Even though both are at the First-Layer Foundation Establishment, the gap between Yuan Lang and Ma Junyi is still very evident.
Yuan Lang, born in a sect, gained the inheritance technique from the Golden Core Sect, and was guided by a Crystallization Stage master, who bestowed him with magical artifacts.
Whether in terms of cultivation techniques or magical artifacts, he absolutely crushes Ma Junyi.
Ma Junyi, as a loose cultivator, resorted to robbery due to poverty and a lack of cultivation resources, making his cultivation techniques and equipment, and indeed his entire standing, far inferior to Yuan Langâs.
When Yuan Lang said, "I came from Shenxiao Palace," it made Ma Junyiâs eyes narrow, and he immediately recalled the background of that sect.
In his younger days, Ma Junyi was a loose cultivator wandering in the Chu Kingdom. Due to some grudges and conflicts in his early years, he fled to the Qi Kingdom to make a living and cultivate, to avoid his enemies.
He had heard of the legendary Shenxiao Palace.
How could he have provoked a cultivator from Shenxiao Palace?
Could it really be a righteous act?
There was no time to think more at this moment.
Under Yuan Langâs command, the Fire Cloud Sword almost turned into a streak of light, causing Ma Junyiâs expression to change.
Seeing this, there was clearly no room for negotiation, and this battle had to be fought.
"You forced my hand!"
Ma Junyi gritted his teeth, opting not to directly use magical artifacts to withstand Yuan Langâs attack.
He clearly remembered the scene where his subordinate faced Yuan Langâs flying sword, bringing a sense of dread to his heart.
For safety, he couldnât take such risks easily.
Thus, Ma Junyi executed a rather mysterious body technique.
Once the body technique was used, a green light enveloped Ma Junyi, and in the blink of an eye, he dodged the Fire Cloud Swordâs attack.
The Fire Cloud Sword slashed into the air.
By this time, Ma Junyi hadnât had a chance to make any move when a round ring suddenly hovered above his head, emitting a faint silver glow.
A powerful binding force instantly enveloped Ma Junyi, making him feel as if he was glued to the spot.
This situation left him unable to use his body technique or even make the simplest movement.
Instinctively looking up, Ma Junyi saw the Demon-locking Ring above him.
The Demon-locking Ringâs light retracted, expanding only to a size of one zhang. Like a hollow sun ring, it descended upon Ma Junyi.
Ma Junyi, having cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Stage, had faced numerous dangers and understood what was happening.
"Break!"
With a grave expression, he frantically mobilized his magical power, holding nothing back, and activated a mountain seal-shaped magical artifact to meet the attack.
This magical artifact, called the Mountain Shaking Seal, was a Tier Two High-Grade artifact and Ma Junyiâs most adept weapon.
The Mountain Shaking Seal expanded in size, matching the Demon-locking Ring as they collided.
He intended to use the Mountain Shaking Seal to block the Demon-locking Ringâs attack.
However, the power of two magical artifacts isnât determined by size.
The Mountain Shaking Seal was still inferior to the Demon-locking Ring.
The Demon-locking Ring exerted a powerful suppressive force, pressing the Mountain Shaking Seal down with a buzz.
At this moment, the Mountain Shaking Seal couldnât rise at all and was forcefully suppressed by the Demon-locking Ring.
This action immediately changed Ma Junyiâs expression; he couldnât be hit by his own magical artifact, could he?
He had to quickly shrink the Mountain Shaking Seal and catch it in his hand.
Otherwise, being hit by his own artifact would be quite embarrassing.
Without the Mountain Shaking Sealâs defense, Ma Junyi was completely exposed to the Demon-locking Ringâs attack and was quickly ensnared by it.
The Demon-locking Ring shrank in the blink of an eye, tightly wrapping around Ma Junyi.
This made Ma Junyi cry out inwardly, trying to break free from the Demon-locking Ringâs constraints, but this artifactsâs power was beyond his imagination. Even when summoning all his magical power, he couldnât budge the Demon-locking Ring.
At this time, Lu Zhiwei was already brandishing her sword.
A brilliant blue streak shot out, directly targeting Ma Junyi.
The Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword struck out, unleashing intense Vast Sword Qi, sweeping towards Ma Junyi.
Fear was apparent in Ma Junyiâs eyes; he was extremely apprehensive of this sword strike.
Now, with himself tightly bound by the Demon-locking Ring, he couldnât evade at all and had to attempt to gather his Foundation Establishment Spiritual Power Shield, bracing himself for the sword strike.
With a soft noise.
Yet, gathering the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Power Shield required time, and just as it was halfway formed, the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword pierced through the shield, straight through Ma Junyiâs chest, spilling crimson blood onto the ground.
This sword was fatal, killing Ma Junyi on the spot.
"Big Brother!"
Witnessing Ma Junyiâs demise, the remaining loose cultivators exclaimed in panic, immediately thrown into disarray.
Even someone as strong as First-Layer Foundation Establishment Ma Junyi was killed with no way to fight back; how could any of them stand against this?
Did they stay here, waiting to be killed?
They scattered in confusion, abandoning any will to fight.
Yet in front of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, how could five Qi cultivators escape?
The Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword shot forward with incredible speed, slicing through a Qi Cultivation loose cultivator.
Thereafter, the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword changed direction, unleashing a fierce burst of Sword Qi, beheading another Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation loose cultivator.
Lu Zhiwei, at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment, dealt with these Qi cultivators almost effortlessly.
On Yuan Langâs side, his attacks were equally relentless. After chasing down a loose cultivator, the Fire Cloud Sword succeeded in its strike in the blink of an eye.
The remaining two Qi Cultivation loose cultivators were in disarray and ultimately failed to escape, meeting their end by Lu Zhiweiâs two sword strikes.
[Doorway Affairs: Eradicate the loose cultivator riffraff on the Land Passage, task completed]
[Completion Reward: 1220 Reputation points, Cyan Ox Banner Ă1]
...
The progress of the task completion prompted a dialog box.
As of now, all four Doorway Affairs have been successfully completed.
Following Lu Pingâs instructions, Lu Zhiwei collected the spoils from these rogue loose cultivators and set off for the Cyan Mountain Sect.
Yuan Lang accompanied for another day and arrived at the Cyan Lotus Mountain with Lu Zhiwei.
Lu Yuanshan naturally welcomed Yuan Langâs arrival and hosted him courteously.
Yuan Lang stayed as a guest at the Cyan Mountain Sect for a while, then took his leave that very day, saying heâd visit again, and went off on his own for further experiences.
Having escorted Lu Zhiwei back to the Cyan Mountain Sect, he felt reassured.
Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Over at the Little Cold Mountain Spirit Vein, Lu Xuelian sent word that the facility for training Cloud Stepping Beasts was fully constructed.