Chapter 102: Mutual Promises of Benefit

Although Feng Boyuan was not wearing his Nuo mask at this moment, Qiu Haishan’s temptation failed once again.

Different paths lead to different goals. The pie that Qiu Haishan was sketching out could not move Feng Boyuan in the slightest, even with the aid of bewitching sorcery.

Feng Boyuan spat out a mouthful of tainted blood, using the act to neutralize Qiu Haishan’s spell. With a mocking expression, he said, "You should ask yourself if you even believe such lies. If you were to split the Flood Dragon Pearl with me, you would lose the chance to achieve your breakthrough. All the effort you have spent and the risks you have taken would have been for nothing—how could you possibly be willing to share that pearl with me? Not to mention that the snake you have been cultivating is still one step away from transforming into a dragon. I suspect you intend to use me to bridge that final gap, don't you?"

Qiu Haishan, having his intentions laid bare, felt no embarrassment. He sighed and said with a hint of regret, "Feng Boyuan, you are indeed clever. But what use is cleverness? You and I are both battered and exhausted. Never mind invoking your Nuo mask, you can’t even lift a finger, can you? As for me, I still have an ace up my sleeve!"

As he spoke, a soybean tumbled from between his fingers. Once it hit the ground, it grew rapidly in the wind, instantly transforming into a bean-soldier the size of a grown man. Its sprouts sharpened and elongated, resembling blades and spears.

Seeing this bean-soldier, Feng Boyuan’s expression finally shifted.

Qiu Haishan noticed this and let out a smug, sinister laugh. "In the past, you would have looked down on such a bean-soldier. But now, with your shamanic power drained, even a lowly bean-soldier is enough to take your life. Go, kill him!"

The final command was directed at the bean-soldier. It remained silent, simply taking long strides toward Feng Boyuan.

Qiu Haishan barked a cruel order, "Do not damage his internal organs! They are the final and most crucial sacrifice for the Dragon Transformation ritual!" He then burst into laughter. "Feng Boyuan, you want to stop me from reaching the Heaven-Piercing Realm? It is impossible! No one in this world can stop me..."

The words cut off abruptly. The smile and triumph on Qiu Haishan’s face vanished, for he saw a figure suddenly burst from the darkness, charging toward him at breakneck speed.

Why would a third person appear here? Who is this? This unexpected turn of events filled Qiu Haishan with horror.

The person lunging at him was Shang Lu.

Shang Lu had originally intended to rescue Feng Boyuan, but the distance was too great; even if he sprinted, it would be too late. Thus, he chose to charge directly at Qiu Haishan, a strategy of "besieging the state of Wei to rescue Zhao." If he could lure the bean-soldier back, Feng Boyuan’s crisis would be averted. If he couldn't, then he would kill Qiu Haishan to avenge him!

Under ordinary circumstances, with Shang Lu’s cultivation at the Meridian-Opening Realm, killing a Shaman Official would be impossible. But Qiu Haishan’s own words had tipped him off. Feng Boyuan was dying, but wasn’t Qiu Haishan in the same state? Especially after deploying his last bean-soldier, Qiu Haishan’s internal shamanic power had been completely exhausted. Like Feng Boyuan, he was now struggling to even move a finger. This was the perfect moment to finish him off!

As soon as he appeared, Shang Lu utilized the Tiger-Step Technique and the Bird-Flight Method, pushing his speed to the limit. In an instant, he reached Qiu Haishan. Raising his ox-tail saber, Shang Lu unleashed the Raging Gale Saber Technique. The dazzling blade light roared like a storm, swirling toward Qiu Haishan, intent on hacking him to pieces.

Regrettably, this fierce assault failed to kill Qiu Haishan. The bean-soldier had hurried back in time, using its sprout-blades to block Shang Lu’s violent offensive and save its master.

The moment Qiu Haishan spotted Shang Lu, he had recalled the bean-soldier. He knew clearly that while killing Feng Boyuan was important, preserving his own life was paramount. If he were to die, what use would it be to have killed Feng Boyuan and forged the dragon pearl? It would only be a wasted effort for someone else’s benefit.

Failing to take down Qiu Haishan left Shang Lu feeling a bit regretful. However, the return of the bean-soldier meant that his strategy had succeeded—Feng Boyuan’s immediate danger was resolved. As for Qiu Haishan, he could simply finish off the bean-soldier first and then deal with him!

Shang Lu let out a thunderous roar, channeling all his vital energy. He swung his ox-tail saber frantically, each strike faster and more powerful than the last. In a heartbeat, the space in front of him was filled with blade shadows, all converging on Qiu Haishan, forcing the bean-soldier into a defensive position and effectively suppressing it.

Qiu Haishan’s face turned ghastly. Under normal circumstances, a martial artist of the Meridian-Opening Realm wouldn't even be able to get close to him, let alone threaten his life. Even these bean-soldiers he cultivated possessed the strength of an advanced Meridian-Opening expert, enough to slay Shang Lu. But now, with his shamanic power drained, the bean-soldier’s strength could not be fully exerted, remaining at best at the mid-stage of the Meridian-Opening Realm. Coincidentally, Shang Lu’s own strength was at the mid-stage, perhaps even a notch higher.

Seeing the bean-soldier being suppressed, Qiu Haishan sensed disaster. If the situation did not improve, the bean-soldier would be destroyed before long. And if the bean-soldier fell, his own fate would be sealed.

While Qiu Haishan was gripped by shock and rage, Feng Boyuan, having escaped death, recognized Shang Lu. He was overjoyed and, mustering his last remaining strength, shouted urgently, "Constable Shang! You have come just in time. He is at his weakest right now; you can certainly kill him!"

Fearing Shang Lu might not understand the gravity of the situation and would hesitate to kill a Shaman Official, Feng Boyuan gasped for breath and continued to shout, "Though he is a Shaman Official, he has committed unpardonable crimes! He not only used the newly born secret realm in Mount Yunhua to cultivate a snake demon, but for his own selfish desires, he has slaughtered innocent commoners! If you kill him, you will not be punished—it will be a great merit! Not only will you be promoted and rewarded, but when the Shaman Academy holds its recruitment, you can use this achievement to enter the academy and embark on the path of cultivation..."

Hearing this, Qiu Haishan’s eyes darted around, and he actually spoke up, attempting to bewitch Shang Lu: "Constable Shang, do not listen to him. The Shaman Academy is nowhere near as good as you imagine. Even if you enter, without connections or a background, you will only waste your life away. Even if your cultivation reaches a high level, you will never break through; you will only ever be a stepping stone for others. But if you are willing to help me, it will be different! I can swear to the heavens: if you kill him, I will help you open your meridians, cleanse your marrow, and refine your qi! I will teach you everything I have learned in my life, without holding anything back! If you still want to enter the Shaman Academy, I can help you claim credit with the Imperial Court and the academy! Once he is dead, we can pin everything that happened here on him. Then, you will not only be a great hero with immense merit, but with my full support, you will soar to the heavens!"