A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 294 Xuanwu Makes a Move
Inside the main hall of Zhongxin Hall, Shangguan Yun was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly heard a familiar voice from outside. A glint of light appeared in his eyes, and he got up to look outside.

"Xuanwu!"

Shangguan Yun immediately got up and walked outside. When he arrived at the gate of Zhongxin Hall, he saw Xuanwu knocking down his subordinates and drinking alone from his gourd.

"Xuanwu, it's been a long time."

With a wave of his hand, Shangguan Yun dismissed his subordinates and bowed slightly to Xuanwu. Upon seeing Shangguan Yun, Xuanwu narrowed his eyes, chuckled, and said with a hint of deeper meaning, "Shangguan Yun, it's been many years. You are indeed quite different. It seems you have gained a lot of benefits. Martial Arts Alliance Leader, what a grand display of power."

"Since you've come to my Zhongxin Hall, why don't you come in for a chat, old friend? Please."

Shangguan Yun would never let Xuanwu leave like this, and with an unyielding gesture, Xuanwu ignored her, put away his wine gourd, and strode forward.

"We have distinguished guests today. We will not receive any visitors. Jiang Che, guard the gate."

"Yes, Hall Master."

Shangguan Yun gave the order and left.

Master Xuanwu walked around, taking in the magnificent layout of Zhongxin Hall.

"Back then, among the eight of us, Shangguan Yun, your Zhongxin Hall was the weakest. But I never expected that fortune would turn around and your Zhongxin Hall would become the number one sect in the martial arts world, while my Diancang Sect would be overthrown overnight. Truly, life is unpredictable."

Master Xuanwu placed one foot on the seat, took a sip of wine, and looked at Shangguan Yun at the head of the table.

"Xuanwu, what happened when you disappeared without a trace back then? Where is your Dragon Ball?"

"Heh, Shangguan Yun, are you so eager for the Dragon Ball? Let me tell you the truth, I didn't get the Dragon Ball, and I'll tell you this too: the Dragon Ball is a scourge. If it falls into the wrong hands, it will get its comeuppance sooner or later. The fact that you killed Lei Zhenzi back then was a harbinger of this, and now that Qiu Tangbai and Meng Baichuan are dead, it proves it even more. Shangguan Yun, for the sake of our old acquaintance, I'll remind you: the saying 'the Dragon Ball can devour you' is not just an empty phrase."

Xuanwu looked at Shangguan Yun with a serious expression. Upon hearing this, the latter remained noncommittal and sneered, "Xuanwu, things have come to this point. I don't have time to play riddles with you. If you hand over the Dragon Pearl, I will spare your life. But if you don't know what's good for you, you won't be leaving this Zhongxin Hall today!"

Shangguan Yun stared coldly at Xuanwu Shangren. He was determined to get the Dragon Pearl, and no one could stop him. Upon hearing this, Xuanwu Shangren laughed loudly and said sarcastically, "Shangguan Yun, since I dared to break into your Zhongxin Hall alone today, I have no intention of leaving alive. I still have to settle the score with you for the grudge against the Diancang Sect!"

Master Xuanwu let out a cold shout, and a stream of wine sprayed from the gourd in his hand. Under the control of his inner force, it transformed into a water dragon and shot towards Shangguan Yun. Upon seeing this, the latter clenched his palm into a claw. With just one grab, the arrogant water dragon was trapped and killed halfway by an invisible force. With a slight exertion, a flash of crimson light appeared, and the water dragon was instantly evaporated.

"You've actually mastered the Golden Palm technique to its final level. Good, that's more interesting now."

Seeing that Shangguan Yun had broken his move with a flick of his wrist, Xuanwu became interested. He put away his wine gourd, stomped one foot on the ground, and with a clang, the sword behind him shot out into the air, emitting a clear light. Xuanwu Shangren gripped the sword in one hand and darted outwards. The small space in the hall was very disadvantageous for him.

Upon seeing Xuanwu's movement, Shangguan Yun flew outwards at the same time. When his subordinates saw that Xuanwu was holding a weapon, they immediately tried to rush forward to attack, but Shangguan Yun shouted them back. Seeing this, everyone quickly moved away and stared intently at the square.

"Xuanwu, I'm giving you one last chance. Hand over the Dragon Pearl, or the century-old foundation of Diancang will come to an end!"

"Shangguan Yun, there's no point in saying more. Even if I have to die today, I will make you pay the price for my Diancang!"

Master Xuanwu's gaze turned sinister as he channeled his inner energy into his longsword. The sword shone brightly and hummed melodiously, its sound filling the surroundings. Even Shangguan Yun, several feet away from Master Xuanwu, could feel the sharp sword energy rushing towards him.

"The Diancang Sect's 'Mysterious Sound Soaring Sword' is quite powerful in your hands. That Xuan Quezi is simply no match for you. I just hope you won't disappoint this sect master."

Xuan Quezi was the head of Diancang Sect and Xuanwu's junior brother. He died at the hands of Shangguan Yun when Diancang Sect was destroyed.

Xuanwu remained unmoved upon hearing this. After the sword's hum continued for several breaths, a clang was heard, and the sword's clear light gathered at its tip. A dazzling radiance, like the sun, flickered slightly, blinding anyone who looked at it.

"drink!"

Xuanwu moved swiftly, thrusting his sword straight forward. Midway, his figure split into eight phantoms, surrounding and attacking Shangguan Yun from all directions. Upon seeing this, Shangguan Yun abandoned his contempt. Although Xuanwu's martial arts were inferior to his own, he was not an unknown figure. If he were careless, it was not impossible for him to be caught off guard and suffer an unexpected defeat.

Shangguan Yun was too lazy to get entangled with Xuanwu. He drew his soft sword from his waist, released a sword light, and slashed horizontally. The eight phantoms shattered in response. However, Shangguan Yun felt something was wrong. At this moment, he suddenly felt a warning and hurriedly dodged to the side. A clear light swept across his chest and cut off a piece of his clothes.

With a sweep of his hand, a golden palm print attacked Xuanwu, but the latter's sword light flashed and the golden palm print was instantly destroyed. With this respite, Shangguan Yun looked at the falling robe with a gloomy expression, looked up at Xuanwu, and said in a deep voice, "This is not the Diancang Sword Technique."

He had read most of the martial arts manuals of the Diancang School. The sword technique that Xuanwu used to start was clearly the "Mysterious Sound Startling Sword". He also recognized the phantom clone. However, that sword was as fast as lightning and as powerful as thunder, which was completely different from the essence of the Diancang School's light and agile swordsmanship.

"Shangguan Yun, you're not the only one who's improved over the years. If you still think about using the old methods to fight, I might have to punish the wicked and eliminate evil."

After Xuanwu Shangren finished speaking, he slashed with his longsword, sending a sword aura along the stone slabs towards Shangguan Yun. At the same time, he leaped into the air, gripped his sword with both hands, and slashed downwards, unleashing a massive sword aura blade that crashed down.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yun's expression remained unchanged. He casually slashed away the sword energy on the ground with his sword, then raised his left palm high to the sky. He channeled his powerful true energy throughout his body, and a light shield protected him. The light blade struck the light shield precisely. With a loud bang, Shangguan Yun's foot sank three inches into the ground, and the surrounding stone slabs were blown away and swept into the air, where they were torn to pieces by the two forces.

After the sword energy blade and the protective light shield clashed for a moment, Shangguan Yun shouted, and the light shield contracted and expanded, shattering the sword energy blade. Xuanwu Shangren was immediately knocked back about ten feet, looking at Shangguan Yun with a slightly pale face.

Shangguan Yun stared coldly at Xuanwu Shangren as he slowly approached, the fine steel soft sword in his hand hissing. Upon seeing this, Xuanwu Shangren took a deep breath, straightened up, gripped his sword tightly, and leaped forward, slashing down. A flash of sword light swept across Shangguan Yun's throat, but the latter leaned slightly, deflecting the blade. With a flick of his wrist, the soft sword, like a long dragon, pressed towards Xuanwu's wrist.

Seeing this, Xuanwu flipped his wrist, tilted the sword to the side, and with a clang, blocked the tip of the soft sword. At the same time, he used his internal force to deflect the soft sword away, and took the opportunity to strike out with a "Heavenly Annihilation Palm" with his left palm.

Shangguan Yun neither dodged nor evaded. A protective aura appeared around him, and the Heavenly Absolute Palm Qi struck it as if it were a mud ox sinking into the sea, without even causing a ripple. Xuanwu Shangren's expression changed slightly, and he quickly withdrew his palm force. His right-hand sword emitted a clear light, and to Shangguan Yun's astonishment, a half-foot sword beam suddenly extended from the tip of the sword. With just a light stroke, the protective aura was easily torn apart like thin paper.

Master Xuanwu had been planning for a long time, and when he unleashed his trump card, the sword light, he caught Shangguan Yun off guard. The sword light continued its momentum and struck Shangguan Yun directly, leaving a trail of crimson blood. If he hadn't withdrawn in time, this sword strike would have been enough to severely injure him.

"I was still negligent. Your swordsmanship was already at the pinnacle of the martial arts world back then. So many years have passed. If I can cultivate sword light, how can you not? However, with only this half-foot sword light, you have no chance of leaving this Zhongxin Hall."

After being struck twice by Xuanwu Shangren, Shangguan Yun's expression turned serious. He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and looked calmly at Xuanwu. Upon hearing this, the latter said, "Shangguan Yun, there's no point in saying more. The outcome is still uncertain until the very end. Take this!"

Master Xuanwu, wielding his precious sword, unleashed its sword light to attack Shangguan Yun. The sword shimmered with a clear, bright light under the enhancement of the sword light, and countless sword shadows converged from all directions, like sharp arrows. Shangguan Yun, positioned in the center, was like the sun, awaiting judgment.

Master Xuanwu used the "Sun-Shooting Sword Technique" of the three great sword techniques of Diancang. This sword technique is the most powerful and fierce. In order to unleash the full power of the sword technique, in addition to having a profound pure yang internal strength, one must also have a determination to forge ahead and never give up. Both are indispensable. Otherwise, even if one can use it, it will only be a mere formality.

Shangguan Yun naturally knew this sword technique. This sword technique sealed off the opponent's retreat, in order to force the opponent to face him head-on. The only way to break this move was to break it with absolute strength.

In the past, Shangguan Yun would not have been afraid, but with the presence of the sword light, Shangguan Yun was not absolutely confident. Who knew if Xuanwu had left any hidden tricks?

"I never thought I would be forced to this point. This Xuanwu is quite capable."

Shangguan Yun continuously used his skills to defend in the space filled with sword light. The golden palm print and white sword light clashed and fought with the Sun-Shooting Sword Light, creating endless booming sounds. The already damaged ground could no longer withstand the brilliance and immediately exploded into large holes.

After several more breaths of fighting, Shangguan Yun noticed that the space around him was getting smaller and smaller. He immediately forced the sword energy away from him with his sword. At the same time, he focused his mind and a dragon pearl flew out of his arms. A golden light fell down, and the Sun-Shooting Sword Light was like snow melting in the blazing sun, shattering and disappearing.

"Death!"

Shangguan Yun seized the opportunity and urged the Dragon Pearl again. The Dragon Pearl immediately rushed towards Xuanwu. A golden light flashed by and instantly arrived in front of Xuanwu, whose eyes were like torches.

"Well done!"

Xuanwu was not alarmed but delighted upon seeing the Dragon Pearl. His sword hummed, and a half-foot-long sword beam slashed through the air. With a clang, the golden light of the Dragon Pearl collided with the sword beam. The golden light of the Dragon Pearl intensified, continuously devouring the sword beam. Xuanwu's expression changed, and he hurriedly withdrew his sword and retreated. However, the area covered by the golden light grew larger and larger. Just as it was about to catch up with Xuanwu, a burst of hidden weapons suddenly shot from the sky, heading towards Shangguan Yun.

Shangguan Yun sensed the projectile approaching and hurriedly swung his sword to parry. This movement caused his control over the Dragon Pearl to momentarily weaken, and Xuanwu Shangren seized the opportunity, using his lightness skill to disappear in a few leaps. His subordinates, watching from the outer circle, were caught off guard and were about to give chase when Shangguan Yun stopped them.

"No need to chase."

Upon hearing this, the subordinates all retreated. Shangguan Yun retrieved the Dragon Pearl, reached out and sucked up a hidden weapon from the ground, which he held between his fingers. It was just an ordinary hidden weapon, but when it flew over, it was extremely sharp, indicating that the person who used it must be a top expert.

“There are very few people in the entire martial arts world who can save someone right under my nose. Could it be Ni Qingfeng who saved Cha Mulong that day? No, Ni Qingfeng disdains to launch sneak attacks, and he has no connection with Xuanwu. There's no need for him to do that.”

Shangguan Yun pondered for a moment, his mind racing, but he couldn't come up with a solution. He threw the hidden weapon on the ground and turned back into the main hall.

About a mile southeast of Zhongxin Hall, there is a clear stream. Master Xuanwu sat by the stream, meditating and recovering his energy. After a while, a white mist rose from the top of his head and then slowly returned to his body.

"Thank you for saving me, sir. Xuanwu is deeply grateful. May I ask your name?"

Master Xuanwu opened his eyes, stood up, and bowed to the blue-clad youth not far away.

"My name is Biyusheng."

Bi Yusheng closed his folding fan and returned the greeting to Xuanwu.

“Mr. Bi, I am deeply grateful. If it weren’t for your help, my life would have been in Shangguan Yun’s hands.”

Xuanwu did not recognize Biyusheng, but he could sense that the young man in front of him was no less skilled than himself, and he couldn't help but marvel at the abundance of talented people in the martial arts world.

"I am somewhat aware of the grudges between Shangguan Yun and the Diancang Sect. This time it was just a coincidence. Master, if you want to deal with Shangguan Yun, forgive me for speaking frankly, but it is absolutely impossible for you to do so on your own. If you confront him head-on, you will only lose your life in vain."

"I know, but this test has already achieved its purpose. Before completing another task, I need to preserve my life. Mr. Bi, I have other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer. I will repay your life-saving grace in the future. Farewell!"

Xuanwu bowed to Biyusheng again, picked up the long sword and wine gourd from the ground, and with a burst of lightness skill, disappeared in front of Biyusheng.

Seeing Xuanwu leave, Biyu Sheng gently waved his folding fan, pondered for a long time, and then slowly left, arriving at Zhongxin Hall a moment later.

"Please inform him that Biyu has something to discuss with Master Shangguan. This is his visiting card."

Bi Yusheng glanced at the gate guards and handed the visiting card to Jiang Che, who was in the lead. Upon seeing Bi Yusheng, Jiang Che's expression changed slightly. He quickly took the card and said respectfully, "So it is the all-knowing scholar of the martial arts world who has come in person. Please wait a moment, Mr. Bi, and I will inform him."

Jiang Che gave instructions to the others, then walked inside. After arriving at the main hall, he explained the situation and handed over the visiting card.

“Biyusheng, what brings him here? Please invite him in.”

Shangguan Yun did not want to see Bi Yusheng, but suddenly a thought struck him. Bi Yusheng had a high status in the martial arts world and his martial arts skills were not weak. If he could subdue him, it would be of great benefit to him and Zhongxin Hall, and would also give them more confidence in dealing with Tianshan Sect in the future.

"Yes."

Jiang Che responded and turned to leave. A short while later, Bi Yusheng arrived in the main hall. After the two exchanged greetings, Shangguan Yun said gently, "I wonder what brings you here, Mr. Bi? If I can help you, please feel free to ask."

Shangguan Yun was preparing to curry favor with Biyu Sheng in advance, but Biyu Sheng said instead, "Thank you, Hall Master Shangguan. I do have a question that I need your clarification on. May I ask if you could answer it for me?"

“Oh, Mr. Bi, tell me about it.”

"I would like to inquire with Hall Master Shangguan about the cause of death of 'Wind and Thunder Blade King' He Santai. I wonder if Hall Master Shangguan could tell me the details?"

Bi Yusheng smiled, his clear eyes looking at Shangguan Yun. Upon hearing this, the latter remained expressionless, but became wary inwardly.

"I can tell you, Mr. Bi, that my brother-in-law went to the desert for personal reasons. Two months later, I received a message from him via carrier pigeon, saying that he was being besieged by demons in the northern desert. I immediately gathered my men and rushed to the desert. When I arrived, my brother-in-law was already seriously injured and dying. He only had time to say a few words before he passed away. Later, after my investigation, I found out that it was because the Dragon Ball attracted the killing intent that my brother-in-law died."

"Dragon Ball?"

Bi Yusheng's eyes flickered slightly as he waited for Shangguan Yun to continue.

"That's right. I only found out afterward that my brother-in-law had obtained a Dragon Ball. Legend has it that whoever obtains the Dragon Ball will rule the world. The demons of the Northern Desert attacked my brother-in-law because of this item. Although I killed them all afterward, the Dragon Ball disappeared without a trace."

"I see. I didn't expect there to be such a reason. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Master Shangguan. I understand now."

Bi Yusheng stood up, bowed to Shangguan Yun, and then said, "I have disturbed you today, so I will take my leave now."

After speaking, Bi Yusheng was about to turn and leave when Shangguan Yun asked, "May I ask why Mr. Bi is inquiring about this matter?"

"Master Shangguan, I'm sorry, this is a private matter and I cannot disclose it to you."

Bi Yusheng already knew that this matter was very problematic, and he was even more determined not to put He Yanrong in danger, otherwise the consequences would be dire.

"I'm putting you in a difficult position, sir. What do you think of Chung Hsin Hall, Mr. Bi?"

"Its momentum is soaring to the sky."

"I would like to invite Mr. Bi to serve as an elder in Zhongxin Hall. What do you think, Mr. Bi?"

Shangguan Yun walked down the steps one by one, speaking calmly to Biyu Sheng.

“Biyu has always been a loner and is used to freedom. I appreciate the kindness of Hall Master Shangguan, and I will take my leave now.”

Bi Yusheng's smile vanished. He gave a slight bow, turned, and walked out. Shangguan Yun's eyes sharpened upon hearing this, and he said in a deep voice, "Let me see Mr. Bi off!"

As he spoke, a fierce palm strike came toward Bi Yusheng. The latter immediately turned around, gathered a ball of green light in his right palm, and struck at the incoming palm strike. The golden and green lights canceled each other out, and Bi Yusheng retreated with the momentum, saying loudly, "Hall Master Shangguan, until we meet again."

As soon as the voice fell, Bi Yusheng's figure had already disappeared. Shangguan Yun withdrew his right palm, and a bright green dot on it was very conspicuous.

"What a fine jade-like scholar! Another obstacle to my domination of the martial arts world has been added to my list, hmph!"

…………

"Bald monk, today I, the immortal, will deal with you. Whitehead, you and the Living Yama go and take care of the others; leave this to me."

The Green-Robed Immortal waved to the White-Headed Eagle and the Flame, who nodded in agreement and each led a group of people toward other buildings.

The green-robed immortal stared sinisterly at the Shaolin abbot before him, who wore a crimson robe with gold patterns, held a bronze staff, and carried sandalwood prayer beads, and had a dignified appearance.

"Amitabha! Today, even if I were to give up this physical body, I would still send you evil demons and heretics to hell!"

Abbot Liaoci swung his staff, the copper rings clanging, and a ball of crimson light shot towards the green-robed immortal. Knowing that the person in front of him was not easy to deal with, Liaoci immediately used the "Subduing Demon Staff Technique".

(End of this chapter)