Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 389: Chapter 241: Solution

It did not take long before a sword light approached from a distance, arriving in an instant.

The newcomer was Elder Zhao, a Golden Core Sword Cultivator from the Shushan Sect, whose fierce Sword Intent made the four present Golden Core cultivators change their expressions simultaneously.

This was no ordinary Independent Practitioner Golden Core but a true major sect’s Golden Core cultivator, and even more so, a Sword Cultivator known for being the best at fighting and killing. The mere exposure of his Sword Intent sent shivers down the spines of the Golden Core cultivators present.

With a sweep of his Divine Thought, Elder Zhao understood the situation here.

He recognized all four Golden Core cultivators here, as within the domain of the Shushan Sect’s influence, the number of Golden Core cultivators was limited, and they had seen each other at some gatherings of Golden Core cultivators.

Three Golden Core cultivators were clearly protecting the pagoda, which was covered with Formations. Moreover, given the distress messages, it was likely that Li Shiming was inside the pagoda.

And the only one facing the pagoda, Hang Jian, without a doubt, was the Golden Core cultivator intent on assassinating Li Shiming.

This thought was merely a flash, as a Sword Intent locked onto Hang Jian almost instantly, suggesting that if he made the slightest movement, that terrifying Sword Intent would erupt and slay him on the spot.

Upon seeing Elder Zhao arrive, Li Shiming could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Although the three Golden Core cultivators summoned by the Beishu Trading Company managed to block Hang Jian, they couldn’t provide him with much of a sense of security.

The three Golden Core cultivators knew Hang Jian and even had connections with him, as could be judged by the speed at which the three Golden Core cultivators came to the rescue.

They surely must have been extremely close to this market to have arrived in such short order.

Li Shiming was not about to leave his safety at the whims of the three Golden Core cultivators, at the mercy of their interests and friendships.

His Divine Thought scanned the area, collected all the formation flags, and the Formation around the pagoda disappeared.

“Disciple Li Shiming pays respects to Junior Master Zhao, and thanks him for coming to the rescue!” Li Shiming came out from the pagoda and bowed in salute.

“That’s enough, what happened here?” Elder Zhao’s Divine Thought had detected the situation within the pagoda after the Formation disappeared, especially noting Ji Hongbo lying collapsed on the floor, and seemingly understanding something, he waved his hand and asked.

“Ji Hongbo colluded with Hang Yuqing, using the Formation here as an ambush to plot harm against me. Hang Yuqing and five accomplices have been slain by me, and Ji Hongbo’s special identity has left me sparing his life to be dealt with by the sect!” Li Shiming explained the situation briefly.

After he finished speaking, he took out a Jade Scroll and handed it to Elder Zhao.

Elder Zhao’s Divine Thought perused the Jade Scroll, his eyes showing anger as well as surprise.

The anger was directed at Ji Hongbo’s audacity to dare gather five late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from the sect to assassinate the sect’s Alchemy True Inheritor.

The Alchemy Legacy was no ordinary legacy, but the inheritance destined to continue the sect’s Alchemy lineage, a vital foundation of the sect.

A common legacy could perish without having a huge impact on the sect, but if the Alchemy True Inheritor were to perish, the consequences would be extremely severe, affecting the sect’s supply of Spirit Pills for hundreds of years, resource allocation, and every cultivator within the sect.

Elder Zhao’s surprise stemmed from Li Shiming’s account of the brief battle. As a Sword Cultivator, he could not miss the key to Li Shiming’s victory in combat.

None of the five late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could withstand Li Shiming’s flying sword; the Sword Intent contained within that flying sword was so formidable. It was regrettable that such a talented Sword Cultivator had chosen to cultivate the Thunder Skill instead.

“You’re quite meticulous for having recorded their every action. Still, you’ve become more cautious; why not finish Ji Hongbo with a single sword strike!” Elder Zhao said to Li Shiming, looking at Ji Hongbo, who lay sprawled on the floor of the pagoda.

He thought to himself that if Li Shiming had specialized in Sword Cultivation Techniques, then he would surely have been decisive and merciless, not as he was now, leaving Ji Hongbo alive.

“There is still a bond between Master and Elder Ji after all!” Li Shiming replied with a smile.

Elder Zhao pointed at Li Shiming, breaking into a chuckle.

Of course, he understood what Li Shiming meant; this was a public place, and they could not divulge internal disputes among the sect’s Golden Core members in front of independent Golden Core practitioners.

By sparing Ji Hongbo, Li Shiming had given Elder Su leverage over Elder Ji. Aside from sparing Ji Hongbo’s life, no matter what, Elder Ji owed Elder Su a favor. Otherwise, Elder Ji would be finished, both within the sect and in the Cultivation World.

With this move, Li Shiming had given Elder Su a significant advantage in the competition for resources to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

“Hang Jian, do you have anything to say?” Elder Zhao turned his head towards Hang Jian and asked sternly.

Having heard what Li Shiming said, Hang Jian’s expression changed uncertainly. He was no fool; previously, his mind had been unsettled by the murder of his son Hang Yuqing and the robbery at the market.

Now that he understood the course of events, he also realized that in this affair, it was his Hang Family that had been at fault first.

Besides, under the current circumstances, what right did he have to speak? What could he say, and what dared he say with Elder Zhao’s Sword Intent locked onto him? If he showed the slightest displeasure, all that awaited him would be an immediate and lethal strike.

“It is Hang Jian who is incompetent, who failed to teach his son properly!” he said, bowing his head.

“You will need to come back to the sect with me, Hang Jian, for us to consider your punishment. But before that, you need to make compensation to Shiming here first!” Elder Zhao contemplated and then declared.

He glanced over Hang Jian’s body and then noticed his flying sword treasure.

With a gesture, the flying sword treasure was summoned into his hand.

Of course, this was because Hang Jian did not resist at all, allowing him to do as he wished. Otherwise, even as a Sword Cultivator, he would not have been able to control someone else’s flying sword.