Chapter 185

Since the crisis is over, there's no reason to keep anyone in the secret chamber, especially with many guests who came for the conference.

People traveled a long way attracted by your name; your gathering hasn't even started yet and it's already being slammed, and now the whole sect, along with the guests, is forced to stay hidden, which won't reflect well if it spreads.

Therefore, after leaving Chen Jin'er's room, Niu Dingtian went straight to the secret passage entrance, passed through more than ten traps, and finally, ten li away, met several groups of Black Crow in a few secret chambers.

"Leader!"

"Niu Leader?"

"Niu Leader has arrived!"

"Niu Leader! What exactly happened outside? Can everyone leave now?"

…

When Niu Dingtian suddenly appeared, the previously subdued secret room instantly became lively, but most people wore anxious and uneasy expressions.

Only the Divine Sect's subordinates and Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie seemed relatively calm.

"Everyone, quiet!"

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian looked around, gave a soft shout, and the secret room fell silent at once.

Then, he clasped his fists and said gravely, "Tonight Shaolin Temple's awakening colluded with a reclusive master, intending to abduct a friend of mine in Xiangyang City and seize the sword I wield, which caused the great battle in the city."

"The Divine Sect, to avoid harming the innocent, brought you all here overnight; now the enemy is seriously wounded and has fled, so everyone may leave now!"

The crowd heard this, and their uneasy emotions suddenly calmed considerably.

But as martial artists, no one is uninterested in a showdown between masters, so they couldn't help but scramble to ask for details.

"Niu Leader, do you know how the awakened master was injured? Could you tell us about that reclusive master?"

"Exactly! Since Shaolin Temple dared to strike the Divine Sect, does Niu Leader intend to go to war with them?"

"I think we should damn them! I've long been fed up with those bald donkeys! Not only do they seize fertile fields and get rich, but they also wear a righteous martial‑arts façade!"

At that remark, someone immediately responded, "If Niu Leader attacks Shaolin Temple, I, from the Songshan Sect, will be the first to step forward!"

Songshan Sect? Niu Dingtian couldn't help but look surprised, while the speaker turned out to be a third‑rank martial artist with a dark face.

Such a straightforward stance, and considering the opponent's sect location, they would also need to provide some support in return.

No need to elaborate on the battle situation; interested friends can go to the city after sunrise to take a look.

"As for whether and when to wage war on Shaolin Temple, given the gravity of the matter, the Divine Sect will decide during the conference."

"Regarding the reclusive master, what I, Niu, said may not be believed; perhaps after sunrise you can go to the city to inquire. However, I can reveal his cultivation level to you."

At this point, everyone turned to Niu Dingtian, especially Huang Lao Xie and Yi Deng, whose gazes burned.

The two, unlike the others present, naturally understood what forcing Niu Dingtian into this situation implied.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian said, "That person's cultivation is so high that few in the world can match him; his power not only generates yang from extreme yin, but he has also transformed a male body into a female form. I, Niu, almost died at his hands tonight."

"What? Male body, female appearance?"

"How is that possible? Is he a man or a woman?"

"Our sect's founder once said that extreme yin producing yang or extreme yang producing yin is the pinnacle of martial arts; no wonder even Niu Leader almost died at that person's hands!"

After hearing Niu Dingtian, everyone in the secret room wore incredulous expressions and began whispering among themselves.

"Niu Resident, what realm is that person actually at?" Yi Deng clasped both hands, his face solemn, and asked.

He and Huang Lao Xie had already seen that Niu Dingtian seemed intent on revealing this information to outsiders, and even a few sentences had indeed hit their G‑point.

Huang Lao Xie, naturally arrogant and self‑assured, despised playing the sidekick before the crowd; he and Yi Deng, both monks, cared little about this, so he simply took over the conversation.

"Primordial Peak."

Niu Dingtian said lightly.

"Primordial Peak?" Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie couldn't help but gasp in unison, their faces shocked.

"Exactly, Primordial Peak."

Niu Dingtian's expression remained calm, he nodded lightly, and was extremely pleased with their reaction.

Some things, when shown by oneself versus by others, are vastly different.

The situation of tonight's battle, whether I speak of it or the others go to the city to investigate, is also vastly different.

Niu Dingtian felt it necessary to popularize the hierarchy of realms.

What allows the Divine Sect to evade its edge isn't some petty creature; it is the pinnacle of human martial way, the apex of mortal strength.

Regardless of the process, the end result was that the Ancestor Sunflower lost an arm and fled; I, Niu Dingtian, won, and the label 'World's No. 1' must be firmly affixed to my head.

That's genuine charisma.

After Niu Dingtian's confirmation, Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie exchanged a glance, still in disbelief.

If the opponent is at Primordial Peak and Niu Dingtian can successfully repel them, isn't this guy just half a step away from transcending mortal limits? Seeing Niu Dingtian's calm demeanor, Yi Deng and Huang Lao Xie couldn't help but drum in their hearts.

"May I ask Master Yi Deng, what does 'Primordial' mean?"

At this moment, among the murmuring crowd, the head of the Kunlun Sect, Qing Lingzi, looked puzzled, clasped his fists, and stepped forward.

Hearing this, Yi Deng snapped back, glanced at Niu Dingtian, saw his slight nod, then clasped his hands together before the crowd and said slowly:

"For us martial artists, once our skills enter the stream, they are classified sequentially as third grade, second grade, and first grade."

"Above first grade are Grandmaster masters; above Grandmasters are Great Grandmasters; above Great Grandmasters is the Primordial Great Grandmaster."

"What Niu Resident just mentioned is the peak realm of a Primordial Great Grandmaster, which is already the utmost of mortal martial arts. Anything beyond has transcended worldly abilities and exists only in vague legend; hearing more is of little benefit to you."

The crowd, upon hearing this, seemed to have opened the door to a new world, all hearts soaring with longing. Until now they only knew training to become stronger, and now they finally glimpsed a clear path.

"What does the 'World's No. 1' title from the Huashan Sword Debate mean? If this person advances further, wouldn't he transcend the ordinary? Seeing the crowd's reaction, Yi Deng's eyes twinkled, and he said with a smile, 'Perhaps you all have no concept of the distinctions between realms.'"

"More than ten years ago at the Huashan Sword Debate, I, a humble monk, did not know the realm of Master Chongyang, but the Four Lords—East Evil, West Poison, South Emperor, and North Beggar—were only at the peak of the Master realm."

"I, a humble monk, was also fortunate; this year I broke through to Great Grandmaster, so in my eyes, Niu Resident truly deserves the title of World's No. 1."

"Master Yi Deng, you are overpraised!" Niu Dingtian waved his hand modestly and said.

"I, Niu, do not dare claim to be the World's No. 1; today I explain the invading person's cultivation realm to you all, precisely to tell you that the path of the martial way is long and arduous."

"I, Niu Dingtian, do not need the title of 'Number One Under Heaven,' and the Divine Sect does not need my exalted position as a martial‑world titan; we only wish to work with fellow martial artists to promote the prosperity of the martial way and the flourishing of the martial world."

"Good fellow, when did this kid's enlightenment become so high?"

Huang Lao Xie and Yi Deng exchanged a glance, and in their hearts harbored ten thousand doubts about this statement.

Finally, Niu Dingtian clasped his fists and said:

"Please forgive any neglect tonight, and now I ask everyone to step out of the secret chamber and return to your lodgings."

"Friends who have taken residence within the city must remember to go back and check; if any lodgings or property were affected or lost, the Divine Sect will compensate at full price!"

After speaking, Niu Dingtian nodded toward Niu Kui as a signal.

Niu Kui, seeing this, led his subordinates to orderly escort the group out of the secret passage.

"Are you sending them to inspect the property, or to see the lingering might of your battle?"

After the others left, only Niu Dingtian, Huang Lao Xie, and Yi Deng remained in the secret chamber; Huang Lao Xie's words were no longer courteous.

Yi Deng heard this and smiled.

Niu Dingtian let out a chuckle.

Then, with a look of deep meaning, he said, "Uncle and Master Yi Deng, if you wish to know the innate power, you may now go into the city to take a look."

After a moment's thought, he slowly extended three fingers toward the two.

"Only three moves!"

Upon hearing this, as Niu Dingtian had expected, Huang Lao Xie and Yi Deng promptly took their leave and hurried out of the secret chamber.

"Sect Leader!"

As the two had just taken a step forward, Niu Kui entered.

"Where are the Deputy Sect Leader and the others?" Niu Dingtian asked.

Since he entered the secret chamber, he saw many faces missing, but had been busy stabilizing morale and hadn't inquired.

Niu Kui clasped his fists and said, "The Deputy Sect Leader has escorted the remaining people to outside the secret exit; the lady said that with many people, gossip could reveal the exit location, so she placed the outsiders here."

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod.

Although the secret passage exit lies deep in the mountains, if a swarm of people poured out, it wouldn't be too hard for a diligent person to locate it later.

Then, perhaps thinking of a tricky matter, Niu Dingtian furrowed his brows and paced within the secret chamber.

After a while, he suddenly halted, looked at Niu Kui, and calmly said, "By the way, the two people Yang Kang brought back tonight—have they ever met my senior sister?"

Niu Kui shook his head: "After returning, we assigned two guards to watch over the person they carried back, and they have stayed by the lady's side without leaving a step; they were the same when exiting the secret chamber."

Niu Dingtian heard this and let out a sigh of relief.

He feared that Yang Tiexin's current foolish demeanor would trigger Sister Bao's guilt, and that guilt combined with compassion, plus any lingering old feelings, might cause her to simply run away. After pondering for a long while, Niu Dingtian's eyes brightened, and he suddenly gestured for Niu Kui.

Niu Kui approached, and Niu Dingtian whispered, "Later, go see to it that the father and daughter are placed in the small courtyard where Sun Grandmother lives, just in the adjacent room; remember not to let them stray far."

"Also, the young lady lacks experience; you tell Sun Grandmother the situation, ask her to give some guidance and take care of them, just say you're not an outsider. Sun Grandmother has a good heart and will surely agree."

Niu Kui, hearing this, nodded as if half‑understood, and seeing Niu Dingtian say no more, clenched his fist and hurried away.

Half an hour later, all personnel outside the secret passage exit had returned to their lodgings.

Following Niu Dingtian's orders, Niu Kui brought Mu Nianci and the now dazed Yang Tiexin to Sun Grandmother's small courtyard.

"Young Hero Niu, you… has the Sect Leader been injured tonight?"

At the courtyard gate, Mu Nianci glanced at the two beside her, hesitated, then quietly asked Niu Kui about Niu Dingtian's condition.

After all, they had exchanged sentiments and given each other tokens of affection; being able to wait until now to speak was already difficult.

Niu Kui, hearing this, felt something stir, and laughed, "I am unaware of the Sect Leader's injuries, but since he has already appeared, I suppose there is no serious problem."

"If Miss Mu is uneasy, she may go to Doumu Palace to check; the Sect Leader is most likely there now."

"No…no need, I'm just asking." Mu Nianci quickly waved her hand, her face slightly flushed.

Having seen some people on the mountain tonight, her heart suddenly felt a bit empty.

After returning from the secret passage, she greatly wanted to see Niu Dingtian, yet felt a bit fearful.

Niu Kui smiled, unbothered, lightly knocked the courtyard gate a few times, and said, "Miss Mu and her esteemed father are staying in this small courtyard; the Sect Leader will come to visit when he has free time."

"The Sun Grandmother in the courtyard has a good heart; the Sect Leader said Miss Mu may call a guard if she has matters, or seek Sun Grandmother's assistance."

"Much obliged, Young Hero Niu!"

"Much obliged, both of you!"

Mu Nianci heard this and gave a solemn thanks.

As the footsteps in the courtyard grew nearer, she was also helped by the two guards beside her to support her father, Yang Tiexin. (End of chapter)