Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

"good!"

Immediately, someone echoed this, their tone regaining its certainty:

"Array formations are ultimately external things, a way to take shortcuts!"

The difference between the Golden Core stage and the Foundation Establishment stage is like heaven and earth. The Golden Core's power, the vastness of its divine sense, and its control over the spiritual energy of heaven and earth are far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator can compare to.

Many people nodded slightly upon hearing this, though they did not explicitly agree.

"Master Xuanguang was simply caught off guard and fell into a trap."

Now that the formation has been broken, that dragon demon is like a tiger with its teeth pulled out; what can it possibly do now?

"That is indeed the case. Although the Venerable One broke the formation in a bit of a hurry, he did not damage the foundation. His Golden Core power is still as vast as the sea!"

What followed was a real, hard-fought battle, and the outcome was self-evident!

Discussions arose again, with many guests, especially those whose interests were tied to Jian Ge, nodding in agreement.

Upon hearing these words, Elder Changhe's brows furrowed even deeper than before.

He knew better than anyone else how terrifying that person was; he was definitely not someone who could rely solely on clever formations.

The eeriness of Thousand Needle Valley and the precision of Hidden Truth Hall both demonstrate their meticulous thinking, ruthless methods, and endless innovation.

Such people would never place all their hopes on these three formations.

This demon must have a backup plan!

But can this backup plan withstand the power of a true Golden Core cultivator?

He had no answer in his heart, only a deep unease.

Meanwhile, Master Chixia sat upright in his seat, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding discussions, his gaze becoming increasingly profound as he stared at the Radiant Mirror.

Those who can set up such a grand formation of three interconnected energies must be calm and far-sighted; they are not reckless people who rush to their deaths.

He had a vague feeling that deep within the Yunmang Mountains, there was more than just a Foundation Establishment demon cultivator waiting to be crushed.

He picked up the slightly cool teacup and murmured to himself:

"Xuan Guang is likely to mess with Kun Gang this time. This Yunmang Mountain is truly unfathomable..."

……

Within the radiant mirror of rosy clouds.

Master Xuanguang has completely dispelled the remaining earthly evil fire energy in his body and has tidied his clothes.

Although he looked somewhat disheveled, his golden core aura remained powerful and vast, and his sword, "Cut Clouds," hung in front of him.

The sword light flickered erratically, its killing intent chilling.

His gaze was like lightning, piercing through the clouds and mist surrounding the mountains, and firmly locking onto the seemingly peaceful Xuanqing Cave in Yunmang Mountain.

"Young Master Xuan Ling!"

His voice was icy, containing suppressed anger, and even through the mirror, it still carried a chilling air of authority:

"You dare to mock me with your meager knowledge of formations?"

Now that the battle formation is broken, why don't you come out and face your death!

The sound waves rolled on, containing the pressure of a golden elixir, causing the surrounding rocks to rustle.

All eyes were focused on the mirror, and everyone held their breath.

They all wanted to see how this mysterious Lord of Yunmang Mountain would face an enraged Golden Core cultivator after losing the protection of the array.

The stone gate to the cave remains tightly closed.

Just as some people thought that the dragon demon Xuan Ling was afraid to fight and was about to make a sarcastic remark.

"Squeak—"

With a soft sound, the heavy stone door slowly opened inward.

The clouds and mist that lingered around Yunmang Mountain all day long suddenly parted to both sides like boiling water.

A figure in black robes, sword in hand, slowly emerged from the Xuanqing Cave.

His face was handsome and refined, his posture upright, and his deep, crimson-gold eyes were as dark as a lake concealing a dragon or python.

The scabbard was jet black, simple and unadorned, with a faint magnetic sheen.

Chen Jiao stood before the cave dwelling, raising his head to look at the imposing Xuan Guang Shangren in the air. His gaze was calm, without the slightest fear, but rather carried an indescribable scrutiny.

A mountain breeze swept by, fluttering his clothes.

He was not surrounded by any powerful demonic aura, and compared to the overwhelming pressure of Master Xuanguang, he even seemed somewhat weak.

However, this unusual calm, in stark contrast to the earth-shattering formation just moments before, caused all the discussions in front of the mirror to abruptly cease.

A strange feeling quietly rose in everyone's hearts.

Xuan Ling seemed not to regard the Golden Core cultivator before him as an insurmountable obstacle.

Master Chixia gently stroked the rim of the teacup, a hint of amusement deepening in the depths of his eyes.

Chen Jiao spoke in a clear and melodious voice:

"This fellow Daoist has broken through my three protective formations, and his sword energy is aimed directly at the entrance of my cave. What is the reason for this?"

Upon hearing this, everyone watching in front of the mirror was astonished.

He actually addressed Master Xuanguang as a fellow Daoist? His tone was flat, as if he were merely inquiring about an uninvited guest.

This composure, this confidence, is something that ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators could never possess!

Upon hearing this, Master Xuanguang was so angry that he laughed instead, and his sword intent intensified.

"evildoer!

You have occupied Qingchi, causing havoc in the region, and have even murdered my Sword Pavilion elders and plundered my sect's treasure trove. You deserve to die a thousand deaths.

I have come today specifically to take your life, to set things right! There is no need for me to reason with you!

Chen Jiao's expression remained unchanged after hearing this; he merely shook his head slightly and said calmly:

"Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. Qingchi Ridge is an unclaimed land. I reside here to manage the mountains and rivers. How could I possibly cause any harm?"

As for the matter concerning your elders and the loss of the treasure vault, do you have any concrete evidence? If you have no concrete evidence, then this is slander.

"Fellow Daoist, relying on your Golden Core cultivation, you insist on fabricating charges and engaging in bullying and oppression. Is this... the way of the Sword Pavilion?"

His words were spoken slowly and deliberately, yet each word was clear and to the point. His final rhetorical question carried a hint of sarcasm.

Chen Jiao stroked the magic sword Yin Lei, his gaze falling on Xuan Guang Shangren as if he were examining an object about to be tested.

"You insignificant ants, how dare you spread your heresies! I, the Emperor, slay demons and monsters; why should I waste words with you! Prepare to die!"

Enraged, Master Xuanguang stopped wasting words and immediately shouted.

The sword light soared into the sky, then suddenly surged, transforming into a hundred-foot-long blade, its brilliance dazzling, like clouds falling from the sky.

With this sword strike, he had exerted all his strength, determined to kill this audacious and reckless demonic dragon on the spot!

All the viewers in front of the mirror had their hearts in their throats.

True Man Chixia also leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on the mysterious magnetic sword sheath in Chen Jiao's hand in the mirror.

However, Chen Jiao ignored his rebuke and didn't even glance at the sharp sword light.

He simply pushed the sword guard lightly.

"Clang!"

A clear, melodious sword cry, like a dragon's roar yet carrying the muffled sound of thunder, suddenly burst forth from the ancient, magnetic scabbard at his waist.

It seemed to resonate directly in everyone's hearts.

Those watching the battle in front of the mirror, especially those with lower cultivation levels, felt a tremor in their souls.

A silver-white sword aura, seemingly crackling with countless tiny electric snakes, emerged silently from the magnetic scabbard like a dragon emerging from its slumber, tearing through the void without a sound.

There was no crisp clang of metal clashing, only a muffled rumble that echoed across the sky like spring thunder.

The Mirror of Radiant Light trembled violently, and the image on its surface blurred for a moment.

Before everyone's incredulous eyes, the Hundred-Foot Cloud-Cutting Sword Light shattered inch by inch, like fragile glass.

The sword itself let out a mournful cry, its brilliance dimmed instantly, and it flew back.

Master Xuanguang was still suspended in the air, but his body was shaking violently, like a candle flickering in the wind.

His face was ashen, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat, but he swallowed it back down, though a trickle of bright red blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.

The light of the sword, which was lying in front of him, dimmed and wailed incessantly. A tiny crack even appeared on the blade.

The protective aura surrounding him had long since dissipated without a trace.

Just one sword strike!

A Golden Core cultivator, whose natal flying sword was damaged, suffered a surge of qi and blood and was forced to retreat due to his injuries!

In contrast, Chen Jiao remained standing calmly atop the mountain, his black robes fluttering, his expression unchanged.

The sword in his hand, with its scabbard, had quietly returned to its sheath at some point, as if it had never been drawn.

The entire summit of Xuan Guang Peak was deathly silent.

Before the radiant mirror of the sunset, one could hear a pin drop.

All the guests, including the family head who had just been discussing how Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match for Golden Core cultivators, were now gaping, their minds blank, like clay sculptures.

The teacup in Master Chixia's hand had tilted at some point, and tea was spilling out.

He, however, was completely oblivious, his gaze fixed on the figure in black robes standing with a sword in his reflection in the mirror, and on the longsword woven with silver and blue, as he murmured:

"This sword strike...this power...he's no longer at the Foundation Establishment stage..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken horror he felt.

The Grand Elder Changhe felt a chill run through his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Only one thought echoed wildly in his mind:

"Golden Core! He... he must have broken through to the Golden Core stage!"