Chapter 697: Chief (This chapter contains nuclear energy)

The Moneylender was trapped within the boundary by Li Banfeng, who charged directly forward, bringing his shadows with him. He didn't know why such a powerful Blade Cultivator had appeared in Huangtu Town, nor why this place was so important.

But one thing Li Banfeng knew clearly: as long as there was a shred of a chance today, he couldn't let the Moneylender seize this inn. This Moneylender worked for the Saint; if he took over the inn, he could potentially take over Huangtu Town. If the Saint took over Huangtu Town, this place would become the next Scoundrel's Ridge!

Li Banfeng knew this Blade Cultivator's combat power surpassed his own, but with both sides fighting within the boundary, and Li Banfeng having activated 'High Pillow, No Worries,' he was the master of this domain, giving him an advantage in all his techniques. The Moneylender, however, was restricted everywhere. By his own estimation, the power of his techniques was only 30%, his agility was 50%, and his energy consumption during combat was twice the usual amount. He wasn't flustered; the Moneylender clearly understood that fighting a Residence Cultivator at their doorstep was a necessary cost.

Relying on the speed of a Journey Cultivator, Li Banfeng fought the Moneylender with his shadows, but even with such a significant advantage, he still couldn't take the Moneylender down. His speed was no slower than Li Banfeng's. In several exchanges, whether initiating or reacting, he always managed to get ahead after a brief stalemate. His combat methods were no fewer than Li Banfeng's. Blade Cultivators could fight from a distance or up close and could fight outnumbered. While the Moneylender engaged Banfeng C, his techniques could also keep Li Banfeng's main body in check at any time. In terms of combat experience, the two couldn't be compared; the Moneylender was far superior. He clearly saw when Li Banfeng wanted to engage in close combat or use a technique.

The most difficult thing to deal with was his basket of knives. Banfeng C, wielding a scythe, fought his boning knife for a long time, getting poked with over a dozen holes, with light shining through his body everywhere. One of his knives fought Banfeng Z and Banfeng Chou, two shadows, back and forth, thanks to Banfeng Z's solid foundation as a Residence Cultivator, which allowed him to withstand it. The most vexing was the cleaver, which clung to the Moneylender, capable of both offense and defense. Several times Li Banfeng attempted to get close, but he was forced back by the cleaver each time.

Banfeng B watched from the side, shaking his head. Old A's tactics were clearly wrong. Did he think that just because he was inside the boundary, he could rely on the Residence Cultivator's advantage to engage in close combat? What are Blade Cultivators known for? They are masters of combat; even Martial Cultivators might not gain an advantage. How could you fight him like this without suffering losses?

Banfeng B seized the opportunity and stepped out with 'Tread Through Ten Thousand Rivers.' The Moneylender had long noticed Banfeng B. As soon as he saw him lift his foot, he knew 'Tread Through Ten Thousand Rivers' was coming and evaded the technique with a slight dodge. Li Banfeng, with his back to Banfeng B, couldn't dodge. His clothes tore, and his back was covered in blood.

Banfeng B gave a dry chuckle. "That's not what I intended," he said.

Li Banfeng turned back and gritted his teeth. "You owe me for this!" he snapped.

Taking advantage of Li Banfeng's injury, the Moneylender cut down several shadows and was about to rush to the edge of the boundary. As long as he got out of the boundary, he had plenty of ways to take Li Banfeng's life.

Several tables appeared before him, blocking the Moneylender's path. The Moneylender knew this was the Journey Cultivator's 'Blocked Path, Opened Road' technique. How could broken wooden tables from an inn possibly stop him? The Moneylender swung his arm and slashed down with a knife. The tables quickly dodged, evaded the slash, then returned to their positions, continuing to block his path. The Moneylender was stunned. How could inn tables be so intelligent? Could it be another Residence Cultivator technique? These tables possessed Li Banfeng's most proficient technique, 'Family Treasures Counting Themselves.' The Moneylender indeed thought of 'Family Treasures Counting Themselves.' At first, he found it unreasonable, thinking this technique shouldn't be used so quickly. But on second thought, if Li Banfeng could use a Residence Cultivator's boundary in this inn, it proved that this place was very close to his residence, or even his residence itself, and these tables, chairs, and benches were likely his furniture.

This was where he was mistaken. Li Banfeng's 'Family Treasures Counting Themselves' technique was fast enough for two main reasons: first, he had truly mastered this technique, and second, these tables and chairs detested the Moneylender. During their exchange, more than half of the inn's tables and chairs had been damaged by the Moneylender. Even though imbued with sentience by 'Family Treasures Counting Themselves,' these tables couldn't truly stop the Moneylender. However, this momentary delay allowed Banfeng Z to desperately hug the Moneylender while a group of shadows dragged and pulled, bringing the Moneylender back again.

The loss was significant this time. The Moneylender, covered in sharp blades from head to toe, heavily wounded the shadows. Banfeng B seized the opportunity to disappear from the Moneylender's sight and turned to watch the Moneylender's figure. Wait, where did the Moneylender go? The Moneylender's silhouette was still darting around the inn, but he was too fast for Banfeng B to lock onto him.

Banfeng B turned his gaze to Li Banfeng, wanting to discuss tactics. Li Banfeng, intently fighting the Moneylender, shuddered. Banfeng B quickly moved his gaze away; if Li Banfeng were hit by 'Walking Through Flowers,' their feud would grow significantly.

Techniques were indeed difficult to deploy, but as long as they were within the boundary, the advantage remained with Li Banfeng. Under the shadows' encirclement, the Moneylender suffered many injuries, some of which exposed bone. The injuries weren't critical yet. The serious problem facing the Moneylender was the increasing number of his opponent's shadows.

"Is this the Residence Cultivator technique 'Shadows Following Form'?" the Moneylender asked amidst the fight.

Banfeng B explained for Li Banfeng, "It's not a Residence Cultivator technique; it's a Shadow Cultivator technique called 'Form and Shadow Always Together'!" As he spoke, Banfeng B twisted his body, curled his limbs, burrowed underground, and began to ambush the Moneylender's shadows.

After this period of observation, Banfeng B discovered that the Moneylender's movement technique had almost no flaws, but he wasn't thorough in taking care of his shadows. This was a normal action; no one during combat would pay too much attention to their own shadows. However, for Banfeng B, it was an opportune moment. The Moneylender saw a shadow moving on the ground and immediately widened the distance from Banfeng B. He also responded to the Shadow Cultivator technique, but his response was a bit crude. He dodged Banfeng B but moved closer to Banfeng Chou and Banfeng Yin.

Li Banfeng exchanged positions with Banfeng Chou. Residence Cultivators had an overlooked talent; a Cloud-level four Residence Cultivator blended among the shadows, and the Moneylender surprisingly didn't notice him immediately. By the time he noticed Li Banfeng, it was too late. Li Banfeng hooked his shoulder with the scythe, while Banfeng B on the ground controlled the Moneylender's shadow. The Moneylender still wanted to struggle, but Li Banfeng gave him no chance. He and Banfeng B moved in tandem, and with a *crack*, they twisted and broke the Moneylender's arm bone.

The Moneylender rotated his shoulder, trying to free his arm. The Tang blade quickly struck close to the shoulder, severing the Moneylender's right arm. The Moneylender trembled all over; this was a serious injury.

The current situation was unfavorable; he had to first get rid of Li Banfeng. He swung the cleaver with his left hand, severing Banfeng B and neutralizing the 'Form and Shadow Always Together' technique. From the severed part of his right arm, a bayonet grew, and with one slash, it cut down Banfeng C, who was pursuing him. The severed arm on the ground transformed into three simple knives. One split Banfeng Z, while the remaining two slashed towards Li Banfeng. These two knives were too fast and their angles too tricky for Li Banfeng to dodge. The projector suddenly flashed, and using the 'Withering' technique, it first absorbed one simple knife. The pendulum jumped out and used a Thought Cultivator technique, forcing the other simple knife to turn. One simple knife remained but suddenly disappeared.

The Moneylender frowned. "Where did that knife go?" he wondered. The glove bounced a few times behind Li Banfeng, subduing the simple knife.

"What a good magic item!" the Moneylender exclaimed.

In a blink of an eye, Banfeng B, Banfeng C, and Banfeng Z all split into two and stood up, silently watching the Moneylender. The Moneylender smiled. "Youngster, how do you have such good luck? You can dual cultivate Residence and Journey here, and you even possess the 'Heavenly Union' technique. Someone like you should have a great career, but unfortunately, you've provoked the wrong person. You think no one can deal with you just because you have 'Heavenly Union'? I'll show you how I neutralize this technique."

Li Banfeng was in no mood to listen further and continued to fight with his shadows. The Moneylender, while fending off attacks, took out a razor and, in a few swift motions, shaved off all his hair. He flicked his hair into the room. A strand passed through Banfeng C's body