Demons and monsters in a chaotic world: Starting from the Joyful Pavilion, the invincible path begin

three days later.

Outside Lanjiang City, on a secluded riverbank.

The man in gray stood silently by the riverbank, a long sword resting in front of him. Behind him leaned a wooden box more than two meters long.

Just moments before, the river was calm and still.

The next instant, the man's eyes snapped open, and he slashed out with his sword:

"Radiance!"

The black blade energy suddenly erupted, instantly engulfing all the surrounding light!

The blade flashed ten meters away, slicing into the river and creating waves several meters high!

Zhang Ping exhaled a long breath, his breath hot, and slowly sheathed his sword.

The lingering black aura on the blade remained, clinging to it in wisps.

"Black qi and blood... it can actually be released outwards?" He looked down at his palm, his knuckles slightly white from the force he was exerting.

"Is it possible that the ability to project one's vital energy outwards is not limited to the Refining of the Dead realm?"

The various unusual phenomena exhibited by the black blood over these three days puzzled him.

The power of pollution, accelerated cultivation, external release...

Each one is beyond reason and inexplicably bizarre.

The secrets of the demons seemed to be deeper and more dangerous than he had imagined.

"The first move of the Ghost Blade, Radiant Light. I've barely mastered it, but I can't use it freely..." Zhang Ping frowned.

The original plan to brand the talent for swordsmanship and learn additional sword techniques unexpectedly yielded the Ghost Blade.

At first, I thought I had gotten a great deal, achieving everything in one go.

Only now do I realize that this ghost blade is truly wicked. It can temporarily conceal black blood and qi, but once one reaches the skin tempering stage, the blood and qi can be released outwards. There is no way to explain it.

"I can only use this as a last resort." He rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

I still need to practice the Dragon Slash Technique.

He securely fastened the long sword to his waist, turned around, and slung the heavy wooden box over his shoulder.

Back in the courtyard, Qin Hu was already waiting at the door.

"Where did he go? To practice his sword?" Qin Hu looked Zhang Ping up and down, his gaze falling on the conspicuously large long box behind him. He couldn't help but stroke his chin.

"You've been acting all secretive lately, always having to go outside the city to practice your swordsmanship?"

"Brother Qin!" Zhang Ping greeted him with a smile, leaning the long box against the courtyard wall.

"It's not that my swordsmanship has improved a bit, I just wanted to find an open space to practice."

Qin Hu curled his lip: "With just you, a mere skin temperer, isn't this little courtyard enough for you to flounder around in?"

The two entered the house, where a pot of coarse tea was brewing, steaming hot. After a few words of casual conversation, Qin Hu said seriously:

"The return shipment for my master has been arranged; we have to leave in a couple of days."

Zhang Ping paused, his hand holding the teacup still: "So fast?"

The group had only been in the prefectural city for half a month, and he had thought they would stay for a while longer.

"When we came here, we took on that escort mission from the Gou family, but something went wrong and we didn't make much money. We need to find a lucrative mission to make up for the losses," Qin Hu said with a shake of his head and a sigh.

In the past, the main profit from escorting goods was the outbound journey, and the return journey was supplemented by taking on some small jobs.

"Two days from now... departing in the morning?"

"This afternoon. This time we'll travel by water." A slight smile finally appeared on his face.

"The waterway is much more comfortable than the land route. The Lanjiang River has a gentle current, and there are fewer monsters and strange beasts; usually, nothing goes wrong." He added, "I also remind you that..."

"Brother Zhang, if there's anything else you'd like to buy, hurry up and get it. Who knows when you'll be back in the city again?"

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Ping nodded thoughtfully.

After seeing Qin Hu off, he didn't linger. He picked up his long sword and headed straight for the Lu residence, following the address Lu Wanrou had given him.

I wonder how the material gathering is going with Lu Wanrou...

Lu Mansion is located in the east of Lanjiang City, adjacent to the vast Lanjiang River.

A six-story vermilion pavilion rises from the ground in the mansion, offering panoramic views of the Lanjiang River.

At this moment, the air in the attic was tense.

"Third Elder! Are you openly defying the ancestral family rules?"

Lu Wanrou was surrounded by a group of loyal guards, her face frosty as she glared at the elders opposite her.

The third elder, who was in the lead, snorted coldly, showing no sign of backing down:

"Lu Wanrou! You are nothing but a daughter of a minor branch family, and you have not borne any children for the main family! Even if you bear the title of the First Madam, don't even think about getting your hands on the power to lead the Lu family!"

"I think you're deliberately trying to steal the Lu family's century-old legacy!" Several elders beside him immediately chimed in, their words conveying only one core message:

Force Lu Wanrou to hand over control of the family!

"Hmph! My husband entrusted the family to me on his deathbed. How could I allow you parasites to lay a hand on it!" Lu Wanrou laughed angrily.

These clan elders, who acted as meek and obedient as if they were mere decorations while her husband was alive, have all jumped out since his death, forming cliques and vying for power and profit!

The Lu family was already in dire straits, and only her husband and Master Lu remained as martial artists at the Cultivation Realm.

After her husband's death, she was able to stabilize the situation and take over the power of the family head thanks to Lu Qiang's strenuous support.

However, upon returning from this business trip, Lu Qiang was severely injured and died a few days later.

From this point on, the entire continent was left without a single Refining Realm martial artist!

In the eyes of the surrounding covetous forces, the Lu family was already a piece of fat meat exposed to the world.

At this critical juncture, instead of working together to resist external aggression, these clan elders are only concerned with infighting and vying for power, making them nothing short of a cancer and a root of disaster for the clan!

Currently, thanks to the prestige Lu Wushi had accumulated during his lifetime and the favors he had bestowed, many family martial artists still stand firmly behind Lu Wanrou. However, the longer this drags on, the more unfavorable the situation will become for her.

Today's standoff is merely the prelude to an impending storm.

The two sides were on the verge of conflict, and the martial artists on both sides began to secretly circulate their qi and blood, as if a conflict was about to break out.

beep, beep...

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the attic.

"Madam! A top student from Sitong Martial Arts School requests an audience!"

The stagnant and oppressive atmosphere in the attic was instantly broken.

Lu Wanrou's heart stirred, a barely perceptible glint flashed in her eyes, and the frost on her face quickly melted away, revealing a genuine smile:

"Please come quickly!"

All eyes turned to the doorway.

A young man with a resolute face and upright posture strode in, a long sword at his waist swaying lightly with each step.

The young man's gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping across the entire room with an invisible sense of oppression.

Before entering, Zhang Ping had already learned some inside information from the servant who was leading the way.

At this moment, without looking to the side, he walked straight to Lu Wanrou, clasped his hands in a fist and said loudly:

"Madam Lu! Zhang Ping has come to pay his respects on behalf of the Master!"

His voice was loud and clear, full of confidence, echoing in the quiet attic.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines!

The Third Elder's eyelids twitched wildly, his heart filled with doubt and suspicion: the family and the Sitong Martial Arts School only had some superficial business dealings, so why would the other party send someone to visit at this critical juncture?

The Lu family's predicament was already common knowledge among the major powers in Lanjiang City. The fact that the Sitong Martial Arts School sent people at this time undoubtedly sent a certain signal!

Why should Sitong Martial Arts School support Lu Wanrou?

No one could answer the turmoil in the Third Elder's heart.

Lu Wanrou's smile deepened, and she said gently, "Young Master Zhang, there's no need for such formalities."

She beckoned Zhang Ping to stand beside her, then turned to the crowd, her tone leaving no room for argument:

"Now that we have distinguished guests, the matter of profit sharing for the shops is settled here and need not be discussed further. Master Lin, you will handle the remaining trivial matters."

"Yes, madam!" A valiant warrior immediately bowed in response.

Lu Wanrou ignored the livid elders and left with Zhang Ping.

The elders looked at each other, furious, but ultimately none of them made a move.

Once the figure disappeared at the top of the stairs, the Third Elder spat angrily and growled, "Investigate immediately! Find out exactly what connection Sitong Martial Arts School has with that woman Lu Wanrou! How dare she have such audacity!"

"yes!"

The Sixth Elder, stroking his beard, asked with a glint in his eyes, "Third Brother, could it be... that Chongxin has an affair with her?"

The youngest elder on the right, the Ninth Elder, scoffed: "What right does a mere county martial arts school have to interfere in the internal affairs of my family in the prefectural city? And why should we be afraid of Chongxin?"

"Fool!" The Third Elder's face was so dark it was almost dripping with water. He lowered his voice and said:

"A half-step Bone Forging expert... In the entire city, how many people dare not give him face?"