Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

Every step of cultivation is fraught with difficulties, every challenge is arduous.

From the moment he entered Qiulong City and sensed someone watching him, Wang Mian knew that someone was probably targeting him. He initially thought it was a cultivator from the Lü family, but the person was a complete stranger.

He only had contact with the manager of Baiyaolou. As the largest medicine merchant in Qiulong City, considering the connections between his superiors and subordinates, much information was already self-evident.

He never expected that the high and mighty Foundation Establishment Wang clan would be interested in him, a rogue cultivator.

In a moment of thought, Wang Mian understood many of the details. He grasped the Five Elements Sword Box in his hand and asked, "Are you fellow Daoists patrons of the Wang clan of Qiulong Peak?"

There were four people, representing all shapes and sizes, tall and short, fat and thin. The fat and thin ones were at the eighth level of Qi cultivation, the tall and short ones at the seventh level, one wielding a knife, one a sword, one a bow, and one a net.

The main attackers are in front, while the secondary attackers are on the flanks.

With their protective aura activated and each holding a talisman, their auras were firmly locked onto Wang Mian and Bai Jiuniang, their magical artifacts faintly glowing, creating a tense atmosphere.

It's easy to see that these people are all seasoned veterans of magical combat.

"To be honest, fellow Daoist, a distinguished person has invited you to a meeting and has specially sent us to welcome you," said the fat cultivator carrying a thick-backed heavy sword.

No sooner had the former finished speaking than the gaunt Taoist priest beside him, holding a sharp sword, added, "I hope you won't make things difficult for us."

Wang Mian sneered.

If it were truly an invitation from a distinguished person, they wouldn't have come so aggressively and furtively, with their magical artifacts gleaming. Even if it wasn't for a battle, it was for killing.

He didn't want to see any important people, fearing that he would just end up as a prisoner. If they were useful, they would take him in as a dog; if they were useless, they would sell him off to enrich their families. Did they think Wang Mian was some three-year-old child who knew nothing?

"Please trouble you fellow Daoists to go back and inform the Venerable One that I am a recluse cultivator in the mountains and am not worthy of your attention, lest I offend you. If fate allows, we will meet again in the future," Wang Mian replied.

The Five Elements Sword Box in his hand suddenly expanded, and when it crashed into the ground beside him, it sank several inches into the rock. The sword box opened, and several beams of spiritual light flew out, surrounding Wang Mian.

He held a thick stack of talismans in his hand, each one a mid-grade offensive talisman, and there were seven or eight of them in the stack.

Bai Jiuniang revealed her true form, standing guard behind Wang Mian, her demonic aura surging, her imposing presence approaching the seventh level of Qi Refining.

"I also hope that you fellow Daoists will not put me in a difficult position." Wang Mian watched as their smiles faded, then activated his robes. The robes, as dazzling as flowing clouds, made Wang Mian appear ethereal and awe-inspiring.

Seeing this scene.

The expressions on their faces changed slightly.

He wielded a top-grade magic weapon, wore a top-grade magic robe, and held dozens of mid-grade talismans in his hands. It was unknown how many talismans were stored in his storage bag. The demonic dog behind him was probably no match for someone at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

It's not that he's no match for him, but there's a possibility of injury or disability, so we should be cautious. He's only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, yet he has such a profound foundation. No wonder the Lü Clan couldn't capture him.

"The invitation from a distinguished person is a matter of fate. Do you really intend to refuse?" the gaunt Taoist asked again.

Combat inevitably involves injuries; harming the enemy is harmless, but harming oneself is a loss. If possible, he would rather not engage in combat.

"I, the Four Friends of Coal Hill, can vouch for you. I have absolutely no intention of harming you, fellow Daoist. It's just that you, esteemed guest, wish to see you and inquire about some matters," the fat Daoist explained.

The group knew that Wang Mian was no pushover. He had gathered a lot of information about his family, and even a Qi Refining Level 8 cultivator had died at his hands. He was a man of many tricks up his sleeve.

If it weren't for deliberate interference, the Lu family would have found him long ago, given how frantically they'd been searching for him these past few months.

"Fellow Daoist, I truly find your words hard to believe. Moreover, I am different from you all; I am unwilling to be a cultivator who bows and scrapes." Wang Mian activated the sword array in the sword box, and streaks of spiritual light connected and lit up. "I have said all I need to say. Fellow Daoists, would you please make way?"

Not to mention Qiulong Peak, he wouldn't even want to go to Qingfeng Sect, where a Golden Core cultivator resides. With the Golden Seal shining upon him, a certificate that is eternal, he will eventually reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Going up the mountain to be a dog was not his wish.

Wang Mian's words had left the group with only two choices: either make way or engage in a battle of wits.

"In that case, we shall have to offend you." The fat Taoist had barely finished speaking when a whooshing sound flashed past his side, and an arrow shot out.

Then the net was spread wide, rushing straight towards Wang Mian; the two cooperated perfectly.

The arrows crashed into Wang Mian's sword formation and were instantly sliced ​​into pieces by the dense sword energy, falling straight to the ground.

As Wang Mian's magical power surged into the Five Elements Sword Box, the sword array expanded, and the sword light flowed like rays of light, then collided with the net-like magical artifact, cutting out dense sparks.

The sword formation was briefly restricted, but Bai Jiuniang suddenly rushed out and attacked the cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining who was about to shoot with a bow.

The two cultivators at the eighth level of Qi Refining attacked Wang Mian directly, their swords and blades striking together, aiming to kill him.

Wang Mian threw out a stack of activated talismans, and countless water swords appeared, piercing towards the two attackers. Seeing the large number and considerable power of the water swords coming, the two changed from offense to defense.

Their protective magical artifacts were pierced by dense ripples, and they swung their magical artifacts in succession to block part of the attack.

Bang bang bang!

Three heavy thuds sounded as Wang Mian steadied the sword box with one hand and used the puppet manipulation technique with the other. The tall puppet immediately took heavy steps, blocking the two cultivators.

Then, puppets unleashed spells at the two, while others, like ghostly shadows, continued to harass them.

In an instant, puppets and talismans were used to beat the two Qi Refining Level 8 cultivators so badly that they couldn't even lift their heads.

"break!"

With a soft shout, Wang Mian cut a gap in the net that covered and restricted the sword formation, which was then divided into seven or eight pieces and fell to the ground.

Without the restriction of the magic weapon, the sword formation suddenly expanded under Wang Mian's unrestrained urging. Five-colored longswords flew everywhere, and the attacks were unpredictable, directly targeting the short, Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator whose magic weapon had been destroyed.

The first sword strike caused the spiritual light of his protective magic artifact to ripple; the second sword strike caused the spiritual light to tremble; and the third sword strike shattered the spiritual light of his protective magic artifact.

The fourth sword strike, which should have pierced the heart, was dodged by the opponent, and only severed an arm.

The fifth sword strike was aimed directly at the opponent's head, and it suddenly stabbed forward.

"Third brother!"

The swordsman disregarded the puppet, cleaved the flying sword in two, saved the cultivator who had lost an arm, and pulled him far away.

Three puppets at the seventh level of Qi Refining surrounded the sword cultivator, and with the addition of Wang Mian's talisman, he felt overwhelmed and his killing moves were blocked by one of the puppets, rendering them ineffective.

One was restrained by a puppet, and the other by Bai Jiuniang. Wang Mian swallowed two Yellow Dragon Pills to restore his magic power, and his five-colored sword light swept towards the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm.

"Ah~"

A scream rang out as the seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator, wielding a longbow, was torn apart by Bai Jiuniang's claw as she burned her life essence to fight for her life. Several deep bloody gashes remained on his chest, and the bleeding was difficult to stop.

Inside the cave, the bow-shaped magical artifact was already limited, and Bai Jiuniang was incredibly fast, her movements and changes were so quick that it was difficult to react. In addition, she fought desperately, so even if she couldn't kill her opponent, she could still injure her.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Mian, relying on the sharpness of his magical weapon, and Bai Jiuniang, relying on her speed to fight for her life, had already injured two of them.

One of her eight levels of Qi Refining was entangled by the puppet, and the other was entangled by Wang Mian. Bai Jiuniang had freed her hands, and Wang Mian took the talisman, harboring the intention to kill her.

A battle of wits can determine life or death in an instant.

At this moment, Wang Mian was confident that even if he was injured, he could still kill those two Qi Refining Stage 7 experts here.

"Fellow Daoist, please stop." Seeing Wang Mian take out another stack of talismans, the sword-wielding cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining spoke up. Faced with such a fighting style, he could hardly protect the one-armed cultivator.

The sword formation was extremely powerful, flying up with unparalleled sharpness, and could be controlled at will. Even a slight touch would result in injury, while the other longswords would come rushing in as if leeches attracted by the smell of blood.

The puppets were all at least as powerful as those in the late stage of Qi Refining. While they couldn't defeat someone at the eighth level of Qi Refining, they could at least hold off someone at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

The signs of defeat have already appeared.

Continuing to fight will only increase the casualties among our brothers; it's better to admit defeat.

"We concede defeat and will make way for you, fellow cultivator." The cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining dragged the two injured cultivators to the side, clearing the exit path.

Wang Mian did not put away the sword formation, but turned to look at another Qi Refining Level 8 cultivator, his questioning expression obvious.

He was entangled by the puppets and had his hands tied. Seeing that the puppets' attacks had subsided a little, he said with some frustration, "Since we cannot keep you here, you may leave."

The tall puppet was attacking head-on, the petite puppet was harassing him from the side, and another was launching fierce attacks from time to time, making it difficult for him to escape. He knew that if the fight continued, there would be casualties.

It is indeed shameful to lose to someone who is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, but it is easier to accept than losing one's brother's life.

The battle of wits has come to an end.

Wang Mian's spiritual senses stirred, and several puppets silently walked behind him. Bai Jiuniang squatted on his shoulder, and a sword formation enveloped them, exuding a chilling sword aura. Wang Mian stared at the fat Taoist priest at the head of the group.

"In that case... all is well. However, fellow Daoist, I have another question, and I hope you can enlighten me." Wang Mian asked, "Who is this distinguished guest who wishes to see me? And what is the purpose of their visit?"