Under One Person: I can manipulate magnetic fields!

Dong Chang also shook his head.

However, he learned from his mistakes and losing to Zhang Zhiwei was nothing to him.

Among the younger generation, there are almost no ones who can beat Zhang Zhiwei; the only one with a chance is Chen Yuan.

However, it's unclear what Chen Yuan's current cultivation level is.

"Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master." Yang Lie bowed deeply, completely convinced. "It was my obsession that led me astray."

Li Ding, standing to the side, clapped his hands and laughed, "Master Zhang is quite something!"

Zhang Zhiwei shook his head slightly: "Brother Li Ding, the path of cultivation is long, and everyone has their own opportunities and constraints."

Fifteen minutes later.

Tang Bingwen, the leader of the Tang Clan, sat upright in the main seat, his dark robe conveying a calm and dignified air, his eyes revealing the sharp and decisive nature of a peculiar individual in a chaotic world. To his left, Zhang Jingqing stood tall and composed, her expression serene. Before them lay a yellowed map, densely marked with ferry crossings, forests, streets, and outposts throughout the Republic of China era. All the markings indicated the secret locations where the Bihe Ren had recently infiltrated and settled.

“Recently, the Bihe Ren have been infiltrating various parts of the Central Plains, secretly assassinating righteous people and slaughtering ordinary people, plundering resources, and their actions are becoming increasingly rampant.” Tang Bingwen’s fingertip landed heavily on the coastal area of ​​Jiangsu and Zhejiang on the map, his tone icy. “Taking advantage of the chaos of the times, they have established themselves in secret strongholds and are eroding the foundation of the people of the Central Plains. If they are not completely eradicated, the consequences will be endless.”

"This group of extraterrestrial ninjas excels at stealth assassination and sneak attacks. Their individual combat strength may not be top-notch, but their strength lies in their large numbers, excellent teamwork, and unparalleled ruthlessness. Ordinary sects and forces would find it difficult to contend with them. Only the Tang Clan, proficient in assassination, poison, and stealth, is the most suitable force to eliminate them."

Zhang Jingqing stroked his long beard and said.

"Our Tang Clan has already prepared elite assassins and disciples, along with all sorts of secret poisons, hidden weapons, and illusionary killing formations." Tang Bingwen's eyes were sharp. "This time, we are not seeking to intimidate, but to wipe them out completely and sever the Bihe Ren's roots in the Central Plains. However, there is one problem that is difficult to solve—the Bihe Ren are hiding in the shadows, their strongholds are scattered, and they are good at escaping and hiding. It will not be easy to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

Zhang Jingqing nodded slightly, having already devised a plan: "I have already thought this through. I have contacted the major sects of Longhu Mountain, Shangqing, and Maoshan, as well as the four major families and the three temples of Putuo, and asked them to set up a blockade around the perimeter to cut off all escape routes. Tang Clan disciples will launch a surprise attack from the center, surrounding and trapping them like turtles in a jar, and we will surely be able to wipe out these foreign villains."

"Excellent!" Tang Bingwen's eyes flashed, and he immediately made the decision. "At midnight three days from now, all personnel will be mobilized to encircle and annihilate the major strongholds of the Bihe Ren!"

The resounding voices of the council fell to the ground, and the Tang Clan's long-dormant killing intent had been fully awakened. A massive purge of the supernatural beings sweeping across the south was about to begin.

At this moment, at Yinghe Tower.

The place was still bustling with activity, with all sorts of young and extraordinary people gathered together, their discussions rising and falling, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere.

Huang Fang sat down at the table with a nonchalant air, showing none of the gentle demeanor of an ordinary woman. Her eyebrows were arrogant, and she exuded a fierce aura, which made the young extraordinary people around her instinctively shrink back. Everyone in the martial arts world knew that Huang Fang had a fiery temper, was ruthless, and acted as she pleased, making her the most difficult person to provoke.

Wei Shufen stood quietly to the side, her youthful naiveté gone, replaced by a gentle and refined demeanor, reflecting the cool composure of a cultivator. Years of dedicated practice in Qinghe Village had solidified her foundation, making her figure increasingly graceful and slender. Every smile and gesture exuded charm, drawing frequent glances from those around her.

"You haven't told me yet, where exactly is Brother Chen?" Wei Shufen's gaze swept over Feng Ping, Liu Deshui, and the others, her tone carrying a certainty. "I have been cultivating in Qinghe Village for several years, and this time I came down from the mountain specifically to find him. You are the ones who have the deepest relationship with him, it's impossible that you have no news at all."

Liu Deshui smiled wryly, pushed up his glasses, and said with a helpless expression, "Miss Shufen, we really can't say. Besides, Brother Yuan has already instructed us that his whereabouts are currently special and involve many people, so we must not reveal anything to outsiders. Please understand."

Feng Ping quickly chimed in, "Yes, Shufen, we didn't mean to hide it from you. It's just that it's a very important matter, and we dared not speak recklessly. Once Boss Chen's matter is settled, we will naturally show up to see you."

Ruan Tao chuckled and smoothed things over, "Alright, we're all old acquaintances, there's no need to make things difficult for each other. Brother Chen is a lucky man, he'll return sooner or later, let's just wait patiently. By the way, is Daoist Zhou still hiding away?"

Mentioning Zhou Sheng, everyone's expressions turned serious.

Everyone knows that Zhou Sheng possesses the Feng Hou Qi Men, one of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques. This unparalleled skill is enough to make all the extraordinary people in the world covet it. In this chaotic world, with various forces stirring up trouble, if Zhou Sheng's whereabouts are exposed, he will inevitably attract countless covetous eyes and be hunted down, and he will surely die.

Feng Ping nodded slowly and smiled, "That kid Zhou Sheng is now living in seclusion in the mountains, focusing on comprehending the Dao. He never gets involved in worldly disputes, nor does he show his face easily. If the situation were not stable, he probably wouldn't make a public appearance again for a while."

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed, lamenting Zhou Sheng's lack of control over his own destiny. He possessed unparalleled talent, yet he also bore endless dangers and shackles; for every opportunity he gained, he had to endure just as much criticism and pursuit.

Meanwhile, on their way to Hangzhou, Chen Yuan, Zhang Chulan, and their group strolled leisurely, taking in the everyday life of Jiangnan during the Republic of China era.

The winding cobblestone path is flanked by rows of white-walled, black-tiled houses, and the sounds of street vendors calling out their wares fill the air with a lively, bustling atmosphere. While lacking the towering buildings and bustling traffic of later generations, it possesses a unique, rustic, and tranquil charm.

"The Republic of China and modern times are indeed completely different."

Zhang Chulan strolled along, taking in the surrounding scenery and inwardly making a few comments. Born and raised in modern times, he was used to bustling cities, and suddenly finding himself in this ancient and chaotic landscape felt incredibly novel.

"I never imagined that Jiangnan during the Republic of China era would look like this." Zhang Chulan scratched his head. "Without excessive commercialization, its original ancient charm is much more comfortable than modern tourist attractions."

Ding Shian followed slowly, his gaze distant: "In the midst of chaos, the mountains and rivers remain unchanged, and the smoke of life continues, which is truly rare. It's just a pity that in the midst of chaos, ordinary people can hardly escape the suffering of displacement and hardship."

Feng Baobao remained silent the entire way, her gaze fixed straight ahead, her steps unhurried, showing no interest in the bustling city or the surrounding scenery. Her thoughts were pure from beginning to end, filled only with the prospect of meeting Wugensheng and the "old man" she had never met before.

Chen Yuan turned his head to look at the group and shrugged: "Don't just keep reminiscing. When you get to Lou Wai Lou in Hangzhou, try the traditional West Lake Vinegar Fish made in the Republican era. I guarantee you'll remember it well."

Zhang Chulan immediately waved his hand, looking cautious: "Don't speak too confidently, Senior Chen. I've prepared a warning in advance: if the taste is outrageous, I definitely won't praise it, I'll just put down my chopsticks right there."

Everyone chuckled upon hearing this, and the tedium of the journey and the apprehension about the unknown dissipated somewhat.

Chapter 673 Shadow Killing Formation! (Two Chapters Combined)

Zhang Chulan looked around curiously, his gaze finally settling on the sugar painting artisan carrying a load on his shoulder and hawking his wares on the street. Watching the scalding sugar syrup outline dragons and phoenixes on the stone slab, he muttered, "The sugar paintings from the Republican era are not much different from those of modern times."

"Yes."

Ding Shian nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping around, showing great interest in the fireworks from the Republican era.

To be honest, he was also very curious about the strength of the extraordinary individuals of this era. If possible, he would like to test his skills against the experts among them.

He is essentially a martial arts fanatic who lacks a sense of security.

Having witnessed the helplessness of the weak in his childhood, he harbored a deep-seated conviction: while natural disasters are beyond his control, he could not allow himself to be threatened by his own kind. His lifelong goal was to become so strong that no one in the world could harm him.

All his actions, choices, and ways of doing things revolve around "improving martial arts, fighting against strong opponents, and seeking breakthroughs."

It's a good thing for him to be able to come here this time.

"Lou Wai Lou's West Lake Vinegar Fish and Longjing Shrimp are both exceptional, prepared using traditional methods from the Republican era. The taste is completely different from the improved versions of later generations. You'll know once you've tasted them. You can also enjoy a variety of wild game."

Chen Yuan said with a smile.

His words were obviously pure nonsense.

No matter how good the cooking techniques were during the Republic of China era, they can't compare to modern MSG.

At most during the Republic of China era, it was legal to eat some wild game, such as grouse.

Bear paws and similar foods can no longer be eaten in modern times.

But it was still edible during the Republic of China era.

Chen Yuan knew exactly what was going on, but he didn't contradict him at all. Instead, he acted as if he knew the ins and outs of the food scene during the Republic of China era.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chulan's eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately forgot his interest in watching the sugar painting. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and said, "Oh? Then I have to try it! Putting everything else aside, just for the wild game that we can't get in modern times, this time travel is a huge win!"

He lived in a later era with a well-established legal system, where delicacies like grouse and bear paws were forbidden, and even most wild game was strictly controlled. However, during the chaotic Republic of China era, social customs were lax, rules were not yet established, and there were many wild animals in the mountains and forests. Many foods that had disappeared in later generations were now common dishes in ordinary restaurants.

Chen Yuan glanced at him and added with a half-smile, "Don't get your hopes up too high. Wild game is truly pure, without feed additives, and the meat is firm and sweet, but it also has its drawbacks. In this era, there is no refined MSG or compound seasonings. It relies entirely on high-quality broth to enhance the flavor and traditional braising methods to preserve the original taste. Compared to modern dishes with strong seasonings, it will most likely taste bland and tasteless."

"Huh? That's so boring." Zhang Chulan's face fell instantly, his interest halved. "So all this anticipation is just for a simple, unrefined meal? It's not even as good as the heavy oil and salt in modern restaurants."

"Whatever, I just want to see my old man."

Feng Baobao scratched her head.

She has never been obsessed with food or drink, neither in her past life nor in this one. Her only concern is finding her old man. She has no interest in anything else, from everyday meals to the bustling city life.

As the group chatted, Ding Shian slowly withdrew his gaze from the distance, a faint trace of fervor flickering in his gentle eyes. Unlike the others who were indulging in the leisurely pleasures of the marketplace, his mind remained focused on martial arts.

“Different foods have their own merits and demerits, and the flavors vary with the times,” Ding Shian said softly, his tone calm and gentle. “But the extraordinary people of this era should have a much stronger passion than those of later generations.”

In a chaotic world, with laws and etiquette collapsing and human life as cheap as grass, ordinary people lived in constant fear, while those with extraordinary abilities walked on the edge of a knife. Without the protection of a stable world or the excessive constraints of sect rules, those with extraordinary abilities who managed to gain a foothold in the chaotic Republican era all grew up amidst battles and bloodshed.

Their techniques were more ruthless, their battles more intense, and their minds more stable. They lacked the pampered and arrogant air of many later superhumans. Every bit of their strength was honed through life-or-death situations.

Chen Yuan turned his head to look at him and saw through one of the two heroes' thoughts at a glance. He smiled and teased, "What's wrong, kid Ding? Are you itching for a fight? Want to test your skills against the veteran masters and elites of the sects of this era?"

"Senior Chen, this junior does indeed have this intention!"

Ding Shian nodded frankly, without any attempt to hide his feelings.

While others travel through Jiangnan to appreciate the misty scenery, the bustling city life, and the traditional delicacies, he alone is preoccupied with finding opponents, proving his martial arts prowess, and breaking through his limitations.

No one understood better than him that peaceful times could not cultivate unparalleled martial arts. The world of supernatural beings in later generations was too peaceful, and sparring was mostly limited to minor exchanges. Lacking the tempering of life-and-death battles, cultivation ultimately lacked a certain ferocity and clarity.

His lifelong obsession was always simple yet stubborn.

Witnessing the despair of the weak being bullied and powerless to protect themselves in his childhood had left a deep imprint on his heart. Natural disasters are unpredictable and human strength is powerless, but he never wanted to experience the killing, scheming, and crushing of his own kind again.

He diligently practiced various martial arts, sought battles everywhere, feared no hardship, did not covet fame, did not seek to dominate the world, and did not seek the praise of the world. He only wanted one thing—to become stronger, so strong that no one in the world could harm him, so strong that he could break through all dangers with his own martial arts.

“I do have an itch to try.” Ding Shian’s gaze was distant, and his tone was sincere. “Although there are many masters in later generations, most of them are only good at techniques and lack the tempering of life and death. Chaotic times produce strong people. I want to see how many truly top-notch extraordinary people can emerge from this war-torn era.”

He was not obsessed with winning or losing; even defeating a master of this era was a rare opportunity for enlightenment for him. Being able to glimpse the different paths of martial arts in different chaotic times and break through his own long-standing cultivation barriers was far more valuable than a victory.

Zhang Chulan was astonished: "Brother Ding, you're really something! While others go out to travel, eat, drink, and have fun, you go out to find fights all over the world, focusing on martial arts to the death, right?"

In his eyes, Ding Shian was definitely a top-tier anomaly in the world of superhumans. He possessed immense strength and a renowned reputation, yet he was completely unpretentious, indifferent to power, wealth, and beauty, with his lifelong obsession being solely the path of martial arts.

"This is my life's pursuit!"

Ding Shian simply smiled faintly upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Different paths lead to different choices. People crave worldly pleasures and worldly stability, while he only seeks a fulfilling martial path and personal safety.

"Indeed, everyone has their own goals. But let's grab something to eat first."

Chen Yuan shrugged.

"Senior Chen is right."

Zhang Chulan said with a smile.

Just then, Chen Yuan paused slightly, sensing a murderous aura.

The silent, invisible Qi, like a cold, venomous snake, lurks in the moisture, yin and unpredictable, carrying a chilling and malevolent aura.

"Something's not right. It feels like someone's watching us."

As one of the two heroes, Ding Shian was naturally quite strong. He quickly sensed the abnormality, his Qi around his body subtly tightened, and his expression lost all its leisure.

Ding Shian silently circulated the true qi within his body, preparing to use his escape light to protect himself.

"Could there be an ambush?"

Zhang Chulan immediately stopped laughing, his expression turned serious, and he subconsciously activated the Golden Light Spell, looking around warily.

"There was definitely a murderous aura! I never expected to run into this while looking for the old man!"

Feng Baobao was also looking around.

However, she was completely unsuspecting.

Anyway, she won't die.

Just then, three figures dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes and with their faces covered in dark blue ghost masks slowly walked out. Their figures were hunched over and restrained, and their aura completely blended into the surrounding water mist, leaving no flaws.

The three men positioned themselves strategically, forming a triangular encirclement that silently blocked the group's path. They were in no hurry to attack; instead, the condensed, sinister energy around them slowly spread out, and subtle shadow-遁术 (shadow-遁术 is a type of martial arts technique) flowed quietly, clearly indicating their intention to first probe the group's strength before seizing an opportunity to assassinate them.

Suddenly, a strange golden flame erupted.

"Heh heh, so you're that young man from China? Today, I, Amakusa Unsai, will reclaim the demon sword Hirumaru!"