Guidance

The simplest way to deal with a Violet Palace cultivator is close-quarters combat. If you can get near enough, the raw strength of a primal energy warrior means that even the most casual slash is enough to end a Violet Palace cultivator’s life.

Liuxuan Peak’s expression remained calm and collected. His mid-stage Condensed True cultivation flowed smoothly, and the beads in his hand glowed one after another. Spells shot forth like a meteor shower, raining down upon Li Miao.

Ghost Arrows, Wind Breath, Phantom Shadows, Black Bats… The spell-forged apparitions screeched, piercing the air, shrouding the street in a sinister gloom as if enveloped by the underworld’s abyss.

Li Miao pressed forward, slicing through the spell shadows with his blade. Even if he missed one or two, the Splitting Sky Armguards blocked them, causing little harm.

Within a few breaths, he arrived before Liuxuan Peak and raised his war blade, hacking downward.

Liuxuan Peak’s eyes narrowed. He conjured a black mirror to slow the blade’s momentum and retreated, channeling more power into the prayer beads, lighting three at once.

The mirror shattered beneath the blade, but Li Miao didn’t pause, pursuing relentlessly.

He was met by a long blade, a yard in length, forged from dark energy.

The black blade slashed vertically.

Sensing the surge in power ahead, Li Miao gave a low shout, pouring primal energy into his blade and meeting the attack head-on.

A metallic screech rang out.

The large and small blades clashed in midair, producing an ear-splitting friction. The crowd watched as Li Miao’s figure was swallowed by the massive shadow of the dark blade, certain he was about to lose.

But in the next instant, the black blade dissolved into mist, and Li Miao landed lightly, completely unharmed.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

Liuxuan Peak’s face showed surprise. His prayer beads lit up six at once, and a black crossbow bolt, over a yard long, condensed in midair, whistling as it shot forth.

This bolt was far more formidable than the giant blade. Li Miao felt a chill at his scalp, as if a venomous serpent had targeted him. He hastily summoned primal energy, activating the Devouring Force, and brought his blade down in a heavy strike.

Under the Devouring Force, the coldsteel war blade’s radiance grew subdued, a ripple appearing along its edge, vibrating the air as it passed.

The bolt struck the blade, its immense force pushing Li Miao back three steps.

But this force was quickly consumed and weakened by the unique ripples on the blade, vanishing as swiftly as snow under sunlight.

Such was the uniqueness of the Devouring Blade Art—it could consume energy, striking at its very source!

“What is this monstrous power?” Liuxuan Peak wondered, deeply shocked.

Li Miao was now less than two yards away. Liuxuan Peak dared not underestimate him any longer. Gritting his teeth, he activated his artifact at full force, lighting all twelve beads.

A spectral wind swept by, and the street was engulfed in black mist. A giant skeletal phantom, over a yard tall, appeared before Liuxuan Peak, jaws wide, lunging at the charging Li Miao.

Li Miao was too close to dodge; the skull caught him squarely. Instantly, his body weakened, nearly half his strength drained.

“What an evil spell!”

Alarmed, he rapidly circulated his primal energy to dispel the invading malice.

Liuxuan Peak seized the opportunity, forming a spell seal with his left hand. Four sinister chains materialized, snaking toward Li Miao’s limbs, while the skull lunged again.

Once ensnared by these chains, escape was nearly impossible unless one’s cultivation surpassed the Return Origin realm.

Facing overwhelming threat, Li Miao ceased holding back. With a thought, the secret art of the Star River Holy Physique activated silently, and a ring of starlit patterns emerged from his bloodline.

His blood surged, his aura doubling instantly, banishing all weakness as he burst forth.

“Take this strike!” Li Miao shouted.

The Devouring Blade Art erupted again, now driven by the immense power of the Star River Holy Physique, sending water-like ripples forth as he and his blade cut into the skeletal phantom.

“What a powerful aura!”

The sudden surge of strength whipped up a gale, rattling doors and windows along the street.

A savage beast-like presence caused all onlookers to tremble.

Like snow meeting a branding iron, the skeletal phantom split open as the blade entered, a massive fissure torn through it.

The four chains missed their mark. Li Miao cleaved through the skull, the force unspent, slashing toward Liuxuan Peak’s face.

Liuxuan Peak was terrified, never expecting Li Miao to unleash such overwhelming power after suffering the skull’s malice.

With the blade about to strike, he could only hastily crush three protective jade symbols, desperately retreating.

Three jade talismans barely held for an instant before dissolving into nothing. The Star River Holy Physique’s power was absurdly strong; Li Miao’s momentum hardly diminished, and the shadow of death hovered over Liuxuan Peak once more.

This strike would have shattered even an iron body—there was no surviving it.

“My life is over,” Liuxuan Peak thought, despairing as he closed his eyes.

“Spare me—”

Boom!

The blade’s flash soared three yards high and crashed down with thunderous force.

Qi Consort’s urgent cry was drowned by the deafening noise.

Dust billowed across the street, obscuring everyone’s view.

The street fell silent.

No one had anticipated that Liuxuan Peak, the strongest in Wu’an Town, would be so thoroughly defeated by a newcomer, and so decisively.

Qi Consort stood frozen, her eyes reddening instantly.

He Tianxiang’s forehead broke out in cold sweat. Witnessing the blade’s might and recalling his own attempted ambush, he was filled with dread.

Eventually, the dust settled.

Two figures stood at the street’s center.

Li Miao leaned on his blade, his aura slightly weakened.

Liuxuan Peak, contrary to expectation, was not cut in half but stood there in a daze.

Beside him, a deep ravine split the street in two, tearing through three shops behind, revealing a three-yard-deep “alley” carved by blade force.

At the last moment, Li Miao changed the trajectory of his blade, striking only air with the power of the Star River Holy Physique.

Otherwise, with such force, not only would Liuxuan Peak have been cleaved in two—even Li Miao himself, as a mountain-and-river-level primal energy warrior, would not have survived.

Qi Consort, seeing Liuxuan Peak alive, breathed a sigh of relief. Ignoring her bare feet, she leapt from the red silk and hurried forward, concerned. “Uncle, are you alright?”

Liuxuan Peak gave a bitter smile. “I’m fine.”

He then bowed to Li Miao. “Thank you, Brother Li, for showing mercy.”

Li Miao withdrew the Star River Holy Physique, his strength fading, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.

He shook his head. “There was no deep hatred between us—why should I take your life? May I leave now?”

“Ah, well…” Liuxuan Peak was even more embarrassed.

From start to finish, it had been their side pestering Li Miao, forcing his hand, and trying to detain him. To end up in such a situation was truly humiliating.

He replied, “Your cultivation is superb; we could not keep you even if we tried. We only hoped you might stay a few more days, for there is a matter—”

Before he could finish, Li Miao interrupted, “Sorry, I’m not interested. Guo’er, let’s go.”

Truth be told, he had little fondness for people like Liuxuan Peak and Qi Consort.

They had provoked him first, and his mercy was already generous. As for further dealings, he had no interest whatsoever.

Guo’er trotted over to support him, her large eyes filled with concern.

Li Miao felt a warmth in his heart and picked her up, heading toward the west city.

“Guo’er, did you see clearly just now?”

“Not really…”

“Our movements were quick—it’s normal you couldn’t follow. The fight was simple: my body is strong, so when facing Violet Palace cultivators, just try to—”

As they walked, he explained to Guo’er the key points of fighting others.

The hundred or so people on the street watched in silence. Those standing in the west street stepped aside as he passed, daring not to cross his path.

Watching him leave without looking back, Qi Consort’s expression turned complex.

After a moment, she seemed to make a decision. She sighed lightly and called out, “Wait, don’t go yet.”

Li Miao paused.

Qi Consort said, “We wanted to ask you to join us in an important matter, but since you disdain us mortals, we won’t shamelessly insist. Please keep this—it may reveal its true value in your hands.”

She threw something over.

Li Miao caught it casually. It was a pale blue jade pendant, shaped like a butterfly, light as nothing, exuding a faint spiritual energy.

“What is this?” he asked.

Qi Consort replied, “A key. Only in the hands of a true strong one will it guide the way to the secret realm.”

Li Miao nodded, stowed the jade butterfly in his microcosm, and strode away.

Soon, he vanished at the end of the street.

Watching his figure recede, Liuxuan Peak sighed, “Qi Consort, you were too hasty.”

His tone was tinged with reproach, blaming her for giving away the jade butterfly so easily.

Qi Consort shook her head. “No, uncle, I considered it carefully.”

Originally, I wanted to wait for someone truly like-minded to join us in exploring the jade butterfly’s secret. But after so many years, no suitable person appeared. So I thought, rather than let the item languish in our hands, better to give it to someone truly capable. Perhaps when he returns, he’ll owe us a favor.

“A favor? Ha, on the path of cultivation, nothing is more useless than a favor.”

Liuxuan Peak shook his head, not agreeing with her reasoning.

He gazed at the gaping ravine beside him, lost in thought.

Compared to favors, one’s own strength is the only thing worth trusting!

It was getting late.

With Li Miao’s departure, voices gradually returned to the street.

The excitement was over, and the crowd slowly dispersed, discussing the battle and speculating about Li Miao’s origins.

He Tianxiang approached Liuxuan Peak and Qi Consort, stopping beside the ravine, still anxious. “That man’s power is terrifying—good thing I didn’t face him myself.”

“His aura was only at the early stage of Condensed True…” Liuxuan Peak’s feelings were mixed.

As his opponent, Liuxuan Peak knew best—Li Miao’s cultivation was not high, only that his blade art and the final secret technique were devastatingly powerful, resulting in such destruction.

If not for that secret art, the twelve-bead skull would have subdued him.

Qi Consort frowned. “I’ve read many books on major sects, but never heard of one possessing such fierce techniques. Is he really just a wandering cultivator?”

“Who knows.”

“Never mind, let’s drop it. Qi Consort, He Tianxiang, both of you have already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage. Tonight, why not try to break through?”

“Uh, but I already conceded earlier—perhaps I’m not worthy…”

He Tianxiang’s face was awkward.

Qi Consort gave a self-deprecating smile. “I’m not worthy of the strongest. Brother He, please, this way.”

Li Miao entered the city from the west gate and left by the same.

As he left, the middle-aged Daoist still stood at the gate, leaning on his cloth banner, eyes closed, resting at the base of the wall. He ignored the crowds, not even bothering to answer when people asked about the person he sought.

As he passed through the gate, Li Miao continued explaining to Guo’er the essentials of fighting between physical cultivators and Violet Palace cultivators.

“This young lady is twenty, fond of white attire, unconventional, charming, enjoys drinking, and often carries a white jade folding fan.”

Someone recited the contents of the cloth banner, commenting, “Daoist, if a woman is charming and unconventional, she’s typically a lonely widow. If she likes drinking, her loneliness is even greater. But if she’s only twenty and loves playing with a scholar’s fan, then perhaps she’s a secluded maiden longing for a man’s affection.”

“So I guess the person you’re looking for must be a young noblewoman, widowed before marriage?”

The man analyzed earnestly, questioning the Daoist with utmost seriousness.

Many gathered to read the missing-person notice, but none were as earnest.

Li Miao couldn’t help but glance over. The Daoist just happened to open his eyes slightly, saying, “Not so. She is a peerless sword immortal, nearly eight thousand years old if still alive.”

With that, he closed his eyes again.

The questioner burst out laughing. “Madman, indeed,” he said, and turned into the city.

Li Miao shook his head and left.

The official road was open, travelers thinning out.

“Uncle, can you teach me martial arts when we get home?”

“Of course. Whether your cultivation is Violet Palace immortal arts or the path of hardship, learning some martial skills is always good.”

“I want to learn blade techniques from you!”

“Uh, well… Girls don’t look good wielding a big blade. Better to train with a sword.”

“You can use swords?”

“A bit. Someone like uncle can pick up any weapon and use it well, but I use blades mostly because they kill fastest.”

“Why are you so skilled, uncle?”

“Because I trained for a long time in a strange place, experiencing thousands upon thousands of high-intensity battles.”

“Can Guo’er go there to train as well?”

“I’m afraid not. Without virtual technology support, training like that could be fatal.”

“What’s virtual technology support?”

“Ah, that’s a long story. Uncle hasn’t read much, so I don’t know how to explain.”

“Oh…”

On the way back, Li Miao no longer sprinted but walked at a normal pace.