Liu Yun, seeing the Three Villains of the Central Plains fleeing in disgrace, was immensely pleased. She couldn't help but taunt them with a smile:"Leaving so soon? Take your time—we won't be seeing you off!"
Ling Xian'er added, "Young Hero Wang Yun tried to persuade them with kind words, but they refused to listen. They brought it upon themselves. Now they've tasted true skill—and only then do they understand fear!"
Qiu Biao, deputy leader of the Flying Eagle Gang, walked up to Wu Tong, cupping his fists:"Turns out the Three Villains would never have dared act so brazenly… had they known Master Wu was among the crowd!"
Qiu Ting joined her husband and added respectfully, "Our deepest thanks for standing up for us, Master Wu."
Wu Tong replied modestly,"No need for thanks. It was a trifling matter. Young Brother Wang possesses extraordinary talent. In time, he will surely be renowned across the martial world."
Wang Yun bowed his head deeply:"It is only thanks to your guidance, Brother Tong. I will never forget this kindness!"
Wang Yun had suffered tragedy from a young age—his entire family wiped out—and had wandered the world tasting both bitterness and warmth. Now, deeply moved by this support, he felt a fire in his chest.
Wu Tong sighed and said solemnly:"Those of us who walk the martial path must hold loyalty and justice in our hearts. Aid the weak, punish evil, and never forsake righteousness. Though the world may not always go as we wish, we must live with no regrets."
✶ ✶ ✶
The party traveled another twenty li. Ahead, near a pine forest, a large number of people had gathered. From a distance, they saw three men in scholar robes ganging up on one man. The four clashed fiercely.
Zhao Rou narrowed her eyes."Aren't those the Three Talents of Zhenshen Palace?"
The three—Heaven Talent, Earth Talent, and Man Talent—were infamous across the martial world.
Liu Yun added, "Brother Tong, the one being attacked is Elder Lin Ping of the Qilin Hall!"
Standing to the side of the battle was a black-robed man—none other than Elder Shen Er of the Black Tortoise Hall.
Just then, the Three Talents exchanged dangerous blows, when suddenly—three figures in yellow robes flew into the fray.
Lin Ping, who had held the advantage, was forced to leap back in surprise.
These three newcomers were the Three Lights of Zhenshen Palace—Sunlight, Moonlight, and Starlight.
Elder Shen Er bellowed:"What? Zhenshen Palace can't win, so you gang up with reinforcements?!"
Zhao Li, the Heaven Talent, retorted,"Zhenshen Palace's summit at Songshan was meant to unite the martial world. Why does your Jiuxiao Palace interfere?!"
Lin Ping of Jiuxiao Palace laughed heartily:"We act openly and fairly! Your Palace Lord covets domination over the martial world, yet hides behind pretense. Isn't this summit just a ruse to make him Wulin Alliance Leader?!"
Zhao Li snapped,"What business is that of yours?!"
Shen Er cut in coldly,"Your Palace Lord is known to be a base and shameless man. If not for trickery, how could he have defeated the Jiuxiao Divine Lord?"
Huo Tian, the Earth Talent, countered,"Wasn't it your Divine Lord who stole martial secrets from our sect? That's not exactly honorable either!"
"Watch your tongue, brat!" Shen Er roared. He leapt toward them, his palm flying out like a storm.
Zhao Li quickly dodged, countering with both palms. Huo Tian and He Guang joined in. Shen Er's rage exploded—his palms turned to gales, leaves swirling like snow. Zhao Li broke into a cold sweat; his scholar's cap had long since tilted, and his right arm still tingled from taking a blow earlier.
In the distance, Sunlight darted forward, sword aimed at Lin Ping's throat—but Lin moved like a ghost, grabbed his wrist, and—
Crack!
Sunlight screamed, collapsing to his knees.
Moonlight, seeing this, hesitated—fear flashing in his eyes, his judge's pen faltering.
"Useless!" Huo Tian cursed, redoubling his attack. But doubt had already taken root in his heart.
He glanced toward Shen Er—his black robes billowing like wings, his darkened palms radiating a freezing aura."This old devil… intelligence said he was only at the sixth stage of the Xuanming Art—but he's clearly reached the seventh!"
Starlight suddenly flicked out three Bone-Piercing Needles from his sleeve—deadly, silent weapons.
Lin Ping smirked and sidestepped. The needles sank deep into a pine trunk, the bark turning an eerie violet.
"A fine 'righteous sect' indeed," Shen Er sneered. His palms lashed out with ferocity, forcing the Three Talents to retreat.
"Form the Three Talents Formation!" Zhao Li shouted.
The trio reformed into the Heaven–Earth–Man array. The atmosphere suddenly changed. Shen Er felt the air thicken—like sinking into quicksand.
"This formation… it draws in elemental energy?"
Shen Er calmed his breath, planting his stance. Xuanming energy surged through his meridians.
Lin Ping's Qilin Sword began to hum—like a dragon's cry.
He flicked it lightly—piercing straight at the formation's weak point: He Guang, the Man Talent.
He Guang panicked, disrupting the formation. Shen Er seized the moment, lunging forward, his palms exploding in a flurry—over ten strikes in seconds.
Though the Three Talents fought desperately, they were overwhelmed. Shen Er's final strike landed like a mountain crushing a ridge.
BOOM!
The Three Talents were flung back like broken kites—slamming into pine trees, coughing blood.Zhao Li gasped, "How… how can this be…"
Shen Er snorted in contempt:"With such pitiful skill, you dare speak to us as equals? Know your place!"
Lin Ping stood tall, his energy surging. He declared boldly:"Martial brothers! Zhenshen Palace's so-called summit at Songshan is but a farce! They want to crown themselves kings of Wulin! But they lack the strength. Jiuxiao Palace urges all righteous sects to turn back—don't be pawns in their game!"
Suddenly—a voice cried out:
"Such arrogance! Let the Four Envoys of Zhenshen Palace meet you in battle!"
From the distance, four figures arrived: Li Qi, Bai Mu, Wang Ben, and Zhao Li—the Four Great Envoys of Zhenshen Palace.
Bai Mu stepped forward and addressed the gathering:
"Warriors of Jianghu! Zhenshen Palace summoned this summit to unite all sects, to stand together—not to divide and conquer, but to oppose Jiuxiao Palace's growing ambition!"
Shen Er sneered:"Fine words. But Zhenshen Palace always pretends to uphold justice."
Lin Ping added,"Just the four of you? You think you're a match for us? Where are your famed Dragon and Tiger Elders?"
Both Lin Ping and Shen Er, veterans of countless battles, knew well—Qin Wei and Wang Tao, the Dragon and Tiger Elders, were not to be trifled with. If they were nearby, this skirmish might turn into real war.
Wang Ben stepped forward."Why don't we find out!"
Before the words had faded, he moved—a blur of motion, a flash of palm.
Lin Ping's face hardened—he hadn't expected such a swift attack, but met it head-on.
BANG!
Palms collided. Lin Ping caught Wang Ben's wrist—but Wang Ben's second strike came at once.
They exchanged blows rapidly. Then—
Boom!
Wang Ben was sent flying backwards, staggering several steps. Blood gushed from his mouth.