Returning home in glory (Part two)

With Explosive Steps, Zhuge Xiang appeared behind Zhang Kuang in an instant. Facing the incredibly powerful palm strike, Zhuge Xiang swung his Blade of Blockade, instantly blocking the Blade of Blockade.

Zhuge Xiang stared at the speaker with a gloomy gaze. The speaker was a middle-aged man who appeared to be around forty years old. He had no aura and seemed like an ordinary person. Even when the incredibly powerful palm strike was delivered, it was difficult to sense the aura emanating from him. This middle-aged man was at the Return to Simplicity Realm, and at a relatively late level.

"You truly have maximized the advantages of Cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm. You even dared to launch a sneak attack against a Cultivator at the Void Splitting Realm," Zhuge Xiang said coldly, staring at his opponent with an unfriendly tone.

With Zhuge Xiang standing behind him, Zhang Kuang felt completely at ease, no longer needing to worry about being attacked from behind. The power of his Blood Python Spear reached its peak, causing the young man in the Return to Simplicity Realm to retreat steadily and struggle to hold on.

"Senior Brother Tu..." The woman looked anxious as she saw the man's miserable state, but how could she possibly get past Qin Qing 'Treasure Artifact Weeping Blood Demonic Zither, a magic weapon of that caliber?

Qin Qing was already at the Innate Realm, and with a complete Treasure Artifact in hand, the woman was suppressed by Qin Qing's formless yet incredibly powerful zither music.

Before Zhuge Xiang, the middle-aged man's expression remained unchanged, but he was inwardly shocked. He was at the Eighth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm, deliberately concealing his aura. He had thought that ambushing a disciple who hadn't even reached the Innate Realm would be a piece of cake, but he hadn't expected that there was another fellow who hadn't even entered the Innate Realm, yet he could actually block his Mixed Origin Palm Force. Could it be that the strength of young people these days is so terrifying?

With a thought racing through his mind, the middle-aged man kept his expression unchanged, revealing a fox-like, fake smile, and said, "Young brother, you jest. It's all a misunderstanding. Why make a scene? I am Baoyuanzi, a Cultivator from the Tiandao Sect. Please give me some face today, and I'll treat you to the food and drinks."

"How much does a meal cost? Just a few pennies. You think you can settle this? I advise you not to get involved in their fight. Otherwise, I'll take your place," Zhuge Xiang said coldly, looking at the fox-like middle-aged man. He showed no intention of backing down.

Are you kidding me? He showed up and immediately launched a sneak attack. This guy is a complete sly fox. Now that his sneak attack failed, he knows that fighting won't work, so he wants to settle things with a few bucks and a meal? Does he really think everyone else is a hypocrite who avoids trouble?

Over there, the disciples of the Qingxu Sword Sect were becoming increasingly disheveled under Zhang Kuang's fierce attacks. Zhang Kuang's combat power remained formidable, but the Qingxu Sword Sect Disciples' injuries were worsening. It was clear to anyone with eyes that their fates would be sealed within the time it takes to drink Half a Tea Interval of tea.

The critical situation here made the middle-aged man with the smiling fox anxious. Although Zhuge Xiang's speed just now was enough to block his Mixed Origin Palm Force, which made him somewhat wary, the gathering of disciples from three Medium Sect today was of great significance and absolutely could not be ruined.

"Amitābha Buddha, this old Zen Master Buzhi of Weituo Temple. May the Buddha have mercy, why are you so attached to this?"

A Buddhist chant rang out, and then an old monk dressed in Crimson Kasaya monk's robe) emerged. His aura was even more restrained, and he lowered his eyes, presenting the appearance of a highly enlightened monk.

"Hiss, the Qingxu Sword Sect, Weituo Temple, and Tiandao Sect are all here? These three Medium Sect combined are enough to fight against the Asura Sect!" Baoyuanzi of the Tiandao Sect and Zen Master Buzhi of Weituo Temple revealed their names, causing many people in the Restaurant to gasp.

Immediately, the people in the Restaurant looked at Zhuge Xiang and his group. It was bad enough that they had offended the Qingxu Sword Sect, but they hadn't expected that the Tiandao Sect and Weituo Temple would both stand up to support them. In Yanling Commandery, who didn't know that these three sects were second only to the Asura Sect in strength?

"What? Qingxu Sword Sect, Weituo Temple, and Tiandao Sect? Such grand names. However, we Asura Sect Disciple are not easily intimidated." Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly, filled with a chilling killing intent. An extremely bloody killing intent erupted from Zhuge Xiang, filling the entire Restaurant with a bloody smell.

Zhuge Xiang's cultivation level may not have improved much in the past year, only reaching the Void Splitting Realm Tenth Layer. However, Zhuge Xiang Magic Artifact have been completely upgraded over the past year, now all of them being Eleventh-Rank Magic Artifact. Even Zhuge Xiang main magical Magic Artifact, such as the True King Necklace, Thorn Armor, and Ice Seal Ring, have been reforged with precious materials and upgraded to the Eleventh-Rank Magic Artifact level. Of course, the Sword of Slaughter in Zhuge Xiang's hand is also at the eleventh-grade level.

Although his cultivation level was only at the Void Splitting Realm Tenth Layer, his possession of Eleventh-Rank Magic Artifact made Zhuge Xiang's aura at this moment no less than that of a master at the fourth or fifth level of the Innate Realm. At the same time, Zhuge Xiang's Sword Intent, which had reached the pinnacle of Perfection Level, was unleashed. This incomparably bloody and terrifying killing intent seemed to transform into a Heaven-Shaking Sword Qi.

The Zhang Kuang Spear Intent was unleashed, but there was no reaction. After all, among Cultivator, those who used spears were a minority. However, the effect of Zhuge Xiang's Sword Intent was completely different. At this moment, all the Cultivator's longswords in the Restaurant rang out, automatically unsheathed, stuck in the ground, and bent their blades towards Zhuge Xiang.

Even the two disciples of the Qingxu Sword Sect had their swords tremble, their strength further diminished under the influence of the Sword Intent.

The female disciple was alright; Qin Qing had no intention of killing her, only suppressing her. But the male disciple wasn't so lucky. He was already being suppressed by Zhang Kuang and couldn't turn the tables. Now that his sword was affected, how could Zhang Kuang let this momentary opening slip by? With a sweep of his Spear, amidst screams, the sound of shoulder bones shattering could be clearly heard. He was Knockback by Zhang Kuang's vicious spear.

Having gained the upper hand, Zhang Kuang showed no mercy, pushing off with his foot and giving chase.

Sword Intent!? Asura Sect!?

The moment Zhuge Xiang unleashed his Sword Intent, everyone present was astonished, including the Zen Master Buzhi of Weituo Temple and Baoyuanzi of the Tiandao Sect. The aura emanating from Zhuge Xiang was so threatening that even they felt a strong sense of threat. Although the disciples of the Qingxu Sword Sect were on the verge of death, they dared not step forward to help because of Zhuge Xiang's Venomous Snake eyes.

With Sword Intent unleashed, Zhuge Xiang, like a peerless demon, stared intently at the people from Weituo Temple and Tiandao Sect. The Sword of Slaughter in hand made his meaning clear: if you dare to interfere, I will not be polite.

"Baoyuanzi, Zen Master Buzhi, save me..." Over there, under Zhang Kuang's arrogance, the Qingxu Sword Sect disciple finally broke down and cried out for help in desperation.

However, under Zhuge Xiang's watchful gaze, Baoyuanzi and the Zen Master Buzhi clasped hands tightly, torn between wanting to make a move but not daring to. Meanwhile, the female disciples of the Qingxu Sword Sect shouted loudly, urging the two to help.

Finally, amidst screams, the male disciple of the Qingxu Sword Sect was killed on the Zhang Kuang, his blood splattering everywhere. Zen Master Buzhi and Baoyuanzi stared at Zhuge Xiang with grim expressions. They hadn't made a move before, and now that the man was dead, they were even less likely to take action for a dead man.

"Haha, how exhilarating! In this life, one should kill all those who seek death!" With a flick of his Blood Python Spear, Zhang Kuang laughed loudly. With his cultivation at the Void Splitting Realm Tenth Layer, he forcefully shattered the Sword Cultivator at the Reversal of the Return to Simplicity Realm. Zhang Kuang's strength was astonishing.

"Hmph..." Zhuge Xiang snorted coldly at the Zen Master Buzhi and the complaining, fierce glare, sheathed his Sword of Slaughter, and ignored them.

"Senior Brother Tu..." Qin Qing stopped playing the zither. The female disciple of the Qingxu Sword Sect was holding the male disciple's corpse and calling out. Then, she glared fiercely at Zhuge Xiang and the others. Knowing that she was no match for them, she turned and left. As she left, she also gave Zen Master Buzhi and Baoyuanzi a resentful look, obviously blaming them for not helping her in her time of need.

"Let's go too..." With a slight sigh, the Zen Master Buzhi spoke. He had originally stayed in the Restaurant to wait for the people from the Qingxu Sword Sect, but now that the person was dead, he naturally had no intention of staying any longer.

"So powerful! Is this the strength of Asura Sect Disciples? They haven't even reached the Innate Realm, yet they can kill Cultivator in the Return to Simplicity Realm."

"And that woman, even Cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm were restrained by her, and she's only at the Innate Realm."

"And that swordsman actually comprehended Sword Intent, suppressing both the Zen Master Buzhi of Weituo Temple and Baoyuanzi of the Tiandao Sect from making a move. Could it be that the Asura Sect Disciples all possess the strength to challenge opponents of higher levels?"

After Zen Master Buzhi and Baoyuanzi left, the entire Restaurant was instantly filled with discussion. The strength of the Asura Sect was truly terrifying; Zhuge Xiang alone had actually forced the two of them to refrain from making a move to save them.

However, after Zhuge Xiang and the others sat down, their faces showed no joy. They felt uncomfortable being the center of attention in the hall, and soon they paid their Shop Assistant and left.

On the way, Zhuge Xiang spoke to Lu Yuling, saying, "Baoyuanzi and the Zen Master Buzhi are all Cultivator in the late stage of the Returning to the Return to Simplicity Realm. There's no reason why they wouldn't dare to make a move. If I'm not mistaken, their gathering at that Restaurant must be part of a conspiracy against our Asura Sect, which is why they don't want to make things bigger. You'd better not go on the trip to Shu."

"Understood. I'll highlight this matter and report it to the Hall Master. I'll investigate it personally." Nodding, Lu Yuling understood Zhuge Xiang's meaning. Although the name of the Asura Sect could intimidate others, it made no sense that the Zen Master Buzhi and Baoyuanzi didn't even dare to help. After Zhuge Xiang's explanation, it did seem like there was a conspiracy involved.

"Niu Geng, this time when you return to Shu, we will accompany you, so you can consider it a triumphant return home. Don't worry too much. Even the bottom of Shu is still the territory of our Yanling Commandery," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, turning his head to look at Niu Geng, who still looked a little uneasy about returning to Shu.

"Hmm," Niu Geng nodded, his expression relaxing considerably. Today, Zhuge Xiang, Zhang Kuang, and Qin Qing had all shown their skills, and their strength was indeed formidable. Coupled with the prestige of the Asura Sect, Niu Geng felt much more confident.

Nothing more was said that night. The next morning, after Zhuge Xiang and the others had prepared, each led a Sharp Claw Colt from their Sect, and after meeting up, they headed towards the Shu region... (To be continued...)