Shi Xin was extremely anxious. Suddenly, the demonic aura within him surged. Despite having a long sword behind him, he didn't use it. Instead, streams of potent fist intent rose, and with a lift of his arm, he unleashed a powerful punch imbued with immense power towards the protective barrier of Winter Spring Sword Sect. His eyes, blazing with intense light, fixed on Leng Yan within the barrier. He laughed, "What is love at first sight? It's all in this punch!"
A deafening roar echoed, and the entire protective formation vibrated. A fine, intricate crack even appeared at the mountain gate.
"???"
Lin Zhao was stunned. Was this person too impatient? Was he going to smash the mountain protection barrier and snatch Miss Leng away directly?
Beside him, Tang Guangjun had already placed a hand on his sword hilt, ready to draw it and deal with this eleventh-realm demon warrior at Lin Zhao's command.
Just then, figures descended from the mountain. It was Lu Guiyi, leading a group of Winter Spring Sword Sect disciples in the middle five realms. Seeing Shi Xin and the group of demons outside, and then looking at Leng Yan, Lin Zhao, and Tang Guangjun, Lu Guiyi's beautiful eyes were filled with suspicion. What play was this? Where did these demons come from?
However, Lin Zhao noticed that Lu Guiyi wore a dark blue dragon-carved jade plaque at her waist. The dragon patterns exuded a solemn aura, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item. Tang Guangjun also frowned, thinking, "Mountain Master, I think I understand why these demons have come to Winter Spring Sword Sect to challenge us."
"How so?"
"The treasure at Lu Guiyi's waist, if I'm not mistaken, is the legendary Dragon Wall. It's a supreme treasure of the immortal-grade middle tier. This Dragon Wall can gather spiritual energy from heaven and earth. As long as Lu Guiyi keeps it within Winter Spring Sword Sect, the spiritual energy in Winter Spring Mountain and Winter Spring Valley will be abundant, nurturing many spiritual flowers and exotic plants. This will be a great fortune."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and said, "Let's not act yet. After all, this is Winter Spring Sword Sect's matter. Let's see if they can resolve it themselves and give them an opportunity to temper themselves. Tang Guangjun, you'll provide support later. No one from Winter Spring Sword Sect must die, or I'll hold you accountable."
"Mountain Master."
Tang Guangjun scratched his head. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just draw my sword and cut down these demons?"
"It's different."
Lin Zhao frowned. "We happened to be visiting today and can resolve this crisis. But what if we're not here next time? Winter Spring Sword Sect needs to have its own foundation. In any case, you'll provide support later. If the situation turns bad, draw your sword immediately. You don't need to wait for my order."
"Yes, subordinate understands!"
...
"Junior Sister."
Lu Guiyi's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Disable the protective formation. I want to see what they intend to do."
"Mmm."
Leng Yan's jade slip glowed, and the protective formation covering the entire Winter Spring Sword Sect immediately dispersed. Lu Guiyi, carrying her long sword, slowly stepped forward.
Lin Zhao immediately brought Tang Guangjun forward, cupped his fists, and said, "Sect Leader Lu, long time no see. I've come to visit Miss Leng."
"Oh."
Lu Guiyi's dimples deepened into a smile. "Unfortunately, our Winter Spring Sword Sect is currently facing a challenge from visitors. I apologize if Mountain Master finds it amusing."
"Sect Leader, please don't say that!"
Tang Guangjun laughed heartily. "We're all family, why speak as outsiders?!"
Instantly, a blush spread across Leng Yan's pretty face, like a ripe red apple in autumn. She pouted, thinking that this Tang Guangjun wasn't too bad. Apart from his looks, his words were quite pleasant to hear.
"Hmph!"
Shi Xin huffed indignantly and pointed at Lin Zhao. "So you're all together. I thought you were one of us just now. But that's fine too. When we fight later, I'll cut down both of you useless fools, saving us the trouble of dividing the spoils!"
"Alright!"
Lin Zhao raised his eyebrows. "If you have the guts, then cut!"
At this moment, Lu Guiyi stepped forward, cupped her fists towards Shi Xin, and said, "Esteemed Demon Immortal, as a demon saint of the upper five realms in this mountain, may I ask why you have come to challenge Winter Spring Sword Sect, and what is your objective?"
"Objective?"
Shi Xin glanced at Lu Guiyi's waist, then looked at Leng Yan. He laughed, "The Dragon Wall at your waist is a supreme treasure of the Great Wilderness. Saints are rare, and you, Lu Guiyi, are indeed a blessed individual to have stumbled upon such a treasure. However, your mere Winter Spring Sword Sect is not worthy of possessing such a treasure. It's not impossible to resolve this crisis today."
He narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Hand over the Dragon Wall. In addition, hand over your most beautiful junior sister. From now on, she will be my mountain companion, Shi Xin."
"Oh?"
Lu Guiyi narrowed her eyes and smiled. "I'm afraid I must decline. My junior sister is stubborn and already has someone she cares for. Moreover, with your appearance, Shi Xin, I doubt my junior sister would fancy you. As for the Dragon Wall, if you have the ability, come and take it. Do you think Lu Guiyi is afraid of you?"
"Refusing a toast and insisting on a penalty drink!?"
Shi Xin sneered, "Fine, then let me see how capable you, a tenth-realm sword cultivator, are, to dare challenge me, a dignified upper five-realm cultivator! If you lose, hmph, you yourself will have to return to my mountain with me. Your junior sister will be the wife, and you will be the subordinate!"
"Dream on!"
Lu Guiyi thrust her sword forward, its brilliance dazzling. She was indeed worthy of being a tenth-realm wild cultivator with a deep foundation. Lu Guiyi's tenth-realm sword cultivation was solid and robust, her sword intent profound, and her swordsmanship exceptional. She was already quite close to the eleventh realm. Now, with the middle-grade Dragon Wall by her side, Lu Guiyi was only one step away from the upper five realms.
In the air, fist qi continuously compressed and exploded. Shi Xin's punch collided with Lu Guiyi's sword strike, and he didn't gain any advantage at all. This surprised Shi Xin. Lu Guiyi of Winter Spring Sword Sect indeed had some skill. Thus, Shi Xin retreated rapidly, choosing to fight in the woodland beside the mountain gate. His fist intent surged powerfully, and he threw punches in succession. Lu Guiyi, with her profound sword intent, continuously deflected the opponent's attacks with sword qi, while also looking for opportunities to counterattack. However, due to the realm difference, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage in the short term, but in the long run, she would certainly not be able to defeat Shi Xin, an eleventh-realm demon.
"Damn it!"
A lean man stepped forward. He was a Nascent Soul stage mountain goblin. He squinted at the group of female disciples of Winter Spring Sword Sect ahead and laughed, "Brothers, we can't let Brother Shi fight alone. When we divide the women later, everyone will get a share. Come, come!"
He pointed at Leng Yan and said, "It's you. Do you dare to fight me?"
Leng Yan didn't hesitate and slashed with her sword. Her two natal flying swords spun rapidly, their attacks exceptionally fierce. In an instant, she had cut down the lean man into the nearby valley, followed by a continuous display of various sword skills.
The other demons rushed forward, engaging in pitched battles with the disciples of Winter Spring Sword Sect.
Finally, an old man in a deep red robe squinted. He was a Star River stage redwood tree spirit. His eyes were fixed on the immortal gourd at Lin Zhao's waist, clearly recognizing it as a treasure. He smiled slightly, "Kid, do you need me to send you on your way?"
Lin Zhao frowned. "In such a hurry to die?"
"Tsk tsk, you think you're in a position to say that?"
The redwood tree spirit chuckled contemptuously. "A mere lower five-realm cultivator, why are you so arrogant?"
"Oh?!"
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. "Then open your dog eyes and watch!"
With a "swish," a Speed Talisman ignited in Lin Zhao's left hand. The moment it ignited, the entire world seemed to freeze. Then, a powerful, imposing fist intent surged around Lin Zhao. With a "swish," his body vanished from its original position. The next moment he reappeared, a heavy punch landed on the redwood tree spirit's abdomen. Although it was just a punch from a third-realm martial artist, Lin Zhao's punch was extraordinary. It was a punch supported by his ninth-realm cultivation, and it contained a wisp of chaotic fist intent gifted by Mr. Bai. Therefore, the power of this punch was far more than what the paper data suggested.
"Bang!"
The redwood tree spirit let out a mournful cry. After taking the punch, its body arched, and it spat out a mouthful of blood. The next moment, Lin Zhao's body shot up, and a lightning-fast "Dragon Leaping from Dry Land" strike landed on the redwood tree spirit's chin, sending the tree spirit soaring into the sky. Lin Zhao landed back on the ground. The moment he touched the ground, he flicked his finger, and five immortal swords and twelve ancient desolate swords appeared behind him, "Screech, screech, screech," they shot towards the sky, exploding with damage numbers on the redwood tree spirit's body.
...
"Good! So refreshing!"
The redwood tree spirit's red robe was tattered by the numerous flying swords. Its Star River stage foundation slowly began to operate. Its profound demonic aura furiously drew in spiritual energy from heaven and earth to repair the injuries inflicted by Lin Zhao. Its eyes narrowed, and it coldly sneered, "I didn't expect such combat power from a Nascent Soul sword cultivator in the Northern Region. This trip was not in vain. Not only will I take your head, but I will also open your spiritual aperture and seize your flying swords!"
As it spoke, a sky full of fierce flames erupted. This Ghost-God level boss activated its skill, unleashing a torrent of fire rain!
"Buzz buzz buzz~~~"
The fire rain was dense and unavoidable. But as these deadly fire rains fell upon him, a wisp of immortal garment appeared on the surface of Lin Zhao's armor, radiating golden streams of light, deflecting over 80% of the damage. This was the effect of the Golden Armored Immortal Garment. However, along with the damage reduction effect of the Golden Armored Immortal Garment, the spiritual energy within the Golden Armored Immortal Garment in the treasure slot was also continuously decreasing. Once it reached zero, the Golden Armored Immortal Garment would become ineffective and would need to be slowly nurtured with spiritual energy.
However, today he was fearless!
The next moment, Lin Zhao soared into the sky, drew the Li Quan Sword, and unleashed a strike!
A Sword Strike to Sever Immortals!
In the air, the redwood tree spirit let out a mournful cry. A deep sword gash appeared on its shoulder, bleeding profusely. Simultaneously, with a thought from Lin Zhao, the mouth of the orange gourd opened, and streams of fine flying swords, like gnats, flew out. In an instant, "screech, screech, screech," they pierced through the redwood tree spirit's chest, leaving behind extremely fine blood holes, like a light, unavoidable rain. Even a Star River stage cultivator like the redwood tree spirit could barely perceive or evade them.