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Wenren Jie narrowed his eyes, then took a swig of wine and burst into hearty laughter.

"Daoist Jiang truly lives up to being a great adept of Penglai. Your methods are indeed extraordinary!"

Qiao Xuan puffed away at his dry tobacco, a strange gleam in his eyes.

"Daoist Jiang is impressive indeed. With that formation just now, even this old man would not dare claim he could deal with it easily."

Young Master Kongxu's eyes widened. His right hand clenched his sword sheath tightly, his face full of disbelief. "How did he do that?"

Xu Xiao's eyes shone brightly. "I seem to have seen through a little of Daoist Jiang's methods just now."

Zhang Qing and Zhang Qingyun hurriedly looked at Xu Xiao. Even Wenren Jie, Qiao Xuan, and Young Master Kongxu turned to her, hoping that this young fairy from Qing Province's Moon-Embracing Sect, renowned throughout Qing Province, could offer some explanation.

Xu Xiao extended a slender hand and said slowly, "The attacks of our fellow Daoists just now were indeed fierce, and one could say they struck without warning. If I had been the one facing them, I certainly would not have escaped unscathed. I could only have temporarily withdrawn."

At these words, Wenren Jie, Qiao Xuan, and Young Master Kongxu all nodded.

Clearly, after putting themselves in that position, they too felt that temporarily avoiding the edge was the only correct choice.

Xu Xiao continued, "But Daoist Jiang was different. In that flash of lightning and spark, he had already made his calculations."

"If I am not mistaken, Daoist Jiang only appeared to have been bound by those green vines. What they bound was merely an afterimage. Daoist Jiang himself had already taken the chance to retreat, giving himself ample time to respond calmly."

"Those spells presumably did not injure Daoist Jiang at all, but were blocked by him one after another. Though flames flew in all directions and smoke billowed, they never even came close to him."

As she spoke, light flickered in Xu Xiao's eyes. "Daoist Jiang is indeed a great adept from Penglai. Not only is his cultivation method extraordinary, but his calm handling of danger is even more extraordinary!"

Hearing Xu Xiao's explanation, the others all fell into thought.

It sounded simple enough when put into words, but who could make a decision in the blink of an eye, predict everything without the slightest error, and launch a counterattack accordingly?

Just as each of them pondered their own thoughts, Jiang Sheng moved.

"Our fellow Daoists took the first move just now. Next, it is this poor Daoist's turn."

Before his words had faded, Jiang Sheng shot forward like a swallow. In the blink of an eye, he had closed in before Wang Tianfang. Those vines had been cast by Wang Tianfang!

He looked like a forthright, carefree swordsman with no schemes in his heart, but who would have known that he was a cultivator skilled in poison arts and self-preservation?

The sword at his waist was nothing more than decoration. His poison arts, vines, poison needles, and other methods were Wang Tianfang's true killing moves.

Seeing Jiang Sheng close in, Wang Tianfang flung out his hand in terror. One dark-green flying needle after another scattered forth, rushing straight at Jiang Sheng's face like heavenly maidens scattering flowers.

"Your foundation is unstable, your move is far too obvious, and your eyes have already betrayed you, Fellow Daoist Wang."

Jiang Sheng swept his right hand. With a flutter of his sleeve, he blocked Wang Tianfang's poison needles. Then Jiang Sheng streaked forward like a cloud goose, sending Wang Tianfang flying with a single kick.

Then Jiang Sheng twisted through the air and bore down on another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This cultivator was the one who had cast the Wind Blade Art.

"May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?" Jiang Sheng asked.

"I am Li Hao!" said the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had cast the Wind Blade Art.

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Sheng was already above his head. How could Li Hao dare underestimate him now? With a sweep of both hands, blade after blade of wind shot into the air, as though they would tear Jiang Sheng to pieces midair.

"Your moves look fierce, but your spiritual power is far too thin. You lack the strength to follow through; a little force is enough to break them. Fellow Daoist Li, you still need much more practice."

Jiang Sheng smiled lightly. His hands formed claws as spiritual power surged. With a tearing motion of both hands, as though he were ripping apart the void itself, the surging spiritual power directly shredded the wind blades.

Li Hao watched helplessly as Jiang Sheng's hand clamped tightly around his arm. Then an irresistible force sent him flying.

Two moves, two Foundation Establishment cultivators sent flying. Jiang Sheng then looked toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had cast the fireballs. At this moment, that cultivator and the one who had cast the golden needles had already joined forces.

"Han Li, Qian Ming, we ask Daoist Jiang for guidance!"

As they spoke, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators cast their spells together. Fireballs and golden needles came howling toward him.

Jiang Sheng's sleeve fluttered as spiritual power formed a blue barrier before him, blocking every fireball and golden needle.

Then Jiang Sheng flipped and darted away, vanishing from Han Li and Qian Ming's sight in the blink of an eye.

"Fellow Daoist Han, Fellow Daoist Qian, do not attend to the front and neglect the rear."

Jiang Sheng's voice sounded from behind them. Han Li and Qian Ming were horrified and immediately stirred their spiritual power to form a barrier, but Jiang Sheng had already sent them flying with one kick each.

Four Foundation Establishment cultivators, four moves!

Facing the fierce killing moves cast by these Foundation Establishment cultivators, Jiang Sheng had dismantled them one by one as casually as brushing off dust. They had not even seen the swordsmanship said to be almost mythical—he had relied solely on his fists and feet.

First, he used fierce methods to break their attacks; then, he used gentle force to drive his opponents back. Such a skill of making light of what was heavy truly broadened the horizons of these Qing Province cultivators.

Wang Tianfang looked at the shoeprint on his abdomen, then at Jiang Sheng. There was obvious terror and fear in his eyes. "Daoist Jiang truly is the great adept of Penglai spoken of in legend. Wang accepts defeat."

Li Hao rubbed his aching arm, his expression filled with admiration. "Daoist Jiang's methods are formidable. Li Hao is convinced!"

Han Li and Qian Ming had also come back to their senses. The way they looked at Jiang Sheng held both admiration and lingering fear. "Daoist Jiang's methods are truly extraordinary. We are convinced!"

In the space of a few breaths, Jiang Sheng had easily defeated four Foundation Establishment cultivators from Qing Province. Such methods and skill left every cultivator present wide-eyed, all crying that their eyes had been opened.

One man against four—he had not only defeated them with ease, but had not harmed them in the slightest, while remaining completely unscathed himself. Who could have imagined it before?

"Hahaha! Daoist Jiang is formidable. Wen truly admires you!"

A hearty laugh rang out. Everyone looked over to see Wenren Jie rise and cup his hands toward Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng looked at the brawny man with loose hair and bare feet, sensing his solid mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. He smiled and returned the salute. "This poor Daoist greets Fellow Daoist Wen."

"This old man is Qiao Xuan. To be fortunate enough to witness a great adept of Penglai today, this journey was not made in vain." Old Master Qiao Xuan also rose and cupped his hands toward Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng likewise returned the salute with a smile. "This poor Daoist greets Fellow Daoist Qiao."

Young Master Kongxu and Xu Xiao also rose and introduced themselves. Jiang Sheng returned their greetings one by one.

With this exchange, Jiang Sheng had not only proven his strength and shown everyone what it meant for no man to be undeserving beneath a great reputation; he had also tested the abilities of these Rogue Cultivators, exposing quite a few cultivators who were merely filling seats.

Zhang Qingyun was even more stunned by Jiang Sheng's skills. He hurriedly rose and said, "Qingyun had just planned to send someone to invite Daoist Jiang, yet Daoist Jiang has already arrived."

As he spoke, Zhang Qingyun invited Jiang Sheng to the seat of honor, then said to the Rogue Cultivators, "That Qingshan County has gathered so many heroes of Qing Province to slay demons and vanquish evil is truly a blessing for Qingshan County. As the county magistrate of Qingshan County, Zhang thanks all you heroes on behalf of its people."

"Now that everyone has assembled, please eat and drink to your hearts' content. This county is willing to share this great undertaking with all you heroes!"

Even Zhang Qingyun, the county magistrate of Qingshan County, had shown Jiang Sheng such respect. The Rogue Cultivators naturally did not dare say anything further.

After all, even Old Master Qiao Xuan, Wenren Jie, Young Master Kongxu, and Fairy Xu Xiao of the Moon-Embracing Sect had expressed their admiration for Jiang Sheng.

They had also witnessed Jiang Sheng's abilities firsthand, and every one of them held him in deep awe.

Before long, the county office became lively once more. Everyone resumed their feasting and drinking without restraint, and quite a few cultivators came specifically to make Jiang Sheng's acquaintance.

Jiang Sheng had already proven his abilities. Naturally, these Rogue Cultivators wanted to cling to a powerful thigh. Should they encounter any danger while slaying demons and vanquishing evil later on, they would at least have someone to rely on.

Jiang Sheng did not refuse those cultivators who came to ingratiate themselves with him. His expression remained calm, however, as though he cared nothing for such trivial matters.

That attitude made everyone even more cautious around him.

Clearly, no matter where one went, strength was what spoke.

That was true among ordinary people, and even more so among cultivators.

The banquet continued until evening. After Zhang Qing excused herself and left first, everyone else gradually departed as well.

Some went to brothels and pleasure houses, some to taverns and gambling dens, while others returned to their rooms to cultivate. The Qing Province cultivators each found their own destination, and the once-noisy front hall of the county office returned to silence.

Late at night, in the quiet Qingshan County, several figures emerged from different directions. Under cover of darkness, they entered the county office and headed straight for the rear courtyard.

At midnight, in the rear courtyard of the Qingshan County office.

Several black shadows swept in one after another and entered the courtyard.

Jiang Sheng still wore a blue Daoist robe, standing quietly in the courtyard.

Wenren Jie, Qiao Xuan, and Young Master Kongxu landed one after another. Upon seeing Jiang Sheng, they cupped their hands in greeting without saying much.

"My apologies for troubling you all to come here in the middle of the night. It is truly an act born of necessity. This little woman, Zhang Qing, greets you." Zhang Qing's crisp voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look. Standing beside Zhang Qing was none other than Xu Xiao, an inner disciple of the Moon-Embracing Sect.

Clearly, Zhang Qing also understood that among those present, only Xu Xiao, her close friend, was someone she could truly trust and rely upon.

"Miss Zhang, what exactly did you summon us here to say?" Wenren Jie asked in a muffled voice.

When Zhang Qing had excused herself and left that afternoon, she had made a small gesture toward them.

Those seated far away were destined not to see it, but they, with their higher cultivation and seats near Zhang Qingyun the county magistrate, had seen it clearly.

Clearly, Zhang Qing's small gesture had been made specifically for the few of them, and its meaning was: midnight, rear courtyard of the county office.

That was why Jiang Sheng and the others had come here late at night.

Zhang Qing explained, "All of you are figures renowned throughout the land. There are some things that Qing'er need not say for you to understand."

As she spoke, Zhang Qing invited Jiang Sheng and the others into a study. "Since ancient times, matters succeed through secrecy and fail through disclosure. What we are about to do is the great undertaking of slaying a great demon and winning fame throughout the realm. It concerns the lives and deaths of all of you, as well as the people of Qingshan County's fifteen towns. Qing'er cannot afford to be anything but cautious."

"Fairy Xu has already prepared a secret chamber. Please follow Qing'er inside to discuss this matter."