Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 15

Chapter Fifteen: Snow Covers the Fields, Wind Surges, Fire Rages, Thieves Run Wild, Startled Horses

Scatter, Swords Clash, Blades Flicker, Beautiful Sister Punishes the Victim. The north wind howled; it was a dark and frigid night. Snowflakes danced in the air, the only sounds the sharp whistling of wind and the cracking of breaking branches. All things were still and silent, everything had ceased to move, only the snow on the ground thickened inch by inch.

In the main hall of the front house, the lights were bright. Zhao Kangjiu and Zhou Weicheng, the two elders, sat solemnly in their armchairs. Qiankun Shoulei Xiaotian stood with his hands clasped, grinning. Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed into the hall, dimming the candlelight. When the wind subsided and the candlelight returned, a Taoist priest with triangular eyes and a hedgehog-like mustache appeared in the hall. Upon seeing this, Zhao Kangjiu shouted and leaped up from the hill, raising his palm to strike the ground. The Taoist was incredibly fast; before the palm even reached him, the Taoist swiftly shifted five feet to the left, laughing loudly, "Great Hero Zhao, it's been many years! Still as fiery as ever, attacking without warning. That's hardly the way to treat a guest."

Zhao Kangjiu was taken aback and said, "Master Sang, what brings you to my humble abode so late at night?" He

then invited him to sit down. This Taoist was none other than Sang Lu, the abbot of the Yinshan Quanzhen Temple, known for his "Life-Taking Eight Palms." Zhao Lianzhu noticed that Sang Lu's attire was quite strange. He wore a bright red Taoist robe with many blemishes, a three-foot steel knife hanging at his waist, its fish-skin scabbard gleaming with a light blue light, and straw sandals—the kind of multi-eared hemp shoes common in Sichuan. His face was greasy, his Taoist hat disheveled, but his eyes shone with a strange, piercing light, and his temples bulged high.

The Eight-Palm Reaper Sang Lu laughed, “Although I am ruthless in my actions, I am also a person who always repays kindness. Years ago, Benefactor Zhao spared my life and saved my dignity. I will never forget that. That’s why I’ve come here tonight to deliver this message, asking Benefactor Zhao to be careful. I just happened to be here when Yuwen Lei, the leader of the Red Flag Gang, went to Yinshan to spread flattery and incite a demon who has not left the mountain for a long time. Benefactor Zhao must have heard of him. He is the Half-Half Old Man who lives in the back mountain of my Quanzhen Temple…” Before he could finish speaking, the two elders, Zhao and Zhou, were stunned. Even Lei Xiaotian was very excited. Only Zhao Lianzhu and Zhou Yue’e smiled, because the name Half-Half Old Man was very peculiar and unheard of.

But then Sang Lu, the Eight-Palm Master of Death, continued, "Half-Old Man came out of the mountain five years ago. I believe that Master Zhao is not necessarily afraid of him. However, he recently acquired a new book, the 'Scripture of the Demon of Destiny,' which has greatly advanced his martial arts to a superb level. As a result, he has become ambitious and wants to establish the Yinshan Sect to subdue all the major sects one by one. This matter is still in its infancy and no one in the martial arts world has heard of it. He has invited me to join the sect many times, but I have neither agreed nor disagreed and have been evasive. Coincidentally, Yuwen Lei visited the mountain and persuaded Half-Old Man with deceptive words. He said that if we want to subdue all the major sects, we must start with your son-in-law, because your son-in-law's martial arts are far superior to those of all the major sects. As long as we defeat your son-in-law, at least half of the major sects can be subdued." Yuwen Lei devised a plan, asking Banbansou's men to harass the Tao family in Yunlong Sanxian, the Chabei Ranch, and the capital, in order to lure your son-in-law here. He also said that the Red Flag Gang would always follow Jiwei, and Banbansou was currently ambitious, so how could he not be persuaded? He would arrive eastward around the New Year, at the latest by early February. I, this humble Taoist, have come eastward through hardship for a wish." Zhao Kangjiu stood up, bowed deeply in thanks, and introduced Zhou Weicheng, Lei Xiaotian, and others to Sang Lu, the Eight Palms of the Dead.
At this moment, Zhao Lianzhu asked with a charming smile, "Father, what does 'half-half' mean?"

Zhao Kangjiu glared at him and said in a low voice, "Why do you have to ask about everything? Stop talking nonsense." Zhao Lianzhu pouted and glared at Zhao Kangjiu.

Lei Xiaotian laughed loudly, "You don't even know this? Let me tell you, Lei Lao Er tells you, he is a man in the first half of the month and a woman in the second half, half and half, hence the name Banbansou. Now you should understand, right?"

Zhao Lianzhu blushed and scolded, "Who asked you to be so nosy?" Lei

Xiaotian made a face, shook his head at Zhao Kangjiu, and said, "It's hard to be a good person these days." Then he turned to Sang Lu, the Eight Palms of Death, and smiled, "Master Sang, you're probably also a member of the Half-Old Man's Net Sect, aren't you?"

Sang Lu looked embarrassed and said, "To be honest, Master Lei, I have my own unavoidable difficulties."

As he said this, a cold laugh suddenly rang out from outside the hall window, saying, "Just as I expected, you're fickle and unpredictable. Several times I advised the sect leader to get rid of you, but the sect leader cherished your martial arts and was in need of people, so he told me not to judge you based on appearances. I didn't expect the sect leader to leave behind such a treacherous seed. Sang Lu, get out here, or don't blame me for being ruthless." "The voice was like a booming bell, making a buzzing sound when touched.

Upon hearing this man's words, Sang Lu, the Eight-Palm Reaper, slightly changed his expression. As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his right palm and waved, sending over a dozen six-pointed blue stars shooting out of the window. At this moment, everyone in the hall rushed out, using their superior lightness skills to make no sound. The dozen or so blue stars shot out, disappearing without a trace, like mud oxen entering the sea. A chilling laugh came from outside the window again, saying, 'You dare to show off such insignificant hidden weapons? If I were afraid of you, I wouldn't have chased after you…' He then said

…"

Suddenly, the voices outside the window vanished, replaced by the faint sound of a blade slicing through the air. It turned out that Zhao Lianzhu, with her meticulous mind, had detected the voice coming from the beam outside the window while still inside the hall. She flashed outside, and without hesitation, rushed towards the source of the sound, sword and all, like a whirlwind. Suddenly, a massive figure, swift as a hawk, darted through the thousand waves of swords like an arrow, landing on the vast snow-covered ground.

Another streak of cold light swept towards the figure, crashing down with three gusts of wind – the "Azure Rainbow" sword light from Zhou Yue'e's hand, and the palm strike from Zhao Zhou and Lei Xiaotian. The figure let out a wild laugh, soaring into the sky and disappearing in an instant. The crowd stared in stunned silence for a moment, then turned back into the hall, where they saw Sang Lu, the Eight Palms of Death, slumped in a chair, his eyes filled with grief and indignation. They were greatly surprised.

Lei Xiaotian was a seasoned veteran of the martial world. It was immediately clear that Sang Lu was in a strange state and had obviously been ambushed by the newcomers. He leaped forward and saw that Sang Lu had a short arrow, only two inches long, stuck in his left shoulder. The arrow was covered in blue light and he was about to pull it out. Sang Lu saw that Lei Xiaotian was about to pull out the arrow, so he forcefully moved to the side to avoid the attack, saying, "Teacher Lei, don't move. This is the Blue Phosphorus Demon Arrow, a unique hidden weapon of Banbansou. It is extremely poisonous. Once it touches you, your blood will freeze and your marrow will be frozen. Quickly cut off my left arm with your sword." As he spoke, he sneered, "I won't die yet. My acupoints have been sealed. At most, my left arm will be crippled. The person who came is Banbansou's eldest disciple, the Red-Haired Giant Spirit. I will not be able to quell this hatred until I grind him to dust in this life."

Zhao Kangjiu examined Sang Lu's left arm for a moment, his brows furrowed, and said, "Lian'er, go and get the Otter Jade Fire Spirit Ointment." He then smiled and said, "Sang Zhenren's left arm won't be crippled. I'll keep it safe." Sang Lu, who was wielding the Eight Palms of Life-Taking, showed a slight smile, but at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a chill and trembled uncontrollably.

Zhou Weicheng felt deeply saddened. Everyone in the room possessed extraordinary hearing and perception, able to hear falling petals and leaves even ten feet away. Although the wind and snow were fierce and dense tonight, making it difficult to detect beforehand, the fact that the five of them together failed to intercept or stop the intruder filled him with guilt and astonishment at the intruder's power. A moment later, Zhao Lianzhu hurriedly returned, handing Zhao Kangjiu a small white porcelain bottle.

Seeing that Sang Lu was already in a semi-conscious state, Zhao Kangjiu quickly took the "Giant Sword" and carefully removed the "Blue Phosphorus Demon Arrow" from Sang Lu's left shoulder. However, not a drop of blood flowed out; it had already frozen solid. Zhao Kangjiu picked out a piece of Otter Jade Fire Spirit Ointment from the small bottle and applied it to the wound, bandaging it properly. Upon seeing the Nine Palms of Death, Sang Lu's face flushed red, his trembling subsided, and he opened his eyes, laughing, "Hero Zhao, where did you get such a miraculous medicine? Normally, those struck by the demonic arrow, without their unique antidote, would either have their limbs crippled or simply await death. Hero Zhao, this kindness and virtue is something I can never repay in this lifetime

." Zhao Kangjiu stroked his beard and smiled, "Master Sang, you were injured because of my affairs, and I am already deeply troubled. To say such things only makes me feel more ashamed. This medicine..." "It was a gift from a strange man, imbued with the energy of fire, which can counteract the cold poison. Master Sang, with his benevolent heart, received the medicine and was cured, miraculously recovering from his calamity."

Sang Lu abruptly rose from his seat, smiling slightly, "Although my origins are not noble, I am wise and understand the bigger picture. I know that with the appearance of the Half-Old Man, a great calamity is about to begin in the martial world. Moreover, the evil forces of the world have been restless for too long, and a bloodbath is inevitable. Taking advantage of my immortal body, I send this message to the martial world so that we can prepare in advance." With that, he flapped his arms, soared through the air, and landed outside the hall.

Zhao Kangjiu called out again, "Master Sang..." and chased after him, only to find darkness descending, a howling wind blowing, and a chill penetrating; Sang Lu had already vanished without a trace.

Zhao Kangjiu walked back into the hall and said, "Sang Lu, the Eight Palms of the Dead, is a man of principle. It is rare to find someone of his kind with such an evil background. However, the great turmoil in the martial world was caused by Yun Yue, which makes it even more difficult to sleep soundly. Moreover, so far, there are very few people in the martial world who know Yun Yue's appearance and background. I don't know where to begin."

Lei Xiaotian laughed loudly, "This is just an excuse. Think about it; since ancient times, how can the wicked and evil achieve their sinister desires without finding an excuse? Lei Lao Er will set off immediately to Taiyuan to find Lao San and discuss a solution."

Zhou Weicheng, the usually taciturn hero of Lianghuai, spoke up at this moment: "Brother Lei, when you see my son-in-law, you must not tell him about this, lest it distract him. Just say that Brother Kang Jiu and I are eagerly hoping he can return to complete the marriage." His concern and affection were evident in his words.

Lei Xiaotian nodded and gave the two young ladies, Zhao and Zhou, a meaningful smile. The two women immediately blushed. Zhou Yue'e was gentle and virtuous, but before she could do anything, she annoyed Zhao Lianzhu, who stomped her lotus foot and her giant sword flashed out. Lei Xiaotian was very quick-witted; before Zhao Lianzhu could strike, he had already rushed out of the hall.

"Goodbye, my two ladies..." The lingering voice still lingered, but he had already disappeared on his journey amidst the swirling snowflakes.

The snow in the North, sometimes lasting for days in a row, creates a unique spectacle—a pristine white landscape, dazzling with silver light. To those with different moods, it evokes a sense of desolation and bleakness. Zhao Lianzhu and Zhou Yue'e sat silently facing each other each day, their brows furrowed. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and they waited in vain for their beloved to return. How could he be so heartless? She couldn't help but recall the night before their parting, his strong arms encircling her, making it hard to breathe, his gentle kisses on her cheeks and neck… a kiss so intense it was almost unbearable, leaving her heart pounding. She wished she could stay in that moment forever, savoring that unspoken warmth.

The scene was as vivid as yesterday. Zhao Lianzhu sighed inwardly, stealing a glance at Zhou Yue'e sitting at her dressing table by the window. She saw Zhou Yue'e resting her chin on her hands, gazing at the sky in deep thought, her heart filled with the same longing for her beloved. The two sat there, lost in thought, bathed in the silvery light of the setting sun, speechless, tears streaming down their faces, their beauty fading. How could they bear it? With the crackling of firecrackers bidding farewell to the old year and the changing of the seasons, the two women temporarily set aside their worries and welcomed the New Year.

On the second day of the New Year, Lei Xiaotian returned from Taiyuan. Zhao Lianzhu, filled with joy, immediately asked, "Has Brother Xie returned? Why haven't I seen him?"

Lei Xiaotian's eyes darted around, and he smiled, "Third Brother is already on his way. He was afraid that being with Cang Huazi (Lei Lao Er) would arouse the suspicion of the bandits, so he ordered us to set off two days earlier. He's taking the route from Luoyang to Kaifeng back to Yanjing. However, Third Brother asked Lei Lao Er to tell you that he won't be returning to Cangzhou. Please ask you two ladies to wait for him at the Chabei Ranch."

Zhao Lianzhu seemed doubtful, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Is it true?" she asked.

Lei Xiaotian puffed out his chest and belly, his small eyes widening, and said, "How could it be false? Isn't Lei Lao Er afraid of losing his bones? Lao San said it would be best if the two ladies went to Chabei Ranch first. Lao San is incredibly fast. If he gets there first and you haven't gone yet, and things get urgent, he might run off again. Don't blame me, Lei Lao Er!"

Zhao Lianzhu believed him completely and happily said to Zhou Yue'e, "Sister Yue'e, let's hurry up and pack our things, get on the mule cart and leave." She grabbed Zhou Yue'e and sped off towards Wuyin Pavilion.
Zhao Kangjiu's eyes were sharp as lightning. Seeing Lei Xiaotian's words and expression, he sensed something was amiss, but knowing there must be a reason, he didn't question him. This was Lei Xiaotian's cleverness. As soon as he mentioned Xie Yunyue and Miss Gu Yanwen had gone to Luoyang, he was immediately consumed by jealousy. After the two women left, Zhao Kangjiu pressed Lei Xiaotian for answers. Lei Xiaotian solemnly recounted Xie Yunyue's journey to Jin.

Zhou Weicheng shook his head and sighed, "This child is too willful. There's no way to seek revenge like this. It's best to keep the matter of Gu's daughter a secret for now." Zhao Kangjiu, deeply concerned for his daughter, sent six capable assistants to escort the two girls to the Chabei Ranch. The two

girls boarded the carriage and left. The two elders, Zhao and Zhou, decided to reach the Chabei Ranch in early February. Unable to withstand the harsh cold of the northern frontier, they consulted with Lei Xiaotian and decided to visit friends in Jinan first. The climate in Jinan was warmer, and although Zhao Kangjiu's asthma had been cured by Xie Yunyue, he still dreaded the cold. The next morning, the two elders headed south, while Lei Xiaotian, the Qiankun Hand, went north.

The afternoon of the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month was extremely cold. The snow had temporarily stopped, but the accumulated snow blocked the paths. The plains were deserted, stretching endlessly to the sky, making it impossible to distinguish where the sky ended and the earth began. The north wind still howled fiercely, and the dark clouds that shrouded the sky churned and churned, transforming into various shapes, like a pack of startled beasts running wildly across the desert plains.

Suddenly, two black dots appeared on the horizon, growing rapidly until they were right in front of them. There were two riders, two men galloping through the snow. One was an elderly man with a white beard, and the other a burly man in his forties with a purplish face and a clean-shaven mouth; both were full of energy. The two strong riders were panting heavily, their bodies glistening with sweat, clearly having endured a long journey. Reaching a hillside, the old man gave a shout, and the two horses immediately came to a halt, motionless.

"This is very strange, my brother," the old man said, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. "We've chased them for over a hundred miles, and still haven't seen a trace of the horse thieves, not even a hoofprint. The man's methods are truly remarkable."

The burly man with the purplish-red face pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, in my opinion, this is probably not the work of ordinary thieves. For the past half month, the horses have been stolen continuously on snowy nights with strong winds. By the time we discovered it, the hoofprints had long been covered by the snow. This must have been done by someone very familiar with the terrain. It might be an inside job..."

The old man interjected, "Then tell me, who is it? All the people in our ranch are extremely honest and reliable. I really can't think of anyone." The two men were none other than Wu Fengbiao, the owner of Chabei Ranch, and Zheng Jinwu, the deputy owner, who was known as Bagua Jindao.

Zheng Jinwu, the Eight Trigrams Golden Knife, murmured, "This matter has been hidden in my heart for a long time, but I haven't been able to find concrete evidence, so I haven't spoken of it for fear of hurting our brotherly relationship. This person is none other than my elder brother's adopted son, Xu Zhaosen."

Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, exclaimed in surprise, "It's him? Why would he do this?"

Zheng Jinwu glared at Wu Fengbiao and sighed, "Elder brother is truly an honest man. Xu Zhaosen appears obsequious, but he is cunning and treacherous. I've seen through him long ago. The root of the problem lies with Bu Ying, the lord of Bu Family Fortress. Bu Ying has long coveted our ranch, and Xu Zhaosen was bewitched by Bu Ying's daughter, Lixia. Therefore, he took the opportunity to instigate Zhaosen to secretly sabotage things. This is the main reason." "Brother, do you remember the incident ten years ago when we injured San Kui in Longjiang? I've heard that San Kui of Longjiang is in Bujiabao, and I can assure you it was Bu Ying who did it."

Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, remained silent for a long while before saying, "If it's really as you predicted, then that's good. I think the details aren't so simple. This question has been lingering in my mind for half a month, and I still can't figure it out..."

Before he finished speaking, a loud voice rose from a snow-covered hill not far to the left: "Indeed, old ginger is spicier. Of course, things aren't that simple."

The two were startled by this. Wu Fengbiao, without changing his riding posture, leaped up and suddenly used "Flying Eagle Seizing Rabbit," his hands outstretched as he pounced. Wu Fengbiao moved incredibly fast. He flew out as soon as the man spoke, and just as he was about to pounce, a gray-white figure suddenly rose up two feet away, laughing wildly. In the blink of an eye, he landed five zhang away and galloped away, disappearing into the vast snowfield in a moment.

Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, stared at the receding figure for a moment, then leaped back onto his horse. He gave Zheng Jinwu a wry smile and said, "This person's speed is incredible, no less than yours or mine. But this confirms what we said earlier. Let's go back." The two turned their reins and galloped away.

North of Chahar Dolon City and west of Silang City, a vast grassland stretched for thousands of miles. In late spring and early summer, the lush green grass, long enough to reach half a person, rippled in the wind, interspersed with wildflowers, vibrant and colorful. Under the boundless sky, the wind blew the grass low, revealing cattle and sheep—truly a paradise for animal husbandry. In this plain, there were many lakes of varying sizes. South of Lake Geshir, clusters of wooden fences, intricately arranged, enclosed nearly ten thousand horses. Usually, one could see herds of horses galloping freely, heads held high, neighing loudly, their voices echoing through the sky.

But at this moment, snow blanketed the fields, and the weather was bitterly cold. The horses were all confined to their stables, chewing dry hay. Occasionally, they couldn't bear the extreme cold and let out a low whinny. In the pasture stood a courtyard house with over a hundred rooms of varying sizes. In a small room in the east wing, two men sat facing each other, engrossed in playing chess. Inside, a heated earthen bed burned brightly, making the room feel warm and cozy. The fire was burning dried horse dung, which hissed and crackled intermittently.

In the dead of winter, the indoor light was dim, but the firelight still made it possible to discern the faces of the two men. One was about forty years old, with a short, wiry beard, a ruddy face, and a strong smell of alcohol. The other man was a young man not yet twenty, with piercing eyes, sharp eyebrows, a slightly hooked nose, a fair complexion, no beard, and a smile that occasionally appeared at the corners of his mouth, clearly confident of victory.

It was already late afternoon, and the indoor light was growing increasingly dim. Suddenly, the young man burst into laughter, saying, "Master Liao, you're bound to lose this game. Why don't you concede and we can play another one?" He glanced out the window and added, "It's getting dark, and the owners haven't returned yet. Hopefully, something's happened."

Master Liao ignored him, his eyes fixed on the dire situation, scratching his head and cheeks incessantly. After a long while, he finally said, "Alright, I concede this game, let's play again."

Suddenly, the young man pushed the chess pieces aside and stood up, saying, "The owners are here. I'll go outside and check." He nimbly slipped out of the courtyard, where he saw Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, and Zheng Jinwu, the Eight Trigrams Golden Knife, dismount their horses, hand them over to the stable guard, and walk slowly side by side. Upon

seeing the young man, Wu Fengbiao gave him a cold, piercing look and smiled, "Zhaosen, this is quite unexpected. The horse theft was actually done by Bu Ying's men." The young man was none other than Xu Zhaosen, whom Zheng Jinwu had suspected.

Xu Zhaosen raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, his expression remaining calm. He smiled and said, "It seems unlikely. Wasn't Lord Bu a close friend of my godfather? How could he do such a thing?"

Zheng Jinwu replied, "The world is changing, people are treacherous, even blood relatives can't be trusted, let alone friends made over drinks." Xu Zhaosen's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he remained silent.

Wu and Zheng entered the hall. Wu Fengbiao lived on the ranch with only his elderly wife and young grandson; his sons and daughters-in-law ran escort agencies in Tianjin. Zheng Jinwu, on the other hand, had a large family, eight children in total, the oldest being only eleven years old. As soon as he entered, they all rushed forward, tugging at his clothes and hugging his knees—a scene of familial bliss. Xu Zhaosen jokingly pulled Zheng Jinwu's young son along, but his expression seemed uneasy. Zheng Jinwu saw this and sneered inwardly. Remembering Xie Yunyue's return from Qianshan via the pasture, he secretly said to Zheng Jinwu, "Xu Zhaosen has an aquiline nose and a wolf-like appearance, with prominent cheekbones at the back of his head. This man is treacherous and cunning. Although he is Wu Chang's adopted son, we must still be wary of him and guard against any unexpected trouble."

Zheng Jinwu never respected anyone in his life, but he sincerely admired Xie Yunyue. From then on, he secretly monitored Xu Zhaosen's actions. That night, snow blanketed the fields, the north wind howled, and the horses, unable to withstand the cold, let out mournful neighs. The night was so desolate and bleak. Wu Fengbiao and the others were chatting and drinking around the stove when a horse trainer rushed in, reporting, "Master, Deputy Master, something terrible has happened! A large group of masked bandits are robbing horses in the East Gate and have set fire to them. We've already lost four or five men."

Wu Fengbiao abruptly rose from his seat, his eyes flashing with menacing power, and said to the horse trainer, "Quickly order everyone to hold their positions and not panic. I'll be there immediately."

The horse trainer darted out like the wind, and Wu Fengbiao said to Zheng Jinwu, "Brother, you stay here and protect your family, lest you fall into the bandits' trap. I'll be right back."

He turned and shouted, "Zhaosen, let's go!"

The two of them leaped out of the hall, only to see a red glow illuminating the eastern sky, the wind fanning the flames, thick smoke billowing, flames flickering and dying, shouts of men and neighing of horses—utter chaos. Wu Fengbiao was filled with rage, wishing he could personally kill all the bandits who had come. He used his superior "Treading Snow Without a Trace" lightness skill to gallop away. The Chabei Ranch covered dozens of miles, and it would take more than a moment to reach Dongzha. Xu Zhaosen was more anxious than anyone else. He followed two zhang behind Wu Fengbiao. Although his movements were agile, he was clearly much inferior to Wu Fengbiao.

He spotted a black figure flying swiftly from the side and Wu Fengbiao, with his sharp eyes, shouted, "Is that Master Ye?"

The man was startled for a moment and said, "The ranch owner? There are many bandits tonight. I'm going to the front to provide backup." With that, he turned and darted away, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.
Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, praised, "A true hero!" He glanced back at Xu Zhaosen and said, "True friendship is revealed in times of trouble. Don't let Ye Sheng's usual drunken revelry fool you; when it comes down to it, he'll risk his life for you. That's the precious quality of a true江湖 (jianghu) figure. Zhaosen, you should learn from Master Ye's strengths." Xu Zhaosen nodded, his face flushed with embarrassment, whether from the firelight or from guilt, it was hard to tell.

The two of them flew swiftly to the East Gate. The fire had subsided considerably. Dozens of ranch martial artists, horse handlers, and laborers were all concentrated at the East Gate, blocking the enemy and extinguishing the fire. Wu Fengbiao spotted a dozen masked bandits, each possessing unique martial arts skills, their swords flashing and blades aimed at the ranch martial artists' vital points. Many of his own men were already injured. At this moment, Wu Fengbiao hated the masked bandits to the core, knowing that if he didn't handle the situation well tonight, decades of hard work would be destroyed. Convinced that the most ruthless thief among them, who could easily handle his three martial arts masters, was the culprit of the night, Wu Fengbiao lashed out with his Buddha's Hand cane, unleashing a move called "Golden Wings Soaring Through the Clouds," leaping into the air, spinning once, and then bringing down a palm strike with the force of the cane.

The speed and power of his strike were truly worthy of the name "Flying Cloud Hand." The situation at the fire scene was extremely chaotic. Just as the masked thief was about to finish off the three ranch martial arts masters, he never expected the Flying Cloud Hand to pounce with the force of thunder. He suddenly felt a strong wind rushing down from behind, faster than lightning. This thief was, after all, a martial arts master with considerable skill. He bent his waist and darted away like a swallow skimming across the water, narrowly avoiding Wu Fengbiao's ultimate move.

Seeing the thief's composure under pressure, Wu Fengbiao couldn't help but admire him. Having missed his initial attack, he immediately followed up with "Flying Snow Covering the Mountain," a move even more ferocious and swift than before. The masked thief's feet had barely touched the ground when he transformed into "Black Dragon Turning Clouds," leaping into the air. His movements were incredibly fast, swirling like leaves in a whirlwind, a truly exquisite and agile technique that barely evaded the deadly "Flying Snow Covering the Mountain" strike.

Wu Fengbiao secretly applauded, recognizing the skilled movements of the man. Startled, he burst into laughter, saying, "Who do we have here? It's none other than Chief Yun! I've never had a grudge against Chief Yun, so why is he treating me so well this evening? Do you think I don't know how to entertain a friend?" The masked bandit was none other than Yun Hao, the Flying Scorpion, the strange man from Guanzhong who had displayed astonishing martial arts at the Mandarin Duck Arena in Zhou Family Village.

Indeed, it was Yun Hao, the Flying Scorpion. Upon hearing this, he paused for a moment, then burst into wild laughter, saying, "Master Wu, your eyesight is excellent! You recognized me at first glance. But don't make false accusations. While I may be ruthless, I'm not one for murder and arson." With that, he abruptly ripped off his mask, revealing a thin face with a goatee and piercing, jackal-like eyes.

Wu Fengbiao chuckled coldly, "Master Yun, you certainly know how to talk. Isn't tonight's matter obvious?"

Flying Scorpion grinned maliciously, "Since Master Wu admits it was me, even if I were to use my silver tongue, it would be in vain. But let's make things clear: I'm here on someone's behalf."

Wu Fengbiao laughed loudly, "What else don't I understand? Who are the Three Musketeers of Longjiang? I don't believe Master Yun has been misled by them and is aiding and abetting evil. Besides, they didn't come with any good intentions, but instead troubled Master Yun with their presence?"

Flying Scorpion Yun Hao gave Wu Fengbiao a sinister look, snorted coldly, and said, "Master Wu, don't say that. I'm just helping a friend." "It's my duty, and besides, I, Yun, am sworn brothers with Longjiang Sankui. Tonight's events are a matter of right and wrong, and since Longjiang Sankui is already here, you can't blame anyone. Anyway, Master Wu's chances of survival tonight are slim, so why

waste my breath?" Wu Fengbiao was shocked and suspicious. Longjiang Sankui had arrived, but he hadn't shown up; he must have some other scheme. Knowing that his business would be ruined tonight, he steeled himself, sneered, and said, "Teacher Yun, don't boast. Do you think I'm so easily dismissed? Friend, prepare to die!" With that, he twisted his wrist with his Buddha's Hand cane, unleashing a flurry of cane shadows that whipped up a fierce wind; his technique was incredibly strange and wondrous.

Wu Fengbiao's 39-style "Flying Cloud" Strike technique is renowned beyond the Great Wall. His technique is also unique. When he is fast, he reacts like thunder and lightning; when he is slow, he moves like drifting clouds and floating catkins. He strikes with alternating turns, without any fixed rules. It may seem that the head of the strike is aimed at the chest, but it is actually a feint. The tail of the strike sweeps down towards the lower body. If the opponent does not know the feint and tries to fight head-on, he will surely suffer a loss. Once the move is used, it feels as if nothing is there, as if he has hit a light cloud. It is too late to withdraw the move.

Flying Scorpion Yun Hao, worthy of his reputation as a contemporary underworld tycoon, possessed sharp eyes. He immediately discerned Wu Fengbiao's "Flying Cloud" crutch technique—a combination of feints and real attacks, hardness and softness—and launched a swift four-move attack, demonstrating his profound understanding of the dangers. He used his scorpion-shaped steel whip to protect himself, seizing an opening to pursue, while simultaneously employing superior lightness skills—leaping, jumping, dodging, and darting—showing remarkable agility. Both were renowned figures in the martial arts world, and their fight was exceptionally skillful, making it difficult to determine a victor for a time.

At this moment, shouts of men and neighing of horses filled the air. Startled horses galloped, hooves thundering. The fire in the East Gate gradually subsided, with only one or two flames rising high, thick smoke billowing, and a pungent, acrid smell filling the air, swirling and choking people. However, as the fire in the East Gate extinguished, a new fire broke out in the West Gate. The East and West Gates were far apart, and with a cry of alarm from the people in the pasture, firefighters rushed towards the West Gate to put out the fire.

Ye Wushi, his eyes bloodshot with rage, had already felled three masked bandits before him. A steel blade swirled in a cloud of snow as he pounced like a mad tiger. The two masked bandits fighting Ye Wushi watched in horror, wondering what kind of reckless fighting style this was. But even humans aren't made of steel; Ye Wushi's strength was nearly exhausted, and this desperate struggle was merely a last gasp before death.

Of the dozen or so martial artists on the ranch, more than half had been killed or wounded. The masked bandits' sinister laughter echoed on the wind, sending chills down everyone's spines. Xu Zhaosen had vanished without a trace, clearly aware of the suspicion he had aroused and unwilling to engage the bandits, so he had chosen to hide. Wu Fengbiao, the Flying Cloud Hand, used his sharp and ingenious Tight-Hand Technique, but still couldn't gain the upper hand. The Flying Scorpion, wielding a copper scorpion whip, unleashed a strange move every now and then, darting in through gaps like an angry dragon emerging from its lair, incredibly fast and difficult to anticipate.

However, Flying Scorpion Yun Hao mainly relied on his superior lightness skill to close in and attack, moving like a shadow, striking with a whip or a punch with every leap. Although Yun Hao was a member of the underworld, he practiced an internal martial art called "Smashing Tablet Hand," and his palm power was seven or eight tenths of its full potential, pure and powerful. In the martial arts world, those who mastered this skill to perfection were extremely rare, and those with Yun Hao's level of skill were truly remarkable. It was this very fist technique that sent the Three Talents Deadly Ling Fei flying in the Mandarin Duck Arena. Therefore, every punch he threw now made Wu Fengbiao's heart tremble slightly.

Normally, when comparing Flying Cloud Hand Wu Fengbiao and Flying Scorpion Yun Hao, their skills are almost equal. Yun Hao has a slight advantage in lightness skills and movement techniques, while Wu Fengbiao's "Flying Cloud Crutch Technique" is uniquely exquisite. In terms of palm power, they each have their own strengths. However, at this moment, Wu Fengbiao was worried about the safety of his family and the fire spreading in Xizha. The sparks were pushed into the air by the strong wind and scattered like flowers. He was anxious and could not concentrate, which made his movements slightly sluggish.

The two fought for about half an hour. Wu Taibiao encountered several dangerous moves and knew that they could not defeat each other tonight. He forced himself to calm down and focused on gaining the upper hand. Seeing that Yun Hao's shifting positions were too unpredictable and fluid, making it impossible to understand, Wu Taibiao frowned and thought, "Judging from his intentions, it seems that he will wait until I have exhausted my strength before counterattacking. How can I let him have his way?" Thinking this, he suddenly flipped his left wrist and released a fierce and unparalleled internal energy. His right hand followed with three lightning-fast moves from the Buddha's Hand Crutch: "Soaring Clouds," "Poisonous Python Coiling Body," and "Heavenly God Hanging Upside Down."

These three moves were the deadly ultimate moves of the "Flying Clouds" Crutch technique. A gale suddenly rose, whistling through the air, powerful and unparalleled, and incredibly fast. Yun Jie recognized the incredible power of the crutch; its shadow seemed to attack from all directions, impossible to evade with any unorthodox movement technique. A chill ran down her spine. Instead of dodging, she unleashed three lightning-fast punches towards the crutch, her right hand whipping out a scorpion whip, "Black Dragon's Tail," coiling upwards towards the crutch. With a loud thud, both figures swayed slightly, retreating half a step.

Wu Fengbiao, seeing Yun Hao's scorpion whip tip hurtling towards him again, hastily threw out his crutch. Suddenly, he heard a piercing scream from nearby and caught a glimpse of Ye Wushi's shoulder, blood splattering as he staggered. His attention was momentarily diverted. Suddenly, Yun Hao let out a wild laugh. Midway through the whip's trajectory, he swiftly changed his attack, flicking it towards Wu Fengbiao's head and face. With a flick of his left palm, he unleashed nine scorpion-tail poison darts.

The technique used with these nine scorpion-tail darts was even more wondrous and unique. Launched in a single bundle, they moved with lightning speed, reaching within two feet of their opponent before suddenly dispersing, leaving no part of the body within their reach. This ultimate skill was rarely revealed by Flying Scorpion Yun Hao; few in the martial arts world knew of his ruthless method. Wu Fengbiao, before his attack could land, suddenly saw the bundle of poisonous darts scatter like a shower of flowers, shooting towards him with lightning speed. Unable to dodge in time, he sighed inwardly and opened his eyes, awaiting death.

In the hazy snow, only two lithe black figures could be seen, leaping and bounding like the wind… Meanwhile, Xie Yunyue, before the Thousand-Foot Abyss of Mount Tai, underestimated his opponent's strength, overestimating his own abilities. The Nine Evils combined their palm strikes, unleashing a palm force unlike anything he had ever seen before. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late; he was immediately caught in a bind. In a battle between masters, even the slightest mistake can be fatal. A single misstep stuns the flow of true energy, rendering one's unparalleled power futile. Forced backward by the Nine Evils' raging torrent, Xie Yunyue unwittingly retreated to the edge of a misty cliff.

Suddenly, the One-Armed Demon God struck him squarely in the chest with a palm strike, causing excruciating pain and dissipating his true energy. He was sent flying backward. Under the moonlight, Xie Yunyue plummeted like a falling star, plunging into the misty, thousand-foot-deep canyon. Though his true energy was scattered and his blood surging, Xie Yunyue remained conscious. Hearing the arrogant, maniacal laughter of the evil figures on the cliff, he gritted his teeth in hatred.

At this moment, Xie Yunyue's descent accelerated, his body becoming increasingly ethereal and adrift, a clear sign of his dissipated inner energy. He was completely out of control, his ears whistling with wind, his vision obscured by layers of mist. Even with his extraordinary eyesight, it was as if he were in complete darkness.

He couldn't help but recall the scene in the Wine Gull Cave where the Demonic Monk of the Treasure Altar had struck him down a thousand-foot chasm with a single palm strike. He thought to himself, "If only I could create a gust of air beneath my feet, like last time, to steady myself." Then, a thought struck him: "Such coincidences only happen once in a lifetime. How could such a miracle happen every time? If it were, it wouldn't be a coincidence. Besides, my inner energy has been scattered. Even if there were such a stroke of luck, I wouldn't be able to steady myself. Cough." This soft sigh signified that death was calling to him. How poignant and bitter it was!

Before his death, or rather, on the verge of it, memories flooded his mind, even more vivid than his slumping body. In just one year, he had displayed unparalleled talent and wit, punishing countless evildoers and bandits. A subconscious, arrogant smile flickered across his handsome face, but vanished in an instant. He couldn't help but ask himself, "Is my brilliant life really so short? Like a fleeting moment?"

He wasn't afraid of death; his greatest regret was not being able to avenge his father's death. The thought had always been a source of deep resentment, and now it was even more intense. Though these thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, the will to live remained. The howling wind whistled past his ears, a wave of dizziness washing over him, and his body plummeted downwards like a stone thrown into a valley.

Because he didn't want to die, the will to live often unleashed an incredible power, producing a miracle. Humans are governed by their thoughts, yet they also live by their thoughts—this is absolutely true. He suddenly realized that the Bodhi Zen Technique had a self-healing effect, and recently he had also comprehended the extraordinary mental method of the "Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan," which could guide his own rebellious true energy back to its origin. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he fused these two extraordinary techniques into one. He knew he could no longer frantically absorb true energy, as this would only worsen his condition.

He devised a method of reversing the flow of qi and blood, and a miracle occurred. With his good fortune and innate talent, he would not have died from the reversal; in fact, it was mostly due to his exceptional intelligence and talent that he was able to grasp the opportunity to survive from the brink of death. As the saying goes, "The wise and the foolish are immediately distinguished as good and bad." This saying applies to him; the wise and the foolish are immediately distinguished as life and death.

He silently circulated the remaining true energy in his "sea of qi," forcibly suppressing the stagnation in his heart and forcing it to flow backward—this was the supreme mental method of the Bodhi Zen Technique. He simultaneously channeled the Twelve Heavenly Stems mental techniques from the "Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan," urging the scattered true energy to converge. This restored his vitality, and the true energy flowed unimpeded throughout his body, reaching the Nine Palaces Thunder Palace. He felt a tremendous, earth-shattering tremor in his mind, followed by a sudden lightness of body and a clear, empty mind. The joy he felt was indescribable.

His hands dropped, and with a sudden twist of his waist, he instantly turned around, stretched out his head, and swiftly transformed into the "Cloud Dragon Soaring Through the Sky" technique from the Eight Forms of Heavenly Dragons. He spread his arms wide, stabilizing his body as he spiraled downwards. He felt as if he had only completed one spiral before his feet touched the ground, breaking out in a cold sweat, thinking, "That was close! I was only a moment away from being shattered to pieces."

Having recovered from his shock, all he could see was complete darkness. He wondered if this was a natural phenomenon, but in fact, it was nighttime, and even in daylight, the light would be obscured by countless layers of clouds. He wasn't in a hurry to leave the valley. He knew that Mount Tai was vast and boundless; without figuring out the direction, he would not only be exhausted but also go in the wrong direction, achieving the opposite of his goal.

So he waited patiently for dawn. As soon as a ray of light pierced through, he could determine his direction, and perhaps the temperature would change, the clouds would rise, and he could see the valley floor clearly. He took out a jade bottle from his robes, poured four Longevity Pills into his mouth, and decided to enter a meditative state. Half an hour later, he opened his eyes, feeling that his injuries were completely healed, and his mind was exceptionally clear. He knew that his current power was much greater than the day before.

Looking up, all was still utterly dark. He couldn't help but recall the scene from the cliff above, where he had been cleaved down into the valley by the combined might of the demons. After much painful reflection, he realized he shouldn't have relied on his unparalleled power, giving them an opportunity to exploit him and ultimately putting himself in danger. He hated these evil heretics and showed them no mercy. Let their bloodshed continue; good and evil cannot coexist. Kill one, and that

's it—eliminating evil completely. This was a matter of principle, a stark contrast to his status as a Buddhist disciple. No wonder Master Mingliang had noticed Xie Yunyue's heavy bloodshed when he descended the mountain. The valley was eerily silent, devoid of even the sounds of insects and animals. The valley floor felt warm as spring, a stark contrast to the bone-chilling cold of the cliff above.

As Xie Yunyue pondered, he suddenly heard faint footsteps in the distance, followed by soft whispers. He was overjoyed. The sound of footsteps and voices echoed like thunder in the silent valley, reverberating endlessly. Xie Yunyue slowly stood up, listening intently, and recognized two people walking side by side. A hazy red light flickered in their eyes, but even this small glimmer was like a blazing light to Xie Yunyue, instantly invigorating him.

He heard the two talking as they walked, one of them, a rough voice, saying, "I really don't know what the Divine Lord's intention is. Since that person is surely dead, why send us to check? If he says he's not dead, aren't we just throwing our lives away?" Xie Yunyue realized that "that person" referred to himself, and secretly chuckled to himself.

Then another voice from the south said, "Don't talk nonsense! The Divine Lord meant for us to find any relics in that person's corpse. He said that the person's martial arts skills and talent were both top-notch. If it weren't for the fact that he had used the power of the 'Lesser Yang Palm' cultivated for decades and struck unexpectedly to knock him down into the Thousand-Foot Abyss, how could it have been so easy? Just think how powerful the Divine Lord's 'Lesser Yang Palm' is; within ten feet, it can pulverize rocks. Even if that person's martial arts were unparalleled, he wouldn't have survived. If the Divine Lord didn't have confidence, why would he send us here? Besides, we are not ordinary people." The two moved swiftly, striking the rocks at the bottom of the valley with a rumbling sound like muffled thunder.

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "This is quite a coincidence. The Thousand-Foot Abyss is the very valley where I almost perished. If I hadn't run into the Old Man with the Gray Beard and his group, a slight difference would have led to a huge disaster. Hmph, the Crane's Breath Grass is on these two." He saw the hazy red light getting closer and closer, and two figures vaguely appeared, disappearing and becoming indistinct in the thick fog. He immediately hid behind a jagged, towering rock.

Suddenly, the two stopped in their tracks. One of them waved the red light, crouched down, and shone it around, muttering, "Strange, the Divine Lord said that the person fell somewhere nearby, but we haven't found a body. At least we should have found some bone fragments and bits of flesh. Could it be that the person isn't dead..." The speaker's hair stood on end, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"You coward, don't make a fuss. Even if you jumped off the cliff, you wouldn't survive. Besides, he was hit by the Divine Lord's 'Lesser Yang Palm'. I think he's nearby. Let's explore carefully." "A faint red light flickered rapidly forward in the dim light.

The abyss was no more than four or five zhang wide, with strange rocks standing tall. The cliffs on both sides were covered with gnarled vines and green stones. If the clouds had parted and the sky were visible, looking up from below, the perilous peaks seemed to pierce the sky, insurmountable; looking down from above, the bottom was unfathomable, terrifying and awe-inspiring. Calling it a thousand-zhang abyss would not be an exaggeration. Although it was early spring, the severe cold had not yet dissipated. In the northern climate, before the third month of spring, when flowers bloom, it was still bitterly cold. Therefore, thick clouds and fog swirled around the bottom of the abyss, unable to dissipate upwards. Even Xie Yunyue, whose eyesight could see through the thick fog, could not see very clearly. He only saw two blurry figures trailing a red light in a zigzag pattern as they rushed towards him.
Xie Yunyue thought, 'Time is of the essence. Not only will the Crane's Blossom Grass fall on them, but they will also be the ones to escape this thousand-zhang abyss.'" "The thought had barely formed in his mind when he flashed forward, his five fingers outstretched, reaching for his companion holding the red lantern.

Xie Yunyue had been blessed with extraordinary fortune over the years, possessing excellent aptitude and talent. After consuming half a dose of 'Thousand-Year-Old He Shou Wu,' he gained half a century's worth of internal energy. Recently, he had also comprehended the 'Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan,' the 'Bodhi Palm Leaf Divine Skill,' and the 'Maitreya Divine Skill.' All three of these supreme martial arts were profound and mysterious. Unbeknownst to him, his own power had increased by leaps and bounds, and he had even broken through the barrier between life and death without realizing it. This was something he was completely unaware of. It is said that these three profound martial arts are not only something others dream of, but also something they cannot fully comprehend in such a short period of time. Such aptitude and such extraordinary encounters are rare in the martial arts world for the past hundred years.

He had comprehended the 'Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan,' which was indeed a profound and boundless art in martial arts, where life and death were controlled by the mind, and it was easy to unleash and control. He knew that using this technique would be of great convenience to him." He barely managed to calm his turbulent thoughts, turning his attention to the problem of the Crane's Breath Grass. Without light, he was at a loss. He had heard the man earlier say that the Thousand-Foot Abyss was shrouded in mist and fog year-round, never seeing the sun. Anxiety gripped him; he thought, "What should I do? My father-in-law, Zhou Weicheng, is on the verge of death. In this urgent situation, how can I allow myself to be caught in a dilemma, hesitating and unable to move forward?" He stood there, stunned, unable to devise a good

solution, stamping his feet in frustration. Even his unparalleled martial arts skills were useless at this moment. He remained in this state of bewilderment for almost half an hour, finally tapping his head lightly and muttering to himself, "How could I be so foolish?" Suddenly, he reached into his robes and pulled out a jade pendant. Instantly, radiant light shone forth, and the area within ten feet became exceptionally clear, without a trace of mist, as bright as day.

That was a gift from Emperor Qianlong to the Xushou Hall in Jingming Garden. The luminous pearl inlaid on the jade pendant was a rare treasure, possessing not only illumination but also various wondrous uses such as warding off heat, cold, and expelling poison. He tied the pendant to his chest and moved it close to the abyss wall. The pearl's light caused clouds and mist to swirl and disperse as if swept away by a wind, illuminating the area with unparalleled clarity.

Looking around, the cliff face was covered with vines and creepers, intertwined and densely packed. Because they were so crowded together, it was extremely difficult to find a single plant of the Crane Saliva Grass. In summer and autumn, thousands of cranes from Mount Tai would roost among the vines on the cliffs at the bottom of the abyss. In winter, they would fly south in flocks like geese. When the cranes slept, they would behave strangely, their legs apart on the vines, their beaks inserted into the rock face, and their saliva would drip into the rock face while they slept. This happened every day, and over many years, it was only then that a Crane Saliva Grass could be nurtured.

Crane saliva is extremely hot and poisonous; ingestion is fatal, but its effectiveness in treating poison with poison is remarkable. Xie Yunyue focused intently, parting the vines and searching carefully. He finally discovered the crane saliva herb, hidden and multiplying within the vines. Its purple stems and green leaves were less than a foot long, the leaves adorned with crimson spots that shimmered brilliantly under the pearly light. However, finding a century-old, top-quality plant was no easy feat.

He walked along the cliff face, parting the vines as he went, and after about an hour, he dug up two plants, which he concealed in his robes. Now his mission was complete; once he reached the Thousand-Foot Abyss, he could head straight for Jinan. However, he didn't know how far the abyss stretched to its end, or what direction it led. Perhaps it was endless. Although following the bottom of the abyss would eventually lead to a way out, delaying the treatment of Zhou Weicheng's injuries would be a greater loss.

Hesitant and undecided, he looked up, thinking the quickest way was to climb directly to the top of the cliff and return the way he came. This idea was nothing short of delusional. The cliff top was at least two or three hundred feet above the abyss; even a gray crane would find it difficult to climb, let alone him. Just as he was lost in thought, a sharp, chilling whistle suddenly rang out. The sound was so eerie and terrifying that

it would send shivers down the spine of the timid. Xie Yunyue, however, remained calm upon hearing the sound. He guessed who it was and thought to himself, "I wasn't looking for you, but you've come. The exit from this thousand-foot abyss is on you." As soon as the thought left his mind, a gigantic figure suddenly appeared in the mist from where the pearly light had been. Its face was ferocious, its eyes shooting out strange blue light. Its head was bald, without a single hair, with a short, silvery-white beard on its chin. A single, swaying sleeve trailed from its left shoulder. It stood proudly, its presence imposing. It was unmistakably the One-Armed Demon God, Cha Kun.

The one-armed demon, Cha Kun, spoke coldly without moving his skin or flesh, saying, "As is my custom, if I fail to strike once, I will not strike again. That's why I sent men to find you. If you were still alive, I would escort you out of the abyss. But you are ungrateful and killed one of my men.

I can no longer tolerate this..." Before he could finish speaking, Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "Cha Kun, how sweet your words are! A single slap in the face, a hatred as deep as the sea. If you can't tolerate it, who can?"

Cha Kun's eyes gleamed, "So, you want revenge for that slap?"

Xie Yunyue said, "Everyone feels the same way. Then why have you come?" As he spoke, he let out a light laugh, a laugh that was extremely cold and sarcastic, like a sharp sword piercing the one-armed demon's chest, something no one could bear.

Just moments ago, the one-armed demon had feigned the air of a great master, but now, he lost his composure, his face suddenly contorted with rage. He snarled, "Fine, fine, you're quite arrogant. I'm just about to see what astonishing martial arts skills you possess."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, his five fingers flashing like lightning, reaching for Cha Kun's severed arm. His movements were unpredictable and elusive; with a flick of his fingers, his fingers were about to touch the arm. The one-armed demon Cha Kun broke out in a cold sweat, his body moving swiftly and fluidly to escape the hissing wind of the five fingers

. He shouted, "Why did you launch a sneak attack without a word?" Xie Yunyue laughed loudly again, saying, "You're not known for sneak attacks, yet you criticize me." Suddenly, his five fingers reached out again.

The one-armed demon, Cha Kun, only saw a blur before Xie Yunyue's eyes, who was now right in front of him. He was greatly shocked; if he hadn't witnessed it with his own eyes, he simply wouldn't have believed such a swift movement existed. Not daring to be careless, he too moved with a swift, swirling motion. Both acted simultaneously, the difference being minuscule. Xie Yunyue, possessing unparalleled martial arts, was a step faster than Cha Kun, his five fingers already on Cha Kun's severed arm.

Xie Yunyue's fingers snapped shut with lightning speed, like striking metal, producing a soft, resolute sound, causing Cha Kun to pause in surprise. Suddenly, the one-armed demon, Cha Kun, swung his palm out, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that swept towards his chest, intensely hot, though this was diminished by seven-tenths of the light emanating from the pearl hanging on Xie Yunyue's chest. This "Lesser Yang" palm technique was remarkably similar to the "Crimson Demon Magadha" technique of the Three Venerables of the Heavens. When it struck a person, the surface remained unharmed, but the bones burned like embers—truly formidable.

The "Lesser Yang" palm and the poisoned flying needles were known as the one-armed demon's twin arts. In a battle between masters, the initiative is crucial. Cha Kun, the One-Armed Demon, was arguably one of the most formidable figures in the martial world, possessing extraordinary martial arts skills. However, in this exchange, Xie Yunyue seized the initiative, forcing him to dodge repeatedly. Cha Kun's severed arm had been forged into steel by his own Yuan Yang True Fire, so Xie Yunyue's gripping fingers detected the anomaly. Cha Kun waited

for this moment of distraction before unleashing his palm strike. This was Cha Kun's golden opportunity, but Xie Yunyue, having been momentarily careless on the cliff top, had given him a chance. He was determined to learn from this experience and wouldn't allow the strike. With a cold laugh, Xie Yunyue gripped Cha Kun's severed arm with his five fingers, then suddenly pushed, using the "Shaking" technique of the Maitreya Divine Skill—a push and a flick.

Cha Kun's giant body was sent flying three or four zhang away like a drifting leaf, the force of the Shaoyang Palm instantly dissipated. Cha Kun's chest trembled slightly, causing his white beard to bristle and his eyes to blaze with fury. He roared, "Try taking another one of my moves!" With that, another gust of wind swept through the air, and he shot forward like a lightning bolt, appearing beside Xie Yunyue.

He changed his palm into fingers, swiftly striking the nine vital acupoints on Xie Yunyue's body. But Xie Yunyue was faster. The "Mysterious Seven Star Steps" were incredibly powerful; no matter how fast the one-armed demon Cha Kun was, he couldn't match it. Cha Kun's five fingers barely reached Xie Yunyue's "Tianxuan" acupoint when suddenly everything went black, and Xie Yunyue vanished. He thought to himself, "This is bad!" Suddenly

, he felt ten steel hooks on his back. After a moment of numbness, he felt a pain that pierced to the bone. He cried out and quickly channeled his "Shaoyang" internal energy to fight back. With a mighty struggle, he managed to break free from Xie Yunyue's grasp, stumbling three steps before regaining his footing. Two steps after Cha Kun broke free, there was a tearing sound. Xie Yunyue had ripped a large strip from Cha Kun's long robe, leaving it swaying behind him. With his single sleeve fluttering, he looked utterly pathetic and comical.

At this moment, Cha Kun was filled with dread, his eyes burning with fury. Xie Yunyue was also secretly shocked by Cha Kun's ability to escape his "Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan" from his hands. This was something that had never happened before. Especially after being hit by the "Shaoyang True Power" in Cha Kun's body, his ten fingers were faintly painful. He felt that Cha Kun was indeed worthy of being called a modern-day big bad devil.

At this moment, Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Cha Kun, if you feel you've lost and are not satisfied, you can try again."

The one-armed demon god Cha Kun's eyes were blazing with anger, but upon hearing this, the blue light in his eyes gradually subsided, his expression became more peaceful, and he sighed deeply, saying, "I have lived for so many years and have seen much. I can recognize most of the strange martial arts techniques at a glance, but you, at such a young age, possess such profound and bizarre skills. Not only have I never seen them before, but I also know nothing about them. I cannot even guess which school they come from. I am filled with trepidation and shame. Even if I were to try again and win by a move or two, what glory would there be? Why don't we put aside our past grievances? I would be happy if you agreed, and I would then lead you out of this abyss." As he spoke, his gaze dimmed.

Xie Yunyue was naturally proud and stubborn, easily swayed by force. He was moved by the tactful words of the one-armed demon Cha Kun, and his murderous intent vanished. He thought, "Although this man is a contemporary demon, his words are quite tactful and agreeable. It's only natural that he would help me after I killed his nephew. Putting myself in his shoes, wouldn't I feel the same way?"
Watching Cha Kun's long sleeves flutter, he felt pity and sympathy. He knew that disabled people were often cynical, lonely, stubborn, and self-pitying, possessing a dual personality. Despite his outward arrogance, he harbored deep-seated inferiority complexes, fearing others would look down on him, and even resenting those more fortunate than him. He would interpret others' sympathy as mockery. These differing views fostered a peculiar psychology in him.

Having been orphaned at a young age, Xie Yunyue understood this principle well. He smiled faintly and said, "Since you say so, Divine Lord, let's temporarily resolve our grudges. As long as you don't make things difficult for me again, I won't hold a grudge." He said this because he knew the old man with the grey beard would never change his ways. If he encountered this man, he would surely kill him. At that time, Cha Kun couldn't ignore him, and he couldn't simply detain him now.

The one-armed demon god Cha Kun nodded and said, "You call me Divine Lord, but I dare not accept such a title. I am accustomed to solitude and have lived in seclusion for a long time. I have no interest in worldly etiquette and formalities. Please do not take offense." He paused, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "This abyss is shrouded in mist and clouds year-round, and very few people know of it. Besides my back cave, there is no other exit. Please allow me to lead the way." With that, he led the way, speeding away.

Xie Yunyue could tell that Cha Kun was very familiar with the terrain of the Thousand-Foot Abyss. Without relying on the light, he moved swiftly and disappeared into the clouds in an instant. Xie Yunyue, on the other hand, used the pearl light to force open the thick fog and followed after him. Xie Yunyue moved with lightning speed, catching up with the one-armed demon god Cha Kun in no time. Cha Kun looked back and saw Xie Yunyue's lightning-fast footwork, a slight look of surprise on his face. He praised, "Your footwork is so fast, I can't even begin to compare."

Xie Yunyue humbly replied, while carefully observing the situation at the bottom of the abyss. He saw the pearl light push through the thick fog, revealing a bright and open space in front of him. The bottom of the abyss was full of jagged, jagged rocks, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Their feet were covered in damp mud. He thought, "If it weren't for this pearl light, I would have to grope my way out. Getting out of this abyss would be harder than climbing to heaven."

Cha Kun's figure appeared and disappeared in the twists and turns, even when he was right next to him, because his vision was blocked by the jagged rocks. After about an hour, they suddenly heard Cha Kun loudly announce, "We've arrived at our abode. Please proceed."

Xie Yunyue looked up and saw a dark, deep cave, about ten feet in diameter, extending into the cliff face at the bottom of the abyss. He cupped his hands and smiled, "I dare not. Please, Divine Lord, go first."

Cha Kun smiled slightly and said, "Since you are so courteous, I must apologize for my rudeness." With that, he walked ahead, and Xie Yunyue followed closely behind.

Having traveled the martial world for over a year, Xie Yunyue's experience had greatly increased. He knew that the martial world was fraught with danger and treacherous schemes. Although the One-Armed Demon Cha Kun appeared extremely sincere, he still felt that one should be wary of others. The cave where the One-Armed Demon Cha Kun resided was sloping upwards, winding and turning with many branching paths. After walking for a while, pine oil lamps began to be embedded in the cave walls on both sides, casting a dim yellow light. When Xie Yunyue approached and was neared by the luminous pearl on his jade pendant, the light became even dimmer.

Cha Kun turned and smiled, "Your Excellency wears a precious pearl on your chest, a rare treasure. I searched high and low for just one, but compared to all that you possess, it pales in comparison." His tone seemed to carry boundless envy.

Xie Yunyue remained silent, smiling slightly, but noticed why he hadn't encountered a single disciple of Cha Kun's sect after walking for so long. A sense of unease crept into his heart, and he paid no attention to the path. Unknowingly, he followed the one-armed demon into a spacious stone chamber. Xie Yunyue saw that the chamber contained only a couch, a stone table, and four bluestone slabs used as stools and chairs. There was nothing else. Nine pine oil lamps were embedded in the walls, illuminating the room. Xie Yunyue had already carefully concealed the jade pendant and pearl on his chest.

The one-armed demon god Cha Kun smiled and said, "My dwelling is simple, please don't laugh at me. Please sit down, and I will have someone bring you wine and game to entertain my guest."

Xie Yunyue hurriedly said, "My lord, please don't make such a fuss. I need to hurry back to Jinan, and besides, I'm not very hungry right now. I'll come and bother you again another day when I have time."

The one-armed demon god laughed loudly, "You're too polite. I've had a long night, how could I not be hungry? Please don't suspect that I've poisoned the food and drink. I'm in a hurry to get back to Jinan, there's no need to rush here."

Xie Yunyue blushed. He really suspected that the food and drink had been poisoned, but after Cha Kun pointed it out, he was too embarrassed to leave. He thought to himself, "No matter what tricks you play, I might as well strike first." So he pretended to be easygoing and sat down on a stone.

Cha Kun walked to the bed, bent down and took out a stone hammer from under the bed, and tapped it three times on the wall. Instantly, two burly men with thick eyebrows walked in from outside. Cha Kun said, "Quickly bring out the food and wine; our guest still has a long journey ahead." The two men bowed and left.

Xie Yunyue smiled apologetically, "Since the Divine Lord values you so highly, how can I possibly accept this?"

Cha Kun's eyes shone brightly as he said, "It's rare to have friends to share a drink with; what's there to accept or not accept?" Suddenly, the two men hurriedly entered, carrying two large trays of wine, food, and cups, which they placed on the stone table before bowing their heads and leaving.

The food consisted entirely of pheasant, wild boar, venison, and other game. The one-armed demon god Cha Kun offered Xie Yunyue a cup of wine, its color a vibrant green, its aroma filling the air, clearly aged and of good quality. Xie Yunyue took a small sip, found no unusual taste, and ate with peace of mind. The two ate and talked, with the one-armed demon god Cha Kun recounting his past experiences in the martial arts world and his eccentricities, without any reservations.

Midway through the meal, a young man in black slowly entered from outside. Upon seeing this man enter, the one-armed demon god Cha Kun frowned slightly, his eyes flashing with a hint of ferocity. But in an instant, Cha Kun's expression transformed into one of unparalleled kindness. Xie Huiyue noticed this and couldn't help but become suspicious. Cha Kun smiled and said, "Nephew, you've come at a good time. Let me introduce you." He then turned to Xie Yunyue and said, "This is the descendant of an old friend of mine, named Xing Tiansheng. Because he always wears black, he's known as the Iron Claw Black Eagle. If you see him in the martial world in the future, please take care of him."

Xie Yunyue inwardly laughed, knowing they were still enemies and that he wouldn't show any favor, yet he still spoke like this. However, he didn't reveal this on his face, and smiled slightly, saying, "Not at all, not at all, Brother Xing, please sit down."

Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng stretched out his long hair and said, "Hero Xie, your illustrious name is renowned... " "I have long admired you, but have never had the chance to meet you, which I consider a great regret in my life. Today, hearing of your arrival, my admiration has been so strong that I had no choice but to announce my arrival and thus barged in. I hope you will not take offense."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly and said, "It's alright, how could I, Xie, dare to accept such high regard from you, Hero Xing?" During their conversation, Xie Yunyue learned that Iron Claw Black Eagle was a disciple of the Old Man Shixin of Huangshan. Xie Yunyue was suspicious of the Old Man Shixin, who was upright and incorruptible and had not heard of outside affairs for decades, having severed all ties with the martial world. How could he have a disciple associating with this demon? So he carefully observed Xing Tiansheng's appearance.

He saw that Xing Tiansheng had a handsome face, but unfortunately, there was an unruly look between his brows, and there was a light purple scar on his right cheek. Suddenly, he heard a faint sound of urgency. One-Armed Demon Cha Kun's expression changed and he said, "There is an alarm outside the cave. It must be a powerful enemy from the past. I will be right back. Please have a seat." With that, he hurried away.

Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng suddenly grinned meaningfully, abruptly standing up and about to turn and step outside. Xie Yunyue's heart skipped a beat, and he flashed forward to block Xing Tiansheng's path, his expression suggesting he was about to demand an explanation. Xing Tiansheng intervened, stopping him and saying in a low voice, "Great hero, please don't be hasty. Let me go outside and see if anyone is there." Xie Yunyue sensed something was amiss, but not yet knowing the reason, he moved aside to let Xing Tiansheng pass.

Xing Tiansheng had only taken four or five steps when a burly man wielding a knife suddenly flashed in from outside, his movements swift and agile. The burly man blocked Xing Tiansheng's path and arrogantly asked, "Where does Xing Tiansheng intend to go?"

Xing Tiansheng calmly smiled and said, "I'm going to check out the front cave. Why are you stopping me, Brother Li?"

The burly man coldly replied, "The Divine Lord ordered us to protect you two. You are not allowed to go out without permission, for fear of an accident."

Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng sneered twice and said, "You can fool a child with those words, but you can't fool me, Xing Tiansheng. If I want to go out, how can you stop me?" The burly man's expression changed slightly, and suddenly he slashed out with his sword, a flash of lightning aimed at Xing Tiansheng's left shoulder.

Xie Yunyue could tell that although the burly man only used one sword, it was not only fast but also extremely unpredictable, resembling the "Ghost Head" sword technique from the south. To everyone's surprise, Xing Tiansheng neither dodged nor evaded, as if he hadn't seen it at all. Only when the blade was almost at his shoulder did he shift his position outwards, his right hand flashing out with lightning speed, grabbing the burly man's right wrist holding the knife. At the same time, his left leg kicked out, striking the man's "Qihai" acupoint. A muffled groan was heard, and with a burst of force from Xing Tiansheng's right wrist, the sound of breaking bones rang out. The burly man's mouth slurred, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Xing Tiansheng casually flicked his wrist and then quickly walked away. Xie Yunyue was amazed by Xing Tiansheng's superb skills; his speed, ruthlessness, and decisiveness were exactly the same as his own, not inferior in the slightest. Before long, Xing Tiansheng returned, his hands stained with blood, his face grave. Reaching him, he suddenly laughed loudly, "Hero Xie, are you aware of the perilous situation you face?" His gaze sharpened, and he coldly snorted, "He intends to perish with me? That's wishful thinking."

Xie Yunyue calmly replied, "What do you mean? I don't understand at all."
Seeing Xie Yunyue's unwavering composure, Xing Tiansheng, the Iron Claw Black Eagle, was secretly astonished. "How can this man possess such magnanimity? Even in this dire situation, he remains so calm. I, who usually pride myself on my composure and intelligence..." Compared to him now, I am clearly insignificant. Thinking this, a look of respect arises in my eyes, and I say with a smile, "This is a long story, let's talk about it after we get out of danger. The one-armed demon god Cha Kun actually wanted to bury the two of us alive in the cave, how ridiculous! Hero, come with me."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "I said Cha Kun is not so magnanimous, he is actually a hypocrite. Let's go find him." As

soon as the two took a step, suddenly, a thick smoke rushed in from outside, instantly filling the entire cave. The smell of smoke was mixed with a strange fragrance, making people cough, dizzy and suffocated. Xing Tiansheng shouted, "Hero, quickly hold your breath, this is the fragrance of 'Poisonous Orchid'." "With that, he unleashed two powerful palm strikes, temporarily pushing away the thick smoke.

But the smoke billowed and surged forth, far beyond what a palm strike could cleave away. As soon as his palms stopped, they snapped shut again. Xing Tiansheng coughed incessantly. Xie Yunyue, though unaware of what the 'Poisonous Orchid' was, knew it must be an extremely poisonous plant, certain to kill anyone poisoned by it. Holding one's breath for an extended period was highly improbable, so he needed to devise a better plan. He remembered that the jade pendant and pearl possessed the ability to illuminate and disperse clouds, so he immediately took them out and hung them in front of his chest. Sure enough,

as soon as the pearl appeared, it shone brightly, and the nearby smoke scattered and rolled away as if encountering a raging storm." The pearl's light shone for ten feet, enveloping Xing Tiansheng. Xing Tiansheng felt his mind clear and his spirits lifted. He glanced enviously at Xie Yunyue's pearl and laughed, "Only now do I truly believe in the principle that man's destiny is ordained by Heaven and cannot be defied. Come, great hero, follow me."

Xie Yunyue followed closely, saying, "Brother Xing, please don't address me as 'great hero.' Wouldn't it be better if we addressed each other as brothers?"

Xing Tiansheng laughed, "Then I'll gladly comply."

The two sped out like the wind, reaching a cave passage outside the stone chamber. There lay several corpses, all with severed wrists and broken heads, their deaths gruesome and terrifying. These were all the work of Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng. Xie Yunyue counted the bodies; there were eleven in total. He was slightly surprised that Xing Tiansheng could kill eleven people in such a short time. This showed his swift and ruthless skills, proving that he was a man of extraordinary martial arts prowess. However, he couldn't figure out why Xing Tiansheng was so close to him, or why the one-armed demon god Cha Kun intended to kill him as well. This was a mystery that was difficult to solve.

The thick smoke grew denser and denser, carrying countless sparks that burst forth and flew towards the pearly light. Just as they approached, the sparks immediately scattered, creating a magnificent and dazzling spectacle. Xing Tiansheng darted into a side path in the cave wall, and Xie Yunyue followed. They discovered that this side path was just a natural crack in the mountain rock, about four zhang high, only wide enough for one person to pass close by.

Xie Yunyue asked in surprise, "Brother Xing, why didn't we just head straight out of the cave and use our palms to cleave through the burning flames? Wouldn't that have been much easier?"

Xing Tiansheng laughed loudly, "Brother Xie! You underestimate the One-Armed Demon Cha Kun. Before you even arrived, he meticulously planned the fire attack. Huge rocks blocked both the front and back caves; cleaving through them with palms is no easy feat. Little did he expect he would include you in his calculations."

Xie Yunyue asked suspiciously, "I truly don't understand. How could Brother Xing not know beforehand that Cha Kun intended to harm you?"

Xing Tiansheng laughed, "How could Brother Xie be so confused and not think of this? Just now, when I entered the room, the old demon's expression changed slightly, then instantly became amiable. This was a premonition of the old demon's murderous intent. I didn't know whether it was directed at you or me. Later, when the fighting intensified, he left alone. If he didn't want to harm..." "Why didn't I tell my brothers to leave? So it goes without saying."

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "That was close. If I hadn't aroused Xing Tiansheng's righteous indignation, my life would have been uncertain." He then laughed and said, "I don't believe that the two of us together can't split the boulder."

Xing Tiansheng shook his head and said, "Brother Xie only knows one thing, not the other. Although the boulder is thick, it's not difficult for the two of us to split it. However, they are at ease while we are exhausted. By the time we get out of the cave, our true strength will be exhausted. How will we win then? Besides, there are two other demons joining forces with Cha Kun. Otherwise, why didn't you follow him when you realized that Cha Kun was trying to frame you? That's the reason."

At this time, the crevice became narrower and narrower, and the height also decreased. The two of them were almost crawling. If they didn't feel the difficulty, they would not have noticed it because of the pearl light. Xie Yunyue remained silent, pondering why Xing Tiansheng knew this secret path, and how Cha Kun, as the cave master, could not possibly be unaware of it. It all seemed too strange. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he suddenly noticed that there was no path ahead; it was clearly a dead end. Just as Xie Yunyue was wondering, he suddenly heard Xing Tiansheng laugh and say, "I suppose this gecko skill is a piece of cake for Brother Xie. I'll just show off my skills."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyue knew he had to climb upwards. He looked up and saw thick smoke filling the cave, rushing in and out. He couldn't see clearly beyond the pearly light, but there was still no light above, as if it were sealed off as well. However, Xing Tiansheng must have a reason for doing this. At that moment, he saw Xing Tiansheng brush his face, slam his hands and feet against the stone wall, and in a flash, he seemed to have risen five or six zhang (approximately 10-13 meters). He was incredibly agile and nimble, and Xie Yunyue secretly praised him.

While the "gecko climbing the wall" technique is commonplace in the martial arts world, mastering it to its highest level is extremely difficult. The most challenging aspect is concentrating all the body's weight and internal energy into the limbs, using the "absorption" technique to alternate between them and ascend rapidly. In ordinary martial arts, those who climb to a height of seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters) exhaust their internal energy and ascend very slowly. Those as agile as Xing Tiansheng are rare.

Xie Yunyue did not slack off. He turned around and pressed himself against the wall, climbing straight up. With a continuous flow of internal energy, he instantly reached a height of twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters). Suddenly, he heard Xing Tiansheng say above him, "Brother Xie, be careful, we're about to turn." As soon as the words left his mouth, Xie Yunyue suddenly felt his right palm touch empty air. He spun around swiftly and lunged forward, only to find that the crack suddenly split open horizontally across the mountainside, forming a bow shape.

Sure enough, they crawled along the crack, then suddenly rose straight up again. After twisting and turning nine times, they could see the sunlight shining down from above. The sunlight faintly shone through a small hole, still fifty or sixty feet above them. Although both of them had superb internal strength, they were starting to feel tired. Xie Yunyue was not showing much fatigue, but Xing Tiansheng was sweating profusely and panting heavily, which showed that Xie Yunyue's internal strength was much higher than Xing Tiansheng's.

Xing Tiansheng wiped the sweat from his brow and chuckled, "We're almost out of trouble. Let's rest for a bit, then use our gecko skills to swim up."

Xie Yunyue nodded and smiled, "Very well, I'm a little tired too."

Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng noticed that Xie Yunyue's face was completely dry, without a trace of sweat or panting, his complexion unchanged. He was greatly alarmed, thinking, "This man's internal energy has reached a level where he's impervious to heat and cold, and his true energy is never lacking. Who is his master? I usually pride myself on my superior internal energy, but it seems I'm far inferior to him." A feeling of jealousy welled up within him.
He didn't know that Xie Yunyue's true face was hidden behind a human skin mask. Then he noticed Xie Yunyue's clear, watery eyes also fixed on his face. The four beams of light met, and Xing Tiansheng's heart skipped a beat. He felt Xie Yunyue's gaze was like sharp arrows, piercing through his thoughts, and his face flushed red. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "I really can't guess how Brother Xing knows this secret path. Doesn't that one-armed demon Cha Kun know about it?"

Xing Tiansheng pondered for a moment and said, "This is a long story. Let me explain in detail after we escape. I also need Brother Xie's help. For now, I'll just say that this cave was my childhood home. That should make it easy for Brother Xie to figure it out."

Xie Yunyue seemed to understand for a moment and nodded, but he still had many doubts that were hard to dispel. He thought, "What does it have to do with me if it's someone else's business? But I wonder what he needs my help with."

Then he heard Xing Tiansheng say, "We've rested enough. Let's leave the cave." As he spoke, he silently pressed his limbs together and moved like a gecko. Because he was dressed in black, he looked like a gecko. In the blink of an eye, he had slid up eight or nine zhang.

Xie Yunyue then realized that Xing Tiansheng's martial arts skills were indeed extraordinary, but he also noticed that Xing Tiansheng was deliberately showing off his gecko-like movements, putting in his best effort. He chuckled to himself, thinking that in the martial arts world, it was rare to find someone who didn't rely on their skills to claim strength. Xie Yunyue moved slightly, rising like a wisp of smoke. This distance of fifty or sixty feet was no small feat; relying solely on one's inner energy without interruption was impossible. Otherwise, one would plummet without being able to change position, inevitably leading to certain death. Fortunately, both of them possessed superior skills, so they were not afraid of the difficulty.

Their bodies moved with extreme agility and speed, climbing and crawling. Suddenly, Xie Yunyue saw that Xing Tiansheng was only a dozen feet away from the cave entrance when his movements slowed slightly. He realized that Xing Tiansheng's inner energy was waning, and he was greatly alarmed. However, he couldn't ask him directly, lest Xing Tiansheng's attention be distracted and his body plummet, causing Xie Yunyue to fall as well. In that case, both of them would die without a burial place. Xie Yunyue's heart was in his throat.

Suddenly, Xing Tiansheng abruptly stopped, clearly having exhausted his strength. Xie Yunyue almost cried out in alarm, but then saw Xing Tiansheng whirl around with lightning speed, one right palm bracing against the other cave wall, followed by his right leg, his body forming a starfish shape. Xie Yunyue's heart, which had been pounding with fear, returned to its normal position, thinking: "Luckily, this cave is narrow. It allows for four limbs to brace against it; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Looking up, he saw Xing Tiansheng seem to catch his breath, his limbs quickly attaching themselves again, and in the blink of an eye, he was out of the cave. Xie Yunyue followed closely behind. He found himself in a cliff jutting out from a precipice, a thousand feet below and several feet above, the sheer cliff face as smooth as a mirror. He was utterly awestruck. A quick glance revealed a snow-covered mountain landscape, a crystalline expanse. The once towering trees and dense branches, shrouded in verdant green, were now all beneath the vast expanse of ice and snow. A mournful howl swept through the air, chilling the clothes and sending

shivers down one's spine—a scene quite different from what had been seen at Jiu'ou Peak. At this moment, Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng had already closed his eyes, sat cross-legged in meditation, and entered a meditative state. His pale face indicated that he had overused his inner energy. Xie Yunyue didn't disturb him, but simply gazed at the snow-covered scenery of Mount Tai. After a while, Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng's complexion returned to its previous rosy hue. He opened his eyes, leaped up, and laughed, "Just now, brother, I almost lost my breath and nearly killed myself, nearly implicating Brother Xie. Thinking about it now, I'm quite horrified." A look of embarrassment appeared on his face.

Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "Even martial artists have their flaws. I often encounter such things myself, but Brother Xing hasn't seen it yet." He paused for a moment, then asked, "Where do we go now?"

Xing Tiansheng pondered for a moment and said, "When I was young, I struggled to reach the bottom of this cave, but I had to give up because I didn't have the strength to swim up. This is the first time I've seen it. Judging from the direction, the front cave is probably on this cliff. We just need to cross one more peak. Since we can't climb the cliff now, we can only go down to the edge of the cliff, go around several peaks, and it won't be difficult to find the front cave. Once we find it, we can go straight down Mount Tai."

Xie Yunyue nodded, glancing back at the thick smoke still rising from the bottom of the cave. Upon encountering the cold air, it condensed into clouds, floating in the air and slowly drifting away with the wind. Xie Yunyue shook his head and sighed, "That one-armed demon, Cha Kun, is truly ruthless and vicious. He actually used such cruel methods; his heart is despicable. Now that we've encountered him, I will certainly not spare him."

Xing Tiansheng laughed loudly, "Brother, aren't we the same? If we don't kill such evil people, who will?" His tone was bold and unrestrained, possessing a powerful and indomitable spirit.

Xie Yunyue saw that there were no vines to climb below the cliff, only several dozen feet below, where several gnarled ancient pines grew from the precarious cliff face, their branches shooting out horizontally, offering a foothold. He raised his eyes to Xing Tiansheng and said, "Now, the only way out is to fly down to the ancient pines; there is no other way." Xie Yunyue didn't want to ask him if he had the skill, so he changed the subject.

Xing Tiansheng glanced down, smiled slightly, and said, "Since there's no other way, I'll have to give it a try. I've been leaping through the trees in Huangshan every day to improve my lightness of body; I should be able to avoid danger." He then added, "I'll make a fool of myself." Suddenly, he leaped five or six zhang high, then spun rapidly, headfirst, plummeting down like a falling star. When he was only three or four zhang above the pine branches, he suddenly swung his arms, his body instantly transforming into a horizontal flight, circling three times before gently landing on the pine trunk.

Xie Yunyue recognized that he was using Huangshan's unique "Kingfisher Drop Technique," a skill both exquisite and mysterious, and felt admiration. Xing Tiansheng looked up and shouted, "Brother Xie, why don't you come down and let me admire your amazing technique?" His words were brimming with self-satisfaction and pride.

Xie Yunyue smiled slightly, his arms suddenly flailing as he soared through the air, his figure slowly spiraling downwards, landing like a flurry of fluff on a tree trunk after a dozen or so spirals. Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng was greatly alarmed. On the surface, Xie Yunyue's movements seemed unremarkable, but in reality, they contained the "Eight Forms of Heavenly Dragon" technique. These mere spirals revealed his unparalleled mastery of internal energy. Xing

Tiansheng felt a surge of shame and jealousy. The two used the same technique, leaping down in succession, and upon reaching the bottom of the valley, they sped off, their footsteps echoing through the snow. Just as they reached a bend in a mountain ridge, a dozen or so people suddenly appeared in their path—it was none other than the One-Armed Demon Cha Kun and his group. Both were startled. Suddenly, Xing Tiansheng, as if possessed, attacked with lightning speed. A burly man beside Cha Kun was struck first; with a cracking sound, his ribs shattered, and he screamed as he plummeted towards the cliff edge.

The howl echoed through the valley, causing an avalanche and thunderous roar...

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