Wuxia Across the Heavens: I Collect Side Effects

Inside Zixiao Palace, the atmosphere had long since shifted from the joy of birthday celebrations to a tense standoff.

He Taichong, a member of the Kunlun Sect, stepped forward and coldly addressed Zhang Songxi:

"Zhang Sixia, you don't need to spell things out. We're honest people, so let's speak frankly. We've come up the mountain for two reasons: first, to celebrate Master Zhang's birthday, and second, to inquire about the whereabouts of that villain Xie Xun."

As soon as he said this, the entire room fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on Zhang Cuishan.

Master Kongwen slowly stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and uttered a Buddhist chant. His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

"Master Zhang, I have come here with some worldly matters to discuss with your disciples. Fifth Master Zhang, do you still remember the seventy-one lives lost by the Longmen Escort Agency, plus six monks from my Shaolin Temple, all because of you? And another question: do you know the whereabouts of Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King? This man killed my Shaolin monk, Kongjian. I hope you will tell me the truth."

Zhang Cuishan's face darkened, his gaze sweeping over the experts from various sects present, his tone resolute:

"Xie Xun and I are sworn brothers, bound by life and death. There is absolutely no way I would betray my brother!"

Seeing this, Ji Xiaofu quickly stepped forward, blocking the Wudang group, and shouted in a deep voice:

"Today is Master Zhang's 100th birthday. Are you all trying to provoke conflict in the martial arts world by pressuring us like this?!"

However, she was of low status and her words carried little weight. The Emei Sect had long lost its former prestige, and her words were merely perceived as a powerless attempt to obstruct them.

The other five heroes of Wudang exchanged glances, took a step forward together, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Cuishan.

"We, the brothers of Wudang, will live and die together!"

"Anyone who dares to harm my fifth brother will have to get past us first!"

Looking at his fellow disciples, Zhang Cuishan felt both burning with passion and excruciating pain in his heart.

He did not want Wudang to become an enemy of the entire martial arts world because of himself;

I can't even face my third brother, Yu Daiyan!

His own wife turned out to be the culprit who caused his lifelong disability.

Guilt, self-blame, and despair weighed heavily on his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

A resolute look crept into his eyes.

He lowered his head slightly, and no one saw his clenched fists, nor the fleeting look of death in his eyes.

Just assume he's still struggling and in a difficult position.

Outside the Zixiao Palace, a figure stood with his hands behind his back, listening to the increasingly heavy confrontation inside, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Su Xin finally arrived.

In the center of the hall, Zhang Cuishan already had a sword to his neck, his face filled with despair and guilt, his voice hoarse as if cracking stone:

"All sins stem from me, Zhang Cuishan. Today, I am willing to die, so please spare my sworn brother and let the conflict end!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was about to twist his wrist hard.

No one expected that these seemingly gentle heroes would be so fierce. They were all stunned for a moment, and even Zhang Sanfeng was slightly lost in thought and reacted a beat slower.

The masters from various sects felt a sudden chill in their hearts: they only wanted to force Xie Xun to reveal his whereabouts, but they absolutely did not want to drive a Wudang disciple to his death. If someone were to die and this terrestrial immortal was angered, none of them could bear the consequences.

Just as the longsword was about to sever his throat.

Su Xin flashed and arrived in the hall.

With a flick of the finger, the force was as strong as iron; it was the Vajra Finger technique.

"Snap—"

With a crisp sound, Zhang Cuishan's sword-wielding hand was struck by a tremendous force, and the longsword flew out of his hand.

"Fifth brother! Why did it have to come to this!"

Yu Lianzhou and the other Wudang heroes were startled and rushed to support him.

Zhang Cuishan stood frozen in place, tears welling up in his eyes. Overwhelmed with guilt, he had nowhere to vent it and could only sob uncontrollably.

Seeing this, the various sects breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went along with it:

"Yes! We only wanted news of Xie Xun, we didn't intend to force Zhang Wuxia to his death!"

"Xie Xun has committed countless evils; Zhang Wuxia really doesn't need to go to such lengths for him!"

For a moment, everyone chimed in, trying to smooth things over, leaving Su Xin standing aside, an idle person.

Zhang Sanfeng slowly came to his senses, his deep gaze falling on Su Xin, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude.

He was just a moment away from losing his beloved disciple. Wudang will remember this kindness.

Su Xin walked straight forward, met the gaze of the martial arts master with composure, and spoke directly:

"My purpose in coming up the mountain this time is not to celebrate a birthday or to cause trouble, but simply to spar with Master Zhang and prove the way of martial arts together."

His words stirred up a huge wave of discussion.

The entire room fell silent instantly, followed by a barrage of astonished, absurd, and mocking gazes.

To exchange skills with Zhang Sanfeng?

This person is already recognized as the number one martial artist in the world, and has been invincible for nearly a hundred years. This young man in front of him looks to be no more than twenty years old, yet he dares to say such a thing.

How about learning about the Jiazi Demon-Slaying Ceremony?

Even Zhang Sanfeng himself was slightly taken aback. He focused his attention on probing Su Xin's aura and found that his internal strength was profound and unfathomable, far surpassing that of ordinary young masters.

Even in his prime, he never possessed such a grand presence.

Su Xin, completely unconcerned by the strange looks from everyone in the hall, calmly added:

"I'm not talking about now. It's not too late to make a move after you've finished dealing with today's matters."

Many people immediately showed mockery, their eyes filled with disdain and ridicule as they looked at Su Xin, as if he were a clown who didn't know his place.

Kunlun Sect Leader He Taichong, already arrogant and unruly, couldn't stand the arrogance of the younger generation. He immediately stepped forward, flicked his sleeves, and shouted sternly, his tone full of contempt: "Insolence! You brat, how dare you spout nonsense here! Master Zhang is a martial arts grandmaster of our time, a figure like a terrestrial immortal, unmatched for centuries. You, a nameless brat, dare to mention the word 'exchange of blows'? Perhaps you've only learned a couple of rudimentary moves and already know your place, trying to use Master Zhang's name to gain attention and empty fame!"

He Taichong's wife, Ban Shuxian, chimed in sharply, "My husband is absolutely right! This young man looks so young, yet he's so arrogant, daring to offend Master Zhang! He's simply courting death! No matter how high our Kunlun Sect disciples' cultivation is, we wouldn't dare show the slightest disrespect to Master Zhang. Your words and actions are clearly a desecration of a martial arts grandmaster!"

Before the words were even finished, Guan Neng, the leader of the Five Elders of Kongtong, snorted coldly, took half a step forward, his entire body radiating a fierce aura, his tone filled with a hint of gritted teeth and anger: "Ignorant brat, how dare you spout such arrogant words! Master Zhang is highly respected, his martial arts attainments are unfathomable, he is the benchmark of our entire martial arts world, and you dare to spar with him? I think you're tired of living! Do you think you can act so wildly in front of Wudang Mountain and Master Zhang just because you have some brute strength? If I don't teach you a lesson today, you probably won't know how dangerous the martial arts world is, and that a master cannot be insulted!"

Another elder of Kongtong, Tang Wenliang, chimed in, his tone mocking: "Hahaha, utterly laughable! You? You dare challenge Master Zhang? I bet you can't even beat the Five Elders of Kongtong, yet you dare to dream of fighting Master Zhang? It's utterly delusional! In my opinion, you're either deliberately feigning madness to disrupt today's birthday banquet, or you're simply out of your mind, blinded by greed!"

Abbot Kongwen of Shaolin Temple, his face solemn, clasped his hands together and uttered a Buddhist chant. His tone, though calm, carried an undeniable rebuke: "Amitabha! You are still young, yet so arrogant and conceited; this is truly inappropriate. Master Zhang is a grandmaster of martial arts, who has dedicated his life to the study of martial arts, benefiting future generations. How can you be allowed to offend him so casually? Sparring is no child's play. Your words and actions are not only disrespectful to Master Zhang, but also to the very essence of martial arts. This old monk advises you to quickly retract your arrogant words and apologize to Master Zhang. Otherwise, don't blame Shaolin and Wudang for joining forces to discipline you!"

Master Kongzhi chimed in, his sharp eyes fixed on Su Xin: "Brother Kongwen is absolutely right. Do you know, benefactor, that throughout history, those who dared to challenge Master Zhang have either perished or fled in disarray? Not a single one has ever gained the slightest advantage. You are so ignorant of your own limitations. If you were to truly fight Master Zhang, you probably wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move. Losing face would be a small matter; losing your life would be a far greater loss!"

People from other sects in the hall echoed his sentiments, accusing Su Xin of being arrogant and overestimating his abilities, their tone full of sarcasm and ridicule.