Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

The figure clad in a black robe finished repairing the formation method and sat silently at the edge of the Blood Pool.

Yet he was never able to settle into meditation.

”My heart’s blood is restless.”

He opened his eyes and did not ignore this fleeting impulse, as Divine Sense continuously scanned the area within nearly a hundred meters, recalling all the incidents he had encountered these days, but to no avail.

”Could it be that the elders in my clan have suffered a defeat at the frontline?”

A chill went through the heart of the man in the black robe.

...

Several hundred miles southeast,

the Qixuan Secret Cave, naturally formed and later artificially modified, had become an incredibly complex underground maze of caverns where many from Jianghu fought and contended. It was not unusual for blood to be shed among Xiantian martial artists.

However, what everyone did not know was that far away, on top of a towering peak, two Daoists were watching over this area, one old and one young, both with thunder patterns on their robes.

The one with the strongest presence was the elder with a benevolent face.

”Master, Daoist Zhou Falai really went to Jindaoshan Mountain,” reported the younger Daoist with excitement on his face as a talisman flickered in his hand.

”We deliberately created a false array, ostentatiously leaking information about a treasure that clearly screamed trap, in addition to our lair being attacked. The direct descendant from the Hua Xue Yu family of the Xuetu Hall cannot come anymore.”

”Indeed, Zhou Falai is an idiot. He was like that when he was young, and he hasn’t changed even now,” the benevolent old Daoist stroked his beard and smiled faintly, ”He thinks he has an array-breaking magic tool, but he doesn’t know that this tool is what I have leftover from my younger days.”

”Disciple, the secret cave left by Ancestor Zhongxing for his descendants was damaged in an earthquake, and it was further degraded after these mortals stumbled upon it by chance, completely destroying the formation method.”

”I had planned to use thunderous methods to kill these ignorant mortals to protect the arrangements set by Ancestor Zhongxing, but unexpectedly...”

The benevolent old Daoist showed a look of compassion for the world: ”The descendants of Ancestor Zhongxing once served as emperors for two dynasties, their bloodline spread throughout Yue Country. Although these mortals have diluted blood, they can still be considered descendants of Ancestor Zhongxing; it’s a family affair of Ancestor Zhongxing.

I cannot overstep my bounds and interfere. I can only repair Ancestor Zhongxing’s arrangements a little, striving to preserve the cave for the descendants to maintain a trace of incense.”

The young Daoist chuckled and said, ”Then, the Golden Stone Foundation Building Pill left by Ancestor Zhongxing for his descendants just so happened to be lost amid the chaos.”

”Coincidence, coincidental.”

”The descendants of Ancestor Zhongxing squander their heritage, what can we, the disciples, do about it?”

The elder patted his head and with a body light as smoke and clouds, drifted towards the secret cave. The young Daoist hurriedly followed with quick steps, the faint sound of his voice trailing behind him.

”Master, we’re both at the peak of Qi practicing, you have several decades on me, so why fear that man from Jindaoshan Mountain?”

”What do you mean fear? That person is the direct descendant of the Hua Xue Yu family of Xuetu Hall. Although I am confident in dealing with him, it’s better not to confront him if possible...”

...

Several tens of kilometers from Jindaoshan Mountain,

Jiang Ding switched to another surveillance location, waiting for a slim chance of opportunity.

”A top-grade magic tool, anti-material sniper rifle, I need this.”

”Think of a way.”

The longer the wait, the more variables there would be; he didn’t want to wait any longer.

”Actually, there’s not much of a way. As an ordinary citizen with no connections or channels, I can only apply with the Array Spirit to take the anti-material sniper rifle and bullets home.”

”If that doesn’t work, then I’ll purchase a half magic tool heavy machine gun. I’m not of age, but mom can buy it. As long as it’s not taken out of the house, self-defense and collecting are completely legal.”

Jiang Ding’s mind raced with many thoughts.

He was confident about convincing his mother to make the purchase since he had always been a reliable figure since childhood, unlike Jiang Yuan, that mischievous spirit.

And the excuse was easy to find.

The college entrance exam took place in the Tai Xu Fantasy Realm, requiring familiarity with firearms beyond what limited time at school could provide.

Jiang Ding was very patient and waited outside Jindaoshan Mountain for seven days to no avail.

He finally gave up on the fantasy that the figure in the black robe would leave Jindaoshan Mountain again.

In truth, even if the figure left, he didn’t know if he could deal with that formation method, nor if someone was still invisibly infiltrated in the vicinity—utterly dangerous.

It was just wishful thinking and fantasy.

He stood up and left.

Glancing at the drone footage, he suddenly moved and hurried toward a nearby spot.

”This trip has not been entirely fruitless, after all.”

...

In the dense forest, a chase was unfolding.

The one being hunted down was a youth with slightly dark skin and exceedingly ordinary features, he exploded with all his inner energy, madly sprinting toward a large river far away in hopes of grasping a sliver of a chance to escape.

Ranked ninety-second on the Dragon and Phoenix List, ’Qingyun Sword’ Han Lin!

”Boy, stop!”

”Young friend, as long as you hand over the treasure you obtained from the secret cave, I am willing to take you as my disciple,” the two pursuers alternated, one’s voice carrying a chilling murderous intention and the other’s voice kind and trustworthy, making space for attacks between them to quickly close the distance with him.

```

If someone from Jianghu had seen the faces of these two, they would have been awestruck, prostrating on the ground in worship, not daring to overstep in the slightest.

Patriarch Jin Dao, Wei Tu!

’Mountain-Splitting Divine Sword’, Song Lingyun!

They were both renowned Xiantian powerhouses in Jianghu, capable of determining the life and death of countless Jianghu folk with just a word.

Xiantian was far superior to Inner Qi. In just a few breaths, the two Xiantians had already increased the distance to dozens of meters from Han Lin, with a vast difference in speed.

”Damn it!”

Han Lin’s eyes showed fear, but not despair. He bit his lip, took out a green-fogged talisman from his chest, bit open his fingertip, and smeared the blood on it.

Hum!

The talisman trembled, and a hazy green light emerged, enveloping him and causing his speed to surge by more than four or five times, widening the gap once again.

”A treasure of the immortals from the secret cave!”

The two behind him grew even more eager. After exchanging a glance, they stopped interfering with each other and burst out at full speed to chase after him.

Han Lin’s heart sank.

Most of the talisman was now used. In another half a moment, he feared...

Whoosh!

A majestic sword-light came from the distance, flew over his head, and slashed towards one of those in hot pursuit behind him.

”Who’s there!”

The complexion of Patriarch Jin Dao, Wei Tu changed. Xiantian True Qi erupted, all pouring into the Golden Massive Saber, unleashing a massive sword Qi several zhang in size.

Boom!

Yet the pale blue flying sword didn’t retreat. It slashed straight down, and at the moment of impact, the blue light was incredibly sharp, easily splitting the massive golden sword Qi in two, with both halves exploding into fragments in the air.

The flying sword’s Spiritual Light remained undiminished, continuing its trajectory towards him.

”...Hundred Step Flying Sword... good...”

Patriarch Jin Dao, Wei Tu was startled, then frenzied, his eyes turning blood-red as he looked towards the youth in blue clothes a hundred steps away, ”Good, there you are, you mongrel dog who killed my son!”

’Mountain-Splitting Divine Sword’, Song Lingyun’s expression changed, he came to a halt, warily looking towards the faint blue figure in the distance.

”Master!”

Han Lin was ecstatic, feeling as if he had found salvation from a desperate situation.

Jiang Ding didn’t look at him, but with a flick of his finger, he directed the flying sword to slash down once more.

The reason he had previously taken somewhat of an interest in this youth was out of compassion for the innocence of the lower classes, not because of any special sentiment towards him.

Now, the other was already known across the world as a person of Jianghu, and naturally, that compassion and protection had disappeared.

Clang, clang, clang!

The flying sword soared in the sky, the pale blue sword light flickering as it consecutively launched three slashes, each one easily cutting through large swathes of Wei Tu’s sword Qi. Thin wisps of keen Sword Qi burrowed into his arm, tearing open wounds and seeping into his meridians.

Jiang Ding’s expression was calm.

At the level of the Talisman Sword, when he was still at the Small Circle of Vital Energy stage, he had already managed to fend off Wan Qianyu, who was as famous as Patriarch Jin Dao. Now, naturally, he was expected to do so.

”Brother Song, let’s join forces!”

After three moves, Patriarch Jin Dao, Wei Tu’s complexion changed drastically, the blood in his eyes fading, replaced by fear as he bellowed to his not-so-distant companion.

The Hundred Step Flying Sword was exceedingly sharp, but its Sword Master was the weak point!

Yet unexpectedly, the ’Mountain-Splitting Divine Sword’ of Qingniugong, Song Lingyun didn’t even spare him a glance, continuing to pursue Han Lin who took this opportunity to flee, not wanting to burden his benefactor further.

What a joke!

The two had no particular relationship, and had even fought previously. How could he forsake a treasure of the immortals to save you?

”That will do.”

Jiang Ding nodded slightly, concluding the test of the wooden sword.

The results were quite satisfactory. It should indeed be able to overpower Xiantian Martial Artists and Mid-Stage Qi Practicing Cultivators.

The flying sword pointed its tip, releasing a radiant burst of sword-light, its speed doubling once more as it shot towards Wei Tu’s throat.

”Blood and Soul Slash!”

Wei Tu, with his wealth of combat experience, felt a clear scent of death. His muscles bulged, and his fingertips cracked open, with blood integrating into the sword Qi. Faintly, the silhouette of a white bone giant whale emerged, opening its vast maw wide.

Swoosh!

The pale blue sword-light pierced through the whale’s mouth, its silhouette stagnated and then slowly dissipated.

Behind it, Patriarch Jin Dao, Wei Tu’s raised the massive saber for a downward strike, only to become rigid, with a new blood hole in his throat, clean through to the back.

A moment later, his towering body, along with the massive saber in his hands, crashed heavily to the ground.

The wooden sword circled back and flew into his sleeve.

Jiang Ding no longer glanced at his corpse and turned to leave.

He hoped it would be somewhat useful for manipulating the man in the black robe, though the chances were slim.