Chapter 119: The Master Arrives in Person
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“Please ascend to heaven, Sect Master Yan!”
When he heard those bone-chilling words, Yan Shikui finally sensed a stern killing intent exploding above his head.
Li Guanxuan’s combat power was not that of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. It was comparable to his own peak Foundation Establishment cultivation!
“Attack!”
Yan Shikui roared without hesitation.
The sword formation had already been activated. Escaping was no longer possible. His only chance of survival was for those outside to break the formation!
The Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had already arrived. He flung out two top-grade second-tier formation-breaking talismans and simultaneously activated a magical pearl, hurling it toward the sword formation.
Boom!
The sword formation, still in motion, shook violently.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Shikui dodged the lethal sword intent while continuously attacking the formation, trying to break free.
“This is bad. The Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion has made his move.”
“These two major factions are utterly shameless. They couldn’t defeat a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator in a one-on-one match, so they actually joined forces against him!”
“Heh, I think it’s perfectly normal. This is exactly how righteous sect cultivators behave.”
“...”
Many demonic cultivators inside and outside Silver Maple City were watching the battle.
Among them were Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Illusory Extremity Sect, the Black Rain Sect, and Starfall Valley.
Yu Jie watched Li Guanxuan with a complicated expression.
He had already sensed that this man’s strength was terrifyingly formidable, but he had never expected him to confront a peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator while possessing only sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation!
...
A trace of gloom flashed through Li Guanxuan’s eyes. He turned his icy gaze toward the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion and said indifferently:
“Like helping others? Then accompany him to heaven!”
As his words fell, Li Guanxuan activated a talismanic artifact. One top-grade second-tier offensive thunder talisman after another shot through the air toward the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion.
There were fifteen thunder talismans in all!
Li Guanxuan had nourished these thunder talismans with his magical power for ten years. The instant they were released, thunder filled the sky like divine punishment, surging down upon the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion.
“Not good!”
The Grand Elder’s expression changed drastically. Gazing at the overwhelming thunder descending from above, his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
He had never imagined that Li Guanxuan could be so sinister and cunning!
Thunder talismans nourished for ten years, released all at once, were absolutely capable of killing a peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator.
“Master, save me!”
The Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion cried out in terror.
For the sake of survival, he could no longer afford to care about anything else.
Reputation, prestige, and all such things were utterly unimportant!
Staying alive was what mattered most!
An aura belonging to a False Core True Person suddenly rose.
Inside Silver Maple City, Cao Feng said solemnly, “True Person Bi, please lend us your aid!”
The Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion was about to make a move. Cao Feng could only ask the False Core True Person beside him to intervene. Only then could Li Guanxuan be shielded from the power of a True Person.
However, the False Core True Person surnamed Bi felt his heart sink. After pondering for several seconds, he shook his head.
“Cao Feng, I dare not become entangled in this man’s karmic burden. The Thunderfire Sect and the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion are both immensely powerful. If I intervene, I will certainly die. Please forgive me.”
The ancestor of the Thunderfire Sect, Lei Gongwang, was still concealed nearby. If he helped Li Guanxuan now, Lei Gongwang would certainly kill him afterward.
How could he help?
There was simply no way!
Hearing True Person Bi’s reply, Cao Feng’s expression froze. Lowering his voice, he said, “You only need to stop the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion.”
As the lord of a city, Cao Feng’s tone carried a rare hint of pleading.
Li Guanxuan was Qin Wujie’s brother-in-law. If he could not even protect Qin Wujie’s family, how could he face him in the future?
“I’m sorry.”
The False Core True Person surnamed Bi let out a long sigh and shook his head again.
He had agreed to guard Silver Maple City, but he had never agreed to take action.
Besides, the trouble Li Guanxuan had stirred up was far too great—so great that even he had no choice but to avoid it. How could he possibly become involved?
Seeing the determination in True Person Bi’s eyes and knowing that he would not help, Cao Feng gritted his teeth and turned his gaze toward the city gates.
He had done everything he could and everything he should...
Now, whether Li Guanxuan could survive depended on whether Liu Xiaoxian was willing to abandon the formation of a True Core and form only a False Core in order to save this beloved disciple.
...
“Even the immortals cannot save you!”
Li Guanxuan sensed the aura of the False Core True Person. His opponent had even locked onto him with divine sense.
But the two sides already bore a blood feud and would never rest until one of them was dead. If Li Guanxuan retreated now, he would still face a devastating attack. He might as well kill the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion first.
His killing intent soared to the heavens. Li Guanxuan seized a long sword imbued with lethal sword intent and swung it violently.
Rolling sword qi swept forward. In an instant, it shattered the Grand Elder’s body, then tore it apart completely.
When the thunder descended, his dantian and sea of qi were annihilated, and the fragments of his flesh vanished within the sea of lightning.
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Rumble...
The thunder was deafening.
The Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had fallen!
“Li Guanxuan!”
The False Core True Person’s voice was filled with fury. A water-element spirit arrow suddenly tore through the air.
Li Guanxuan’s expression tightened. Without the slightest hesitation, he struck out with his second third-tier magical puppet.
This was the life-saving trump card Liu Xiaoxian had left for him.
It was also a third-tier puppet refined from Purple Feather Tear Gold, which he had helped purchase in the past at Huajing Immortal City.
Pfft!
The water-element spirit arrow pierced the third-tier puppet. Although it had not yet completely exhausted its magical power, its combat strength had already been reduced by half.
Li Guanxuan withdrew the sword formation, seized the third-tier puppet, and retreated at full speed.
He had originally intended to use his many trump cards to kill Yan Shikui first. He had never expected the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion to leap forward and throw away his life at such a time.
Another spirit arrow shot toward him at great speed. However, because the distance was too great, Li Guanxuan simply controlled his sword and dodged it.
At that moment, Cao Feng opened the city-protecting formation, allowing Li Guanxuan to enter the city directly.
When the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion attempted to charge into Silver Maple City, Cao Feng resolutely raised the city-protecting formation and said coldly:
“Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion, magic is forbidden within Silver Maple City. No cultivator may engage in combat here. Please forgive us.”
True Person Bi would not help Li Guanxuan, but surely he would not simply stand by and watch Cao Feng die as well, would he?
“Hand Li Guanxuan over to me, and the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion will withdraw at once!”
The Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion was a woman. Her mature and beautiful face was now twisted with rage as she stared fixedly at Cao Feng.
“Do not overestimate yourself. This man is certain to die!”
Facing the threat of a False Core True Person, Cao Feng was unwilling to become mortal enemies with her. But now...
He repeated coldly:
“Magic is forbidden within Silver Maple City. No cultivator may engage in combat here. Those who disobey will be executed!”
His voice was like thunder, resounding across the heavens!
Within Silver Maple City, countless cultivators were stunned by Cao Feng’s declaration.
Was he truly prepared to tear all pretense aside and clash head-on with the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion?
True Person Bi’s eyelids twitched violently.
This favor from Cao Feng would not be easy to repay...
Yet he also knew that Cao Feng enjoyed making friends far and wide. His decision to protect Li Guanxuan at all costs might be rooted in another bond of loyalty.
Seeing that the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion was about to erupt, True Person Bi hurriedly appeared before Cao Feng and cupped his hands.
“Fellow Daoist, Cao Feng’s identity is extraordinary. Please show some understanding.”
Hearing this, the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion drew a deep breath and glared at Cao Feng.
“You cannot protect him for long!”
“How long I can protect him is how long I will protect him.”
Cao Feng’s expression was resolute.
This was his promise to a brother. No matter what happened, he had to fulfill it.
Just as Li Guanxuan had treated Chen Yinshan.
Even knowing that the Scarlet Chain Mountains were a mountain of blades and sea of flames, Li Guanxuan had still gone there without hesitation to rescue his brother.
Most cultivators were heartless by nature. Cao Feng did not want to become such a person. Even if others called him an outlier, he did not care in the slightest.
Demonic cultivators had always acted according to their own hearts!
True Person Bi also wanted to draw a clear line between himself and the matter. He sighed and said, “Cao Feng, we agreed beforehand that I can remain in Silver Maple City for only one year.”
His words were also meant for the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion.
He did not want to become involved in such an incredibly complicated affair, but he had no choice but to repay Cao Feng’s favor. All he could do was make it clear that the Pavilion Master must withdraw and wait outside for a year.
To cultivators of their level, one year was no more than the blink of an eye.
Cao Feng understood his meaning. He nodded slightly without saying anything more.
He had already put True Person Bi in a difficult position. If he made any further demands, the other party might truly turn against him.
The Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion took a deep look at Cao Feng. Recalling that a Golden Core True Person was stationed in Starfall Valley, she snorted coldly and withdrew.
Cao Feng was willing to offend both the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion and the Thunderfire Sect in order to protect Li Guanxuan. She had no way to force her way into Silver Maple City.
But after one year, it would be the day of Li Guanxuan’s death...
And Cao Feng’s death as well!
...
Yan Shikui, who had narrowly escaped death, was still shaken to the core. Fear filled both his face and his eyes.
If the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had not stepped forward to block the sword just now...
Li Guanxuan would truly have killed him!
What luck. What incredible luck!
Seeing the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion confronting Cao Feng near the gates of Silver Maple City, Yan Shikui retreated another twenty li without hesitation, afraid that Li Guanxuan had left behind some sinister trick that might quietly take his life.
“The death of the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion is also a good thing for my Thunderfire Sect.”
While secretly congratulating himself, a trace of delight flashed through Yan Shikui’s eyes.
The Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had lost a peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator and now had only one False Core True Person left in command...
After this matter was settled, he could notify the ancestor and have the Thunderfire Sect annex the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion.
“Pavilion Master, I’m sorry. Brother Zou was only trying to save me, and just now...”
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The Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion waved her hand, cutting Yan Shikui off.
“Life and death are fated. Spare me these useless words. After this matter is over, the share of the spoils belonging to my Ink-and-Wash Pavilion must be increased by another twenty percent!”
Yan Shikui’s expression changed at those words. But faced with the might of a False Core True Person, he could only cup his hands.
“I will report this to the ancestor.”
“Now.”
The Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion stared at him and emphasized the word. The killing intent in her beautiful eyes was completely undisguised.
If she could not obtain a sworn promise from Yan Shikui now, she would absolutely not let him go.
The Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had already lost a peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator. If Yan Shikui were allowed to leave just like this, the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion might become a subordinate force of the Thunderfire Sect in the future.
Moreover, as the Sect Master of the Thunderfire Sect, Yan Shikui still possessed the authority to make decisions under certain circumstances.
Seeing that the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion would not yield in the slightest, Yan Shikui, his scalp numb, had no choice but to swear an oath.
Afterward, the Pavilion Master said coldly:
“Silver Maple City is now protected by a False Core True Person for one year. There is even a chance that a Golden Core True Person will come to protect it for two years. To be safe, it would be best for True Person Gongwang to personally come here and take command after one year, in case anything unexpected happens again.”
“I will notify the ancestor.”
No matter how displeased Yan Shikui felt, he could only swallow his resentment.
There was nothing he could do. The person standing before him was a False Core True Person who had extended her lifespan by a hundred years.
If he drove her to desperation, she could kill him in an instant.
...
The confrontation between Cao Feng and the Pavilion Master of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had all been witnessed by Li Guanxuan.
Big Brother Cao had truly helped him all the way to the end...
“Master, if you fail to form a Golden Core, I’m afraid none of us will be able to leave Silver Maple City alive.”
Li Guanxuan had returned to the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion in the First Market District. He looked toward the uppermost pavilion and let out a heavy sigh inwardly.
“Husband, are you all right?”
Qin Jiyue hurried over and asked with concern.
“I’m fine.”
Li Guanxuan shook his head.
“But I lost a talismanic artifact. Still, a treasured talisman nourished for ten years managed to instantly kill a peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator at a crucial moment. It was worth it.”
He had originally planned to use those items against Yan Shikui. Unexpectedly, the Grand Elder of the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion had stepped forward to block them.
Li Guanxuan looked at the third-tier puppet that had been pierced through by the Pavilion Master’s arrow and sighed.
“I’ll have to repair it during this period. Otherwise, we won’t be able to deal with the Thunderfire Sect and the Ink-and-Wash Pavilion later.”
He was now a lower-grade third-tier puppet master. Repairing a third-tier puppet was well within his abilities.
Qin Jiyue nodded.
“Before Master entered seclusion, she left behind quite a few materials. There should be more than enough for us.”
Li Guanxuan nodded slightly.
To help Liu Xiaoxian successfully form her Golden Core, he had spent the past three years exhausting all his energy and effort on the Willow-Piercing Master technique.
In theory, the immortal aura should have been enough for Liu Xiaoxian to form her Golden Core.
After all, it had been accumulated for three whole years.
“Manager Dong, I’ll leave things here in your hands. I need to return home for a while,” Li Guanxuan said.
“Rest assured, Brother Li.”
Manager Dong nodded.
Of course, Li Guanxuan did not completely trust Manager Dong. He had left another third-tier puppet in the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion to protect Liu Xiaoxian while she cultivated.
Besides, Cao Feng was keeping watch as well. Any reckless peak Foundation Establishment grand cultivator who dared to interfere would be killed in less than a breath.
For the time being, Li Guanxuan planned to break through to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment and raise his talisman arts to the third tier. He would then prepare and nourish a third-tier treasured talisman to kill the ancestor of the Thunderfire Sect—Lei Gongwang!
...
After returning to the Peaceful Garden, he explained the situation to Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao. The entire family immediately began their daily fourfold cultivation.
At present, increasing their cultivation as quickly as possible was the only solution.
One year later.
Li Guanxuan successfully connected the Life Gate at his lower back and linked it to his lower Yellow Court. He condensed his sixtieth drop of liquid magical power and entered the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment!
His talisman arts had also reached the third tier.
His alchemy remained at the upper second tier. After all, he had not had time to practice alchemy.
His formation and artifact-refining skills were respectively upper second tier and upper first tier.
The third-tier puppet had been fully repaired, along with several damaged magical flying swords.
“It has been nearly a year, yet Master still shows no sign of successfully forming her Golden Core...”
Li Guanxuan gazed at the spiritual-sea vortex in the sky, his heart unbearably heavy.
Could Master be attempting to form a Purple-Gold Core?
“Cao Feng, hand him over!”
“Otherwise, we will destroy the city!”
Outside Silver Maple City, the aura of a True Core True Person enveloped the entire spiritual city.
He even seemed intent on shattering the spiritual-sea vortex, but after considering the power of the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion, he restrained himself somewhat.
Li Guanxuan’s eyes narrowed.
He saw Cao Feng leave the city to receive the newcomers, only to be struck by Lei Gongwang and seriously wounded.
End of Chapter
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