Level Up in Martial World

330  Cai Nui

Lu Zhen seemed to slowly open his eyes from his meditation.

"Okay," he spoke in a deep voice, his tone calm yet resolute. He stood up slowly, his movements deliberate, and then walked out of the tent.

"Eh?" The Second-stage martial soldier froze in place, stunned.

"Wasn't this beggar half-mad…?" He trailed off, his words cut short as he felt an inexplicable chill in the wind that swept in from outside the tent. His back shuddered uncontrollably.

For a Second-stage martial expert, feeling cold from a normal wind was unheard of. But this chill wasn't caused by the wind—it emanated from his own thoughts.

"Damn it, that bastard is an imposter! He's been playing the beggar all along, and I foolishly guaranteed my life on it. I need to protect the young miss!"

Cai Niu immediately shot out from the camp, moving with such speed that he seemed to defy his limits, pushing himself beyond his usual strength.

As a Second-stage martial artist, Cai Niu wasn't a fool. He had already harbored a faint suspicion that this imposing figure was more than he appeared. At first, he dismissed it, but the thought had lingered.

There were rumors of herb gatherers who, after wandering into this cursed forest, lost their memories from the overwhelming presence that radiated from the trees themselves. These poor souls would wander aimlessly, much like Lu Zhen had, until they were either eaten by beasts or robbed by unscrupulous individuals.

But now, knowing that Lu Zhen was fully in his right mind, Cai Niu realized that his initial suspicion had been correct. His heart sank with the weight of the knowledge, and a chill of dread washed over him.

"If something happens to the Miss, we're all dead," he muttered through gritted teeth, his helpless expression betraying his inner turmoil. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He rushed forward, determined to protect the young miss. However, his path was immediately blocked by two soldiers at the camp's entrance, their expressions cold and unforgiving.

"Halt! You cannot enter without the Miss's permission," one of them growled, his voice laced with authority.

Despite Cai Niu's status as a Second-stage martial artist, the soldiers showed him no respect, standing firm with expressions that left no room for negotiation.

Cai Niu's face contorted with anger as he glared at the two soldiers. He was seething with the desire to beat them senseless, but the urgency of the situation held him back. His mind raced, and time was slipping away.

"I have important information to relay to the Miss. Did that beggar already enter?" Cai Niu asked, his voice tight with frustration.

He scanned the area, and his eyes locked onto Lu Zhen, who was standing just outside the entrance. Two beautiful women were inspecting his body, their hands moving with a careful precision.

"That bastard... he must die." Cai Niu's fury surged. His fingers gripped the hilt of his sword, and in a heartbeat, he drew it, charging at Lu Zhen with murderous intent radiating from every step.

But Lu Zhen remained unfazed. He slowly turned, meeting Cai Niu's gaze with a calmness that seemed to pierce through the soldier's rage. Then, as if uninterested, he faced forward again.

"So, have you checked enough of my body, women?" Lu Zhen's voice was smooth, but his words held an unmistakable edge. He glanced at the two women, whose faces had flushed a deep rosy hue, their eyes glazed with a look of dazed fascination.

This kind of effect wouldn't be possible if Lu Zhen only had an external appearance to offer. What truly captivated them was that, in essence, their very souls. These women were Martial Apprentices, after all, capable fighters in their own right. But, Lu Zhen's ability to charm them so thoroughly demonstrated the immense power of his charm.

Typically, Lu Zhen remained secluded, rarely stepping outside except to attend to his wives and concubines, or to manage the affairs of the entire city. His presence in the world beyond was minimal, yet it was his strength and authority that commanded attention. The women who surrounded him were drawn not just by his image, but by the overwhelming power he wielded as the master of the city. There was little Lu Zhen couldn't do with his strength, and naturally, such power would attract women!

As he watched the two women nearly lose themselves in their dazed admiration, Lu Zhen couldn't help but reflect quietly on the situation.

"I guess charm works like this, huh…" he mused inwardly.

Just as Lu Zhen stood there, seemingly indifferent, Cai Niu was mere inches away from striking him down. If it were any other martial artist—whether of a lower stage or even someone of the same rank—Cai Niu's blade would have cleaved through them effortlessly, leaving them dead or severely wounded in an instant.

"Stop."

The command, soft yet unmistakable, rang out like a bell. Cai Niu's body froze mid-motion, his sword coming to a halt. His pupils dilated in shock, and before he could react, his legs gave way, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Miss, please forgive me…" Cai Niu stammered, his voice filled with fear and desperation.

"Hmm. And why did you attack the person I summoned by my orders?" The Miss's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that sent a cold shiver down Cai Niu's spine. "Has my authority truly become so insignificant that you no longer heed my words?"

"No, no, Miss…" Cai Niu trembled, his body shaking with fright. "Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to—"

"Then what did you mean to do?" The Miss's tone sharpened.

"This… this…" Cai Niu broke into a cold sweat, his hands trembling as he pointed accusingly at Ray. "This bastard is clearly in disguise and planning to harm you. I suggest we execute him on the spot—"

Lu Zhen, casually pointed at, merely shrugged, a knowing smile spreading across his face as he stepped into the tent without a care.

"See, Miss?" Cai Niu pressed forward, his voice urgent, holding his sword with both hands. The blade was curved at the point, thick and imposing.

"I cannot let him harm you, Miss," he said through gritted teeth.

His eyes flashed with resolve, and in the next instant, the Bull Qi in his pathways flared to life, his entire body surging with power. He shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

"Combat Art: Bull Slash!"

A faint image of a raging bull materialized around him, its presence felt as Cai Niu closed the distance. He swung his sword, aiming at Lu Zhen's back with the full force of his martial might.

To his surprise, the "Miss" made no move to stop him, and a surge of satisfaction bubbled up in Cai Niu. With no obstacles in his way, his confidence grew, and his attack gained even more momentum.

The curved sword cut through the air in a perfect arc, its blade poised to slash down and cleave Lu Zhen in half. But just as the sword was about to land, Lu Zhen suddenly turned, his smile unshaken as he flicked his head casually to the side.

"Get lost."

To Cai Niu's eyes, Lu Zhen seemed to be moving in slow motion, as though the world itself had come to a standstill, and Lu Zhen was but a snail in its vast expanse. However, it was all just an illusion.

Before Cai Niu could even react, he felt an overwhelming force, a pressure so immense that it seemed to crush his very soul. His world turned white, then blank.

Lu Zhen casually walked forward, entering the camp without a second glance. Cai Niu lay on the ground, his body frozen in place, a painful bump on his head, his mind reeling from the sudden shift.

The moment Lu Zhen entered the tent, a gentle voice broke the silence.

"So, who are you?"

Lu Zhen's sneer remained as he looked ahead, his gaze cool and confident.

"I'm just a passerby."

"Do you think I will believe you?" The Miss asked, her voice calm but laced with suspicion. She lay on the bed, her curvy figure outlined by the soft light, her face turned toward the ceiling, her form almost on full display.

"I am really just a passerby," Lu Zhen replied, shaking his head with an air of indifference. He made a subtle move, and in that instant, a dagger shot forward from her position, aimed directly at him.

"Do you really want to attack me?" Lu Zhen's crimson pupils narrowed as he peered at her, his gaze piercing and unflinching.

"Yes," the Miss answered with a cold certainty, her voice unwavering.

A strange, palpable atmosphere settled over the tent as they locked eyes, both of them staring at each other with narrowed pupils. The tension between them thickened, like two forces about to collide.

"Why are you so fiery, 'Miss'?" Lu Zhen chuckled, his voice low and amused as he observed her.

Her emerald eyes glinted sharply, and for a moment, Lu Zhen could feel a suffocating pressure building in the air around them, as if the very space itself had grown heavier, charged with a silent, dangerous energy.

"My name is Jui Luli," she stated casually, narrowing her eyes as she watched him closely.

"So, were you the one who was peeking at me earlier?" "Yeah." Lu Zhen nodded, unfazed by her words. Just then, he dodged slightly to the side, and a small ball of water began to form in front of him.

"Hmm?" Lu Zhen's gaze sharpened. The water blade appeared ordinary at first glance, but he could sense something more beneath the surface. There was a distinct power in it—an intent that hummed in the air. It reminded him of something he had observed earlier: intent could amplify the power of even the most basic attacks. The more intent, the more devastating the effect.

Had he not avoided it, the water blade would likely have caused substantial damage.

As Lu Zhen's frown deepened, he turned his eyes back to Jin Luli, her calm demeanor at odds with the energy she exuded.

"Do you really want to attack me?" His voice was measured, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with her. Even though Lu Zhen had made no use of his Qi, intent, or aura, Jin Luli felt a shiver run down her spine. There was an undeniable pressure in the air, an unspoken danger that lingered around him.

"Are you also a First-stage martial artist?" Jin Luli narrowed her eyes, her gaze flickering with doubt.

"Who knows?" Lu Zhen shrugged casually, his tone almost indifferent. "However, you should know that for a mere early First-stage martial artist like you, I could kill you very, very easily..."

"Really?" Jin Luli's voice was laced with skepticism. She slowly rose from the bed, each movement deliberate. Her hips swayed with a rhythm that caught Lu Zhen's attention, drawing his gaze to a particular scene.

She closed the distance between them with confident, measured steps, her presence commanding despite her cold demeanor.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion, her expression like stone as she stood just inches from him.

"I want to get out of this forest." Lu Zhen's voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp as he took in her form, assessing her not just for her beauty but for the strength she concealed. "Guide me out, and I'll go my own way."

As his gaze flickered over her, his mind was already working, calculating. With a slight mental shift, he activated the complex formula in his mind.

"Formula Ten: Strength Calculation."

This intricate arithmetic formula could accurately gauge the strength of a person's Qi, even without them showing it.

"I can defeat her," Lu Zhen muttered confidently under his breath, his mind fully calculating the strength of Jin Luli after carefully assessing her Qi.

Jui Luli's gaze remained fixed on him, her eyes cool and calculating as she observed Lu Zhen. He was clearly much bigger and taller than her, his presence towering over her, yet the faint air of authority she exuded seemed almost on par with his own. It was a subtle force, one that didn't need to be flaunted.

Lu Zhen's muscles twitched, each fiber alive with anticipation, ready for a fight. His posture was poised, as if waiting for the first move. But to his surprise, Jin Luli didn't take the bait. Instead, she closed her eyes slowly, the tension in the air dissipating as she turned her back to him.

With measured steps, she returned to the bed, gracefully sitting down and crossing her legs. Her body language, calm and composed.