The bustling Taihe Mountain was instantly reduced to a still silence, with only the sound of the wind remained.
All eyes inevitably turned to the young man who was left standing, his hands clasped behind him and his chin held high.
At that moment, the mountains were tranquil, as if he was the only one remaining under the heaven and earth.
Many recognized the young man standing before them and it was precisely because of their recognition that they felt such shock.
The practice of martial arts involved external strengthening of muscle, bone and skin, and internal refining of organs, blood and marrow, followed by a transformation of the body's constitution.
Many ordinary martial artists believed that those who had reached the first-grade realm are already at the pinnacle of martial arts practice.
But only true powerhouses knew that the gap between first-grade martial artists could sometimes be even greater than the gap from ninth-grade to first-grade.
Everyone who participated in the palace meeting knew that the youth who had always followed Danyang Zi was a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect leader Danyang Zi, a young man of only around thirty years, not some ancient demon who had cultivated for many years but maintained youth.
Indeed, stepping into the first-grade realm at thirty years old was an extraordinary talent, making people sigh with admiration that he was deserving of being a high student of the Shenxiao Sect. Even if the Shenxiao Sect was fading, it still retained Qi Luck and genearted talent.
But no one thought he was a match for the Vajra Monk.
Did you not see that the Jie Fa monk was easily defeated by him just now?
One should know that the Jie Fa monk had been cultivating for decades and was ranked highly among the experts in the martial arts world.
Zhang Zhizhan, the Master of Heaven, also frowned slightly, looking at Danyang Zi, why do you let your junior fellow apprentice risk himself?
That's right, even Zhang Zhizhan believed that Pei Xuanjing was no match for his opponent, and going out would just mean certain death.
Danyang Zi smiled bitterly, he too did not want Pei Xuanjing to step forward. He would rather die here than see his junior fellow disciple in danger. After all, Pei Xuanjing was the hope for the continuation of the Shenxiao Sect's legacy.
But to his surprise, Pei Xuanjing stood up and voiced his challenge before he realized what was happening, and it was too late for him to stop it.
"Senior brother, don't worry. If I can't win, I'll admit defeat." Pei Xuanjing reassured Danyang Zi.
Danyang Zi was speechless, you are not even confident, why did you step forward?
Did you not see that all those old dwellers didn't dare to stick their heads out, why are you in such a rush as a young man?
However, he could not say much at this moment, since it concerned the Shenxiao Sect's reputation. They can't just challenge and then back down, that would be too disgraceful.
Suppressed by his anxiety, he cautioned Pei Xuanjing, "Once you are not sure, you must immediately admit defeat. If your opponent doesn't stop at that, I will step in."
He had already made up his mind. If his disciple admits defeat and the opponent continues to strike, they could abandon their dignity and fight side by side.
Pei Xuanjing nodded, striding forward several measures with a calm voice, "I would like to challenge you to a duel!"
"Who's the challenger?" The Vajra Monk asked in a cold voice.
"Shenxiao Sect, Danling Zi!" Pei Xuanjing answered.
At that moment, the name of Shenxiao Sect's Danling Zi resounded in everyone's ears at the scene.
No matter the outcome, just by the courage Pei Xuanjing showed by standing out, many felt a sense of inferiority.
Vajra Monk shook his head: "I have never heard of such a person named 'Danling Zi' in the Central Plains Martial Arts."
Pei Xuanjing smiled and responded, "When Master Sanfeng first left the Zen Sect, no one in the martial arts world had heard of Master Sanfeng."
Hiss!
Many people gasped upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's remark.
What a presumptuous youngster!
Zhang Zhizhan, the Master of Heaven, smirked at the sight.
Having been suppressed by Master Sanfeng all his life, he naturally found it annoying. But it was interesting to see a brash youth challenge Master Sanfeng.
The head of the Chunyang Sect, who had been watching the whole event with cold eyes, also showed a trace of interest, seeming lost in thought.
At that moment, many people looked at Pei Xuanjing differently.
You must Imow that Master Sanfeng's rise was legendary, dominating an era as an unrivaled martial artist. He was hailed as the most extraordinary martial arts talent since the Tang Dynasty.
Even though many young people consider him as a target surpass, most of them buried this deep down in their hearts, not daring to reveal it, fearing ridicule.
Pei Xuanjing was the first to openly voice such a statement.
"I didn't know my young brother had such grand ambitions!" Danyang Zi murmured to himself.
He was old now, and as only one of Master Sanfeng's peers, he knew how powerful Sanfeng was. It was so that his peers hardly thought of comparing themselves with him.
The moment Pei Xuanjing stated this ambition, he was reassured and relieved.
Even the Court Sorcerer of the Great Yuan, Master Basi, turned his glance towards Pei Xuanjing upon hearing his words.
Being one of the few most powerful martial artists in the world, Master Basi not only possessed remarkable strength but also discerning insight.
When his gaze fell on Pei Xuanjing, he sensed a hint of danger, even though the feeling was fleeting and elusive, he still managed to catch it.
"Hahaha." Vajra Monk began to laugh uproariously as if he had heard a ridiculous joke.
He never imagined encountering such an arrogant youngster who dared to compare himself with the Master Sanfeng of old.
Even the Vajra Monk himself would never dare to claim that he could rival Sanfeng at the same age.
As for the Vajra Monk's mockery, Pei Xuanjing didn't care and remained aloof and calm.
Sanfeng was indeed a legend, dominating an era as an invincible martial artist. Since the Tang Dynasty, he was regarded as the martial arts prodigy..
But with the enhancement of the simulator, Pei Xuanjing didn't feel that he was far behind his contemporary, Master Sanfeng. With the help of the simulator, he may even have an edge.
You must know, the martial arts cultivation reaching the transformation stage of the Upper Three Realms is essentially a change in one's innate talent for martial arts.
Pei Xuanjing had simultaneously promoted his physical body and True Qi Realm to the First-grade Realm, compared to those martial artists with innate talent, he wasn't far behind.
As for the understanding of martial arts, the key for martial arts cultivation, Pei Xuanjing might be slightly inferior. However, the simulator had made up for this shortcoming.
As Pei Xuanjing, who aspires for longevity, he respects predecessors like Master Sanfeng, but he would never devalue himself, restrict his advancement, believing that he could never surpass the other party.
"Be careful!" When the voice of Bahesiba rang in the ear of the Vajra Monk, his laughing attitude was momentarily stunned, then he comprehended the underlying meaning of Bahesiba's words.
Could it be that the national teacher thinks this man is unusual, or perhaps possesses extraordinary strength?
Since Pei Xuanjing could draw a warning from Bahesiba, the Vajra Monk had no choice but to take it seriously, as the strength of the other party considerably exceeded his own.
He discarded his contempt from his mind and looked at Pei Xuanjing with an utmost careful expression.
Hmm?
Seeing the just-now arrogant Vajra Monk change his expression to cautious and serious, the rest of the people on the scene were dumbfounded.
Pei Xuanjing looked at the Vajra Monk, whose laugh abruptly ceased, and thoughtfully glanced at the national teacher of Great Yuan.
Has he found out?
But it doesn't matter.
After I defeat the Vajra Monk, I will naturally ask for your guidance.
A vague smile appeared on Pei Xuanjing's face, how could he miss the opportunity to compete with the national teacher of Great Yuan since he was here.
"I've heard that the Vajra Monk ventured deep into the Western Regions, forcibly took the supreme defensive divine skill from the Esoteric Sect, then used his own learning to create a new version of the 'Dragon Elephant Skill'. I wonder if I could witness it today?" Pei Xuanjing said aloud.
If it was a conjecture before, now I can confirm, it may be true that he developed a new version of the Dragon Elephant Skill after studying the Esoteric Dragon Elephant Skill, but it would be a joke if it'S like the rumor that he single-handedly broke into the Esoteric Sect, and nobody could stop him.
You have to be clear, the current leader of the Esoteric Sect, the national teacher of Great Yuan Bahesiba, is right there, he wouldn't dare even if he was given dozens of guts.
The rumors were probably spread either by the Vajra Monk himself to add luster to his face or by his disciples from the Diamond Gate.
"You stop talking nonsense." Hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, the face of the Vajra Monk changed, and he hastily denied it, then he cautiously looked at the national teacher, only to put down his mind when he found out that the latter didn't lose his temper after hearing Pei Xuanjing's words.
He had indeed gone deep into the Western Regions originally intending to seize the Esoteric Supreme Divine Skill, but unfortunately, he ran into the incredibly powerful Bahesiba and was easily subdued by him.
Luckily, Bahesiba felt sorry for his talent and not only spared his life but also allowed him to study the defensive divine skill. Later he developed a new Dragon Elephant Skill under Bahesiba's guidance.
And that's why he willingly serves under Bahesiba.
Of course, he had thought about boasting to his disciples and trying to rewrite the origins.
But it was only a thought, and he had not yet acted on it. How could it be known by Danling Zi in front of him?
Hearing Pei Xuanjing's words and seeing the reaction of the Vajra Monk, most of the people present were very perceptive and naturally understood his intention to boast, they looked at the Vajra Monk and Bahesiba with odd expressions.
Bahesiba was as if didn't see these expressions, he was still the same, as light as a breeze and as soft as a cloud.
But the Vajra Monk couldn't stand it. He couldn't do anything about others, so finally, he vented his anger on Pei Xuanjing, the instigator.
"Boy, prepare to die!"
The body of the Vajra Monk exploded with blood Qi, the Dragon Elephant Skill was activated, the muscles, bones, and skin swelled, and he took a deep breath. Then, the whole person turned into a glaring Golden Vajra, the martial arts intent filled the surrounding, his True Qi accumulated in his palm, and he slapped it towards Pei Xuanjing.
The Golden Vajra Prajna Palm!
Originally this was one of the unique skills of the North Zen Sect, the Vajra Monk had only learned the fur of it even after stealing learning for tens of years, he can only display three to four-tenths of its power.
But later when he met Bahesiba, the Esoteric Sect and the Zen Sect originated from the same source, and there is also the meaning of Prajna. Under the guidance of Bahesiba, the Vajra Monk succeeded in refining it, and although it lacked some Zen meaning compared to the original Prajna Palm, it was not too much of a concession in terms of lethality.
Whoo…
The Golden Vajra Prajna Palm slapped out by the Vajra Monk carried endless and ultimate gang wind, shaking like thunder, and with every step he took, a gust of wind swirled around his body, his momentum was like a mountain.
"This palm, not bad!"
Facing the terrifying Vajra Monk, Pei Xuanjing didn't show any fear and said nonchalantly.
A few bland words, under the reinforcement of martial arts intent, easily broke through the palm wind of the opponent and spread it all around.
Almost at the same moment when the opponent made his move, the hands behind Pei Xuanjing's back also moved slowly.
Both hands were raised, True Qi circling, his whole body'S muscles, bones, and skin swelled, his organs and marrow began to vibrate in an indescribable rhythm, behind him erupted a surging Blood Qi long river.
"Such an amazing Blood Qi long river, it is beyond imagination…" "He is so young, yet he has already refined his Qi and blood to this level…."