Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's question, and seeing the calm smiles on the faces of the Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng.
The Lord of Shenxiao Gate, unless he was a fool, would know that these three were in cahoots, and so he said in a deep voice, "I did not expect that you three would collude together."
Bai Xiaosheng and Taoist Qingxu laughed but did not respond.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said, "Your choice of words is incorrect. This isn't collusion, it's cooperation."
Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's acknowledgment, and then seeing the others' silent agreement, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate remained silent.
The remaining five had diverse thoughts. The hearts of the four first-grade experts, all aside from Yu Zhenzi, began to sink.
Not to mention Bai Xiaosheng, who had never truly revealed his hand in front of others, an enigmatic character of unknown depth.
Just the seemingly kind and gentle Taoist Qingxu alone made several of them immediately tense up, their hairs standing on end.
A person's name casts a long shadow.
This Sect Leader of the True Martial Sect, had gained such fame in the martial world that few people dared to challenge him after his rise to prominence. Adding to this, he was ranked high in the latest list of supreme martial artists.
For a moment, it looked as though Pei Xuanjing had become the hunted instead of the hunter, walking directly into their trap.
In contrast, Yu Zhenzi felt fortunate for his previous decision before the joy rose in his heart.
The intelligence network managed by Bai Xiaosheng held significant influence within the martial world.
The True Martial Sect, a major force in the Taoist school, possessed a profound heritage and numerous experts. Coupled with Taoist Qingxu, a top -ranked powerhouse on the list, it had become a dominant force.
Yu Zhenzi even thought that Pei Xuanjing's strength was in no way inferior to those supreme martial artists. If he could take over the power from the Lord of Shenxiao Gate with his help, he would indeed become a force to be reckoned with.
With the three parties working together, they could definitely create a huge influence that would sway the landscape of the martial world.
"The gamble has paid off. I knew Pei Xuanjing was not to be underestimated." Yu Zhenzi felt overjoyed in his heart.
At this point, having witnessed Pei Xuanjing's true trump card, Yu Zhenzi didn't feel aggrieved at being forced to act as a mole, instead, he thought he was more prescient.
"This situation is bad, retreat!" whispered the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
The originally foolproof plan had been reversed due to the arrival of Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng. He had no assurance he could kill Pei Xuanjing with their assistance, so he decided to retreat without any hesitation.
The remaining four experts naturally wouldn't object to the Lord of Shenxiao Gate's instruction.
They were loyal subordinates, willing to risk their lives, but even the Lord of Shenxiao Gate couldn't force them to confront certain death.
If the Lord of Shenxiao Gate really insisted that they continue with the operation now, there was a possibility that the four wouldn't comply willingly.
"Want to leave? Not so easy." Pei Xuanjing saw the Lord of Shenxiao Gate's decision and spoke coldly.
"Block him!" cried out Pei Xuanjing loudly.
As soon as Pei Xuanjing finished his command, Yu Zhenzi, who had been silent for quite a while, finally took action.
Clang!
Yu Zhenzi, who had fallen several paces behind the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, suddenly drew his sword.
Facing the sudden onslaught, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate found his path blocked and had no way to evade.
"Yu Zhenzi, you're dead!" He was furious and launched a palm strike towards Yu Zhenzi.
However, Yu Zhenzi was already prepared. Seeing his sword strike fruitless, he quickly withdrew and took cover at Pei Xuanjing's side.
Pei Xuanjing launched a palm strike, and their mid-air confrontation blocked the Lord of Shenxiao Gate's attack.
Seeing Yu Zhenzi standing by Pei Xuanjing's side, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate knew of the betrayal immediately.
"Yu Zhenzi, how dare you betray me!" He raged.
At this moment, Yu Zhenzi, seeing no alternate way forward, took the plunge and sneered at the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, saying, "When you treated us like slaves, bossing us around, you should have anticipated this day."
First-grade martial artists are respected wherever they go, revered by many practitioners.
But under the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, they were treated without any due respect, viewed as mere servants due to his aggressive and odd demeanor.
Due to their compromising status, they had no choice but to rely on the cover of the Lord of Shenxiao Gate which forced them to swallow their pride despite the humiliation.
But now, with the alternative presented to them, whether actively or passively, Yu Zhenzi, having once chosen, felt no regret.
This is part of the reason he agreed to Pei Xuanjing's proposal. After all, no matter what, at least Pei Xuanjing was willing to treat him with some respect.
"Brother Yu Zhenzi, why bother arguing with such a man?" Pei Xuanjing dismounted his horse and deliberately shielded the Lord of Shenxiao Gate's assault while trying to persuade him.
At the same time, pointing at the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, he addressed the remaining four martial artist: "The orthodox Shenxiao lineage is with me. He is just a nominal figure who falsely claims to be of the Shenxiao Sect. Why not abandon the dark side and join me in reviving the Shenxiao Sect?"
Upon seeing Yu Zhenzi betray him, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate was already infuriated. Now, seeing Pei Xuanjing dare to woo his subordinates in front of him and shamelessly claiming to be the orthodox of Shenxiao, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate was consumed by rage, bursting into fury.
"Pei Xuanjing, you have crossed the limit!" He roared, at the same time casting a glance at his four subordinates: "Are you going to betray me like Yu Zhenzi did?"
It has to be said, some behaviors never change.
Even with Yu Zhenzi as an example, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate still held the same attitude towards the remaining few, without a hint of appeasement in his approach.
The remaining few, upon hearing the Lord of Shenxiao Gate's chilling words, hastily responded, "We dare not."
Not that they don't want to, rather they don't dare to.
They were simply intimidated by the past prestige of the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, and dared not betray him.
"I ask the two of you to stop the remaining four. Leave the Lord of Shenxiao Gate to me," Pei Xuanjing suggested to Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng.
His meaning was clear; he'd spare the four for the time being as long as they did not interfere, hoping to win them over in the future.
"Sure!"
Bai Xiaosheng and Taoist Qingxu nodded, locking onto the four martial artists with their aura. Any suspicious move from them would invoke their wrath.
Pei Xuanjing placed his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword and took a step forward, causing an immense surge of power.
Clang!
He drew his sword, and a powerful sword intent permeated the surroundings, headed straight for the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
Though he had the upper hand, Pei Xuanjing didn't dare to underestimate the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
His first move was a killing stroke.
The cold sword light was accompanied by the roar of wind and thunder, like a thunder dragon rising in the air, its momentum overwhelming, and it enveloped the Lord of Shenxiao Gate..
The sword energy surged, falling from the dome of heaven, crisscrossing, carrying a mighty force, capable of slicing through heaven and tearing earth.
"Hmph!"
Facing the oncoming Thunder Dragon, the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate showed no fear. The True Qi flowed all around him, bursting into a vibrant aura of Blood Qi. His black robe billowed, and the wide-brimmed hat on his head was lifted by the blast of energy.
He slowly extended both hands, fingers splaying out into a palm shape, and made a strike out of thin air.
A purple-green thunderous glow converged in his palms, accompanied by the sound of thunder, as if a Thunder God had condensed between his palms.
Shenxiao Thunder Palm.
The same Martial Arts Move, when executed by the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate, possessed a might far beyond that displayed by Yu Zhenzi initially.
The endless purple-green thunderous glow, akin to an all-conquering force, descended upon Pei Xuanjing from all sides.
Boom!
The sword light and thunderous glow intertwined and clashed, and violent waves surged outwards.
"Something's not right." As he watched the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate being pushed back by his sword, Pei Xuanjing felt an odd sensation stirring within him.
The other's strength did not seem to be as formidable as he had expected.
Was it because his power level surged after that simulation, greatly surpassing the other?
Pei Xuanjing was unsure.
However, no matter what, he cast these thoughts aside upon seeing the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate in the distance and decisively struck again.
"Lord!"
The remaining few, watching the first round of combat, looked horrified as the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate, whom they had always regarded as invincible, seemed to be in a disadvantageous position.
However, with Qingxu, Bai Xiaosheng, and Yu Zhenzi obstructing them, the four of them couldn't intervene at all.
"See how you handle this strike!"
Pei Xuanjing clenched his left hand into a palm, and a purple Gang Qi converged in it. He attacked again with the same Shenxiao Thunder Palm.
The countless Gang Qi was channeled towards the Lord of the Shenxiao Gate, who once again struck back.
Crash!
The grand explosion triggered countless shock waves , and except for the Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng, the rest of the crowd instinctively dodged it.
Their eyes held a deep sense of shock.
Though they were all First-grade Martial Artists like the pair in the fight, there was a world of difference in their strength levels, which was truly humiliating.
Splat!
The Lord of the Shenxiao Gate spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his wide-brimmed hat was sent flying, revealing an ordinary-looking middle-aged man's face.
However, no one noticed the hint of surprise that flashed across the usually calm face of Bai Xiaosheng.
In his eyes, disbelief was rampant. He couldn't comprehend how Pei Xuanjing could have become so powerful, far beyond his imagination.
What he didn't know was, Yu Zhenzi and the others were even more shocked.
That was the Lord whom they had all feared, so why was he so weak, being injured so easily by Pei Xuanjing?
Was Pei Xuanjing too strong, or were we deceived before?
A sense of doubt surfaced in Pei Xuanjing's mind. While the Shenxiao Lord's strength far surpassed Yu Zhenzi's, it was vastly different from what he had anticipated.
However, despite not knowing why the Shenxiao Lord's strength was as such, Pei Xuanjing had no intention of stopping.
As long as he killed him in front of everyone today, it would be equivalent to the death of the Shenxiao Lord.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing, who was ready to attack again, the Shenxiao Lord's face paled and he suddenly shouted to the distant: "Are you prepared to watch me die here?" Everyone was stunned by his action.
Could there be someone else? Yu Zhenzi and others speculated.
Someone is coming, Pei Xuanjing sensed it.
Pei Xuanjing, Bai Xiaosheng and Qingxu nodded at each other and simultaneously shifted their gaze to the distance.
"I didn't expect you to pray to me for help today, quite a rare sight." a voice, filled with mockery, came from afar.
Undoubtedly, even though the mocked Shenxiao Lord looked upset, he was relieved for at least his safety was guaranteed.
A figure appeared in the distance. The stranger was covering several yards in a single step and arrived before everyone in just a few breaths.
"It'S him…" Yu Zhenzi's face turned pale.
While the newcomer's attire was completely different from the Shenxiao Lord's, he had the same face as the latter as if cloned.
"Who are you!" commanded Pei Xuanjing, his voice heavy.
He could feel the strength of this man in front of him was much stronger than the previous Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
The stranger spoke tranquilly, "I'm Wei Qianli. You can also call me the Lord of Shenxiao Gate." He introduced himself as Wei Qianli, the Lord of Shenxiao Gate.
A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of Pei Xuanjing's mouth: "If you are the Lord of Shenxiao Gate, then who is he?"
The self-proclaimed Shenxiao Lord, Wei Qianli, chuckled: "He is my younger brother, Wei Wanli."
Before Pei Xuanjing could speak, the supposed Lord of Shenxiao Gate, who was now referred to as Wei
Wanli, protested: "Bullshit! I'm the real Lord of Shenxiao Gate."
Wei Qianli's expression changed, and he reprimanded: "Shut up."
Pei Xuanjing was slightly furrowing his brows while looking at their argument. He turned his gaze to Yu Zhenzi, "Who is the real Lord of Shenxiao Gate among these two?"
Yu Zhenzi, too, looked helpless and shook his head, "I am not sure either."
Unbelievable, after serving under the Lord of Shenxiao Gate for so many years, they had never seen his real face. He had always been veiled in a black cloak and wide-brimmed hat.
Pei Xuanjing then looked towards Bai Xiaosheng, hoping his ally, who claimed he knew everything, could solve his doubt.
Bai Xiaosheng was also initially taken aback by the emergence of two Lords of Shenxiao Gate. Clearly, this was also a bit unexpected for him.
"I can't believe you're still alive." Bai Xiaosheng broke the silence, attracting everyone's attention.
Hearing this, Pei Xuanjing thought to himself, as expected, Bai Xiaosheng knows about this situation.
Wei Qianli's expression changed, and suddenly as if he recalled something, his tone turned frigid, "So, it's you."
He didn't recognize Bai Xiaosheng, but he did remember this voice.
In his early days of growth, there was always a mysterious person helping him, but he never knew the person's identity or appearance.
Of course, it was also the same person who had once deceived him, resulting in a close brush with death. If not for his big luck, he would have been dead by now.
"Never thought you would survive." Bai Xiaosheng commented nonchalantly.
He softly explained the ins and outs of the matter to Pei Xuanjing and the others.
As he had told Pei Xuanjing earlier, Bai Xiaosheng had been secretly nurturing some of the Shenxiao Sect members to probe into the Secrets and Blessing of the Shenxiao Sect.
The Lord of the Shenxiao gate, who stood before them, was one of them. He was selected for intensive training because of his superior Martial Arts talents.
However, the cultivator later became overly ambitious, intending to murder Bai Xiaosheng. Having realized the cultivator's plot, Bai Xiaosheng chose to attack first.
Yet Bai Xiaosheng didn't expect that the man would miraculously survive and live till today.
"My noble teacher, I have been looking for you for so many years. I never thought my teacher, who was unknown to me, is the renowned Bai Xiaosheng from the martial world.
He never expected that the man he had been looking for all along was Bai Xiaosheng.
At this moment, with the combination of old and new grudges, Wei Qianli decisively made the first move without any hesitation..