Zhou Wuji lasted only a short while before he quickly calmed down.
Seventh-Rank Martial Artist is indeed powerful; in actual combat, they can completely challenge Sixth Rank cultivator, even if it's a higher-ranking one.
However, there are countless masters in this world. A Seventh-Rank Martial Artist can only be considered a formidable figure in Siming County, and is nothing special in Yunyang Prefecture.
It would be foolish to be fearless just because one possesses the strength of a top-tier Seventh Rank martial artist.
Zhou Wuji possesses memories of two lifetimes, making him increasingly aware of the preciousness of life.
He now possesses an unparalleled divine Divine Artifact, giving him the opportunity to ascend to immortality. His future is limitless, so he naturally needs to be cautious in his actions.
Yang Shuling sending him an invitation was likely a warning. The old man's reluctance to speak his mind suggests he was being coerced.
Yang Shuling is a powerful Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, so the fact that he could coerce him into obeying him shows that the other party must have some skill.
"They must be from the Five Dragons Gang ----"
Zhou Wuji killed the Gu Master of the Five Dragons Gang, and he had always been highly wary of the Five Dragons Gang.
For more than twenty days, he has not dared to be careless for Heavenly Capital.
Even though Wuzheng said that the Lower Court had taken the lead and the matter was over, he didn't entirely believe it.
The Five Dragons Gang, with its large numbers and mastery of mysterious and dangerous witchcraft, relied on its strength and ruthlessness to gain a foothold on the river.
The Lower Court follows the upper echelons, primarily dealing in elixirs and magical talismans. Fundamentally, it is completely different from Jianghu gangs like the Five Dragons Gang.
This difference also determines the different working styles of the two organizations.
The Five Dragons Gang and the Lower Court have always been at odds, so they won't back down so easily.
Zhou Wuji felt that the Five Dragons Gang might not dare to touch the Lower Court, but they would definitely dare to kill him and Wuzheng.
With the Five Dragons Gang's mysterious witchcraft techniques, it would be no problem for them to subdue Yang Shuling's family members.
Yang Tie Ying, the grandson who had mastered Hidden Force, was the best hostage.
Capturing Yang Tie Ying would force Yang Shuling to submit. Yang Shuling would not risk his grandson's life for an outsider like him.
As for why they didn't come directly to the Daoist temple to find him, it's probably because the Five Dragons Gang members were afraid of the temple's divine power.
The rebel soldiers, driven by their Blood Qi and courage, remained fearless.
The Five Dragons Gang, a group of people who practiced witchcraft, were completely countered by the orthodox methods of Daoism.
Therefore, they coerced Yang Shuling and tricked him out of the Daoist temple under the pretext of holding a birthday banquet.
This group of guys chose Yang Shuling because Yang Shuling had treated their injuries and they had a friendship with him.
Zhou Wuji judged others by his own standards, believing that no one would disregard their own family for the sake of loyalty.
However, Old Yang obviously didn't want to offend him, so he secretly sent him a warning message.
Zhou Wuji wasn't sure if he had guessed wrong, but it didn't matter; he would go to the Yang Household under the cover of night tonight and find out.
With his perfected Six Yang Dharma Eye, he could easily detect the life force of a master.
If there are hidden experts, it proves there's something wrong!
Zhou Wuji put on his Daoist robe, took his sword, and also carried the Tiger Wing Saber in his Five Yin Pouch.
The Seven Star Sword has been through many battles, and the blade shows obvious wear.
He mastered the Five Tigers Fist and also comprehended the Heart Tiger Fist Intent. Although the Tiger Wing Saber was not enhanced by runes, it was far more powerful than the Seven Star Sword in pure combat.
All sorts of elixirs and talismans were prepared. Small items such as White Eyebrow Needle and steel balls were also brought along.
Zhou Wuji checked everything to make sure nothing was missed before going to find Wuzheng.
Wuzheng's martial arts skills weren't great, but he was still quite skilled in combat, being Seventh Rank Daoist priest.
This trip isn't about personal grudges; with such a skilled fighter, of course we should bring him along.
Although Wuzheng felt that Zhou Wuji Zhou Wuji was being overly cautious, he was still willing to go with him.
Going to check it out can't hurt, and if something happens, it's better to be safe than sorry.
The two experts quietly left Hidden Dragon Temple and rushed to Siming County.
It was already past midnight, and the city gates were tightly shut.
Wuzheng looked at the city wall with some difficulty. He was skilled in martial arts, but he was not confident that he could use his qi to jump over the two-zhang-high wall.
Knowing Wuzheng's concerns, Zhou Wuji said, "Senior brother, please proceed. This city wall isn't very high."
Wuzheng say anything more, so he could only try his best to leap up. When he was halfway up the wall, he realized he was about a foot short. Just as he was about to reach out and grab the wall, Zhou Wuji gently supported him from behind, and he landed lightly on the wall.
Wu Wuzheng; his junior brother's move was timely and precise.
In early February, the nights are bitterly cold, and the patrolling soldiers have long since found places to hide; no one would actually patrol the city walls all night.
Wuzheng and Zhou Wuji calmly leaped down from the wall and headed straight for the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School.
The county town was not large to begin with, and Wuzheng here many times to hold religious ceremonies, so he was quite familiar with the situation of the county government and the major Lineage.
Zhou Wuji was even more familiar with them, and the two quickly arrived at the backyard of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School.
The front yard was a martial arts school, while the two courtyards in the back were the Yang Household family's residence.
Zhou Wuji didn't rush in; he activated his Six Yang Dharma Eye once more.
Crimson flames formed hundreds of tiny runes, which condensed into a ring of crimson light deep within Zhou Wuji's eyes.
Zhou Wuji's eyes lit up instantly, and the world became vivid and clear. He could not only see the details of real matter, but also the various vital energies flowing around him.
In the backyard of the Yang Household, there were two powerful auras, one of which was as intense as fire, undoubtedly belonging to Yang Shuling, Seventh-Rank Martial Artist.
The other aura was not as strong or intense, but it was much longer. It clearly belonged to a Seventh Rank cultivator who could exhale and exhale Qi.
Zhou Wuji also saw a very weak aura, the life force was very dim, and it seemed that the aura was about to be extinguished.
Upon closer inspection, this person exudes a strong sense of vitality, suggesting they are a young person in the prime of their life.
Zhou Wuji expanded his observation area and quickly discovered something was amiss.
Not far from the Yang Household, in a small courtyard, there gathered a strong sense of life.
This is so unusual!
Zhou Wuji said something to Wuzheng, and then quietly went to the outside of the small courtyard.
With his perfected Six Yang Dharma Eye, he observed carefully and saw even more this time.
"One, two, three, four, five—five Eighth Rank- rank martial artists. Two of them can even circulate true qi; their auras are cold and sinister, quite unique—"
Zhou Wuji determined that the other party were two powerful Devil Cultivator, at least at the Seventh Rank.
These two Devil Cultivator were different from the Five Dragons Gang's Gu Masters, and their auras also differed from those of the Yin Yang Dao Devil Cultivator Devil Cultivator. They appeared eerie and sinister, and it was unclear which faction they belonged to.
Zhou Wuji circled the Yang Household again, observing all the surrounding residents. He didn't find any other experts, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
There were three Seventh Rank Devil Cultivator in total, all of whom possessed the cultivation level of Eighth Rank Hidden Force martial artist.
There were also three Eighth Rank Hidden Force martial artists, and more than ten lower-ranking helpers and followers.
The key is the other two Devil Cultivator. Zhou Wuji couldn't be sure if they were Seventh Rank cultivators; they could also be Sixth Rank.
The difference between the Seventh Rank and Sixth Rank is enormous!
Zhou Wuji killed a Sixth Rank Devil Cultivator, but that was only because the other party was too arrogant and didn't know he was Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, allowing Zhou Wuji to risk getting close and killing him.
There was an element of luck and chance involved, but he wouldn't underestimate Sixth Rank Devil Cultivator because of that.
Fortunately, the other party was unaware of his arrival, let alone that they had already revealed their presence.
Originally, the other party was calculating against him, but now the situation has reversed, and he can now hide in the shadows and calmly calculate against the other party.
Zhou Wuji returned to the back gate of the Yang Household's old house and whispered to Wuzheng, "Senior brother, keep watch here for me. I'm going in to deal with those two Devil Cultivator."
"There's a group of Devil Cultivator in that courtyard fifty paces to the east. Senior brother, be careful not to let them spot you—"
Wuzheng was also surprised to hear that there were indeed Devil Cultivator. He felt it would be safer to gather experts to act together.
However, the location was too far from the Lower Court, and in such a hurry, it was impossible to find any skilled fighters to help.
The only skilled fighter available in Siming County is Li Cheng'an. It would be troublesome to find Li Cheng'an in the middle of the night, and he might not even be willing to offer his full assistance.
Wuzheng's mind raced, and he felt it would be safer to let his Wuji handle this matter.
He knew how capable his junior brother was, and he also knew that Zhou Wuji was a deep and meticulous person. Since he dared to say that, he must have been extremely confident.
"Alright, I'll stay here," Wuzheng replied in a low voice.
Zhou Wuji nodded. That was the good thing about Senior Brother Wuzheng; he trusted him completely and they had a certain tacit understanding, so there was no need to say too much.
He silently scaled the high brick wall, which led to the second courtyard of the Yang Household's residence.
According to the layout of the house, this kind of back house is generally where women, children and the elderly live. It is also the most private place in the house, and outsiders are not allowed to enter.
There are now three powerful life auras in the main room, one of which is clearly Seventh Rank Devil Cultivator.
Zhou Wuji was so confident in his judgment because the other party had that familiar scent of Gu worms.
The Five Dragons Gang is very large, but as far as he knows, all Five Dragons Envoys are Seventh Rank Gu Masters, and only the gang leader is Sixth Rank martial artist.
A Seventh Rank Gu Master, along with two Eighth Rank Hidden Force subordinates, occupied the main room of the inner courtyard.
There was a weak yet lively aura in the main bedroom; it must be Yang Tie Ying, who had been subdued by the Gu technique.
Several people lived in the side rooms; judging from their vitality, they were ordinary people, probably servants of the Yang Household.
There's a strong, fiery vitality in the front yard; it must be Yang Shuling.
Zhou Wuji considered it for a moment but decided not to approach Yang Shuling. This person's life force was strong and he couldn't conceal it. He might have been subjected to some kind of treatment by a Gu Master. If Yang Shuling made a move, it would only alert the other party.
With his current Law Technique skills, killing that Seventh Rank Gu Master would be a piece of cake.
However, there were other Devil Cultivator nearby, and he couldn't alert them. He also had another concern: the safety of the hostages.
Not only should the fighting not affect the hostages, but it would be best to capture the enemy alive in order to break the Gu spell restrictions on the hostages.
Of course, his own safety is the highest priority in everything.
Zhou Wuji still wanted to do his best to save the hostage, after all, he was a very promising young man. Putting aside his friendship with Yang Shuling, just considering the matter itself, the other party was also burdened by him.
He wouldn't feel guilty about it. That's just how cruel the world is. If you make friends with someone, you'll naturally be hated by that person's enemies.
Every advantage has its disadvantage; this is true of everything in the world.
Because of his concerns about the hostages, Zhou Wuji couldn't think of a foolproof plan.
The main problem was that he knew absolutely nothing about witchcraft. Since the other party was living deep within the Yang Household, besides holding the hostages in their hands, they would surely have prepared some means to protect themselves.
After all, Yang Shuling is a seasoned veteran, and no one can guarantee that Yang Shuling will cooperate obediently.
However, for practical reasons, a Gu master would not set up any hidden weapons or traps in the room.
At most, it's just for placing some venomous insects, snakes, or other random things.
Zhou Wuji stood silently in the shadows of the corner, observing. He guided the flow of True Qi through the Divine Aperture aperture between his eyebrows, and the seven apertures that had been opened also flowed true qi at the same time, forming a cycle.
The cultivation of the Northern Dipper Tianshu Scripture inherently enhances the observation and perception abilities of the eyes and ears, which is also a wondrous transformation of the sect's Law Technique.
In this state, his perception of his seven orifices is enhanced to the limit.
He could hear the breathing of the three people in the room, and through the changes in the volume and rhythm of their breathing, he could visualize a three-dimensional scene in his mind.
Seventh Rank Devil Cultivator sat in the central hall, while an Eighth Rank Hidden Force martial artist rested to one side. Another Eighth Rank Hidden Force martial artist stayed in the bedroom, where a weak young man lay on the bed.
The distance was still too great; Zhou Wuji couldn't perceive the details of the room, nor could he determine what kind of protective measures were in place.
Zhou Wuji didn't want to wait any longer. Everyone in the room was skilled in martial arts and lived in the Yang Household, so it was unlikely that they would come out to use the toilet in the middle of the night.
Waiting any longer is just a waste of time!
With a thought, Zhou Wuji activated the Heavenly Puppet on his left arm. The bronze Heavenly Puppet, which resembled an arm guard, silently melted into a faint blue light, which instantly flowed throughout his body and solidified into a sealed blue bronze garment, enveloping his entire body.
His facial features were completely enveloped and sealed by the Heavenly Puppet.
In reality, the Heavenly Puppet was transformed into a Seamless Heavenly Robe, isolating him from the outside world.
Whether it's swords, Law Technique, or poisonous insects, only by first penetrating the Seamless Heavenly Robe transformed from the Heavenly Puppet can one harm his physical body.
Zhou Wuji was able to use his six senses to interact with the Heavenly Puppet, so even in a completely enclosed state, he could still "see," "hear," and sense all the changes around him.
The Heavenly Puppet does not affect his senses; on the contrary, it enhances them to a certain extent.
Zhou Wuji had conducted various tests on the Heavenly Puppet. This Heavenly Robe state was the Heavenly Puppet's strongest protective state. Although it looked like a thin, light blue bronze garment, its protective power was higher than that of heavy armor, and it could even withstand heavy crossbow shots from ten paces away.
He estimated that it was enough to withstand a full-force attack from Seventh-Rank Martial Artist. However, it couldn't withstand the full-force slash from the Tiger Wing Saber.
The transformation of the Heavenly Puppet into a bronze-clad figure had no effect on his movements; in fact, it enhanced the power of his released True Qi.
The only drawback of transforming the Heavenly Puppet into a blue-bronze robe is that it consumes a great deal of true and Divine Sense.
With his current cultivation level, he can only maintain this state for a maximum of ten breaths. Through the Rejuvenation Technique, he can maintain this state for thirty breaths at his peak.
Zhou Wuji activated his Heavenly Puppet to transform into a bronze protective suit. With no more reservations, he strode directly to the main room and pushed open the door to enter.
Chen Hui, the Azure Dragon Envoy, who was meditating in the main hall, had no intention of closing the door; it was only slightly ajar.
Zhou Wuji walked over in a swagger, making no attempt to conceal his presence, which led Chen Hui to make the wrong judgment, assuming that Yang Shuling had come over.
Chen Hui knew something was wrong as soon as he opened his eyes. The other person was tall and slender, wearing a wide robe, and his build was vastly different from Yang Shuling's.
In the darkness, he couldn't see the other person's face clearly, but he could vaguely see a metallic sheen on their face, and most strangely, he couldn't see their eyes.
Chen Hui was startled and, without hesitation, flicked his sleeve and threw out a large number of Gu worms.
Tiny, dust-like Gu worms instantly spread throughout the main hall.
The Hundred Insects Incense burning in the censer on the table, a special type of incense, emits a fragrance that greatly excites the Gu worms, significantly enhancing their power.
Outsiders who smell this fragrance will feel dizzy and lightheaded. Prolonged exposure can even be fatal.
Chen Hui was also afraid that Yang Shuling would try something funny, so he made preparations early on.
Unexpectedly, it wasn't Yang Shuling arrived, but a strange stranger.
Zhou Wuji saw the Gu worms flying all over the sky through the Heavenly Puppet. Having had experience fighting a Gu Master once, he knew that these Gu worms were real living beings and could not possibly penetrate the Heavenly Puppet.
He ignored the Gu worms, and with a flick of his left hand hidden in his long sleeve, he released a White Eyebrow Needle.
The Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, who was resting on a wooden chair nearby, was startled and got up to draw his sword. Before he could even sit up straight, White Eyebrow Needle pierced his forehead with lightning speed.
Zhou Wuji's physical strength reached 500, and he mastered the Five Tigers Fist, which greatly increased his strength.
The perfected Heavenly Pivot Hand allowed him to fully concentrate the power of his fingers and palms onto the fine, hair-like White Eyebrow Needle.
He has now activated the White Eyebrow Needle and enhanced it with the Tianshu White Eyebrow Needle Power, greatly increasing its speed and adding many complex variations.
The opponent, a mere Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, couldn't even see the White Eyebrow Needle.
The two were less than ten steps apart, Eighth-Rank Martial Artist had only just heard the thin sound of the White Eyebrow Needle piercing the air before he was hit.
The White Eyebrow Needle easily pierced the martial artist's skull, and the true secondary burst attached to the needle blasted a fist-sized cavity into the man's brain.
The Eighth-Rank Martial Artist died on the spot; his body, which was not sitting upright, stiffened for a moment and then fell to the ground with a thud.
Azure Dragon Envoy Chen Hui also heard the sharp whistling of the White Eyebrow Needle. Even with his keen eyesight, he couldn't see clearly what kind of hidden weapon the other party was using. He could only see that his subordinate was lying there in a very bad situation.
Chen Hui was even more terrified. Who were these people? They killed people without saying a word, their methods so cruel and vicious?
Without further hesitation, Chen Hui immediately raised the Azure Dragon Case, aimed it at the approaching man, and pulled the trigger.
The thirty-six flying shuttles hidden inside the Azure Dragon Case were activated, pouring down on Zhou Wuji like a torrential rain.
The two were too close, and Zhou Wuji had no time to dodge. He immediately drew his sword and unleashed the Dusk Snow Reaching the Heavens Dusk Snow Sword Technique.
The continuous, radiant sword light transformed into a curtain of light, slicing away all the incoming shuttles.
Chen Hui watched in horror as the shuttle shattered and flew apart. This person's Swordsmanship was incredibly powerful!
He suddenly realized that there was only one person in Siming County with such superb Swordsmanship: Zhou Wuji!
Chen Hui realized that the person who came was Zhou Wuji. He was about to open his mouth and shout for help when he suddenly heard a low, buzzing sound of a sword.
His concentrated Divine Sense sense was intimidated by the sword's cry, and the gathered essence was thrown into disarray.
The next moment, the blade flashed and arrived. Chen Hui watched helplessly, unable to dodge, and could only let the blade pierce his brow.