Bandits

Lu Wu-bing wasn't really sure about his own strength.

In terms of internal energy cultivation, his second meridian had only just connected the fourth acupoint, still a long way from the Ninth Rank peak of connecting three meridians.

He could only say he was in the early Ninth Rank.

At the bottom of the barrel among Third-rate martial artists in the jianghu...

But if you considered his Grandmaster-level刺剑术 (stabbing sword technique), that was a realm only sect leaders could touch.

Ordinary genius elite disciples only managed to cultivate their sword techniques to the Proficient realm.

For "ordinary" sect disciples like Senior Sister Xiaolan, their sword technique realm was merely at the Skilled stage.

His sword technique was two levels above hers.

Considering his overall strength.

His master, the sect leader, was too strong in cultivation and swordplay to be a benchmark.

As for his Third Senior Brother Wu Yunchong and Senior Sister Xiaolan, they were both Seventh Rank.

Including the enemies he had encountered these past few days, they were all roughly at the Seventh Rank cultivation level.

Winning against them didn't seem like much of an achievement, it didn't mean anything.

In other words, all these people fell within the scope of Third-rate martial artists.

A bit stronger and they would be Sixth Rank martial artists, reaching Second-rate...

He heard that Gu Dongting's top disciple, Eyebrowless Sword Wei Zhongming, was at that realm.

Whether he could defeat him was still a question?

"Junior Brother only practices one stabbing sword style, so it's hard to measure. However, if one normally practices a sword technique to the Grandmaster level, they wouldn't be unable to fight a Sixth Rank expert at the Proficient sword technique level."

Ouyang Lan paused here, her tone shifting slightly: "Of course, Fifth and Sixth Rank are essentially the same in that internal energy surges through the skin and hair, forming a protective membrane. There isn't much fundamental difference.

If you truly encountered a Fifth Rank expert, you would still have a chance to fight. With the right timing, favorable terrain, clever tactics, and planning, it's not like you wouldn't have any chance of winning.

The only concern is if you encounter a Fourth Rank expert. Your half-baked Grandmaster sword technique would likely be of little use."

"Why is that?"

"Let me tell you, Fourth Rank experts have internal energy connected through at least sixteen meridians. Their qi not only circulates through their body but can also manifest externally, projecting their force over a foot away...

Think about it, if you encounter an expert whose qi can project a foot away, no matter how fast your sword technique is, if your attack isn't strong enough, you won't even be able to break through their protective qi. How could you possibly defeat your opponent?"

Ouyang Lan said with a hint of envy: "The deacons and elders of various sects, as well as lone wolves of the jianghu, are at this realm, considered famous experts."

Understood, Fourth Rank is a watershed.

Reaching this realm means having a place in the jianghu.

One would also receive courtesy when visiting major sects.

They are considered the backbone of various forces.

And reaching the Upper Three Ranks, that's the top tier of the jianghu, needless to say.

They are the absolute elite of each sect and faction.

Very few.

Gu Dongting of the Eastern Sea Sword Sect was clearly at that level.

He didn't know if he was Second Rank or First Rank.

He didn't guess Third Rank mainly because Lu Wu-bing had secretly overheard some commotion at the Lu family that day.

His master, Sect Leader Ouyang Zheng, had briefly clashed with Gu Dongting, repelling him and seemingly even injuring the Eastern Sea sect leader a little.

Ouyang Lan had proudly said that her master, the Sect Leader, was the number one under heaven.

And Gu Dongting, only falling into a disadvantage and retreating injured, wasn't too far behind, likely a Second Rank expert.

Such experts, their movements filled with surging qi...

Recalling the scene of Ouyang Zheng battling the Blood Cloud Old Man that day, a shadow flickered in Lu Wu-bing's heart.

He was completely unable to deal with it.

If he truly met Gu Dongting.

Given the opponent's desire for the Yuanling Swordplay Manual, and the enmity from Lu Wu-bing killing an Eastern Sea Sword Sect disciple, the situation would be incredibly perilous.

He was still too weak.

"If it doesn't kill you, train to death."

Internal energy cultivation was a long and arduous process, and progress couldn't be fast. The only thing he could rely on was to train his sword technique to a realm unprecedented and unparalleled.

After Grandmaster, there was the Perfected realm.

Then, above the Perfected realm, would there be another level?

And could he deal with Upper Three Rank experts?

Thinking of this, Lu Wu-bing forcefully cast aside the trace of weakness in his heart and enthusiastically resumed practicing White Rainbow Pierces the Sun.

Three more days passed. He had practiced one stab technique 124,000 times, and with another 76,000, he would reach perfection. Suddenly, the area ahead opened up, and the two finally arrived at the foot of Mount Heng.

Gazing at the distant mountain range, shrouded in clouds and mist like a colossal dragon lying in wait, they both gasped.

This mountain path would likely be difficult.

Just as they were lamenting the arduous journey ahead.

They faintly heard cries drifting from afar.

Carried on the wind was also a faint scent of blood.

"That... that's not cooking smoke."

Ouyang Lan's expression tightened.

She had descended the mountain with her father and senior brothers. Although they hadn't experienced much hardship on this journey, she had seen many tragic scenes along the way.

She naturally understood what the thick smoke rising into the sky ahead signified.

"Setting fire to houses... could that village have been plundered?"

Lu Wu-bing also realized.

He thought that this place was nothing like modern society in his past life. Outside the protection of cities, all sorts of people existed. The evil in human nature would be amplified to the extreme in this world with its imperfect order.

Often, many people were not much different from wild beasts.

The two exchanged a glance, their bodies cutting through the wind. They fully activated their [Inch Step], moving three zhang with each stride, leaping forward.

They rushed towards the village.

It was already a little too late...

Fires raged throughout the village, and villagers lay dead everywhere. Women cried out as strong men pinned them to the ground, doing as they pleased.

What's more, over a dozen men, armed with knives and spears, were chasing and killing the fleeing villagers.

Among them, a burly, middle-aged man around forty, wielding a steel pitchfork, was frantically swinging it, fighting the murderers to the death.

Puff puff, the steel pitchfork whistled through the air, its heavy force sending two bandits crashing to their deaths, their skulls splitting open.

However, surrounded and fighting, the middle-aged man was like a trapped beast. He clearly couldn't hold on much longer.

"This arrow is for your right arm. Gu Dashi, if you truly pledge allegiance to our Chaoyang Stronghold and hand over that item, I will not only guarantee the safety of your wife and children but also make you the Fourth Master. From then on, you'll live a life of luxury and wealth."

From a distance, a tall, long-armed young man in archery attire, with a red sash around his waist, drew his long bow and loosed an arrow...

"Whoosh..."

The arrow pierced the middle-aged man's right arm. The immense force made him stagger, and he was immediately struck on the shoulder with a saber, blood gushing out.

"Chen Gong, taking you in back then was the biggest mistake I ever made. Kill me, skin me, I don't care. If I so much as frown, I'm no hero. You won't get the item, only my life."

Gu Dashi switched his steel pitchfork to his left hand and swung it even more fiercely, smashing three more attackers to death.

The young man Chen Gong, with the red sash, no longer tried to persuade him. He drew his bow and nocked another arrow, this time aiming for Gu Dashi's chest.

"You refuse a toast and insist on a penalty. Fine, I'll grant your wish."

"Bang..."

Before he could finish speaking.

His vision flickered, and he saw two figures already charging into the village like lightning.

Before he could even make out their appearances.

A graceful figure on his left raised a hand and pointed.

A black cloud appeared before him.

Needles filled the air, swarming like a swarm of bees.

Chen Gong only had time to raise his hand to cover his face.

His body was pierced by dozens of tiny holes.

The needles whistled through the air, sweeping past, and over a dozen strong men holding knives and spears simultaneously let out screams and fell to the ground in unison.

"What a magnificent Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle. It's a bit of a waste to use it on trash like this,"

Lu Wu-bing moved forward, his sword light flashing as he killed the remaining bandits, shaking his head and sighing.

Even though it was the second time he had witnessed this hidden weapon in action, He still felt a sense of disbelief.

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