This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

"The only Foundation Establishment mid-stage Cultivator in Feiyun Sect is here," Xiao Zhi pointed to the westernmost point on the layout sketch drawn by the green-eyed weasel.

"The other three points are where the remaining three Foundation Establishment Cultivators are located."

Xu Hao rubbed his index finger over the stubble on his chin, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This mission is very simple, the only slightly troublesome aspect is that there are four targets, each at a somewhat distant point from one another.

Once we take action, if the other three Foundation Establishment Cultivators see the commotion and choose to run, it will also be quite troublesome for us to chase them down.

However, resolving this problem is not difficult, as our combat power far surpasses these four Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

In that case, we will split into four groups and act simultaneously. This way, we will certainly be foolproof.

I'll take on the mid-stage Cultivator, Su Shu, you and Lu Qingshan will team up to deal with the initial-stage Cultivator to the north, Zhong Ming will handle the target to the south, and Li Zu, you and Xiao Zhi will take care of the target to the east."

"No problem."

"Received."

"Alright."

Everyone agreed with Xu Hao's judgment and decisions, responding in turn.

With the strength of Tiger Squad, they could easily crush the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Feiyun Sect, even blindfolded.

...

The entire Feiyun Sect was protected by two layers of arrays.

The first array combined the functions of sensory perception and early warning, defending against Cultivators with ulterior motives.

The second array was the real deal, protecting the Sect's entrance. If activated, it would take considerable effort and time to breach.

Although strong, the second array also required a substantial amount of spirit stones to operate.

Feiyun Sect, being a small sect, had to split a spirit stone in two to make ends meet, unlike the wealthy large clans and businesses that could disregard such expenses.

Therefore, most of the time, Feiyun Sect would only activate the first layer of the array, with the second layer remaining idle for most of the year.

Only when the first layer of the array issued a warning, would the second layer be activated to repel enemies.

Xiao Zhi's green-eyed weasel roamed around the Feiyun Sect unnoticed by the array.

This made it clear that, in reality, the sensory and warning capabilities of the first layer were not very strong.

The higher-ups of the Feiyun Sect were also aware of this fact, but some things could not be changed merely by knowing.

—The Feiyun Sect could scarcely afford the extravagance of always having the second layer of the array active, which is why things stayed as they were.

...

The Tiger Squad found a secluded area outside the Feiyun Sect.

Su Shu formed a Dharma Seal with her fingers, silently channeling her mana, and a point of spiritual light condensed in the palm of her hand.

She then projected this point of spiritual light forward.

The Forbidden Breaking Technique, one of the signature support Skills of Spiritual Cultivators, could penetrate various barriers and arrays, allowing Cultivators to stealthily infiltrate many well-defended locations.

Just as the Flying Sword Technique is to a Sword Cultivator, the Forbidden Breaking Technique is one of the essential Skills for Spiritual Cultivators.

A swirl of ethereal Spiritual Power flickered and twisted.

The Feiyun Sect's already unimpressive first layer array, like melting winter snow, was breached without causing the slightest disturbance by Su Shu's efforts.

Seeing a passage wide enough for one person to pass through, Lu Qingshan nodded inwardly.

This is the advantage of team operations.

Among the six major schools of Cultivators, each has its strengths.

For example, Spiritual Cultivators are mysterious, with a myriad of peculiar Skills that have infinite uses, but their direct combat capabilities are slightly inferior to those of other professions.

If fighting alone, this disadvantage can be fatal, but in team combat, Spiritual Cultivators can inherently play to their strengths and better utilize their abilities.

Many tasks that seem complicated can be easily accomplished when Cultivators from different schools leverage their strengths and coordinate effectively.

For instance, if Xu Hao were to undertake this mission alone, his combat power would certainly be more than enough to face the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Feiyun Sect.

The problem is, the mission cannot be completed so easily by one person.

First off, Xu Hao wouldn't be able to overcome Feiyun Sect's Sect Protection Formation.

If the Feiyun Sect's higher-ups detected Xu Hao, and the second layer of the defensive array was activated, that alone would be a major headache for Xu Hao.

Moreover, it isn't as if the higher-ups of the Feiyun Sect are just bosses waiting to be defeated.

If they decided to escape after activating the defense array, Xu Hao would find it difficult to manage both fronts.

Now, with Tiger Squad, Xiao Zhi dispatched a Spirit Beast to ascertain the locations of the four Foundation Establishment Cultivators, then Su Shu broke through the array, and everyone infiltrated quietly.

Once in position and ready to strike, their assault would be as swift and unstoppable as thunder.

...

The six Cultivators from Tiger Squad quickly entered through the opening Su Shu had breached in the array.

"Head to the targets' locations in their respective caves, and we will act together in a moment's time!" Xu Hao commanded decisively.

The others nodded, then scattered in different directions toward their respective targets.

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Lu Qingshan and Su Shu's team included the time-honored practice of veterans leading newcomers, yet it was also considered a classic combination.

The main offensive Sword Cultivator paired with a supportive Spiritual Cultivator was a classic pairing that had stood the test of time and was prevalent in many games.

The two made their way up the mountain. Though there were many Qi Refinement disciples from the Feiyun Sect along the way, with the ability of Foundation Establishment Cultivators to project their Divine Sense, Su Shu and Lu Qingshan detected these low-rank disciples early and easily avoided them.

The Feiyun Sect was not large, and Lu Qingshan and Su Shu quickly reached the cave dwelling of their target.

The two hid outside, waiting quietly for the time agreed upon with Xu Hao.

...

A moment later, the time had come.

Su Shu lightly pursed her lips, "Let's move!"

As her words fell, Su Shu pointed a finger, and a light of spiritual energy lightly touched the air in front of her.

Forbidden Breaking Technique!

The cave dwelling of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would certainly be guarded with a Barrier.

But Su Shu's Forbidden Breaking Technique could silently solve even the Sect Protection Formation of the Feiyun Sect.

How could a Barrier set up by an initial-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation be stronger than the Formation established by their own sect at great expense?

The Barrier protecting the cave dwelling crumbled in an instant.

In that same moment, Lu Qingshan, sword in hand, burst forth and rushed into the cave dwelling.

At the same time, Su Shu's hands didn't stop forming spells, and two streaks of spiritual light, one red and one yellow, almost instantly attached to both Lu Qingshan and his sword.

[Fire Collapse]: Temporarily endows the target's attacks with extra fire attribute magic damage.

[Hardness-Breaking]: Temporarily grants a magic artifact with sharpness +2.

These were two Supportive Spiritual Arts that could increase the damage for Lu Qingshan.

Inside the cave dwelling.

The violent fluctuation of spiritual power jolted Zhu Quan, who was cultivating his technique inside, causing him to be immediately alarmed.

He instinctively projected his Divine Sense to investigate the situation but found this action somewhat redundant.

For in his line of sight, a figure had already appeared.

Following it was a glint of cold light.

This was the Crying Soul Sword's Soul Shock Skill, which had never failed to this day.

This time was no exception.

In the brief moment before he lost consciousness, Zhu Quan quickly cast a Defensive Spell.

A door-shaped shield made of thick rock appeared between Lu Qingshan and Zhu Quan.

This was the Rock Shield Technique of Dharma Cultivation.

Given its thickness, the Skill Level was definitely not low.

Lu Qingshan's expression did not change.

The Crying Soul Sword did not hesitate; it struck the rock shield.

A line of frost appeared at the midpoint of the shield, and then the Rock Shield was cleaved cleanly in two, its edges neat and devoid of serration.

The inherent sharpness of the Crying Soul Sword, +1, combined with the +2 sharpness from the Hardness-Breaking Spiritual Art.

The thick Rock Shield, like paper mache, was utterly defenseless against the might of Lu Qingshan's Crying Soul Sword.

Breaking through the Rock Shield, and seeing a glimmer of clarity return to Zhu Quan's eyes, Lu Qingshan did not hold back, gathering his spiritual power and swinging the Crying Soul Sword across Zhu Quan's neck at an angle.

Secret Sword: Wind Slash!

Even though Zhu Quan had quickly mobilized his internal spiritual power, forming a layer of spiritual shield to block Lu Qingshan's attack, it was already too late.

The spiritual power flowing in Lu Qingshan's Crying Soul Sword clashed with the spiritual shield at Zhu Quan's neck.

Without causing even a ripple, Zhu Quan's spiritual shield dissipated quickly.

This was not only a gap in the quantity of spiritual power but also a crushing qualitative difference.

The spiritual power cultivated from the Returning Ruins Scripture was not something that could be contested by the spiritual power produced by ordinary Cultivation Methods.

Two afterimages of sword techniques appeared.

The flash of cold light that passed by decapitated Zhu Quan.

By the time Su Shu followed Lu Qingshan into the cave dwelling, all she saw was Zhu Quan's head flashing through the air.

The head rested for a moment before dropping right in front of Su Shu, rolling a few times by her feet before coming to a halt.

Su Shu's lips parted slightly.

This... was it over?

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