In terms of speed, martial artists reign supreme by average standards.
For Upper Three Heavens Cultivators like Lu Fang, who can cover visible distances with abrupt advances and retreats, nearly teleporting, it's difficult for the naked eye to track their movements.
This even means that in terms of attack distance, it's hard to say they are at a definite disadvantage.
As for defense, when their qi and blood are full and they are unharmed, they are comparable to the Taoist Sect's Dan Ding and the Buddhist Sect's Zen Martial Arts. They are second only to the Precept Holder of the Buddhist Sect. This is an area where Body-Refining Martial Artists have a slight advantage over Weapon Strike practitioners.
Although their active sensing and penetrating abilities are not outstanding, their self-awareness is extremely strong, and it is very difficult for an enemy of similar cultivation to succeed in a sneak attack.
