Chapter 420: Wang Xianzhi vs. Deng Taie

East Sea.

The night is vast, and the sea breeze blows.

On the edge of the East Sea stands a towering, majestic city, which, under the cover of night, resembles a giant beast crouching in wait.

——Wudi City.

The city of the World's Second, the old monster Wang Xianzhi.

It is late, and the ten thousand lights in the city have all been extinguished, yet several figures stand upon the walls, gazing out at the sea, among them Sanlu, the sword-boy of Deng Taie.

Clutching his sword, Sanlu peers through the vast night toward the sea; though it is a blur, he does not look away.

He silently thinks to himself: "Master, if you defeat Wang Laoguai, I will let you ride the donkey while I walk from now on."

Boom—!!

The surface of the East Sea churns, waves rising in thousands of layers, one pushing the next, surging forward in tiers; the crests rising from the sea reach dozens of zhang, like a massive city wall.

It is twelve Flying Swords that stir the raging waves; the sword light twists and changes on the sea surface with astonishing speed, like an aurora illuminating the dark night. The long swords pull out long, winding, and turbulent currents, making one think that several Flood Dragons are stirring up the sea.

If a mortal were to see this scene, they would likely kneel down and pray for the Sea Dragon King to calm his fury.

And looking across the entire world, only one person can command such profound Flying Sword techniques—the Peach Blossom Sword God, Deng Taie.

Deng Taie wears a green robe, and the gentle smile that usually hangs on his lips is gone, replaced by a serious and earnest expression, which gives his otherwise plain face a unique charm.

In the center of the killing formation formed by the twelve Flying Swords, one person stands tall.

With white beard and white hair, clad in a fluttering black robe, he is tall and burly, like a mountain or a peak, standing barefoot in the center of the raging waves. Though he is but one man, it is as if Wudi City and the East Sea itself are bowing to him.

With such a towering aura, who else could it be but Wang Xianzhi, who has sat firmly as the World's Second for many years?

Wang Xianzhi has guarded Wudi City for over half a century; neither the Deng Taie of the past, nor Cao Guanzi, nor the nameless Sword Artisan of Western Shu, had ever been able to make him leave the city to fight.

But the current Deng Taie has the qualifications to make Wang Xianzhi leave the city.

After all, if they were to fight within the city, who knows how many buildings would be destroyed.

Swish, swish, swish!!

The Flying Swords weave back and forth, whipping up waves dozens of zhang high, carrying the pressure of ten thousand jun like a mountain or a peak; ordinary experts would likely be crushed into meat paste before they could even touch the Flying Swords.

But Wang Xianzhi's figure remains unmoving, like a boulder that has existed on the coast for ten thousand years, unmoved by the crashing waves. His right hand is balled into a fist, striking out repeatedly; the force of his punches billows, whipping up hurricanes and gales on the sea surface.

Let you have a thousand changes and ten thousand supernatural powers; I shall settle it with a single punch.

This is Wang Xianzhi.

The World's Second, Wang Xianzhi.

The two trade blows, and in no time, they have exchanged over a hundred moves.

The sea surface is a scene of apocalypse, with waves raging like fury and billows rising like pillars; even a battle between Land Immortals would not have such momentum.

Wang Xianzhi's expression suddenly turns solemn, his gaze lowering to look at the sea; he raises his fist high and strikes out, hitting the twelve Flying Swords head-on as they emerge from beneath the sea.

Boom!

Boom—!!

In an instant, the force of the punch vibrates, and the entire East Sea seems to turn into a volcano, erupting completely, triggering a tsunami dozens of zhang high that surges in all directions.

This is the punch that decides the outcome.

This punch is enough to make the heavens lose their color and the sun and moon grow dim.

"A fine Wang Xianzhi; defeating you is indeed not easy."

Deng Taie's face is pale, and a trickle of blood spills from the corner of his mouth.

He raises a finger and chants "Return," and the twelve Flying Swords return to their case with ease, though their luster is much dimmer.

"You have improved quickly; perhaps one day, you will become the new Martial Emperor of the world." Wang Xianzhi stands with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. His tall and burly figure seems capable of supporting the heavens and the earth.

"Not long ago, I met another swordsman whose sword technique was ingenious and gave me much inspiration; by verifying it against my own Sword Technique, I have reached a higher level." A warm smile returns to Deng Taie's face, and he is not in the least discouraged by his defeat.

Wang Xianzhi knits his brows: "Could it be that you are speaking of Murong Tonghuang?"

Deng Taie nods: "It is indeed him."

Wang Xianzhi says: "I have also heard of his reputation, and there is even a legend that he 'broke three thousand cavalry with a flick of his finger'; I wonder if it is true or false?"

Deng Taie laughs: "The flick of a finger is indeed an exaggeration, but he did indeed break three thousand cavalry alone, and with ease."

Wang Xianzhi's eyes brighten: "You seem to hold this person in high regard?"

"If there is anyone in the world today who can defeat you, Wang Xianzhi, and sit firmly in the position of World's First, then he is the most likely candidate."

Deng Taie turns to leave, but after taking two steps, he pauses: "He is currently only in the Vajra Realm and is likely already at the Beiliang Prince Mansion; once he has viewed all the secret manuals in the Tingchao Pavilion and breaks through his barrier, he will definitely be able to give you a surprise, though I do not know if you have the patience to wait."

Having said this, he leaves, treading upon the sea.

"Murong Tonghuang, is it? Truly something for me to look forward to."

Wang Xianzhi looks up at the moon and mutters to himself. He suddenly stamps his foot, and a strange power spreads out; the previously turbulent East Sea is instantly flattened.

For a moment, the East Sea is silent, the entire surface of the sea like a sheet of glass.

"Very well, I will wait for you."

……

Led by the Prince, Xu Fengnian, Yu Liancheng and the other two enter the Beiliang Prince Mansion without the slightest obstruction.

To the people of the Edo, the Beiliang Prince Mansion is one of the three great forbidden zones, alongside Wudi City and the Wu Family Sword Tomb.

Wudi City has an old monster who looks down upon all the experts in the world.

The Wu Family Sword Tomb has a large group of withered swordsmen who are only allowed to use or even touch a sword for their entire lives.

And the Beiliang Prince Mansion, besides the visible Beiliang Iron Cavalry guards, has countless hidden experts who have never appeared in the world.

Over the years, experts attempting to assassinate Xu Fengnian or the Great Pillar Kingdom have been as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river, yet not one has been able to make a splash. For uninvited guests, the danger is even greater than that of the others.

Yu Liancheng soon meets the Great Pillar Kingdom, Xu Xiao.

His stature is not tall, and his appearance is even more unremarkable; when he campaigned in Western Chu, his left leg was struck by a stray arrow, leaving him with a slight limp. Now, he is even slightly hunched, as if bearing the heavy burden of three hundred thousand vengeful ghosts and spirits. With a smiling expression, he looks just like a wealthy man.

"Oh my, this must be the Heavenly Venerable Murong from the rumors of the pugilistic world. If not for your protection along the way, my child would surely have suffered a great loss. Please, come inside, come inside." Xu Xiao pulled his hand from his sleeve, full of enthusiasm.

"You are too kind, Your Highness."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly and stepped calmly into the living room.

Murong Wuzhu stuck out her tongue; she had not expected the Great Pillar Kingdom from the rumors to be like this, but having an unreliable Peach Blossom Sword God, it was not entirely unacceptable.

……

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