The restriction closed, and a towering figure burst out from the pavilion.
The man was massive, standing over two meters in height. His body was covered in solid muscle, and despite the bitterly cold weather, he left his upper body bare. His lower body was clad in only a short piece of animal hide. His exposed skin was unusual, bearing a purple-black hue, and his fists were astonishingly largeâthree times the size of an average personâs, resembling iron hammers. His aura was formidable, having reached the ninth layer of the Bone Refining Realm.
This was none other than the Sect Master of the Thousand Poison Sect, Peng Xiong, the Iron-Fist Poison King!
"Sect Master, itâs been years. How have you been lately?"
Wu Gui tossed Nie Jian onto the ground in front of Peng Xiong like a sandbag, casually fiddling with the Snow Blade in his hand. Though he addressed Peng Xiong as "Sect Master," his gaze was full of mockery, devoid of even a shred of respect.
Peng Xiongâs brows furrowed sharply upon seeing Wu Gui. "Wu Gui? What are you trying to do?" he demanded.
Nie Jian hurriedly complained, "Sect Master, Wu Gui has reached the ninth layer of the Bone Refining Realm! Heâs attempting to rebel!"
Peng Xiongâs heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he hastily extended his senses. When he detected an aura on Wu Gui that rivaled his own, his heart raced uncontrollably.
"How is that even possible?"
Though Peng Xiong typically paid little attention to sect affairs, he had always kept a close watch on key elders such as Nie Jian and Wu Gui. According to the information he had, Wu Gui had been lingering at the seventh layer of the Bone Refining Realm for years. Just a month ago, Wu Gui had announced his breakthrough to the eighth layer. How could he possibly reach the ninth layer in such a short period?
Peng Xiong knew Wu Guiâs talent wellâunder normal circumstances, Wu Gui would never have been able to advance to the ninth layer in this lifetime. Moreover, within the entire Red Cloud Prefecture, Peng Xiong had never heard of any Secret Technique or elixir capable of enabling someone to leap from the eighth to the ninth layer in just one month!
More crucially, Wu Guiâs aura was remarkably Perfect, indistinguishable from that of someone who had reached the Bone Refining Realm naturally through disciplined cultivation. It didnât bear the signs of enhancement via harmful elixirs known for severe side effects.
"Wu Gui, donât think that breaking into the ninth layer of the Bone Refining Realm allows you to act however you wish! Youâve just advanced, while Iâve been at this level for years. If we truly fight, youâll never be my match! Considering your years of service managing the sect, I am willing to forgive your transgressions. Return to the right path, and Iâll make you the Great Elder. As for the Snow Blade, Iâm willing to entrust it to you going forward!"
Wu Gui shrugged indifferently and said, "Great Elder? Second Elder? It makes no difference to me. But I do have one condition. If you agree, Iâd return the Snow Blade to the Great Elder without hesitation."
Peng Xiong raised a brow. "Whatâs the condition?"
"Itâs simpleâdeclare all-out war against the Holy Pill Sect!"
Peng Xiongâs face turned icy the moment he heard this. "Utter nonsense! Itâs impossible!"
Wu Gui shook his head. "Sect Master, I originally thought you were a wise man, but now I see you are as foolish as the Great Elder! For years, our Thousand Poison Sect has been growing discreetly, and our strength is worlds beyond what it once was. Not to mention, Iâve now reached the ninth layer of the Bone Refining Realm! Our enmity with the Holy Pill Sect runs deepâWen Mingyan has even now grasped Sword Intent. If we donât take this opportunity to eliminate them, do you think weâll stand a chance once Wen Mingyan reaches the ninth layer? Blind conservatism will only lead us to ruin!"
Peng Xiong snorted coldly. "Hmph! Though the Holy Pill Sect has indeed shown signs of decline over recent years in various conflicts, do you truly believe their centuries-deep foundations are just for show? Are you naĂŻve enough to think that the Red Dust Sword Master is truly missing? Iâll tell you clearlyâwhether itâs the Holy Pill Sect or the Haoyang Sect, they remain above us for good reason! Even your advancement to the ninth layer changes nothing!"
Though Wu Gui was the Thousand Poison Sectâs Second Elder and a prominent figure in the Red Cloud Prefecture, there were secrets beyond his reach due to the limits of his cultivationâamong them, the defenses of the two sects and the whereabouts of the Red Dust Sword Master as Peng Xiong described.
Though Wu Gui feared the Red Dust Sword Master, he felt emboldened now that he was aligned with the powerful Fire Worship Cult. His ambition soared to the heavens, and he no longer even spared the Governor Mansion or the Holy Pill Sect a glance.
"Ha! How can one achieve greatness by being timid like a rat? In that case, the only course left is to fight!"
Peng Xiong wasnât intimidated. As he had said, Wu Gui had only recently advanced to the ninth layer, whereas Peng Xiongâs cultivation was stable and his mastery of the Spirit Wheel far superior.
Though they were both at the same realm, Peng Xiong confidently believed he could defeat Wu Gui within thirty moves!
"Since you remain so defiant, letâs fight! Perhaps this will show you the disparity between us!"
Peng Xiong slammed his fists together, unleashing his ninth-layer Bone Refining Realm aura. A Spirit Wheel, three inches in diameter, emerged from his chest, and a layer of milky-white spiritual power rapidly enveloped his fists.
Wu Gui, eager to test his newly acquired combat strength, promptly summoned his own three-inch Spirit Wheel and charged forward with his sword.
When Peng Xiong noticed that Wu Guiâs Spirit Wheel matched his own in size, his heart sank.
"Dark Night Lion Roaring Slash!"
Knowing there was a gap between them, Wu Gui immediately unleashed his most powerful Martial Arts technique.
With the Snow Blade in hand, the power of the Dark Night Lion Roaring Slash was even more terrifying.
The lion-shaped phantom formed from ferocious Sword Qi opened its bloody maw, lunging for Peng Xiongâs head.
"Heh! It seems you havenât been idle these past years, mastering the Dark Night Lion Roaring Slash! But if this is all youâve got, then you might as well surrender obediently. It wasnât easy for you to reach this realm, and you remain a vital asset to the sectâIâd hate to destroy you."
Peng Xiong laughed grimly, and a surge of powerful fist energy erupted from his knuckles. He took a step forward and smashed his fists into the lion phantom.
"Fists Shatter the Eight Wilds!"
With a thunderous roar, dense yellow fist energy exploded, and the mighty sound of impact shattered the lion phantom created by Wu Guiâs Dark Night Lion Roaring Slash.
Wu Gui dared not take things lightly and retreated hastily while swinging the Snow Blade to unleash bursts of powerful Sword Qi toward Peng Xiong.
From Peng Xiongâs earlier strike, he had already gleaned Wu Guiâs limitsâWu Guiâs mastery of the Spirit Wheel was rudimentary at best. Otherwise, Peng Xiong wouldnât have been able to disperse the Dark Night Lion Roaring Slash so effortlessly.
Having tested Wu Guiâs strength, Peng Xiong became more intentional in his offense. The Spirit Wheel on his chest rotated rapidly, channeling spiritual power into his fists. Each swing of his fists produced sonic booms, effortlessly destroying the Sword Qi that Wu Gui released!
When the two closed within two meters, Peng Xiong leapt into the air, merging his fists and smashing downward toward Wu Gui.
At this moment, Peng Xiongâs fists radiated a brilliant yellow light, their power far exceeding even the prior Fists Shatter the Eight Wilds.
Wu Gui panicked and shouted, "Skyfire Lord, help me!"
"Hmm? Thereâs someone else?"
Though intrigued, Peng Xiong didnât halt his attack, sending his mountain-like fists crashing toward Wu Gui.
"Peng Sect Master, thatâs enough. Since weâre all one family, why not sit down and talk?"
The Skyfire War General revealed himself, a faint red glow shimmering on his raised right hand. Remarkably, he stopped Peng Xiongâs fists with ease using just one hand.
Looking down, Peng Xiong gasped in shock. "A five-inch Spirit Wheel!"
Peng Xiong immediately retreated, distancing himself from the Skyfire War General and eyeing him warily.
A five-inch Spirit Wheelâcurrently, the only one in the Red Cloud Prefecture belonged to Lord Red Cloud.
The Skyfire War Generalâs ability to effortlessly block Peng Xiongâs attack rendered his combat strength unquestionable.
Peng Xiong regarded the Skyfire War General with a grim expression. "Who are you? Your aura is unfamiliarâI donât recall anyone like you in the Red Cloud Prefecture. My Thousand Poison Sect has no quarrel with you; why interfere in our sectâs affairs?"
The Skyfire War General chuckled. "I simply wish to deliver boundless fortune to your Thousand Poison Sectâitâs up to you whether to accept it. As for my identity, why donât you take a look at this?"
The Skyfire War General struck out with his palm, releasing red spiritual power that formed a distinct flame insignia in the air.
Seeing the flame insignia, Peng Xiongâs expression grew even darker. "Youâre from the Fire Worship Cult?"
The Skyfire War General placed his hands behind his back and nodded. "Fire Worship Cultâs Skyfire War General, indeed. So, whatâs it to beâshall we talk, or fight first and talk later?"