Imperial Scepter

Between Gaojia Village and Lijia Village lies a desolate, uninhabited wilderness.

The roads here are rugged and difficult to traverse, with dense and secluded forests on both sides. It has always been a dangerous place where rogue cultivators and bandits roam and thieves rob, and travelers can easily meet with misfortune if they are not careful.

The five members of the Gao Chun team hurried along, their expressions cautious, not daring to be careless in the slightest, their steps steady as they traversed the dense forest.

Huang Xiaoming followed closely behind the group, his usual carefree smile gone, replaced by a wary expression as he kept a close watch on his surroundings.

Li Daoqiu walked on the flank, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, constantly scanning the shadows in the forest, keeping a high level of vigilance against any bandits or raiders who might suddenly appear.

Gao Chengzhi also put aside his temper and followed closely behind Gao Chun, his small face full of seriousness, not daring to make the slightest noise, for fear of causing unnecessary trouble.

Wang Hu's burly body was taut as iron, firmly protecting Gao Chun's side like the most loyal shield. If there was any unusual movement, he would immediately block in front of him.

Gao Chun walked in the middle of the group, looking calm and composed on the surface, but in his heart he was secretly on edge, hiding a bit of the nervousness unique to young people.

"Now that I'm the team leader, I need to stay calm and keep everyone in line, and set a good example. We came out here to help me find the Origin Pearl, so I must ensure everyone's safety."

He didn't deliberately observe his surroundings, but instead focused all his attention on the bloodline crystal in his heart.

This is the third function of his bloodline supernatural power, possessing the power of early warning. Within a radius of 300 meters, as long as someone shows the slightest malice towards him or spyes on him, the crystal will jump up and down to issue an early warning.

The stronger the malice, the more violently the crystal vibrates. Even the most cunning and treacherous cultivators hiding in the shadows would have no chance of escaping his perception.

As it traveled along, the crystal remained calm and still, without any unusual movement.

Gao Chun understood that there were no ambushes or dangers along the way.

The five of them moved in unison, proceeding cautiously, and crossed the desolate area between the two villages without any major incidents, finally entering the territory of Lijia Village.

The blood vessels in Gao Chun's chest suddenly began to rotate.

He raised the corners of his lips slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, a hint of barely perceptible expectation hidden deep in his eyes.

The location of a Mystic Vein Pearl has been pinpointed.

But he remained calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss.

He would never reveal his ability to detect the Mystic Vein Pearl. This skill was a secret technique unique to the Vein Finder; if it were leaked, not only would he be in danger, but even those close to him would suffer a terrible disaster.

"We've finally arrived at Lijia Village!"

Huang Xiaoming couldn't hide his joy, his voice tinged with excitement, "This is the first time we've come to Lijia Village on our own. Before, we always followed behind the adults!"

"Captain, you're amazing! You really brought us this far! We're just a bunch of kids, and we only got here safely because of you!"

He made no secret of his admiration for Gao Chun, and knew better than anyone that Gao Chun was a golden opportunity he had to cling to.

His tense expression finally relaxed a bit, and Huang Xiaoming straightened his back, a strong sense of team honor welling up in his heart.

Li Daoqiu abandoned his guarded posture, no longer paying attention to the dangers around him, and instead focused his attention on Li Family Village ahead, calmly observing the situation around the village.

Since his childhood friend Gao Chun insisted on coming, he only needed to provide support, analyze the pros and cons, and guard against any unexpected events, leaving the rest to Gao Chun's decision.

Gao Chengzhi's face fell. The caution he had exercised along the way had left him feeling stifled, and he was filled with frustration at having his cultivation interrupted. However, seeing the scenery so different from that of Gaojia Village, he couldn't help but feel curious.

He enjoys reading storybooks, and isn't Li Family Village just a new storybook in itself?

Wang Hu relaxed his tense body, but his guarding posture remained unchanged, firmly guarding Gao Chun within half a step. The loyalty and instinct etched into his bones never dissipated.

Wherever his elder brother goes, he will stay by his side; if his elder brother is in trouble, he will be the first to rush to his aid. This is his belief at this moment.

The five people, each with their own thoughts, worked together seamlessly and soon arrived at the entrance of Li Family Village, where the atmosphere subtly changed.

At the village entrance, in an open space, more than ten young cultivators were fighting. Each of them possessed a powerful aura and considerable cultivation.

The leader, dressed in fine clothes and wearing a jade belt, had an arrogant face and eyes that exuded a natural sense of superiority and arrogance. He was none other than Li Tianjiao, the young village chief of Li Family Village.

He looked up and his gaze fell directly on the five-man Gao Chun team.

In just a moment, his eyes suddenly darkened.

"At this age, in this appearance... they are clearly Gao Chun and Gao Chengzhi from Gaojia Village."

"Hmph, of the only four geniuses with three-color Dao Seeds in Jiuyang Town, two have actually stepped into my Li Family Village today."

In an instant, an intense, overwhelming jealousy burned through my chest like a raging fire.

His gaze toward Gao Chun and Gao Chengzhi was instantly filled with undisguised malice.

Almost at the same instant, the bloodline origin crystal in Gao Chun's chest suddenly throbbed violently!

The malicious source has been identified and locked down by high purity.

Gao Chun tried her best to keep her face tense, making herself appear calm and composed, and deliberately maintained a calm and unhurried look in her eyes, without even turning her head to look at him again.

"Judging from his clothes and demeanor, and based on what Huang Xiaoming said before, this person should be Li Tianjiao, the young village chief of Li Family Village."

"Did he provoke me without provocation from the start, or was he feigning politeness before plotting something sabotage?"

Gao Chun quickly calculated in his mind and formulated a countermeasure.

"No matter what tricks he uses, I have to intimidate him first so that I can find the Origin Pearl smoothly."

"The intelligence report said that Li Tianjiao is the kind of person who is always afraid of power but not grateful. We must first give him a good beating."

"I'll just play the role of a cold, taciturn, and aloof young genius. That will save me a lot of trouble and also keep him from bothering me."

"Isn't that how it's written in the stories? The aloof young master is the most ruthless, decisive in killing, and ordinary people don't dare to provoke him at all."

"Moreover, it's the most satisfying thing when the protagonist in a storybook is aloof and slaps the villain in the face. Today, I'll also play the role of an aloof young master and experience that thrill."

Gao Chun made up his mind and his face became even more serious.

On the other side, Li Tianjiao stared unabashedly at Gao Chun and Gao Chengzhi, his malice undisguised, his anger already raging.

"I, Li Tianjiao, am of extraordinary birth and admired by thousands, yet I am only a dual-color Dao Seed. Why are you born to be superior to me?"

"Aren't you three-colored Dao Seeds? Today I'll test your mettle and see if you're truly powerful or just empty shells!"

This long-suppressed jealousy had been building up in his heart like a raging fire, and now that he saw Gao Chun, it was about to explode completely.

Li Tianjiao slowly stood up, and the Li Family Village youths who were fighting behind him immediately followed, surrounding him menacingly, each with an unfriendly expression.

A cold, sneer curled at the corner of his lips as he strode forward, blocking the five people's path. His venomous gaze was once again fixed on Gao Chun.

The bloodline crystal in Gao Chun's chest throbbed even more violently!

But he had already entered the state of a cold and aloof young master, standing indifferently with an unperturbed expression.

He already had a complete set of countermeasures in mind for the provocations that followed.

"I wondered who dared to trespass into my Li Family Village. It turns out to be two geniuses with three-color Dao Seeds from Gao Family Village."

Li Tianjiao spoke in a sarcastic tone, each word sharp and pointed, directly targeting Gao Chun and Gao Chengzhi's three-colored Dao Seeds, his jealousy overflowing.

Upon seeing this, Huang Xiaoming immediately stepped forward, a practiced, smooth smile plastered on his face, and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Young village chief, it's a misunderstanding. We're just passing through for training and had no intention of disturbing you. We hope you can do us a favor."

His mind worked quickly, and he immediately saw through the fact that the other party was jealous of the three-colored Dao Seed. He would never easily make a move if he could avoid it.

The martial arts world is not just about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and social interactions.

Li Tianjiao sneered, not even glancing at Huang Xiaoming out of the corner of his eye. His gaze was fixed on Gao Chun, his malice almost tangible.

The bloodline crystal in Gao Chun's chest throbbed continuously, a constant reminder of the other party's surging hostility.

"Experience? I think you're just here to show off your three-colored Dao Seeds!"

"Just because you have a good Dao seed, you dare to swagger around and act arrogantly. Do you really think you're invincible and nobody dares to mess with you?"

With a single sentence, he tore off the mask of civility, laying bare his jealousy and resentment, displaying an arrogance that reached its peak.

Gao Chengzhi instantly bristled, his eyebrows furrowing fiercely, and he immediately jumped out from behind Gao Chun, refusing to show any weakness.

"You're talking nonsense! We weren't showing off! You're just being petty and can't stand seeing others do better than you!"

He was already furious because his cultivation had been interrupted. Although his anger had lessened after arriving in Li Family Village, he was now being provoked for no reason, and his temper flared up again instantly. The Dao Seed was his talent, so why should he be criticized?

Upon seeing this, Wang Hu immediately stepped forward, his massive, towering body blocking the crowd. His muscles were taut, his eyes fierce, and his aura completely overwhelmed the entire scene.

Without any further thought, protecting the team leader and his teammates was his only concern; he wouldn't tolerate anyone being disrespectful.

"Go back! Don't provoke our captain!"

Wang Hu's voice was loud and clear, carrying a brute force that revealed his unwavering loyalty and strong execution ability.

Li Daoqiu slowly stepped forward, standing to Gao Chun's left. His expression was calm as ice, and he instantly judged that the other party was just acting out of jealousy and had not come prepared.

His voice was calm, yet every word carried a sharp edge, directly piercing through the other person's thoughts with a single sentence, incredibly incisive.

"Your Dao seed is a predetermined talent, and that's no reason for you to be jealous."

"We came to Lijia Village to find a friend. You're blocking our way and provoking us. Are you trying to start a fight between the youths of our two villages?"

His face was cold and stern, ready for battle, and he was not afraid of the enemy's superior numbers.

Li Tianjiao's face stiffened after being rebuked, and he immediately became furious.

He hated it most when people mentioned the Three-Colored Dao Seed, and he hated even more when someone had stronger talent and greater fame than him. Now that his secret had been exposed, he immediately roared hysterically.

"What a silver tongue you have! Today I'm going to teach you bunch of foreign geniuses a lesson!"

"Let me show you that in my Li Family Village, you can't act arrogantly just because you have good Taoist cultivation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the boys from Lijia Village behind him immediately surrounded him, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely tense, with a major battle about to break out.

Gao Chun tried his best to maintain his aloof young master persona. From beginning to end, he simply stood quietly in place, without saying a word, his eyes calm and unwavering, as if the clamor and jealousy in front of him were nothing more than dust and ants.

At this moment, he was as calm as a mountain. Although he was young, he had a restrained aura and was full of pressure.

He had already used his bloodline supernatural powers to warn others, and had a clear understanding of the degree of malice of all the other party and the location of the malicious individuals.

He could tell at a glance who was the most ruthless, who was the most cowardly, who wanted to take action, and who was hesitating. This farce was doomed from the very beginning.

Just as Li Tianjiao raised his hand, about to give the order to act...

Gao Chuncai slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze falling lightly on the other person. That glance was calm and undisturbed, yet it carried an unassailable supreme majesty.

I don't want to argue with you.

"But if you become jealous of the Dao Seed talent, you will try to block the road and harm people."

"Then I don't mind letting you see what the real gap is."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire village entrance, carrying a heart-stopping sense of certainty and composure, as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

Li Tianjiao felt a sudden unease when he saw that look, but then he was blinded by jealousy and became extremely arrogant, roaring fiercely.

"A gap? I think you're incredibly arrogant! You don't know your own limitations!"

"So what if the three-colored Dao seed is good? On my Li Family Village's territory, you still have to bow your head and admit your mistake!"

He suddenly waved his hand and roared hysterically, "Give them a good beating! Teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

Several boys from Lijia Village immediately charged forward with a roar, their momentum fierce, intending to outnumber the enemy.

Wang Hu roared, unleashing his Xuan power, ready to charge head-on and shield his captain from all attacks.

Li Daoqiu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately began to assess the battle situation, preparing to maneuver and contain the enemy.

Gao Chengzhi clenched his small fist, his face full of determination, and his light red Xuan power had already condensed in his fist, ready to charge at any moment.

Huang Xiaoming instinctively shrank back, but still stubbornly stood in the line, unwilling to fall behind and embarrass his captain.

But at this critical moment...

The high-purity one has moved.

"Assassination Technique: Level 3 Thunder Shadow"

In an instant, he shifted his foot slightly, his posture calm and composed, without the slightest unnecessary movement, as if he were simply taking a casual step.

A pale purple aura flashed by like a thin thread of lightning, and three lifelike lightning shadows appeared in the world with a thunderous aura!

Three lightning bolts stood side by side with the main body, their purple light dazzling and their imposing aura overwhelming, instantly stunning the entire scene.

Gao Chun himself stood still, his voice calm, yet carrying absolute pressure and disdain, each word like thunder, striking the hearts of everyone present.

"I told you, you can't stop me."

"Jealousy is never a license for you to provoke others."

The highest cultivation level among this group was only three-star Bronze Realm. To him now, they were nothing more than a rabble that could be easily defeated.

With a flash of lightning, the speed was so fast that it could not be caught by the naked eye, and it instantly appeared in front of the boys who were rushing to the front.

There were no fierce and brutal attacks, no superfluous moves, just direct punches.

bang bang bang-

Several muffled thuds rang out in succession, and the menacing teenagers fell to the ground with screams one after another.

one move!

Just one move!

The entire room fell into a sudden, deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Li Tianjiao's pupils suddenly contracted sharply. The arrogant, domineering, and jealous expression on his face earlier froze completely at this moment, instantly swallowed up by overwhelming fear and disbelief.

"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!!"

"Bronze Realm, Level Four?!"

"You actually know assassin techniques?!"

He felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his mind went blank, and all his anger and resentment were instantly frozen into ice shards, his heart sinking into a bone-chilling ice cellar.

How could Gao Chun, who is a year younger than him, possibly reach the fourth level of the Bronze Realm?

How could someone possibly master such bizarre and deadly assassin techniques?

He even subconsciously rubbed his eyes hard, almost frantically trying to confirm whether what he was seeing was an illusion.

This reality, which defied his understanding, left him stiff all over, and even his breathing became labored.

Gao Chun stood still, his aura calm and deep, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a cool and aloof young master.

He looked up at the pale-faced Li Tianjiao, his tone calm, yet every word was like an icy blade, piercing straight to the heart.

"Weren't you going to test my mettle? Now, do you see clearly?"

A seemingly casual remark carries immense weight.

Li Tianjiao trembled violently, his legs went weak, and all his previous arrogance, jealousy, and conceit crumbled under the indifferent gaze of the young man.

He wanted to be angry, to curse, to fight to the death to preserve the last shred of dignity of the young village chief, but it was as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.

At twelve and a half years old, he was at the fourth level of the Bronze Realm, and possessed eerie and ruthless assassin techniques.

Such talent and strength have already left his contemporaries far behind. His proud dual-colored Dao Seed is not even worthy of carrying Gao Chun's shoes.

The boys from Li Family Village around them fell silent, none daring to make a move. When they looked at that young yet imposing figure, their eyes were filled with awe and fear.

Li Tianjiao clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, but he was completely unaware of it.

The pitiful pride and sense of superiority in my heart were completely crushed at this moment.

Only then did he realize that from the moment he provoked the boy, he had already lost—lost to a boy who was only twelve and a half years old.

Huang Xiaoming, standing to the side, had shining eyes, stood ramrod straight, and was brimming with pride, his face filled with fervent admiration.

Li Daoqiu's eyes brightened slightly, showing even more sincere recognition and awe for Gao Chun's strength and composure.

Gao Chengzhi's mouth was slightly open, his face full of shock. His previous depression was swept away, leaving only unreserved admiration for his uncle.

Wang Hu smiled憨厚ly, his face full of pride—this was the elder brother he had recognized, forever invincible, forever powerful.

Gao Chun slowly withdrew his lightning shadow, the purple light around him dissipated, and his expression remained calm as ever, as if he had merely waved his sleeve to swat away a few annoying flies.

His gaze fell once again on Li Tianjiao, whose face was ashen. His tone was indifferent, but his words struck Li Tianjiao like a heavy hammer blow to the heart.

"Can we move aside now?"

Li Tianjiao's face was ashen, and he trembled all over; his former arrogant and domineering demeanor had vanished completely.

Looking into Gao Chun's indifferent eyes, which regarded him as an ant, he finally understood that all his anger, jealousy, and provocation were nothing more than a ridiculous and pathetic farce in the other party's eyes.

Above the village entrance, the five members of the Gao Chun team gathered their aura, radiating brilliance that made the villagers of Lijia Village unable to lift their heads.

Gao Chun tried his best to maintain his aloof young master demeanor, his indifferent gaze passing over Li Tianjiao, who stood there dumbfounded, and heading straight for a place in Li Family Village.

That was the very place where the Profound Vein Origin Pearl was located, almost within reach, quietly waiting for him to reach out and pluck it.

Gao Chun glanced at him indifferently, and Li Tianjiao couldn't help but take a half step back.

The usually arrogant young village chief of Lijia Village had lost even the courage to look him in the eye.

The talent gap of the three-colored Dao Seeds, the suppression of the Bronze Four-Star realm, and the terrifying methods of the Level Three Thunder Shadow—under this triple crushing force, all his jealousy and arrogance were shattered into dust.

Seeing this, Huang Xiaoming straightened his back even more, his smile revealing his smugness.

A captain is a captain; when he moves, he commands respect.

Clinging to this powerful figure was undoubtedly the best decision he ever made.

From now on, among the young cultivators of the Thirty-Six Villages, who would dare to disrespect the Gao Chun Team?

Li Daoqiu remained calm, only his taut shoulders relaxed slightly.

He quickly scanned Li Tianjiao and his group, confirming that they wouldn't dare cause any more trouble in the short term.

Gao Chengzhi had long forgotten his previous displeasure, and his little face was full of admiration.

My uncle is really too strong! He scared the arrogant Li Tianjiao out of his wits with just one move.

He clenched his fists tightly, his resolve growing stronger: he must catch up with his uncle, and next time he faced provocation, he would stand up and not hide behind him.

Wang Hu slowly withdrew his aura, his massive body still guarding Gao Chunzheng, his eyes like a tiger, firmly locking onto Li Tianjiao and the others.

He would pounce on the moment the other party made the slightest move.

In his heart, nothing was more important than protecting his elder brother.

If his elder brother doesn't move, he will protect him; if his elder brother goes forward, he will clear the way.

Gao Chun didn't look at Li Tianjiao again, as if the other party was just a meaningless wisp of air.

His small face was taut and serious, and he deliberately lowered his voice, speaking in a cold and steady tone, exuding the aura of a cold and aloof young master, with an unquestionable presence.

"Keep going."

With just three simple words, the four members of the team immediately responded without hesitation or questioning.

Huang Xiaoming led the way, his face bearing the composure of a victor.

Li Daoqiu stood guard on the left, his eyes sharp, not missing a single movement.

Wang Hu stood guard on the right, his demeanor calm and composed, like a mobile fortress.

Gao Chengzhi followed closely at the back, his short legs straining to keep up, without uttering a single complaint.

The five of them walked in unison past Li Tianjiao, whose face was deathly pale.

From beginning to end, not a single person looked back.

This utter disregard is sharper and more piercing than any humiliation.

Li Tianjiao clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, as humiliation and hatred grew wildly like poisonous vines.

On what grounds?

Why does Gao Chun easily possess everything: a three-colored Dao seed, a four-star bronze rank, powerful magic, and a loyal battle team...?

Despite having the identity of the young village chief of Li Family Village, he could only be trampled on and ignored like dust!

As he watched Gao Chun and his group of five walk away, a sinister glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

(This chapter contains 6000 words. See you tomorrow at noon.)