Chapter 544: An Encounter in the Ruined Temple

In recent days, if one were to discuss the most popular topic in the martial arts world, it would undoubtedly be the Terror Rankings.

The Terror Rankings appeared out of thin air, and the Gods, Demons, divine weapons, and immortal beings described upon them shocked countless martial artists. The Dragon Essence, which grants immortality and invincibility, and the Heaven Weeping Scripture, which observes the creation of heaven and earth, made countless experts drool with greed.

Of course, the one with the most discussion surrounding it was the very last entry on the Terror Rankings.

The Fourteenth Terror: Me.

Just this single, simple character possessed a soul-stirring magic.

Everyone was guessing who this "Fourteenth Terror" actually was.

Currently, martial artists could only vaguely infer two points.

First, the Fourteenth Terror was very likely the person who compiled the Terror Rankings.

Second, the Terror Rankings were spread from Wushuang City, so that person had a close relationship with Wushuang City.

Yet, a single "Me," lacking a specific name or nickname, was extremely easy to confuse people during conversation. I do not know when it started, but someone bestowed a nickname upon "Me"—the Terror of Terrors.

The Fourteen Terrors made the Central Plains Martial Arts World tremble with terror.

Yet the Terror of Terrors could make the preceding thirteen Terrors tremble with terror.

This title was almost a form of "killing with kindness," and one could even say the intent behind it was punishable.

However, this "Terror of Terrors" was not entirely unreasonable. "I" could serve as the grand finale of the Terror Rankings; although it was not written down, there was clearly an unknown logic to it. Furthermore, since "I" might be the one who compiled the Terror Rankings, having thoroughly exposed all secrets and brought the thirteen Terrors hiding in the shadows before everyone's eyes, it was barely a nickname I could bear.

Upon hearing the four words "Terror of Terrors," Yu Liancheng chuckled, tossed the Fire Kirin Sword to Duan Shuai, and looked back at Nie Renwang: "How about it? Are you willing to make this trade with me now?"

Nie Renwang was silent for a moment, his gaze gradually becoming firm: "Fine, I agree."

For a rural farmer, the Snow Drink Saber would only invite endless disaster; it was useless to keep.

Moreover, the person before him possessed unfathomable martial arts. Duan Shuai's martial arts attainments were by no means inferior to his own, yet in the blink of an eye, his weapon had been snatched away by his opponent. If this person wanted to seize it by force, he would be helpless, so it was better to exchange it, which could also pacify the mad blood within Feng'er.

"Renwang! Are you really going to give the Snow Drink Saber to someone else?!"

However, Yan Ying, standing behind Nie Renwang, trembled, her beautiful face turning pale.

"That is correct." Nie Renwang nodded with a solemn expression: "Since we have decided to live in seclusion, the Snow Drink Saber is naturally useless. It is better to make a clean break with the martial arts world."

"But, but what about Feng'er? The Snow Drink Saber is one of the world's premier divine weapons. Even if you don't use it, Feng'er could. Didn't you say that Feng'er has astonishing talent? If you teach him everything you know, Feng'er will surely become a peerless swordsman and shake the martial arts world. Keep the saber, Renwang." By the end, there was a rare hint of pleading in Yan Ying's tone toward her husband.

For Yan Ying, in this home as ordinary as that of a common farmer, only that Snow Drink Saber still carried a trace of the brilliance and glory of the past.

Once the saber was given away, it meant that Nie Renwang would never step into the martial arts world again, and he would not even let Nie Feng, in whom she placed her hopes, learn martial arts or set foot in the martial arts world.

Sure enough, she heard Nie Renwang say in a very steady, firm voice: "The martial arts world is nothing but slaughter. Once you enter the martial arts world, it is hard to find a way back. I will not let Feng'er get involved in the martial arts world, which is why all these years, I have only taught Feng'er some movement techniques and light-body skills, and have not mentioned a single word of the Aohan Six Arts."

"Good! Good! Good! A fine 'North Drinking Mad Saber' Nie Renwang you are!"

The color drained from Yan Ying's face, leaving it as pale as paper. Her charming, delicate face seemed to be shrouded in a layer of ice.

"Ying, an ordinary life is best. The martial arts world is only slaughter, endless killing," Nie Renwang urged earnestly.

Yan Ying only sneered.

"Dad, Mom, please stop arguing." Little Nie Feng was at a loss.

"Alright, I don't have time to watch you perform a melodrama. Since you, Nie Renwang, have agreed, it is my turn to act."

The space in front of Yu Liancheng seemed to turn into a vortex, generating a suction force that pulled Nie Feng over.

Little Nie Feng looked up in surprise and saw the black-clad uncle's eyes, which were overflowing with seven colors. Suddenly, various emotions collided within his body, rising and falling, and his complexion changed repeatedly. Under the pull of these surging emotions, a strong and terrifying murderous intent surged from within Nie Feng for no reason, and his innocent, wide eyes were stained with a layer of blood red, as if he were a ferocious beast waiting to devour someone.

"Yo, you really are a bit fierce."

Yu Liancheng chuckled and looked at Nie Feng with interest.

The next moment, he spread his palm, and a drop of fresh blood appeared on it.

This fresh blood also carried a violent aura, even more violent than the current Nie Feng, and the two auras were similar, as if they came from the same source.

"This... what is this?" Nie Renwang's body shook.

"Kirin Blood," Yu Liancheng said calmly.

Before coming to find Nie Renwang, he had taken a trip to Lingyun Cave, picked Blood Bodhi, teased the Fire Kirin, read the Aohan Six Arts, and gained insights into the Ten Strong Martial Arts...

In any case, he just went through the motions, sweeping through the treasures and divine arts of Lingyun Cave.

And this drop of Kirin Blood was one of the results.

Yu Liancheng flicked out strands of internal energy, which merged into Nie Feng's body, forcing the Kirin Blood within him to circulate even more, yet restricting it within a portion of his meridians, causing it to crash left and right.

And when that crazy, murderous will reached its peak, Yu Liancheng probed a strand of energy into the center of Nie Feng's brow, while the Kirin Blood in his hand simultaneously emitted a monstrous baleful aura and an invisible, powerful suction.

The violent energy within Nie Feng finally found an outlet, rushing out from his Heavenly Spirit, and was eventually absorbed entirely by the Kirin Blood.

"Little Nie Feng, your destiny is unique; you are bound to step into the martial arts world sooner or later. This Snow Drink Saber was originally a weapon suited to you. Since I have taken your weapon, I might as well give you some benefits. I will pass the complete Aohan Six Arts to you; this is your Nie family's ancestral saber technique. Besides this, how much you can comprehend from this mural depends on yourself."

Nie Feng had only just recovered from the state of mad blood when Yu Liancheng's voice echoed in his heart.

Immediately following, a finger like polished jade tapped his brow, and a set of profound saber techniques, consisting of six arts, instantly appeared in Nie Feng's mind.

The first art: Jinghan Glance; the second art: Ice Seal Three Feet; the third art: Red Apricot in Snow; the fourth art: Escape; the fifth art: Step on Snow to Seek Plum; the sixth art: Cold Blade Icy Heart...

Immediately after, a mural appeared in his mind.

On the mural was a martial artist riding atop a flaming Fire Kirin, engaged in a life-and-death duel with it.

And in the bottom right corner of the mural were the two characters: Xuanwu.

The traces of the mural were simple and rough, yet extremely vivid and lifelike.

The Fire Kirin seemed as if it were about to pounce out of the mural, and the martial artist's heroism and fearlessness in the face of death could also be clearly felt.

This mural was left in Lingyun Cave by the "Ten Strong Martial Artists"; it looked ordinary, but it contained the Ten Strong Martial Dao of Wu Wudi, ten different divine arts and unique skills.

They were the No-Two Saber Technique, Asking Heaven Spear Decision, Tiger Howl Stick Collection, Mountain and Sea Fist Scripture, Xuanwu Divine Palm, Fierce Leg Technique, Round Melting Gold Finger, and Oracle Dragon Claw.

Whether it was the complete Aohan Six Arts or the Ten Strong Martial Dao, Nie Feng would obtain them from now on; Yu Liancheng could be considered to have saved him twenty or thirty years of time.

Nie Feng had first expelled the madness from his mad blood, and then had been stuffed with a huge amount of information by Yu Liancheng. Even though he was exceptionally talented, he was still young and finally could not bear it; his eyes rolled back, and he fainted, only to be caught by Nie Renwang.

"The demonic nature of the mad blood has been removed, and the Snow Drink Saber belongs to me now."

Yu Liancheng raised his arm, and the "Snow Drink Saber" in the storage room let out a trembling sound, like the roar of a dragon, shaking the cobwebs and dust down in a flurry.

A cold light shone forth, like snow, like ice.

Then, with a "clang," the saber was in his hand.

"It is indeed a good saber." Yu Liancheng grasped the hilt, immediately feeling a chill strike him; this chill not only made one's whole body cold, but also cleared the spirit.

"Is this the White Dew of the Four Great Divine Stones?"

Duan Shuai also fixed his gaze on the Snow Drink Saber; the Four Great Divine Stones had entered the Fearful Ranking, causing the Snow Drink Saber to once again be noticed by the martial arts community.

"We shall meet again if fate allows."

As the words fell, the figure of Yu Liancheng had already vanished.

In reality, Yu Liancheng had not drifted far away, but was resting in a dilapidated temple not far from the Nie residence.

This temple was dilapidated and beyond repair, and the nameless statue of the deity was already covered in dust and cobwebs, clearly having long gone without incense or offerings.

Yu Liancheng stepped into the depths of the temple, swept his sleeve to clear a clean spot, and sat down cross-legged.

He closed his eyes to nourish his spirit, the mysteries of the Ten Great Martial Daos circulating in his heart. As a peerless powerhouse capable of defeating Di Shitian, the unique arts created by Wu Wudi were naturally extraordinary.

Time passed bit by bit; suddenly, a cold wind whistled, dark clouds pressed down, and bean-sized raindrops fell in dense sheets, shrouding the entire world in a curtain of rain.

"Damn it, it's actually raining."

Before long, a string of cursing voices came from outside.

This voice was low and hoarse, and it was consistently filled with a heart-chilling killing intent.

Immediately following, a figure clad in blue robes burst into the temple. This person carried a saber and a sword on his back, his stature tall and burly, with white hair and white eyebrows, his brow filled with a fierce and vicious air.

The man carrying the saber and sword stepped into the dilapidated temple and felt a slight start, clearly not having expected that there would be someone else inside.

When he saw the Snow Drink Saber in front of Yu Liancheng, a fierce light erupted in his eyes, and he gave a savage laugh.

"Kid, did you steal this Snow Drink Saber from the Nie family? Heh, Nie Renwang is known as the 'North Drinking Mad Saber,' but it seems he is just a name without substance. Not only can he not even protect his own wife, but even the saber in his hand has been stolen by someone. Today, this master is in a good mood; cut off one of your own arms, leave the saber behind, and crawl out of this temple, and this master will spare your life."

The man's words were filled with baleful and killing intent; the whole person was like a fierce beast waiting to devour people. If it were an ordinary person, they would likely have been scared into wetting their pants long ago.

Yu Liancheng sized the man up. After a moment of thought, a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Are you Pojun?"

The man raised his thick eyebrows, somewhat surprised: "You recognize this master?"

This person was none other than Pojun, the son of Sword Sect leader Jian Hui.

Pojun was cruel by nature and took pleasure in harming others. In his early years, he had developed a grudge while competing with Wuming for the Sword Sect's secret technique, Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin, and had even poisoned Wuming's wife to death.

Hearing the other party identify his identity, Pojun was somewhat surprised.

His martial arts were not bad, but he had not been a World Walker in the martial arts world.

Apart from a few people in the Sword Sect, there should be few people in the entire martial arts world who would recognize him.

Yu Liancheng chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "Of course I recognize you; aren't you that piece of trash who dueled Wuming, where even with Jian Hui pulling strings to help, you still couldn't win?!"

"Damn it, you're courting death."

Pojun's killing intent instantly surged; he swung his arm, unleashing a fierce and vicious punishing-evil internal energy, pouncing toward Yu Liancheng like a savage beast. But this internal energy, which was enough to shatter gold and jade, vanished into thin air the moment it landed within a foot of the latter.

Pojun frowned, a hint of gravity appearing in his eyes, but his savage grin grew even wider: "Good kid, daring to challenge Master Pojun, you really do have some skills. But if you want to show off in front of Master Pojun, you're still a bit too green."

Just as he was about to draw the saber and sword from his back to hack the person before him into eight pieces, footsteps sounded outside the dilapidated temple.

A moment later, another person appeared inside the temple.

And because of this person's appearance, the thick killing intent radiated by Pojun was unexpectedly scattered by more than half.

The person who arrived was very beautiful, very charming.

She wore a soft black silk dress, the hem of the skirt dotted with fine, tiny jewels, like deep eyes under the night sky.

Because of the torrential rain, she had used a paper umbrella to shield herself from the rain, but it was inevitably dampened. The silk dress clung to her mature and well-proportioned body, giving her a unique allure, infinitely charming.

Her long hair hung down, black silk like a waterfall, draped over her fragrant shoulders like flowing clouds; her beautiful face was like a flower, and every gesture was full of charm, carrying an indescribable, moving appeal.

Especially those eyes, which seemed to contain three parts of charm at any moment. Like autumn ripples in water, they could almost make any man intoxicated, immersed, and unable to extricate himself.

Such women were rare, but this remote little mountain village happened to have one.

She was Yan Ying.

The greatest beauty in the martial arts world.

"Ying, why have you come?"

Pojun revealed a slight look of joy.

Think of him, Pojun, who had killed countless people in half a lifetime, filled with a violent air, feared by others; most people who saw him would retreat three stages.

Until half a month ago, when Pojun met this woman before him.

This woman was undoubtedly a peerless beauty, gentle as water.

The two had not spent much time together, but Pojun had already developed some love for this woman.

A large part of the reason he came this time was for the sake of Yan Ying.

He also believed that Yan Ying likewise liked his masculine spirit. As long as the timing was right, he would kick Nie Renwang away, and they would fly off together.

Pojun stepped forward, wanting to pull Yan Ying into his arms. He had left in a hurry last time, but this time he would properly savor this flower-like beauty.

Yan Ying stepped back slightly, leaving a somewhat stunned Pojun.

With his cultivation, it should have been easy to embrace Yan Ying, but he had not expected that the other party would actually avoid him.

"Ying, didn't you come to find me?" Pojun frowned and said.

"Pojun, I didn't even know you were coming, so how could I be looking for you." Yan Ying's voice was as moving as ever, but it held a coldness that kept people at a distance.

A bad premonition arose in Pojun's heart: "Then why did you come?"

Yan Ying's charming eyes turned slightly, silently flowing like waves, and fixed upon Yu Liancheng, her tone instantly becoming infinitely gentle: "I came to find Young Master Yu."

Her tone turned cold again, "Also, please stay further away from me; I have only met you once."

Pojun's expression changed.

It became very ugly.