[Fantasy Martial Arts] The Legend of the Evil God (Complete) - 5

Chapter Seven: Reigning Supreme.

Jun Tianxie turned to Long Bufei and smiled, "Great Hero Long, please rest assured, 'Prison Break' will not allow the despicable villains of the Demonic Sect to harm a single hair on your head."

A flash of murderous intent appeared in Dugu Ji's eyes, and he chuckled in a deep voice, "Hehe, so you're from 'Prison Break.' No wonder you're so capable, able to sneak here undetected. It's a pity you're going to die young."

Jun Tianxie said unhappily, "When did it become your turn to interrupt when I was talking to Great Hero Long?"

Dugu Ji was taken aback. Since he became famous, no one had ever dared to speak to him like this. Jun Tianxie was the first to do so. However, he was extremely cunning and showed no anger on the surface, but this only strengthened his resolve to kill him.

Long Bufei suddenly said, "Young brother, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm confident I can handle the current crisis. You don't need to take this risk for me."

It turned out that, like Dugu Ji, he couldn't see through Jun Tianxie's true power hidden beneath the "Evil Path Nirvana." Although his concealment skills were unfathomable, in a real fight, he might not be a match for him. Long Bufei didn't want to see Jun Tianxie die in vain to save him, hence his warning.

Jun Tianxie thought to himself, "This Long Bufei is truly kind-hearted, not the kind of charlatan who only has a reputation."

On the surface, he pretended to be "unwavering," saying, "Hero Long is the hope of the righteous path, and the person I've admired most since childhood. Today, even if I risk my life, I will protect Hero Long."

Long Bufei shook his head, saying, "Brother Jun, listen to me..."

Jun Tianxie laughed heartily and said firmly, "Hero Long, no need to say more. I have decided to live and die with you." "If you try to stop me again, you're disrespecting me!"

Long Bufei was indeed moved by Jun Tianxie's incredibly convincing acting skills. He felt a surge of heat in his chest and couldn't help but say, "Alright! If I say anything more, it would seem pretentious. Brother Jun, today, regardless of life or death, I've decided you're my brother!"

These words delighted Jun Tianxie. His purpose in taking the initiative was to win over his "arch-enemy," Long Bufei, as a powerful backer. Being ungrateful was never in his nature.

Dugu Ji coldly said, "Go to hell and become sworn brothers!"

Suddenly, a palm strike carrying a foul stench struck Jun Tianxie. To avoid any unforeseen complications, he had decided to finish the fight quickly.

Jun Tianxie clicked his tongue, "Wow! He attacked without even a warning, how insidious!"

To withstand Dugu Ji's "Blood-Transforming Evil Hand," the only option was a direct confrontation, a situation where the stronger would prevail—the kind of clumsy method Jun Tianxie least wanted to use. If he dodged to the side, Long Bufei behind him would become the scapegoat. This palm strike would test both his martial arts and his humanity, a method devised by those from the Demonic Sect.

Jun Tianxie chuckled inwardly, "This little devil dares to show off his skills in front of your little ancestor."

He threw a clumsy punch, the force of which, without any wind, further convinced Dugu Ji that his opponent was unskilled in martial arts. His killing intent intensified, and his palm glowed with blood, intending to kill this wretched brat with a single blow.

Just as their fists and palms were about to touch, Jun Tianxie suddenly changed his attack, flicking out an index finger from his clenched fist and striking Dugu Ji's palm.

"Whoosh!" Dugu Ji felt a highly concentrated beam of energy, seemingly oblivious to the corrosive energy barrier of the "Blood-Transforming Evil Hand," rapidly drilling into his body along the meridians of his arm. Reaching the Tanzhong acupoint, it suddenly exploded, scattering countless elusive yet sharp and tenacious "energy arrows" like fireworks, surging through his meridians. The excruciating pain caused him to howl in agony, almost bursting into tears.

Long Bufei, his vision obscured by Jun Tianxie's body, couldn't see the changes in their techniques. He was only astonished to see the infamous leader of the eight beasts of the Demonic Sect's "Underworld," the mighty "Blood Dragon" Dugu Ji, fall in a single move to an unknown youth. His hope for survival was rekindled.

In terms of true skill, Jun Tianxie might not necessarily be much stronger than Dugu Ji. However, his "Evil Nirvana"

was inherently the nemesis of Dugu Ji's demonic arts, and Dugu Ji was too complacent, which allowed Jun Tianxie to successfully launch a surprise attack with his "Nirvana Zen Finger."

But such a tactic could only be used once. Dugu Ji, after all, was a renowned master of the evil path. Even at a disadvantage, he could endure the pain, grit his teeth, and quickly retract his bloodied right palm. His left leg kicked out from seemingly unknowable space-time, with the force of lightning and the power to shatter bones and split rocks, forcing Jun Tianxie to save himself before continuing his attack.

Jun Tianxie smiled slightly. All of Dugu Ji's moves were like an open map for him to browse. Every variation was meticulously detailed; no detail escaped his discerning eye, just like a king controlling the life and death of his subjects. What's most terrifying is that he didn't do it intentionally; he reached this level naturally. It was the mental technique created by his other personality, "Yu Tianxie," specifically targeting the demonic martial arts—"Reigning Supreme!"

The problem is, he hasn't become "Yu Tianxie" yet, so why can he use the other's martial arts mental technique?

Jun Tianxie drew a small circle with his left palm, filled with a mysterious aura of endless cycles and vibrant life, like the universe itself. Yet, Dugu Ji felt that if his kick didn't change direction, it would collide head-on with the circle. The circle contained a deep, unfathomable danger, making him unwilling to take the risk. He grunted and withdrew his foot, changing his move.

If he knew that the circle was merely a virtual force field created by Jun Tianxie to simulate the "Reigning Supreme" mental technique, and was actually just a beautiful facade with a rotten core, he would surely be filled with regret and remorse. However, Jun Tianxie wasn't worried about his opponent falling for his trap. Both "Evil Nirvana" and "Reign Over the World" were fundamentally far superior to the demonic arts practiced by Dugu Ji. They were only inferior in quantity, but in quality, they were more than enough to intimidate his opponent.

The underlying principle was profound and mysterious; if the enemy wasn't a master of the demonic sect, the innate advantage of "Reign Over the World" over acquired techniques would be useless. Long Bufei hadn't practiced demonic arts, so even with his exceptional insight, he couldn't discern the true reason for Dugu Ji's repeated defeats.

Jun Tianxie was also determined to finish the battle quickly to avoid Long Bufei seeing through the hidden secrets of his martial arts. His right hand unleashed a powerful, wall-like burst of energy from his "Great Compassion Buddha Palm," while his left hand held his "Nirvana Zen Finger" vertically in front of his chest, seemingly attacking but not truly defending. Combined with the vivid memory of his recent successful surprise attack, this posed the greatest psychological threat to Dugu Ji.

Dugu Ji had never encountered an opponent like Jun Tianxie. Before even making a move, he was already bound in every direction. It was as if the enemy knew his every move in advance, and he was being led by the nose, completely unable to control his own destiny.

A terrifying feeling he had never experienced before welled up in his heart, and Dugu Ji finally couldn't help but shout, "Who exactly are you?!"

Jun Tianxie laughed, "How forgetful. Didn't I tell you my name is Jun Tianxie?"

The qi wall changed from being launched to being withdrawn, firmly absorbing Dugu Ji's true qi, making it impossible for him to retreat, while a finger of his left hand transformed into a lightning-fast beam, piercing into the opponent's "Qi Hai acupoint".

"Pfft!"

Dugu Ji's formidable demonic power deflated like a punctured balloon as his vital point was breached, gradually dissipating into nothingness. The pain of losing his power and the fear of death caused a grotesque contortion on his face, his wide eyes bloodshot, staring at Jun Tianxie with resentment as he stammered, "You...you are...Yan..."

Jun Tianxie laughed, "That's right! I am the messenger sent by Yama, the King of Hell, to take you to hell. Remember in your next life, don't be reborn into the demonic sect and commit evil deeds. Goodbye! Farewell forever."

He secretly channeled his "Nirvana Zen Finger," forcing Dugu Ji's heart meridian to shatter, leaving the latter's last words stuck in his throat, to be spoken only in hell.

This was Jun Tianxie's first fusion of his own "Evil Nirvana" and another personality's "Ruling the World," two completely different but essentially very similar martial arts. Defeating a renowned master in the Demonic Sect represented a significance far greater than the apparent victory or defeat. It marked an extremely important step on his path to becoming an unparalleled master in the future.

Dugu Ji's corpse fell to the floor with a thud. Jun Tianxie shook his head and sighed, "Although we have no enmity, it was your attempt to harm my most respected hero, Long Daxia, that forced me to kill you."

He wasn't about to miss any opportunity to win the other's favor.

Long Bufei said, "Brother Jun, what kind of martial arts do you practice? To be able to defeat Dugu Ji, the leader of the Seven Beasts, with a master like you in the 'Prison Break' organization, there's hope for the revival of the righteous path."

Jun Tianxie smiled awkwardly at Long Bufei, "Hero Long, don't tease me. My skills are nothing special, not even worth mentioning. Defeating him was purely luck."

Long Bufei laughed, "Martial arts that can defeat Dugu Ji are just mediocre? Aren't you going to infuriate all the masters in the Demonic Sect? Hmm... the moves you just used, I only recognize as..." The Southern Shaolin's "Great Compassion Buddha Palm," the final finger strike to Dugu Ji, resembled the "Star-Containing Evil Finger" of the Demonic Sect, and also seemed to be a fusion of the "Flower-Picking and Lamp-Lighting" of the Zen Sect, with a unique and creative addition, revealing something never seen before, and showing me a new world of martial arts."

Jun Tianxie broke out in a cold sweat. He had thought his martial arts were unique, and that no one in the world could discern the origin of his techniques. Who knew that Long Bufei could identify seven or eight tenths of it after only one glance? Such insight and cultivation were probably rare, perhaps among no more than three people in the world.

Long Bufei suddenly turned to him seriously and said, "Brother Jun, I'm only saying this because I consider you a brother. Although your martial arts are extremely unique, the most I've ever seen in my life, they are mixed and impure, broad but not specialized. In essence, a small part of them has already fallen into the demonic path. I don't know who you learned your martial arts from, but the demonic methods always emphasize harming others for personal gain. Although they are reckless, they are also prone to risks. For your own sake, it's best to practice this kind of skill less."

Jun Tianxie nodded in agreement, and he did feel a bit of respect for this "nemesis" hero. However, that respect was purely based on the latter's insight and cultivation. As for Long Bufei's earnest teachings, he listened but did not take them to heart.

Long Bufei suddenly frowned, as if he had thought of something, and said, "Why is it in such a mess inside? Not a single disciple in the hall has come to see what's going on?"

Jun Tianxie smiled and said, "Jiang Chizong wanted to murder Hero Long. How could he let those bookworms in the 'Zhongshu Mansion' know about such a heretical thing? The disciples of the 'Wenwu Hall' had already been sent away beforehand. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to sneak in so easily."

Long Bufei nodded and said, "I see..." Turning his head, he saw Jiang Chizong's body, which had been cut in half at the waist, and his heart ached again.

"Hall Master Jiang was wise all his life, but in his old age, he ruined his reputation and ended up with such a tragic end... Alas! Greed is truly a terrible thing." Jun

Tianxie thought to himself, "You can't even protect yourself, yet you still have the mood to be compassionate."

What he said was another matter from what he really thought.

"Hero Long, are you alright after being poisoned?"

Long Bufei smiled and said, "Brother Jun is the one who saved my life. It's too formal for you to call me 'Hero.' Calling me 'Big Brother' is enough. The poison from the Poison Sect is indeed potent. I've used all my strength and can only barely suppress it, but I can't force it out."

Jun Tianxie thought to himself: This is what you asked me to call him. Anyone I consider a "brother" is destined to serve me for life, and I won't allow them to regret it later. Feigning a worried expression, Long Bufei said, "That's terrible! I don't know how to cure poison. What should I do?"

Not wanting Jun Tianxie to "worry" about him, Long Bufei tried to appear nonchalant, saying, "Brother Jun, don't worry. This so-called 'Five Signs of Decay' is powerful, but it won't kill me. Since there's no immediate threat of poisoning, we can slowly find a way to cure it."

Jun Tianxie "suddenly" clapped his hands and exclaimed, "I've got it! I think of someone who can cure the strange poison in your body, brother!"

Although Long Bufei appeared relaxed, he actually had no confidence in how to neutralize the poison within him. This showed that the reputation of the Poison Sect for its unparalleled poison-using skills was not unfounded.

Seeing Jun Tianxie claim that someone could cure the "Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man," and appearing quite confident, Long Bufei couldn't help but ask, "Who is this person you're talking about, Brother Jun?"

Jun Tianxie smiled and said, "I don't know who he is, but I believe he can definitely cure the strange poison that my elder brother has been afflicted with."

This was essentially meaningless, but Long Bufei couldn't bear to refuse Jun Tianxie's "good intentions." After all, it was a long shot, and there was no harm in trying.

"Where does this person live?"

"Beyond the Sea of Trees."

*** *** *** *** ***

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The gong of the third watch had just sounded, and the seven-story white jade tower of the "Sword Tower" still stood quietly in the black night, like an eternal sword between heaven and earth.

Everything was as usual; the calm atmosphere made one feel no trace of the cruelty of war.

But beneath the still waters, the most treacherous undercurrents often lurk.

"Is there anything unusual?"

"No, everything's perfectly calm."

The two "Sword Tower" disciples in the dungeon had just exchanged guarding tips, never dreaming that these would be their last words.

Only two gleaming eyes were visible beneath the cloth covering him, his face etched with wrinkles from the hardships of life, yet his physique was as robust and agile as a young man's. Dressed in standard black attire, this strange, uninvited guest appeared before them.

"Who...who are you?"

The only answer they received was two blazing, fiery energies.

"Die!"

The two disciples were no weaklings; both were mid-level experts on the third level of the "Sword Tower." Unfortunately, tonight they faced a reaper no less formidable than their leader, the "Sword Saint" Feng Xuling.

A devastating burst of fire swept over the two disciples with overwhelming force. Before they could even draw their swords, the fire struck them, blasting them into the walls with screams of agony. The stench of burning corpses filled the already foul-smelling dungeon.

The man in black, having killed the two disciples, didn't linger. He quickly found his target and stopped in front of Ding Shenzhao's cell door.

"Get away from the bars!"

A familiar yet unfamiliar hoarse voice rang out. The man in black suddenly attacked, his palm strike, powerful and forceful, slicing through the arm-thick bars, revealing his profound skill.

"Who are you?"

Ding Shenzhao, who had been indifferently observing the situation until now, finally broke his silence when the man had come to him.

The man in black stood before the broken iron bars, coldly saying, "You don't need to know who I am, just whether you want to leave."

Ding Shenzhao stared at the man in black for a long time without saying a word, then suddenly said, "The scent on you reminds me of someone, but your build is completely different."

The man in black was startled, but quickly composed himself, saying, "Don't waste time on my identity. You just need to know I'm here to save you. The guards outside will soon discover what's going on here. If you want to leave, now's the only time."

Ding Shenzhao said, "My weapons are still in their hands."

The man in black seemed to have anticipated Ding Shenzhao's words, quickly saying, "That's precisely why I'm saving you. Because you and your swords have established a certain spiritual connection. Only you can find where they are."

Ding Shenzhao suddenly stood up.

"How do you know? I've never mentioned this to anyone!"

the man in black said coldly, "There are no secrets that last forever. Enough nonsense! Are you coming with me or not?"

Ding Shenzhao hesitated for a moment before finally stepping out of the cell.

The man in black chuckled hoarsely, "Indeed clever. This is your only hope of leaving this place."

Suddenly, he struck Ding Shenzhao with his palm. The latter, having lost all his martial arts skills, couldn't dodge the incredibly swift blow. He was jolted by the attack, but showed no sign of injury or pain. Instead, he let out a long sigh and said to the man in black, "Thank you."

The man in black secretly admired Ding Shenzhao's composure, especially considering his young age.

"Boy, how can you be sure my palm won't hurt you?"

It turned out that the man in black's palm strike was to release the sealed acupoints on Ding Shenzhao, allowing his internal energy to flow freely again.

“Your palm strike just now lacked killing intent.”

Upon hearing this, the man in black's eyes flashed with a deep, sinister light, which vanished in an instant. He turned and led the way, saying, “Follow me.”

Ding Shenzhao followed the man in black without a word, rushing out of the dungeon. The fresh air that greeted him made him truly feel like he had been reborn.

“Now it’s up to you,” the man in black said in a deep voice.

Ding Shenzhao took a long breath of the cool night air, his eyes shining brightly. His mind extended outwards through some unfathomable power, establishing a connection with a part of him that could only be understood intuitively.

“This way!”

Ding Shenzhao suddenly rushed out to his left without hesitation. His figure moved like a ghost through the shadows of trees and flowers, under the eaves and corridors. His movements were so skillful that it was as if he were strolling through his own backyard, leaving the man in black following behind him astonished.

The guards of "Sword Tower," one of the seven sects, were certainly not weak. However, thanks to Ding Shenzhao's beast-like intuition and agile movements, combined with the black-clad man's profound skill and keen senses, not a single disciple was alerted, allowing them to successfully enter their destination.

"So it's the 'Heavenly Pavilion' hidden on the top floor. It truly is a good place."

Ding Shenzhao didn't understand what the black-clad man meant by "Heavenly Pavilion." He simply gazed with barely concealed excitement at the pair of swords that were now clearly visible on the wall inside the small building

—the "Knot of Grass" and "Holding a Ring."

There's an ancient saying, "A day apart feels like three autumns," which perfectly describes Ding Shenzhao's feelings upon seeing his swords again.

The doors and windows were only slightly ajar, and not a single patrolling disciple was in sight. Compared to the heavily guarded other floors, the top floor of the "Sword Tower" could only be described as "completely undefended." Although his long experience in the martial world told him that there must be a trap, after repeatedly testing the interior with his spiritual sense, he reached the same conclusion as Ding Shenzhao. In the end, the man in black had no choice but to muster all his strength and enter this forbidden area of the "Heavenly Pavilion," which had not been entered by outsiders for nearly a hundred years. As

soon as they stepped into the small building, the eyes of the old man and the young man froze simultaneously, almost unable to believe what they were seeing.

A handsome middle-aged scholar in a Confucian robe sat cross-legged in the center of the room. Behind him, a graceful longsword was inserted diagonally, its bright red tassel fluttering in the wind. A sense of harmony with nature, yet awe-inspiring like a majestic mountain, naturally emanated from the middle-aged scholar.

"Two gentlemen have intruded into the forbidden area of my 'Sword Pavilion' in the dead of night. What is your purpose?"

The middle-aged scholar's words were gentle and pleasant, like a spring breeze soothing the heart. However, his presence and his sword were not to be underestimated. This person had clearly been inside the pavilion the entire time, yet even with Ding Shenzhao's intuition and the black-clad man's skill, they hadn't sensed his presence, leaving him to be caught red-handed.

A person with such cultivation was unique in the entire "Sword Pavilion," even surpassing "Sword Marquis" Lou Xueyi.

Ding Shenzhao looked at the middle-aged scholar and asked, word by word, "'Sword Saint' Feng Xuling?"

Chapter Eight: The Gentleman's Holy Sword.

The middle-aged scholar smiled elegantly at Ding Shenzhao and said, "You must be Ding Shenzhao, whom Xueyi brought back. Indeed, a hero emerges from among the young."

He then said to the black-clad man, "Master Turtle, since you are a distinguished guest of this pavilion, why bother with such secrecy, behaving like a thief?"

Ding Shenzhao was shocked to hear this. The black-clad man was Master Turtle?! "So my intuition was indeed correct, but why is my physique and voice completely different?

" The man in black chuckled dryly, and his bones suddenly cracked, shrinking from a seven-foot frame to a emaciated figure of less than five feet. He removed his mask, revealing himself to be none other than Master Turtle.

"Master Feng is indeed formidable. I have used the 'Rebirth' technique to change my physique and voice, yet I still cannot deceive you,"

Feng Xuling said calmly. "While 'Sword Tower' is not a heavily guarded place, it is not so impervious to outsiders. To be able to break into the 'Heavenly Pavilion' and steal items without alerting the disciples of this tower, and to do so, one must have stayed here for the past few days and thoroughly understood the defenses of this tower. Only a master like you, who has thoroughly understood the defenses of this tower, would have the qualifications and skill to do so. Therefore, I guessed it was you first."

Master Turtle's old face changed repeatedly.

"So you've been watching me all along!"

Feng Xuling said. "It was Xueyi who reminded me to be especially careful. I respect your status, Master, and unless absolutely necessary, my humble establishment would not wish to make things difficult for you."

Master Gui chuckled coldly. "Well done, Lou Xueyi! It seems I underestimated this pretty boy. I've spent half my life roaming the martial world, only to fall into the hands of you two. Hehe! Haha!"

His laughter held no joy whatsoever, but was filled with chilling killing intent. Knowing the old man's eccentric and aloof nature, and that he was prone to turning on people at the slightest provocation, Feng Xuling quickly gathered his strength and became vigilant. His blue scholar's robe billowed without wind, making him appear like a sword immortal from a painting.

The two masters were on high alert, each wary of a sudden attack. A tense atmosphere filled the room. Just as the battle seemed about to erupt, Ding Shenzhao stepped forward and said, "Give me back my weapon."

His words were like a stone thrown into a boiling furnace; the sword energy and internal force were impacted by the unexpected third party. A loud "pop!" was heard, followed by a sway in the upper bodies of both Master Gui and Feng Xuling, then it was as if nothing had happened.

"Impressive skill."

"Likewise."

After praising each other's abilities, Feng Xuling turned to Ding Shenzhao.

"Master, you are a distinguished guest invited back by Xueyi. Unless absolutely necessary, I do not wish to fight you. I have another suggestion; I wonder if Master Gui would be willing to adopt it?"

Although the previous exchange of blows was a telepathic exchange, it had already demonstrated that their skills were not inferior to each other. If a real fight broke out, Master Gui would not be certain of victory, especially since this was "Sword Tower" territory, where the timing and location were unfavorable.

He quickly thought it over and had a plan. He sneered, "Tell me."

Feng Xuling pointed at Ding Shenzhao and said, "Master, you've gone to great lengths to retrieve this Brother Ding's weapon. The one who tied the knot must untie it. Let him fight me. Within ten moves, I won't retaliate. If this Brother Ding can even scratch a corner of my clothes, the entire 'Sword Tower' will no longer trouble you and you two, and you can leave freely."

Before Ding Shenzhao could agree, Master Turtle objected, "Who doesn't know your 'Gentleman Saint'?" "The sword is hailed as the best defensive technique in the world. Even if the Yama King himself were to defy the heavens, he probably wouldn't be able to injure you within ten

moves. Trying to deceive a junior with this false advantage? I won't agree!" Feng Xuling chuckled, "Master is right. How about this, I'll add another condition: if this Brother Ding can injure or force me to move even half a step within ten moves, I'll escort you both out of this building. Is that alright?" Before

Master Turtle could haggle further, Ding Shenzhao answered first, "It's a deal."

Master Turtle was furious, his strange eyes glaring at Ding Shenzhao, who simply said calmly, "This is my own business; I will resolve it myself."

Feng Xuling's eyes shone with approval, and he said with delight, "It is truly rare for a young man to have such ambition. The swords on the wall will temporarily return to their rightful owner. As long as you can force me to move even half a step within ten moves, you may take them with you."

Ding Shenzhao walked to the wall with the knotted grass and ring, stood for a moment, and said, "I believe what you say."

Master Turtle chuckled dryly, "Of course, the 'Sword Saint' keeps his word."

Feng Xuling shook his head with a smile, "Master, there's no need to try to put me down with words. I always keep my word."

"Clang!" Ding Shenzhao drew his swords and turned to face Feng Xuling, "Please enlighten me."

With his swords in hand, Ding Shenzhao seemed like a completely different person, his entire body brimming with the explosive power of a wild leopard, yet he gave off an aura of unwavering steadfastness, a perfect balance between the two contrasting forces and beauties of movement and stillness.

An indescribable sense of peace flowed through Ding Shenzhao's heart like water. His lost confidence and strength surged back within him. With these swords in hand, he was confident he could face any powerful enemy.

Feng Xuling also sensed the change in Ding Shenzhao's demeanor. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and he nodded, saying, "Good! Such skill at such a young age! Given time, you will surely become a master! It's a pity..."

His implication was clear: he believed Ding Shenzhao could not be defeated today and would ultimately be imprisoned, spending his life in a dark cell, his swordsmanship useless.

Ding Shenzhao, however, remained unmoved by his words. Facing a renowned swordsman who had been famous for over twenty years, he showed no sign of weakness. This was not merely youthful arrogance, but rather a confidence in his own strength.

A look of surprise crossed Feng Xuling's face for the second time. He finally rose slowly from his seated position, drew his longsword from his back, and said, "Good! Heroes emerge from among the young. If I were to continue sparring with you while seated, I would be underestimating you." His left hand casually formed a sword incantation, while his right hand lowered the longsword, pointing diagonally to the ground. His entire demeanor suddenly transformed, becoming like that of a celestial being, perfectly natural, merging seamlessly with heaven, earth, and humanity. That transcendent "presence" was something that could only be truly understood by witnessing it firsthand.

Ding Shenzhao was the first to feel this, experiencing a strange sensation as if all of creation had vanished, leaving only him and Feng Xuling facing off. Of course, Master Gui and the others didn't truly "disappear," but rather it was proof that he had been overwhelmed by Feng Xuling's impeccable aura, his spirit falling into a disadvantageous position.

Master Gui sensed something was wrong. He knew the "Sword Saint's" swordsmanship was extraordinary, but he hadn't expected it to be this shrewd. Even he himself wouldn't have the confidence to defeat or injure the enemy within a thousand moves, let alone Ding Shenzhao, whose experience and internal strength were far inferior. This battle seemed hopeless.

Ding Shenzhao took a deep breath, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, searching for confidence in victory. Suddenly, he shouted and launched an attack.

The "Grass-Knotting Sword" first flashed with a point of brilliance at the tip, then exploded into a dazzling sword shadow like a hundred flowers blooming, condensing into a meteor that shot towards Feng Xuling.

Feng Xuling remained still, relying solely on the "Upholding Righteousness and Integrity" mental technique from the "Gentleman's Holy Sword" to sense the changes in Ding Shenzhao's swordplay. Suddenly, he struck out with his sword, cleaving into empty air, instantly changing the situation.

As Feng Xuling swept out with his sword, Ding Shenzhao's strength suddenly vanished without a trace, as if it had grown wings. He felt weak and powerless, extremely uncomfortable. Even more embarrassing was that his longsword was uncontrollably thrusting towards the empty space his opponent had aimed at, and once it started, he couldn't stop. What was originally a meticulously crafted attack had become a laughable one-man show.

Master Turtle, watching from the side, snorted, "The wind bends the grass!"

The teachings of a gentleman are like the wind bends the grass; applied to the "Gentleman's Holy Sword," it becomes a sophisticated sword move that can control the enemy's direction.

Ding Shenzhao's first move failed, but he was not discouraged. He followed up with a straightforward horizontal sweeping strike with his left hand, which, though without any variation, exuded a fierce and devastating aura of sweeping away thousands of troops and fighting on the battlefield.

Feng Xuling said calmly, "Second move."

Feng Xuling then changed his sword move, a plain and unremarkable strike that blocked the air. It seemed useless, but it gave Ding Shenzhao a sense of dejection that no matter how powerful or varied his sword strikes were, this one strike would block them squarely, rendering him unable to continue his attack.

Just as they were caught in this dilemma, Ding Shenzhao suddenly let out a deep shout, his sword and saber crossing into a cross shape. A spiraling, sharp energy emanated from the point of contact, tearing through the air towards Feng Xuling.

This divine move by Ding Shenzhao immediately prevented Feng Xuling from sensing the strength of his next attack through the energy. The swirling energy was sharp at its edges, and a single strike would result in severe cuts and lacerations.

Feng Xuling's eyes flashed with divine light. Suddenly, he raised his sword and slashed down heavily, splitting Ding Shenzhao's attack in two like parting the sea. The true energy emanating from the sword further held Ding Shenzhao firmly, preventing him from retreating and forcing him to crash into the sword's edge.

Ding Shenzhao twisted his body in mid-air, and his "Grass-Tying Sword" transformed into a lightning-fast beam, striking Feng Xuling's longsword precisely with a crisp "Clang!"

Although it was still futile, at least it was the first time Ding Shenzhao had faced the "Sword Saint's" sword head-on, instead of being completely passive and at a disadvantage.

"Star Rain Sword Separation!"

Ding Shenzhao shouted softly, his sword splitting into hundreds of sword shadows, pressing down on Feng Xuling with the force of a raging torrent, like countless stars suddenly appearing in the void, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

A smile played on Feng Xuling's lips as his longsword, seemingly straight yet curved, followed an arc to block the attack, as if branding an insurmountable dividing line into two lines in the void, perfectly natural and flawless.

Ding Shenzhao was horrified to discover that a powerful suction force rose from Feng Xuling's sword, like a magnet pulling his own sword strike into empty air, forcing him to use all his strength to avoid embarrassment, leaving no room for further attacks.

Such swordsmanship was truly terrifying.

Feng Xuling smiled and said, "Half of the ten moves have passed, Brother Ding, please keep up the good work."

Ding Shenzhao snorted coldly, suddenly tossing a pair of swords into the air, then crossing them to form a right-hand sword and left-hand saber. Simultaneously, he unleashed a flurry of lines, seemingly chaotic yet possessing a powerful and mysterious beauty, like wild cursive calligraphy, crisscrossing and surrounding Feng Xuling!

Feng Xuling had intended to provoke Ding Shenzhao into a rash attack, but even he hadn't expected the latter to use such exquisite moves. This young man seemed to possess inexhaustible fighting spirit.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for this stubborn young man.

Unfortunately, as the leader of a sect, he couldn't act solely based on personal feelings. With a sigh, he twirled his longsword, unleashing the "Gentleman's Holy Sword" technique, "Worrying About the World Before You," a refined sword aura, forged through countless trials, appeared in the void as if splitting the heavens and earth. A simple and direct block, yet it prevented Ding Shenzhao's sword from crossing the line.

The sixth move.

Ding Shenzhao's eyes showed no sign of discouragement, as if he believed he would never be defeated. The dazzling light faded, and he transformed back into his true form, the Ring-Bearing Blade, and slashed down.

Feng Xuling smiled slightly, withdrawing his longsword to his chest, seemingly attacking but not truly attacking. However, Ding Shenzhao clearly sensed that a moment before he struck his opponent, Feng Xuling's longsword would strike his vital point first. The feeling was utterly illogical, but for Ding Shenzhao, who fought purely on instinct, it was an inevitable fact.

Ding Shenzhao was unaware that this was another move of the "Gentleman's Holy Sword," "The Joy of the World Afterwards," which turned passivity into initiative and even allowed him to control the enemy's senses, thus giving him such a misconception.

In fact, the moment he accepted the ten-move limit, he fell into Feng Xuling's meticulously arranged trap. Most people, in order to meet the conditions for victory, would exert all their strength and launch a full-scale attack within those ten moves. However, Feng Xuling's "Gentleman's Holy Sword" excelled in its gentle yet resilient endurance. If an opponent had a strong desire to win, they would fall into a lower tier, making it impossible for them to defeat the "Number One Guardian Sword Under Heaven."

Unable to continue with the seventh move, Ding Shenzhao suddenly discarded his sword and saber. The uncontrolled knotted grass ring began to spin on its own, emitting a sharp, piercing sound. The sword's aura and blade energy intensified with the force of the spin. He then pressed forward, sword pointing at his saber and palm, launching the most ferocious attack since their first encounter.

"Sword and Blade in Motion!"

This was Ding Shenzhao's trump card, a move that would kill or be killed.

In an instant, Feng Xuling seemed to be facing three masters—a sword, a saber, and Ding Shenzhao—attacking him simultaneously. Aside from the overwhelming barrage of sword shadows and blades, he could see nothing at all.

This move finally moved Feng Xuling. To break this attack, he could no longer rely solely on his "Upholding Righteousness and Integrity" mental technique. Suddenly, a clear whistle, like the roar of a dragon from the heavens, erupted, followed by a silvery sword light that shot into the sky.

Master Gui exclaimed in surprise, "The Heavenly Path Sword Technique?!"

Feng Xuling declared loudly, "As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement."

The sword light, like a pillar supporting the sky, suddenly exploded, countless dazzling rays of light meeting Ding Shenzhao's saber, sword, and man. In an instant, a dense clashing of weapons, louder than firecrackers on New Year's Eve, resounded. However, Feng Xuling's profound skill accumulated over thirty years far surpassed the latter. His "Saber Movement and Sword Spinning" technique was broken, and Ding Shenzhao was afflicted with countless sword wounds.

Master Gui's fists were clenched tightly with excitement. Only two moves remained, the key to whether they could escape the "Sword Tower" tonight. But judging from the current situation, the chances of victory were extremely slim.

The light faded, and a blood-soaked figure rushed towards Feng Xuling. Despite his severe injuries, Ding Shenzhao still hadn't given up hope of winning!

A hint of pity flashed in Feng Xuling's eyes. He blocked with the back of his sword and said in a deep voice, "As long as you're alive, you can always fight again. Why are you fighting like a cornered beast?"

Ding Shenzhao didn't answer. He struck the sword with both palms, and his palms were immediately cut and split by the sharp sword energy contained in the sword, almost revealing the bone. But he seemed oblivious, using the force to flip into the air and get behind Feng Xuling. Then, he crashed headfirst into the other's back.

Feng Xuling hadn't expected his opponent to use moves that were essentially street fighting. He was unaware that Ding Shenzhao, born in the wilderness, had practiced swordsmanship in nature since childhood. For him, the specific techniques were irrelevant; defeating the enemy was all that mattered.

The two were extremely close, and Feng Xuling had no time to return his sword to defend himself. Normally, if he had simply used his protective qi, Ding Shenzhao wouldn't have been able to harm him even if they collided. But as the leader of a sect, how could he allow himself to be headbutted by a junior?

Feng Xuling sighed inwardly and sidestepped Ding Shenzhao's impact. Severely injured, Ding Shenzhao had no strength left to control himself, stumbling forward several feet before his legs gave way, almost collapsing. Only his extraordinary willpower kept him from making a fool of himself.

But Ding Shenzhao had, after all, forced Feng Xuling to move with his final move.

Feng Xuling sheathed his sword, his expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

"You may leave,"

Master Turtle chuckled. "Master Feng is indeed a man of his word; I admire him."

Feng Xuling looked at Ding Shenzhao with a meaningful gaze and said earnestly, "Brother Ding, you are young yet a prodigy skilled in both swordsmanship and saber. Given time, you will surely become a grandmaster. If you can maintain a kind heart, you will be a blessing to the martial world; otherwise…" He

trailed off, leaving the unspoken implication unsaid.

Ding Shenzhao said indifferently, "If anything happens to my friend, I will return to seek revenge."

Feng Xuling was taken aback. "Your friend?"

Master Turtle interrupted, "Is it that cunning fellow surnamed Jun? That kid doesn't seem destined for a short life. Could he be facing some difficulties?"

Ding Shenzhao shook his head, remaining silent, but his face showed a mixture of worry and indignation. His upper lip pressed against his lower lip; though he didn't utter a word, his concern and understanding were palpable.

Feng Xuling observed this, sighing inwardly. He knew that letting the tiger return to the mountain would bring endless troubles to the "Sword Tower" in the future, but his words were already spoken and there was no going back. After all,

the "Sword Saint" Feng Xuling was not a man of his word.

He could only hope that Ding Shenzhao would act wisely.

*** *** *** ***

The "Ring Mountain Range" is the largest mountain range in the Central Plains, including the "Duonao River," the largest river in the land, and the "Holy Mother Peak," the highest peak.

As the name suggests, the "Ring Mountain Range" consists of high mountains arranged in a ring, with the terrifying "Sea of Trees" at its center. The Sea of Trees is so vast that it is impossible to estimate. There is also a long-standing saying that the area and extent of this Sea of Trees are changing every day. Perhaps what was originally an ordinary forest unrelated to the Sea of Trees could suddenly transform into the entrance to a labyrinth leading to the gates of hell. Countless innocent souls have perished beneath the ethereal mystery of the Sea of Trees.

"It wasn't that you found the Sea of Trees, but that the Sea of Trees found you."

Five hundred years ago, the extraordinary man who wrote "Searching for Wonders of the Universe" offered these final two lines, a testament to his personal experience of the Sea of Trees—a truly apt interpretation.

*** *** *** *** ***

"Are you alright, brother?"

"I'm alright, I can manage."

This exchange wasn't exactly sincere, but the meanings they conveyed were vastly different. On the journey from Qingfeng City to the Sea of Trees, Long Bufei's complexion worsened considerably. He frequently had to stop and rest, needing considerable time to recover. Looking at his current weakened state, it was hard to reconcile him with the image of the righteous hero, the "Natural Enemy."

In the end, Jun Tianxie could only afford a cart for a tael of silver, placing Long Bufei on it. Because he couldn't let outsiders know the secret had been leaked, he had to become the cart puller himself, fully experiencing the meaning of "being trapped in one's own web."

The only consolation was that along the way, his address to Long Bufei changed from "Hero Long" to "Brother Long," and finally to "Big Brother." With his sworn brother Long Bufei, his "natural enemy," as his support, losing Ding Shenzhao, his "brother," became relatively insignificant in comparison.

Of course, this was all predicated on Long Bufei curing the "Five Signs of Decay" afflicting him.

Thinking of Long Bufei's "Five Signs of Decay," Jun Tianxie, who always considered himself almost omnipotent, could only shake his head and sigh inwardly. The Western Region Poison Sect was a troublesome figure that even the powerful Demonic Sect dared not provoke. The several deadly poisons they created were terrifying, and the "Five Signs of Decay" was one of the most potent.

"Heaven" refers to celestial beings. Buddhist teachings emphasize impermanence, believing that all things in the world are without fixed principles, laws, or existence. Therefore, even celestial beings are not supreme and will eventually die, as the saying goes, "Glory and prosperity, flourishing and decay, all return to emptiness."

Legend has it that celestial beings exhibit five signs before death: soiled clothes, withered flowers on their heads, foul body odor, sweating under their armpits, and displeasure with their seat—the so-called "Five Signs of Decay of Celestial Beings."

The Western Regions Poison Sect named their strange poison "Five Signs of Decay of Celestial Beings," implying that even those with high cultivation levels reaching the celestial realm would not escape death if poisoned by it.

Long Bufei's ability to suppress the poison for so long without it taking effect demonstrates his unparalleled cultivation among his peers, but this only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause. Once his internal energy is insufficient to suppress the poison, he will still face certain death, highlighting the severity of the "Five Signs of Decay."

Even with Long Bufei's extensive knowledge, he couldn't imagine anyone in the world besides the Poison Sect Master himself who could cure the strange poison in his body. However, seeing Jun Tianxie's confident demeanor, he couldn't bear to disappoint him, and as for his own life and death, he didn't care much.

What joy is there in living, what fear is there in dying?

*** *** *** ***

The wheels rolled over the muddy ground covered with fallen leaves in the sea of trees. Deep within lay tree roots that had been intertwined for hundreds of years. As far as the eye could see, there was only an endless forest. Any method of determining direction was useless in this boundless sea of trees. Even the peerless "Yan Huang" Jun Nitian would not rashly step into this "Forbidden Forest."

Jun Tianxie, carrying the poisoned and half-dead Long Bufei, had traveled a long way to this familiar place. What was his purpose?

Looking at Long Bufei's current state, his clothes were covered in dust and grime. His once thick black hair had fallen out in a short time. His face was covered in sweat, which was repeatedly wiped and then soaked. The stench of his body was worse than that of a beggar who hadn't bathed for a month. Lying on the cart, he was not much different from a rotting corpse.

Jun Tianxie watched with a chilling sense of foreboding. Four out of the five signs of the "Five Signs of Decay" had appeared, proving that Long Bufei's internal energy was nearing its limit in suppressing the poison. If the latter also exhibited symptoms of "Unhappy Seat," his "sworn brother," whom he had only known for less than a week, would surely die, and all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Now, he could only place his hopes on "that person."

Jun Tianxie pulled the cart to the center of the forest, fed Long Bufei some water, and then sat down quietly, seemingly waiting for something.

Waiting for what?

Suddenly, the forest before Jun Tianxie was forced open by an indescribable, strange force, and a strange man covered in vines and branches appeared before them.

Wasn't this the same strange man who had given the "Grass-Binding Sword" and the "Ring-Holding Knife" to Ding Shenzhao?

Could he be the person Jun Tianxie was looking for? Could he remove the "Five Signs of Decay" from Long Bufei's body?

From the moment the strange man appeared, Jun Tianxie adopted an extremely respectful expression, bowing deeply and saying, "Senior, we meet again."

The strange man first glanced at Long Bufei, who couldn't hide his surprise on the cart, before snorting with dissatisfaction, "What are you doing back here? The Tree Sea isn't a tourist spot!"

Jun Tianxie sighed, "I didn't want to either, but unfortunately my good brother has been captured, and I have no ability to save him, so I had no choice but to come back here to beg you, sir."

Upon hearing this, the strange man was startled, and then his eyes shone brightly.

"What did you say?!"

Chapter Nine Nine Great Eccentrics

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The voice wasn't particularly loud, nor did it seem to possess any astonishing power, but upon hearing these words, Jun Tianxie's chest suddenly jumped with a "bang!" as if he had been hit hard by a wooden stake, the pain unbearable. Not to mention Long Bufei, whose power had been greatly reduced after being poisoned, he almost fainted on the spot.

Jun Tianxie gritted his teeth, inwardly cursing the strange man's ancestors for eighteen generations, but outwardly he still put on a respectful smile and said, "I said, Brother Ding and I encountered the enemy. After a fierce battle, we were still no match for them. I was knocked down from 'Heavenly Curtain Waterfall,' and Brother Ding was captured by the enemy."

The strange man's chest heaved, showing that he was on the verge of agitation. It took him a while to calm down, and his gaze towards Jun Tianxie was as cold as two icicles.

"With your intelligence and martial arts, how could you not protect him? Could it be... that you deserted in the face of battle?"

His words grew colder and colder, and the surrounding space seemed to be pulled into another world of heavy snow. The extreme cold carried the aura of death. This cold had nothing to do with power, making Jun Tianxie and Long Bufei feel like frogs being stared at by a giant python, with no way out.

Long Bufei was greatly surprised and wondered, "Who is this strange man? His skill far surpasses any master I have ever encountered! How did Brother Jun come to know him?"

Jun Tianxie hurriedly shook his head and said, "Brother Ding is my sworn brother. How could I abandon him and run away! It was simply that the enemy was too strong, and we were outnumbered, which is why one of us escaped and the other was captured."

The strange man coldly asked, "Why was it you who escaped and the other who was captured?"

Jun Tianxie said sadly, "At that time, I was injured, and Brother Ding fought to the last moment to cover my escape, but he was eventually defeated and captured."

The strange man asked, "Who were the people who attacked you?"

Jun Tianxie said, "It was the 'Shura Hall' and 'Sword Tower' from the White Path Alliance."

Long Bufei was even more surprised after hearing this.

"Brother Jun, aren't you from 'Prison Breaker'? How come you're clashing with people from the White Path Alliance!"

He was full of questions, but since he had made a prior agreement with Jun Tianxie before entering the Sea of Trees, the latter would speak on his behalf. He could only sit quietly on the cart as a spectator.

The strange man shook his head and said, "'Sword Tower' is just a place where a bunch of self-important swordsmen gather. I've never heard of 'Asura Hall,' but since it's on par with 'Sword Tower,' it probably isn't anything special. How could two such forces force you to such a dead end?"

His implication was that he still didn't quite believe Jun Tianxie's explanation.

Long Bufei thought to himself, "This strange man has quite the arrogance, looking down on two major forces in the White Path Alliance. However, given his strength, he does seem to possess such abilities."

Sure enough, Jun Tianxie said with a wry smile, "We two brothers are just greenhorns in the martial arts world, and we don't have the extraordinary abilities of our seniors. Facing a powerful and well-known sect, it's only natural that we were defeated."

The strange man snorted coldly, "A powerful and well-known sect!" His words were full of disdain.

Jun Tianxie said, "After being knocked down from the 'Heavenly Curtain Waterfall,' I was fortunate enough to survive in the 'Duonao River' and was rescued. After recovering, I ran around trying to rescue Brother Ding, but to no avail. That's why I shamelessly returned to ask for your help, senior."

The strange man asked, "What does this have to do with the person you brought?"

Jun Tianxie thought to himself that the focus had finally shifted to the person in question, and quickly said, "He is my sworn brother, Long Bufei. He is the only person I can think of besides you, senior, who can save my brother."

The strange man glanced at Long Bufei, seemingly disdainful, and said, "He himself is almost on the verge of death. How can he save others?"

Jun Tianxie sighed, "This is precisely why I need your help, senior. My sworn brother has been poisoned by a rare poison from the Western Regions Poison Sect and is on the verge of death. If he recovers, the White Path Alliance will have to give him face and release Brother Ding." "It's as easy as turning my hand,"

the strange man said. "Oh? Is that so? This kid is so young, why should anyone give him face? Are you trying to fool me again?"

Jun Tianxie shook his head and said, "How dare I deceive you, senior? My sworn brother is the renowned 'Natural Enemy' hero in the righteous path. Just by using his name, he can make water turn to ice and gods and ghosts fly."

The strange man was too lazy to listen to Jun Tianxie's exaggerated words and turned to Long Bufei, saying, "Is what he said true?"

Long Bufei smiled bitterly and said, "I don't have the abilities my sworn brother claims, otherwise I wouldn't have fallen to this state. However, I believe that my friends in the righteous path will still give me some face. I still have that much confidence."

The strange man pondered for a moment, then suddenly stretched out his hand and said, "Come here."

He merely waved his hand in mid-air, yet a strange and inexplicable force "sucked" Long Bufei's body from the cart to his own front. This skill of "retrieving objects from a distance" was enough to make him the envy of his contemporaries, far surpassing even Long Bufei himself.

The strange man grabbed Long Bufei's collar and sent out three streams of energy, which passed through the "Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian," the "Foot Taiqian Bladder Meridian," and the "Foot Shaokun Kidney Meridian," returning to the Dantian Qihai acupoint.

The strange man's face showed a rare look of astonishment as he exclaimed, "What kind of strange poison is this?"

Long Bufei smiled bitterly, "It's the 'Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man' from the Western Regions Poison Sect."

The strange man shook his head, "Never heard of it, but this poison is indeed potent. No wonder it's called 'Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man.' It's quite remarkable that you've managed to hold on until now."

Jun Tianxie asked worriedly, "Senior, can you cure my sworn brother of this strange poison?"

The strange man said calmly, "It's not impossible, but it will cost me sixty years of internal energy."

The glimmer of hope that suddenly appeared in Long Bufei's eyes quickly dimmed again.

He had no relation to this strange man, so naturally he couldn't expect the other party to sacrifice sixty years of his precious internal energy to save him, a complete stranger.

His change of heart was naturally observed by the strange man, who coldly said, "Don't be too disappointed. Sixty years of internal energy is undoubtedly precious to those mediocre martial artists, but it's nothing to me. However, the choice of whether to save him or not is not mine, but yours."

Long Bufei was also a smart man and understood immediately, replying, "My sworn brother's friend is my friend. I have no reason not to help."

The strange man nodded and said, "I believe you. You are the kind of person who keeps their word."

Jun Tianxie thought to himself, "Isn't this a roundabout way of insulting me?" It was credible, but it wasn't the right time to argue with him over such a trivial matter. He simply said, "Senior, please save him quickly if you can. My sworn brother is about to collapse."

The strange man didn't reply, but slowly raised his worldly-wise eyes, and after a long while, he slowly said, "Very well, let the world have one more person who can contend with you."

Although the strange man didn't say who he was contending with, Jun Tianxie intuitively sensed that he was being referred to. His heart skipped a beat for no reason, and an ominous premonition swept through his mind. He almost attacked the strange man.

Fortunately, he hadn't forgotten that he was no match for this man, and he forcefully suppressed his killing intent, still pretending to be worried on the surface.

"Wait for us to come back here."

After saying this, the strange man retreated with Long Bufei and disappeared into the depths of the sea of trees, leaving the two no room for argument.

Jun Tianxie breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the ground. He had absolute confidence in the strange man's abilities; as long as he agreed to help, Long Bufei's life would be saved.

The only pity was that he couldn't gain the strange man's trust, but he understood that he couldn't force it.

He should think about how to make Long Bufei "repay" his life-saving grace after he recovered.

*** *** *** ***

With Feng Xuling's personal permission, the two left "Sword Tower" without any trouble. However, for Ding Shenzhao, his situation had only changed from prison to the jaws of a tiger, with little improvement.

"Boy! Now you can tell me the origin of these swords."

Not long after leaving the "Sword Tower," Master Turtle finally revealed the true purpose of his risky prison break. He had devoted his life to the art of sword forging, and ever since he learned that Ding Shenzhao's swords came from the legendary technique of nurturing and cultivating swords, it was like a great collector finding his dream masterpiece. He would go to great lengths to possess them, or he would die with regrets.

Ding Shenzhao stared at him coldly, an attitude that made Master Turtle want to attack him several times, but he restrained himself.

"They came from the 'Sea of Trees Without Entry.' That's all I can tell you."

Master Turtle initially thought he had misheard, but when he confirmed that it was the stubborn young man before him speaking, he was overjoyed and exclaimed, "They really came from the 'Sea of Trees Without Entry'! You're not lying to me?" Ding Shenzhao

coldly replied, "Believe it or not, I'm leaving."

He didn't want to waste another word with Master Turtle and turned to leave.

Master Turtle roared, "Stop!"

Ding Shenzhao stopped upon hearing this, but didn't turn around.

"What else?"

Master Turtle said in a deep voice, "It's not that easy to leave. You have to take me to the Sea of Trees and point out the location of the swords."

Ding Shenzhao replied without hesitation, "I can't do it."

"You have no choice!"

Master Turtle's tone revealed a strong determination to succeed. He channeled his "Six Yang Divine Fire Skill" into his arms, and his palms instantly turned crimson.

Ding Shenzhao remained standing still, but his entire body was taut like a bowstring. He said calmly, "Killing me won't get you what you want."

"You...!!"

A murderous glint flashed across Master Turtle's face, and he almost raised his Divine Fire Palm, but then he thought better of it and lowered it, coldly laughing, "Fine!

I won't make things difficult for you. I know you're in a hurry to find that kid surnamed Jun. It's rare to find someone so loyal and righteous to their friends. But I have to say I've done you a favor, haven't I?"

Ding Shenzhao remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I will find a way to repay the favor I owe you."

Master Turtle said, "There's only one way you want to repay my favor."

"...What way?"

"After you find your brother, take this old man to the 'Sea of Trees Without Entry.' Isn't that a generous offer?"

Ding Shenzhao thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I don't know where in the Sea of Trees I found these swords. It was Tianxie who led me in."

Master Gui raised his white eyebrows and said, "So you need to find his whereabouts first. I can even help you inquire."

Ding Shenzhao shook his head and said, "I don't need your help."

"Heh! Young people are so ungrateful," Master Turtle sneered. "These are the best I can offer. Don't think I'll always have this much patience. One word: will you agree or not?"

Ding Shenzhao fell silent for a long time before finally saying, "If Tianxie agrees..."

Master Turtle chuckled, "Don't worry, your brother is much more pragmatic than you." He paused

slightly and added, "In my opinion, Lou Xueyi is extremely cunning and will not let this go easily. You should be wary of him."

Ding Shenzhao recalled that elegant figure in white, like a prince, and a surge of anger rose within him. He said irritably, "I will collect this debt he owes me sooner or later."

Master Turtle clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Boy, to be ranked..." "One of the Three Heroes is no easy opponent. You, a newcomer with no sect affiliation, what makes you think you can compete?"

Ding Shenzhao said in a deep voice, "I will forge my own path based on my own abilities."

Master Turtle gave him a thumbs up and said, "Good ambition! I really admire you, kid. Before you take me to the Sea of Trees, you'd better not die young."

Ding Shenzhao said, "I will come to find you after I find Tianxie."

Master Turtle laughed and said, "Good! I'll be waiting for you! Your brother will know where to find me. Remember not to break your promise, or my revenge will make you regret ever being born!" Before his laughter had faded, he had already vanished, becoming a black dot in the distance in the blink of an eye.

Once again alone, Ding Shenzhao finds solace in the swords and knives on his back, the greatest source of strength supporting his lonely spirit. His ultimate goal in life is to find his "brother"—Jun Tianxie—for which he is willing to go through fire and water.

Tianxie, where are you?

*** *** *** ***

"Master Turtle and the boy you captured have left 'Sword Tower'."

"Just as I expected. My master values his status, and that boy surnamed Ding hasn't done anything particularly bad. In the end, he certainly won't make things too difficult for them, and my goal will be achieved." "

Is this a good thing? You went through all that trouble to capture him, and now you're just letting him go."

"That boy has become a hot potato. I can't kill him, and I can't keep him alive. In the end, I will definitely let him go, but not through my own hands. That will be fine."

"You're really wicked, leaving such a troublesome thing for your master to handle."

"You fell for me because of my wickedness, didn't you?"

"Hehe, you're such a tease!"

In a bedroom filled with the fragrance of roses, a couple, like figures in a painting, lay on a large bed in the center, whispering sweet nothings.

The man, dressed in white robes, exuded an air of refined nobility. His confident, carefree smile was an unparalleled trademark—none other than "Sword Marquis" Lou Xueyi.

The woman lying beside him was dressed as a man, but her beauty was no less striking than Lou Xueyi's. One glance revealed her as a woman in disguise, yet she possessed a captivating charm born of gender inversion.

Her small, rosy lips were slightly upturned, her straight nose exuded a sweet fragrance, and her slender waist was so delicate it could be encircled by a single hand. Even within her slightly oversized robes, her full figure was subtly revealed. Her firm breasts rose and fell with her breath, displaying a mesmerizing undulation—she was truly a celestial beauty.

If Jun Tianxie were here and saw this woman, he would surely gasp in astonishment, simultaneously conjuring up a grand conspiracy about to unfold.

The struggle between the Dao and the Demonic has been an unchanging destiny in the martial arts world for thousands of years. Yet, there are still solitary and independent martial artists who transcend the simple lines between black and white, belonging to no sect, representing only their own power, yet commanding respect. The

"Nine Extraordinary Individuals" are among the most outstanding.

"Xuanzong" Xiao Wentian – unparalleled in divine skills, a grandmaster of his generation.

"The Flower-Obsessed Madman" Du Qingshan – willful and reckless, obsessed with flowers.

"Double-Gun" Tan Zilong – skilled with dual guns, invincible.

"Demon Spirit" Ye Meixie – androgynous, incomparably alluring.

"Black Killer" Chi Hengkong – murderous intent soaring, palms shattering the void.

"General" Tang Luanli – wielding immense power, manipulating events with ease.

"Assassin" Yi Shuihan – elusive and unpredictable, the number one assassin.

Baiyun and Canggou – one old, one young, mysterious and unpredictable.

*** *** *** ***

The stunningly beautiful woman disguised as a man was none other than "Demon Spirit" Ye Meixie, one of the Nine Eccentrics! Originally from the Demonic Sect, she mastered bizarre and unorthodox demonic arts, but for unknown reasons, she betrayed her sect. The Demonic Sect always dealt ruthlessly with traitors, but Ye Meixie single-handedly annihilated all the elites sent by her sect. This victory shocked the Demonic Sect and earned her the title of "Demon Spirit," thus securing her place among the Nine Eccentrics.

Although Ye Meixie had betrayed the Demonic Sect, her style of doing things was absolutely different from that of righteous people, and she would never be tolerated by the self-proclaimed righteous White Path Alliance. Lou Xueyi and this unconventional enchantress seemed to be quite close; wasn't she afraid of the wrath of "Sword Saint" Feng Xuling if he found out?

Ye Meixie, her eyes gleaming with seductive allure, whispered in Lou Xueyi's ear, "You've secretly done so many bad things behind the sect's back, aren't you afraid of being exposed one day...?"

Lou Xueyi felt a tickle on her face from Ye Meixie's close proximity, but her heart pounded. Suddenly, she rolled over, pinning Ye Meixie's voluptuous body beneath her.

"So this is what you mean by bad things?"

"Ah!"

Ye Meixie cried out softly, but her tone held no real panic; instead, it carried a penetrating, seductive charm. Lou Xueyi could no longer resist. After a passionate kiss, their clothes were tossed off the bed.

"Hmm! I'm so embarrassed, don't look at me!"

A body brimming with irresistible allure lay before Lou Xueyi, its fair and delicate skin radiating youthful vitality, making it impossible to believe the true age of this demonic sect master.

Her firm, exquisite breasts rose and fell gracefully, the two small, delicate nipples, like cherries, were particularly alluring, a sight to behold. Her slender waist and smooth abdomen were unblemished, and below that, her body widened, revealing a patch of dark pubic hair that gleamed faintly in the lamplight, utterly captivating.

Lou Xueyi's eyes burned with an uncontainable lust as she stared intently at Ye Meixie's most intimate area.

Ye Meixie's cheeks flushed crimson, her cherry lips parted slightly, and she cried out, "Good man, what are you waiting for? Why don't you get on me?"

Lou Xueyi laughed, "When a beauty commands, how dare I disobey?" But he didn't actually mount her; instead, his hands began to roam freely, searching and caressing her breasts, her abdomen, her thighs, and that most intoxicating place.

Lou Xueyi used aphrodisiac techniques to knead and caress the most sensitive areas of Ye Meixie's body, causing her to feel as if she were being electrocuted. She experienced a mixture of sensations—tingling, numbness, soreness, and itching—a feeling that was both exquisite and excruciating. In just a moment, she was panting heavily, pleading, "Good man, please stop torturing me! You…you just have to come quickly!"

Seeing this formidable expert, feared by both the righteous and the wicked, begging for mercy under her seductive methods, Lou Xueyi felt an immense sense of conquest. Taking a deep breath, he parted his knees between Ye Meixie's legs, supporting himself with his hands, and thrust his burning member into her wet, inviting entrance.

"Mmm! Ah! All the way in!"

Ye Meixie let out a soft moan, a sound that was hard to decipher—it was as if she were experiencing pleasure or pain. Her hair was disheveled, and she spread her snow-white legs wide, seemingly encouraging his continued penetration.

The tight, pleasurable sensation emanating from her honeyed orifice made Lou Xueyi involuntarily quicken her thrusts. Her beautiful, ample breasts and snow-white, plump buttocks swayed incessantly, creating a seductive and wanton picture.

"Hmph... Haha... Faster... Ahh... Harder..."

After all, Ye Meixie, born into the Demonic Sect, deeply understood the essence of feigned indifference in bed. Although she was at a disadvantage at the beginning, once the real intercourse began, her talent and acquired skills far surpassed Lou Xueyi's, and she quickly regained the upper hand.

Lou Xueyi, however, was unwilling to be at a disadvantage. He was going to fight back. Lou Xueyi suddenly lifted Ye Meixie's legs high, placing them on his shoulders, while simultaneously increasing the speed of his thrusts, each one penetrating deep to the root, leaving the latter drenched in sweat and screaming in agony.

"Ah...so good...so deep...ah...good man...you're so...so vigorous...I...I'm melting..."

Ye Meixie's mouth uttered lewd moans incessantly, his body not idle either. His slender waist was like a snake, his full buttocks like waves, swaying from side to side, sometimes moving up and down to meet her, his vaginal opening contracting, desperately accommodating her.

"Hmph...ah...good man...haven't you come yet?...I can't take it anymore..."

Lou Xueyi felt a shiver run down her spine, the pleasure like an electric current shooting from her lower body straight to her brain, a low growl emanating from her throat that was completely inconsistent with her previous refined demeanor, like that of a wild beast.

"Hmph! Ahh! I'm coming!"

Ye Meixie cried out, aroused by the burning pleasure emanating from his lower body: "Ahhh! I'm coming too! It's so wonderful!"

The two embraced, reaching their climax simultaneously.

*** *** *** ***

Afterwards, Lou Xueyi turned away wearily, sliding off the snow-white body that had just captivated him. Ye Meixie tenderly and gently wiped the sweat from his body, her virtuous and focused expression a stark contrast to her earlier alluring and seductive demeanor. Their love was

intense and unrestrained; no one could imagine that these two, so different in age, status, and position, were so perfectly matched in bed, a union made in heaven.

"I want you to help me deal with someone."

"Who is it?" "

The Little Knife Society, 'The Romantic Blade' Xiao Yao."

Chapter Ten, Shadow Number One

. "Before I pass on my skills, I need you to promise me one thing."

"Please speak, senior. As long as it doesn't violate chivalry, I will do my best to do it for you."

"Whether this violates chivalry is hard to say right now, but since I've passed on my skills to you, I don't want it to be in vain. If you die young, wouldn't all the skills I lost be wasted?"

Long Bufei frowned and said, "What do you mean by that, senior?"

The strange man sitting cross-legged opposite him said, "You're not stupid, so why ask such foolish questions? People's hearts are unpredictable. Your most trusted friend is often your least guarded enemy. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Long Bufei said unhappily, "Senior seems to have some misunderstanding about Brother Jun. He once saved my life, and I trust him completely. I hope senior won't say anything that hurts our brotherhood, otherwise I'd rather not have your treatment."

The strange man was provoked by Long Bufei, but he didn't get angry at all, as if he had become an unmoved monk.

"That young man's origins are unknown, cunning and unpredictable. You trust him so easily?"

Long Bufei said resolutely, "Friendship is about mutual understanding, why bother about background? My sworn brother may be a bit frivolous, but he is still a good man who distinguishes right from wrong, and a rising star in the anti-demon organization 'Prison Break.' The future hope of the righteous path in the martial world rests on young people like my sworn brother who are brave and resourceful."

The strange man stared at him with eyes as emotionless as a wooden fish, and after a long while shook his head and said, "You and that fool are both too deeply poisoned by him. I'm too lazy to argue with you..."

Long Bufei said coldly, "If you want to change your mind, senior, it's not too late."

The strange man shook his head and said, "What I've decided, I won't change."

Long Bufei was about to say something more when suddenly five vines flew out from the strange man and wrapped around him.

An unimaginable power entered his body directly from the vines, the intense shock rendering him speechless and almost causing him to lose consciousness.

"Hold fast to the One, let your mind be clear and bright."

The strange man's voice seemed to resound directly in his mind, awakening his almost collapsing consciousness.

Two streams of energy, like knives and swords, slashed wildly through his meridians, a powerful and unrestrained blade and a delicate and refined sword, neither yielding to the other yet perfectly complementing each other.

The "Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man" poison hidden within him seemed unable to withstand the pressure of this external force and was gradually forced out of his body.

The sword energy locked the poison, the blade energy forced it out.

A warm current gathered again in Long Bufei's dantian. The "Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man," which was said to be incurable by anyone except the Poison Sect of the Western Regions, was finally vanished without a trace under the strange man's unparalleled skill.

Long Bufei's benefits did not stop there. The blade energy and sword energy transmitted by the strange man through the vines, although their "physical form" was lost after completing the task, their "spirit" remained. They were absorbed by the primordial true energy, which belonged to the same innate source, refined into spirit, and merged into the depths of Long Bufei's dantian.

Thus, he had turned misfortune into blessing, his skills improving even further.

The strange man's voice echoed in his mind once more.

"Remember, when your brother is no longer himself, you must act decisively and kill him to rid the world of this scourge."

Long Bufei shouted in his heart, "No! I will never harm my own brother!"

"The world is unpredictable, who can truly foresee the future..."

The strange man's sigh sounded like an ominous prophecy to Long Bufei, lingering in his heart for a long time... When Long Bufei reappeared before Jun Tianxie, the latter almost doubted that he was the same person who had brought him into the forest.

He, who had previously struggled to even stand, now not only walked out on his own two feet, but also appeared calm and composed, his eyes radiating a more refined light than before. Clearly, not only was his poison completely cured, but his skills had also improved.

Jun Tianxie jumped up with great joy, exclaiming, "Brother, your poison is cured!"

Long Bufei laughed, "It's all thanks to your help, senior, that I was able to recover."

From the woods behind him came the strange man's slightly weary voice, "No need to thank me, just remember your promise to me."

When Long Bufei heard the strange man's words, a strange expression appeared on his face for a moment. Jun Tianxie noticed it but pretended not to see it, circling around Long Bufei and saying happily, "Really completely cured! Unbelievable, I knew it wouldn't be like this!" "You've got the wrong person."

Long Bufei grasped Jun Tianxie's hand and said with utmost sincerity, "Brother, this is all thanks to you. I won't thank you enough. From today onward, whether in life or death, we will always be brothers who share joys and sorrows."

Jun Tianxie wanted Long Bufei to say this "contract of servitude" himself, so he pretended to be both moved and happy, saying, "Brother, please don't say that. It's a blessing from three lifetimes that I was able to help you. How could I dare to ask for anything in return?"

Seeing that Jun Tianxie didn't take credit for anything, Long Bufei was even more pleased with his temperament. Although he was a young hero respected and admired by everyone in the righteous path, he didn't have many true friends. After spending these few days with Jun Tianxie, he had been deeply impressed by the latter's erudition, quick wit, and sharp mind. In addition, Jun Tianxie's deliberate yet unpretentious flattery made Long Bufei deeply regard him as a confidant, and he felt a great sense of regret for not having met him sooner.

"Tianxie! It's a blessing from past lives for Big Brother to have a brother like you."

"Me too, Big Brother." The strange man's cold voice came from the forest again, interrupting the touching moment: "Don't forget you still have a 'brother' to save. If you want to catch up, wait until you're out of the Tree Sea."

Long Bufei said embarrassedly: "Senior is right, let's set off now."

The strange man transmitted his voice: "Keep going east, and you'll naturally get out of the Tree Sea. The trees will automatically make way for you." He added: "After rescuing Ding Shenzhao, tell him to come back to the Tree Sea to find me. Just him."

After saying that, his voice disappeared, and no matter how much Jun Tianxie and Long Bufei called out, there was no response. He had obviously left.

Long Bufei looked awkwardly at Jun Tianxie and said with a wry smile, "Although Senior's martial arts are superb, your personality seems a bit... eccentric."

Jun Tianxie shrugged and said, "Perhaps living in this godforsaken place for too long has made me become rather strange."

His nonchalant attitude surprised Long Bufei, who hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother, who exactly is this senior? I've asked him for his name, but he wouldn't tell me."

Jun Tianxie shook his head and said, "I don't know who he is either."

Long Bufei exclaimed in surprise, "You don't know who he is?! Then..."

Jun Tianxie interrupted him, saying, "My third brother and I wandered into the forest because we got lost, and that's

when we met this strange man. He's incredibly skilled; my third brother and I combined couldn't even withstand a single blow from him. However, he seemed to have a very good impression of my third brother. Not only did he not make things difficult for us, but he also gave my third brother a pair of swords." Long Bufei was so overwhelmed by Jun Tianxie's story that he forgot to ask about Jun Tianxie's secret claim that Ding Shenzhao was his "third brother."

Long Bufei was stunned for a moment before saying with deep feeling, "There's always someone better. Seeing this senior's skill, I realize I'm just a frog in a well. The so-called reclusive masters are precisely like this senior."

Jun Tianxie thought to himself, "You've received his favor, so of course you'll praise him to the skies." However, he certainly wouldn't spoil Long Bufei's mood at this moment, but urged him, "Let's leave here quickly, or the senior might be unhappy!"

Long Bufei nodded and said, "That's only right. After we leave the Sea of Trees, we'll immediately set off to rescue Brother Ding." Only when the two walked to the edge of the Sea of Trees did they understand the true meaning of

the strange man's words, "The trees will automatically make way for you." Wherever they passed, the towering trees seemed to move, making way for them. The dense forest that was originally impassable suddenly became a wide road, allowing them to leave the so-called "Sea of Trees" which was said to be inescapable with almost no effort. This was completely different from the feeling Jun Tianxie had when he was knocked unconscious by the strange man and sent out of the Sea of Trees. Only someone who had experienced it firsthand could truly understand it. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's expressions. It seemed that there were many mysteries about "not entering the Sea of Trees" that outsiders couldn't imagine. Long Bufei took a deep breath; the skill and confidence of a contemporary master swordsman had returned to him. "The most urgent thing is to go to 'Sword Tower' to find out Brother Ding's whereabouts." Jun Tianxie was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly caught sight of an ancient tree trunk, and his expression changed drastically: "Something's wrong! 'Breaking the Prison' has urgent business with me!" Long Bufei exclaimed in surprise, "What a coincidence! What do we do now?" He didn't ask how "Breaking the Prison" knew Jun Tianxie's current location and contact method, because he knew this was part of the other party's mysterious style. Jun Tianxie stamped his foot and clicked his tongue, saying, "To issue an emergency summons at this critical juncture! But we can't leave Third Brother unattended... In that case, we'll have to trouble you, Elder Brother." Long Bufei laughed, "You saved Elder Brother's life, so whatever you say goes." Jun Tianxie also laughed, "Elder Brother, you flatter me. What I mean is, I'd like you to go to the Sword Tower first. With your reputation and status, I believe the Tower Master will give you some face. It would be best to stabilize the situation first. Once I've finished my business here, I'll immediately go and meet up with Elder Brother." Long Bufei thought for a moment, knowing that Jun Tianxie was indeed unable to come up with the best solution. He was also a decisive person. Once a person makes a decision, they won't hesitate. So he nodded and said, "That's settled then. I'll head to 'Sword Tower' immediately." Jun Tianxie said, "Thank you for your trouble, brother." Long Bufei laughed and said, "Don't be so formal. Your business is my business. After all, we're brothers." Jun Tianxie was secretly thrilled and pretended to be touched, saying, "Brother is too good to me..." Long Bufei smiled and patted his shoulder, saying, "Aren't you the same? Time is running out. I'll be going now. Take care on your journey, my dear brother." He turned around and used his lightness skill, his figure as swift as a heavenly horse, disappearing in an instant. Jun Tianxie stared in the direction Long Bufei had gone, shaking his head and sighing, "To be able to meet such a kind and compassionate sworn brother, should I say I'm too lucky or too unlucky?..." Suddenly, his expression turned colder than ever before, and he looked at a corner of the woods and said, "How long are you going to hide? Come out now!" From a deep, dense forest, a fist-sized black shadow suddenly appeared, and as the sound grew louder, a human figure finally emerged, but it seemed to be only two-dimensional and not three-dimensional, the situation was extremely bizarre. Even with Jun Tianxie's audacity, the sudden sight of this eerie scene in broad daylight sent a chill down his spine. He thought, "It really is him!!" The mysterious, elusive black shadow actually spoke, and what it said was unbelievable: "Greetings, Young Master." Jun Tianxie's face turned ashen, and he said in a deep voice, "Don't use that title to address me!" He paused, then asked, "What number are you, Shadow?" The mysterious black shadow replied, "Reporting to the Young Master... Young Master, I am number one." Jun Tianxie's heart trembled, and even his clenched fists were damp with sweat. Everyone only knew about the "Mingyue Sect," the largest force in the Demonic Sect, with the world's number one expert, "Yanhuang" Jun Nitian, and Jun Nitian's disciple, the third-ranked warrior in the world. But few knew that the "Mingyue Sect" also secretly cultivated a group of highly skilled, elusive, and obedient assassins known as "Shadows." The methods used by the Demonic Sect to train its disciples have always been extremely inhumane. The training of "Shadows" is even more rigorous and cruel than ordinary people can imagine. Of the thousand people trained to become "Shadow" reserves, only one survives! Each "Shadow" is a callous and ruthless killing machine with unparalleled skills. The "Shadows" have never failed in their missions. It is even said that "King Yama" Jun Nitian himself once said: "If three or more Shadows attack at once, even I might not be able to escape unscathed." Those who heard this took it as Jun Nitian's humility, or as a joke. Only Jun Tianxie was certain of one thing: Jun Nitian never joked. The number and identities of the "Shadows" are top secrets within the "Mingyue Sect." All the "Shadows" only obey the orders of the Sect Master. If the Sect Master orders them to die, the "Shadows" will commit suicide without even flinching. Having a force of "Shadows" is equivalent to having the strength to fight against a thousand troops. "Shadows" are tools that exist solely to complete missions. These tools have no names, only numbers, starting with one and decreasing sequentially. It is said that in the history of the "Mingyue Sect," the number of a "Shadow" has never exceeded seven. Now, appearing before Jun Tianxie is none other than the leader of all "Shadows," Shadow Number One! Legend has it that the "Shadows'" movement techniques and lightness skills have broken the norms of common sense, reaching a realm of being invisible and intangible. Now, Jun Tianxie can finally witness the truth of the legend firsthand. Even Long Bufei, whose skills have improved further, could not detect the presence of a "Shadow." If Jun Tianxie hadn't seen the unique mark left by the "Shadow" on the tree, he wouldn't have lied to Long Bufei and chosen to stay and face the "Shadow," who might be even more mysterious and dangerous than the Tree Sea's strange beings. However, the mysterious and enigmatic black shadow before him seemed more like a ghost from legends than a human. Even Jun Tianxie, who never believed in ghosts or gods, couldn't help but ask himself: Is this thing that calls itself "Shadow Number One" even a person? "Did the old man send you to monitor me?" The shadow's voice was as flat as if it had been ground in a mortar: "The sect leader sent me to check on the young master, to see how he's been lately." Jun Tianxie sneered: "The old man wouldn't be so kind. He's probably just using the guise of checking on you to spy on you!" "..." The shadow didn't answer. Jun Tianxie pretended not to care as he observed the fleeting, thin black shadow, his mind racing with intricate thoughts. If he caught the shadow off guard, what were his chances of winning...? How powerful was the "Shadow"? Besides this Number One, were there any other "Shadows" nearby? He would never fight a battle he wasn't sure of winning.

Jun Tianxie ultimately decided to abandon his plan to immediately turn against "Shadow," as he wasn't confident he could defeat her while also killing her.

"Shadow's" lightness skill allowed her to travel thousands of miles in an instant; no one could catch her.

Having abandoned the unlikely idea, he had a new plan: "You deliberately left a mark, revealing your location, probably because you have something to say to me, right?"

Shadow said calmly, "The sect leader's wife instructed me that she misses you dearly and hopes you can return to see her when you have time."

Jun Tianxie was shocked. The perfect facade he had maintained in front of others finally crumbled. Shadow's words struck him like a fatal blow, shattering his inner illusion into countless pieces.

He had to use all his strength to restrain himself, barely managing to keep his inner turmoil from showing. He took a deep breath and tried to keep his tone calm as he said, "I understand. Is there anything else?"

"No."

Jun Tianxie certainly didn't believe that "Shadow," the head of the forces behind "Mingyue Sect," had come to see him simply to deliver a message. But he also knew he couldn't get anything out of him, so he could only pretend to casually start a conversation, saying, "Where are you going after you finish things here?"

"That's a secret. I'm afraid I can't tell you." "

Is that so? Then there's nothing I can do." Jun Tianxie could only sigh, "Have a safe journey. Goodbye."

"Young Master, please take care..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shadow's figure had already dissipated like black smoke diluted by the wind, until it disappeared without a trace. If you hadn't witnessed it with your own eyes, you would hardly believe that such a bizarre movement technique existed in the world.

Opposite, the "Sea of Trees" still stood with towering trees standing side by side. The sea of trees remained dark and silent; nothing could be seen except for the dense shadows of the foliage.

Looking up at the sky, an endless expanse of clear sky contrasted sharply with the profound depth of the sea of trees below.

Darkness and light—wasn't the human heart the same?

A gust of wind blew, bringing a leaf from the forest to Jun Tianxie's face. He picked it up with his fingers, and suddenly, an overwhelming longing for his mother welled up within him.

A sigh, inaudible to human ears, came from another "him" in his subconscious, like a bubble rising to the surface of the sea, vanishing in an instant.

He sighed softly, brushed the leaf away, and turned to leave.

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