Chapter 630: You're strong, but I'm stronger!

Impossible, this is absolutely impossible, he is clearly a Sword Cultivator, how could he possibly be an Astrologer?

Zhu Xing instinctively retorted.

He knows the identities of these three beauties clearly; upon speaking, he points out that Wang Ping'an is the beauty who is an Astrologer, a fox maiden of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, said to be from Qingqiu Fox.

Don't look down on the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan as not being a powerful race; they rely on the big tree for shade, possessing countless clan classics, so it's normal for them to have ancient texts recording Astrologers.

Using the ancient texts to identify Wang Ping'an's identity—more accurately, based on Wang Ping'an's current methods, recognizing him as an Astrologer is equally normal.

Just that.

He couldn't accept that Wang Ping'an, who ambushed him, was an Astrologer.

It's not that he holds any prejudice against Wang Ping'an; although he hasn't yet seen Wang Ping'an's appearance, over this time, Wang Ping'an's displayed abilities have made it clear to him.

Wang Ping'an is a scion of an aristocratic family, and not just any family—a major one, and even a favored scion; otherwise he wouldn't dare to tear up two chapters of the General's Ode written by a Confucian master so casually.

Without a heaven-defying background, not to mention the General's Ode penned by a Confucian master, even if it were written by a Confucian scion who has read countless books over many years, it would be hard to obtain, let alone tear up two chapters at will.

Astrologer.

He hasn't had the chance to learn details, at most hearing a mention or two, but he still knows how formidable Astrologers are; without a master guiding one in, it's nearly impossible to set foot on the path of Astrology, yet given Wang Ping'an's circumstances, he actually has the qualifications to embark on that path.

Just that.

Given Wang Ping'an's abilities just displayed, he is clearly an orthodox Sword Cultivator, something even Zuo He does not deny.

Zuo He himself is a Sword Cultivator, so how could he fail to sense the same kind of aura?

Since Wang Ping'an is a Sword Cultivator, he naturally cannot be an Astrologer, just as he guessed earlier: if Wang Ping'an is a Sword Cultivator, he wouldn't be a Confucian scion.

"Young master, what you said is correct; he may not be an Astrologer, but his methods are virtually identical to those of an Astrologer, and they employ the highest-grade energy of Astrologers—Solar Power—something only top-tier Astrologers can walk this path!"

The fox maiden opened her mouth, wanting to rebut, but she realized Zhu Xing's words made sense.

Even though she could clearly see that Wang Ping'an was using Astrologer's methods, she still couldn't accept that Wang Ping'an was both a Sword Cultivator and an Astrologer, given her relatively good understanding of the cultivation path.

"Young master, you said that since the person who ambushed you is not an Astrologer yet can use Astrologer's methods, could it be similar to using Confucian methods?"

Another beauty interjected: "He might possess a similar treasure, originating from a powerful Astrologer, and with its aid he can use the abilities that only an Astrologer can use."

Zhu Xing pondered: "Come to think of it, such a possibility really exists!"

"Young master, this person is both a Sword Cultivator and versed in Confucian methods, and now he can even employ Astrologer's techniques!"

The third beauty lifted her head, only to see that as Wang Ping'an exerted his Astrologer's abilities, the generals and cavalry were enveloped by a beam of light, absorbing solar energy to strengthen their abilities, and around them blazed a raging flame.

It was solar fire; the beam then vanished, evidently because its energy had been fully absorbed by the generals and cavalry, who immediately launched an attack on Zuo He.

The third beauty urged: "No one can guarantee this person doesn't have other tricks; young master, perhaps we should leave this place first."

"I haven't even seen his true face yet, and if we just leave like that, won't people laugh at us?"

Zhu Xing snorted in dissatisfaction, but out of the corner of his eye he saw that under the siege of the generals and cavalry, Zuo He could no longer maneuver with ease as before; instead he strained with all his might yet could not harm the generals and cavalry, and the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back, prompting him to say:

"But what you said makes sense; as the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall. Although I am no gentleman, my life is more important than a gentleman's—you drive the carriage, let's leave this place first!"

He had heard of the Astrologers' prowess, but only now seeing it for the first time did he realize that what he'd heard before paled in comparison to witnessing it himself.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe that the generals and cavalry, who originally had no power to resist before Zuo He, now strengthened by solar power, were simply overwhelming Zuo He.

Whether offense or defense, both received a heaven‑shaking boost.

Just that.

He found it hard to comprehend how the Astrologer's power could manifest in Confucian methods—two completely different paths—wouldn't they fear backlash?

"Are the Astrologer's abilities really this formidable?"

Wang Ping'an watched as the generals and cavalry pressed Zuo He, his face showing undisguised shock.

This novel you have reached.

He had originally intended to clash head‑on with Zuo He, to see whose Sword Cultivator was stronger—Zuo He's or his own—but before he could act, a thought suddenly sprang into his mind: he faintly felt a special energy slowly seeping into his body.

This energy was very familiar to him—it was the unique solar energy.

He initially guessed that perhaps the Greater Attainment Realm's Purple Qi Classic was taking effect, but the Purple Qi Classic of the Greater Attainment Realm, though not unpracticed, strengthens the physique rather than the controlled puppet—the Paper Person—and moreover requires cultivation to absorb solar energy; without cultivation it would not work.

At this moment.

He suddenly recalled the system reward 'Astrology; Sun' obtained not long ago from cultivating the Purple Qi Classic, suspecting that it might be strangely enhancing the Paper Person, and this reward was likely taking effect.

He then recalled the Confucian piece General's Ode, pondering whether 'Astrology: Sun' that could strengthen the Paper Person might also empower the generals and cavalry summoned by the General's Ode; he wanted to try it, and if his guess were wrong, the worst that could happen would be to charge out and clash head‑on with Zuo He.

Unexpectedly.

His guess was correct.

"Astrology: Sun" can enhance the generals and cavalry, and the degree of enhancement is even more terrifying than he imagined.

"He is indeed a formidable Sword Cultivator, but sadly, in front of me he's still not enough to behold!"

Wang Ping'an watched as Zuo He exerted nearly all his abilities, yet still failed to wound the generals and cavalry; instead he was pressed and beaten by them, and a careless moment sent him flying back, his face showing undisguised delight as he inwardly gloated:

"As expected, I am still stronger!"

(End of chapter)