Yuwen Leopard, also a monk from the Diamond Gate, turned cold at hearing Pei Xuanjing's words.
No matter how he listened, he felt ridiculed in the other's words, and he, who was used to compliment, found it somewhat intolerable.
However, a burly man next to him placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping his intention of making a move.
The burly man stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "Pleased to meet you, Brother Pei. I've long heard of your renown. However, it seems to me you prefer to rely on sharp words."
Pei Xuanjing glanced at the restrained Yuwen Leopard. He originally thought that Yuwen Leopard was the leader among the two, but it turned out to be the other.
"May I ask who you are?" he measured up the burly man.
Considering that he could cooperate with Yuwen Leopard and had taken the initiative, if it were not unexpected, he was likely to be one of the persons on the list given by Gu Ji.
When he noticed the man's hands, he immediately understood the identity of this burly man.
At the same time, the burly man announced his name, "I am the Tie Mad."
It'S mm!
The most famous of the younger generation of the Northwest Dao's Tie Sect, Tie Qianshan's personal disciple, Tie Mad.
His original name was rarely known now, and everyone referred to him as Tie Mad.
The fact that he could be called Mad suggested his character.
Legend has it that his name was inspired by a maverick martial artist known as the 'first oddity in the martial arts realm' a thousand years ago.
However, as Tie Qianshan's personal disciple, he was arrogant and made quite a name for himself in the Northwest Dao, which shows how formidable he is.
Now 25, he has achieved the Fifth Rank in martial arts. Bai Xiaosheng, a well-known contemporary martial artist, once commented that as long as he does not die young, he has a good chance of advancing to the Third Rank.
"Brother Tie, your reputation precedes you. But it seems to me that today's meeting was slightly overstated!" Pei Xuanjing remained indifferent, but his words were rather blunt.
Tie Mad came at Yuwen Leopard's invitation. It was clear that he meant ill and was likely looking for trouble with him.
Moreover, he never forgot that he had killed the father of a genius disciple from the Tie Sect. The two sides were in a state of hostility and unlikely to become friends.
When he arrived in Anping Prefecture, he had also inquired about the genius who had joined the Tie Sect from the Zhang family. He heard that the talent of the man was very good, even Tie Qianshan intended to take him as a disciple.
However, he didn't expect to run into the Tie Sect again.
"Pei Xuanjing, you are being overly arrogant!" Tie Mad's face darkened.
He didn't expect this guy to be so spiteful in his speech, showing no modesty characteristic of a young man who had just started his career.
Are these young people all so unruly these days?
Looking at Pei Xuanjing, Tie Mad thought of his 'junior brother' who his master had recently intended to take under his wing.
That guy was also a top talent, but he was equally harsh in his speech, showing little respect to his senior brothers due to his master's favor. If it weren't for his master's intervention, he would have taught him a good lesson.
To tell the truth, Tie Mad did not know of the deep connection between that genius junior brother and Pei Xuanjing The father of that genius junior brother, Zhang Zhiyi, was killed by Pei Xuanjing himself.
"Hehe."
Pei Xuanjing chuckled, saying nothing.
This time, it was Yuwen Leopard from the Diamond Gate who calmed down; he pulled at Tie Mad, "Brother Tie, he is just trying to provoke you into making a move."
He could see that Pei Xuanjing was doing this on purpose, trying to provoke them into making a move. Although he didn't know why, Yuwen Leopard instinctively felt that he should do the opposite of whatever Pei Xuanjing wanted to do.
Seeing the two calm down, Pei Xuanjing shook his head, somewhat disappointed.
Yes, he was just trying to provoke the two to make a move, then take advantage of the situation to kill them, or at least disable them.
According to Li Yuzhen who said 'miraculous things are poisonous', the reason they entered here was not to seize the miraculous thing. He didn't know about Yuwen Leopard yet, but since Tie Mad was so arrogant, he was probably not here to seize the miraculous thing.
In that case, it's very likely that these two are here to prevent him from seizing the miraculous thing.
Although Pei Xuanjing, who possesses the power of a fourth-grade martial artist and holds the Thousand-Refined Divine Weapon – the Flowing Flame Sword, just thinking about two fairly strong fifth-grade martial artists not intending to seize the miraculous thing but focusing on making trouble for him instead,
this made him feel like sitting on a bed of nails, having a thorn in his side, having a fishbone stuck in his throat.
That's why he wanted to take advantage of the time before the miraculous thing appeared, and eliminate the two nuisances. After all, at this time, anyone who aspires to the miraculous thing would not be stupid enough to come and provoke him.
But unfortunately, these two seemed to have sensed something, they were not provoked by him, and held back their anger.
Pei Xuanjing pointed blatantly at the two and said to Gu San beside him, "When we make a move later, you two must be careful."
The greatest strength of this team was only at the Sixth Rank, and they were no match for these two.
Not that Pei Xuanjing fancied himself a saint, but he felt that cultivation was not easy, and these people had no need to risk their lives here.
Perhaps he empathizes with them!
Pei Xuanjing knew, if he hadn't had the help of the Life Simulator, he might be just like those ordinary martial artists around him, and certainly wouldn't be standing in the center with such glamour.
"Yes," Gu San nodded.
He was aware of the gap between him and these geniuses. Although they had also broken through to the Sixth Rank before the age of twenty-five, it was not without the countless resources poured into them by the Prefecture Master.
"You just need to take care of yourselves. Leave the rest to me." Seeing Gu San not impulsively charging forward, Pei Xuanjing nodded in approval.
Actually, if it wasn't for Gu Ji's request, Pei Xuanjing might even want to come here alone. He didn't need these people's help at all.
It was not arrogance but confidence.
With his strength, if he could seize the miraculous thing, he would certainly do so. If there were enemies that he couldn't deal with, these people couldn't help much either.
"Even if you are a strong man, you must have respect."
This was said by Gu Ji.
In Gu Ji's view, these people were cultivated by him using countless resources. Although they were different from geniuses like Pei Xuanjing, he couldn't deny them the chance to strive forward. After all, entering the Forbidden Place, the Blessed Land, is both risky and an opportunity.
Hearing this, Pei Xuanjing was silent.
He could understand the hardships of the lower-class martial artists, so he couldn't reject the offer.
After all, he couldn't obstruct anyone's determination and opportunity to forge ahead.
The moon was high in the sky, its silvery light falling from the sky as if a silver shawl was draped over the surface of the lake.
The calm surface of the lake began to ripple slowly.
"The miraculous thing is about to appear!"
With the moonlight growing brighter, the ripples on the lake's surface increased and sped up.
Then, the surface of the lake began to tremble as if water was reaching a boil, producing a bubbling sound.
Misty white vapor enveloped the area, and right in the center of the lake, a pillar of water three feet in diameter suddenly shot into the sky, reaching a height of over thirty feet in the blink of an eye.
Hovering right above this water column was a fist-sized, crystal-clear pearl.
This pearl, a product of the blessed land and a forbidden place, bestowed the ability to cultivate all the way to the Upper Three Realms without worry, once obtained.
"The treasure has surfaced!"
Observed the emergence of the treasure, onlookers were astounded, with exclamations rising from the crowd.
Faced with such a temptation, several martial artists immediately leaped towards the pearl.
"Sir, shall we…" Seeing others making their move, Gu San anxiously turned to Pei Xuanjing.
Enthralled, Pei Xuanjing laughed, shaking his head, "No need to rush."
No sooner had he spoken than the pearl suddenly emitted a bright light, releasing a wave of the Five Elements, and sending the martial artists flying.
"Just as I thought!" Pei Xuanjing muttered to himself.
Gu San, puzzled, turned his gaze towards Pei Xuanjing, "Sir, why is this so?"
Pei Xuanjing sneered, "The treasure has a spirit, and without enough power, one cannot subdue it."
So it was. He had always scoffed at the many accounts about the treasure and its mysterious attributes.
If before he had any doubts, at this point he could now certainly be sure.
These treasures born from the forbidden places and blessed lands might indeed benefit the cultivation of Martial Artists, allowing the possessors to easily advance to the Upper Three Realms as told in tales.
What was surely an exaggeration, however, was the so-called life-changing effects; such claims were absolutely groundless.
His earlier claims to Gu San about the treasure's spirit were merely diplomatic.
The most fundamental reason was that those who possess the strength lay claim to such treasures.
So many people scrapping for a single treasure was a selective process in itself.
Among such a group of martial artists, he who obtained the treasure, whether on account of strength or of luck, had already proven himself exceptional.
Once in possession of the treasure, one could easily advance to the Upper Three Realms.
Now, suppose there were people capable of such, would they be unable to advance to the Upper Three Realms even if they didn't possess the treasure?
The answer to this question varies based on who answers it.
"No wonder, Li Yuzhen said the treasure was a poison." Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
However, even though he was a bit indifferent to the treasure, since he had promised Gu Ji, he would certainly retrieve the treasure for him.
Moreover, he was becoming increasingly interested in the treasure. Even if he didn't use it himself, he could still study it.
However, the current situation seemed to differ slightly from his original plan.
He said to Gu San and the others, "From here on, don't intervene."
Gu San attempted to say something, only to be interrupted by Pei Xuanjing, "The situation has changed. I will get the treasure for His Excellency. For the remaining time, it is best for you to stay away from me."
For Pei Xuanjing, he was confident that he could seize the treasure and escape, but he lacked the ability to look after these people as well.
Hence, it was better for them to keep their distance, rather than becoming cannon fodder due to his actions.
Pei Xuanjing continued, "Of course, I won't interfere with any decisions you make. All I want to say is, sometimes, being able to survive is the greatest victory."
He would only go this far in advising them, as they were merely acquaintances.
But to request him to risk his life for them while also trying to seize the treasure They weren't such close friends for him to do that.
Sorry, Pei Xuanjing wouldn't be willing to do that.
If these few couldn't see the situation clearly, Pei Xuanjing would watch them perish, and at best try to avenge them afterward.
Looking at the situation, Gu San and the others nodded in agreement and began to retreat silently.
While everyone's attention was on the pearl, their sudden withdrawal seemed abrupt but met everyone else's approval, as it was in their own interests.
As Gu San and the others retreated, several martial artists tried to seize the pearl, but not because
they lacked strength, but because they were held back by the numerous martial artists surrounding them.
The scene suddenly became a stalemate.
After all, no one wants to make the first move, only for someone else to benefit.
Looking at the people around him, Pei Xuanjing laughed heartily, "Since everyone is so 'courteous,' I won't stand on ceremony."
As he finished speaking, he leapt into the air, aiming straight for the treasure.
"You're courting death!" "Dream on!"
"Take my blade!"
. The surrounding martial artists cursed and attacked, handling him just like they did the few others who had tried to seize the treasure before.
"Pei Xuanjing, you finally couldn't help yourself." Yuwen Leopard and Tie Mad watched Pei Xuanjing making a move, their anger replaced by joy.
As the saying goes, ants can bite an elephant to death.
Even faced with so many martial artists, both of them didn't feel confident enough to act.
Earlier, they had been worrying about how to cause trouble for Pei Xuanjing. Now, they were pleasantly surprised that he had so anxious to jump out and reveal himself. This made them feel they had overestimated him.
"Friends, let us join forces and eliminate the biggest threat, Pei Xuanjing first." Tie Mad was arrogant, but not foolish.
When he proposed to attack Pei Xuanjing, many people responded immediately.
"Heh, a bunch of rabble, what can you do to me?
Pei Xuanjing sneered. From his waist, the
Thousand Refinement Divine Weapon, the Flowing Flame Sword, was drawn. The swordlight was cold, and a ten-foot-long sword Qi fell from the sky, fending off the others.
"Indeed, it is a Thousand-Refined Divine Weapon." Seeing Pei Xuanjing's Flowing Flame Sword, Tie Mad's eyes flashed with intense envy.
Being a member of the Tie Sect, he also has a Divine Weapon of Indomitable level, the Heavenly Silkworm Gloves, which even though being a Wonderful Door Type Divine Weapon considered more valuable than swords, is worlds apart from the Thousand-Refined Divine Weapon.
The reason he agreed to Yuwen Leopard's invitation was to seize such a Thousand-Refined Divine Weapon. Even if he was not good at using the sword, he could still exchange it, adding a little something, for a suitable Divine Weapon or something else, which would be a good deal.
As Pei Xuanjing parried with his sword, his other hand collected the pearl.
[Detected a Taoyun item. Do you want to refine it?]
Receiving this prompt, Pei Xuanjing's face flashed with delight, "My guess was right. This treasure indeed contains Taoyun."
This beneficial treasure could help one break through to the Upper Three Realms.. Although the refinement was not yet complete, he estimated that it could yield a quantity of Taoyun equivalent to that provided by several top martial arts manuals!