Chapter 199: A Sword Shakes the Heroes

199. Chapter 199 A Sword Shakes the Heroes

Outside Xiao Zhangqing's cave dwelling.

At this moment, a dozen or so people were gathered.

The weakest among them were all Fake Core True Persons, and more than half of them were cultivators who had formed a Golden Core.

All the True Persons residing in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, whose three‑tier cave dwellings are near the main peak, arrived immediately.

The intense, terrifying evil spirit force just now, even though it was only a fleeting glimpse, vanished quickly, yet left everyone shaken.

"Ancient City Lord, what just happened to Dao Companion Xiao? Did he encounter a mishap in his cultivation?"

"Could Dao Companion Xiao be an Evil Cultivator? Or perhaps he is practicing some wicked divine skill, turning to the demonic path? The aura just now is unlike that of us righteous cultivators."

"No, no, no—it's not an Evil Cultivator, but the aura of an evil spirit! Though I have never personally encountered an evil spirit, many years ago I happened to see a cultivator plagued by one; the aura on that person was identical to the aura emanating from Dao Companion Xiao's cave dwelling just now!"

"The main point is the aura that just now radiated from Dao Companion Xiao's cave dwelling—why was it so strong? Even from far away I felt deeply unsettled! Even when the former Ancient City Lord was present, the aura had never been this terrifying!"

"Indeed! My disciple, at the mid‑stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, was hit by that dreadful pressure, and his Soul Transformation suffered a serious injury!"

Most of the True Persons present had no idea what was happening.

The incident a few months ago when Xiao Zhangqing and two others explored the ruins was not publicly advertised.

Later, the evil spirit was inadvertently dealt with by Xiao Zhangqing, so there was even less need for any rumors.

"Everyone, do not trespass recklessly!"

Gu Zongyuan's face was filled with caution and regret, and he immediately ordered his subordinates to activate the Mountain Guard Array.

He certainly knew what the evil spirit force was, but he hadn't expected that, just months ago, Xiao Zhangqing had claimed to have eliminated the evil spirit; he had personally inspected and observed that Xiao Zhangqing bore no trace of it—so why did it suddenly erupt after several months?

Gu Zongyuan did not doubt that Xiao Zhangqing had deceived him at the time.

In his view, the most likely scenario was that Xiao Zhangqing had also been beguiled by the evil spirit.

He believed he had eliminated the evil spirit, but in fact the spirit had covertly slipped through, never truly slain, and was hidden within him! "Careless! I should have been more cautious and observed more closely back then!"

Gu Zongyuan was momentarily at a loss as to what to do.

If they entered the cave dwelling and saw Xiao Zhangqing truly possessed by the evil spirit, or if that white‑clothed female evil spirit revived, what should be done? The situation would be worse than a few months ago!

Because this is now within Character: Liyang Zhenren City, if the evil spirit erupts, how many would suffer? Although this is the main peak of the Character: Liyang Mountains, suppressed by the Mountain Guard Array, Gu Zongyuan is not very confident he can subdue the former white‑clothed female evil spirit.

The Mountain Guard Array of the Character: Liyang Mountains has a maximum defensive strength of only top‑tier three, not reaching four; it cannot withstand attacks at the Nascent Soul True Lord level.

Moreover, the aura of that white‑clothed female evil spirit has reached the Nascent Soul True Lord tier! Furthermore, she is still within the Mountain Guard Array; Gu Zongyuan wishes to exterminate rather than merely defend! He took a deep breath, temporarily setting aside the myriad thoughts in his mind.

In any case, as the ruler of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, he must get to the bottom of what is happening.

If the white‑clothed female evil spirit truly reappears, even if he cannot exterminate her, he must use the Mountain Guard Array to stall as long as possible, buying countless cultivators of Character: Liyang Zhenren City time to evacuate.

Just as Gu Zongyuan was preparing to forcibly dismantle the defensive formation of Xiao Zhangqing's cave dwelling to inspect inside,

the cave's formation voluntarily withdrew.

Xiao Zhangqing stepped forward, followed by the Lin sisters, whose Soul Transformations were visibly injured.

"Such a massive formation?"

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the dozen‑plus True Persons outside, felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Everyone need not treat this as a great enemy. I made a slight mishap in my cultivation just now, affecting you Dao Companions, and I sincerely apologize. If anyone suffered loss because of my mistake, Xiao will take responsibility."

The evil spirit force that erupted just now, though it lasted only an instant, was comparable to the pressure of a Nascent Soul True Lord; the Lin sisters fell into immediate unconsciousness, revealing the severity.

Estimating that any cultivator on the main peak of the Character: Liyang Mountains whose cultivation is below Core Formation Perfection would likely sustain some injury.

This result stemmed from his momentary curiosity and oversight, and Xiao Zhangqing felt a bit embarrassed about it.

Just as Xiao Zhangqing was about to step out of the cave and give a detailed explanation, the Mountain Guard Array on the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountains activated instantly, and a powerful pressure formed an invisible cage around him.

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the scene with a sense of helplessness.

He knew he was once again under suspicion.

It was understandable; if he were in the other's shoes, he would also be suspicious, perhaps even more so.

"Brother Xiao, please understand, for the safety of the entire Character: Liyang Zhenren City, I must temporarily keep you inside the cave dwelling," Gu Zongyuan said, forcing himself.

The many Fake Core and Core Formation True Persons, unaware of the details, stared in shock at the scene.

The Ancient City Lord used the Mountain Guard Array to suppress Dao Companion Xiao? Aren't they close allies? Would the Ancient City Lord even be willing to make Dao Companion Xiao a deputy city lord?

So, because Dao Companion Xiao made a minor error during cultivation, the strongest trump card of Character: Liyang Zhenren City—the Mountain Guard Array—was employed to imprison him? The Lin sisters, seeing this, were both surprised and somewhat angry.

Sister Lin Zixi couldn't help but protest: "Lord, why does the Ancient City Lord act this way? On what authority does he imprison your movements, preventing us from leaving the cave? Yet his own master and disciple beg you not to leave, wanting to stay in Character: Liyang Zhenren City for a full thirty years."

The Lin sisters were also aware of the agreement between Xiao Zhangqing and the Character: Liyang True Persons.

Today their lord's cultivation mishap caused some damage, and the Ancient City Lord turned hostile, refusing to acknowledge them? The sisters were also unintentionally injured by the aura leaked by their lord today, yet they harbor no resentment.

Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand; the Lin sisters and the other True Persons, not knowing what was happening, naturally felt puzzled.

"Brother Gu, what must I do for you to believe me?" Xiao Zhangqing asked, feeling the surrounding array's restraining force.

Gu Zongyuan, with a solemn expression, earnestly said, "Brother Xiao, you shouldn't be asking me that; you should be asking yourself. How should I come to believe you?"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded and said, "Understood, I indeed must do something to earn Brother Gu's trust."

He then continued outward, and upon reaching the restraining barrier set by Gu Zongyuan's array, a burst of magical force struck, allowing him to gauge the strength of the restraint.

It was very solid, almost reaching the limit of three tiers.

Even a typical late‑Core Formation cultivator could scarcely break this restraining force.

Perhaps only a Character: Liyang Zhenren who has achieved Core Formation Perfection, a top‑tier master, could shatter the restraint.

In the past, even Xiao Zhangqing's utmost effort could not breach the Mountain Guard Array's restraint.

But now it is different. Though his clone cannot burrow deep into space nor connect with the evil spirit's stronghold dimension, his control over spatial power is undeniably real.

Even if he only employs the most rudimentary use—a tiny fragment of spatial power—there is a fundamental difference.

Even a single flicker within space is something most Nascent Soul True Lords cannot achieve.

Therefore.

These slender threads of spatial power deliver a dimensional‑reduction strike against this mere three‑tier array.

Only after Xiao Zhangqing felt the restraining power of the Mountain Guard Array, he looked up with a smiling gaze at the sky and said, "Brother Gu, watch closely…".

With Gu Zongyuan's puzzled stare, Xiao Zhangqing leapt, and in an inconceivable manner, passed through the Mountain Guard Array's restraints without any hindrance.

That barrier, which could stop a Core Formation Late-stage cultivator, seemed to have no effect on Xiao Zhangqing, as if it were nothing!

Gu Zongyuan's eyes widened in inexplicable terror; subconsciously he manipulated the Mountain Guard Array, drawing all its power to pursue and block Xiao Zhangqing layer by layer.

Unfortunately, it was still useless.

No matter how domineering the Mountain Guard Array was, on Xiao Zhangqing it was as light as a feather, offering no resistance.

"What is this…"

Gu Zongyuan didn't have time to ponder the strangeness, as Xiao Zhangqing had already passed completely through the seal, soaring into the air and appearing before Gu Zongyuan and many True Persons.

Then the Jade Clear Bright Light Sword materialized; after Xiao Zhangqing activated the Second Avatar's Core Formation power, starlight filled the sky together with countless sword qi, dense as clouds of sword qi that pressed over everyone's heads! In an instant, everyone froze, standing like wooden chickens, their gazes slightly dazed at Xiao Zhangqing.

Even Su Wushuang, at Core Formation Mid-stage, suddenly tightened their gaze, feeling a heavy pressure on their chest.

The might of Xiao Zhangqing's sword now is far, far stronger than it was ten years ago!

If ten years ago Xiao Zhangqing's sword qi could only dominate at Core Formation Mid-stage, slightly surpassing them, it could not reach the level of Core Formation Late-stage.

Today's sword, even though it was merely gathering momentum and hadn't actually descended, still exerted a powerful pressure on Su Wushuang.

This absolutely reaches the power of the Core Formation Late-stage level!

Among those present, Su Wushuang was the strongest in cultivation; they felt it this way, and the others need not be mentioned.

Even though Gu Zongyuan could manipulate the Mountain Guard Array, its effect was minimal.

Because Xiao Zhangqing was within the Mountain Guard Array, the power Gu Zongyuan mobilized could not restrain him; any duel would have to rely on his own strength.

His strength, of course, was insignificant beneath this sword qi canopy.

"If I truly were an evil spirit, wanting to open a killing spree, it should be easy at this moment, right?"

Xiao Zhangqing looked at Gu Zongyuan and Su Wushuang; only the two of them understood what he said.

Seeing the two stare and nod in acknowledgment of his words, Xiao Zhangqing smiled, dispersed the sky‑full sword qi, and sheathed the Jade Clear Bright Light Sword.

His purpose was simple: to demonstrate that he possessed the ability to launch a killing spree.

If he were truly possessed by an evil spirit, or his mind clouded by one, no one in Character: Liyang Zhenren City could stop him.

Even this group of Core Formation and Fake Core True Persons, or the Mountain Guard Array on Character: Liyang Mountain Range's main peak, were merely ineffective against him.

Yet, despite having the power to break everything, he did not launch a killing spree, which proves no evil spirit resides within him.

The evil spirit power that erupted earlier was merely an accident, a flaw in his cultivation.

"Hoo…"

Gu Zongyuan let out a heavy sigh, his gaze at Xiao Zhangqing slightly awkward, but he quickly scratched his head and cheerfully explained, "Brother Xiao, you must be the kind who lets the big forget the small, right? Just now, the terrifying evil spirit power you unleashed was almost a replay of the scene from a few months ago, and since this is within Character: Liyang Zhenren City, I had to be cautious, responsible for the safety of all cultivators here. After all, if a such terrifying evil spirit truly existed in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, the consequences would be unimaginable…"

Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand: "Alright, I understand."

Su Wushuang, whose thoughts were unclear, kept a cold expression, but her gaze at Xiao Zhangqing flashed with many colors as she said, "Should I congratulate Dao Companion Xiao, for turning disaster into blessing? Because slaying the evil spirit has greatly advanced his strength…"

That woman was truly clever, her insight vicious.

By linking cause and effect, she inferred that she had benefited considerably from the process of slaying the evil spirit.

Indeed, it was so.

Setting aside the near misstep into the evil spirit realm earlier, this time his gains were indeed enormous.

Besides grasping a sliver of spatial power, giving him self‑protection when facing many Nascent Soul True Lords, his current Second Avatar's mana far exceeds the mana previously stored and converted by the Longevity Stone! The Avatar's mana strength has reached that of a Core Formation Late-stage cultivator!

Thus, using the Avatar's mana to trigger the Plucking Stars, Changing Dipper Sword Formula earlier, the sword qi's power surged dramatically, far surpassing before.

What he displayed to everyone was actually only a portion; he had not given his full effort.

Now, he truly has become invincible at the Nascent Soul stage!

If Character: Liyang Zhenren returns and fails to breakthrough the Nascent Soul, Xiao Zhangqing could then call him 'Xiao Li'!

Not to mention, the Nightmare Reincarnation Technique, a top‑grade divine skill that can roam the heavens and myriad realms, which Xiao Zhangqing still cannot yet wield.

"In two more years, when I form a Golden Core, in the Da Yu Cultivation World I will no longer fear anyone or any sect."

"By then, regardless of how the situation shifts, how clouds swirl strangely, I will sit and watch the clouds rise and fall, unperturbed by change…"

…

As Xiao Zhangqing shattered the formation, a single sword stunned the crowd, and no one again complained about the ominous evil spirit power he had just released.

On the contrary, this group of Fake Core True Persons and Core Formation True Persons, almost all, after Su Wushuang spoke, hurriedly congratulated Xiao Zhangqing on his cultivation breakthrough and vast divine abilities.

As for the disciples, concubines, and juniors in his own cave dwelling whose Soul Transformation was injured, they neither mentioned it nor required Xiao Zhangqing's compensation or rescue, treating it as if nothing had happened and handling it themselves.

After this incident, a rumor spread among the higher echelons of Character: Liyang Zhenren City: the one who now openly replaces Character: Liyang Zhenren is his disciple Gu Zongyuan.

But in reality, the one who truly supplants Character: Liyang Zhenren, whose authority is untouchable, is Xiao Zhangqing. (End of chapter)