Green Monster Epic

After several years of traveling away from his sect, experiencing the trials and tribulations of the mortal world, and the dangers of slaying demons and monsters, Zhang Zhongyong finally decided to return to his sect.

Several companions he had made during his demon-slaying adventures, upon hearing of Zhang Zhongyong's plan to return to his sect, unanimously decided to send him off. Therefore, they booked a private room in Yue Wu City's largest establishment, the Chunfeng Pavilion, and prepared a table full of sumptuous delicacies.

"We are truly reluctant to part with you, but we cannot hinder your future. Let us use this cup of wine to wish you an early formation of your Golden Core and a step towards immortality."

Feng Zhang's eyes showed envy as he raised his glass in a toast to Zhang Zhongyong with a sigh.

"Thank you for your kind words."

"However, this separation is not forever. We will have opportunities to meet again in the future. If you truly miss me, you can always come and find me at Diancui Mountain!"

Although Zhang Zhongyong's background could not be considered prestigious, he was luckier than his three companions before him. With a master who possessed the strength of the Golden Core stage to guide him, his path in cultivation was much smoother than the rogue cultivator Feng Zhang and the others.

However, that was all it was. The sect's rules were extremely strict, and his master had high standards. The small sect did not have many members, and its strength was not as great as many surrounding sects. But because of this, Zhang Zhongyong did not have the arrogance of disciples from other large sects. He treated his three rogue cultivator companions with sincerity, so he genuinely wished for them to visit and gather from time to time.

Seeing that Feng Zhang had not left a single drop in his cup, Zhang Zhongyong also finished his drink in a hearty manner. At this moment, he could not help but feel a little reluctant.

"Then we have a deal, Brother Zhang. If I come to visit you in the future, you must not avoid me!"

Ruan Ling'er's eyes were bright as she made a playful joke to ease the atmosphere, while also not forgetting to refill Zhang Zhongyong's empty glass with fine wine.

"Of course!"

Zhang Zhongyong replied decisively.

Clink!!

The two wine glasses collided. Having received Zhang Zhongyong's promise, Ruan Ling'er raised her head and finished the wine in her glass, and Zhang Zhongyong also drank it down without hesitation.

"Farewell, and may we meet again."

Xu Zhiyuan's personality was taciturn. Although he appeared calm on the surface, Zhang Zhongyong could sense complex emotions in his eyes, as if he was also saddened by his departure?

"When you travel together in the future, be more careful. Now that I'm not around to watch over you, don't do anything risky again!!"

"The path of cultivation is full of thorns. If we don't risk our lives, how can rogue cultivators like us find a way out?"

Feng Zhang smiled wryly, taking over Allen's words and replying helplessly.

"Sigh!"

"I'm telling you, can you all stop looking so glum? This is a send-off for Brother Zhang, everyone should be happy!!"

"Yes, yes, drink, drink!!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Zhang Zhongyong felt slightly drunk. He, who was not good at drinking in the first place, was being toasted by Feng Zhang, Ruan Ling'er, and the others in turn, making it difficult to refuse. However, he was also aware that he needed to travel today and could not let alcohol interfere with his plans. Finally, after Ruan Ling'er's extremely reluctant farewell, he suppressed the desolate emotions in his heart and bid farewell to Feng Zhang and the others, setting off through the west gate.

A gentle breeze rippled, and the road outside the city was sparsely populated. Zhang Zhongyong also followed the rules and did not display his skills in front of these mortals, so as not to attract unnecessary trouble.

Between the world of cultivators and the secular world, there was an invisible barrier. Although cultivators often moved about in the world, they mostly appeared before the world as martial artists. Only when demons or evil spirits committed atrocities, or when demonic beasts brought disasters, would cultivators reveal their true faces.

Of course, the secular world's understanding of cultivators was not small. There were still many cultivators who did not abide by secular rules, causing trouble in the human world, and often slaughtering entire cities to collect souls to raise ghosts and refine magical treasures. Such things happened from time to time.

As such things increased, the secular world had less envy and awe towards cultivators, and more disgust and resistance.

Two cold stars, as Zhang Zhongyong brushed past a seemingly ordinary pedestrian by the roadside, suddenly shot out from the other's arms, heading straight for his chest and abdomen.

Zhang Zhongyong, whose face was not handsome but had some heroic spirit, was caught off guard. Although surprised, he was not flustered. He raised his head and spat out a dazzling white lotus. In an instant, the white lotus transformed into a cloud of sword energy, enveloping Zhang Zhongyong's entire body.

Ding ding! Ding ding ding!!

The dense sound of collisions was like rain hitting plantain leaves. The assassin's hands twisted and turned, and it was unknown how many times he slashed, until his true essence was exhausted and he was about to retreat. A streak of sword light blinded his eyes, and he felt as if something important was missing from his chest. All sensation gradually left his body, and his yin spirit floated uncontrollably into the sky.

The white lotus suddenly converged, revealing a slender silver flying sword with a lotus flower blooming at the hilt and a blade over three feet long. Zhang Zhongyong grabbed it in his hand.

"Truly seeking death!!"

Although Zhang Zhongyong did not know why this stranger would suddenly try to kill him, his sensitivity to killing intent as a swordsman had long become an instinct.

After casually tidying up the corpse at his feet, and confirming that he did not recognize the person, Zhang Zhongyong straightened his body and took out a talisman. He spat a mouthful of true essence onto the talisman, and the talisman, supported by magical power, immediately transformed into a flame, which Zhang Zhongyong waved onto the corpse.

The raging flames devoured the assassin's body. Before long, the corpse by the side of the road would turn into a pile of black ashes, making it difficult to recognize its original appearance. A person would completely disappear from the world from then on.

"Rise!!"

Having done all this, he poured true essence into the blade in his hand. His spiritual sense resonated with the long sword connected to his bloodline. The long sword suddenly tore through the sky, carrying Zhang Zhongyong himself straight into the clouds.

"Pfft!!"

Suddenly, Zhang Zhongyong, who had been calm and composed,'s expression changed drastically. It was as if a poisonous snake was corroding his internal organs, causing the true essence he had condensed to almost dissipate. His speed through the air suddenly faltered, and he was about to fall to the ground.

A strong wind stirred behind him. Turning his head, he saw eight or nine ghostly figures chasing after Zhang Zhongyong on various types of flying artifacts.

Although the pursuers were moving quickly and their figures were erratic, Zhang Zhongyong still saw three or four familiar faces among these blurry figures. Suddenly, he understood everything, and a wave of grief rose from within, but was quickly suppressed by reason.

Forcing a breath of true essence, enduring the stinging pain coming from his internal organs, the gradually becoming sluggish and scattered true essence re-entered the White Lotus Sword. Immediately, the sword energy slashed out a vacuum path, allowing Zhang Zhongyong's flying speed to increase again.

His empty left hand groped in his bosom for a moment, and when he retracted his hand, a delicate jade bottle was taken out.

Poof!!

The medicine bottle was opened, and a refreshing fragrance wafted out. However, Zhang Zhongyong was in no mood to appreciate these things at this time. He raised his left hand and poured the medicine bottle into his mouth. Soon, a cool aura spread from his chest, although it could not completely suppress the stinging and burning in his internal organs, it temporarily resolved the abnormality of his body.

The Heart-Clearing Detoxification Pill bought Zhang Zhongyong some time, but it was not the right medicine. The poison he had been given was obviously rare. If he could not remove these poisons as soon as possible, the longer the time, the greater the damage to himself.

But it was clear that the enemies who had poisoned him behind him would not give Zhang Zhongyong this opportunity. The whistling flying swords and magical artifacts were getting closer and closer to Zhang Zhongyong. At his current speed, it was estimated that he would be caught up by the other party before long.

"… …"

Lowering his head and looking down at the earth, among the winding, snake-like mountains, a natural aura, Zhang Zhongyong found a place with few people and plunged down.

"Don't let him run away!!"

"He's hiding in the valley to the east!!"

The eyes of the pursuers never left Zhang Zhongyong's body. The voices echoing each other in the scattered formation rose and fell, both male and female. On closer inspection, many of these people had handsome appearances, especially two of the women, who were youthful and radiant, like delicate flowers, but unfortunately, the killing intent and resentment revealed in their eyes destroyed their temperament.

Whoosh whoosh!! Whoosh whoosh!!

More than a dozen figures shuttled down, falling straight into the valley where Zhang Zhongyong disappeared.

"A Sword Astonishes Heaven and Earth!!"

Just as the leading five or six figures had just broken into the valley, a voice full of vigor, majestic and dignified, suddenly rang out in the valley. At the same time, a magnificent and fierce sword energy rose up, suddenly piercing out from the bottom of the funnel-shaped valley.

The fierce sword energy burst into the crowd, and the leader hurriedly responded to the battle, quickly rolling up the jade scepter in front of him, clasping his hands together to form a seal, the jade scepter quickly enlarged and blocked in front of him.

The companions behind him, seeing the sword energy approaching, also unleashed their own spells to meet the attack. However, this sword energy was the result of Zhang Zhongyong's all-out effort, mobilizing all the true essence he could muster. How could the hastily cast spells possibly withstand it?

On the smooth surface of a jade scepter, a crack began to spread from the center. Under the wide-eyed gaze of the scepter's owner, the cracks on the magical artifact's surface turned into a spiderweb. Accompanied by a soft chime, countless pieces of shattered jade fell to the ground. The jade scepter's owner, a middle-aged man, could only brace himself, muster all the true essence in his body, and continuously strike out with several palms.

"Save me!!"

The powerful palm strikes were as fragile as tofu in the face of the fierce sword energy, having almost no effect. Seeing the sword energy about to strike him, the middle-aged man could only turn around and desperately cry for help from his companions.

The other companions, only two or three meters away from the middle-aged man, had complex emotions in their eyes. Some were indifferent, some were unable to bear it, but none of them offered a helping hand.

"You can't..."

Poof!!

A cloud of blood blossomed in the sky as the middle-aged man's body exploded into countless tiny pieces of flesh, splattering in all directions. Some even splashed onto the magical artifacts of the other travelers, creating ripples on their surfaces.

Thud!! Ding!! Ding!!

With the sacrifice of the companion in front, blocking the sharpest edge of the sword energy, the pressure on the several cultivators behind was immediately reduced. Although they inevitably looked a bit disheveled and struggled, they managed to withstand the opponent's attack.

"Act as the statutes and ordinances, command!!"

"Go!!"

After blocking the sword energy's attack, everyone reacted. The magical artifacts in their hands switched from defense to offense, mixed with various low-level attack talismans, all surging towards the source of the sword energy.

With magical artifacts and talismans raining down, Zhang Zhongyong frowned. He took out a black sphere that he had prepared earlier from his bosom and threw it overhead through gritted teeth.

"Explode!!"

A wisp of true essence instantly shot out from the White Lotus Sword, hitting the black sphere flying into the air. The glossy sphere immediately split into two halves, and a majestic thunderous power suddenly generated from the two halves, transforming into a web of electricity that enveloped the surrounding area of several dozen feet.

"Not good!! It's the Yin-Yang Thunder of the Five Elements Sect!!"

The sudden rise of electric light caused a group of cultivators hundreds of feet away to show horror in their eyes, and they all manipulated their respective magical artifacts, wanting to retrieve them.

However, how swift were these electric snakes? Before these magical artifacts could turn around, the woven web of electricity had already attached to them.

"Ah!!"

This group, whose highest cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, were only controlling their magical artifacts with their Yin spirit intelligence. They did not yet possess the Yang spirit tempered after the Golden Core stage experts underwent tribulation, so they were most afraid of such thunderous spells. At this moment, the spiritual intelligence in their sea of consciousness felt as if it was being pricked by needles and scraped by knives. The magical artifacts hundreds of feet away also lost control one after another and fell to the ground.

How could Zhang Zhongyong let go of this great opportunity? He had used all the means that his master had left him for self-preservation. Wouldn't it be a loss if he didn't take a few lives while he had the chance?

"Hurry!!"

The White Lotus Sword flew out of his hand, transforming into a flash of light that traversed a hundred feet, heading straight for one of them.

"Ah!!"

Seeing the flying sword approaching, the opponent, whose spiritual sense had also lost contact with his handy magical artifact, was immediately flustered. He hurriedly took out a bowl from his mustard seed bag, and with both hands, he sent it forward, smashing it towards the flying sword, while at the same time, he performed an iron bridge skill, slamming himself to the ground.

With a sword incantation, the flying sword in the distance sensed its master's intention. With a slight adjustment of its tip, it brushed past the Buddhist bowl and went straight for the target's chest, aiming for the heart.

Poof!!

Another cloud of blood flashed as the Vajra Talisman and the protective spell on the opponent's robe were like soft mud in front of the White Lotus Sword, being directly pierced through.

After killing one person, the flying sword swayed and flew back into Zhang Zhongyong's hand. At this time, Zhang Zhongyong's face turned even more pale, obviously because the suppressed poison injury had begun to act up again due to the mobilization of true essence.

However, looking at the other enemies who were gradually waking up from the severe pain, Zhang Zhongyong had to take a deep breath and continue to endure the poison raging and corroding his internal organs, forcefully gathering a breath of true essence and pouring it into the White Lotus Sword.

With a sword incantation, he roared in a low voice: "Hurry!!"

Whoosh!!

The sword, still stained with blood, flew out again, but at this time, a sheet of frost had risen in front of the flying sword, as well as several fire curtains, making it difficult for Zhang Zhongyong to distinguish the figures in front.

The sword energy transformed into a rainbow, directly piercing through the spells in front, following a certain figure in Zhang Zhongyong's memory, and stabbing straight towards it.

The fire curtain and ice fell head-on. Zhang Zhongyong's eyes narrowed slightly. His upper body remained still, continuing to pinch the sword incantation, while his feet tapped continuously on the ground, constantly moving in a small area.

Most of the ice arrows formed by the frost were dodged, but the fire curtain was a range spell after all, and it still left traces on Zhang Zhongyong's body.

A head of black hair was directly burned clean, and even his eyebrows disappeared. The originally somewhat heroic Zhang Zhongyong now looked somewhat comical.

Fortunately, the robe on his body was bestowed by his master, and it was made of snow mountain cold silkworm silk. Leaving aside other things, its protection against fire spells was indeed stronger than most robes of the same level. Therefore, although it was burned by the fire curtain, it did not cause too much burning damage.

The flying sword was blocked by something, making a crisp impact sound. When Zhang Zhongyong looked over again as it was being retracted by the sword incantation, it wasn't a complete loss. At least one burly man with a face full of stubble had already lost his right arm and was now painfully clutching his severed arm, frantically bandaging the wound.

Clang!!

The flying sword was retrieved, and the reinvigorated opponents had already approached to within thirty feet in front of him. At the same time, they had also picked up their respective beloved magical artifacts that had previously lost contact, staring fiercely at the swordsman in front.

"Zhang Zhongyong, hand over the treasure map of the Langya Cave, and we will let you leave. Otherwise, this desolate land today will be your burial place."

Ruan Ling'er, the delicate, cute, and lively girl who was once in Zhang Zhongyong's heart, now had a delicate appearance that was reflected in his eyes, but it was so ugly that he couldn't help but deeply doubt his previous judgment of people.

"I am not a fool, you will not let me live!!"

With a twirl of his long sword, Zhang Zhongyong created blossoming sword flowers in front of him. Although he was already unable to cast sword incantations, sword cultivators also had other means besides flying sword techniques.

With a light body technique, Zhang Zhongyong's body soared several feet forward with a tap of his foot on the ground. Seeing that Zhang Zhongyong was impossible to submit, the nine opponents did not hesitate and directly smashed out their respective magical artifacts, while also pinching their hand seals and casting their own signature spells.

A pair of Emei Piercers and cymbals, which grew several times larger in the wind, smashed over without any fancy. The White Lotus Sword stretched forward, picking upwards along the edge of the Emei Piercers. At the same time, his body moved to the side, and the Emei Piercers were deflected by the sword blade, colliding with the flying cymbals.

The impact and recoil from the White Lotus Sword fed back to Zhang Zhongyong's body, and then the force was released into the ground by his legs, leaving two deep footprints.

Whoosh!!

The other two magical artifacts also missed, being cleverly dodged by Zhang Zhongyong, but they left several large potholes on the ground.

With a stomp of his right leg, Zhang Zhongyong took advantage of the situation and killed towards the frontmost strange cultivator in the nine-person formation. Three sword flowers pierced straight towards the opponent's vital points in a triangular formation.

The cultivator was no longer panicked at this time, sinking his Qi into his dantian and pinching a hand seal. A palm thunder followed his right palm, and the crackling electric snake went straight for the White Lotus Sword blade.

As soon as the lightning touched the sword blade, Zhang Zhongyong's wrist sank downwards, and the electric sparks shot from the sword blade were introduced into the wet and rotten ground, stirring up a cloud of white smoke and the pungent smell of scorching moisture. At the same time, Zhang Zhongyong jumped up, and his right leg, with great force, smashed on the opponent's neck.

Crack!!

The opponent's head tilted to one side at a strange angle. It was difficult for ordinary people to do this, but Zhang Zhongyong had broken his spine with this kick. Although he still had a breath, his entire body fell to the ground like soft mud, without any movement.

Feng Zhang had been accumulating momentum for a long time, and he spat out a mouthful of hot air. With the injection of hand seals and true essence, the hot air transformed into a surging Earthly Fiend Fire, pouncing towards Zhang Zhongyong's face.

His body was still in mid-air. Zhang Zhongyong slapped his left hand on his right hand holding the sword. The sword blade bent slightly and then sprang back quickly. Zhang Zhongyong took advantage of the situation to fly several feet higher into the sky and quickly adjusted his body.

The Earthly Fiend Fire brushed past his robe. Zhang Zhongyong only felt a burst of heat in his left waist. In the corner of his eye, several black shadows flashed past. He turned his head and waved his sword in one go. Several jujube pit nails fired from Ruan Ling'er's hand were either dodged or flicked away by the long sword.

Injuring another person, there are still four people.

The cymbals attacked from behind. Zhang Zhongyong was in the air, twisting his body and bending his upper body to let the cymbals pass, but a pair of mandarin duck knives intersected like Mount Tai pressing down from the sky, the two curved knives connected in a line, directly covering Zhang Zhongyong's curved shrimp-like body.

The flying sword pierced out from his lower abdomen, the tip of the sword precisely stopping at the point where the Mandarin Duck Swords intersected. With a 'clang' of metal, Zhang Zhongyong's entire body fell diagonally, avoiding the blow of the curved blades that would have severed him.

Zhang Zhongyong flipped and righted himself, his legs about to touch the ground when suddenly the flat surface twisted, and dozens of sharp stone spikes abruptly rose, flying towards Zhang Zhongyong's vital lower body.

His legs, still in mid-air, kicked out a dozen times, but he didn't anticipate that a stone spike, as thick as a small arm, would pierce a bloody hole in his thigh.

The White Lotus Sword danced, the flying cymbals scraping against the blade, creating an ear-piercing friction sound and a string of sparks, then were diverted by the long sword's guidance. Not far away, the owner of the cymbals, a middle-aged human male, made a hand seal, and the cymbals flew back from behind, slamming into Zhang Zhongyong's waist.

Ruan Ling'er, having just injured Zhang Zhongyong with a ground spike, was overjoyed, her hand seals constantly changing, as she prepared another spell.

Another delicate-looking woman, having just retrieved her pair of Mandarin Duck Swords, launched into a series of continuous sword attacks towards Zhang Zhongyong's location.

Surrounded on all sides, Zhang Zhongyong had just landed and was about to exert force, but the injured thigh sent a sharp pain, affecting his strength and causing him to stagger. Seeing the cymbals about to crash into him from behind, Zhang Zhongyong simply abandoned all pretense of dignity and rolled on the ground like a donkey, tumbling several times before slamming his left hand on the ground, his body suddenly leaping up.

Countless wind blades emitted from the swords created countless potholes on the ground behind him, as if plowing the earth. Zhang Zhongyong caught sight of the strange woman's figure in his peripheral vision, and with the momentum of a swallow skimming the water, the White Lotus Sword stabbed towards her.

Thump!

A wall of earth suddenly rose from the ground in front of him, not only knocking Zhang Zhongyong flying but also interrupting his attack on the strange woman.

As Zhang Zhongyong tried to turn, he suddenly realized that he was surrounded by several walls of earth, leaving only the clear sky above his head.

In this situation, Zhang Zhongyong dared not hesitate. He forcefully mustered a breath of true essence, used a light-body technique, and leaped more than ten zhang into the sky, clearing the height of the earth walls in front of him.

Whoosh!

The cymbals shot out directly from behind the earth wall, the sound of the wind from the constantly spinning edges scattering the stray hairs around Zhang Zhongyong's ears.

Unable to counterattack in haste, Zhang Zhongyong could only place his sword in front of his chest, his left hand on the blade, bracing for the impact.

Clang!

嚓嚓~~

The cymbals lingered on the sword for a few breaths, the heavy impact force carrying Zhang Zhongyong's body, sliding backwards for more than ten zhang.

Thump!!!

Suddenly, the sound of someone breaking through the wind rang out from behind. Knowing something was wrong, Zhang Zhongyong used both hands to send the bent sword forward with force. The White Lotus Sword became even more curved, and at its limit, as Zhang Zhongyong pulled back, the suddenly rebounding blade provided Zhang Zhongyong with power, and his whole body swung upwards diagonally.

Several sword shadows swept past his back, grazing the left side of Zhang Zhongyong's waist, accompanied by the sounds of bones breaking and sharp objects entering flesh, another sharp pain piercing Zhang Zhongyong's mind.

However, Zhang Zhongyong was already accustomed to his many injuries, his body covered in wounds, which made his senses numb, but this was more likely because the poison in his body had begun to erode his nerves.

A curtain of fire suddenly fell in front of him. Feng Zhang's Samadhi True Fire technique, prepared for a long time, was finally complete. Sensing the danger of the fire curtain above his head, Zhang Zhongyong could no longer suppress the erosion of the poison in his body and once again mobilized his dwindling true essence into the White Lotus Sword.

"Hey!!"

A halo of light flashed in the White Lotus Sword, and a pure sword Qi cut through the sky, tearing a foot-wide hole in the fire curtain above his head, but as the sword Qi left, the hole also contracted inward.

Zhang Zhongyong dared not hesitate. He used the sword control technique, manipulating the White Lotus Sword with his last bit of true essence, rushing straight towards the gap in the fire curtain. Before the hole could be sealed, he narrowly passed through the fire curtain.

A flame began to rise on the robe woven from cold silkworm silk. After seeing this scene, Feng Zhang's somewhat gloomy and frustrated face immediately turned bright, and he leisurely watched the flames on Zhang Zhongyong's body gradually spread throughout.

Unable to extinguish the flames on his body, and seeing that his entire body was being devoured by the flames, Zhang Zhongyong, already at the end of his rope, could no longer hold on. He turned into a ball of fire and slowly fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with a thud. His beloved long sword, having lost its master's control, scraped against the flames of Zhang Zhongyong's body.

"Hehe, Brother Feng's Samadhi True Fire is really powerful!!"

The four gathered again, surrounding the still raging flames, looking at Zhang Zhongyong's body, which seemed to be gradually turning into a charred corpse. Ruan Ling'er excitedly leaned against Feng Zhang, looking up to him.

"Hmph!!"

Although Feng Zhang appeared nonchalant on the surface, he deeply enjoyed this reverence. After all, as a rogue cultivator, being able to come into contact with this kind of powerful fire-based technique, and even master it, was no ordinary opportunity.

"Hurry up and put out the fire, or the Na Jie bag will be burned, and the map we want will be gone!!"

The middle-aged man who had used the pair of cymbals frowned slightly, looking at the charred body that seemed lifeless, and said with concern.

"Yes, Brother Liu is right!!"

Another woman chimed in, standing with Brother Liu, as she called him.

"Receive!!"

Feng Zhang also knew the key to the matter. After basically confirming that Zhang Zhongyong in the flames was no longer moving, he took out a porcelain bottle from his arms, made a hand seal, and pointed the mouth of the bottle at the flames.

The raging flames seemed to have intelligence. Following Feng Zhang's command, they flew straight into the small-necked bottle, like young birds returning to their nests. Just as everyone's attention was attracted to the charred corpse on the ground, a cold light flashed in Feng Zhang's eyes, and the mouth of the bottle was secretly turned in a different direction, aimed at the middle-aged man surnamed Liu in front of him.

"Go!!"

Whoosh!!!!!!

The Samadhi True Fire, which had just been collected, turned into a scarlet fire python, licking flames as it pounced on the man surnamed Liu several zhang away.

"Hmph!! I knew you bastard would do this. I've been waiting for you!!"

The cultivator surnamed Liu coldly turned to look at Feng Zhang, and the cymbals in his hands suddenly came together, a violent, ear-piercing, and soul-shaking sound reverberating through the valley.

Feng Zhang only felt his hand seal loosen, and the fire snake instantly dissipated, but then Feng Zhang, who had regained his senses, re-condensed it and continued to pounce on the man surnamed Liu.

After the cymbals rang out a sound wave, the man surnamed Liu spread his hands again, and the pair of cymbals grew larger in his hands, turning into two huge golden shields, constantly spinning to form an energy shield, protecting him and the woman beside him.

A guy who can betray his friend of many years has no burden to betray other people. Although the two sides had worked together to deal with Zhang Zhongyong before, now that Zhang Zhongyong had fallen, the foundation of their cooperation no longer existed.

The two cymbals firmly blocked the Samadhi True Fire in front of them. The so-called powerful flames that could burn stones and boil water were eventually pushed aside by the two large cymbals, landing in the damp and rotten jungle a dozen zhang away, and soon there was a crackling sound of flames rising, and billowing white smoke.

Just as the man surnamed Liu was about to launch a counterattack with his cymbals, a sudden stabbing pain came from behind, and the familiar tip of the Mandarin Duck Sword pierced through his body, imprinted in the eyes of the man surnamed Liu.

"Jinniang, why..."

The man surnamed Liu looked shocked and angry, turned his head and stared at the beautiful face of his female companion, squeezing out a few words.

"I'm sorry, Brother Liu, Feng Zhang gave me the upper and middle parts of the Prajna Heart Sutra, and promised me that he would give me the remaining lower part after it was done. Compared to the Langya Cave Mansion, which I don't know what kind of inheritance it has, I still think the Prajna Heart Sutra is more important to me, after all, it's too risky for a woman like me to go to the cave ruins to find traces."

The young woman, called Jinniang, slowly pulled out the Mandarin Duck Sword that pierced the man surnamed Liu, with a dull expression on her delicate face. There was still some guilt beneath her flat tone.

"You..."

A wisp of Yin soul slowly disappeared between heaven and earth, but the pair of eyes, as big as copper bells, were still staring at Jinniang, very frightening.

The man who had fallen behind at the mouth of the valley in the distance, covered in blood and having just bandaged his broken arm, suddenly saw this scene and dared not stay any longer. He immediately dragged his weak body and fled into the jungle, not bothering to check his specific direction.

Jinniang killed the person and retreated more than ten zhang away, holding the Mandarin Duck Swords crossed in front of her, looking at Feng Zhang and Ruan Ling'er with a blank expression.

"I've done what you asked, shouldn't you give me the remaining lower part of the Prajna Heart Sutra?"

"As long as you fulfill your promise, then I will also help you kill that fish that slipped through the net, lest he spread rumors after escaping."

"Heh heh heh, good!!"

Feng Zhang narrowed his beautiful eyes slightly, pondering his next move. After discerning the other party's cautious attitude, he quickly made a decision.

He reached into his mustard seed pouch at his waist, and when he pulled his hand out, he casually tossed a yellowish-brown book towards Jin Niang.

With a crisscross of her twin blades, she easily挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟持挟 the ", 冯章 跟 阮灵儿 两人 活络 的 心 便 被 勾动 了 ， 本 就 是 双修 伴侣 的 他们 暗地里 一合计 ， 便 有 了 杀 人 越货 的 想法 。

It wouldn’t do to create unnecessary complications; our true purpose has already been achieved, so there’s no need to create additional problems."

Feng Zhang hooked Ruan Ling'er's delicate chin and joked in a great mood, "Could it be that you've also taken a liking to the 'Heart Sutra' studied by the nuns of Peach Blossom Temple, wanting to become a nun with a heart like still water? Then who will I find to pass the time when I'm lonely??"

"Ah!!"

Ruan Ling'er rolled her eyes at Feng Zhang, then playfully tapped his chest with her small fist while acting coquettish.

"You're so bad!!"

"Alright, hurry up and clean up, lest a long night brings many dreams!!"

Feng Zhang pinched Ruan Ling'er's delicate cheek again, and then said.

"Yeah!"

The two had their wishes fulfilled, so their mood was naturally extremely good. In these few years, following Zhang Zhongyong, a genuine disciple, their usual style of doing things had been very restrained. Now that they had returned to their original nature, they immediately felt that everything was wonderful.

In fact, Feng Zhang and the others benefited a lot from these years of slaying demons and eliminating evil with Zhang Zhongyong. Zhang Zhongyong, who had the guidance of a famous teacher, generously provided guidance to his three randomly met companions on cultivation issues, as long as it didn't involve the inheritance of his sect.

Moreover, in the past few adventures of chasing and killing evil disciples of the Demonic Sect and wicked and evil people, the members of their team had also been saved by Zhang Zhongyong to varying degrees. After all, Zhang Zhongyong followed the path of sword cultivation, and his attacks were powerful and fierce.

And a sword cultivator with a sect inheritance, even if his experience in wandering is unfamiliar and he doesn't know the rules of the secular world, has a sense of propriety in battle, and naturally has a method that casual cultivators do not have, which has also benefited them a lot.

However, Zhang Zhongyong himself was not cautious enough, thinking that he had a deep friendship with Feng Zhang and the others, thinking that he had figured out their nature, and actually revealed that he possessed a map of the Langya Cave Mansion's mountains and rivers.

Ever since learning that Zhang Zhongyong had this treasure map, the lively hearts of Feng Zhang and Ruan Ling'er were hooked. As a dual cultivation couple, they secretly discussed it and came up with the idea of killing and looting.

There was no other way. Casual cultivators had a difficult time cultivating, and they could be said to be the lowest level of existence in the world of cultivation. Even if lucky people like Feng Zhang had some opportunities in their early years and obtained a relatively complete inheritance, and completed foundation building after many hardships, they were still just scattered soldiers and unstable factors in the eyes of famous sects.

And Ruan Ling'er, who had neither opportunities nor outstanding talent in cultivation, was only considered to have stepped into the world of cultivation with one foot, and whether she would be able to successfully build a foundation in the end was still unknown.

It was precisely because of the difficulty of casual cultivation that they cherished the hard-won opportunities even more. Being able to build a relationship with a sword cultivator with a sect inheritance was a beautiful thing that everyone sought. Therefore, after figuring out Zhang Zhongyong's nature and integrity, they deliberately restrained their bad habits as casual cultivators and showed a side of affection, righteousness, understanding of propriety, and gratitude in front of Zhang Zhongyong.

But when a map of the ruins of a Golden Core predecessor's cave mansion appeared in front of Feng Zhang and the others, the friendship of Zhang Zhongyong, a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator, was no longer so sweet.

The two cultivation companions slowly walked to Zhang Zhongyong's charred corpse. Seeing the silver and shiny White Lotus Sword inserted beside him, Ruan Ling'er's face was full of greed and joy, and she was about to bend down to pull out this magical weapon.

"Explode!!"

A low, murderous roar came from Zhang Zhongyong's charred corpse. At the same time, a halo flickered on the White Lotus Sword in front of Zhang Zhongyong, accompanied by the wail of a golden weapon.

Ding!!!

A complete sword weapon, without external pressure, directly exploded in front of Ruan Ling'er, and countless tiny, sharp fragments violently splashed around.

Ruan Ling'er's flower-like delicate face, the expression of joy hadn't had time to fade, was directly blown away by the impact of the sword weapon exploding less than a foot in front of her. Before she even landed, her breath had already been cut off, and countless tiny fragments of the sword weapon had blown her body into a honeycomb.

Feng Zhang was at least a Foundation Establishment powerhouse. Although the change was sudden, he still barely made some defenses. He took a step back, using Ruan Ling'er as his sandbag. At the same time, he had an extra triangular banner in his hand, and just as he was about to wave it, his body trembled repeatedly, and he was still inevitably stabbed with countless holes by the fragments.

Despair, regret, unwillingness, and other emotions constantly appeared on Feng Zhang's face. Feeling the vitality slowly disappearing from his body, he fell weakly to the ground.

But with his strong willpower, Feng Zhang still tried his best to make a rescue action. He laboriously took out bottle after bottle from the mustard seed pouch, and just as he was about to open one of the bottles and send it to his mouth, a big foot came in from the side and kicked the medicine bottle that Feng Zhang was holding away.

Raising his head again, searching for who was stopping him, but when he saw that face that was almost disfigured, but still vaguely had the familiar appearance of the original owner, Feng Zhang's heart was filled with emotions that disappeared, but instead he laughed relievedly.

"Why?"

Zhang Zhongyong clearly knew the answer in his heart, but he still wanted to hear everything from the other party's mouth, so even if he wasn't much stronger than the other party, he still insisted on asking for a result.

"Heh heh ~ ~ hic ~ ~ heh heh ~ ~"

Feng Zhang understood that there was no hope of self-rescue, and today's encounter could be regarded as his own cause and effect, evil has evil retribution, so he didn't want to say anything more, just slowly crawled to Ruan Ling'er's side not far away before his death.

Even if he had used Ruan Ling'er's body as a sandbag when protecting himself before, Feng Zhang still didn't want to be a lonely ghost at the moment of death, hoping to have a beautiful woman to accompany him.

Zhang Zhongyong, who didn't get the answer, was full of resentment in his heart, and was about to kick Feng Zhang's crawling action again, but when he raised his foot and was about to drop it, the past experiences and memories with Feng Zhang, Ruan Ling'er, and others made it difficult for him to take another step.

Even if the other party owed him too much, causing him to almost lose his life, but now the other party was also a dying person. Zhang Zhongyong, who was honest and upright, really couldn't bear to destroy the other party's last thought.

"… …"

Feng Zhang's breath had already been cut off before he crawled to Ruan Ling'er's corpse, so he couldn't blame Zhang Zhongyong himself.

He breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart, but an boundless sense of emptiness and loneliness surged into his heart. Zhang Zhongyong casually cleaned up this piece of land, burned these two desperate mandarin ducks with a piece of talisman, checked the surrounding environment, and then dragged his seriously injured body and staggered out of the valley.

"Burning cultivation is really bitter, the merit land is not perfect… …"

The melodious and desolate chanting sound slowly drifted in this remote and desolate valley. The setting sun reflected the wisps of smoke rising in the valley, and the picture was particularly desolate.

Abandoned book chapter, written but no mood to continue