A person's strength depended first on realm, second on martial techniques, and third on weapons! Of course, if a weapon was of a high enough grade, or a martial technique was powerful enough, combat strength would differ as well. This was merely a general rule, not the ultimate deciding factor.
Take Nie Yun now. Though he was only at the Perfected King Realm, with his martial techniques and combat awareness, killing an early Emperor Realm expert was not particularly difficult. If he used the spatial power of the Storage World in close combat, he could even fight a late Emperor Realm expert!
His situation could not be judged by the standard of realm coming first.
His strength was exceptional, but the people before him were different. A good weapon could absolutely increase their strength by several degrees. For example, an ordinary early King Realm cultivator with a good weapon could fight a mid-King Realm expert!
That was the effect brought by weapons.
Wealth, companions, methods, and land—the four great essentials of a cultivator. Weapons belonged to the category of wealth and were indispensable.
"Good!"
Piaoluozi seemed to harbor deep resentment toward that "little wench." Hearing her subordinate's suggestion, she immediately nodded in agreement.
"Perfect. We won't have to look for her..."
Hearing this exchange, Nie Yun smiled faintly. Just what I wanted.
This mountain stronghold was not small, and he had been worrying over where to find this so-called ascender. Since the other party was going to challenge her, they were spared the trouble.
He continued following them. Before long, they arrived at a residence.
It was a small courtyard filled with brand-new wooden buildings, apparently constructed not long ago.
"Yan Yaxin, come out!"
With a loud shout, the courtyard gate opened with a creak, and several figures strode out.