Cui Xiangyang pondered for a moment, unable to make sense of it.
However, he knew one thing for certain.
Shen Xiuhan was always composed and deliberate in his actions; he would not throw this livery to him for no reason!
Thus, he folded the livery and tucked it away. With a wave of his hand, he called out, “Everyone, do not delay! Follow me up the mountain!”
Leaving this minor interlude behind, the group channeled their strength and rapidly scaled the stone steps.
Along the way, they actually caught up with the Han family.
Han Wu had spent some time changing his robes and tidying his hair and the traces of lime on his face, which had delayed him.
This was why the forces of the Four Sects of Nanxiang had managed to catch up to them.
When the two groups crossed paths, their eyes met briefly before quickly darting away.
Without a word, both sides took to opposite sides of the mountain path, advancing side by side as they rushed toward the summit in tacit agreement.
Before long, they neared the highest peak.
Even before they reached the top, the deafening clang of clashing weapons, interspersed with angry roars, came rolling down to them!
As they stepped onto the summit platform, the scene suddenly opened up before them!
On the wide plaza in front of the Dao-Observing Hall, the Raging Sea Sect and the Longxiang Army were already locked in a fierce battle.
Saber-shadows and sword-glows flashed in all directions as the shockwaves of colliding True Qi erupted!
The Longxiang soldiers wore clanking armor and held a forest of long spears, while the Raging Sea disciples fought in groups of three to five, wielding their sabers with fierce momentum.
The two factions clashed back and forth, locked in an inseparable struggle.
At the very center of the battlefield, three figures were entangled in a fierce melee.
The muffled booms of colliding energy exploded like thunderclaps over the mountain peak.
Pei Heng of the Raging Sea Sect fought alone, his single saber taking on both of the Wang brothers.
The long saber in his hand gleamed like snow, each slash unleashing a sharp white blade-glow!
Wherever the blade-glow passed, a faint, damp mist seemed to permeate the air, as if a misty, rain-shrouded river was hidden within his saber!
His saber technique was broad and powerful, yet incredibly refined, transitioning seamlessly between offense and defense.
It was clear that his position as a candidate for the sect master of the Raging Sea Sect was well-deserved.
However, Wang Xuanliang and Wang Xuanmin were no pushovers either.
The former swung a long spear with roaring momentum, its tip flashing like cold stars, each thrust carrying enough force to shatter stone.
The latter's swordplay was nimble and light, his long sword unleashing a flurry of cold, frost-like sword-glows.
His techniques hid subtle and deadly variations, sometimes striking like a venomous snake, other times raining down like a furious storm, relentlessly pressing against Pei Heng's upper body.
“Damn it!”
Pei Heng's expression turned grim.
If not for his cultivation having reached the Great Accomplishment of the mid-stage Huajin Rank, providing him with dense protective True Qi, he would have already been defeated under the pincer attack of the Wang brothers!
Even so, fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his breathing grew increasingly heavy.
Though his saber-glow remained fierce, the transitions between his forms were starting to show signs of sluggishness.
Right at that moment!
Cui Xiangyang, Han Wu, and their groups stepped onto the final stone step and reached the summit platform.
Before they could even steady themselves, everyone's gaze was instantly drawn to the exact same object!
In front of the Dao-Observing Hall, a brilliant white flower swayed gently in the mountain wind.
White mist surged and lingered over its petals, with wisps of vapor curling around the pistils, radiating a dreamlike, spiritual glow.
“What is this? It looks so extraordinary!”
Cui Xiangyang frowned slightly, a look of bewilderment passing through his eyes.
Han Wu also narrowed his eyes, a trace of suspicion flashing across his face as he searched his memories for any ancient records, though he couldn't quite recall anything at the moment.
Within the chaotic battle, a sharp gleam suddenly flashed in Pei Heng's eyes.
He suddenly drew a deep breath of True Qi and swept his long saber across the air!
The saber-glow cascaded like a waterfall, turning into a hazy screen of misty rain.
The blade-glow was no longer fierce and aggressive; instead, it became dense, layered, and overlapping, rolling toward the Wang brothers wave after wave like an inescapable net.
“Misty Rain Blade: Blade Intent Like a Cage!”
Wang Xuanliang's expression changed slightly, and he warned via True Qi transmission, “Pei is getting desperate! Second Brother, watch out!”
Wang Xuanmin's expression also grew solemn.
Both brothers possessed top-tier combat talent. Faced with this cage of blade intent, they chose to advance instead of retreating, thrusting their spear and sword forward without hesitation!
The spear pierced through the center like an angry dragon leaping from the sea, tearing a gap through the layered screen of blades.
The sword slashed at the flank like a cold moon hanging in the sky, shredding the descending threads of blade-glow inch by inch.
Working together, the two of them finally managed to tear open a gap in the cage of blade intent!
They then stood shoulder-to-shoulder, holding their weapons before them, ready to strike.
Meanwhile, Pei Heng used the momentum of his strike to drift back several feet.
His saber pointed diagonally toward the ground, his chest heaving slightly.
He took the opportunity to steady his breathing, his gaze sweeping over Cui Xiangyang, Han Wu, and the others as his mind raced.
‘The Wang brothers possess impressive cultivation; both are in the Huajin Rank!’
‘Wang Xuanmin can unleash sword-glow, making his combat strength formidable.’
‘And Wang Xuanliang is someone who has already broken through to the mid-stage Huajin Rank!’
‘With my strength alone, holding them both off is my absolute limit. Winning is out of the question. Therefore...’
‘I need allies!’
‘These people from the Four Sects of Nanxiang and the Han family have arrived at the perfect time!’
At this moment, Wang Xuanliang and Wang Xuanmin also quietly glanced toward the mountain path entrance.
When their gazes swept past the forces of the Four Sects of Nanxiang, their expressions remained normal, only showing a hint of wariness.
However, when they saw the figure among the Han family, both of their expressions froze.
Those brows, that stature, that slightly dark complexion...
He looked exactly like the gray-robed man who had thrown a bag of lime at them and fled earlier!
Disbelief flashed in their eyes, and their silent True Qi transmissions instantly echoed in each other's ears.
“Second Brother, was the one who ambushed us earlier that Han family member?”
Wang Xuanmin ground his teeth secretly, his glare cutting toward Han Wu's face. “Yes, it's him! I couldn't possibly be mistaken!”
“Good, very good...”
Wang Xuanliang sneered. “He changed his clothes and made himself look disheveled, thinking I wouldn't recognize him? He's truly seeking death!”
“Brother, do not be rash.”
Wang Xuanmin suppressed his anger, his voice turning cold. “The 《Wanling Flower》 is of utmost importance. If we expose his identity now, we will only push the Han family toward the Raging Sea Sect.”
“Let's pretend we don't recognize him for now to keep him steady. Once we join forces to kill Pei, it won't be too late to settle scores with him.”
Wang Xuanliang remained silent for a breath before replying coldly, “Fine!”
With that decided, he shifted his gaze back to the mountain path entrance. A smile was forced onto his stern face as he cupped his hands and spoke in a booming voice:
“Friends from Nanxiang Prefecture and Xinyi Prefecture, we are all citizens of the Qi State.”
“Even if we are to divide the treasures in front of this hall and those hidden inside, they should fall into the hands of us Qi citizens!”
“Why don't we join forces first to drive away these smelly beggars from across the sea? What do you say?”
These words were spoken with high-sounding righteousness, sounding perfectly reasonable.
Among those present, the Longxiang Army and the Raging Sea Sect had Huajin Rank experts and were the strongest.
Though the Four Sects of Nanxiang and the Han family had strength in numbers, most of them were only at the Anjin Rank.
Wang Xuanliang, speaking as a citizen of Qi, actively extended an olive branch with immense sincerity.
However, before Cui Xiangyang and Han Wu could even respond, Pei Heng's face darkened instantly, and he shouted without hesitation:
“Wang! Cut the double-talk!”
“Do you think others can't see through your petty schemes?”
“You want to push out my Raging Sea Sect first, and then use your Huajin Rank cultivation to suppress the other families and monopolize the treasures. How do you have the face to bring such a trick to the table?!”
“I'm going to flip this table of yours!”
He let out a cold snort, turned his gaze to the mountain path entrance, and raised his voice, speaking with absolute certainty:
“Everyone from Nanxiang Prefecture and Xinyi Prefecture, listen well!”
“The flower in front of the hall is called the 《Wanling Flower》. It was once an exclusive treasure of the Dayang Dynasty's imperial palace, possessing the miraculous ability to bring someone back from the brink of death and sustain their soul!”
“Ordinary people only know that it can sustain a life for forty-nine hours, but they do not know that its true value far exceeds that.”
“For every petal this flower blooms, its spiritual energy multiplies. If you can take it out of the Blessed Land and cultivate it carefully until it blooms nine petals, it will transcend the rank of precious herbs and transform into a legendary Tier Five spiritual flower!”
“At that time, even the Daoist Masters of the upper sects will be deeply moved upon seeing this flower, and they will greet you with warm smiles!”
Having said this, he pointed his saber directly at Wang Xuanliang, his tone suddenly turning sharp and mocking:
“Do not listen to this man's lies!”
“His mouth speaks sweet words like 'treasures should belong to Qi citizens' and 'joining forces to drive away the overseas beggars'...”
“But let me ask you all this!”
“If my Raging Sea Sect truly retreats, who on this summit will be able to stop the two Huajin Rank experts of the Wang family from joining forces?”
The cold light of his blade flashed as Pei Heng's voice echoed over the mountain peak, sharp as clashing metal:
“The Wang family is notorious for their cunning and deceit!”
“Do not be fooled by his pretty words.”
“If my Raging Sea Sect retreats... the very first ones they will turn on and slaughter will be you!”
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