Chapter Fifty-Two: The Twin Heroes of Azure Mountain

“Mmm~, the effects of the low-grade Monster Gathering Pill are no longer obvious. It seems I’ll only be able to use the medium-grade ones from now on.”
Xiao Wenzi possessed fewer fourth-level Heaven system coins than third-level ones, but the talismans and pills available for exchange at the fourth-level were far more practical.
Adhering to the principle that waste is shameful, he had previously exchanged for the ordinary low-grade Monster Gathering Pill, but unfortunately, even after swallowing two or three in succession, the heat generated within his body was quite limited.
Xiao Wenzi knew the low-grade pills were no longer effective for him, so he could only switch to exchanging his fourth-level Heaven coins for the medium-grade Monster Gathering Pill.
“Hm~~ Xiao Wen, your aura has grown stronger again! That’s wonderful.”
At dawn, Chu Xin’er, having finished her meditation, sent her spiritual sense into the spirit beast pouch. Discovering his realm had risen once more, she couldn’t help but express her delight.
“It’s all thanks to you, Master. Without you, I wouldn’t have advanced so quickly...”
In good spirits, Xiao Wenzi spoke generously, his words filled with heartfelt gratitude.
Indeed, ever since he had become Chu Xin’er’s spirit pet, life was far more comfortable than before—no more wandering, nor worrying about finding fresh blood for cultivation.
Chu Xin’er was equally pleased. In just two short days, Xiao Wen had become stronger and larger. At this rate, as long as there were enough young cultivators to provide blood, it wouldn’t be long before he could become her greatest support.
As she spoke, Chu Xin’er left the inn, transforming into a streak of light that flew southeast.
Just as she had done yesterday, she was in no rush. Passing through valleys and green peaks rich in spiritual energy, she would stop to explore.
Perhaps luck was with her; while searching in a valley that wasn’t particularly large, she found a hundred-year-old Lotus Branch. Ecstatic, Chu Xin’er sped to the cliffside, took out a jade box and shovel, and began digging.
However, just as she placed the spirit herb into the jade box, she turned around warily.
At some point, two black-clad figures wearing magical masks had silently approached within a hundred yards behind her.
The two were clearly up to no good, and both had cultivation slightly above hers. Chu Xin’er’s expression darkened; with a wave, she stowed the jade box in her storage bag, and a magical longsword appeared in her hand.
“Who are you? I am a disciple of the Greenleaf Sect—you’d better not try anything foolish.”
Though outnumbered, Chu Xin’er was not overly afraid. Even if she couldn’t win, she was confident she could escape.

Believing these two were after the Lotus Branch, Chu Xin’er deliberately declared her sect affiliation, hoping they would back off.
“Little girl, who are you trying to scare? Greenleaf Sect? Oh, I’m so frightened.
Let me tell you the truth—among the sect’s female disciples tortured to death by us, the Twin Heroes of Cangshan, you are neither the first, nor will you be the last...”
Her words failed to intimidate them; instead, their light sped up, closing to within ten yards.
The thin masked man’s voice was raspy and mocking, his eyes beneath the mask filled with lewdness and greed.
“That’s right, big brother. This girl is so pretty, I can hardly wait to taste her. Let’s get on with it.”
The short, stout man on the other side laughed sinisterly, his beady eyes roving over Chu Xin’er with invasive intent.
No sooner had he spoken than two magical longswords whistled down upon the young woman.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Chu Xin’er would never sit and wait for death. Her longsword, driven by her spiritual power, flared with light and flew from her hand, its three-foot blade clashing with theirs. The valley rang with the sound of iron on iron.
“Junior Brother Wang, tie up the girl’s magical weapon. I’ll wound and capture her.”
Though Zhou Kai and Wang Tao’s cultivation was a bit higher than Chu Xin’er’s, their magical swords were only low-grade. Afraid to reveal their identities, they dared not use Greenleaf Sect techniques. Even two against one, they failed to gain much advantage in a short time.
Zhou Kai, being shrewd, immediately sent Wang Tao a message: focus on entangling Chu Xin’er’s sword.
He then flicked his fingers, sending sword energy whistling through the air. The magical swords, veering away from their collision, arced through the sky and sped toward the doll-faced young woman.
Chu Xin’er remained calm in the face of danger. While her hand reached for her storage bag, a layer of watery blue protective light appeared around her.
Whoosh—a magical flying sword materialized in front of her, spiritual power infused and shining brightly. After passing through the shield, it met the incoming longsword head-on, showing no sign of weakness.
“Controlling two magical weapons at once? How is that possible? Is her spiritual sense even stronger than ours?”
The sneak attack foiled, Zhou Kai’s expression darkened, though his mask concealed it well.

Bang! Bang!
The flying sword managed to block Zhou Kai’s magical blade, but the scattered sword energy struck her protective shield, distorting and denting it without breaking through. Yet, Chu Xin’er’s face paled.
Controlling two magical weapons against enemies while maintaining her protective light taxed both her spiritual sense and energy greatly. Her cultivation was not high enough; she was simply forcing herself to endure out of necessity.
This could not go on. Knowing she would not win without using her treasure, Chu Xin’er quickly made up her mind.
Her right hand formed seals rapidly, and the sword she fought with suddenly launched a fierce offensive. At the same time, a talisman appeared in her left hand.
An Ice Spike Talisman—and it was a valuable medium-grade one.
Suppressing their magical sword temporarily, she reluctantly tossed the talisman.
Dozens of ice spikes, each a foot long and biting cold, instantly materialized, hurtling toward Zhou Kai and Wang Tao.
“Damn, it’s a medium-grade Ice Spike Talisman.”
Medium-grade talismans could unleash attacks at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, and only talisman makers at the Foundation Establishment stage or above could craft them. Some even threatened Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Faced with so many powerful ice spikes, Zhou Kai’s expression changed drastically. He retreated at once, pouring spiritual power into his protective light and unhesitatingly crushing several defense talismans.
That was not all—whoosh, whoosh—two fist-sized fireballs shot from his palm, passing through layers of shields to meet the ice spikes.
On the other side, Wang Tao lacked such extravagance, but he crushed his only earth-type defense talisman and a low-grade Thunderfire attack talisman, pressing both hands to his shield and pouring in spiritual power.
A layer of earthy yellow light appeared outside his protective aura, and arcs of thunderfire surged to meet the ice spikes. With his magical weapon entangled and unable to assist, these were all the tricks he could muster.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ice spikes shattered one after another, flames and thunder arcs dissipated, but the gap between low-grade and medium-grade talismans was too great. More than half the ice spikes struck their protective shields.
Layer after layer of talisman-powered shields twisted and deformed, then split apart like paper.