With a new ranking of Heaven, Earth, and People announced, not only did Sky-covering Hand Xun Liu become renowned throughout the world, what shocked the Jianghu Martial Arts even more was the news subsequently released by the Divine Capture Sect.
Ten Thousand Slaves Divine Skill!
A secret technique that could break through the level of a Great Grandmaster!
It instantly became the hottest topic in the Jianghu Martial Arts world, from the council halls of the great sects to the storytellers in taverns and tea houses, everyone was discussing this matter.
The Martial Arts community was in uproar, publicly denouncing the Five Poison Sect for their inhumane practice of using people to train their skills, calling them crazed and heartless.
Yet privately, how many drooled with envy and jealousy need not be said.
Those martial artists who had practiced Dead Body Fist and Five Elements Thief Palm were mostly excessively worried, living in constant anxiety. Some even gritted their teeth and chose to cripple their own cultivation techniques.
In reality, even if they had practiced these two cultivation techniques, they likely would not have been able to break through to the level of Grandmaster in their lifetimes.
Instead, after discarding their cultivation, starting over wouldn’t be so easy...
As debates raged within the Jianghu Martial Arts community, the imperial court boldly issued a decree to eradicate the Five Poison Sect. This was like throwing a giant rock into an already boiling pot, stirring the entire Jianghu into an uproar, with countless martial artists heading to the Southern Border, eager to witness this spectacle.
Indeed, there were also those who harbored hopes that by getting involved, they might seize an opportunity to elevate their own status...
All the outside turmoil seemed utterly unrelated to this region, filled with miasma and dense forests.
The complex terrain, ubiquitous poisonous creatures, life-swallowing swamps, and miasma together formed a naturally formidable barrier that had historically prevented the imperial army from descending to the south.
But now, the natural defenses of Miaojiang could not stop the Grandmasters one by one.
Zhong Shenxiu was dressed merely in light, short athletic gear. Despite the scorching sun, not a trace of sweat was found on him. With a light tap of his toes, he traversed through the complex terrain over a great distance.
Accompanying him were Yan Wushuang and several other Grandmasters of the Divine Capture Sect.
Each of them maintained a concentrated aura, pressing forward with their journey, their Qinggong exquisite. As for the poisonous creatures hidden in the bushes and under the swamps, they hardly caused any trouble at all.
The very nature of these Grandmasters’ lives had undergone a transformation; to them, these common poisons were likely considered something akin to ’safe to eat if deheaded.’
The group moved swiftly, crossing a rainforest, when suddenly the landscape ahead opened up, revealing a desolate mound.
’Is this Miaojiang’s Pig Woman Ridge, the agreed meeting place?’
Zhong Shenxiu, mingled among the Grandmasters of the Divine Capture Sect, casually glanced around and immediately recognized a familiar face.
"Master Jing Fan, long time no see."
To the east stood three monks, their faces expressing deep empathy and sorrow, with Jing Fan prominently among them.
"Amitabha, this humble monk has met the benefactor. Congratulations on your accomplishments in the Martial Arts, placing you on the Earth Ranking."
In terms of breaking through, Jing Fan had surpassed Zhong Shenxiu earlier. At this moment, holding his prayer beads, his aura polished flawlessly, Zhong Shenxiu estimated that this monk’s strength could at least rank on the Earth Ranking, and he was not at the bottom.
Originally, he wanted to inquire about the follow-up to their last encounter, but seeing the two bald-headed companions beside Jing Fan, he wisely chose to change his question: "Are the representatives from Stone Buddha Temple these three masters?"
"Indeed, the sea of suffering is boundless, and this humble monk has specially come to guide some benefactors back onto the righteous path... ah, this is good karma..."
Monk Jing Fan, apparently the leader among these three monks, answered loudly.
’Just as I thought... Stone Buddha Temple isn’t very sincere, sending only three Grandmasters, and they’re not even that formidable...’
Zhong Shenxiu secretly estimated, how many could he take down if he stealthily removed his gloves on Pig Woman Ridge, where Grandmasters gathered?
"You are the ’Sky-covering Hand’?"
Another voice came, and Zhong Shenxiu looked up to see a man clad in brocade, with a jade ring on his hand, looking extremely wealthy, a big fat man in gold.
"Amitabha, this gentleman is an elder of the Six Void Sect, named Jinkehuan! He possesses the ’Six Void Limitless Skill,’ having mastered the four extraordinary forces of water, fire, wind, and thunder. His martial arts skills are not ordinary."
Jing Fan introduced Zhong Shenxiu.
’Jinke can change? Quite the merchant-like name...’
Zhong Shenxiu smiled inwardly, then seriously said, "It is I! Has Brother Jin come here concerning the matter of Qian Wuji?"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Jinkehuan shook his head, his large, oily face filled with a mercantile air, yet his eyes shone with sincerity: "Qian Wuji died in a fair fight, casualties are inevitable when both sides compete to their fullest. My Six Void Sect is not unreasonable. The subsequent events were the initiatives of some junior disciples, who I have severely punished already. This visit is to turn enmity into friendship. As we know in business, harmony brings wealth. Don’t you agree, friend?"
"That’s indeed the case, I would not want to become enemies with one of the great forces if not forced." Zhong Shenxiu nodded.
Had he still been a lesser-known figure, perhaps Jinkehuan would have dealt him with ease.
And had he been the sixty-ninth ranked ’Yin Yang Hand’ on the earth ranking, maybe one day he would face a siege from the Grandmasters of the Six Void Sect.
But now, he was ranked thirty-third on the earth ranking, known as the ’Sky-covering Hand,’ with high prospects of breaking through to become a Great Grandmaster. The circumstances were vastly different.
With the support of the royal court, the Six Void Sect could not allow a Grandmaster to kill him, and even if a top ten ranked person took action, there was a chance he could escape.
In such a scenario, seeking reconciliation preemptively was naturally the optimal choice.
The Six Void Sect, disguised as a faction of wealthy merchants, naturally knew how to make such a decision.
"Amitabha, it is indeed great virtue for both parties to resolve their feuds," Monk Jing Fan said with a relieved expression, hands together in prayer. "Especially since we are joining forces to surround and annihilate the Five Poison Sect, we should stand united and avoid internal conflict."
Under such circumstances, the death of Qian Wuji, however talented, was insignificant.
No matter how talented, if one died before realizing their potential, they couldn’t be called truly gifted.
Zhong Shenxiu, having lived through many lives, was also not lacking in performative talent. He chatted happily with Jinkehuan, occasionally discussing martial arts anecdotes, quite enjoying their time.
"Oh? People from the Lingnan Song family have arrived."
Just then, Jinkehuan looked eastward and suddenly made a remark.
Zhong Shenxiu looked in the same direction and saw seven white-robed swordsmen, floating over.
They were all exceptionally handsome, each either holding or carrying a long sword on their backs, exuding a chilling and compelling presence.
’The Fei E Sword of the Lingnan Song family is said to be peerless in the world. Perhaps this time I will have a chance to broaden my horizon. However, it is rumored that those who cultivate the Fei E Sword gradually become inhuman, with their Grandmaster-level abnormal traits appearing outwardly...’
Zhong Shenxiu watched these handsome swordsmen with some doubt.
Though their faces were attractive, they gave him a sense of discord, even reminding him of the Five Poison Sect’s Disguise Technique.
It was as if they had a layer of human skin masks over their faces.
Seemingly attracted by the gaze, a swordsman with a soft, feminine face looked back and smiled gracefully.
Yet, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He seemed to see the grid-like compound eyes of an insect, and the colorful, vibrantly extreme fluffy powder...