Chapter 58: An Unexpected Early Foundation Stage

The newcomer, Song Tianyu, was at mid-stage Golden Core, the same level as Cang Aotian; the other six were all at the peak of Foundation Establishment, none below that threshold. Such a formidable lineup was not something any ordinary faction could withstand.

Only now did the mansion’s guards, who had just realized they were under attack, rush in, hurriedly forming defensive formations.

“Don’t worry about me! Protect the young lady and Nephew Changqing!” Cang Aotian roared, issuing his command as he charged forward, instantly locking into battle with Song Tianyu and four of the black-clad assailants.

“You brat, any last words?” Two black-clad men, heading straight for Gu Xiaopang and his companions, saw they were merely at late Foundation Establishment and laughed cruelly.

Gu Xiaopang did not answer. The Meteorite Five-Spirit Bracelet on his wrist shot out like a snake from its burrow, darting swiftly toward the laughing black-clad man. Simultaneously, Gu Xiaopang, wielding the rhino horn in both hands, rushed headlong at the other attacker.

Hundreds of guards, led by Captain Sun Chenghu, seized the moment as the laughing black-clad man was knocked back by the bracelet and encircled him, unleashing a barrage of crossbows.

At the same time, Gu Xiaopang engaged the other black-clad man in fierce combat.

Within less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the battle’s shockwaves reverberated throughout the city lord’s mansion and for miles beyond. Masters on duty elsewhere immediately sped to the scene, utilizing swift footwork.

A stalemate was forming when Song Tianyu suddenly shouted, “Fellow Daoist Li, stop concealing your cultivation! Use your full strength—let’s finish this quickly!”

“Very well.”

“Li Chengkun! I’ve treated you well all these years! How dare you… how dare you… despicable!” No sooner had Cang Aotian finished speaking than the man addressed as Fellow Daoist Li’s aura surged, instantly rising from peak Foundation Establishment to early Golden Core. The balance, which Cang Aotian had managed to maintain through sheer effort, now tipped dramatically.

Sensing who the owner of this aura was, Cang Aotian’s rage boiled over, the word “despicable” exploding from his lips as the scales of battle shifted.

Seeing this, Gu Xiaopang realized things had taken a turn for the worse. He instantly changed tactics; as the black-clad man’s blade came down, he didn’t dodge but matched steel with flesh, relying on his robust physique to meet the danger head-on. In the swift exchange, he plunged the rhino horn deep into the attacker’s chest.

“Brother Changqing!” The two young women cried out in unison.

“I’m fine. Don’t come over,” Gu Xiaopang replied, and as he spoke, his spiritual power recalled the Meteorite Five-Spirit Bracelet and sent it crashing once more at the black-clad man, who by now, beset by guards, could barely defend himself.

“Uncle Cang, leave the early Golden Core to me! Finish your fight quickly!”

“No! Get back!” Before Cang Aotian could finish his protest, Gu Xiaopang, ignoring the deep gash on his shoulder, stamped the ground and soared toward Li Chengkun, the black-clad man at early Golden Core.

With his battle power unleashed, Gu Xiaopang instantly forced Li Chengkun out of Cang Aotian’s combat circle, relentlessly pressing the attack, each move aimed at vital points, each strike deadly.

At this stage, Gu Xiaopang’s strength far surpassed his peers; facing an early Golden Core, he was confident of victory if he gave his all, but achieving it swiftly was another matter. Fortunately, tonight he didn’t need to truly defeat his foe—only hold him long enough for Cang Aotian to secure victory.

Indeed, in the blink of an eye, the other three black-clad men at peak Foundation Establishment who had besieged Cang Aotian were all disabled by him, leaving only Song Tianyu, who was no match for Cang Aotian alone.

Just as several Foundation Establishment experts who had been stationed outside the city reached the battlefield, Song Tianyu, in a moment of panic, was caught by Cang Aotian, who struck him bitterly in the dantian.

With Song Tianyu’s Golden Core shattered, Cang Aotian spun around and fiercely attacked Li Chengkun, whom Gu Xiaopang had been holding off and who, seeing the situation deteriorate, was now attempting to flee.

“Take them all!”

“Yes, sir!”

Thus passed a restless night…