Chen Tang and Lei Ming were engaged in close combat, moving as one shadow, each move perilous, a single misstep would mean life or death.

The other members of Thunder Hall hesitated, not daring to use firearms, instead drawing their weapons, attacking from all directions.

By fending off the others, Chen Tang gave Lei Ming a chance to escape.

He retreated, opening a distance of about three zhang, shook his sleeves, and two Palm Thunders fell into his palms.

There are two methods of deploying Palm Thunder.

One way is to throw the Palm Thunder, colliding them in mid-air before using the force to strike the target.

This hidden weapons technique is suitable for long-range attacks.

For close-range combat, there’s no need for such trouble.

You just need to clash the Palm Thunders and throw them, escaping the blast range in time.

Lei Ming knew he couldn’t distance himself from Chen Tang too far, so he decided to use the second method against him.

However, there were a few Thunder Hall martial artists surrounding Chen Tang.

Under the coverage of the Palm Thunder, these martial artists could hardly escape death.

This person is so troublesome that to deal with him, some cost must be paid!

Seeing Lei Ming escape and shaking his sleeves, Chen Tang guessed his intentions.

He abandoned the surrounding Thunder Hall martial artists, performing the ’Chasing Shadows’ body technique, finding a gap in the blinding clash of weapons, and emerged, suddenly appearing in front of Lei Ming, raising his hand for a slash!

A distance of three zhang, for Chen Tang’s body technique, was reached in an instant.

Lei Ming, holding the Palm Thunders, couldn’t dodge, so he retreated again, tilting his head to avoid the slash aimed at his throat.

But in the next moment, he suddenly felt pain in both of his hands!

Chen Tang slashed with one hand while using the Dragon Capturing Technique with the other, gripping Lei Ming’s wrist and directly snatching the two Palm Thunders from him!

Simultaneously, Chen Tang kicked Lei Ming in the chest.

Slashing, the Dragon Capturing Technique seized the Palm Thunders, and the kick sent Lei Ming flying, all happening almost simultaneously, as fluid as clouds and water, seamless and unavoidable!

Lei Ming spat blood as he was sent flying.

"Haha!"

Chen Tang laughed heartily, pocketed the two Palm Thunders, and sprinted, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye.

The members of Thunder Hall all threw their firearms, the noise was not small, but Chen Tang had already escaped far away, beyond their reach.

Yang Jianzhi watched from the side, clenching his fists, filled with admiration!

Escort Du nodded, saying, "This person’s combat strength is so formidable; even among the Fourth Grade realm, few are his match. If he continues like this, he might even contend for the top of the Human Ranking."

Escort Hu said, "In that case, wouldn’t he be becoming the top of both the Wind and Cloud Ranking and the Human Ranking?"

"It’s just a hope."

Escort Du shook his head and said, "Currently, the top of the Human Ranking is most likely that Ascetic Monk from the Xiling Secret Sect. He is also skilled in horizontal training, having mastered the Vajra Unbreakable Technique to great success, forging a Vajra Heart, his bloodline strength is rare in this world!"

"This Chen Tang also follows the path of Horizontal Body Training, but in cultivation technique, he’s likely no match for that Ascetic Monk."

-----------------

Chen Tang shook off his pursuers, heading towards the riverbank.

Lei Ming, kicked and suffering internal injuries, likely wouldn’t dare to pursue.

This place was still half a day’s journey from the riverbank.

Once at the riverbank, his chances of escape would increase significantly.

Additionally, going to Xiajiang, he had another motive!

To eliminate the greatest threat to him!

If this person doesn’t die, he could find no peace, no matter where he is, his movements wouldn’t remain a secret.

Moreover, he must constantly stay on guard.

At midday, Chen Tang’s ears moved slightly, catching faint sounds of water.

Approaching closer, he could already see people crowded at the riverside ferry terminal, voices shouting, chatting, and hawking, creating a bustling scene.

Not far off, there was a tea house, a branch of the Tea Path Sect.

During the lunch rush, there were many guests in the nearby tavern, but only a few in the tea house, here and there.

After a long journey, Chen Tang was parched and hungry.

Moreover, after the encounter with Lei Ming and being impacted by the Palm Thunder, suffering internal injuries, he thought of resting for a while at the Tea Path Sect.

Xiajiang was within sight, and if anything changed, he could enter the river at any time.

Chen Tang had just arrived at the tea house entrance when, in a nearby tavern, a man in white suddenly raised his head and looked over.

"Presumably, this is the top of the Wind and Cloud Ranking, One Sword Frost Cold."

The man in white smiled slightly, raised his cup in invitation, and said loudly, "I am He Shiyao, I’d like to invite Brother Chen over for a drink, if Brother Chen would be so kind."

Chen Tang exchanged a glance with him, guessing that this man came for him.

Chen Tang walked into the tea house, sitting down grandly, watching this person, and said, "If you have something to say, say it straight, no need to beat around the bush."

"Hehe!"

He Shiyao chuckled lightly, shaking the folding fan in his hand, calmly said, "Brother Chen is indeed interesting, in that case, I’ll get straight to the point. I wish to invite Brother Chen to be a guest at my Drunken Immortal Tower, I will certainly greet you with the utmost hospitality."

Chen Tang’s eyebrows arched.

People from the Drunken Immortal Tower!

Furthermore, judging by this person’s tone, they seemed to hold a significant position at the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Since escaping from the Medical Hidden Hall, although encountering many interceptors, none explicitly stated it was for the Drunken Eight Immortals.

Some said they were entrusted by others, some claimed it was to seek revenge on Chen Tang, all sorts of reasons.

Though Drunken Immortal Tower never showed itself, to mobilize so many prominent figures of Jianghu, and all arriving so coincidentally, it seemed Drunken Immortal Tower was the driving force behind it.

Until now, it was the first time someone from the Drunken Immortal Tower appeared!

"What is Drunken Elder to you?"

Chen Tang asked.

He Shiyao’s eyebrows subtly furrowed.

In Jianghu, anyone mentioning Drunken Elder would speak with due respect, yet this person spoke so casually.

He Shiyao said, "That’s my grandfather."

Such a big background?

Chen Tang was somewhat surprised, not expecting Drunken Elder’s grandson to approach in person.

"What if I refuse?"

Chen Tang retorted.

"Heh..."

He Shiyao slowly got up, heading towards Chen Tang in the tea house, smiling as he said, "In that case, don’t blame me for taking action and inviting Brother Chen for a walk."

Chen Tang gripped the sword in his hand, ready to strike at any moment.

Just then, the proprietor of the tea house placed a freshly brewed hot tea in front of Chen Tang, stepping sideways to interpose between the two of them.

"Boss Li, what is this about?"

He Shiyao’s face maintained its smile, though his eyes revealed a hint of coldness.

The tea house owner smiled apologetically, said, "A guest is a guest, any grievances can wait until the guest has finished their tea.

"Besides, the Young Shopkeeper is the top of the Earth Ranking, possessing formidable martial prowess, if you start a fight, you might collapse my small and humble shop. You both should continue your business outside later, haha!"

Top of the Earth Ranking!

Chen Tang felt a chill in his heart.

He knew that the tea house owner was kindly reminding him.