Unorthodox Wuxia: While Others Practice Martial Arts, I Cultivate Immortality - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: You Want to Kill Me? Then I’ll Kill You! (Part 1)

But this makes things even more interesting!

He loved the hunt—nothing thrilled him more than hunting down a genius. It made him excited, made him tremble.

The man’s shoulders shook as he stared at Yuan Zhao’s solemn expression, taking a deep breath.

Yes… this feeling!

Clang!

Hook-claw and blade collided, sparks bursting and reflecting in the man’s pupils. Another shiver ran through his entire body.

As his excitement rose, his attacks grew faster and faster.

Gradually, Yuan Zhao’s clothing was ripped open by the sharp hooks, blood seeping through the fabric.

“Jie-jie-jie~~”

His mad laughter echoed endlessly inside the tent.

Yuan Zhao’s expression grew darker.

This couldn’t go on. At this rate she had only two choices: escape… or die at his hands.

“Yes! Yes! That expression!” the man cackled as he continued attacking, his face twisting more and more in excitement.

Even though the lower half of his face was masked, Yuan Zhao could still see the madness in his eyes.

“Make me even more excited! Jie-jie-jie~”

Yuan Zhao forced him back with a slash, then poured her spiritual energy madly into the Heaven’s Prison Blade. The blade tip flickered with sharp light.

With a single strike, the blade aura expanded suddenly, slicing the entire tent cleanly in half.

It was a powerful move—but it couldn’t touch him. Using the tables, chairs, and pillars inside the tent, the man flashed and flickered through the air, dodging her attacks with ease.

His movement technique was strange.

It wasn’t like Swallow’s Shadow Skimming the Waves or Steps of the Sumeru Mirage, which allowed the user to soar away with a single step, light as wind.

Instead, he moved within a small space with lightning-fast flickers—like flashes of lightning.

As the tent collapsed with a boom, the two of them burst into the open.

The man leaped back a few steps, widening the distance. His eyes gleamed with astonishment.

“Interesting. Very interesting. You’re clearly below First Grade, yet you’ve held out this long—and you can even release blade aura! I’m liking you more and more.”

Blade aura was a manifestation of projecting internal force externally—normally only possible for a First-Grade martial artist.

But Yuan Zhao had just done it.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flickered again and he lunged toward her, continuing his assault.

At that moment, the old wolf suddenly pounced from behind him.

Sensing danger, the man had no choice but to turn to defend. His hook-claw clashed with the wolf’s claws.

“A wolf?!” he exclaimed in surprise.

Yuan Zhao naturally wouldn’t miss the chance. She immediately slashed—blade aura sweeping wildly.

But the man showed no panic at all. He forced the wolf back with one hook, then crossed both claws. White light shot out, tearing Yuan Zhao’s blade aura apart.

“You’re not the only one who can project internal force,” he said mockingly.

Yuan Zhao ignored him and attacked together with the old wolf, one in front and one behind.

The man grabbed the wolf’s neck with one claw, then struck toward Yuan Zhao with the other.

The wolf yelped and was flung aside, but thanks to its now-unusual hide, it suffered only a shallow gash.

Yuan Zhao’s Heaven’s Prison Blade clashed with his hook—and at that instant, her free hand struck like lightning, her palm leaving afterimages in front of him.

His other claw had not yet retracted from attacking the wolf—he couldn’t block.

His eyes widened as Yuan Zhao’s palm slammed into his chest.

He staggered back over ten steps. There was no real injury, but his qi and blood churned violently.

He held his chest, staring straight at Yuan Zhao. There was no anger in his eyes—only excitement. His whole body trembled, his face flushing red from the surging blood.

It was as if he had reached some ecstatic peak.

“You… actually hurt me!”

The old wolf lunged again, jaws open, aiming for his throat.

But the man was too fast. He leapt lightly aside and avoided it.

The wolf skidded all the way to Yuan Zhao’s feet before stopping. Looking at the pair, the man steadied his qi and laughed.

“Little girl, what is your name?”

“And who are you?” Yuan Zhao asked coldly.

He shook his head. “I asked first. You should answer.”

“I see no reason to tell you.”

Hearing this, the man suddenly burst out laughing.

“I’ve changed my mind. Killing you now would be too much of a waste.”

The moment he finished, his figure flickered and disappeared from sight.

His voice echoed from all directions:

“Little girl, with your talent, I’ll learn your name sooner or later. Grow stronger—much stronger. Then wash your neck and wait for me. I’m looking forward to it… You’ll become my most exquisite collection.”

Once she confirmed he was gone, Yuan Zhao let out a long breath.

She had already been preparing to run.

He was just too arrogant.

How could he be so certain that the next time they met, she would be the one dying?

“Old Wolf, are you alright?” Yuan Zhao asked.

“Awoo~” The wolf called softly, showing her the wound on its neck.

“I didn’t expect your hide to be this tough!” Yuan Zhao said, surprised at the palm-length gash.

She knew all too well how sharp the man’s hook-claws were.

Yet the wolf had only its skin torn, not a fatal wound.

Compared to that, Yuan Zhao’s own injuries were worse—still superficial cuts, but many, and bleeding heavily.

“Awoo~ awoo~” The wolf howled indignantly.

I’m not thick-skinned—my defense is strong!

After tending to their wounds, Yuan Zhao and the wolf dug several pits to bury the thirteen corpses. A meeting, even in death, was still a kind of fate.

Only then did she notice—all thirteen corpses were missing their eyes.

No need to guess—the man had taken them.

No wonder he called her a future “collection.” He definitely meant her eyes.

What a lunatic.

Yuan Zhao made a silent vow: When the chance came, she would kill him.

After burying the bodies, she looked at the cattle and sheep still grazing peacefully.

What a pity. Without anyone to watch them, they’d soon become prey for wolves.

But before the wolf pack got them—she needed to fill her stomach.

With that thought, she caught two sheep and roasted them. She ate only a small portion; the rest went into the wolf’s belly.

After a good rest, the two resumed their journey.

She took the remaining horses with her to carry luggage.

There had originally been seven horses. Judging by the saddles, five belonged to the young men who’d been lured here, while two were the herders’.

But during her fight with that man, four were killed in the chaos. Only three remained.

Two carried their supplies; she rode the third—freeing the wolf completely. Along the wide grasslands, it ran wildly, often bringing back prey—rabbits, rodents, sometimes even wild cattle.

Yuan Zhao no longer lacked meat. She often roasted meals.

Of course, she wasn’t skilled—just cooking the meat until done and sprinkling seasoning.

Edible, but far from good.

Eventually she grew sick of it and preferred noodles, giving most of the roasted meat to the wolf, who wasn’t picky.

While traveling, Yuan Zhao also began cultivating the Maha Dharma Robe.

After studying it carefully, she discovered mastering this ultimate technique had a requirement…

One must reach First Grade.

No—more precisely, one must be able to project internal force outward.

The Maha Dharma Robe’s defense worked by projecting internal force to form a protective layer over the body, being unable to release inner force outward naturally meant she couldn’t use this technique at all