Chapter 87: Want to Be the Praying Mantis? Take the Blame First!

Qin Li reached out, and the sword Fang Haonan had gifted him appeared in his hand. It was also a blade that could cut through iron like mud, but compared to Blooddrinker, it was like an insect trying to shine against the bright moon. There was simply no comparison!

If this sword hadn’t been given to him by Fang Haonan, Qin Li would have truly wanted to try slicing it with Blooddrinker. He shook his head, putting both swords away. Right then, he suddenly heard a series of rumbling booms.

Qin Li frowned slightly. He thought other martial artists might have entered the ancient city. According to his master, every room in the city was designed with illusions. The supplement to the Sovereign of All Battle Skill he saw earlier must also have been part of the illusion. Still, Prince Wu Jun had been quite thoughtful towards someone cultivating this technique. From this, he could see Prince Wu Jun’s immense capability, because those mantras that appeared on the wall were exactly the passage Qin Li needed most!

Because of that, Qin Li broke through to the second level of the Sovereign of All Battle Skill. The second level transitioned from physical techniques to mental cultivation.

For instance, every martial artist knows about the energy ripples and pressure aura of powerful warriors. And the higher the rank of the warrior, the stronger the aura they radiate. But how many people could fully utilize that mental suppression?

For instance, condensing mental energy into a fist to invisibly punch an opponent flying!

For instance, shaping mental energy into a sharp sword to make a formless, weightless slash that severs a foe’s head?

Below the Heavenly Rank, almost no one could achieve this. Only super experts who had reached the Heaven-Breaking Realm had a chance of comprehending such things. Below the Heavenly Rank, it was impossible!

But the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, I Am the Only Sovereign Combat Skill could do it!

Unlike ordinary combat skills that feature all sorts of moves, the most refined of which are called trump cards, the Sovereign of All Battle Skill, in Qin Li’s view, was more like the legendary Nine Solitary Swords! Of course, the Sovereign of All Battle Skill was more comprehensive, encompassing almost all areas of martial knowledge. Fists, kicks, weapons, hidden projectiles – it covered everything!

Given this, once Qin Li advanced from the Mysterious Rank to the Earth Rank Martial Artist, his strength would soar dramatically. Facing Heaven Rank Martial Artists might not be difficult at all!

It was time to leave.

Qin Li stared solemnly at the two spirit tablets for a moment before turning to leave. The hidden door behind him closed silently.

Once outside, Qin Li glanced at the books on the shelf. He knew anything Prince Wu Jun placed here couldn’t be trash. Books in any field here must be extremely valuable!

Without hesitation, Qin Li stored the entire bookcase into his Storage Ring, instantly filling over half of its space. But he wasn’t worried. From Prince Wu Jun’s notes, he already knew the size of the Storage Ring determines by the wearer’s strength! As Qin Li’s strength grew, the ring’s space would also expand.

After exiting, Qin Li didn’t retrace his steps. People were clearly forcing their way inside already; the weakest among them were Earth Rank Martial Artists. Qin Li had no desire to meet those people. As he was now, he lacked the strength to confront Heaven Rank Martial Artists.

Heading south, seeing row upon row of intact, exquisite houses, Qin Li couldn’t help but sigh with admiration. His master from a previous generation was truly formidable! The saying that “human capability has limits” simply didn’t apply to Prince Wu Jun. He felt like an all-powerful expert, giving Qin Li immense confidence and motivation, dispelling his confusion about the future. He still felt a pang of sadness about Watermelon. He thought he must search thoroughly through that Alchemy Formula Compendium after returning. He needed to find elixirs that could repair souls and strengthen physiques. No matter what, he had to save her life.

Despite Watermelon’s origins in the streets and her young age, she was loyal, brave, and willing to fight. Qin Li even saw a reflection of his past self in her.

Lost in thought, Qin Li soon reached the end of the ancient city. Pitch-black, icy cold water surrounded him. The moment he stepped outside the city, tremendous pressure instantly assaulted him. This was nearly a hundred meters underwater!

The instant Qin Li appeared, powerful fluctuations rippled through the water towards him. He inwardly cursed. He had forgotten about these creatures; some were even tougher to handle than Heaven Rank Martial Artists.

Thinking this, Qin Li had absolutely no intention of fighting them. His body became like an arrow loosed into the water, shooting rapidly towards the surface! The powerful water monsters gave chase relentlessly. One weird fish, almost two or three meters long, swam with incredible speed. Just as Qin Li was about twenty meters from the surface, it caught up. Opening its enormous maw, it snapped savagely at Qin Li’s legs!

Sensing the danger, Qin Li had already drawn Blooddrinker. Turning mid-stroke, he slashed backwards. A flash of bloody light cut through the water. The strange fish was split cleanly open by Blooddrinker!

The scent of blood sent the pursuing water creatures into a frenzy. The unlucky fish was immediately torn to shreds, dyeing the water crimson!

By this time, Qin Li had surfaced. Without a second thought, he rocketed towards the southern bank, the Yuanli inside him instantly drying his clothes. Reaching the shore, he bent over, gasping for breath. Daylight was already bright. Looking out at the ancient city jutting from the lake’s center, Qin Li saw the tallest parts were nearly submerged. About fifteen days must almost be up!

At the same time, Qin Li felt extremely triumphant. Though he hadn’t seen many people, he knew countless powerful martial artists had been drawn to Phoenix Lake this time. The Imperial Family had even risked offending martial artists nationwide to block those below Earth Rank! But the one who truly, and perhaps uniquely, gained treasure was him alone!

The feeling was so intense Qin Li wanted to roar with laughter at the sky. But he knew now wasn’t the time for pride. Leaving this place quickly was the true final victory.

Glancing towards Ahu’s position, Qin Li prepared to follow the trees lining the lake shore towards them. Suddenly, overwhelming danger struck him out of nowhere!

At the same time, a strange, chilling laugh reached Qin Li’s ears.

“Hehehe… Second Brother, our luck is truly good! Can’t get to the lake center? We hide here watching the show, yet we stumble upon prey!”

“Indeed, Big Brother! The Qin Family of Huangsha City has always enjoyed good fortune. Otherwise, how could we have prospered to this day? Hey, brat! Don’t even think of running! Heheh… whatever treasures you brought out from the lake, hand them over obediently to your grandfathers! Do it smoothly, and we might just spare your miserable life. Refuse? Then next year today will mark your death anniversary!”

Had they known Qin Li’s reaction, these two never would have spoken. If given a second chance, they would have unleashed thunderous force instantly, blasting this wretched youngster to oblivion!

Because upon hearing them, Qin Li reacted like a cat whose tail was stepped on! His body shot into the air. He roared furiously: “You old bastards of Huangsha City’s Qin Family! You stole the peerless treasure I brought from the lake, and now you want to kill me? I will hound you as a vengeful ghost!”

His voice was thick with bitterness, grief, and boundless resentment. The roar echoed across all of Phoenix Lake! Want to steal his treasures? First, take the blame for it! While shouting, Qin Li’s figure became like a vengeful spirit darting into the dense forest of Phoenix Mountain, vanishing instantly!

“That damned brat!”

“You son of a bitch! You’re courting death!”

Two elderly men with whitened hair and beards were livid with rage. They shot like lightning in the direction Qin Li had vanished, chasing wildly into the woods.