Boom!
An intense vibration shook the ground beneath their feet, causing it to crack open.
Pei Xuanjing stood unmoved, but his opponents staggered backward, the aftershocks of the battle startling their horses.
An eerie silence.
Gazing at Pei Xuanjing, his clothes flapping in the wind, head held high, standing unyieldingly, the crowd fell silent.
Only those who had faced him in hand-to-hand combat could truly appreciate Pei Xuanjing's power.
At this moment, they understood why Pei Xuanjing had earned such a prestigious reputation in such a short period.
Why he maintained his calm even while pursued by the imperial court of the Great Ming.
The four first-grade masters, Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon, were stunned and speechless.
They could not comprehend the great gap between themselves and Pei Xuanjing, despite being of the same grade. How could a man be so powerful?
King Chujiang looked at this extraordinary man, feeling the hidden fear rise within him once again.
In the previous battle at Xuanfu, Pei Xuanjing fended off the encirclement of numerous masters and weighed down by heavy troops, yet he managed to kill Qian Ning and another first-grade master effortlessly, then calmly walked away.
Back then, Pei Xuanjing was merely of the second-class realm. Now that he has broken into the first-class realm, perhaps only the world's greatest master could defeat him!
"My lord, are you okay?" Yue Huan, who had just regained her senses, asked Ning King Zhu Chenhao, whom she had quickly pulled and pushed away during the fray.
Even though Zhu Chenhao was a third-grade Martial Artist, he achieved his rank of master by refining mystical artifacts.
In addition, given his pampered upbringing, he lacked the ability to fend for himself in such a fight.
"The four of you are indeed talented. In the world of martial arts, you're considered top tier. However, it's a shame that…"
Appreciation flashed in Pei Xuanjing's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
He then transformed into a divine sword of unmatched sharpness, coldly stating, "I'm afraid this is your end."
His words were calm, yet they seemed to carry an indisputable will.
In this instant, everyone present could feel the formidable aura emanating from him.
Without needing any reminder, Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon, along with King Chujiang and the others, readied their True Qi and their Blood Qi surged, preparing for Pei Xuanjings impending furious attack.
Not that they hadn't considered striking first.
However, faced with Pei Xuanjing's terrifying aura, they knew that taking the initiative would only expose their weaknesses. It was better to focus on defense.
Bang!
Pei Xuanjing's True Qi erupted. His Blood Qi roiled and surged as he drew his sword. Every motion, from drawing the blade to slashing it, was as fluid and continuous as flowing water without any hesitation!
A dazzling swordlight emerged, bright enough to illuminate the entire world.
The radiance of the brilliant sun-like sword intent burst forth, demonstrating a power that seemed capable of severing the heavens and the earth.
All external sensations seemed to disappear. In their minds, everything in the world disappeared, leaving only the sword before their eyes.
They responded!
Synchronized by years of rapport, the four masters of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon acted in unison without the need for communication.
Their powerful True Qi surged, their Blood Qi on the horizon flowed rapidly. They held nothing back, nor did they dare to. They unleashed all their power at Pei Xuanjing.
The four of them, as martial siblings of the same sect , were experienced in this combined attack. When they teamed up, their power increased exponentially from before.
King Chujiang and the high -ranking members of the Mire Sect also released their most powerful Martial Studies, forming a siege alongside the four masters' attack.
Boom…boom…boom…
The sounds of constant explosions rang out like thunder.
However, Pei Xuanjing remained unmoved.
Whoosh…
Pei Xuanjing's body was surrounded by rippling waves of Qi, his overhead Blood Qi appeared to mimic the coursing of the Heavenly River, stirring and wild.
Such powerful Blood Qi.
The Blood Qi disturbed the area around by several dozen feet, causing even trees to burst into flames from its heat, without any sparks being present.
Bang!
It was like splitting mountains and cracking the earth, as if the sky was falling and the ground was collapsing. Dust filled the air, a burning wave of heat surged in all directions. The fierce collision caused everyone present to be pushed back by the intense vibration.
Splat!
All four masters of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon retreated several feet, blood trickled from the corners of their mouths as they stared at the man standing tall, his clothes roaring in the wind, his hair flowing with the breeze.
The ground beneath Pei Xuanjing's feet remained unscathed, but beyond that area, the earth was filled with cracks, as wide as a wrist.
"Yue Huan, take Ning King and go. Don't worry about us," Wind Blade coughed out a mouthful of clotted blood and said solemnly.
"Senior brother!" Yue Huan covered her mouth with a heavy heart. She glanced at Ning King Zhu Chenhao, who was too shocked to speak a word. Her eyes hesitated as they shifted back to the Wind Blade and the others.
"Don't let our deaths be in vain. If you get a chance, avenge us." Snow Spear's voice rang out.
Yue Huan gritted her teeth, ready to leave with the Ning King.
"You want to leave? Did you ask me?" A trace of cold light flashed in Pei Xuanjings eyes.
His body spun around, and he once again drew his sword.
"Stop him!" The Wind Blade shouted, raising his weapon to meet him head-on.
Flower Sword and Snow Spear also followed closely.
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing had no intention of entangling with them, his Blood Qi was flowing, and the muscles, bones, and skin of his body were rumbling. He raised his hand, and a sword whizzed down.
The sword technique was called: "Flying Immortal Outside the Sky".
Now, without any worries, Pei Xuanjing had boldly performed this move.
As the light flew obliquely, it resembled a startling radiance cutting the sky, penetrating deep into the bone marrow, the chilling sword aura, the edge of the sword was invincible.
Splat! Thud!
One sword pierced the throat. Three first-grade masters faced Pei Xuanjing's sword and fell on the spot. Their weapons clattered to the ground.
"Senior brother!" Upon seeing this, Yue Huan's eyes were red with rage. But she knew she was not Pei Xuanjing's match. Her eyes displayed immense hatred as she took one last toxic look at Pei Xuanjing, remembering his face in her memory.
She then decisively led Ning King Zhu Chenhao to flee into the distance.
Of course, Pei Xuanjing would not allow them to escape.
He casually swung his sword a few times, killing King Chujiang and the others, then leapt forward to continue the chase.
Poor King Chujiang, infamous in the Martial World, and a man who inspired fear in many, was slain by Pei Xuanjing as easily as killing chickens or butchering dogs. From the beginning to the end, he was not even aware of his opponents' identities.
Yue Huan was a first-grade martial artist. If she had been alone, it would have taken Pei Xuanjing some effort to chase her down.
However, burdened by Zhu Chenhao, she hadn't gotten far before Pei Xuanjing caught up.
Whoosh!
Seeing no way out, Yue Huan threw her rings from her hands. Her missile, roaring with slicing wind, charged straight at Pei Xuanjing, hoping to hold him off.
Clang!
Pei Xuanjing flicked his wrist, and the two rings were deflected. A swift thrust of his sword ended her life.
Now, Zhu Chenhao was left alone, facing the terrifying Pei Xuanjing..
Zhu Chenhao, seeing Pei Xuanjing's aggressive approach, finds himself cornered.
His face full of panic, he quickly says: "As long as you spare me, I can give you anything you want. Wealth, beautiful women, supreme martial arts secrets… anything. If you are willing to help me conquer the world, I am willing to share it with you."
Hearing his words, Pei Xuanjing silently shakes his head. He had thought that his opponent, while not necessarily an ambitious man, would at least have some dignity.
But at this juncture, Zhu Chenhao was still clinging to dreams of being an emperor, which Pei
Xuanjing found rather laughable.
Seeing that Pei Xuanjing was unfazed, Zhu Chenhao takes a step back, looking at Pei Xuanjing with a deep sorrow. He cries out: "Pei Xuanjing, we've never had any dealings before and bear no grudges against each other. Why are you so aggressive?"
Having his first plan foiled, Zhu Chenhao moves onto his next idea, making sure to portray himself as the victim with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"True, I've never met you before, " Pei Xuanjing calmly states.
Zhu Chenhao, feeling a glimmer of hope as Pei Xuanjing starts to speak, thinks he might have managed to persuade the latter. He quickly adds: "Exactly, you and I have never crossed paths…"
But Pei Xuanjing's next words felt like a bucket of ice water over Zhu Chenhao: "But, it wouldn't be accurate to say we have no grudges. After all, both the underworld and the Mire Sect bear substantial grudges against me. Of course, the reason I want to kill you isn't about your alliances, but for the sake of the people. Because of your rebellion, countless commoners lost their homes and livelihoods…"
"Hahaha… Pei Xuanjing, how hypocritical you are," Zhu Chenhao laughs, perhaps resigned to his inevitable death, finally letting go of his worries.
At first, he felt Pei Xuanjing had legitimate reasons for attacking him. But when he heard Pei Xuanjing speak of fighting for the people, he found it amusing.
"Pei Xuanjing, ever since your rise to prominence, could you count how many people have died at your hands? You dare to rebuke me, ask yourself, do you have the right to do so?" Zhu Chenhao snarls.
Yes, Zhu Chenhao had risen in rebellion, and committed numerous atrocities.
But did Pei Xuanjing have the audacity to speak such hypocritical words?
In Zhu Chenhao's eyes, they were no different from each other, and neither was morally superior.
Pei Xuanjing, his heart as solid as a rock, naturally wouldn't be swayed by Zhu Chenhao's words. He shakes his head slightly: "Although I have killed many people, I never initiated any trouble or conflicts. They were simply thrust upon me. All I desire is to become immortal."
He had this confidence because he had never sought to harm anyone, always adhering to the principle of not bothering those who didn't bother him.
For Pei Xuanjing, he was solely focused on reaching the peak of martial arts, tracing the footsteps of the gods, transcending mortal limits, and reaching immortality.
The power struggles and desires for wealth and glory among others held no value to him.
Even if he had foreknowledge of potential threats from his life simulations, he never proactively took action, but instead only prepared for the possible outcomes.
Thus, he remained unshaken in the face of Zhu Chenhao's accusations.
Zhu Chenhao stares blankly at the calm and collected Pei Xuanjing, unable to believe the answer he received.
As if a realization hit him, fear washes over his face, and he mutters: "The likes of you are the most terrifying, bound by no rules, doing everything according to your own will."
Mimicking the ravings of a madman, he points at Pei Xuanjing and exclaims: "One day, you will do even worse things than me for your goals. If I am considered a traitor who has thrown Great Ming into chaos, then you are a traitor against Heaven and Earth."
Even Ning King Zhu Chenhao, who caused the rebellion and committed countless killings, despite his composure, was aware that his actions were not as righteous as he claimed.
But Pei Xuanjing, despite being responsible for so many deaths, remained indifferent, valuing only his own motivations.
This type of person was terrifying.
Zhu Chenhao could only wonder, what would Pei Xuanjing do one day for the sake of becoming immortal?
Pei Xuanjing watches the deluded Zhu Chenhao, oblivious to the latter's thoughts.
Upon hearing his words claiming he would become like Zhu Chenhao one day, he doesn't believe it.
Rather than continue the conversation, Pei Xuanjing raises his sword.
Light flashes from the sword.
Zhu Chenhao stares at the oncoming blade, his eyes filled with despair, regret, and reluctance to yield.
He was born into nobility, entitled to luxury and prestige since birth.
None could oppose his wishes throughout his life — he got anything he desired.
Except ror tne man wno sat on tne tnrone.
Unsure of when it started, Zhu Chenhao, who occupied a nearly untouchable position in Great Ming, became filled with resentment.
He was discontent with being a mere duke, someone who had to bow and scrape before the emperor, treated like a mere servant.
Why should it be so?
They were all descendants of the founding emperor — why should he be the one to own Great Ming?
Despite possessing vast power and wealth, Zhu Chenhao had no choice but to obey and follow orders.
Therefore, he planned a rebellion, aiming for the throne.
In preparation, he changed his bold and unruly image, humbling himself before the emperor, hiding his arrogance.
All to silently gather strength, waiting for the day he would ascend to the throne.
But when he amassed an army of a million soldiers and victory seemed within reach, he was met with an unprecedented defeat.
Decades of planning ended in a failure.
Why?
Why was it so?!
With deep reluctance and resentment, Zhu Chenhao slowly closes his eyes.
With an intense yearning for the world, for Great Ming's glory and power, he dies, full of regret.
Pei Xuanjing felt no sense of achievement in killing Zhu Chenhao; it felt like just another ordinary task. He flicks his wrist lightly, and the Shenxiao Sword returns to its sheath.
He slowly raises his head and looks into the distance, loudly announcing, "Master, since you've already arrived, why not come out and greet me?"
Pei Xuanjing's clear voice echoes all around, and Wang Boan, dressed in a black scholar's robe with a regular sword about three feet long hanging from his waist, slowly emerges.
"You could have simply left without bothering to expose my presence," Wang Boan slowly begins..