Chapter 778: The Arrival of Hong Xuanji

The South.

Shuiyang Province.

The misty waves of Taichang Lake are vast and boundless.

Shuiyang Mountain lies just across from Taichang Lake.

On the mountain, many pavilions and towers have been built, with flying eaves and upturned corners; they are magnificent and exquisite, as imposing as an Imperial Palace.

This place is where the Daluo Sect is located.

In the southern region, there are seven great aristocratic families and dozens of prestigious clans, all linked together with the Daluo Sect as their bond. They believe in the Daluo Tianzun, monopolize the region, and are each like local emperors, enjoying wealth and glory. The vast amounts of gold and silver they extort are all sent to the Hong Mansion in Yujing City; after all, Hong Xuanji is their true backer now.

On Shuiyang Mountain, there is an extremely vast palace.

Inside the palace stand golden silk nanmu trees over five hundred years old, and the floor is paved entirely with Aiye bluestone, with clear textures.

Hanging outside the hall is a plaque inscribed with "Zhou Tian Daluo," the calligraphy mysterious and profound; it was written by Hong Xuanji himself.

This is the council hall of the Daluo Sect, a place where only Elders and the Sect Master can enter and have seats.

At this moment, the Elders of the Daluo Sect are all in the hall, their expressions solemn, sitting on brocade cushions woven with golden thread before jade-colored long tables.

The Daluo Sect Master sits at the very top, wearing a brocade cloud-embroidered satin robe, the silk on it flowing like layers of crystalline water.

This Sect Master has a golden hairpin inserted in their hair, and the pendant hanging from the hairpin is a lifelike red-gold fire phoenix.

Their face is hazy, shrouded in a thin layer of light gauze, making it impossible for others to see their true appearance.

However, it is very clear that this Daluo Sect Master is a woman.

"I imagine you are all aware of the recent news that the Tianzun temples are being continuously destroyed. The Tianzun is the foundation of our Daluo Sect."

The Daluo Sect Master, this mysterious woman, began to speak. Her voice was as soft as smoke: "If you have any thoughts or opinions, feel free to voice them."

"The Tianzun's temples are all guarded by disciples of our Daluo Sect; there is something suspicious about this matter." An old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face sitting at the front right spoke; he was a Martial Saint powerhouse with a reserved temperament and eyes like lightning: "Moreover, I have heard that a sect temple named 'Hanyue Nüshen' is being continuously established, replacing the faith in the Tianzun and spreading throughout the land."

"To be able to establish temples on such a large scale, in the entire South, besides our Daluo Sect, there is only that Governor-General Wei Taicang; he is capable of mobilizing the power of the Imperial Court." An old woman sitting on the left, with a ruddy complexion and, despite her aged appearance, a full breath, spoke; she was an Innate Grandmaster with the ability to open a gate and establish a sect.

"Furthermore, after my Tianzun's temples were destroyed, the officials almost all handled it perfunctorily, not caring at all. This matter definitely has to do with Wei Taicang."

"Indeed, that is also what I am worried about." The Daluo Sect Master's voice, like curling blue smoke, rose again: "This matter reeks of trickery and is clearly related to Wei Taicang, but Wei Taicang has been the Governor-General of seven provinces for decades and has cooperated with our Daluo Sect many times; he cannot be this stupid. But apart from him, no one can overthrow the Tianzun and establish a new faith. I feel a vague unease in my heart, which is why I have summoned you all today to discuss it."

"Hmph, even if Wei Taicang is formidable, he is at most a junior Martial Saint. Sect Master, as long as you give the order, I will have someone capture him, or even kill him directly." Another middle-aged man clamored; he was surprisingly also a Martial Saint powerhouse, his essence and energy rising like wolf smoke.

This Daluo Sect, after these years of cultivation, even calling itself a Holy Land, truly lives up to its reputation, with experts as numerous as clouds.

"Wei Taicang is a high-ranking official guarding the frontier; do not be reckless, otherwise, it may bring disaster to the Daluo Sect."

The Daluo Sect Master's gaze, through the veil, looked deeply at the middle-aged man; her pupils were like deep, dark whirlpools, making one shudder.

"Sect Master, I spoke out of turn." The middle-aged man said hurriedly.

"I have already passed this matter on to Grand Tutor Hong; I believe he will have his own decision."

When mentioning the three words 'Grand Tutor Hong', the tone of this Daluo Sect Master seemed to contain a hint of unusual emotion, but it was hidden too deeply for anyone to notice.

Just then, a disciple holding a sword hurried into the hall and reported in a panic: "Sect Master, Elders, it's bad, it's bad..."

"As a disciple of our Daluo Sect, to be so flustered—what kind of decorum is this!" The previous middle-aged man slapped the long table; the disciple who entered was his own, and such behavior was truly shameful.

"Shuiyang Mountain, Shuiyang Mountain has been surrounded by government troops."

"What!?"

"That Wei Taicang is truly courting death!!"

The Elders were all furious.

Now that their Daluo Sect considers itself a Holy Land, to have the Holy Land actually surrounded—how could these high-and-mighty Elders not be angry? It was as if they had been slapped in the face.

"Let's go, let's go take a look."

"Teach Wei Taicang a lesson."

A group of Elders walked out of the hall in a rage, seemingly wishing they could hack Wei Taicang into ten thousand pieces on the spot.

And this time, the Daluo Sect Master did not stop them.

Soon, the group of Elders arrived at a cliff terrace and looked into the distance, seeing ten thousand soldiers tightly blocking the mountain path.

And the person leading these ten thousand soldiers was none other than Governor-General Wei Taicang.

The group of Elders were all aggressive, but they also knew that they could not act rashly at the moment. Killing a high-ranking official guarding the frontier was not something their Daluo Sect had never done, but they must not do it in full view of the public. Although Hong Xuanji had the favor of the Qian Emperor, he had countless enemies in the Imperial Court and could not leave such a large handle for his political rivals.

"Governor-General Wei, what is the meaning of this?" The Daluo Sect Master's voice was still like smoke and mist, yet it carried far away.

"Hmph, Daluo Sect Master, I, Wei Taicang, am the Governor-General of seven provinces. You are a mere commoner; why did you not come down the mountain to welcome me!?" 'Wei Taicang' said loudly, full of disdain.

Hearing this, the people of the Daluo Sect all showed expressions of anger.

What kind of thing was this Wei Taicang, to dare to speak like this.

"Very well, Governor-General Wei intends to use his status as a high-ranking official to bully our Daluo Sect." The Daluo Sect Master laughed out of extreme anger.

Wei Taicang snorted coldly, his expression becoming serious: "When your Daluo Sect has been doing evil things all these years, trafficking women, extorting the fat of the people, and bullying the commoners, did you ever think there would be such a day? Let me tell you, today I, Wei Taicang, am going to let you know the severity of the Great Gan laws. If you think this is bullying, then I will bully you severely."

The Daluo Sect Master said coldly: "Wei Taicang, you had better think clearly, do not ruin yourself."

"Hehe, Zhao Fei'er, do you think that because you have Hong Xuanji standing behind you to support you, you can be unscrupulous? That is impossible!!" Wei Taicang waved his hand and said coldly: "I will lay it out here today: your Daluo Sect has done these things, and I am going to destroy your Daluo Sect. If these matters are related to Hong Xuanji, I will destroy Hong Xuanji."

"Good! Good! Good! You are seeking your own death."

The Daluo Sect Master Zhao Fei'er was truly enraged; she flipped her palm, and a wooden doll seven inches tall appeared in it.

This doll was flesh-colored all over. Its eyebrows and eyes were very clear, and its hands and body were chubby and elastic, just like a newborn baby.

After this little baby was taken out, its hands and feet moved slightly, and it suddenly opened its eyes and looked at Zhao Fei'er. That gaze was as clear and pure as that of an ordinary infant.

This gave people a very strange feeling.

A wooden doll was actually alive, appearing like an extremely small baby, yet its body clearly bore the texture of wood.

Seeing the wooden baby open its eyes, Zhao Fei'er smiled coldly, and a drop of fresh blood seeped from her finger, dripping onto the seven-inch baby.

The baby immediately seemed to be nursing, consuming the blood clean, and then stood up all at once.

"Go, my child, kill him for me!"

Zhao Fei'er pointed her hand, and that wooden baby Wawa soared into the air, then leaped violently and lunged toward Wei Taicang.

During this process, a tiny red-tasseled spear suddenly appeared in the baby's hand, looking just like an exquisite toy.

"Raging Fire Overspreads the Plains!"

As the baby's wrist turned, the spear momentum opened and closed widely, and an intense masculine Qi and Blood radiated from within the tiny body, like a scorching sun exploding.

At this moment, the aura of this baby was entirely that of a Peak Martial Saint!

And upon that long spear, magma-like flames flowed, darting about like dragons and snakes!

"God-Splitting Puppet!"

"It is the most mysterious of the Peach God Seven Treasures, the God-Splitting Puppet."

The so-called Peach God Seven Treasures were the seven treasures of Luo Tianyue of the Shen Feng Kingdom's Peach God Dao, one of the six great martial arts holy lands of the past.

They are the Shake Heaven Bow, Infinite Arrow, Demon Shark Armor, Ruyi Rod, Yin-Yang Scripture, Peach God Sword, and the most mysterious God-Splitting Puppet.

In the past, Luo Tianyue was besieged and killed by dozens of state-protecting mages of Yunmeng, and only after Grand Tutor Yuwen personally took action was this person heavily injured, defeated, and forced to flee; eventually, no one knew where he had escaped to, and it was only much later that news of his defeat and death spread.

Now it seems that the people of the Daluo Sect picked up a bargain, likely taking advantage of Luo Tianyue being heavily injured to kill him and seize these Peach God Seven Treasures.

These Peach God Seven Treasures are each a supreme treasure, incomparably powerful.

And this God-Splitting Puppet has a level comparable to a Peak Martial Saint, almost capable of sweeping away any powerhouse below the Fourfold Lightning Tribulation.

And Wei Taicang is at most a mid-level Martial Saint; facing such a strike, there is absolutely no other possibility than being nailed to death by a single spear thrust.

"Good item, it belongs to me now."

Just at this moment, a grand voice echoed in everyone's ears, like rolling thunder, and also like the roaring of mountains and rivers.

Amidst the words, a large hand pierced through space, as if reaching down from the nine heavens, penetrating the void, surrounded by wind and thunder, and grabbed the head of the God-Splitting Puppet, preventing it from advancing even half a step.

This strike from a Peak Martial Saint had actually vanished into thin air just like that. The God-Splitting Puppet turned its wrist, thrusting the spear upward to pierce a hole through the palm. However, that large hand exerted a slight force, and under the washing of vast and boundless Qi and Blood, the God-Splitting Puppet's body shook, its arms dropped down, and the red-tasseled spear also vanished without a trace.

"Pfft!"

On the cliff terrace, Zhao Fei'er spat out a mouthful of blood.

In this instant, she was cut off from all connection with the God-Splitting Puppet.

"You, who exactly are you?!"

Daluo Sect Leader Zhao Fei'er looked with slight terror at that figure standing between heaven and earth, with a full head of red hair flying, looking like a God or Demon.

"This seat is Haotian Golden Chapter." The figure spoke unhurriedly, and just by standing there casually, he seemed to carry an unparalleled, formidable power, capable of shattering the firmament with a single punch.

"Very well, Zhao Fei'er, you actually dare to assassinate an Imperial Court official in public." Wei Taicang waved his hand and roared: "All soldiers, obey orders, attack Shuiyang Mountain! Anyone who dares to resist, kill without mercy!"

Shuiyang Mountain, Back Mountain.

Whoosh, a piece of space tore open.

A figure walked out from within.

This person had a solemn and majestic face, eyes as cold as eternal ice, and walked with the stride of a dragon and the step of a tiger; he was none other than the Wuwen Marquis Hong Xuanji, who was most highly regarded by the Emperor of the current dynasty.

"Hmm? They have already engaged in battle?! Has that Wei Taicang gone mad?" Hong Xuanji was a Peak Martial Saint; although there was still quite a distance from the foot of the mountain, he heard the sounds of gold and iron, and the sounds of clashing.

Bang! Hong Xuanji tapped his toe, the ground suddenly shattered, and he shot toward the direction of the mountain foot.

A Martial Saint cannot fly through the air; he had previously relied on a treasure to break through the void.

"Grand Tutor Hong, this road is blocked!"

Just at this moment, a figure stood in front of Hong Xuanji.

"Champion Marquis, it is you." Hong Xuanji's figure paused, looking at this young man who was ranked alongside him as one of the three great Martial Saints of Great Gan. Then, he revealed a thoughtful expression, and after a moment, a burst of sharp light erupted in his eyes, and he said slowly: "I was wondering how Wei Taicang could be so bold; it turns out that everything behind this is the mischief of you, Champion Marquis."

"To be fair, I'm just a passerby." Yu Liancheng stood with his hands behind his back and smiled slightly: "However, the reason I am blocking the Wuwen Marquis is that I wish to ask the Wuwen Marquis for instruction on a martial art."

"Ask for instruction on a martial art?" The expression of Wuwen Marquis Hong Xuanji was as cold as a ten-thousand-year ice sculpture.

"Correct." Yu Liancheng smiled and nodded: "A few days ago, an old man in black came to spy on my information. That old man looked unremarkable, but he was actually a Martial Saint, which is no small matter. It is a pity that in front of this Marquis, he could only be captured obediently. After catching him, I extracted his memories and obtained a martial art, and I would like to ask the Wuwen Marquis for instruction."

"Oh, how did you deal with that old man?" Hong Xuanji's eyes narrowed slightly, shooting out cold, icy glints.

"Did I kill him or turn him into a puppet?" Yu Liancheng showed a look of thought, then shook his head and said indifferently: "These are all trivial matters, I don't remember clearly."

"Very well, I accept your request for instruction."

Although Hong Xuanji's body stood motionless, as he spoke, an overwhelming killing intent shrouded the entire space: "However, fists and feet have no eyes; the Champion Marquis should be careful!"

Boom!

At the same time, a huge wheel seemed to appear above Hong Xuanji, sweeping upward mightily like wolf smoke.

That huge wheel was Hong Xuanji's "Heavens Life and Death Wheel" fist technique. When he performs this fist technique, he is the Wheel-Turning God King who masters the life and death of heaven and earth.

Anyone's life or death is but within his single thought.

"Eh, this martial art of yours is very similar to what I learned."

Yu Liancheng seemed very surprised; above him, a huge wheel also appeared, the fist intent shrouding the void, vast and mighty, like a flowing long river: "However, mine seems to be bigger than yours. Don't be discouraged, it's nothing that it's a little smaller."