The kick was a unique control skill and perhaps even operated on a rule-based principle that transcended normal martial arts.
While it did not deal any actual physical damage to the target, it could still send someone flying backward through the air with tremendous force. This made it quite impressive and strategically valuable in combat.
However even though Alex had seemingly sent the Moon Worshiper flying backward with one powerful kick, a heavy and uncomfortable feeling welled up deep in his heart.
The Moon Worshiper had completely disregarded his solemn promise without any shame. If a genuine fight truly escalated to a life or death confrontation, Alex would absolutely be no match for this overwhelmingly powerful opponent.
He was truly at his wit's end with viable options. Was he really supposed to activate the mirror dimension spell to deal with him?
Even if he did manage that, he would have to find some clever way to lure the Moon Worshiper inside first and then somehow escape without him noticing. It seemed nearly impossible.
The Moon Worshiper had launched a full-strength palm strike with all his cultivation power behind it but it still had not worked as intended. Instead Alex had simply kicked him backward and sent him flying. The Moon Worshiper looked visibly flustered and disheveled while staring at Alex with an expression of absolute disbelief and confusion.
After all this intense fighting and trading blows, he had not gained any meaningful advantage whatsoever and had actually suffered painful losses instead. Could it possibly be that Alex's cultivation level was genuinely higher than his own?
The Moon Worshiper felt utterly unconvinced and completely unwilling to accept such a humiliating outcome. A powerful spiritual aura suddenly surged around his body as he forcibly suppressed the severe damage to his injured soul. He clearly intended to continue fighting despite his wounds.
However at that precise moment he suddenly sensed the distinct presence of a familiar aura rapidly approaching their location from the distance.
Alex clutched the Wushuang Sword tightly in his grip. Li Xiaoyao and the others who had been watching the Moon Worshiper's dishonorable reversal also moved to stand protectively beside Alex. Their expressions clearly showed their shared hatred and anger toward this shameless opponent.
"Well let us say goodbye for now. If there is ever a chance in the future then Mister Alex please do consider visiting us..." After a long and somewhat gloomy period of tense silence, the Moon Worshiper finally sighed helplessly. His powerful intimidating aura slowly began receding and fading away. With a distinct hint of resignation and reluctance in his voice he spoke directly to Alex.
With these parting words still hanging in the air, he immediately turned around and left without any hesitation. He showed absolutely no intention of staying even a moment longer.
He appeared to be walking quite slowly and casually but it seemed as though the very distance itself was being magically compressed beneath his feet. In merely the blink of an eye he had completely vanished from everyone's sight as if he had never been there at all.
"Why did he suddenly leave like that? But no matter what his reasons were, it is certainly good that he is gone..." Alex gripped the Wushuang Sword so tightly that his palms were beaded with nervous sweat. He watched the Moon Worshiper's retreating form disappear with a very strange and conflicted feeling.
If the Moon Worshiper had truly decided to attack with murderous intent, even the combined strength of all four of them together would not have been remotely enough to stop him or survive.
But regardless of whatever mysterious reason the Moon Worshiper had for suddenly choosing to leave, Alex breathed a tremendous sigh of relief and felt the tension drain from his body.
"Hmph, what a cowardly bluff" Li Xiaoyao said with a dismissive sneer as he watched the Moon Worshiper's departure with obvious contempt. It seemed perfectly clear to him that the four of them standing together had successfully frightened the man away through their combined presence.
"Ignorance truly is fearlessness..." Alex glanced sideways at Li Xiaoyao with his naive confidence and sighed deeply inwardly at the younger man's complete lack of understanding.
Having just exchanged several dangerous moves directly with the Moon Worshiper in close combat, Alex had been incredibly nervous throughout the entire ordeal. As the Moon Worshiper finally departed and vanished into the distance, Alex could actually feel his back dripping with cold nervous sweat.
If Li Xiaoyao had truly known the Moon Worshiper's actual identity and terrifying reputation, or even properly understood just how genuinely dangerous and powerful he actually was, Li Xiaoyao definitely would not have felt so casually confident and dismissive.
Whoosh!
Not long after the Moon Worshiper's mysterious departure, a brilliant and dazzling sword light suddenly appeared from the distant horizon. It shot toward them with incredible speed like a falling star.
Immediately afterward a dramatic figure descended gracefully from the sky and landed directly before everyone with perfect balance. He carried a sword strapped securely on his back and a wine gourd hung casually at his waist. His appearance was distinctly unkempt and disheveled in a carefree manner. Who else could this iconic figure possibly be but the legendary Drunken Sword Immortal himself?
"Huh? Why are you here of all places?" Li Xiaoyao who was startled slightly by the Drunken Sword Immortal's sudden and dramatic appearance asked with genuine surprise. Yet a happy smile quickly spread across his face.
"I came here specifically looking for some good wine to drink" the Drunken Sword Immortal replied casually while glancing meaningfully at Alex standing beside Li Xiaoyao. He deliberately did not mention that he had actually come here specifically to find and check on Li Xiaoyao's wellbeing.
Such was the Drunken Sword Immortal's peculiar character and personality. Even if he was doing something genuinely for your own good and benefit, he would feel far too embarrassed to ever admit it out loud. He only appeared outwardly cynical and self-centered but in reality he would secretly do many helpful things for you behind the scenes without ever expecting recognition.
"What is with all the weapons drawn and battle stances?" At this moment the Drunken Sword Immortal noticed with sharp observation that Alex and the others had already drawn their weapons defensively. Judging carefully by the disturbed ground and scattered marks nearby, it was abundantly clear they had been involved in serious fighting very recently.
"Just a short while ago there was some arrogant guy who completely lacked any sense of propriety or gratitude. He was eating and drinking here for free as our guest and then he even tried to attack us without provocation. We managed to scare him off though..." Li Xiaoyao said with lingering anger upon hearing the Drunken Sword Immortal's curious question.
Even thinking about the incident now still made him absolutely furious. Even if you casually throw a meat bun to a stray dog it might at least know enough to wag its tail at you in gratitude. But that Moon Worshiper had just eaten their instant noodles and drank their Coke freely, then immediately turned around and attacked Alex viciously before going back on his solemn word.
Such a disgraceful person no matter how you looked at the situation was undoubtedly someone who left a very bad impression on everyone present.
"Oh really? There exists such an ungrateful person? Then why did you not stop him and beat him up properly for his disrespect? If I had been here at the time I would definitely have taught this ungrateful shameless bastard a severe lesson he would never forget." The Drunken Sword Immortal was also a man of great righteous temperament and upon hearing this outrageous story he became filled with indignant anger on their behalf.
As he spoke with growing enthusiasm he approached Alex directly and said with obvious interest "Young Alex, do you still happen to have any fine wine left in your possession? If you do then give me a hundred or perhaps eighty bottles right now and I will gladly help you hunt him down and capture him. Then I will beat him up thoroughly to properly vent your justified anger."
"One hundred and eighty bottles..." The Drunken Sword Immortal's outrageously casual request made Alex's mouth twitch slightly with disbelief.
Although he had carefully prepared and stored some food, clothing and daily necessities in his storage space when he was back at the Dalongshan base, in the harsh apocalypse world tobacco and alcohol were both considered extremely rare luxury goods. Alex honestly did not have very much in his current stock and he was still planning to travel to the modern plane to purchase significantly more supplies. The Drunken Sword Immortal was asking for a hundred and eighty bottles as if it was nothing. Did he really think quality wine was just ordinary water?
"Well if you do not have a full hundred and eighty bottles available then twenty or thirty bottles will do just fine instead. This is the special discounted price I am offering to an acquaintance and friend." The Drunken Sword Immortal immediately recognized from Alex's skeptical expression that his initial request had been somewhat too exaggerated and unrealistic. So he promptly reduced the amount of his demand to something more reasonable.
"Alright if you truly have the ability and confidence to actually accomplish this task then go right ahead. I still have twenty or thirty bottles available in storage."
Seeing the Drunken Sword Immortal's practiced expression, Alex immediately understood the man was deliberately asking for an outrageously high price while fully expecting to negotiate it down significantly later. Alex did not bother saying much more and simply nodded his agreement.
"Excellent, then it is completely settled between us." Upon hearing that Alex had genuinely agreed to his terms, the Drunken Sword Immortal's eyes immediately lit up with obvious delight and anticipation.
His sharp gaze immediately fell upon Li Xiaoyao as he asked with urgent curiosity "Young man, what exactly did that shameless guy look like? What was his actual name? And which precise direction did he travel when he left here?"
"The man who just came and caused trouble was a tall and imposing middle-aged man with an extraordinary dignified bearing about him. He departed traveling in that specific direction over there."
Li Xiaoyao naturally admired the Drunken Sword Immortal tremendously and respected him greatly. He nodded decisively and began introducing the Moon Worshiper's physical appearance in detail along with the exact direction he had departed toward.
At the very end of his description Li Xiaoyao suddenly remembered something important and continued "Oh yes, by the way that arrogant guy did mention his name at one point. He specifically said his name was Shi Jieren."
The Drunken Sword Immortal: "..."
A long awkward silence suddenly descended as the Drunken Sword Immortal's confident expression completely froze on his face.
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