Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chizhong Mansion,

As the martial contest between the two exceptional ladies of heaven approached, the bustling prosperity was extraordinary, smiles adorned the faces of many pedestrians, and the clothes they wore were of fine quality, with scarcely a patch in sight.

As for beggars and the like, Jiang Ding had not seen a single one since entering the city.

It was impossible to imagine that just tens of miles away, hordes of starving folk were fleeing famine with their families, exerting all their strength just for a bite to eat.

With his sword at his side, Jiang Ding strolled down the main street, his thoughts soaring as he observed the surrounding streetscapes.

”Duke Town Dover Tong Wang has rebelled!”

”Yesterday, I saw masked men in black posting seditious flyers everywhere. I only dared to take a quick glance and didn’t dare to look closely. Now the constables are searching for suspects everywhere!”

Even the highly anticipated duel between the two exceptional beauties could not overshadow such earth-shattering news. Many whispered in hushed tones, their faces full of concern.

”That’s the least of it. I’ve heard from the merchant caravans coming from the east that all of Dongzhou has fallen. The neighboring states of Yanzhou, Wuzhou, and Qinzhou are in turmoil due to the malevolent members of the Wolf God Cult, who have declared allegiance to Duke Town Dover, vowing to eliminate the traitorous officials, cleanse the royal side, and save the common folk!”

”Hiss—Wolf God Cult is involved? The entire south must be in chaos!”

In the midst of the buzzing discussions, a patrol of constables came by, and the people around quickly shut their mouths, restoring quietude for the moment.

Jiang Ding silently walked past.

If the situation in Chizhou was not unique, then Duke Town Dover Tong Wang might just have a sliver of hope to sweep across the land and establish a new dynasty.

For him, that would be quite the dire outcome, perhaps forcing him to flee Yue Country.

At the city’s fighting arena.

By the time Jiang Ding arrived, the place was packed with a sea of people, bustling with life, and mostly young martial artists, both men and women.

Beyond the spacious arena in the center, the remaining two focal points were naturally the Bingli Pavilion and Qinghe Building where Long Xiuyun and Chen Xi were located.

Among the finches and swallows, well-spoken heroes of Jianghu mingled, each displaying their own skills, occasionally causing young ladies to giggle uncontrollably, with the scent of hormones in the air.

Jiang Ding arrived late and could only watch from a far distance on the outskirts, but fortunately, with the aid of Inner Qi, he could still see clearly.

Of course, even if he arrived early it would be to no avail. Among such a throng of young elites, he, a downtrodden swordsman in his forties, wouldn’t stand a chance to be near the action.

Jiang Ding glanced over at Gong Caiyu.

She was relatively close to Princess Qinghechang Chen Xi, seeming to receive quite a bit of attention, but she wasn’t quite comfortable in this social setting, her face tense, and she stammered when occasionally addressed by a young hero.

Fewer women than men made the Dragon and Phoenix List, and combined with those averse to such boisterous occasions, there were only about a dozen women from the list present at Bingli Pavilion and Qinghe Building.

Not accounting for family background, they were regarded by many as the most elite partner prospects available.

Gong Caiyu occasionally stood up, stood on tiptoes, jumped around to look in every direction, then sat down again, disappointed.

”Little sister Caiyu, are you looking to see if your lover has arrived?” Chen Xi teased.

”No...I’m not...” Gong Caiyu’s face flushed red instantly, and she stuttered, ”He...he isn’t my—my— that.”

”Heehee.”

Chen Xi and the circle of girls around her all revealed smiles.

”Lady Gong is too naive, don’t let that guy’s deliberate approach deceive you,” Wan You, the Young Lord Bai Hua, earnestly advised, holding a very poor impression of Jiang Ding, ”What good ever comes from someone called a ’sword demon’?”

”Indeed, sister Caiyu, you must be more cautious,” echoed the other noble ladies who often held Wan You in high regard, already prejudiced against this stranger they had never met.

Nevertheless, being fourth on the Dragon and Phoenix List made one among the strongest below the Xiantian level.

With no Xiantian presiding over their families, they dared not speak bluntly or risk offense.

”That’s not it.”

Gong Caiyu shook her head, saying no more.

”Oh, Lady Gong will understand after a few more life experiences,” Wan You sighed, no longer pressing the matter, his gaze once again settling on Chen Xi, with tender affections in his eyes as thick as honey and lingering for a long time.

The other noble daughters, the beauties from the Dragon and Phoenix List, felt somewhat jealous.

Young Lord Bai Hua Wan You, eleventh on the list, had a Xiantian-strong mother from the Sect of Ziwei Sword. Key to his allure was his good looks, loyalty, and a reputation untainted by any bad word across Jianghu—almost the ideal husband.

However, recalling the beauty, lineage, and strength of Princess Qinghechang could only lead to discouragement.

In the midst of this lively banter, a girl, encircled by a crowd of people, arrived before the group.

```

”I have met Her Highness, the Princess, and I hope for her mercy.” The ’Bingli Fairy,’ Long Xiuyun, smiled playfully and beautifully.

As one of the four great beauties of Jianghu, she was of course very beautiful, but unlike Chen Xi, she did not have an oppressive aura. Rather, she was like the girl next door, a flower under the warm spring sunlight, naturally drawing people closer and letting their guard down.

”It turns out it’s Miss Long from the Sihai Business Association, who rose to power with the patronage of our ancestors and as a servant.” Chen Xi said indifferently, ”What virtues or abilities does this palace possess to merit your mercy?”

Her words were laced with thorns.

Had the timing been right and imperial power at its peak, just these words could have greatly damaged the Sihai Business Association, leading to the imprisonment of those involved, with their execution pending a market day.

”Her Highness comes from a noble lineage, and Xiuyun would be pleased just to withstand one or half of your moves.”

Long Xiuyun bit her lip, looking pitiable, before taking her leave.

Coldness deepened in Chen Xi’s phoenix-like eyes.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, two heavenly favored maidens stepped onto the stage. Both were swordmasters; Long Xiuyun’s sword movements created a misty haze, occasionally condensing into droplets, dissipating any strong attack that came her way.

Chen Xi, on the other hand, had a different style; her swordplay was like a phoenix from the ninth heaven, swift and unmatched. Her palace dress fluttering, she struck eighteen consecutive blows, with the sound of cutting wind penetrating layers of mist and the scattering droplets pitting the ground.

Murderous intent filled the air, yet it was as beautiful as a painting.

The young heroes below watched intently, many of them seemingly gaining enlightenment.

”The top twenty on the Dragon and Phoenix List have mastered elemental powers?”

Jiang Ding mused.

This was the case with Hei Jin, with the Young Lord Bai Hua Wan You, and also with the two above.

This was another path for warriors, likely demanding high requirements for Divine Soul strength and magic comprehension, granting a huge advantage in melee combat.

Such abilities were naturally unnecessary and useless to the Xianmen Sect.

All of the specialization in ”Eagle Taking Off Technique” served to enhance the efficiency of tempering and nurturing the body’s meridians. Apart from purity and attribute overwhelm, there was nothing else.

The struggle upon the stage grew fiercer.

Contrary to Jiang Ding’s expectations, the ’Bingli Fairy’ Long Xiuyun, instead of showing the slickness expected of a merchant’s daughter, did not hold back in the fight. She drew upon her tenacity, bit by bit turning the tide and suppressing Chen Xi.

Water, the power of utmost gentleness, not characterized by bursts.

Yet once it accumulates wave by wave, even the destruction of cities and nations was a trifle.

Chen Xi repeatedly seized open flaws, attempting to make lethal strikes and pushing Long Xiuyun back more than ten steps, cutting through wave-like Sword Qi, but in the end, she could not claim victory and was overpowered by her opponent’s accumulating Yangtze River-like swordsmanship.

A water-blue longsword was placed upon her swan-like neck.

”I’ve lost.”

The ’Clear River Fairy’ Chen Xi looked very displeased, ”After this, I will never step foot into Chizhong Mansion again.”

Having said that, she gracefully descended from the arena and departed without looking back.

In the end, the nineteenth on the Dragon and Phoenix List was no match for the eighteenth!

Below the stage, many sighed in frustration, while many others cheered joyously, fearless of the royal family.

”Qinghe, you need not take it too seriously...”

Wan You, pained by what he witnessed, quickly proceeded to comfort her in a gentle voice.

”Young Lord Wan, I am tired.”

Chen Xi brushed her sleeve, pushing him several steps away coldly, and without turning her head, left with a troupe of maids hurrying after her.

There were also well-trained court ladies with expressions of guilt, repeatedly apologizing on her behalf: ”Young Lord Wan, the Princess was just momentarily embarrassed, please do not take it to heart.”

”Of course, I would not blame Qinghe, it’s just that, just that...”

Wan You, looking dejected, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart, and upon looking down, he saw a black iron needle had been inserted into his chest at an unknown time.

His heartache turned to rage, and with a palm strike, he bellowed, ”What are you doing?!”

Bang!

The maid, with her chest crushed, seemed utterly oblivious, her expression blank: ”In Qingyi’s stead, you shall be escorted to Reincarnation!”

With that, she breathed her last.

All around fell silent.

Chen Xi’s face showed shock and anger, and she quickly returned, only to see Wan You’s handsome face had turned pitch black as he too, lay lifeless.