Chapter 432: Lu Ping’an Battles Sima Patriarch!

“Lu Changsheng, get out here!”

Sima Patriarch, draped in a black robe, wore a stern expression. He didn’t even glance at Ling Zixiao before raising his hand, sending the Spiritual Pressure of a False Core-level cultivator to crush down on the caravan.

“Boom!”

With a casual strike from a False Core cultivator, the burst of Qi formed a handprint the size of several meters.

“Hmph!”

Not far away, Lu Ping’an, whose body was tall and sturdy, let out a cold snort. He left behind a golden afterimage as his fist shot out, shattering Sima Patriarch’s attack.

Lu Ping’an understood there was no need for words now.

After breaking the stance, he charged forward and closed in on Sima Patriarch, his golden fists shimmering with wild thunder as they crashed down.

“Hmm!?”

“This is bad!”

Sima Patriarch, along with the three elders who accompanied him from the Sima Family, was shocked. They didn’t expect Lu Ping’an to be so fierce.

But after all, Sima Patriarch was a False Core cultivator, extraordinary in every sense. As Lu Ping’an rushed closer, he opened his mouth and spat out a breath.

A streak of black light flew out, forming into a black, ancient-looking ruler, exuding the aura of a Magical Treasure.

“Bang!!!”

Lu Ping’an’s golden fist directly struck the black ruler, causing a thunderous clap. The Qi from the impact swept outward like a tsunami.

“Scree!”

The black-scaled eagle beneath Sima Patriarch screeched, extending its wings.

If not for Sima Patriarch’s suppression, it would have soared away in fright.

Ling Zixiao, from a distance, formed hand seals, causing an azure light screen from the formation to rise and block the aftershock.

“So this is a False Core cultivator…”

“Big Brother is really confronting a False Core cultivator…”

Lu Ruyi, Lu Lingxiao, Zhou Datong, and the others saw this scene and were shocked, feeling a bit dazed.

Even though they knew Lu Ping’an’s strength was impressive, seeing him directly face off against Sima Patriarch still left them in awe.

“Go, Big Brother!”

Lu Linghe, unaffected by the atmosphere, shouted with little regard for the concept of a False Core cultivator, cheering for Lu Ping’an with her tiny fists.

“Who are you?”

Sima Patriarch’s black ruler glowed and emitted a vast, overwhelming aura.

After a brief exchange, he realized Lu Ping’an was not simple.

This kind of physique likely indicated near Third-Tier Body Tempering.

If he didn’t have a Magical Treasure, he might have been seriously injured by Lu Ping’an’s punch.

“Bihu Mountain, Lu Ping’an.”

Lu Ping’an’s face was resolute, his features sharp as he responded in a deep voice.

As he spoke, his fists, glowing with golden light, continued to strike relentlessly.

Each punch was filled with terrifying power, like a mountain cascading down in layers.

“Lu Ping’an?”

Sima Patriarch wasn’t familiar with many matters and hadn’t heard of Lu Ping’an before. He didn’t know when such a figure had emerged from Bihu Mountain.

“Lu Ping’an… You’re Lu Changsheng’s eldest son, Lu Ping’an? How can you have such strength!?”

Sima Tai, standing beside him, recognized Lu Ping’an. Hearing this, he shouted in surprise.

There were rumors that this eldest son of the Lu Family was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage but had unusual strength due to mid-Second-Tier Body Tempering.

But now, he was clashing physically against their family’s Patriarch’s Magical Treasure.

This level of Body Tempering, even if not near Third-Tier, was surely at the Second-Tier peak!

“Scree—”

The black-scaled eagle beneath them let out another sorrowful cry under the impact.

The battle had turned it into a mere battlefield.

It was a rare beast, with strength in the latter stage of the Second Grade, yet it couldn’t endure the shockwaves of the fight at such close range.

“Hah!”

Seeing this, Sima Patriarch formed seals with one hand, causing the black ruler to rotate, emanating an abyssal aura. Then, it slammed toward Lu Ping’an.

“Boom!”

The ruler, though small and refined, held enough power to split mountains and oceans.

“Bang—”

At this moment, Lu Ping’an’s body fully activated, his towering frame bulked up further. His blood surged like a roaring river, steam rising from his head like a blood mist toward the sky.

His right arm, as the muscles bulged like a dragon, unleashed a mighty punch teeming with boundless power.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

Golden light clashed against the abyssal black aura, causing a series of catastrophic explosions as if the world itself was shattering.

“So, this is a battle at the False Core level.”

Even with the protection of the formation, Lu Ruyi, Lu Lingxiao, and the others were pale with fear.

“I can’t believe the eldest son of the Lu Family truly possesses the power to fight a False Core. When this battle ends, the six False Core families in the Qingyun Region may have to count Bihu Mountain’s Lu Family among them as well.”

Zhou Datong felt his throat dry up, grateful that the eldest son of the Lu Family was kind-hearted. If he had wanted to, he could have easily crushed him with just one punch.

“So this is Ping’an’s strength? No wonder Langjun said there wouldn’t be any trouble with Ping’an here.”

Watching the fierce battle, Ling Zixiao’s elegant face softened into a smile.

She had previously worried that Lu Ping’an might struggle against such an old False Core opponent from the Sima Family.

Yet, even though Lu Ping’an had gained the upper hand, Sima Patriarch’s treasure still made him a formidable opponent.

Under the boundless and terrifying black aura, Lu Ping’an was forced back several steps.

“Fall back!”

With a serious expression, Sima Patriarch ordered as he gestured for Sima Tai and the black-scaled eagle to retreat and oversee the battle from afar.

If they stayed close, he’d have to divert energy to protect them both during the clash.

“Was it you who slaughtered the young talents of my Sima Family?”

Sima Patriarch’s deep, intimidating gaze bore down on Lu Ping’an.

Given the ongoing battle, and with no sign of Lu Changsheng or Lu Miaoge yet, he deduced thaa the likely fate of Sima Bo and the other three had been sealed by Lu Ping’an’s hand.

Lu Ping’an remained silent.

His blood surged and roared within him, his internal organs clashing like drums of war. His heart pounded rhythmically, echoing like the drums of gods and demons, pushing his Hundred Refined Body Technique and awakening its latent divine powers, enhancing his physique to its peak.

He understood that in his current state, he had no chance of defeating Sima Patriarch.

“What did you say? Your Sima Family sent people to ambush my Lu Family’s caravan. Bihu Mountain hasn’t even sought recompense from the Sima Family yet, and you dare to demand it from us?”

Standing by, Ling Zixiao spoke, her voice calm yet emanating an undeniable authority, not yielding an inch to the Qi pressure of the False Core cultivator.

As she spoke, one hand held the glowing formation disc while her other hand formed seals.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

Then, from beneath the ground of the formation, talismans emerged, arranging themselves in all four directions, linking together to form a powerful formation.

She had previously devoted much time and effort to the study of Talisman Formation techniques, integrating them with her own formations.

With the anticipation of the Sima Family sending their False Core elder, she had hidden several talismans in the earth back when she initially set up the formation to catch them off guard when it was time to fight.

“Talisman Formation!?”

“This is Lu Changsheng’s Talisman Formation technique!”

Seeing the talismans spread out in the sky, both Sima Patriarch and Sima Tai were shocked.

After all, Talisman Formation techniques were quite renowned in the cultivation world.

Bihu Mountain itself had come to prominence precisely because of these Talisman Formation techniques.

Now, witnessing Ling Zixiao unleash such methods, both were naturally amazed.

“Talisman Formation.”

Lu Lingxiao had heard his mother talk about Talisman Formations before and had already suspected this.

“Auntie knows Talisman Formations too?”

Lu Ruyi was a bit surprised, unaware that his auntie knew the same Talisman Formation technique as his father.

“Wind and Fire Formation, Ensnaring the Heavens!”

Ling Zixiao’s thoughts moved, and the three hundred sixty-five talismans formed a formation filled with Wind and Fire, enveloping the sky and surrounding Lu Ping’an, Sima Patriarch, Sima Tai, and the black-scaled eagle.

“So, that’s how you killed our Sima clan’s young talents so easily. Then, you have to die by my hand today!”

“Third Brother, strike!”

Sima Patriarch was unfazed by this change.

But he knew these Talisman Formation techniques were indeed extraordinary.

Yet, he, Sima Tong, had come this far without being a novice.

And besides, he wasn’t alone; he had Sima Tai, who was at the eighth stage of Foundation Establishment, alongside the black-scaled eagle, a Late-Stage Second-Tier spirit beast.

“Mountain Shaking Fist—Thunderstrike!”

As soon as the Talisman Formation was complete, Lu Ping’an wasted no time. Silver armor appeared on his bulging muscles as his fists burst with golden light, lighting up like lightning, rushing at Sima Patriarch.

After all, Ling Zixiao had discussed this with him well in advance.

Now that the formation was in place, sealing the sky and ground, the battlefield had turned to his advantage.

“Third Brother, break the formation with the black-scaled eagle!”

Sima Patriarch called out, his hands forming seals. The black ruler in front of him flowed with radiant light, and lines of complex symbols appeared, radiating great power as they struck at Lu Ping’an.

Simultaneously, an azure-colored bowl appeared from his Storage Ring, floating above his head, releasing streams of light that seemed to form a turtle and snake, guarding his entire body.

“Yes, Second Uncle!”

Sima Tai slapped his abdomen, manifesting a diamond-shaped Spiritual Tool, followed by a summoning of a purple mirror.

The mirror had the ability to see through illusions. He planned to use it to find the weak points in the Talisman Formation and break through.

“You dare attempt to break the formation?”

Ling Zixiao’s beautiful eyes remained calm and divine, her elegant posture now exuding a majestic aura.

In an instant, the talismans trembled, causing Wind and Fire to surge forth like draconic serpents, pouncing menacingly at Sima Tai and the black-scaled eagle.

“Scree!”

The black-scaled eagle cried out in agony.

Its massive body lacked the protection of any Artifact. Now trapped in the formation, it was reduced to a sitting duck.

Its wings spread wide, attempting to break free, but the wind and fire scorched its feathers black.

“Curse it! Why does everyone in Bihu Mountain have so many Second-Tier talismans!”

Sima Tai desperately used the purple mirror, discovering that all of Ling Zixiao’s talismans were of extremely high quality, some even reaching nearly a hundred Second-Tier level.

The intertwined energy was flawless, and he found no way to break through.

“Third Brother, just hold on! Her talismans won’t last forever.”

Seeing this, Sima Patriarch recalled the black-scaled eagle back into his Spirit Pet Bag and instructed Sima Tai.

He, too, realized the formation wasn’t easy to deal with.

“However, relying on external objects, I’d like to see just how many talismans you have!”

Sima Patriarch shot a glance at Ling Zixiao, letting out a cold snort.

Then, he turned back to Lu Ping’an and said, “If you had a Magical Treasure, it might be difficult for me to kill you today.”

“But with bare hands, you think you can clash against my Magical Treasure? Only courting death!”

As he spoke, the black ruler’s divine light burst forth with overwhelming force, continuously striking at Lu Ping’an.

Simultaneously, his hands rapidly formed seals, sending out ominous black light toward Lu Ping’an.

“Mountain Splitting, River Turning, Wind and Thunder, Thunderstrike!”

Lu Ping’an’s expression didn’t waver. His spine arched like a dragon, his body radiant with golden light, every cell brimming with volatile energy as his veins bulged.

It was the first time he had fully exerted himself in battle, and he was using this fight to test his strength.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

With every punch and kick, Lu Ping’an’s moves were as if an army of thousands had launched a coordinated assault.

But no matter how fierce his strikes, Sima Patriarch’s black ruler stood before him like an ancient divine mountain, blocking his every advance.

However, even facing such a brutal assault, Sima Patriarch couldn’t help but feel some fear.

He couldn’t comprehend what kind of Body Tempering technique the other party was cultivating to yield such tyrannical power.

Every move seemed to carry the might of a Magical Treasure.

“This power is unbelievably strong.”

“That black-scaled eagle just went toward the Lu Family’s caravan?”

“Could it really be the Sima Family’s black-scaled eagle intending to intercept the Lu Family caravan?”

“Wasn’t it just recently that Sima Bo and his brothers plotted against Bihu Mountain? Did they fail in the ambush?”

“The shockwaves suggest this fight is above the typical Foundation Establishment battle.”

Around the Nine Linked Mountains, many cultivators from different factions noticed where Sima Patriarch had fallen and, witnessing the intense commotion, speculated about what was going on.

As the battle continued for a long time, some cultivators couldn’t resist their curiosity and cautiously approached to see for themselves.

“A Talisman Formation, and it’s being used by Ling Zixiao, the matriarch of the Lu Family!”

“The battle inside the formation is incredible! Who are these fighters?”

“Hmm, that’s Sima Tai, the third elder of the Sima Family. Who are these other two?”

“The one in silver armor is Lu Ping’an from Bihu Mountain. Isn’t he just supposed to be at mid-Second-Tier Body Tempering? Something feels off here.”

“Who is that old man fighting against him?”

Some cultivators managed to get within several miles of the Lu Family’s caravan, watching the battle from afar, shocked by the scene.

Seeing this, Lu Ruyi and Zhou Datong immediately rose into the sky to guard both sides, preventing other cultivators from creeping closer.

Lu Lingxiao stayed by his mother’s side.

Ling Zixiao was controlling the Talisman Formation, exposing herself to some danger if anyone dared to attack.

Though only Ling Zixiao knew that there was another woman seated in their carriage, her face masked with enchanting beauty.

As long as it was necessary, Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet would act immediately if Lu Ping’an was in danger.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

The battle inside the formation roared on without end.

Lu Ping’an and Sima Patriarch continued to trade blows.

Whenever Lu Ping’an slipped into a disadvantage, Ling Zixiao would intervene through the Talisman Formation, relieving the pressure on him.

“Cursed Talisman Formation!”

Sima Patriarch grew increasingly frustrated.

If it were a one-on-one fight with Lu Ping’an, he was confident he could kill him.

But every time the battle grew intense, a storm of wind and fire would crash into him, leaving him utterly exasperated.

He directed a glance at Sima Tai.

Seeing that he was using a bronze bell to protect himself from the formation’s assaults, Sima Patriarch couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

“Third Brother, act now!”

He shouted, urging Sima Tai to share some of the pressure.

If Sima Tai could bear the brunt of the formation’s attacks, depleting the talismans, then Sima Patriarch would have the confidence to finish off Lu Ping’an.

“Yes, Second Uncle.”

Sima Tai wanted to refuse but dared not disobey.

So he immediately formed seals, channeling his Qi as the bronze bell hovered above him, driving his Life-bound Spirit Tool toward Lu Ping’an.

“You dare to make a move? You’re asking for death.”

Ling Zixiao snorted coldly, her hands forming seals.

In an instant, the formation surged with wind and fire, vines sprouted wildly, and frost descended from the heavens, all targeting Sima Tai.

“Ah! Second Uncle, save me!”

Sima Tai desperately pushed the bronze bell to its limit, wrapping himself in tendrils of gray qi.

Yet even with his efforts, he felt both hot and cold across his body as vines crept toward his legs, binding him.

“Damn it.”

Seeing this, Sima Patriarch was forced to split his focus and cast a technique to deflect the formation’s attacks on Sima Tai.

However, in that brief moment, Lu Ping’an seized the opportunity. His golden fists flashed, surrounded by thunder, and shot out countless afterimages, pummeling the black ruler.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

The earth-shattering force of his fists caused the ruler, a Magical Treasure, to tremble violently. Sima Patriarch’s face turned pale as he desperately channeled his Qi to control his Life-bound Magical Treasure.

“How many talismans does this woman have?”

Seeing Ling Zixiao constantly replenishing talismans into the formation, Sima Patriarch realized that it would be difficult to last until the talismans ran out.

If Ling Zixiao had a large supply of talismans, he might end up expiring from exhaustion here.

“Break the formation and retreat!”

He promptly made up his mind, preparing to break the formation with Sima Tai and escape.

“Ping’an.”

Ling Zixiao immediately read his intentions and alerted Lu Ping’an.

Lu Ping’an’s figure was moving like a dragon, and the silver armor on his body had already suffered multiple damages.

But his body continued to radiate brilliant light, like molten gold, with the shadow of a black dragon faintly visible around him.

At this moment, his Black Dragon Scripture and Hundred Refined Body Technique were operating at their peak, causing the foundation of his Black Dragon Dao to surge with Qi. In the midst of battle, he sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough from early to mid Foundation Establishment.

“Two fellow Daoists, please stay your hands! I have urgent matters to discuss with you.”

Sima Patriarch saw the seemingly unstoppable figure of Lu Ping’an and decided to retreat from the battle.

If this continued, even if he managed to escape the formation, he would be gravely wounded by the time he broke free.

“Is this False Core Patriarch admitting defeat?”

Lu Ruyi, Zhou Datong, and others were stunned at the words, looking incredulously at the Sima Patriarch inside the formation.

After all, Sima Patriarch was a False Core expert.

Even if they knew their elder brother’s battle power was astonishing and saw their aunt’s formation in action, they still found it hard to believe.

“You have urgent matters to discuss?”

Ling Zixiao’s eyes grew cold as an icy sneer curled at her lips.

She didn’t pause, continuing to channel talismans into the formation and launching attacks at Sima Patriarch.

“You wench, you’re pushing your luck!”

Sima Patriarch was instantly enraged.

A mighty False Core Patriarch wished to show leniency, but a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like Ling Zixiao dared to disgrace him.

His eyes were filled with killing intent as he retrieved two talismans from his Storage Ring.

The first talisman activated, enveloping him in radiant golden light.

The second talisman transformed into a massive fireball the size of several meters, shooting toward the formation.

These were Third-Tier Talismans he had purchased at great expense as a last line of defense.

Intending to break the formation, he prepared to kill Ling Zixiao.

As long as Ling Zixiao died, he would have the confidence to handle Lu Ping’an.

“A Third-Tier Talisman.”

Ling Zixiao had already anticipated that a False Core cultivator like Sima Tong would have numerous tricks up his sleeve. She immediately activated a talisman from her formation.

This talisman was extraordinary, exuding the aura of a Third-Tier Talisman.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

Once merged into the Wind and Fire Formation, the Third-Tier Talisman formed an enormous lightning bolt, annihilating the fireball and flying straight toward Sima Patriarch.

Seeing this terrifying power, Sima Patriarch’s face turned pale as he cried out, “A Third-Tier Talisman!”

One must know that there were only a handful of Third-Tier Talisman Masters in the entire Jiang Kingdom.

The few Third-Tier Talismans in his possession had been obtained at great cost.

Yet here was Ling Zixiao, also possessing a Third-Tier Talisman.

“Boom!”

The Divine Thunder Talisman shattered the fireball and shot toward Sima Patriarch. He frantically channeled his green bowl-shaped Spiritual Tool to its limit, though its golden glow had already dimmed considerably.

“Boom, boom, boom—”

Seeing an opening, Lu Ping’an continued his relentless assault, his momentum fierce and unyielding.

“Whoosh—”

Ling Zixiao’s hands formed seals, activating another Third-Tier Talisman into the formation, causing Sima Patriarch to break out in a cold sweat, his hair standing on end.

“Ling Zixiao, do you really intend to carry out this annihilation!?”

Sima Patriarch shouted in desperation.

He was terrified Ling Zixiao might expend all her Third-Tier Talismans, which would spell his end.

“Annihilation? Your Sima Family blatantly provoked us, intercepting our Lu Family’s caravan. If we don’t kill you today, where will Bihu Mountain’s dignity be!?”

Her hair and eyebrows raised with a majestic presence, Ling Zixiao’s entire figure radiated a regal and unyielding aura.

“If you kill me, you’ll never end this blood feud with my Sima Family!”

Sima Patriarch shouted, trying to leverage his family’s influence.

He knew his Sima Family still had two Pseudo Cores and significant connections within Azure Cloud Sect.

“Never end? You dared bully those weaker? After this, I will personally visit Xuanwu Ridge with my Husband to settle the matter.”

“I’d like to see if Xuanwu Ridge could withstand our Mountain Shaking Formation and my husband’s Ten Thousand Symbols Formation!”

“And just so you know, my husband has become a Third-Tier Talisman Master. I wonder how many Third-Tier Talismans your turtle shell Family can endure!”

Ling Zixiao’s tone was calm, yet carried the weight of someone who ruled over life and death.

“A Third-Tier Talisman Master!”

“What? Lu Changsheng has become a Third-Tier Talisman Master!”

At this revelation, both Sima Patriarch and Sima Tai, who was still hiding within the bronze bell, were stunned.

A Third-Tier Talisman Master wasn’t as strong as a Golden Core cultivator.

However, even Golden Core cultivators would show them respect.

These talismans were precisely what high cultivators could use.

Even if they didn’t need them, they could pass them down.

Moreover, Lu Changsheng wasn’t just any Talisman Master; he possessed a Talisman Inheritance and was proficient in Talisman Formation techniques.

If he used a large number of Third-Tier Talismans to set up a formation, even a False Core cultivator would be helpless before him.

“No wonder this woman has so many talismans, including Third-Tier Talismans. It turns out Lu Changsheng really is a Third-Tier Talisman Master!”

Sima Patriarch was filled with deep regret.

Had he known earlier, he never would have come so recklessly.

But now, he was trapped with few choices.

After all, if Lu Changsheng had become a Third-Tier Talisman Master, the outcome of a fight between families was suddenly more uncertain.

“This is a fault of Xuanwu Ridge. I ask Lady Lu to show mercy.”

“My Sima Family is willing to compensate for today’s incident.”

Sima Patriarch controlled his black ruler, defending against Lu Ping’an’s fierce attacks, and said in a hoarse voice as he eyed the two Three-Tier Talismans in the formation.

He knew he had lost.

Continuing the fight would only force him to self-destruct his False Core in a desperate gamble.

It was better to surrender now, while he was still uninjured, and offer compensation.

He realized that Ling Zixiao hadn’t immediately used the Three-Tier Talisman, which meant she had no intention of killing him.

It was also clear that Bihu Mountain wasn’t keen on making irreconcilable enemies.

If the two families went to war, it would only benefit other families, resulting in mutual destruction.