"It's good that he appeared; it spares us the worry. But what is the Supreme Taoist's purpose in manifesting this time?"

Blood surged beneath Qing Yu's hand, and the bloody, mangled wound disappeared in no time. He held his chin thoughtfully.

For many years, the Supreme Taoist had not appeared in the world, yet he chose this moment to show up. Surely, there was a purpose behind it. Unfortunately, his cultivation in the "Supreme Heaven Opening Scripture" truly warrants the title of the strongest warrior in the Central Plains, his Qi Mechanism completely integrated with the heavens and the earth. Even with the help of Ten Directions Destruction to divine, Qing Yu could only glimpse his face for a fleeting moment.

As for everything else, there was no gain whatsoever.

Gently shaking his head, he sighed lightly. Qing Yu brushed away the traces of Qi Force loss control and returned to a state of contemplation.

No matter how the situation changes, one's own strength is fundamental.

······················

At the border of Xuanzhou, Bailin Mountain had disappeared without a trace.

Not only Bailin Mountain, but even the surrounding mountains had vanished entirely, leaving only a large pit in their place. Gang Wind whipped through the sky wildly, occasionally tearing rifts into the sky or the earth.

After the fierce battle between the top two on the Heavenly List, the space here had become extremely unstable, and the environment had turned perilous.

Nangong Duanjian was slightly panting, with his right hand holding the saber cracked with several wounds. Inside the wounds, there was no blood but strands of Xuan Yuan Qi flowing out.

"Nangong Duanjian," the Supreme Taoist gently lifted his left hand, looking at a sabre scar above, "To have left such a scar under my hand, you've made quite a progress. But alas... it's still not enough."

The truth was evident. Although both had injuries on their hands, Nangong Duanjian's wounds were far more severe than the Supreme Taoist's. Those strands of Xuan Yuan Qi kept proliferating, sealing Nangong Duanjian's True Qi and blood, making his right arm's strength only a little stronger than that of the True Pill Realm, but weaker than even the average Divine Communication level.

"Without my right hand, I still have my left; I can fight just the same."

Nangong Duanjian switched the saber to his left hand, and his blade energy battle intent did not dwindle but soared even more.

"Why force yourself? If you don't treat your arm soon, Xuan Yuan One Qi will penetrate your body."

The Supreme Taoist spoke, but the gathering of Xuan Yuan One Qi was already prepared for another battle. Merely injuring Nangong Duanjian's arm could not achieve his objective.

The Supreme Taoist wanted Nangong Duanjian to lay low for a while, at least until the opportune moment arrived. Nangong Duanjian's leadership of the Nine Heavens must not stir trouble.

Qi Mechanism compressed, Xuan Yuan One Qi rolling with force, three phantom figures seemed to step out from the void, transforming the unreal into the real, appearing in the world.

Supreme Secret Technique·One Qi Transforms Three Pure Ones.

Identical in appearance but distinct in attire and bearing, the three Supreme Taoists emerged simultaneously, ready to battle anew.

······················

On a remote mountain path, majestic Sword Qi slashed through the surroundings, instantly transforming the small path into a grand road. Stones scattered chaotically from the sides, making the newly opened road a mess, yet such conditions posed no concern for the martial disciples of Yu Jian Manor.

This was the junction between Xuanzhou and Shu Province. Traveling sixty miles further from this path, they would enter Yan Province, which lay within Northern Zhou territory.

Qing Yu did not wish Hou Qian's people to discover his new identity, so he did not greet them and instead led the disciples of Yu Jian Manor along the remote paths toward Northern Zhou.

Along the way, due to deliberate evasion, they had not encountered Hou Qian's people. However, what must come ultimately will come. Even though they made an effort to avoid, if others sought them out, they could not escape.

"Who goes there?!" Xiao Qiye had not yet returned his sword to its sheath after slashing the path, but was alarmed to find that someone had appeared ahead.

Clad in blue, seemingly twenty-eight or nine years old, with a black-sheathed long saber and a casual demeanor.

"Don't get excited, young lad," the man carried the saber, casually waving his hand, "Old Kong is just here to have a chat with your Manor Master, no other intentions."

"Qiye, stand down."

The breeze stirred as Qing Yu flashed to appear before Xiao Qiye, saying, "This is not someone you can handle."

Hearing this, Xiao Qiye silently sheathed his sword and retreated.

"Kong Xuankong, I don't recall any ties with you. What brings you here?" Qing Yu inquired of the old scoundrel before him calmly.

"Ha-ha, there's a saying: at home, rely on parents; outside, rely on friends," Kong Xuankong laughed openly. "Doesn't Manor Master Xiao want to make friends with someone as strong as Old Kong? If trouble arises in the future, you can come to Old Kong for help."

With that, he approached in a friendly manner, gesturing to place his arm around Qing Yu's shoulder.

"Shing—"

The Shattering Universe Saber unsheathed, blocking the roused Sword Qi. Kong Xuankong laughed awkwardly. "No need for violence if not interested in friendship!"

"Kong Xuankong, no need for theatrics," Qing Yu calmly met the old scoundrel's gaze. "I can inform you that I'm heading to Northern Zhou, not Hou Qian. Are you prepared to try to stop me?"

Kong Xuankong appearing here certainly wasn't of his own accord. Though the old scoundrel often played the role of a troublemaker, he always followed his whims. Deliberately running to these wilderness paths to block Yu Jian Manor's way was something Kong Xuankong inherently wouldn't do.

"Ah-ha-ha..."

Kong Xuankong chuckled awkwardly for a while, finding Qing Yu unmoved. He scratched his head and sighed. "Well, Old Kong just came to ask if you want to hang out at Hou Qian. But seeing you, it seems you don't intend to."

"Actually, Old Kong is loath to handle this matter, but the Shadow King said it, so there's no choice. Oh, by the way, you're aware of the Shadow King, right? The one now seated on Hou Qian's throne..."

Kong Xuankong rambled on.

'Ji Chengtian has emerged? It seems he's become the new Supreme warrior...' Qing Yu keenly picked up on the message in Kong Xuankong's words, immediately realizing Ji Chengtian had surfaced.

If he had not emerged, there would be no way he knew Yu Jian Manor's movements, nor would he instruct Kong Xuankong to intercept.

At least if it were Qing Yu, he wouldn't choose to heed external news and issue orders during seclusion breakthroughs.

"······So then," Kong Xuankong finally concluded his rambling, "just show a bit of power, preferably injure Old Kong a bit, so I can report back."

With those words, Kong Xuankong eyed the white long sword in Qing Yu's hand with a glint of interest.

If it were the previous Xiao Qianxiu, Kong Xuankong absolutely wouldn't have any interest in roadside interception, even if Ji Chengtian ordered it. But now······

Admittedly, now Xiao Qianxiu was enough to ignite Kong Xuankong's battle spirit.

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