Pei Heng's words crashed down like a rapid-fire volley, every single word striking right at the heart of the matter.
The crowd behind Cui Xiangyang and Han Wu immediately began whispering among themselves, and a low buzz of conversation rose up.
Wang Xuanliang's face darkened, and he opened his mouth to bark a furious retort.
Clang!
A crisp, lingering ring of a sword suddenly echoed, like an icy spring splashing against stone, instantly silencing the noisy chatter.
Wang Xuanmin lightly flicked his blade. A faint smile played on his face, but his tone was thick with mockery:
“Brother Pei is quite magnanimous, but... I would like to ask you a question.”
“There is only one 《Wanling Flower》. Brother Pei wants my Longxiang Army to withdraw from the struggle so your Raging Sea Sect can 'fairly' distribute it...”
He paused slightly, the smile not reaching his eyes:
“If Brother Pei is truly selfless, why not make a Martial Oath right here, swearing to share the benefits of this flower fairly with all parties?”
“If you dare to swear it, my brother and I will turn around and leave without another word. Do you dare or not?!”
The moment these words were spoken!
Everyone's eyes locked onto Pei Heng's face in unison.
Damn you, Wang Xuanmin!
Pei Heng was extremely vexed, but he did not dare to take the bait.
How could a Martial Oath be made so lightly?
He immediately snorted coldly, dodging the core issue as he spoke:
“You don't need to worry about that. I have my own ways, and I guarantee everyone will be satisfied.”
His words sounded nice, but he refused to reveal a single detail of his plan. It was obvious he had ulterior motives!
Neither Cui Xiangyang nor Han Wu was a fool. How could they not see through this?
Whether it was the Longxiang Army or the Raging Sea Sect, neither side was any cleaner than the other.
The scene fell into a temporary silence.
“Senior Brother Cui...”
Just then, an inner court disciple of the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion quietly stepped forward, his face pale and his voice trembling slightly:
“Senior Brother Wang... he didn't come with Elder Shen. Is he... is he betraying...”
“Silence!”
Cui Xiangyang waved his hand sharply to cut him off, his gaze fierce as he forced the disciple's words back down.
How could he not know this?
When he first stepped onto the summit.
The moment he saw Wang Xuanmin standing on the side of the Longxiang Army, Cui Xiangyang's heart had sunk to the bottom.
Wang Xuanmin was a core disciple of the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion.
Yet, he had not traveled with his own sect's elder this time, but had entered the Blessed Land alongside the Longxiang Army...
What this implied was self-evident.
He had clearly aligned himself against the Four Sects of Nanxiang!
Exposing this now would mean a public falling out.
Furthermore, Wang Xuanliang's cultivation was at the mid-stage Huajin Rank.
Wang Xuanmin was at the early-stage Huajin Rank and even possessed a sword-glow...
On top of that, they had over a dozen armored and well-armed Anjin Rank soldiers!
On the other hand, although the Four Sects of Nanxiang had numbers, every single one of them was only at the Anjin Rank. Even if they all banded together, they would be no match.
If those Wang brothers weren't wary of Pei Heng from the Raging Sea Sect, they probably would have made a move on us already.
Cui Xiangyang's eyes flickered as his thoughts raced.
For now, our only option is to pretend we don't know and maintain a facade. Perhaps we'll still have a chance to fish in troubled waters.
And these Han family members are just as ill-intentioned.
Before entering the Blessed Land, the Sect Master said we could ally with the Han family in a crisis. But looking at Han Wu's eyes, he clearly wishes we and the Longxiang Army would tear each other apart first. He's just another fence-sitter.
Sigh, in the end, it's all because we don't have a Huajin expert...
Cui Xiangyang clenched his fists and sighed inwardly:
The Longxiang Army and the Raging Sea Sect are only bullying us so blatantly because they see that our Four Sects of Nanxiang have no Huajin Rank experts backing us.
If only there were a single Huajin Rank expert from our Nanxiang Prefecture here, the situation would be resolved instantly. We would have the backing to act with confidence...
Huajin... Huajin!
Without reaching the Huajin Rank, we can only be manipulated by others!
Cui Xiangyang clenched his fists so hard his knuckles popped. The resentment in his heart was on the verge of erupting!
Since he began practicing martial arts.
There had never been a moment like this where he so desperately wanted to break breakthrough the Huajin Rank barrier!
Beside him, Han Wu remained composed and silent, his thoughts unreadable.
“Woo... woo...”
The mountain wind swept across the summit. The white flower in front of the hall swayed gently as its spiritual mist drifted, appearing to be the most patient party in this game of chess.
Seeing that neither side was speaking, Wang Xuanliang sneered inwardly. He took a step forward, preparing to spin a few more pleasant-sounding words.
Suddenly...
“Step... step... step...”
The sound of steady, unhurried footsteps echoed.
On the platform.
Everyone's expression shifted slightly, and they subconsciously turned their gazes toward the entrance of the mountain path.
In the next breath.
A figure dressed in white with a broad sword slung across his back appeared before everyone's eyes.
The man carried a broad-bladed heavy sword on his back. The blade was even wider than he was, pitch-black all over. Carved on the thin, long hilt were two small characters!
《Zhengdao》!
White robes as pure as snow and a heavy sword as dark as ink contrasted sharply, presenting an incredibly striking sight.
Upon seeing this man, Cui Xiangyang's long-depressed face instantly thawed like spring ice, and an uncontrollable look of ecstasy washed over his features!
He blurted out:
“First Senior Brother!”
Beside him, the disciples of the Star-Plucking Sect also cried out in pleasant surprise.
“It's Chief Wen!”
“This junior brother greets Senior Brother Wen!”
“Everyone, this is Senior Brother Wen from the Tingquan Academy of our Star-Plucking Sect! He also possesses a sword-glow and was hailed by the 《Wind-and-Cloud Pavilion》 as the leader of the Seven Elegances!”
“So it is Chief Wen himself!”
A wave of cheers erupted among the crowd of the Four Sects of Nanxiang, like drowning men suddenly grasping a rope thrown from the shore!
Wen Zheng!
Pei Heng's expression shifted slightly, his gaze suddenly darkening.
Although he had never fought this man, he had heard of his name long ago in the Southern Sea.
He had heard that this man had already entered the mid-stage Huajin Rank. His heavy sword was incredibly fierce, and paired with his sword-glow, his future was boundless!
A few months ago.
This man had charged single-handedly into a Yinsha Sect branch.
With just one man and one sword, he had nearly wiped out the entire branch!
A figure like this... even in the Raging Sea Sect, would be a secure candidate for the position of sect master!
Wang Xuanmin's expression was equally unsightly.
As a core disciple of the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion, he had actually fought Wen Zheng once before!
Back then, he had not yet grasped the sword-glow, and in less than ten exchanges, he had been utterly defeated!
Though he possessed a sword-glow now...
Wang Xuanmin still had absolutely no confidence in defeating him!
Simply because...
...the pressure the other party had exerted on him back then was simply too overwhelming!
As for Wang Xuanliang, his previously calm and completely confident expression had now entirely vanished.
Originally, since the Four Sects of Nanxiang had no Huajin Rank expert here, he could have manipulated them at will.
But with the arrival of Wen Zheng, who was hailed as the "leader of the Seven Elegances," the situation had completely reversed!
Han Wu's eyes flickered as he began to contemplate how to propose an alliance with the Four Sects of Nanxiang so they could advance and retreat together!
Wen Zheng ascended the platform at an unhurried pace. Facing the wary gazes of the crowd, his eyes swept over them and landed on the blue livery in Cui Xiangyang's hand. He raised a thick eyebrow and asked:
“Where is he?”
These words came out of nowhere, leaving Cui Xiangyang stunned for a moment.
Fortunately, he was quick-witted and immediately realized Wen Zheng was asking about the owner of the robes in his hand. He hurriedly replied:
“Junior Brother gave this to me and left first.”
“Left?”
Wen Zheng was surprised.
He pondered for a moment, and as if realizing something, he clicked his tongue and muttered to himself:
“I see!”
“He wants me to stay here and back you guys up.”
“Fine then!”
“It won't take long anyway. I'll go look for him tomorrow!”
He stretched his limbs, his neck popping with soft clicks, and cast a casual glance at the white flower in front of the hall.
Immediately after, Wen Zheng reached back, gripped the hilt, and drew the pitch-black heavy sword.
The tip of the sword dragged on the ground, carving a shallow groove as sparks danced against the stone slabs.
Wen Zheng looked up, his gaze as calm as water. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present with absolute clarity:
“This place is claimed by yours truly.”
“Everyone else—”
“Get lost!”
...
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