"Why are you forcing your way into this matter?" the Martial Demon shouted. "What are your intentions? What scheme are you plotting?"
Tuoba Xingge replied, "I am the leader of the Heavenly Way Alliance. Upholding justice and acting on behalf of Heaven is my duty. No one has ordered me to do this."
The Martial Demon snorted coldly. "Acting on behalf of Heaven? Let's fight first and talk later!"
Suddenly, he let out a piercing whistle. It roared like the cry of dragons and tigers, yet also resembled the mournful shrieks of apes in the Wu Gorge. The sound soared into the heavens, shaking the eardrums of the assembled heroes until they rang long after the whistle had faded.
Amid the echoing cry, the Martial Demon shook his arms and struck out with his palms. Waves of palm force surged forth like a thousand rolling tides. He immediately unleashed a supreme martial art recorded in his self-created Chaos Scripture—the Purple Cloud Palm, a technique he had devised while meditating in seclusion among the precipices of Purple Cloud Mountain.
In an instant, streams of palm energy shot forth like rainbows, raging through the air like furious waves. They twisted and darted like divine dragons. Though the Eight Purple Cloud Palms were profound and devastatingly powerful, their attacks descending with the speed of lightning and thunder, Tuoba Xingge had come well prepared. He blocked in front, guarded behind, sealed the left, covered the right, and counterattacked whenever an opening appeared. His movements were swift and fierce, yet calm and measured, showing neither fear nor signs of defeat.
Their exchange was as fast as flashes of lightning and sparks from flint. In the blink of an eye, more than twenty moves had passed. This was a duel in which neither man could afford defeat.
After several exchanges, Tuoba Xingge realized that the Martial Demon's cultivation was extraordinarily deep. His internal energy was vast and his martial arts bizarre beyond measure. A chill crept into Tuoba's heart.
This demon is no ordinary opponent. It may be impossible to eliminate him today. If I make even the slightest mistake, the consequences will be disastrous. Perhaps I should seek a graceful way to end this fight.
Even as they exchanged blows, Tuoba said, "Senior, your marvelous and profound techniques are truly peerless. I sincerely admire them. In my opinion, you should not force Master Wutian to join the Alliance of Justice."
The Martial Demon smiled smugly, clearly pleased with himself. Before overwhelming strength, arrogance naturally followed.
"Are you afraid?" he sneered. "If you want me to stop, then proclaim before all these heroes that the Heavenly Way Alliance shall henceforth merge into my Alliance of Justice!"
Tuoba Xingge's face changed immediately. Anger surged within him, but he quickly suppressed it.
This demon is going too far. Yet his martial arts are indeed formidable.
Thus he restrained himself and said in a deep voice, "As the leader of the Heavenly Way Alliance, I came here to mediate this dispute in the name of justice. If you refuse my advice, so be it. But why must you press so aggressively? The Heavenly Way Alliance will never merge into the Alliance of Justice!"
Yet events often unfold beyond expectation.
Master Wutian, who had been left standing aside, suddenly strode into the arena. Clad in a yellow monk's robe and simple straw sandals, he appeared remarkably spirited.
"Palace Master Tuoba!" he declared righteously. "This demon is a great menace to the martial world. Why not join forces with me today and rid the world of this evil?"
Tuoba Xingge had originally hoped to de-escalate the conflict, but the Martial Demon's ambitions had become all too obvious. Hearing Wutian's proposal, his confidence immediately grew.
"Thank you, Master," he replied loudly. "With your assistance, I am certain that together we can eliminate this greatest evil beneath Heaven!"
The situation on the field shifted instantly.
The Martial Demon was clearly displeased, yet he only grinned viciously.
"Do you really believe the two of you can defeat me together?"
At that moment, a woman's voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Martial Demon, I shall help you!"
Everyone turned in surprise.
There stood Holy Mother Chen Jinfeng of the Western Sacred Cult, slowly approaching.
The Martial Demon glanced at her and smiled with satisfaction. Stepping forward toward Tuoba Xingge and Master Wutian, he laughed coldly.
"Holy Mother Chen has come to aid me, and I am grateful. However, these two are not worthy of my concern. Stand aside and watch how I deal with them myself!"
His expression was unfathomable, leaving everyone bewildered.
Could the Martial Demon truly possess the power to fight two of the greatest masters in the martial world at once without even requiring Chen Jinfeng's assistance?
Having reappeared in the martial world, he had stirred storms wherever he went. Not only had everyone witnessed his miraculous skills, but they had also seen the astonishing extent of his arrogance.
Master Wutian, having narrowly escaped disaster after being ambushed earlier, was already seething with resentment. Such a golden opportunity would never come again.
If I do not join forces with Tuoba Xingge and kill the Martial Demon now, when will such a chance ever arise again?
He looked toward Tuoba Xingge. Their eyes met. Tuoba gave a slight nod.
Master Wutian immediately shouted, "Palace Master Tuoba, this demon threatens the entire martial world. Let us join forces today to uphold justice and act on Heaven's behalf. Attack!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Wutian's body blurred.
Like a wisp of smoke, he shot forward with astonishing speed. Instantly he unleashed the Wutian Zen Art, striking with a move called "The Awakening Blow", aiming directly for the Martial Demon's crown.
Yet the Martial Demon stood unmoving as a mountain.
Just as the palm descended, he suddenly thrust out his left hand to deflect the attack while his right palm struck forward in counterattack.
Still airborne, Wutian twisted aside and borrowed the incoming force to evade.
In that fleeting instant, a gap appeared in the Martial Demon's defense.
Tuoba Xingge flashed forward.
With a sudden palm strike, he attacked straight down the centerline.
A fierce wind erupted as spectators cried out in alarm. His palm force whistled toward the Martial Demon.
The Martial Demon immediately adjusted his footing and withdrew. Swift as lightning, he diverted the incoming strike with his right palm, shifted his stance, and circled away before bringing both hands back to guard.
The two exchanged palms. Powerful gusts roared from their collisions.
Tuoba launched three consecutive attacks.
Each strike was incomparably fierce.
Even with the Martial Demon's extraordinary skills, he was forced backward step after step.
Though this exchange lasted only moments, the coordination between the three masters was breathtakingly brilliant and unimaginably dangerous.
Not the slightest mistake could be tolerated.
Wutian's initial assault had been exquisite, but even more remarkable was his ability to withdraw instantly after attacking. Seizing the opening created in the Martial Demon's defense, Tuoba attacked relentlessly, driving straight through the center and unleashing a fierce offensive.
Despite his arrogance, the Martial Demon suddenly found himself caught between two powerful enemies. The situation was perilous in the extreme.
Yet he remained perfectly composed.
Advancing and retreating with impeccable timing, he displayed the bearing of a true grandmaster. His martial attainments were extraordinary. With subtle movements of hand and foot, he evaded, redirected, and neutralized his opponents' attacks. His footwork was slippery and elusive, his body weaving and turning with uncanny agility.
Using soft, adhesive force to dissolve the fierce strength of his opponents, he ultimately managed to turn danger into safety once more.