Chapter 128: Two Sides Form An Alliance, Great Opening Of The Mountain Gate
Southern Border Saintess did not speak, but her gaze clearly became much colder. Snake Granny snorted coldly:
“You say he perished and so he did? Who knows if it’s true or false? Moreover, even if this person did perish, who knows if your Demonic Sect has no one else who possesses this poisonous power?”
At this critical juncture, it was naturally impossible to admit it was their own mistake, or the subsequent negotiations would be very passive.
Moreover, this was somewhat related to Snake Granny. After all, it was she who detected the poisonous power. Now saying they had identified the wrong person, she bore responsibility.
Ghost Mask ignored Snake Granny and only looked toward Southern Border Saintess, continuing:
“Since the Saintess has already verified that this power is unique to our Sacred Sect’s Elder Wang, she must also know that he had previously gone to True Martial Sect. Aside from that, he never exposed himself.”
“It was precisely during that time that Elder Wang perished. We have no need to deceive you. The situation is now very clear. Someone is impersonating Elder Wang, destroyed your Qingzhou stronghold, and wants to provoke a bloody fight between our two sides. If we continue, it will only benefit others.”
Everyone’s gazes turned cold, filled with the anger of being fooled.
Qin Yun’s heart shook, because Ghost Mask had again mentioned the incident of the five Heavenly Humans night assaulting True Martial Sect, and with Elder Wang involved, he inexplicably felt this matter might be related to True Martial Sect. This was not something he wished to see—being caught between two colossal entities like the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance was no good.
Southern Border Saintess finally spoke, her slender brows arching:
“But what we heard was that your sect’s Elder Wang escaped with his life from King Zhenbei?”
At this mention, Ghost Mask immediately became somewhat annoyed.
“Hmph! King Zhenbei is cunning. After severely injuring Elder Wang, he did not pursue openly, but trailed him in secret, suddenly striking when Elder Wang was recovering his breath, brutally blasting him to death. We discovered traces of his signature Heaven Suppressing Fist in the mountain range back then.”
“If you don’t believe it, you can come with me to see.”
Snake Granny said with a grave expression:
“You mean this was King Zhenbei’s doing? But how would he possess Elder Wang’s unique poisonous power? The power traces at the Qingzhou stronghold are absolutely genuine.”
She was still somewhat doubtful, but in her heart, she already believed most of it. After all, the Demonic Sect had proposed going to the site where Elder Wang perished back then. Even after so long, she could still discern if they were deceiving her.
Ghost Mask let out a long breath:
“Now it seems, perhaps that’s the case. Perhaps after killing Elder Wang, King Zhenbei obtained his unique secret technique and is using it to provoke conflict between our two forces. After all, if we fight to the death, Great Yan would be the happiest!”
He felt he was close to the truth.
Qin Yun’s gaze flickered. He had other guesses, but feeling it involved True Martial Sect, he did not want to speak.
But Southern Border Saintess slowly shook her head:
“No, perhaps we should think differently.”
Everyone was stunned.
They heard Southern Border Saintess’s words like a thunderclap:
“What if the ‘King Zhenbei’ who killed Elder Wang back then was also fake?”
Ghost Mask’s pupils contracted sharply.
Southern Border Saintess’s slender jade finger tapped rhythmically on the table:
“Suppose there is a person extremely skilled at imitating others’ powers, with strength in the mid Heavenly Human Ranking, or even higher up. Then it is highly possible he first impersonated ‘King Zhenbei’ to kill Elder Wang, then impersonated ‘Elder Wang’ to destroy our Qingzhou stronghold.”
“And such a person could not only come from Great Yan Imperial Court, but also from elsewhere.”
She implied something.
Ghost Mask immediately understood, his expression turning serious:
“The Saintess means… True Martial Sect?”
Southern Border Saintess slowly nodded:
“Correct. Your sect’s Elder Wang went to exterminate True Martial Sect but met with disaster. From the perspective of who benefits, True Martial Sect is suspicious. You simply overlooked it before due to True Martial Sect’s strength. To be honest, the destruction of our Southern Border Qingzhou stronghold earlier also involved True Martial Sect.”
“Though there is no direct evidence, such bizarre events repeatedly involving True Martial Sect makes one unable to not suspect.”
Qin Yun slightly lowered his eyes, his fist clenching in his sleeve, a haze in his heart.
Snake Granny hesitated slightly:
“But… that day we personally saw Heavenly Sword True Person’s sword intent. It was a swordsman who had reached the pinnacle.”
Southern Border Saintess countered:
“What if it was someone else? No one stipulates True Martial Sect can only have one Heavenly Sword True Person. Perhaps there is another expert hidden even deeper?”
Everyone chewed on this line of thinking.
The more they thought, the more it made sense.
“I had suspected True Martial Sect before but later dismissed it. But now, combining everything you said, I instead feel True Martial Sect’s suspicion has greatly increased.”
“We cannot abandon investigating the King Zhenbei line, but we similarly cannot ignore True Martial Sect.”
Southern Border Saintess’s voice clearly echoed in the hall.
Ghost Mask could not help but sigh lightly and clap:
“Worthily the future pillar of Southern Border, with such meticulous and sharp thoughts. It truly broadens our horizons. It’s a pity the Saintess was not born in our Sacred Sect.”
As he spoke, he glanced slightly at Qin Yun, who had not spoken, somewhat dissatisfied.
In this negotiation clash, Southern Border Saintess had taken the lead.
“In the Saintess’s view, what should we do?”
Southern Border Saintess smiled lightly:
“Doesn’t Ghost Mask Sect Master already have an idea? Our two sides form an alliance.”
“If the previous matters were Great Yan’s doing, then we naturally ally to strike back. If it turns out to be True Martial Sect, then we find an opportunity to join hands and exterminate True Martial Sect, then together resist Great Yan.”
She stood up, sighing faintly.
“Great Yan has occupied Central Plains Land for two thousand years. It’s been quite long, hasn’t it?”
Everyone’s emotions stirred somewhat.
Great Yan’s national fortune had lasted two thousand years—indeed too long.
“Does your Southern Border have a method to achieve Martial Saint?” Ghost Mask asked this most crucial question.
To overthrow Great Yan, Great Yan Martial Saint was an existence that could not be avoided.
Southern Border Saintess shook her head:
“Ghost Mask Sect Master lacks sincerity. This we both know well. In this era, the Martial Saint Method has long been erased. One can only forcibly step into Martial Saint Realm through other means. Great Yan Martial Saint won’t easily watch a new Martial Saint be born. He has reigned supreme over the world too long.”
“Don’t tell me your Demonic Sect has no way to achieve Martial Saint? If so, consider the alliance matter unspoken.”
Ghost Mask hurriedly said:
“Saintess, please wait!”
He chuckled twice:
“Our Sacred Sect has contended with Great Yan Imperial Court for a millennium, naturally with our own foundation. Just now was merely confirming if you qualify for alliance. Since allying, we need to be of one heart and mind.”
“Hundreds of years ago, our Sacred Sect nearly had a Martial Saint born, but at the critical moment, Great Yan Martial Saint sensed it, came knocking, and destroyed him. This time we need to be even more cautious. When the time comes, two Martial Saints born simultaneously, two against one, should be enough to suppress Great Yan Martial Saint!”
“This old fellow has lived so long, each time he acts he is weaker than before. Even two new Martial Saints would suffice to contend with him!”
Ghost Mask gnashed his teeth somewhat.
These years, the Demonic Sect was like a centipede that dies but never stiffens, but they were not wasting time. Nearly every century, they would provoke Great Yan Martial Saint to act once, to gauge his condition thereby.
Southern Border Saintess’s heart shook, gaining understanding of the Demonic Sect’s foundation and sincerity.
She sat down, proactively saying:
“Our Southern Border needs your Demonic Sect to cooperate in assisting us to refine Blood King Gu.”
Ghost Mask smiled faintly:
“No problem. Our Sacred Sect needs large quantities of exotic beast inner cores, the higher the quality the better! Your Southern Border is close to Hundred Thousand Mountains—this is not difficult for you.”
Their eyes flashed, both understanding the implication in the other’s words.
Clearly this related to both sides’ methods of nurturing Martial Saints, but smart people speak without needing to spell it out too clearly. This counted as initially showcasing sincerity.
Next.
Was the phase of mutual haggling.
Involving benefit distribution, it was always a matter of striving over every inch.
Qin Yun adjusted his emotions and joined in, but thinking of the True Martial Sect matter the two had mentioned earlier, he could not avoid some haze. He thought perhaps he should find an opportunity to give a reminder.
…
Time passed day by day.
The day True Martial Sect flung open its gates drew ever nearer.
The previous few days.
Luo Wentian and Dragon Mountain Daoist had returned to the mountain, even bringing back the news that True Martial Sect had risen to ninth among the world’s Daoist Sects. Instantly, True Martial Sect from top to bottom was jubilant, and the enthusiasm for opening the mountain to accept disciples rose another level.
While making some preparations for opening the mountain to accept disciples, Ning Qi silently tempered his ‘spirit’.
While further perfecting Myriad Phenomena Secret Record, he was also refining several secret techniques, making his combat power even stronger.
The protective Dao techniques could not be neglected either.
For example, the Virtual Sword Core Disintegration Great Method he created before—now with a core elixir, after adjustments, Ning Qi could condense three full virtual sword cores near his own core elixir to maintain balance.
This way, if fully erupted, it would suffice to amplify his strength by more than double.
As for the fake core.
It had already been removed by Ning Qi.
In the past when weak, he still needed the fake core to prop up appearances, but as his strength grew ever stronger, the fake core’s role diminished, even the False Core Disintegration Great Method had little use—its power comparable to the improved Virtual Sword Core Disintegration Great Method.
Thus it was thoroughly severed from Ning Qi’s last bit of utility.
However, Ning Qi had no intention of wasting it.
Instead, he chose to give it to Luo Wentian as a trump card. With his research on several secret techniques like False Core Unification Technique and False Core Disintegration Great Method, Ning Qi’s understanding of this beast king inner elixir was no longer as shallow as before.
Simply optimizing a new secret technique formed it.
Slightly modifying it and transplanting it back into Luo Wentian’s body. Though Luo Wentian could not master Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique, borrowing the fake core’s might to erupt with core elixir realm power was sufficient. Once he mastered it proficiently, he might even be stronger than ordinary core elixir realm experts.
For this, to cooperate with Thunder Tiger Beast King Inner Elixir, Ning Qi also simplified parts of Heavenly Thunder Method’s content, giving him better control over the Way of Thunder.
However, Luo Wentian was still familiarizing himself with this fake core.
And besides that.
Ning Qi was also refining the various changes of Heavenly Sword Technique.
Now stepping into core elixir realm, his gang qi quality and quantity surged once more, and previous conceptions were gradually realizing.
Now.
Ning Qi could relatively easily divide out thirty-six heavenly swords, forming Heavenly Stars Sword Formation.
Even, he was attempting to fuse Heavenly Thunder Method with it. Heavenly Thunder Method was his created peerless secret technique of the Way of Thunder, with many wonderful uses. Ning Qi had already applied it to pill way. He discovered that to quickly elevate True Martial Sect disciples’ strength, it still had to fall on pills.
In his spare time, he would research it, using Heavenly Thunder Method to temper spiritual medicine—higher efficiency, and the refined pills of better quality.
However, Ning Qi would not delay his own cultivation.
It was just that now his cultivation grew ever deeper. As his martial way realm rose higher, he began summarizing the path walked before, making the martial way path even simpler— in a sense, using them as ‘test subjects.’
Of course, this kind of experiment was harmless and beneficial.
Time passed.
The much-anticipated day True Martial Sect flung open its mountain gates finally arrived.
These days.
True Martial City was already packed to capacity.
Many came from far away, most of them children brought by elders, wanting them to board the large ship before True Martial Sect fully rose. A very few came alone, some beggars or from impoverished lands, seeking to change their destiny thereby.
“Little sister, I will definitely join True Martial Sect and give you a good life!”
The thick-browed, big-eyed boy solemnly said to the skinny girl beside him. His face was grimy, but his eyes incomparably bright. Yet he was very weak, hunger devouring him.
Hope rose in the emaciated little girl’s eyes:
“Big brother, I believe in you!”
But she immediately sensed several gazes laced with mockery, instinctively shrinking into the boy’s embrace. Their clothes were tattered; if not spring now, they might not even reach True Martial Sect.
A figure stopped before them.
The boy hurriedly shielded his sister, not daring to look up, just tensely saying:
“Sir, we’ll leave right away, right away.”
The person did not speak, merely set down the oil-paper wrapped buns and turned to leave. The boy looked on in astonishment, seeing only the white-haired back departing, vaguely glimpsing the edge of a mask on the face.
“Thank you, thank you!”
The boy trembled with excitement, repeatedly murmuring thanks. His eyes blurred somewhat. Along the way, he knew warmth and cold; few extended aid. He was starved of strength—these buns might suffice to change his destiny.
“Little sister, you eat quickly.”
“Big brother, you eat. Once you’re full, muster strength to pass True Martial Sect’s assessment, then pay me back ten buns!”
The boy just shook his head.
He stubbornly shared the buns with the girl, moreover remembering that white-haired back in his heart.
Such scenes were not uncommon in True Martial City.
There were simply too many people. True Martial disciples were busy just maintaining order and preparing for opening the mountain to accept disciples, with no time for other things.
A pavilion.
The white-haired masked person stood at the railing. A cold voice came from beside:
“Truly unexpected that the lofty Demonic Sect Holy Son would have such compassion. It rather refreshes this Saintess’s cognition of the Demonic Sect.”
Qin Yun did not look at Southern Border Saintess, merely slowly saying:
“Since the Saintess has the mind to observe Qin, better think how to insert our two sides’ people into True Martial Sect’s disciple recruitment this time.”
Southern Border Saintess smiled:
“Our Southern Border has its own means. I can’t manage your Demonic Sect side. In any case, True Martial Sect opening the mountain to accept disciples so grandly will inevitably mix in many spies from other forces. But some fish and dragons mixed is also good—precisely to probe among them, see if the Elder Wang and Qingzhou stronghold matters were True Martial Sect’s doing.”
As she spoke, she suddenly turned her head, her eyes carrying a certain seductive meaning:
“Speaking of which, I recall Qin Holy Son was formerly an old disciple of True Martial Sect? Won’t you have qualms?”
Qin Yun coldly stared at her:
“I advise the Saintess not to assume victory is in hand. I know my senior disciple brother well—seemingly honest but actually steady in action. Since deciding to fling open the mountain gates, he naturally has corresponding countermeasures. The Saintess should prepare for failure.”
“Earlier I did not approve of this method; it might instead expose our intentions.”
Southern Border Saintess furrowed her brows, ultimately chuckling lightly:
“I, however, do not believe it.”
Qin Yun said no more.
Things had come to this; he could not stop it. What needed doing, he had done. He could only take it one step at a time.
…
Inside Mingwu Pavilion.
Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist sat facing each other.
Before them was a chessboard.
With their strength, they could naturally sense the clamor at the mountain gate. There, many participants had already gathered, just awaiting Luo Wentian’s formal announcement.
Dragon Mountain Daoist casually placed a black piece, sighing:
“This opening of the mountain to accept disciples—who knows if it’s good or bad. Unexpectedly targeted by so many.”
“Little Nine, do you think that secret letter quietly sent a few days ago is true or false?”
His eyes gleamed coldly.
A few days prior, a secret letter had been quietly delivered.
It simply wrote one sentence.
Southern Border Alliance and Demonic Sect have already allied, intending to infiltrate True Martial Sect internally.
This news unsettled everyone.
Ning Qi’s hand holding the white piece paused.
“True or false, the assessment later will naturally reveal it.”
He had various guesses in his heart.
Since exterminating Southern Border Alliance’s Qingzhou stronghold, there had been no movement from Southern Border Alliance. He originally thought their attention had been successfully diverted to the Demonic Sect, or they had not even discovered that trace of forged evidence.
But now it seemed he had underestimated them.
After circling around, Southern Border Alliance still suspected True Martial Sect and even allied with Demonic Sect.
However, Ning Qi was not overly anxious.
Now stepping into core elixir realm, his powerful strength gave him ample confidence.
If given another year or half, waiting for him to promote to Heavenly Human Realm, then if Southern Border Alliance and Demonic Sect dared come making trouble, it would be seeking death.
“But… who sent this secret letter?” Ning Qi murmured.
Dragon Mountain Daoist also guessed.
But information was too scant.
“Could this secret letter be a probe from them? Perhaps they cannot confirm if it was you, Little Nine, who destroyed the Qingzhou stronghold back then.”
Hearing Dragon Mountain Daoist’s guess, Ning Qi slowly nodded.
“In any case, first stay calm and make no move. The longer we delay, the smaller their threat. Today, opening the mountain to accept disciples—use the assessment to first clear out all these ‘vermin’.”
As the two discussed.
Their gazes both turned toward the mountain gate.
Luo Wentian’s voice spread throughout True Martial Mountain. Clearly, the assessment was about to begin.
At the mountain gate.
Many participants had gathered, many wanting to join True Martial Sect, others just there for the spectacle.
True Martial disciples strove to maintain order.
Luo Wentian surveyed the crowd, already possessing the demeanor of a sect leader. He raised his voice:
“Today True Martial Sect flings open its mountain gates. You all came from afar; Luo thanks you. But for this opening to accept disciples, it was already stated clearly beforehand: disciples only accept children under ten who have not stepped into the martial way. Those accomplished in the martial way, only accept above White Mist Realm.”
“Others not qualifying, please descend the mountain and leave.”
His voice was mild, but carried an indisputable demeanor.
For a time.
Everyone was in an uproar.
“How can it be so? We came from thousands of li away; please, Sect Leader Luo, give us a chance!”
“Yes, yes, our young master has only just stepped into the martial way and practiced a bit of family martial arts.”
“Unexpectedly True Martial Sect is so domineering, not matching the rumors…”
Sarcastic words began appearing.
Many tried to coerce Luo Wentian into changing his mind by rallying the crowd.
But Luo Wentian remained unmoved. This was decided long ago, with no change possible. Moreover, this was not True Martial Sect’s sudden whim—it had been announced together with the recruitment standards three months prior when spreading the news.
Many present knew, but came anyway, merely hoping to try their luck.
See if they could find a chance to slip through.
Because True Martial Sect had long had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness.
But they forgot True Martial Sect never lacked decisive killing resolve.
Luo Wentian did not move.
Beside him, Xiong Shi had already roared in anger, gang qi surging, like an enraged lion:
“The assessment standards were set three months ago. Any more nonsense, killed!”
He punched out, gang qi shattering a large stone, instantly suppressing all the commotion.
White Mist Realm, looking across Qingzhou, was also a top-tier master. Some weaker martial arts sects’ strongest might not even reach this realm. The deterrent was there, especially now with Xiong Shi as Punishment Elder, his aura even more pronounced.
The hecklers instantly paled.
Especially seeing the cold intent gradually gathering in the surrounding True Martial disciples’ eyes, they could not help shivering, knowing their previous calculations were wrong.
One by one, figures hurriedly lowered their heads and left.
The originally boisterous mountainside instantly emptied by half.
But it also divided into two distinct parts.
One part all children, some with elders accompanying, some alone.
These children numbered nearly ten thousand. Counting those who left before, it was probably thirty to forty thousand—this was the main force of this assessment.
The other part was few in number, just over a hundred, all experts above White Mist Realm. At this time, their expressions varied: some arms crossed, some eyes straight ahead, some whispering in discussion. These were itinerant martial artists, come this time for better prospects and resources.
They had struggled outside long enough; such opportunities were rare. Now with the possibility of joining True Martial Sect, they all cherished it.
Luo Wentian carefully perceived those unabashed auras, immediately astonished. Inside was unexpectedly a core elixir realm expert, and seven or eight jade liquid realm as well.
But while astonished, he was also secretly vigilant. Dragon Mountain Daoist had told him of the secret letter matter before.
Looking at the gradually quieting crowd.
Luo Wentian loudly declared:
“I announce, this True Martial assessment formally begins!”
“First round, Ascension Stairs!”
He pointed, and everyone’s gazes fell on the green stone steps behind him.
Luo Wentian’s gaze was full of majesty:
“Only those who ascend the Ascension Stairs pass the first round. Those who quit midway or fail to reach the top do not enter my True Martial gate.”
The children instantly grew tense.
These green stone steps looked ordinary, but seemed to emanate some peculiar power. As Luo Wentian’s words fell, the green stone steps also began to seem extraordinary.
