Immortal Path Space

Chapter 287: Striking First

In most battles, to prevent rapid consumption of Spirit Stones without time for replenishment, practitioners typically load one or two medium-grade Spirit Stones as a precaution.

After flying for over an hour, a sudden, powerful pressure surged from behind.

This pressure left the Qi Cultivation practitioners pale and trembling, their teeth clenched in fierce combat between upper and lower rows.

Wang Hong immediately activated the defensive shield on the Flying Boat in response to this overwhelming pressure.

The defensive shield on the Flying Boat was effective against the pressure of high-tier cultivators.

In battles, encountering high-tier cultivators was inevitable, and they couldn't afford to surrender at the sight of one. They had to prepare defensive measures.

With the shield activated, the group of Qi Cultivation practitioners slowly eased their tension.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!" Wang Hong shouted, then handed control of the Flying Boat to several Qi Cultivation subordinates.

At the same time, he sent a Message Transmission to Luo Zhongjie, instructing him to load the medium-grade Spirit Stones onto the Flying Boat.

Judging from the pressure, the newcomer should be a Golden Core cultivator.

Facing a formidable Golden Core expert, regardless of their intentions, they had to make every possible preparation and be absolutely vigilant, without any room for carelessness.

"You there in front, stop!" Wang Hong saw an old man with a cold expression flying towards them from behind. Despite his age, he moved through the air faster than the Flying Boat could at full speed.

This was the hallmark of a Golden Core cultivator. Foundation Building cultivators needed a flying tool to soar into the sky, but Golden Core cultivators could freely fly without relying on any external aids.

Wang Hong quickly ordered several Qi Cultivation practitioners to halt the Flying Boat, suspending it in mid-air, but they didn't lower the defensive shield.

"Younger generation Wang Hong pays respects to the senior. May I ask what brings you here? I will do my utmost to accommodate your request," Wang Hong respectfully performed a bow on the deck of the Flying Boat.

His mind was racing, trying to figure out how to respond. First, he needed to discern the newcomer's intentions. Judging by the powerful pressure displayed from the outset, it was unlikely that they had benevolent intentions.

When facing a potentially hostile Golden Core cultivator, escaping directly was nearly impossible since their opponent was faster. They needed to at least probe the newcomer's intentions. Perhaps the individual was only here to ask a question, and fleeing immediately would be unwise.

Another critical factor was the disparity in their Divine Sense range.

A Golden Core cultivator's Divine Sense could reach up to a hundred yards, allowing them to freely attack any target within that range. Their group's Divine Sense only extended up to thirty or forty yards at most.

If the distance was too great, once they engaged in combat, their side would only be passively receiving attacks.

Although arrows could reach beyond a hundred yards, Wang Hong didn't rely on those hundred-plus arrows to effectively deal with a Golden Core cultivator.

So, he opted to stay put and wait for the newcomer to approach.

"I have lost a Spirit Pet, and I suspect it's hidden within your Flying Boat. Open the shield and let me inspect it," the old man said, despite being a Golden Core cultivator, he still needed some effort to break through the Flying Boat's defensive shield.

He didn't even possess any magical treasures and could only rely on his Magical Arts for attacks. Cultivating high-level Magical Arts in the Golden Core stage was challenging, and the casting speed wasn't particularly fast. Hence, if he could coax Wang Hong into opening the shield, it would save him some trouble.

"Senior, I swear, I haven't seen any Spirit Beast on our journey," Wang Hong stood on the Flying Boat's deck, looking genuinely innocent. However, he didn't lower the defensive shield or step outside of it.

"Hmph! Are you unwilling?" The old man snorted, a cold, threatening look in his triangular eyes.

"Please, senior, calm down! I truly haven't seen any Spirit Beast," Wang Hong pleaded with an anxious expression.

"Senior, a while ago, I obtained a thousand-year Spiritual Herb. Please accept it as a token of my apology and forgive me," Wang Hong took out a Jade Box with a Talisman attached and spoke with a conciliatory tone.

Luo Zhongjie, his longtime subordinate, could tell from Wang Hong's current expression that their East Master was up to something devious again. Many formidable foes had met their demise this way at the hands of their East Master on the battlefield.

Wang Hong used his Spiritual Power to lift the Jade Box and slowly brought it within a dozen yards of the old man because they still maintained a certain distance. Golden Core cultivators had strong Divine Sense, and they usually didn't like getting too close to other practitioners.

The old man accepted the Jade Box and gently removed the Talisman on top, immediately detecting a pleasant medicinal fragrance emanating from it, a result of the Spiritual Herb's potency.

The old man didn't pay it much mind. He believed that a mere Foundation Building cultivator like Wang Hong couldn't cause any significant trouble.

When facing Foundation Building and Qi Cultivation practitioners, he was especially confident.

He opened the Jade Box to reveal a vibrant pink flower with an enchanting fragrance.

As he smelled the floral scent, he experienced a strange sense of déjà vu. It made him recall a time when he was just a teenager, digging a small hole beneath his aunt's house. He would lurk by the hole and peek inside, watching scenes that would send his blood racing. It felt as if he had been transported back to those moments.

Wang Hong felt that the old man's malice had become quite apparent, and he realized that surrendering his safety to the old man was unwise. Instead of waiting for the old man to make a move, he decided to take the initiative and turn the tables.

What he had given the Golden Core cultivator was a two-thousand-year-old Red Powder Skull Flower. This poisonous flower induced hallucinations in humans or Demonic Beasts, particularly those with lower intelligence. It would make them revel in their delusions until they were eventually dissolved into a toxic liquid, serving as fertilizer for the flower. This was the first time Wang Hong had used a Red Powder Skull Flower against a Golden Core cultivator, and he wasn't certain about its exact effects.

He had prepared the Jade Box in advance when he was still in the Qingxu Sect, ready for use at any moment.

Additionally, he had added some "Devouring Spirit" poison to the Jade Box. Although this poison acted slowly, its greatest advantage was its subtlety, as it left no trace.

Over the years, Wang Hong had improved "Devouring Spirit" several times, enhancing its concealment.

Wang Hong believed that even if the old man wasn't affected by the Red Powder Skull Flower, he would definitely succumb to the "Devouring Spirit" poison.

At this moment, he noticed that the old man's expression had become dazed. This rare opportunity couldn't be wasted, and there was no room for hesitation.

"Archers, prepare!" Wang Hong gave the order in a hushed tone while also drawing his bow.

One hundred and eight bows were simultaneously aimed at the old man, awaiting Wang Hong's command.

"Fire!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!" Following Wang Hong's command, one hundred and eight arrows, accompanied by a rushing wind, flew toward the old man.

Perhaps it was the sound of the arrows or the innate sense of danger, but the old man was awakened at that moment.

Seeing more than a hundred arrows flying toward him, he had no time to mount a significant defense. All he could do was mobilize his Spiritual Power, spreading it across his body as his Daoist Robe billowed out.

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