Chapter 496 - 465.3

Previously, Emperor Jiang and Ostend helped Zhang Rongfang to fill many gaps in the Great Dao Teaching’s martial arts.

He should have realized it then.

But recalling it now is not too late.

The sword shadows crazily thrust forward, slashing, and slanting upward.

Daoist Qingxiao was smoking all over his body, as his Qi and blood circulated to the extreme, emitting steam from the heat.

What made him despair was that initially, out of ten moves of his sword, he could barely touch the opponent’s body with one.

But as time went on, his sword had to hit thirty times to touch once.

Then fifty times....

After twenty breaths, despite his full effort, he couldn’t break even a little further through.

The opponent’s arms were like huge, heavy city walls, becoming more and more impregnable!

Seeing this scene.

Suddenly, a terrifying thought flashed in his mind.

"You... you’re perfecting the Absolute Defense Circle!!?"

He suddenly stopped, retreated, his eyes filled with horror!

"You’re not even a Grandmaster!!?" The fear in his heart burst like a tide.

The Absolute Defense Circle represents an absolutely flawless perfection of moves, with no openings, able to advance and retreat freely against any martial technique without breaching the defense.

This is a special skill that begins perfecting in the ring battles before achieving Grandmaster status.

But now.... he actually saw the process of the Absolute Defense Circle slowly forming on the opponent’s body!?

This guy, could it be that he’s not a Grandmaster at all!?

A person who is not a Grandmaster, killed the Western Sect Grandmaster in less than five breaths and then completely suppressed him, bringing him here to toy with!?

This... what does this mean!!?

"That’s about it." Zhang Rongfang also stopped taking advantage of the opportunity.

Understanding the conditions for forming Absolute Defense, he already realized that so-called Absolute Defense requires drawing on the strengths of many, experiencing numerous situations, to precisely counter all types of martial arts moves.

Only after experiencing various martial arts, martial ways, and weapons.

Can one completely form a protective move concept that can tackle any offensive.

Only then can the Absolute Defense Circle be truly completed.

And this guy opposite, his core strongest martial arts had all been dismantled. Continuing to fight would not have much meaning.

"I’ll ask you one last question. If you can answer well, I’ll spare you." Zhang Rongfang said in a deep voice.

".....Go ahead..." Daoist Qingxiao gritted his teeth, the ultimate technique on his body began to fade, but at this moment, he couldn’t care about much.

The successive exchanges just now made him realize that he could never be a match for the monster opposite.

This guy might be some kind of new Extreme Realm the Reverse Time Society has!

Absolutely not an ordinary person!

"Previously, who was directing behind the envoy team Zhou Yan?" Zhang Rongfang directly asked the question he inquired from Emperor Jiang.

He already knew that someone took the opportunity to ambush and hold down Emperor Jiang, thus attempting to have Zhou Yan and others surround and kill him.

Now, he wanted to know who that was.

Who exactly is controlling the plan behind all this?

To have a strong person of Zhou Yan’s level cooperate, its backer is definitely not an ordinary force!

"What Zhou Yan’s behind-the-scenes instigator.....I don’t know what you’re talking about?" Daoist Qingxiao’s face twitched, not understanding what the question meant.

At this time, disturbed in his heart, the ultimate technique was increasingly regressing, reverting to his original normal human form.

"...." Zhang Rongfang showed a trace of disappointment. His right hand’s five fingers opened, muscles tensed and ready to unleash force.

"Then forget it."

"Wait! If you want to become a Grandmaster, I can help you!" Daoist Qingxiao suddenly sensed a bad situation, hurriedly shouted.

"Oh?? How can you help?" Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.

"You need experts to perfect your Absolute Defense Circle, and you need assistance from experts in different categories! So.... I know a place that can help you!" Qingxiao responded rapidly.

He took a deep breath.

"But I have a question, why don’t you seek help from others in the Reverse Time Society? There are many Grandmasters among the Reverse Time Society, and Extreme Realms can rapidly exchange martial arts skills, more than enough to help you perfect the Absolute Defense Circle."

"There’s no time." Zhang Rongfang slightly shook his head, "And.... I’m not Extreme Realm."

"!!?" Qingxiao’s face shook.

Not Extreme Realm!!?

Then he’s... not idolized, nor Extreme Realm?

What in the world is he!?

"Are you sure... sure you’re not Extreme Realm!? Then why are you so strong!?" Qingxiao became agitated suddenly.

Zhang Rongfang smiled subtly at the words.

"Have you ever heard of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, Five Qi Facing the Origin?"

*

*

*

Mu Li King Mansion.

"What!? Zhou Yan is dead!?"

King Mu Li abruptly stood up from his seat. Previously, enjoying the songstress’s chanting and music, the composure and softness on his face rapidly faded and disappeared.

Replaced by a look of sternness and severity.

"How did he die!? He was a Grandmaster of Snow Rainbow Pavilion, who dares to kill him? Who can kill him??"

"News came from the officer of Snow Rainbow Pavilion, their accompanying Fierce General’s token broke, Zhou Yan’s death is confirmed real." Alliance Leader Cosimo’s expression wasn’t pleasant either.

They only had so few Grandmasters gathered and aligned, and now losing one required major changes and adjustments to the entire layout.

"Where is Yue Hong Die?" King Mu Li asked in a low voice.

"She is still acting over there. However, her disposition is unpredictable, making it hard to foresee her actions." Cosimo shook his head.

"There’s nothing we can do about it. Zhou Yan is dead, and I suspect it has something to do with the Counterclockwise Association.

The original plan was for him to cooperate with Hongdie to fake his death, but unexpectedly..." King Mu Li sighed. To think he was a Grandmaster....

A Grandmaster who worships the gods, a top-tier powerhouse capable of suppressing an area, has died inexplicably.

"I’ve already arranged for people to arrest those close to Zhang Ying Daoist." Cosimo said solemnly.

"Are you saying? You suspect this incident was a scheme by Zhang Ying and the Counterclockwise Association together?" King Mu Li’s expression lifted.

"I can’t think of any other possibility. Regardless, let’s capture and interrogate them first. I have a feeling that Zhang Ying might truly harbor some big secret." Cosimo sighed.

"Although the goal is reached, but... many affairs... ultimately..." King Mu Li also sighed.

"It hasn’t been long since I had a deep talk with Zhou Yan... but now..."

"Yue Dewen’s disciple is involved with the Eastern Sect’s big secret, and cooperated with the Counterclockwise Association to assassinate the Snow Rainbow Pavilion’s Grandmaster. We can spread this news. It should incite conflict between the Great Dao Teaching and the Counterclockwise Association.

So many Grandmasters have died in one go, Zhenyi Sect, Western Sect, and Snow Rainbow Pavilion will not let it go easily. This matter is no longer something Yue Dewen can control alone." Cosimo stated.

"I must say, the Counterclockwise Association acted because of Zhang Ying; even I couldn’t foresee it. Zhang Ying seems to indeed possess excellent talent.

But it’s just as well; whether it’s Yue Dewen or the Counterclockwise Association, they all value one person. In this way, we can more easily leverage this point."

King Mu Li pondered for a moment.

"Do this, send a message to Xiaodie, asking her to continue what she was doing before."

Cosimo was momentarily speechless.

"Isn’t the Eastern Sect’s secret enough?"

"There are many skeptics. To stir chaos, you must add weight." King Mu Li slowly shook his head.

"The prince is indeed...." Cosimo did not continue, "It’s just a pity, it’s a pity for Zhang Ying’s unparalleled talent..."

"Alas... he was born at the wrong time. Zhou Yan died because of him, a Grandmaster buried with him, which is worthy of him." King Mu Li sighed.

*

*

*

Mountain Province, Western Sect Headquarters—Jinling Temple.

In the early morning light, the temple’s gate was smashed to the ground with immense force, the door panel falling with a shower of dust.

"Kill!!"

A squad of Jinling Temple martial monks, wielding copper rods, roared as they charged toward the towering figure entering the gate.

The man had long black hair draped over his shoulders, eyes bright as stars, a stern face with a faint beard.

His frame towered at two and a half meters, broad and muscular, with ten fingers as pale and sharp as if carved from jade.

Dozens of martial monks layered together, rushed at him, wielding their rods.

The foremost line of monks swung their copper rods, shouting in unison, creating a fierce wind as they smashed down on him.

"Uninteresting." The man stepped forward, moving like a leisurely stroll through the shadow of numerous rods.

Not a single copper rod could touch him, harm him in the slightest.

"It’s you!!" At this point inside Jinling Temple, five high-ranking temple figures arrived together.

The leader of the group wore a silver-edged cassock, with large Buddhist beads made of white jade around his neck. His long white beard, bright eyes were distinct. He was the temple’s top expert, the incumbent abbot, Master Yuandu.

And it was the middle-aged monk beside him who had just exclaimed.

This person gazed scornfully, staring intently at the burly man at the gate.

"Zhang Ying?! You are the Daoist Zhang Ying of the Great Dao Teaching!!"

The middle-aged monk shouted.

"Since you’ve recognized my name, then you surely can’t stay...." The man chuckled coldly and clapped his hands lightly.

Immediately around the temple, over the walls, squads of masked figures in black jumped in.

These black-clad figures, well-trained, landed nimbly, drew crossbows, and fired at the monks.

Among the powerful sound of mechanisms, copper rod-wielding monks fell en masse, completely unable to compete.

The few high-grade and super-grade masters tried to evade, but were similarly shot by crossbow-wielding masters, becoming targets in an instant.

The abbot and others shouted furiously and advanced toward Zhang Ying and the masked leaders.

As time ticked past.

In no time, the entire Jinling Temple erupted in flames, becoming a sea of fire.

Squads of black-clad men neatly withdrew, led by ’Zhang Ying,’ leaving swiftly into the distance.

In the days that followed.

The newly established branches of Zhenyi Sect, Celestial Lock Teaching, Black Ten Sect in several other provinces were also attacked.

Under the terrifying suppression of the attackers, no one survived.

Only outside one slaughter site, a few herbal farmers gathering herbs in the mountains, from afar saw the burning Celestial Lock Teaching church, and the leaders of the group.

The Five Religions Circle dispatched investigative teams for pursuit one after another.

From the mouths of those few remaining herbal gatherers, they further identified the appearance and physique of one of the attackers, which perfectly matched that of the Great Dao Teaching’s Daoist Zhang Ying.

It’s said that from those hiding afar, Zhang Ying was seen personally using the Great Dao Teaching martial arts, consistent with rumors that he was at the super grade level of External Medicine, and skilled in Eagle Claw Skill.

Although the news was temporarily sealed by the investigative teams, it was soon spread among the Five Religions Circle alliance high-levels by those with ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, Zhang Rongfang continued to secretly guard the Agarwood Mansion convoy, approaching Wushan Prefecture.

In the mountain forest, Daoist Qingxiao’s face had grown thinner, as he intently watched Zhang Rongfang in meditation, hoping to discern some secrets of Immortal Technique from him.

"Since you told me the mystery of the Immortal Technique, why... why can’t you cultivate it!?"

"Why should I teach you the Immortal Technique?" Zhang Rongfang opened his eyes and asked.

"My pursuit of the Dao is utterly sincere! In terms of profound Daoist methods, cultivation of literature, few in the Zhenyi Sect surpass me!

Furthermore, I can help you investigate the matter behind it; although I don’t know who’s behind Zhou Yan, someone contacted me to cooperate in capturing those close to you. I can also help you perfect the path to breaking through to Grandmaster!" Qingxiao quickly replied.

Zhang Rongfang’s expression was complex; he had not anticipated that Qingxiao Daoist, who claims to be the chief of a province for the Zhenyi Sect, had not even worshipped the gods!

Despite not worshipping the gods, he possessed such formidable strength, highlighting his exceptional talent.