Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

A man and a woman walked side by side along the mountain path leading to Qingniugong.

Jiang Ding had released the Art of Small Concealment—the place was too crowded.

”’Dream Eating Sword Demon’ Jiang Ding!”

”Number one on the Dragon and Phoenix List!”

Many people exclaimed in surprise, stopping to watch this legend from the Dragon and Phoenix List who always appeared mysteriously. Some of them had eyes full of fervent admiration.

He had defeated a Xiantian!

This was the apex talent of the Jianghu, with no Master emerging, he was unrivaled in the martial world!

”Brother Ding, Qiyu Sect typically holds the Ascending Immortal Conference every ten years, and each time it’s presided over by inner disciples at the Peak of Qi Practising. This time is special; we might see Foundation-building elders.”

”Qiyu Sect represents the Righteous Path, and the senior experts all have grace. They won’t take lives at the drop of a hat like the Xiexiu, so our safety is much more assured.”

Chen Xi, with her charming appearance and dignified aura, whispered to the person next to her. Her imperceptible aura spread out, discouraging many young women from the Dragon and Phoenix List who intended to approach for a conversation, causing their expressions to turn to defeat as they backed away.

”Foundation-building elders...”

Jiang Ding pondered with a feeling of unease.

This Foundation-building cultivator might not harm him, but the sheer power itself was an intangible deterrence, and nobody dared to ignore such danger.

It seemed that being the center of attention was inappropriate; he was unaccustomed to it.

”I have other matters to attend to, Your Highness, please excuse me.”

With a light tap of his foot, he willingly stepped into the crowd. Amidst gasps of surprise, he changed his position several times and swiftly disappeared without a trace.

”Brother Ding...”

Chen Xi felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. She stamped her foot, attempting to use her ’presumed presence of someone’ method to search again, but to no avail—she could no longer spot him.

Qingniugong, the back mountain.

In contrast to the bustling excitement at the front of the mountain where the heroes of the Dragon and Phoenix List and the enthusiastic people of the Jianghu gathered, this place was very quiet. Even when disciples from the palace occasionally passed by, they did so silently.

Jiang Ding arrived near a serene pavilion and released a strand of his aura.

”Who’s there?”

A low shout came, accompanied by the faint sound of swords clashing, enough to rattle even a Xiantian.

’Is this a Master of the Jianghu who has touched the edge of ’intention’?’

Jiang Ding was taken aback.

Encountering this specialized spiritual force for the first time, he instinctively had an epiphany, with numerous thoughts flooding his mind.

Three times the Divine Soul of his peers!

Just as those with Sky Spiritual Roots had an exceptional affinity for a particular type of Spiritual Energy, it seemed he also had a talent, stimulated by the ’intention’ of the Master, hinting at an awakening.

”Junior Jiang Ding pays his respects to the Master!”

After much thought and finding no clear answers, Jiang Ding suppressed his scattered thoughts and looked respectfully at a gaunt old man who had come out from the pavilion, appearing to be over sixty, and greeted him with a bow.

The foremost among the three major Sects,

Daoist Qing!

The man with the highest martial arts achievements in these realms!

Even though he no longer feared the combat power of a Master, he still held respect for someone who had reached the pinnacle in certain fields.

”’Dream Eating Sword Demon’ Jiang Ding? Truly an outstanding youth!”

Daoist Qing’s expression was serious. With his skill at the Master Realm, if Jiang Ding had not voluntarily released a trace of his aura, even he might not have known someone was approaching.

”You’ve reached Xiantian?”

His body trembled slightly, showing hints of astonishment.

As the mentor of Li Qingyun, he naturally knew how formidable a person with such talent would become upon reaching Xiantian, a force to be reckoned with even for Masters.

”My friend, how muddleheaded you are!”

Daoist Qing clutched his wrist in regret, as if seeing a flawless jade stained with dust: ”Xiantian would damage the Spiritual Root’s potential; haven’t your elders told you that?”

”I had too much Inner Qi; I couldn’t control it and broke through,” Jiang Ding explained, having also released some of his Concealment Technique in preparation to face Foundation-building cultivators.

”Alas, it seems you indeed lack a mentor,” Daoist Qing’s gaze softened considerably. Being fellow Xiantian cultivators, there was an innate affinity, leading him to take Jiang Ding to a pavilion where he started a fire and brewed tea, the fragrance of which filled the air.

”Elder, can I no longer join Qiyu Sect after reaching Xiantian?” Jiang Ding asked.

”Others naturally would be so, but you will not.”

Daoist Qing shook his head: ”You and Qingyun are the same; your talents are too exceptional. Even with some damage, you are still far stronger than most, it’s just a pity... it could have been even better.”

”That’s good.”

Jiang Ding nodded.

In his heart, he was quite satisfied; being too conspicuous was not his pursuit.

If it weren’t for the Qiyu Sect’s dominance in this region leaving no space for Loose Cultivators, and the Xuetu Hall being too treacherous, he would never have joined any sect.

”Elder, I have come this time to inquire about the affairs of the Qiyu Sect. Should there be an answer, there will surely be a reward.”

Jiang Ding offered a cupped fist salute.

”Young friend, please speak.”

Daoist Qing showed a serious expression.

Such a genius, with qualifications to match his disciple, Li Qingyun, could surpass him by who knows how much in a short time once they began cultivating. His promise was of great value.

”Has the elder seen the people from the Qiyu Sect?”

”Is it possible they were impersonated by the Xiexiu from the Xuetu Hall?”

Jiang Ding stared at him, his divine soul attuned threefold with the gold affinity spiritual energy particles between heaven and earth, amplifying his perception to the maximum.

This was the question he cared about most.

”During the chaos in Yuejing, an elder called on me. I can answer this question for my young friend.”

Daoist Qing stroked his beard and said with a smile, ”I do not recognize the Foundation-building elder, but I do recognize the young cultivator in a robe that accompanied him; he is the disciple of the previous guardian Immortal teacher, sent away before the battle.”

”Besides that, there was also an old Daoist wearing a thunder-patterned robe; I have seen him come to preside over the Ascending Immortal Conference a decade ago.”

”What I have told you is what I witnessed, and it should be correct.”

”In that case, thank you very much.”

Jiang Ding stood up, offered a salutation with cupped fists, left behind a bottle of green elixirs, and turned to leave.

”This item is a fortuitous find of mine, useful in enhancing a Xiantian Martial Artist’s True Qi. I present it as a gift to you, elder.”

Daoist Qing was surprised.

...

Several hours later,

a youth in blue clothes appeared near Luofeng Slope, slightly astonished, and hurried in a certain direction.

In a corner of the forest,

a young man with an aura of coldness and a handsome monk wielding a Vajra Zen stick were either leaning against a tree or seated in meditation.

It was none other than the third and forth ranked on the Dragon and Phoenix List, ”Half Ghost” Wu Makong and ”Vajra” Fa Zheng.

What surprised Jiang Ding was exactly this.

”Who’s there?”

The two turned their heads simultaneously.

A youth in blue clothes approached.

”It’s you again!”

”Half Ghost” Wu Makong frowned slightly, displeased.

If it weren’t for this person, he might have successfully killed the ”Banished Immortal” Li Qingyun. With his greatest competitor gone, his future in the Qiyu Sect would be much brighter.

After all, such Jianghu killings were normal, and without external interference, the Qiyu Sect tolerated such occasional occurrences.

”I have seen you, Benefactor Jiang.”

Monk Fa Zheng greeted with a smile, his hands pressed together in salute.

”I have a question.”

Jiang Ding returned the salute to the monk and then turned to Wu Makong, saying directly, ”Seeing as the Wolf God Cult is obviously involved with the Xiexiu, why do you still dare to show up here, aren’t you afraid of being killed?”

”Heh, what’s it to you!”

Wu Makong sneered.

Clang!

An Azure Flying Sword soared into the air, its icy Sword Qi spilling out all around.

This question was very important to him; if the Xuetu Hall had ties with the Qiyu Sect, his life, having once killed an important member of its direct lineage, would be in great danger.

”Both the righteous and demonic cultivators can become potential disciples of the Qiyu Sect; it’s been that way for nearly a thousand years, they hold no prejudices.”

Wu Makong quickly explained, ”As long as one can prove that they have no direct involvement with Xiexiu, and their qualification is not ambiguous, they can enter the Sect.”

”So it is, thank you, Brother Wu Makong.”

Jiang Ding’s expression eased, and he withdrew his Flying Sword.