Chapter 166: Chapter 164: Return to Xinxiang (Part 1) Lou Yi experimented for a while and found that his speed had increased by seventy to eighty percent, almost a complete transformation. Previously, his speed was already not inferior to an ordinary Full Cycle. But now... Lou Yi could guarantee that no Full Cycle would ever touch a corner of his clothes! If it came to a fight, he would let Full Cycle Martial Artists experience true despair. However, Lou Yi’s gaze has now turned towards the Martial Artists. Having fought Old Man Shi and witnessed Marshal Yue from the City Lord’s Mansion in action, combined with information revealed in some books. Lou Yi was confident that speed would not be a shortcoming in his encounters with Martial Artists. Though Martial Artists could use Lightweight Skill to traverse the air. In terms of short-distance explosive power, they might not even be his match. Lou Yi looked at the attribute panel: [Name: Lou Yi] [Age: 19/68] [Realm: Three Blood Warrior (60/600)] [Cultivation Technique: Yellow Extreme Breathing Technique (Two-stage, Mastery 0/300 +1 Nirvana Divine Flower), Hu Family Breathing Technique (Not Entered 0/10)] [Skills: Lou’s Axe Skill (Minor Achievement 0/500), Extreme Fist (Mastery 0/100), Stone Throwing (Mastery 0/30), Light Body Technique (Minor Achievement 0/200), Basic Spear Technique (Beginner 0/6), Secret Skill: Dragon Piercing Technique - Fragment (One), Qi Locking Technique (Beginner 0/3)] 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦 [Talent: Petrification (Minor Achievement 0/1000 +5 White Dew Stone +1 Star Cold Iron), Swift (Proficient 0/100 +1 Celestial Silkworm Silk), Disguise (Beginner 0/50 +1 Earth Jade)] [Energy: 222] The most lacking at the moment is the Nirvana Divine Flower; only by obtaining it can he enhance the Two-stage Breathing Technique and accelerate his cultivation speed. He has already enlisted the Zhan Family and Tian Su family to search with all their might. The situation is getting more chaotic, hoping for a result soon. ... After asking Zhan Weida for a top-grade black horse, Lou Yi immediately rode out through the city gates. At the city gate. As far as the eye could see, there was a dense mass of ordinary outer city folk carrying bundles, dragging children along. During these extraordinary times, the inner city implements strict measures on entry. Without a stamped pass or an introduction letter from a noble family, there was no chance of entering the city. Despite this, a good number come at dawn every day, hoping for a chance to sneak by. "Let us in!" "Why won’t you let us in? Are we to just stand by and watch as we get devoured by beasts?" "Corrupt officials! Corrupt officials!" Some shouted, some were indignant, some tried to incite others. But the several dozen archers guarding the city were all cold-faced, armed with bows and arrows, and any who dared to charge were met with decisive action. With resources scarce, if all the outer city folk were let in, it wouldn’t be long before the entire city faced a shortage of food, even water. Protecting the inner city and abandoning the outer city was inevitable. As Lou Yi exited through a small side gate, he naturally saw this scene and sighed heavily in his heart. The world is full of injustice; being able to take care of those around him is already quite commendable. Galloping westward on his horse. That was where Xinxiang was located. Along the way, the number of wild beasts and birds of prey had noticeably increased. Even on horseback, Lou Yi was successively attacked by swarms of venomous bees, hawks, wolves, and poisonous snakes. They were no threat to him, but it clearly showed the harsh environment outside the city. Outside Tai City, Xinxiang, Jia Family Manor. The enclosing walls of the manor had been built up to nine meters high. Outside the walls, numerous trenches had been dug, filled with sharp wooden stakes and iron thorns. Within the manor, guards were either wielding swords or holding spears, practicing diligently with grunts and shouts. The philosophy of training more in times of peace to bleed less in times of war was one everyone understood. Landlord Jia, clad in a red silk robe and wearing a fur hat, stood in a corner of the manor. Originally quite corpulent, he had visibly slimmed down, a look of worry etched on his face as he sighed repeatedly. Beside him was the ever-stoic Housekeeper Wu, clad in black. Housekeeper Wu reported in his usual, deep voice: "The five hundred mu of prime farmland on the west side of Gao Family Village yielded only seventy percent of last year’s harvest. Mice plagues have spread in the fields recently, and giant eagles have appeared, reducing tenant farmers’ working hours significantly..." "The presence of wolf packs has been noted in the small, large, and green hills... The number of people chopping trees has decreased significantly compared to half a month ago..." "The thirty crates of goods sent to Yang City only had six intact after an encounter with a herd of wild oxen; the others were so severely damaged that they’re unsellable." As Housekeeper Wu detailed each piece of news, Landlord Jia’s expression grew increasingly distressed. By the end, his face was thoroughly wrinkled, almost comically so. "Ah, is the Jia Family’s more than two hundred years of prosperity destined to end in my hands, Jia Rong?" No sooner had Landlord Jia finished speaking than a voice, anxious and panicked, called from outside: "Landlord, Landlord, bad news! Five or six giant tigers suddenly appeared four or five miles in front of the manor!" "Just now, Qing Zi and the others were returning with goods and were caught by one; two didn’t make it back!" "What?!" Landlord Jia’s face changed dramatically upon hearing this. Giant tigers were the most difficult and terrifying of wild beasts. Once, a single enlightened tiger had turned Xinxiang upside down, even the Inspection Bureau had been helpless against it. Now, suddenly, five or six appeared in front of the manor, how could this be? Steps must be taken to drive them away. Otherwise, the Jia Family Manor would be isolated, its supply lines cut off, and they would be besieged. "Cui Yuan, Shi Zhan, gather everyone up for me!" "Alright!" From the crowd emerged two strong men. One held a spear, his skin dark, face honest but his eyes sharp. The other wielded a knife, his bare chest covered in tattoos, a vividly lifelike tiger was depicted. These two were currently the manor’s strongest, like Guard Captains, each leading a squad of twenty to thirty men. With weapons and armor ready, they went to the area a few miles outside Jia Family Manor. Upon seeing the scene before them, everyone gasped. Five enormous beasts with orange and black stripes were either sprawled on the ground napping or playfully chasing each other. Another was clutching a white, blood-streaked object in its mouth, which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a human leg! Each giant tiger was over five meters long, even larger than the previous enlightened one that had rampaged through Xinxiang. They were like five spirit beasts. How were they to fight that? Everyone in the manor’s guard showed fear on their faces. "Landlord, it seems we can only defend ourselves by the wall; we wouldn’t stand a chance against them in the open." Cui Yuan came to advise. Though unwilling in his heart, Landlord Jia knew he spoke the truth. Just as they were about to retreat to the manor. ’Whizz!’ A piercing sound cut through the air. Soon after. "Aoo!!!" A thunderous, painful roar from one of the tigers shook the air. Everyone turned to look, eyes widening in disbelief. The largest of the tigers was writhing on the grass, howling in agony. Its belly had a gaping, visible wound, bleeding profusely and staining the ground red. ’Whizz, whizz, whizz!’ Three more tigers were hit, following in the steps of the first. ...