Chapter 121: Allies

That’s right, although you were the one who ultimately killed this demonic Daoist, and you barely saved our lives, but…

“Three lives!” Xia Daoming corrected.

The red-clad woman shot Xia Daoming a furious glance, took a deep breath, and pretended not to hear him, continuing: “But if we hadn’t intervened, drained most of this demon’s magic power, and drawn his attention, you never would’ve had a chance to kill him.

Not only would you have had no chance—if we hadn’t arrived in time—you’d all be dead now, and Licheng would’ve been slaughtered, every soul turned into cursed artifacts by this demon.

So yes, you saved our three lives, but truly speaking, it was we who saved you, and every single citizen of Licheng.”

After speaking, the red-clad woman lifted her chest proudly, watching the stunned expressions around her, finally feeling she’d avenged herself.

Now it’s your turn to be speechless!

“You traveled thousands of miles to slay demons and uphold justice—this is truly worthy of praise and respect, and I deeply admire it,” Xia Daoming said solemnly.

The white-clad man’s expression softened slightly.

The blue-clad woman lifted her head again.

Hearing this, the red-clad woman proudly lifted her chest once more, causing Xia Daoming to glance again, secretly comparing her to Ji Wenyue.

The size and height were about the same, but Wen Yue’s shape was more beautiful.

Xia Daoming, shameless as ever, silently evaluated.

Ji Yuanzhen and Liang Jingtang had already begun stroking their silver beards with self-satisfied nods.

That was well-spoken flattery—but what comes next will be different.

Yu Chi Xiao and the others weren’t as refined as the two elders; they sneered, clearly enjoying the show.

“But…” Xia Daoming was silently comparing and judging, yet his tone suddenly shifted.

Here it comes!

Yu Chi Xiao and the others perked up.

“But what?” the red-clad woman blurted out.

“But how do you know that if you hadn’t intervened, we couldn’t have defeated Ma Tong and the demon?” Xia Daoming asked.

“Nonsense! Wu Rong is on our Great Liang realm’s wanted list of demonic cultivators—he’s already at Qi Refining sixth level, half a step into the late stage, and both his magic treasures are extremely powerful. With your three ninth-rank Wu Xiu, killing him is pure fantasy!” the white-clad man retorted.

“Wu Rong is already at Qi Refining sixth level?” Xia Daoming was greatly surprised.

“Correct. Ninth-rank Wu Xiu typically match Qi Refining fourth or fifth level. Even combined, you’d barely stand a chance against him!” the white-clad man sneered.

Xia Daoming said nothing in reply, sinking into thought.

From Ding Chushan, he already knew the cultivation realms were divided into Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Soul Transformation.

Within Qi Refining, there were nine sub-levels.

Qi Refining directly correlates with the Eight Extraordinary Meridians: opening the first meridian is level one, and so on—opening the eighth meridian is level eight.

When all eight meridians are fully unblocked, fused with the dantian, and true qi flows seamlessly between them, that’s level nine—the stage preparing for Foundation Establishment.

Levels one to three are called early Qi Refining, four to six mid-stage, and seven to nine late-stage.

Some even call cultivators whose true qi and magic power have reached absolute saturation—ready to ingest a Foundation Establishment Pill—“Qi Refining Perfect,” distinguishing them from ordinary late-stage cultivators.

“Qi Refining sixth level doesn’t seem so impressive. If I strengthen my meridians a few more times, I’ll be able to fight even a Qi Refining Perfect, as long as I don’t face a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

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But I still can’t get cocky. Wu Xiu combat relies entirely on one’s own strength—weapons offer only slight advantage, and external help is nearly nonexistent. Cultivators, however, rely on magic treasures.

Magic treasures greatly determine a cultivator’s combat power, and their quality varies wildly. Who knows if some brat’s family owns a spirit mine? A mid-stage cultivator might wield a treasure capable of crushing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while I, thinking myself mighty, ignore him—wouldn’t that be a fatal mistake? Like a child wielding a gun defeating an adult!

And Ding Chushan said cultivators’ innate talent, cultivation techniques, and spells differ in power. What if I face a genius in the cultivation world? Same realm, but his spiritual power is far purer and more potent, his spells devastating and unpredictable—that’d be trouble!”

Xia Daoming first felt surprise, then a surge of arrogance, then quickly calmed himself, searching for reasons to stay humble.

“So it’s not that you saved us—it was we who saved you first, giving you the chance to help later!” the red-clad woman, unaware of Xia Daoming’s rapid mental shifts, saw his stunned expression and grew even more confident.

“Wu Xiu combat styles differ from ours, and can’t be judged purely by realm. Maybe… maybe your three together could’ve defeated Wu Rong,” the blue-clad woman with apple cheeks said hesitantly, feeling uneasy about completely erasing Xia Daoming’s contribution.

Huh! There’s an ally in the enemy camp!

Xia Daoming looked at the blue-clad woman, his gaze subtly warm.

“Blue Xue, don’t speak!” the red-clad woman snapped, glaring fiercely at her.

The blue-clad woman opened her mouth but lowered her head.

“This Blue Immortal’s point is valid. Many factors influence battle outcomes—not just cultivation levels. Strategy, for example.

Earlier, the County Magistrate and my master acted, while I held back, hiding in the shadows—I already suspected a demonic cultivator was among the enemy, hoping he’d think only two Wu Xiu were in the city, lowering his guard. Then I’d strike suddenly.

You know Wu Xiu move fast. Once I closed in, even if Wu Rong was Qi Refining sixth level with vile treasures, he’d almost certainly die.

In fact, if you hadn’t appeared, I might’ve already succeeded. So even without you, we had a chance. But frankly, your battle strategy was terrible.

Even a lion fights a rabbit with full strength. You knew rebels had a demonic cultivator—why charge in blindly? At least plan ahead.

Even if you didn’t plan, once you saw his level matched yours and his treasures were deadly, you shouldn’t have hesitated, clinging to your treasures. Once your spiritual power is spent, what good are your treasures?

Uh, sorry for my bluntness—but when facing a strong enemy, give it your all. No room for luck. Otherwise, you’ll die even worse. Do you understand?

The white-clad man’s temples throbbed with veins. If his spiritual power hadn’t been drained and his treasures crippled to less than one-tenth their power, he’d have drawn his Silver Light Sword and cut off this man’s head right now.

Damn it! Not admitting you couldn’t beat Wu Rong and letting the city be slaughtered is bad enough—but now you’re lecturing me on battle strategy? I’m furious!

The red-clad woman’s chest heaved, her face icy. But unconsciously, she glanced at the white-clad man, a hint of blame in her eyes.

If only he hadn’t insisted on putting away his treasures and relying only on spiritual power—he should’ve gone all out.

Things wouldn’t be this bad.

“Hmm, you’re right. White Brother is Qi Refining sixth level, and I’m fourth, Sister Du is fifth—we all have treasures and powerful sect techniques. If we’d planned better, even with Wu Rong’s vile treasures, we shouldn’t have lost so badly,” Blue Xue nodded along.

Xia Daoming’s gaze toward Blue Xue softened.

This was truly an ally—and teachable, perfectly in sync!

“Blue Xue, don’t speak if you don’t understand! And Qingyuan Sect’s affairs don’t concern you Wu cultivators! Enough. Give me the gourd. This is a demonic cursed treasure—I must take it back to the sect for the Elders to handle. Can’t leave it here.” Bai Jianpeng, barely holding back his rage, glared at Blue Xue, then turned back to Xia Daoming, resuming his haughty posture.

“Regardless, we’re grateful for your long-distance aid. Since you say so, here—take the gourd.” Xia Daoming tossed the gourd to Bai Jianpeng without hesitation, adding a polite remark.

Liang Jingtang and the others were taken aback by this sudden shift.

But when they saw Xia Daoming toss the gourd aside, quickly step forward, snatch up a pale white skull knife, then stride to the demon’s corpse and expertly search its body, they understood at once.

Right—a Wu Xiu has no use for a gourd spewing black mist. Let him have it. Even if his attitude was vile, he did help.

That skull knife? Wu Xiu could still use it.

And the demon might’ve carried cultivation techniques. Even if we old folks have no chance to enter the Dao, our descendants might now have hope.

Xi Zi Hua Kai, seeking Peach Blossom Spring, Qi Zhi Shenguang, ten thousand years of waiting, thanks to readers Jin Jie and others for their rewards.

(End of Chapter)