Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

A hundred riders left the city, a solemn silence in their wake.

The locals who were early to enter and leave the city watched from a distance, not daring to come any closer.

It was only after the heavily armored cavalry had gone far away and were out of sight that they dared to gather and proceed with entering and exiting the city.

"Has there been a disturbance with thieves? Such a large group of military lords looks frightening."

"That is the personal army of the Marquis, the Dongling Iron Cavalry! It is said that this group of iron cavalry followed the founding emperor in battle, becoming invincible across the land. Back then, even the likes of Qingniugong and Wolf God Cult confined themselves within their mountain gates, daring not to make the slightest move."

"Even now, the Dongling Iron Cavalry is no less formidable; none of the tough guys from within ten miles can make it in."

The locals discussed animatedly, each wearing a sense of pride, even though they had not personally benefited from any war spoils.

After the army had left, amidst the bustling crowd, a figure in a black robe appeared without anyone knowing when.

As he passed by, the crowd subconsciously made way, forming a vacant circle of several meters around him. Even the city guards couldn't help but step aside.

What was strange was that everyone continued about their business, collecting city tolls, checking goods, and no one gave him as much as a glance.

The man in the black robe proceeded at a measured pace, seemingly unhurried, yet with each step, he covered a great distance. It wasn't long before he arrived in front of the Marquis's residence and entered on his own accord.

The personal guards at the Marquis's residence, far more elite than Chen Chen's command, kept their eyes peeled, inspecting their surroundings, and yet they detected nothing.

Deep within the mountains at Budie Camp.

Jiang Ding suddenly opened his eyes, a fleeting sense of horror passing by.

The micro radar of the civilian drone completely failed to identify the black-robed figure, regarding him as no more than an ordinary citizen. Had Jiang Ding not occasionally paid attention to the monitoring screen, he might have missed this scene entirely.

"Group Divine Soul Spell?"

Jiang Ding said with apprehension.

Although there was a record on the screen, showing that there was no optical shielding, the townspeople had clearly made way, yet they still disregarded his presence. Perception had been forcibly twisted at the level of the Divine Soul.

Having such means, one must be at least at the Peak of Qi Practicing level.

And there was even a slight possibility of foundation building!

"No, no, I'm being jumpy," Jiang Ding said as he calmed his violently fluctuating emotions: "The Marquis's residence is undoubtedly cooperating with this person. The likelihood of a foundation-building cultivator doing such menial tasks is very small. More importantly, a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Practicing is completely sufficient for the job."

"Having a foundation-building cultivator come over would be as ludicrous as using a cannon to kill a mosquito."

"The Peak of Qi Practicing is the most likely."

Regardless of the possibility, he was no match for them.

Jiang Ding controlled the drone, constantly watching over the Marquis's residence from an altitude of over two thousand meters.

He saw that contingent of over a hundred heavily armored cavalrymen but had no thought of taking advantage of the remaining darkness to launch a surprise attack.

This place was over fifty kilometers from Dongling City; by the time anyone arrived, it would be too late.

Apart from that, the Sihai Business Association was now unreliable.

Once they lost his suppression, no one could say what Long Zhengwu, who appeared so submissive, might do when not constantly watched.

The heavy armored cavalry traveled continuously for three hours, arriving ten kilometers outside Budie Camp around noon.

"Dismount, form up, eat, and drink."

Chen Chen coolly gave the order.

After a long rush of forty kilometers, mostly through mountainous terrain, even though these robust soldiers were at least at the complete stage of body tempering and had no trouble crossing mountains and ridges, the formation still became somewhat disordered.

Yao Xiu, known as 'Dotting Evil Brush', took no time to rest. Understanding what was needed, he led his men into the woods to act as scouts, while even more elite scouts from the Internal Qi Realm lay hidden in the dark.

The terrain was difficult for horses to navigate, so they had been left at the foot of the mountains with a few men assigned to guard them.

There was silence but for the sounds of chewing food and drinking water.

A quarter of an hour later.

"Move out!"

Chen Chen commanded with a heavy voice.

More than a hundred heavily armored soldiers, carrying guns and crossbows, advance through the mountain in tight battle formation, undisturbed by the protruding rocks and dense foliage, their ranks unyielding!

Hei Jin's face turned stern.

He had thought that the complex terrain of the forest would have a significant impact on the army, but it seemed utterly useless. No wonder it's the dynasty that sits atop the world and not the sects.

"Enemy tracks!"

"General, we've spotted the enemy!"

Suddenly, not just one but several scouts at the Internal Qi Realm sent out a piercing bird-like call using the army's secret communications, which was deciphered by the signalman.

Chen Chen looked up and shockingly saw a youth in blue clothes standing on the treetops about four to five hundred meters away, swaying with the wind, quietly watching this scene.

"How audacious!"

With a cold laugh, and before he could give an order, a dark figure had already swept past, alighting on the tip of the treetop like a bird, as elusive as a ghost.

"Young Master Hei..."

Chen Chen was startled and about to speak when he saw the other party had already moved far away, beyond any impediment, and cursed angrily, "Thugs of Jianghu, ignorant of the king's law, untaught and disobedient! Chase them!"

...

Jiang Ding watched the black-clad youth approaching him with suspicion and heightened vigilance.

In his view, no matter the strength, one should at least maintain the same speed and frequency as the team, not straying too far, lest they lose the effect of mutual support and restraint.

To act like this, there must be a powerful measure in reserve.

"Are you Jiang Ding?"

Hei Jin stood against the wind and said indifferently, "I find what you did before quite interesting. How about a wager? If you lose, serve me for twenty years, and I assure you Xiantian is within reach."

"This won't disgrace you, for I am the twelfth on the Dragon and Phoenix List, 'Black Flame Blade' Hei Jin!"

His gaze was condescending, waiting for a response.

The top twenty of the Dragon and Phoenix List, the proud talents of Jianghu!

These are some of the strongest people in the world, aside from a very few old-generation Xiantian experts!

The many who say 'top ten hopefuls,' 'strength comparable to the top ten of the Dragon and Phoenix List,' and the like, are merely flattering words, or they are shortsighted and unaware of the true power of those at the top of the list.

Perhaps in their view, since all are at the Internal Qi Perfection stage, how big can the gap be?

Ridiculous!

Whoosh!

The sword pierces the air, leaving a trail, as a point of light expands into a tremendous sword light, thrusting straight forward.

While he spoke, Jiang Ding had already scanned the surroundings several times with three drones and discovered nothing out of the ordinary.

If it can't be found, then it doesn't exist!

"Heh, it seems you've chosen another path to death."

Hei Jin's expression turned cold as he struck with his sword, and unbelievably, a black flame rose up along the blade, accurately striking the oncoming sword tip.

Bone Erosion Black Flame!

A notorious technique of an infamous Xiantian expert in the martial world, the White Bone Blade Evil's signature move, forged by a secret technique that doesn't harm iron, gold, earth, or stone.

Only flesh and Inner Energy are consumed upon contact!

An ordinary martial artist at Internal Qi Perfection could have their Inner Energy burnt out and flesh withered to death within a few moves.

Ding!

As the blade and sword collided, the Black Flame, like an incurable disease, quickly wound around the sword light, spreading rapidly towards the hilt, consuming everything.

"If you regret it now, you still can..."

Hei Jin's cold smirk emerged, about to say something when his expression turned to one of horror.

"What kind of Inner Energy is this?!!"

Amidst the black flame, a thread of white light appeared, rapidly expanding, and in an instant, it extinguished all the Black Flame. Then, an unimaginably vast Inner Energy came from the point of contact at the sword tip, forcing him back several steps and leaving him with an unceasing internal turmoil.