Chapter Fifty: Crossing the Border Like a Dragon Returning to the Sea (Part Two)

Yi Beidou had integrated the true intent of the Nameless Swordsman residing within the Heart-Silencing Sword, allowing it to revive within his own body and give birth to a secondary personality. He permitted this entity to control his physical form, thereby learning its Dao and methods, and even fusing a portion of the Nameless Swordsman's malevolent aura into himself, which intensified his own Heavenly Demonic aura. In a mere moment, he used this to forge a killer move known as the Tribulation of Exterminating the Law.

Although this technique appeared formidable, it was not yet truly refined. The true intent and malevolent aura of the Nameless Swordsman were merely lesser paths; blending them into Yi Beidou's own Heavenly Demonic aura did grant an enhancement, but it also rendered his intent impure. This was an inevitable consequence.

Yet now, Yue Ming had used his own fist techniques to stimulate the demonic nature within Yi Beidou, elevating his intent and granting him total mastery. It was akin to a blazing furnace quenching and a heavy hammer striking, purging all impurities. That malevolent aura was completely assimilated by Yi Beidou, rendering the Tribulation of Exterminating the Law much purer.

Consequently, during that final strike, Yi Beidou's malevolent murderous intent was able to affect the physical body of a sanctified expert like Yue Ming, causing flaws and hindrances in his Dharmic physique, and catching him off guard to drive him into a disadvantageous position.

Watching the direction where Yi Beidou had vanished, and then looking down at his own palms—which were still slightly tingling from the recent collision—Yue Ming's expression shifted uncertainly. He had initially assumed Yi Beidou was newly sanctified, arrogant, and dismissive of the heroes of the world, but after this clash, he truly understood the terrifying depth of this person's strength and talent.

"Report to the Commander, the target used two pebbles to shoot down our deployed drone, and has already vanished into the forest. Do we need to mobilize more forces to track his movements?"

The tactical transceiver attached to the belt behind Yue Ming crackled to life, carrying the voice of a soldier waiting inside a helicopter hovering overhead.

"No need. Given this person's strength, if he is determined to go his own way, no one can stop him. Order all border detachments along the route not to block his path. Return and report this news, and notify our dormant forces in Nanyang to keep a close eye on his movements."

Yue Ming said in a deep voice. Although this individual was extraordinary, his opponents were no mere mortals either; no one could predict what kind of situations they might encounter. Furthermore, he was entirely on his own, devoid of any backup.

Before long, the news reached Wei Cheng's ears. He fell slightly silent, and ultimately shook his head with a sigh: "Ultimately, this man is unwilling to entangle himself too deeply with us. So be it; such figures all have their own paths to walk. Since he has made his decision, let him go as he pleases."

"Instruct the diplomatic department to make preparations early to handle any diplomatic disputes arising from Nanyang."

...

Half a day later, Yi Beidou traveled at full speed, following the guidance of his Heavenly Demonic perception without a compass or a map. He had no clear idea where he had ended up, knowing only that about an hour ago he had crossed out of Donghua's borders and was now deep within a forested region.

Suddenly, he halted his steps, feeling a pang of hunger in his stomach.

He had gone to Mount Yunlao, engaged in a clash with Fang Xiuyuan and Tao Zihong, resonated with the true intent within the Heart-Silencing Sword, and later assisted Fang Xiuyuan in slaying the Great Dragon of Mount Yunlao. Upon leaving Mount Yunlao and just returning to Chuncheng, a sudden premonition had stirred him, prompting him to stroll to the Cloud Peak Hotel and eliminate five super-soldiers. Then, without delay, he had set off for Nanyang, exchanging blows with Yue Ming along the way, and had since journeyed at breakneck speed for half a day...

During this period, he had been constantly on the move without a single moment of rest, barely having had a proper meal.

Experts who had attained physical sanctification possessed the ability to undergo penury of grain. Under normal conditions, by locking down their physical energy and partaking of one hearty meal, they could go half a month without eating and feel no hunger.

Yet Yi Beidou was different. A continuous streak of combat and relentless travel pushed even the stamina of a physically sanctified body to its limits. After all, he remained a creature of flesh and blood who still required sustenance, unable to detach himself from the five grains or achieve the state of "nourishing oneself solely on qi and cheating death."

Right now, he needed food to replenish himself. However, he found himself stranded in the wilderness, entirely alone, with zero supplies in sight.

Yet this was hardly an insurmountable problem. Yi Beidou cast his gaze around his surroundings.

Those who had achieved physical sanctification would, in ancient times, be regarded as wandering immortals who retreated deep into the mountains and left no trace behind. How could such beings be so fragile as to be easily constrained?

The digestive system of such an entity was exceptionally powerful. Grass roots and tree bark that ordinary people could never consume could serve as food for them; it was simply that the nutritional content contained within them was too sparse, requiring massive quantities to be consumed, while also containing too many components unabsorbable by the human body. Relying on such things to replenish sufficient physical energy would not only demand an enormous volume, but moreover... the spectacle would likely be rather unsightly.

Secondly, there were the beasts, birds, and various fruits and medicinal herbs of the mountains and forests. Given Yi Beidou's physical constitution, he could crush and swallow raw the bones and internal organs of living creatures along with their flesh. Indeed, if he cared nothing for taste, he could easily subsist on raw meat and blood, devouring them directly. His formidable immune system could ensure that he faced almost zero risk of infection from parasites and viruses of that magnitude.

Such was the terrifying nature of a sanctified physical body.

However, this was still not Yi Beidou's preferred course of action. His target was places possessing adequate food reserves, where he could obtain what he required in a single stroke and dispense with unnecessary trouble.

Having left Donghua and entered this chaotic land plagued by endless warfare and lawlessness—a breeding ground for sin—everywhere was a hunting ground for a Heavenly Demon. Here, Yi Beidou could completely unleash his nature and act entirely as his heart desired.

His expression flickered slightly as something stirred within his heart. He lifted his foot and strode off in a specific direction.

Meanwhile, deep within the mountain forests, a van bounced along, swaying as it drove down a dirt path amidst the trees.

At the end of the road lay a small mountain stronghold composed of several wooden cabins, hidden away within the forest clearing. Inside the stronghold's wooden fence, armed thugs clad in casual clothes with firearms slung across their backs could be vaguely seen moving about, hauling cargo.

Judging by the scale, there were roughly twenty to thirty individuals.

Upon reaching the outer perimeter of the stronghold's fence, the van was halted by armed guards. The driver stuck his head out of the window to converse with the guards, and only after their identities were verified were they permitted to pass.

The van drove into the stronghold's courtyard. Several fierce-looking, turban-clad thugs with firearms slung over their shoulders clustered around a smiling, plump middle-aged man as he emerged from the largest wooden cabin.

"Boss Lagu, the cargo has arrived."

The van door swung open, and a thin, dark-skinned man with a gold tooth chuckled broadly as he proactively opened the back doors of the van for the plump middle-aged man.

Wuwuwuwu!

Accompanied by muffled whimpering sounds echoing from within the van, the "cargo" touted by the gold-toothed man turned out to be living human beings.

A total of six people were crammed inside the van—four women and two men. All of them had their hands and feet bound, with their mouths and eyes sealed shut.

Some were dressed in tailored business suits, while others wore stylish and vibrant attire that exposed large expanses of fair skin. Aside from one woman who was of Caucasian descent, the remaining five individuals all possessed Asian facial features.

They had not been captured within Donghua's borders, but had instead been abducted right within the country of Siam and transported here.

This location served as an underground "transit station" engaged in all manner of illicit operations. Abducted victims brought here would first have their families contacted to demand ransoms; if the fees could not be paid, they would then be disposed of according to their "market value"—either sold to scam compounds or trafficked elsewhere.

Indeed, the human body was a treasure trove from head to toe.