Chapter 183: Power Upon Power! The Wu Wei Sect

Beneath a clear blue sky, dark clouds rolled in, obscuring the sun.

A cold wind swept the empty street, making the Daoist robe flutter violently.

Zhang Fan stared, bewildered, at the Daoist approaching from afar—his frame gaunt, absurdly dwarfed by the oversized robe, his aura so peculiar it seemed to warp the air around him.

Li Li Chengge, watching the newcomer, felt his hand resting on Zhang Fan's shoulder tremble involuntarily.

Zhang Fan's curiosity deepened—who was this man, to unsettle even the Master of Laoshan?

"Ming Ming Shenshou!"

Li Li Chengge's face grew grave as he uttered a name Zhang Fan had never heard before.

"Li Zhangjiao, you have a good memory—you still remember me."

The gaunt Daoist in the vast robe grinned, his expression wild and unrestrained.

"Of course I remember you…"

"The Lord of Jianggong—Ming Ming Shenshou!"

Li Li Chengge's gaze never wavered, locked onto the man as if facing a mortal enemy.

"Fate has brought us together again—you've become the head of a sect now," Ming Ming Shenshou murmured, his smile forever inscrutable.

"The last time we met was still within the Wu Wei Gate…"

"Come to think of it, you were the only spy in thirty years to infiltrate the Wu Wei Gate's sacred grounds—remarkable indeed."

Ming Ming Shenshou's praise made Zhang Fan glance at Li Li Chengge beside him.

Just those few words revealed much: this man, Ming Ming Shenshou, was clearly a top-tier expert from the Wu Wei Gate—so formidable that even the Master of Laoshan feared him.

Moreover, Li Li Chengge had once been a Daoist spy, embedded deep within the Wu Wei Gate in his youth.

Though the Daoist sects and the Wu Wei Gate had battled for decades, each infiltrating the other relentlessly, the Wu Wei Gate's sacred grounds had remained unknown to all these years.

Li Li Chengge had actually entered the Wu Wei Gate's sacred grounds—their very foundation—truly unbelievable.

No wonder he rose to become Master of Laoshan; perhaps it was precisely because of that feat.

"Ming Ming Shenshou, what are you doing here?"

"You know full well—the pact made decades ago between San Shi Dao Ren and Chao Ran Zhen Ren forbade the Wu Wei Gate from…" Li Li Chengge said grimly.

Over sixty years ago, Chu Chu Chaoran had struck a pact with San Shi Dao Ren: the Wu Wei Gate must remain secluded, preserving only a faint spark of its lineage; its disciples must never fight the Daoist sects or recklessly harvest souls in the mortal realm.

Because of this, the world had known sixty years of peace after the Eastern Little Yue Duel, and the Wu Wei Gate had lain dormant, rarely showing its face.

But in recent years, the Wu Wei Gate had begun to stir from its ashes—and now, even its Lord of Jianggong had emerged.

"Sixty years have passed—the pact is void."

Ming Ming Shenshou grinned, his shadowy gaze settling on Zhang Fan beside him.

"The Three Pure Fires—the commotion a few days ago—was that your doing, little brat?"

As he spoke, Ming Ming Shenshou sniffed the air, as if tracking Zhang Fan's scent, his expression one of rapture.

"Still a trace left—worth the long journey."

"Pity—the Three Pure Fires are wasted on a child like you. You can't even begin to unleash their true power."

At these words, Zhang Fan's brow twitched in shock.

It had been days since his duel with Li Li Changgeng—yet this Daoist could smell the residue of the Three Pure Fires on him!?

Huh…

Simultaneously, Li Li Chengge instinctively reached out, pulling Zhang Fan behind him, his icy gaze fixed on the man ahead.

This small gesture felt like a direct challenge to Ming Ming Shenshou's authority—his smile slowly faded.

"Li Zhangjiao, let's end our reunion. Hand over the boy."

"Do you take me for a corpse?" Li Li Chengge growled.

"Then become one." Ming Ming Shenshou said calmly.

Boom…

Before the words faded, a terrifying aura erupted from Li Li Chengge, surging skyward—instantly, blazing flames erupted around him, so fierce they blasted Zhang Fan backward.

"Is this also Daoist true fire?"

Zhang Fan landed hard, eyes wide, his vision distorted—Li Li Chengge's figure vanished within the roaring flames, as if he had become one with them.

The blazing fire intensified, then surged like a tidal wave, flooding the entire street toward Ming Ming Shenshou.

The torrent of true fire dwarfed Zhang Fan's Fire Dragon Sword by countless times over.

Flames shot into the heavens, filling all sight with fire.

The spectacle stole Zhang Fan's breath—the air itself seemed consumed by the inferno.

"Is this the power of the Master of Laoshan?" Zhang Fan's eyes twitched in disbelief.

Since entering the High Skill realm, he had considered himself accomplished—especially after defeating Li Li Changgeng, his confidence soared.

Yet now, compared to Li Li Chengge's earth-shaking Daoist art, his own minor cultivation meant nothing.

Zhang Fan knew—he still had a long road ahead.

"Laoshan Great Flow Flame!"

Facing the skyward inferno, Ming Ming Shenshou stood still—then suddenly swept his sleeve, the cuff flaring open like a sack.

The roaring true fire surged into the sleeve, each stream dissolving as it entered—until the entire street-consuming fire vanished completely.

"Daoist technique—Sleeve Containing Heaven and Earth!?"

Zhang Fan stared, unblinking, at the open sleeve—watching the once-mighty flames vanish without a trace.

He had read of it in the Daoist Secret Records: the legendary technique, Sleeve Containing Heaven and Earth—not a literal pocket holding heaven and earth, but a vessel capable of absorbing boundless methods and nullifying all calamities.

Boom…

With the Laoshan Great Flow Flame gone, the heat still swirling, Li Li Chengge's figure reappeared—he leapt, merging with the wind, his speed surpassing even Li Li Changgeng's Golden Light Ground Leap.

At this level, the Master of Laoshan's every motion carried supernatural power—in simple terms, his basic strikes outclassed others' ultimate techniques.

Hum…

Yet at that moment, the ground trembled, Zhang Fan's third eye throbbed—he saw the earth beneath them shift like a moving walkway, reversing toward Ming Ming Shenshou. In an instant, Li Li Chengge was thrown backward, landing right before the man.

"Daoist technique—Shrinking Earth to Inch!?"

Zhang Fan froze. Aside from Li Li Changgeng, this was the second person he'd seen wielding two great techniques.

Most crucially, Ming Ming Shenshou wielded them with effortless mastery—his precision and power far beyond what Zhang Fan or Li Li Changgeng could achieve.

Huh…

In an instant, Li Li Chengge moved, closing the distance to within five steps of Ming Ming Shenshou—while the latter extended his right hand, which suddenly swelled before Zhang Fan's eyes.

Bones cracked and popped like snapping beans, each segment exploding outward, muscles and skin stretching with them…

The hand ballooned into a monstrous, excavator-like claw.

"Daoist technique—Size Alteration!?"

Zhang Fan gaped, staring at Ming Ming Shenshou in disbelief.

Size Alteration—legend said once awakened, one could freely enlarge or shrink any part of the body at will.

"Is this even human!?" Zhang Fan whispered.

This technique might not match the Three Pure Fires in rank or power—but counting Size Alteration, Ming Ming Shenshou had now revealed three Daoist techniques.

The colossal hand clamped down on Li Li Chengge, crushing force surging forth—capable of shattering metal and splitting stone, ready to grind the Master of Laoshan into pulp.

Hum…

Suddenly, a subtle ripple spread—Li Li Chengge's body seemed to dissolve into the air, his shadow vanishing from the ground—the giant hand passed straight through him.

"Daoist technique—No Shadow on Ground!" Zhang Fan gasped.

He had read of it in ancient Daoist texts: one so refined that even sunlight passed through them, leaving no shadow—formless, unreal.

Huh…

Seizing the opening, Li Li Chengge drifted backward, landing ten meters away.

"Li Zhangjiao, I recall when you left the Wu Wei Gate—you hadn't awakened any technique yet…"

Ming Ming Shenshou's lips curled slightly, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"No Shadow on Ground is a fine technique. Hand over the boy—and you—both to me."

As he spoke, Ming Ming Shenshou stepped forward—he moved…

Until now, he had stood utterly still…

Yet now, with just one step, it was as if he had crossed the divide between life and death—Zhang Fan's face paled, the light before him vanishing.

Boom… At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed from above.

Zhang Fan looked up—black clouds loomed overhead.

The sudden clouds were unnatural, as if heaven itself raged—a brilliant lightning bolt struck down with blinding speed, aiming straight for Ming Ming Shenshou.

"Liu Liu Nan Xu—you came too!" Ming Ming Shenshou roared, instantly engulfed by the lightning—destructive waves shattered the ground, kicking up towering dust clouds.

"Three Tian Shi…" Zhang Fan's heart surged.

This lightning was no mere Five Thunder Method powered by cultivation like Xia Xia Weisheng's—it wasn't even a thunder technique at all, but a true lightning summoned by harmonizing one's inner microcosm with heaven's macrocosm.

Only a Three Tian Shi, having merged with heaven and earth, could wield such power.

Indeed, through the lingering lightning, a Daoist walked slowly from the end of the twisted street—his aura surpassing even Li Li Chengge's.

Liu Liu Nan Xu—one of the Three Three Tian Shi of Zhenwu Mountain.

No one expected this world-class master to cross a thousand miles, leave Jiangbei, descend from Zhenwu, and appear in this tiny Luoxia Town.

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"Heh—he came just in time. Let's kill them all today."

At that moment, a cold laugh emerged from the scattered lightning.

Zhang Fan's eyelid twitched as the dust cleared; Ming Ming Shenshou walked forward slowly, his robes torn, his skin slightly charred, yet otherwise unharmed.

"He didn't die!?" Zhang Fan's heart surged with astonishment.

Just now, that thunderbolt—if it had been me, I'd be lucky to gather just a handful of ashes.

"Lord of Jianggong!"

Liu Liu Nan Xu's gaze was as still as water, as if facing a great enemy.

Li Li Chengge slowly stepped back, forming a pincer formation with Liu Liu Nan Xu, surrounding Ming Ming Shenshou in the center; the latter paid no mind, merely brushing dust from his clothes, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Thud… Thud… Thud…

Suddenly, a strange sound came from far away, like a drum beating, like a heart pounding.

Ming Ming Shenshou paused, looking toward the direction the sound came from, then shook his head with a hint of regret.

"Looks like I won't get to finish today."

"Are you leaving before the Lord of Jianggong has had a chance to instruct you?" Liu Liu Nan Xu sensed something, his voice low and sharp.

Hearing this, Ming Ming Shenshou let out a faint smile.

"Liu Liu Nan Xu, though you've attained the title of Three Tian Shi, if I wish to leave, no one in the world can stop me."

Boom… Boom… Boom…

Before his words faded, Ming Ming Shenshou and Liu Liu Nan Xu moved almost simultaneously…

Liu Liu Nan Xu surged like thunder, appearing in the very spot where Ming Ming Shenshou had stood in a single breath—his terrifying power shattered everything within a ten-meter radius…

Yet beneath that overwhelming force, Ming Ming Shenshou turned into a lingering afterimage, soaring into the air—until even that afterimage vanished.

"Daoist divine art—Feishen Feishen Tuji!?"

Liu Liu Nan Xu frowned, staring at where the afterimage had disappeared—he knew Ming Ming Shenshou was gone, beyond pursuit.

"No wonder he dared to be so arrogant—no one in this world can stop him…"

"Over the years, he's stolen many divine arts."

At that moment, Li Li Chengge walked over, his expression grave.

"Greetings, Li Zhangjiao." Liu Liu Nan Xu bowed.

"No need for formalities, Brother Dao." Li Li Chengge waved his hand.

Though he was the Master of Laoshan, Liu Liu Nan Xu was the Three Tian Shi of Zhenwu Mountain; in seniority and dignity, they were nearly equal.

Liu Liu Nan Xu said nothing more, turned his gaze afar, and beckoned.

"Zhang Fan, come here."

Only now did Zhang Fan regain his composure and approach the two masters.

"Greetings, Lord Liu."

At this moment, Zhang Fan did not forget propriety—he had never met Liu Liu Nan Xu before, but after hearing Ming Ming Shenshou's words, he now knew this man was the famed Three Tian Shi of Zhenwu Mountain.

"Li Zhangjiao, is this boy truly a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain?" Li Li Chengge asked, studying him.

"I came down the mountain specifically for him," Liu Liu Nan Xu nodded, not hiding it.

"Oh!?" Li Li Chengge's expression turned thoughtful.

He was no ordinary man—he needed no further questions. For the great Liu Three Tian Shi to travel a thousand miles for a mere youth spoke volumes.

"No wonder he awakened Sanmei Zhenhuo—only Zhenwu Mountain could mold a disciple like this," Li Li Chengge murmured.

"Is he your disciple?"

"No—he is my Master's disciple," Liu Liu Nan Xu whispered.

At these words, even Li Li Chengge's expression changed—he turned sharply, staring at Zhang Fan with disbelief.

The "Master" Liu Liu Nan Xu referred to was none other than the sole living Zhenren of this world: Chu Chu Chaoran.

"Disciple of Zhenren Chu Chaoran!?"

Li Li Chengge fell silent, studying Zhang Fan with astonishment—as if seeing him anew.

Zhang Fan, unnerved by the Laoshan Master's gaze, quickly asked: "Sir, how did that man acquire so many divine arts?"

"Divine arts are bestowed by Heaven—even the rarest among ten thousand may awaken only one, and that is already immense fortune," Liu Liu Nan Xu said solemnly.

"No one in this world can awaken two or more divine arts," Li Li Chengge recovered, speaking calmly.

"Almost no one," Liu Liu Nan Xu added, glancing at Zhang Fan with subtle intent.

"Then he…" Zhang Fan pondered.

Xiuli Wang Qiankun, Suodi Chengcun, Daxiao Ruyi, Feishen Feishen Tuji—Ming Ming Shenshou had just displayed four divine arts. If what Liu Liu Nan Xu and Li Li Chengge said was true—that no one could awaken even two—then this man was a miracle.

"He did awaken a divine art, but it is only seventh rank. In a sense, his original art holds no power whatsoever," Li Li Chengge said gravely.

Divine arts are ranked in seven tiers; Ming Ming Shenshou's original art was merely seventh rank. Had no other divine arts existed, his power would be worthless—but Pianpian …

"His original art is called 【Steal and Transform Divine Mechanism】. It forcibly strips divine arts from others and claims them as his own," Li Li Chengge's face turned icy.

"So that means…" Zhang Fan's heart leapt—he instantly grasped the truth.

"Every divine art you saw was taken from someone else."

Thus, in this world—especially before this man—revealing one's divine art was extremely dangerous. He took pleasure in hunting them.

"This madman… who is he?" Zhang Fan couldn't help asking.

"He is the Lord of Jianggong," Liu Liu Nan Xu said calmly.

"Lord of Jianggong? A disciple of Wu Wei Men? I've never heard of him before…" Zhang Fan blurted.

His knowledge of Wu Wei Men was limited to the 【Thirteen Zodiacs】—the only great masters he knew.

"Wu Wei Men is vast and mysterious. Its survival over so many years is no accident."

Li Li Chengge murmured softly, a flicker of memory in his eyes.

For years, the Daoist sects had sought Wu Wei Men's sacred grounds—without success.

In his youth, Li Li Chengge had infiltrated Wu Wei Men as a spy and once visited their sacred grounds—but afterward, everything became hazy, and he could never find it again.

"That place is incredibly mysterious…" Li Li Chengge murmured.

Wu Wei Men's sacred ground was an extraordinarily arcane temple.

Before its gate hung two plaques, each inscribed with:

Divine Immortal Sect Hall, Wu Wei Household.

The entire temple was built according to the human body's cultivation diagram.

If the Thirteen Zodiacs were the Dragon Spine guardians, linking front to back and top to bottom, then the central axis of this temple housed three halls.

"These three halls correspond to the upper, middle, and lower dantians of the human body: 【Yuangong】, 【Jianggong】, and 【Xuanguan】…"

"The three hall lords possess earth-shattering cultivation. The one you just met is the Lord of Jianggong—Ming Ming Shenshou," Liu Liu Nan Xu said gravely.

Dao cultivators exhaustively explore the mysteries of the human body, discovering three dantians within, holding secrets to immortality.

The lower Upper Dantian, three cun below the navel, is called Qihai, also known as 【Xuanguan】—the Yin-Yang gate where ordinary people conceive children, and Daoists give birth to their bodies.

The middle Upper Dantian, at the heart's Tianzhong point, is called Shenfu, also known as 【Jianggong】—the sea of bodily fluids, the gateway of blood and qi.

The upper Upper Dantian, three cun above the brow, is called Niwan, also known as 【Yuangong】—the root of all spirits, the soul's sovereign!!!

These three halls hold the secret to immortality—hence the saying: "If you preserve the golden elixir in the three halls, you shall ascend to heaven in broad daylight and join the ranks of the immortals!!!"

(End of Chapter)