Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Master Xuanguang transformed into a dazzling sword light and vanished into the horizon in an instant.

On the sword-discussion platform in front of the main hall, the guests remained silent for a long time, with only the mountain wind rustling the banners.

The resolute killing intent and the oppressive aura of the Golden Core still lingered in the air, causing one's heart to tremble.

A moment later, a chorus of voices rose up, each with a different expression.

"Master Xuanguang's divine might is like a prison. This time, he will surely capture them with ease!"

"With this Golden Core cultivator in Jian Ge, and him residing in the southeast of Aolai Kingdom, the kingdom will surely prosper for another eight hundred years!"

"Although that demon cultivator from Yunmang Mountain has some reputation, he is ultimately a self-taught cultivator. How could he withstand the wrath of a Golden Core cultivator? His demise is likely imminent."

Many guests from sects that were affiliated with Sword Pavilion or had close ties with it showed their delight and clapped their hands in praise.

In his words, he already regarded the dragon demon Xuan Ling, whom he had never met, as an inanimate object, and further elevated the status of the Sword Pavilion.

However, there were also several people at the table with solemn expressions and deep-seated fear and worry in their eyes.

They either had old grudges against Jian Ge, or their spheres of influence bordered Jian Ge, and they often fought each other in secret.

The formidable strength and undisguised arrogance displayed by Master Xuanguang today have put them under unprecedented pressure.

One man lowered his head and drank, concealing the cold glint in his eyes, thinking to himself:

"Xuan Guang has become so ostentatious since entering the Golden Core stage. It seems we need to be more cautious in our future actions..."

An old Taoist priest in a green robe shook his head slightly and whispered to his companion:

"What a pity... I've heard that Fellow Daoist Xuanling is highly skilled in Daoist arts, and quite proficient in regulating water veins and earth energy, and gathering spiritual energy. He is no ordinary bloodthirsty demon."

His words carried a strong sense of sorrow for his own kind.

"Yes, I once saw it from afar. The atmosphere of Yunmang Mountain is clear and pure, which is truly rare."

His future should have been bright... but alas, he has brought this deadly calamity upon himself.

"The difference between the Golden Core stage and the Foundation Establishment stage is like heaven and earth; this time... it seems there's no suspense whatsoever."

Several independent cultivators or elders of minor sects who had heard of Xuan Ling of Yunmang Mountain and even secretly marveled at his ability to analyze the weather and climate of mountains and rivers shook their heads in regret.

Their voices were very low, tinged with helplessness, yet they dared not express it openly.

Amidst the clamor of discussion, the ever-silent Crimson Cloud Immortal, seated at the head of the guest seats, suddenly spoke calmly:

"Since Fellow Daoist Xuanguang wishes to display his prowess, and all fellow Daoists are also concerned about this matter, let us observe together."

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve slightly, and spiritual light flowed from his fingertips. A crimson aura condensed in the void in front of him, transforming into a radiant mirror, which he placed quietly on the ground.

The mirror does not reflect the scene before your eyes, but rather the rosy glow of the sunset, like ripples on water.

The faint outline of Qingchi Ridge and Yunmang Mountain, thousands of miles away, is faintly visible. The mountains are verdant and shrouded in mist, which is exactly where the sword light of Master Xuanguang is pointing.

This technique, named the "Thousand Miles of Reflecting Clouds and Transforming into a Mirror Secret Technique," is an extremely sophisticated technique for projecting images with circular light. It allows one to observe distant scenes by interacting with the energy of heaven and earth, and is truly mysterious.

The guests were all startled upon seeing this, and immediately focused their attention on it.

The scene in the mirror shifted, and the sword rainbow pierced the sky at an extremely fast speed, causing the mountains and rivers below to recede continuously.

Everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to it.

To witness firsthand a Golden Core cultivator suppressing a Great Demon at the Foundation Establishment stage is an opportunity that is truly rare.

In an instant, all eyes were focused on the mirror surface where the sunset glowed.

The previous discussions gradually subsided, replaced by an eerie silence.

Master Chixia remained calm, poured himself a cup of wine, took a small sip, and kept his gaze fixed on the mirror, revealing no emotion.

The image in the mirror gradually became clear.

The sword light transformed by Master Xuanguang was unstoppable, having swept across hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers, reaching the territory of Yunmang Mountain.

The guests in front of the mirror held their breath, their eyes fixed on the reflection, awaiting the expected devastating scene.

However, the moment the sword light touched the clouds and mist surrounding Yunmang Mountain, a sudden change occurred.

But then the clouds and mist that stretched across the mountains suddenly came to life.

The clouds surged and instantly transformed into a massive vortex that stretched across the heavens and earth, drawing in the abundant water and spiritual energy within a hundred miles.

It coiled up like mud, causing the incomparably sharp sword rainbow to suddenly slow down.

"Huh?" A knowledgeable person at the table made a soft exclamation.

"It's the Water and Cloud Bewildering Formation? This formation excels at confusing and disrupting the enemy. Although it's common, judging from its appearance, the person who set it up is exceptionally skilled!"

Master Xuanguang appeared amidst the sword light, his brows furrowed slightly, as if he too was somewhat surprised.

But his expression remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips, and he gave a cold snort:

"A mere trick like this, yet you dare block our way?"

With a flick of his finger, his sword, Jade Cloud, rang out, its light blazing brightly, transforming into a streak of cold, autumnal light that pierced straight into the center of the vortex.

"laugh--"

Where the sword flashed, the clouds, water, and mist instantly dissipated.

In less than three breaths, this seemingly extraordinary water and cloud formation was pierced through by a single sword and vanished into thin air.

"As expected, they're utterly vulnerable!"

"How can ordinary formations withstand the power of a Golden Core cultivator?"

A few relaxed laughs and whispers filled the room.

Master Xuanguang also curled his lips into a sneer, and his sword light rose again, intending to rush straight to Xuanqing Cave in the mountains.

But just as the Water Cloud Formation was broken, another unexpected event occurred.

Suddenly, countless emerald green vine shadows burst forth from the ground on the surface of Yunmang Mountain, growing rapidly in the wind and instantly weaving into a huge vine net covering the entire mountain.

The vines are not physical entities, but are formed from the pure spiritual energy of the Wood element. They are incredibly resilient and also embody the meaning of continuous life.

The sword light slashed down, as if cleaving into a swamp where softness conceals thorns.

Although it could cut off a small portion, the broken part immediately swirled with a blue light, and new vines instantly filled the gap, layer upon layer, tightly binding the sword light until it dissipated.

"The Azure Breath Formation of Yi Wood?!"

This time, the exclamation was tinged with more solemnity and disbelief.

"This formation borrows the wood element energy from the earth's veins and excels at trapping and wearing down the opponent."

A learned old monk stroked his beard and pondered:

"This wooden formation... it springs from the residual energy of the water formation, endlessly regenerating, even possessing a certain quality of mutual generation between water and wood! The person who set up this formation is truly skilled!"

Master Xuanguang's expression darkened slightly, clearly not expecting there to be a second layer of formation, and this formation was quite troublesome.

He activated his sword technique, and the light of the Cloud-Cutting Sword surged, weaving and slashing through the vine net like a swimming dragon. The sword energy was vast and boundless, and fragments of blue light flew everywhere.

However, the vines that filled the sky reappeared as soon as they disappeared, and their resilience was astonishing. They actually blocked him in mid-air outside the mountain, making it difficult for him to advance even an inch!

The guests before the mirror were completely silent.

Many people no longer looked relaxed; instead, their faces showed surprise and solemnity.

The Cloud Mound Mountain Lord's mastery of formations far exceeded their expectations!

How could it possibly trap a Golden Core cultivator for even a moment?

You're telling me this is a mountain spirit or wild monster that's at the Foundation Establishment stage?

During the meal, everyone began to doubt themselves.

A deep anger flashed in Xuan Guang Shangren's eyes. Being blocked by the formation of a mere Foundation Establishment demon cultivator was already a loss of face for him.

He let out a low shout, his hand seals changed, and the golden core pressure around him erupted completely. The Cloud-Cutting Sword emitted a sharp, long cry, and its blade shone with spiritual light.

The sword's momentum suddenly became incredibly violent; wherever the sharp sword light reached, the illusory shadows of vines vanished in large swaths, like spring snow meeting the sun.

It took a full ten breaths to finally tear a gap in this troublesome Yi Wood Azure Breath Array.

"To practice unorthodox and heretical methods."

Master Xuanguang said coldly.

However, before he could catch his breath, the third change had already quietly arrived.