I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

In the Cultivation World, those with such thoughts would be hunted down and killed, okay?

Moreover, lacking real battle experience, it’s impossible to fully utilize one’s strength, all these were big problems.

However, looking at Li Xiaobai’s actions now, he had an air of not descending the mountain until reaching full level, which was really a bit too cautious!

In the scene, the image of absorbing inner strength looped for several days. Today, Li Xiaobai made a new move. It was the day he and the government officers had agreed to exchange hostages, which of course, was a trap he had set. He had no intention of actually returning the hostages.

If the other side brought Long Xue over, then it would be perfect to snatch her away; if they saw through his disguise, even better. The government would definitely send many skilled fighters to surround him, which would allow his Chive Army to grow even stronger.

After seven days of cultivation, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Li Xiaobai had undergone a transformation. He absorbed inner strength twelve times a day, from three people each time, managing to absorb the inner strength of thirty-six people daily. Within a week, he had hoarded the inner strength of more than two hundred and fifty people in his body, filling two-thirds of his Dantian.

It wouldn’t be long before he could officially enter the Qi Cultivation Spirit Refinining stage. By that time, even in the martial community, he would be considered a formidable master, completely leaving behind the category of low-level martial artists.

After adding another layer of shackles to the three people in the cave, Li Xiaobai descended the mountain silently. He hurried along the way, his speed comparable to a Spirit Refinining Realm martial artist, without a hint of fatigue — all thanks to the powerful inner strength within his body.

At noon, Li Xiaobai arrived on time five kilometers outside the city in the suburbs.

This was a wasteland with flat terrain all around, without any trees to provide cover. Engaging in battle here meant not having to worry about the enemy using the terrain to escape, and conversely, the other side must be thinking the same, surely they would send additional manpower for support.

This place was remote, and Li Xiaobai had already scoped it out; there were no masters sitting in the government offices here, only martial artists of the Essence Refining Realm serving as government officers. The truly powerful cultivators of the Imperial Court were all in the main city, meditating and training behind closed doors.

He, a mere Qi Cultivation Essence Refining Realm martial artist, was not significant enough to disturb them, so he was temporarily safe.

Surveying his surroundings, there was no one in sight, an eerie silence all around.

“Come out, you won’t be able to take me down by hiding in the dark.”

Li Xiaobai’s ears trembled at a specific frequency, accurately identifying seven martial artists hidden around him, all in the Essence Refining Realm — perfect for his Chive Army.

“Where is Xiao Qi?”

Seven martial artists dressed as government officers emerged from all directions, surrounding Li Xiaobai at the center, the one leading them emanating intense murderous intent, his eyes seemingly ablaze with endless flames waiting to roar forth.

“I was in a rush and forgot to bring him. Now, where is my junior sister?”

Li Xiaobai shrugged his shoulders and chuckled.

“Heh, my apologies, I forgot to bring her too.”

The leading government officer had a chilling glint in his eyes, his veins bulging on his hands as if ready to lash out at any moment.

“What a coincidence, it seems we have a good understanding. But no matter, I’ll be sending you all to reunite with Xiao Qi shortly,”

said Li Xiaobai.

“What did you do to him?”

“Don’t be nervous, I’ve taken good care of him, treating him to fine wine and dishes every day, definitely more comfortable than when he was a government officer. You will soon enjoy the same treatment.”

“Looking for death!”

“Take him down, just leave him breathing!”

The leading government officer, infuriated, had a flash of malice across his face as he swung his long knife towards Li Xiaobai’s throat, with the rest following closely behind, their swords and blades aiming at the opponent from various tricky and sharp angles.

The fierce aura swept across the field. Inner Strength flowed on the swords and blades, completely sealing off all of Li Xiaobai’s retreat paths.

“Heh, Li Xiaobai, even if you had the ability to fly to the skies, it would be absolutely impossible to escape from our hands. Today, you can’t avoid your fate!”

A hint of joy flashed in the officers’ eyes; they had won this battle.

But the next second, their expressions froze.

Seven swords and blades nearly simultaneously targeted the vital points around Li Xiaobai’s body, but just as they were an inch from his skin, everyone only felt a massive force come their way. The weapons in their hands couldn’t advance any further and were firmly blocked from the outside.

“This is… such formidable Inner Strength!”

“And extremely pure as well!”

“To think you’d use Inner Strength to completely block our offensive moves, I must say, you are no ordinary martial artist, but such an action is also incredibly foolish. You should know, the seven of us are all Essence Refining powerhouses. To foolishly compare Inner Strength with the seven of us is simply seeking death!”

The scoffing officer saw a sneer flash in his eyes. Without being able to touch their bodies, the demon head couldn’t use the Spirit Realm Technique to absorb the Inner Strength in their bodies.

Therefore, the opponent had only one way to go: compare Inner Strength. If the protective Inner Strength surrounding his body were withdrawn, the weapons in their hands would pierce through his body in the blink of an eye.

“Hahaha, big brother, it’s as if heaven is helping us! He’s so arrogant to compare Inner Strength with the seven of us, let’s give him what he wants!”

“Exactly, once his Inner Strength is exhausted, he’ll quiet down for sure!”

The rest thought alike, holding scornful attitudes towards Li Xiaobai’s approach.

The opponent must have become arrogant from acquiring an unparalleled Cultivation Technique. No matter how strong the opponent was or how exquisite the Cultivation Technique, he was still only a martial artist of the Essence Refining Realm, the same realm as theirs. Facing seven people at the same time, the consumption of his Inner Strength was seven times theirs, and they could likely capture him in just a breath’s time.

For a moment, the seven became less anxious, corners of their mouths holding cruel smiles, calmly transmitting their Dantian Inner Strength incessantly onto their weapons, draining Li Xiaobai’s Dantian Inner Strength.

After one breath, nothing abnormal.

After two breaths, still everything was normal.

After three breaths, Li Xiaobai’s complexion was as usual, showing no signs of physical strain.

“I didn’t expect you to hold out so well. It must be because of that Demon Path Cultivation Technique, allowing your Inner Strength to be several times more than that of ordinary cultivators. It is indeed enviable. But today, your fate is sealed. If you hand over that technique, I can give you a dignified end!”

To this, Li Xiaobai simply smiled slightly and said, “Gentlemen, better join my Chive Army sooner rather than later!”