On this trip to Julu Town, aside from Ian Song and his group, Toren Tong only brought Ingrid Cui and ten members of the hunting squad. But now, over a hundred masked immortals blocked their way—and worse, ten of them were late-stage Human Immortals, and one had even condensed an immortal body.
What’s so special about condensing an immortal body?
First, it doubles your defense compared to others at the same cultivation stage.
Second, it makes you more attuned to the Immortal World’s laws, making cultivation much easier.
Third, you can absorb far more immortal essence while cultivating than those without an immortal body.
Rumor has it, without an immortal body, reaching Golden Immortal is already the limit—going further is nearly impossible. That’s why every immortal dreams of condensing their own immortal body, and anyone who manages it stands a cut above the rest in Langya.
Now that the masked immortals had someone with an immortal body, Toren Tong and his squad instinctively felt their spirits falter. Worse, the enemy’s overall strength was far beyond theirs, so aside from Toren and Ingrid Cui, the other ten hunters looked deeply worried.
“So, what brings you here?”
Toren Tong stepped forward and fixed his gaze on the unfriendly masked immortals, his voice deep and wary.
“Hand over all your immortal stones!”
The masked immortal with the condensed immortal body spoke in a slow, confident drawl, making it clear he had them right where he wanted.
At that moment—
Toren Tong’s face turned grim. Someone must have leaked news about his immortal beast sale, drawing these masked bandits here. And as for the culprit, his first suspicion fell on Jason Jiang—rumor had it Jason had ties to a group of thieves roaming between Julu Town and Yinfeng Town.
“Fellow immortal, I’m Toren Tong, captain of the Giantwild Village hunting squad. Here’s two hundred immortal stones—think of it as a treat for everyone to buy some wine. I hope you’ll let us pass.”
As he spoke, Toren handed over a bag of immortal stones.
“You think two hundred immortal stones will buy us off? What, do you take us for beggars?”
A late-stage Human Immortal among the masked bandits sneered, eyes glinting with mockery.
“Then how much do you want?” Ingrid Cui snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
“Are you deaf? Didn’t our boss say you’re handing over every immortal stone you’ve got?” the masked bandit shot back.
“Not a chance!”
Ingrid Cui brushed her Masterwork Storage Ring, and a massive sword appeared in her grip. “If you want our immortal stones, you’ll have to get past my sword first!” she declared, fire in her eyes.
“Don’t be reckless, Ingrid!”
Toren Tong’s heart jumped. He quickly grabbed Ingrid Cui’s shoulder—if they fought head-on, the gap in strength meant his whole squad might never leave this canyon.
“Heh! I’ve changed my mind!”
The masked bandit leader let out a bizarre laugh, his gaze brazenly sweeping over the women beside Ian Song. Honestly, though they hadn’t ascended yet, their beauty outshone many fairies—and once they became immortals, they’d be even more stunning.
“Hand over all your immortal stones, and offer up these women too. Do that, and I might just let you live.”
Before he could finish, Diana Toba fired back with a sneer, “Pfft! You hide behind a mask and still think you can handle a woman like me? Dream on!”
“Seriously! If you’re too scared to show your real face, you must be so ugly you’d traumatize us!” Lena Ling shot back, her voice sharp and full of mockery.
“Diana, Lena, you’re being way too generous! He’s probably wearing that mask for our protection—if he took it off and scared us all half to death, who’d take responsibility? Honestly, we should thank him for sparing us the horror!” Hannah Han piled on, her sarcasm biting.
This time it was Hannah Han, her words dripping with playful scorn.
The bandit leader’s face darkened, his eyes cold and murderous as he glared at the three women. The killing intent was unmistakable.
“Since you don’t know what’s good for you, I’ll take your immortal stones—and your lives! Get them!”
At his command, the masked bandits surged forward, weapons flashing as they attacked.
“Courting death!”
Ian Song’s Azure Flood-Dragon Sword appeared in his hand. With a casual swing, he unleashed its power.
“Swish, swish, swish, swish!”
Ian’s sword flashed, and the four bandits at the front were instantly decapitated—their bodies collapsing before they even registered the blow.
Seeing this, the bandit leader couldn’t help but flinch. The intel said Toren Tong was the strongest here—so who was this new powerhouse?
After taking out four masked bandits, Ian Song’s figure blurred into a streaking phantom.
“Swish, swish, swish, swish!”
Agonized screams filled the canyon as Ian’s sword struck again, the violence swift and shocking.
Screams erupted in rapid succession. In a heartbeat, Ian’s blade swept through six more bandits, sending their heads flying.
“Damn it! Kill him!”
Furious at the carnage, the bandit leader barked an order, and four late-stage Human Immortal bandits lunged at Ian Song.
Ian just chuckled.
His sword aura shifted, and a wave of sword intent flooded out. The four late-stage Human Immortals froze for a split second, caught off guard by the crushing pressure.
In that instant, Ian’s sword swept through.
“Swish, swish, swish, swish!”
Blood sprayed as another four heads were sent spinning through the air.
Toren Tong, Ingrid Cui, and the rest of the squad were left speechless. They knew Ian Song was powerful, but watching him cut down four late-stage Human Immortal bandits in one stroke was beyond anything they’d imagined.
By Toren Tong’s estimation, those four late-stage Human Immortals were at least as strong as he was—maybe even stronger than Chief Ethan Changsun. For Ian Song to wipe them out so easily, Toren felt joining forces with him was the best decision he’d ever made.
At the same time, the rest of the masked bandits were completely intimidated by Ian Song’s display. Instinctively, they halted their charge—some even considered turning tail and running.
It was terrifying—just like that, over a dozen of their comrades had died to Ian’s sword, including ten late-stage Human Immortals.
Meanwhile, the bandit leader was consumed by regret. If he’d known there was such a powerhouse in this squad, he’d never have targeted them. He cursed Jason Jiang for feeding him such disastrous intel.
Ian Song grinned, sword in hand, and fixed his gaze on the surviving bandits. “So, what’s it going to be—your immortal stones or your lives? If you want to live, hand over every last stone!”
The bandits froze, stunned. They’d come to rob others, but now it looked like they were the ones getting robbed.
The bandit leader couldn’t hold back his rage. “Don’t push your luck! You may be strong, but we still have numbers on our side!” he shouted.
“Bunch of chickens and dogs!” Ian scoffed, his contempt written all over his face.
Seeing Ian Song brush off the masked bandits, everyone in the hunting squad—including Toren Tong and Ingrid Cui—couldn’t help but admire him.
“All together! I refuse to believe we can’t kill him with our numbers!” the bandit leader roared.
He was completely enraged now.
“Attack!”
The masked bandits were already shaken, but their leader’s words gave them a burst of courage. As one, they charged at Ian Song.
The bandit leader now brandished a long saber, eyes locked on Ian Song, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.