Zhen Wudi’s presence ignited a spark of competitive spirit within Jiang Wang, yet before true certainty bloomed, he would never return to the Tai Xu Illusion to endure such abuse.

One must understand, that very same Zhen Wudi didn’t even grace the top hundred rankings among Youmai realm cultivators in the Tai Xu Illusion. And judging by his “persistent pursuit” after claiming a single victory over Jiang Wang, it was likely he rarely encountered such an effortless triumph…

This deduction, rather than plunging Jiang Wang into despair, filled him with fervent battle intent.

What meaning could there be in merely being the foremost among cultivators of the same realm in Maple Forest City?

Jiang Wang had personally witnessed the grand clash outside the Huan Zhen Temple, and his horizons were far from shallow.

Gongyang Bai and Mo Jingyu, slaughtering foes across realms. Zuo Guanglie, unmatched in his bravery. Li Yi, killing with but a single sword. The entire State of Zhuang could only watch, on one hand, intimidated by the power of the forces backing these individuals, and on the other, truly acknowledging their might!

So formidable, indeed, that for the State of Zhuang to confront them would be tantamount to initiating a war. And looking across the myriad realms, how many powers could dare to wage war against the might of Qin or Chu?

Leaving aside the matters after establishing the nascent cycle, even within the Youmai realm, the resources he currently possessed were far from optimized.

The Four Spirits Refining Body Art had only progressed through the Azure Dragon chapter; the convergence of the four spirits was far from complete. His application of Dao techniques remained superficial, lacking any truly innovative usage, let alone sublimation or creation.

Simply speaking of the Purple Qi Dawning Sword Art, had he truly cultivated it to perfection?

Within the Youmai realm, even within his immediate sight, the potential for improvement stretched vast and wide.

Failure was not terrifying; what was terrifying was the inability to face failure correctly.

…

To contend with Zhen Wudi, the foremost step was to become intimately familiar with his seemingly endless combinations of Dao techniques.

Though the instructors at the Daoist Academy had always emphasized that breadth paled in comparison to refinement, and multiplicity was inferior to specialization, Jiang Wang himself found wisdom in those words. Yet, if a cultivator possessed such profound talent and versatility, their true combat prowess would be terrifying indeed.

And this type of cultivator, Jiang Wang had one etched in his memory. Zhao Lang, the adjutant to Wei Yan.

Jiang An’an remained within the Mingde Hall, so Jiang Wang took Tang Dun to the City Defense Army garrison to gain some insight.

For Tang Dun, the opportunity to observe Jiang Wang’s battles up close was, of course, a fervent desire.

The City Defense Army garrison was located in the southern suburbs, closer to Fengxi Town than Maple Forest City.

In the preceding period, Jiang’s various enterprises had been progressively returned. Jiang Wang had no inclination to manage them, and thus, in Jiang An’an’s name, he donated them all to the town. Each year, a portion of the medicine shop’s gross profit would be allocated to support impoverished children in Fengxi Town’s education.

There was no need to concern himself with anyone in the town misappropriating these funds; he could reclaim these assets from the Lin family in Wangjiang City, and he would not be subject to such disgrace in Fengxi Town.

The reason for conducting this matter in Jiang An’an’s name was that while Jiang Wang wasn’t entirely convinced by notions of good and evil and blessings, if such things did exist, he hoped they would offer protection to An’an.

Along the way, Jiang Wang casually remarked, “I went to Tang She Town with Senior Brother Zhang Linchuan. Why didn’t you think of seeking his help? He’s much stronger than me.”

Tang Dun honestly replied, “Although Senior Brother Zhang is very polite, he doesn’t give off a sense of closeness.”

After speaking, he quickly waved his hands repeatedly, “I’m not speaking ill of him, it’s just, just a feeling.”

He no longer used “I I I” but his honest and simple nature remained unchanged.

Jiang Wang didn’t mind, “Senior Brother Zhang has a very proud heart.”

As they spoke, the two had arrived outside the City Defense Army camp.

After the guards at the gate relayed the message, Zhao Lang soon appeared.

“Brother Jiang, what brings you here?”

They had shared an encounter during the Battle of Xiaolin Town, and coupled with Du Yehu’s current position in the Jiujiang Black Armored Guard and Jiang Wang’s own burgeoning fame, Zhao Lang maintained a polite demeanor.

Of course, as they were not intimately familiar, there was no excessive closeness.

“Brother Zhao, it is thus.” Jiang Wang explained, “I have reached a bottleneck in my cultivation and have been contemplating how to confront opponents proficient in various types of Dao techniques. After much thought, I have few clues, so I decided it would be better to experience it firsthand. Among the people I know, only Brother Zhao possesses such a rich array of Dao techniques.”

“So you’ve come looking for a sparring partner!” Military men generally acted directly. Zhao Lang didn’t hesitate and led the way towards the training ground within the camp, “I am also quite curious about Brother Jiang’s swordsmanship.”

The army was fond of martial display, and upon hearing that their Deputy General Zhao was to spar with a disciple of the Daoist Academy, the entire camp erupted in excitement.

When they arrived at the training ground, the soldiers had already formed a three-layered encirclement.

Tang Dun was quite nervous and whispered to Jiang Wang, “If he loses, won’t they all gang up on us?”

Jiang Wang rolled his eyes. Tang Dun placed far too much faith in him.

As the Deputy General of the City Defense Army, Zhao Lang was at least an Eighth-rank Zhou Tian realm cultivator, and possibly even a Seventh-rank Tongtian realm.

Moreover, he was born in the military, tempered by a hundred battles, and was certainly not comparable to some disciples of the Daoist Academy who only knew how to cultivate in seclusion.

Stepping onto the training ground, Jiang Wang gave a dry smile, “Brother Zhao, just offer some pointers. There’s no need for so many people to watch, is there?”

Zhao Lang laughed heartily, “It’s fine! It just so happens that these lads can learn from the outstanding disciples of the Daoist Academy, lest they forget the vastness of the world!”

This Zhao Lang, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, was clearly not entirely virtuous. Jiang Wang had been wondering why he was so agreeable, only to realize he was being used as a training dummy. It could both ignite the fighting spirit of his subordinates and serve as a live demonstration.

“Yes! Let us learn!”

The soldiers outside the field shouted and screamed.

“Let the brothers witness the might of the Daoist Academy disciples!”

There were even more boisterous ones. “Beat Zhao Lang! Knock him down!”

The Daoist Academy, the Ministry of War, and the Criminal Investigation Department – these were the three areas with the highest concentration of cultivators. Factors of mutual non-conviction were at play.

Among them, the Daoist Academy primarily cultivated monks, was the most difficult to enter, and possessed the richest resources.

It was easy for disciples of the Daoist Academy to enter the Ministry of War or the Criminal Investigation Department, while it was relatively challenging for cultivators from these two places to return to the Daoist Academy for study.

When these soldiers saw Jiang Wang enter the military camp, how could they not hope for him to be embarrassed?

Seeing the situation, Jiang Wang also knew there was no escaping it. Fortunately, at most, he would face some ridicule; there would be no tangible loss. It was better than expending energy in the Tai Xu Illusion.

“Then, please, Brother Zhao!”

He drew his sword, and Jiang Wang’s entire aura transformed.

If, before drawing his sword, Jiang Wang was a gentle, smiling presence, and in the eyes of the soldiers outside the field, like a lamb awaiting slaughter…

Then, after he drew his sword, he became a ferocious tiger, ready to devour!

The sword was three feet long, and the sword light extended seven fingers!

One finger of sword light was the limit for mortal warriors; exceeding one finger signified the extraordinary.

The seven-finger sword light was like a streaking beam of light.

Those who knew the goods recognized the danger at a glance.

Zhao Lang flicked out two water cones, shifted his feet, and a vine snake rose before him.

The sword light slanted, cutting open the water cones. Jiang Wang was already ahead of his sword, pulling it back to sever the vine snake. He turned to avoid a fiery bomb and was about to surge forward, but suddenly restrained the sword’s momentum and rose from the ground.

A stone wall appeared on the spot.

Zhao Lang’s instantaneous Dao technique, imprinted in the Zhou Tian realm, was the Stone Wall Technique – not a high-level technique, but one he employed with great skill. He conjured a stone wall centered on Jiang Wang, using a purely defensive Dao technique to achieve effects of trapping and inflicting harm.

Jiang Wang dodged swiftly and descended from the sky.

Another stone wall slanted before him, blocking his path.

Jiang Wang used his sword to propel himself forward, forcefully and domineeringly shattering the stone wall. But Zhao Lang had already evaded to the side, and the stone wall extended, once again separating him and Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang simply dispersed the Dao technique he had been condensing halfway; his body followed his sword, and the sword light cut open the stone wall. He kicked off with his feet, and the stone wall collapsed with a bang.

But Zhao Lang’s figure was gone.

Behind the stone wall, was another stone wall.