A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 56 Accident
The next day, the conference continued. The six winners from the previous day competed in another round, and the remaining three, along with Jiang Biehe, competed in a second round. The final winner would become the leader of the martial arts alliance.

After the draw, Wudang Yuanyang Zhenren will face Huashan Qian Buyi, Kunlun Qu Yiwu will face Kongtong Li Xuan, and Qingcheng Xuanjizi will face Tianshan Yu Feng.

"Today's competition is truly a clash of masters. These six sect leaders are arguably the top fighters in the martial world. I wonder who will emerge victorious."

"If you ask me, I still favor Master Yuanyang. His Yin-Yang Sword Technique is already at its peak, and his internal energy cultivation is also quite remarkable. Among the five people on the field, there are almost none who can compare with him. In the end, the position of martial arts alliance leader will still be decided between him and Hero Jiang."

"That makes sense. Look, it's starting."

On the fighting platform
Master Yuanyang looked at Qian Buyi and slightly raised his hand, "Sect Leader Qian, please."

"Master Yuanyang, please." Qian Buyi had been feeling very depressed since the draw results came out. He had been worried about facing Master Yuanyang, as he had no confidence in defeating him. Now, fate had played a cruel joke on him.

After exchanging greetings, the two drew their swords and began to fight. In an instant, the stage was filled with flashing swords and figures, making it difficult for those with less skill to see clearly.

"Master, these two are much better at martial arts than the previous ones," Xiaoyuer said softly as he watched the two fighting.

"Yes, both of these people are first-rate martial arts masters, especially the Wudang sect leader, who is probably the leader of the six. If Jiang Biehe is defeated by him, it will save us some trouble."

"The master's skills are truly extraordinary. Even Master Qian was at a disadvantage. It seems that apart from Master Jiang, no one else can rival him," Master Rusu of Emei exclaimed in admiration.

"Since the True Man intends to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, he must be quite capable. After all, Master Qian and the others are still a bit too young."

Master Zhichan looked at the two on the stage. At this moment, Qian Buyi was mostly on the defensive and had little chance of attacking. Everyone present could see that his defeat was inevitable.

After twelve moves, Qian Buyi had exhausted all his techniques but still could not reverse the defeat. Yuan Yang Zhenren knocked the longsword out of his hand with a single sword strike. Qian Buyi's face was ugly. He said to Yuan Yang Zhenren, "Master, your martial arts are unparalleled. I was overestimating myself." After saying that, he picked up the longsword and walked off the dueling platform.

Those watching the fight didn't ridicule him. Being able to exchange dozens of blows with the Wudang sect leader was already considered a master. If it were them, they probably wouldn't even last one move.

As the sun gradually rose, after three rounds of competition, the victors were Yuan Yang Zhenren, Qu Youyi, and Xuan Jizi. After lunch, the three of them, along with Jiang Biehe, drew lots again to fight in pairs.

“Master Jiang, I never expected to meet you in the very first round. I have long admired you, Master Jiang. Please enlighten me,” said Master Yuanyang, sword in hand, bowing to Jiang Biehe. The latter quickly returned the bow.

"You're too kind, Master. I'm just a novice, and there's still much I need your guidance. It's an honor to have exchanged a few blows with you. I know my martial arts are weak, so please show mercy."

"Master Jiang, there's no need to belittle yourself. Your peerless swordsmanship of benevolence and righteousness has reached its pinnacle. I'd very much like to witness it. Master Jiang, please."

"Then I must offend you," Jiang Biehe said, seeing the other party draw his sword. Without hesitation, he raised the sword straight up into the sky, lightly leaped into the air, gripped the sword in his hand, and plunged down, his sharp sword energy pressing towards Yuan Yang Zhenren.

Seeing the opponent's attack, Yuan Yang Zhenren dared not underestimate it. He immediately drew his sword in a circle to meet the attack. The two swords clashed, and the two forces collided with each other, causing them to separate.

Jiang Biehe knew that his opponent was best at protracted combat, so he decided to finish the battle quickly. He retreated slightly and then advanced, displaying his swordsmanship in a wide and unrestrained manner. For a time, he displayed great power and gained the upper hand.

"It's amazing that Master Jiang could force Master Yuanyang to such a state. You really can't judge a book by its cover," Master Rusu exclaimed.

As for my attitude towards Jiang Biehe, at first it was more of respect. This respect was not because of his martial arts skills, but because of his character. Now it seems that the other party is not only of excellent character, but also a master who is hiding his true strength. With just this swordsmanship, I may not be able to beat him.

"Amitabha," Zhi Chan said, glancing at the two people on the stage before falling silent.

"Junior sister, what do you think of this Master Jiang?" Murong Zhong glanced at Jiang Biehe and asked, carefully choosing his words.

"Senior brother, there's no need for that. Although Jiang Biehe is my father, he gave birth to me but didn't raise me. The only bond between us is blood," Jiang Yuyan said coldly, as if she were a stranger.

"Jiang Biehe is no match for Yuanyang Zhenren at all. He is only taking the initiative now. He will surely lose when his momentum is exhausted. However, judging from what he has done before, he will definitely have a follow-up move to turn defeat into victory."

Jiang Yuyan had long been aware of Jiang Biehe's character; he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He had coveted the position of martial arts alliance leader for a long time and would certainly not give it up easily.

Murong Zhong nodded in agreement.

Just as the crowd below the stage was cheering for Jiang Biehe, Master Yuanyang gradually figured out Jiang Biehe's martial arts style and began to intentionally counterattack.

Seeing that his opponent was still in control, Jiang Biehe immediately withdrew and retreated, drawing his sword to protect himself, abandoning offense and switching to defense. Yuan Yang Zhenren also clearly saw that his opponent's momentum was beginning to decline, and of course he would not let go of this good opportunity. He used the Two Elements Sword Technique as smoothly as flowing water, with dense sword energy constantly striking Jiang Biehe. The powerful internal force pressed down, making Jiang Biehe's wrists numb and almost causing him to lose his grip on the sword. His body kept retreating, and he was about to fall off the dueling platform.

Seeing Jiang Biehe still struggling, Master Yuanyang increased the force of his grip by three points.

Jiang Biehe was covered in sweat and his body was trembling. Just when he could no longer hold on, he suddenly felt the opponent's internal energy stop.

"It's finally working!" Jiang Biehe cheered, mustered his last bit of strength, and with a single sword stroke, tore through Yuan Yang Zhenren's Taoist robe. To the astonishment of the other man, he struck him with his palm, knocking him heavily to the ground.

The sudden turn of events caught the audience off guard. They had all assumed Jiang Biehe was doomed, but this was the unexpected outcome. "Master, are you alright?" Jiang Biehe approached Master Yuanyang, who, upon seeing Jiang Biehe's smiling face, broke out in a cold sweat.

"This Jiang Biehe actually drugged me, he's truly despicable and shameless," Yuan Yang Zhenren said, unable to speak and only able to whimper. Jiang Biehe made up his mind and said to the people below, "Yuan Yang Zhenren suddenly suffered a qi deviation. I have temporarily cleared his meridians. He needs to rest now. Jiang Bei, take Zhenren to Jinhua Garden to rest."

Jiang Bei accepted the order and had Yuan Yang Zhenren carried away. The Wudang disciples, worried about their sect leader, also left with him.

“Something’s strange,” Yan Nantian said, looking at Jiang Biehe who had come down to rest.

"This Master Yuanyang is quite powerful, how could he suddenly lose his fighting ability? Even if he suffered a qi deviation, it shouldn't be like this, it doesn't make sense."

"Master, could it be that Jiang Biehe used a sneak attack to trick Yuan Yang Zhenren so that he could eliminate an opponent?" Xiao Yu'er guessed.

"It's possible. Jiang Biehe is indeed incredibly audacious to use such methods in front of everyone. No wonder he ordered Yuan Yang Zhenren to be sent away. He's trying to control him. It seems Yuan Yang Zhenren is in grave danger."

"What happens between them is none of our business. As long as we don't let Jiang Biehe go, we've succeeded. Xiaoyuer, if anything happens later, be sure to protect yourself," Yan Nantian reminded Xiaoyuer, sensing that something unexpected was about to happen at the conference.

"Understood, Master."

Watching Qu Youyi and Xuanjizi fight from the sidelines, Jiang Biehe thought to himself, "Now that Yuanyang Zhenren is gone, these two are no longer a threat. Judging by the time, the Mad Demon Powder should be taking effect soon."

This "Madman's Powder" was obtained by Jiang Biehe from the Five Poisons Ancestor. Once it enters the body, it makes one act like a madman, leaving only instinctive killing. In the end, one will gradually lose their mind and become a puppet.

On the stage, Xuanjizi was displaying his exquisite swordsmanship with all his might when suddenly his body froze, his eyes instantly turning bloodshot. Upon seeing Qu Youyi, he roared in fury. His reckless fighting style terrified Qu Youyi. After struggling to hold on for a few moves, his twin swords were cut in half by the longsword, and he suffered several more wounds on his body, from which blood flowed continuously.

"Sect Leader Xuanjizi, what's wrong with you?" Qu Youyi noticed that something was wrong with the other party and hurriedly shouted, but the other party ignored him and continued to fight desperately. A huge sword aura struck the dueling platform, creating a large crater. Qu Youyi was so frightened that he didn't care about his dignity and jumped off the dueling platform, actually admitting defeat.

Master Zhichan wanted to stop Xuanjizi when he realized that Xuanjizi was not in a good state, but he was worried that this was the other party's secret technique, so he had no choice but to sit still. When Qu Youyi came down, he found that the other party was still wielding his long sword and killing the people watching the battle. He immediately realized that something was wrong.

"Master Rusu, you stay and look after everyone. This old monk will go and check on Sect Leader Xuanjizi."

"Master, please leave," Master Rusu said, realizing that something was wrong, and hurriedly got up.

After losing Qu Youyi as his target, Xuanjizi began to vent his anger on the onlookers. Some people who were close by suddenly became easy targets and lost their lives in a daze.

The scene immediately spiraled out of control, with most people screaming and fleeing, and many more perishing in the crowd without knowing why.

Murong Zhong and the other two looked at Xuanjizi and immediately drew their weapons. "Little brother, junior sister, this sect leader Xuanjizi is not in a good state. We must be careful in case he has any hidden tricks." Murong Zhong's fears came true. The conference was indeed full of twists and turns.

Murong Zheng and Jiang Yuyan both looked serious and were on high alert. As for going down to stop Xuanjizi, the three of them glanced at Master Zhichan who was approaching.

Master Zhichan arrived a step too late, and Xuanjizi cleaved the man in two with a single sword strike. His bloodshot eyes, ferocious face, and dripping blood made even Master Zhichan shudder.

Xuanjizi was deeply poisoned. When he saw Master Zhichan coming over, he roared and slashed with his long sword.

"Amitabha, Sect Leader Xuanjizi, I have offended you," he said, then lightly flicked his prayer beads to entangle his longsword. He then struck Xuanjizi with a palm, but the other party seemed to have no reaction at all, staring at Zhichan with his scarlet eyes.

With a flick of his wrist, the longsword slashed through the air, severing the Buddhist prayer beads. Master Zhichan's fingers continued to fly, sending all the scattered beads flying out. Some were blocked by the longsword, while others struck Xuanjizi.

Instead of retreating, Xuanjizi advanced, thrusting his long sword forward.

"Ah!" Caught off guard, Zhichan was pierced through the chest by Xuanjizi's sword, and blood instantly stained his cassock.

"Master!" both Abbess Rusu and Jiang Biehe shouted at the same time. Jiang Lin and the others had secretly retreated when Xuanjizi was killing people. Now, the only one who could help was Abbess Rusu.

"Master, I am fine. It is more important to deal with the Grandmaster. We should subdue Sect Leader Xuanjizi as soon as possible," Jiang Biehe said hurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Abbess Rusu quickly made a decision, instructing several disciples to take good care of Jiang Biehe, while she herself flew to help Zhichan.

Xuanjizi drew his longsword and sent Zhichan flying with a palm strike. He then began to slaughter those around him. After killing and injuring several more people, Xuanjizi fixed his gaze on Murong Zhong and the other two not far away.

Driven by murderous intent, Xuanjizi charged forward, hacking and slashing his way through the enemy lines.

Murong Zhong saw Xuanjizi running towards them and said in a deep voice, "He's here."

(End of this chapter)