75: Ancient treasure acquired! Demonic sect stronghold! Golden-backed mantis!

Chapter 75: ancient treasure in Hand! Demonic Path Stronghold! Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis!

The night was deep, and Li Yun City was silent, with only sporadic lights still burning deep within the Li Family manor.

Lu Qiu and Han Li, like two specters merged with the darkness, silently re-infiltrated the manor.

At this moment, Lu Qiu's eyes held only cold killing intent.

"Split up, and finish quickly."

Lu Qiu transmitted, "Junior Brother Han, besides Li Xian, the Li Family still has several Qi Refinement Stage Late Stage juniors and numerous guards. I'll leave them to you to clear out. Make sure no one is left alive, lest news leaks out and alarms the Mortals and officials in the city, causing further complications."

Han Li glanced at Lu Qiu with a hint of surprise.

Among the Li Family, only Li Xian posed a danger to the two of them.

Lu Qiu actually chose to face Li Xian alone?

He didn't ask further, merely nodded silently. With a flicker of his figure, he swept towards several courtyards with stronger Spiritual Qi fluctuations that he sensed. Several faint golden lights were already visible in his sleeves—these were the Top-Grade Magical Artifact Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blades.

Lu Qiu's gaze was like lightning, his Divine Sense firmly locked onto the detached small building at the center of the manor, vaguely shrouded by layers of Formation light—Li Xian's secluded cultivation chamber.

He took a deep breath, no longer concealing his Aura. His Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure erupted, like a torch lit in the dark night, instantly alarming the entire Li Manor!

"Enemy attack!"

Exclamations and alarms rang out one after another, and the light of Spells and Magical Artifacts lit up throughout the manor, creating a scene of chaos.

Lu Qiu, however, had already risen into the air. The qingming sword transformed into a startling streak of light, carrying an unparalleled scarlet gold sword glow, and fiercely slashed towards the Formation barrier outside the secluded chamber!

"Boom!"

The Formation shook violently, and cracks appeared on the light barrier.

The door to the secluded chamber burst open, and an enraged figure shot out like an arrow—it was Li Xian!

He was both shocked and furious at this moment, clearly not expecting an enemy to dare to attack directly, and with such formidable cultivation.

"What madman dares to offend my Li Family!"

Li Xian's hair stood on end, and in his hand was a completely azure Flying Sword, exuding cold Qi—it was also a Top-Grade Magical Artifact.

Though surprised, he was not flustered. As the Old Ancestor of a Family, he had his own confidence.

Lu Qiu did not answer at all. With a thought, five Spirit Shocking Thorn, already prepared, shot out from his shenting acupoint without reservation, directly piercing Li Xian's Divine Soul!

"Ah!"

Li Xian was caught off guard, feeling as if his mind was brutally pierced by five red-hot iron skewers. His vision went black, and his Divine Sense was in chaotic pain, causing the azure Flying Sword he controlled to instantly falter in its Spiritual Light.

In this flash of lightning, a streak of black light silently flew out from Lu Qiu's sleeve, moving so fast that it left an afterimage in the air!

It was a strange small knife, about seven inches long, entirely black, with its blade covered in intricate and eerie runes. It was precisely the talisman treasure 'Wu Sha Blade' obtained from Feng Yue!

This blade specialized in breaking through protective Spiritual Light and Physical Body defenses, insidious and ruthless.

Li Xian's Divine Soul was injured, and his reaction was half a beat slow. His protective Spiritual Light also failed to fully activate due to his chaotic Divine Sense.

The Wu Sha Blade easily tore through the faint blue water-attribute shield on his body, and with a "puff," it precisely plunged into his heart!

"Ugh..."

Li Xian's body stiffened abruptly, his face filled with disbelief, horror, and despair.

He looked down at the rapidly spreading dark black color on his chest, feeling his life force draining away at an unprecedented speed.

He hadn't even fully seen the enemy's appearance, nor did he have time to use his biggest trump card... Lu Qiu moved as swiftly as the wind. Before Li Xian's body could fall, he had already flashed forward, snatched the Storage Pouch from his waist, took the azure Flying Sword, and put it into his own bag without even looking.

At the same time, he raised his left hand, and a mass of scarlet gold Chixiao True Fire landed on Li Xian's corpse, instantly reducing it to ashes, leaving no trace.

The entire exchange lasted only two or three breaths.

A Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the head of an entire Cultivation Family, was struck down and perished without even one round under Lu Qiu's calculated attack, powerful Divine Sense, and talisman treasure combo!

Not long after, the sounds of fighting and screams from other directions in the manor also quickly subsided.

Han Li's figure emerged from the shadows, his Evil Qi still lingering, but his Aura was stable, indicating that the cleanup was done cleanly and efficiently.

He glanced at the scorched marks where Lu Qiu had just fought and the lingering Saber Qi in the air, a strange look flashing in his eyes, but he wisely did not ask further.

"Junior Brother Han, very quick," Lu Qiu said indifferently.

"Senior Brother's Divine Might, Junior Brother admires," Han Li cupped his hands.

The time Lu Qiu took to kill Li Xian was even shorter than the time he took to clean up the Qi Refinement Stage cannon fodder.

Such strength truly shocked Han Li.

Had this Senior Brother Lu's strength reached the point where he could instantly kill Cultivators of the same stage?

Lu Qiu said no more, his gaze sweeping over the manor, now utterly silent, with only flames beginning to rage on some buildings.

He formed hand seals, and the Crimson Heaven Mana within him surged out, transforming into over a dozen thick scarlet gold fire snakes that flew towards the main buildings in the manor.

"Boom—!"

Blazing flames shot up into the sky, rapidly devouring everything.

The firelight illuminated half the city, and faint exclamations and commotions could be heard in the distance.

"Let's go, Junior Brother Han."

Lu Qiu looked at the Li Manor, now a sea of fire, and said calmly, "Mission accomplished. Senior Brother Yu Kun and the others should be arriving soon."

...Two days later.

Outside a continuous stretch of wild mountains and forests in eastern Jingzhou Prefecture, where miasma vaguely lingered.

Four streaks of light descended, revealing the figures of Lu Qiu, Han Li, Yu Kun, and Wu Xuan.

"Junior Brother Lu, are you sure that Demonic Path stronghold is hidden in this godforsaken mountain?"

Yu Kun surveyed the densely vegetated, mist-shrouded mountains ahead, a hint of doubt on his face.

After receiving Lu Qiu's message, they met up with Wu Xuan, who was on another mission, and immediately rushed over.

Lu Qiu's gaze was calm, his Divine Sense sensing the faint connection from the Soul Chasing Seal pointing deep into the mountains. He nodded: "The Soul Chasing Seal shows that the black-robed Cultivator's last known location was deep within this mountain. The Spiritual Qi fluctuations within are subtle, and there are traces of Formation concealment, so it's very likely."

Wu Xuan's expression was arrogant, and he snorted, "Who cares if it is or isn't? We'll know once we go in. If there truly are Demonic Path brats hiding here, we'll just wipe them out and return to claim credit from Revered Master."

The four no longer hesitated, restraining their Auras, and cautiously entered the mountain forest.

The initial part of the path was uneventful, but after delving about ten li deeper, the surroundings noticeably became gloomier. The air was filled with a faint mixture of decay and blood, and the Spiritual Qi became chaotic.

"Be careful, there are Restriction fluctuations," Lu Qiu suddenly stopped and warned in a low voice.

No sooner had he spoken than a ghastly green light suddenly flared up from among the seemingly ordinary vines and dead leaves ahead!

Countless thin, hair-like, yet venomously glowing green threads appeared out of thin air, coiling towards the four of them!

At the same time, a rumble came from the mountain walls on both sides, and several thousand-pound boulders were pushed by an invisible force, smashing down fiercely!

"Indeed, an ambush!"

Yu Kun let out a strange cry, conjuring a large bronze shield to block in front of him.

Wu Xuan also snorted coldly, and a crimson Flying Sword shot out, slashing towards the green threads.

Lu Qiu reacted the fastest. The moment the Restriction was triggered, his ink scale armor automatically appeared beneath his robes, emitting a black glow.

His figure was like lightning, dodging the falling rocks. His qingming sword drew several arcs of sword light, completely shredding the poisonous threads attacking him.

Han Li was even more agile, stepping on Luo Yan Steps, moving like a ghost through the gaps in the attacks.

At the same time, several golden lights flew out from his sleeves, precisely striking several inconspicuous rocks or tree roots—these were some secondary nodes of the Restriction.

Attacking them were seven or eight black-robed Cultivators who rushed out from hidden caves or underground lairs. Their cultivation levels ranged from Late Stage Qi Refinement to Early Foundation Establishment Stage. Their eyes were ruthless, and they cooperated tacitly, clearly well-trained.

"Kill!"

Wu Xuan had the strongest killing intent. His crimson Flying Sword transformed into a fiery rainbow, directly targeting an Early Foundation Establishment Stage black-robed leader.

Yu Kun, on the other hand, wielded a large shield and a giant sword resembling a door panel, blocking two other Early Foundation Establishment Stage Demonic Cultivators, creating loud bangs. He didn't forget to shout, "Demonic brats, taste the might of your Grandfather Yu!"

Lu Qiu's gaze swept across, locking onto another thin, old man in the opposing Formation whose Aura was the most subtle, reaching Middle Stage Foundation Establishment.

This person had been lurking on the periphery, holding a black Soul-Summoning Banner. With a gentle wave, a mournful ghostly wail emanated, disturbing the mind, while streaks of black Qi like venomous snakes attacked everyone.

"Your opponent is me."

Before Lu Qiu's voice faded, he shot out like an arrow from a bow, directly charging at the thin old man.

The old man's eyes flashed green, and he sneered, "Seeking death!"

He violently shook the Soul-Summoning Banner in his hand, and three solid, ferocious phantom specters shrieked and lunged, baring their fangs and claws, spitting out foul black Qi from their mouths. At the same time, a White Bone Flying Fork flew out from his sleeve, carrying a Blood Wind (bloody wind) and stabbing towards Lu Qiu.

Facing the specters and the flying fork, Lu Qiu neither dodged nor retreated. His forward momentum remained undiminished, only a slight thought in his mind.

"Spirit Shocking Thorn!"

Four invisible thorns arrived first, ignoring physical defenses, and fiercely pierced into the thin old man's Sea of Consciousness!

Lu Qiu had held back, not releasing all five thorns.

The old man was caught off guard, letting out a miserable groan, his body shaking violently. The specters and flying fork he controlled immediately faltered.

It was this momentary pause that allowed Lu Qiu to close in!

He pointed his left hand like a sword, the scarlet gold Crimson Flame Slash condensed at his fingertip, striking the old man's glabella with the speed of lightning; from his right sleeve, a black light flashed again, and the talisman treasure Wu Sha Blade silently circled towards the old man's back!

The old man was scared out of his wits, desperately activating his protective Spiritual Light, and a Bone Shield also hastily flew out from his Storage Pouch.

"Chih! Puh!"

The Crimson Flame Slash easily pierced through the thin protective Spiritual Light and the hastily blocked Bone Shield, leaving a charred hole on his forehead.

Almost simultaneously, the Wu Sha Blade also plunged in from behind, severing his last trace of life.

The light in the thin old man's eyes rapidly dimmed, and his corpse fell to the ground. Lu Qiu quickly took his Storage Pouch.

The remaining Qi Refinement Stage Demonic Cultivators, seeing this, were terrified out of their wits. They turned to flee but were quickly cut down by Han Li's silently released Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blades and Wu Xuan's Flying Sword.

The battle quickly ended, but Lu Qiu's brows furrowed.

The defensive strength of this stronghold didn't seem particularly strong, which contradicted the speculation that a Core Formation Stage Cultivator might be stationed here.

Was the Soul Chasing Seal discovered?

Or... Just then, an unexpected change occurred!

A terrifying Spiritual Pressure that made one's Soul tremble, as if it were heavenly might, suddenly erupted from the deepest part of the mountain forest, sweeping across the entire battlefield!

The surrounding trees moved without wind, sand and stones rolled, and everyone's faces turned pale, revealing expressions of fear.

"Little brats of Yellow Maple Valley... how dare you find this place and ruin my plans! You seek death!"

A hoarse, ancient voice, filled with endless brutality and killing intent, like a chilling wind from the Nine Nether, echoed in everyone's ears.

Core Formation Stage Cultivator!

The pressure was like a mountain, enveloping all directions. Lu Qiu and the others instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, their movements becoming sluggish.

At this critical moment, two clear, long whistles suddenly came from the horizon!

"Demonic Path fiend, how dare you bully my Disciples!"

"Hmph, you who hide your head and show your tail, get out here for this old man!"

Two astonishing streaks of light of different colors, like meteors tearing through the night sky, arrived in an instant!

Two powerful Spiritual Pressures descended with a rumble, dispelling most of the Core Formation Demonic Cultivator's oppressive might.

The streaks of light receded, revealing the figures of Li Huayuan and another grim-faced, gray-robed old man carrying a long sword on his back.

Both were Core Formation Cultivators, with imposing Auras!

"Revered Master! Martial Uncle Nie!" Yu Kun and the others were overjoyed and surprised.

"Li Huayuan! Old Monster Nie!"

The Core Formation Demonic Cultivator's surprised and angry roar came from deep within the mountain forest, "You actually came together!"

"Why should we follow rules when dealing with rats in the gutter like you?"

Li Huayuan sneered, flicking his sleeve. A silver light flew out, growing larger with the wind, transforming into a terrifying giant python over ten zhang long, with a single horn on its head and covered in silver scales—it was his spirit beast, the Silver Armored Horned Python.

The giant python hissed, its Demonic Qi soaring into the sky, rushing deep into the mountain forest.

"Seeking death!"

The Demonic Cultivator roared angrily, and a ghastly green sword light shot up into the sky, transforming into a bizarre giant sword several zhang long, entirely emerald green, its surface covered with countless struggling and wailing ghostly faces, slashing towards the Silver Armored Horned Python.

It was his Magic Treasure—the green brilliant sword!

The Silver Armored Horned Python swept its giant tail, clashing head-on with the green brilliant sword, erupting in an earth-shattering roar. The resulting energy waves destroyed all the surrounding trees.

Meanwhile, a golden light shot out from the forest with blinding speed, heading straight for Li Huayuan!

It was actually a strange demon insect about a zhang long, shaped like a mantis, but its entire body seemed cast from dark gold, with a dazzling golden line on its back!

Its pair of forelimbs were like two giant golden scythes, creating piercing sonic booms as they swung. Their sharpness was so intense that one dared not look directly at them!

"Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Huayuan's eyes, but he wasn't flustered. Martial Uncle Nie, who was beside him, had already snorted coldly. The long sword on his back automatically unsheathed, transforming into a white sword rainbow like a bolt of silk, meeting the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis was incredibly fast, leaving afterimages in the air. Its golden scythes and the white sword rainbow continuously collided, producing dense metallic clangs like rain on banana leaves. For a time, they were locked in an evenly matched battle.

Li Huayuan, on the other hand, officially engaged the hidden Core Formation Demonic Cultivator.

On one side, a silver python surged, Magic Treasures frequently appearing; on the other, the green brilliant sword wailed with ghosts, and Demonic Techniques were bizarre.

The aftershocks of the Core Formation Cultivators' battle forced Lu Qiu and the others to retreat repeatedly, watching from afar, their hearts filled with shock.

That Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis was truly formidable. Martial Uncle Nie's sword light was temporarily unable to suppress it.

Its scythe-like arms were incomparably sharp, seemingly capable of cutting Spiritual Qi, and its movements were as swift as lightning. Several times it almost broke through the sword light's defense.

The great battle lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Suddenly, a sharp cry, mixed with pain and unwillingness, came from deep within the mountain forest from the Core Formation Demonic Cultivator: "Li Huayuan! Old Monster Nie! This grudge today, this venerable one has noted it down!"

The green brilliant sword's light suddenly retracted, enveloping a blurry black shadow. It took a direct hit from the Silver Armored Horned Python, using the force to fly backward. At the same time, the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis also transformed into a golden light, forcing back Martial Uncle Nie's Flying Sword, and followed closely, instantly disappearing deeper into the mountain forest with astonishing speed.

"Trying to run?"

Li Huayuan and Martial Uncle Nie exchanged a glance, then unhesitatingly soared on their streaks of light in pursuit. The Silver Armored Horned Python and the white sword rainbow also followed closely, disappearing into the distance in an instant.

Only the ravaged mountain forest remained, along with the four still-shaken Lu Qiu and company.

"That was close... there really was a Core Formation Old Ancestor..." Yu Kun wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Wu Xuan's face was still somewhat pale; the Core Formation Spiritual Pressure from before had left him with lingering fear.

Han Li remained silent, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield, wondering what he was thinking.

Lu Qiu, however, looked in the direction where the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis disappeared, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and he muttered, "Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis..."