Above the Peak

As the strongest martial artist on the Myoushan side, Kong Zhuohua possessed incredibly potent Martial Arts True Qi and was a master swordsman.

He didn't consider himself the absolute best in swordsmanship, but he was certainly among the top tier. That was until he witnessed the sword strike Li Yuan unleashed moments ago, which left him utterly astonished!

"This child... possesses such swordsmanship?"

Kong Zhuohua had dedicated himself to the art of the sword, even visiting numerous renowned sword masters. Yet, even those who had spent decades immersed in the way of the sword couldn't compare to Li Yuan!

The sword strike Li Yuan had just executed was incredibly sharp and peerless. Just a distant glance gave him the sensation of a blade at his throat, a painful feeling of his skin and flesh being sliced apart piece by piece!

If that sword strike had been aimed at him, Kong Zhuohua had no doubt... he would have been instantly killed!

He was self-aware enough to know that much!

"Didn't Zong Lin say Li Yuan had just broken through to the True Qi Realm?"

"How can a newcomer who just entered the True Qi Realm possess such strength? This level of swordsmanship is simply unheard of!"

Li Yuan didn't stop after obliterating the evil creature dragon with a single sword strike. He continued to swing the Rune Soldier Longsword, unleashing wave after wave of sharp sword qi into the horde of Evil Creatures outside the city!

True Qi was different from Internal Energy. It was difficult to make Internal Energy leave the body to attack distant enemies.

However, True Qi could easily traverse a hundred zhang. Any martial artist in the True Qi Realm could easily achieve True Qi detachment.

Li Yuan's True Qi was exceptionally powerful. His True Qi cultivation even surpassed that of many martial artists in the late True Qi Realm, allowing his True Qi to reach a thousand zhang!

Li Yuan's True Qi surged within him. He swung his longsword, transforming it into streaks of sword qi that streaked across the sky, capable of slaying Evil Creatures even a thousand zhang away!

Slender streaks of sword qi continuously swept through the air. Any Zombies and Evil Ghosts struck by the sword qi were cleanly cut in half!

They fell in swathes, like wheat being harvested!

He unleashed over twenty sword strikes in one go, covering the ground south of Myoushan City. He had single-handedly annihilated almost all the Evil Creatures in the southern part of the city!

This display had stunned everyone on the southern city wall. After the Evil Creatures on the wall were also eliminated, everyone stared blankly at Li Yuan.

The crisis on the southern city wall had been completely resolved. Li Yuan was responsible for ninety percent of the credit for this achievement. The strength Li Yuan displayed far surpassed other martial artists in the True Qi Realm; only martial artists in the True Essence Realm could be compared to him.

Li Yuan possessed the [Divine Wisdom] talent, which elevated all his cultivation techniques to the perfected realm. Regardless of the technique, even the lowest-grade, low-tier martial arts, as long as they could be trained to the perfected realm, their power would undergo a qualitative change, unleashing various incredible abilities.

With all his martial arts at the perfected realm, Li Yuan's combat power far exceeded that of other martial artists.

Through numerous battles and skirmishes, Li Yuan had gained a relatively clear understanding of his own strength.

As long as he broke through his current realm, he would gain a terrifying increase in strength.

When he broke through the Inner Force Realm, he would be the strongest in the Inner Force Realm!

When he broke through the True Qi Realm, he would be the strongest in the True Qi Realm!

He always operated at the peak!

A figure flashed, and Kong Zhuohua appeared beside Li Yuan.

"Li Yuan, you did very well. On behalf of the tens of thousands of citizens in Myoushan County, I thank you."

Li Yuan smiled faintly, "It is my duty, there is no need for thanks."

With the southern crisis resolved, Kong Zhuohua felt much more relaxed. He continued speaking to Li Yuan.

"Generally, night assaults on the city don't happen only once. The first attack is usually a probe; subsequent attacks will be more intense."

"I'll leave this area to you for now."

After a few brief words, Kong Zhuohua departed, as he still needed to provide support to the other three city walls. Zong Lin walked over, her expression as if she were seeing Li Yuan for the first time.

"Li Yuan, I find myself understanding you less and less."

Ever since Li Yuan had glanced towards her in the carriage, Mi Lan had noticed him.

Every time Mi Lan thought she had a grasp on Li Yuan, he would do something that defied her understanding.

Take his sword strike just now, for instance. Mi Lan suspected that even the Young Commander Chu Han of Jiujiang couldn't compare to it!

She had worked with Chu Han for many years and knew him very well.

A difficult-to-believe guess surfaced in Mi Lan's mind.

Could Li Yuan's strength... surpass Chu Han's?

How was that possible?!

How long had it been since Li Yuan broke through to the True Qi Realm?

Not even ten days!

Who was Chu Han?

He was the Young Commander of the Jiujiang Special Capture Division! His strength was unfathomable!

A martial arts expert just one step away from the True Essence Realm, it wouldn't be surprising if he broke through to the True Essence Realm tomorrow!

In Zong Lin's heart, Chu Han had always been among the strongest martial artists. Until today, if Li Yuan were on one side of the scale... who would be stronger?

Facing Zong Lin's confusion, Li Yuan chuckled and did not answer.

Anything he said at this moment would be inappropriate. It was better to maintain his mystery.

Seeing Li Yuan's lack of response, Zong Lin smoothly changed the subject and asked with concern.

"You unleashed so many sword energies in one go. You must be severely depleted. Take this time to rest, as there might be more Evil Creatures attacking the city later."

Li Yuan smiled faintly. His depletion wasn't severe at all.

His True Qi was already far more abundant than that of other True Qi Realm cultivators. Furthermore, he had now opened four meridians, and the True Qi within his body had quadrupled!

He had only unleashed a small amount of sword energy, and the True Qi consumed from within his body was less than one percent!

In just over ten breaths, the depleted True Qi had fully recovered.

Li Yuan didn't explain. He nodded and slowly walked to a corner of the city wall, leaning against it and closing his eyes to rest.

The strength he displayed had won him everyone's admiration. The surrounding martial artists and guards dared not approach to disturb him, and they all moved aside, leaving a quiet, empty space for Li Yuan.

Mi Lan lingered nearby, appearing as though she wanted to come forward but hesitated. Li Yuan opened his eyes and smiled, "Mi Lan, is something wrong?"

Seeing Li Yuan call her, Mi Lan felt a sense of relief and stepped forward. "Captain, thank you."

Just now, two Evil Ghosts had lunged at him. If Li Yuan hadn't intervened in time to kill them, he might have been severely injured, or even died.

No matter what, he had to come forward and thank him.

Li Yuan raised his hand, signaling her not to mind. "It's nothing. You should rest. There might be more Evil Creatures attacking the city later."

Mi Lan nodded respectfully and retreated to the side. Her attitude had changed significantly without her realizing it.

Earlier, she had heard that Li Yuan was accomplished at a young age, breaking through to the True Qi Realm before the age of twenty. She hadn't had a concrete understanding of this until now. Seeing Li Yuan's actions just now, his level of cultivation and imposing aura left her in awe.

He truly lived up to his reputation as the youngest True Qi Realm cultivator in Jiujiang Commandery!

While Li Yuan and the others were briefly recuperating, several dark figures stood on a mountain several miles away from the county town. Their gazes were fixed intently on Li Yuan on the city wall.

After a long while, a hoarse voice slowly spoke.

"Meishan seems to have gotten a formidable fellow."