At sunrise, the bright sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the heaven and earth, and even the peak of the mountain sparkled brilliantly.
Pei Xuanjing was sitting cross-legged on a broken cliff of Shenxiao Mountain, closed his eyes, and controlled his breathing. Every breath he took, a tinge of Zi Qi surrounding his body rose, and he seemed as one with heaven and earth.
After a long while, Pei Xuanjing finished his cultivation, opened his eyes, and a spark of divinity flickered within his eyes.
He paused his disciple, who was about to leave to prepare breakfast: "Pang Hong."
Pang Hong, dressed in the same dark-brown Taoist robe as Pei Xuanjing, stopped in his tracks, turned back, and saluted, "Master."
"Get prepared in the next few days. We are heading to Taihe Mountain shortly," Pei Xuanjing said nonchalantly.
"Yes," Pang Hong nodded in agreement.
After Pang Hong left, Pei Xuanjing remained standing on the cliff, seemingly waiting for something.
"I've heard about your formidable strength, seeing it today proves it's true," a robed, white-haired yet youthful-looking old Taoist walked out and complimented Pei Xuanjing.
Pei Xuanjing frowned and asked, "Who are you?"
He had a guess in mind; this person might be the mysterious one claiming to be a Shenxiao Sect member.
"I am Yu Zhenzi," The old Taoist smiled and stated.
"Yu Zhenzi," Pei Xuanjing uttered as if in contemplation.
As expected, the one who claimed to be Yu Zhenzi laughed, "I am Yu Zhenzi, the elder of the Shenxiao Sect."
"Huh," Pei Xuanjing scoffed, "Old Taoist, the Shenxiao Sect has been extinct for two hundred years, there shouldn't be any elders left."
What nonsense about being the head teacher of Shenxiao Sect, Shenxiao Sect was long gone.
Yu Zhenzi shook his head and confidently responded, "Shenxiao Mountain is still there, hence
Shenxiao Sect is not extinct. Shenxiao, being the supreme of the nine realms, could never perish." Pei Xuanjing laughed, "In that case, why don't you tell the Great Ming imperial court?"
What a bluff. If Shenxiao Sect was really that powerful, why would they be lingering on like this?
Yu Zhenzi's face turned stern, he slowly stated, "I am here today to save you."
Pei Xuanjing, doubting if he misheard, asked, "Excuse me?"
"I am here to save you," Yu Zhenzi repeated.
"Haha, save me? You." Pei Xuanjing laughed out loud as if he had just heard a ridiculous joke. Seeing Pei Xuanjing's reaction, Yu Zhenzi, slightly discontent, asked, "Is that funny?" "Funny, of course it is!" Pei Xuanjing curbed his laughter and loudly stated.
"Save me? Pei Xuanjing needs no savior!"
His words exuded a debonair spirit that even affected Yu Zhenzi.
"No wonder you are the most famous person under the heaven. You truly deserve to be a hero from my Shenxiao Sect," He first complimented Pei Xuanjing, then let out a long sigh and shook his head, "The strength of the Great Ming imperial court is not what you perceive, if it weren't for the Tartar issue, you would have been ensnared…"
Before Yu Zhenzi could finish his sentence, Pei Xuanjing interrupted him abruptly, "And what if that's true? In this world, nobody can stop me from going where I want to go!"
At that moment, Pei Xuanjing felt that he could step foot anywhere in the world he wanted to, a confidence so strong that nobody could hold him back.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing's determination, Yu Zhenzi gave up persuading him. He thought to himself that it might be better to let him fall once and thus bring down his arrogance a notch.
He changed the subject, "In that case, I won't say anymore. But there's one more thing why I came here today."
"What is it?"
"I want to invite my dear younger brother to rejoin our Sect."
"Rejoin which Sect?" Pei Xuanjing queried.
Yu Zhenzi loudly stated, "Since you are from the branch lineage of the Shenxiao Sect, naturally you should return to Shenxiao Sect."
"And then?" Pei Xuanjing asked.
Yu Zhenzi said, "The Great Ming royal family has been in power for too long. There are many who are unsatisfied, so we want to assist you, my dear brother, in overthrowing it."
"Not interested, " Pei Xuanjing decisively refused.
He had figured out these people's mind.
Their only intention was to use his recent reputation, and along with it, rejuvenate the Shenxiao Sect's reputation.
These people were simply trying to use him and his fame to achieve their own goals.
He had no interest in doing such charity work for them.
"What?" Yu Zhenzi seemed to have misheard.
Pei Xuanjing repeated, "I am not interested."
These people might have some connections with Shenxiao Sect, but not as deep as he claimed.
"Why? Are you holding any illusions towards the Great Ming imperial court?" Yu Zhenzi expressed his confusion.
He couldn't comprehend. The Great Ming imperial court had chased Pei Xuanjing for thousands of miles and the dispute was irreconcilable, yet he was unwilling to comply.
Pei Xuanjing looked directly at Yu Zhenzi and replied word by word, "I said I am not interested in joining you. Nothing more."
Pei Xuanjing was not interested in siding with Yu Zhenzi. He didn't like these people, who were like rats hiding in the dark, unable to step into the light. How could they accomplish anything significant?
If he was ever to overthrow the Great Ming, he would do it himself, instead of tagging along with this group of people.
With that, Pei Xuanjing asked, "Did Daoist Qingxu send for you?"
He wanted to ask one last question to confirm his suspicion.
Yu Zhenzi was startled, "Daoist Qingxu, the head teacher of Zhen Wu Sect?"
He wasn't sure why Pei Xuanjing suddenly brought up Daoist Qingxu.
"As I thought!" Seeing Yu Zhenzi's confused expression, Pei Xuanjing came to a conclusion.
These people probably had very little to do with Shenxiao Sect. In Pei Xuanjing's view, they were merely a group of people waving the banner of Shenxiao Sect.
If they truly were the direct descendants left behind by Shenxiao Sect, they wouldn't be ignorant of the relationship between Zhen Wu Sect and Shenxiao sect, much less be taken aback.
Though Yu Zhenzi remained clueless about Pei Xuanjing's abrupt question and was puzzled at heart, He temporarily set that aside and continued persuading, "Brother Long Life Son, please reconsider."
Pei Xuanjing suddenly turned hostile and retorted coldly, "Who is your brother?! Do not randomly claim relationships."
He looked annoyed and disgusted at Yu Zhenzi.
Ever since he was accused of being associated with the remnants of Shenxiao, he was considered the real successor of Shenxiao Sect.
In Pei Xuanjing's view, Shenxiao Sect was extinct.
If there was ever a time when Shenxiao Sect's name needed to be reestablished, it would be he who would do so.
From this perspective, Yu Zhenzi was a competitor and therefore, an enemy.
"Humph!" Yu Zhenzi sneered, his aura of martial arts completely filled the air, an unperceivable pressure pressed towards Pei Xuanjing.
Just this little patience, and he still pretends to be a negotiator. Pei Xuanjing's estimation of Yu Zhenzi in front of him dropped a notch.
"Sigh!"
Pei Xuanjing let out a light sigh, and his own profound martial arts aura surged out, directly confronting it..
"Arrogant!"
Seeing Pei Xuanjing so stubborn, Yu Zhenzi's face turned cold. He took a step forward, his True Qi blazing, and his Blood Qi boiling.
In a time without heroes, even a fool could make a name for himself.
But after just killing a few lucky people, he belittles himself so much that he lost all sense of decency and sense?
Yu Zhenzi wanted to show the other party some of his power, to let them know there are always greater men out there.
Boom.
His palm moved, and there seemed to be a low thunder sound.
Shenxiao Thunder Palm, although only ranked as a superior level Martial Studies, its Thunder Method is so bold and powerful that its potential can almost rival the semi -unique arts.
The palm winds surged as if carrying a Heavenly Thunder that purged evils, displaying the Dao's extreme righteousness. Its power was extraordinary.
However, in facing such a bold palm, Pei Xuanjing did not move as if it were a gentle breeze brushing his face.
He formed his hand into a palm and swung it downwards.
'Giant Spirit Surpasses Mountains'.
The heavy palm released, carrying an endless whirlwind, showing the power to overturn mountains and seas.
This technique, which originally belonged to a general superior level Martial Studies, as Pei Xuanjing's power continued to increase, the power exerted also continued to enhance, almost unmatched in its original palm power.
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing not only has his Inner Qi stepped into the first-grade realm, but also his physical training has stepped into the first-grade realm.
Therefore, the total power that could be exerted reached an impressive fifteen levels of strength.
It can be said that even if Pei Xuanjing does not use any True Qi, the power he can display already has the potential to destroy heaven and earth.
This palm was bold, violent, and incomparably domineering.
Bang!
The two palms collided, causing an earth-shattering vibration. An endless surge of Qi swept around like waves.
Countless rocks, flowers, and trees were swept up by the wild Qi, sending dirt flying and leaves scattering.
After this move, Pei Xuanjing's face didn't change. He remained standing in place, unaffected in the slightest.
But Yu Zhenzi was sent flying by the power contained in Pei Xuanjing's palm. He coughed up blood and flew several meters before crashing to the ground, unable to get up for a while.
"You…"
Yu Zhenzi was panting heavily. The shock in his eyes was unmistakable. The vast power was too much for him to bear, even though he had managed to dispel much of it. The remaining domineering power was still too much for him.
At this moment, his muscles were damaged, his organs were displaced, his Blood Qi was unstable, and his True Qi was in a Chaotic Flow.
If it weren't for the extraordinary vitality of a first-grade Martial Artist, he would have been killed by such a tremendous power.
Just one move, only one move, and he was defeated by the other party, without even a chance to counterattack.
Looking at Pei Xuanjings nonchalant demeanor , he knew that the other party was not going all out. Yu Zhenzi had a lingering fear in his heart.
To see Pei Xuanjing step by step approaching him, Yu Zhenzi's forehead was beaded with cold sweat.
Every step that Pei Xuanjing took forward, Yu Zhenzi felt closer to death.
"Pei Xuanjing, are you going to kill me?" Even with the fear in his heart, Yu Zhenzi still managed to ask bravely.
Pei Xuanjing was indifferent, smiling, "Just now, weren't you about to kill me? People like me usually don't show mercy to their enemies."
Yu Zhenzi shook his head quickly: "I didn't mean to kill you. I just wanted to teach you a lesson. I just wanted you to…"
To acknowledge my authority.
He couldn't finish his sentence.
It was simply humiliating. He intended to teach the other party a lesson but instead got repressed. Pei Xuanjing shook his head: "Teach me a lesson? Do you think you're capable?"
Seeing that Pei Xuanjing seemed to be taking action, Yu Zhenzi quickly intervened, "You already have so many enemies, do you want to add another Shenxiao Sect to that? If you kill me, you'll have even more enemies."
Right now, his only hope was that Pei Xuanjing could be concerned about the Shenxiao Sect backing him up and not be willing to add another enemy to his list under current circumstances.
Otherwise, it would be the end of him.
Regrets overwhelmed him from the deepest part of his heart. Why did he come here?
Pei Xuanjing glanced sideways and scoffed coldly, "Only I can represent the Shenxiao Sect. Those posers who sought me out are even better, it saves me time."
For those who claim to be from the Shenxiao Sect, Pei Xuanjing naturally harbored deep resentment.
An instrument and a name, neither could be forged.
No matter what the past was, the current rightful successor of Shenxiao is him, Pei Xuanjing. Regardless of whether he was willing to accept the Shenxiao Sect or not, he couldn't deny that it was his rightful place and nobody could take it away.
Yu Zhenzi's face changed drastically. He didn't expect his trump card to be useless, and it even seemed to incite the other party's killing intent.
At this moment, he regretted involving those people who brought him here to meet this demon.
"You no longer have any value in being alive, so you might as well die in peace!" Pei Xuanjing sighed, took another step forward, raised his hand, and prepared to attack again.
"No, I still have value," Yu Zhenzi said. "You want to find them, right? If you spare my life, I can tell you everything you want to know." Yu Zhenzi shouted.
At this moment, to survive, Yu Zhenzi had discarded all shame.
His fear of life and death, his fear towards Pei Xuanjing, surpassed everything else.
He would do anything just to survive.
Pei Xuanjing stopped in his tracks and halted his action, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he replied, "Go on."
Seeing Pei Xuanjing's expression, Yu Zhenzi realized that Pei Xuanjing's previous actions were simply to force him into submission.
But even if he realized the other party's objective, what of it?
Being a fish on the other's chopping board, Yu Zhenzi had no choice.
If it weren't for them sending him here, he wouldn't be in such a predicament.
With these thoughts, Yu Zhenzi felt relieved.
You all forced me into this. If you show no mercy to me, don't blame me for being unrighteous.
Pei Xuanjing didn't hurry him, just waited for Yu Zhenzi to speak.
The other party was right; he was simply trying to find out what, exactly, this so-called Shenxiao Sect was all about.
After all, from what Yu Zhenzi had previously stated, it was clear this so-called Shenxiao Sect was not small in size, with at least a few members close to, or even surpassing, his strength level.
If he were to be targeted by such a mysterious force, Pei Xuanjing naturally couldn't turn a deaf ear to it. He needed to find out the origin and purpose of this force.
Sometimes, once one's bottom line was breached, it was easy to give up entirely and allow things to fall apart. Yu Zhenzi was in such a state.
"Ah!" Yu Zhenzi sighed long and slowly began to speak, revealing the origins of their group..