Hua City for a night, Teng Qingshan and his company boarded their top quality war horses, and headed out the next morning!

　　Out of those three stacks of armored scales, one stack was on Teng Qingshan’s ‘Crimson Horse’, while the other two stacks were bounded to Guan Lu’s Dark Demonic Horse.

　　Being one of the top three dragon horses, it was an easy feat for the Black Demonic Horse to run alongside the normal Black-Marked Horses while carrying a weight of two thousand Jin. The other eighty-one sharp spikes were distributed amongst the thirty elites of the core disciples. It wasn’t very heavy with some of them carrying two, while others three.

　　……

　　The group went on their way at a rapid speed. While there were people at the foot of the Blazing Mountain who suspected that the Gui Yuan Sect had obtained the scales, they weren’t very sure, and not many warriors were willing to provoke the group of experts with Teng Qingshan in the lead.

　　Two and a half days later, on the afternoon of the third day, Teng Qingshan and his company finally arrived in Jiangning County safely.

　　……

　　“Brother!”

　　“Qingshan!”

　　“Big Brother Qingshan!”

　　Teng Qingshan had just arrived at the northern gate of the Gui Yuan Sect when he saw his sister and a big group of people gathering, including Qingyu, Zhuge Yun, Lady Qing, and Teng Qinghu. Only a few of these people were there to welcome Teng Qingshan back. The rest were the friends and family members of the thirty elites of the core disciples.

　　“Little Yu, it’s been over three months. Have you missed your brother?” Teng Qingshan smiled as he patted Qingyu on the head.

　　“I missed you a lot. I thought that brother would be back in one month.” Qingyu replied unhappily.

　　At that moment, a voice rang out beside them. “Lieutenant Teng, the Sovereign ordered that you were to see him immediately once you arrived. I will lead the way. This way please.”

　　Teng Qingshan looked in the voices direction — it was a disciple dressed in green.

　　“Alright, cousin, help me bring this stuff to my lodge. I’ll meet the Sovereign first, and catch up with you guys later.” Teng Qingshan smiled at the few of them, and followed after the disciple in green.

　　Under a short and strong willow tree, the branches swayed with the wind.

　　Beside the willow tree, Zhuge Yuanhong was seated on a chair, enjoying a bound book. Zhuge Yuanhong’s hair was let down as usual, and he was wearing a loose-fitting, long sleeved white robe.

　　“Zhuge Yuanhong!”

　　Teng Qingshan could see Zhuge Yuanhong from afar, but for some reason, the Zhuge Yuanhong right then had given Teng Qingshan a blurry feeling — as if Zhuge Yuanhong was one with the low tree and the gentle breeze. It was like a scene from a painting.

　　“Sovereign.” The disciple in green clothes called out respectfully.

　　“How strange.” Teng Qingshan didn’t want to question further, and he followed behind.

　　“Qingshan, you’re here.” Zhuge Yuanhong lifted his head as he smiled. “Alright, you can take your leave first. Qingshan, come here.”

　　That disciple in green bowed and took his leave. Teng Qingshan walked to the side of the empty space.

　　“I’ve already heard of the things that you’ve done in the past three months. You’ve done well!” Zhuge Yuanhong nodded in satisfaction. The news of him having gotten the armored scales had already been quickly passed on to the Jiangning County by messenger pigeons when they were in Hua City. Of course Zhuge Hongyuan was well aware. “You’ve killed Meng Tian, saved Commander Ji Hong, and obtained the armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast. Go ahead, what do you want as a reward?”

　　Teng Qingshan was stunned. To mention reward right from the start?

　　“Sovereign,” Teng Qingshan said respectfully, “I would like to have one set of the armors that are made from the armored scales of the Red Scaled Beast be given to my cousin! I also hope that the sect will be able to give proper guidance to my sister.”

　　“These are small issues. The Red Scaled Beast’s body was very big. The armored scales will be able to make twenty sets of full bodied armors. Since you’ve brought back the armored scales alone, I’ll give you two sets. As for who you want to give the armors to, I’ll let you decide for yourself. As for your sister……Haha, the Gui Yuan Sect will definitely carefully nurture those with talent.” Zhuge Yuanhong looked at Teng Qingshan. “I wished to ask about you — what about yourself? What desires do you have?”

　　Teng Qingshan frowned.

　　“If I were to offer you the position of Commander, would you accept it?” Zhuge Yuanhong said with a smile.

　　Teng Qingshan was astonished

　　Commander?

　　After Ji Hong had lost his arm, Teng Qingshan had already understood that Ji Hong would definitely need to give up his position. But the positions of the four Commanders had always been taken up by the core disciples due to their importance. While Teng Qingshan was strong, the person who was to be appointed on the position must be one who was most loyal.

　　“Me? Would the sect agree?” Teng Qingshan couldn’t believe it.

　　“Wouldn’t it work if you become my disciple?” Zhuge Yuanhong smiled as he said.

　　“Disciple?”

　　Teng Qingshan took a close look at Zhuge Yuanhong. To this day, he’d had only one master, Teng Bolei from his past life! Deep down, Teng Qingshan was very proud of his status as a Grandmaster of Xi Yi Martial arts in his past life. For him to recognise someone as his master……it wasn’t easy.

　　“I wonder what abilities the Sovereign has to teach me with!” Teng Qingshan looked at Zhuge Yuanhong.

　　Zhuge Yuanhong put down his book, stood up, walked to the willow tree, and broke off a branch as he stood on the empty land looking at Teng Qingshan. “Qingshan, you will use your spear, while I use this willow branch. We will each send off a power of ten thousand Jin and compare. How about it?” After saying this, he emitted true origin into the willow branch in his hands, and stretched it.

　　Teng Qingshan frowned.

　　To exert the same amount of power?

　　The other party was holding onto a willow branch? He would be using his Reincarnation Spear? But Zhuge Yuanhong was an extreme expert who was listed on the 《Heaven Ranking》, he was the Sovereign of the Gui Yuan Sect — a feudal lord who’d spread his name across the world. Teng Qingshan didn’t dare to underestimate him.

　　“I appreciate the Sovereign’s advice!” Teng Qingshan held the Reincarnation Spear as he cupped his hands and said.

　　To be able to exchange blows with such a strong expert, why not?

　　“Make your move.” Zhuge Yuanhong smiled as he stood on the spot.

　　“Swoosh!”

　　Teng Qingshan’s spear suddenly moved, turning into a sharp arrow, and a loud whistling sound as it pierced towards Zhuge Yuanhong. Teng Qingshan did indeed use a strength of ten thousand Jin, and at the same time he used inner strength to stimulate important acupuncture points, increasing the speed of the spear even further.

　　“You’ve lost!”

　　A calm voice sounded.

　　Teng Qingshan looked at the willow branch in front of his chest in astonishment. The sharp end of the willow branch was pointing at his chest.

　　“This……” Teng Qingshan’s reflexes were fast. He could clearly remember the scene from earlier. He’d only just attacked with his spear, when Zhuge Yuanhong had easily dodged to the side. Zhuge Yuanhong only took a step forward to reduce their distance before he’d followed forward with a thrust of his weapon. While it was just a simple thrust, Teng Qingshan still didn’t have enough time to dodge!

　　Actually, if Teng Qingshan had used strength of two hundred and ten thousand, the instant thrust in speed, coupled with the 《Crossing Worlds》, would’ve allowed him to dodge easily.

　　But, the two of them were comparing the usage of the same amount of strength— ten thousand Jin!

　　“Master, how did you dodge my spear so easily? You only used innate true origin power to produce a strength of ten thousand Jin?” Teng Qingshan looked at Zhuge Yuanhong.

　　“You doubt me, but already call me master?” Zhuge Yuanhong replied with a question.

　　“With just that thrust! That thrust earlier didn’t have any sound, and the speed was extremely fast. With just the speed alone, I doubt that master had utilised even more innate true origin power. However, to be without any sound or traces, with just this alone, Sovereign is qualified to be my master!” Teng Qingshan really admitted defeat.

　　Maybe, if he’d exerted his full powers, he’d be able to kill an innate ‘Emptiness Dan’ expert.

　　But the thrust of his spear would definitely be paired with the sound of exploding Qi.

　　And at the speed at which the willow branch was thrust by Zhuge Yuanhong, by right, it should create exploding Qi and a strong gust of wind. However……The truth was that it was silent without a trace!

　　Exploding Qi wasn’t good!

　　Because the sound of exploding Qi showed that there was air resistance, which in turn resulted in exploding Qi! With such a strong resistance, the speed of the spear would of course be restricted.

　　If there was no air resistance, the speed would of course be much faster.

　　With no sound or trace……this showed that the air hadn’t formed any resistance!

　　“Haha……” Zhuge Yuanhong laughed. “This thrust that didn’t have any sound or trace indeed looked simple. However……It was something I just comprehended recently.” Zhuge Yuanhong was also very happy to be praised in the area that he was most proud of. At the very least, Teng Qingshan had eyes for things that were extraordinary. This seemingly unremarkable ‘no sound or trace’, was his strongest skill.

　　“To learn this skill, you’ll have to reach the innate state first. After reaching the innate state, then you can slowly proceed, one step at a time.” Zhuge Yuanhong said.

　　Teng Qingshan had also felt it……The differences between the stronger and weaker innate masters was tremendous!

　　While his level was considered very high, based on what Zhuge Yuanhong had implied……There were certain levels that could only be slowly comprehended after reaching the innate state. Without reaching the innate state, there was no way of comprehending them.

　　“Master will choose a good date to select you as my disciple!” A smile broke out Zhuge Yuanhong’s face. “Qingshan, you’re the most outstanding one of my six disciples! Initially, I had wanted to use that Black Fire Spirit Fruit to help you attain the innate state. But it seems like you’ll need to depend on yourself now!”

　　“Yes, master.” Teng Qingshan said respectfully.

　　Zhuge Yuanhong’s level was sufficient to be his master!

　　“Mmm, the day that I accept you as my disciple, will also be the day that you’re appointed as the First Commander!” Zhuge Yuanhong said.