: The Five Thunderbolts of Righteousness

It is located 300 li west of Guanggui City, in the Tainan Mountains.

Lu Jianghe concealed himself and watched with great interest a battle between cultivators and demonic beasts taking place beside a small swamp below.

Four people, three men and one woman, surrounded and killed a green-scaled python.

Lu Jianghe used this opportunity to "observe the Dao".

It's not about learning any demon-slaying techniques, but about directly experiencing the differences in strength between cultivators of different realms in this world, and their specific methods of combat.

Of the four cultivators, three had similar aura strengths, with subtle differences that were almost negligible; they were clearly all Qi Refining stage cultivators.

The other young man was clearly superior in both the quality and quantity of his spiritual energy, as well as in the methods and techniques he used, which were also more complex and varied. He was undoubtedly a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

During the Qi Refining stage, when facing enemies, one relies mainly on external objects such as magical artifacts and talismans for attacks, making the methods relatively limited.

Foundation Establishment cultivators can already mobilize their own spiritual root attributes to cast various Five Elements spells, and can also bring the power of magical artifacts to their fullest potential.

"The Foundation Establishment Realm is barely comparable to the Sea Viewing Realm..."

Lu Jianghe lightly tapped the ordinary iron scabbard at his waist with his knuckles, creating invisible ripples.

In terms of early-stage offensive tactics, it's difficult to say which system is superior.

However, when it comes to laying a solid foundation and having a deep cultural heritage, the latter ultimately has the advantage.

But then again.

If Lu Jianghe's cultivation level drops to the lower five realms.

He didn't need to hesitate at all; he would definitely start his cultivation from Qi Refining and Foundation Building.

In this human realm where spiritual energy is so scarce,

If you insist on following the original path, it's like rowing against the current—you're courting death.

Lu Jianghe has been watching this entire siege from beginning to end.

The current situation is not optimistic.

In most cases, monsters have the upper hand over humans.

Usually, it takes two or three people to be able to guarantee victory in a fight against a monster of the same level.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator, along with three Qi Refining cultivators, surrounded and killed a demonic beast, intending to hone their combat experience.

Then he would be there to keep watch and prevent any accidents from happening.

Who would have thought that the Azure Scale Python had somehow advanced to the second rank?

Unexpected changes occurred suddenly, and the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The four were immediately plunged into a fierce battle.

Although it was said that the four of them worked together, in reality, they could only truly contend with that Foundation Establishment cultivator alone.

The other three were not only weak and unable to provide effective assistance, but also had very limited combat experience.

Facing a demonic beast like the Azure Scale Python, which has already developed intelligence, it is extremely easy to become a breakthrough point.

However, the three did not flee.

Judging from their behavior, they are mostly from the same school or family, which is why they can entrust each other with their lives in this dangerous situation and maintain the battle.

If it were an ordinary rogue cultivator, they would probably have scattered like birds and beasts by now, and wouldn't care about the lives of others.

The blue-scaled python paused, then twisted, its massive tail, as thick as a stone pillar, slamming down with a sharp, tearing sound.

The young cultivator retreated swiftly, narrowly avoiding danger.

With a flick of his arm, more than a dozen "fireball talismans" flew out of his storage bag, forming an array in mid-air and transforming into a streak of crimson meteors that swept away.

Boom boom boom!

A dense explosion, a roar, and flames instantly engulfed the snake's body.

However, the snake's body, covered in emerald scales, only swayed slightly.

The scales, harder than refined iron, bore scorched marks but did not harm it in the slightest.

"Such tough scales! You three, retreat immediately! I have a way to escape!"

The young Foundation Establishment cultivator spoke rapidly, but his hand gestures never stopped, and an earth-yellow array diagram appeared in front of him.

As the runes flowed, countless sharp stone cones condensed and took shape, shooting out like locusts.

The dense array of stone spikes exploded into clouds of dust, momentarily halting the python's movement but ultimately hindering its advance and failing to break through its defenses.

"No, we dragged our senior brother here. If it weren't for you, we would have been eaten by snakes long ago. We'll stay together or leave together!"

The only female cultivator present spoke up and directly refuted this.

"Nonsense!"

Just then, two other Qi Refining stage cultivators each summoned their magical artifacts, intending to close in and slash the snake's body.

Upon seeing this, the Foundation Establishment stage cultivator's expression changed drastically. "Don't get close to it! Retreat quickly!"

However, it was too late.

Before it could actually strike, a cunning and fierce glint flashed in the serpent's cold, vertical pupils.

The gaping maw opened, and a foul-smelling, dark green poisonous mist surged towards the two of them.

Where the poisonous fog passed, the surrounding vegetation instantly emitted a teeth-grinding sizzling sound, and visibly withered and charred.

The young monk quickly shouted, "Use the protective talisman!"

The female cultivator reacted extremely quickly, instantly throwing out a Wind Transformation Talisman, which immediately enveloped her two companions.

Although it failed to dispel the fog, it slightly slowed down the rate at which the dark green mist eroded the area.

It was this brief moment of obstruction that gave the two a glimmer of hope.

The two hurriedly took out a talisman from their storage bags and activated it.

A flash of light transformed into a solid spiritual shield, tightly protecting them.

At the same time, the two of them retreated with all their might.

However, the edge of the poisonous miasma had already touched the shield.

Sizzle—!

The two newly formed shields dimmed rapidly, their light flickering and teetering on the verge of collapse.

Just as it was about to collapse, it narrowly escaped the poisonous miasma.

Having narrowly escaped death, the two looked at the magical artifacts in their hands, their surfaces corroded and pitted, wisps of green smoke rising from them.

I felt my heart and soul tremble, and my back was soaked with cold sweat.

Some of them suddenly felt a sweet taste in their throat and couldn't help but spit out a small mouthful of foul-smelling black blood.

Although the amulet blocked most of the poisonous fog, a trace of poison still seeped into the body.

Seeing this, the female cultivator quickly stepped forward, took out a porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, and fed it to him.

Seeing that the man was still alive, the Azure Scale Python's eyes blazed with ferocity, clearly enraged. It unleashed a stench of blood and lunged at the young cultivator.

The latter's expression turned solemn. He patted the storage bag, and a small diamond-shaped shield, shimmering with an earthy yellow light, flew out of the bag. It expanded in the wind and instantly transformed into a giant shield over ten feet in size.

Unexpectedly, the azure-scaled python was exceptionally cunning. It twisted its body forcefully and managed to stop its momentum.

He turned and lunged at the three Qi Refining stage cultivators standing to the side!

"You beast, how dare you!"

The young cultivator's pupils contracted sharply. He was currently focusing all his efforts on activating his spiritual shield to defend against attacks from the front, and it was too late for any rescue.

Seeing his junior brothers and sisters about to perish in the snake's mouth, his eyes were bloodshot with rage.

At this critical moment.

In broad daylight, a thunderclap suddenly rang out.

A highly refined, crackling azure "thunder whip" descended from the sky, precisely encircling the neck of the azure-scaled python.

Instantly, the second-tier demonic beast froze on the spot, unable to move.

The snake's mouth was only inches away from the three Qi Refining stage cultivators, and the stench was overwhelming.

In mid-air, the crackling thunder whip was wrapped around Lu Jianghe's fingers at the other end.

Although these people's actions seem foolish, ignorant, and even somewhat presumptuous.

But the sincerity of those fellow disciples who entrusted each other with life and death was genuine.

If the four people below are fighting amongst themselves and scheming against each other, he will definitely not choose to take action.

We will only let it fend for itself.

Anyway, I just happen to need a storage bag.