Just then, amid the crisscrossing figures in the arena, three silhouettes suddenly descended from the sky. Their movements were light and exquisitely refined. Someone at the edge of the field shouted, "The True Divine Lord of the True God Palace!" Others followed with cries of, "Elder Dragon Qin Wei!" and "Elder Tiger Wang Tao!" The True Divine Lord, Tuoba Xingge, called out loudly, "Both of you, stop!" Hearing this, the Martial Demon and Master Wutian exchanged glances and ceased their fight.
The Martial Demon glared at Tuoba Xingge and asked, "Are you Tuoba Xingge, the True Divine Lord of the True God Palace? What brings you here?" With graceful bearing, Tuoba Xingge stepped into the arena and replied, "Gentlemen, why are you fighting here? Was today not meant to be the duel between the leaders of the Wutian Sect and the Western Holy Cult?"
Though trapped in adversity, Master Wutian refused to yield to the Martial Demon and was too proud to seek safety through compromise. Surrounded by danger on every side, he suddenly saw hope when Tuoba Xingge appeared as if descending from heaven. To him, it was like finding a spring in the desert or grasping driftwood in a stormy sea. He hurriedly said, "What the True Lord says is correct. Today at Huangshan Palace, I defeated the demoness of the Western Holy Cult in order to avenge Master Weileyin. Yet who could have imagined that the Martial Demon would interfere?" Tuoba Xingge nodded and burst into laughter. Turning toward the Martial Demon, he said, "If that is the case, then Martial Demon Senior, it would seem the fault lies with you." These mocking words instantly caused the old demon's face to flush red.
The Martial Demon shot him another cold glance. "What exactly do you want? This matter has nothing to do with you. Stand aside!" As he barked the order, Tuoba Xingge observed his furious expression and thought to himself, 'This old demon is easily provoked. Why not irritate him a little more?' Remaining calm, he stepped forward respectfully and saluted. "Senior, please do not be angry. Allow me to speak a fair word. You were clearly in the wrong first, yet you accuse me of meddling. As the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Way Alliance, it is my duty to uphold justice and act on behalf of Heaven. What fault is there in that?" Though polite on the surface, his words concealed sharp barbs.
The Martial Demon growled, "You are outrageously insolent! Who asked you to interfere? Leave now, or do not blame me for showing no mercy!" Hot-tempered by nature, the Martial Demon issued his threat. Yet Tuoba Xingge remained impeccably courteous. "I have treated you with respect, Senior, yet you are overbearing and unreasonable. For the leader of the Righteous Alliance to behave in such a manner—surely it will become the laughingstock of the martial world." Though conflicts were common in the jianghu, standing upon the moral high ground and wielding the banner of justice often granted legitimacy. Justice was an invisible blade capable of piercing straight into an opponent's heart. The Martial Demon understood the game being played, but he was arrogant and relied upon his martial prowess rather than schemes. "So what if the world laughs at me? Are you truly determined to interfere?" Tuoba Xingge answered solemnly, "We who walk the martial world must act with loyalty and righteousness. When we see injustice, how can we ignore it and stand idly by?" Ordinary martial artists generally preferred to avoid trouble that did not concern them. It was obvious that Tuoba Xingge had come seeking confrontation. After several exchanges, how could the Martial Demon fail to understand? The purpose behind Tuoba Xingge's appearance needed no explanation.
Yet who could measure Mount Tai with a ruler, or empty the oceans with a ladle? How could black and white be reversed, or right and wrong distorted? Still, men of the martial world often styled themselves heroes and champions of justice. The Martial Demon's return to the martial world had shaken the realm. Having founded the Righteous Alliance, he clearly harbored grand ambitions. The various factions scattered throughout the land regarded the alliance as a thorn in their side, eager to remove it. Earlier that day, though he had defeated Master Wutian, he had refrained from inflicting serious injury, hoping instead to recruit him and advance his own designs for martial supremacy. How could Tuoba Xingge ignore such ambition? If he failed to act now, perhaps he himself would become the Martial Demon's next target. The Heavenly Way Alliance had long sought to suppress and isolate the Righteous Alliance, and Tuoba Xingge understood this strategy well. Was he not confronting the Martial Demon today because he himself wished to dominate the martial world and stand above all others?
His eyes flashed like cold lightning as he sneered. "If Heaven wills it so, what more is there to say? Then I shall have no choice but to seek instruction from Your Excellency's supreme skills." Seeing his scheme succeed, Tuoba Xingge secretly rejoiced. "Old demon," he declared coldly, "here and now, though you are the leader of the Righteous Alliance, you speak falsely of justice. How could the heroes of the world be deceived by you? Today I shall act on Heaven's behalf and uphold true justice!" The Martial Demon's fierce eyes blazed with murderous light. "Enough of your clever tongue! What ability do you possess that you dare act so arrogantly before me? Take this palm strike!" Before his curse had even ended, he had already moved. Enraged beyond measure, he flipped both palms upward and unleashed his full power. With roaring winds accompanying the attack, the strike was swift and merciless, intended to kill Tuoba Xingge on the spot. The force behind it exceeded a thousand catties, carrying terrifying momentum. Tuoba Xingge dared not underestimate the attack. Prepared in advance, he drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and gathered all the qi in his body. He thrust out both palms with equal force, sending a torrent of palm energy surging forth. The two streams of power collided. A thunderous explosion erupted, shaking heaven and earth. Dust and sand flew wildly into the air. Both men were jolted violently, their bodies swaying from the impact. Though neither was forced back, each carved long furrows into the ground beneath their feet. The assembled heroes were astonished. The depth of these two men's internal cultivation was beyond question.