Wan Jian returns to his clan!

Chapter 24 Bandits
Lu Wubing actually had no idea about his own abilities.

Judging from his internal strength cultivation, his second meridian had only just opened up the fourth acupoint, and he was still far from reaching the peak of the ninth rank, where all three meridians were open.

It can only be said that he is at the early stage of the ninth rank.

He's at the bottom of the third-rate martial arts world...

However, in terms of his own mastery of the Great Piercing Sword Technique, this is a level that only a sect leader can reach.

Most geniuses and elite disciples only reach the proficiency level in swordsmanship.

Even relatively "ordinary" sect disciples like Senior Sister Xiaolan have reached a proficient level in swordsmanship.

His swordsmanship was two levels above hers.

In terms of overall strength.

The sect leader's cultivation and swordsmanship are too strong to be used as a benchmark.

Both the third senior brother, Wu Yunchong, and the senior sister, Xiaolan, are seventh-rank.

Including the enemies I've encountered in the past few days, they are all roughly at the seventh-grade cultivation level.

Winning against them doesn't seem to bring much achievement and doesn't mean anything.

In other words, all of these people fall into the category of third-rate martial artists.

If one were even stronger, one would be a sixth-rank martial artist, reaching the second-rate level...

I heard that Gu Dongting's eldest disciple, the Eyebrowless Sword Wei Zhongming, is at this level.

Whether I can defeat him is a real question.
“Junior brother only practices the rapier technique, so it’s hard to assess him. However, if he normally masters a sword technique, he might not be unable to fight a sixth-rank master who is proficient in sword techniques.”

Ouyang Lan paused here, then said, "Of course, both the fifth and sixth ranks involve internal energy surging through the skin and hair to form an air film, so there is not much difference in essence."

If they were to encounter a fifth-rank expert, they would still have a fighting chance. With favorable timing, location, skill, and strategy, they would not be without any opportunity to win.

The only concern is that if you encounter a fourth-rank master, your mediocre swordsmanship will likely be of little use.

"Why is this?"

"Let me tell you, a fourth-rank master's internal energy flows through at least sixteen meridians. Not only does their energy circulate throughout their body, but it can also condense outside the body and be released more than a foot away..."

"Think about it," you say. "If you encounter a powerful opponent whose internal energy extends a foot beyond their body, no matter how fast your swordsmanship is, if your attack isn't strong enough, you won't even be able to penetrate their protective internal energy. How could you possibly defeat them?"

Ouyang Lan said with a hint of envy, "The deacons and elders of various sects, as well as the lone wanderers of the martial world, are all at this level, and can be considered as renowned masters."

I understand now, the fourth rank is a watershed moment.

Reaching this level of skill, one should have a place in the martial arts world.

You will receive courtesy when you visit various sects.

They are considered the backbone of various factions.

Reaching the upper three ranks means being among the top in the martial arts world, which goes without saying.

They are the top figures in their respective schools and sects.

Very few.

Gu Dongting of the East Sea Sword Sect is clearly at this level.

It's unclear whether he's a second-rank official or a first-rank official.

The reason why Lu Wubing didn't guess the third rank was mainly because he overheard some noises at the Lu family home that day.

The sect leader, Master Ouyang Zheng, had a brief encounter with Gu Dongting, defeating him and seemingly injuring the East Sea sect leader.

I heard Ouyang Lan proudly say that the sect leader is a top-tier master in the world.

Gu Dongting was only at a disadvantage and retreated due to injury, but he was not much worse off, and was probably just a second-rank master.

Such a master's moves are filled with powerful, unstoppable energy...

Thinking back to the day he saw Ouyang Zheng fighting with Elder Xueyun, a shadow fell over Lu Wubing's heart.

It was completely beyond my ability to handle.

If he really meets Gu Dongting.

Given the opponent's determination to obtain the [Yuanling Sword Manual] and their grudge over killing a disciple of the East Sea Sword Sect, the situation must be extremely dangerous.

It's still too weak.

"As long as you can't practice to death, practice to death."

Internal energy cultivation takes a long time and progress is slow. The only thing one can rely on is to master swordsmanship to a level that is unprecedented and unparalleled.

After achieving great success, there is still the realm of perfection.

So, beyond the realm of perfection, are there other levels?

And can they handle a master of the third rank?
Thinking of this, Lu Wubing forcibly suppressed any weakness in his heart and resumed practicing the [White Rainbow Piercing the Sun] with renewed enthusiasm.

Three more days passed. When he had practiced the first sword technique to 124,000 strikes, he was only 76,000 strikes away from breaking through to the perfect realm... Suddenly, the space opened up before them, and the two finally arrived at the foot of Hengshan Mountain. Looking at the distant mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling a giant dragon lying prone, the two gasped in astonishment.

This mountain road might be difficult to travel.

Just as the two were lamenting the difficulty of the journey.

I could faintly hear cries drifting from afar.

A faint smell of blood wafted on the wind.

"That's...not cooking smoke."

Ouyang Lan's expression tightened.

She followed her father and fellow disciples down the mountain. Although she didn't experience much hardship along the way, she witnessed many tragic scenes along the route.

Naturally, one could see what the thick smoke rising into the sky ahead was.

"Setting houses on fire, could it be that the village was looted?"

Lu Wubing also realized what was happening.

He thought to himself that this place was nothing like the modern society of his previous life. Without the protection of the city, all sorts of people could be found here. In this world where the order was not perfect, the evil in human nature would be magnified to the extreme.

Many times, many people are not much different from wild animals.

The two exchanged a glance, their figures cutting through the wind as they fully activated the [Square Inch Step], leaping forward with each step covering three zhang (approximately 13 meters).

They headed towards the village.

It's still a bit late...

Fires broke out everywhere in the village, villagers lay dead on the ground, and women cried out as they were pinned to the ground and subjected to wanton abuse by some strong men.

More than a dozen people, armed with knives and guns, were chasing and killing the villagers who were trying to escape.

Among them was a tall, strong middle-aged man in coarse cloth, around forty years old, wielding a steel fork and wildly swinging it, fighting desperately with the murderers.

With a series of thuds, the steel forks swung, creating a heavy gust of wind, and smashed the skulls of the two bandits.

However, surrounded and fighting, the middle-aged man was like a cornered beast, fighting desperately, but it was clear that he couldn't hold out for much longer.

"This arrow will hit your right arm, Gu Dashi. If you truly want to join my Chaoyang Village, hand over that thing. Not only will your wife and children be safe, but you will also become the fourth chieftain, living a life of luxury and wealth."

In the distance, a long-armed young man dressed in an archery uniform with a red scarf tied around his waist drew his longbow and released an arrow...

"Woo..."

The arrow pierced the middle-aged man's right arm, and the force of it caused him to stagger. He was then slashed in the shoulder by a knife, and blood gushed out.

"Chen Gong, taking you in was the biggest mistake of my life. Kill me if you want, torture me if you want, I'm not a hero if I even flinch. You have nothing to give, but you only have one life."

Gu Dashi switched the steel fork to his left hand and swung it even more frantically, killing three more people.

The young man Chen Gong, with a red scarf tied around his waist in the distance, stopped trying to persuade Gu Dashi to surrender. He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, this time aiming it at Gu Dashi's chest.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences. Fine, I'll grant your wish."

"collapse……"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Before I could even see clearly, two figures had already rushed into the village at lightning speed.

I haven't even seen what the person looks like yet.

A slender figure on the left pointed.

A dark cloud appeared before my eyes.

The sky was filled with needle-like rays, swarming like a bee.

Chen Gong only had time to reach out and cover his face.

His body has been pierced with dozens of tiny holes.

The needle-like blades whistled as they swept across the path, and more than a dozen burly men wielding knives and guns screamed in agony as they collapsed to the ground.

"What a fine Rain of Pear Blossom Needles technique! It's a bit of a waste to use it on these trashy hands."

Lu Wubing moved forward, his sword flashing, as he slew the remaining bandits while shaking his head and sighing.

Although this was only the second time I had seen this hidden weapon unleash its power.

He still found it somewhat unbelievable.

……

Asking for a monthly ticket.

(End of this chapter)