Oh, that's true, there seems to be only a mute servant attending him.

"Hahaha, the Great Grandmaster is still so carefree and straightforward."

Zhong Zhengshen remained stationary, and in his hand, the Tianpeng Ruler was suddenly hurled toward the direction of Xuanyuan Mingjing.

The two were tens of meters apart, and it was impossible for the one-and-a-half-foot-long Tianpeng Ruler to reach even the hem of Xuanyuan Mingjing's robe.

It defied the laws of physics and natural order.

But that's what principles were made for, to be broken.

The Tianpeng Ruler radiated a dazzling golden light, and within the radiance, runes wandered.

The Tianpeng Ruler extended infinitely forward, lengthening and growing in size without stopping.

It had become the Jingu Bang in Sun Monkey's hand, a stick that could reach the bottom of the Eastern Sea.

The distance between the two was instantly filled by the supreme Taoist charm of the Tianpeng Ruler, and then it struck the spot where Xuanyuan Mingjing had been standing.

Boom!

The stone pillar where Xuanyuan Mingjing had just stood was smashed into dust, with smoke and dust scattering in all directions.

Xuanyuan Mingjing's figure had already vanished without a trace.

However, above the dark sky, suddenly a white lightning appeared.

As if a rip had been torn in the vault of the sky.

No, that was Sword Qi.

Xuanyuan Mingjing descended from the sky, a sword slashing toward the top of Zhong Zhengshen's head.

The man was yet to arrive, but the Sword Qi came first.

Crack!

The Sword Qi glittered.

At the top of White Crane Mountain, the ancient Guest Welcoming Pine split in two, cleaving apart in the middle.

Zhong Zhengshen's body floated in mid-air, with the mountain wind billowing his Taoist robe, making a whistling sound.

Xuanyuan Mingjing's figure also reappeared, holding a bamboo sword, nonchalantly impressive.

"Exhilarating," Zhong Zhengshen said with a chuckle.

"What a pity for my Guest Welcoming Pine," Xuanyuan Mingjing looked at the split pine with a face full of regret.

He had lived long on White Crane Mountain and had grown fond of every blade of grass and tree on the mountain.

"It was you who chopped it, nothing to do with the old Taoist," Zhong Zhengshen hurriedly disclaimed any connection.

"Another round."

"Another round."

One held a sword, the other a ruler.

The distance closed in an instant, then intertwined.

Xuanyuan Mingjing's sword moves were crisscrossing, both expansive and unrestrained, wildly surging.

Zhong Zhengshen's ruler was nimble and ever-changing, but within all changes, he was always controlled by Xuanyuan Mingjing's sharp attacks.

At this moment, atop White Crane Mountain Peak, the Yin Yang Qi surged wildly, as if even heaven and earth could not bear the magnitude of the battle.

The contest between the two Great Grandmasters was vast and boundless, as if they sought to control all heavens and realms, becoming the sole sovereign of this world.

Xuanyuan Mingjing continued to swing his sword, quickly making three thousand eight hundred strikes.

The fierce sword light tore through the air, and a mysterious force surged continuously.

Within this aura of mystery, Zhong Zhengshen felt his range of motion getting smaller and smaller, his body subjected to intense compression and repulsion, even breathing became difficult.

This was no good news.

It proved that Xuanyuan Mingjing, with the Sword Qi as a cage, intended to completely trap Zhong Zhengshen within.

Would Zhong Zhengshen just wait for death?

He reached into his chest and pulled out a bronze seal, flinging it into the high sky.

The bronze seal was simple and weathered, inscribed with the sacred name 'Yuanshi Tianzun.'

It was a Taoist seal.

The bronze seal shone brightly, spinning rapidly while emitting waves of Taoist chanting.

Xuanyuan Mingjing, disturbed by the Taoist chant, paused in his focus, and his swordsmanship revealed a fissure.

Seizing this opportunity, Zhong Zhengshen's Tianpeng Ruler broke through.

"Ha!"

Xuanyuan Mingjing roared angrily, breaking the sound barrier.

In his hand, the bamboo sword advanced instead of retreating, carrying invincible Sword Qi as it struck directly at Zhong Zhengshen's vital point.

A fight to the death!

Zhong Zhengshen was shocked; had this old man become desperate?

The Tianpeng Ruler then struck towards the bamboo sword in Xuanyuan Mingjing's hand, and his body, colliding with the Yin Yang Qi, was flung away.

Simultaneously, the Primordial Venerable Seal plummeted headfirst towards Xuanyuan Mingjing.

Boom!

A huge crater was smashed out at the top of White Crane Mountain.

The entire White Crane Mountain shook along with it.

The earth quaked and the mountains shook, as giant rocks tumbled down with a thunderous roar.

------

Phoenix Palace.

Tuoba Zhiyin, the epitome of cultured elegance, cradled her lute, but what came from her lips was the authoritative roar of a lion, akin to that of a Buddhist chant.

It was a contrast that was endearing.

The lingering sound reverberated through the rafters.

Everyone who heard it felt their hearts surge with emotion,

Ah Er and Ah San were too slow to react and, as they lunged forward, they were sent flying backward by the blast of sound waves.

Thud!

Their bodies crashed heavily against the wall.

Dizzy and disoriented, they immediately sprang back to their feet.

Moving in perfect unison, as if they had practiced countless times before,

they glared at Tuoba Zhiyin with murderous eyes, wordlessly, then charged at her once more.

Tuoba Zhiyin plucked at the strings with one hand, disturbing their resolve,

while with her other hand she fended off their attacks. Facing two opponents, she didn't falter in the least.

On the other side, the battle between Xie Pianxian and Ah Da had reached a fever pitch.

Xie Pianxian, newly entered into the Grandmaster Realm, youthful and spirited, his swordsmanship was divinely inspired.

His sword techniques flowed like a babbling brook, in a way that could not be severed or resolved.

Yet, Ah Da's strength was truly extraordinary.

Barehanded, he matched Xie Pianxian blow for blow, his fists so tight that not a single sword move could penetrate.

Zhong Daolong was right; these three brothers truly possessed the power of Grandmasters.

He'd duped everyone, even his Grand Steward Chen Fenglei, who had no idea these men existed...

This showed their importance in Zhong Daolong's heart.

And it revealed them to be his ultimate trump card.

For hundreds of years, the assassin organization thrived as the foremost power under the stars, and it indeed had its unique aspects.

Chen Fenglei glanced at Zhong Daolong, patted Zhong Tianyi on the shoulder, and said, "It's time for you to take the stage."

Zhong Tianyi's eyes were filled with fear, as he looked at Chen Fenglei with a plea, "Manager Chen... can't you... can you deal with this?"

Although he really wanted to get rid of Zhong Daolong,

he didn't want to do it himself.

After all, that was his own father.

If word got out, his reputation would be ruined, possibly even tarnished in the history books for eternity.

He wanted to be Emperor, yet he didn't want to become an Emperor reviled by all.

Therefore, Chen Fenglei was the most suitable candidate before him.

As if recalling something, he promised, "Manager Chen, rest assured, once I have succeeded to the throne, I will not forget today's favor."

"The Phoenix Palace will still be under your control...and if you desire another position, I can accommodate that too...."

"I can give you the Monitoring Bureau..."

To have someone else bear the guilt of regicide, he was willing to offer the position of the head of an entire Bureau in exchange.

Chen Fenglei shook his head in refusal, "Your Highness, to wear the crown, one must bear its weight... Some matters require your personal effort. I truly cannot undertake this task."

Chen Fenglei was no fool; how could he possibly do such a thing for him?

Let alone that he wasn't the wise ruler he wished to support, even if he were...

If he killed Emperor Zhong Daolong now, once the new sovereign ascended...

Whether to silence the myriad skeptics of the world, or to silence himself, the new ruler would choose to 'sacrifice' him.

"Manager Chen…"

Zhong Tianyi attempted to persuade him further, but Chen Fenglei interrupted, "Your Highness, success or failure hinges on this single moment. An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost."

Zhong Tianyi's expression was cloudy and unsettled, his eyes fervent yet fearful.

His pupils filled with blood, in this moment, he was nearly insane.

Considering the long-desired throne and the sins he would have to bear...

Zhong Daolong had been keeping an eye on this side; seeing his son's conflicted expression and his eagerness to act yet too scared to move forward, he cursed with disdain, "As cruel as a wolf, yet as timid as a mouse... And you, such a fool, dare to aspire to the throne?"

"Now do you understand why I didn't choose you? The legacy of the Zhong Family in your hands would surely come to ruin..."

"If that were to happen, I would be the criminal of the Zhong Family, the criminal of the nation... How could I face my father? How could I face my ancestors?"

Hearing his father's insult, Zhong Tianyi's expression twisted even more viciously.

What twisted was not just his face, but also his heart.

He raised his pistol once more, aiming it at Zhong Daolong's chest, "To achieve great things, even kin may be sacrificed."

"Father, please grant your son this... In the future, I will surely worship you every day, so you may live happily even beyond the grave."

Bang!

Zhong Tianyi bit his teeth and forcefully pulled the trigger.

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