Just as Pei Xuanjing and his companions stepped into the vicinity of the Palace of Myriad Images, they were detected by a sharp aura.
"Pei Min, taste death!"
A fierce murderous intent, almost materializing, was directed to kill Pei Xuanjing.
With an unchanged look on his face, Pei Xuanjing muttered lightly, "Leader of the Demonic Cult, Ying Tian Sheng!"
The Palace of Myriad Images is the dwelling of the Empress Dowager.
This world is named the World of Myriad Manifestations and the Empress Dowager's palace is named The Palace of Myriad Images. Just from this name alone, one can infer the ambitions of the Empress Dowager.
There are even rumours that the Empress Dowager once intended to build a Divine Palace of Myriad Images, but it was stopped by the late Emperor, who deemed it too taxing on the people and the national treasury!
The decoration in the Palace of Myriad Images is stunningly grand, noble, and elegant. Every single piece of decoration in the palace is extraordinary, making even treasures considered precious by countless people seem common within the palace.
At that time, since the Empress Dowager was in seclusion, the inner palace of the Palace of Myriad Images was closed. Other than a few confidants, no one was allowed to approach without permission.
Even the various experts from the Brahman Gate and the Demonic Cult, who were invited to protect the Empress Dowager, were only guarding in the palaces near the Palace of Myriad Images.
Although the Brahman Gate and the Demonic Cult worked together because of the Empress Dowager, there existed deep grudges between them and their enmity was no small matter. Saying they were as bitter as the sea was not an exaggeration.
Each of them occupied a palace adjacent to the Palace of Myriad Images, and a Half-Step Heavenly Being sat in person to guard the Empress Dowager in her seclusion.
The reason why the two Half-Step Heavenly Beings were stationed here was because the Empress Dowager's cultivation had reached a critical point. If all went well, she could break the last restriction, and the Celestial Barrier would no longer be a problem.
Therefore, in addition to protecting the dharma, the two Half-Step Heavenly Beings also wanted to learn from the experience of the Empress Dowager's breakthrough for their own benefit.
At that time, the moon in the sky was bright and the stars were twinkling. However, if one looked closely, an invisible aura from within the Palace of Myriad Images where the Empress Dowager was, soared up into the sky, filling the heavens and tinging the twinkling stars, forming a rhythmic movement.
Many experts from the Brahman Gate and the Demonic Cult who were guarding here seized the opportunity to release their aura, interacted with Heaven and Earth, and observed the changes in the stars' positions to understand the principles.
However, at this moment, Ying Tian Sheng, the leader of the Demonic Cult, who was originally immersed in comprehending the path of the Empress Dowager's cultivation, suddenly opened his eyes, and a trace of murderous intent appeared in his eyes.
"Pei Min, taste death!"
Boom!
The aura of Ying Tian Sheng, the leader of the Demonic Cult, burst out enormously, heading towards Pei Xuanjing who was about to reach the Palace of Myriad Images.
This chilling, fierce killing intent almost materialized, the rolling waves sweeping in all directions. Apart from the Palace of Myriad Images, where the Empress Dowager was in seclusion and was unaffected, the faces of everyone in the palaces within several miles changed, and those with insufficient strength were so oppressed by this sudden murderous intent that they couldn't even lift their heads.
In the grand hall where the Brahman Gate was located, a Brahman Gate expert who was also immersed in the peculiarities of the Empress Dowager's cultivation was equally taken aback.
"Amitabha!"
With a Buddha's name, a light golden aura emerged from Master Zhiyuan, scattering the chilling killing intent of Ying Tian Sheng, the leader of the Demonic Cult, making it illusionary.
Master Zhiyuan sighed softly, "Junior brother, it seems that tonight will not be peaceful."
"Humph, a minor skill!"
Facing the killing intent from Ying Tian Sheng, Pei Xuanjing coldly snorted. With a flick of his sleeve, he easily dismissed it.
Yin Daoist laughed bitterly, "I didn't expect this Demonic Cult's leader to be so powerful."
The three of them had come concealed in stealth, but were easily discovered. This showed that the strength of the Demonic Cult's leader was by no means inferior to their own.
Ye Daoyuan was unfazed, "If it was that easy, there would be no need for the three of us to join forces."
Pei Xuanjing spoke, "According to the original plan, you two hold them off, and I'll deal with the Empress Dowager. How about it?"
"Alright!" Ye Daoyuan and Yin Daoist nodded simultaneously, "Take care, Taoist friend."
Pei Xuanjing smiled, nodded, and strode directly towards the Palace of Myriad Images.
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing made no attempt to conceal his aura. With such a move, anyone who wasn't a fool could understand his purpose.
"Stop him!"
"You Villain, How dare you!"
The leader of the Demonic Cult, Ying Tian Sheng, wasn't irked when his probing attack was easily shattered by Pei Xuanjing. However, seeing Pei Xuanjing now head towards the Palace of Myriad Images as if no one were around, he was immediately engulfed in rage.
"Pei Min, are you acting as if I'm not present!"
With that said, he slammed down a palm, and an overwhelming primordial Qi poured out like a gushing river.
Originally, Ying Tian Sheng didn't have much discontent towards Pei Min, a rising star. After all, there was no conflict of interest between the two sides, and they didn't even know each other.
But to his surprise, Pei Min sided with the Emperor immediately after a decade-long seclusion, becoming a major stumbling block to the revival of the Demonic Cult. This angered Ying Tian Sheng.
What made him full of hatred towards Pei Min was his action in Wannian County, where he swept a Demonic Cult stronghold with thunderous momentum, causing all the Heavenly Rank experts of the Demonic Cult in that stronghold to die, with no survivors.
Pei Min's move this time caused heavy losses to the Demonic Cult. Understandably, the Heavenly Rank experts were the pillars of a force. Such a loss was unacceptable to a force as large as the Demonic Cult.
Therefore, the moment he sensed the appearance of his opponent, he made a decisive move. Although it was only a probe, it indeed was an invitation to battle.
However, the other party ignored him, headed to the Palace of Myriad Images, with an obvious purpose, this made the already irritated Ying Tian Sheng burn with anger.
"Hehe." Pei Xuanjing was completely unconcerned about Ying Tian Sheng's move and seemed as if he hadn't heard him at all.
Boom!
A talisman appeared out of thin air, colliding head-on with Ying Tian Sheng's palm strike, making a ground-shaking sound, and the endless energy swept around like waves.
The figure of Ye Daoyuan stood in front of Ying Tian Sheng, blocking his path, and laughed, "I've heard much about Ying Taoist friend's powerful abilities. Please don't hesitate to enlighten me."
A trace of cold light flashed in Ying Tian Sheng's eyes. He knew that since Ye Daoyuan had made a move, it was absolutely impossible for him to pass by and give Pei Min a hard time.
He said in a deep voice, "Ye Daoyuan, you are known as the number one person in the world, but I don't buy it. Today, let me see what you are capable of."
His hands moved lightly, and countless Heaven and Earth Essence Qi gathered, and the rolling Qi swept around him. The wind was howling, and the temperature dropped suddenly, giving off a sinister and eerie aura.
Boom!
Ying Tian Sheng swiped several palms, and the flying blood shadows in the air enveloped Ye Daoyuan.
"Very well, today let me, Daoyuan, see the unique skills of the Demonic Cult." Ye Daoyuan drew talismans in the air with both hands, and the talismans revolved around him, emitting a profound and obscure aura.
Light radiated from the talismans attached to his hands. He struck one strike after another, the continued attacks were like an endless tidal wave.
Pei Xuanjing merely glanced at the two men sparring, then continued forward.
"Amitabha, please halt, dear patron." Master Zhiyuan stepped forth to block Pei Xuanjing's path.
As a half-step heavenly being from the Brahman Gate, he couldn't help but harbor a killing intent toward Pei Xuanjing.
The initial decision to hinder Pei Xuanjing's journey was made by Master Zhiyuan himself. He never expected that his actions would result in the death of his four comrades, and therefore, attributed all the misfortunes to Pei Xuanjing.
Pei Xuanjing wore an indifferent expression on his face. His sharp Yin spirit sensed the monk's murderous intent crystal clear, and understood its root cause.
However, Pei Xuanjing did not feel guilty at all. After all, anyone challenging him must be prepared for despair and death. It was but a case of reaping what one had sown.
He, silent and cold, merely stared at the old monk, seemingly uninterested in uttering a word.
Daoist Yin stepped forth, swinging his horsetail whisk to unleash countless silver threads. Like a giant net, they aimed at Master Zhiyuan. "Old monk, it's me you should be dealing with!"
"Master Yin, I did not expect you to get involved in this!" Master Zhiyuan watched the silver threads closing in and sighed in resignation with a bitter smile.
"Ha, you monks are incorrigibly treacherous, you should have all been exterminated long ago." The killing intent was apparent in Daoist Yin's eyes.
The enmity between the Zong Sheng Temple, or the former Louguan Tao, and the Brahman Gate ran deep. The two major sects of the Taoist school often clashed in the past, causing countless casualties on both sides.
In fact, one of Daoist Yin's own mentors was killed by the Brahman Gate. Therefore, when Louguan Tao grew more powerful, they suppressed the Brahman Gate the hardest, leading to the death of countless members of the Brahman Gate.
They even instigated Emperor Gaozu to annihilate the Buddhists. If the emperor had not been reluctant to see the Taoist school monopolize the realm, the losses of the Brahman Gate might have been even more devastating.
"It seems Master Yin has fallen into the Demonic Way!" exclaimed the noble monk, Master Zhiyuan. "Today, this old monk will attempt to purge you of your demonic nature and guide you back to your original self."
The conclusion of his sentence was as booming as a striking bell, deafening to the ears that it echoed all around, shocking everyone around, as if a thunderclap had occurred right next to them.
The secret technique of the Brahman Gate, the Lion's Roar.
Pei Xuanjing continued moving forward, immediately drawing the attacks of celestial human-ranked experts from the Demonic Cult and the Brahman Gate who wanted to halt his advance.
However, such people couldn't pose any obstacle to Pei Xuanjing. Their attempts to obstruct him were like mantises trying to stop a chariot. No one could counter even a single move from Pei Xuanjing.
Quickly dispatching with just a few strokes of his palm, a number of celestial human rankers were sent flying. He was not even using his full strength. A casual blow from him was more than these people could handle. Those with superior abilities could still hold on to their lives after one hit, while those with inferior abilities were killed on the spot.
The saying 'Kill one man every ten steps, without leaving a trace within a thousand miles' was truly justified here.
With his robe fluttering despite the absence of wind, Pei Xuanjing continued to stride forward, leaving someone beaten and dispatched with every step. He didn't even spare these unworthy opponents a glance, simply continuing forward.
But just as he approached the Palace of Myriad Images, another monk appeared in his path.
"Amitabha, I greet you, Sword Saint. Might you have been slightly too ruthless?"
"Oh, really?" Pei Xuanjing halted, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding people, a cold sneer on his lips. "They simply brought death upon themselves."
He looked curiously at his opponent, asking, "I am curious to know your name, master. Since when did the Brahman Gate produce another half-step heavenly being?"
Yes, it was unexpected but true – the Brahman Gate had not one, but two half-step heavenly beings.
The monk now standing in his path was also a half-step heavenly being, and his power was by no means weak, for Pei Xuanjing could sense a slightly dangerous aura emanating from him.
"I am Master Huiming," the monk replied, his eyes full of compassion. "Life is precious…"
"Why bother with such hypocrisy?" Pei Xuanjing scoffed. "If you were truly as compassionate as you claim to be, why did you leave your sanctuary in the first place?"
The current situation was largely due to the efforts of the Brahman Gate. In order to overturn the situation, they even cooperated with the Demonic Cult. Now, thinking that life was precious was nothing but a joke.
"Amitabha. Martial Generation Li Xing's fortunes are sealed as they were decreed by the Heavenly Mandate. The Empress Dowager is the incarnation of Vairocana, the Buddha of Dharma embodiment. I am merely following the will of Heaven and if…"
"Hypocrisy!" Pei Xuanjing's voice dripped with disdain. He coldly said, "I am not in the mood for such nonsense. You have two choices: either step aside and let me in, or die by my sword before I enter."
Master Huiming was stunned, his eyes filled with surprise.
Even though he had heard of the domineering nature of the Sword Saint, he was still taken aback when faced with his haughtiness. His disregard even for a fellow practitioner who had also nearly reached the heavenly realm triggered a flicker of anger in Master Huiming.
Boom!
As Master Huiming's anger began to rise, Pei Xuanjing made his decisive move.
"If you're so eager to die, I'll oblige you."
Pei Xuanjing said coldly, acting decisively.
He had no time to waste with this monk. Now that Ye Daoyuan and Daoist Yin had each taken an opponent, Huiming's unexpected appearance had thrown their plans into disarray. Things couldn't be allowed to drag on any longer.
The Empress Dowager had been in seclusion for quite a while now, and no one knew when she might emerge. If she did, it would indeed be a miscalculation.
Pei Xuanjing was seeking a confrontation with a peak half-step heavenly being, not a fully-realized one. The latter would be a situation of complete suppression, entirely meaningless for him.
Moreover, if their clash affected the Empress Dowager's cultivation, causing her to emerge forcefully, it wouldn't be an ideal situation either. Even an unascended dowager capable of unleashing only part of her strength would not be a scenario they wanted to face.
Therefore, the current strategy was to swiftly deal with one opponent to break the impasse.
Primordial Qi circulated within Pei Xuanjing's body; his skin, muscles, and bones pulsed rhythmically, producing a long, calming breath. A grand and surging momentum rose skyward; his five fingers curled into a palm and swung downwards.
The Giant Spirit Surpasses Mountains.
Carrying an infinite, supreme and unyielding Gang wind, he strode forward with every step accompanied by a gust of wind, his aura was as imposing as a mountain.
The heavy, massive palm carried an endless wind, a force that could turn heaven and earth upside down.
Facing Pei Xuanjing's bold attack, Master Huiming naturally fought back. He intoned a Buddhist chant, his palm radiating with golden light. His fingers turned into a large, golden seal as he fiercely blocked the attack.
Boom!
The fierce altercation between the two was earth-shattering, churning tumultuous airwaves in its wake.
Yet, such a horrifying fluctuation in the duel failed to disturb the tranquil silence of the Palace of Myriad Images behind him, standing resolute and unaffected.
Master Huiming's eyes were filled with uncontainable shock. Pei Xuanjing's dreadful might almost frightened him and caused his palms to slightly tremble.
Though Pei Min's notoriety for his unparalleled physical strength in his cultivation process had spread far and wide during the past decade, it was known to nearly everyone.
However, it was only when he faced him up-close that he realized the true horror.
Bearing in mind, the Brahman Gate's skills greatly aided his physical body in cultivation as well. Even if Master Huiming hadn't deliberately practiced, his physical strength was beyond that of an ordinary man.
But even this wasn't measured to the might of Pei Xuanjing standing in front of him.
"I can't afford to waste any more time."
Discontent and impatience clouded Pei Xuanjing's brow as he inspected the Palace of Myriad Images, which stood undeterred.
Thanks to the presence of the Yin Spirit, his perception was stronger by multifold. Thus, he was acutely aware that the Empress' inside the palace began to cultivate unhurriedly, as if she were preparing to halt her cultivation.
Whether she had broken through the cultivation boundary or forcefully halted her cultivation, none of that was good news.
Because waiting for her to come out would result in an unfavorable turn of reigns against the outnumbered. Even joining forces with the two on his side decked the probability of winning against such odds.
He slowly lifted both of his hands, turned them into palms, and countless thunder and lightning elements began to converge in his palm, radiating a tangible aura of terror.
The moment Pei Xuanjing made his move, the tranquil night sky morphed wildly. The moonlight dissipated, the stars dimmed, leaving only the assemblage of lightning bolts, stirring an upheaval in the sea of clouds.
Roar!
Instantly, from his fiercely clapped hands, countless lightning bolts transformed into a pair of cyan-purple thunder dragons, emitting a reverberating dragon roar sound that summoned the company of wind and thunder, showcasing mighty power.
The cyan-purple thunder dragons furiously sprang forth, setting off unending exploding thunders. Wherever they passed, they stirred waves of tumbling air, carrying an air of destruction, as if wanting to obliterate everything in their path.
Boom!
Such overpowering might was similar to a bragging tide of the sea that made the earth tremble, storming towards Master Huiming with an irresistible force. It seemed as if heaven and earth were splitting apart and the resisting force was inevitable.
Like a flatboat in a tumultuous storm, facing aggressive tidal waves with immense difficulty to muster any resistance.
Master Huiming's expression showed gravity. He had just stepped onto the threshold of the Half-Step Heavenly Being realm not too long ago. He originally thought of himself as merely a blocking agent to the opposition, thinking it to be not difficult. But it was only when they actually squared off that he realized he had overestimated himself and underestimated Pei Min.
But at this point, he had nowhere to retreat to because right behind him was the Palace of Myriad Images. Any distraction to the Empress at this junction was absolutely not permitted.
The safety of the Empress far outweighed his own survival. Only with the Empress's existence does the Brahman Gate stand a chance to prosper again. But, if the Empress were to perish, then any possibility for the Brahman Gate to flourish would be lost.
Considering what was more vital and how to make choices was self-explanatory.
Therefore, he had no choice but to confront him, even if it cost him his life.
He began to release his power without hesitance. He didn't hold back and had no intention to preserve his life.
In the blink of an eye, his entire body started to emit a faint golden light. This light grew brighter and transformed into the ethereal shape of golden Buddha.
"Amitabha," a dawning rarity of sadness showed on the face of Master Zhiyuan, who was dueling Yin Daoist from afar.
As the reincarnation of Buddha, this was a forbidden skill within the Brahman Gate and was said that only the Celestial Humans could successfully carry it out.
For his junior, Master Huiming, who had just barely stepped into the Half-Step Heavenly Being realm to use such a move, his death was a certainty.
Boom!
The golden light collided with the cyan-purple Thunder Dragon, triggering a terrible aftermath.
The wildly vigorous residual impact of the collision had Ye Daoyuan and the others, who were initially engaged in a duel, to halt temporarily, their eyes widened in shock as they watched the epicenter of the collision.
With the dispersing smoke and dust, Pei Xuanjing stood tall and undefended. Although his clothes were intact, the dim Innate Thunder Gang Qi armor surrounding him revealed that he hadn't confronted such a forbidden move casually.
However, despite this, the horror-filled gaze of the four present added more fuel to the situation. At least no one among the four, who just saw Master Huiming risk his life to trigger the forbidden move, was confident enough to receive it, even as Pei Min did.
"Indeed, no strong person should be underestimated," Pei Xuanjing warned himself.
He had to admit that he experienced an exceedingly smooth journey in this world, almost without any setbacks. This considerably changed his mindset, exuding more arrogance and losing the original caution.
If it were the old him dealing with a formidable opponent like Master Huiming, he would have chosen to attack with his sword outright.
However, the excessively confident him neither used his sword against him nor chose to defeat him with only his fists which induced such a counterattack.
Fortunately, as Master Huiming wasn't able to exert the full power of the forbidden move, coupled with his Innate Thunder Gang Qi and his formidable physical body acting as a shield, he was able to withstand the impact. Only Pei Xuanjing knew how fortunately he had won.
Therefore, he warned himself not to underestimate any opponent. Even when hunting a rabbit, a lion should utilize its full strength.
Whoooo…
After taking a deep breath to compose himself, Pei Xuanjing's gaze rigidly fell onto the Palace of Myriad Images before him.
Though he managed to kill Master Huiming, he failed.
Master Huiming's purpose of willingly giving up his life was to buy the time needed. The forbidden move he unleashed with all his might managed to uproariously wake the Empress in seclusion, who had by now already ended her seclusion.
However, the question remained whether she was successful or she had failed.
The grand gate of the palace slowly opened, revealing a dignified woman in luxurious attire before everyone's eyes.
While the woman's beauty was not the finest there ever was, the boldness in her stride and an aura that radiated a terrifying energy was enough to make one's heart race.
This woman was the reigning Empress, Empress Wu.
"Pei Min, you charge into the palace without permission. What punishment do you think you deserve?" The woman's voice echoed, reaching everyone's ears.
That air of superiority she radiated would have seemed fake and mismatched if it was anyone else. But on the Empress, it seemed rightfully suited.
Pei Xuanjing's eyes slightly squinted, concealing his inner shock.
He had met quite a few emperors, but none possessed the sheer aura of majesty that this woman radiated, surpassing most of the emperors he had known. Though she was a woman, she possessed a sight that spanned across all directions, it felt like the eight directions of the world were controlled by her.
Pei Xuanjing's face carried a calm expression, his eyes deep, hard to discern whether he was pleased or angry, his thoughts even tougher to read.