Chapter 36: Li Weixuan

This "Visceral Critical" ability is truly useful!

Fu Qian looked at the corpse on the ground, then glanced at his own right hand.

Taking advantage of the moment the middle-aged man slammed into the barrier, he had decisively closed the distance and unleashed a Visceral Critical through the wound left by his whip. The result was that this Transcendent, who was at least Tier 6, was killed instantly. His abdominal cavity felt as if a grenade had gone off inside; it was hollowed out, leaving almost nothing behind.

The skill was terrifying—in terms of sheer power, it was easily his strongest. The only drawback was the strict requirement for close-quarters combat. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that higher-level Transcendents wouldn't be able to keep hopping around even with their organs destroyed.

Fu Qian shook his head and flicked his finger toward the barrier. A few drops of blood flew off, hitting the barrier and splattering into mist without leaving a single trace.

There was no way to leave any evidence. Fu Qian hoisted the middle-aged man’s corpse, cleaned up the scene, and erased all signs of the struggle.

"Alright, time to go get some help."

There was nothing more to do here. With so many people inside, it made no sense not to put them to use. Having tidied up the area, Fu Qian quickly retraced his steps. Before long, he heard voices ahead; looking from a distance, he saw Ji Liushuang and the others.

Compared to when he had left, the elite squad looked significantly more disheveled, with almost everyone nursing some form of injury. Besides the nine members, there was now a man dressed in black brocade robes. He had sword-like brows, bright eyes, and a commanding presence, with a sword hanging at his waist.

This was the textbook look of a master... could it be the legendary Li Weixuan? The Tier 4 peak expert, known for his volatile temper and godlike swordsmanship, and the Vice Dean of the academy?

During their rest earlier, the team had talked about nothing but this Deputy Dean. Fu Qian had passively overheard many of his legendary feats, and it was clear he was an idol to many. Seeing him now, he certainly lived up to his reputation.

Li Weixuan appeared to be in his forties, with a steady temperament and a sharp gaze, like a heavy sword polished a thousand times—both sharp and heavy, blending firmness with flexibility. It was no wonder the assassin had been so obsessed with luring them away; there would have been no chance in a direct confrontation.

He was likely the most terrifying Transcendent Fu Qian had encountered so far. A peak Tier 4—truly formidable.

At this moment, the group opposite him stared in unison at Fu Qian.

"He's back."

Yuan Xin frowned and pointed at Fu Qian, his expression hostile.

*Were they talking about me just now?*

"I'm back."

Fu Qian completely ignored the strange looks from the group and greeted his teammates naturally. Li Weixuan turned his head and sized Fu Qian up.

"Where did you go just now?"

"I went to scout the situation."

"Scouting the way we came from?" Someone in the squad scoffed.

"Did you find anything during your scouting?" Li Weixuan’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes fixed on Fu Qian.

"I did. I was just about to discuss it with everyone," Fu Qian said, his demeanor calm. "We can't get out anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said." Fu Qian gestured. "The path we came from is now blocked by an invisible barrier. We are like grasshoppers in a glass jar."

The moment these words fell, everyone was stunned.

"What kind of crazy talk is this? If you're going to make up an excuse, at least put some effort into it..." Fury flared on Yuan Xin's face. It was one thing for this guy to flee the battle earlier, but now he was spouting nonsense.

In fact, it wasn't just him; the others reacted the same way, especially the one whose arm had been pierced by the hair-like tendrils earlier. They had narrowly escaped the siege, and their arms were still sore and weak; looking back at the scene, they felt like fools. What was hateful was that this guy had known it was hair all along, yet watched them suffer, and later even abandoned the team to run away—his behavior was utterly despicable.

"A barrier..." Li Weixuan didn't scold him immediately but stared at Fu Qian thoughtfully. "Are you Tier 6?"

Tier 6? Yuan Xin and the others could hardly believe their ears. When did this guy advance? They were all considered the elite of their generation, but even the strongest among them, Ji Liushuang, had only just touched the threshold of Tier 6.

"Yes." Fu Qian hadn't intended to hide anything, so he hadn't deliberately suppressed his aura. It was perfectly normal for Li Weixuan to notice.

"Good." Li Weixuan took a deep look at Fu Qian. He didn't know much about this student, but he had already been briefed on the recent situation. Although the monsters were strange, a Tier 6 Transcendent wouldn't usually run away due to the previous skirmish. But if what he said was true...

"Lead the way. Let me see."

The journey was extremely silent. Fu Qian led the way, and everyone looked at him with complex expressions. Young people were competitive, and many of them had been eager to impress Li Weixuan during this event. Now, judging by Li Weixuan's tone, this unpleasant guy was a legitimate Tier 6—didn't that make him stronger than Ji Liushuang?

"This is it."

Upon reaching the destination, Fu Qian gestured for them to observe for themselves.

*There's an invisible barrier here? I can't see anything at all!* Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Yuan Xin frowned, stepped forward, and pushed his hand out, only to reveal an expression of utter disbelief.

"There really is something here!" he couldn't help but shout. Hearing this, all the members rushed forward in disbelief, only to be blocked by the barrier. Some tried to punch it, but found there was no reaction at all.

How could this be? There hadn't been any obstruction when they arrived.

Li Weixuan didn't rush forward, but he couldn't help but frown as he looked at the scene before him.

"Use your weapons."

Ji Liushuang nodded, drew her sword, and aimed it at the barrier. The group cleared a path for her. Taking a deep breath, she struck.

A flash of green light, fast as a startled bird—this strike was even sharper than before. She covered the distance in an instant, driving her sword into the invisible barrier.

*Not bad.* Li Weixuan showed a look of appreciation; although the swordplay was still a bit green, the intent was already there.

However, this thunderous attack didn't stir a single ripple. The moment it touched the barrier, it could advance no further, leaving only the humming vibration of the trembling blade.

This... the group's eyes widened. It was truly impenetrable!

"Everyone, stand back."

Li Weixuan's voice came through. The group stiffened and quickly cleared a path.

*Finally,* Fu Qian thought, watching the scene with satisfaction. He hadn't placed his hopes on Ji Liushuang and the others from the start; he had been waiting for Li Weixuan to act.

A peak Tier 4 expert with a divine weapon.

This was likely the strongest piercing force they could find in these ruins. If the barrier could be broken by brute force, this was the most probable option.