Chapter Fifty: Seclusion! (Asking for Recommendations!)

"At your command," they replied.

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie exchanged a glance, reading the meaning in each other's eyes. Both clasped their fists and spoke with utmost respect.

"Take care!"

Qin Feng departed in haste, needing to return to the summit of Azure Cloud Mountain to refine the millennium-old spiritual herb and break through the Guardian realm.

Upon arriving at the mountaintop estate, Qin Feng dismissed the maids and servants for the time being, then entered his chamber alone.

"Let's begin."

Inside his room, he produced the thousand-year-old herb from his robe and swallowed it in one gulp. Instantly, he felt an immense surge of medicinal power erupting within him.

A muffled grunt escaped his lips—the energy was simply too overwhelming. Unable to withstand it, his internal organs, meridians, muscles, and bones all suffered injuries. Blood trickled from his mouth.

Such wounds would have crippled any other Guardian-level martial artist, but Qin Feng's body possessed extraordinary regenerative powers, swiftly repairing the damage wreaked by the ancient herb.

"Now that's powerful!"

He savored the tremendous pressure surging within, excitement flashing in his eyes. Closing them, he began to cultivate the Thunder Breathing Method, refining the vast medicinal energy flooding his body.

The potent force surged through him, enveloping his bones, tempering them rapidly, making them stronger by the moment. Once his bones began to emit a black radiance, it would signify his breakthrough into the initial stage of the Guardian realm.

"Come, let us protect Master Qin!"

"When Master Qin ascends to the Commander realm, we’ll be able to stride through Xuanzhou City unchallenged!"

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie ordered their brothers to hide themselves, then hurried with all speed toward the summit of Azure Cloud Mountain.

"Wait for us, Chief Escort!"

"Chief Escort!"

Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and the twelve other escorts arrived, chatting and laughing along the way.

"Did I not order you all to leave? Why are you back?" Yan Chonghu's face darkened upon seeing Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and the others, and he rebuked them sternly.

"Chief Escort, Master Qin has shown us great kindness. How could we possibly leave him now?" Liu Qing replied with a smile. "Besides, Master Qin told you to leave as well, yet you returned just the same."

"Do you even realize what Master Qin is about to face? Have you come back merely to die?"

Yan Chonghu blocked Liu Qing and Zhao Hu's path, his voice grave.

"You are no different, Chief Escort," Liu Qing retorted, his smile fading as he met Yan Chonghu’s gaze.

"Let’s go," Yan Chonghu murmured after a stunned pause, sighing and shaking his head before leading the way up the mountain once more.

"You all?"

When Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and the others reached the summit, they found Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu standing guard outside Qin Feng's chamber.

"You’ve arrived?" Wang Fu was momentarily surprised, then broke into a smile as he saw them approach.

"Steward Wang."

"Steward Wang," they all greeted respectfully, then each found a spot to sit cross-legged, ready for whatever was to come.

"I didn’t expect them to arrive so quickly."

About half an hour passed before Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, Wang Bao, and the others opened their eyes, leapt to their feet, weapons in hand, faces tense.

They heard movement outside—martial artists approaching at speed.

"I am Liu Qingchang of Blackwind Mountain, come to stand guard for Young Master Qin!" Liu Qingchang hurried into the estate, cupping his fists and announcing himself in a low, steady voice. He recognized Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie as the two chief escorts of Weiyuan Escort Agency, both loyal to Young Master Qin.

"Do you have proof of your allegiance?" Yan Chonghu, though familiar with Liu Qingchang’s reputation, did not know him personally, and eyed him warily.

"The young master left me no token that day," Liu Qingchang replied, shaking his head.

"If you have no proof, Guardian Liu, then I must ask you to keep your distance. Otherwise, even if you are a Guardian-level expert, we will fight to the death to stop you," Yan Chonghu declared, gripping his saber tightly, his tone grave and tense.

Shi Tie hefted his staff, while Wang Bao and Liu Hu wielded their great axes. Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and the rest all gripped their blades, eyes vigilant as they watched Liu Qingchang.

"I am here only to protect Young Master Qin, nothing more," Liu Qingchang affirmed, understanding their caution. He seated himself cross-legged twenty paces away, planting his twin sabers at his sides, and began to cultivate quietly, awaiting the arrival of any foes.

Chen Haicheng and Yun Qing had also arrived, concealed in the shadows, silently observing the summit.

They were taken aback to see Liu Qingchang appear. They hadn’t expected Qin Feng to quietly win over a Guardian-level expert.

Fortunately, they had not acted rashly—who could say what other hidden cards Qin Feng might possess?

"Fortune favors me! It seems I am the first to arrive—no wonder I wore out two fine steeds on my way here!"

A day later, a piercing cry echoed outside the estate as a white-haired elder leapt into the courtyard. His gaze swept over Liu Qingchang, Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, and the others.

Seeing that they were not there to seize the herb but to protect Qin Feng, he nodded inwardly.

"Gao Chenzhong!"

"I can’t believe even he’s come," Yun Qing whispered from the shadows, recognizing the elder as a famed late-stage Guardian, a formidable force who always acted alone.

"The thousand-year herb shall be mine!"

Knowing that every second counted, Gao Chenzhong hesitated not a moment, charging straight for the chamber.

"You shall not pass!"

Liu Qingchang flashed forward, blocking Gao Chenzhong's path as his twin sabers slashed out, gleaming fiercely.

Clang!

Gao Chenzhong halted abruptly, tapped his toe, and retreated swiftly, narrowly evading the attack.

"Liu Qingchang, you are no match for me. Stand aside at once!" Gao Chenzhong barked, drawing his treasured sword as he withdrew five paces.

He recognized Liu Qingchang as the lord of Blackwind Stronghold, a mid-stage Guardian.

"You shall not pass," Liu Qingchang replied firmly, his face grave. He had not expected the first to arrive would be a late-stage Guardian, and he felt the weight of the threat.

"Courting death!"

With a snarl, Gao Chenzhong lunged forward, sword thrusting at Liu Qingchang.

Clang!

Liu Qingchang parried with his sabers. Younger and at the peak of his strength, he matched Gao Chenzhong blow for blow, neither gaining the upper hand.

"Well done, Liu Qingchang! To stand your ground against a late-stage Guardian while still at the mid-stage—impressive indeed!"

Gao Chenzhong forced Liu Qingchang back with a slash, then retreated swiftly, his chest heaving.

Guardians lived to a hundred years, and Gao Chenzhong, already nearing sixty, was past his prime, his vigor waning. He had no wish to risk his life in a desperate battle—should he be wounded, he would only make things easier for the next challenger.