[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 33

【Chapter 36】The Opening Ceremony is Too Arrogant

"Chapter 36" The Opening Ceremony is Too Arrogant
It turns out that the old man in black, Shi Wanquan, was one of the four protectors of the previous second-generation leader of the Nine Yin Sect. These four protectors of the Nine Yin Sect were known in the martial arts world as the "Four Absolutes of Nine Yin". In terms of the Nine Yin Sect's former prestige, more than half of it was due to these four people. If the four had not been trapped in Wushan, fifty years ago, the Nine Yin Sect would not have been forced to float on the sea and wander the waters.
Changhen Daogu was accepted as a disciple of the Nine Yin Sect during its decline. She was then ordered to serve in the Tongtian Sect, awaiting an opportunity. She had never met these four men, but had heard of their power, and secretly sighed, "Today, I am surely doomed." However, her years of cultivation had given her a calm and composed mind. She bowed to Shi Wanquan and said, "So it is you, Senior Changhen. I have been impolite."
Shi Wanquan sneered, "Do you think that by donning a Daoist robe, you can erase the past?"
Changhen Daogu smiled faintly, "I am no longer a disciple of the Nine Yin Sect."
Shi Wanquan angrily said, "Gu Luanyin, how dare you betray your master and ancestors?"
Changhen Daogu said indifferently, "I am Changhen. Gu Luanyin died twenty years ago." She paused, then said, "Even if Gu Luanyin did not die, after undergoing the 'Yin Fire Soul Refining' punishment, she is no longer considered a disciple of the Nine Yin Sect." Shi Wanquan was taken aback and turned to look at Mei Suruo.
Mei Suruo nodded slightly and said, "It is indeed so."
It turned out that the Nine Yin Sect's rules stipulated that anyone subjected to the "Yin Fire Soul Refining" punishment was no longer a member of the Nine Yin Sect. The "Yin Fire Soul Refining" punishment was inhumanly cruel; who in the world could endure it? After seven days and seven nights, the victim would be a dried-up corpse. The original intention of this rule was that those who violated this great taboo would not be allowed to become Nine Yin disciples after death. Unexpectedly, Lady Yuding was subjected to this punishment in Caozhou. Hua Tianhong arrived, and the Nine Yin Sect leader, fearing Hua Tianhong's martial arts skills, withdrew the punishment halfway through, allowing Lady Yuding to live.
Shi Wanquan felt a dilemma. If he followed the sect rules, Lady Yuding, being no longer a Nine Yin Sect disciple, could not be treated according to the rules, thus making the punishment illegitimate and unreasonable. Suddenly, Li Jiuyi coldly said, "Gu Luanyin, you haven't completed the seven days and seven nights of Yin Fire Soul Refining. You still need to be punished according to the sect's rules." He strode forward and suddenly struck Gu Luanyin with a palm, shouting, "Let's see how much you've improved over the years!" Gu Luanyin smiled slightly and flicked her right hand with her whisk. A sound
like tearing silk was heard, and the energy scattered, causing large amounts of flames to flicker erratically. In the dense forest, shadows loomed, like ferocious ghosts baring their fangs and claws, extremely terrifying. Li Jiuyi took a step back, and the Daoist Changhen's robes fluttered, but she only managed to sway twice. Everyone in the Nine Yin Sect was shocked. Gu Luanyin, the Jade Cauldron Lady, originally belonged to the Netherworld Palace. Her martial arts skills were originally inferior to the masters of the two palaces and three halls, but now she was clearly superior to Li Jiuyi.
Suddenly, Mei Suruo said coldly, "Palace Master Li, have I ordered you to take action?"
Li Jiuyi's expression changed, and he hurriedly bowed to Mei Suruo, saying, "This subordinate is eager to capture the traitor."
Mei Suruo interrupted him coldly, "You may leave." Li Jiuyi paused, his face displeased, and retreated. Mei Suruo snorted, glanced at Shi Wanquan, and said, "What does Protector Shi think?"
Shi Wanquan bowed and said, "Although the sect rules contain this clause, I believe that Gu Luanyin should not be let off."
Mei Suruo frowned and said, "If you set your own sect rules but do not abide by them, how can our sect govern its subordinates? How can we rule the martial world?"
Shi Wanquan thought to himself, "Judging from her tone, she is actually protecting that lowly maid Gu Luanyin. Hmph, the rumors about her and that brat from the Hua family are probably true." While thinking to himself, he said aloud, "The sect rules stipulate that the 'Soul Refining by Yin Fire' should last for more than seven days and nights. Although it is not explicitly stated, its meaning is clear. The sect leader should understand." Mei Suruo's jade-like face showed a hint of displeasure, but she did not speak further.
The Daoist Changhen thought to herself, "Alas, given the situation, she is powerless. I mustn't let her lose face before her subordinates because of me. I only hope this child can lead the Nine Yin Sect onto the right path..." Her mind raced. To avoid putting Mei Suruo in a difficult position, she was willing to sacrifice herself. With a resolute heart, she smiled and said, "Sect Leader..."
Mei Suruo's eyes flashed like lightning. Seeing the Daoist Changhen's face darken and then brighten, she guessed her thoughts. She thought to herself, "If I let her die in front of me, he will surely hate me to death if he knows." When she first met the Daoist Changhen in Chizhen, she addressed her as "Senior" with great respect. Although she had other explanations, subconsciously, it was still for Hua Yunlong's sake; otherwise, she would have already accused the Daoist Changhen of treason. Now, seeing the Daoist Changhen seemingly about to confess her crimes, her heart pounded with anxiety, and she sternly interrupted, "Shut up!" "Looking at Shi Wanquan, she said, 'Protector Shi, you were in charge of arranging the interception of Gu Luanyin. How tight was the surrounding security?'
Hearing this, Cai Weiwei's heart stirred, thinking to herself, 'Could it be that Mei Suruo intentionally lured me here?' Then, glancing at Jia Yan, their eyes met, and Jia Yan nodded; both of them had the same thought.
Shi Wanquan sensed a hidden meaning in Mei Suruo's words and was slightly taken aback. With his skill, how could he possibly hide Jia Yan and the Gong sisters from him? His gaze shifted towards the four women's hiding place, and he let out a loud, resounding laugh. Shi Wanquan's skill was truly formidable; his laughter pierced the night sky, reverberating across the land and reaching the heavens. Even from a great distance, Jia Yan and the Gong sisters..." A sharp pain shot through her eardrums, her head throbbed, and she could no longer bear it.
Seeing this, Cai Weiwei, her heart pounding with anxiety, blurted out a sharp cry. In her haste, that cry, imbued with concentrated power, pierced through Shi Wanquan's laughter and struck his eardrums. Mei Suruo and Li Jiuyi, caught off guard, felt their blood rush to their heads, while the Nine Yin Sect members beside them felt as if struck by lightning, swaying precariously. Shi Wanquan, startled, fell silent and said in a deep voice, "So there's a peerless master here. How about we invite him out for a while?"
Cai Weiwei knew she couldn't escape unscathed tonight, and whispered, "Three sisters, the Nine Yin Sect has gathered many masters; you are no match for them. It's best to avoid the masters and only target the sect members." These words, though true, were never meant to be spoken aloud. Fortunately, the three knew her innocence and showed no displeasure, nodding in unison.
Gong Yuelan smiled and said, "No need for such concern. I only intended to stand aside and observe your unparalleled martial arts." Cai Weiwei smiled and walked out first, followed by the three others.
Changhen Daogu saw Cai Weiwei and exclaimed, "Wei'er, it's you!"
Cai Weiwei said sweetly, "Aunt Gu, I should be grateful to the Nine Yin Sect for trapping you; this time I can't let you go again."
Changhen Daogu smiled slightly, glanced at Jia Yan and the Gong sister, and beckoned, "Yan'er, you and the two young ladies can stay behind me."
Shi Wanquan glanced at them and immediately discerned their true abilities. The one possessing such skill was actually a beautiful seventeen-year-old girl, as lovely as a flower. He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Eh?" Mei Suruo
coldly replied, "That girl is called Cai Weiwei, a descendant of the Martial Saint."
Suddenly
, a hoarse voice said, "Old monk, even if you have a heart for justice, the stubborn rock won't agree. You'd better put away your good intentions and pick up the convenient shovel." Li
Jiuyi asked sharply, "Which one?"
The voice coldly replied, "Huangshan Qu Tianhao."
The members of the Nine Yin Sect couldn't help but change their expressions slightly. The current situation was far beyond their expectations. Madam Yuding was no longer what she used to be; Cai Weiwei's martial arts were unparalleled, and all the members of the Nine Yin Sect had witnessed them. Shi Wanquan had been lured away and hadn't returned yet. Adding Qu Tianhao and Master Ciyun, the Nine Yin Sect was now in a situation where defeat was inevitable. At this moment, Ge Tiandu, Shen Shengsan, and Fan Tong, seeing that the encirclement was no longer effective, all returned to Mei Suruo's side.
Fan Tong angrily said, "Qu Tianhao, you're quite famous, why don't you come out? Are you ashamed to be seen?"
Qu Tianhao coldly snorted, saying, "Demons and monsters, I'm too lazy to see them." While
Fan Tong and Qu Tianhao were exchanging words, Mei Suruo turned to Ge Tiandu and asked, "What is Hall Master Ge's opinion?"
Ge Tiandu whispered, "This subordinate believes a direct confrontation is not worthwhile. It would be better to save them for the Xuanming Sect's opening ceremony and annihilate these formidable enemies in one fell swoop."
Mei Suruo glanced at the remaining people and asked, "And you all?"
Shen Sheng sighed, "This matter is extremely secretive. I don't know how they managed to find out. Otherwise, with all four protectors present, what would we have to fear? This is the only option now."
Mei Suruo smiled slightly, then suddenly took five steps forward, her cold gaze fixed on Daoist Changhen, and said, "Gu... Daoist Changhen, in this fight, are you confident you'll win or lose?"
Daoist Changhen was taken aback, thinking to herself, "Ge Tiandu and the others seem to be willing to back down, so why won't you retreat?" She smiled and said, "How could I possibly be a match for the Nine Yin Sect Master? Of course, I will lose."
Cai Weiwei thought to herself, "If Aunt Gu loses in her battle with Mei Suruo... " "To lay a hand on her would tarnish her past reputation; it's not worth it." Thinking it over, she stepped forward and said, "Mei Suru, how can Aunt Gu fight with a junior like you? Let's have a fight!"
Mei Suru ignored her, saying, "Without a fight, it's hard to say who will win; I'm more likely to lose." She paused slightly, then said, "If you win, the Nine Yin Sect will no longer bother you; if I win, then please bear with it."
The Daoist Changhen thought to herself, "If this matter can be resolved, it wouldn't be bad, but I absolutely cannot lose, and the dignity of her sect leader cannot be violated..." Her thoughts raced, and she glanced at Master Ciyun, hoping he would intervene.
Master Ciyun frowned and said, "Sect Leader Mei."
Mei Suruo smiled proudly and said, "Master, do you also wish to offer some guidance?"
Master Ciyun smiled and said, "This humble monk is old, and old age is no longer a means of strength. How dare I be so aggressive?" He paused and said, "In this humble monk's opinion, the Xuanming Sect's opening ceremony is just around the corner. Why not wait a few days and resolve this before the heroes of the world? Wouldn't that be better?"
Mei Suruo pondered without speaking. In fact, this was exactly what she had hoped for. She thought to herself, "The opening ceremony gathers all the martial arts figures in the world. The situation is undoubtedly complex. Resolving this grudge will not be an easy task."
Before she could finish her thought, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out, and Shi Wanquan, like a large bird, swooped back into the arena. In the firelight, his face was ashen, and a corner of his right sleeve was torn off. He glanced at Master Ciyun, chuckled, and said sternly, "Ciyun, who is that junior?"
Master Ciyun raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Abudule."
Shi Wanquan said, "Never heard of him. Who is his master?"
Master Ciyun said calmly, "You must be familiar with his golden sword. That golden sword is the sharpest weapon in the world. Even Gan Jiang and Mo Xie are inferior to it. Don't you know his master's sect?"
Shi Wanquan said sternly, "I was caught off guard..." He paused, then changed his words, "Is he the disciple of that dead ghost, 'One Sword Covers the Central Plains' Xiang Donglai?"
Cai Weiwei sneered, "How shameless! You can't beat him, so you come here and act all high and mighty. Who are you trying to impress?"
Shi Wanquan was already furious, and hearing this was like adding fuel to the fire. He grinned maliciously and said, "Good girl. " Cai Weiwei neither dodged nor evaded, but with a flick of her jade palm, she met the attack head-on.
Both of them possessed a subtle, hidden strength, their attacks silent and stealthy. Upon contact, a resounding boom echoed, and the hidden power
surged forth. Even Master Ciyun, standing nearby, felt immense pressure and was slightly startled. He couldn't help but scrutinize Cai Weiwei a few times, thinking to himself, "Such a delicate and frail body possesses such skill. Unbelievable." Shi Wanquan snorted angrily, raising his right arm as if intending to attack again. Suddenly, his thoughts changed. He stepped to Mei Suruo's side, his lips slightly moving, as if he were speaking secretly through a technique of transmitting his inner energy. Mei Suruo's jade-like face changed, and she raised her eyes, saying, "As you wish, Master, this matter will be postponed until the opening ceremony of the Xuanming Sect." Before Master Ciyun could answer, he flicked his ghost-headed staff and gracefully retreated. Shi Wanquan, Ge Tiandu, and the others followed behind. The Nine Yin Sect members extinguished their fires and retreated into the forest, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye.
Cai Weiwei asked curiously, "They retreated so hastily, could it be that something terrible has happened to the Nine Yin Sect?"
Master Ciyun shook his head and said, "This humble monk also does not know." He turned to her kindly and said, "Miss Cai..."
Cai Weiwei said sweetly, "Just call me Wei'er."
Master Ciyun smiled slightly and said, "Very well, this humble monk first visited Jinling thirty years ago and met your grandfather and father. I took the liberty of calling you Wei'er."
Cai Weiwei's beautiful eyes widened and she said, "I have never heard my mother mention this."
Master Ciyun smiled and said, "Your father was still young at that time, and your grandfather was just a commoner in the martial world. He did not wish to get to know you well. However, your father hid it too well, and only now do I realize that your family is actually descended from a Martial Saint." Cai Weiwei opened her mouth, about to explain the ancestral precepts, strictly forbidding her descendants from venturing into the martial world.
Suddenly, she heard the Daoist Changhen ask, "Why hasn't Master Qu come out yet?"
Master Ciyun's gaze shifted, and he sighed deeply, saying, "He swore that he would not see his old friend again until he found the murderer, even if it meant pouring out his heart and blood."
Daoist Changhen turned her face towards the forest and said, "Master Qu's loyalty and righteousness are truly admirable, I admire him greatly, but perhaps a little too..."
Master Ciyun said from the side, "He has probably already left."
Cai Weiwei interjected sweetly, "Lord Zhu is still very displeased that Lord Qu refused to come out of the mountains."
Daoist Changhen thought to herself, "If I don't leave now, this girl will keep me occupied, and I won't be able to get away. " Over the years, she had always avoided the Hua family's relatives and friends. The fact that Qu Tianhao didn't come meant she rarely saw him, which she was actually quite happy about. Thinking it over, she smiled and said, "You all talk slowly, I have some urgent business." Turning to Jia Yan, she said, "Yan'er, your master has already gone north to investigate the movements of the three religions. She left secret marks along the way; you should go and meet her quickly."
Master Ciyun wasn't stupid; she thought to herself, "With her gone, her whereabouts will be even more secretive. Where will I look for her now?" A thought flashed through her mind, and she hurriedly said, "Miss Gu, please wait. That Abudule from the Western Regions has something he wants to discuss with you."
The nun Changhen said, "We'll talk about it next time." She paused, then said, "I am Changhen. If you continue to address me by my secular name, I will not pay you any attention." "Abudule and Hua Tianhong were like brothers, and she was even more unwilling to see him. After speaking, she flicked her whisk and leaped up, intending to leave.
Master Ciyun uttered a Buddhist chant, holding a broken silver shovel, and with a push of his feet, he and the Daoist Changhen landed on the treetops, blocking their path. Daoist Changhen frowned slightly and casually said, "Master, are you not going to let this humble Daoist leave?"
Master Ciyun hurriedly replied, "How could this humble monk dare?"
Daoist Changhen coldly said, "Then please step aside." Master Ciyun's mind raced, but for a moment, he could not think of a way to keep Daoist Changhen.
Suddenly, he heard Jia Yan say loudly, "Master, it was Master Ciyun who made the agreement with the Nine Yin Sect to settle this matter at the opening ceremony. If you leave, wouldn't that make the Master break his promise?"
Master Ciyun said happily, "Your junior niece is absolutely right. Please, Miss Gu, do not make this humble monk feel awkward." He still addressed the Daoist nun Changhen as "Miss Gu," implying that he hadn't forgotten the deep connection between Madam Yuding, Gu Luanyin, and the Hua family.
The Daoist nun Changhen thought to herself, "You little brat, you dare to join forces with them against me?"
Jia Yan suddenly knelt on the ground, her jade-like face tilted back, and she said in a trembling voice, "Master, why do you torment yourself like this? Your disciple is willing to risk death; please stay."
The Gong sisters exchanged a glance, then bowed respectfully to the Daoist nun Changhen. Gong Yuehui said, "Gong Yuehui and my sister Yuelan from the Huashan sect pay our respects to you, senior."
The Daoist nun Changhen smiled and said, "You flatter me. How is your grandfather?"
Gong Yuehui said, "Thanks to his good fortune, he is still quite healthy." She then gestured for her sister to speak.
Gong Yuelan had wanted to speak for a long time, and seeing this, she hurriedly interjected, "Senior Gu, we have long heard of your moving and touching deeds, and deeply regret that we have never witnessed them. We are fortunate to have the pleasure of witnessing your beauty tonight..."
The nun Changhen interrupted with a smile, "No need for flattery, just say what you want to say."
Gong Yuelan solemnly replied, "Senior, please forgive me, you are being too sentimental."
The nun, Changhen, said with slight anger, "You children only know one side of the story, not the other. How dare you speak so recklessly?" She thought to herself, "They've surrounded me. With all this talk, I won't be able to leave without some cunning." Thinking this, she said aloud, "Yan'er, get up. Your master doesn't blame you." Jia Yan bowed again, then gracefully rose, her expression sorrowful, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.
The nun sighed inwardly and turned to Master Ciyun, saying, "Master, regarding the matter between the Nine Yin Sect and me, since the opening ceremony is approaching, why not leave other matters for then?"
Master Ciyun asked, "Will Miss Gu definitely attend?"
The nun coldly replied, "Gu Luanyin will definitely attend." With a swift movement, she left. Master Ciyun hesitated for a moment, but thinking that a person of the martial world keeps their word, and that the nun had already said she would attend, further obstruction would be an insult, indicating disbelief and potentially creating enmity. Therefore, she dared not speak against her.
Changhen Daogu ran for several miles when she suddenly sensed something was wrong. She turned around abruptly and saw Cai Weiwei smiling brightly, following closely behind. It seemed she had been following for quite some time. Seeing that she had been discovered, Cai Weiwei chuckled and said, "Aunt Gu, I want to follow you."
Changhen Daogu stopped in her tracks, slightly annoyed, "Little girl, how dare you disbelieve me?"
Cai Weiwei giggled, then stopped, asking, "What are you saying?"
Changhen Daogu said, "I said..." before abruptly stopping.
Cai Weiwei chuckled and said, "Let me speak for Aunt Gu. Aunt Gu said Gu Luanyin will definitely attend, but Aunt Gu already said you're not Lady Yuding, Gu Luanyin. Since that's the case, it's naturally none of Changhen Daogu's business. We might as well have someone pass on a message saying Lady Yuding has passed away, and Changhen Daogu doesn't need to keep the appointment. That master was honest, but he didn't understand."
Changhen Daogu had exactly this in mind. When Cai Weiwei saw through her, she couldn't help but laugh, then sighed deeply and frowned, saying, "Wei'er, you're clever, but everyone has their own ambitions, why force it..."
Cai Weiwei interjected, "That's why... " "I'm sticking with Aunt Gu."
The Daoist nun, Changhen, paused, her face suddenly darkening. "If you keep chasing me, I'll treat you like my mortal enemy."
Cai Weiwei's starry eyes reddened. "Go ahead and hit me, I'm not leaving."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, the Daoist nun quickly softened her expression and smiled. "Aunt Gu, I was a bit harsh. Wei'er, why bother?"
Cai Weiwei smiled and said, "Then Aunt Gu will allow me to follow." She persisted relentlessly, and the Daoist nun truly couldn't do anything about it. Besides, Cai Weiwei was gentle and innocent, like a fairy maiden from the Jade Pool—anyone would want to be close to her.
The Daoist nun, Changhen, had no choice but to smile and say, "How dare I refuse?"
Suddenly, Abudule's voice was heard: "Since Miss Cai is accompanying me, I must take my leave." A black shadow shot up from the forest, like a giant falcon soaring into the sky, heading northwest.
The Daoist nun, Changhen, was taken aback. She raised her voice, "Well, Abudule, you dare to show off in front of me?"
But Abudule's voice faded into the distance, "Miss Gu, please forgive me, my younger brother..."
Changhen muttered to herself, "It seems his martial arts are almost on par with his master's when he was renowned throughout the Central Plains." She glanced at Cai Weiwei and smiled, "Little girl, you knew he was chasing me, didn't you?"
Cai Weiwei smiled and said, "You didn't notice his tone; he's probably been chasing me for quite some time. Otherwise, how could Master Ciyun and Hero Huo have arrived so conveniently?"
Changhen shook her head and smiled bitterly, "Let's go."
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The Xuanming Sect's opening ceremony was held at Fangniuping, Yishan. The name "Fangniuping" (Cattle-Releasing Plain) is not recorded in local records, and inquiries among the villagers yielded no knowledge of it; it seems to have been named by members of the Xuanming Sect. According to a Xuanming Sect member, its location is south of Yishan Mountain, nestled among towering peaks and valleys, facing Mengshan Mountain, about a hundred li from Yishui City. By late April, the inns established by the Xuanming Sect in the surrounding counties of Yimeng Mountain—Yishui, Linqu, Anqiu, and Mengyin—were already overcrowded.
Because the martial world had been peaceful for a long time, and the Hua family was at its zenith, most people did not grasp the seriousness of the matter and came happily, regarding it as a spectacle. From the beginning of May, some people had already entered the mountains, with Xuanming Sect inns providing lodging and meals along the way, and disciples guiding them, so there was no fear of getting lost. On this day, the fourth day of May, most people had already entered the mountains, and around dusk, another group arrived.
Passing through a narrow, winding path with sheer cliffs on both sides, the view suddenly opened up, revealing the surrounding mountain peaks, undulating in shape, resembling oxen at first glance—this is likely the origin of the name Fangniuping (Cattle-Releasing Plain). Nestled amidst towering peaks and ridges, a basin lies covered in verdant pines and cypresses, where the cawing of crows echoes—a far cry from the abode of demons. In the distance, the eaves of ancient houses with their green tiles are faintly visible. A wide stone path leads to a magnificent white jade archway, inscribed with four large golden characters: "Ruling the World." Under the morning glow, the golden light shimmers, exuding an imposing grandeur.
One of the elderly men, dressed in a blue robe, coldly snorted, "How arrogant!"
Suddenly, someone spoke up: "What displeases Master Shan?"
Everyone turned to look, and saw an elderly man with a three-stranded beard, bright eyes, and wearing a long black silk robe standing by the roadside. The old man in the blue robe was slightly startled, thinking to himself: "After years in the martial world, this man can actually call me by name. The Xuanming Sect is indeed no ordinary sect." It turned out that the old man in the green robe was named Shan Shimin, a senior member of the Tiantai Sect, and the senior brother of Yu Shangde, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician." However, his martial arts skills far surpassed his junior brother's. This was because the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" devoted himself to medicine, resulting in slower progress in martial arts, while Shan Shimin
lived in seclusion on Tiantai, dedicating his life to martial arts training. The abduction of the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" Jin Shangde alarmed the entire Tiantai Sect. As the most skilled martial artist in the sect, Shan Shimin could not stand idly by. He led several disciples out of the mountains and seized the opportunity to join the attack, intending to infiltrate the Xuanming Sect's headquarters, believing no one would recognize him and allowing for a surprise attack. Unexpectedly, he was recognized halfway there. He was secretly shocked and asked, "Who are you, sir?"
The old man in black replied, "Brother Cui Heng, the head of the Divination Altar."
Shan Shimin's expression changed, and he cupped his hands, saying, "So you are the 'One Stroke Soul-Hooking' who dominated Yunnan with the seventy-two forms of the 'Kui Xing Dian Yuan' Judge's Pen Technique, and you have been separated from your master." "
That 'Soul-Stealing Stroke' Cui Heng clasped his hands and said, 'Very well said. As for Brother Shan's 'Returning to Origin Divine Skill,' this skill was lost for over a hundred years. Brother Shan has mastered it again, and the Tiantai lineage will soon be renowned
in the martial arts world once more.' Shan Shimin was extremely shocked, thinking to himself, 'I have been in seclusion for over thirty years, just to specialize in practicing this divine skill, and my disciples still don't know about it. How did the Xuanming Sect find out so clearly?'
He then heard Cui Heng say, 'May I ask Brother Shan, is it because our sect's hospitality along the way was inadequate, or that our welcoming disciples were impolite?
Brother Shan, please speak frankly, and I will punish them severely.' Shan Shimin chuckled and said, 'Your sect's hospitality has truly made me feel at home. How could I have any complaints?'
Cui Heng said, 'Then why doesn't Brother Shan speak?' " "
Shan Shimin cursed inwardly: 'You're just feigning ignorance.' Pointing to the four characters 'Ruling the World' on the archway, he laughed and said, 'I am but a fool. May I ask Master Cui to explain the meaning of these four characters?'
Cui Heng's gaze shifted, then returned, and he smiled faintly, 'Oh! So that's why Brother Shan is displeased.' He paused, then said, 'Brother Shan doesn't understand now, but you will after the ceremony.' The implication was that the Xuanming Sect would now be able to subdue all the heroes of the world.
Shan Shimin chuckled coldly, then suddenly cupped his hands and said, 'During the ceremony, I would like to ask Brother Cui for guidance.'
Cui Heng raised his eyebrows slightly and said, 'I will gladly oblige.' He bowed, turned, and walked into a side path, disappearing in an instant."
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Senior Shan, your sect's lost divine skill has been recovered! Congratulations!"
Shan Shimin turned to look and saw a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, with a fair complexion and no beard. In his left hand, he held a folding fan with gleaming black ribs, clearly made of fine steel. He felt the man was completely unfamiliar with him. After a moment's thought, he laughed and said, "Brother..."
The middle-aged scholar smiled and said, "Senior Shan, do you remember Yao Zong'en of Diancang?"
Only then did Shan Shimin realize, thinking to himself, "So it's him." His face suddenly turned cold as he said, "So it's Brother Yao. I heard you took over the sect ten years ago, and now you're the head of a faction. Congratulations!" He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "It's inconvenient with so many people, I'll keep you company a while longer."
He didn't want to associate with this person, so he led the others forward, intending to leave. While Shan Shimin and Cui Heng had been talking, everyone had stopped to watch. Now, whispers and murmurs filled the air as they retraced their steps, a stark contrast to the tranquility of their initial entry into the valley. It turned out that the Diancang Sect, also belonging to the chivalrous path, had been full of talented individuals thirty years ago, yet suddenly announced its closure, ignoring the pervasive demonic aura. They hadn't even participated in the Northern Sea Assembly or the Jianjiao Ceremony, hence Shan Shimin's utter disdain.
But then Yao Zong'en called out loudly, "Senior Shan, please wait a moment and hear what I have to say."
Shan Shimin pretended not to hear, but Yao Zong'en raised his eyebrows and said loudly, "Senior Shan, can't you even give Diancang a word of explanation?"
Shan Shimin could no longer pretend not to hear, turned around and stood still, saying indifferently, "What do you have to say?"
Yao Zong'en took three steps forward, approaching, his eyes flashing slightly. Seeing that the two had fallen several feet behind due to the delay, and that the crowd had already passed through the "Reign Over the World" archway and was advancing, he solemnly said, "Our sect cannot participate in the two major conferences of Beiming and Jianjiao, not because we are afraid of death, but because my master..." He felt it was difficult... He paused, then began, "My master was defeated by the Boundless Divine Lord, and as agreed, the sect was sealed off for twenty years."
Shan Shimin's brows furrowed. "I see," he said. "But there are different kinds of faith, great and small. This concerns the lives of the martial world, yet your sect stands idly by. If it weren't for Master Hua and his mother, the martial world today..."
Yao Zong'en interrupted with a bitter smile, "Senior is right. My master was prepared for the same. He was willing to break his promise, be ridiculed, and do his part to eliminate evil and protect the righteous..." He took a breath and continued, "However, at this moment, it was suddenly discovered that everyone in our sect, except for a few, had been poisoned, their power greatly diminished, and they were unable to fight..." "Make your move."
Upon hearing this, Shan Shimin said apologetically, "This old man is unaware of the details;
please forgive me, brother." Yao Zong'en said, "Our sect did not explain clearly, no wonder our fellow practitioners misunderstood." He seemed to have endless emotions, and sighed deeply, saying, "My master died of depression because of this, leaving a will to avenge this humiliation. For thirty years, our sect has endured hardship and humiliation, intending to wipe away this shame. However, that old man Wuliang has already died at the hands of Wen Taijun, and our sect has no chance anymore. Unexpectedly, that old devil's disciple Gu Shibiao dared to issue an invitation to open the altar. Our sect has come with all its might, wanting to wipe away this shame before the heroes of the world."
Shan Shimin sighed and said, "This old man wishes you success." He paused, then said, "I wonder who released the poison that afflicted your sect?"
Yao Zong'en's teeth chattered, and he said, "Anyway, it's inextricably linked to that old man Wuliang."
Shan Shimin thought to himself, "With such a deep-seated hatred, the Diancang Sect will surely retaliate with all their might. Today's gathering will inevitably be a bloodbath." Realizing that lingering here was not advisable, he stepped forward and asked, "How many people from your sect have come?"
Yao Zong'en lowered his voice and said, "I won't mention the juniors, but there are nine of my peers, and my two senior uncles have also come."
Shan Shimin's eyes lit up, and he said, "With the 'Diancang Twin Swords,' you've gained considerable strength in eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path."
Yao Zong'en said, "Senior seems to have a very high opinion of the Xuanming Sect." "
Shan Shimin sighed softly and said, "At first, I also thought that Gu Shibiao, a young man, could not amount to much. Now I am worried. Gu Shibiao is probably even more troublesome than the Nine-Bend Divine Lord back then. And Master Hua has not come. Alas! With Young Master Hua, things would be better, but unfortunately, his whereabouts are unknown."
Yao Zong'en looked unconvinced and said, "Master Hua's martial arts are unparalleled, that is undeniable, but Young Master Hua is so young, the old senior is overestimating him."
The two had not walked far when they saw a girl in white directing servants to greet them. This girl was none other than Gu Yibai. Gu Yibai glanced at them and said, "The servants are ignorant and foolish, and are not qualified to serve such a master. How about I accompany you two to the inn to rest?"
Shan Shimin said, "How could I trouble you, young lady?"
Gu Yibai said, "It's alright." Turning away, Shan and Yao had no choice but to follow.
Gu Yibai led the two from the upper side of the open space to a side street. As they walked, Gu Yibai turned her face and smiled, "Master Yao, do you perhaps think our sect is too poor to afford guests?"
Yao Zong'en was taken aback and said, "Please forgive me for not understanding what you mean, young lady?"
Gu Yibai chuckled and said, "Oh, Master Yao, do you not understand?"
Shan Shimin chuckled and said, "Young lady, don't beat around the bush, just explain directly."
Gu Yibai smiled and said, "Master Yao, your uncles, the 'Diancang Twin Swords,' are staying at the second and third guesthouses, respectively. Your fellow disciples and nephews are also staying at the fourth to ninth guesthouses. Not only have they not used their real names, but they have also not revealed their sects, which has greatly puzzled our sect. Could it be that Master Yao is afraid that our sect will refuse to serve you because you have too many people, hence this arrangement?" He paused slightly, then smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Sect Leader Yao. Even if your sect sends over a thousand people, our sect can accommodate them without loss, let alone a mere fifty-odd people."
These words made Yao Zong'en's face turn pale and then red, but he was greatly shocked. It turned out that the Diancang Sect had already agreed to send all its elite troops to avenge their humiliation. However, fearing that the Xuanming Sect would realize they were no match for them, they decided to attack in secret. Therefore, except for Yao Zong'en, all of them had infiltrated under assumed names, intending to meet and challenge the sect at the grand ceremony. Unexpectedly, the Xuanming Sect had already discovered them, and even the number of people was exactly the same. Gu Yibai's words had a double meaning, revealing his spying intent. Seeing this, Shan Shimin, fearing that he would lose his temper, quickly tugged at his sleeve, laughed heartily, and said, "Your sect's intelligence network is excellent. I admire you."
Gu Yibai's dark eyes flashed, and she said, "Senior Shan, you flatter me. Your sect..." Shan
Shimin interrupted with a smile, "My three junior brothers and eight junior nephews came in batches, and perhaps we haven't even registered with your sect yet. Please forgive us."
Gu Yibai thought to herself: This old hand is indeed shrewd. She smiled slightly and said, "Senior Shan, you flatter me. We are already extremely grateful that you, my esteemed disciples, have come so kindly, despite our sect's heretical ways. We can do whatever you like; how could our sect dare to interfere? Firstly, we fear we might not be able to provide adequate hospitality. Secondly, we also fear that some petty people might take advantage of the situation, so we have to be careful." Her sarcasm left both of them speechless. Gu Yibai paused, then continued, "If it weren't for Elder Ren and Elder Changsun recognizing the experts from your two sects, wouldn't people say that our Xuanming Sect is blind?"
Dan Shimin laughed heartily and said, "Elder Ren and Elder Changsun of your sect must be unparalleled masters." Gu
Yibai said calmly, "Elder Changsun has long lived in seclusion. He is a descendant of Lu Ban, the 'Sacred Hand Lu Ban' who built the Nine-Bend Palace of our ancestor, and now he is building another palace for our sect..."
Dan Shimin was shaken and said, "Is that Changsun Bo?"
Gu Yibai nodded and said, "That's right." After a pause, she said, "Elder Ren, well, he is very famous. You two must not have forgotten him, the leader of the Wind and Cloud Society twenty years ago, right?"
Yao Zongen exclaimed, "Ren Xuan?"
Gu Yibai smiled calmly and said, "That is Elder Ren." "Speaking of which, the three of them had arrived at a courtyard. There, they saw interconnected rooms, crisscrossing corridors, lush trees casting shadows, green waters forming patterns, and verdant mountains and purple pavilions, all linked by interconnected corridors—a scene of breathtaking beauty and grandeur. In the corridors, besides the assembled heroes, many beautiful young women were coming and going.
Gu Yibai stopped casually and asked, "Will you two be staying with your sect members, or alone?" Shan Shimin and Yao Zongen exchanged a glance, secretly smiling bitterly. They had just entered Fangniuping, and although they knew their fellow disciples had all entered the valley, they had not yet contacted them, and they couldn't very well turn to the Xuanming Sect to inquire, yet they didn't know where their fellow disciples were staying.
Gu Yibai chuckled, then suddenly clapped her hands lightly. Immediately, two beautiful young women approached, bowing and saying, "What are your orders , young ladies?"
Gu Yibai pointed at the two women and said, "Take good care of these two heroes and ensure they rest properly." The two beautiful maids responded, walked to Shan Shimin and Yao Zongen, curtsied, and said in unison, "Greetings, sir." "
Just then, two people appeared from the path they had come from. Leading them was an elderly man with a red face and white beard, followed by a woman. The woman was dressed simply, yet possessed unparalleled beauty and grace, her expression dignified and her beauty ethereal. Gu Yibai had already guessed who the woman was. She glanced at the middle-aged beauty and thought to herself, "I do indeed resemble her remarkably. For some reason, I feel a surge of longing and admiration, and I wish I could throw myself into her arms."
The middle-aged beauty strolled over and, upon seeing Gu Yibai, was equally startled, her eyes also fixed on Gu Yibai's jade-like face. Suddenly, she approached Gu Yibai and said kindly, "Miss, may I ask your name?"
Gu Yibai's aloofness vanished, replaced by a respectful bow. "Junior is Gu Yibai," she replied.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged beauty asked again, "And where are you from, young lady?"
Gu Yibai did not answer but instead asked, "Senior, are you the 'Compassionate Fairy'?"
The middle-aged beauty smiled slightly and said, "That's just flattery from our friends in the martial arts world. Bai Suyi is not worthy of such a title." Although
Bai Suyi was Bai Xiaotian's daughter, she had been taken away from the Divine Flag Gang by her mother, Xu Hongmei, at a young age and settled in Fanjing Mountain. She served her mother and was a vegetarian all year round, never venturing out of the mountains. Not only did she not acquire any rough or uncouth habits, but her gentle and peaceful nature, pure and untainted, made all who saw her believe she was a member of the Dragon Flower Gathering. Later, she married "Thunderbolt Fist" Peng Bai. To atone for her father's sins, she and her husband worked hard to do good deeds. Her kind and gentle nature softened even the most wicked heart, and wherever they went, violence was transformed into peace. Therefore, she was known in the martial arts world as the "Compassionate Fairy."
Peng Bai was a disciple of the two martial arts immortals, "Thunderbolt Immortal." During their meeting in the Northern Sea, Thunderbolt Immortal died tragically. Peng Bai, being young at the time, was forced to wander the martial world. However, through his own hard work and the support of his senior uncle, "Free and Easy Immortal" Zhu Tong, and the encouragement of Hua Tianhong, he finally achieved great success, becoming a renowned hero. Sadly, he died young, passing away five years ago.
Gu Yibai looked at Bai Suyi. Bai Suyi was a kind and benevolent woman, living a long and peaceful life. Although she was forty, she still looked like a middle-aged woman, her beauty undiminished. Gu Yibai felt an increasing affinity for her and blurted out, "Oh, Senior, you are as beautiful as an immortal and as kind as a Buddha. The title 'Compassionate Fairy' is most fitting."
Bai Suyi smiled and said, "Let's not talk about that. May I ask where you are from?"
Gu Yibai replied, "I am from Qingzhou." Bai Suyi exclaimed "
Ah!" with a look of disappointment on her face. She shook her head and said, "I don't quite believe it." Gu Yibai's heart stirred, and she thought to herself, "Her words seem to imply that she considers me her daughter..." But then she heard Bai Suyi ask, "Miss, are your parents still alive?"
Gu Yibai opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the red-faced, white-bearded old man, none other than Duanmu Shiliang, the leader of the Xuanming Sect's main altar, coughed and said, "Madam Peng, of course Miss Gu's parents are alive."
Bai Suyi ignored her and asked, "Are your parents alive?"
Gu Yibai nodded and said, "Thanks to your kindness, senior..." "My parents are still quite vigorous."
Bai Suyi was greatly disappointed, thinking to herself, "How strange, can there really be non-blood relatives who look so alike?" A thought struck her, and she asked, "May I see your parents?"
Suddenly, Duanmu Shiliang raised his voice, "Madam Peng, as the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. What is the purpose of meeting?"
Bai Suyi seemed not to hear, and continued, "I suspect the surname Gu is not your true surname, and what is your true surname? Why do you take your master's surname? Please believe my sincerity and do not deceive me with falsehoods."
Duanmu Shiliang frowned and said, "Madam Peng, your inquiry into the private affairs of Miss Gu of our sect is a grave taboo in the martial world." He then walked away.
Gu Yibai frowned slightly and asked, "Uncle Duanmu, what's wrong?"
Duanmu Shiliang frowned, then suddenly laughed and said, "Madam Peng has actually shown concern for our sect's beloved disciple, inquiring about him so earnestly. This is a good thing, and I am very pleased."
Bai Suyi smiled slightly and asked, "What do you think, young lady?"
Gu Yibai smiled and said, "Your husband and I are both highly respected figures in the martial arts world. Whenever you have time, my parents will certainly be happy to meet with you." She paused and said, "Taking my surname from my master is something my master agreed to with my father, and it has been like this since childhood."
Bai Suyi sighed in disappointment. Having asked this much, she couldn't help but give up. She shook her head repeatedly, tears welling in her eyes. Gu Yibai felt a surge of emotion, wanting nothing more than to rush into Bai Suyi's arms to comfort her. This feeling was inexplicable to her, and she suppressed it, thinking to herself, "They are my enemies, how could I have such thoughts?" She then bowed slightly and said, "This junior takes her leave. I hope to receive your guidance again in the future."
Duanmu Shiliang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and laughed heartily, "With such a grand ceremony and so many guests, I am bound by duty. Please forgive my inconvenience." He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Bai Suyi and turned to leave with Gu Yibai.
Bai Suyi reluctantly returned the salute, saying, "Miss Gu, I hope we can meet again soon for a long chat."
Gu Yibai replied, "This junior also wishes so." Reaching the corner of the road, she couldn't help but look back. Seeing Bai Suyi watching her leave, she felt a pang of reluctance, paused for a moment, and then continued on her way.
It turned out that Bai Suyi and Peng Bai had a daughter, nicknamed Xiaoyu, who was less than a year old. She was taken to play in the Daba Mountains by a servant, and the two women tragically fell into a deep ravine and died. The Peng Bai couple searched the entire valley the next day before finally finding them. Upon seeing the servant and their daughter's remains, they were overcome with grief. Bai Suyi wept day and night for half a year. Later, she gradually came to terms with it, believing that her father's many evil deeds had brought retribution upon his granddaughter. Besides trying her best to do good, she didn't even tell Hua Tianhong and his wife, so Hua Yunlong was unaware that he had such a short-lived cousin.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
Before noon, the pavilions beside the vast stone platform in front of the "Nine-Bend Palace" were already filled with heroes from all over the world. The pavilions on the east side were divided equally between the Nine Yin Sect and the Starry Sky Sect, separated by a ten-foot-wide partition. On the left, Mei Suruo sat upright, leaning on her cane. Closely seated beside her were Shi Wanquan and two unnamed elderly men, all with white hair, seemingly nearing fifty. Below them were Ge Tiandu, Li Jiuyi, and the other leaders of the three halls.
The Xingxiu Sect was led by Shen Tu, with Dong Guo Shou notably absent. The Linghu brothers, Huyan Gong, and Fang Long were positioned to the left. These two sects combined numbered no less than two hundred, each possessing a serene and composed demeanor, their movements steady and powerful, their strength formidable. In the western pavilion, those seated were all members of the chivalrous path, led by Madam Cai, along with members from Diancang and Tiantai, totaling over a hundred.
The front pavilion, however, was bustling with noise, a stark contrast to the quietude of the east and west pavilions. This pavilion, mostly filled with ordinary martial arts figures, numbered no less than two or three thousand. Although the pavilion was the largest, it was almost overflowing. They frequently pointed and whispered among themselves towards the east and west pavilions. In the center of the stone platform was the altar. At this moment, the veil over the altar was lifted, revealing two memorial tablets on the altar: the left one read "The Holy Tablet of Master Li Wuliang of Wuliang Mountain," and the right one read "The Holy Tablet of Master Shen Mingzhe of Jiuqu Palace." Incense, flowers, offerings, and ritual implements were
all present, a magnificent display. In the martial world, almost no one knew the true name of the Jiuqu Divine Lord from over a hundred years ago; only now did they learn of it. Since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, the Xuanming Sect naturally prepared various kinds of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and seasonal fruits, but apart from those displayed in the main pavilion, no one ate them. Around noon, three people suddenly appeared. Leading them was a long-haired monk with snow-white hair and beard, bound by a silver band, wearing a moon-white robe and carrying a worn silver shovel. Behind them were two middle-aged men: one with bronze skin, a square face, broad shoulders, and a thick waist; the other dressed in white with delicate features. Upon seeing this, the assembled heroes rose to greet him. The newcomer was none other than Master Ciyun, Gao Tai, and Abudule. Master Ciyun's gaze swept across the pavilion, but he did not see the Daoist Changhen, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Master Ciyun's gaze shifted slightly, and he turned to Madam Cai, Xuan Wenxian, saying, "Your daughter is with Madam Yuding; is she still missing?"
Madam Cai was taken aback, and instead of answering, she asked, "How is Wei'er with her? We are searching for this lady."
Master Ciyun sighed, "If she does not come, she must have secluded herself from the world. The world is vast; how will we find her then?"
If Madam Cai were still alive, she wouldn't even be aware of the current state of the martial world. But after her trip to Luoxia Manor, she not only learned about major events in the martial world, but also had some knowledge of past grudges and grievances. Hearing this, she anxiously asked, "Madam Yuding was very powerful back then, and had many enemies. Could it be that she's run into them? How is Wei'er?"
Master Ciyun turned to look at the opposite pavilion and said, "Oh no, it might be the Nine Yin Sect breaking their agreement and attacking."
Abudule, seeing that one was concerned about his daughter's safety and the other anxious about Madam Yuding's whereabouts, talked for a long time... Unable to grasp the point, he chuckled and said, "Master, please don't worry. If I hadn't seen Miss Cai's intelligence, I could have easily persuaded Madam Yuding to change her mind. How could I have left with peace of mind?"
Master Ciyun nodded and said, "This humble monk was too hasty."
Abudule smiled slightly and said to Madam, "With Miss Cai and Madam Yuding's martial arts skills, they can escape unscathed from any battle. Madam, you can rest assured." Madam Cai was about to ask for more details when suddenly she heard the bells and drums ring out in unison. Looking up,
she saw that the sun was high in the sky, it was noon. The bells and drums rang out nine times in succession, and the whole place fell silent. The sound, because it came from the empty valley, was even more resounding and deafening, loud and continuous. Before the sound had faded, two rows of white-robed boys filed out from the magnificent "Nine-Bend Palace" gate, each carrying a golden incense burner with wisps of incense smoke. Leaving the palace gate and reaching the altar, crossing the red osmanthus trees and stone platform, a distance of about one or two hundred zhang, the head attendants walked to the foot of the altar and stood still. Then they all turned around and stood on both sides of the red carpet, one every zhang, totaling two or three hundred people. The scene was extremely spectacular.
The incense smoke from the incense burner spread with the wind, instantly covering the stone platform. The bells and drums sounded again, and a group of strong men dressed in black walked out of the palace gate in an orderly fashion. After the group of strong men in black walked out, strong men in blue walked out, then strong men in white walked out, and finally people in purple walked out. Most of them were elderly. They marched in a grand procession until they reached the altar. Suddenly, they split to the left and right, circled around to the front of the altar, and then regrouped, turning around in unison to face the altar. The innermost circle was purple, followed by blue, white, green, and black, as neat as if cut by a knife. There were more than seven or eight hundred people. The sheer number of them was dazzling and awe-inspiring.
Gao Tai raised his thick eyebrows slightly and said in a low voice, "Among the most unruly and rebellious figures, none can command with such strength and discipline as the Divine Flag Gang of yesteryear."
Master Ciyun frowned and said, "I never imagined that in my lifetime I would experience the third decisive battle between good and evil." His tone was full of sighs about the bloodthirsty and competitive nature of human nature. Abudule
said coldly, "Right now, it's more important to focus on eliminating a few more villains. Let's not dwell on those lamentations."
Suddenly, a bell and drum sounded, and soft music played. From the palace gate, two rows of young men and women walked out. The young man on the left was dressed in yellow, with red lips and white teeth, and held a sheathed sword in both hands. The young woman on the right was dressed in palace attire, with a beautiful face. Her left arm was half-covered with a jade ruyi, which leaned against her chest.
Dan Shimin stroked his beard and laughed, "There are quite a few people in the world who enjoy this."
Suddenly, music arose, and a group of people slowly walked out. The one in the lead wore a bright red floral robe, had three strands of blue beard under his chin, and a face as clear as jade. He was none other than the Xuanming Sect Leader who had caused a stir in the martial arts world and shocked the martial arts community. He was now the Nine-Bend Divine Lord, Gu Shibiao. Gu Shibiao walked out, glanced around briefly, and then continued walking. Behind him, in order, were Vice Sect Leader Wu Dongchuan, the Recluse of Laoshan Huang Xialing, Zixiazi, the Twin Monsters of Yinshan, the leaders of the main altar and the three outer altars, and several elderly men with peculiar appearances, totaling more than twenty people.
Master Ciyun sighed, "I never imagined these demons were still alive. Judging by this, the martial world is doomed to another calamity."
Suddenly, Ding Rushan said, "Those third and fourth ones, I remember they were Li Wuliang's junior brother."
Hou Jiaxuan raised an eyebrow and said, "I've never heard of Li Wuliang having any fellow disciples."
Ding Rushan coldly replied, "Their relationship soured years ago, and the two junior brothers fled far away, hence few outside the region know of them."
Shan Shimin frowned and said, "I never imagined that these demons, rumored to be dead, would be here today..." " The grand opening ceremony has begun, and everyone has shown up one by one, but no one from the Hua family has come. Even Young Master Hua Hua has not arrived yet, for reasons unknown."
Madam Cai smiled slightly and interjected, "With the wisdom of Hero Hua, he must have made arrangements long ago. There is no need for you all to worry."
Suddenly, Bai Suyi sighed and whispered, "Uncle Changsun is not here, nor is Ren Xuan."
As she spoke, Gu Shibiao and the others, led by a group of young men and women, walked on red carpet amidst soft music, descended the osmanthus steps, crossed the stone platform, and arrived at the altar, where they had already ascended the steps. The group of young men carrying long swords and young women holding jade ruyi scepters stood on either side of the steps, twelve on each level, for a total of thirty-six on the three levels, subtly corresponding to the number six of the Heavenly Gang.
When Gu Shibiao and the others reached the top of the altar, the music abruptly stopped, and the vast open space, filled with so many people, fell into an unusual silence. Suddenly, the Xuanming disciples below the altar bowed in unison and cried out, "Greetings, Divine Lord!"
There were no fewer than seven or eight hundred Xuanming disciples, many of whom were highly skilled in martial arts. Their shouts were deafening, shaking the heavens and earth. Those watching felt their eardrums throb and their hearts trembled. Gu Shibiao, high on the altar, his eyes filled with imposing power, swept his gaze around. His hawk-like gaze and tiger-like aura, so fierce and piercing, were felt even by those in the surrounding pavilions, though they were far away, causing them all to shudder.
After observing the scene, Gu Shibiao waved his hand, and the master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Disciples of this sect may dispense with the formalities." The Xuanming disciples below the altar shouted in unison, straightening their backs. Their movements were so synchronized that hundreds of them moved as one. At this moment, Gu Shibiao stepped forward, surveyed the entire arena, and slowly said, "Our sect's opening ceremony is graced by the presence of heroes from all over the world. The entire Xuanming sect is deeply grateful."
Suddenly, Mei Suruo in the east pavilion rose from her seat and said, "Your sect's opening ceremony is a momentous event, and our sect is honored to be present."
Gu Shibiao turned and clasped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Sect Leader."
In the Xingxiu Sect, Master Shentu said indifferently, "Our sect should offer our congratulations on your sect's grand ceremony." Gu Shibiao slightly clasped his hands, saying nothing more.
Suddenly, a loud and powerful voice said, "What a grand display!" Everyone was puzzled by the voice. Everyone turned to look, and saw that, without anyone noticing, standing on the front pavilion was a short, stout, bald, red-faced old man with a large mouth and a thick burlap shirt, holding a short palm-leaf fan. It was none other than the carefree immortal Zhu Tong. Seeing this, Gu Shibiao thought to himself, "These old ghosts are still alive; dealing with them won't be easy."
The carefree immortal Zhu Tong laughed heartily... He floated down, traversing the broad plain, passing the disciples of the Xuanming Sect altar, and simply swept past them. This nonchalant attitude enraged everyone in the Xuanming Sect, but the sect's rules were strict, and without Gu Shibiao's order, no one dared to stop him. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing voice rang out, shouting, "Dwarf, where is this place for your arrogance?" A figure
floated down from the eight or nine-zhang-high altar, slashing diagonally towards Zhu Tong's path. Lightning-fast, it was Mao Jie, one of the "Three Cripples of the Foreign Tomb." The assembled heroes, seeing his agility, were secretly astonished, knowing that the Three Cripples truly lived up to their name. The carefree immortal Zhu Tong stopped and looked over, chuckling, "So it's you, you cripple. You've lived a long life."
Mao Jie, born with a hidden ailment, hated being called disabled. Hearing this, his teeth chattered, and he snarled, "Old ghost Zhu, don't be so smug. I'll make you taste the bitterness of being crippled and wishing you were dead."
Zhu Tong scoffed, "You cripple don't deserve it." His constant use of "cripple" had already made Mao Jie, with his vicious nature, unable to contain himself any longer. He gave a sinister smile, spread his ten fingers, and lunged at Zhu Tong.
The "Three Cripples of the Forbidden Tomb" were inherently vicious, and their martial arts were equally ruthless. Even with his hands seven or eight feet apart, ten sharp gusts of wind erupted from his fingertips, and those around him immediately smelled a stench like rotting corpses. Clearly, Mao Jie's finger strikes contained a strange poison. Zhu Tong was not unprepared. He chuckled, waved his palm-leaf fan, and fanned Mao Jie.
Although it was just a palm-leaf fan, to a master like Zhu Tong, it was nothing short of a divine weapon. The fan carried immense power, striking even after being struck, and others assumed Mao Jie would change his tactics. However, Mao Jie was arrogant and hot-tempered, and harbored a grudge against Zhu Tong. He thought to himself, "My 'Corpse-Rotting Finger' is incurable. Without an antidote within a short time, death is certain. I'll risk internal injuries to send this old ghost on his way." His mind raced, and he ignored the attacking fan, his hands accelerating to grab Zhu Tong.
Having roamed the martial world for decades, the carefree immortal Zhu Tong was well aware of Mao Jie's intentions. Without dodging or evading, he tossed aside his fan, his right hand flashing like a halberd, unleashing a sudden counterattack with a "Death Strike," simultaneously channeling his internal energy and sealing all his acupoints. A muffled groan and a fierce roar erupted as Zhu Tong was sent flying back several feet, landing two steps back and spitting out three mouthfuls of blood, his body swaying precariously. Mao
Jie stood rooted to the spot, his eyes listlessly fixed on Zhu Tong, a bitter smile on his face. "
Old ghost," he said, "you've won." Zhu Tong forced a smile, "Mao Jie, your ruthlessness is something I, Zhu Tong, admire."
Mao Jie also forced a smile, saying, "It's not unjust for this man surnamed Mao to die at your hands." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly coughed up blood, swayed, and collapsed.
This turn of events was utterly abrupt. Both sides knew that with their martial arts skills, a decisive battle would take far more than two or three hundred moves. Unexpectedly, their initial attack was a mutually destructive one, leaving no room for outside help. The crowd was horrified as figures flashed across the altar and the west shed, rushing towards Zhu Tong and Mao Jie.
Pan Xu and Pi Ziliang, the "Three Remnants of the Fanzhong Tomb" from the Xuanming Sect, concerned for their sworn brothers, immediately rushed forward. Pi Ziliang crouched down, checked Mao Jie's breath with his one arm, and his expression changed. He said, "Third brother is finished."
Pan Xu's face was ashen, and he gave a chilling laugh that sent shivers down everyone's spines. He paused with his crutches, then leaped into the air towards Peng Bai and Zhu Tong. While still in mid-air, he raised his right crutches, aiming with the force of a thunderbolt at Zhu Tong's crown. Madam Cai had already arrived. With a sharp shout and a flick of her long sleeves, Pan Xu was struck as if by a heavy blow, his figure flipping as he landed three zhang away. This all happened in an instant. Master Ciyun, the Hero of Lingnan, Abudule, Gao Tai, the Twin Monsters of Yinshan, and other experts from both sides emerged, clashing on both sides, creating a situation that seemed poised to escalate into a major battle.
Suddenly, Gu Shibiao said, "Elders, please return. New and old grudges will all be settled after the ceremony." Upon hearing this, the Hero of Lingnan was the first to turn back. Pan Xu and Pi Ziliang glared fiercely at Zhu Tong before Pi Ziliang carried Mao Jie's body away, turning away sullenly. The group of heroes were taken aback, thinking of the "Three Remnants of the Foreign Tomb," such tyrannical figures. Gu Shibiao's calm words had actually stopped the two from suppressing their hatred for their brother's murder.
The carefree immortal Zhu Tong's face was covered in black mist, and he was already delirious. He was immediately led back to the west shed by Master Ciyun. Bai Suyi quickly stepped forward, glanced at Zhu Tong's face, and said, "Although the internal injuries are severe, they are not serious. However, the finger poison is a concern."
Master Ciyun frowned and asked, "How is the finger poison?"
Bai Suyi pondered and said, "That finger poison seems to be made by absorbing the filth of rotting corpses. If an ordinary person is poisoned by it, they will die instantly. I don't have any medicine on hand, so I can only suppress it with golden needles. Uncle-Master Zhu's skill is profound. He can hold on for a day or two. I will get medicine for treatment later." As Bai Suyi spoke, she hurriedly took out golden needles and inserted them into the chest of the carefree immortal Zhu Tong. Above
the
altar, incense smoke curled and soft music played. Gu Shibiao offered incense and recited his oath. Then, he dripped a few drops of blood into a golden cauldron on the sandalwood offering table. The others followed the proper etiquette, except for one old man in green robes who only slightly bowed to the sacred seat of the Nine-Bend Divine Lord. The others ignored him and did not follow suit.
Everyone in the audience held their breath and watched in astonishment. This old man in green robes had not been among the group leaving the palace. None of the countless experts in the courtyard had noticed when he had ascended the altar. Upon closer inspection, they saw that he had white hair and beard, a silver beard reaching his abdomen, and his eyes shone with a sharp light when they opened and closed. He appeared to be at least over a hundred years old. Master Ciyun asked, "Who knows who that green-robed old man is?"
The heroes exchanged bewildered glances, none of them knowing. After a pause, Hou Jiaxuan suddenly said, "Look, even the Nine Yin Sect and the Demonic Sect seem surprised by this." Everyone looked closely and indeed saw Shen Tu Zhu, Mei Suru, and others glancing at the altar from time to time, their faces showing surprise, whispering among themselves. Some even pointed at the green-robed old man.
Suddenly, Madam Cai said, "This man's skill is far superior to Gu Shibiao's."
Gao Tai asked in a deep voice, "Madam, what level of skill do you estimate he has reached?"
Madam Cai pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "I cannot judge, but I can assert that this man's martial arts are above mine."
Everyone was shocked and moved, yet somewhat incredulous. They looked again and saw Gu Shibiao bow to the green-robed old man, whisper a few words, and the green-robed old man nodded slightly, lifted the golden cauldron from the offering table, carried it with one hand, walked to the altar, and glanced around at the entire audience. He slowly said, "Disciples of this sect, listen carefully! Our sect will open its altar today. From this day forward, we will open our gates wide, accept disciples widely, establish branch altars throughout the world, and spread our influence for eternity." He paused, then his voice suddenly turned stern, saying, "Today, entrusted by our sect leader, I will preside over this blood oath. All disciples are sworn to serve you to the death. Anyone who harbors disloyalty will have their heart ripped out and beheaded—no mercy will be shown."
This man's internal strength was unfathomable; he showed no sign of exerting force, and his voice was normal, yet everyone felt as if he were right beside them. After he finished speaking, the golden cauldron in his hand suddenly flew out, two zhang away from the altar. The blood wine in the cauldron poured down, and on the ground in front of the altar, a huge dragon-shaped cauldron lay flat. The blood wine flowed in, and with a wave of his right hand, the golden cauldron flew back into his hand.
Those in the shed, whether from the righteous path, the Nine Yin Sect, or the Starry Constellation Sect, or ordinary martial arts figures, were all greatly shocked. The disciples of the Xuanming Sect, however, cheered in unison, their shouts sounding like the collapse of heaven and earth, making it hard to breathe. Liao Yizhong, one of the "Twin Swords of Diancang," suddenly sighed, "Who in the world can refine their inner energy to the point of freely manipulating objects?"
The green-robed elder poured the blood wine from the golden cauldron into the towering dragon-shaped cauldron, which was already full of fine wine. Immediately, the attendants scooped it up with dozens of silver cups and passed it to each person. Unexpectedly, after only two or three people had each cup passed, the drinkers suddenly collapsed and couldn't rise. By the time the order to stop drinking the blood wine was given, seventy or eighty people had already collapsed. The Xuanming Cult members were terrified. Wu Dongchuan shouted sternly, "Calm down! Blue-robed stewards, quickly move the affected disciples into the palace!"
The Xuanming Cult was known for its strict discipline and orderly organization. Despite this sudden upheaval, order was restored quickly. Dozens of burly men in blue robes rushed out from below the altar, carrying away the unconscious disciples with swift movements. In the blink of an eye, the situation was clear and orderly as before. Gu Shibiao, his face contorted with rage, shouted, "Master Miaoling, now that you're here, why haven't you shown yourself?"
The crowd, initially filled with surprise and doubt, suddenly understood. Under heaven, apart from the people of Miaoling, no one possessed such extraordinary poisoning skills, nor did they have the audacity. But then a clear voice came from the palace steps, saying, "Gu, we're here, what do you want?"
Everyone present was looking towards the valley entrance, only to find that there were three beautiful young women in Miao attire, naked from head to toe, their breasts half-exposed, walking leisurely out of the palace gate. They were none other than the Three Immortals of Miao Ridge. The Purple Star Fairy laughed, "Gu Shibiao, your Nine-Bend Villa is magnificent. We originally intended to give it to Zhu Rong, but we couldn't bring ourselves to do it."
Gu Shibiao shouted angrily, "What have you done to the disciples inside the palace?" The Orchid
Fairy said calmly, "I saw they were tired from guarding it, so I lit a bundle of 'Yellow Millet Incense' to let them rest." She paused, then smiled, "You might wonder how we could poison the blood wine from so far away. Let me tell you, last night we coated the inner wall of that golden cauldron with a layer of colorless and odorless poison."
Gu Shibiao was furious, thinking to himself, "Our sect sent out all its experts, yet these three lowly maids managed to sneak in. " With a wave of his hand, three old men suddenly leaped down from the altar, their bodies like arrows, ascending the stone steps. Before they had even reached halfway up, they suddenly felt dizzy and were terrified, realizing they had been poisoned by the Miao Ling's strange poison. Unable to retreat in time, two collapsed forward, while only the middle old man managed to retreat three zhang (approximately 10 meters) and stand still, trying to expel the poison
. These three old men, in terms of agility, were easily among the top masters; the Three Immortals of Miao Ling might not have been their match. But before a single move had passed, two had already fallen. The Miao Ling poison techniques were truly formidable. The Three Immortals of Miao Ling remained calm and unperturbed. The Pear Blossom Fairy giggled, "Gu Shibiao, we had already laid out eighteen poison arrays on the steps, preparing to test the martial arts of all the heroes under heaven. Your three subordinates are not skilled enough, only managing to pass five. Why don't you try and see how many you can withstand?"
Gu Shibiao's face was ashen, and he said in a sinister tone, "If I don't capture you all today, I'll tear you to pieces, and the Xuanming Sect will be disbanded." He was furious to the extreme. The three Miao immortals had interfered with the opening ceremony, thus incurring the deep hatred of the Xuanming Sect's millions of disciples. Moreover, they had been showing off their power at their headquarters. Gu Shibiao was determined to unify the martial world, and he couldn't let them collapse in front of all the heroes gathered in the world. He turned his gaze to the green-robed old man and said, "I trouble you, senior brother, to capture these three lowly maids."
The green-robed old man nodded slightly, calmly and unhurriedly descending the steps. His steps were as smooth as flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, he was already at the bottom of the long steps. Seeing this, the heroes, Peng Bai, Madam Cai, Master Ciyun, Abudule, and others all walked out of the pavilion and headed towards the stone steps in front of the palace. Gu Shibiao smiled coldly, raised his arm, and the two remaining members of the Fanzhong Three, the Yinshan Twins, and Huang Xialing all descended the altar and stood in the way.
The green-robed elder raised his gaze and coldly addressed the three Miao immortals on the steps, "Will you surrender, or do you wish to suffer a little?"
The three Miao immortals had never feared anyone in their lives. The Orchid Fairy raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who are you, old ghost?"
The green-robed elder coldly replied, "My name would terrify you if I told you; you'd better not."
The Orchid Fairy scoffed, "You're just spouting nonsense. You're nothing but some unknown, monstrous demon who has become a spirit."
The green-robed elder's anger flared. He coldly snorted, and in a flash, he had already traversed the winding stone steps and stood before the palace. His speed was beyond description; the Miao's poisonous miasma was utterly useless against him. Although the three Miao immortals knew this green-robed elder was extraordinary, they hadn't expected him to be this powerful. Terrified, they unleashed a silent, odorless cloud of nine-poisonous miasma with all six of their hands.
The green-robed elder waved his sleeve, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that swept the Nine Poisonous Mist into the air before it could even spread. For the first time ever, the Miao Ling poison techniques failed. The three Miao immortals, stunned by the sudden attack, had no time to react before the green-robed elder chuckled coldly, "You've run out of tricks." With a sudden palm strike, a massive gust of wind enveloped the three Miao immortals.
They had no chance to dodge and were about to be injured by the green-robed elder. The elder's martial arts were truly unbelievable; everyone was astonished. Knowing they couldn't help, they could only do their utmost. Although the heroes were highly skilled, those who intercepted them were all seasoned veterans. For a time, none of them could reach Danxi, let alone offer any assistance to the three Miao immortals.
At the critical moment, a Buddhist chant suddenly rang out, and a gentle force unexpectedly intercepted the old man's palm strike, which was heavier than a mountain. A deafening roar followed, sending sand and gravel flying, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the air. A large crater appeared on the stone platform, about ten zhang wide, in front of the Nine-Bend Palace. The three Miao immortals, having narrowly escaped death, were still shaken by the residual force, their blood churning and forcing them to retreat several steps.
The old man in green, who considered himself the greatest martial artist in the world, couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!" upon seeing someone manage to deflect his palm strike. He turned his gaze and saw Master Yuanqing slowly emerging from within the palace gates. He wore cloth shoes and a gray robe, held Buddhist prayer beads, and behind him stood a beautiful young woman, as delicate as a spring flower and as radiant as the morning sun—this was Cai Weiwei. Both the Righteous Path and the Xuanming Sect on the platform, seeing the sudden change in the situation, stopped fighting and focused their attention on the platform. Madam Cai felt relieved to see her daughter arrive with her maternal grandfather, but knowing it was inappropriate to call out, she remained silent.
The old man in green robes snorted and said, "So you're the little monk Yuanqing?"
His tone was extremely arrogant and disrespectful, but Master Yuanqing didn't mind and smiled, saying, "It is indeed this humble monk
. I acted hastily; please forgive me, benefactor." Cai Weiwei retorted angrily, "My father-in-law is over ninety! You old devil, who are you to dare disrespect him? If you don't change your ways, hmph..."
Her innocent and charming manner, coupled with her fierce tone, only made her more endearing. The old man in green robes, instead of being angry, laughed and said, "Haha, little girl, your father-in-law is only ninety, while I am one hundred and forty-nine this year, nearly sixty years older than him. Do you think that's fitting?" Everyone in the room was astonished by the old man's martial arts skills. Thousands of eyes were fixed on the platform, and upon hearing this, whispers immediately arose.
It's hard to believe that someone could live to such an old age, but seeing the old man in green robes' high level of martial arts, it's impossible not to believe it. You know, if someone lives to be over a hundred years old and continues to practice martial arts, their skill is beyond question.

[Chapter 37] A Malicious

Intention That Cannot Be Redeemed by Death
Cai Weiwei's starry eyes widened, and she said, "You have such a long life?" She shook her head, disbelieving, "Liar, only a fool would believe that."
The old man in green robes laughed and said, "Child, you don't know any better. I'm speaking with your father-in-law." He turned to Master Yuanqing and said, "Yuanqing, do you also have doubts?"
Master Yuanqing said solemnly, "How dare this humble monk not believe you? May I ask your honorable name, venerable benefactor?" The old man in green robes said arrogantly, "You only need to know that I call myself a terrestrial immortal. You don't need to ask anything else." This old man in green robes called himself a "terrestrial immortal," which was truly arrogant beyond belief. However, everyone present, having witnessed his martial arts skills, felt heavy-hearted and no one mocked him.
But Cai Weiwei curled her cherry lips and said, "Hmph, a terrestrial immortal? You old codger, do you even
deserve that title?" The green-robed old man ignored her and said, "Yuan Qing, do you think my martial arts skills are worthy of such a title?"
Master Yuan Qing pondered for a moment and said, "With your superb skills, you are certainly worthy of such a title. However, I have a question that I do not understand. I humbly request your guidance."
The green-robed old man said, "Speak."
Master Yuan Qing solemnly said, "I am foolish, but I believe that the life of an immortal is one of leisurely wandering in the forests and springs." "Being detached from worldly affairs, appreciating the gentle breeze, the bright moon, the flowers, the grass, and the misty clouds..."
Before he could finish, the green-robed old man coldly interrupted, "I am over two hundred years old, and have experienced countless vicissitudes. Do I need you to explain these principles to me?"
Master Yuanqing clasped his hands together and said, "Benefactor, you are wise."
The green-robed old man coldly said, "Enough with the idle talk. I have long heard of the Martial Saint's supreme skills, but I regret that I have never seen them. Today, I can fulfill my long-cherished wish." He paused slightly, then shouted, "Be careful!" He swung his right palm and slowly struck out.
This move was unremarkable, yet Master Yuanqing's expression turned solemn. With a flick of his sleeves, he suddenly retreated three zhang, saying, "Your longevity is rarely seen in the world. Why waste your remaining years wading into the mortal realm, getting yourself stained with blood?"
The green-robed elder remained unchanged, making no apparent movement, but followed closely, saying, "If you have anything to say, take ten of my moves first."
Master Yuanqing retreated again, saying in a deep voice, "Your Excellency..."
The green-robed elder impatiently interrupted, "Is the descendant of a Martial Saint a coward? Why not..." " Fight back?"
Cai Weiwei couldn't help but cry out, "Father-in-law, teach him a lesson!"
Although the old man in green robes was highly skilled in martial arts, how could Master Yuanqing be afraid? Although he was calm and composed, the old man in green robes was so aggressive that he couldn't help but think to himself, "A wise man doesn't fight for power, but this concerns the reputation of our ancestors, so I can't just give in all the time." With that thought, he stood firmly and said, "Forgive this humble monk for counterattacking." As he spoke, his right palm was held upright in front of his chest, and his index and middle fingers were pointing at the old man in green robes' vital point between his eyebrows.
The old man in green robes felt that this move was both offensive and defensive, and it was flawless, truly like a copper wall and iron wall. He couldn't help but laugh and shout, "It seems that you can still withstand a few of my moves." His right palm struck out, but before it was halfway out, he suddenly withdrew it, his left hand made a hand seal, and his right palm slashed down diagonally.
The sound of tearing silk was sharp and piercing. Even before the moves were executed, a terrifying aura was already present, filled with murderous intent and overwhelming power. Master Yuanqing uttered a Buddhist chant, his right hand remaining in its original stance, while his left palm flipped, launching a sudden attack. The martial arts of these two were unparalleled, unmatched by even two or three others in the world. Everyone watched intently, hoping to gain some benefit. However, their attacks were unlike those of ordinary masters, not as fast as lightning. They seemed like beginners practicing, restrained and focused, lacking any real power. Those skilled in martial arts were greatly disappointed, finding it rather bland.
Only a few masters knew that the two men's martial arts had long since reached the realm of returning to simplicity, transforming the dazzling into the mundane, and imbuing the extraordinary with the ordinary. Thus, each move was simple and unremarkable. Those with weaker martial arts skills could not fathom its mysteries. In fact, such a fight required, on the one hand, anticipating the opponent's next move and maintaining a tight defense, and on the other hand, finding the opponent's weakness and seizing the opportunity to attack. A momentary lapse in concentration or a
miscalculation could lead to certain death. It was a contest of martial arts knowledge, skill, and wit, truly perilous. The nine moves had lasted for as long as a cup of tea. Suddenly, the green-robed old man feigned a palm strike and retreated. Everyone stared in confusion, wondering why he would withdraw before even completing ten moves. Suddenly, Master Yuanqing said, "We have no enmity between us, why should you harbor resentment?" The green-robed old man remained silent, his figure as imposing as a mountain, his hair and robes moving without wind, gradually appearing to swell.
Looking at Master Yuanqing, his expression was solemn, but his movements were as fluid as flowing water, his feet tracing the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. He walked faster and faster until finally his figure became indistinct, only a gray dragon coiling around him, its movements contrasting sharply with the green-robed elder. Everyone knew that the two were risking their entire lives, gambling everything, and held their breath in suspense. The hearts of the Cai family mother and daughter were practically in their chests. Unexpectedly, after a long stalemate, the green-robed elder suddenly let out a long sigh, his robes returning to normal. Before the sigh was even finished, he suddenly burst into laughter.
Master Yuanqing stopped abruptly, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "Thank you
for your repentance, venerable benefactor." The green-robed elder coldly replied, "You need not thank me. I stopped because I could not kill you with a single blow." He paused, then said, "Since you can withstand ten of my moves, what do you have to say?"
Master Yuanqing thought to himself, "With such a man assisting him, it's no wonder Gu Shibiao dares to provoke the Hua family. Alas, even I cannot subdue him. I must think of another way..." His thoughts shifted, and he slowly said, "Venerable benefactor, what brings you back to the martial world?"
The green-robed elder laughed, "I came here specifically to deal with the Hua family, and now I've added your Cai family to the mix, little monk. " , are you satisfied?
Master Yuanqing's eyebrows were slightly furrowed and he said: "What hatred do the Hua family and the Cai family have against the benefactor?"
The old man in green robe laughed and said: "I am here because of the kindness and entrustment of others. It's useless for you to break your lips."
Master Yuan Qing was helpless, and suddenly his mind moved, and he said: "If you don't mention this matter, I would like to guess the origin of the benefactor."
The old man in green robe laughed and said, "You can guess it, but I don't believe it."
Master Yuanqing said: "Donor, why don't you just listen to it?"
The old man in green robe smiled brightly and said: "Okay, you tell me, I will listen." "
Master Yuan Qing muttered: "The donor's first move seems to have been transformed from Maoshan's "Cloud Hand", but it has become more mysterious.
The old man in green robe nodded and said: "You can see the origin, you really have some eyesight." "
Master Yuan Qing smiled slightly and said: "The second move is the "Vajra Seal", and the third move is..."
The old man in green robe interrupted: "You can recognize it, of course. It's just a dream to know my origin from this.
Master Yuanqing smiled slightly and said, "What you have used are mostly the most powerful secret techniques from various sects, so it is impossible to determine your identity from this alone. However..." The
green-robed elder said, "However, what?"
Master Yuanqing's expression turned serious, and he said, "Only the first move, after its transformation, belongs to the Nine Turns Palace martial arts, and the seventh move is entirely a new creation of the Nine Turns lineage."
Upon hearing this, the green-robed elder's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, staring intently at Master Yuanqing's face, and he said, "Anything else?" Master
Yuanqing said, "This humble monk's eyes are poor, and I cannot recognize the rest." The
green-robed elder thought to himself, "The Nine Turns martial arts have never been passed down in the world before, yet this bald monk knows them. Although he did not recognize the ninth move, it is already quite astonishing." While thinking this, he laughed and said, "As expected of a descendant of the Martial Saint, you have not disappointed this old man."
Master Yuanqing said, "In that case, you are indeed from the Nine Turns Palace."
The old man in green robes laughed heartily and said, "Little monk, you have a good eye." He paused slightly and then said, "But, who do you think I am? " This question
stumped Master Yuanqing. He recognized the green-robed elder's martial arts style because he had seen the jade bookmark from the Nine-Bend Palace's scripture repository presented by Hua Yunlong. Although he had only glanced at it briefly, his martial arts prowess allowed him to glean some understanding. However, he was unfamiliar with the situation within the Nine-Bend Palace back then and thus could not guess the green-robed elder's origins. Seeing Master Yuanqing speechless, the green-robed elder laughed and was about to speak
when Master Ciyun, standing below, raised his voice: "Twenty years ago, this humble monk heard the Four Sages of Luoshan recount the story of the previous Nine-Bend God, inquiring about the Nine-Bend Palace. They said it possessed countless rare treasures and hundreds of subordinates, all highly skilled and experienced warriors..."
The green-robed elder's gaze shifted to Master Ciyun, and upon hearing his account, he suddenly said, "The correct number is five hundred and seventy-three."
Master Ciyun thought to himself, "Since he is so familiar with the affairs of the Nine-Bend Palace, he must undoubtedly be one of them." "Thinking to himself, he said loudly, 'The Nine-Bend Divine Lord of yesteryear had thirty-six disciples, thirty-five of whom joined forces to commit murder…'
Suddenly, the green-robed elder shouted sharply, 'Shut up!' This green-robed elder possessed immense skill; his sudden shout was like a thunderbolt striking from a clear sky. Those with lower martial arts skills in the crowd suffered tinnitus and could not hear for a long time, while even those with higher skills were greatly distressed. Everyone knew that what followed must be the six words 'murder of one's master and destruction of human relations.' There was no doubt that the green-robed elder came from the Nine-Bend Palace. However, apart from a few people who were well-versed in the inside story and vaguely guessed who this green-robed elder might be, the rest remained completely baffled."
Master Ciyun smiled faintly, then changed the subject, saying, "A hundred years later, the Nine-Bend Palace appeared, and it was then discovered that everyone in the Nine-Bend Palace had perished, except for Cao Tianhua, the last of the thirty-six disciples. But Cao Tianhua, it is said, died in his early twenties..."
The green-robed old man chuckled coldly, saying, "You bald monk, how dare you curse me to my face!"
Although Master Ciyun had vaguely guessed what was going on, he was still shocked upon hearing this, and asked, "Old benefactor, are you really Cao Tianhua?"
The green-robed old man smiled arrogantly, saying, "Everyone in the world said that I died young, haha, little did they know that my life is longer than anyone else's." Apart from the Xuanming Sect, everyone from the Xingxiu Sect, the Jiuyin Sect, and even the Xiayi Dao was extremely shocked.
It should be known that Cao Tianhua was considered a man who died young in the eyes of the entire martial arts world. His appearance before everyone was naturally abrupt, but that was secondary. The main reason was that Dong Guo Shou had once become famous for obtaining Cao Tianhua's "Tianhua Notes," and with him present, the doubts and suspicions of those present were impossible to suppress.
Mei
Suruo suddenly used "secret telepathy" to speak to a bearded old man beside her: "Protector Wen, Gu Shibiao has concealed most of the Xuanming Sect's strength; the alliance clearly lacks sincerity." The bearded old man was none other than Wen Yongchao, the leader of the Nine Yin Four Masters. Below the Four Masters were Du Ziyu, Kang Yun, and Shi Wanquan, among whom Du Ziyu was not present.
Wen Yongchao frowned and transmitted his voice, "What is the Master's intention?"
Mei Suruo said, "I believe we must guard against his tricks."
Wen Yongchao said, "My second brother has already led men to guard outside the valley. The Demonic Sect also has a tacit understanding with us.
Even if Gu Shibiao has any schemes, I don't think he can carry them out." Mei Suruo said coldly, "The people of the Demonic Sect are untrustworthy and ungrateful. They cannot support each other in times of trouble, and they cannot help each other in times of crisis. With Protector Du outside, how can he guard against so many things?"
Wen Yongchao said, "The Master seems to have a plan. Please give your instructions."
Mei Suruo's bright eyes scanned the group of heroes, but she couldn't spot Hua Yunlong. She thought to herself, "This grand opening ceremony is undoubtedly crucial to the rise and fall of good and evil for decades to come. He carries a heavy responsibility; there's no reason he wouldn't come. Could he be in danger?" Her thoughts raced, and she forgot to answer. Wen Yongchao paused, then asked again. She suddenly became alert, composed herself, and coldly said, "You all await my orders." She paused again, then added, "Under no circumstances should you act without my command."
Wen Yongchao asked, puzzled, "According to the agreement, our three sects should first join forces to eliminate those self-proclaimed heroes. The rest can surrender or be killed, and then we can control the entire martial world, isolating the Hua family. Does the sect leader mean we should just stand by and watch?"
Mei Suruo calmly replied, "Of course not. Just follow my orders." They had already made their decision. Shen Tu, the leader of the Xingxiu Sect, and the Linghu brothers were also whispering amongst themselves.
Linghu Qi turned his head and said, "Senior Brother, with such a powerful backer, it's no wonder that Gu Shibiao is so arrogant and dares to dream of conquering the world." Shen
Tu Zhu glanced at the Four Great Masters of Nine Yin and said, "Not only the Xuanming Sect, but after that woman withdrew, I thought the Nine Yin Sect was the weakest link. Who would have thought it had another strong backer? It seems that our sect is the weakest."
Linghu Qi snorted coldly and said, "How could our sect be weaker than the Nine Yin Sect?"
Shen Tu Zhu said in a deep voice, "This is not a matter of pride. If we act rashly, I'm afraid there will be no one or two of us who can return to Xingxiu Sea. If we make a move, our sect cannot face the enemy alone."
Fang Long raised his eyebrows and said, "In that case, let's not mention revenge and wiping away the shame."
Shen Tu Zhu said indifferently, "I'm afraid that will be difficult." Fang Long was unconvinced and opened his mouth, ready to argue.
Suddenly, Cao Tianhua said loudly, "Little monk, if there's nothing else, I'm about to make my move."
Master Yuanqing said, "Please wait, benefactor. I have something to ask you."
Cao Tianhua said, "Ask quickly, I'm itching to fight."
Master Yuanqing smiled slightly and said, "Why did you sigh and then laugh after stopping your attack?"
Cao Tianhua pondered for a moment and said, "Telling you won't hurt. In my second time leaving the mountain, I had no one who could withstand three blows. I never expected that you, little monk, would be a worthy opponent. This greatly surprised me, hence my sigh..."
Master Yuanqing continued, "However, if everyone in the world were easily defeated, it would be rather dull. Therefore, I laugh with delight. Am I right?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Tianhua looked up and laughed loudly, saying, "Good, very good! Yuanqing, you are worthy to be my opponent."
Master Yuanqing said, "You flatter me, benefactor."
Cao Tianhua suddenly spoke in a deep voice... "Hmph," he said, "Yuan Qing, don't be so smug. In a prolonged battle, this old man will surely prevail."
Master Yuan Qing chuckled and said, "Benefactor, your divine skill is unparalleled. This humble monk is far inferior, but there are those in the world who can rival you."
Cao Tianhua scoffed, "Are you referring to Hua Tianhong? Since my return to the martial world, everyone has been praising him to the skies. However, martial arts depend on cultivation. How can Hua Tianhong, a mere youth, compare to my over sixty years of experience and be considered equal?"
Suddenly, Cai Weiwei coldly scoffed, "Arrogant fool, looking at the sky with a basin on your head."
Cao Tianhua's gaze shifted, scrutinizing Cai Weiwei for a while. Although he was a peerless demon, he was already old and didn't know when he would die. He had no relatives in the world, and the loneliness and desolation were equally unbearable. He forced himself to suppress it, but Cai Weiwei's celestial beauty, especially her innocent and slightly charming nature, truly held a certain allure for him. He felt an indescribable sense of intimacy, so he not only didn't mind Cai Weiwei's repeated retorts, but also grew increasingly fond of her, and couldn't help but say kindly, "Cai Weiwei, if you're willing to acknowledge me as your godfather, I guarantee you'll become the number one martial arts master in the world."
Cai Weiwei pouted and said, "You yourself aren't invincible, how can you make someone else the number one?"
Cao Tianhua chuckled and said, "If you don't believe me, ask your father-in-law."
Master Yuanqing's expression straightened, and he said, "While this humble monk is indeed no match for you, Master Hua's talent is beyond ordinary comprehension, and his martial arts far surpass this humble monk's. You, benefactor, may not be his match either. However, the person this humble monk spoke of is someone else."
Cao Tianhua raised his eyebrows and asked, "Who?"
Master Yuanqing said, "This person, according to this humble monk's speculation, will surely arrive today. If you, benefactor, are interested, why not wait a moment?"
Cao Tianhua laughed heartily and said, "I was originally going to fight you immediately, but after hearing this, my curiosity is piqued." "I'd like to see who this person is. Hehe, even if it's a delaying tactic, I'm willing to accept it." Turning to look at Cai Weiwei, he smiled and said, "Little girl, we'll discuss our matter later."
Cai Weiwei said sweetly, "What if you lose?"
Cao Tianhua was slightly taken aback and smiled, "Impossible."
Cai Weiwei shook her head and said, "Nothing is impossible in this world. I think you should make plans early to avoid being embarrassed later."
Cao Tianhua smiled and said, "Alright, as long as someone can fight me to a draw, the matter of taking me as a disciple will naturally be dropped, and I will even give you a gift."
Cai Weiwei exclaimed sweetly, "You can't renege on a defeat."
Cao Tianhua raised his eyebrows, as if about to lash out, but then smiled bitterly and said, "Good girl, what do you take me for? A child like you?" He turned and gracefully descended the steps.
Suddenly, Fairy Ziwei sneered, saying, "Old Cao, let me show you the methods of the Nine Immortals' disciples." As she spoke, Cao Tianhua, who was halfway there, suddenly changed his expression, leaping six or seven zhang away. He glared hatefully at the three Miao immortals, lowered his eyelids, and stood still, circulating his inner energy.
Seeing this, Gu Shibiao was quite uneasy. He moved swiftly, instantly appearing beside Cao Tianhua. The three Miao immortals were startled by his movement, not expecting Gu Shibiao to possess such power. Gu Shibiao whispered, "How are you feeling, Senior Brother?"
Cao Tianhua's eyes snapped open, and he sneered, "A mere poison, how can it harm me?" He extended his right index finger, secretly channeling his inner energy, breaking through the skin at his fingertip. A drop of black blood dripped down, making a resounding clang, like ancient bronze. The potency of its poison was truly unbelievable. One drop after another, more than ten drops of black blood dripped down before turning bright red, the dripping becoming slower and slower, taking as long as a meal.
Gu Shibiao snorted and said, "Brother, go and capture those three lowly maids."
Cao Tianhua said, "Junior brother, wait, I'll handle this." He raised his eyes and said to Master Yuanqing, "Yuanqing, you've missed your only chance." He turned to the Three Immortals of Miaoling and gave a cold snort. Cao Tianhua wanted to act, but to expel the poison, he had greatly depleted his true energy. Master Yuanqing wouldn't stand idly by, and with his power not yet recovered, he dared not act rashly. He suppressed his anger, waved his hand, and said, "Let's end the ceremony first. Anyway, we're not afraid the lowly maids will escape." He gave the Three Immortals of Miaoling a gloomy look and walked back with Gu Shibiao. The Three Immortals of Miaoling withdrew from their ambush and, together with Master Yuanqing and Cai Weiwei, met with the assembled heroes. Cai Weiwei cried out "Mother!" and rushed into Madam Cai's arms. Due to the unexpectedly strong enemy, the group had no time for pleasantries and returned to the west shed. Peng Bai immediately asked, "Master, have you defeated Cao Tianhua?"
Master Yuanqing glanced at the altar and saw that Gu Shibiao was already completing the ceremony, moving the disciples from the front of the altar to the back, clearing a large area, seemingly preparing for action. Master Yuanqing silently adjusted his breathing, withdrew his gaze, and said calmly, "In the past, even if I couldn't win, I could at least draw. Now, my true energy is depleted. Although it's not a big problem normally, against a master like Cao Tianhua, after a long battle, it's hard to replenish my strength. I'm afraid I won't make it." Madam Cai was startled and said, "Why do you..." Master Yuanqing interrupted, "This is the will of Heaven. Why does Xian'er need to ask?" Suddenly, Cai Weiwei said sweetly, "Father-in-law, you said someone can resist that old codger. Is that true?" Master Yuanqing smiled and said, "It is true."

Peng Bai couldn't help but ask, "Who is that master? Could you please tell us?"
Master Yuan Qing smiled and said, "Of course I could."
Cai Weiwei couldn't wait any longer and asked, "Who?"
Master Yuan Qing glanced at everyone and slowly said, "That's Young Master Hua, the son of Hero Hua." Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. Although they knew Master Yuan Qing wouldn't speak carelessly, they still found it hard to believe.
Hua Wu suddenly said, "Even if Long'er's skill has progressed quickly, it shouldn't have reached this level, right?"
Master Yuan Qing said, "There's another reason..." Seeing that he suddenly stopped speaking, everyone knew there must be a reason and didn't ask any further questions.
Bai Suyi said with concern, "Long'er is so audacious and reckless; he must have caused you a lot of trouble, Master."
Master Yuanqing smiled slightly and said, "What Madam Peng said."
Shan Shimin asked, "Master, where is Young Master Hua now?"
Abudule asked, "Master, when will Long'er arrive? Why didn't he come with you?"
Master Yuanqing said, "He is busy with a group of experts who have been poisoned by the Demonic Sect. Now that experts from the three sects have gathered here, it is the perfect opportunity to search and rescue them."
Ding Rushan frowned and said, "This matter cannot be handled by one person alone. We should ask our fellow practitioners for help."
Hou Jiaxuan said, "Master, could you please tell me where Young Master Long is? I will go and see him." Hua Yunlong was a prodigy and a pillar of the chivalrous path. His safety and whereabouts were of great concern to his fellow practitioners. They all rushed to ask questions, and Master Yuanqing was overwhelmed. He opened his mouth but could not speak. Suddenly
, Shi Wanquan emerged from the opposite pavilion and strode into the open space, calling out loudly to the assembled heroes, "Where is Gu Luanyin?"
Master Ciyun and Abudule were startled. They had noticed that Daoist Changhen hadn't come with Cai Weiwei and had wanted to ask her about it, but had put it aside because of Hua Yunlong's matter. Now that the Nine Yin Sect had questioned them, they couldn't help but feel anxious. Abudule frowned and asked Cai Weiwei, "Miss Cai, hasn't Madam Yuding come?"
Before Cai Weiwei could answer, a clear voice came from the direction of the valley entrance, coldly saying, "Changhen is here." Cai Weiwei turned her head and saw Daoist Changhen slowly walking through the passage, followed by a beautiful woman with cloud-like hair and a long, trailing purple dress. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking: Alas! Why is Aunt Gu coming? She rose to greet her. Peng Bai, along with Master Ciyun and Abudule, walked out of the tent simultaneously.
While she was anxiously waiting, Mei Suruo, opposite her, also paused, thinking to herself: "The reason I made that monk promise outside Yishui City that day, instead of having you make today's appointment, was that you didn't need to attend. Surely you're intelligent enough not to understand?" But then Shi Wanquan's gaze shifted, glancing at the Daoist Changhen, and he sneered, "Good, good, you've finally arrived." He turned to Mei Suruo in the tent and bowed respectfully, saying, "Please instruct me, Master." Mei Suruo's brows furrowed slightly, and she slowly rose, leaning on her cane.
Wen Yongchao said, "No need for the Master's intervention; I will serve."
Mei Suruo coldly replied, "At this time and place, I must give an explanation to all the heroes."
Wen Yongchao paused, then said, "I am ignorant, but please follow." Mei Suruo nodded slightly, and the two walked towards the center of the stone platform.
The nun Changhen glanced indifferently at the entire room, bowed slightly, and said, "Ziyu, you may proceed."
Fang Ziyu was slightly taken aback and said, "Ziyu will naturally accompany the nun... Daoist Master."
Mei Suruo feigned composure. The short distance took her a long time to walk. During this time, she had over a hundred thoughts running through her mind, but none of them could resolve the deadlock before her. She sighed inwardly, stopped walking, glanced at the nun Changhen, and said with resentment, "You..." Suddenly, a clear whistling sound rang out, interrupting her words. The
whistling
sound was long and drawn out, seemingly descending from the clouds, yet also rising from nearby. The mountains echoed, its origins elusive, making it seem as if the entire sky was filled with it. Such a whistling sound should have been powerful and deafening, but strangely, everyone found it gentle and melodious, like the cry of a phoenix or the roar of a dragon, lacking the awe-inspiring power of a martial arts master's long howl. The experts in the arena were all deeply moved, knowing that a peerless master, rarely seen in the world, had arrived.
Cao Tianhua's expression also changed slightly, and he suddenly called out, "Is the one who comes Hua Tianhong?"
The clear, resonant whistling stopped abruptly, and a clear voice said, "Why should my father trouble himself with this matter? I am Hua Yunlong."
Cai Weiwei exclaimed in surprise, "It's Brother Long!" Her lips parted, about to call out.
Suddenly, Madam Cai said in a deep voice, "Wei'er, don't make a sound."
Shen Tu was the most shocked. He stood up abruptly and muttered to himself, "This kid is actually alive, and his skill has progressed so rapidly." Gu Shibiao was puzzled and thought to himself, "When did the Hua family brat develop any martial arts skills?" His mind raced, and he whispered, "As soon as that kid shows himself, Senior Brother must kill him with all his might."
Cao Tianhua said coldly, "Why bother?" He turned his gaze to the eastern cliff and shouted, "Hua family brat, why don't you come down?" At this moment, everyone heard the voice coming from the eastern cliff and looked up. The matter between the Nine Yin Sect and Gu Luanyin was temporarily put aside by both sides.
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "So you're Cao Tianhua?"
Cao Tianhua raised an eyebrow and said sternly, "You rude brat!"
Hua Yunlong said loudly, "As the saying goes, few live to seventy. You're already over two seventy. I, Hua Yunlong, am bound by family tradition and should treat you with the respect due to a senior. However, since you've aided and abetted evil and brought disaster to the martial world, that's another matter."
Cao Tianhua snorted angrily and said, "You're still wet behind the ears, yet you dare to speak so presumptuously! Come down here, and I'll teach you a lesson."
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Come up here, I'm too lazy to come down."
Cao Tianhua was furious. He glanced at Gu Shibiao and said, "Junior brother, let me go up and deal with this brat."
Gu Shibiao raised an eyebrow and said, "Why should Senior Brother condescend to deal with that brat from the Hua family? I'll just send someone up."
Cao Tianhua shook his head and said, "The brat's martial arts are not weak; others probably won't be able to handle him."
Gu Shibiao said, "No matter how high that brat's martial arts are, I don't believe he can't surpass the 'Master of Lingnan.' Sending him up will be more than enough."
Cao Tianhua pondered for a moment and said, "Very well."
Gu Shibiao turned to the 'Master of Lingnan' and said, "I'll trouble Elder Guan to go up and subdue that brat."
The 'Master of Lingnan's' real name is Zhu Yiguan, a name known to very few in the world. His martial arts are among the top three in the Xuanming Sect. Gu Shibiao sending him up is quite an honor for Hua Yunlong. The 'Master of Lingnan' bowed slightly, said nothing, and disappeared from the scene in a flash. The heroes of the West Pavilion, despite listening to Master Yuanqing's words, couldn't help but worry about Hua Yunlong.
Before long, the strange man from Lingnan suddenly appeared on the eastern cliff and shouted, "Reporting to the Divine Lord, we have searched but cannot find Hua Yunlong."
Gu Shibiao thought to himself, "That brat Hua will not escape." He looked up and shouted, "Hua Yunlong, you have disgraced the Hua family! Since you have spoken so arrogantly, why do you flee without a fight?" As soon
as he finished speaking, a loud laugh was heard coming from the western cliff. Everyone was startled and turned to look. On the cliff stood a handsome and imposing young man, dressed in a light robe and loose belt, with a sword and a fan. He looked like a noble young master. There was no one else but the second master of the Hua family of Yunzhong Mountain. He laughed loudly and shouted, "Gu Shibiao, are you blind? Sending someone to look for me on the opposite cliff? Cao Tianhua, you call yourself a terrestrial immortal, yet you couldn't even see that I, Hua, am here!" Upon hearing this, not only were Cao Tianhua and Gu Shibiao filled with shame and anger, but the other top experts below also secretly felt ashamed.
Cai Changyi suddenly asked, "Sir, wasn't Brother Yunlong on the opposite cliff? When did he move?"
Although Master Yuanqing was nearby, his voice was always loud and couldn't be lowered. He spoke so clearly that everyone in the shed could hear him. Those over nineteen didn't understand why, but hesitated to speak, and all listened intently. Master Yuanqing smiled and said, "Long'er did indeed hide on this cliff from beginning to end, but he used his extremely pure dantian qi to force his voice into a thin line, projecting it onto the opposite wall, making it impossible for anyone to pinpoint his location. However, I didn't hear it either."
Cao Tianhua sneered, "Merely gathering qi to transmit sound, a trivial skill, not even as good as splitting sound into two. What are you so proud of, brat?"
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly, "I'm not proud at all; I just find your sect's actions laughable."
Gu Shibiao suppressed his anger, smiled darkly, and said, "Hua Yunlong..." , Hua Tianhong was afraid of death and did not dare to come, but he sent you to die. In that case, why not come down?
Hua Yunlong smiled and said: "The Lord God has already moved his murderous intention and wants to take my life. Hua is so afraid of death that he is willing to go down and die."
Gu Shibiao was startled for a moment, and sneered: "Haha, it's strange for the Hua family to have a kid like you."
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly and said: "Shenjun is right, I am the most unscrupulous son of the Hua family." "Gu Shibiao wanted to cut Hua Yunlong into pieces. He couldn't provoke him. He wanted to let people go up again, but he felt that he was acting hastily and lost his identity. When Hua Yunlong saw him silent, he rolled his eyes and laughed and said: "Gu Shibiao, there is something about Hua that shocked you. Do you want to hear it? Gu Shibiao said
coldly: "There is nothing in the world that can shock this divine monarch."
Hua Yunlong smiled and said, "So, you don't want to hear it anymore?"
Gu Shibiao smiled coldly and thought to himself: Why did the child do this? Suddenly, a man stepped out from the pavilion in front and said to Hua Yunlong, "Young Hua, what amazing things do you have to say? Gu Shibiao won't listen, but this old man is willing to hear them." Everyone turned to look and saw that this man had purple eyes, high cheekbones, sunken cheeks, and his hair was tied in a Taoist bun, but he was dressed in secular clothes. His appearance was strange and no one recognized him. However, they knew that at the opening ceremony, all the heroes gathered. If no one was outstanding and tried to stand out, it would be tantamount to inviting humiliation. This man must have superb martial arts skills.
Hua Yunlong's gaze shifted, and seeing it was Gong Hao, he couldn't help but laugh loudly, "So it's you! Where is Wei Yifeng?"
Suddenly, Wei Yifeng, the "Yinfeng Hand" with a deep scar on his left cheek and only one eye remaining, stepped out of the tent and said sternly, "What do you want with your master?"
Hua Yunlong chuckled and said, "There may be more than two of you, but among the crowd, you are still outnumbered and weak. There's no advantage for you here. My advice is that you'd better leave as soon as possible."
Wei Yifeng angrily shouted, "Bullshit!"
Hua Yunlong... He said calmly, "If you don't believe me now, you'll regret it later."
Suddenly, Pan Xu shouted, "Brother Gong, your appearance has changed drastically. Forgive me for not recognizing you at first. You, Brother Wei, and the Hua family all have a deep-seated hatred for each other. Although Hua Yuanxu is dead, Wen Zhaoyi and his descendants are still alive. We share a common hatred. Why don't you two bring your jade here?"
Gong Hao said indifferently, "We came here only to broaden our horizons. We have no intention of making enemies with anyone. We appreciate Brother Pan's kindness."
Pan Xu's face turned red, and he cursed inwardly: Old fool, you don't know what's good for you.
But then Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Gong Hao, I admire your heroic spirit, but if you..."
Gong Hao interrupted, "Enough nonsense, I don't care whether you admire me or not."
Hua Yunlong smiled calmly and said, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. It was Hua who spoke too much." He paused slightly and said, "Do you know where Dong Guo Shou went?"
Suddenly, Fang Long said in a ferocious voice, "He went to slaughter all of you hypocrites."
Hua Yunlong seemed not to hear him and continued, "Do you know that Dong Guo Shou harbors evil intentions and has buried gunpowder around the valley, preparing to wipe out all of us?" Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Although they did not believe it, they couldn't help but turn their gazes to the members of the Demonic Sect, including those from the Xuanming Sect and the Nine Yin Sect.
Fang Long flew into a rage and shouted
, "You brat, talking nonsense!" Hua Yunlong laughed, "If not, where is your master?"
Fang Long retorted angrily, "Bah! Do you even deserve to ask about my master's whereabouts?"
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily, "Of course not, but I have seen your master nearby, and I find it highly suspicious."
Fang Long roared, "You little dog, talking nonsense! My master is clearly..." Suddenly realizing his mistake, he abruptly stopped. However, this act of selflessness had its downsides, instead arousing suspicion. Everyone's eyes swept across his face, as if trying to find a clue. He was naturally hot-tempered, and seeing this, he was furious, yet he was even more at a loss for words.
At this moment, Hua Yunlong stood alone atop the precipice, while heroes from all over the world gathered below. Facing powerful enemies, he spoke with ease and confidence, exuding an aura of dominance and arrogance that made even the mighty Xuanming Sect, Jiuyin Sect, and Demonic Sect pale in comparison. The situation on the field became even more chaotic after his intervention. Mei Suruo frowned slightly and transmitted her voice to Wen Yongchao and Shi Wanquan, saying, "Guardians, the current situation is definitely not the time to resolve this matter."
Shi Wanquan also transmitted his voice, saying, "Traitors must be punished."
Mei Suruo said in a deep voice, "Guardian Shi, do you want our sect to perish?" Wen and Shi could see that they were determined to make a move. The chivalrous people would not stand idly by, and a great battle was imminent. If the Xuanming Sect and the Demonic Sect stood by, the Nine Yin Sect would be in great danger of being destroyed. Shi Wanquan frowned and had no reply.
Cai Weiwei's eyes darted around, secretly plotting something. She also used telepathy to speak to the Daoist Changhen, saying, "Aunt Gu, do you understand Brother Long's intention in showing himself?" Cai Weiwei continued, "Aunt Gu, if you care about the Nine Yin Sect, you should step back first and let us deal with the Xuanming Sect or the Demonic Sect."
The Daoist Changhen's face changed, her mouth moving as if to speak, but then stopping. Seeing this, Cai Weiwei knew she was moved, and her heart filled with joy. She called out sweetly, "Aunt Gu, hurry!"
The Daoist Changhen thought to herself: "In this matter, I haven't thought things through properly, but things have come to this point, I can't leave it unresolved." Her mind raced, and she suddenly gave Mei Suruo a slight bow, said nothing, turned, and walked towards the group of heroes, retreating into the tent. Mei Suruo and Wen Yongchao watched her leave. Shi Fangquan opened his mouth to shout, but then closed it again.
Suddenly
, Shen Tu Zhu coldly said, "Our sect's leaders are all gathered here. How could our sect leader resort to such a low tactic? Hua Yunlong, are you lying through your teeth? Do you think no one in the world can do this?"
Hua Yunlong had been watching Changhen Daogu closely. Seeing that she had been persuaded, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing this, he laughed loudly and said, "No matter how eloquent you are, you won't be able to dispel everyone's doubts until you reveal where Dongguo Shou is now."
In the Xuanming Sect, Meng Weiqian suddenly said, "Reporting to the Divine Lord, this kid is clearly just spouting nonsense."
Gu Shibiao nodded and said, "I see that too. What do you think we should do?"
Meng Weiqian said, "This kid is most likely trying to prevent the Nine Yin Sect from offending Gu Luanyin. Divine Lord, you should..." " If we urge the Nine Yin Sect to make a move, will that brat from the Hua family really come down?"
Gu Shibiao said, "At the Jianjiao Festival, the Fengyun Society suffered the most severe losses because it was the first to provoke conflict. Past events serve as a lesson, and Mei Suruo will certainly not repeat the same mistake."
Meng Weiqian pondered, "If I lead my men from the altar to assist, Mei Suruo can then act with confidence and attack Gu Luanyin."
Gu Shibiao thought for a moment and said, "This plan is excellent, but the strength of one altar is too weak. Mei Suruo may not be willing to let go immediately. Altar Master Cui and Altar Master Duanmu should also lead their men along."
Having finalized their plan, Gu Shibiao raised his eyes and sneered, "Hua Yunlong, you can watch from up there if you're interested."
Hua Yunlong was incredibly clever. Seeing this, he secretly thought: Gu Shibiao and the others are all exceptionally intelligent. My intentions will not escape their notice. Thinking this, he smiled and said, "I have other important matters to attend to. Please excuse me." His figure turned and disappeared over the cliff. His action was so sudden that everyone in the room was stunned.
However, a chaotic battle broke out in the arena. Wu Dongchuan suddenly whispered to Gu Shibiao, "Divine Lord, Gong Jie and Wei Yifeng disappeared in the chaos. The disciples who were ordered to monitor them searched everywhere but couldn't find them and are now awaiting punishment."
Gu Shibiao was shocked and asked, "Is that so?"
Wu Dongchuan replied, "Everyone in the valley is under the supervision of our sect. Even if Gong and Wei the Blind Man were to turn into insects, they would not be able to hide. I also find it very strange." He paused and said, "And the people in the main camp, most of them are biased towards the Hua family. In the end, they will probably still help the opposing group. Should we eliminate them as well?"
Gu Shibiao slowly said, "No, those people are not worth worrying about. Kill them..." To avoid provoking resentment, but fortunately subduing them wasn't difficult, so it was better to let them go. Regarding the disappearance of Gong and Wei, he was ordered to monitor the disciples and issue a search order, to atone for his crimes through meritorious service. His intelligence was not ordinary; he had already sensed that something was amiss. The sudden departure of Gong and Wei clearly indicated a conspiracy, but he couldn't figure it out for the time being. After a moment's thought, he thought to himself, "Even if these two have followers, with the strength of our sect, what can we be afraid of? They can't cause any real trouble. The longer we wait, the more things might go wrong. It's better to quickly eliminate the Hua family's followers before dealing with them." With a firm decision in mind, he immediately said in a stern voice, "Vice Sect Leader Wu, lead all the disciples of our sect above the purple robe level to attack."
Wu Dongchuan bowed and said, "Yes, sir." With a wave of his hand, he led sixty or seventy purple-clad disciples and more than ten black-clad elders into the battlefield. The Chivalrous Path was already under pressure, let alone the fresh forces of the Xuanming Sect. While the highly skilled fighters were not a problem in one-on-one combat, the chaotic battle quickly turned into a desperate struggle for survival, forcing them to retreat repeatedly.
Gu Shibiao surveyed the situation and saw that the heroes were gradually losing ground. He thought to himself, "Our enemies will eventually meet their end. Monk Yuanqing is no threat. Even if the Nine Yin Sect and the Demonic Sect join forces, they are no match for our sect. From now on, the world belongs to our sect. Hua Tianhong, let's see if your Hua family remains unmoved. I'll also teach you a lesson from me. These twenty years of painstaking efforts have not been in vain." A sinister and smug sneer appeared on his lips as he was about to give the order for a general attack to annihilate the Chivalrous Path
when a loud shout suddenly rang out from the cliff to the east of the valley: "Stop!" The shout was like thunder, and everyone fighting in the valley felt their eardrums tremble. However, the battle was intense, and although they recognized Hua Yunlong's voice, no one stopped.
Gu Shibiao was suddenly startled and turned to look. He saw Hua Yunlong standing proudly on the cliff face and couldn't help but sneer, saying, "Hua Yunlong, what are you doing, coming and going like this? If you're tired of living, why don't you come down and let this divine lord send you to your death?"
Hua Yunlong then let out a long laugh, his laughter filled with sarcasm, saying, "Gu Shibiao, you're the one who's tired of living! Do you know what Ren Xuan and Gong Hao are doing?" "As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out from the west wall.
Hua Yunlong's expression changed, and he said urgently, "Ren Xuan is already setting the explosives, and you are still..." Before he could finish speaking, suddenly, a deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, came from the valley. Immediately afterward, a continuous rumbling sound echoed from the surrounding mountains.
In an instant, the sky shook, rocks flew everywhere, the ground beneath their feet trembled violently, the stone platform cracked open, and the surrounding peaks seemed to be on the verge of collapse. Stones the size of millstones... as dense as stars, as fast as a sudden rain, with the force of thunder, were thrown into the valley. The entrance to the valley was immediately blocked, sheds collapsed, and dust obscured the sun. Screams echoed in the valley, all from those hit by the stones. Some of the weaker martial arts practitioners were caught off guard and fell to the ground. Those with less courage shouted wildly, "It's over! Everyone, run!" "
All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Everyone in the valley was terrified and at a loss, in complete chaos, with no way to escape. The situation was like the end of the world, the destruction of heaven and earth. Both the righteous and the evil forces immediately stopped fighting and dodged the falling rocks. The most shocked and angry of them all was Gu Shibiao. He waved his left sleeve, sending a rock flying, and shouted sharply, "Ren Xuan!" A deafening laugh echoed from the western cliff face, revealing a group of participants in the opening ceremony .
Most were masters of both internal and external cultivation, their sharp eyes allowing them to distinguish individuals even from a distance. The leader, with his right arm severed at the shoulder, was tall and thin, dressed in a black silk robe. His face was somber, his eyes deep and unfathomable. Most present recognized him as Ren Xuan, the former leader of the Wind and Cloud Alliance, who had dominated the north and reigned supreme twenty years prior. Aside from his white beard and increasingly somber expression, he hadn't changed much.
Beside him stood an old man with a strikingly ugly appearance, one of the four pillars of the Wind and Cloud Alliance, Xing Zhou, the only remaining member of the Dragon Gate Duo. Gong Hao, Wei Yifeng, and others stood to his left and right, respectively. The rest of the group formed a dense, dark mass, filling the cliff face for miles, their imposing presence amplified by their elevated position. Ren Xuan glanced at them and laughed, "Gu Shibiao, what do you have to say?" "
Gu Shibiao said sternly, "Ren Xuan, you have joined our sect and are respected as an elder. I, the Divine Lord, have treated you well. Why have you betrayed the sect? Repent quickly, and I
, the Divine Lord, may still show leniency." At this moment, the falling stones gradually stopped, with only a few fragments occasionally falling. The people in the valley calmed down. Those with fiery tempers immediately started shouting curses, while the experts from all sides calmed down and observed the situation. Suddenly, Ren Xuan burst into wild laughter, a desolate and powerful laugh that echoed from all four mountains. For a moment, the world seemed to be filled with this unrestrained and unparalleled laughter.
Suddenly, Hua Yunlong shouted, "Gu Shibiao, you have brought this upon yourself, yet you still do not realize it."
Ren Xuan's laughter stopped abruptly, and he said coldly, "Boy surnamed Gu, do you know what I have been worrying about for the past twenty years?" Gu
Shi's face turned ashen. He never dreamed that the explosives he had planted, intended for swift withdrawal in the event of a disadvantageous battle, would be detonated instead, blocking his escape route and trapping all the heroes of the world. This extremely vicious ambush had been used against him, trapping him as well. He had planned this all along; the valley he had chosen was surrounded by sheer cliffs, covered in pine and cypress trees—anything that could provide leverage had been cut away. Even with top-notch lightness skills, it would be impossible to climb up, let alone ascend. At this moment, if the enemy were to push down rolling logs and rocks, or attack with hidden weapons, there would be no way to defend against them.
He thought to himself: The secret passage leading out of the valley must have been blown up by that son of a bitch surnamed Ren long ago. His trusted men who were originally sent to defend the surrounding area have no chance of survival. His mind raced, and he tried his best to come up with a way to escape, but he still couldn't think of a way to escape. His teeth were clenched so tightly that they were grinding together. He wished he could tear Ren Xuan to pieces.
But then he heard Hua Yunlong laugh and say, "Old Master Ren, what have you been thinking about for the past twenty years? Why don't you tell me?"
Ren Xuan turned his gaze and gave Hua Yunlong a cold look. He said, "You are Hua Tianhong's son, Hua Yunlong?"
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly, "I didn't expect that Old Master Ren would also know my humble name."
Ren Xuan said coldly, "What have you done to my men?"
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Don't worry, Old Master. I only used acupuncture points." "
Ren Xuan said coldly, "I originally intended to ignite the gunpowder to warn you after those fools at the bottom of the valley fought to the point of mutual destruction. I had to ignite it prematurely, and I admire your wisdom in avoiding it."
Hua Yunlong cupped his hands and said, "I am deeply ashamed of the old master's praise."
Ren Xuan snorted angrily and said, "You escaped a calamity, yet you speak so sarcastically."
Hua Yunlong said calmly, "As the saying goes, those who are doomed cannot escape, whether they can escape or not is still uncertain." Ren Xuan sneered
, "That's for sure, hehe! Even your old man, Hua Tianhong, is doomed to die."
Hua Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "The will of Heaven is unpredictable, old master, you are too proud too soon."
Cai Weiwei saw Hua Yunlong and Ren Xuan talking across the valley, looking relaxed, as if they had forgotten that there were many elders and friends waiting for help at the bottom of the valley. Her heart was secretly anxious, and she couldn't help but call out, "Brother Long."
Hua Yunlong looked down and called out loudly, "Sister Wei, please be patient. I will rescue you immediately. Please, esteemed elders, wait a moment as well." Ren
Xuan scoffed coldly, "You're dreaming, brat." He paused, then said, "Young man of the Hua family, do you wish to know what I have been pondering day and night all these years?"
Hua Yunlong raised his eyes and smiled, "I am all ears."
Ren Xuan said in a sinister tone, "For many years, I've only thought about how to slaughter you self-proclaimed chivalrous people one by one, how to dismember Bai Xiaotian, the Nine Yin Sect Master, Dong Guo Shou, and others, and how to torture Gu Luanyin to death with a fine knife, making her suffer all kinds of tortures until she wails in agony." He repeated "how" three times in a row, his words chilling and terrifying, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. A somber atmosphere instantly filled the cattle-grabbing area.
Hua Yunlong suddenly had a thought, thinking to himself, "This is the best opportunity to investigate Uncle Sima's murder case. I can't miss it." His mind raced, and he called out, "Ren Xuan, Gu Shibiao, Shen Tu Zhu." His gaze shifted, and he couldn't help but look at Mei Suruo. His eyes met Mei Suruo's bright, clear eyes, and both of them felt a pang of sadness. Hua Yunlong focused his mind and continued, "And Master Mei, now that everyone is here, surely you all should have a clear explanation of the Sima family murder case?"
Gu Shibiao chuckled softly and said, "Hua Yunlong, seeing how tirelessly you've pursued this murder and apprehended the killer, I'll grant your wish and give you a clear explanation." Hua
Yunlong had been ordered to descend the mountain specifically for the Sima Changqing murder case, but although the situation had changed drastically, this was no longer the primary concern, and the truth had been largely deduced. Seeing that things were about to become clear, Gu Shibiao felt a surge of excitement and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "I would like to hear the details."
Gu Shibiao sneered and said, "Sima Changqing's death was merely a scapegoat for your Hua family; there's no need to go into details. Of course, he was ruthless and made too many enemies. Ke Yifen is a traitor to the Nine Yin Sect, and there are also personal grudges involved—it's a matter of factional vendetta." Sima Changqing, known as the Nine Lives Swordsman, was the most ruthless person in the righteous path, with few rivals among his martial arts masters. His sudden death was a major event that shocked the world. His relatives and friends present were naturally anxious upon hearing that the case was about to be solved, and even those who were not involved wanted to hear the outcome. The room fell silent.
Qu Tianhao, who had the deepest friendship with Sima Changqing, was thrilled and demanded, "Who is the mastermind?"
Gu Shibiao arrogantly replied, "It is I, the Divine Lord."
Mei Suruo coldly said, "Ke Yifen is a traitor to our sect. We were just cleaning up our ranks, so it's not exactly a conspiracy. But if you ask who the mastermind is, it is naturally this sect leader."
Ren Xuan smiled calmly and said, "Our sect has the deepest grudge against Sima Changqing. Anyone who wants to avenge that dead ghost Sima, come to me."
Shen Tu laughed loudly and said, "Old ghost Qu, in this matter, Sect Leader Mei, our sect, Gu Shibiao, and Ren Xuan are all involved. If you have the ability, why not kill us all? That would avenge Sima Changqing."
These men were all leaders of their respective sects. While they could usually scheme to frame Jiangdong, now that heroes from all over the world had gathered, none of them were willing to back down and readily took the blame. Qu Tianhao snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with cold light, but he remained unmoved. Master Ciyun frowned slightly and said, "Amitabha. The daughter of Hero Sima is determined to seek revenge. This matter should not involve too many people, but we must find the mastermind, otherwise it will be another massacre."
Gu Shibiao said with a smile, "What a compassionate heart! The old Zen master is truly worthy of being a disciple of Buddhism." He paused slightly and said, "This great upheaval, from beginning to end, can be said to be caused by this divine lord. If Sima Changqing's daughter has the ability to kill this old man, then at least most of this revenge will be avenged."
Qu Tianhao said sharply, "Who did it?"
Gu Shibiao said calmly, "Among the people of our sect are Altar Master Duanmu, Altar Master Meng, and my unworthy disciple. As for the others, this divine lord cannot say more." Although he said he could not say more, in reality, the experts who participated in the murder of Sima Changqing, although they knew that the Hua family's revenge would be difficult to bear, could not back down and remain silent. Otherwise, if others found out, no matter how wicked you were, you would have no face to walk in the martial world.
Hua Yunlong raised his voice, "Ren Xuan, surely you have someone else?"
Xing Zhou sneered, "Good lad, you've come to the right person. Sima Changqing died at my hands, haha, even the Nine Lives Swordsman only has one life." Qu
Tianhao's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he stared intently at Xing Zhou, demanding, "Is this true?"
Xing Zhou smiled sinisterly, "Old Qu, you're all fish in a pot anyway, you won't live much longer. If you don't believe me, go to the underworld and ask that dead ghost Sima Changqing."
Hua Yunlong took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and asked, "Who else is there? Xing Zhou, you're a renowned elder, why not be straightforward?"
Wei Yifeng sneered, "Boy, you're so talkative, I have a share too, what do you want?"
At the bottom of the valley, the Nine Yin Sect introduced the hall master. Shen Shengsan angrily said, "You brat, don't keep pressing me. Your Master Shen is one of them."
Li Jiuyi laughed loudly, "I, this Master, have always disliked Sima Changqing. Killing him is the most satisfying thing in my life."
Hua Yunlong said loudly, "Is there no one else?"
Fan Tong hesitated for a moment, then said, "There's still this Master."
Huyan Gong staggered for a while, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Master Shen gave him a cold look and said angrily, "Fifth Junior Brother."
Huyan Gong trembled and blurted out, "You might as well include me too."
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly and said, "With the combined efforts of you, my Uncle Sima and his wife are indeed no match. There is still hope of escaping. They will not be killed silently overnight. There must be a reason for this." Xing Zhou, Fang Long, Li Jiuyi, and others were all fierce and cruel people. Upon hearing this, they remained silent.
Ren Xuan sneered and said, "Since Sima Changqing is dead anyway, if you want revenge, then do it. You, surnamed Hua, should stop babbling."
Hua Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "Actually, even if you don't say it, I already know. Since that You family infiltrated the Sima family, it was easy for her to plot against my Uncle Sima and his wife. With inside help from the outside, it's no wonder that when my Uncle Sima and his great-aunt were killed, You's black fox bit the wound on their throats, leaving the Jade Cauldron, and framed Lady Jade Cauldron. But I don't understand why you let the daughter of the great hero Sima go?"
Xing Zhou chuckled and said, "Hmph, you look smart, but you're as stupid as an ox. Leaving the daughter of that dead ghost Sima is not a problem. At the same time, letting her report to your Hua family is the most appropriate thing to do. Junior, have you figured it out?"
Qu Tianhao could no longer hold back. His gaze turned, and with a heart-stopping roar, the Cold Rhinoceros Blade, carrying incomparable power, pounced on Huyan Gong like lightning. Huyan Gong, meeting Qu Tianhao's murderous gaze, was already terrified. Seeing Qu Tianhao's imposing presence, his heart trembled with fear. He dared not meet the attack head-on, disregarding pride, and turned to flee. If he were to turn and fight, even if he was no match, Qu Tianhao would easily defeat him within four or five moves; doing so would be tantamount to hastening his own death.
Qu Tianhao shouted sharply, "Where do you think you're going, you dog?" With that, Huyan Gong let out a scream, blood splattering as Qu Tianhao cleaved him in two with a single stroke. His death was gruesome. In the recent bloody battle, many had died similarly, but in the frenzy of fighting, they hadn't noticed. Now, witnessing this, they felt a growing sense of unease.
Shen Tu, not expecting such a coward as Huyan Gong to be unable to withstand even a single move from Qu Tianhao, was enraged. He roared, "Qu Tianhao, I'll teach you to die exactly the same way!" His figure flashed, and he leaped into the air.
Qu Tianhao decided to start by attacking the weaker fighters. He turned and suddenly lunged towards Fan Tong. In a flash, Wen Yongchao appeared, striking Qu Tianhao's wrist with a palm strike. Fan Tong, unwilling to give up, unleashed a thunderous punch. Li Jiuyi, who was nearby, immediately stepped forward, hissing as he thrust a finger towards Qu Tianhao's right rib.
The combined attack of the three was fierce and overwhelming. Seeing this, Qu Tianhao knew he couldn't win. Hearing the whooshing sound, he swayed, drawing an arc, and escaped their encirclement. Shen Tu Zhu shouted, "Where do you think you're going, you old devil Qu?" With that, he flicked his sleeves and soared into the air, chasing after Qu Tianhao. A
series of shouts and flying figures filled the air. The two sides, who had initially intended to temporarily cease hostilities and deal with the crisis together, were on the verge of reigniting the fierce battle over the Sima Changqing murder case. Ren Xuan gazed at the valley floor, standing firmly on the cliff edge, a cold smile playing on his lips, as if this was exactly what he wanted. Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "We can't delay any longer." His mind raced, and with a wave of his hand, he shouted, "Lower the rope!"
Suddenly, dozens of figures appeared on the eastern cliff face. Among them were the Gong sisters, Jia Yan and other members of the Qiannv Sect, Tian Yizi's personal disciples, and a group of chivalrous figures including Fan Tong and Cha Youchang. This group carried a large coil of hemp rope weighing over a hundred pounds in pairs. Reaching the edge of the cliff, they lowered the rope down, their movements remarkably steady. The rope, hundreds of feet long, could not have been moved hastily; clearly, Hua Yunlong had been prepared.
Cheers erupted in the valley. Except for a few, including Qu Tianhao, who were still fighting, everyone stopped and rushed down the eastern cliff. Suddenly, Gu Shibiao shouted, "Xuanming Sect members, all halt!" The Xuanming Sect had strict rules; even in this situation, no one dared disobey. Hearing this, they immediately stopped and looked at their leader with astonishment.
Mei Suruo's heart stirred, thinking to herself, "This Niufangping is the headquarters of the Xuanming Sect, Gu Shibiao certainly knows this better than anyone else." Before she could finish her thought, she gathered her inner energy and shouted, "Nine Yin Sect disciples, without my order, you are not allowed to move rashly!" Their words caused suspicion to rise in everyone's hearts, and they stopped. Madam Cai grabbed Cai Weiwei's wrist, while only a few continued to rush off.
But then, Ren Xuan's expression changed, and he laughed wildly, "Hua family brat, you underestimate me too much!" He paused slightly, then shouted, "Thunderbolts and rockets, prepare to fire down the cliff!"
It turned out that on the two cliffs, the dozens of subordinates near Ren Xuan each carried a five-stone bow on their shoulder and a quiver containing only three or four arrows. These arrows were unusual; the arrowheads were not sharp, but rather large, shiny black, seemingly made of iron, spherical objects about the size of a hand. Hua Yunlong possessed profound internal strength. Although the east and west cliffs were several miles apart, he could clearly see them. He was secretly shocked and whispered to Tian Yizi, "Daoist, please find a way to blow up the shore of Lin Gu Lake."
Tian Yizi frowned and asked, "Ren Xuan uses firearms?"
Hua Yunlong nodded and said, "That's right. Uncle Jiang told me about those thunderbolts."
Tian Yizi said, "The valley is very large. Those experts are agile and have sharp eyes. There aren't many thunderbolts, so they can't kill many people, right?"
Hua Yunlong's expression was solemn. He said, "Ren Xuan must have a plan." Tian Yizi didn't ask any more questions. He glanced down the cliff and turned to run away.
Ren Xuan laughed loudly and said, "Hua Yunlong, let me show you my skills." He waved his hand and shouted, "Release the arrows!" The group of tall archers all drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming at the east and west cliffs. Upon hearing Ren Xuan's command, the arrows flew like shooting stars, raining down like flowers.
Although the east and west peaks of the valley were far apart, making it difficult to shoot the lightning arrows, these dozens of archers were all handpicked by Ren Xuan. Their skills were exceptional, and their strength was formidable. With the cliffs thousands of feet high, the arrows fell in an arc, making the attack quite challenging. The booming sounds were continuous and terrifying, causing everyone's heart to tighten. As the lightning and fire flew, trees were broken and sand and stones were scattered. After the explosions, there were continuous booming sounds, and incredibly intense flames shot straight into the sky, reaching seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters). Undoubtedly, a large amount of igniting material was buried in the forest, ignited by the lightning arrows.
The speed at which the fire spread was unbelievable. From the time Hua Yunlong ordered the ropes to be lowered until now, it had only been a few breaths. The ropes were only halfway down, yet the lush, green forest had already become a sea of fire. The situation changed drastically. Those who had rushed to the bottom of the cliff couldn't even escape in time; amidst screams, they vanished in a flash of flame. Hua Yunlong had intended to risk burning over ten ropes to quickly throw them to rescue the people, but it was too late. He could only sigh and order the ropes to be stopped, lest they be burned by the extremely fierce flames.
Ren Xuan, still unsatisfied, swung his arm again and said, "Half of the stone platform, half of the detached palace."
With a series of whooshing sounds and deafening twangs, dozens of thunderbolt rockets shot towards the heroes on the stone platform and the Nine-Bend Detached Palace. The thousands of people on the platform, mostly martial arts elites, gathered here, how could they sit idly by and wait to die? Master Yuan Qing and Cao Tianhua, with the highest skill, saw the thunderbolt rockets about to reach the ground and simultaneously leaped up. With a wave of their hands, they each unleashed a powerful force, sweeping away seven or eight thunderbolt rockets, which landed far away in the pine forest.
The other experts, seeing the arrows about to strike, leaped to catch them. However, a few arrows still fell onto the stone platform. Only two people managed to catch them, but the already considerable weight of the lightning-fire arrows, combined with their weight from thousands of feet high, increased dozens of times. One lost his grip and fell to the ground. Several loud explosions followed, a flash of fire, and a cloud of thick smoke, carrying hundreds of streaks of black light, shot in all directions. Amidst screams, flames erupted, the sounds like wolf howls. Those directly hit were shattered, their limbs scattered, countless others injured by the aftershocks and fragments, their groans rising and falling in a horrifying spectacle.
Those experts who had caught the arrows realized the danger of holding such easily exploded objects and, without prior agreement, threw them into the forest. The lightning-fire arrows, swept up by Master Yuanqing and Cao Tianhua, landed in the forest one after another, igniting a large patch of pine and cypress trees with a deafening roar. At the same time, the magnificent and beautiful "Nine-Bend Palace" was engulfed in flames, with tongues of fire flying everywhere.
In the blink of an eye, the winding corridors and towering pavilions were swallowed by the sea of fire. The heroes in the valley heard the crackling sounds of the flames all around them, saw the firelight illuminating the sky and turning everyone's faces blood red, and heard screams and groans of agony from the intense heat. Except for a few experts who managed to remain calm, everyone was terrified.
Seeing the forest beyond the lawn engulfed in flames, Ren Xuan ordered a barrage of lightning arrows to be fired at the stone platform. It seemed that none of the heroes in the valley could escape their doom. Hua Yunlong stood atop the cliff, his brows furrowed. Although he had acted decisively, ordering Tian Yizi to destroy the lake at the summit and use the valley's rocky banks to draw water to extinguish the fire, the ferocity and speed of the fire's spread within the valley far exceeded his expectations. He thought to himself, "Gathering gunpowder to blow up the banks
will take a considerable amount of time. Judging from this situation..." Gu Shibiao, seeing his meticulously planned ambush—intending to trap all the heroes of the world—turn into a tool for the enemy, felt his anger and shock reach their peak. However, befitting his exceptional talent as a ruthless hero, he remained calm even in this dire situation. Knowing that killing the enemy outright would inevitably provoke public outrage and become uncontrollable, he casually flicked his wrist, sealing the acupoints of the three men, and shouted sharply, "Hua Yunlong!" "Dragon, do you wish to save your elder's life?"
Hua Yunlong said calmly, "Gu Shibiao, what you wanted to say, I have already asked someone to do. It's better not to say anything, lest the enemy become alert."
Gu Shibiao thought to himself, "This kid is indeed extremely clever." His mind raced, and his jealousy burned like the raging flames in the valley, but he forced himself to suppress it and said loudly, "Your alertness puts me at ease. However, your preparations were hasty and not thorough. Pay attention to the only ancient plum tree nearby, under a piece of bluestone." The two exchanged words like a riddle, and few could understand them. But people are especially sensitive in times of crisis, and suddenly they seemed to have a way out, and most of them stopped what they were doing.
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "Gu Shibiao's foresight in planting explosives to destroy the lake shore shows his great talent and strategy. Who would have thought he'd suffer such a defeat? Truly, man proposes, God disposes. Alas, he harmed himself and others; a truly lamentable situation."
As he pondered this, Jia Yan suddenly approached him and urgently asked, "Where have Xing Zhou and the others disappeared?"
Hua Yunlong was startled and looked up. He saw that apart from Ren Xuan, who was overlooking the cliff, surveying the situation and occasionally glancing at him, Xing Zhou, Gong Hao, and Wei Yifeng had vanished. He quickly realized the reason and listened intently. Sure enough, he could faintly hear the sounds of swords clashing and shouting from seven or eight miles away. However, the noise in the valley was too loud for others to detect without careful attention. Alarmed, he quickly said, "Be careful of the enemy!" With a swift movement, he sped south.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ This valley of Fangniuping is only a few miles wide from east to west and more than ten miles long from north to south. The place where Hua Yunlong and the others were hiding was in the middle of this cliff, in a relatively flat and low-lying area, a mere few dozen feet high, just a small section of the cliff top. The small lake on the peak, although not large, is pervasive and covers most of the peak. It is closest to the valley and has the thinnest shoreline, but
it is located in the southwest area. The lakeside is steep and undulating, making it difficult for ordinary people to walk. This stretch of road might not even take an hour to complete, but Hua Yunlong, with his extraordinary lightness skill, arrived in the blink of an eye. On the lakeshore, Tian Yizi, holding a precious sword, was fiercely fighting Xing Zhou. His disciples had set up the "Kanli Sword Formation" to resist Gong Hao and several old men.
The cliff narrowed here, and within a few dozen feet, the lake was situated on the valley's edge, varying in height from a few feet to over ten feet. A crack appeared, allowing a trickle of water to flow down, but it was like a drop in the ocean, utterly ineffective. Scattered around were packets of paper, some black powder leaking from their openings—clearly gunpowder. The century-old demon Xing Zhou, his power evident, unleashed his "Taiyin Divine Claw," his fingers growing an inch longer and twice as thick, their color grayish-white. Each claw strike released five wisps of misty white vapor.
At this moment, seeing his great work nearing completion, Ren Xuan couldn't help but let out a deafening laugh. The experts on the platform paled, and the crowd in the valley gasped in astonishment, their hearts sinking. Suddenly, a clear, chilling whistle, capable of shattering metal and splitting stone, echoed from afar—everyone recognized it as Hua Yunlong's cry. Suddenly, Ren Xuan's triumphant laughter abruptly ceased, as if cut short, and a burst of surprised and joyful cries erupted from the valley. The people of Dongya were bewildered, but knew the situation must have changed drastically.
Gong Yuelan asked urgently, "Sister, what's wrong?" Gong Yuehui spread her hands, giving a bitter smile, indicating she knew nothing either.
Gong Yuelan turned her head and urged, "Sister Yan."
Jia Yan could no longer maintain her composure; her cherry lips curved into a smile as she said, "You're asking me? Who should I ask?"
Gong Yuelan was frantic, muttering curses, "This damned place?" She paced around frantically.
All of this happened immediately afterward; though the story seems lengthy, it had only been a moment since Hua Yunlong left. At the critical moment, Hua Yunlong ascended a peak, witnessed the scene, and, filled with righteous indignation, let out a long roar and charged into the arena. In mid-air, his sword unsheathed, his body and sword becoming one, reflecting the bright sunlight like a rainbow piercing the sky—a truly magnificent sight.
His movements were too fast; before the sound even arrived, he was already upon them. The fierce battle raged on, when suddenly a blinding sword light pierced the air, a powerful gust of wind crashed down like Mount Tai, and lightning struck their bodies. Terrified, everyone, without distinguishing friend from foe, raised their weapons to parry the attacker. A fierce roar rang out, the sword light vanished instantly, and the old man wielding the steel crutch lay dead on the ground, bleeding profusely.
In the center of the arena stood a handsome young man in flowing robes, his sword pointing to the heavens, his aura imposing and his expression solemn, like a god descending from the sky. Everyone in the arena was greatly shaken, stopping their fight and staring intently at Hua Yunlong, their faces filled with a dreamlike expression. After a moment of silence, Hua Yunlong's gaze swept across the faces of the crowd before he slowly spoke to Tian Yizi, "Senior Tian Yi, please turn over the blue stone beside that plum tree and light the fuse beneath it."
Tian Yizi's mind cleared, and he looked around. A hundred paces away, he saw a stone plum tree, its branches twisted and gnarled, the only plum tree in the vicinity. Its roots were intertwined, and there were many blue stones beneath it, but only one stone, as large as a millstone, smooth and shiny. With his experience, he immediately determined that the fuse must be buried under this stone.
At this moment, Hua Yunlong, single-handedly fighting against Xing Zhou and nine other masters, appeared relaxed and at ease. The chivalrous people were all overjoyed. The older generation, such as Qu Tianhao, were delighted to see the Hua family's successor rise again. They looked at each other and smiled, all delighted. The Daoist nun Changhen murmured to herself, "This child." Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming sadness, and tears streamed down her phoenix eyes. Fang Ziyu moved stealthily, took out a silk handkerchief, and gently wiped away the tears on Xing Zhou's cheeks.
Xing Zhou stood there woodenly, making no attempt to stop her. Seeing Xing Zhou's unparalleled ferocity, Hua Yunlong's mind raced. With a flick of his wrist, he swiftly struck Xing Zhou's chest with his sword. Xing Zhou groaned, his ferocity flaring under his wound. He spread his fingers wide, abandoning defense, and lunged forward, unleashing his "Taiyin Divine Claw" at full power. Hua Yunlong coldly snorted, shifted his body to the side, and with a flick of his right leg, Xing Zhou's "Taiyin Divine Claw" slammed into the ground, creating over a dozen deep holes. Xing Zhou, however, was sent hurtling off the cliff with a piercing scream, plunging into a sea of flames. This generation of villains, incorrigible in their evil deeds, finally died at Hua Yunlong's hands. Heaven's justice prevailed; retribution was swift. Hua Yunlong had avenged the murder of his ancestor.

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